My Italy

After the war, the Governor's Yamen in Tianjin became even more lively, and more and more officials lined up at the door waiting to be received.

This is enough to show that Li Zhongtang's power is becoming more and more important, otherwise why would those officials wait in long lines.

However, outsiders only saw the beauty of Li Zhongtang, and no one knew about his troubles.

"Yushan, have you raised enough money?"

In the governor's office, Li Zhongtang asked his most trusted confidant, Governor Zhou Fu. Mr. Zhou has now been promoted to governor of Shandong. However, since Li Zhongtang can't live without Mr. Zhou now, this can only be regarded as remote leadership. Of course, regardless of whether Mr. Zhou is going to take office or not, can Shandong be able to escape the control of the Huai Army?

Facing Li Zhongtang's urging, Zhou Fu said quickly. "Dong Weng, you are in urgent need. Xingsun and others are already working hard to raise funds. So far, they have raised more than 2.3 million taels of silver..."

"Too little, too little!"

Li Zhongtang interrupted Mr. Zhou, "Yushan, you know that we still owe Italy more than eight million taels of silver. Minister Jia has arrived in Tianjin and is bound to ask about this money. How do you want me to reply?" ?”

Mr. Zhou is certainly aware of Li Zhongtang's difficulties, but it is indeed extremely difficult to raise money now. Xingsun (Sheng Xuanhuai), who is responsible for raising money, has complained to him more than once that it is difficult to raise money now. His legs were broken, and he found only this little money. It was really difficult to fulfill his request of eight million taels. I hope that for the sake of his colleagues, he will put in a good word for himself in front of the nave.

Of course, just based on Sheng Xuanhuai's words, he, Zhou Fu, was not so trustworthy. He had also inquired and found that it was indeed difficult to raise money at the beginning of this year.

In the previous battles with the Japanese, money had been raised many times, but now everyone was so tight that they really couldn't repay Li Zhongtang.

And more importantly, as the war subsided, it was not possible to use the tax money first. The court also acted like eating grain and waiting for the tax money to be taken away.

In addition, after the battle, the various departments of the Huai Army should give rewards to the other armies of the Huai Army that participated in the war. This also requires money.

Zhou Fu didn't even have time to tell Zhong Tang about these messy things.

Just when Mr. Zhou was about to speak, a servant suddenly came to report that Minister Jia was at the door.

"Please, please, please come in quickly. No, open the middle door, I will go there myself."

Following Li Zhongtang's words, the middle door of the Governor's Yamen was slowly opened, and with a smile on his face, Li Zhongtang happily walked towards Jia Liwen, who was waiting outside the door.

"Hahahaha, I kept Mr. Jia waiting for a long time."

Facing Li Zhongtang who went out to greet him in person, how could Jia Liwen, who had been a minister in the Far East for many years, not know what he was thinking.

He immediately responded with the same enthusiastic smile. "I apologize for disturbing you, Lord Zhongtang."

"No need to disturb me. This is a distinguished guest who has come to make me shine. Please come in quickly!"

The group of people quickly arrived at the living room. After the servants brought tea, Minister Jia quickly expressed his intention.

"I heard that Your Excellency Zhongtang is short of money recently?"

As soon as Jia Liwen opened his mouth, Zhou Fu, who was accompanying him, felt his heart sink. He was afraid of something happening.

Although these words caused Zhou Fu's uneasiness, who was Li Zhongtang? He suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, since this is all hearsay, it must be wrong. Although our Huai army has just finished the war, it is impossible to lack money and food. Without the money from your army, I will ask someone to give it to you tomorrow. It’s over.”

After all, Li Zhongtang was Li Zhongtang, and he never took the money owed to Italy seriously in his words. He acted quite wealthy and did not notice the impatience of Mr. Zhou behind him.

Although Jia Liwen didn't know where Li Zhongtang's confidence came from, he had already figured out his trump card, but he knew that his subordinate Sheng Xuanhuai was raising funds everywhere. Of course, Jia Liwen's visit this time was not to expose Li Zhongtang, he didn't have that spare time.

"Your Excellency Zhongtang, I believe you have misunderstood the purpose of my visit this time. I am not here to collect money. I heard that you are short of money. I have an idea that can increase your country's income."

Jia Liwen's words surprised Li Zhongtang and Mr. Zhou. Isn't Minister Jia here to ask for financial reform and open a charity?

But regardless of whether Minister Jia means what he said, there's no harm in listening.

So Li Zhongtang said happily. "Since your minister is so thoughtful, I am all ears."

Seeing Li Zhongtang looking for advice, Jia Liwen immediately spoke. "I wonder how much your Excellency Zhongtang knows about railways?"

"Know something."

How could Li Zhongtang not know about the railway Jia Liwen mentioned? You must know that the Tianjin-Gu Railway currently in operation could only be built with Li Zhongtang's support. He made a statement more than ten years ago and believed that "the seven provinces in the South and North Oceans must be united as one to respond to China Unicom." What's more, when something goes wrong, the military situation can change rapidly."

"There are inland trains and railways, and troops are stationed nearby. When the police hear the news, they rush to help, and they can travel hundreds of miles a day, so the commander-in-chief will not miss anything."

Yes, Li Zhongtang was optimistic about the future of railways from a military perspective.

But this does not affect Jia Liwen's next words. "Your Excellency Zhongtang, the railway can not only transport troops in wartime, but also transport goods and passengers on weekdays. As far as I know, the Tianjin-Gu Railway currently in operation is mainly for cargo transportation, and it can earn 30,000 yuan for the railway company every year. Two more silver profits.”

"I know this."

As for what Jia Liwen said, Li Zhongtang certainly knew, and he knew even more. This was after deducting the profit from others. If added, it would be at least more than 50,000 taels. The interest rate of this railway is very good, it is a source of wealth, but Minister Jia said this is not because he intends to let Li Zhongtang build the railway, right? He still owes a lot of money. Where does he get the money?

Seeing Li Zhongtang's suspicious eyes, Jia Liwen said immediately. "Our country believes that if your country wants to open up the country, railway construction is definitely a great weapon. For example, build a railway from Guangzhou in your country through Changsha, Wuhan, Baoding to Tianjin or from Beijing to the north and south (Beijing-Guangzhou line, the end point is changed to Tianjin ), it will definitely be profitable.”

Hearing this, Li Zhongtang and Mr. Zhou both laughed. Minister Jia really dared to think that the money needed for these thousands of miles of railways was not to mention. If he didn't have 30 to 40 million taels of silver as a base, he wouldn't be able to do it. Open your mouth. Even with this money, Li Er didn't think he had the ability to deal with the officials of the various political parties, and let them sell his face.

So Li Zhongtang said immediately. "Minister Jia was joking. Although this railway is good, it is thousands of miles from Guangzhou to Tianjin. It is too urgent and is not conducive to construction."

Chapter 343 is banned. There are too many bans and I don’t want to change it. Book friends who want to read can read the pirated version. Am I encouraging everyone to read the pirated version...