Zhu Yunye also wanted to know what Wang Yuanji was thinking, and asked curiously: "Businessmen regard wealth as their life. Is your idea too optimistic?"
Wang Yuanji sat steadily on the golden pier, looking calm and relaxed.
Nodding slightly, he said: "It is precisely because merchants regard wealth as life that they are willing to lend money to the court. After all, the court does not lend money in vain and wants to give them interest."
Although Wang Yuanji was talking about businessmen, Zhu Yunye felt that there was something in his words. His face couldn't help showing a look of embarrassment, and it was a little red.
"Ahem, merchants may not trust the court so easily, right?"
The imperial courts of all dynasties almost regarded merchants as pigs and dogs, and there were many examples of fattening and killing them for meat. This also leads to the fact that even if businessmen have great wealth, they will insist on crying about poverty when they see people and never change.
I'm afraid these merchants would rather bury their money in a pigsty than lend it to the court.
Although the Ming Dynasty had gone through decades of changes, it no longer had any prejudice against merchants and allowed merchants to wear silk and satin in public. But if the imperial court wants to borrow money from merchants, isn't it still a big deal?
Wang Yuanji smiled faintly, raised his hand towards Zhu Yunye and said, "I have to thank the Emperor for this!"
"Xie Zhen, what are you doing?" Zhu Yunye was a little confused.
Wang Yuanji laughed "haha" and continued: "If the emperor refuses to lend money, those merchants may be worried and dare not lend money to the court. But now that the Royal Bank dares to lend money to the court, then the merchants The worries will be much less.”
Over the years, Royal Bank has established a good image and credibility among merchants by borrowing and saving money. Merchants still have great trust in the Royal Bank, and they also know that if the Royal Bank dares to lend money to the court, they are not afraid of not getting it back.
Even if the court wants to return at that time, the merchants can come forward to get their principal and interest back through the Royal Bank.
"Ah! So, I am also responsible for this?" Zhu Yunye's eyes lit up and he said in surprise.
"certainly."
Wang Yuanji bowed slightly and nodded.
Zhu Yunye suddenly said, "Then can you give me a higher interest rate?"
Zhu Yunye regretted a little. If he had known this, he should have directly offered a 20% annual profit. Since Wang Yuanji has a request from him, Wang Yuanji will agree even if it is 20% of the annual profit.
"Your Majesty, you have a golden tongue!" Wang Yuanji couldn't help but remind him.
Zhu Yunye suddenly laughed dryly. Seeing the others looking at him with different expressions, he quickly explained: "I just said it casually..."
Can you just say the emperor's golden words casually?
Okay... Zhu Yunye said it's okay. The emperor has done this, how can they hold on to their ministers?
"Ahem, then leave this matter to Wang Aiqing."
After a pause, Zhu Yunye reminded again: "But uncle, I'm afraid..."
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I am willing to go and explain to the Duke of Zhen." Wang Yuanji did not put Zhu Yunye in trouble and took the initiative to take on the matter.
Zhu Yunye breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Yuanji's move indeed solved a major problem for him.
Wang Yuanji was recommended by Han Du as the chief assistant, so naturally Zhu Yunye subconsciously regarded Wang Yuanji as Han Du's spokesperson. However, after contacting him, Zhu Yunye found that Wang Yuanji was indeed a very upright person. He always dealt with the situation and the person, and showed no sign of speaking for Han Du.
For example, this time, he knew that it would be detrimental to Han Du to build the railway track himself, but he strongly advocated it. Because this will be beneficial to the court and the people.
And Wang Yuanji is indeed outstanding in ability. No matter how difficult the problem is, with his eloquent talk, he can turn big problems into small ones like spring breeze and rain, and help Zhu Yunye solve many difficult and complicated diseases.
After several years of getting along with each other, Zhu Yunye also developed enough trust in Wang Yuanji.
...
After walking out of the palace gate, Wang Yuanji and everyone handed over their hands one by one, thanked several people for their concern, and looked up in the direction of the Zhenguo Palace.
"Come here, get up in the sedan chair and go to the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion."
A plain blue sedan stopped at the gate of the Zhenguo Palace, attracting side glances from those who happened to be passing by.
This sedan is too ordinary, just the most ordinary sedan, without any hint of wealth.
When the servant guarding the door saw the person getting off the sedan, he immediately greeted him with a smile on his face.
"Shoufu Wang hasn't been here for a long time, please come in quickly."
Wang Yuanji nodded politely and asked with a smile: "Is sir in the house?"
"On the ground, on the ground..."
Hearing Wang Yuanji's arrival, Han Du summoned him to the study with a smile.
After the servant came in and served tea to the two of them, he bowed and left quickly.
"You're such a busy man, why do you have time to see me today?" Han Du looked at him with a faint smile.
Wang Yuanji lowered his body slightly, holding the tea, watching the tea leaves floating in the cup, sighing deeply, and said with great melancholy: "It's been a long time since I came to ask for advice from sir. It's rude as a student!"
"It doesn't matter." Han Du waved his hand, "We shouldn't be too close to each other in the first place. This will not do you any good. To be honest, I am very surprised that you can come to my place today."
Han Du looked at Wang Yuanji with a smile.
Wang Yuanji can be said to be one of the most outstanding students in the academy. Even someone like Sun Xian is slightly inferior to him.
What gentleman doesn't like outstanding students? Han Do is no exception.
"But if students come today, I'm afraid I will make my husband unhappy..." Wang Yuanji didn't hide anything and went straight to the point.
Han Du raised his head and glanced at him, then smiled and said, "Is there anything else we can't talk about between us? Tell me, what's the matter?"
"...That's what happened. The imperial court is prepared to pay for the construction of railway tracks." Wang Yuanji told Han Du what had happened in a slow and unhurried manner.
Han Du shook his head slightly and chuckled: "I thought it was something..."
"Aren't you angry, sir? Since the imperial court wants to build the railway tracks by itself, then the emperor's plan to build the railway tracks will definitely not be approved by the emperor." Wang Yuanji looked at Han Du in surprise.
Han Du waved his hand and said with a meaningful smile: "Why would I be angry? Do you know why I want to build the railway track again?"
After listening to Han Du's words, Wang Yuanji suddenly frowned and thought deeply. Even a fool can tell that there is something in Han Du's words, and a smart person like Wang Yuanji will certainly not miss it.
So...if Mr. doesn't care whether the railroad tracks can be built, why would he bring this up?
After a moment, Wang Yuanji suddenly raised his head and looked at Han Du in disbelief.
Although he was not sure yet, his tone was firm as he said, "Sir, you did it on purpose! Is it to make the court pay attention to the construction of railway tracks?"
Han Du smiled "Yeah" and said: "You have been the governor of Old Port, so you should understand that development is inseparable from convenient transportation, right?
"
"This is natural." Wang Yuanji nodded with deep understanding, and then said: "If the Ming Dynasty did not have advanced and fast ships, the old port would not have become so prosperous. Even if it could prosper, it would not be now. Maybe, I don’t know how many years it will take for it to develop to what it is now.”
Han Du withdrew his gaze from him and raised his head slightly to look at the ground outside the window.
"The Ming Dynasty has developed well overseas. Over the years, the ships have become stronger and faster, and the speed has become faster and faster. If things go on like this, overseas development will naturally get better and better."
"But the Ming Dynasty is not just overseas. No matter what, the mainland is the foundation of the Ming Dynasty and cannot be lost."
"But look at it now, how do you think the Ming Dynasty is developing now?"
As the chief assistant, Wang Yuanji dealt with Ming Dynasty affairs every day.
Without thinking at all, he said: "Although there are still many problems in the local area, the lives of the people are already much better than in previous dynasties."
This is not a problem. The cultivation of sweet potatoes, potatoes and corn has been fully spread. As long as the people are diligent, not only to provide food and clothing, but at least they will not be hungry.
And just to keep the people fed, no dynasty in the past thousands of years could do it.
"This is indeed good, but we cannot be satisfied with this and settle for the status quo!" Han Du smiled, "Now that we have solved the problem of people's food rations, can we continue to solve the problem of people's travel? The basic necessities of life, food, clothing, housing and transportation have all been solved. The prosperous age of the Ming Dynasty is here."
The prosperous Ming Dynasty!
Wang Yuanji was suddenly shocked. If he could really bring about the prosperous Ming Dynasty, it would be a trivial matter to leave his name in history, and there would be no problem in shining through the ages.
Just when Wang Yuanji's heart was racing, he suddenly woke up. He glanced at Han Du, shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Why do you want to seduce me, sir?"
In the past, Wang Yuanji thought that he had mastered Qi-nurturing Kung Fu, but just one sentence from Mr. Wang allowed him to break his guard.
"Well, it's not bad to be able to wake up instantly." Han Du nodded in appreciation, "I thought you really wanted to die of exhaustion."
If other people dared to say this in front of Wang Yuanji, then Wang Yuanji would definitely be angry. But when Han Du said this, Wang Yuanji didn't even think about it and nodded directly in agreement: "What did you say, sir? How dare a student have such an idea?"
"Back to business." Han Du stopped talking. With Wang Yuanji's wisdom, there was no need for Han Du to say too much.
"The railway tracks from the capital to Shanghai County have been built and in operation for several years, but the imperial court has no intention of building railway tracks. If you are not in a hurry, then I will let you hurry up." Han Du said with a smile.
Wang Yuanji let out a long sigh of relief, and said with a smile: "It seems that the students are still not doing well enough, and I have to let the husband take care of the students."
"However, it's not that the imperial court doesn't want to build it. It's that it costs too much to build railway tracks. Once students bring it up, they will face great resistance."
"That's why I want to help you!" Han Du picked up the teacup with a smile and gestured towards Wang Yuanji.
Wang Yuanji suddenly smiled, bowed slightly and responded, "Thank you sir for your help!"
