Anti-Qing: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Ming Dynasty

Hearing this scholar's explanation, everyone around couldn't help but exclaimed in surprise.

"Hey, how much does it cost to pave the road with iron?"

"That's right, this is such a luxury. How many farm tools can be made from the iron used to pave the road?"

"The Ming Dynasty was really rich. No wonder they were willing to give workers such good treatment..."

In this day and age, one month's worth of food, housing, and accommodation are all paid in return for one silver dollar. This treatment is really good.

Many times, some landowners recruit long-term and short-term workers, who basically only care about food. Even if they pay the workers, it is only a few hundred or so, and Master Wen will just explain it.

Compared with the treatment that the imperial court can provide, it is really like heaven and earth.

When the scholar saw this, he stopped talking to everyone and just spoke loudly.

"The imperial court is recruiting workers, and the remuneration is favorable. The number of places is limited, so everyone has signed up enthusiastically!"

In the crowd, a short and stocky man heard this, and the expression on his face was obviously moved.

Niu Zhuang was from Beitongzhou, and his family was originally relatively well-off. There were ten children in their family. In addition to his parents, there were several brothers and sisters.

It's a pity that his father and mother passed away from illness some time ago, and the brothers separated.

Niu Zhuang sold his land and wanted to start a business.

However, due to the uncontrollable factor of war, the company suffered a huge loss, which directly reduced its capital.

So much so that eating has become a problem for him!
If it weren't for the constant support from his brothers, he might have starved to death on the streets.

However, his brothers could help him for a day or two, a month or two, but they could not help him all the time.

Even if his brothers don't have any objections, no one knows whether his sisters-in-law and siblings will.

Niu Zhuang knew that it was not an option for him to continue like this!
So he chose to leave his hometown and came to the capital, hoping to find a job that could make a living in the capital.

Faced with the court's generous recruitment of workers, Niu Zhuang couldn't help but feel a little moved.

If he can successfully apply, not only can he solve his food problem, but he can even save a sum of wages as capital for his comeback.

Thinking about this, Niu Zhuangzhushou said.

"Master Cha, I want to apply for a job. May I ask where I can sign up?"

Seeing that someone had finally applied, the scholar didn't put on any airs. He pointed to the city and spoke directly.

"Just bring the innocence certificate and identity card issued by the village official in your village and go to the Shuntian government office to register."

Although it is not a conscription, Ming Dynasty now also pays attention to a person with a clean net worth when recruiting workers.

If possible, try to use farmers with innocent backgrounds.

These farmers have two advantages: they are obedient and hardworking.

If these people are used as workers, the progress and efficiency of railway construction can definitely be greatly increased.

……

"Your Majesty, regarding the construction of the railway, the cabinet has already made arrangements."

"I believe construction will officially start soon!"

With a thick stack of documents in his hand, Wang Shun came to Yangxin Hall to report to Zhu Jianzhuo.

Although Wang Shun's reputation is just that of a failed scholar, he is more educated than those who came to seek refuge after the Ming Dynasty became successful.

But after such a long period of training in handling actual government affairs, his ability is also passable.

Coupled with his status as a minister of Yuan Cong, his position as the chief minister of the cabinet can be said to be secure.

However, after these years of intense work, Wang Shun, who was much older than Zhu Jianzhuo, now looks completely decrepit.

His face was wrinkled and his hair and beard were all gray.

Only one pair of eyes still looked bright and shining, showing that he could still do his job as the chief minister of the cabinet for the Ming Dynasty and the court.

Zhu Jianzhuo glanced at the aging Wang Shun and said.

"Come here, give me a seat for the chief minister!"

"First assistant, sit down first and then speak slowly. There is no rush."

Wang Shun sat down, and the report in his hand was presented to Zhu Jianzhuo.

Zhu Jianzhuo picked up the report and read it.

While he was watching, Wang Shun opened his mouth to explain.

"In terms of recruitment, the court's current main recruitment direction is Henan..."

When Ming Dynasty wanted to build railways, apart from the financial pressure they faced, there were three most important things.

The first is manpower, the second is raw materials, and the third is land acquisition.

In Wang Shun's report, the solutions to these three problems were elaborated.

In terms of manpower, the Ming Dynasty mainly mobilized labor camps to build the railway this time to be responsible for those sections with higher construction difficulties.

In addition, the most important recruitment aspect in Ming Dynasty is Henan.

As for recruitment in other places, most of them are just a fill-in.

The reason is still because of the Yellow River burst a few years ago.

The Yellow River burst caused great harm to the people of Henan.

Even now, there are still a large number of Henan people living homeless and without food and clothing.

When Daming recruited workers in Henan, it wanted to provide a job for the people in Henan who were affected by the disaster, and give them an opportunity to support their families with their own hands.

It can be regarded as a disguised form of work-for-relief!
In the past, Ming Dynasty was indeed unable to provide relief to millions of victims in Henan.

However, as time goes by, there are not many disaster victims left in Henan due to natural selection.

Well, either starved to death, or found a way to survive for the time being. There are currently hundreds of thousands of victims at most.

It was impossible to provide relief to millions of victims, but it was possible for the Ming Dynasty to grit its teeth and provide jobs for hundreds of thousands of victims.

In addition, it is a matter of raw materials.

One is the rail and the other is the sleeper.

The rails will be transported nearby, and the steel and coal plants built by Daming in Shanxi and Beizhili have taken initial shape and have a certain production capacity.

Can provide rails that meet quality requirements for railway construction projects!

In fact, the quality requirements of steam trains on rails are not as high as imagined.

When steam trains were first invented, the tracks used were basically wooden tracks.

It's just that the durability of wooden rails is too poor, and they will deform when wet, which can easily cause danger, so they were replaced with more expensive rails.

Before the running speed of trains increases to a certain level, the rails do not actually need to use special steel with high production costs, ordinary pig iron will suffice.

As for the sleepers, Daming plans to transport them from Liaodong, then transport them to Tianjin by sea, and then transfer them to the construction site through the canal, which is relatively convenient.

The Ming court had many considerations for transporting sleepers from Liaodong.

First of all, the current level of development in Liaodong is low. Even if more trees are cut down, it will not cause much damage to the local natural environment.

Secondly, after the trees are cut down, it will be easier for the Ming Dynasty to develop Liaodong.

The third is that Liaodong is relatively close to North Korea, so Ming Dynasty can hire labor from North Korea at the lowest cost.

By leaving the hard work to the Koreans, we can try to avoid civil unrest within the Ming Dynasty.

As for what to do if there is a democratic revolution in North Korea?
Haha, of course we sent troops to suppress the rebellion!
Is it possible that the Ming court maintained so many troops, and they were all just for decoration?

Suppressing internal rebellion sounds disgraceful, but suppressing external rebellion is another matter.

Also, when Liaodong is developed by the Koreans on a certain scale, the Ming Dynasty will carry out large-scale immigration from within the Pass to Liaodong.

So that the grand strategy of Liaodong development can be pushed forward at the minimum cost!

Well, this trick is called killing two birds with one stone!
After Wang Shun said this, he took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

“The third issue is land acquisition.”

"According to the railway route planned by the imperial court, it has to pass through many people's farmland and cemeteries."

"The farmland is okay. The imperial court can provide subsidies or replace it with farmland from other places."

"But the cemetery is..."

Chinese people in this era are very particular about returning to their roots after falling leaves and resting in their graves. Even in the north, the concept of clan is still very strong.

If you want to touch someone's ancestral grave, even if it's the imperial court, it's impossible to do it just as you say.

If one is not good, it will cause public outrage!

Public outrage was followed by a popular uprising!

After saying this, Wang Shun looked at Zhu Jianzhuo, as if waiting for Zhu Jianzhuo to make up his mind.

Seeing this, Zhu Jianzhuo couldn't help frowning and thinking.

After a moment, he spoke again.

"Does Wang Qing have a solution to this?"

Facing the emperor's question, Wang Shun hesitated at first, and then spoke.

"Wei Chen does have a plan, but I hope your Majesty will pardon Wei Chen's innocence first, otherwise Wei Chen will not dare to say anything."

When Zhu Jianzhuo heard this, he frowned at first, then relaxed his brows and spoke.

"If you have anything to say about Wang Qing's family, feel free to say it. I am not the kind of tyrant and ignorant king who sins because of my words."

Seeing this, Wang Shun dared to suggest something.

"Weichen's idea is that when the imperial court is planning the route of the railway, it may be possible to have the railway pass through Fengyang, the central capital, or next to Xiaoling Mausoleum, so as to block the long-term access to the world."

"As long as the world can be silenced, even if the imperial court forcibly expropriates land, the people will probably not say anything."

When Zhu Jianzhuo heard this, he was stunned on the spot.

Is Wang Shun's method a good one?
Not surprisingly, yes!
If the court really did this and the royal family took the lead and set an example, no one would dare to say anything if the land was to be acquired next.

After all, there is even a railway passing by the tomb of Lao Zhu's family. Is it possible that your family's tomb can be more valuable than the imperial mausoleum?

If anyone dares to say such words, they are rebelling!
But the problem is, if the railway is really allowed to run next to Lao Zhu's grave, Zhu Jianzhuo is afraid that Lao Zhu will come to talk to him at night!
Zhu Jiazhuo couldn't help but frown when he heard this, but he did not refuse immediately, but spoke.

"I still need to consider this matter again. Wang Qing should go back first."

"When I make a decision, I will write about the cabinet."

Seeing this, Wang Shun had no choice but to clasp his fists and take orders.

"Wei Chen obeys!"

After Wang Shun left, Zhu Jianzhuo immediately ordered someone to get pen and paper. He was going to write a letter to ask Zhu Jing'an for his opinion.

Let’s see if my son has a better solution to this problem!

If anything, that's the best.

If not, then he could only grit his teeth and choose to accept Wang Shun's opinion.

After all, the railway must be repaired!
No doubt about this!
Now Zhu Jianzhuo is also able to realize the great significance of railways.

At worst, he could just go to Xiaoling in person to plead guilty to Lao Zhu Shouling after he attains the Zen throne.

I believe Comrade Lao Zhu will forgive him...right? (End of chapter)