Fengxian Jiangshan

The winter of 1922 was extremely cold. After entering November, the cold wind was stronger than one.Compared with the cold weather, what makes people feel unbearable is the confrontation between China and Britain.

As a country that is still divided, the consequences of challenging the world hegemony are actually quite serious. Just after the Sino-British confrontation began, the Chinese currency began to depreciate in response. In addition, the stock exchanges in Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing and other places also suffered. Unprecedented cold snap.

During the period of the Republic of China, especially during the First World War, China's economy still ushered in a small spring.Factories have sprung up like mushrooms after rain, and the requirements for financial financing have also increased, so a large number of stock exchanges have emerged in various places.

However, since the Sino-British confrontation began, these stocks have plummeted across the board, especially those companies engaged in foreign trade in the south, which have been hit unprecedentedly. Many stocks have become a pile of waste paper.

On the banks of the Huangpu River, there are often people in suits and leather shoes who jump into the river with a plop.These are all people who lost their fortunes in the stock market, the all-powerful businessmen, and suddenly became floating corpses in the river. This change is too great, and many people can't bear this oppressive atmosphere.

There are a large number of political and business elites gathered in various restaurants and restaurants in Shili Yangchang in Shanghai. They are waiting for various news every day, hoping that the situation can be reversed a little bit.But the news they waited for was getting worse and worse, casting a shadow over these people's hearts.

The government has just issued a mobilization order. Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, Central Plains and other provinces have already started to mobilize one after another. All troops have also entered a state of combat readiness, and the atmosphere of fighting is getting stronger and stronger.

"Guys, what do you think Beijing is thinking? Is it really planning to fight the British?" A short and fat businessman couldn't help asking.

"Who can say for sure, but I heard that the British went too far this time, even using college students to make trouble. Then they shot cold shots in the back and blamed the government. You said that this clay figurine still has three parts of earth, Put it on whose body, who can bear it?" [

"Hey, that's not all. Recently, news has spread. Most of the people who came out of the Notre Dame Church are British spies who entered the government and worked for the British."

The chunky businessman's face was like a meat bun when he listened to everyone's words.They all curled up together, distressed to the extreme: "If you say a thousand words and ten thousand, it is us who are unlucky. I am an old friend of more than ten years. Two days ago, I jumped into the river and died. I might have to go there at any time." This step is over!"

……

Just when these people were talking about it.Suddenly, a few newsboys waved newspapers and ran over. While running, they yelled loudly: "Extra, extra! China and Britain have started negotiations, and the two sides claim to avoid war."

Hearing the newsboy's shout, the chunky businessman jumped up suddenly, with a speed that was extremely disproportionate to his stature.He snatched a newspaper and read it in a hurry.

"Sir, haven't you paid me yet?" The newspaper boy shouted anxiously. The fat man took out a piece of ocean from his pocket and threw it over without even looking for it.Others also rushed over, three times five divisions two.They snapped up all these newspapers, and the newsboy happily ran away.

The fat man stared at the newspaper closely, for fear of missing a word, he read the report.A smile finally appeared on his face, the big rock that had been pressing down on his heart was finally loosened, there was hope for peace, if there was no war, then no war, this was the voice of almost every ordinary person.

On December 12st, the delegation led by Gu Weijun officially started negotiations with the British, but from the very beginning, this negotiation was destined to be very hot.

First of all, the British accused China of violating the agreement and publishing unconfirmed content.For damaging the image of the British Empire and inciting anti-British sentiments, the Chinese side must immediately apologize and clarify the issue.Faced with this rational request, Gu Weijun of course immediately refuted it, and did not admit it at all. The common people are just acting spontaneously, and the British will die if they do many injustices.

The British failed to make a plan, but made another plan. Among the conditions they proposed to China, such as boxer indemnity, tariffs, etc., involved other powers, so they demanded that bilateral negotiations be turned into multilateral ones.

China is also resolutely resisting this point. It is a joke. If other powers are allowed to participate, wouldn't it become the Eight-Nation Alliance, and what good results can be negotiated.Therefore, China insisted on a bilateral solution and issued a mobilization order.

In addition to the troops of the six divisions that have entered the customs, another five divisions have gathered outside the customs, ready to go and enter the customs at any time. Zhang Tinglan has made it very clear that if the British do not give in, the Fengjun will take back their own by force. thing.

This tough attitude made the British scratch their heads, and there were also strong voices in the UK calling for war with China to punish these ignorant natives.For example, that fat man Churchill jumped up and down in the parliament, strongly demanding to defend the dignity of the British Empire.

But the British government is still clear-headed. The Fengjun is quite different from before. To defeat the Fengjun, it only needs more than [-] troops.Does the British Empire still have the ability to conduct such an expedition? It is obviously unrealistic.

Even if China is fully sanctioned, Britain cannot afford this loss.Having just walked out of the British Empire from the Great War and owed a huge amount of debt, he really has more than enough energy. [

It was precisely because of seeing through the British's external strength and middle performance that Zhang Tinglan asked Gu Weijun to be on the negotiating table, refusing to give up an inch, no matter how much it cost, he must make the British bow their heads and admit defeat.

"Humble words, the southern provinces, especially the Yangtze River area, are complaining a lot about the situation." Tang Shaoyi couldn't help but say.

"Mr. Shaochuan, is it a civilian or a businessman?"

"Of course, there are mostly businessmen. The confrontation lasted for several months. Many people have accumulated a large amount of goods and are losing money every day. No one can bear it. And I heard that the stock market has crashed one after another, and many people have committed suicide."

Zhang Tinglan smiled slightly: "With the thinking of a businessman, you can never play politics. Politics is all about putting all your eggs in one basket, which is more cruel than the battlefield. It is inevitable to suffer losses in this contest with the British, but the key depends on whether the losses are worth it." It’s worth paying for, and nothing else is under consideration.”

Tang Shaoyi couldn't help but nodded. Although he didn't agree with Zhang Tinglan's affection, he also felt that it would be of great benefit to China if the negotiation could finally be concluded.

"Humble words, the British have agreed to shelve the boxer indemnity. Before that, the United States and France also proposed to refund the balance. In addition, we defeated the Japanese, so naturally we don't have to pay the boxer indemnity. In other words, the burden of boxer indemnity is considered to be thrown away. Lost. If the British are forced to agree to delay the repayment of other indemnities, then the annual budget will be more than 2000 million yuan. With this money, the central government’s finances will be self-sufficient instead of relying on blood transfusions from the three eastern provinces !"

It is a very shameful thing for the dignified central government to point to local funding. Tang Shaoyi has long wanted to solve the financial problem. With this opportunity, he can win a respite for China. He can't wait for it.

Zhang Tinglan also smiled and said: "Not only that, in addition to compensation, there is also the issue of tariffs, which is related to the lifeline of whether the industry can develop, and the tariffs are in their own hands. It can not only increase fiscal revenue, but also protect For our industry, I had someone estimate it, just for the tariff independence alone, our finances can increase our revenue by more than 5000 million per year."

Hearing this figure, Tang Shaoyi also opened his mouth wide open. Between one increase and one decrease, the fiscal revenue can increase by 7000 to [-] million, which is equivalent to twice the original amount. Now Tang Shaoyi also has a feeling of getting rich suddenly.

The prime minister is the big housekeeper. If you have money, you can do everything easily. If you don’t have money, you will be blind everywhere. Therefore, Tang Shaoyi was very happy when he heard the news. With money, he can be a prime minister with gusto.

"Zhuoyan, this is not a small amount of money. I wonder how you plan to spend it?"

"Cutting down the feudal clan!"

Zhang Tinglan spit out these two words without hesitation. In fact, from the moment she entered Beijing, Zhang Tinglan had plans to cut down the feudal clan. Unifying military power is the basis for building a strong government.

However, Zhang Tinglan knew very well that it would cost money to cut down the vassal. Otherwise, disbanding the tens of thousands of troops in various places would be a rebellion, but it must be reorganized according to Fengjun's standards. Can only be put on hold.

But now that Beijing's finances have seen the hope of improving, Zhang Tinglan can't wait for this step.Tang Shaoyi has nothing to say, and he is also very supportive of this idea.

"Mr. Shaochuan, in addition, at least 1000 million special funds are allocated every year to support industrial and mining enterprises. I plan to build three large steel factories in North China. If the plan is successful, China's steel output will exceed 200 million within three years. Ton, overwhelm our evil neighbor Japan, at that time, no matter what you do, your waist will be hardened!"

"Zhuoyan, what a brave man, now we are waiting for the British to bow their heads!"

While talking, Chang Yinhuai suddenly left and hurried in, and sent a telegram to Zhang Tinglan. Zhang Tinglan took a look, and immediately frowned.

"So fast?"

Chang Yinhuai was also a little surprised: "Indeed, these boys did a good job."

Zhang Tinglan and the others were naturally talking about the team sent to Nanyang. According to the original plan, they had to at least adapt to the environment before launching operations, but the plan never changed quickly.

After Li Xun just arrived in Borneo, they, Zhang Honggang and others all disguised themselves as laborers from the mainland, and first came to Li Xun's home.

As soon as Li Xun's father saw guests coming, he immediately went to buy chicken, duck and fish, but when he held a large amount of food in his hand, he attracted the covetousness of a group of local hooligans.Immediately started to rob, how could this honest man agree, during the tearing, a native grabbed a stone and smashed it heavily on the head, killing him immediately.

When the old father's body was carried into the house, Zhang Honggang held Li Xun's hand tightly: "Cry well today, and from tomorrow onwards, let these animals pay the price." (To be continued... )