Chapter 327 The Post Office Is Like a Bitter Medicine
Li Guolou is very clever. From the exchange between Li Hongzhang and Sheng Huaixuan, I can already hear what he means. Sheng Huaixuan is a businessman with a pioneering spirit and a master of private fund-raising. When Li Hongzhang asks for an official position, he does not ask for a job. He had a ready-made official position that earned him more than 100,000 silver a year. After sitting on the job for seven years, he resigned. But like him, he wanted to make a fortune, start a career, and help Li Hongzhang's career to a higher level.
Sheng Huaixuan and Li Guolou are the same type of people. They both want to make a fortune, but they also have the heart to serve the country. They are willing to use the money they earn to do practical things for the people. At this time, Sheng Huaixuan opened two stores in Shanghai. Charity Hall. Helps some poor students to study.
Owners of Shanxi bank accounts such as Wanshou Lu and Qiao Zhiyong. Those who have a net worth of more than one million taels have accumulated wealth over time and become rich by scrimping on food and clothing. They have opened charity halls, schools, and built public buildings in their hometowns. Facilities. They are willing to do what they can. But if they are allowed to reach a higher level and use the money they earn to serve the motherland, they will only share the proportion among guilds like Ziyi Society. Although the funds raised are also the same. Even though he has spent an astronomical amount of money, he will never do anything inappropriate. He will risk his wealth and life to donate to key national defense projects.
And Li Guolou and Sheng Huaixuan were willing to do such thankless things. In addition to being officials and businessmen, they also had a sense of mission for the rise and fall of the country, which made them brave enough to create a historical precedent.
Li Hongzhang said: "Xiaolou, you came at the right time. Just now, Xingsun and I were talking about doing business. We want to open up a new industry. What kind of business do you want to do? Only in this way can we achieve the perfect combination of government and business."
Li Guolou said solemnly: "Uncle, brother Xingsun. If you want to make a fortune through the perfect combination of government and business, of course it is to build railways. There is a saying in Britain: Once the train starts, there will be ten thousand taels of gold. The United States developed by building railways. .A new capitalist country has arrived in our country..."
Sheng Huaixuan interrupted Li Guolou and said: "Xiaolou, I know this too. But national policy does not allow the construction of railways. What you said is in vain."
Li Guolou glanced at Li Hongzhang and saw a servant lighting the hookah for Li Hongzhang. Li Hongzhang started smoking the hookah. The room was filled with the smell of smoke. Then the servant lit the hookah for Sheng Huaixuan. Sheng Huaixuan also started to smoke. Li Guolou waved his hand to indicate that he does not smoke hookah. He can just drink tea to refresh himself.
Sheng Huaixuan blew out a puff of smoke and said: "Xiaolou, you have never been in the army. This army marches and fights. It is impossible not to smoke. Tobacco can remove moisture, prevent arthritis, and can also prevent viruses from infecting the body. To dispel the bites of poisonous insects. When marching and fighting in unfamiliar places, without tobacco, soldiers will get sick."
"Oh. Really? This is the first time I've heard of it." Li Guolou was ignorant. He didn't know that cigarettes have the effect of fighting poison with poison.
Li Hongzhang smoked a few water pipes and felt comfortable. He took a long breath and said: "Xiaolou, let's talk about it. Is there any emerging industry that can make a lot of money?"
Li Guolou thought for a while and said: "To say that there is, there is an emerging industry that can perfectly combine government and business. The money earned is astronomical. However, this industry has just started. It needs state support. Otherwise, it will be like construction. Railways are criticized.”
Sheng Huaixuan secretly slandered Li Guolou. He kept telling off his words at such a young age. He just interrupted Li Guolou. Li Guolou was a little unhappy. He raised his hand helplessly. He cupped his hand and said, "Xiaolou, I'm a bit impatient."
.I interrupted you just now. Don’t mind. Please continue.”
Li Guolou smiled brightly, showing his white teeth, and said: "I'm used to sitting in court. I like to say half a sentence, leaving my subordinates confused. I'm sorry, Brother Xingsun. I don't have any objections against you."
Li Hongzhang also showed a gratified smile. He laughed and looked at his grandson with approval. Only with the stability and reserve of an official can he be worthy of his great responsibility.
"Oh, Xiaolou. I had it in the past too. But now I feel light without an official position. I have changed it. Hahahaha." Sheng Huaixuan thought of the good times in the past. Only after being an official did he know the benefits of being an official. The power unique to the privileged class is by no means
The glory a wealthy businessman can imagine.
Li Guolou said in a deep voice: "Uncle, Brother Xingsun. The emerging industry I am talking about is the combination of the telegraph office and the post office. Abroad it is called the Post and Telecommunications Bureau. Private capital can be introduced into this industry. The emerging post and telecommunications office will replace the old-fashioned post office.
The function of express delivery in the post
It also has the function of circulation of goods and letters. It even has the function of rapid transmission of war information. For example, foreigners landed somewhere along the coast. With the telegram in the post and telecommunications office, the people across the country knew it in a few minutes. People everywhere immediately prepared it.
Preparation for battle. Foreign entry
If an intruder wants to sneak attack an important facility, it will become an impossible task. Only if this industry is privately run will it not become a burden to the country. If it is government-run, it will definitely become a monster like Guanyi, swallowing up national financial subsidies every year.
To raise a bunch of useless people
.So the telegraph industry must be open to the public. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Knowledge is money. It is more appropriate to place it on the Post and Telegraph Bureau. In addition, the Post and Telegraph Bureau will become the main channel for people to obtain information in the future. Whoever controls the Post and Telegraph Bureau will control it.
public opinion.”
Li Guolou kept silent. Li Hongzhang and Sheng Huaixuan were both extremely smart people. The meaning of his words had pointed out the key point. Those who win the hearts of the people will win the world. Now that the "mouthpiece" is under control, what will the Westernizationists want to do in the future?
Are you still worried that there will be no support from the people across the country?
Li Hongzhang was indignant and suddenly said: "Xiaolou, this is a very good opinion. Why don't you write it on the statement?"
Li Guolou raised his eyebrows and said awkwardly: "Uncle, we can only do this. We can't tell how big the benefits are. Otherwise, those Manchus will object again. They only know the policy of obscuring the people. They have never thought that paper can't contain the fire. We
When the people of the country get the news, they can only hear it through hearsay.
Or I know a few words from the Di newspaper. As for the newspapers now controlled by foreigners, they are all in foreign languages and are also a restricted area. So the post and telecommunications office is the breakthrough. Once this road is open, information will flow smoothly. In the future, it will be easier to run newspapers and develop railways.
Already."
Sheng Huaixuan looked happy and said: "Father, I am suitable for this industry. Introduce private capital. First try it out in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and then slowly spread it. In addition, this is an emerging industry. People in other provinces don't know how."
Operation. When we enter those provinces, there will not be much resistance. When the Post and Telecommunications Bureau is successful, the public opinion across the country will be in my hands."
Li Guolou added: "Uncle, if you are determined to do it, the headquarters of the Post and Telecommunications Bureau should be placed in Shanghai. It must not be placed in the capital. Private offices must look like private offices. You must stick to this rule, otherwise there will be endless troubles."
Sheng Huaixuan said anxiously: "Yes, yes. No one can resist the step of being a foster father. Otherwise, he will be making wedding clothes for others."
Li Hongzhang remained as still as a mountain, quietly meditating. He held a high position of authority, and what he considered was not just personal interests, but the development of the entire country.
"Xiaolou, do you think this post office will be like a Pandora's box in the West? After opening it, the devil will be released. Then it will be out of control."
Li Guolou lowered his head and pondered. What Li Hongzhang said is very likely to become a reality. New ideas and new culture have a fast road to the entire Qing Empire. No one knows what the Post and Telecommunications Bureau will become in the future. He wants to control the Post and Telecommunications Bureau. In the end, they may be criticized by others, or even fall down because of something that happened at the Post and Telecommunications Bureau.
Li Guolou raised his head and said: "Uncle, the demon of Pandorari has come to our Qing Dynasty a long time ago. It is eating our bodies everywhere. The post and telecommunications office is like a bitter medicine. When you drink it, it will cause stomach acid. People will feel It’s not adaptable. But the principle of treating diseases and saving people will not change at all. I still say the same thing. If the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, you must do it. Time waits for no one. Only people like my uncle can carry this big cauldron."
Li Hongzhang stroked his beard and nodded: "Xingsun, you have heard it all. After dinner, you will sleep in the study. Don't go back. Write out the details of the post and telecommunications office for me. Let me review it and revise it. Tomorrow I showed it to Prince Gong early in the morning. The demon of Pandorari that Xiaolou said had already come to our Qing Dynasty and was eating our bodies everywhere. The post and telecommunications office is like a bitter medicine. When you drink it, you will get stomach acid. You will feel uncomfortable, but the principle of treating illnesses and saving lives will not change at all. Write these few sentences. As a leader of the Westernization movement, I must have the courage to treat illnesses and save lives. It is medicine that is divided into poison. I have dealt with a bunch of demons. Not afraid. Are you afraid that the Post and Telecommunications Bureau will backfire on its owner?"
Li Guolou and Sheng Huaixuan looked at each other and smiled. They felt like old friends at first sight. They were both close to Li Hongzhang's big tree. It is said that one emperor and one courtier. All ideas, achievements, fame and wealth are inseparable from Li Hongzhang's support. At that time, Li Hongzhang was unlucky. They were immediately framed. The so-called macaques scattered when the tree fell. So they would try to keep Li Hongzhang in a high position at all costs. They would not set up another mountain, change their tune, or abandon the ideas of the Westernizationists.
Sheng Huaixuan smiled and said: "Small building, please come in and open a bank. I will definitely come to support you. How many are you planning to open first?"
Li Guolou said: "Oh, we will open six stores first, two in Shanghai. One is in the public concession, one is in Songjiang Prefecture, and two are in Tianjin. The headquarters is located in the British Concession. There are also two in the capital. It's exactly six or six. Okay."
Sheng Huaixuan joked: "That's a good relationship. From now on, if I have nothing to offer, I'll ask you to come to the bank for a loan."
Li Guolou replied: "That depends on how much deposit Brother Xingsun can bring to the bank."
"Xiaolou, you are quite thick-skinned. You are not polite at all." Sheng Huaixuan said with a sneer.
Li Guolou retorted: "Brother Xingsun, didn't I learn from you?"
The two little foxes looked at each other and laughed. The despicable and dark psychology hidden in their hearts was exactly the same. They were both corrupt officials. Their ability to make money was unparalleled.
"Xiaolou, don't get into trouble with women." Sheng Huaixuan poked at Li Guolou's Heart Sutra. He would not open any pot.
Li Guolou retorted. He squinted and said, "Brother Xingsun, if you go overboard again this time, your adoptive father will not save you."
"Hey, now I know how bad American imperialism is. How can I fall into the same river twice? Foreigners don't understand that we Qing people put loyalty first. From now on, I only care about the money of us Qing people. My foster father "This post and telecommunications errand, how big an official hat is." Sheng Huaixuan couldn't help but wonder what grade of official he would be in the officialdom in the future.
Li Hongzhang smiled casually and said: "The official hat is not about how big you are, but how powerful you are. It will be amazing to give you a seventh-grade official hat."
Sheng Huaixuan was beaming with joy. He was originally an eighth-rank official before he was taken down. Unexpectedly, he was downgraded and promoted instead of being demoted. He is now on an equal footing with the Songjiang prefect. Having a high-ranking adoptive father is a great blessing in life. Sheng Huaixuan Standing on tiptoe, he lit a hookah for his adoptive father Li Hongzhang, made tea again, and handed him a hot towel. He did things without any sloppiness. He already had good living habits.
Li Guolou touched his nose. He saw it in his eyes and remembered it in his heart. His face was extremely ugly. He was scolding himself for being stupid. Why should such a good idea be cheap? He didn't know Sheng Huaixuan. His cleverness was used in the wrong place. He shouldn't show his ability here. .Although there is one more ally, the losses outweigh the gains. The Post and Telecommunications Bureau's idea is worth at least 200,000 taels. The result of such talk is nothing. It only allows my uncle Li Hongzhang to see that he is a talented person with progressive ideas and can be of great use. But he ran to Li Hongzhang's residence. He did not come here to seek an official title. The gains outweighed the losses and he regretted it too much.
Li Guolou did not look at the flattering Sheng Huaixuan. He would not indulge in this kind of trivial approach. He was thinking about how to recover the loss of "two hundred thousand taels of silver" from Sheng Huaixuan.