In the evening, the Yunlong Restaurant, the largest restaurant in Xuzhou City, was bustling with life. Basically, all the famous people in Xuzhou and surrounding areas were there. Many people came at noon to occupy seats in order to sit closer to the restaurant.
We are all smart people. Many people know that the six major families have been destroyed this time - the world of Xuzhou is probably going to change. Some small and medium-sized families are like hounds that have smelled meat. They are ready to join the fight to divide the six major families.
During the feast.
The sun had already set, and Dong Shuheng came to the restaurant. It was not that he wanted to show off, but he really had too many things to deal with. Manager Bai, Manager Fan and Cai Shusen were all following him. Magistrate Gui came with Dong Shuheng, and he walked side by side.
By Dong Shuheng's side.
Security guards have been deployed before the restaurant opens, and every family representative who enters the restaurant has to go through security procedures such as identity verification and body search.
With a chorus at the door, everyone suddenly fell silent, and saw a handsome young man walking beside the prefect. Everyone was not a fool, and knew that this young man was the new admiral of Jiangbei, the commander of Huaihai Navy, the two largest trading houses in Jiangbei, Huaihai
Dong Shuheng, the person in charge of the group and Yangtze River Group, had an argument.
Everyone saluted one after another, and Dong Shuheng also returned the courtesy one by one, with a courteous and courteous attitude, without any arrogance of a superior.
Magistrate Gui took on the role of hosting the banquet. He raised his glass and said: "Master Dong led the troops to guard our Xuzhou. This time he defeated the bandit army and saved my Xuzhou from being poisoned. He is my great benefactor in Xuzhou. Let's raise the glasses together."
A cup of thanks to Mr. Dong."
Everyone raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp. Dong Shuheng drank Huadiao, and he was confident that he could still drink a few glasses, so he drank it all in one gulp.
"Everyone knows that our Admiral Dong is not only good at leading troops in wars, he is also a god of wealth. He founded two major industrial parks in Yangzhou and introduced foreign production technology. It can be said that he is making money every day. Now foreign goods are rampant because
They have mastered the technology and the cost is lower, and Mr. Dong’s factories can already compete with foreigners. Think of Xuzhou as the thoroughfare for the four provinces, which should have developed commerce. However, with constant banditry and blocked trade routes, Xuzhou has gradually declined in recent years. My government
I'm sorry for the elders of Xuzhou, but fortunately we are waiting for Mr. Dong now. I believe that with Mr. Dong's help, we have hope for the revival of Xuzhou." Our prefect Gui is not capable of saying such words. This is all under Dong Shuheng.
The manuscript was typed for him. But Mr. Gui has a good memory and can memorize everything. He also has excellent acting talent, and his words are full of emotion and emotion.
"Everyone, I am not worthy of what Mr. Gui just said. But everyone knows that I am a salt merchant, and I know the pain in everyone's heart. Since the Western Yi used strong ships and cannons to open the gate of our Qing Dynasty, they have used treaties to attack us.
The Qing Dynasty dumped a large amount of goods and even opium, making a lot of silver every year. There is only so much silver, and more is flowing out every year, then there will be less silver on the market in the Qing Dynasty, and it will naturally become more and more difficult for everyone to do business."
Everyone was enlightened. No wonder it was getting harder and harder to do business. No wonder the people were getting poorer. It turned out that all the money was flowing into the pockets of foreigners.
"Business is difficult to do and the people are poor. This is the beginning of this turmoil. The cycle goes on and on. None of us can survive alone in this whirlpool. How many people can protect themselves wisely when bandits are everywhere?" Dong Shuheng continued.
Everyone below nodded. Yes, in troubled times, people's lives are like nothing. In recent years, civil unrest has occurred everywhere. Isn't this a sign of troubled times?
"So, we can't sit back and wait for death. I have been lucky enough to study foreign studies for several years, and I have a good understanding of foreign affairs. I use my own money to organize team training. On the one hand, I suppress the chaos in order to protect myself. On the other hand, I set up enterprises to revitalize domestic products and drive out foreign goods."
"We Xuzhou has a unique geographical advantage, so I discussed it with Prefect Gui: First, clear all the tax rates at all checkpoints in Xuzhou. In the future, Xuzhou and the entire Jiangbei will be integrated into one. All merchants only need to pay the tax once, and this tax rate will not
More than 3 points. In other words, after shipping the goods, you only need to pay 3% of the total price to the government as profit and tax, and you can travel unimpeded in Jiangbei."
"Second, Huaihai Group invested two million taels to build a seaport in Haizhou. In the future, our Xuzhou goods can go to sea from Haizhou. By the middle of next year at the latest, Huaihai Shipping will open to Shanghai, Ryukyu, North Korea,
Routes to Japan and Southeast Asia create conditions for everyone to carry out sea trade."
"Third, if you need to purchase machinery and equipment for investment in industry, the Xuzhou government will provide a 10% subsidy of the equipment purchase price, and the machinery factory in Taipei will also give a 10% discount. In addition, you can enjoy a low interest rate of 5 points per year at the Yangtze River Bank
Loans. Xuzhou’s geographical location is very good. Products produced here can be sold nearby to Anhui, Henan, and even Shanxi and Mongolia.”
"Fourth, in the next year, Jiangbei will invest 3 million silver dollars to dredge canals and renovate official roads. These projects will be contracted to various companies through bidding. Everyone here will have a chance. If we are here
If conditions permit, you can organize your own engineering team to contract."
"Fifth, Huaihai Haijun's Jiangbei Administrative Bureau will invest 1 million taels of silver dollars to establish a primary school in each township in Xuzhou, a middle school in each county, and establish a large comprehensive academy in Xuzhou."
"Sixth, Huaihai Group will establish the Huaihai Security Company to provide security services for the trade of various caravans. The combat effectiveness of these caravan guards will not be lower than the soldiers of the Huaihai Navy. In addition, the Huaihai Group will also establish an insurance company.
Each company can insure its own goods. If there is an accident to the goods during transportation, our insurance company will compensate you in full. Of course, this is only if you hire security personnel."
"Seventh, Huaihai Group will consolidate the mines and iron plants in the entire Xuzhou area and establish a Xuzhou Coal and Steel Group Co., Ltd. Yangtze River Industry and Huaihai Group will invest 5 million silver dollars, and will also raise 5 million silver dollars from the public. Sitting here
Yes, if you don’t want to start your own business, you can consider it. Now China is facing a major change that has not been seen in 3000 years. Holding on to that little land will only make the family gradually decline. Of course, I will not force everyone to spend this little money.
I can afford it myself, but what I want to see more is for everyone to get rich together. Here I can reveal that we have purchased a complete set of steelmaking equipment from the United States. In the future, the annual output of Xuzhou Steel is expected to reach 50,000 tons.
Every year, the steel we produce can occupy almost the entire Qing Dynasty market."
Even the most conservative landowners sitting here are moved. Burying their money in the ground will not make them richer. It is better to use it for investment, so that future generations can have a golden job even if they are incapable, and directly leave the money to future generations.
, if you meet a prodigal son, how long can you squander it?
We are all sensible people, which does not mean that those who are conservative must be stupid. On the contrary, the most flexible group of people in China are also from the landlords and gentry. The Westernization Movement in history did lay a certain foundation for China's modern industrialization, and the influence of this movement
The initiators were also landowners and gentry. Looking at the various technologies and equipment introduced by the Westernization Movement, they were all the most advanced at the time, and many of them were not popular abroad. These pioneers of the Westernization Movement could keenly sense the future development direction.
As for the Westernization Movement, which did not change the fate of China's decline in the end, Dong Shuheng believed that this was mainly due to internal environmental constraints. The corrupt system of the Qing government could not provide a good development environment for the Westernization Movement. If they were not controlled by the Qing government and were completely run by private business, these emerging enterprises would
will develop better. On the other hand, in the external environment, the great powers deliberately prevented and undermined China's Westernization Movement. At that time, the "Yellow Peril" theory was rampant. Undoubtedly, some Western powers were afraid of China's strength, so they sabotaged China's Westernization Movement in terms of public opinion and technology.
Just like the nasty things Japan did to Hanyeping Company.
What Dong Shuheng is doing in Jiangbei now is not only to introduce technology, but at the same time, he is also working hard to create a good business environment. Abolition of checkpoints, building roads, dredging canals, and building ports are to facilitate the circulation of goods. Establishing banks,
The purpose of privately minting silver coins is to provide the market with sufficient circulating currency. The purpose of establishing a security company and insurance is to provide security for the circulation of commodities.
The huge population base and vast territory have made China the largest market in the world. What is ridiculous is that such a large market has been divided up by the great powers. Chinese businessmen seem to have collectively fallen silent. Now Dong Shuheng is going to wake up this
Build a strong force to confront the great powers economically. Use your own advantages to control the inland market in advance.
When a large number of high-quality and low-price goods flooded the inland market in Jiangbei, Dong Shuheng would no longer be afraid of the great powers even if they asked the Qing government to fully open up.
Dong Shuheng's series of business-friendly policies made some businessmen below and some landowners who had switched to business gasp heavily. Mr. Dong was equivalent to taking out the cake and sharing it with everyone, and also prepared knives and forks for you.
The banquet lasted until very late, and every family wanted to become familiar with Dong Shuheng. They came over to toast him one after another. Even if he drank rice wine, he was still dizzy at this time.
After the banquet, Cai Shusen and a group of guards sent Dong Shuheng back to the backyard of the prefect's Yamen. Our prefect Gui was very sensible and dedicated a courtyard to Dong Shuheng.
After taking a comfortable hot bath, Dong Shuheng returned to the room wearing single clothes. There was no light in the bedroom. Dong Shuheng took out a lighter and lit it. By the light of the lighter, he saw a woman in red sitting on the bedside.
.
"Oh my god, what a ghost!" Dong Shuheng was about to shout.
The woman quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Don't be surprised, sir. This little girl was invited by Magistrate Gui to serve you."
"No, you can go out." Dong Shuheng said with a straight face. Dressed in red like a ghost, Dong Shuheng didn't dare to sleep even if he stayed in the room!
"Sir...please wait a moment." She stood up and closed the door and window.
The whole person's temperament changed. Dong Shuheng suddenly felt that he had seen this woman somewhere. The woman's figure and temperament were so familiar.
"Yu Ji?" Dong Shuheng suddenly asked.
At this stall, Dong Shuheng has already polished his revolver. Ever since the first assassination, Dong Shuheng has always kept his gun close to him, even if he sleeps, he keeps his gun next to his bed.
"My lord, you have really sharp eyes. Don't worry, the little girl doesn't mean any harm," the woman said.
"If you don't have any ill intentions, don't be so mysterious. You should be honest with each other..."