What Corban meant was that his sudden arrival had disturbed Ang Lee, which was why he was about to leave the room after saying that.
"I have nothing to do right now. You've come at the right time. Have a seat!"
Ang Lee did not feel disturbed and had Corban sit down as he continued to hug Mei 'er and caress her soft, smooth skin, completely ignoring Corban's presence. It was an indescribable pleasure to show off one's enjoyment in front of others.
Corban appeared a little uncomfortable, but he was just a minor character before Ang Lee. When Ang Lee told him to sit down, he could only do so obediently, not daring to disobey.
"Speak, Corban! What business do you have with me? "
Ang Lee pulled Mei 'er into his arms and caressed her little face with a look of enjoyment.
Corban smiled and said, "Assistant Minister Li, this one has nothing important to do. I'm just bored and wanted to talk to Assistant Minister Li about the railroad. If Assistant Minister Li is not interested now, this one will come back later."
With that, he was about to leave again.
"It's fine. This one is bored as well, and was just about to talk to you when you came over. It's good to talk about the railroad, so tell me! What do you want to talk about? "
Ang Lee had no intention of chasing Corban away. Being intimate with a beauty while chatting with someone was the best feeling.
Of course, Ang Lee was feeling good enough, but Corban looked bitter. He did not have a beauty in his arms after all, and seeing Ang Lee caress Mei 'er in his arms made him feel rather uncomfortable. He wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into, but since Ang Lee had spoken, he could only stay and chat with Ang Lee.
"Assistant Minister Li, how long will it take to build the railroad to Taras? The king sent a letter last time asking about this, and his tone was very concerned. This one does not know how to answer. "
Corban said with a smile.
Ang Lee heard that and thought for a moment before saying, "Even I am not sure when the railroad will reach Taras. There are too many uncertainties, and there is no way to give an accurate time. However, the Tang Dynasty only has a hundred and fifty thousand craftsmen. If the railroad is to be built as soon as possible, the Stone Kingdom will need to provide enough manpower."
The meaning of that was clear. If the Stone Kingdom wanted the railroad to be built as soon as possible, they would need to provide enough manpower, or the railroad would be delayed.
"Assistant Minister Li, if the Stone Kingdom does not provide manpower, how long will it take to build the railroad? You have to give us an approximate time! "
Corban asked. after all, the railway system. The more help they provided, the higher the cost.............................. but................
............. The terrain leading to the west is more complicated, so it will definitely take more time to build. "
. "Ang Lee said.
In fact, with the advanced mechanized teams of the Tang Dynasty, even without the help of the Stone Kingdom, it would only take two years at most to build the railroad. Ang Lee said that because he wanted the Stone Kingdom to provide enough manpower to assist the Tang Dynasty's engineering team in building the railroad as soon as possible. That way, the Tang Dynasty would be able to gain better control over the western countries and further strengthen themselves. Of course, the merchants of the Stone Kingdom would also be able to do better business and earn more money.
"Three to five years? Why would it take so long? The Tang Dynasty built the railroad very quickly. Why would it take three to five years to reach the west?"
Corban asked, puzzled.
"Corban, I just said that the Tang Dynasty only sent a hundred and fifty thousand craftsmen to the Stone Kingdom to build the railroad. Back in the country, there were millions of people along the way, and they all had to provide help to build the railroad quickly. If the Stone Kingdom does not provide enough manpower, the speed of building the railroad will be much slower."
Ang Lee said seriously.
"Assistant Minister Li, the Stone Kingdom's national strength is not comparable to the Tang Dynasty's. We can only mobilize three hundred thousand men at most. I wonder if we can build the railroad within a year?"
Corban asked.
Ang Lee thought for a moment and said, "The pressure within a year is still too great. If the Stone Kingdom can provide three hundred thousand reliable men, the railroad will definitely reach Talos within two years. If we are lucky, we might even reach Tuozhe City. However, other than helping the Tang Dynasty in terms of manpower, you will also have to help in terms of material resources. Aside from the railroad tracks, the railroad will also need sleepers, solid wood, and cement pillars. You will have to provide as much as you can. The Tang Dynasty has already taught you the technology of cement and concrete for free, so of course you will have to return the favor."
The technology of cement and concrete was too simple and cumbersome. Even if the technology was blocked, it would not make much sense. Therefore, the Tang Dynasty very graciously gave this low-end technology to the Stone Kingdom, the Kang Kingdom, and other river countries for free. Of course, this was also because these small countries had made huge concessions to the Tang Dynasty, designating all the places the railroad passes as the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, the Tang Dynasty had to give them something in return.
In addition, although the land along the railroad was the territory of the Tang Dynasty, the local people still had the right to enter, especially the people along the railroad. Of course, they could climb over the railroad tracks. Otherwise, how could they live? In addition, for safety reasons, many densely populated areas had built viaducts. This way, the local people could climb over the railroad tracks through the viaducts, ensuring safety and reducing interference with the railroad's operation.
"We have to provide so much help to the Tang Dynasty in building the railroad, but in the end, all the benefits belong to the Tang Dynasty. This seems a little …"
Corban was a little unhappy, but that was normal. The Stone Kingdom was the one who contributed, but in the end, all the benefits belonged to the Tang Empire. They had lost a lot of benefits, so of course they would be very unhappy. However, after considering that they would gain a lot of benefits in terms of commerce and trade after the railroad was built, they felt a little better.
Ang Lee certainly knew that Corban was unhappy, but the Stone Kingdom was just a small country. Other than being controlled by the Tang Dynasty, there was no better way. If the Tang Empire got angry and built the railroad to the south, the merchants from the east and the west would definitely abandon the land in the middle of the river. After all, the cost of transportation by the railroad was far lower than that of camels, so of course, the merchants would choose the railroad. In this way, the river countries, which were originally used as trade hubs, would completely lose their commercial status. The people of these small countries were not good at anything other than doing business, so for the river countries, they could not afford to lose their trade hubs. In other words, they could not let the Tang Empire build the railroad to the south, so they could only sacrifice a lot of benefits in exchange.
"Corban, my friend, your way of thinking is wrong. Have you ever thought about what status the Stone Kingdom will gain once the railroad is built? In terms of safety, the troops of the Tang Dynasty can quickly enter the Stone Kingdom through the railroad to protect your safety. In terms of trade, you have the railroad, and merchants from the east and west will have to pass through here. So, it's impossible for you not to prosper. Am I right, Miss Mei 'er? "
Ang Lee suddenly kissed Mei 'er's little mouth as he spoke, feeling the refreshing sensation that came from Mei' er's little mouth.
Mei 'er was, after all, a little girl of the Stone Kingdom. She did not nod when she heard that. Instead, she pouted, looking rather displeased, but not angry.
"What's wrong? How dare you pout at Alang? You deserve a beating."
Ang Lee smiled and pinched Mei 'er's little butt hard.
"Ah!"
Mei 'er was shocked, and then immediately said, "Alang is right. Once the railroad is built, the Stone Kingdom will be very prosperous."
"Corban, did you hear that? If even Mei 'er could understand that, how could you not? You should learn from Mei 'er. "
Ang Lee said with a smile.
"Yes, yes, yes. Assistant Minister Li is right. If it weren't for the Tang Dynasty, the Stone Kingdom wouldn't be what it is today. The king and people of the Stone Kingdom are very grateful to the Tang Dynasty. Once the railroad is built, the people of the Stone Kingdom will have a better life."
Corban smiled and licked his lips.
He did not dare to be stubborn in front of Ang Lee, and could only go along with what Ang Lee said. Otherwise, Ang Lee would be very angry, and the consequences would be more serious. Although Ang Lee was not the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he was sometimes more feared than the emperor. All the advanced machinery of the Tang Dynasty was invented by Ang Lee, and that was power.
After talking for a while, Ang Lee felt a little tired, and waved for Corban to get down. He then lay down on the sofa and put one of his legs on Mei 'er's, letting Mei' er massage him to relieve his tiredness.
Lying on the soft sofa, he turned his head to look at the moving scenery outside the window and felt Mei 'er's massage. This feeling was too good. Li An really hoped that this train would never reach the end. That way, he could continue to enjoy this comfortable feeling.
"Alang, Mei 'er is tired. Alang, give Mei' er a massage too!"
Mei 'er pouted and pressed her full chest on Ang Lee's arm, shaking it continuously, making Ang Lee feel even better.
"Okay, Mei 'er, lie down and let Alang give you a massage."
Li An grinned wickedly. With a flip of his body, he pressed Lil 'Miss Mei' er under his body and really began to massage her. However, Li An's massage, to be precise, was caressing. It was enjoyment and not labor.
After massaging Mei 'er for less than a minute, Ang Lee could not take it anymore, and showed his most primitive nature. On the long train journey, he gave Mei' er a good time, and decadent sounds drifted along the train line, leaving behind the best memories on the newly built line.
A few days later, the train arrived at the train station in Dihuancheng. Although this was not the end, as the westernmost station was Shu-lik, the next station to the west was Dihuancheng. Therefore, Ang Lee had to come to Dihuancheng for an inspection, to see how the construction of the train station was going. In addition, he had to go to Botaling in the west for an inspection, to see if the railway line drawn by the craftsmen was reasonable, and if there were any areas that needed improvement.
Due to its location at the western hub of the Tang dynasty's railway, the imperial court attached great importance to the train station in Dihuancheng, and gave it a lot of support. Whether it was the size of the train station or the various facilities, it was very high-end, and not at all inferior to the Chang 'an West Railway Station. It was a train station worthy of the name of the Tang dynasty.
"Welcome, Assistant Minister Li, to Anxi for an inspection."
A towering man stood at the door of the train, respectfully welcoming Ang Lee.
Ang Lee recognized this person. He was the Protector-General of Anxi of the Tang dynasty, Gao Xianzhi, a man from Goguryeo. He fought valiantly and bravely, and was a rare military talent. A few years ago, he led a group of elite soldiers to attack Little Balur, and beat the Tibetans to a pulp. Then, not long after, the Tibetans were destroyed. Of course, Gao Xianzhi had nothing to do with the destruction of the Tibetans, but the attack on Little Balur was done beautifully, and it was a very successful example. If it was placed in the future, it could be written into the textbooks. Of course, Gao Xianzhi's classic example of a battle had already been written into the textbooks of the future, and it was important information for the military academies, for the students to discuss and analyze.
"Protector-General Gao, it seems that we haven't met for many years. How have you been?"
Ang Lee smiled as he got off the train and greeted Gao Xianzhi. After so many years, Gao Xianzhi was still hale and hearty, and his expression was still cold and callous. Only when he saw Ang Lee did he open his mouth and smile.
"Many thanks for Assistant Minister Li's concern. Although the conditions in Anxi are somewhat difficult, there is no lack of food and drink, especially after the railroad was completed. Our soldiers of Anxi are living a good life."
Gao Xianzhi's complexion was very good, and he was clearly very satisfied with his current standard of living. After the railroad was completed, the supplies of the Anxi army had greatly increased, and the lives of the soldiers were truly much better than before.
"It's good that you're living a good life. Only when the soldiers are living a good life can the Tang dynasty be more stable. Protector-General Gao, you fought very well in the Battle of Little Balur, achieving a complete victory with a single surprise attack."
Ang Lee praised.
"Isn't this all thanks to Assistant Minister Li's cannons? During the expedition, this general only brought two cannons and was able to easily break through Little Balur. The vine bridge used by the Tibetan reinforcements was blown apart with a single cannon. How refreshing was that? Hahaha!"
Gao Xianzhi was a boorish man, and when he laughed, he was very frank and unrestrained.
"No matter how formidable the cannons are, they're just tools. It was only because Protector-General Gao's courage and insight were superior that you were able to easily obtain victory."
Ang Lee continued to praise Gao Xianzhi as he changed the topic. "Right, Protector-General Gao, in the future, the railroad will be connected to the river. At that time, the responsibility of the Anxi army will be even greater, and the area they are responsible for will be several times larger. Protector-General Gao will also be bolder."
Gao Xianzhi had a look of disapproval as he said, "Assistant Minister Li, we already have the cannons, so what pressure is there to feel? If anyone isn't convinced, just send a few cannons over and knock them down. In all of Anxi, there is no one who can be considered a match."
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