Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Liu Zhiheng was decisive and efficient.

To put it bluntly, the only problem hindering China's development of high-speed rail is the lack of money.

"Everyone says you're decisive and efficient, and seeing you today, I can confirm that reputation is well-deserved!"

"However, I prefer things to be straightforward and I particularly dislike being indecisive and beating around the bush."

At this point, Zhao Lichun raised his hand and pointed to the window.

"Come on, let's go over and take a look!"

Liu Zhiheng followed Zhao Lichun to the window to overlook the station square.

"Wow, there are so many people!"

"However, this scene is the same at train stations in major cities across the country at this moment."

"Countless migrant workers, office workers, small vendors, and students are preparing to go home for the Spring Festival."

"I really hope that my plan for eight vertical and eight horizontal high-speed rail lines can be realized immediately, so that it can greatly improve the capacity of the Spring Festival travel rush, shorten the travel time, and make passengers more comfortable."

"It shouldn't be like this now, where most passengers are crammed into hard-seat carriages, with people standing in the aisles, making it difficult to even go to the toilet midway through the journey, and they have to endure a long and arduous journey."

Zhao Lichun stood with his hands behind his back and sighed deeply.

"Yes!"

"Although I haven't taken a train for many years, the four years of university spent standing on the way to and from Yenching University every year during my four years of college are truly unforgettable!"

"The carriages were packed with people, and even in the dead of winter you could sweat profusely, which was already annoying enough, but then the train attendants pushed around a cart and kept hawking their wares."

"To avoid needing to use the restroom, I didn't dare drink water. After enduring more than 30 hours of hardship, I was completely dizzy when I got off the bus. I estimate I've lost at least two pounds!"

"Back then, I often thought, if only I had a car, I wouldn't have to suffer so much. Unfortunately, even now, not many people can afford a private car."

"Moreover, driving thousands of kilometers in winter is not only expensive, but also not very safe. Just like long-distance buses have several major accidents every year, trains are more suitable for ordinary people."

Liu Zhiheng was extremely embarrassed.

It's surprising that Zhao Shuji, who now holds a high position of power, has such a shameful past.

“We have now changed it. The advance booking period for student tickets is longer, so that students can buy seated tickets earlier.”

"In addition, during the Spring Festival travel rush, the carriages are crowded, so we try to reduce the number of times we sell goods so as not to cause trouble for passengers."

"However, these methods are only temporary solutions. To truly solve the problem, we still need high-speed rail!"

At this point, Liu Zhiheng let out a soft sigh.

"But if the country doesn't invest trillions of yuan to launch a massive infrastructure boom, where will the money come from to implement my proposed 'eight vertical and eight horizontal' high-speed rail plan?"

Zhao Lichun turned to look at Liu Zhiheng.

"The government may not have the money to invest, but we can restructure our enterprises and raise funds ourselves through capital operations!"

"For example, allowing companies to go public to raise funds, issue bonds, or even sell a portion of their shares to attract private capital investment."

"Moreover, the eight vertical and eight horizontal lines cover the entire country at once, which is too large in scale. We can build them in sections first."

Liu Zhiheng quickly replied, "My idea is to plan as a whole and implement it step by step. I never thought about becoming a big fat man all at once."

"We should focus our efforts on building routes between major cities. This would not only quickly alleviate traffic congestion but also generate sufficient passenger flow and revenue. However, even so, we don't have the money!"

"To achieve an operating speed of over 350 kilometers per hour, passenger dedicated lines must have a small gradient, a large radius, be enclosed, and have a smooth track bed, with technical standards far exceeding those of ordinary electrified railways."

“We have roughly estimated that even in coastal plains, the cost of a passenger dedicated line is over 100 million yuan per kilometer. Therefore, to build a passenger dedicated line between Yanjing and Tianhai, it is estimated that the investment will be nearly 200 billion yuan.”

"This doesn't even include the cost of purchasing the vehicles. If we were to purchase the world's most advanced high-speed trains from Himmler, each train would cost an estimated 300 million yuan. Purchasing 20 or 30 trains, plus spare parts, would cost over 10 billion yuan."

It all comes down to one word: money.

Zhao Lichun laughed and said, "Investing more than 200 billion yuan in one go is a bit too much, but we can build our Jingzhou to Tianhai line first!"

"This section of the route passes through many cities and counties with high population density, ensuring a steady flow of passengers. Once completed, it will also benefit the economic development of our Handong area."

"Moreover, this section is only about 300 kilometers long. Even if we include the costs of station construction, vehicle procurement, and so on, it's 200 million per kilometer, which is only 60 billion..."

Liu Zhiheng's lips trembled slightly.

He couldn't help but think to himself.

Handong truly deserves to be called a major economic province of the Dragon Kingdom!

Six hundred billion is a huge sum of money for provinces in the central and western regions.

But for Zhao Lichun, it's clearly not much.

After listening patiently, Liu Zhiheng hurriedly asked:

"So you mean we should first establish the joint-stock Yanhu High-Speed ​​Railway Company, then raise funds to build the section from Jingzhou to Tianhai, and at the same time, induce Western companies to transfer technology during the vehicle procurement bidding process?"

"Director Liu is indeed clever!"

Zhao Lichun gave a thumbs up.

Liu Zhiheng shook his head repeatedly, grinning from ear to ear.

"No, no, no, I'm the deputy, the deputy director."

"Don't worry, once the high-speed rail develops well, you'll be promoted from deputy to full-fledged, isn't that easy?"

Zhao Lichun wasn't just talking.

If the railway industry is truly reformed, high-speed rail will develop.

With such achievements that benefit the country and its people, what difficulty is there in becoming a director-general?

For a while.

A flame ignited in Liu Zhiheng's heart.

Developing high-speed rail is his dream.

How could I not be excited when my dream has come true?

Although only a small section has been repaired so far, it is still a big step forward!

Moreover, their ideas are actually quite possible to come true.

Because Handong is now a pilot province for high-quality development.

Things that can't be risked elsewhere can be done on a large scale and quickly in Handong Province.

How will you know if it's right or wrong if you don't try?

and so……

After thinking for less than five seconds, Liu Zhiheng said with eager eyes:

"Okay, just do it!"

"Let's tighten our belts and build the world's highest standard and fastest high-speed railway between Jingzhou and Tianhai."

"Through independent exploration and market access in exchange for technology, related enterprises such as design, construction, power supply, signaling, and vehicles have grown rapidly."

"If it achieves good results after it opens and is operational, it will prove those who oppose building high-speed rail wrong and those who want to build maglev wrong, and convince those who have doubts."

At this point, Liu Zhiheng quickly reminded him:

"However, Secretary Zhao, there is one thing I must state beforehand."

"I'm willing to risk my official position to get things like enterprise restructuring and project approvals sorted out."

"But with a project budget of 60 billion, I'm afraid even if I grit my teeth, I can only scrape together 20 billion at most."

Zhao Lichun smiled calmly.

"Don't worry, I won't let you bite your teeth to pieces."

"I will expedite the establishment of the Handong Railway Industry Investment Group to attract social capital."

"When your Yanhu High-speed Railway Company is officially established, I guarantee to provide no less than 50 billion yuan in equity capital!"

Liu Zhiheng could no longer hold back.

Without thinking, she hurriedly grabbed Zhao Lichun's hand and held it tightly in her own.

"Thank you! Thank you, Zhao Shuji!"

"You solved 50 billion of my 60 billion budget in one go!"

"If I don't hurry up and get this done as soon as possible, I'll never have the face to see you again in my life!"

This was exciting.

Liu Zhiheng couldn't help but swear.

But it was precisely this genuine nature that made Zhao Lichun like him.

Patting Liu Zhiheng's hand, Zhao Lichun said with a smile:

"Don't be too quick to thank me. There are a few small conditions attached to my 50 billion."

"What are your conditions? Just tell me!"

Liu Zhiheng asked straightforwardly.

If it can help me realize my dream of high-speed rail, what's a few conditions?

Moreover, it's better if there are specific conditions; otherwise, you'll feel uneasy.

Zhao Lichun didn't mince words and said directly:

"Actually, the condition is very simple: after a large number of railway vehicle factories complete their corporatization reforms, can the Jingzhoupu Town Vehicle Factory become the main entity for exchanging market access for technology?"

"I want to cultivate them into the leading enterprises in our Handong high-speed rail industry. When we develop and produce domestically made high-speed trains in the future, they will be able to drive a large number of supporting enterprises, thereby forming an industrial cluster."

Liu Zhiheng smiled.

"Hey Zhao Shuji, how can you call this a condition?"

"Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have definitely arranged it that way!"

"Not to mention that Jingzhou itself already has a certain railway industry base."

"And since you have invested a huge sum of 50 billion, how could I not repay your kindness?"

"In addition, the development of the high-speed rail industry in Handong will also help me to complete the construction of the 'eight vertical and eight horizontal' railway network as soon as possible, won't it?"

……

late at night.

Zhao Li returned home.

He rushed upstairs, taking two steps at a time, and knocked on his son's bedroom door.

As soon as the door opened, he went inside and plopped down on the bed.

"Liu Zhiheng is indeed a high-speed rail fanatic. I have reached an agreement with him based on your suggestion."

"Now there's only one question left: can we raise 50 billion?"

Zhao Ruilong chuckled awkwardly.

“Dad, you’ve underestimated the enthusiasm of capital for railways.”

"Do you believe it or not, if we really want to attract social capital, there are plenty of people willing to invest?"

"Don't even mention a mere 50 billion, even if it were 100 billion, everyone could scrape together that amount!"

"Because the high-speed railway from Yanjing to Tianhai will never have to worry about passenger flow; once it is completed and opened, it will be a money-printing machine."

"If the Yanhu High-speed Railway Company goes public in the future, wouldn't the shareholders who invested now make a fortune when they sell their shares?"

Zhao Lichun gave a bitter smile.

"If only it were that smooth!"

"But I have a feeling that some people will never let me have an easy time."

"Perhaps in some inconspicuous place, they have already begun their operation!"