Chapter 2383 2105: Battleships and Other Money-Making Schemes...

Chen Xi's memory is exceptionally good, and he has seen world maps multiple times. Whether it's geographical maps, navigation maps, or other types of maps, Chen Xi has encountered them numerous times. With enhanced memory from Spiritual Capacity, Chen Xi can easily draw the world map by hand.

Therefore, after being prompted by Lul Jun, Chen Xi realized he had entered a thinking trap. Fortunately, it's not too late, and there's still time to adjust the strategy.

However, this means that the importance of the Southwest Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Road will be as significant as the Great Northwest Passage currently under construction in the Western Regions, becoming one of the empire's main arteries!

[Indeed, the investment cost needs to be recalculated separately, and it has to extend to the Bay of Bengal. Crossing areas like the Hengduan Mountains poses a considerable pressure, and it might require building viaducts. Hmm, consider the technical difficulty and cost. It looks like, apart from re-evaluating the funding, a discussion with Gong Youu is also needed.] Chen Xi thought seriously.

Unlike normal roads that any aristocratic family can build as long as they have the materials, the involvement of viaducts and tunnels requires someone like Sun Qian whom Chen Xi can trust. Naturally, he would not allow a merchants' guild to construct it independently. Even if Sun Qian doesn't personally take part, there must be high-level technical support.

Among the Twelve Elders, Sun Qian is the true expert in infrastructure construction. Up to now, the only one barely able to contend with him verbally is Chen Xi, but in terms of technology, Sun Qian definitely holds the highest-level bridge construction technology.

According to Chen Xi's plan, if the road is to be built, it's most likely going to be the highest-standard, most time-saving, and fastest direct route. Hence, winding mountain roads have been directly denied, and viaduct direct routes have become the first choice.

At present, the only one who has completely mastered this technology and has verified it is Sun Qian. Others haven't even completed the theoretical foundation, let alone verification. Although the study of materials has died, structural mechanics has been forced through by material strength, any such large-scale construction requires careful consideration, even if materials have been solved.

[I'll go back and have a group calculate the cost. Besides technical support, financial support probably requires an investment of twenty to thirty billion.] Chen Xi thought silently.

The biggest problem now is financial investment. Chen Xi has already planned the investment for the next several years in advance. Redirecting funds isn't impossible, but it might not be very worthwhile.

[Hmm, looks like I'll have to dismantle some low-return investments. It's just that after finally making a plan, changing it seems somewhat wasteful. If it doesn't work out, I should quickly promote national bonds to the aristocratic family. The solid foundation of forty thousand armored soldiers should make the aristocratic family eager to buy, right?] Chen Xi quickly came up with a way to raise money.

[But if I'm promoting national bonds, it's really degrading to do it for just a road. If I'm going to promote, I'd better do it all at once. Considering my capability, concentrating resources to avoid redundant construction can actually guarantee a return rate.] Chen Xi thought while stroking his chin—it turns out this way of borrowing to generate income is quite reliable.

[Afterwards, I'll sum it up and see how much money the aristocratic family's vault still holds. If not, I can also promote to the common people. Although it might not be effective elsewhere, in Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and Xuzhou, government credibility is very strong. The people are willing to trust state credit, and with my ability, I can basically guarantee the yield of the national bonds.] Chen Xi thought slightly arrogantly about how to gather funds.

[Hmm, this is actually a virtuous cycle for the people. However, if I play like this in my generation, it's fine, but future generations might not have this capability. If they continue this way, could it cause the nation to be destroyed instantly?] Chen Xi thought with slight trepidation.

In the nation-building stage, there are many opportunities and extensive needs for construction, just as there are many profitable avenues. With Chen Xi's capability to control the situation, it's almost akin to the government doing monopoly business, ensuring no loss. Borrowing money to do business, earning from it, and then repaying with interest could achieve this.

The rule of capital operation, to put it bluntly, is to maximize profits, then reinvest those profits into production and infrastructure development, thus continuously expanding scale like a rolling snowball to theoretically achieve the most perfect state.

Of course, now with the government as the rule maker and supervisor, it's essentially playing as a monopoly capitalist. Although applying this concept to this era is somewhat exaggerated, Chen Xi can clearly achieve this step.

Therefore, theoretically, with sufficient capital, Chen Xi can rely on the government's expansion power to stretch his reach to all aspects and gain an absolute advantageous position.

In such a near ultimate-trust setup, monopolizing everything from the means of production to the market, from absolute upstream to the terminal, and encompassing both the writing of laws and the establishment of market rules, if that's not profitable, Chen Xi expressed he could as well end himself.

[I am a pioneer; the so-called adherence to ancient practices—if I do this, future generations probably won't be few. But can they really understand the pitfalls in it?] Chen Xi pondered with melancholy. National bonds are truly the best option, and considering the money issued and minted by the Han Dynasty to this day, along with the wear and tear, it's just about possible to calculate how much money the aristocratic family still has.

Lacking a political and power base, it's difficult for the aristocratic family to equate the money stored in their vaults or even convert it into real capital. But Chen Xi can. Chen Xi's political capital can fully exploit this money's impact. However, at Chen Xi's level, what needs consideration isn't the immediate pleasure.

Just like those in power should focus less on the immediate affairs and more on the distant future. Planning for upcoming crises with historical foresight, discussing today's actions and their possible consequences in the future.

The saying "Bodhisattvas fear cause" essentially means Bodhisattvas see further. When truly standing at this height, Chen Xi must also consider how his every move will affect his subordinates and those who reach this level in the future. He must be responsible for this nation.

"Bodhisattvas fear cause, huh. I've surprisingly reached this point. This must be well-discussed with Li Youu and the others. Although I can make a decision on my own, and solve this problem in my era, will future generations understand?" Chen Xi placed his hand in front of him, gazing into the sky dome, with a hesitant expression, he murmured to himself.

This time it's different from other times. Although loaning money is equivalent to borrowing other times, it's not as blatant as this time. If this time it's done openly, Chen Xi is quite doubtful about the integrity of the official system. Will some local government forcefully borrow from local residents? And it seems such things aren't unheard of.

When Chen Xi was preparing to restart the civil servant meeting, Lub Su had already been pulled back home by Ji Xiang. Li Youu and Jia Xu each went to handle their own affairs. Fa Zheng, newly married, naturally disappeared shortly after. Liu Ye prepared to talk properly with Cui Yan, who had led against him recently, while Mann Chong was studying law, seeing if it could resolve Fa Zheng and Guo Jia.

As for Lul Jun, at this time, he had already gone to Zhao Yun's house, preparing to involve Zhao Yun in industry.

"Ha, Lul Jicai is coming to see me, huh." Zhao Yun said in confusion, looking at his butler. Frankly, there wasn't much interaction with Lul Jun's family.

However, a visitor is a guest. Since Lul Jun was visiting, Zhao Yun wouldn't pretend not to notice. To show respect, Zhao Yun personally went to the door to welcome the guest.

"Hahaha, Zilong wouldn't mind my interruption at this hour, would he?" Lul Jun said with a smile. "If I've disturbed Zilong, I ask for your forgiveness."

"Brother Jir Cai, please come in. There's nothing going on here." Zhao Yun, standing straight, made an inviting gesture, personally showing Lul Jun inside. Lul Jun was visibly surprised. It was clear Zhao Yun not only didn't mind him but also held him in high regard.

Zhao Yun led Lul Jun into the main hall. Tea and snacks were already set. After Zhao Yun and Lul Jun sat in their respective seats as host and guest, and after tasting briefly, Lul Jun went straight to the point.

During this long time, Lul Jun had figured out that with military generals, straightforwardness is preferred over beating around the bush. Being direct elicits more favor, and although Zhao Yun serves as a civil servant for four months a year, he is genuinely one of the top valiant generals in the land. Naturally, Lul Jun would not hide intentionally.

"Please evaluate this, Zilong." Lul Jun took out the plan for shipping and shipbuilding from the pocket of his wide sleeve and handed it to Zhao Yun. Unlike an ordinary general who might not understand such a plan, Lul Jun trusted that Zhao Yun would know what it meant once he read it and would also express whether he wanted to be involved.

"What is it?" Zhao Yun asked while casually receiving it. "Nearshore shipping and stabilizing societal prices, ensuring societal stability, people's livelihood matters, and shipbuilding..."

Zhao Yun took the book, read aloud casually, and roughly guessed its content. Though he didn't quite understand why it was handed to him, out of respect for Lul Jun, Zhao Yun opened the book and began to read slowly.

"Oh." Zhao Yun slowly opened the book and, seeing the detailed prices of various goods along the coast, straightened his expression and carefully compared it to his memory.

"Nearshore shipping volumes, local material demand comparisons, stabilizing prices, transport speed, unit price comparisons." Zhao Yun's expression grew increasingly solemn. The detailed data, though dry, deeply explained the current situations facing various regions.

Zhao Yun spent nearly one quarter hour to barely finish reading the content, took a deep breath. "Jir Cai, this stuff is useless for me but very useful for Zichuan. It can solve many problems; it's a major issue affecting people's livelihoods."

"There's no money; the state also lacks funds. The Marquis Chen has probably known about these things for a long time." Lul Jun put down the teacup and exhaled slowly; it was time to test his capability and eloquence again.