Rail tracks?

Han Gang glanced at the grill and found that the owner and waiter had prepared all the wines and dishes ordered by Han Gang, Xue Xiang and Yuan Sui from the two families, and hid in the shop next door with tactfulness.

"Now, only rails are used on the docks. If the Fangchengshan track can be transformed into rails, after half a year of verification and comparison, the benefits of rails can be officially confirmed. At that time, you will have some confidence to promote the world."

Han Gang cooperated with Xue Xiang's words. Xue Xiang took the initiative to lift the rails, which was naturally a sign of showing goodwill, and of course he had to respond with kindness.

"The benefits of rails can be seen without verification. They are always more convenient than wooden tracks." Xue Xiang said seriously. "The cost of rails is cheaper now than hardwood tracks. If you replace wooden tracks with rails, the cost of roads can also be reduced. And there are also daily maintenance costs, which can save a lot."

Han Gang nodded in agreement. He was the advocate of tracks. The term tracks was still circulated from him. He was more familiar with the data than anyone else: "Save half of it should be no problem."

The old tracks made of hardwood are actually not cheap, and they are replaced frequently, and even if they are made of copper leather, they are easily damaged. However, because of the amazing freight income, the high maintenance costs of wooden tracks are just a little diluted. However, anyone would be willing to see higher profits, and who would think that money is burning?

Compared with wooden tracks, the rails are much stronger, and the rust problem that makes people worry is insignificant compared to the loss of wood. As far as Hangang knows, the maintenance cost of the tracks on the Jingcheng Wharf will drop to only 30% of the previous ones after the rails are replaced. If the Fangchengshan track is also replaced with rails, as the maintenance cost decreases, the saved cost will naturally mean an increase in profits. If you change your thinking and reduce the freight costs slightly, it will attract more merchants to use this channel and will relatively get more income.

Han Gang was a little more conservative about the other party's profit forecast after the Chengshan track was replaced, while Xue Xiang was more optimistic. However, after the two exchanged their respective views, they could confirm it, which was definitely a number that could make the emperor happy.

A gentleman who does not speak of profit may sneer at the conversation between Han Gang and Xue Xiang. He is the prime minister and the bachelor, but he is still concerned about profit. However, when Han and Xue talk, although they are not serious in the court, their solemn tone is not as good as chatting at the wine table.

"...I just have to beware of thieves greedy for small profits and steal iron from the track."

"There is no perfect thing in this world? Even if there is a little accident or a little twists and turns, it will not affect the overall situation. Moreover, the docks on the Bian River in the capital have already started to use rails, but I haven't heard of which company has been stolen, so there is no need to worry too much." Han Gang disagreed, "And if he knew how many people would kill the tracks, he would still dare to take action in a daze."

"That's right." Xue Xiang nodded. Without the tracks, once the carriage derailed, it is very likely that people in the car would suffer casualties. After considering the serious consequences, there will be no more people. "Once you know how much casualties the overturned track will cause, there shouldn't be many people in the world who dare to take action." He stopped, "In fact, Xue Xiang still has another idea."

"What?" Han Gang asked immediately.

Xue Xiang smiled: "No one dared to move the Yudao."

Han Gang was holding the wine cup and shook his right hand, but he immediately raised his head to drink, unable to see anything unusual, but he understood Xue Xiang's plan.

The imperial road protected by two imperial ditches in the center of the Imperial Street is made of loess, and no one dares to step on it casually. If the track is regarded as the imperial road, those who dare to destroy it will judge it as a crime of great disrespect, few people will dare to violate the ban.

But there were only a few people, not at all. Steel and loess were different. Han Gang also sentenced several crazy thieves when he was working in the place. However, after all, the railway tracks are not something that can be sold at high prices. If you exchange a small amount of money for the whole family's head, few people will be so stupid.

Hangang would not wishfully think that as long as more steel is produced, the lower the price, the fewer and fewer thieves who can make railroad tracks will be. Thinking about it this way is really naive. No matter how much the price of steel is reduced, it will not be lower than the cost of buying and selling without a cost. However, since the railways in later generations can be promoted smoothly, Hangang believes that this era can do it.

Xue Xiang was very happy that Han Gang could cooperate like this. Although it was a whim to drink with Han Gang today, it was a long-standing idea to have a good chat with Han Gang.

If a war starts against Liao, a transportation line with almost the same capacity as water transportation is the key to defeating Liao. As long as you get a little military service, you will know what stable and smooth supply line with huge transportation volume will play a role in the end of the war. Moreover, Xue Xiang wanted to extend his hand to a place without a canal for a long time, but this matter must pass through Hangang.

Of course, Han Gang and Xue Xiang would not have a simple and profound conversation, but it is normal to exchange interests. Even if Han Gang is not welcomed at the moment, the emperor still wants him to be the prince's commander, and it is not a fantasy to take charge of the government in the future.

Even if Xue Xiang doesn't think about himself, he still has to think about his children. How could he be able to make a fortune in financial planning? How could he be so arrogant that he can only rely on innocent people to make up his face? It is not embarrassing to consider his children, plan for the family, and establish a good relationship with Hangang.

Han Gang has too much advantage in age. In addition to the identity of the future imperial sect, at least in the east and west governments, no one is willing to be enemies with him. Friendship is the mainstream, and at the worst, it is just not to interact. Civil and military officials, except for censors who want to step on others, most court officials are unwilling to commit crimes against Han Gang for no reason.

"But where does Brother Zizheng think it is better to place the next track? Does Hebei?" Han Gang made the final confirmation.

Xue Xiang seemed a little hesitant: "...The father Shang from Liao Kingdom might be waiting for the excuse to use his troops in the south."

"If you don't grind it in March, your sword will rust. If you don't fight for ten years, the Western Army will probably fall to the same level as the Hebei Imperial Army." Han Gang said solemnly, "It's not enough to just be strong and powerful."

In other words, Han Gang's implication is that Yelu Yixin can afford it.

Xue Xiang had a bit of bitterness on his face, and there was a peace agreement between the Song and Liao. Unless Zi dared to exempt the annual monies today, the courtiers would not support the Liao Kingdom. In other words, no one would take responsibility for the consequences of the emperor's arbitrary decision. Since that is the case, what else could Zhao Xu do? He did not have the control of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi, and could suppress the two governments to clear the way for his decision.

The Tongzhi of the Privy Council and the Bachelor of Duanming Palace sat opposite each other at the Zhouqiao Night Market. Tomorrow in the capital, this news may have been circulating.

However, Xue Xiang didn't care. He had already made a prediction about the loss before sitting here today, before he sat here against Han Gang and drank.

………………………………………

When I got home, it was already the second day, and even the snow had stopped, but my wives and concubines at home were still awake.

"Why is the official coming back late?" Wang Yi took the cloak from Han Gang and handed it to the maid behind him. Wang Yi seemed to ask casually.

"I delayed Xue Zizheng a little time on the way."

"Is it because of the little emperor of Liao?"

Thinking about it, Zhao Xu said in person in Wende Hall, all civil and military officials and the news, one day passed, and maybe the news was all transmitted to Yingtian Prefecture, Nanjing. Of course, I heard about it if I had a little longer ear in the capital.

"Well... I'll touch it a little bit." Han Gangman didn't care. "Actually, it's not big, but I just died. It's actually a barely enough to say that he is the emperor."

"Nothing will happen?" Han Yunniang, who was accompanying her, asked carefully.

"What can I do?" Han Gang smiled slightly. It was just that the emperor was a little more awake and it was not a big deal. A talk with Xue Xiang was the top priority today.

Having said that, Han Gang knew that he must have made Zhao Xu unhappy again in the palace today. But this was nothing, Han Gang didn't care much. Standing on the same front as most court officials, it was more important to block the emperor's wishful thinking.

There are great differences between Zhao Xu and his ministers in judging whether Yelu Yixin's status in Liao Kingdom is stable.

Emperor Zhao Xu always believed that the treacherous ministers were definitely unpopular. When they sat on the throne, they should be born to be loyal to everyone. Even the barbarians such as the Khitan should have countless loyal ministers waiting for the opportunity to drive down Yelu Yixin, a traitor who stole the country.

This idea is correct. For the court officials, royal families and powerful people in the Liao Kingdom, it would be nothing if a Huangkouruzi was the emperor. After all, it was a legitimate lineage passed down from Taizu Taizong Holy Sect. Isn’t the rules in the world like this? Yelu Yixin issued an order on his head, which made people feel angry. He is both a minister, why is he qualified? Many people must have wanted to kick Yelu Yixin off.

But how many people are willing to pay the price of their lives for this?

The ministers saw it very clearly, at least they could often see the emperor's important ministers, and they all understood to more or less that the emperor was just an ordinary person who had a good position. They would not believe in loyalty for no reason and unconcerned efforts, but they just didn't dare to say it out loud.

The emperor is a powerful soldier and strong horse. This is the common view of the martial artists of the Five Dynasties. Can civil officials today be less knowledgeable than those of the Five Dynasties? Some people think that the emperor is a gift from heaven? The so-called commanded by heaven, in this era, few scholars, except for some old Dongbai, will believe it wholeheartedly. There are many counterexamples in historical books.

This is the decisive difference between the emperor and the ministers.

Of course, it is not that Han Gang is so completely disbelief. Most of them are still half-believing and half-doubted. Just like asking gods and Buddhas, how many scholars and officials would believe that by raising an incense stick, everything will be safe? But if you have time, you have to bow and ask for peace of mind.

As long as Yelu Yixin can govern the country and the Liao Kingdom is peaceful, what is the difficulty of becoming an Emperor Wen of Sui? How can one gain loyalty, obedient wealth and glory, and disobedient ones will die the whole family. When one gets used to it under such coercion, then loyalty will naturally be achieved. Strength is the first priority. If Wang Mang did not seek death and play with retro, it would not be impossible for the new dynasty to last for two hundred years.

With Yelu Yixin's methods, there will naturally be no problem in doing this. It is impossible to seize half of the Western Xia territory from the Song Dynasty at no cost, which is very popular. Unless he is old and confused, or is seriously ill and unable to manage his position, it will be extremely difficult to shake his position.

How many people who are ministers can’t tell?

When the Emperor Taishu Yelu Chongyuan rebelled, Yelu Yixin quelled the rebellion for Emperor Xuanzong of Liao, Yelu Hongji, and has been committed to suppressing the neighboring clan members for decades. Yelu Yixin is so rampant now, which is also related to the inability of neighboring clan members of Liao.

As long as the Liao people have not taken the initiative to provoke the war, the northern border of the Song Dynasty must continue to maintain peace. For Han Gang, the meeting with Xue Xiang tonight is more important. This is putting pressure on the emperor, and it also means that Han Gang has become increasingly influential in the court, and Han Gang has added a lot of confidence to achieve his goals.
Chapter completed!