Yi? He was inclined to exchange in his heart because he knew very well that although the imperial court owned 20% of the shares of the Transvaal Gold Mine, it was impossible to get dividends. At least within ten or eight years, it was not necessary to think about it, because the imperial court's huge loans to Yuanqi were all mortgaged by the gold mine share.

After listening to Wu Changqing's judgment, he was a little surprised and asked quickly: "Is this true?"

Wu Changqing smiled and said, "The 20% shares of Transva Gold Mine can be said to be given to the court by Yuan Qi for free. The prince never thought about why Yuan Qi would give to the 20% shares of the court for free?"

After hearing this, Yi? and Sushun were stunned. Yi Zhizu gave 20% of the shares of South African gold mines to the court, but in fact, in the war in South Africa, there was no need for the assistance of the court. Whether it was naval battles or land battles, they had an overwhelming advantage. Then 20% of the shares were indeed given by Yuan Qi for free.

After hesitating for a while, Su Shun said: "Is it because Yiguocheng sent 20% of the shares of South African gold mine for free for free? "

"Isn't it?" Wu Changqing asked back, and then said slowly: "The 20% of the shares of South African gold mines are easy to give away, because no one in Yuanqi dared to object, but the shares of the large factory and mining enterprises invested by Yuanqi are not so easy to give away for free. Even the big shopkeeper of Yiguocheng has to worry about the reactions of all shareholders of Yuanqi."

Yi? said in confusion: "Yi Guocheng deliberately gave 30% of the shares of all the large factories and mining enterprises built by Yuanqi to the court for free. What is the purpose?"

"Then I'll ask Yiguocheng." Wu Changqing said, paused, and then said: "This rare disaster in the north has just begun. How many large-scale factories and mining enterprises have Yuanqi invested in various provinces? This can at least explain two issues. Yuanqi has already had sufficient and detailed plans for large-scale factories and mining enterprises invested in various provinces. In addition, Yuanqi has already kicked off the prelude to comprehensively promote industrialization. Now, it is just the beginning.

Why do I say that the 30% income of large factories and mining enterprises invested and built in Yuanqi now and in the future will be far more than or even several times the 20% income of Transvaal Gold Mine? Based on these two points, the returns of gold mines are limited, but the continuous factory and mining enterprises invested in Yuanqi are likely to be hundreds or hundreds of companies."

Yi? He glanced at Sushun and handed over a cigarette silently. Yuanqi established dozens of factory and mining enterprises almost overnight in Liaoning, Zhili, Shandong, Shanxi and Henan. It is obviously impossible to say that there were no detailed plans and preparations before. The exploration of mineral deposits, the selection of factory sites, transportation and other factors must be considered in advance.

The severe drought that lasted for four or five years was the beginning. Yuanqi will definitely invest in factory and mining enterprises one after another, which is beyond doubt. Otherwise, Yuanqi would not propose this exchange. This move clearly means that the court should devote all its efforts to support Yuanqi in promoting comprehensive industrialization.

After a long time, Yi? said, "This is not a trivial matter. We must convene a cabinet meeting to discuss with the ministers of the State."

Wu Changqing nodded, "This matter is very involved. It is best for the prince to go to Shanghai in person to have a detailed talk with Yiguocheng..."

After pondering for a moment, Yi? He said: "Although this matter is big, it is not urgent. The most urgent thing is to first express the attitude of the court to the court and the public..."

The next day, Guangxuming issued an edict, pointing out that if the Qing Dynasty wants to enrich the country and strengthen the military, it must give priority to the development of industry and comprehensively accelerate the industrialization process. The gentry of all provinces and local prefectures and counties cannot oppose it for their own selfish interests and hinder the development of industry. All those who oppose the development of industry are sinners of the country and the nation!

On the same day, Yi? publicly stated in the newspaper in the name of the Prime Minister of the Cabinet that all prefectures and counties that oppose and obstruct industry development will be cancelled, and all prefecture and county officials will be dismissed on the spot.

In recent times, public opinion in northern provinces has been accusing and criticizing Yuan Qi for taking advantage of disaster relief to recruit workers, seriously damaging the agriculture of northern provinces. Some newspapers even bluntly said that Yuan Qi had ulterior motives, and no one expected that the situation would turn so sharply. Yuan Qi did not speak out, and the court actually supported Yuan Qi with a rare tough attitude. For a moment, the government and the country were in an uproar and there was a lot of discussion.

The next day, the Beijing News published an article on the front page "On the Enclosure Movement of European Countries". The article details the enclosure movement of European industrial powers to forcibly drive farmers away from land by national laws, and fairly and objectively evaluated the positive role and significance of the enclosure movement in the development of industry.

The article also clearly pointed out that the land enclosure movement is a disaster for farmers, with countless farmers losing their money and displaced. The essence is to sacrifice the interests of farmers to lay the foundation for European countries to develop industries.

At the end of the article, the practice of Yuanqi in raising wages and using famines to attract farmers to leave the land and enter factories to transform into workers is far more moderate than the enclosure movement in European countries. The signature of the article is Aisin Gioro Yi?.

This article actually affirms the statement that Yuan Qi implemented the land-enclosure movement in disguise, but also sends a signal that if this gentle land-enclosure is opposed, it will inevitably force the Qing Dynasty to imitate European countries and take tough and bloody measures to promote the land-enclosure movement.

On the same day, an article was also published on the front page of the Shanghai News - the article "Agricultural Revolution" pointed out that with the development of industry, a large number of agricultural machines such as tillage machines, seeders, lawn mowers, harvesters, threshers, water pumps, dough mills, rice mills, cotton mills, oil presses, etc.

The endless agricultural machinery is becoming more and more widely used in large-scale farms. Traditional agriculture is facing a huge revolution - agricultural mechanization, and a large number of farmers are gradually being replaced by agricultural machinery.

The article also pointed out that Shanghai Agricultural Machinery Factory has a large number of various agricultural machinery for sale, and Yuanqi is gradually investing in and building large agricultural machinery manufacturing plants in various provinces to quickly promote and popularize agricultural machinery, and also introduced more than ten agricultural machinery.

Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Bookstore.

Zhao Liewen put down the newspaper in his hand and smiled: "These articles are both kind and powerful. On the one hand, he warned local gentry not to oppose the development of industry and to obstruct the recruitment of workers. On the other hand, he pointed out a clear way for them to use agricultural machinery to make up for the lack of labor. Once a famine occurs, the sales of agricultural machinery will inevitably usher in a climax, and it is truly a killing of two birds with one stone!"

Li Hongzhang hesitated for a moment before saying, "The use and maintenance of these agricultural machinery requires specialized technicians?"

"That's natural." Yi Zhizu nodded, "For the gentry who owns a lot of land, purchasing a batch of agricultural machinery and raising a few professional and technical personnel will have a much higher income than renting the land out and collecting rent. It can be said that it can easily increase the income several times.
Chapter completed!