"Does this mean that cement and concrete will replace traditional building materials?"

"If that's the case, then its value is immense!"

Upon hearing about the miraculous effects of concrete, the officials were shocked, but they quickly realized its immense value, and their eyes gleamed with excitement.

The gazes directed at Yuan Feng were filled with respect and envy. No one had expected that the dignified head of the Yuan family would quietly create such a miraculous object that would benefit everyone.

It seems certain that he will become famous far and wide and leave a lasting mark on history.

Under the admiring and envious gazes of the crowd, Yuan Feng couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.

Liu Hong also looked at the officials with a smile on his face.

"Do you gentlemen still see any problems with road construction?"

"With the help of such a divine object, repairing the road is a trivial matter!"

The officials smiled and said there was no problem.

Cao Song stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any plans regarding road construction?"

"The connection between Luoyang and the surrounding counties needs to be repaired first, and then the connection with Chang'an also needs to be repaired as soon as possible!"

Then, it's also necessary to establish connections with Luoyang as soon as possible for routes to Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou!

Liu Hong then briefly explained his initial plan to the officials.

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. The three prefectures of You, Bing, and Liang are related to military affairs, trade, and coal, and it is indeed necessary to expedite their construction!"

"Chang'an is a crucial location in Guanzhong, and establishing communication with Luoyang is indeed something that needs to be done as soon as possible!"

The officials unanimously agreed to Liu Hong's initial road construction plan. With these areas connected, the entire north would then be under the control of the imperial court.

Chang'an is the central area of ​​Guanzhong. If the Han Dynasty were to expand westward in the future, then transportation would naturally be of great importance.

As for Hejian, its geographical location was not so important originally, but now, because of the emperor, it has become a center for the production of refined salt, imperial wine and tea, and its commercial status is self-evident.

Moreover, Hejian is adjacent to Youzhou, and can also serve as a transit point for supplies in the future development of Northeast China.

Soon, Liu Hong and his officials came up with a road construction plan.

First, the roads between Luoyang and Chang'an, and between Luoyang and Hejian, should be repaired.

Then, connections were built between Chang'an and Hejian, respectively, to Dunhuang, Jiuyuan, Yuyang, Liaoxi, and Liaodong.

Cao Song, standing to the side, listened to the emperor and his officials' enthusiastic discussion about the road construction, while also calculating the costs involved.

After roughly calculating this, Cao Song's expression immediately turned rather unpleasant!

"Your Majesty, although road construction is beneficial in the long run, the national treasury is currently short of funds and may not be able to sustain it!"

"Hmm? Complaining about being poor again...?"

"The Royal Trading Company makes so much money, where did all that money go?"

When the officials saw Cao Song jump out to complain about being poor again, they all spoke to him with unfriendly expressions.

Cao Song hurriedly said, "Gentlemen, because of the spring plowing tools and water conservancy projects this year, the national treasury has been almost depleted. The remaining funds are needed for stockpiling grain and cannot be used."

The Royal Trading Company's money is mostly used to purchase slaves, expand factories, and open shops; it cannot be touched. If the Royal Trading Company's funding were to dry up, all factories, workshops, and shops would be affected!

Liu Shu couldn't help but ask, "Isn't the autumn harvest coming soon? Won't the national treasury have money and grain after the harvest?"

Cao Song shook his head. "The land newly reclaimed from last year to this year is tax-exempt. This year's autumn harvest is not much more than last year's. It's fine to use it to store the newly established official granaries, but it's a bit tight to use it for road construction."

Without those things, this year's trade fair can't continue...!

"What can we do then? We can't just wait two years to fix it, can we?"

"Yes, the road construction is urgent and cannot be delayed!"

Upon hearing Cao Song's account of the various difficulties, the officials couldn't help but show a hint of anxiety on their faces.

If the Royal Merchant Guild cannot develop for two years, how much less money will they receive?

For a time, the officials began to discuss among themselves, and the Chongzheng Hall became quite noisy.

Chen Fan frowned, looked at the officials, and angrily rebuked them:

"Silence!! If there's a problem, you should think about how to solve it. What kind of order is this, with such a chaotic scene?"

Upon hearing Chen Fan's rebuke, the officials quickly shut their mouths and began to think of appropriate solutions.

Cao Song's brow furrowed, then he looked at Liu Hong and said cautiously:

"Your Majesty, the funds and provisions of the national treasury and the royal merchant guild cannot be touched lightly at the moment. I wonder what about the Imperial Household Department...?"

As Cao Song finished speaking, the officials' eyes lit up, and they turned their gazes to Liu Hong, who was sitting on the imperial throne.

You should know that half of the Royal Merchant Guild's profits go to the Imperial Household Department. Recently, the Imperial Household Department has made quite a bit of money. The national treasury's money cannot be touched, but the Imperial Household Department can!

"Um?"

Facing the gazes of all the officials, Liu Hong, sitting on the throne, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

These guys are really starting to look more and more like capitalists.

They actually dared to plot against the emperor?

Liu Hong couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you all planning to make me pay for the road repairs?"

"Ah... no, Your Majesty also needs to spend money! What I mean is... could Your Majesty lend the money from the Imperial Treasury to the national treasury?"

Cao Song quickly waved his hand and looked at Liu Hong with a grin.

"Oh...so you wanted to borrow money!"

Liu Hong raised an eyebrow, looked at Cao Song and the officials, and a smile appeared on his face.

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