Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

Listening to the heartfelt praises from the people around him, a gratified smile appeared on Chu Ze's face.

Just as those merchants and common people said, Fengyang has made rapid progress in recent years with the help of the railway. Not only is its industry and commerce thriving, but even the lives of ordinary people are getting better and better.

"This is just the beginning." Chu Ze thought secretly, "Once this transportation network is rolled out across the country, business and travel will become more frequent, and cultural exchanges will become increasingly in-depth. The entire Ming Dynasty will undergo earth-shaking changes!"

After bidding farewell to Fengyang, Chu Ze drove to Runing and other places for inspection.

Different from the prosperity of Fengyang, Runing gives people a more majestic and magnificent feeling.

"Your Highness, since the last border war, the court has increased its investment in Runing's armaments." Prefect Sun said proudly as he took Chu Ze to visit the newly built firearms workshop.

The workshop was bustling with activity, with blacksmiths sweating profusely as they worked. After several rounds of innovation, the muskets and cannons produced here are now much better than before.

"These new firearms have a longer range and greater power. They will surely become the weapon to defeat the enemy at the critical moment!" Magistrate Sun picked up a newly made musket and said lovingly.

In addition, in order to ensure that soldiers on the front line could receive supplies in a timely manner, Runing also built a special military railway that directly connects to the northwest border.

"With this 'military special line', it will only take three days to get from Runing to the border." Prefect Sun said confidently, "In this way, we no longer have to worry about delays due to logistics!"

Chu Ze nodded repeatedly. He knew that only a rich country could have a strong army. Only when all places could develop industry and build railways like Runing, would the Ming Dynasty have a solid foundation for prosperity.

After returning to the capital, Chu Ze immediately summoned officials from the Ministry of Works and other institutions to study the issues of promoting the new policy and building railways in various places.

"At present, building railways is certainly important, but how to mobilize the enthusiasm of various regions and get them to take the initiative to participate in it is a bigger issue." Huang Ren, the Minister of Industry, expressed his concerns.

"Mr. Huang is right." Wang Yi, a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue, also nodded in agreement, "Building a railway requires a lot of money and manpower. If local officials are unwilling to contribute, it will be difficult to promote it."

"Don't worry, my dear ministers." Chu Ze said with a smile, "I have a good idea, which will surely motivate the local people."

Chu Ze took out a memorial from his bosom and said, "This memorial is called "On the Benefits of Military Farming and Commercial Taxation". It elaborates on the relationship between road construction, military farming, and commercial taxation."

"I think that preferential policies such as reducing or exempting commercial taxes can be used to encourage local officials to take the initiative to build roads for trade. At the same time, setting up military farms along important transportation routes can not only provide for military supplies, but also increase fiscal revenue. In this way, how can the local governments not be enthusiastic about it?"

All the officials were stunned when they heard this, and then they cheered in unison: "Great! Such a good strategy will surely mobilize the enthusiasm of the local governments and achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

"Just as the prince said, I will present this memorial to the emperor and ask him to vigorously implement it!"

In this way, under Chu Ze's planning, a massive "road building and strengthening" movement was launched across the country.

As expected, stimulated by the favorable policies of "road construction, land reclamation, and tax exemption", local officials changed their previous lazy policies and became very motivated.

In order to lay the railway, large-scale construction projects were carried out everywhere, and the laborers and craftsmen worked day and night in the rain.

"The construction of these railways must be scientific." Chu Ze personally went to the construction site to teach the workers advanced technology. "The roadbed must be flat, the track must be straight, and drainage, flood control, tunnel drilling and other issues must also be considered."

He gave instructions and demonstrated it himself. The civilians were stunned, but gradually understood the mystery. "So that's how it is! Your Majesty taught us well. We have learned a lot!"

Unknowingly, under Chu Ze's careful teaching, a group of civilians who used to work as farmers have grown into a well-trained railway engineer corps.

At the same time, in order to adapt to the arrival of the railway era, merchants are also quietly transforming.

"I heard that a batch of Western machinery has arrived in the capital, specifically to facilitate railway transportation. We must go and take a look!"

"That's right. Railway freight is an inevitable trend in today's world. If we don't learn some new skills, we will be left behind!"

Along with this wave of learning new knowledge, supporting facilities such as stations and docks sprang up like mushrooms after rain. Merchants rushed to buy new carriages and warehouses to closely integrate their businesses with railways.

For a time, with the extension of railways, trade between various places became unprecedentedly frequent, and various products were continuously transported to all parts of the country, and a thriving scene slowly unfolded.

At the same time, military fortresses and military farms along the railway began to take shape.

"With the railways transporting troops and food, our army is even more powerful!" The border guards applauded, "We no longer have to worry about logistics not keeping up!"

Even the literati and scholars who lived in seclusion could not help but become curious about the "railway craze" sweeping across China.

"The road to Shu is as difficult as climbing to the sky. Now that we have this railway, can we move mountains and cross seas and let our horses run freely?"

"I heard that cultural exchanges will flourish as the railway opens. I think that in the future, talented people from all over the world will be able to sit down and discuss ideas and join in the great cause!"

All these things caused a great response among the government and the people.

People are amazed that a brand new era is coming. In this era, the well-connected railways will connect the talents, products and culture of the world and jointly create a prosperous future!

The creator of all this was Chu Ze, the sage king and wise minister from Fengyang. It was his foresight and courage to overcome difficulties that paved a smooth road to prosperity for the Ming Dynasty!
Compared with the jubilation among the people, the scene in the court was quite different.

"Your Majesty, Chu Ze's drastic governance is really ambitious!" An old minister dressed in gorgeous clothes advised Zhu Yuanzhang.

"The Prime Minister of Chu demands trade to benefit the people and expand the territory, and he is even willing to mobilize a large number of people to pay taxes. He deserves death!"

"Yes, this railway is built to all parts of the country, connecting the north and the south. Does this mean they want to establish a separatist regime and a new dynasty? Your Majesty must be on guard!" Another court official also fanned the flames.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry when he heard this. He glanced at the court officials calmly and chuckled.

"You all have misunderstood Mr. Chu's painstaking efforts." Zhu Yuanzhang said meaningfully, "Everything he did was for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty. How could I not understand that?"

"But Your Majesty, Chu Ze is now extremely powerful, and I'm afraid there is no one in the court who can check and control him. What if he develops other ideas?" The old minister was still worried.

"Besides, even if he really has some improper thoughts, with his talent, he may not be able to hide it from my eyes and ears. I have my own countermeasures, so you don't have to worry too much." (End of this chapter)