"Master Marquis, there is a shortage of food, and rising food prices are a natural trend. We are running a small business, so we can't do business at a loss, right?"
"Sir, it is inevitable that food prices will rise!"
Another grain merchant said.
Other businessmen also spoke one after another.
It seems that the increase in food prices is a reasonable thing.
But in fact, it is not reasonable at all.
As long as Li Mu opens his mouth, merchants can increase prices without any bottom line.
Not long ago, the price of a bucket of rice was 30 cash, but as long as he opened his mouth, it was possible for a bucket of rice to go up to 50 cash, 100 cash, or 300 cash.
Of course, Li Mu relied on government orders to forcibly set the price of grain at a certain level, but this would lead to a continuous decrease in the amount of grain in normal circulation on the market, while the price of grain in the black market would continue to soar.
Many times, we face a dilemma.
Just like in the previous life, housing prices kept rising and could not come down no matter what. But when housing prices really fell, it was the moment of economic recession.
People hope that house prices will fall because it can alleviate the pressure of life; but they are also afraid of house prices falling because it is a sign of economic recession.
Li Mu said: "The price of grain can rise, but it can rise from the current base of thirty cents per bucket, and the maximum cannot exceed one hundred cents!"
"Thank you for your understanding!"
Other grain merchants spoke one after another, with smiles on their faces and their mouths opened.
At the moment, each fight does not exceed a hundred coins, but by then, they are sure to break through the hundred coins, and the bottom line will be broken step by step.
Li Mu smiled strangely and said: "Here is good news for you. The imperial court is going to build three horizontal and five vertical railways and build a large-scale railway. The plan has just begun. According to the construction period, it will only take more than half a year to build it from Youzhou to the south.
A railway, then the price of food will be greatly reduced!"
"No firewood can be sold for a hundred miles, and no grain can be sold for a thousand miles. This means food transportation. After a thousand miles, the price will rise and you will lose money. But with trains and railways, every stone meter only increases by ten cents!"
As soon as Li Mu clapped his hands, a guard immediately brought out a huge sand table, which was exactly the terrain of Youzhou. There were railways on it, with railways as the main body and roads as auxiliary, etc., extending to everywhere.
Is it difficult to build a railway and a steam locomotive?
When he first arrived, Li Mu found it very difficult. After all, it was a modern society with underdeveloped productivity.
But after some time, Li Mu realized that it was not difficult at all, not at all.
This world is a world of high martial arts. In terms of material manufacturing, it surpasses China in the previous world in the 21st century. China's steel manufacturing is not as good as this world.
However, many excellent steel materials are mainly used to make weapons and wars. As for people's livelihood, they seem to be much different.
When he was in the northwest, Li Mu built a steel plant and a steam engine. He originally thought it was very difficult. It would take at least five years to achieve success.
But it only took half a year for the industrial hen to be built, and another half year for the steel production to reach 500 tons per year.
Can be expanded in production at any time.
As for the steam engine, it was also manufactured at a level equivalent to that of the First World War.
As for the price, it is also very cheap.
It's just that these amazing achievements are nothing more than that in the eyes of many craftsmen.
The ten steels produced are scrap steel and may be broken by a punch from the innate warrior.
The speed of a steam train can reach one hundred kilometers per hour, but it is not as fast as an innate warrior.
It can be said that whether it is a steel factory or a steam train, to warriors, it is nothing more than that.
But in Li Mu's eyes, it is the foundation of the world.
How convenient the transportation is, how large an area can be controlled.
Just like ancient China, the reason why it was constantly divided was because of inconvenient transportation. Maybe a rebellion broke out in the south of the Yangtze River and it took a month to reach the capital, which was too slow. Therefore, canals were built in later generations to strengthen communication.
In this world, the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty is ten times that of China in the previous world, but transportation is not convenient. Especially in times of famine, food distribution is too slow.
When a dense railway network is established, it will be of great benefit for transporting food, transporting troops, disaster relief, and commercial development.
"...I have stored a large amount of steel rails, as well as locomotives, locomotives, etc. If the construction is carried out in sections, it will only take three months to build a double track spanning 3,000 miles... If we work harder, it will only take two
Months are enough. Food is important, but building railways is even more important!"
"There is no shortage of food in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Youzhou suffered disasters, but other places had good harvests, but transportation was inconvenient and could not be transported in!"
"Now there are three thousand miles of railway track. I have divided it into thirty construction areas. Each construction team only needs to build a hundred miles. This is the construction route and the construction drawings!" Li Mu said, and a guard took out another drawing.
.
"If innate warriors, master warriors, great masters, or even heavenly beings participate in it, it may only take ten days, or even less, for the construction to be completed!"
Having said this, Li Mu was ready to make a move.
In this world, innate warriors are small excavators, and grandmasters are large excavators. If grand masters, heavenly beings, etc. are used for construction, they will be faster and work more efficiently.
But in this world, warriors are nobles, and top warriors are nobles among nobles.
Is it possible to ask a group of nobles to work as migrant workers to build river dams and roads? It is just like asking Jack Ma, Ma Huateng, etc., and a group of mayors, senior officials, etc., to work as migrant workers. It is also very difficult.
At least it's difficult.
However, the work efficiency is still very high!
Under normal circumstances, it would take an ordinary person half a year to complete it, but an advanced warrior would only need a dozen days to complete it.
"Which of you is willing to contract, the construction period will be one month..." Li Mu said: "If you are not willing, the warriors under my command can do it, the warriors under Beihuang Hou can do it, and the other three princes can also do it!"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to contract this section of road!"
At this time, a businessman said.
"I do too!"
Another businessman said.
"I am also willing to do something for Youzhou!" Another businessman said.
As this businessman spoke, other businessmen also spoke one after another, and thirty construction areas were quickly allocated.
Li Mu smiled, very satisfied.
The first three businessmen were just his trustors, but after the first three, the businessmen behind started to offer contracts one after another, which proved what it means to follow the herd mentality.
If some people give gifts, the leaders may not remember them, but if some people do not give gifts, the leaders will definitely remember them.
Among the businessmen participating at the moment, Li Mu might not be able to remember who contracted a certain area; but he would definitely remember who did not.
Even smart people have to follow the herd when they fall into a certain atmosphere.
ps: The second update is here, I will continue to update in the evening.