Chapter 1: The wind and clouds are rising and the clouds are surging 1

In the spring of 1833, the spring was chilly and the morning fog had not yet dissipated. The people who built the railway had already arrived at the construction site. However, the situation today was a bit bad. Wen Zujian, the leading official of the Ministry of Works, appeared in the construction site in front of him, and the number of people was crowded with people. This scene made Wen Zujian feel bad. After getting closer, everyone realized that these people were fellow villagers nearby, carrying hoes and shoulder poles, and glaring at Wen Zujian and others who were approaching.

Wen Zujian was responsible for the construction of the first section of Wangzhuang to Zhaojiatun. He probably guessed what happened. After all, it was not the first time Wen Zujian experienced similar things. Last time the railway passed by Zhaojiatun, Wen Zujian and the construction team were stopped by the other party. At that time, hundreds of angry fellow villagers insisted that the road had to pass through Zhaojiatun's ancestral tombs had to be changed. Wen Zujian had to report to the court and changed the route to bypass Zhaojiatun.

With the experience of the last time, Wen Zujian and his subordinates greeted him with a pen and a pen, and an elderly squire came up in the other crowd.

Wen Zujian stepped forward and greeted, "Wen Zujian, the head of the Qingli Department of the Ministry of Works, was named Zhibing. I don't know what happened to disturb the fellow villagers in this area. If there is any offense, I will be with you first."

"I dare not, Wang Shouzhi, the prefect of Datong, Shanxi, died three years ago and returned home. After returning home, he received the kindness of his fellow villagers and promoted him to the patriarch of his clan. Today, this move is a last resort."

"Oh! You and I have been ministers in the same court and have the friendship of colleagues, so please let Mr. Wang make a clear statement."

"Oh! Lord Wen knows where this railway passes?"

"I don't know, so I want to ask Mr. Wang for advice."

"This mountain is called Longtou Mountain. Combined with the nearby Guishan and Snakewei Mountain, it is a local Fengshui treasure land. The three mountains of Dragon Head, Turtle and Snakewei Mountain are actually connected into one, and their shape is like a dragon. This mountain is the head, Guishan is the body, and Snakewei Mountain is the tail. The momentum is continuous, and Wangcun is just under the dragon head. If the adults must dig out this dragon vein, I am afraid that the people in Wangcun will not agree. "

"It's easy to say, the officials will report to the court immediately. I believe there will be a way to achieve the best of both worlds."

************************************

"Mr. Situ, the emperor compared Yao, Shun and Yu of the three ancient dynasties. You see, as the sectional contract responsibility system was released, the quality and level of railway construction were greatly improved. "Lin Hongnian, the Minister of Works, who was responsible for the construction, sighed while watching the reports sent by each section.

Bao Shichen, the Minister of Revenue, has been busy pursuing national debts recently. When he heard Lin Hongnian's dialect, Bao Shichen smiled and said, "The wisdom of the saint is naturally worthy of the word "saint". I, Bao Shichen, have seen countless people, and I can admire me. It is unheard of to have the most far-sighted and far-sighted people today. This is like playing chess, establishing a high-level foothold and broad-mindedness, and every move of chess is inadvertently managed. "

Lin Hongnian nodded with deep emotion and said, "Yes. Take us waiting to study in the West for example. Without an extraordinary vision, you cannot do such a big thing. In the future, four railway arteries will be built. I don't know how far-reaching the impact it will have in China."

"I don't know what foreign countries look like? I really hope to go and see it." Bao Shichen said with some regret:

"Sir Situ doesn't have to worry. According to the officials, the world will become smaller and smaller. You see, you used to use mules and horses, but now the train is under construction.        When the steam engine is used on the large ship, it will not be too far to go to Yingjilin."

Bao Shichen laughed a few times and said to Lin Hongnian: "Brother Wucun, it's hard to say what's too far away. Let's discuss the railway in Wangcun that was asked to be diverted by the local gentry."

"Since the officials' view, Lord Situ needs to ask the emperor for advice on this matter. This matter is quite troublesome. Once you detour, you have to go through Xiaolangkou and Huangtan. You need to build three more bridges, which consumes a lot of silver. And other villages passing by the railway detour have asked for it that they cannot pass?"

This railway is like a long dragon that has been surrounded and blocked. After walking around countless bends, it still makes the world dissatisfied. Thinking of this, Bao Shichen said in a long tone: "My brother Wucun doesn't know yet. Chen Han, the new governor of Zhili, handed over this morning. A hundred gentry along the railway jointly signed Shangpiao Astronomy, with the original exclusive cloth, the latest, fastest and most complete, welcome to support the author.

***************************************

Liu Ji was walking around the Yangxin Palace with some worries, and the railway was still under construction, and it was in trouble. These pedantic masters opposed the construction of railways every day and spread rumors everywhere. The railway construction was useless by such corrupt scholars.

Dai Lanfen, the minister of the Zongli Yamen, asked, "Does the emperor plan to let all the gentry who wrote the letter go back?"

Cao Zhenyong said on the side: "No, these people are all kind people among the people and are highly respected in the local area. If the local people are cold, it may be detrimental to the court."

Liu Ji turned his head and shouted loudly, "What do you think you will do? Just follow them not to build this railway."

Seeing that the emperor was angry, Cao Zhenyong hurriedly replied: "This railway must be built, but the villagers must be comforted. Tao Zhongtang is knowledgeable and can speak eloquently. It is better to send him to the good life to persuade him, and he will be able to handle this matter properly."

Tao Shu couldn't help but feel angry when he saw Cao Zhenyong bringing things to himself. However, today the emperor was on the fire, and he didn't like to dislike each other, but just said to Liu Jie lightly: "According to Weichen, the train has been placed in the Changping Locomotive Management Office. The railway tracks several miles long from the management office to Changping Station have been paved. You can organize these fellow villagers to go to Changping to watch the train cargo performance. In addition, some people who sing drum shows can be arranged to compile the benefits of the train into songs and perform them for these people."

Liu Ji's worries were half gone. This idea was good, and there was still article to do. He nodded and said, "What Tao Zhongtang said is not bad, I decided to do it like this." After that, Liu Ji pointed to the Ministry of Rites again: "Zhanga, I have assigned you a task. I will immediately organize a propaganda team to go along the railway to promote the benefits of the railway. Remember to find those performers who are playing jokes and playing monkeys and performing arts."

Mu Zhanga responded: "The emperor is wise, this method is good. Baoding transforms those old stubborn people."

***************************************
Chapter completed!