"Is it for this reason that His Highness invited so many aristocratic families and businessmen to watch the ceremony today?" someone among the officials asked.
"Yes, the operation of the train requires profit. At first, the passengers on the train must be mainly people from aristocratic families and businessmen, followed by the goods they need to transport. For goods, the timeliness of business can often bring There will be huge benefits."
"The funds earned from the operation of the trains can not only supplement the needs of the Tang Dynasty court for building railways, purchasing trains, etc., but also allow the railways to have certain operating authority." Li Ke said with a smile.
"It seems that the treasury will have another profitable business." Huangfulin here said with a smile. As the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, naturally the more money, the better. Although the money belongs to the country, but He has money, which means he has a high status.
Now that there are so many departments in Shangshu Province, who can't call him Huangfu Shangshu?
"If that's the case, then Your Highness, you called so many aristocratic families and businessmen here, do you want them to participate in the construction of the railway? Then give them some shares and dividends?" Fang Xuanling hesitated and said tentatively. road.
"Forget it, I don't want to trick them anymore." Li Ke smiled and shook his head.
"Trick them? How can you say this?" Fang Xuanling and others were stunned.
Stealing money? This is not a pitfall. Who can’t see the advantages of this railway? Normally, it would take a business company at least a month or even two months to transport goods thousands of miles away, but you only need three days.
Even though the shipping costs for these three days are relatively high, how much money was actually spent on the manpower and material resources saved in these two months? And the most critical time for many products is guaranteed. When doing business, doesn’t everyone want to get their money back faster?
As long as the money is returned quickly, they can do more business, and their annual profits will naturally be higher.
So the profit of this train is obvious, how can it be said to be a scam?
"No, Datang's railway is destined to be a money-losing industry." Li Ke smiled and shook his head.
"Huh?" These words not only dumbfounded Huangfulin, but also made countless ministers and Li Shimin a little stunned. Losing money? How did you say this? How can you lose money?
"I know that you think the railway can be profitable because the railway is completely handed over to market operation and its transportation is responsible for its transportation according to the relationship between supply and demand. In this case, of course it can make money." Li Ke smiled.
"What's wrong with this?" Everyone was a little confused. Isn't this normal? After the railway was built, wasn't it just for this purpose?
"No, it's not." Li Ke shook his head lightly, "Datang's railway will not be profitable for a long time, and will even lose money for a long time. This is an inevitable factor."
"Because the railways in Datang were not built for profit, but as an artery to activate the entire behemoth of Datang."
"If Datang is compared to a person, then the railway will become the blood vessels in the giant body of Datang, transporting blood to all parts of Datang's body and strengthening the connection between various parts of Datang's body, heart, and brain. connect."
"This is the real role of Datang Railway."
"In order to achieve this goal, for a long time, whether the railway is used to transport or pull people, its fares will not be too high."
"In this way, the flow of people in Datang can be strengthened, especially for Datang. In the future, professional workers will be needed across the country. Construction workers are very important, because for these workers who are far away from home, they can return home once a year. ,this point is very important."
"Home is what they care about."
"In the future development of Datang, it is impossible for every industry to be in an absolute dominant position and everything to be profitable. This is impossible. We must make choices in certain aspects, and with a foundation like railways Construction is the best choice." Li Ke explained to everyone with a smile.
"And if we were just for profit, the advantages of trains would not be that great. Most importantly, the development of railways in Datang would not be that fast, because for the largest number of people in Datang, they would not be able to use it. Got up."
"For example, in terms of railways, we can connect the territory of Datang with a new railway connection method of three vertical and three horizontal lines. First build a few aorta, and then build local branch lines. A few aorta will be enough to connect the Tang Dynasty. Don becomes a complete whole.”
Many courtiers nodded. As expected of His Highness the King of Qin, this kind of strategic vision is the most powerful thing about His Highness the King of Qin. This is something that many courtiers cannot compare with.
Indeed, as His Highness said, if all industries in Datang were to make money, it doesn't take much to think about it. It is impossible for Datang's railways to develop so fast, because there are some places where there is no need to build them at all.
Because there is not enough profit.
If there is no profit, what is the purpose of building the past? Isn’t it just losing money?
But it has a very important strategic position, which is very important.
"Your Highness, if we put it this way, the railway we prioritize needs detailed planning. At least it must pass through relatively large cities reasonably, and try to allow the railway to cover enough areas." Yan Lide said.
"Yes, Shangshu Yan is right. We can try to cover as much area as possible with the railway and try to connect the largest population. This is the most important thing. Of course, strategic railways must also be built, such as When it comes to building a railway from Chang'an to Yili, this is a strategic-level railway."
"Because in the future, Datang will target the Western Regions, especially the Western Turks. Likewise, the Silk Road and the war with Persia will all use these railways."
"Although this railway is difficult, and we will even need to build bridges over water and open roads over mountains in the future, even if it is a segmented construction, we must build it thoroughly." Li Ke said seriously.
All the ministers were excited by what Li Ke said, building bridges over water and paving roads over mountains. What kind of ambition is this! Especially where is the Western Region? That's Tianshan! Kunlun Mountains! Can mountains like that be opened?
"This is not that I am questioning His Highness, but is it a bit... too difficult to open the mountain?" Yan Lide couldn't help but said, he had no choice but to speak, because he was the Minister of the Ministry of Construction.
After some roads start construction, there will be a construction period! He needs to take responsibility!
