The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 529 The Japs Must Pay Money to Redeem People

Teng Yuzhao's words shocked everyone again.

Now, Aurora Bank can definitely be called a golden rooster that lays golden eggs, and it is an absolutely big golden rooster.

Not to mention ordinary people, even the dignitaries in the court, and even the imperial court, all dreamed of getting it in their own hands.

However, Teng Yuzhao actually admitted this matter so frankly.

You have to know that only Teng Yuzao and Ning Xingpu knew about this. With Teng Yuzao's current power, he only needs to use a little trick to make Ning Xingpu suddenly disappear from this world, and no one will know about this matter from then on. The bank will then be completely owned by Teng Yuzao personally.

Just as everyone was expressing their admiration for Teng Yuzao's character, Teng Yuzao continued.

"At the beginning, Governor Ning was worried that this bank would be coveted by the court dignitaries and eventually taken away by others. For example, they could find a way to drive me away and replace me with someone else as the president of the Vanguard Army or even the governor-general of Zhili. Then our Aurora Bank would probably become someone else's property."

"That's why I insisted on having it under my name."

After Teng Yuzao finished speaking, Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang stood up almost at the same time and bowed to Teng Yuzao.

Xu Shichang said excitedly, "The Marshal is a man of high moral character, wholeheartedly serving the country and the people, without a trace of selfish thoughts. Shichang admires him very much! Shichang is willing to follow the Marshal in this life and go through fire and water for the country and the people."

Yang Shixiang also said sincerely, "Not only is the Marshal's character unmatched, but his dedication to the country and the people makes the dignitaries in the court feel ashamed."

"Shi Xiang is also willing to follow the commander for the rest of his life, even if it means sacrificing his life for him. I will never refuse."

Zhou Xuexi, Xi Ligong, Huang Chujiu and others had not expected this to be the case. They admired Teng Yuzao even more in their hearts, and they all praised Teng Yuzao's noble character with deep emotion.

Only then did Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang breathe a sigh of relief and joy appeared on their faces again.

Yang Shixiang said, "Marshal, let's not talk about anything else, just talk about this car factory. I guess the Germans and Americans will fight for it. So, the Germans, Americans, and the British will all be willing to pay 10 million taels of silver."

Xu Shichang suddenly said, "What do you mean, Marshal, is it possible to leak this message to other powers?"

Teng Yuzao shook his head and said, "Just tell Britain, the United States, and Germany. With these three countries as examples, I believe they will convince the French. As for the Italians, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russians, and the Japanese, it doesn't matter whether they recognize the indemnity or not."

"The Italians and Austria-Hungary are at the bottom of the European and American powers in terms of both national and military strength. They are only slightly stronger than the Japanese in terms of economy, and they don't have many conflicts of interest with us. If we ask them to pay compensation, they will definitely not agree."

"Of course, they don't expect to make any profit from doing business with us."

"The Russians really don't want to pay us. First, they have nothing to sell to us, and second, they really don't have money to give us."

"As for the Japanese, in order to prevent other powers from monopolizing the benefits, they should be very eager to participate, but they are short of money and have some difficulties."

"However, given the character of the Japanese, they will most likely borrow money to compensate us for the 10 million silver coins."

"It is only these three powers that are unwilling to pay compensation. We don't need to pay. I can just detain their prisoners of war."

"We in Zhili are promoting Westernization and are in urgent need of a large number of laborers. Having so many free coolies can solve many of our problems."

After Teng Yuzao finished speaking, these people understood what he meant and couldn't help but laugh excitedly. Zhou Xuexi said with a smile, "The Marshal's move of killing three warriors with two peaches will definitely solve all problems for Li Zhongtang."

Teng Yuzao looked at Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang, "There should also be the issue of compensation for prisoners of war, right?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang nodded repeatedly.

Teng Yuzao smiled contemptuously and said, "Since I have already made concessions on the compensation, I will not go too far with the prisoners of war. According to international practice, prisoners of war must be released. You can tell Li Zhongtang that as long as Britain, France, the United States, and Germany are willing to pay the 10 million, I will not ask for a single ounce of silver for their prisoners of war. I will release them all unconditionally."

"As for the Italian and Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war, there should be some craftsmen among them, and there may even be some educated people. Especially those junior officers, we cannot release any of them. These people can be placed in our factories and work for two to three years. They can use the money they earn to redeem themselves, and then they can leave."

"If they don't want to return to China and want to settle down in Zhili, that's fine too. We can take in those who have been educated in Europe."

"Those ordinary prisoners should also be thrown to the Russians to do hard labor."

Teng Yuzhao threw the cigarette butt, which had long been extinguished, into the ashtray on the table and continued speaking.

"Except for the Japanese prisoners of war, you must pay the price I offer, otherwise I won't release anyone. If you pay enough for one person, I will release that person, otherwise you have to work for us to redeem yourself."

"Ten years later, I will send them all back home."

"Correct!"

Ning Xingpu slapped his thigh and said, "Just do as the Marshal says. Among all the great powers, we have the greatest hatred against the Japanese. It can be said that this hatred is both new and old!"

Yang Shixiang said excitedly, "I agree with the Marshal's approach. This move not only clears the way for peace talks, but also allows the Chinese people to vent their anger by detaining the Russians and Japanese as well as the Italians and Austro-Hungarians who refuse to pay compensation, so that they will not blame the Marshal too much."

Xu Shichang also nodded and said, "I guess the court will probably not even ask for a tael of silver in compensation in the end, and the peace talks will probably end soon."

"Not even a tael of silver!"

Zhou Xuexi frowned and said, "If this happens, I'm afraid the people will complain and have many complaints against the court!"

Ning Xingpu just smiled disdainfully at Zhou Xuexi's concern for the court. Xi Ligong and Huang Chujiu seemed as if nothing had happened and didn't care at all, as if this court was the court of the indigenous Africans and had nothing to do with them.

Yang Shixiang noticed the expressions of several people, and then glanced at Teng Yuzhao.

Seeing that Teng Yuzhao just smiled and said nothing, Yang Shixiang hurriedly spoke.

"Marshal, I know that when we were in Pingyao, Qiao Zhiyong gave you several jars of the finest aged Fenjiu. The oldest one is fifty years old. I'm happy today, so I guess you'll have to spend some money."

Knowing that Yang Shixiang wanted to break the current awkward situation, Teng Yuzao said with a smile, "Okay! I'll give it to you guys today. I can't bear to drink it myself. I only have two jars of fifty-year-old wine. I'll leave one for Ning Daotai to take away. You can only drink one jar."

Teng Yuzhao nodded, and Yang Shixiang shouted to Teng Yuzhao's personal guard who was standing not far away.

"Bring us a jar of the Marshal's 50-year-old Fenjiu so we can all have a taste, and some dried fruits to go with the wine."

(End of this chapter)