American Consulate in Shanghai.

Although an embassy has been built in the capital, the American ambassador to China still lives in Shanghai for a long time. The newly appointed minister is also an old friend and familiar with Wei Sanwei, who is easy to be content.

As a missionary, Wei Sanwei was invited to join the Yuanqi printing factory at the beginning of Yuanqi's establishment. He had a close relationship with Yi Zhizu and was not inferior to Bo Jia at all. He also served as secretary and translator of the American mission to China for a long time. He served as the US ambassador to China several times. After Bo Jia returned to China, he was the best candidate for the ambassador to China.

The "five-year plan" suddenly launched by the Qing Dynasty was extremely concerned by the United States. Originally, the United States occupied a considerable share of the railway market in the Qing Dynasty. Now that the stocks of domestic railway companies have fallen across the board, railway construction has slowed down. Under such circumstances, several major railway companies are eager to expand their market in the Qing Dynasty.

However, although the railway market in the Qing Dynasty was large, the competition was quite large. The railway construction boom in the Qing Dynasty lasted for more than 20 years. The British, American and French railway companies in China and the local railway companies in the Qing Dynasty had developed rapidly during this period. It was not easy to continue to expand the market.

As soon as the news spread, the ministers from all over Europe rushed to Shanghai. In addition to Britain and France, there were also Germany and Italy. It was obvious that all countries wanted to expand or squeeze into the railway market of the Qing Dynasty. After all, the railway market potential of the Qing Dynasty was too great, and any capable railway company wanted to insert it.

"Sir——." A counselor reported at the door: "Mr. Yi has returned to Shanghai..."

"Prepare the car and go to Zhennan Prince's Mansion." Wei Sanwei stood up while giving instructions. Now the ministers of all countries are in Shanghai. He must meet Yi Shishi before the ministers of all countries. If he falls behind, it will be troublesome.

Yi Zhizu returned to Shanghai without hiding his traces. As soon as the news of his return home spread, all the people waiting in Shanghai had already moved. When Wei Sanwei rushed to Zhennan Prince's Mansion, many cars and sedans had already stopped outside the door. Seeing this, he hurriedly ordered to go to the side door, and he had to submit a post when going to the side door, but it was definitely faster than the gatekeeper. After all, there were too many people in the gatekeeper.

To Wei San's surprise, when he saw his carriage coming and the side door opened, he felt a little warm. It was obvious that he was ready to come, so he ordered to let it go in advance. The carriage stopped outside the gate of Changle Study House. Zhao Liewen slowly came up and smiled and said, "Our prince is taking a bath, please wait for a moment..."

Yi Zhizu met Yan Shikuan as soon as he returned home. After learning about the situation in Shanghai, he went to take a shower and change his clothes. When he walked into the bookstore, he saw Wei Sanwei quickly greeted him. He smiled and said, "Your country has two railway construction projects in our country, so don't you worry about greed and not being able to chew too much?"

Seeing that he was so direct, Wei Sanwei smiled and said, "Your Highness should have some understanding of our country's situation. Now that my country's railway construction has slowed down, several powerful railway companies are eager to come to your country to explore the market..."

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "We open our arms to welcome all railway companies that are willing to come to our country."

After hearing this, Wei Sanwei felt a deep heart. In this case, America had no advantage and was in an equal competitive position with other countries. After shaking hands, the two gave in and entered the house. After sitting down, he tentatively said: "Your country's railway market has great potential. If there is no restrictions, European railway companies may flock to it..."

"Of course there are restrictions." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Anyone who comes to our country to undertake railway construction projects must advance funds."

Promotion of funds? Wei Sanwei was shocked, "The construction of railways costs a lot, and it can often cost millions or even tens of millions of silver dollars. If all the funds are advanced, I am afraid that few railway companies have the strength..."

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "The railway company lacks funds, so you can borrow from the bank. All construction projects can be signed with contracts, and Yuanqi can provide guarantees."

After hearing this, Wei Sanwei said nothing. Half of the domestic railway construction funds were borrowed from England. How could he raise so much money to build a railway in Qing Dynasty? After pondering for a moment, he said: "Can it be profitable?"

"That's natural." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "It's not profitable, and this contract cannot be signed."

Even if it is profitable, raising funds is not easy. With such a big plan in the Qing Dynasty, Europe's surplus funds will flow eastward. Wei Sanwei thought for a while and said: "European railway companies will take this opportunity to squeeze out the market."

Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Don't worry about this. I will consider it as appropriate. The situation in different countries is different, so we will treat it differently."

After hearing this, Wei Sanwei felt completely relieved and said with a smile: "I will convey your highness's meaning to the country soon."

Watching Wei Sanwei get on the carriage, Zhao Liewen said: "The United States lacks funds... I'm afraid it won't attract much money."

"The United States is not short of funds. The gold mines in the west have quickly accumulated extremely considerable wealth." Yi Zhizu said softly: "Since 1865, the amount of funds invested in railway construction in the United States alone has reached 2 billion US dollars. Although half of them were raised from the United Kingdom, it is also a huge amount of $1 billion, which is higher than my country's investment in railway construction."

The funds invested in railway construction will be withdrawn in a short time? When it comes to his words, Zhao Liewen held back and said, "While Western countries will advance funds to build railways, will the materials needed to build railways be transported from their own countries?"

"It depends on how big the price difference between my country and theirs. Capital is pursuing profits. This is nature." Yi Zhizu said, turning around and slowly walking towards the study, taking advantage of this large-scale and long-term economic crisis to carry out railway construction, not only to stimulate the economy, but also because it can significantly reduce the construction cost of railways, and the price of steel will definitely drop sharply.

Of course, this will have a great impact on the domestic steel industry, but he didn't care, because almost all the steel industry in the Qing Dynasty was controlled by Yuan Qi. The reason why foreign railway companies wanted to advance funds to undertake railway construction projects was to use foreign capital to promote the country's industrial development.

Competition? How could a free-competitive capitalism be an opponent of monopoly capitalism? Yuanqi is essentially a huge monopoly organization, which is far greater than that of the East India Company in the UK back then. What you are most afraid of is free competition!

When he entered the study, Lin Meilian came in with a stack of greetings and said, "Big shopkeeper--."
Chapter completed!