Although Wei Yuanyu's words were conservative, they were also in line with the reality. Therefore, for a while, Daoguang and all the ministers were silent, not knowing what to do next.

"Your Majesty, I think that what General Wei and Ying Zhongtang said are reasonable, so I think we should make preparations for both front and back." At this time, Jiang Youzhu listened to Wei Yuanyu's words, but also had his own plan, so he said to Daoguang:

"I was the governor of Zhejiang back then, so I knew that there were many unfeasible aspects of sea transportation. I also joined the then governor of Jiangsu to oppose sea transportation. Now it seems that these difficulties have not been improved much, but the river channel is now

It is no longer possible to open the ship. In this case, I think it is better to let Wei Zongzhi serve as the governor of water transportation according to his words and divert the water transportation to the Yellow River. If it succeeds, we can continue the water transportation next year. If it fails, I think that although Zhang Shicheng, the governor of Jiangsu, is a capable minister

Unfortunately, because of his old age, it is difficult to fully deal with the maritime affairs. However, Tao Shu, the governor of Anhui, and Qishan, the governor of Shandong, are currently the most outstanding governors among the governors of Banner and Han Dynasties. Therefore, I asked the emperor to appoint Qishan and Zhang Shicheng as governors of Liangjiang and Liangjiang.

He exchanged the governor's position with Tao Shu, and once the water transportation failed, he immediately asked Tao Shu to take charge of the sea transportation. Tao Shu was in charge of affairs in Anhui, and both the officials and the people were convinced. If he were to handle the canal affairs at that time, he would be able to do it with ease.

This is a safe policy, please think twice, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, I think Jiang Zhongtang's words are the safest." Cao Zhenyong also agreed with Jiang Youzhu's proposal this time. Later, Yulin, the Minister of War, also seconded the proposal.

"Well, in that case, let's listen to Jiang Youzhu this time. Wei Yuanyu, you go to supervise the water transportation first, and preside over the diversion of the Yellow River to help the transportation with Yan Xang. At the same time, Jiang Youzhu told Tao Shu in the name of the Military Aircraft Department that he could look for it in Shanghai first.

Let’s see if we can gather enough ships to transport grain to the north by sand ships. You should all have no objections, right?” Daoguang considered everyone’s opinions and finally adopted the most prudent suggestion.

"I obey the decree." Seeing that Daoguang's words were impartial, neither Yinghe nor Wei Yuanyu had any objections.

The subsequent situation turned completely in Yinghe's favour.

In the next six months, Wei Yuanyu had been trying to divert the Yellow River to improve transportation, but in the autumn of the fifth year of Daoguang, the canal was still impassable. Wei Yuanyu was sincere and took the initiative to take the blame and resign. However, after this incident, Wei Yuanyu was filled with regret and ended up with the following year.

He became depressed and became ill, and passed away. However, Yinghe's suggestion was affirmed. Daoguang ordered the suspension of river transportation and changed the grain transportation in provinces other than Jiangsu to Zese. The inland provinces made every effort to manage the Yellow River Canal. As for Jiangsu's grain transportation, Tao Shu was asked to find a way to transport grain by sea.

.

After Tao Shu was appointed governor of Jiangsu, he immediately took a boat eastward. When he reached Suzhou, he did not stop and continued eastward. Soon he arrived at Songjiang Prefecture and went south from Wusongkou to Shanghai. Seeing the Wusong River and the Huangpu River

, there were many sailing ships, most of which could sail offshore, and Tao Shu gradually gained the confidence to complete maritime transportation.

On this day, after Tao Shu arrived in Shanghai, he received a letter.

"Please come and take a look. This letter seems to be from a businessman. Judging from what he means, he is willing to cooperate with us and help us complete the shipping matter." After receiving the letter, Tao Shu did not dare to neglect and immediately summoned Shanghai

Su Songtai Dao officials came to discuss the matter. At this time, Chen Luan, the prefect of Songjiang, heard that Tao Shu was going to Shanghai and came from the capital to join the meeting. Tao Shu read the letter carefully twice and gave it to Chen Luan and

Su Songtao Taoist Yin Shiheng said: "Yin Daotai, Chen Futai, I think this businessman's words are quite sincere, and he said that he has merchant ships in his hands, which can be used as the most basic guarantee. In this case, we still want to believe him.

How about asking him to come in and talk to us about whether this grain transportation by sea can be implemented?"

"Tao Zhongcheng is indeed diligent in official affairs. Now that he has just been transferred to Jiangsu, he comes to discuss shipping. I admire him. Since Tao Zhongcheng has already made a plan, I just listen to Zhongcheng." Chen Luan, the prefect of Songjiang, saw that Tao Shu was dedicated to his official duties.

He should be a capable minister who could complete the maritime industry, so he immediately responded. Seeing that Chen Luan had agreed and he had no objection, Yin Shiheng also agreed to Tao Shu and ordered the businessman to be brought to Daotai Yamen.

"I have met Tao Zhongcheng, Yin Daotai, and Chen Fantai." After the businessman entered Daotai Yamen, he immediately wanted to pay homage to several chief officials. Seeing that his hair was gray and his steps were staggering, but for some reason, his words

His behavior was extremely firm: "The villain has always been doing business in Zhejiang, and has also led sea ships to Shandong. He is familiar with the coastal sand lines. The villain has been in Jiangsu and Zhejiang for many years, and has met most of the merchants in Shanghai. Therefore, if you really need to travel by sea,

Regarding the matter, I am willing to contact the maritime merchants for you adults. I only need you to prepare the hiring funds, sailors, and sand ships. I can bring these for you."

"Wait a minute, you said you are a businessman from Zhejiang, but this is Shanghai County, Songjiang Prefecture, not Zhejiang. Even if you succeed in this matter, most of the money we raise will still have to be given to businessmen in Jiangsu. This matter is not right

As far as you are concerned, I don't think the benefits are big." At this time, Tao Shu, who had already gained confidence in shipping, took the initiative to interrupt the businessman. Seeing that the businessman's expression was still calm, Tao Shu also continued to ask: "So you

Before coming here, I need to answer a few questions first. Who are you? How did you learn about Jiangsu's maritime transportation? Why do you want to help us develop the maritime industry?"

"As expected, Tao Zhongcheng knew it clearly and told him that the villain's name is...Wu Kangcheng." It turned out that this old businessman was Wu who had made many donations to Ruan Yuan when he was in charge of Zhejiang Province and also discussed shipping strategies with him.

Kangcheng. Wu Kangcheng saw that everyone did not know him, so he calmly replied: "In the early years of Jiaqing, I had ships that could go to sea. At that time, I could go to Niuzhuang, Shengjing, and various prefectures and counties in Shandong.

Trade. But at that time, the villain did not know what would happen if the imperial court changed the grain transportation by sea. But in the ninth year of Jiaqing, Ruan Yuan and Ruan Zhongcheng of our province at that time... are now Ruan Zhitai of Guangdong and Guangxi.

The emperor valued it and discussed shipping strategies. At that time, Ruan Zhitai wrote an article called "Sea Transportation Examination", which demonstrated in detail the feasibility of maritime transportation. In addition, Ruan Zhitai also had detailed discussions on how to recruit sailors for merchant ships and how to choose ports for sailing.

The villain listened to Ruan Zhitai's words, and later learned more about the water transport between the country and the dynasty. Now the villain firmly believes that the water transport between the country and the dynasty has its benefits, but in the long run, the only way is to change the canal to the sea.

It is the fundamental way to solve the current water shortages! The state has never been able to make up its mind to reform water transportation despite the millions of water workers. Now that the canal is unsustainable, it is a good opportunity for reform! The villain also knows that several previous governors of Jiangsu

, all have shortcomings, and it is difficult to achieve the goal of transforming the canal into a sea. But the villain has also heard that Tao Zhongcheng is very good at running the province in Anhui. He is the most capable minister among the fifteen governors today, and Zhongcheng is also very thorough in his affairs.

Maybe we can seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, resolve the disadvantages of abandoning the canal, and use the benefits of sea transportation. The villain has been a businessman for a lifetime, and his livelihood is sufficient, so the villain also thinks that if he can use this small power to unite the people of the world,

If you do two good deeds, the villain will have no regrets in his life, even if he dies! To be honest, Lords Zhongcheng, Daotai, and Futai, when Ruan Zhitai was in Zhejiang, there were many scholars who admired his scholarship and joined the imperial family. These scholars

Nowadays, there are quite a few who can be regarded as gentry in Zhejiang. If Zhongcheng can really succeed in the shipping business, I can contact them and ask them to help Zhongcheng complete this big shipping project!"

"Mr. Wu, you are a businessman, but you can devote yourself to shipping. It is really difficult for you." Tao Shu also bowed to Wu Kangcheng and said: "But I still say the same thing. If Mr. really has enough ships, it will be difficult for you."

If you can help me find a shipping merchant who can make it happen, then as long as the shipping can be completed, Tao Shu will go to Beijing to discuss it for my husband. But then again, how can my husband prove that he does have enough ships to use?

?Also, although this time the water transportation is not a change of sea transportation for the whole bank, the amount involved in our province of Jiangsu is 1.7 million tons of grain in four prefectures and one state. The military aircraft department sent me a message saying that at least

It needs to be transported to 1.5 million shi. Can you, sir, find someone to transport such a huge amount of grain?" According to Jiangsu regulations, the areas that should pay grain are Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Suzhou, Songjiang and Taicang.

The prefecture is named after the old name of "four prefectures and one prefecture". In terms of the fixed amount of canal grain, the amount of canal grain that these areas need to pay can almost reach half of the canal transportation of the eight provinces.

"Don't worry, Zhongcheng. You can ask Zhejiang about my family's history and ships. All the boats in my family are registered with the government. It will not be difficult for Zhongcheng to find them. This time I am going north to Shanghai, and I am also planning to stay here.

Stay for a while and contact the familiar maritime merchants here. The villain knows that as long as there are enough maritime merchants to apply first, and Zhongcheng can pay the recruitment silver in full, other maritime merchants will apply faster and faster.

In one month, Zhongcheng will receive good news." Wu Kangcheng also replied to Tao Shu.

"Okay, I happen to be in Shanghai to observe the shipping situation. From today on, I am willing to cooperate with you, sir, to jointly develop a shipping plan." After hearing Wu Kangcheng's guarantee, Tao Shu believed 70% to 80% of the words and also told him.

Chen Luan on the side said: "Chen Futai, I will trouble you to receive this Mr. Wu. If what he said is implemented as much as possible, I think this shipping matter will be done."

"I obey your orders," Chen Luan immediately replied to Tao Shu.

What excited Tao Shu was that, sure enough, within one month, more than ten Songjiang merchants came forward to apply for shipping services. At this time, Wei Yuanyu's plan to divert the Yellow River to help transport transportation failed completely, and Daoguang officially asked for help.

Jiangsu issued an edict asking Tao Shu to plan a method for shipping. Soon, Zhang Jian and others, who had been taught by Ruan Yuan in the past and firmly believed that shipping could be achieved, also appeared in Tao Shu's tents in Suzhou and Shanghai to plan shipping.
Chapter completed!