Shanghai, Securities Trading Floor.

The whole trading hall was crowded with excited stockholders, since the news of the victory in the naval battle of Maputo Bay was publicly reported, the stock market in the Qing Dynasty was bullish, all the way up, with the arrival of the negotiation team headed by the associate minister Su Shun in Shanghai, the stock market is like icing on the cake, cooking oil on fire, and the large-cap stock index has made countless shareholders excited and even crazy.

The envoys of the five European countries negotiated with the Qing Dynasty in Shanghai, which meant that the South African War was coming to an end, which meant that the Qing Dynasty would achieve a victory of great significance! In addition, the drought in the north that lasted for five years has been alleviated, as long as you have a little eyesight, you know that the Qing Dynasty is about to usher in a golden age of prosperity, when a golden age guided and created by Yuanqi.

At this time, the Daqing stock market, as long as you dare to invest, will get unimaginable rich returns, from the beginning of a strong rebound in the stock market, to now only half a month, many stocks have appreciated twice, generally appreciated more than doubled, so the huge profits attracted more and more people into the stock market, but also triggered the madness of the Daqing stock market.

The boom in the stock market has also driven financial markets such as futures, bonds, insurance, gold, and foreign exchange, and the whole of Shanghai seems to have fallen into a huge investment financial boom.

Zhennan Palace, Lotus Garden.

When night fell, the lotus garden was brightly lit, and on the terrace of the listening rain building, Yi Zhizu set up a very rich banquet for the assistant minister Su Shun, the minister of the Du branch Xie Xiuyuan, and the foreign minister Guo Songtao, and the companions were Yan Yangtian and Zhao Liewen, all of whom were acquaintances, but they were not formal.

After three rounds of drinking, Su Shun stopped his glass and sighed: "After five years of drought in the north, although I gritted my teeth and survived, the imperial court was also burdened with huge debts, and I really don't know what year and month it will be able to repay the Qing ......." ”

"It's only been three rounds, and it's time to start the ring." Yi Zhizu teased him, glanced at Xiu Yuan, and then smiled: "The stock market is very good, if the imperial court is in a hurry to reduce its debts, it can sell the stocks in its hands." ”

In the great drought in the north, Yuanqi took the opportunity to vigorously develop industry, invested in the construction of a large number of provincial key factories and mining enterprises, and let the imperial court exchange 20% of the shares of the Transvaal gold mine for 30% of the shares of these factories and mining enterprises.

Su Shun meant to share the war reparations of the five European countries, but he didn't want the other party to talk about the stocks, and he was still a little resistant to this deal, thinking that Yuan Qi deliberately deprived the imperial court of the shares of the Transvaal gold mine in order to implement the gold standard, but now he knows that the imperial court has taken advantage of the boss.

"These factories and mining enterprises are constantly expanding their scale, and they are either paying dividends or expanding shares every year, which is much more generous than Yuanqi Bank." He said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "If you really want to throw these stocks, it is tantamount to killing chickens and eggs, how can this be made?" ”

Xie Xiuyuan has been following Yi Zhicontent for a long time, he is very clear about the other party's temperament, and this kind of occasion will definitely not be untargeted, and immediately said tentatively: "The big shopkeeper wants the imperial court to release some stocks?" ”

"It's a good opportunity to cash out." Yi Zhishu nodded, and said slowly: "Yuan Qi is also ready to release a part, at least one percent." ”

"The stock price is rising, isn't it a loss to make a move at this time?" Su Shun's face was puzzled, but his expression became serious, and he could tell that the other party was not joking.

Zhao Liewen is now responsible for curbing inflation, listening to this, he said slowly: "In recent years, in order to relieve the disaster, Yuanqi Bank has issued a large number of banknotes, and in order to maintain the strength of banknotes, a large amount of gold has been put in.

At this time, the imperial court and Yuan Qi sold a large number of stocks in their hands, one is conducive to cashing out, the other is conducive to promoting the prosperity of the stock market, and the most important thing is to absorb the surplus funds in the circulation market to avoid large inflation. ”

Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The current situation in the stock market is very dangerous and abnormal, and it is easy to cause serious financial speculation. China is currently in the stage of rapid industrial development, what is needed is not financial speculation, but industrial investment, if the wind of financial speculation is too strong, it will seriously affect industrial investment.

The current situation in the stock market can be called crazy, it is difficult to cool down by taking proper measures, and only by selling a large number of stocks in our hands can the stock market be cooled down, and what we need is a slow and steady gradual rise in the financial market, not a financial market full of ups and downs, full of speculation.

Another purpose is to alleviate inflation. In view of the large amount of money in circulation, we now need to gradually and systematically recycle the banknotes that were issued in increments, which will take time.

At present, China's stock market is in a good rising stage, and the funds entering the stock market will not be withdrawn in a short period of time, and the stocks we throw out will inevitably absorb a large amount of funds, which is conducive to our gaining time. ”

Su Shun understood that the co-author was to ask the court to assist in order to avoid serious inflation, and he said with a smile: "To curb inflation, the court is naturally duty-bound, but this loss is too great." ”

Zhao Liewen stabbed him with a smile, "Prime Minister Su won't forget, how did the stocks in the hands of the imperial court come from?" ”

"How dare you forget this?" Su Shun said with a smile: "Even the shares of the Transvaal Gold Mine were given by Yuan Qi for nothing. However, now that the imperial court is heavily indebted, selling stocks at such a low price will inevitably lead to criticism, and Huifu should also put himself in our shoes. ”

Slowly lit a cigarette, and Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "It's nothing more than eyeing the war reparations, half of the stocks are sold, and the war reparations obtained are also five or five after deducting military spending." ”

Five-five-open! Su Shun was overjoyed immediately, and hurriedly raised his wine glass to toast, "Brother Guocheng is so righteous, but he is a little stingy in the inferior." ”

Xie Xiuyuan asked, "What about the loot and prisoners of war?" ”

After drying the wine in one gulp, Yi Zhizhi quipped: "The shopkeeper has now learned to turn his arm outward." ”

Xie Xiuyuan hurriedly accompanied a glass of wine, and said with a bitter face: "It's really difficult to be at home, and I should be considerate of the big shopkeeper." ”

"Since you have spoken, this face will naturally have to be given." Yi Zhizhi smiled and said: "The same five-five, how about it?" ”

"Thank you, shopkeeper." Xie Xiuyuan hurriedly thanked him, then stood up and said heroically: "Drink three cups of myself." ”

"Just one cup, it's not as good as when I was younger." Yi Zhishu smiled and waved his hand, noticing that Foreign Minister Guo Songtao was a little restrained, he poured a glass of wine and raised his glass and said, "This negotiation with the five countries has worked hard Brother Yunxian." ”

Guo Songtao has served as the minister of Britain and France, and only took office as the Minister of Foreign Affairs after returning to China the year before last, although he had several acquaintances with Yi Zhicontent, but he did not dare to be as casual as Su Shun and Xie Xiuyuan, so he hurriedly got up and took a cup and said: "The prince has killed the lower official with these words, this is the duty of the lower official, and it is a matter of duty, so how hard to say." ”

"You don't have to be formal." Yi Zhishu pressed twice with a gentle face to signal him to sit down, "This negotiation is somewhat deliberately aimed at Britain and France, but it is necessary to grasp the balance well. Bismarck has a good saying, there are no permanent friends, only eternal interests. By extension, in the diplomacy of great powers, there are no eternal friends and no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. ”

Guo Songtao nodded solemnly, "Lord Wang's words can be the foundation of my country's diplomacy. ”

Qingdao, the sea area of Dagong Island.

On the sea, two small warships sailed quickly on the sea, one was a torpedo boat known for its speed, and the other was a newly developed destroyer named after Yi Zhicontent, and soon the destroyer overtook the torpedo boat and left it far behind.

On an observation ship not far away, a group of technical experts from the internal combustion engine factory and shipyard let out a burst of cheers, and seeing this scene, Guo Zhongmou, chief of staff of the East China Sea Fleet, was even more dainted, "This speed has reached at least thirty-two knots!" Coupled with the new torpedo, it is definitely a big killer in naval warfare! ”

"This destroyer is mainly used to intercept torpedo boats." Zai Zhao, commander of the East China Sea Fleet, said slowly: "But now it seems that with the destroyer, the torpedo boat can be withdrawn." ”

Soon, the communications officer stepped forward and reported: "The speed of the new test has reached a maximum of thirty-six knots. ”

"Thirty-six verses!" Guo Zhongmu said excitedly: "This destroyer is the water tube boiler?" ”

"The power is the steam turbine." Zai Zhao said: "It is a new ship-powered machine developed by the internal combustion engine factory. ”

Guo Zhongmu said excitedly: "Can it be applied to large warships?" ”

"I don't know." Zai Zhao shook his head, "However, I heard that the speed of the newly built large cruiser will reach twenty-four knots. ”

"I'm looking forward to it." Guo Zhongmu said with emotion: "In the past few years, our warships have become bigger and bigger, and the speed is getting faster and faster, I feel that the era of giant ships and cannons is getting closer and closer, but I don't know if we can catch up." ”

After a pause, he said in a somewhat gloomy tone: "Even if we catch up with the era of giant ships and cannons, I am afraid that there may not be a big battle, and our Qing Dynasty has now replaced England as the new maritime overlord." ”

"Not necessarily." Zaizhao said: "Don't underestimate the European powers, England, France, Italy and other countries are not much weaker than us in terms of warships, especially England, after all, the industrial strength is there, once the torpedoes and submarines are developed, there may be a big war." ”

Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House.

Yi Zhishu put down the phone, his expression was very flat, the speed of the destroyer was as high as thirty-six knots, which was something he expected, when he learned that he had invented the steam turbine, he had already expected that the speed of the small warship would usher in a leap, and he had the confidence to sell torpedoes, relying on the steam turbine.

However, it is a pity that the steam turbine is currently insufficient horsepower and cannot be used on large warships, and the water-tube boiler used in the current large warships is still invented in Europe, which allows water to flow through the combustion and heating gas in the steel pipe to increase efficiency, and can produce 250 pounds of pressure to drive a three-stage expansion engine with 14,000 horsepower.

It is because of the use of this kind of boiler that the large fast cruisers of Britain, France and other countries can reach a speed of more than 20 knots, and according to his estimates, there may not be any greater development in the next 30 or 40 years, that is to say, naval warships are limited by industrial technology, and they have ushered in a bottleneck period.

"The big shopkeeper." A slightly restrained and sweet voice came, Yi Zhizu turned around, and couldn't help but light up, there was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old young and beautiful woman standing at the door, judging from the costume, it should be the secretary in the courtyard, but why did no one lead the introduction?

Just wondering to herself, Lin Meilian flashed out from the side of the door and said with a smile: "Can you return the eyes of the big shopkeeper?" ”

Yi Zhi couldn't help but smile, "The one you chose is naturally good." ”

Lin Meilian slowly walked into the room and introduced: "Chen Mengzhu, twenty years old, graduated from Wende Women's University, majoring in foreign languages, proficient in German and Russian, I heard that the big shopkeeper is going to summon Minister Mumer of Germany today, and I specially came to try it. ”

Yi Zhifen smiled and said; "It took a lot of thought, didn't you?"

"I can't hide it from the big shopkeeper." Lin Meilian generously admitted: "Chen Mengzhu was the best performer among the few people who were selected from high school students in the early years. ”

Yi Zhizu raised his wrist and looked at his watch, then looked at Chen Mengzhu, and said, "There is still a quarter of an hour, Minister Mu Mo should arrive, you go to greet him." ”

Chen Mengzhu, who had been lowering his eyes and was full of nervousness, suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly said, "My subordinates obey orders." ”

Chen Mengzhu, who was waiting, turned around and left, and Yi Zhizhi glanced at Lin Meilian, and said angrily: "Nonsense, spread out, maybe what it will become." ”

Lin Meilian said with a smile: "Forgive me, the little girl won't dare next time." ”

Mu Mo came to visit yesterday but ran in vain, today the appointment time is naturally very punctual, deliberately arrived ten minutes early, under the guidance of Chen Mengzhu into the room, as soon as he met he enthusiastically stretched out his hand and smiled: "Our country and Russia have reached an agreement, His Majesty the Emperor of our country asked me to convey my most sincere thanks to His Royal Highness." ”

Chen Mengzhu had a short conversation with the other party along the way, and quickly overcame his nervousness, translated fluently, and was secretly surprised by the efficiency of the other party, and shook hands with the other party with a smile and said: "The Three Emperors Alliance has an important impact on the pattern of Europe, congratulations." ”

Mu Mo knew the other party's conversation style, and after sitting down, he went straight to the point, "My country hopes to have close military exchanges with your country. ”

The so-called military exchange is nothing more than sending the navy to learn the actual combat technology of torpedoes and submarines, and Yi Zhixiang has long expected this, and immediately said: "Very welcome." ”

Mu Mo said with a smile: "Not only the navy, but also the army, your navy and army are recognized as having world-class combat power, and my country hopes to communicate and learn more with your country." ”

Yi Zhishu said humbly: "Your army is also recognized as a world-class combat force, and I believe that the military exchanges between the two countries will be of great benefit to both sides." ”