At this moment, the hall was crowded and noisy. It was already overcrowded. Most of these people were British and French businessmen doing business in Shanghai. Some of them were Chinese businessmen who had relations with foreigners from Britain and France.
Russell left the Daotai Mansion and returned to the French Consulate. He quickly found the relevant businessmen, sent people to notify them one by one, and invited the British and French businessmen to the consulate for discussions.
The merchants got the news and rushed over quickly.
Ever since Aliguo and Aitang were killed, British and French businessmen have lost their backbone.
After the troops stationed in the concession were wiped out, the British and French businessmen tightened their tails and no longer dared to be arrogant. When the warships at sea launched an attack, hope suddenly ignited in the hearts of the businessmen, hoping to win and return to the old days. Unfortunately,
Adams and Russell were captured, as were allied soldiers, and the British and French businessmen completely lost their confidence.
British and French businessmen are very smart and know that if the skin is not left, the hair will be attached.
When they do business in Shanghai, they rely on the backing of the country. Without the strength of Britain and France, and without the support of the country's military, they will definitely be bullied. All the people Russell sent to notify came. Even some of them
The merchants who were not notified all came spontaneously.
The hall directly above was empty, and Rachel hadn't arrived yet.
At this time, Rachel is missing.
Not long after, Russell limped in with a smile on his face. Because of his thigh injury, his butt twisted when he walked, just like a foreign girl swaying her big butt to attract attention. He walked to the top of the hall and sat down.
Rachel raised her hands and pressed down, and the hall immediately became silent.
Russell glanced at everyone in the hall and was silent for a long time without speaking.
The atmosphere became solemn and serious.
Russell said slowly: "I hurriedly invited everyone to the consulate today to discuss some things with you. I think you all have a rough idea of the current situation. Li Zhen, the Shanghai Daotai, was tough and domineering, and defeated the people stationed in Shanghai.
The coalition soldiers have harmed the interests of Britain and France, and also affected your interests."
"Your Majesty the Commander is right, Li Zhen must be eradicated." A businessman suddenly interrupted. Because Lu Shaochuan controlled the sea route, many businessmen's opium business was affected, and this businessman was one of them.
When Russell heard this, his expression was a little unnatural.
Eliminate Li Zhen??
It would be great if Li Zhen didn’t eradicate them!
Russell paused for a moment and continued: "Last night, Li Zhen attacked the warships docked at sea, causing all the warships to sink to the bottom of the sea. Among them, the British Minister to China Bao Ling was arrested, and the French Minister to China Bourlon was arrested.
Nearly two hundred soldiers were captured. In addition, Adams and I were captured, and the British and French forces were completely wiped out."
"Li Zhen was too cunning and secretly attacked the army, causing the coalition to be defeated."
Russell had a sad expression on his face, beat his chest, and shed tears from his bloodshot eyes. He choked and said: "The British and French allied forces have lost their combat effectiveness and have become Li Zhen's prisoners. However, Li Zhen wants 10 million taels."
We must pay compensation before we are willing to release the coalition soldiers. Bao Ling, Bourlon and others like me and I really have no way out, so we invite everyone here and ask for your support."
"Wow!"
The hall instantly became noisy.
After a while, it was silent again and became quiet. If it was hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, it would be solved easily, but ten million taels of silver immediately frightened the businessmen present.
Rael was disappointed when no one expressed his opinion. He originally thought that the businessmen would take action and easily collect ten million taels of silver, but he didn't expect it to be so difficult.
Russell took a deep breath and said slowly: "Everyone doing business in Shanghai, doing business in the Qing Dynasty, and making money in the Qing Dynasty relies on the support of the state. Without the power of the state, your business will also be affected. I hope you can extend your support."
Give us a helping hand to resolve the current situation. Once we are killed, the British and French coalition forces will be completely finished."
Immediately, Russell stood up again and bowed to the people sitting in the hall.
At this time, Russell no longer had the idea of making money by raising funds. He just wanted to raise as much money as he could. If it was not enough, he, Adams and others would make up for it.
"Your Excellency, Commander, I am willing to donate five hundred thousand taels of silver to help Your Excellency, Commander, tide over the difficulties."
This sound was like a thunder explosion in the plains.
Everyone looked at him, but it was a Chinese businessman with a smooth forehead and a braid hanging on the back of his head. This man's name was Wang Baiwan. He was short in stature, had a round face and small eyes, spoke English, and was a foreigner.
He colluded to sell opium and had a rich family fortune, with a net worth of several million. He was also a local snake in Shanghai.
Yang Fang is famous, but Wang Wanwan is low-key and tolerant, not as arrogant as Yang Fang.
As a businessman, Wang Wanwan is well aware of the principle of providing help in times of need. He usually tries to find ways to send money and gifts to foreigners, but he may not always succeed if he wants to build a relationship.
Now that the foreigners are in trouble, Wang Wanwan seizes the opportunity and takes action immediately.
When Rachel heard Wang Wanwan's words, she felt very grateful. Regardless of her injured thigh, she stood up suddenly, bowed and saluted Wang Wanwan, and said: "Mr. Wang is helping me out of kindness. I represent Britain and France."
I would like to express my gratitude. After we are out of trouble, if Mr. Wang has anything to do in the future, just say hello."
When Wang Baiwan heard this, he was elated and humbly said that this was what he should do.
This time, I really made a profit.
"Your Excellency, Commander, I am willing to sponsor 400,000 taels!"
Not long after, another man with a sallow complexion and dark circles in his eyes stood up. This man was also a Chinese businessman in Shanghai. He was also engaged in the opium trade, and he also smoked opium himself.
A smile broke out on Russell's face and he immediately thanked her.
Driven by the **** businessmen, other Chinese businessmen successively sponsored sponsors of 500,000 yuan, 400,000 yuan, and even 600,000 yuan. For these Chinese businessmen, the best way to make money is to establish relationships with foreigners.
Main.
If Li Zhen were here, he would definitely curse the traitors.
If you have money, you will not help the poor people or the country, but you will embrace the lap of foreigners.
Gradually, foreigners began to dig into their pockets to sponsor.
Foreigners are not lavish in donating money. Most of them donate 200,000, 100,000, and 300,000 to a very small number.
Fortunately, there are many foreign businessmen, so they can collect money.
After everyone gathered their money, Rahel immediately asked the person who recorded the money to count the money. After some calculations, it was only 9.2 million, not 10 million. This figure already made Rahel happy, even if he paid for it
There was nothing to lose. Rael rolled his eyes and said: "There are still 800,000 taels left. Who is willing to help me?"
"Your Excellency, Commander, you can find another businessman to raise the remaining 800,000 yuan."
Suddenly, a foreign businessman stood up.
Rachel's eyes showed excitement and asked: "Who are you looking for?"
A sneer flashed in the eyes of the foreign businessman, and he said: "Almost all the British businessmen in Shanghai came, and everyone donated generously to help the country tide over the difficulties. However, the British businessman Gu Lina did not come. She also relied on the powerful motherland
Only then can we not be bullied in Shanghai. Now that the country is in trouble, Gu Lina should provide financial support."
After hearing this, Rael nodded and said, "Okay, please invite Gu Lina."
The foreign businessman looked excited and said: "I am willing to go in person."
Russell looked grateful, nodded in agreement, and asked the foreign businessman to invite Gulina.
ps: Three updates two; Xiaodong continues writing!