Zhu Yuanzhang loudly reprimanded all the officials, but there was no anger in his tone.

Mainly because the train brought him such a big surprise.

All the officials knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Now that I have taken a train myself, how can I not understand the benefits of trains?

This is a true sacred artifact for the country.

We didn't stay at the port for long before we got on the train back. This time, the officials were much quieter.

As there were no seating restrictions, some people just wanted to see the scenery and didn't care about their manners and started pulling each other.

When I returned to the Research Department, the court meeting was over.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Ying also got on the carriage and went back.

Of course the officials walked, but it was not far for them, so they just talked as they walked.

"Minister Shen, you are so mean. The Ministry of Industry has done such a big thing, but you are hiding it from us and not telling us anything."

Minister of Justice Yang Jing said jokingly.

The Minister of Personnel Zhan Hui also chimed in: "That's right, that's right. If I hadn't personally ridden on this train, I would have found it hard to imagine that such a steel behemoth could actually move, and at such a high speed."

"If this railway track is laid throughout the entire Ming Dynasty, it would only take two or three days to reach any place. In the future, officials will not have to travel too much when they take office."

Zhao Mian, the Minister of Finance, said: "It's not a big deal for officials to take office. With this train, taxes from all over the country can be easily collected. A lot of food will be consumed on the way, and corvée labor will also be needed."

"From now on, transporting grain will become much easier. Taxes from all over the country can be loaded onto this train and delivered to the capital in two or three days."

"If a disaster occurs in any place, food can be delivered quickly, and the people of the world will be blessed."

Minister of War Ru Hong interrupted and said, "I think the greatest contribution of this train is to transport soldiers. Soldiers can just sit and rest on the train without expending any energy."

"It only takes a few days to get there. We can mobilize the army at any time, and there won't be any problems with logistics support."

Minister of Industry Shen Xi smiled and said, "So, if we want to quickly build the entire railway track, we must first make it accessible throughout the country like the post stations. By then, all the things you mentioned can naturally be accomplished."

Several ministers looked at each other and said with a smile: "Good."

…

Ever since all the officials took the train, the court's attitude has clearly changed.

Everyone understands that connecting the whole country with this train is definitely the top priority for the Ming Dynasty in the next few years, and all other matters must give way to the train.

Official documents were continuously issued, but the matter of the train was not reported in the Ming Dynasty capital's official gazette.

Suddenly, a large number of job recruitment notices appeared among people from all over the country, especially in the capital.

In fact, some officials proposed to implement a large amount of corvee labor, which would save a lot of money and grain for the national treasury. Moreover, the repair of the railway would be of great benefit to the people.

Once this memorial was put forward, many people seconded it, and even Zhu Yuanzhang was tempted.

But it was vetoed by Zhu Ying.

He didn't want to waste too much of the people's energy, and the money and grain in the national treasury were enough to support the construction of the railway.

Nowadays, corvee labor has been reduced on a large scale. This kind of free labor is considered normal by the imperial power and officials, and even the common people think it is normal.

But Zhu Ying insisted not to do so.

The huge corvee labor will cause complaints from the lower-class people, and will also cause the power of officials, which was originally suppressed, to be raised again.

You have to know that even in the Ming Dynasty today, it is impossible for everyone to have food to eat and clothes to wear.

The prosperity was centered in the capital and slowly radiated from Southern Zhili to the surrounding areas.

Regions like the northwest and southwest are lagging behind in development.

Traveling from the capital to these two places, it feels like going from prosperity to barbarism.

There is no such concept as GDP now. If there were, we could find by comparison that the GDP of a village near the capital might exceed that of a prefecture in the northwest region.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little hesitant, but finally supported his eldest grandson.

At the same time, this also allowed the national treasury to allocate 2 billion treasure notes for the construction of railways across the country.

“After the railway tracks are built, they should be put to civilian use unless there is war.”

"After calculating the cost of coal, operation, wear and tear, and maintenance, we will set the ticket price as a subsidy for the trains."

"While strengthening exchanges among the people, it also enables them to better operate on their own."

The idea proposed by Zhu Ying was agreed by Zhu Yuanzhang.

In fact, it is similar to the current post station.

The post stations that were previously loss-making are now able to make profits under the transformation of Dasun, which is something Zhu Yuanzhang never imagined.

And trains can also be a replacement for post stations.

Twenty billion treasure notes may sound like a lot, but in fact the casting of steel and the labor costs are huge expenses.

Without corvee labor, just building railway tracks to the nine borders seemed insufficient.

This also requires a series of measures such as the simultaneous manufacture of a large number of steam engines, railway carriages, etc.

Zhu Ying thought about it and decided to adopt the contracting system.

For example, a certain section of railway is under the responsibility of the nearby village, county, or government.

The railway station at this stop is managed by the nearby villagers.

Their personal labor and even money and grain contributions can be converted into shares in the railway operating bureau of the railway station.

In the next five, ten, or even fifteen years, you can enjoy the dividends brought by the railway station.

Zhu Ying has used this tactic many times in Daming, such as selling dry shares before, which has a similar meaning.

After telling Zhu Yuanzhang about this idea, Zhu Yuanzhang also thought it was feasible.

It basically follows the path of government bonds.

"If we do this, the information about the construction of the train must first be published nationwide in the official gazette. Otherwise, the people won't even know what a train is, and it will be difficult to build it," said Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Ying said: "We are not afraid of being known. Even if other countries knew, would they be able to build trains? The steam engine alone is a huge challenge."

"Even if we want to imitate it, it will take at least several decades. By that time, our trains will have already been connected to various countries."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "It is a good idea to let the prefectures and counties bear part of the expenses. It can greatly reduce the expenditure of the national treasury and benefit the people. Just go ahead and do it, Grandson."

After Zhu Ying returned to Kunning, he first ordered the staff of the Dibao Office to take a train.

If you want them to write about the benefits of trains, the first thing they need to do is experience them themselves.

Now the Research and Development Department has also been testing the train and trying its best to make it more perfect.

When Yuan Jiachi came to Kunning Palace again, his face was full of shock and excitement, as if he had not yet recovered from his previous feelings.

"Your Highness, this train is truly amazing."

After paying his respects, Yuan Jiachi couldn't wait to speak.

Zhu Ying said: "Now the whole country of Ming Dynasty is going to build railway tracks. You should vigorously publicize the matter of trains in the court newspaper. In the court newspapers of the next few months, trains should occupy enough space in the court newspapers."

"We need to tell all the people that when the train is built, they will be able to ride it, and it is not just for government use."

At this point, Zhu Ying gave a detailed explanation about the people contracting railway stations.

"This... Your Highness is so righteous." Yuan Jiachi was shocked.

The Crown Prince actually distributed the dividends from the railway directly to the people. This kind of move is unprecedented in history.

Zhu Ying smiled and said, "The people benefited, the government saved money, and the railway was built quickly. Isn't this killing three birds with one stone?"

"Besides, the railway is being built near their village. If anyone wants to damage the tracks, the first ones to disagree are the nearby villagers."

"As the saying goes, cutting off a person's financial resources is like killing his parents. This can save the court a lot of trouble."

"After the train station is built, local people can go in first and personnel issues can be resolved quickly."

“These aspects alone are enough.”

After listening to this, Yuan Jiachi bowed.

Only the Crown Prince can come up with such a strategy that benefits the country and the people.

The next day.

The news about the successful manufacture of the train began to be widely publicized in the official newspapers.

It’s the same old routine, a large number of storytellers were also urgently arranged for training.

We must make sure that the trend of trains takes hold throughout the Ming Dynasty.

at the same time.

Lan Yu also claimed a large amount of gold and treasures from the Ayutthaya Dynasty and began to return home.

There were dozens of large boxes, all of which Lan Yu demanded.

Facing the regular army of the Ming Dynasty, even King Wutong had to lower his proud head.

He was not afraid of Lan Yu's army. King Uthong Ramati Bodhi, who tried his best, felt that his hope of victory was still great.

But what can I do?

This is just a small part of the Ming Dynasty's army of more than two million.

If a war really breaks out with the Ming Dynasty, the Ayutthaya Dynasty will inevitably be destroyed.

In the end, even the eldest prince who attacked Lan Yu was arrested and taken to the capital to be tried.

For the continuation of the Ayutthaya Dynasty, King Uthong could only watch his eldest son being captured, but did not dare to take any action.

"Are they gone?"

Falling limply on the throne, Ramati Bodhi felt as if all the strength in his body had been drained away.

During this period of time, the Ming army not only asked him to pay a large amount of money, but also asked him to be responsible for the Ming army's consumption.

The kingdom's formerly abundant treasury was now almost completely empty.

Ramati Bodhi wanted to turn against him countless times after struggling internally.

But in the end, I still endured it.

"Your Majesty, the Ming army has left Ayutthaya." The minister knelt on the ground and said cautiously.

Everyone knows how angry the king is now.

Ramati Bodhi thought for a moment and ordered, “Call the second prince over.”

Soon, the second prince came over.

Seeing the joy on the second prince's face, Ramati Bodhi went up and slapped him to the ground.

"Your elder brother was captured by the Ming army. Are you very happy?"

The second prince turned over quickly and said, "Father, my heart is filled with anger. One day, I will make the Ming Dynasty pay the price."

Ramati Bodhi was so angry that he went up and kicked him down, cursing, "Stupid, stupid, why did I give birth to such a stupid thing like you?"

"How can I trust Ayutthaya to you, a fool like you?"

The second prince trembled, he totally didn't understand why his father would scold him like that.

Originally, the second prince was planning to hold a banquet.

Because his eldest brother was captured by the Ming army, he would be the first-line heir to the future dynasty.

The second prince's joy at being suddenly called by his father has not yet faded.

The second prince looked very aggrieved after being slapped and kicked.

I have already said that I want to avenge my brother, isn't that enough?

Ramati Bodhi felt that this second son was hopeless.

I didn't dare to fall out with the Ming Dynasty. I paid off the national treasury and lost my eldest son, but I endured it all.

Now you come to me and tell me that you want to take revenge on the Ming Dynasty. What ability do you have to take revenge on the Ming Dynasty?

"Call the third prince over."

Ramati Bodhi thought for a moment and gave instructions to the guards.

The third prince came. When he came in, his face was filled with sorrow. He knelt on the ground and saluted. His tone was heavy: "Greetings, father."

Ramati Bodhi felt a little better after seeing this and said, "Get up."

"Thank you, Father."

The second prince stood up, looked at his second brother who was lying on the ground beside him, and did not dare to speak.

"Let me ask you, now that the Ming army has captured your eldest brother and looted the national treasury, what do you think the Ayutthaya dynasty should do next?" asked Ramati Bodhi.

The third prince thought for a while and said, "I think we should immediately prepare the army, strengthen their training, and then send the most powerful commander to attack the Sukhothai Dynasty. We must make up for the losses caused by the Ming army as soon as possible."

Ramati Bodhi frowned when he heard about the army assembly. He thought that the third prince also wanted to attack the Ming Dynasty.

Later, when he heard that there was going to be an attack on the Sukhothai Dynasty, his brows finally relaxed.

"What about your eldest brother? He was captured by the Ming army. Are you going to just ignore him?" Ramati Bodhi asked again.

The third prince was speechless.

As his father, you could only watch my eldest brother being captured by the Ming army. Do you want me to save him?

What can I do to save you?

After a slight hesitation, the third prince replied in a heavy voice: "Brother is a hero of our Ayutthaya Dynasty."

After saying this, the third prince shut up immediately.

The meaning of this sentence is very clear.

Ramati Bodhi nodded slightly, obviously very satisfied with the third prince's answer.

At this time, the second prince, who was lying on the ground, felt something was wrong and immediately scolded the second prince: "My elder brother has taken good care of you, but you are so cold-blooded. You are not worthy of being a prince."

Cold-blooded.

Hearing this word, Ramati Bodhi sighed slightly in his heart.

How can the king control the country if he is not cold-blooded?

"Someone, take the second prince out." Ramati Bodhi said with disgust.

The guards immediately came over and forcibly dragged the second prince away.

Ramati Bodhi glanced at the third prince and said, "I will let you go with me when we attack the Sukhothai Dynasty. Don't let me down."

The third prince felt a little disappointed, but he could only reply, "Yes, father."