Wang Yunpeng said: "I am not very proficient in military affairs, but I can say about our current financial situation, of course, in order to facilitate the report, the numbers I said are basically rounded up, not too accurate." We entered the war in May of this year, and we have been fighting for a total of eight months now, and in total, the monthly war expenses for the Ping Field are about 40 million silver dollars, and the accumulation is 320 million silver dollars, and before we entered the war, there are 150 million silver dollars for the preparation of the war, so up to this time, our total expenditure for this war is 470 million silver dollars. ”

"And the money that we have accumulated for the war is that before we entered the war, the financial allocation for war preparation was 80 million silver dollars, and after we entered the war, the financial expenditure for war expenses was 60 million silver dollars; The proceeds from the bonds issued by Germany were 50 million pounds, which was converted to about 450 million silver dollars, and there was another income of about 8 million pounds, which would arrive in January 1906, which was converted to about 70 million silver dollars, and the income from bonds issued domestically was 70 million silver dollars, and the other part was the surplus of this year's fiscal revenue, which was about 50 million silver dollars, and all together we were able to spend the war on a total of 780 million silver dollars, and after deducting the war expenses, we had about 300 million silver dollars left. Based on the average monthly war expenditure for these eight months, it can support about 7-8 months of war expenses. ”

"And for the time being, we can still raise funds for about 30 million to 40 million silver dollars in the country, and the other is the surplus of fiscal revenue in 1906, but due to the impact of the war, our fiscal revenue in 1906 will decline significantly, and it is estimated that the fiscal revenue surplus will be about 30 million silver dollars, that is, the funds we can still raise will be able to support the war for about two more months. Of course, we can also carry out comprehensive material control by appropriately over-issuing currency, causing inflation, and entering a full-scale wartime state, which is expected to be supported for a while longer, so our actual war potential should be guaranteed for one year. ”

"Of course, this does not take into account the re-borrowing of new foreign debt funds, according to Germany, Although Britain and France decided to jointly send troops to intervene in the war, it will have a certain impact on our bonds, and there will be a significant depreciation, but because our first two batches of bonds have been sold, the depreciation of bonds has basically no loss of our bond income, and the main impact is on those who have bought our bonds, of course, if we win the war with the British and French forces, we can immediately push the value of the bonds up, and we can do it in GermanyThe United States issued another 3-40 million pounds of bonds, which is converted into about 2.7-360 million silver dollars, and on the whole, our current war funds are sufficient, and as long as we can ensure that we continue to maintain victory on the battlefield, we basically do not need to worry too much about funds. ”

Xiao Jianjun said: "That's good, so it seems that there will be a fight in this battle." ”

Xia Bohai nodded and said: "It's a good thing that you have enough funds, but it's not enough to have money, you must be able to buy things if you have money, so the purchase channels of various materials and whether the supply can be guaranteed." ”

Wang Yunpeng said: "This can rest assured, the purchase channels of various materials can basically be guaranteed." ”

After the start of the war, the political demand for all kinds of materials in East China increased greatly, and almost every one of them was a massive demand. According to the convention, by this time, the price of various materials will rise sharply, at least double, and it is not surprising that it will rise to 3-5 times. However, due to the fact that the East China government was well prepared before the war, the momentum was also extremely high, and the continuous victories on the battlefield, the merchants who supplied the East China government did not dare to raise prices indiscriminately, after all, they were afraid of bearing the notoriety of sabotaging the war and making it difficult for the country to make money.

After defeating the Qing army's four-way attack in the Hehu base area, forcing the Qing court to admit that the East China government was an independent government, many businessmen also had an account in their hearts, because most people could see that if this development continued, it was almost inevitable to change the dynasty, and the East China government replaced the Qing court and built the country is basically irreversible, so when will it take the opportunity to establish good relations with the East China government. As a result, the highest increase in all materials provided to the East China government is only about 50%, and the average increase is only 30%.

Xia Bohai said: "That's good, what do you think, if Britain and France really enter the war, then should we fight this battle with the British and French coalition forces." ”

Qin Zheng said: "Fight, this battle must be fought, whether it is the tactical blackmail of Britain and France this time, or whether we are really preparing to participate in the war, we should fight with them, otherwise other countries can use the same way to scare us in the future, not to mention that from the current situation, we completely have the strength to fight with Britain and France." ”

Shang Jinfeng also said: "Yes, if you fight with one punch, you can prevent a hundred punches, since we are sure of military logistics, let's fight a good battle with Britain and France." ”

Qin Zheng added: "There is another point, that is, after winning this battle, basically no country is afraid of easily starting a war with us, and in the next step, if we send troops to attack the Qing court and seize the power of the whole country, no other country will dare to interfere." ”

Several other people also spoke one after another, and they all advocated a war with Britain and France, so Xia Bohai said: "Okay, then it is decided, the negotiations with Japan and Russia still insist on demanding reparations, and if the negotiations break down, we will immediately resume the war." ”

Turning his head and Xiao Jianjun said: "Old Xiao, you have to immediately draw up a detailed and comprehensive battle plan, if the negotiations break down, Britain and France from organizing the army, and then rushing to Asia, it is estimated that it will be until May or June next year, and during the period we will not be idle, we will definitely start with Japan and Russia, how to arrange the order and plan of the battle, first fight there, and then fight there, how to fight each battle, there must be a clear arrangement." ”

Xiao Jianjun nodded and said, "Okay, I'll arrange it right away." ”

Xia Bohai said: "In addition to the military arrangement, there is another point to be aware of, once the negotiations break down, Britain and France decide to jointly send troops, there will be a period of unfavorable time for us, Bi Jing in this era Britain and France are behemoths, so before this war, there will definitely be many people who are not optimistic about us, and even speculate on the side of Britain and France, including a group of wall-riding factions, even the Qing court, and Yuan Shikai may be ready to move, we must take precautions." On the one hand, we must step up propaganda, because we must not lag behind in public opinion, no matter how many people will believe that we can defeat the British and French forces, but within us, we must not waver, and we must do our best to suppress the Qing court and Yuan Shikai. This point is the responsibility of Lao Qinduo. ”

Qin Zheng said: "Okay, I will arrange the arrangement, and I will definitely not lose in public opinion." ”

Xia Bohai said: "By the way, Lao Qin, you still have a mission, that is, the German side, they provided us with this important information, so this is a favor we owe them." However, the Germans also apparently want us to abandon our demands for reparations to Japan and Russia, and whatever their intentions, it is necessary for us to explain to them that this task is up to you. ”

Qin Zheng said: "I have an idea, this time the British and French are not excluded is to use the mouth of Germany to pass on this news to us and put pressure on us, and we may also pass through Germany to tell Britain and France that we can defend the war with them, and insist that we will not give up the reparations, to see how they react, and do not rule out the possibility that Britain and France will retreat after we take a tough position." Although I also think that this is unlikely, it is always possible to give it a try. ”

Xia Bohai said: "Very good, Lao Qin, your mind is flexible, just do what you think, just grasp the proportions yourself." On the other hand, we should also pay attention to the supply of materials, because after Britain and France enter the war, there will definitely be a group of suppliers who are not optimistic about us, and may increase the price of our materials, or even interrupt the supply of materials to us. Lao Wang is responsible for this aspect. ”

Wang Yunpeng said: "Okay, I will arrange this time to expand the purchase of various materials." ”

Xia Bohai nodded and said, "Okay, do you have anything else to say?"

Xu Jichao said: "Do you want to tell this matter to Committee member Li Sanjie, so that they can have a bottom in their hearts, they should still be on the road at this time, or simply let them come back and don't go to negotiations." ”

Xia Bohai said with a smile: "Negotiations still have to be discussed, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, we can't give up, saying that this is not this is Britain and France deliberately blackmailing us, when we refuse to give in, Japan and Russia may give in, and this time we went to the United States, not all for negotiations, but also for the task of attracting investment to develop Northeast China." In addition, even if the negotiations are doomed to break down, there is no need to let them come back, but let the foreign affairs committee go out to experience and experience, gain a long insight, and accumulate the economy, so we will definitely face many such negotiations in the future. As for this news, you can tell Li Sanjie to let him know what to do, and it will be convenient for him to negotiate with Japan and Russia, but the other members should not tell them, so as not to distract them. ”

Qin Zheng said: "I agree with this, but I think Li Sanjie should be given a power, that is, when he thinks it is necessary, he can tell other members, or some members, so that it is more flexible to deal with it." ”

Xia Bohai said: "Well, that's fine. ”