Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The two sat down, and Fang Zheng smiled and asked, "Lord Xu, why are you thinking of coming to ask about the Exchange so late at night?"

Xu Wenshu sighed, "Lord Marquis, don't hide it. The Exchange has the Marquis's shadow behind it. You also want to make this happen, right?"

"I have carefully studied the Exchange these days and feel that this method is indeed powerful and can alleviate many of the Ministry of Revenue's problems."

"However, once the Ministry of Revenue intervenes, it will inevitably cause turmoil among the people."

"The Marquis's ideas have always been unconstrained, and he has a deeper understanding of these new things than ordinary people, so I came here today to ask the Marquis's thoughts."

Xu Wenshu is a straightforward person.

Fang Zheng thought to himself.

He picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea, saying, "Since we're being frank, I'll be direct. There's no problem with the imperial court's direct intervention. You can do it boldly and with confidence."

"But the problems that will arise later..."

"Didn't Liu Zhongshun go to you? Didn't he give you some suggestions?" Fang Zheng asked.

"Indeed, he did, and the content was very comprehensive, but a plan is just a plan after all, and there will inevitably be flaws in its implementation," Xu Wenshu said with concern.

Fang Zheng felt a little helpless.

Sometimes, doing things in the court is exceptionally troublesome in this regard.

They always want to come up with a perfect method and don't want to take any responsibility, but how is that possible?

Now that he has planted the peach tree, the people he sends it to are still making excuses and have all kinds of concerns in their hearts.

It's really troublesome.

"Lord Xu, I still say the same thing, go ahead and do it! No matter what the consequences, it's not too late to do it first and then make changes. Human power sometimes runs out, and nothing is perfect. If you always beat around the bush, then nothing can be done."

"Liu Zhongshun, a small businessman, can successfully create and manage this earth-shattering Exchange, which shows that it is in line with the trend. Why doesn't the imperial court have the courage and ability to do the same?"

Xu Wenshu shook his head, "It's not that I don't have the courage. If I can't understand the details and future hidden dangers, even if I take it to the court for discussion, it will definitely not pass, and it may even be called to a halt directly. There is only one chance to succeed in doing this, so we must be cautious and careful!"

"In fact, many people in the court have already noticed the Exchange, but they have been secretly going there without saying anything, simply because they are not optimistic about the future of the Exchange. Once it is discovered by the court, there is a great chance that it will be shut down."

"Lord Fang should understand this better than I do."

Fang Zheng nodded slightly and sighed, "I know this situation, but I want to know Lord Xu's attitude. Do you want it to open or not?"

Xu Wenshu hesitated for a moment, and finally said with certainty, "I think it's worth a try, and I hope that if the imperial court intervenes, each transaction will be guaranteed by the imperial court and a fee will be charged. This is also a considerable income, which can enrich the national treasury in the future."

Good fellow, he's set his sights on the transaction fees. He truly deserves to be a professional money maker.

Fang Zheng lightly patted the table, "Good! Since you are willing, then we can find a way to solve it."

"This matter seems to have many hidden dangers in the court, but many people are already secretly benefiting from it, which shows that we have a foundation of support. Then the only problem lies with His Majesty. As long as His Majesty makes a decision, it should be no problem."

Xu Wenshu was overjoyed, "You will persuade His Majesty?"

With His Majesty's trust in Fang Zheng, plus his incessantly chattering mouth, it seems that persuading him is not too difficult.

Unexpectedly, Fang Zheng denied, "This matter will involve countless people. What's the use of me talking to His Majesty empty-handed? We have to speak with facts."

"Speak with facts?"

"Yes." Fang Zheng nodded, "Let His Majesty see the benefits, settle the matter first, and then make amends for any problems that arise later."

"Then how do we speak with facts?"

Fang Zheng leaned forward slightly and said softly, "Directly list the railway on the market, let the people buy stocks, and find an opportunity to invite His Majesty to visit the Exchange in person."

Xu Wenshu's eyes suddenly widened, "Lord Marquis, although you came up with the train railway, it is not just your business now. Do you know what the consequences will be if you rashly list it without discussing it with the court?"

Fang Zheng touched his chin and said, "Of course I know, but I'm not afraid! This is in line with the trend of history, and even if you and I don't do it, someone will do it sooner or later."

"Lord Xu, think about it, the current expenses of the train railway are already overwhelming the imperial court, and now Dongjiao University, together with the Ministry of War, is secretly developing new warships."

"You probably don't know the details, so let me give you a heads up. That warship is driven by a steam engine and covered with iron armor. The cost is definitely worlds apart from wooden ships. It's just that the imperial court urgently needs a large number of ordinary merchant ships, and the ironclad ship is also being tested for feasibility, so it hasn't started construction on a large scale."

"In the future, if it is verified to be feasible, the imperial court will manufacture ironclad ships, which is equivalent to having many more trains at sea. According to the current tax revenue growth, do you think the Ministry of Revenue can handle it?"

Xu Wenshu was so shocked that he exclaimed, "Ironclad ships!? Wouldn't that thing sink into the sea!?"

Fang Zheng smiled and said, "Who knows? Originally, no one knew that a car could run on its own. Not many people know about this matter, so don't go around blabbing about it."

"That's natural..." Xu Wenshu's chest heaved up and down, obviously greatly stimulated.

He had to believe what Fang Zheng said!

Dongjiao University has already produced trains, so it doesn't seem strange to create an ironclad ship at sea in the future...

Iron ships... How much money would that cost?

According to his current health, it shouldn't be a problem to serve as the Minister of Revenue for eight or nine years.

What if this matter can't be dragged on to the next term? It would fall on his head!

No... We still have to find a way from the Exchange...

"Let's talk about His Majesty going to the Exchange. What are you going to do then?"

Fang Zheng observed his expression and said, "Actually, it's not difficult. When the train railway is listed, His Majesty will see countless people's wealth pouring into it, and he will be overjoyed to promote the construction of the railway. Then it will be a natural success."

"However, some preparations need to be made before that. I will first let Banshan Daily start reporting the good news about the Exchange, so that His Majesty can simply understand some of the news."

"Then you will occasionally write to His Majesty to explain the operating principle of the Exchange and what benefits it has."

"I will do the follow-up work. I will find someone to arrange the preliminary preparations for the listing of the train railway, and we can invite His Majesty to watch on the day of listing. What do you think?"

"In fact, you don't have to worry, I am nominally in charge of the train railway, and I bear most of the risks. What do you think?"

Xu Wenshu frowned deeply, caught in great entanglement.

It sounds too simple, and he always feels a little uneasy in his heart.

But... there doesn't seem to be any problem.

"Okay, then let's give it a try?"

"Let's try!"