Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

After entering the living room, the servants served fragrant tea and everyone sat down.

Liu Ye just said, "Gentlemen, before Shuyun went to study in Europe and America, he strongly recommended you three to me. I have been looking forward to your arrival for the past six months."

Yung Wing replied, "Your Excellency, although Shuyun is younger than the rest of us, he possesses great ambition and talent beyond our reach. I have always suggested that he study abroad in Europe and America to broaden his horizons, but unfortunately, his parents were still alive, so he couldn't bear the journey. Now that his wish has finally come true, it is truly a great blessing."

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Well, I'm a little reluctant to let Shuyun go on his studies, but one cannot judge the future by the short term. When Shuyun returns in the future, he will surely have mastered both Chinese and Western culture and become a master of his generation. And with the three of you helping him, I think this will be a great thing for the people of Shandong."

Feng Guifen, standing by, asked, "Your Excellency, I wonder how you would like us to serve you by inviting us here?"

Liu Ye smiled and replied, "Mr. Lin Yi, the Shandong bandit rebellion has just been quelled, and the British and French invaders have just retreated. Everything is in ruins and needs to be rebuilt. It is the time for us to make great plans. While the north is stable, we can cultivate virtuous governance at home and train elite troops abroad. If the Western barbarians return in the future, we can protect our territory and our people, and even wipe out these bandits in one fell swoop!"

Liu Ye paused for a moment, then continued, "Although I'm no longer the Governor of Shandong, my word is still law in this small piece of Shandong. According to the plan that Lord Guo Songtao and I have planned, within three years, we will build a large coal mine, a Western-style ironworks, and a Western-style arsenal in Shandong. In addition, we will build a military port in Yantai, organize a navy, and build Qingdao Port. We will transform Qingdao Port into a Greater Shanghai under our complete control!"

All three of them were deeply moved. A large coal mine, an ironworks, an arsenal, and two seaports alone would cost no less than 10 million taels of silver! Such a huge investment, let alone a small province like Shandong, even the imperial court couldn't come up with such a large sum of money in such a short period of time! The annual treasury revenue of the entire imperial court was only 30 to 40 million taels of silver! It was impossible for the entire national finance to be used in just this small corner of Shandong!

Tang Tingshu frowned and asked, "Your Excellency, please forgive my bluntness, but even the five things mentioned above, let alone other construction projects, cannot be accomplished without 18 million taels of silver. Even if we invest them in installments over three years, it is definitely not something that Shandong Province alone can afford. Being ambitious is a taboo for a ruler. Haven't you seen the examples of Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Yang of Sui? While the Great Wall and the Grand Canal have left a legacy for future generations, they also brought down two powerful dynasties."

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Mr. Jianshi is right. If the Shandong Governor's Office alone were to fund these projects, it would be difficult to complete them in ten, let alone three years. However, just because the government has no money doesn't mean the people don't have it, and just because we have no money doesn't mean others don't have it. If the government has no money, then we can work together with the public to attract excess funds from the public. If we have no money, then we can borrow money from outside. In short, these things absolutely cannot be delayed. Whether it's coal, iron, or arsenals, they are all necessary to enrich our country and strengthen our military. If we want to avoid being bullied by the great powers, we have no choice but to find ways to strengthen ourselves."

The three people were shocked. A joint venture between the government and the people! Borrowing money from other countries! This governor was really bold. Not to mention borrowing money from foreign powers, even if it was a joint venture between the government and the people, it would face a lot of pressure from the court! This was no joke!

Liu Ye continued, "Before you arrived, I had already promulgated a new law to exempt Shandong miners and factories from taxes for three years, encouraging them to invest and build factories. At the same time, I have united with the major banks in Shandong to establish a bank. The bank's funds have now reached nearly 10 million taels, which is enough to support our internal affairs. Not only that, the entire Shandong province will be opened to merchants from other provinces, and taxes will be reduced as well. Not only that, but it will also be opened to merchants from Western countries, and taxes will be reduced as well. The world is bustling with people, all for profit. Three years of tax reduction and exemption will save merchants a lot of expenses, and all of it will become their profit. What do you think, three people, will these merchants flock to Shandong like flies?"

The three people were really shocked beyond words. Liu Ye really lived up to his reputation. Only he dared to make such a big move in Shandong, and only he had such great courage. Apart from him, I'm afraid there is no one else to consider!

With three years of tax reduction and exemption, if a factory or mine has an annual income of 300,000 taels of silver, then in three years, at least 100,000 taels of silver can be saved! This is a huge fortune! Those merchants will not rush into Shandong like crazy?

Tang Tingshu was different from Yung Wing and Feng Guifen. The former two were mainly good at academic research, but Tang Tingshu was a talent for governing the country. He was particularly good at economics and could understand the key points after just a little thought.

Tang Tingting frowned and said, "Your Excellency, I must say that you have great foresight and a keen understanding of the economy. However, when so many merchants flock to Shandong and create a large number of products, who will they sell them to? Small Shandong cannot consume so many products. If these merchants cannot sell their products, they will really lose money..."

Liu Ye laughed heartily and said, "Brother Jianshi is indeed insightful. That's why I'm going to build two seaports in Dengzhou. The Qingdao Port on the south side is a commercial port. Once completed, Shandong-produced goods can be directly sold overseas through Qingdao, selling them to foreigners and earning money from them. The Yantai Port on the north side is the headquarters of the Shandong Navy. Once the navy is completed, more than ten warships will be formidable, directly deterring overseas pirates. This will not only ensure coastal defense, but also protect the safety of merchants!"

Wow, it seems that Liu Ye has already thought about these things ahead of time. This grand plan is really one link after another!

Yung Wing suddenly laughed and said, "Brother Jianshi, now you have a place to use your skills. Aren't Westernization and industry exactly what you are best at? The Governor-General is working hard to govern Shandong. It's impossible for you not to rise to prominence!"

Tang Tingshu was not polite and said proudly, "Your Excellency, if you need me, just ask. Even if it means I won't be fed, I will do it! I absolutely cannot miss such a good opportunity! Even if it means dying of exhaustion, I am willing to do it!"

Liu Ye laughed heartily and replied, "Brother Jianshi, how could I let you go hungry? When Shuyun returns, won't he scold me to death? Brother Jianshi, although I am no longer the governor, the overall situation of Shandong still depends on me. I am afraid I can't stay in Dengzhou for long. When I'm gone, all the government affairs of Dengzhou will fall on you, especially the preparations for the two ports. Don't complain about being tired. The day of success will be the day you enjoy all the glory!"