African Nationhood

Chapter 343 Lobbyist Guo Songtao

As the traveling time increased, Li Hongzhang gradually became interested in the car under him. The car drove smoothly and was luxuriously decorated.

The cushions are soft and comfortable, and sitting on it is like sitting on a European and American sofa.

In addition, the windows of this car can be cranked up and down by hand, which is really a clever thing.

"This car was produced by your General Manager Shi's factory?"

"Yes, he also designed it himself. Only nobles in Europe can buy this car. People without social status cannot buy it no matter how rich they are.

In addition, this car is still limited, and only about 100 units can be produced a year. It is not available in stock and only accepts reservations.

It’s also because our General Manager Shi is the boss that we can get the current car. What do you think? If you like it, let Mr. Shi give you one. "

After listening to Ouyang Geng's words, Li Hongzhang thought about the price issue very sensitively.

"According to what you said, this car must be very expensive, right?"

"Yes, £5 for a car.

All are equipped with top-notch configurations, the most powerful engines, luxurious interiors, the latest safety technologies, etc. "

"Fifty thousand pounds?"

This number shocked Li Hongzhang and Liu Xuexun. This car was more than enough to exchange for a mosquito cannon boat.

“Yes, this car is owned by Her Majesty the Queen of England and Her Majesty the Kaiser of Germany.

Every time a new model is released, one will be given to each of these two majesties, but theirs is specially customized.

In this way, those dignitaries will desperately look for connections and buy a car that is the same as His Majesty's. "

Hearing this, Li Hongzhang continued to ask: "If you put it this way, your General Manager Shi must have made a lot of money."

(Don’t think Li Zhongtang is vulgar. During his visit, he always asked people if he had money.

This made the European and American dignitaries very unhappy. The translator told them that this was a unique way of communication for Easterners, which made the European and American dignitaries feel at ease. )
  Ouyang Geng nodded and said: "That's natural. His automobile factory alone can earn millions of pounds a year, not to mention other industries. Even our Nanhua Company is privately owned by General Manager Shi.

He can be said to be as rich as the enemy! "

Hearing this, Li Hongzhang felt very uncomfortable. The money he had accumulated throughout his life was not as much as a young boy studying in the United States earned in ten years.

"I heard there are a lot of gold mines here?"

"Yes, if Mr. Li is interested, he can come and invest in a gold mine.

Our company very much welcomes foreign investment. The British have made a lot of money by opening gold mines here.

In our Nanhua Company, only Chinese and British can invest in gold mines, and no other ethnic groups can. "

Li Hongzhang was a little tempted when he heard this, but he quickly gave up his thoughts. After all, his roots were in the Qing Dynasty.

Liu Xuexun, who had been silent next to him, was really tempted. He looked at Ouyang Geng and asked.

"Are there any restrictions on investing in gold mines?"

"There are no restrictions. You only need a starting capital of 1 pounds, pay taxes in full and on time, and rent our black slave labor."

"What does £1 mean?"

“Ten thousand pounds is the registration deposit, which proves that your company is not a fake company and has actual capital.

The money must be deposited in our bank account as a deposit. If you don't want to open it in the future, the money can be fully refunded. "

Hearing this, Liu Xuexun was a little worried. What if someone here had a bad heart and swallowed his money?
  Seeing that Liu Xuexun was silent, Ouyang Geng could guess what he was thinking.

This is not something you can just force yourself to say. Leave an impression on him first, and then gradually deepen it later.

……

The Crown car stopped steadily at the entrance of the Mapugang City Hall, and Guo Songtao's second and third sons greeted Li Shishu at the door.

When Li Hongzhang and his party arrived at the large conference room of the city hall, Shi Jintang and Kelly came to the door to greet Mr. Li.

The two parties exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then welcomed Li Hongzhang into the large conference room, which had been converted into a banquet hall.

Guo Songtao was too old to greet him from afar. Li Hongzhang's lips trembled with excitement when he saw his old friend. He quickly walked over and held his friend's skinny hands.

"Brother Yunxian, it's been a long time!" "Brother Jianfu Xian, it's been a long time, please sit down!"

Everyone took their seats, and Shi Jintang and Kelly, as the hosts, raised their glasses to Li Zhongtang, who had come from afar.

"Today Mr. Li can come to Southwest Africa. As landlords, the younger generation and his wife should do their best to entertain him. I also ask Mr. Li not to be restrained and please drink this cup to the full."

Li Hongzhang raised his glass to celebrate and drank the wine in the glass.

Looking at the handsome Shi Jintang, Li Hongzhang's thoughts were ups and downs.

This Chinese junior showed humility and courtesy. The fact that Guo Songtao has stayed here for nearly ten years shows that he is tolerant and respects the virtuous and the elderly.

Now that he has achieved a good foundation, his future prospects are limitless. When he makes every effort to make friends, the thoughts that were extinguished just now are revived.

After Shi Jintang and Kelly and his wife toasted twice more, everyone in the banquet hall let go.

Ouyang Geng and others who attended the meeting all received tasks and must accompany the visitors.

It would be best if they could keep their people, but if not, just keep the money.

After all, these people have been deeply entrenched in the Qing Dynasty for many years, and they have money and connections.

If you make a good friendship today, you can still use it in the future.

……

Guo Songtao is getting older, nearly 80 years old. He can't eat or drink at all.

His role here is to stabilize Li Zhongtang, so although he is old, his effect is obvious.

The banquet ended very early. Li Hongzhang and his party stayed at the Mapugang Guest House, and Guo Songtao arranged to stay in the yard next to him.

Li Hongzhang felt much better after a night's rest at the Mapugang Guesthouse.

After he washed up and had breakfast, he visited Guo Songtao's courtyard.

As soon as he entered the door, he saw Mrs. Liang pushing Guo Songtao in a wheelchair to bask in the sun in the yard.

"Brother Yunxian, I'm so excited. The climate here is really good. You are truly blessed here."

Guo Songtao chuckled, pointed to the stone round table next to him and said, "I knew you were coming, so I asked Ruyi to prepare tea in advance, and the two of us sat here and chatted for a while."

Li Hongzhang smiled and nodded: "That's exactly what I meant. Thank you, Mrs. Sister-in-law."

Mrs. Liang bowed her head and said, "I'll take my leave."

After Liang left, Li Hongzhang also asked his personal entourage to leave, and the two sat at the round table and drank several cups of tea.

"This tea is good. I didn't expect that the tea from the Qing Dynasty would still be as fragrant as this."

Guo Songtao chuckled, "It's the same with people, they can survive wherever they go.

Southwest Africa is vast and sparsely populated, and the natives are as stupid as pigs. When Shi Jintang came here, he was empty-handed and managed to conquer such a huge territory in just a few years.

This guy is not someone who has been under others for a long time. According to my observation, he has already become rebellious and will overthrow the British who are pressing him down in a few years. "

Hearing this, Li Hongzhang nodded in agreement.

"Well, Brother Junxian is right. The Nanhua Company has a vast territory, a large number of civilians who wholeheartedly support it, and sufficient weapons and equipment. It is impossible for it to continue to be suppressed by the British."

Guo Songtao picked up the tea cup and looked at Li Hongzhang, "Brother Jianfu, you have already seen it, why are you still so slow?"

"Slow, Brother Yunxian, what do you mean by this?"

Guo Songtao took a sip of tea soup from the cup and put down the tea bowl, "Since you agree with my opinion, why don't you follow Lu Buwei's example of investing in someone else and get a big return?"

Being reminded by Guo Songtao, Li Hongzhang's mind felt like an electric shock, "Yes, why am I so slow?

If you join Nanhua Company now and exchange for a founding prince, this is really a good deal with huge profits.

In this way, the Li family can become ministers for generations. "

　Please subscribe, collect, monthly tickets, recommendation votes.

　　Thanks to book friend hqhh9982, wait for the wind to come or not, chase the wind and give monthly tickets for encouragement!
  　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)