Chu Ze let out a long sigh and instructed Zhao Si: "You quickly go to the homes of these corrupt officials to search, copy out all the illegal gains, and hand them over to the state treasury!" ”

"Yes!" Zhao Si respectfully took the order to retreat, and soon led people to raid the house.

The illegal property seized this time added up to nearly 200,000 silver, and the funds originally used for construction were finally recovered.

Chu Ze understands that more active measures are needed to make the people live a good life.

Next, there is the question of the location of the railway station.

The next morning, Chu Ze looked at everyone, pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Everyone, the issue of the location of the railway station is very important, we must make a careful decision, and we can't be rash and hasty. Relying on the opinions of a few of us alone may inevitably be biased, and we believe that it is necessary to solicit the opinions of the people widely and let them participate. ”

Everyone looked at each other, and they were all speechless by Chu Ze's words.

On weekdays, officials never take the people's thoughts to heart, and the superiors make decisions about big and small matters, and the people are like ants that come and go at a moment's notice.

However, Chu Ze's idea set an unprecedented precedent.

After a long while, an official in a blue court robe tentatively spoke: "Lord Wang, your suggestion is indeed novel, but the quality of the people of Fengyang is low, I am afraid it is difficult to understand such a complex issue. The subordinates suggested that the prince should be aware of everything and choose the most suitable vacant land near the south of Fengyang City, which is close to the official mansions and the transportation is more convenient. ”

"Wait!" Chu Ze raised his hand to interrupt him and said, "We can't make a hasty decision, such a major site selection must be carefully considered, and we also need to listen to the voices of the people. Even if they lack expertise, their needs and ideas deserve attention. We will arrange for someone to make a few site selection plans and post them in the street square, asking the people to vote on the plan they support the most. Only then can we make decisions that are truly compatible with public opinion. ”

The official hurriedly closed his mouth, and the embarrassed expression on his face was unmistakable.

Everyone else present was also silent, and no one dared to raise any more objections.

Chu Ze's novel idea opened everyone's eyes, and they couldn't help but be impressed by Chu Ze.

So, Chu Ze immediately instructed one of his subordinates, who was good at painting, to draw a simple sketch according to the several site selection plans he provided.

The sketches indicate the pros and cons of different sites in plain language, leaving a blank space for the people to vote on.

The drawn site map was soon posted all over the streets and alleys of Fengyang City.

Chu Ze also specially arranged a few transcribers to prepare a wooden box under the picture for the people to vote.

This unprecedented move immediately caused a sensation in Fengyang City.

The Yamen, which has always been dignified and solemn, opened its door to the convenience of inviting the people to participate in decision-making, which was like pie in the sky to the people, something they never dared to imagine.

"It's incredible that the prince trusts the people so much and lets us participate in the site selection!" A woodcutter in a blue cloth coat said with emotion.

Other onlookers were also excited, scrambling to see the site selection plan in front of the posted map and carefully compare the advantages and disadvantages of each location.

There are even good things that directly circle and mark their opinions on the map, and the whole Fengyang City is very lively.

A week later, the results of the voting on the various site options were finally released.

To everyone's surprise, the Chengnan site, which officials had been optimistic about, lost narrowly to an empty farmland on the northeastern outskirts of the country.

Located in the transportation hub of Fengyang and close to several major market towns, this seemingly mundane land is of great significance for the construction of the railway.

Chu Ze looked at the result and smiled slightly, and immediately sent someone to remake and post the plan map recommended by the people, and stamped it with the big red seal of "public recommendation by the people".

This time, the voices of the common people were finally fully heard, and their ideas were taken seriously like never before.

The people were thunderous with joy, flocked to the new site to see the excitement, and even spontaneously organized to prepare for the cleanup of the site.

Through the democratic operation of this site selection, Chu Ze's prestige and reputation have gradually been imprinted in the hearts of the people.

He adopted an enlightened and progressive public opinion polling strategy to involve the common people in public decision-making, which was undoubtedly an extremely valuable measure in the feudal society at that time.

The people also gradually felt Chu Ze's wisdom and gentlemanly demeanor, and they were impressed by him, and their admiration arose spontaneously.

After determining the location of the railway station, Chu Ze immediately began to start construction work.

However, he soon realized that it was almost impossible to complete such a project in a short period of time with the available funds and manpower alone.

"Our biggest problem at the moment is the lack of funding and technology." Chu Ze said to his entourage: "If you want to speed up the construction progress, you must find a way to solve these two problems. ”

The entourage agreed, but were also troubled by the lack of funds and technology.

"We've got an idea." Chu Ze smiled mysteriously and said, "First of all, let's select a group of the most talented craftsmen for training and master the skills required for the construction of the railway station. Second, if you want to save money, you must make the best use of local materials and human resources. ”

"We understand, the prince is wise!" The entourage suddenly realized.

As a result, Chu Ze immediately ordered the selection of talented carpenters, stonemasons, plasterers and other craftsmen in the whole of Fengyang to form an engineering team.

。

"Ladies and gentlemen, the task ahead of us is daunting, but it is not hopeless." Chu Ze said to the craftsmen: "We will pass on some new techniques and knowledge to you, and with the craftsmen we hire, we will definitely be able to carry out this construction." ”

"Yes! We're willing to learn! The crowd spoke in unison.

As a result, Chu Ze began to instruct the craftsmen to make simple levers, pulleys, carts, and other tools that greatly improved the efficiency of transporting and carrying heavy loads.

At the same time, foreign engineers began to teach local craftsmen some techniques of surveying and design.

These courses were all brand new to the people, and they were surprised and delighted by these "strange skills" taught by Chu Ze, and they asked for advice.

In terms of material utilization, Chu Ze also put forward a plan, and he sent people to cut a large amount of timber in the nearby mountains and send it back for the construction of the main structure of the station.

The raw material for grinding lime is also mined from the mountains near Fengyang.

"As long as we make full use of local resources, we can greatly reduce construction costs." Chu Ze said to his subordinates.

Thanks to his meticulous organization, the local supplies were quickly delivered to the site via the new transport facility.

More and more migrant workers have also joined the construction team, making the construction progress rapid.

Seeing that the main structure of the railway station has begun to take shape, Chu Ze has gradually risen confidence in his heart - as long as he works hard, this construction will eventually succeed!

(End of chapter)