"As long as you want to do big things, money won't be an issue. Ji Aojian put on a relaxed look, "The Americans have built so many railways, and they don't have enough money to do it, they rely on the issuance of various railway bonds and stocks, don't they just do the projects one by one?"

"Mexico's stock market is not as mature as in the United States, and people aren't very interested in financial stuff. ”

Mexico seems to be a modern country that is very democratic and human rights-oriented, but in fact, the economy is still an agricultural society dominated by large estates, and the upper class is willing to own visible property such as land, estates, minerals, and shops. As for the credit market for financial securities, it does not exist at all, and if someone in the private sector issues bonds and stocks, it will definitely be regarded as a swindler who wants to get something for nothing.

To put it bluntly, the country is still far from industrialization, and it is still in the mindset of an agrarian society. In fact, this is basically the case in the whole of the Americas, except for the northern part of the United States, which is an exception for industry and commerce.

"The credit of the people is insufficient, and they can rely on the credibility of the state to endorse it. Ji Aojian said, "Issuing railway bonds in the name of the government should be able to gain everyone's trust, right?"

Nicholas thought about it, still shaking his head, and said, "Not feasible. ”

The government issues bonds with tax guarantees. The Mexican government is already tight on finances and taxes, and in order to build a railway, it has to take a huge financial expenditure, but I am afraid that the government will go bankrupt before the railway is repaired.

Ji Aojian coughed. "That being the case, you can set the repayment time of the bond for a longer period of time, such as 20 or 30 years before starting to repay the principal and interest. ”

"This kind of long-term bonds. No one will buy it. ”

Although the Latin American countries have been liberated, their regimes are very unstable, and there are often various military coups and people's revolutions, and the continuity of the government is very poor. If the Mexican government issues long-term bonds, who knows whether Mexico will be an empire or a republic when it matures in the future. Would the government at that time have recognized today's debt?

So people certainly wouldn't buy such unreliable long-term bonds.

"In addition to this, there are two difficulties. ”

Nicholas explained that the terrain of Mexico is dominated by plateaus and mountains. The geology of the railroad was very poor, not as good as that of the eastern and central parts of the United States, and most of the area was simply a plain. Therefore, the unit cost of building a railroad in Mexico must be much higher than in the United States.

Again. After all, the northern part of the United States is the most industrially developed place in the Americas. It is very convenient to provide various equipment and raw materials for the construction of railways. Mexico does not have such a good industrial strength, and if it has to build a railway, the equipment and materials will have to be imported from outside, which will be much more expensive than that of the United States.

The financial resources are not as good as the United States, the geological conditions are not as good as the United States, and the industrial base is not as good as the United States.

"That's all the difficulty?"

Nicholas hadn't done much beforehand, though. However, relying on many years of experience in governing the country and engaging in politics, we have analyzed it little by little. I already feel that this is very unfeasible.

When he heard Ji Aojian say this, he couldn't help asking, "Aren't these difficulties enough?"

"It's a matter of people. Looking at the prime minister's completely spiritless appearance, Ji Aojian's face remained unchanged, "There is a saying in the ancients that there are always more ways than difficulties. ”

"What else can you do?"

"What can't be done at once, we can do it separately and slowly. Ji Ao Kendao, "The financial resources are not enough, let's build one of the sections first, the geological conditions are not good, we will first build a section in a more suitable area, the industrial base is not enough, we still concentrate resources to repair a part first." ”

"Then, in the opinion of His Excellency the Marquis, in what area should a section of railway be built first?"

"California is a coastal area with relatively flat terrain. Ji Aojian smiled, "I can contract the railroad in California, and after this section of the railway is repaired, it will be extended to Mexico City in the future." ”

Nicholas's eyes lit up, "Your Excellency Marquis, do you mean seriously, the California region can repair this section of the railway by itself?"

"I can try to do it, but in order to overcome all kinds of difficulties, the central government needs to give me some support, otherwise it will be difficult for me to carry out the project. ”

"Uh, what's the difficulty for you?"

"Since it is a coastal area, it is most convenient to carry out direct shipping, and if I want to build another railway along the coast, it will be regarded as an ineffective investment, and the local people will basically oppose it. ”

The prime minister thought about it, and it seemed that this was the case, and it really made sense.

"So it makes sense for this railway to go south to Mexico City in the future, and it has to be a national strategic project. ”

Nicholas nodded.

"Then, I ask for the establishment of a railway company owned by the Mexican government, and I will be responsible for the initial operation, without any money from the government. ”

The Prime Minister wondered, "If you don't want the government to invest in the government in advance, where will your money come from?"

"All the taxes in California, all the minerals, even if it's the Mexican government's investment. Ji Aojian accentuated his tone and said slowly, "As long as I give this region twenty years of self-use rights, I promise to build a north-south railway in California." ”

Nicholas pondered, "Twenty years, isn't that a little longer?"

"It's not long at all. Ji Aojian sighed, "Now the Mexican government basically can't have tax revenue in California, why? It's because California is too far away for the central government to control." If the railroad can be repaired within twenty years, Mexico City's influence will be greatly increased, and it will be very convenient to collect taxes then. Therefore, the 20 years of tax exemption are not a loss for nothing for the central government, but a railway of immeasurable value. ”

"On the other hand, if the railroad is not repaired in twenty years, the American railroad plan for the east-west transamericas will have a chance to enter California, and their immigrants and capital will swarm with the railroad, and soon California will become their land, and Mexico will lose the region forever. ”

The Prime Minister weighed it up in his mind. There was silence for a moment.

Ji Aojian said earnestly, "I went against the trend of history to help Mexico build this north-south railway, but in fact, it was simple and pleasant for me to cooperate with the Americans." If only the Mexican government was unwilling to hand over 20 years of autonomy to California. So what do I have to do to contend with the general trend of the times? Let the Americans build the railroad into California. ”

"Your Excellency, Marquis, you can't work with the Americans. Nicholas hurriedly said, "I support your plan, this is indeed for the country and the people." ”

Ji Aojian smiled and nodded.

"However, if your proposal wants to pass in Congress, there is still a lot of trouble. ”

"I know. Ji Aojian didn't care, "After the proposal for California's autonomy and the establishment of a railroad company is submitted to Congress." Let's lobby the legislators. ”

The Prime Minister thought for a moment and asked another question, "Listen to what you just said." As long as California has full autonomy and financial rights, you can build railroads within its borders, why create another railroad company?"

"The railroad corporation was set up to raise money, Prime Minister. Ji Aojian patiently explained. "When the railroad in California is repaired. This section of the railway was the first asset of the railway company. With this part of the assets, it can be used as collateral to issue bonds, and the next round of railway construction to Mexico City will have funds. This kind of bond is issued in the name of the railway company, and has nothing to do with the Mexican government, that is, the railway is not built in the end, and the railway company goes bankrupt, and the central government does not need to be held responsible. ”

Nicholas suddenly realized, "Your Excellency, Marquis. You're really thoughtful. ”

"Prime Minister, if you have no more doubts. Then I will take my leave, and then I will lobby many parliamentarians. ”

The Prime Minister kindly reminded that "those MPs have an eye for money, and you have to make enough political contributions." ”

"Don't be afraid, not afraid. Ji Aojian smiled and said, "I've also made some preparations these days. ”

After returning to the pavilion, Ling Tan asked in confusion, "Childe, since your plan is for the Mexicans, it is a great service for the country and the people, will those parliamentarians still obstruct the relevant proposals?"

"What about the creature of parliamentarians, who specialize in plucking their feathers, if they don't obstruct the proposal, then how can they get the income from engaging in this industry?" Ji Aojian said, "Do you think that as long as the proposal is for the country and the people, it will definitely be passed? That is a big mistake, even if you propose a bill for universal health insurance, the parliamentarians will still find all kinds of reasons to oppose it." ”

"Oh, it looks like we have to bribe them. ”

"This bribe is the price that must be paid to buy their 'right to pass'. Ji Aojian sighed, "It's good that the practical money can buy through the bill, but if it unfortunately involves a partisan struggle, for some kind of political needs, maybe it can't be passed with money, then it's called a sad urging." ”

Ling Tan shrunk his neck, "Is there such a thing? Isn't this going to seriously damage the interests of the country?"

"That's what so-called democracy is, learn it, boy. Ji Aojian waved his hand, "Don't be stunned, take out all those IOUs, and let's see which councilors we can bribe." ”

Ling Tan was puzzled, "How can you use these IOUs to bribe parliamentarians?"

"What do you remember? I told you when I came by boat. Ji Aojian said angrily, "Isn't it the same thing to give money to a person and forgive his debts? As long as the debtor votes in favor of our proposal, we will return the IOU to him, and everyone will be happy?"

"Yes, yes. Ling Tan suddenly woke up, "Childe, you let them lose one by one until they hit the white slip, it turned out to save the cost of bribery." ”

Ji Aojian flipped through a pile of IOUs casually, and suddenly pulled out two, "Here is an IOU from the Colima State Councilor, let's talk to them first." ”

"Could it be that these two councillors, what kind of senior figures?"

"Senior or not, I don't know. Ji Aojian replied, "Nacolima is a coastal state, with convenient shipping and abundant iron ore, so we will negotiate a long-term contract with them to buy iron ore, and try to get a low price." ”

Ling Tan asked, "Why do we want to buy iron ore?"

"Isn't California going to build a railroad, there is such a ready-made market demand, we must build our own steel plant to drive local industry and economic development. ”

"I see, how do you negotiate a low-cost contract with them?"

"We have IOUs, so we use them to lower the price. ”

"But these two IOUs were bribed to pass the proposal. Ling Tan reminded, "You used to negotiate an iron ore contract with them, wouldn't you have to pay another bribe?"

"There's no need to bribe anymore. Ji Aojian said calmly, "As long as the contract is negotiated with them, I will have a community of interests with them, and they will naturally approve the passage of the proposal." Otherwise, the railway will not be completed, and how will the sale and purchase on this contract continue?" (To be continued......