Li An thought about it seriously for a moment. After taking into account all the factors, he decided on the basic principle of the base price within ten words. For every additional word, the price would increase by 10%. If the word count doubled, the price would also double.
"The price of ten words is the same as before. For every additional word, the price will increase by 10%. For a hundred words, the price will increase by 10%. For ten thousand words, the price will increase by 1,000 times. In this way, we can eliminate the appearance of telegrams with too many words."
Ang Lee said.
"Ten words should be enough to convey urgent information."
"That's right, that's right. For ordinary telegrams, ten words is enough. However, in this way, most telegrams in the future will be exactly ten words!"
"That's right. Since we're spending so much money, of course we should use the maximum number of words. This way, we can explain things more clearly."
"Ten words it is! It shouldn't take long to send. "
"In the future, when telegrams are popularized, the price can be changed. The number of words can also be slightly changed. It can be changed to the basic five words! Even the price of each word is fine. "
"Telegrams are so expensive. No one will be willing to use them unless it's an emergency. However, is it the same as the train? Officials of the third rank and above can use it for free?"
"Yes, yes, yes. It should be like the train. We have to give some benefits to the court officials!"
As the ministers talked, they started to talk about the benefits of the train.
Their meaning was clear. As high-ranking officials of the court, they should enjoy certain benefits. For example, on the train, high-ranking officials of the third rank and above could sit in the first-class cabin with private rooms for free. Fourth and fifth rank officials could also lie in the soft sleeper for free. Sixth and seventh rank officials were more aggrieved, but the free hard sleeper was not bad. If the journey was short, the soft sleeper and hard sleeper could be changed to soft seats and hard seats. It would be more convenient.
As for low-ranking officials of the seventh rank and below, because there were too many of them and their official positions were not high, it was naturally not suitable for them to take the train for free. However, if they were on official business for the court, they could enjoy the free hard sleeper and hard seats. This was something that had to be satisfied. As for the other high-ranking officials, even if they went out for a vacation, they could also enjoy free travel. This was especially true for high-ranking officials of the third rank and above. They could comfortably enjoy the luxury private rooms and even bring their families out for a vacation. However, the private rooms could only accommodate a dozen people at most. A large number of accompanying guards and servants would probably have to buy tickets for the hard sleeper at the back.
The biggest difference between a private room and a soft sleeper was not that it was simply enclosed. It was more luxurious and comfortable. The direction of the bed was even parallel to the direction of the train. In this way, the configuration of the inner and outer rooms could be realized.
There were two beds in the inner room and an open space near the window where one could move around. On one side was an independent bathroom and on the other side was a small sofa. In addition, there were six extremely comfortable and luxurious leather stools under the lower bunk. After being pulled out, it could seat six people. The sofa on the side could seat three people and the two beds could sleep two people. In this way, an inner room could accommodate a dozen people at most. If these dozen people were a big family, they could totally coexist.
As for the outer room, there were no beds. There were only two rows of comfortable sofas that could seat a dozen people. It was specially prepared for the servants of high-ranking officials and nobles. Moreover, under normal circumstances, only female servants could enjoy such treatment, unless there were fewer servants. In this case, male and female servants could stay together. If the nobles had something important to do in the inner room, such as having sex, the family members would have to stay in the outer room. If there was enough space in the outer room, the female servants could stay behind to serve, and the male servants could only run to the hard sleeper to rest. After all, family members such as concubines could not casually stay in the same room with the male servants.
The free privilege of the nobles and high-ranking officials on the train was a benefit given to them by the imperial court. Now that the telegraph had been invented, these fellows naturally thought of the benefits. After all, the price of sending a telegram was too expensive. If they could do it for free, they could save a lot of money.
Regarding this problem, Ang Lee felt that there was nothing wrong with it. After all, the number of officials was in the minority. There was nothing wrong with enjoying some benefits. This could show the importance and love of the imperial court for the officials. However, if the officials used too much of the telegraph resources for personal matters, it would cause great interference to the normal use of the telegram. Therefore, there must be a certain extent of restrictions. For example, officials of different ranks could enjoy different amounts of telegram.
Taking one month as an example, officials of third rank and above could send a telegram of 500 words for free. Fourth and fifth rank officials could send 200 words for free. Sixth and seventh rank officials could send 50 words for free. In this way, it could be considered a benefit. Moreover, the use of telegram resources was limited, and it would not cause too much impact on the normal use of the telegraph.
When Ang Lee expressed his idea, many ministers around him nodded in agreement. The highest-ranking officials could use telegrams of 500 words for free for a month. This was really a lot. According to the calculation of sending 10 words at a time, they could send 50 telegrams. It was only 30 days a month. In this way, they could send nearly two telegrams a day.
"Everyone, we have discussed here for a long time, but the final quota still depends on His Majesty. The price of sending telegrams also depends on His Majesty's words."
A minister opened his mouth and said.
"His Majesty has arrived."
As soon as the Emperor was mentioned, the Emperor arrived.
After a series of salutes, everyone took their seats. Many ministers hurriedly carried the benches back to their seats.
In the celebration banquets of the later generations, a group of people would sit at a table. In the Tang dynasty, the tables of the celebration banquet were separated from each other. All the people who participated in the banquet had their own food. This was actually more reasonable.
First of all, from a hygienic point of view, eating in this way was the cleanest and most hygienic way. If a large group of people sat together to eat, their saliva would contaminate each other. If they met people who talked loudly and their saliva flew everywhere, it would be even more tragic. After the chopsticks were placed in the mouth, they would definitely be contaminated with saliva. Then, they would put the chopsticks into the food and stir it. In this way, the saliva would enter the food. When others picked up the food, they would eat your saliva. This was definitely very unhygienic. This situation could be completely avoided by separating the food.
Ang Lee's official position was not the highest, but Ang Lee's seat was arranged in the first position, which was the closest to the Emperor. The other subordinate officials, whose ranks were relatively lower, were also arranged in the front. However, they were two rows behind Ang Lee, not in the first row on both sides of the road.
This arrangement was naturally because the telegraph machine was developed by Ang Lee and many of his subordinates. It was more convenient for them to sit closer to the Emperor, so it would be more convenient for the Emperor to ask them later. It would also show more recognition of their contributions.
After three cups of wine and two cups of wine, most of the pleasantries and high-sounding words were said. Everyone's topic was led to the telegraph machine. The telegraph machine became a topic that everyone was concerned about. Although Ang Lee had explained everything that needed to be explained and let the ministers understand the basic principles of the telegraph machine, there were still some parts that they did not understand. There were also some questions that each of them had different opinions. They even had different requirements for the welfare of the officials. Some felt that the monthly free quota was too little, while others felt that the sixth or seventh rank officials should not enjoy the free quota of telegrams. This was a waste of the imperial court's resources.
In order to let the officials feel the importance of the telegraph machine, there was a telegraph machine in the banquet hall. The other one was transported to the imperial kitchen, which was quite a distance away from the hall. The Emperor did this to demonstrate the importance of the telegraph machine. At the same time, it was convenient for him to order the imperial kitchen to deliver the dishes.
"Dear ministers, a few days ago, Yangzhou sent 30 specially provided groupers. Each of them weighed more than 50 kilograms, and they are all large groupers. Today, the telegraph machine has been successfully developed, and it is a day worthy of celebration. Let's make three groupers for my dear ministers to try. Come! Immediately send a report to the imperial kitchen and make three groupers. "
Li Longji ordered.
When the technicians heard this, they immediately began to send the report. As there was not much content, the Emperor's decree was conveyed with a series of beeping sounds. Soon, the imperial kitchen sent a response. There were only two words, "Yes, Emperor's decree".
"This is really too convenient. His Majesty's decree was sent over in an instant."
"Convenient, too convenient. When there are more telegraph machines in the future, every government office in the capital can be equipped with one. If there is anything, they can just send a report directly. There is no need to send people to pass on messages anymore."
"In a few decades, there will be more and more telegraph machines like this. Will the ordinary people have one in their home?"
"Even if there are more telegraph machines, it is impossible to equip every ordinary person's home with one! Sending a telegraph is a technical job. People who have not undergone a lot of training will not be able to send a telegraph. It is impossible to let all the ordinary people learn how to send a telegraph, right? This is also unnecessary. As long as there are a few telegraph machines in every county, it will be enough. "
"There are thousands of counties in the Tang dynasty. If there are two telegraph machines in each county, there will be a need for three to five thousand of them. The demand is huge!"
"It has just been developed. It should be enough to equip the capital and the surrounding cities. When the wireless technology is developed, it will not be too late to equip more cities. Oh right, there is also a machine that can communicate directly. That will be even more powerful."
The ministers unconsciously began to discuss again. The heated atmosphere was not controlled by the situation at all. It was as if they had forgotten that the Emperor was still here.
"Your Majesty, the successful development of the telegraph machine is all due to Assistant Minister Li's contribution. Oh right, there is also the contribution of the craftsmen. Your Majesty should reward Assistant Minister Li and the craftsmen who have contributed greatly."
Yang Guozhong suddenly stood up and said.
"Haha! I would like to reward them, but Assistant Minister Li does not lack anything! Even if I were to reward him with ten thousand taels of gold, in Assistant Minister Li's eyes, it would only be a drop in the ocean! It is better to reward him after the telephone is developed. As for the rest, they will naturally be rewarded. "
Li Longji said.
It seemed that the Emperor did not intend to reward Ang Lee. However, Ang Lee had everything. He really did not lack anything. In fact, there were many things that the Emperor did not have. Only Ang Lee had everything. Therefore, if the Emperor really rewarded anything, it would not make Ang Lee excited. Unless the Emperor rewarded an imperial concubine to Ang Lee, perhaps Ang Lee would be excited for a few days. However, this was obviously not possible. Other rewards were really meaningless.
Since the Emperor said that he would not reward him, what else could Ang Lee say? He could only accept it. Anyway, he did not want any reward.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject's greatest wish is to continue to develop more and better machines. As long as Your Majesty can satisfy this humble subject's wish and give enough support, this will be the greatest reward. As for gold, silver, jade, beautiful women, and delicious food, as Your Majesty said, this humble subject does not lack any of them."
Li An said in a loud voice.
Having his own glass industry and huge wealth was enough for Ang Lee to enjoy endlessly. Compared to the money he earned, the Emperor's reward was simply a drop in the bucket. There was no comparison at all. Therefore, these conventional rewards were not something that Ang Lee was interested in. Moreover, Ang Lee's contributions were so great that even a higher reward would not be enough to show off Ang Lee's great contributions.
"Haha! Dear Minister Li's request, I must agree! I will fully support Dear Minister Li. Not only that, all of you present must fully support Dear Minister Li. In the future, if there is a need for the development of machines, you must not obstruct it. Moreover, you must prioritize the processing. The funds and materials needed for the development of machines must also be prioritized. If anyone is not willing to cooperate, I will not agree. "
Li Longji looked at all the ministers present and asked.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. We will definitely fully support Assistant Minister Li. In the future, all matters of the R&D Center will be prioritized. There will not be the slightest delay or delay."
Yang Guozhong was the first to express his attitude.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject will definitely supervise the subordinates to prioritize matters of the R&D Center. If they cannot handle it, this old subject will personally handle it. There will definitely not be any delay."
Chen Xilie also expressed his attitude.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject will definitely not delay the matters of the R&D Center. We will definitely prioritize them."
All the ministers expressed their attitudes one after another. It was so chaotic that it was impossible to tell who said what.
"Hahaha! Good, with the full support of us and all of you, Dear Minister Li, what do you have to worry about? "
Li Longji looked at Ang Lee and asked.
Ang Lee happily replied, "With the support of Your Majesty and all of you, this humble subject has nothing to worry about. I believe that it won't be long before more and better machines can be developed. At this time next year, if we are still feasting here, we might be able to directly communicate with people in Luoyang City. Moreover, we will be able to determine who it is from the voice."
Ang Lee was very confident in the invention of the telephone. Now that the tuning fork and other components had entered the final stage of adjustment, they were not far from developing the telephone. At this time next year, Ang Lee was confident that he would be able to invent the telephone.
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