Five million taels is not a small number. Shangguan Yunfei can't make the decision, so he has to discuss it with the head of the family.
Li Changfeng is not in a hurry, he believes that the Shangguan family will make the right choice.
As a result, the development of the matter was beyond Li Changfeng's expectation, and he did not receive any news from Shangguan's family for several days.
Apparently they were dissatisfied with the technology transfer fee and had other crooked ideas.
As for the specific crooked idea, Li Changfeng didn't care.
His new high-standard steel plant will be put into use soon. As long as the supply of iron ore is sufficient, it can continuously produce rails and be completely self-sufficient.
As for the special materials needed for nuclear weapons production, they are being researched simultaneously. Anyway, it is not yet time to use them.
Li Changfeng focused his energy on the preparation for the establishment of the Ministry of Railways.
It has not been formally proposed yet, and relevant plans must be made in advance.
In the past few days, the entire elite circle in the capital was in a state of shock.
When Li Changfeng prepared the Ministry of Railways, many local officials and garrison troops were able to get a piece of the pie, but most of the officials in the capital did not benefit at all.
In addition, they were already dissatisfied with this matter, and their opposition became louder and louder.
Some people even deliberately spread rumors to slander Li Changfeng, saying that he single-handedly promoted this project just to drain the national treasury.
This argument has been supported by many people. The reason is that what Li Changfeng is best at is making money by doing business. Now, except for the eight aristocratic families in the entire capital, who is as rich as Li Changfeng?
In the early dynasty, many officials petitioned Emperor Qianwu to dismiss the matter.
However, Emperor Qianwu insisted on remaining unmoved and continued to support the matter despite pressure.
Soon, Li Changfeng made relevant plans, and the exploration work for the first phase of the project was completed. This day coincided with the Great Court Meeting, so he hurried to Xuanzheng Hall early.
This time he still didn't say hello to Emperor Qianwu.
I was deeply puzzled by his sudden attendance at the morning court.
At the beginning of the morning, the ministers continued to demand the cancellation of the steam train plan as always.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Ninth Prince is here today. Let's discuss this matter. Is it really necessary to spend such a huge amount of money on this project?"
"The cost is too great. It wastes people and money in this way, but it will shake the foundation of the country!"
"It's better to use this money on people's livelihood!"
The ministers were salivating, and Emperor Qianwu listened so bored that he almost yawned.
After everyone said they were tired, Emperor Qianwu spoke.
"Changfeng, since you are here today, please tell me your opinion."
Li Changfeng secretly cursed that his father was really an old fox. Didn't this make him offend others?
However, he didn't care. Railway construction was imperative, so he said directly: "You are the pillars of the country and the father of the emperor, how can you take back what you said? This matter does not need to be discussed again!"
At this time, Emperor Qianwu naturally wanted to side with his son and said coldly: "This matter has been made public to the world. Do you want to force me to change my order overnight?"
As soon as this was said, the officials were silent.
We have already talked about this, and if we mention it again at this time, we would be cheating. I can only sigh secretly.
With such a big investment, there really is no benefit at all.
Li Changfeng observed the reactions of the ministers for a while and sneered in his heart.
You want to reap the benefits, right?
Then I'll give you a chance to see what else you can say.
He cupped his hands and said: "Father, I have made preparations for the establishment of the Ministry of Railways in the past few days. The first minister will be Erchen. The old prime minister promised that Erchen will be the deputy minister. He will be responsible for coordinating the appointment and dismissal of the personnel. Ye The old general is also the deputy minister, responsible for railway security and inspection work..."
As soon as this was said, the officials were silent.
With the help of two big-shot figures, Feng Quji and Ye Qingcang, no matter how dissatisfied they were, they did not dare to stand up and say anything.
Li Ji's face was expressionless. Anyway, he had almost given up any hope for the throne.
Li Chengye's face looked extremely ugly.
In his opinion, the fact that Feng Quji and Ye Qingcang came out to support Li Changfeng was an extremely dangerous signal, indicating that they had begun to support Li Changfeng.
In the past few years, he had tried to win over the two of them countless times, but he had never received any response. It was just a hot face but a cold butt.
As both princes, the difference in treatment was so huge that it was hard for him to accept.
Emperor Qianwu was a little surprised, even a little happy.
He had long known that Li Changfeng had visited Feng Quji and Ye Qingcang, but he did not expect to persuade them to join the Ministry of Railways. This move fully demonstrated Li Changfeng's ability to win over people.
This is a very important skill for an emperor.
Very potential!
He is truly the perfect choice to inherit the throne.
Emperor Qianwu thought to himself.
Li Changfeng continued to introduce the role of the Ministry of Railways as an organization and its relatively independent characteristics. In fact, Emperor Qianwu had known about it for a long time, and he mainly told the ministers.
The more the ministers listened, the more frightened they became.
They have absolutely no way to interfere with the Ministry of Railways!
It is almost impossible to profit from it.
Unless they go to local officials or become local webmasters.
But they finally entered the core of power, how could they be willing to leave?
Only a small number of family members had people serving as local officials, and the courtiers were secretly happy, thinking that they must find ways to get a piece of the pie.
After Li Changfeng finished his introduction, Emperor Qianwu didn't even bother to ask the courtiers for their opinions and directly made a decision.
"That's right!"
After speaking, he glanced at Feng Quji and Ye Qingcang.
"Both of you are veterans of our Daganzhu Kingdom. Railway construction is related to the national economy and people's livelihood, so you two must put your best efforts into it."
Feng Quji and Ye Qingcang came out one after another.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will listen to His Highness the Ninth Prince's instructions."
"Your Majesty, don't worry, you will live up to your trust!"
After the two expressed their opinions, Emperor Qianwu thought the matter was over and was about to discuss other matters when Li Changfeng spoke again.
"Recently, there are rumors among the people that this prince is undertaking this project to drain the treasury, which really makes me a little sad." Li Changfeng looked aggrieved.
As soon as this was said, the officials were silent.
Many of them had secretly contributed to the spread of this rumor.
Feng Quji and Ye Qingcang looked a little ugly.
If Li Changfeng wanted to drain the national treasury, wouldn't they have become accomplices?
Emperor Qianwu's face darkened: "It's extremely ridiculous!"
Li Changfeng continued: "How can I, the prince, alone accomplish such a large project? We need all of you, and even the whole world, to work together to build it."
Having said this, Li Changfeng paused deliberately and observed the expressions of the ministers. They were all filled with confusion and curiosity.
Then, Li Changfeng dropped a bombshell.
"I have planned it from the beginning. The entire project will be divided into several bidding sections. Each section will be handed over to those who are willing and able to do this project through competitive bidding. No matter who it is, The whole process is open and transparent.”