?As for Li Guolou, the people in the British Concession are just making fun of him. The British also need someone to invest and start companies in their concession. The company started by Li Guolou is making great strides in the British Concession. The British are secretly doing this. To support him, a boxing match was only a superficial favor to Tarzan. Secretly, the British Minister Wittmer had already praised Li Guolou for not forgetting the kindness of the British in bringing him up.
For the people in the French Concession, it is not so simple. With their patriotic enthusiasm, the people in the French Concession will of course buy Tarzan to win, but for the entire French Concession, a boxing match cannot change the poverty and shackles of the French Concession compared to other concessions. This is because the French were defeated by the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian War, and the huge indemnity of the war made them breathless. The other concessions received the war indemnity from the Qing Empire and built public facilities in their respective concessions. The French were short of money, and the entire French Concession was a pool of stagnant water, without any movement.
Although the French Minister Luo Shuya had a problem with Li Guolou during the Tianjin Mission Case, he was still shameless at this time and took his entourage to visit Li Guolou and Madame Yelia, the pride of the French. Now that the Tianjin Mission Case is over, An The affairs of the small country in the south can be put aside for the time being, and the Qing and France can still work together. The reason why the Qing and the French are at odds in Annan is that no Qing people are willing to invest in the French Concession. Even if other concessions are now prosperous and are carrying out infrastructure construction, the French Concession There was still no movement. French Minister Luo Shuya hoped to put aside the dispute with the Qing Dynasty and promote the prosperity of the French Concession. Of course, the first thing he thought of was to settle the relationship with Li Guolou, the richest official and businessman in the Qing Dynasty.
Li Guolou was quite surprised that the French Minister Luo Shuya condescended to come to visit him, but he tried his best to be polite and opened the middle door to welcome the guests.
The French are more open than the British when it comes to their treatment of women's status, and lady diplomacy is prevalent in diplomatic situations, so Yelia was also fortunate to accompany Li Guolou to welcome French Minister Luo Shuya as a guest.
After the ceremony, the host and guest took their seats and exchanged some greetings. Li Guolou felt that the clouds were shrouding the mountains and he wondered why the French Minister Luo Shuya came to his house. For diplomatic matters, the French Minister should go to the Yamen of the Prime Minister's Office to negotiate, and his status was not high enough to negotiate on an equal footing with the French. extent.
However, Li Guolou knew that foreigners who came to the Qing Dynasty liked to collect antiques, so after the opening remarks, he gave Luo Shuya a Tang Dynasty tricolor vase, and he also received a set of French court porcelain. Giving each other gifts had turned into a diplomatic occasion According to the rules, as for whether the value is equal, no one cares about it. Luo Shuya can report it to the public account, but Li Guolou doesn't care, claiming that it is "a priceless treasure, worth a lot of money." In fact, it is a bargain obtained by robbing a tomb.
Luo Shuya took a sip of Blue Mountain coffee and said with a smile: "Mike and I are already old friends. As the saying goes, we don't know each other until we fight. Let the past things pass. We must focus on the future and improve Tianjin's economy. Well done, Mrs. Jelia, the construction site opposite the Victoria Apartments where you live has now become a half-finished project, which is very unsightly. I am unable to do so, and I hope Mrs. Jelia can come forward to turn that construction site into a half-baked project. Accept it, and it will make me, the French Minister, look good!"
Yelia was outspoken. How could he refuse to deal with his compatriots? Without waiting for Li Guolou to speak, he directly issued an order: "Mike, you see that Minister Luo Shuya has given you such face and even visited your home in person. You can't treat one favorably and only think about the British." The construction of the concession must also be carried out in the French Concession!”
Li Guolou hurriedly expressed his position: "Mr. Minister Luo Shuya, since you have spoken in person, I will definitely accept the renovation of that unfinished building, but please also be considerate. The construction team is still repairing the Wanghai Tower on the Sanchakou River. The church, as well as the Prussian legation, really can’t spare any manpower!”
How could Luo Shuya be put off by Li Guolou's excuse? She expressed her dissatisfaction and said: "Mike, can we recruit people? There is a big difference between the French Concession and the British Concession. I looked around the embassy on Gongbei Street and there was only one church that was still popular. You When setting up companies in Tianjin, why are none of them located in the French Concession? Where does this put Mrs. Yelia? It also makes us French feel unfair. The development of the French Concession must be given top priority. There are many preferential conditions. It depends on how you behave!"
Yeliya was looked down upon by his French compatriots, and thoughts were surging in his mind. As Luo Shuya said, Li Guolou had not even bought a piece of land in the French Concession, so he was flattering the British. He pointed at Li Guolou angrily and shouted : "Okay Mike, you lied to me so hard. I will never agree. You must develop the French Concession and put it in front of the British Concession. This is my ultimatum to you!"
Li Guolou was particularly embarrassed by Yelia. In business discussions, the British and the Qing Dynasty reconciled, and civil relations warmed up. Of course, business was also easy to do. France and the Qing Dynasty now seem to have a relationship between hostile countries, and private trade It will also decrease accordingly. This is not something that he can save alone. If no one comes to live in the development of the French Concession, he will lose all his money. This is a risk-taking project. If he talks about business with the French, then the French Concession will His assets were burned to the ground by the Tianjin mob, and the fire made him bankrupt.
"Mr. Minister Luo Shuya, it's not that I don't want to develop the French Concession. It's really very risky. The current situation is here. If there is a war in the south, who can protect the investment in the French Concession? When the situation of the court changes, say Maybe all my investment here will be confiscated, then who am I?"
Yelia understood. Li Guolou was afraid that the Qing Dynasty and France would fight again in Annan. When the Qing Dynasty took back the French Concession in Tianjin angrily, the investment in the French Concession would be lost and all would become state-owned assets. No wonder Li Guolou didn't They are willing to invest in the French Concession. Other businessmen also weigh it in this way, which is why the French Concession is in depression. I missed Li Guolou just now. I immediately showed a smile to Li Guolou and gently stroked my big belly. The family will not mind. A few angry words.
Luo Shuya said righteously: "Mike, let me tell you from the bottom of my heart, as long as I sit in this seat, I will never let the Qing Dynasty and France turn against each other. Of course, the French military hopes to start a war this time, so that they can take advantage of the situation to gain a vote, but I rejected it, and I personally went back to the French Parliament to defend it, which allowed the situation of the Tianjin Mission Case to be eased. After dealing with me, you should know that I hope that your Qing Dynasty will become stronger. Nobel is now settled in France. He is my My good friend, if you want to buy his patent, I can be your intermediary, so that your Qing Dynasty will become strong and prosperous as soon as possible, and will no longer be invaded by foreigners, including us French!"
Li Guolou was quite moved when he saw Luo Shuya. Not every Westerner has hegemonic tendencies. Many ministers of Western powers actually sympathized with the situation of the Qing Empire. These people had received good cultural education and knew that the Eight-Power Allied Forces were fighting in the Qing Dynasty. What was done on the imperial land was so shameful and unfair to the Qing Dynasty, but a country's foreign policy is not decided by one person, but is related to national interests.
As for the previous history of bad relations, it was not caused by Luo Shuya. From the perspective of the French minister, Luo Shuya could only help the Qing Dynasty to the best of her ability, so the Tianjin Mission Case did not become an excuse for the Western powers to go to war against the Qing Dynasty. Luo Shuya contributed to this matter Of course, we also hope to see the friendship between the two peoples continue.
Li Guolou nodded slightly and said: "Mr. Minister Luo Shuya, I believe in your character. Since we are all honest with each other, I will do my best to improve the infrastructure construction of the French Concession in Tianjin and revive the business in the French Concession as soon as possible. Please Don't worry, Minister. I am a grateful person and will introduce a group of reputable companies to the French Concession. The prosperity of the French Concession cannot be separated from the care and support of the Minister. I will hold a meeting here next month. At the cocktail party, we will invite the Minister and the Counselor to come and enjoy the show!"
Luo Shuya understood it, raised her coffee cup with a smile, and said: "Okay, okay, Mike is such a friend. The counselor and I will definitely appreciate it next month!"
After a family-style buffet dinner, Li Guolou bid farewell to Luo Shuya and the others. It was not comfortable to deal with diplomats. French Minister Luo Shuya came well prepared, and it felt a little uncomfortable to be led by others.
Li Guolou complained to Yelia: "My third grandma, how can you not give me face in front of guests? This makes me very passive, you know!"
"Hey, little building, the French Minister has condescended to come to visit you in person, but you are still very passive. From now on, the French Concession will be my mother's home. How can I not pay attention to her?" Jelia's words made the living room burst into laughter. .
Zhen Yuhuan said with a smile: "Xiaolou, don't be dissatisfied. The French Minister Luo Shuya even gave up ten thousand yuan to ask for it. It just so happened that the French were in ruins and you picked up a wallet. In a few years, the French will become as powerful as Napoleon I. You Even if you kneel on the ground and beg people to meet you, they won't pay attention to you. It's better to just add something to the cake than to give someone a helping hand when it's time for you. Don't you even understand this?"
Li Guolou still argued to himself: "But it makes me very passive. I have no proposition and accept it unconditionally. Isn't this an unequal treaty?"
Yelia stared at Li Guolou with her big watery eyes, caressed her big belly, and said softly: "Xiaolou, you are so powerful, you have made us all grown up, and made us very passive. I am not staying in my second hometown." Is it done!”
"Yo Xi." Someone echoed on the side. Li Guolou hurriedly stepped forward, helped the three pregnant women, and asked them to sit down first. With a smile on his face, he said with a satisfied expression: "You are not allowed to leave. They are all my darlings. In the future, we will build a hospital, so let’s build it opposite my house, okay?”
"No, it must be built in the French Concession." Yelia did not listen to other people's opinions and gave the order without hesitation.
"But there are few people in the French Concession, so who should we call to see a doctor?" Li Guolou spread his hands and said helplessly.
"You can immigrate if there are few people. There will be more people in the future. My son is a citizen of the French Concession." Yelia looked like he would never give up, and his temper was so fierce.
"Okay, okay, what the third grandma said is an imperial edict." Li Guolou said three good things in succession. Anyway, he would lose money when he opened the business. He asked the French Minister Luo Shuya for preferential policies and first established a modern hospital.
Yelia looked around at the people around her with a victor's attitude. No one could shake her position. Everyone in the house had to obey her orders, even the housekeeper Zhen Yuhuan had to bow her head.
Zhen Yuhuan and other juniors showed their loyalty to Yelia in a kind and amiable manner. This woman was sick, and only by giving in on the surface would the family be at peace.
For this boxing match with Tarzan, Li Guolou had no desire and slept alone. In the afternoon, his daily training was interrupted by the French Minister Luo Shuya. In the evening, he started exercising as usual. Although he did not have much hope of defeating Tarzan, he There was no broken jar. After all, the whole family had staked hundreds of thousands of silver on him, including Emperor Tongzhi's 20,000 taels of silver. To be worthy of those who supported him, he also dreamed of defeating Tarzan, But after thinking about it with a rational mind, he immediately gave up this idea. For more than half a year, he spent three days fishing and two days drying nets, and failed to persist in daily training. How could he win?
The cruel world has the law of the jungle. Nowadays, apart from having more muscles than before, his other body functions have not made much progress. The only way to win is because Tarzan is sick. Li Guolou is having fun, wiping the sweat on his cheeks. It's like seeing Tarzan lying on the hospital bed, go and share