Tan Dafu doesn't care how officials flatter the emperor, and having fun with the people is often used by the officials themselves to whitewash their appearance. She knew in her heart whether the people were happy or not.
She has such high respect and identification with the emperor mainly because she has seen actual changes. Ordinary people like Aunt Gu at the Women's Medical Center can have a place to live in the capital, receive monthly allowance, and their children can go to school.
If you can do this, you will have great good governance and you will be the most benevolent emperor.
As for Gu Zuo, he had spotted Doctor Tan's itch during this trip.
Since she is benevolent, she naturally hopes to have more medical clinics and more doctors. How many people can she save by herself even if she doesn't eat or drink?
"As long as the number of medical clinics increases, no matter where they are added... I am willing to do so."
There is a medical school in the academy. Although doctors need to be tutored by their masters for many years, it has been eight or nine years since the medical school began. Some of the first apprentices can already sit on the stage for consultation. Therefore, there is no shortage of doctors. but……
"But Young Situ...the medical clinic focuses on treating illnesses and saving lives, and the fees it charges have always been very low. Coupled with some money allocated by the court, it can survive. Now we have to rent a shop in the Evernight City, and we have to open the medical clinic again. It takes too much silver to do it."
Gu Zuo took over and said, "Don't worry about the money, doctor. The city that never sleeps was built for the people, and the medical center is also for the people. Besides, the medical center was originally built with funds from the imperial court. Now there is another one, and your majesty will not disagree with it." . Let me go down and fight for it with His Majesty."
Silver is the key. When Tan Yunxian heard that this was the case, he immediately had no objections, "If this is true, it would be great to have one more medical clinic."
"Okay. Doctor Tan can appoint one person, and I will also appoint one person. After all, we don't know what the medical clinic is going to be like. All the details are not a problem. Just ask them to discuss it. I only have one request."
Dr. Tan would not be too unkind if he got an advantage, "Young Situ, please tell me."
"Please tell me that the doctors will attend consultations on both sides. In terms of time... there is no preference between the two medical clinics."
Tan Yunxian frowned, making it easier for familiar people to find her.
Gu Zuo naturally also knew, "Although there will be some inconvenience, it will be eliminated soon after a period of time."
"Okay, I can agree to this."
Gu Zuo was reassured and secured another family.
What has been decided now is that in addition to restaurants and hospitals, there are also garment shops, brothels, and gambling houses. These are all very large shops. There are several of them, and they attract a lot of people.
In addition, there are some small shops, such as medicine shops, gold and silver shops, cobblers' shops, pawn shops, tea shops, antique shops, incense shops, etc.
But the key to the success of a city that never sleeps is to attract people, so on the one hand, the variety of shops is complete, and on the other hand, the quality must be ensured.
The former ensures that the city that never sleeps becomes an instant hit. The latter ensures a steady flow of water.
That's why we made unified contracts with all tenants, just to be afraid that if there were any problems, the source would be found in such a large place anyway.
As Gu Zuo expected,
Now that the imperial court had the motivation to spend money, it was not difficult to convince the emperor to agree to build a medical center in the city that never sleeps. In fact, it was not considered construction. The house itself existed, and it was nothing more than decoration.
"...Looking for an opportunity, I'm going to take a look. This is a big event. Not to mention, with so many shops, thousands of people have food and clothing. If it can happen over and over again, and it can run naturally, it won't be in vain. Li Qing spent so much energy. The Zhengde Dynasty also had good governance that could be explained to the ancestors and future generations."
When the emperor left the palace, Gu Zuo did not dare to agree immediately. He only said: "Your Majesty, please wait a little longer. After all, everything is ready, so I am embarrassed to invite Your Majesty to see it."
"Okay. How many shops are there in total?"
"All of them are for rent, 108 of them. Half of them have found tenants."
Zhu Houzhao was pacing in the hall with his hands behind his back. He knew this matter well, "By the way, what happened to the white list?"
"Twelve families have their names and origins prepared here by Wei Chen."
"Twelve families are enough. The imperial court is building roads... Actually it is not building roads anymore. There was originally an official road between the two capitals, but this time the standards have to be raised. Now, the Shaofu can reveal some projects and propose The conditions are met. What I want is to widen and repair official roads mainly along the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal. The road surface should be flat, wide, straight and hard. Let’s start with three sections. One is from the capital to Tianjin Wei, and the other is from Xuzhou to Tianjin. Huai'an, and the third is from Huai'an to Yangzhou."
Step by step, it is the first time to do such a big thing. If you do it too hard, trouble will easily occur.
"The road along the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal has a lot of business travelers and goods. It can be used to its maximum effect after it is completed. In addition, the road must separate the two directions."
Gu Zuo showed slight doubts.
Zhu Houzhao made a gesture with his hand, "The avenue faces the sky, and everyone goes on one side. Those going north take one path, and those going south take the path on the side without interfering with each other. The east and west are separated in the middle, and you are not allowed to cross over or go in the opposite direction at will." In this way, the carriage can at least go faster."
Gu Zuo nodded, "Building roads is really a big project. I'm afraid that more than eight million taels of silver may not be enough..."
"Then you can set up inns along the road, build inns, tea shops there, and sell food, water and other things needed for long journeys. This can make some money back. In addition, you can think of ways to see if you can Charge a little cheaper toll."
Zhu Houzhao only proposed it tentatively, because he knew that it was a bit difficult to operate. For example, if you wanted to collect money, people would take a detour. This is not a modern expressway, and cars can only enter and exit through specific entrances and exits.
Half way in, half way out, where do you charge?
So this is actually a problem.
But roads still need to be built, because the social benefits of these facilities themselves are higher than the economic benefits. If we give up social benefits for economic benefits, wouldn't we be choking and giving up food?
Zhu Houzhao added, "For these three sections of the project, the young master will first estimate the cost and roughly set the amount. Only then will the people on the white list be willing to put in all their efforts to do this work. And tell them which company will be involved in these three sections of road." Those who have cultivated the best, and the remaining ones such as Yangzhou to Yingtian, there is no need to compete, the Shaofu will directly appoint them."
"If any company can build a road that is hard, flat, and waterproof, I am willing to make a long-term agreement with them. In the future, the court will give priority to them in all road construction projects."
In fact, the so-called rainproofing can be done with stones. However, the cost is high. With such a small amount of money, it is almost impossible to pave such a long road with stones.
Gu Zuo understood the deep meaning of the emperor's arrangement, which was to try his best to get those people to use their brains and find ways to build the road without relying on decrees or money. Money can make the world go round.
Sometimes official documents are not as useful as money.
In this case, the Shaofu will be easier than when building a city that never sleeps.
By mobilizing more people at the same time, more people can make money.
Therefore, this method is good for the court, the young government, and the people. It is really a unique method.
Although the Shaofu became the seventh part, it was slightly delayed. But things cannot stop. The sale of salt works and the construction of roads are all small and detailed matters related to people's livelihood.
Zhu Houzhao thought that with the imperial court providing disaster relief, the two Huaihe Rivers would not be in chaos. In this case...
"Li Ming, next spring. I will make this matter one of the topics during the Great Court Meeting. This year, all preparations must be completed. When the Great Court Meeting ends next year, construction will start immediately. Over time, this money will be spent. Not up here anymore.”
"Wei Chen obeys the order!"
A prosperous age can only be called a prosperous age if all industries in the Ming Dynasty prospered.
Of course, it is necessary to expand the territory, but this is only the first year of Zhengde, so there is no need to rush.
And having said that, he, the emperor, was not without action in the military field. Seeing that it was already August, Zhu Houzhao was really getting anxious. He didn't know if there was any news from Datong...
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