Although the First World War was a good opportunity to make a fortune, China's industrial base was too weak, production was scattered and could not be scaled up, and the economic lifeline was controlled by the great powers. Although there was a big cake in front of us, there was no way to share a piece of it.
Zhang Tinglan could only rely on some villain tricks to make money through smuggling to Russia at first. Although he managed to get the first batch of machines and established several factories, the scale of production was limited, and the output in one year was not enough to consume a few days on the battlefield.
If you follow conventional methods, you can earn a little hard-earned money at most.
As a dignified time traveler, Zhang Tinglan would obviously not be satisfied with just a small profit. There is no shortage of business opportunities in this world, only the eyes for discovery.
He carefully analyzed the current situation of Britain. Before the start of World War I, both sides believed that there would be a quick victory. However, the cruel reality broke everyone's illusions. The war has lasted for more than a year, and Britain's finances have already been in crisis.
The ill-gotten gains gained from years of working in the colonies were quickly consumed.
Britain had to seek help from the United States, selling war bonds and purchasing military supplies. It can be said that without the United States, Britain could no longer fight. Of course, the United States is by no means a good person, and it will definitely not let go of this good opportunity to kill people. In World War I
Previously, the United States owed Europe $4 billion in debt. By the end of World War I, Europe owed the United States $3.7 billion, making the Americans the largest creditor nation in the world.
This shows how much money Americans have made. As a long-established hegemon, will Britain be willing to be slaughtered by the United States? The answer is obviously no, but it is just that there is no other way unless they do not want to win the war.
Zhang Tinglan guessed the British mind, so he made this suggestion. To put it bluntly, he took the initiative to provide the British with bargaining chips, giving the British one more card on the negotiating table. One more card, and more initiative. As long as the American businessmen
I believe that if the British can find substitute goods in China, they will be forced to lower their prices.
Of course, Zhang Tinglan would not simply help the British. He was sure that in order to put more pressure on the United States, the British would definitely provide certain support to Fengtian's industry. Even if it was just for show, the British would also purchase materials from Fengtian.
, provide some machines.
Perhaps this thing was just a show in the eyes of the British, but for the fragile Fengtian Industry, it was like rain from heaven. Things were indeed as Zhang Tinglan expected. Zhu Erdian fell into deep thought, and the old fox was weighing carefully.
To be honest, the British were unwilling to provide any support to China's industry. They preferred that China would continue to lag behind and be able to ask for anything. However, the huge war pressure forced Zhu Erdian to consider Zhang Tinglan's proposal, which could at least reduce a lot of financial consumption.
"Young man, can you guarantee that your factory has sufficient investment value?"
"Mr. Sir, with the support of Mr. Zhang Zuolin, we have established the Fengtian North Market and formulated new business regulations. A large number of Fengtian businessmen have united together. We have sufficient labor and a stable source of raw materials. What we lack is machinery and
With certain technical support, you can definitely send people to Fengtian for inspection."
"Okay, I will immediately ask the Consulate General in Fengtian to submit a report. If Fengtian Industry is indeed worthy of support, we will provide all necessary support."
"Mr. Zhu Erdian, according to my plan, Fengtian will provide the UK with not only some light industrial products, but also agricultural products such as wheat, corn, soybeans, etc. We will set up a trading company specializing in exports to provide comprehensive services to the UK."
"This proposal is very good. You must have a huge price advantage over American goods. I will persuade the country to place the first order as soon as possible, which is tentatively set at 500,000 pounds. If you can complete it well, a larger order
Orders will come one after another, and machine and technical support is not impossible."
According to the exchange rate, half a million pounds is equivalent to about five million oceans. This is not a small amount. Moreover, through this order, Fengtian's factories can produce at full capacity, and businessmen can purchase materials with confidence. Through the economic chain, they can provide the entire
Fengtian's economy will bring huge help, and fiscal revenue will also increase significantly.
Moreover, this is only the first order. It is conceivable that after the final cooperation is confirmed, Fengtian will be able to receive a steady stream of orders, and the products will be completely introduced into Europe and share the dividends of World War I. Although it will not be able to make as much war fortune as the Americans,
But at least I can have some soup.
Zhang Tinglan was very satisfied with the result. He and Zhu Erdian came to the main hall one after the other. Both of them had smiles on their faces. When everyone in the hall saw their expressions, they knew that the matter was almost done.
In fact, during the negotiation between Zhang Tinglan and Zhu Erdian, they had no thoughts about other things. Everyone wanted to know whether a young man under 20 could convince the dignified British minister. Yuan Keding also tortured Zhang Tinglan about Zhang Tinglan's situation.
Want to find out what is so special about this young man!
Zhang Zuolin didn't say much, but simply explained what happened in the North Market. Anyway, it was already a public matter. This alone made everyone amazed. While they were talking, the conversation between Zhu Erdian and Zhang Tinglan had ended.
They walked out one after another, and Yuan Keding immediately greeted them.
Zhu Erdian smiled and said: "Young Master, I have been convinced. Now I have to go back to deal with this matter. I'm afraid I have to stay up all night again. This old bone really can't stand it." He shrugged and then
Say goodbye and leave.
Everyone present was excited, and those who originally had questions shut up. The young man in front of them really convinced Zhu Erdian. In their impression, the old British man was so shrewd that even President Yuan
It was inevitable that he would suffer a loss. What kind of **** soup did Zhang Tinglan give him?
"Tinglan, tell us what kind of business you have negotiated!" Yang Shiqi asked with a smile.
"Mr. Xingcheng, Zhu Erdian and I have preliminary negotiations on trade cooperation, and he promised to provide the first order of 500,000 pounds!"
"Not a lot, not a lot, you are really young and promising!" Yang Shiqi patted Zhang Tinglan on the shoulder, but secretly glanced at Liang Shiyi from the corner of his eye. The God of Wealth's face was almost as pale as Guan Gong's.
Blood red.
"A whole five million oceans is indeed not a small amount!"
"Didn't you hear that this is the first order? There will be a second order in the future!"
"Young people are courageous, have ideas, and dare to think and do!"
…
Everyone present was talking a lot, but most of them were words of praise. Although Zhang Tinglan did not mention the specific cooperation plan, they couldn't help but be unconvinced by the huge order of 500,000 pounds.
"There's nothing worth showing off. It's just a trade cooperation. Although there are half a million pounds, how much profit can there be? It's just a cake to satisfy hunger!"
Liang Shiyi was slapped hard in the face today, which left him with an unforgettable pain. He was known as a financial expert under Yuan Shikai, which was also the reason why he was reused by Yuan Shikai. But Liang Shiyi, apart from manipulating banknotes and taxes, was Borrowing money from foreigners is an out-and-out method of making money.
Whether it is currency devaluation or increased taxes, it will arouse dissatisfaction among the people, and lending money to foreigners is tantamount to becoming a slave of foreigners.
A few years ago, Yuan Shikai reached a large loan to deal with the aftermath. The total amount of the loan was 25 million pounds. As a result, only 84% of it was actually paid, only 21 million pounds. In addition, he had to pay the Gengzi indemnity, other foreign debts, and demobilize the provincial armies. In the end, only 7.6 million pounds fell into the hands of Yuan Shikai. The huge gap between before and after was simply outrageous.
For this little money, Lao Yuan had to hand over all the salt taxes and customs. The Beiyang government worked hard to collect the taxes, but in the end they couldn't even pay back the interest.
Zhang Tinglan accused Liang Shiyi of amassing money and said that he harmed the people and the country, which was right to the point. Moreover, Zhang Tinglan not only cursed people, but also slapped Liang Shiyi in the face with practical actions. He reached a trade cooperation agreement with Zhu Erdian in an instant, which was not the case at all. Instead of betraying national interests, it will promote industrial development and increase fiscal revenue.
None of us are fools. Zhang Tinglan is just a young man less than twenty years old. Even Zhang Zuolin can only represent the power of a province. Fengtian is also a notoriously poor province. They can negotiate for half a million pounds. For the order, the dignified Minister of Finance obtained five million, or even fifty million, which was not too much. Zhang Tinglan's actions further proved Liang Shiyi's incompetence.
At this time, Liang Shiyi only felt that the stars were dancing in front of his eyes, and he lost all his previous grace, so he directly said, "Everyone, just now Mr. Zhang said that this guy was the one who planned the construction of the North Market. Have you ever thought that opening the port for trade is the responsibility of the government?" Power, why do they exceed their authority to do this kind of thing? Do they still have a president in their eyes?"
"Yansun, it is indeed the government's decision to open ports for trade, but the North Market is not open to the outside world. The investors are all Fengtian businessmen. It is just a commercial center in Fengtian. It doesn't matter." Yang Shiqi stood firmly. Zhang Tinglan stepped aside.
Liang Shiyi saw that any further argument would only lead to loss of face, so he could only say angrily: "I will definitely report it to the president, let's see!" Liang Shiyi waved his sleeves and left.
With Liang Shiyi making such a fuss, the banquet naturally broke up and everyone dispersed. Zhang Zuolin knew that Zhang Tinglan had helped Fengtian win another big order, and he felt very comfortable. There were indispensable words of encouragement along the way. They had just arrived at the Six Nations Hotel, and the President The government sent a notice asking Zhang Zuolin to meet Yuan Shikai at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
This time when Lao Zhang came to Beijing, other things were secondary. Meeting Lao Yuan was the highlight. After receiving the notice, Zhang Zuolin was slightly nervous. The whole night, Lao Zhang kept deducing in his mind what Lao Yuan would say What, and how should you deal with it?
Finally on the second day, Lao Zhang dressed in military uniform and went straight to the Presidential Palace. Lao Yuan was the first leader after Beiyang took control of the country, and Lao Zhang was the last leader of Beiyang. Both of them can be called heroes of the generation. , as Zhang Zuolin strode into Huairen Hall, the confrontation between them also began.