Chapter 547 The third time
"The seven great masters of the western mountains of Qin and Jin, Qiao Chang, Li, Wang Qu, Cao Zhang."
This sentence is well known to everyone in Shanxi, and it refers to the seven most famous families among Shanxi merchants. Therefore, Yan Xishan, who was ordered to raise money, got off the train and headed straight to Qiaojiabao, Qi County. Governor Yan returned to Shanxi, and the Qiao family courtyard was very lively. Qiao Yingxia, who was in charge of the Qiao family's middle hall, waited early to greet him. Not only did the Qiao family fall into pieces, but Li Ziyong, the head of the Li family, who is also one of the seven majors, also came to hear the news.
Whether it is Qiao Yingxia or Li Ziyong, they are not old but have already shouldered the heavy responsibility of family rise and fall. After the Shanghai silver crisis broke out, they are also paying special attention. As the richest family among Shanxi merchants, they each have huge silver reserves. It is these reserves that help them still be able to do business after the Qing Dynasty abdication, making Shanxi Bank prosperous today, becoming the third largest commercial bank second only to West China Bank of Southwest, Bank of China and Bank of Communications.
But under this prosperous situation, there are endless worries, especially the silver crisis, which makes them feel even more uncomfortable.
On the one hand, all households and households have soared their family capital because of huge amounts of cash, but on the other hand, they dare not take action easily for fear of angering Nanjing. You should know that Yang Qiu is not a good master. How many people have died in his hands since the beginning of the 1911 year? Don’t think that in the past two years, he has put his hands outside and ignored the country, but if he really gets angry, it will be the end of blood flowing!
So when he learned that Yan Xishan was back, he dared not neglect and immediately served tea himself and asked: "Sir Yan, what's wrong with Shanghai and Nanjing?"
"It's very bad." Yan Xishan could only tell the truth to these people: "Nanjing sent Yan to ask for help from two people. I hope you can lend silver, which has solved the urgent problem."
Since Yan Xishan came, both of them knew that it was certain that they had borrowed money. Since the Qing Dynasty, Shanxi merchants have been pumped (borrowed) by the authorities, so they were prepared long ago. But the whole story and the safety of silver still have to ask, so Li Zi interrupted and asked: "Sir, the students have been in the UK for a few years. Although those foreigners are interested in money, they have not reached such an outrageous level. Why is this time?"
Yan Xishan also knew that if he wanted to lend silver, he always had to tell people the whole story, so he told the whole story: "Yan doesn't understand the way of finance, so he heard about this matter. You should have heard of the Chongqing meeting not long ago? At the meeting, the Vice President and the Ministry of Finance proposed to change the currency. Because we used to use gold, silver and coins, and everyone liked to suppress the gold and silver in our hands, so whenever we did a major event, we would not be able to issue the Minyuan. This time, the currency reform was to collect gold and silver and exchange it for paper currency, and then legislate to fix the prices of Minyuan and gold and silver, so as not to cause such chaos and fluctuations now."
The two nodded repeatedly when they heard this. Coin modification was nothing new, and Europe and the United States did this. So they didn't make a fuss.
Yan Xishan continued: "But I didn't expect that the currency reform had begun, and foreigners took the lead. When both our gold and silver coins could be circulated, they raised the silver price and charged gold and silver to cause a run. This was to earn the difference, and the second was to force us to not be able to recover the gold and silver. There was no way to change the currency, so that many places where we had to use a lot of money could only watch the work. Take the opportunity to suppress us to exchange benefits."
"This group of foreign devils is so hateful! Isn't this taking advantage of the situation to rob?!"
Qiao Yingxia was young and energetic. When she heard this, she slapped the table hard. Li Ziyong was older than him. She also studied in the UK for many years and said with a wry smile: "Why do you have to get angry? Didn't this happen since the Qing Dynasty? How did Hu Xueyan fall back then? Isn't this the trick?"
"Yes, this is exactly what Nanjing is most worried about. It is not afraid of chaos, but it is afraid of not being able to take back the gold and silver from foreigners. If that is the case, you who open banks will probably not have a good life." Yan Xishan nodded. This time the silver chaos was unexpected, but it also gave him a good opportunity. As long as he could raise silver, the position of the chief executive of Tianjin and Beijing would definitely be able to move upwards. So he bowed and said, "I won't talk anymore, Nanjing is still waiting for news from Yan. You two might as well understand it."
Since the two of them had made up their minds to lend silver, they said without asking again: "To be honest with Lord Yan, I had already discussed with Brother Qiao before you came. It would be no problem for us to piece together and take out 6 million taels. That is... how to borrow this silver?"
Yan Xishan understood what they meant and said, "Nanjing's idea is to redeem all at a price of 1:19. But this money is not given to you directly, but is used as a deposit for Shanxi Bank. If the extra part is given to you, you will be given to you government bonds or other shares, and you will choose any of them."
Instead of giving cash, it is used as savings margin and treasury bonds? This makes it difficult for both of them to accept. Isn’t this just using the silver crisis as an excuse to deliberately confiscate silver? The two looked at each other and suddenly realized that there was something tricky in it. The silver crisis is indeed difficult, but isn’t it just a sluggish way to accelerate the collection of gold and silver among the people?
Seeing that the two of them understood, Yan Xishan changed his face and laughed: "I know the two are in trouble, but before coming, the vice president had promised me that as long as you overcome this crisis, he would personally ask your Shanxi Bank to set up branches in Luzon, Singapore, Borneo and Malaya."
Four Nanyang branches!
This is not a trivial matter! If you really take the opportunity to enter Nanyang, not to mention just 6 million, it is worth it even if you have doubled it. But is this reliable? What if you lose all your money?
Yan Xishan rolled his eyes and spread his hands and said, "Don't ask me about this matter. Whether you do it or not. I will just say one thing, currency reform is the general trend, and it is inevitable that gold and silver will withdraw from the transaction. It is only a problem for you to hold it in your hands. Moreover, the Vice President has always regarded the country as his life. When it is really time to get anxious, will you be a fake if you think those millions of soldiers?"
The two of them remained silent. Although it was inevitable to lend money, after Yan Xishan's analysis, it was obvious that Yang Qiu was playing tricks on all the big dealers across the country as monkeys! To put it all, it was to send money to save the country and fight against foreigners. To put it naughty, it was to let others start the printing machine. What's funny is that the whole country is kept in the bones. Even if there are smart people like Yan Xishan, who dares to say no? I'm afraid they will be called a traitor immediately.
Yan Xishan said nothing, and after a while, he took out the paper and pen he carried with him and put it on the table: "I've said what I should say, and you will be in your stomach for the rest of your life after listening to it! As for this article about Shanxi's power-up to save the country and raise money, it's better for you to write it if you have drunk foreign ink."
Chuangyin powered?
Li Ziyong and Qiao Yingxia looked at me and I looked at you. After a long time, they realized it and smiled bitterly: "Mr. Yan, isn't this putting us on the fire?" Yan Xishan looked at the two of them, laughed a few times and put down his pen and walked outside, admiring this big mansion that is famous in Shanxi. Behind him, the two gritted their teeth and blocked all their futures and futures.
"The silver tide is in chaos in the whole country. My Qiao and Li family in Shanxi have visited all walks of life to learn that this time, the silver is really caused by the Western powers. We are angrily suppressing the national industry. It is hateful! Today's China is no longer the Qing Dynasty, and everyone in the country hears the voice of revitalization! I have been enlightened by the ancestors, and I know that although the financial wars are not bloody and sprinkle in the battlefield, it is related to the national honor and disgrace! Some friends persuade me to watch the changes, but my heart is firm, and I cannot hold my shoulders and hands. I am not a person who sits alone and watches the people who do not survive! Now I have telegraphed the whole country, and the Qiao and Li family in Shanxi have raised more than a thousand taels of silver, voluntarily borrowed the central government to fight against the enemy's enemy!
I don’t want the whole country to join in, but I want to have a clear conscience.
I advise the foreigners not to deceive others too much, and to stop early and not to hurt the country's body! If we want to destroy our China, we would rather spend all our family's wealth and blood fighting to the end...!"
More than two hundred words were spread out. The telegrapher knocked all over the country. Especially the last sentence "I would rather spend all my money and blood fighting to the end" aroused the whole country's indignation and support. Under the exaggeration of newspapers and telegrams, students and workers took to the streets, holding up banners to protest foreign merchants, blocking banks, and burning foreign goods. By June 15, Nanjing had repeatedly studied and tried to forcefully close the exchange of gold and silver coins across the country, and strictly ordered that gold and silver be exchanged privately.
Even Shanxi merchants with a bad reputation participated, which stimulated businessmen's associations across the country. Those who were still watching before joined the silver self-rescue campaign. Shanxi, Beijing, Tianjin, Sichuan, Guangzhou, Shanghai, etc., all patriotic merchants and associations across the country spontaneously launched a bank hiring campaign. A few days later, even overseas Chinese in Nanyang and other places took action and quickly raised 10 million taels of silver and 50 tons of gold to be protected and transported to Shanghai by the navy. In order to thank the overseas Chinese and the people for their sincere desire to serve the country, the central government immediately issued a telegram to the whole country saying that they would not let everyone suffer losses, and exchanged them all at the official price of 1:20. They paid as soon as possible, and directly transported the Minyuan banknotes to Nanyang, and brought the special gold and silver government bonds of the Central Bank of the Republic of China, which were specifically facing overseas Chinese in Nanyang.
Under intentional or unintentional exaggeration and stimulation, the whole of China was surging and the people were in full swing! In just a few days, local governments across the country reported receiving tens of millions of taels of silver! More than tens of tons of gold! The silver crisis that broke out in Shanghai finally reached its strongest moment, and countless people and thoughts were swept into this crisis.
Zhang Wenjing has not been sleeping for a month. He works until late at night every day to find a solution. His eyes are red and he looks extremely thin. But even after knowing the latest situation, he hurried to Yang Qiu's house. But after arriving, he found that Kuang Xukun was waiting in the study, but Yang Qiu disappeared.
Just when he was anxious, he suddenly saw Yang Qiu wearing a dark blue military uniform and talking to Bei Zuyi. Even when he entered the door, Yang Qiu didn't forget to take care of him, and the latter nodded repeatedly. This scene made Zhang Wenjing, who discovered this young man very happy. He understood that the young man who relied on the pioneering Chinese economic circle initiative and was on the front line in the silver crisis, had gained trust. It was only a matter of time before he soared into the sky.
After going through the initial panic stage, everyone was anxious and calm down.
Kuang Xukun held the list and reported excitedly: "This is what Premier Tang asked me to you. He said that Mayor Yan called last night. The first batch of silver from Shanxi merchants had already been on the road, and the rest were counted and loaded. It is estimated that the total silver raising is 31 million taels. Nanyang Chinese merchants also arrived in Guangzhou and are on the way back. After Qiao and Li families issued the power, the whole country is now raising silver, and Sichuan, Hubei and Hunan have sent the first batch. Judging from the current situation, 3,000 tons of silver and 300 tons of gold can be raised before the end of the month to cope with the crisis."
After worrying every day, Zhang Wenjing was also very excited: "People's hearts are boiling! People's hearts are boiling! Haha... What's the harm in being able to seize the flaws of gold, silver and banknotes before our currency reform? Hangel wants to attack us, and must raise a large amount of Minyuan. Now the bank has stopped commuting and not only freeze the remaining silver for my use, but it is not so easy for them to borrow Minyuan! They are now typically short-selling. As long as they cut off the origin of Minyuan and persist until the contract expires at the end of August, they will definitely not be able to take out so much silver to compensate, and they have to clear their positions and admit their losses."
"Yes." Yang Qiu nodded slightly, but there was no sign of happiness on his face. This made Zhang Wenjing very strange. When he was about to ask, he suddenly waved to Lei Meng and Kuang Xukun outside the door: "Lei Meng, Bohe. You go outside and guard. No one is allowed to approach the study without ordering."
It was about to discuss major issues, Lei Meng hurriedly pulled Kuang Xukun to lock the door and personally blocked the second floor.
Zhang Wenjing looked at Bei Zuyi and found that his face was solemn, while Yang Qiu was even more terrifying. He thought something was wrong and asked quickly: "What, what happened?"
"Nothing happened." Yang Qiu pointed to the sofa, signaled Zhang Wenjing to sit down and lit a cigarette himself. Then he looked at him for a long time and suddenly asked, "Wenjing. Do you think this battle is still necessary?"
What does this mean? Zhang Wenjing's heart skipped a beat. As soon as his butt touched the sofa, he jumped up again. He stared at Yang Qiu's eyes and asked: "Vice President, what do you mean? The battle has been halfway through, and thousands of tons of silver were thrown to stabilize the price of silver. I see if I can give up with my last fight?"
Yang Qiu avoided his gaze and gave a wink at Bei Zuyi. The latter took a deep breath and said slowly: "Minister Zhang. It's no longer meaningful to continue fighting."
"What does it mean? Songsun. What's wrong with you? Now the people's hearts in the whole country are aroused. Can foreigners have more people than us even if they have enough stocks? As long as they have enough stocks, we can issue several times their currency! If they win, it's a feat! It's a victory, a big victory!" Zhang Wenjing became more and more anxious and his eyes looked at Bei Zuyi became sharp. It's not a big mistake. Seeing that the whole country has become a stalwart, the silver crisis is about to be resolved, but at this time he suddenly said that he would not play anymore. Wouldn't the efforts he had made before be wasted? How could he explain this to 400 million compatriots? A country that can defeat Japan and defeat the German army to lose to a mere silver. What would the countries around the world think of themselves?!
Bei Zuyi looked at him without fear, and said unhappily: "Minister, you have calculated it wrong! We invested a total of 4,000 tons of silver in order to stabilize the silver price. Now they have all the contracts for these silver. Although they don't have much RMB in their hands, our inventory plus the re-raised silver still has about 8,000 tons, which seems to be enough to kill the RMB in their hands. The problem is... Haven't you noticed that the silver price on the exchange has stopped moving these days?
First, it means that the market has no silver. Second, it means that they have prepared a truce after eating our 4,000 tons of reserves! Now they don’t have to do anything. As long as they wait patiently for the end of August, we must pay physical silver! Adding 30% of the contract in their hands is equivalent to mastering nearly half of our country’s silver reserves! You should understand that the issuance of currency under the gold exchange system is about three times that of gold and silver reserves. This time, what we supplemented from China is equivalent to what we consumed. The holes are filled but cannot be used to issue new currencies. Therefore, they can only use treasury bonds and shares to merchants and the people. However, if they continue to invest in physical silver to stabilize the price of silver, new holes will appear! The silver that can be moved in the market has moved, and there is no more than a cent, and if they use it, they can’t fill the holes! At that time, as long as they shake to the newspaper, whether it is the value of the currency or the government bonds, they will shrink significantly!"
"Shut! Stop it!" Before Bei Zuyi finished speaking, Zhang Wenjing pointed at him and cursed: "Songsun! I think you are quite talented in finance, so you were promoted to serve as the financial secretary. Is this how you do it? Remember what I said to you on the first day of your visit? In front of us, every cent and every yuan belong to the people. We just take care of it and use it well! If we don't continue, wouldn't that be even more hopeless to take back the silver? You also know that almost half of the silver in our country is in their hands. If there is no such batch of silver, the circulation of currency will be reduced by 30%! That is billions! Billions of people's hard-earned money!"
“Wenjing….”
Zhang Wenjing was extremely excited. He really couldn't accept such a result. Although he admitted that what Bei Zuyi said made sense, Britain and the United States could completely import silver from the outside to fight to the death, because unless gold reserves were used, the total value of the national dollar was not enough to buy all the silver, so the final result was that it would be drained as much as it invested! But he was unwilling to accept it, really unwilling to accept it! In order to suppress the silver price these days, the Ministry of Finance, the central bank and private banks have been studying all walks of life. In the end, this result was. Who could accept it? Just when he was about to continue scolding him, he was interrupted by Yang Qiu.
Yang Qiu took a few puffs of cigarettes, stared at him and said, "I know your mood, but I can say this, unless you forcefully close the trading market and clear all transactions, we can't stop them! Closing the market and extinguishing all transactions is simple, but even if we do it, it's just a little time to play a game for them, and it's less than a hair! So Bei Zuyi was right, because... I can order the trading market and clear all transaction records, but have you ever thought about the consequences? If Minyuan is just a domestic currency in the future, I can do this, but we will promote Minyuan to the entire Chinese area and establish a Chinese economic circle in the future!
Do you know why the German Mark and Franc are not as good as the British pound and the US dollar? Because they do not have a vast colony like Britain, nor do the United States have the gold and silver reserves that exceed the entire country to completely overwhelm the opponent! If we want to establish this Chinese economic circle, we must learn to survive in the cracks."
Zhang Wenjing finally calmed down a little by this, but his eyes turned sharp again, even better than before, staring at Yang Qiu and asked: "No! Since you already know the result, why do you still encourage the whole country to raise silver? Now that you give up now, how can you buy back the silver that was acquired by Britain and the United States?!"
“It’s very simple.”
Yang Qiu stood up slowly, and said without any evasion: "First, because I found that the crisis has become an opportunity! Don't you think the national silver collection is much faster now? If the market is operating, can you receive so much silver in a year or two? After the Nanyang silver came back, we paid 100 million yuan. Do you know what it means? It means that our Minyuan has become the local auxiliary currency! This is opportunity, and all crises will bring opportunities. As for the silver that was bought... Hangel and the people behind him look down on this little silver, they need other things. Their current situation is already very obvious. If we want to fight, they will do their best to completely crush us! This is trend! It is money! The biggest capital of Britain and the United States now!"
After saying these words, Zhang Wenjing's face suddenly disappeared and he couldn't help but take a few steps back. Something seemed to be burning in his chest. He stared at Yang Qiu, as if he was looking at someone he almost didn't know at all! After a while, he suddenly laughed loudly, and after a moment, he pointed at his nose and cursed: "Opportunity? Haha... Opportunity! You are using it! Using the patriotism of the people, using their determination to support you to win! Deceived the people! No wonder you were in the car that day but stopped talking, and it turned out that you had already thought about a political solution! What do you want to sell? Sell Hanyang or Chongqing? Is it a railway around China! Or the country?!"
"Stop it!"
Yang Qiu slapped the table hard, his face turned red, his fists clenched tightly, and his chest was up and down.
The two of them suddenly confronted each other so scared that Bei Zuyi's face turned pale. He was about to come up to dissuade him but Yang Qiu pushed him away rudely. He walked to Zhang Wenjing, and stopped after reaching out to touch him. His voice was a little terrifying: "I love this country more than any of you! So I can't watch the hard-earned money of the people fill in it in vain! And I didn't deceive them, every gram of gold and silver was exchanged for the official price!"
"If you don't let Yan Xishan go to Shanxi, and if Qiao and Li's family send electricity, will the people's businessmen be so active to take out gold and silver? After all, you have used them! You have used their patriotic heart! This is the third time, the third time!" Zhang Wenjing finally didn't dare to look at Yang Qiu's eyes, and sat on the sofa with his face covering his face.
"Yes, it's the third time! The first time Sun Yixian stepped down, the second time Chengcheng bill passed, the third time...." Yang Qiu grabbed the military cap and put it on his head, and after meticulously tidied up his military uniform in front of the mirror, he took Bei Zuyi out of the study. When he finally looked at Zhang Wenjing, who was blood-red in the corners of his eyes before closing the door, he stomped his feet heavily: "I promise you that there will be no fourth time."
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Chapter completed!