I clearly wanted to be a tyrant, but how did I become the greatest emperor of all time?

Lu Weibin added: "Of course, the railway must still be firmly in the hands of the court."

"Only the profits from the railways can be shared. The railways are the lifeblood of the country, and the government must have full control over their operation."

"We can also raise funds in stages."

“We can divide the Beijing-Yangzhou railway into many small sections and collect donations locally.”

“And we can do it this way. As long as the funds are raised, we can build it in batches.”

"Once all the sections are connected, won't the Beijing-Yangzhou Railway be completed?"

“This will also save construction time.”

Now everyone looked at Zhang Chai.

Zhang Yingchai nodded and said, "Lord Lu's method of building in sections is simply genius! Very good, very good, OK!"

"If it can be divided into many small sections, and the plain area from Kyoto to Shizhuang can be left to the locals to build it themselves, that would also be possible."

"As long as it passes the final acceptance, it can be used."

This method really works!

Zhang Yingchai added: "If we can really start construction on the whole project, then I only need to build those difficult sections."

"In this way, it may be completed in less than a year!"

Not even a year!

Tang Xiaoren's eyes suddenly became hot!

If it really only takes one year, it will be possible to connect Kyoto and Yangcheng and build such a major artery that runs through the Great Zhou.

That would be absolutely terrifying for the improvement of the Great Zhou’s national strength!

Since the opening of the Beijing-Luzhou Railway, all the ministers in the court have realized the amazing effect of the railway.

Railways are more than just a means of transporting goods.

Instead, with the help of railways, the imperial court could more effectively strengthen its control over various regions.

Railways can also transport troops quickly and issue imperial orders quickly.

This is also a huge improvement in the administrative efficiency of the court.

Now in Luzhou, you can read the previous day’s Kyoto Shingao.

A joke that is popular in Kyoto can spread to Kangping City the next day.

This kind of control was unimaginable in the past.

Therefore, although everyone was worried about the high cost of building the Beijing-Yangzhou Railway, they still supported it.

Lu Weibin said: "I think we can establish a Jingyang Railway Chamber of Commerce, and your majesty will invest 150,000 taels of gold in the shares of the Chamber of Commerce."

"The remaining shares can be raised in Kyoto."

“At the end of each year, dividends can be distributed according to the proportion of investment.”

“Shareholders are only entitled to dividends, but can trade their shares to others.”

“Then we split the Beijing-Yangzhou Railway into many sections, and then set up branches for certain sections.”

“The chapter’s shares can only be sold locally.”

"The branch gets a portion of the local railway's revenue, and the rest goes to the headquarters."

“All the funds raised by the chapter were used to build this section of railway.”

“The sooner we can finish the project, the sooner we can receive the benefits.”

This is a good idea!

There are many wealthy businessmen in Kyoto, so it should be easy to raise money for the association.

The divided sections of the road also provide an incentive for local authorities to complete the project as soon as possible.

Then the construction speed of the Beijing-Yangzhou Railway will definitely be greatly accelerated.

The Minister of Revenue asked, "What does it mean that this stock can be traded?"

Lu Weibin said: "This stock is proof of investment."

"The court allows the trading of shares. If someone encounters business difficulties, they can sell their shares to earn silver."

"If the imperial court wants to take back the railway, it can buy back the shares from the market."

Everyone said at the same time: "This is a good idea!"

Jia Renyi said: "It turns out that young people have brains. I think this is what the emperor meant!"

Lu Weibin also said: "Your Majesty is taking the lead and allocating money from the inner treasury to invest in the Jingyang Railway. This should be because he wants the rich to invest with confidence."

The burden was changed from being shared by all localities to being subscribed to shares.

Although the local government still gets the money, it's completely different.

The shares of the Railway Chamber of Commerce are equivalent to top-quality fertile land, and there will always be profits.

That's equivalent to buying a top-tier asset.

After Lu Weibin finished speaking, even Tang Xiaoren wanted to take out money to buy some shares of the Railway Association.

Tang Xiaoren immediately said, "That's it. Please ask Lord Lu Weibin to establish the Railway Association in Kyoto and subscribe for the association's shares."

"Jingzhao Yin Fan Jian, cooperate with Lord Lu Weibin to register shares and issue stocks."

"Also, notify the Imperial Academy and publish an article in the new imperial newspaper, saying that the court wants to donate shares in the Beijing-Yangzhou Railway."

"Also notify the nobles. They are all local tyrants. Ask them to take out the gold they have accumulated!"

In this way, the signboard of Jingyang Railway Association was hung up.

The news that Jingyang Railway was going to raise funds and issue shares throughout Da Zhou also spread quickly among the nobles and ministers.

Everyone has seen the profits from the Beijing-Luoyang Railway, which is more profitable than buying any land!

Moreover, His Majesty personally allocated money from the inner treasury to purchase shares!

It’s endorsed by the emperor, why not buy it quickly?

There was a storm in Kyoto to buy the Jingyang Railway Association.

When Tang Xiaoren saw the account book that Lu Weibin brought and the astonishing numbers on it.

The well-informed cabinet chief couldn't help but say:

“How could there be so much money?”

Lu Weibin said calmly, "Master Prime Minister, here is a total of 350 million taels of silver, not a penny less."

"How come there are so many?"

350 million taels of silver was almost the entire salt revenue of the imperial court in one year.

In just a few days, Lu Weibin managed to raise so much money?

Lu Weibin said: "There are many wealthy people in Kyoto, and it is normal for them to want to leave some stable industries for their descendants."

There are indeed many investments made by nobles here.

The nobles died with the country, but the Great Zhou had been established for a hundred years.

There are rich and noble nobles, and of course there are also fallen nobles.

Although the nobles received favors from the court, there were still prodigals who could not keep their property.

Exchanging properties for shares may not seem as solid as farming.

But no matter how you look at it, railways are hardcore assets that can be passed down to future generations.

And since Your Majesty has taken the lead in taking the money, the nobles will of course follow suit.

Among them, Empress Dowager Zhang also used 10 taels of her own money to purchase shares in the Jingyang Railway.

The emperor's empress, concubine and noble lady all paid to buy shares in response to the emperor.

Some eunuchs in the palace also took out all their savings to buy shares.

Those who are close to the emperor certainly know that investing in railways is a sure win!

After all, the huge profits of the Beijing-Luzhou Railway are right before our eyes!

Fund raising for the Jingyang Railway went so smoothly.

Zhang Yingchai set out immediately and began to survey the geography along the way and set up railway branches in sections.

According to Zhang Xingchai's plan, a total of 10 railway branches were established.

We will start the project together and strive to complete it within one year.

If successful, this major artery running through the north and south of the Great Zhou will be built.