The winter of 1922 was extremely cold. After entering November, the cold winds became stronger and stronger. Compared with the cold weather, what made people feel more unbearable was the confrontation between China and Britain.
As a country that is still torn apart, the consequences of challenging the world's hegemon are actually quite serious. Just after the confrontation between China and Britain began, the Chinese currency began to depreciate. In addition, the stock exchange markets in Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing and other places also suffered.
Unprecedented cold snap.
During the Republic of China, especially during World War I, China's economy still ushered in an Indian Summer. Factories were springing up like mushrooms after a rain, and the requirements for financial financing also increased. Therefore, a large number of stock exchanges appeared in various places.
However, since the Sino-British confrontation began, these stocks have plummeted across the board, especially those companies in the south that engage in foreign trade, which have suffered an unprecedented blow, and many stocks have turned into a pile of waste paper.
Along the Huangpu River, people in suits and leather shoes often jump into the river. These are all people who have lost everything in the stock market. All-powerful businessmen have become floating corpses in the river in the blink of an eye. This change is real.
It's too big, and many people can't stand this depressing atmosphere.
A large number of political and business elites have gathered in various restaurants and hotels in Shili Foreign Market in Shanghai. They are waiting for various news every day, hoping that the situation can be reversed. However, the news they are waiting for is getting worse and worse, which makes these people
A shadow cast over my heart.
The government has just issued a mobilization order, and provinces such as Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, and the Central Plains have begun mobilization one after another. All units have also entered a state of combat readiness, and the atmosphere of fighting is getting stronger and stronger.
"Everyone, what do you think Beijing really thinks? Is it really preparing to fight the British?" A short, fat businessman couldn't help but ask.
"Who can say for sure, but I heard that the British went too far this time. They even used college students to cause trouble. Then they fired cold shots in the back and blamed the government. You said that this clay man still has some earthliness.
Who can bear it if you put it on someone?"
"Hey, that's not all. News has spread recently. That Notre Dame Church. Most of the people who came out of their church were British spies. They entered the government and worked for the British."
The short and fat businessman listened to everyone's words, his face was like a meat bun. They all huddled together, extremely sad: "After all, we are the unlucky ones. I am an old friend of more than ten years."
, I jumped into the river and died two days ago, I might reach this point someday!"
…
Just as these people were discussing, several newsboys suddenly ran over waving newspapers. As they ran, they shouted loudly: "Extra number, extra number! China and Britain have begun negotiations, and both sides claim to avoid war."
As soon as he heard the newsboy's shout, the pudgy businessman suddenly jumped up, grabbed a newspaper at a speed that was disproportionate to his stature, and began to read it hurriedly.
"Sir, you haven't given me the money yet?" the newsboy shouted anxiously. The fat man took out a big piece of ocean from his pocket and threw it directly over without even looking for it. Others also rushed over and said three times
Five divided by two. All these newspapers were sold out, and the newsboy ran away happily.
The fat man stared at the newspaper closely, for fear of missing a word. After reading the report, a smile finally appeared on his face. The big stone that had been pressing in his heart finally loosened. There was hope for peace. If there was no war, there would be no war.
Fighting is the aspiration of almost every ordinary person.
On December 1, the delegation led by Gu Weijun officially started negotiations with the British, but from the beginning, the negotiations were destined to be very heated.
First of all, the British accused China of violating the agreement and publishing unverified content, damaging the image of the British Empire and inciting anti-British sentiment. The Chinese side must immediately apologize and clarify the issue. Faced with this unreasonable request, Gu Weijun, of course, immediately refuted it,
They simply don’t admit that the common people are just acting spontaneously, and the British will be punished for their unjust behavior.
After their first plan failed, the British made another plan. Among the conditions they proposed from China, issues such as the Boxer Indemnity and tariffs involved other powers, so they demanded that bilateral negotiations be turned into multilateral ones.
China is also resolutely resisting this. It is a joke. If other powers are involved, it will become an eight-nation coalition, and there will be no good results. Therefore, China firmly demands a bilateral solution and issued a mobilization order.
In addition to the troops of the six divisions that have entered the pass, five more divisions have gathered outside the pass, ready to go and enter the pass at any time. Zhang Tinglan has made the situation very clear. If the British do not give in, Fengjun will use force to take back what belongs to him.
thing.
This tough attitude makes the British scratch their heads. There are also strong voices in the UK demanding war with China and punishing these unscrupulous natives. For example, that fat man Churchill was jumping up and down in the parliament, strongly demanding to defend Britain.
Imperial dignity.
But the British government is still clear-headed. The Fengjun army is completely different from before. To defeat the Fengjun army, it only needs more than 100,000 troops. Does the British Empire still have the ability to carry out such an expedition? It is obviously unrealistic.
Even if it imposes comprehensive sanctions on China, the UK cannot bear this loss. The British Empire has just emerged from the war and is in debt. It is really full of ambition but not enough.
Having seen through the British's ability to be strong on the outside but weak on the inside, Zhang Tinglan asked Gu Weijun to stand firm at the negotiation table and make the British bow their heads and admit defeat no matter what the cost.
"I'd like to say that there are a lot of complaints about the situation in the southern provinces, especially in the Yangtze River area." Tang Shaoyi couldn't help but say.
"Mr. Shaochuan, are you a private citizen or a businessman?"
"Of course, most of them were businessmen. The confrontation lasted for several months. Many people had a large backlog of goods and were losing money every day. No one could bear it. And I heard that the stock market collapsed one after another, and many people committed suicide."
Zhang Tinglan smiled slightly: "With the thinking of a businessman, you can never play politics. Politics is about all-or-nothing, which is more cruel than the battlefield. In this competition with the British, it is inevitable to suffer losses, but the key is whether the loss is worth it.
It’s worth paying for, and nothing else is considered.”
Tang Shaoyi could not help but nod. Although he did not agree with Zhang Tinglan's ruthlessness, he also felt that if the negotiation could be finally concluded, it would be of great benefit to China.
"I would like to say that the British have agreed to shelve the Boxer Indemnity. The United States and France have also proposed to return the balance. In addition, we have defeated the Japanese, so there is no need to pay the indemnity. In other words, the burden of the Boxer Indemnity is just thrown away.
Lost it. If the British are forced to agree to postpone the repayment of other compensation, then the annual fiscal revenue will be more than 20 million yuan. With this money, the central government will be able to be self-sufficient without having to rely on blood transfusions from the three northeastern provinces.
Got it!"
It is a very shameful thing for the central government to point to local governments for funding. Tang Shaoyi has long been thinking about solving the financial problem and will use this opportunity to gain a breathing space for China. He is dreaming of it.
Zhang Tinglan also smiled and said: "Not only that, in addition to compensation, there is also the issue of tariffs, which is the lifeblood of whether the industry can develop. Taking tariffs into one's own hands can not only increase fiscal revenue, but also protect
Regarding our industry, I asked someone to make an estimate, and it turns out that tariff independence alone can increase our fiscal revenue by more than 50 million per year."
Hearing this number, Tang Shaoyi also opened his mouth. Between an increase and a decrease, the fiscal revenue can be increased by 60 to 70 million, which is equivalent to twice the original amount. Now Tang Shaoyi also feels suddenly rich.
The Prime Minister is a great housekeeper. If he has money, he can do anything easily. If he doesn't have money, he will be blind. Therefore, Tang Shaoyi was extremely happy when he heard the news. Only with money can he be the Prime Minister.
"My humble opinion, this is not a small amount of money. I wonder how you plan to spend it?"
"Cutting the feudal lordship!"
Zhang Tinglan spat out these two words without hesitation. In fact, from the moment he entered Beijing, Zhang Tinglan had plans to reduce the vassal state. Unifying military power was the basis for establishing a strong government.
But Zhang Tinglan knew very well that cutting down vassals cost money. Otherwise, disbanding tens of thousands of troops in various places would lead to rebellion. However, they had to be reorganized according to Fengjun standards. Zhang Tinglan did not have the financial resources, so
It can only be put on hold.
But now that Beijing's finances have seen hope of improvement, Zhang Tinglan can't wait for this step. Tang Shaoyi has nothing to say, and he also strongly supports this idea.
"Mr. Shaochuan, in addition, we will allocate at least 10 million special funds every year to support industrial and mining enterprises. I am planning to build three large steel plants in North China. If the plan succeeds, China's steel output will exceed the second level within three years."
One million tons can overwhelm our evil neighbor Japan. At that time, no matter what we do, we will be hard-pressed!"
"I'd like to say that you are so brave. Now I'm just waiting for the British to bow their heads!"
Just as he was talking, Chang Yinhuai suddenly left and hurried in, delivering a telegram to Zhang Tinglan. Zhang Tinglan took a look at it and immediately frowned.
"So fast?"
Chang Yinhuai also had some surprise on his face: "Indeed, these guys did a good job."
Zhang Tinglan and the others were naturally talking about the team sent to Nanyang. According to the original plan, they had to at least adapt to the environment before taking action, but the plan never changed quickly.
After Li Xun had just arrived in Borneo, they, Zhang Honggang and others all disguised themselves as laborers from the mainland and first came to Li Xun's home.
As soon as Li Xun's father saw a guest coming, he immediately went to buy chicken, duck and fish. However, when he held a large amount of food in his hand, he attracted the covetous attention of a group of indigenous gangsters. He immediately started to rob, and this honest man
How could a man agree? During the fight, a native grabbed a stone and hit the man on the head hard, killing him immediately.
When the old father's body was carried into the house, Zhang Honggang grabbed Li Xun's hand tightly: "Cry well today, and from tomorrow on, we will make these beasts pay the price."
