Chang Dachun has been busy these days. Seeing the prosperous side of Shanghai, he is also very ruthless by the strong business atmosphere. In his words, the whole city is full of the smell of money. Businessmen are seeking profits, officials are inaction, and the people are not educated. Jingjing students are being poisoned by Western learning.

In the municipal axe room, Chang Dachun led his entourage to check the accounts. The more he looked, the more frightened he became. He finally understood why the emperor focused on Western learning. Shanghai's tax revenue was 30 million taels a year! It was still last year's account, and the small Shanghai city caught up with the tax revenue of Anhui Province.

Chang Dachun came to the main hall with the general account, and Zhou Lichun and other officials had already been waiting here.

Chang Dachun sat down slowly, put the accounts on the table, and said, "Is this account true?"

Zhou Lichun replied: "Please rest assured that the accounts are calculated by professional talents, and there are people checking them regularly. I will send someone to check the accounts for each quarter and sign and confirm them personally. There is absolutely no reason to make any mistakes."

Chang Dachun nodded slowly and smiled: "It's amazing that the small Shanghai tax revenue is as huge as 31 million taels per year. No wonder the emperor is so relieved that Lord Zhou governs Shanghai. With this money, he can't do anything! However, before I came to Shanghai, I had already read the accounts from the Ministry of Revenue. Shanghai only paid 9 million taels to Nanjing this year, and it was still 20 million taels away! Where did these money go? Can Lord Zhou explain to me!"

Zhou Lichun bowed and said, "Mr. Chang doesn't know that this year, Shanghai paid 5 million taels of silver to Zuo Zongtang, and transported 00,000 taels of silver to Jiangxi, and 1.5 million taels of funds to collect Taiwan, which has been accepted by Taiwan Governor Li Shiqi. These are all evidence of the other party's receipt."

Chang Dachunmo calculated that there were a total of 8.5 million taels, and then asked: "These are still 10 million taels left in total. This money will not be embezzled by Lord Zhou!"

Zhou Lichun was not angry and continued: "The officials dare not. Since the mayor Chen Alin embezzled huge sums of money and was dismissed from office, the officials were not embezzled without any corruption. Part of the remaining silver was used for the construction of public facilities in Shanghai. These accounts were in the construction bureau. The adults came in a hurry. The officials had sent people to collect them. Another part was the salary of Shanghai officials, and most of the remaining ones were used to support merchants to handle industry."

Chang Dachun heard what he said very well, but he couldn't agree with it. The country's money was actually taken away by merchants. What's the moral?

"Nothing! The merchants value profits and lend them money. If they lose money, can they still recover it?"

A Shanghai official explained loudly: "This is the principle of laying eggs from chickens. We only lend money to merchants to start businesses, and repaying money is a small matter. As long as the business grows bigger, taxes will be a generous return every year. Please rest assured that Shanghai will only become more and more prosperous, and the taxes submitted to Nanjing will only become more and more!"

Chang Dachun's entourage was furious and asked: "Who are you? Where is there a place where you speak!"

"The lower-ranking official is Wu Jianzhang, the deputy mayor of Shanghai!" Wu Jianzhang bowed. Like Zhou Lichun, he was not afraid of Chang Dachun, the cabinet master. Last time the emperor inspected Shanghai, he clearly pointed out that as long as money is money, everything else is secondary and that Shanghai officials can be allowed to take charge.

Chang Dachun waved his hand to stop his followers from continuing to scold. He also realized that these bastards were determined to develop the Westernization Affairs and threw their ancestors away. He also came here for help and should not have an attack on the spot.

Zhou Lichun also stopped Wu Jianzhang from continuing to distinguish. Wu Jianzhang was annoying at first. Before the rebellion, Wu Jianzhang was a Shanghai Taoist senator and repeatedly instructed officers and soldiers to cause trouble for their party. However, now Wu Jianzhang is his sword. He can not only develop the economy, build Shanghai, but also deal with foreigners. He rejects the unreasonable demands of foreigners. He is a true versatile person. He doesn't want Wu Jianzhang to offend Chang Dachun in a confused manner and cause the root of trouble.

Chang Dachun waited for a while, drank a cup of tea and moistened his throat, and said, "To be honest, Lord Zhou, I came to Shanghai for inspection this time on the order of the emperor. On the one hand, I personally felt the development and changes of Shanghai, and on the other hand, I raised funds. You also know that the Northern Expedition was in full swing, and the two sides were going back and forth, but in general, the Han army had the upper hand. The Qing army would sooner or later, and the war lasted for one day, and all the money raised lasted was about to bottom out, so Chang had to come in person."

Zhou Lichun secretly sneered that these conservative civil servants would only be humble at this time. I had to take it seriously and let them take a good name, so as not to slander Shanghai again when they went back.

"This, Lord Chang, you know that Shanghai provides most of the military's military pay with its own strength. Now Shanghai is full of complaints. If the officials raise funds publicly, they will probably be criticized by thousands of people. The officials should allow them to consider it carefully before implementing it."

Chang Dachun had a stern face. He thought that Zhou Lichun was deliberately extorting. There were so many wealthy people in Shanghai who just used an excuse to catch a few, but they still didn't submit!

Seeing Chang Dachun's gloomy face, Wu Jianzhang said deliberately: "Mr. Chang doesn't know anything, it's not because the officials and others deliberately delay it. As the master said, this businessman is pursuing profits. When we raise funds from the merchants, we always have to give them some benefits. In the long run, this businessman has privileges, so it will be difficult for the government to do it."

Chang Dachun said angrily: "I will give you another five days. At that time, I will have to raise three million taels. This is the emperor's oral order. If the task cannot be completed, I will not be able to excuse you. Say goodbye. You can stay here to find a way, and you don't have to send it!"

Looking at Chang Dachun who was leaving in a hurry, Zhou Lichun and others looked at each other and smiled.

Wu Jianzhang suddenly sighed: "This time Lord Chang came to Shanghai, the emperor also had good intentions. The ministers in the court opposed the Westernization Movement were led by Lord Lu and Lord Chang. Since Lord Lu came to Shanghai last year, his attitude has changed greatly. I hope Lord Chang will do the same, so that he has not let down the emperor's will."

Zhou Lichun had already understood this truth and stood up and said, "Everyone has left. I am tired after spending these days with Lord Chang."

Chang Dachun returned to his residence with a suffocation. He was in a bad mood. He didn't see Chang Zaixing while eating. He became even more angry and asked Chang Shuying loudly: "Where did your brother go there these days? Why are there always no people?"

Chang Shuying deliberately swallowed a few mouthfuls of rice, hesitated, and coughed loudly.

If it were the past, Chang Dachun would no longer ask questions, but on the territory of Shanghai, he could not tolerate his carelessness. He asked with his surname: "Did this beast go to look for flowers and willows again? I knew that he would not change his surname, so I locked him up at home to save me trouble!"

Chang Shuying lowered her head and whispered: "Brother said he went to find his sister-in-law, and I don't know where he went?"

"Ahem!" Chang Dachun was almost choked to death, and stared at him with a beard and sniffed at the housekeeper and asked, "Have you been back recently?"

The housekeeper dared not hide it, and answered accordingly: "The young master went out three days ago and never came back."

Chang Dachun held back his anger and asked again: "Do you know where he went?"

The housekeeper recalled and said in an uncertain tone: "At that time, I only heard the young master talking about Xia Feilu and so on. I really didn't hear the other few words clearly. Should I go and find out what happened to Xia Feilu?"

Chang Dachun waved his hand and said, "Go and go back quickly, there are many local people in Shanghai in the mansion."

In less than a quarter of an hour, the housekeeper came back with a strange expression and said directly: "Master Qi, this little Xia Feilu has found out clearly."

"explain!"

The housekeeper glanced at the lady and saw that she was listening with interest. He dodged a few times and replied: "This Xiafei Road is the largest fireworks place in Shanghai. There are tens of thousands of girls making a living. When the young master goes there... it is also a matter of love."

Chang Dachun threw a tea bowl and said angrily: "Fuck! This time I must break his leg. You send someone... No, I will catch this beast myself. I didn't even read it. I dared to marry you into the house. I, I, I am so angry that my family is unfortunate!"

The housekeeper quickly stopped Chang Dachun and advised: "Don't calm down, please calm down, the young master is just a playful heart and can't take it seriously."

Chang Dachun did not intend to give up. His son was not good at his help. He gave all his expectations to his grandson. He changed into plain clothes and took a few servants to go to Xia Feilu.
Chapter completed!