Go back to the past and be a schoolboy

Chapter 245 That What Is Wearing Clothes?
"Tell me, why did the Japanese find the British so well? It stands to reason that the two of them are competitors now, and they have already started fighting with real knives and guns. Now it's like you are talking about me. What do you mean, what kind of mouse...what kind of mother..."

After receiving the secret letter, Chen Zhaoqiang couldn't understand it after reading it, and took advantage of the situation to throw the question back to Cheng Nuo.

"It was just a joke at the beginning. Things like the world is too crazy and a mouse is a bridesmaid for a cat. It can't be true." Although it was a joke, Cheng Nuo didn't laugh at this time, but had a rare seriousness on his face :

"For us, these two families together are a nest of snakes and rats, which is definitely not a good thing."

Chen Zhaoqiang's expression was tense: "There is a saying in the book of war that 'If you are small, you can escape, and if you are not strong, you can avoid it. Therefore, the strength of a small enemy is the capture of a big enemy'.

Whether it is Japan or the United Kingdom, we cannot deal with it. It was not easy to concentrate our forces to deal with one of them before. Now that the two have to unite, things may be even more difficult! "

Cheng Nuo picked up the note and looked at it again, and said cautiously: "But then again, we don't know anything about the messenger, so we can't confirm the information on it for the time being. Ship, our schedule is getting tighter and tighter."

Chen Zhaoqiang pinched his chin, thought for a moment and said: "Although we don't understand the real intention of giving away for the time being, the benefits of being able to reveal the information outweigh the disadvantages for us. As for the authenticity of it, it is actually easy to judge.

For example, in the interior of our factory, it can be said to be big or small. "

Cheng Nuo instantly understood: "You mean, we can start the investigation from the inside and use Morgan?"

Chen Zhaoqiang patted Cheng Nuo on the shoulder, and the corners of his mouth turned up: "As the nominal supervisor of Jiangnan Shipyard, at least I can't do anything that will damage the morale of the internal staff, regardless of whether he is Chinese or foreign. But... "

Speaking of this, Chen Zhaoqiang himself couldn't help laughing: "But if other people come to do these things, I can't control it."

Cheng Nuo smiled without saying a word, everything was in the laughter.

……

On the other side, the two brothers Iwasaki Hidero went to visit Morgan himself.

While waiting for Morgan in the reception room, there were still some differences between the two regarding the future development of the shipping industry. Even though Japan is getting better and better on the current road, the prospects seem to be getting brighter and brighter.

Although Japan was nominally a participating country on the side of the Allied Powers in World War I, it did not do anything other than dispatch a small fleet throughout the war, so it can be said that Japan did not really participate in the war.

If you have to pick words, then the few female nurses who were sent to the battlefields of World War I are not incapable of showing the degree of "intent" in Japan.

Because of this, not only did Japan not suffer from the losses and containment of the war, but instead made a lot of war fortune during the war, and made a lot of money along with the United States.

Among them, the various ship owners in Japan only collected freight and charter fees during the five years of wartime, which amounted to more than 5 billion yuan.

Lured by the high wartime shipping profits, Japan's shipping industry also developed further during the wartime. The number of ships in its possession rose from more than 1913 ships and 3000 million tons in 150 to more than 1918 ships by the end of 4000. , 230 million tons.

The overall ranking has jumped from the sixth place in the world to the third largest shipping country.

That is to say, when the capital is sufficient and the shipping industry is developing rapidly, Japan takes advantage of the opportunity that Western countries have no time to look east, and takes advantage of its proximity to China to launch a new expansion in the ocean shipping industry.

"Japan's competition with other countries in the world's ocean shipping is actually directly related to the competition for the control of China's ocean shipping on most occasions. We cannot easily give up the land of China."

After thinking for a while, Iwasaki Hideo said in a deep voice, "Not only for the empire, but also for our Mitsubishi."

Iwasaki Hiroshi's tone was a bit frivolous: "The people of China are the people of China. Don't look at China's order for the [-]-ton giant ship from the United States. It is almost as good as ours. In fact, the huge piece of land is only a company of Jiangnan Shipyard. To have this strength is nothing to be afraid of.”

Iwasaki Hidero is still a little cautious: "There is an old saying in China, which is called 'a lion fights a rabbit with all its strength'. Although our Great Japanese Empire has long since shed its status as an agricultural country and has become one of the world's industrial powers, China has always been able to The birth of a miracle has to be guarded against!"

Iwasaki Hiroshi seemed to have heard something extremely funny, and laughed loudly: "So what? The China Ocean Shipping market is basically our Great Japanese Empire has the final say, except for our NYK Line and Osaka Merchant Line Co., Ltd. Big monopoly, who dares to say no?"

"Even if China is not strong enough to fight us, there are other countries..." Hideo Iwasaki was about to refute when he was interrupted by his brother Hiroshi Iwasaki.

This time, he spoke louder than before, not only to let his "good brother" Iwasaki Hidero hear, but also to the door, so that those British guys could hear: "Whether it is the American The Pacific Cruise Company, or the British Ocean Shipping P&O Cruise Company.

Which one was not beaten to pieces by us, and had to flee in the end?God Amaterasu will focus on his people, victory is on our side after all, what about leaving Asia and entering Europe, our Great Japanese Empire is a faction of its own!To come to cooperate is to think highly of them British! "

Counting things together, it's no wonder Hiroshi Iwasaki is so arrogant. It can only be attributed to the fact that the Mitsubishi Group is too powerful.

At the beginning, their first opponent, the US Pacific Cruise Lines, relied on its strong capital and kept reducing freight rates in an attempt to defeat the opponent.

Yataro Iwasaki, the helm of Mitsubishi, sacrificed his capital and implemented price reduction measures in order to compete for navigation rights. Even if Mitsubishi Kisen Kaisha loses about 2 yen per month, he must persist.

After several fierce battles, the American Pacific Cruise Lines Company felt that it was very troublesome. After the Japanese government negotiated, it had to sell the terminal, equipment and corresponding shipping business, and would no longer engage in the shipping business of the ports on the Shanghai route within 30 years.

Later, the United Kingdom felt that the opportunity had come, and forced its way in. P&O Cruises launched a new Yokohama-Shanghai route to fight against Mitsubishi Kisen. Mitsubishi Kisen once again categorically lowered the freight rate and started fierce competition with it.

As Yataro Iwasaki took the lead in reducing salaries by half, the salaries of the company's cadres were cut by one-third, and [-] employees were laid off to save money. As a result, Mitsubishi Kisen Kaisha won the final victory in the competition and had to announce its withdrawal.

Later, the Japanese government felt that the Mitsubishi Group was too powerful and monopolized two-thirds of Japan's shipping market. They simply supported Osaka Merchant Shipping Company to contain Mitsubishi. Unfortunately, before this side could react, half of the shares were acquired by Mitsubishi.

As a last resort, he came forward again and merged Osaka Merchant Shipping Co., Ltd. with Mitsubishi to form the now larger Nippon Yusen Co., Ltd., with a bright future.

From a technical point of view, Iwasaki Hideo is still not so optimistic: "Hiroshi, the elders have repeatedly emphasized to us that leaving Asia and entering Europe not only gives our younger generations a sense of urgency to move forward, but also wants us to have a global vision and be limited by One corner is too narrow!"

The smile on Iwasaki Hiroshi's face stagnated, and then he smiled on the skin and said: "My good brother, do you know what is the most similar thing between you and the elders in the family?"

After examining himself, Hideo Iwasaki hesitated and said, "The pursuit of technology?"

Iwasaki Hiroshi snorted coldly: "No, no, it's that kind of damn preaching. To be precise, I always like to impose my own views on others, but don't forget that the times are developing, and you are just old-fashioned after all. The past tense, we are the future."

"You!" Hearing this, Hideo Iwasaki's face turned livid immediately. He wanted to get angry on the spot, but when he looked around, he realized that he was still a guest at someone else's house. There was a quarrel between brothers, and it was easy for outsiders to make a fuss about it , which is not conducive to the subsequent plan.

Clenching his fists tightly, his knuckles creaked, and finally he had no choice but to let go: "Young man, you still have a long way to go, but it may not be easy."

Iwasaki Hiroshi said nonchalantly, "Let's just wait and see..."

As the two brothers continued to argue over the way forward, Morgan finally arrived belatedly.

Although the suit and leather shoes look good, but the big belly is too much for the show, and the face is full of greasy, it really makes people laugh.

Originally, he asked Morgan Xinsheng for instructions, but now seeing this outfit, Hiroshi Iwasaki couldn't help but hum.

It was Hideo Iwasaki who had sharp eyes and quick hands, and said in time: "Your Excellency is Mr. Morgan, right? Nice to meet you, my humble Hideo Iwasaki, the main person in charge of the Mitsubishi Group's China office, and my younger brother is behind me. It's a pleasure to meet you."

While speaking, he deliberately elbowed his younger brother Hiroshi Iwasaki, for fear that he would continue to play petty temper.

After all, it was for the benefit of the family, Hiroshi Iwasaki still bowed his head obediently, as a face-to-face meeting.

However, the important point that the brothers overlooked was that they underestimated their once defeated opponents in the shipping market. In fact, they were pretending to be the overlords of the ocean, and they didn't look at the two of them seriously at all.

"Oh, what can I do for you?"

Morgan's eyelids rolled down, and the disdain on his face was hidden. After glancing at the other's outstretched hand, Morgan actively ignored it, and sat down on the chair with Erlang's legs raised high.

Looking at the swaying Erlang's legs, even Hideo Iwasaki, who has a relatively good temper, also had raging anger in his eyes at this time.

"Mr. Morgan, we..."

Hiroshi Iwasaki couldn't control that much anymore, he pulled his brother aside, interrupted the conversation, stood up and said, "Mr. Morgan, it is said that you British are the most respectful of gentleman etiquette. Now it seems that it is not as rumored. It looks like a hooligan in clothes."

"Really? A hooligan in clothes? I like this title, thank you very much." Morgan's Erlang legs seemed to be raised higher: "As for the gentleman's etiquette you mentioned, we only pay attention to people of equal status."

There is a sentence in "Dream of Red Mansions" called "Knowing small rituals but not great righteousness, sticking to small details but not great virtue, emphasizing minor details but despising integrity, fearing power but not virtue, the strong will be bandits, and the weak will be humble." Japan is the most true Naturally, Hiroshi Iwasaki cannot escape his theorem.

"you……"

Seeing that Hiroshi Iwasaki was going to do it directly, his elder brother Hidero Iwasaki couldn't stand it anymore, so he quickly stood up.

He took the initiative to sit diagonally opposite Morgan, with his legs folded, showing a humble look.

"Mr. Morgan, I'm sorry for my brother's rudeness. We came here today to join forces with you."

"A strong alliance? The words are interesting, and the content is also very interesting." Morgan seemed to be interested, and Erlang's swaying legs stopped: "Let's talk about it."

Iwasaki Hidero felt that there was something interesting, so he took a small step in the direction of Morgan, and said politely: "There is not only one aspect of cooperation, the first is shipbuilding. Our Japanese Empire, especially our Mitsubishi, not only has superb craftsmanship, steel Significant results have been achieved.

I heard that Mr. Morgan is the chief engineer of Jiangnan Shipbuilding Institute, the largest shipbuilding institution in China, and he is worried about the supply of raw materials. I think Mitsubishi can solve this problem for you, so that you will not have to worry about raw materials, and we can also get the market. "

For this proposal, Morgan was noncommittal: "Sounds like a good idea?"

Seeing something interesting, Hidero Iwasaki immediately climbed up with a pole: "Secondly, we can jointly develop new routes, not only can we unite to strangle the power of the United States, but we can also strangle China in its cradle and share interests.

Then we can continue to move our eyes from Shanghai to the depths of China, extend all the way inward with the help of the main artery of the Yangtze River, and then include half of the Chinese market in the arms of you and me. The prospect is very broad.

Finally we can in terms of military cruises..."

After finishing speaking, Iwasaki Hidero only felt dry mouth, pursed his lips and looked at Morgan, hoping to get a positive answer from the other party.

It's a pity that the gains were very limited. We only managed to let Morgan lift Erlang's leg. When he felt that he had made a breakthrough, he suddenly found that the other leg was tired and he continued to lift the other leg.

In a daze, Iwasaki Hideo was dazzled by the other party's polished leather shoes, and felt dizzy.

Iwasaki Hiroshi glanced at his brother, with a gloating smile on his face, but after meeting Morgan's playful eyes, he immediately became furious, and directly stated:
"Yes, the sea power of the British seems to be so interesting, but that's just history. Now China's tonnage is imported and exported, and our Great Japanese Empire is number one!"

Morgan shrugged and said indifferently: "This is only temporary. As we expected, the war will end soon. The victory belongs to the British Empire on which the sun never sets. The same is true for the land here."

As the main belligerent country in World War I, in order to meet the needs of the war, the United Kingdom adopted control measures in the direction of shipping, and transferred many ships in China to Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Australia and other places. The causes of war have been greatly reduced compared with those before the war.

During the entire wartime, eight ocean-going shipping companies in the UK suspended or went out of business, and several world-renowned large companies were also forced to reduce their routes or were unable to maintain normal sailings. The status of supremacy of the sea.

But the actual situation is quite the opposite. The United Kingdom is taking advantage of further accumulation of strength. Morgan is very clear about this:
"Young man, you have to be arrogant even if you are arrogant. In my opinion, your so-called capital is worthless in front of us!"

After recovering, Iwasaki Hidero calmed down a lot, and couldn't help saying: "The facts are already on the surface. If you insist on abandoning Lizi for the sake of face, it will only appear that the old people are too ignorant and conservative, and they are not far from real death." would be too far."

Morgan shook his head, and was finally willing to put Erlang's legs back, straightened his suit and said: "Let me tell you, it seems that you have taken over all the rights and interests of Germany in China, but in fact we have also gained a lot. Several routes have been seized."

The two Iwasaki brothers were waiting for Morgan to continue, but it was a pity that the old guy picked up the coffee on the table and tasted it by himself, obviously mastering the skill of half-talking and half-hiding.

But in a sense, Morgan's ability to say such things also proves that he has the intention to cooperate.

After all, Cheng Nuo put too much pressure on them. Although they tried their best not to be disturbed by Cheng Nuo's information, the shipyard is so big, and there are some things that they can't know if they don't want to know.

In particular, Cheng Nuo has the support of mathematics stakeout, Chinese workers in Europe, and professional evening schools. The shipbuilding progress is fast, and even the steel plate that is lagging behind is said to have already approached Qiuxin Iron and Steel Plant.

And everything on his side is still slow, and the British employees under him are doing all kinds of foreign work, and they don't take it seriously at all.

Don't look at the joy of Erlang's upturned legs just now, it was just to add weight to the negotiation. In fact, he was also very nervous inside, for fear that being too arrogant would cause the "fish" to let go.

Considering that the two parties are actually competitors of each other, Morgan bit his tongue very hard and only agreed to use Mitsubishi's steel plates, but he must try a part of it first, and when the effect meets the requirements, he will formally sign the order. As for the more detailed cooperation later The content depends on the quality of this time.

After sending off the two Iwasaki brothers, Morgan's figure immediately became sluggish, and after taking off his coat, he found that his entire back was covered in sweat.

"This Japanese is a wolf in clothes."

While this subordinate took the clothes, he inquired, "I think they have agreed to our subsequent conditions, and cooperation should not be a problem."

Morgan slumped on the sofa: "It's just a stopgap measure. When our Great Britain is free, that's our real confidence. Oh, by the way, aren't you British?"

The subordinate lowered his head and responded, "Although I am not British, I am actually a native of Nanyang, which is also under the jurisdiction of the British Empire. I have accepted British culture since I was a child."

Morgan closed his eyes and said inadvertently, "Although you speak English, your accent seems to be a bit like Beijing. Is it like this in Nanyang..."

The subordinate's forehead was immediately covered with dense sweat, and his head lowered.

(End of this chapter)