The temperature plummeted in mid-December, becoming especially noticeable. The ministers within the Constitutional Court donned thick cotton coats as they listened to Zhao Jun explain the strategic plan.

It just so happened that the steam locomotive was perfected, and rubber became the final link in this layout.

"Steel was the first step in industry. Only then could we build railways and shipyards nationwide, and steamships sail around the world."

Secondly, the Yuan Dynasty was still an ancient feudal dynasty, and the only way to communicate between the north and the south was the canal.

As for destroying the Liao Kingdom and Western Xia, perhaps it would be something that could be done later, but now Zhao Jun said that they could be left alone for now.

If it was destroyed, the Song Dynasty would have to digest it and spend money to govern it.

It would be better to let Liao and Xixia first act as raw material producers and commodity dumping countries for the Song Dynasty to maximize profits.

After all, when it comes to Zhao Jun's position, he must consider the interests of the country first. If he only fights and does not govern like the Yuan Dynasty, in the end it will be nothing more than a short-lived dynasty.

"I agree with this. Anyway, at my age, I probably won't see the destruction of the Liao and Xixia kingdoms in the future. It's better to wait until later."

Lu Yijian said, "According to Han Long's opinion, how long will it take for us to build up our country and formally declare war?"

They are also very curious, and who wants to wait too long?

"Not long."

Zhao Jun smiled and said, "It's the end of the year. According to custom, all countries will send envoys to the Song Dynasty to pay their respects. When we demonstrate our train, the next three to five years will be the time when the Liao and Western Xia will be severely punished."

"this"

Everyone was surprised.

Wang Zeng and Yan Shu seemed to be lost in thought.

Li Di and Zhang Shixun were too old to react.

Zhang Shixun wondered, "Why?"

"Because that will only make Liao and Xixia see the gap between them and the Song Dynasty is getting wider and wider. If they don't find a solution, they will be completely destroyed. Therefore, they must take action in the next three to five years."

Zhao Jun said firmly, "No matter what they do, the Song Dynasty can use it as an excuse to send troops. By then, it will be difficult for them to survive. It all depends on whether the Song Dynasty will destroy them."

"That makes sense."

Wang Zeng agreed, "If I were Yelu Zongzhen or Zhao Yuanhao, seeing the Song Dynasty's rise to power would only make me even more terrified. How could I not be worried? If things drag on, I'm afraid they won't be able to fight back in the future."

This is like the battle strength between the Liao Dynasty, the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty. If the Liao Dynasty is compared to 100, the Western Xia Dynasty is compared to 90, and the Song Dynasty is compared to 80, then the Western Xia Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty could both defeat the Song Dynasty.

But now the national strength of Liao and Western Xia has improved. One has reached a combat power of 120 and the other has reached 110. It seems that they have become stronger. But looking back, the Song Dynasty, which originally had a combat power of 80, did not just see an improvement in national strength. It was like riding a rocket, with its combat power soaring to 200 and above.

Moreover, this gap will only widen over time. Anyone who becomes the emperor of Western Xia or Liao will be worried.

That is why Zhao Jun predicted that in the next few years, the Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia would likely initiate war again.

If they provoke a war again, the Song Dynasty can consider whether to destroy them or just defeat them and then support a puppet regime for semi-colonization like Annan.

After all, it is a relief to conquer it, but governance is still a big problem.

We still need to take it step by step.

For example, first take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and then step by step take back the Northeast.

As for the Mongolian steppes, it won’t be too late to take them after the railway is built there in the future.

When everyone was making plans for the future railway.

Someone knocked on the door, and Zhao Jun said, "Come in."

A secretary from the Constitutional Council came in and said, "Report, the Ministry of Works just sent someone to report that the railway was officially completed this morning."

"oh?"

Zhao Jun was surprised and asked, "They've reached Weishi so quickly?"

The secretary replied, "It was heavy rain that stopped the river repair work, so the Ministry of Works moved everyone to the railway area."

The Song Dynasty is now facing a shortage of manpower.

Construction is going on everywhere.

The imperial court recruited workers from all over Bianliang and only managed to gather 10,000 people. They had to build a 40-kilometer-long road in two sections to Weishi County within one month, and the construction schedule was very tight.

Historically, when the United States built the Pacific Railroad, it took nine years to build more than 3,000 kilometers, with an average of only about 30 kilometers per month.

However, the difficulty of railway construction lies in tunnel digging. Tunnels have to be dug in many places on the Pacific Railway, which delays the construction period. It is not so troublesome in the plains area. It is only necessary to lay sleepers and rails along the way, which will be faster.

Originally, Zhao Jun planned to complete it within one month with 10,000 people, but unexpectedly, it was done in just twenty days. Is he planning to demonstrate Chinese speed a thousand years ahead of schedule?

"Then I'll go take a look."

Zhao Jun stood up, then looked at the crowd and said, "Let's adjourn the meeting today. It's raining so hard outside, you guys shouldn't go. I'll go take a look."

"Forehead"

Although everyone wanted to go and take a look, what Zhao Jun said was indeed right.

The weather has been getting colder recently, and it has been raining heavily. These prime ministers are all in their sixties and seventies, and their bodies can't bear it, so they can only give up.

Fan Zhongyan opened his mouth and wanted to go, but he had something to do at the Ministry of War in the afternoon, so he had no choice but to not go.

Zhao Jun left the Constitutional Court. It was only noon, but the sky outside was almost gray, with countless white lines dripping.

The attendant held an umbrella and accompanied Zhao Jun all the way to the outside of Xuande Gate, and then protected him as he got into the carriage.

The carriage was moving forward in a mighty procession, with hundreds of guards surrounding it, heading towards the south of the city.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!