June is like fire, scorching the north.
However, as the heart of the Ming Dynasty, Beijing remains as prosperous as ever.
Today, Chongwen Gate is ten miles away, but it is extremely lively.
Crackling.
A large number of firecrackers were lit.
The children covered their ears, and then tried to take away the firecrackers that jumped out, regardless of their parents' intervention.
Several shirtless men climbed on the roof and watched with interest.
"Let's go to the railway car, look at the railway car -"
On the road, children who still had time to grab a seat kept running, sweating profusely, and many people became interested.
Only two railroad tracks were seen, which were deep into the ground, with only the tracks exposed to prevent them from catching the horses' hooves.
The wide track it consists of, including the sleepers, is one foot long, about half a foot higher than the surface, like a long dragon, winding and spectacular.
Fences were set up on both sides of the railway tracks to prevent anyone from sneaking in and being hit.
In front of the station, there was a sea of people, and a few named gentry and wealthy businessmen showed up happily, but the real protagonist was the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture: Zhu Yiquan.
As a civil servant from the clan, although Zhu Yiquan was only a civil servant, at the age of fifty-four, he had already become the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture, half-stepping into the ranks of important ministers of the imperial court.
This is basically his top.
Unless the emperor grants him the same background as Jinshi, just like Jackie Chan.
Zhu Yiquan was also prepared in his heart. He had always followed the rules and had no chance of making great achievements. Therefore, after becoming the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture, moving to the position of Minister of the Eight Departments was already his best result.
"Master Fu." Several businessmen came over cordially.
"Hmm!" Zhu Yiquan looked at the six white horses and the long carriage and said with emotion: "This is the third railway track connecting Beijing!"
“I don’t know how many railway tracks will reach Beijing in the future.”
The first railway track in Beijing leads to Yuquan Mountain, about sixty miles away; the second track leads to Tianjin, three hundred miles away.
And this third item is going to Baoding, the capital of Hebei.
Among them, it passes through Liangxiang, Fangshan, Zhuozhou, Laishui, Dingxing, Rongcheng, Xiongxian, Ansu, and finally Baoding. It winds more and reaches 400 miles.
This is the opening of Hebei Province to Beijing, which is of great significance.
Politically speaking, Beijing can better control Hebei and maintain stability in the capital.
Economically, it is more convenient for Beijing to suck blood.
"What the Master said is true. The time is not far away." At this time, an elegant man echoed from the side with a look of approval on his face.
When Zhu Yiquan saw him, his expression became much kinder.
It turned out to be Xue Chongwen, a great businessman in Gyeonggi Province, an imperial businessman, and the head of the Xue family.
It is rumored that he was friendly with the Jia family, the Shi family, etc., and had a wide range of friends among nobles, so he was naturally very different from ordinary businessmen.
After a few hasty words, Zhu Yiquan left.
After boarding the carriage, he waved his sleeves and said angrily: "A mere merchant, a despicable person, dares to interrupt. If I had been in the previous court, I would have slapped the mouth of thirty people."
The master on the side smiled bitterly and said: "Don't be angry, Mr. Dong, now the government and the public attach great importance to business and profits, and the Xue family is an imperial businessman, so it is not worth getting angry."
"I'm still a member of the clan!" Zhu Yiquan retorted and muttered: It's not all about women.
After the officials left, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed.
Xue Chongwen now regarded himself as the master of the house, shook his head and said softly: "The railway track from Datong to Beijing is also under construction. I am afraid it will be open to traffic by this time next year."
"That's seven hundred miles."
As soon as these words came out, the businessmen clucked their tongues.
"Railway is an important weapon of the country and attracts the attention of both the government and the public. No matter how long or far it is, it must be repaired."
Although Zhu Yiquan didn't know the cost of the rails, just 700 miles of rails was a lot of money.
"Excuse me, Mr. Xue, how much does this cost?"
Due to Xue Chongwen's status as an imperial merchant, both officials and businessmen respected him.
"From Beijing to Baoding, every mile costs 5,000 silver coins. Four hundred miles is 2 million yuan. Including sleepers, roadbed sand and gravel, and labor, 3 million is about the same."
Xue Chongwen shook his paper fan, feeling quite proud.
Because the two-day railway line from Datong to Beijing and Baoding to Beijing was basically co-operated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and local merchants.
Among them, Huangshang occupies a large part of the quota.
Ordinary businessmen are not eligible to participate at all.
"Can you make back your money?" At this time, someone asked in confusion: "From Tianjin to Beijing, there are huge crowds of people. Even if you work overtime, you won't have to worry about people. Datong Prefecture has been barren since ancient times. Although there have been more yellow sheep and wool in recent years, Wait, but there aren’t many people…”
Everyone agreed that this was indeed the case.
Nowadays, railway tracks have insufficient transportation capacity and can only transport people. The flow of people is the key.
"It can't be said."
Xue Chongwen shook his head and pretended to be mysterious: "This matter must be profitable, otherwise how could we give away money in vain?"
"You will understand in the future. I advise you all to participate if there are railway tracks in the future!"
After saying that, he gave the gift and left.
The businessmen were left in a daze, looking at each other and not knowing what to say.
Princess Huaining's Mansion.
As the eldest princess, her princess palace is half the size of the prince's palace.
The person who was lucky enough to marry Princess Huaining was Chen Muning, the son of Duke Chen Yongfu.
As the Prince Consort, Chen Muning is very young, only three years older than the princess. He is only in his early twenties now, so he can be considered young and promising.
However, as he was born in a noble family, he naturally inherited the title. He had nothing to do every day and only worked in the Guards Department. It could be said that he was relaxed and free.
Princess Huaining gave birth to a son the year before last and a daughter last year, which added a lot of joy to the entire princess residence. The couple can be considered harmonious.
Of course, the reason for the harmonious relationship between the couple is that the Princess Mansion is different from the previous dynasty.
To put it simply, in the princess's mansion, there are no maids or aunts sent by the royal family at all. The prince consort and the princess can make the final decisions.
This is much better than in the previous dynasty, when the prince-in-law had to report any intimacy with the princess.
Throughout the dynasties, the princes-in-law of the Tang and Ming dynasties were extremely unlucky.
The same is true. What the consorts of the Ming Dynasty looked forward to most was that the princess would die early, so that he could take concubines as he pleased and have a relationship with the royal family.
"Princess." Chen Muning came slowly, looked at the princess putting the child to sleep, and couldn't help but whisper.
"What's wrong?"
Princess Huaining put the child down and then stood up, her pretty face full of doubts.
As a princess, she naturally inherited the excellent genes of the emperor and his mother-in-law. She has beautiful eyebrows and an oval face. Although she is not top-notch, she can still be regarded as a great beauty.
More importantly, she has received cultural education since she was a child. She has a gentle personality and is mostly rational, which makes the family relationship more harmonious.
Chen Muning is also willing to discuss important matters with the princess.
He retreated and then said, "I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is planning to set up a company?"
"Company? What is this?"
Princess Huaining said doubtfully.
"It seems to be a chamber of commerce, imitating the Western Yi. It is responsible for dealing in some overseas things. I heard that it will make a lot of money."
Chen Muning was full of expectations.
"Not necessarily." Princess Huaining said softly: "The overseas situation is complicated, and even the established chamber of commerce may not be profitable."
"Besides, didn't we invest money in the railway tracks last time? Do we still have any money left at home?"
The two railway tracks, the Beijing-Tongxing Line and the Beijing-Baoding Line, were led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with nobles and imperial merchants selectively investing money.
Since the railway track is a project destined to be profitable, the amount of money invested by each company is not much, only 5,000 yuan per share.
But with the status of Princess Huaining, their family directly bought two copies for 10,000 yuan.
Two railway lines cost 20,000 yuan.
This amount of money was a big headache for the Princess Mansion, but they didn't panic at all.
The Duke of Fuguo's palace can make money, and even if the princess goes to act coquettishly to the emperor, she can still make money. It is impossible for such a big princess's palace to die in poverty.
Chen Muning said confidently: "Didn't my family allocate three thousand acres of farmland before? We can make money by mortgaging the land."
"Wouldn't it be possible to recover in two years?"
As a powerful family, even if the land in the Princess Mansion is mortgaged, the interest will not be much, and it will not be occupied.
This is equivalent to low-interest borrowing.
"A dignified consort, you still need a mortgage?"
Princess Huaining teased: "Forget it, go to Shaanxi Merchant Bank to borrow some!"
Chen Muning smiled bitterly and said, "She has to be a princess!"
Shaanxi merchants were the emperor's help from the beginning. Then it jumped to the top and became a famous chamber of commerce in the country.
Naturally, he still adheres to the tradition of currying favor with the royal family. The princess can be as powerful as ten princes-in-law with just one word.
Unsecured loans are not worth mentioning at all.
It doesn’t even require interest.
The couple discussed household matters.
The money in the princess's house is the couple's private money to provide for their daily needs.
The title and property of the Duke's Mansion can only be regarded as public property, and are still controlled by Duke Fu, who only pays a monthly payment.
After Chen Mu Ningshang became Princess, the Chen family and the royal family gave a large amount of real estate and money for the young couple to live in a leisurely way.
"Zhuangzi, the shops have reached their peak. It seems that they really want to have a hand in the company. My consort, you did nothing wrong."
Princess Huaining frowned.
In Beijing, it is an unspoken rule that as big an official as you are, you will get as much benefit as you want. Once the limit is exceeded, there will be conflicts.
Although Princess Huaining is the daughter of the emperor, she still has to abide by the rules because it is for the sake of future generations.
Who knows what the next generation of emperors will be like?
According to convention, a consort is equivalent to an earl, and what he occupies is the earl's share, and his monthly income is no more than three to four thousand yuan.
Of course, the princess's food is her own money, which is equivalent to a dowry and is not included in the public property at all. Moreover, the food is given out once a year and can only quench her thirst.
"How about borrowing five thousand yuan?" Princess Huaining said, "Just wait until next year's food comes and we can get some more."
"Not enough." Chen Muning whispered: "I heard that this company specializes in copper mines, gold mines, and even muskets. It can make a lot of money."
"There is news from the Ministry of Internal Affairs that five thousand shares are worth ten thousand yuan per share. If you make money in the future, you will be divided according to the shares."
"What?" Princess Huaining was shocked: "Fifty million?"
"Did you sell a province?"
"So, we must at least collect one share."
Chen Muning said solemnly: "It's best to buy two shares. There is no limit on these shares. First come, first served."
"Those royal merchants and salt merchants have a lot of money, but their coke is broken."
"How much did the Ministry of Internal Affairs release?"
At this time, Princess Huaining calmed down.
"Two thousand shares." Chen Muning said with emotion: "The Ministry of Internal Affairs kept 60%, saying that this is the royal family's profit and must account for the majority."
“It’s really a big profit if you don’t guarantee everything.”
Princess Huaining frowned and thought.
With such a large undertaking, it can be seen that it was done by the emperor himself, and there is a great chance of making money.
For the sake of future generations, there is no disadvantage in buying it.
Besides, as the emperor's daughter, if you lose money and act coquettishly, you can get some back!
Just when the couple was about to make a decision, suddenly there was a rumor from the servants that Princess Yongqing and her consort were visiting.
Princess Yongqing is the queen's legitimate daughter and the second oldest child. She is married to Li Shouzhuo, the eldest son of Anguo Gong Li Jizu.
Princess Huaining and Princess Yongqing are almost the same age, and there is no succession to the throne, so they have had a harmonious relationship since childhood, and the relationship between sisters is very good.
Comparatively speaking, Princess Yongqing is smaller in stature, fairer and tenderer, generous and courteous, graceful and luxurious. At first glance, she looks like a royal nobleman.
Li Shouzhuo looked exactly like his father Li Jizu, with slightly darker skin and a well-proportioned body. He was considered qualified as a prince-in-law.
However, compared to Chen Muning, Li Shouzhuo has a weaker character, and the princess decides everything.
So the two princesses sat on the throne, and the two princes consort came to their left and right.
"Sister, I'm here just to talk about the company."
Princess Yongqing said crisply: "I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs set up a company worth 50 million yuan to go overseas for gold mining. I don't know whether it is true or not."
"We can't bother our father because of this matter."
"Sister, we just found out about this." Princess Huaining said with a smile.
"Is sister ready to buy it?" Yongqing asked hurriedly: "I'm not sure, so I want to ask sister."
"Buy." After hesitating for a moment, Princess Huaining said decisively: "After all, this is the charter of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so it is impossible to lose money!"
"Besides, money won't make money if you keep it at home. Otherwise, it will be spent carelessly. It's better to invest it. If you pass this village, there won't be this store."
“If we don’t think about ourselves, we must also think about our descendants!”
Princess Yongqing frowned and fell into thinking.
The consort Li Shouzhuo was taciturn, waiting for the princess to make up her mind.
Chen Muning said carefully: "Princess, do you want to go into the palace?"
Princess Yongqing glanced at him and said something.
The meaning of this sentence is very clear, let her ask the queen.
As the mother of a country, although the queen cannot directly control the Ministry of Internal Affairs, she has great influence, and she naturally knows the details better than others.
As the queen's daughter, it would be appropriate for Princess Yongqing to ask the queen.
"Sister, do you really want to buy it?"
"I definitely want to buy it."
Seeing Princess Huaining's decisive look, Yongqing sighed: "It seems that I really have to go to the palace, but I can't let my sister lose money."
After saying this, the wind, wind and fire left.
The Prince Consort Li Shouzhuo, who followed behind him, didn't say a few words for such a long time.
"Consort Li is too henpecked."
Chen Muning shook his head and sighed.
"Aren't you afraid?" Princess Huaining said with a side smile.
"I respect you." Chen Muning said decisively.
(End of chapter)
