Following the imperial edict, this matter was finally concluded.
Emperor Qianwu asked again: "Do you, my beloved ministers, still have any other matters to report?"
Li Changfeng turned his head and looked at the ministers.
Seeing that the ministers were silent and Emperor Qianwu was about to announce his withdrawal from the court, Li Changfeng came out and cupped his hands and said: "Father, I have my heart to tell you."
Emperor Qianwu suddenly became interested. He leaned forward slightly and said in a much higher tone: "Oh? Tell me and listen."
All the ministers in the court also looked at Li Changfeng.
Li Changfeng never liked going to court, and even when he went to court he kept a very low profile. Unless Emperor Qianwu deliberately asked him, he would not even bother to say a word.
In everyone's impression, Li Changfeng had almost no interest in government affairs except for making money and engaging in strange and obscene skills.
It's really strange that there is a book to be played today.
Li Changfeng cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, do you still remember the steam locomotive invented by the scientific research institute under my command?"
Emperor Qianwu nodded: "Of course."
How could you forget this?
Emperor Qianwu had personally tested it back then, and it was a peculiarity that would play a major role in the future. For this reason, he specifically told Li Changfeng to seize the time to improve it and put it into use as soon as possible.
Many ministers of the DPRK and China have also seen steam vehicles. Even if they have never seen one, they have heard about it and know that it is a very magical object.
What they were curious about was why Li Changfeng mentioned this matter.
Li Changfeng continued: "Limited by the fact that Dakan Road is not suitable for steam trains, the Research Institute invented a steam train that runs on rails and can achieve high-speed, long-distance and long-term operation."
"Now that the technology has matured, it can be put into construction and use after many experiments and demonstrations. Its excellent load capacity will definitely bring unprecedented changes to Daqian. Erchen proposed to lay railways in the country to promote trains."
At this point, Li Changfeng stopped.
Emperor Qianwu agreed directly without thinking: "This is a good thing, I'm sure."
Although he didn't know exactly what the train tracks were, he was sure that if it wasn't of great value, Li Changfeng would never do it.
He believed in Li Changfeng.
It's just that he was a little strange as to why Li Changfeng would suddenly mention this matter in the court without talking to him beforehand.
At this moment, Li Changfeng spoke.
"Father, it's fine if you agree, but..." At this point, Li Changfeng changed the topic, "The manufacturing of trains requires the support of the treasury."
After saying that, Li Changfeng stared at Emperor Qianwu's expression.
Emperor Qianwu waved his hand and said, "Tell me, how much silver is needed."
Spending money is inevitable, and Emperor Qianwu is not surprised.
But the number Li Changfeng reported next shocked him.
"The initial investment is about 3 million taels, and the later investment is estimated to be 20 million taels."
Emperor Qianwu was stunned for a long time before he came back to his senses and exclaimed: "What?! You need so much money?!"
The officials were also shocked.
Three million taels of silver was already astonishing enough. It almost emptied the national treasury. Later, it turned out that 20 million taels of silver were needed. This is simply an astronomical figure.
After a brief period of silence, Xuanzheng Hall suddenly became noisy.
"No, this is absolutely not possible!"
"Twenty million taels, my God, the tax money in the whole Daqian area is not that much!"
"If all the money is used to build a train, what will happen to the salaries of the officials in the DPRK and the Central Government? What will happen to the food and salary of the army? What if there is a war and there is no money?"
"This is inappropriate, Wei Chen does not agree!"
"I second the proposal!"
"..."
For a time, the entire court was filled with objections.
Even Prime Minister Feng Quji, who has always been taciturn, stood up and spoke.
"Your Highness, please don't rush this matter!"
Emperor Qianwu frowned, but when he saw Li Changfeng's expression was calm, as if everything was as he expected, he couldn't help but murmur to himself.
This brat didn't even say hello to me beforehand, there must be something fishy!
At this moment, Li Changfeng spoke again.
"Since the national treasury is tight and everyone disagrees, then this prince will undertake the construction of this steam train personally."
As soon as this statement came out, all the officials were shocked.
Is His Highness the Ninth Prince so rich?
How dare one person build such a huge project?
Are his industries so profitable?
How do they know that Li Changfeng's industries are indeed profitable?
But developing nuclear weapons is a bottomless pit!
There are so many places to spend money on everything.
Now that the project has just started, he can still afford it, but it will be hard to say later.
So we must try our best to make money.
As for 20 million, he definitely can't afford that much right now.
But this is a project that lasts a long time, and the money is invested gradually, not all at once.
During the time difference, he can continue to make money.
Moreover, after a section of the railway is built, it will be put into use and continue to provide income.
Li Changfeng raised this matter in court in order to completely control the railway and achieve privatization.
Once this goal is achieved, money will really come rolling in.
The ministers of the DPRK and China did not know what he was thinking, let alone the huge profits that would be generated after the railway was put into operation. After being shocked, they all spoke out in agreement.
"Since His Highness wants to finance it himself, I have no objection to this."
"His Royal Highness, the Ninth Prince, is richest in the world and cares deeply about the country and the country. He is truly admired by the old ministers."
"As long as the money from the treasury is not used, I have no objection."
"I second the proposal!"
"..."
For a time, the whole court was filled with voices of approval.
Anyway, it's not spending your own money, and it can't affect the court's salary distribution. His Highness the Ninth Prince can just let him do whatever he wants.
Emperor Qianwu frowned slightly, but still did not express his position.
He felt that something was wrong with Li Changfeng and he must have his own agenda.
Since it was difficult to ask directly in the court, he decided to wait and see what happened.
Seeing that everyone agreed, Li Changfeng was secretly happy and said seriously: "I am willing to spend any amount of money to build a railway and build a steam train for me in Daqian, but there is one thing I have to say upfront. When the court wants to use my railway, it will not be in vain. , you have to pay for it, after all, no one’s money comes from the strong wind.”
As soon as these words came out, Emperor Qianwu suddenly realized.
He finally understood that the reason why Li Changfeng mentioned this matter in the court without prior communication was because he wanted all the ministers to oppose the matter and not allow the state to participate in the matter, so that he could exclusively enjoy this profitable business.
He guessed that the money earned by the imperial court from using the railway was only a small part, and the profits generated by private use were the bulk, otherwise Li Changfeng would not have gone to such trouble.
The officials did not think there was anything wrong with what Li Changfeng said.
"This is natural. The imperial court cannot use your steam train in vain, Your Highness."
"You still have to pay the money that should be paid."
"I have no objection."
"..."
Li Changfeng was overjoyed.
This matter is basically settled, now we just need Emperor Wu's approval.