Chapter 378 Conflict between Li Hongzhang and Li Guolou
The person whom Li Hongzhang, the governor of Zhili, dislikes the most is Zuo Zongtang. He is jealous that Zuo Zongtang has two long-sleeved gods of wealth, "Hu Xueyan" and "Qiao Zhiyong". However, since he received Li Guolou's help, he has widely posted hero posts and called on his disciples. The officials all deposited their private money and public account money into the bank. Overnight, the number of deposits in the bank's books doubled. Li Guolou learned from Li Guolou that the amount of deposits in the bank had exceeded two. When the silver mark reached 10 million taels, Li Hongzhang himself was shocked. It turned out that his energy was greater than he thought, and he couldn't help laughing loudly.
Li Guolou glanced at him and said: "Master Zhongtang, this is nothing. If the imperial court is willing to let me issue national bonds, with the current situation of our Qing Dynasty, there is no need to borrow money from foreigners. Why should we give our wealth to foreigners, and the interest rate is higher than Borrowing money from foreigners is very low, and there is no need to pay interest to foreign banks every six months. The principal and interest can be repaid in one year, two years, or even three years at once, so that the court does not have to bear a heavy financial burden. Hundreds of millions of taels of silver can be used at one time, the interest rate is low, and private capital can be gathered into the hands of the state. The speed of industrial development can be three to four times faster, and you don't need to demolish the east wall to make up for the west wall. "
Li Hongzhang, in turn, looked at Li Guolou and said, "There will be such a good thing."
Li Guolou chuckled and said: "Master Zhongtang, you have a bad reputation. From then on, the Qing Empire became a big debt country. It no longer owed money to any bank, but money owed to the people all over the country. With the comprehensive strength of our Qing Empire National strength, we can owe ten years of fiscal revenue without shaking the foundation of the country. That is to say, we can have 500 million taels of silver in our hands to develop the national economy. If you are evil and create inflation or the like, Even the interest was saved, which meant that the common people of the country, as well as the deceived foreigners, lent the Qing Dynasty 500 million taels of silver for free. As the saying goes, you must pay back your debts. You are always burdened with so many debts. Who dares to let you step down? People are scared to death, fearing that if you step down and the country will collapse, this business will spread, and this is what you call a truly rich person."
Li Hongzhang stared deeply at Li Guolou. The young man had strange ideas. He wanted to learn the methods of Western countries and develop the national economy with debt. He was thinking about Li Guolou's words in his mind whether it was feasible. He paced back and forth and said: "Next year, as long as Next year, if you can successfully complete your set goals, you can see people coming into banks in wealthy cities. This opinion can be brought up for discussion. Unfortunately, Prince Gong’s power will become smaller and smaller, and our backstage forces will become weaker. There is still a difference between Manchu and Han. Yes, Emperor Tongzhi was surrounded by those Qing factions, and he would be impulsive if he was not careful. We can't spread the stall all at once. The emperor is too young, and his blood will flow like a river in one sentence. Do you understand?"
Li Guolou was frightened and had cold sweat running down his back. His ambition was to rise with power. If he got the "500 million taels of silver" from the Qing Dynasty, he didn't know what kind of person Emperor Tongzhi would become. If he wants to build a great cause like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and finally become Xiang Yu, Napoleon will end up sooner or later. Fortunately, Li Hongzhang reminded him, otherwise he will be a sinner for the ages.
Li Guolou turned over and knelt on the ground and said, "Uncle, I won't mention this matter again. I'll just do my errands step by step. If I run too fast, I will fall even more miserably. I know I was wrong."
"Hmm..." Li Hongzhang squinted at Li Guolou, who was kneeling on the ground. He was a smart man and saw the pros and cons of the development of the situation. If things go wrong, the country will be destroyed and the family will be destroyed. The Qing Empire will be destroyed. Surrounded by Western powers that are like wolves and tigers, several countries will hope that the Qing Dynasty will become stronger and stronger. There are only a handful of them. The situation of Taoguang and strategy cannot be changed for the time being, and those Qing factions pretending to be national heroes cannot be allowed to control the country. The power and the hard-earned foundation of the Qing Dynasty must not be destroyed in his hands.
"Xiaolou, don't be afraid of this. I have my own sense of discretion. I plan to make it smaller and chop off Zuo Zongtang's right and left arms first. Do you understand what I mean?" Li Hongzhang was suggested by Li Guolou. I was impressed, but I didn't want to make it too big. Every year, the Qing government could issue nearly 10,000 silver bonds to the private sector, which would put Hu Xueyan's "Fukang Bank" and Qiao Zhiyong's "Dadetong" and "Dadeheng" out of business. It's easy to do. This move will make Zuo Zongtang unable to eat and walk around. A noose will directly strangle Zuo Zongtang's neck. Let's see who will send money to Zuo Zongtang in the future.
Li Guolou understood the idea, blinked his smart eyes, and said with a smile: "I understand, Master Zhongtang's idea is really high."
"Hey hey hey," Li Hongzhang stroked his beard and nodded, feeling smug that he could change Li Guolou's idea. After June next year, he will be even more powerful and no one can shake him.
"Hmm... Xiaolou, how do you feel about dealing with the Prussians these days? What do you think of Liu Mingchuan?"
Liu Mingchuan was born at the foot of Daqian Mountain in Hefei, Anhui Province. He can be said to be half of Li Hongzhang's hometown. He was originally a Huai clique general and was Li Hongzhang's right-hand man. Liu Mingchuan had a poor background. When he was young, he killed the local Tuanyong leader and joined the local illicit salt trade. The gang then started robbing homes and houses, gathering hundreds of poor young people, and became the armed leaders who formed a stronghold to protect themselves. Two years later, under the banner of "defending Jingli", they built a stronghold on the west side of Daqian Mountain. , became a regiment-trained armed force in this area to deal with the Taiping Army and the Nian Army. In 18 years, the Taiping Army attacked Changcheng Town and Guanting in Hefei. Liu Mingchuan was ordered to lead his troops in a "co-suppression" and repelled the Taiping Army. Later, it was defeated by Anhui The governor Fu Ji's commendation was Qian Zong, and he was awarded a five-grade top hat.
In November 1861, Li Hongzhang recruited brave men in Hefei to organize and train the Huai Army. Liu Mingchuan was recommended to organize a team of people, known as the "Mingzi Camp", and set out with them to make great contributions to the Qing Dynasty in annihilating the Tianping Heavenly Kingdom and Dongnian. However, the imperial court was afraid that Li Hongzhang would have too much power in the army. After eliminating Dongniu, he removed Liu Mingchuan from his official post due to "poor health" and asked Liu Mingchuan to return to his hometown.
Liu Mingchuan returned home in glory with the title of first-class baron. Unexpectedly, not long after, the "Ming Army" stationed in Shaanxi during the Qing Dynasty's Rebellion Rebellion in Xiniian suddenly mutinied and was completely defeated within a few days. The Qing government planned to dismiss Liu Mingchuan and investigate and punish him. Liu Mingchuan was widely circulated. Activities, seeking to be rehabilitated, were left idle by the court, and even Li Hongzhang's recommendation was of no use.
Li Guolou was choked by Li Hongzhang again. The Prussians asked him questions, but he just said a few words bluntly. Liu Mingchuan was a despicable villain who was relegated to another book by Emperor Tongzhi and the two empresses. He was a despicable person with serious consequences. The court did not kill Liu Mingchuan, a man suspected of "rebellion", which was a sign of respect for Li Hongzhang. He was only a few-level official, but Li Hongzhang turned to him with sinister intentions. He was interested in the negligible military power in his hands, and in turn wanted to reduce it. Get rid of his military power and want to insert the power of the Huai Army into the Xinwu Hall. Jiang is still old and hot. Li Hongzhang has already seen through the little calculation in his heart. He has confused his immediate boss "principal" Weng Tonghe and cannot fool the old and cunning Li Hongzhang. ,
Li Guolou carefully selected his words and sentences, and after thinking clearly, he said: "Master Zhongtang, I want to take over your position. I have to find a great god to suppress me. Once this person comes, will I still have a way to survive? I I have been busy for a long time, making wedding clothes for others,"
Li Hongzhang glanced at him and said: "Xiaolou, it's still early for you to take over. I'm not old yet. It will be at least twenty years later. One generation does what the other generation does. Can you subdue those new recruits? Those who come here As for the officers who are studying further, who will listen to your farts? With Liu Mingzhuan in charge, who dares to say a word loudly?"
Li Guolou said yes, not to mention the anger in his heart. Li Hongzhang's words were already clear. He could only follow the trend and said: "Oh, it's because I didn't think about the matter well. When I get back tonight, I will write a memorial and submit it to the emperor. I recommend Liu Ming to pass on the news." Lectures in Wutang, Master Zhongtang, I'm afraid it's not easy to get an official position. The imperial court just issued an edict to reprimand Liu Mingchuan, and even his title was deprived of him. If I recommend him to be a fifth-rank official, not to mention demoting him, the emperor will still have opinions about me. "
Li Hongzhang said with great ambition: "Don't mention any official position. Liu Mingchuan just wants to make some contribution to the country. The book office is suitable for him, do you understand?"
"My subordinates understand," Li Guolou bowed and saluted, and then he recommended Liu Mingchuan to be an official. He did not need to intervene. Liu Mingchuan, this big Buddha, at least needs the official title of a second-grade military attache, which is four years older than him. level, it’s not his turn to recommend,
Li Guolou saw that Li Hongzhang did not serve tea to see off the guests, so he could only continue: "Master Zhongtang, the Prussians are serious in their affairs and do not accept bribes. They are role models for foreigners. As long as we are willing to spend money, a powerful Qing Dynasty is just around the corner. As for the Regarding military equipment, I believe that we should import some and imitate others so that we will not be controlled by others. The result of total westernization is that all the wealth of our country will go to the Prussians, so joint ventures are the foundation and the land can be loaned out1 In 2016, our Qing Dynasty must account for at least % of the joint venture's options. Nothing lasts forever, otherwise we will be eternal sinners. Based on this basic framework and negotiating with the Prussian mission, we will not lose much. The first batch of three people to study abroad All ten people are sent to the Prussian Empire. This year, at least more than a hundred technical employees will be sent to study. Our Machinery Bureau will immediately make a qualitative leap. Ordinary guns and cannons can be made by ourselves. Of course, Prussia’s most advanced weapons, they There will be some reservations. It is possible to sell a small number of weapons such as Dreiser striker rifles and Krupp cannons to us. Therefore, the embassy in Prussia must be put on the agenda. We have built high-end buildings with square meters for Prussia, and the Prussians also want to build a high-end building in Berlin. We can afford to build embassies for our Qing missions abroad. The Prime Minister's Office should start training diplomats and cannot recruit foreigners to be the imperial ministers of our Qing Empire missions. This is really... ····”
Li Guolou coughed a few times and did not dare to speak any more. The old man did not know how to pretend to understand. He made foreigners think that they could entrust state affairs to foreigners if they knew the Qing Dynasty. It embarrassed the Qing Dynasty and made foreigners look down on the Qing Dynasty. , If he hadn’t returned from abroad and made it his mission to revive the Qing Empire, these old antiques wouldn’t know what the world is like.
Li Hongzhang was extremely dissatisfied and said: "Guo Lou, who can remember to speak so quickly? Go back and write the statement, write it down one by one, do things with a purpose, don't just say whatever you think of,"
Li Guolou risked his life and was very angry. He couldn't help but said: "Zha, my subordinates will definitely write it down. It was my idea to invite the Prussians. I will definitely shoulder this responsibility, but there is a responsibility." Sir, you should carry it yourself. You cannot indulge them just because they have made countless military exploits and have a few scars on their bodies. Depraved people are hemorrhoids. If you don’t eradicate hemorrhoids, if a person starts to rot from the inside, he will never be saved."
Li Hongzhang said suspiciously: "Li Guolou, what are you talking about?"
Li Guolou knelt down on one leg, lowered his head and said: "My subordinates accompanied the Prussians to visit the barracks, and I discovered signs of soldiers taking opium. Others couldn't see it. I am a police officer. Who can hide it from me? Some officers They greet each other with the rituals of the Jianghu. I am very familiar with the rules of the underworld. I can tell at a glance that they are members of the Ge Laohui. Master Zhongtang, the elite soldiers of the Huai Army, your hard work, are festering no slower than those of the Eight Banners. If there is no war in a few years, this army will be finished. People who rest on their military merits do bad things and are more hateful than those old soldiers of the Eight Banners. It is better to kill them as a warning to others. Even if you kill half of them, it is better to start over."
Li Hongzhang said with a ferocious smile: "Li Guolou, you are making nonsense. Someone in my Huai army is taking opium."
Li Guolou smiled bitterly and said: "Master Zhongtang, if you often walk by the river, how can your shoes not get wet? You are such a smart person, you should understand this truth. If you touch some things, you will only harm yourself in the end. I will say this. , I won’t say more about what to do,”
Li Hongzhang was extremely sad after hearing this, and was dejected. The Huai Army was the foundation of his life, and his lifelong fame depended on this army. Smuggling and raising troops was originally the iron law of the Qing army, but in the end, the army was ruined. Military discipline, the Huai army has deteriorated too quickly.