The most arrogant in history

Chapter 743 Prince Ye Lesheng.

Wu Qiong calculated the economic accounts again and said with a wry smile:

"Diesel cars are great, but we can't afford them. It's OK to make a few cars for fun, but it's not cost-effective to manufacture and promote them on a large scale."

Ye Kun asked, "Master Wu, do you think it's not worth it?"

"Of course it's not cost-effective. To transport oil, you have to go through Tianzhu and bypass Jiaozhi before you can reach China."

Wu Qiong argued: "If we use a diesel speedboat to transport diesel, by the time it reaches China, the diesel on board will have been burned. It is the same as saying that you cannot sell firewood a hundred miles away, and you cannot sell rice a thousand miles away."

Ma Zhao nodded: "Master Wu, your calculation is correct. Instead of shipping oil from the Persian Gulf to develop diesel engines, it is better to vigorously develop steam engines. Steam engines burn coal, which we have no shortage of."

Ye Kun smiled and asked Prince Ye Feng for his opinion.

Ye Feng said: "What you said makes sense, but diesel engines must also be developed. Diesel engines and gasoline engines are small in size and highly efficient. In many places, they cannot be replaced by steam engines."

Ye Kun nodded: "Tell me in detail, which places are irreplaceable?"

"For example, speedboat cruises facilitate communication between the court and the people."

Ye Feng looked at everyone and said, "I have learned that using a diesel speedboat to transport letters is twice as fast as using a steam engine speedboat. When ordinary people have an urgent matter at home and write letters to their relatives far away, they naturally hope that their relatives will receive the letters as soon as possible.

For example, when the Qingzhou earthquake occurred two years ago, officials of the imperial court were able to take a diesel speedboat and quickly rush to the disaster area to provide disaster relief guidance. When a disaster occurs, time is life.

Also, if there is a rebellion somewhere, we have fast transportation tools, so we can quickly transport troops and put down the rebellion. Once a war breaks out, speed is life. "

Ye Kun laughed and asked Wu Qiong and others: "Do you think what the prince said is right?"

Wu Qiong and Ma Zhao had no choice but to nod.

Ye Kun said: "Prince Ye Feng, I am a junior in front of you. If a junior has such a vision, how can we old guys be complacent?

I know that it is difficult to transport oil overseas, but I must persist in developing diesel and gasoline engines, no matter how difficult it is.

We have already established colonies on both sides of the Persian Gulf, mining and refining oil. As technology develops further, transportation costs will fall. At that time, it will be very cost-effective to transport oil overseas."

Ding Ding supported Ye Kun and nodded:

"Like the railway, it was unprofitable at first, but now it is very profitable. In the past two years, the profits and taxes from the railway have reached 5% of the total revenue of the court.

Compared with the Grand Canal, this proportion is very low, but with the construction of the railway network, this proportion will increase greatly."

The railway from Zhuojun to Luoyang, winding down along the eastern side of Taihang Mountain, has been fully opened.

Zhuojun and the Central Plains are closely connected by the Grand Canal and the railway, and travel between them in the morning and in the evening, forming a seamless whole.

Wu Qiong smiled bitterly and said:

"Your Majesty and Lord Ding are both right. However, the fiscal surplus of the court has been decreasing over the past two years. In the past, we could make money overseas, but now we have to spend money to build overseas. I am worried that if this continues, there will be financial problems."

"If the financial situation becomes really tight, we can make adjustments in time."

Ye Kun smiled and said, "I have seen the financial statements. Our banking industry is still very profitable."

There are small banks in every county town now.

Private usury was basically eliminated, and the profits from the lending business were mostly controlled by the court.

Sang Buzhi nodded and said, "The imperial bank is indeed developing well and paying a lot of profit every year. I don't think the financial problem that Master Wu mentioned is a big deal because we have wealth among the people and the people have money.

If it really doesn’t work, we can just increase taxes a little bit, and the people will be able to accept that.”

We chatted all the way back to the imperial city.

When the people in Zhuojun City learned that the emperor had returned from his southern tour, they lined the streets to welcome him.

Sang Buyi smiled and said, "In the past two years, the Mohist Alliance has begun to participate in politics, and the administration has become much more clean and honest. The people welcome our Mohist officials very much. This is because Mohist officials do practical things and care about the people."

Sang Buzhi and Ma Zhao have both joined the Mohist Alliance.

Wu Qiong is still a Confucian and will never join.

Ye Kun smiled and said, "We will discuss the issues of administration, people's livelihood and construction in two days. I will go back to the palace to see the Queen."

Everyone bowed and left.

Prince Ye Feng accompanied his father to Fengyi Palace to meet his mother.

Jiang Yourong dressed up to greet him and said with a smile, "Your Majesty has been away for two whole years. You must have worked hard."

"Your Majesty, you have worked hard managing the six palaces."

Ye Kun took Jiang Yourong's hand and said with a smile: "Did your son make you angry when he was at home?"

"The children are all good and filial."

Jiang Yourong nodded and asked the children to meet Ye Kun.

The Weiwei who was adopted back then has now grown into a beautiful young girl.

The other princes and princesses are naturally growing up.

That evening, Fengyi Palace held a banquet to welcome Ye Kun.

Ye Kun drank some wine and stayed in Fengyi Palace to rest. He went around the palace the next day, gave everyone some gifts, and chatted with them.

Xiao Ruliu said, "Your Majesty, my second brother, Xiao Dequan, has returned from Izu Island. As agreed, he became the first governor-general, and now his term has expired, so he has returned to report."

Ye Kun nodded: "I understand. I will send other people to govern Izu Island."

Xiao Ruliu sighed: "Actually, Izu Island is pretty good. My second brother is reluctant to come back."

"I can be a local tyrant there, so of course I don't want to come back." Ye Kun smiled:

"Your second brother has always had the ambition to be an emperor. He used to rule Jiangdong and fought with me for many years. If I let him stay in Izu Island for a long time, Izu Island will eventually be ruled by someone else. So, he must come back."

In the past two years, Xiao Dequan has also grown old and is now in his early fifties.

But I am in good health and good spirits!

Xiao Ruliu smiled bitterly and asked, "Who does the emperor plan to arrange to govern Yizhou Island?"

Ye Kun responded vaguely: "Let's wait for the meeting of the Nine Departments and discuss it later."

A few days later, Ye Kun attended the meeting of the Nine Departments.

After years of running-in, the nine ministries and cabinets are now operating normally and Ye Kun does not need to worry about it at all.

Ye Kun affirmed the work of the Nine Departments and said with a smile:

"The nine ministries and cabinets have done a great job, and I am relieved. You can handle all the government affairs within the Nine Provinces. What I am worried about is overseas.

The term of office of Xiao Dequan, the first governor of Izu Island, has expired. Please recommend someone to govern there."

Sang Buyi knew what Ye Kun was thinking and said with a smile, "The princes have all grown up, so send one of them to govern the country."

Ma Zhao, Wu Qiong and others also nodded.

Ye Kun thought for a moment and said, "Then let's make our prince Ye Lesheng the King of Taiwan and Penghu, in charge of military affairs, and permanently stationed on Izu Island. Tan Bamao's second son will be the Governor-General of Taiwan and Penghu, in charge of government affairs. Five years later, the position of the Governor-General will be adjusted again."

Ye Lesheng is the prince who was born with joy.

I am eighteen years old this year.

Dai Xi has a gentle personality and never argues or quarrels about anything.

But Ye Kun can't treat others unfairly.

Everyone voted by raising their hands and passed it unanimously.