Cars slowly moved along the streets of the concession, and compared to last year, there were noticeably fewer pedestrians on the road, and there were not as many customers as before.

All this was caused by the Japanese, and the two riots in November last year caused panic among the people of Tianjin. Many people who could afford to move chose to leave Tianjin, including foreigners in various concessions, for fear that war would break out in Tianjin.

It's much better now, and it's even more depressed from December to January. Ordinary people do not buy other goods at all except necessities, and they have withdrawn their bank deposits and are ready to run away.

The Belgian concession in Tianjin was officially returned to China last year, and only the Belgian consulate continues to show its existence.

The car stopped at a restaurant near the consulate, and Zhou Hexuan paced in, following the waiter to a private room.

Today is Zhou Hexuan's private banquet, the Belgian Consul General in Tianjin and the general manager of Tianjin Tramway and Electric Light Company are very face-saving, and they quickly agreed to come to dinner after receiving the invitation.

Zhou Longguang arrived early and was now sitting in the private room, he was eager to resolve the matter as soon as possible. I have to be anxious, the people are clamoring to welcome back Zhang Xueming as mayor, let him hurry up!

Zhou Hexuan sat down gracefully, but Zhou Longguang seemed more anxious. There were no foreigners left and right, and Zhou Longguang couldn't help asking: "These two Belgians, shouldn't they not come?" ”

"Mayor Zhou, please rest assured, don't act too impatient." Zhou Hexuan reminded.

"Mr. Zhou is right, he has been taught." Zhou Longguang laughed awkwardly. He used to be the director of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the central government, and he still has the city government and patience, but he has been overwhelmed recently. The so-called concern is chaotic, and his IQ has almost fallen below the passing line.

The two waited for nearly 20 minutes, and the Belgian Consul General in Zimbabía, Lubeja, and the general manager of Tianjin Tramway, Van Benck, arrived one after another.

Lu Beiya saw that Zhou Longguang was also there, and immediately understood what kind of meal he was eating today, and he smiled: "Hello Mr. Zhou, I have admired the name for a long time!" ”

Zhou Hexuanla often said: "Mr. Consul's Chinese is very good, and he has lived in China for many years? ”

Lu Beiya said: "Yes, I used to work in Wuhan, and I was only transferred to Tianjin last year. ”

Zhou Hexuan said: "I have been to Belgium, it is a very beautiful country. I love Bruges, where the ancient architecture is intact and the culture and art are particularly impressive. ”

"Really?" "I grew up in Bruges, and the next time Mr. Zhou travels to Bruges, I can be your guide." ”

"Haha, that's settled." Zhou Hexuan said with a smile.

The two began to talk nonsense, talking about the natural scenery of Belgium to culture and art, and then talking about the situation in Europe in recent years.

Zhou Longguang and Van Benck sat next to them, interjecting a few words from time to time, without mentioning the price increase turmoil of the tram company.

When the wine was almost drunk, Zhou Hexuan said, "Mr. Consul, I don't know how you are going to deal with this tram price increase turmoil?" ”

"As a diplomat, I must protect the legitimate rights and interests of my own enterprises. ”

Zhou Hexuan frowned and said: "But the tram company's price increase is unreasonable, and now the people's livelihood in Tianjin is withering, but you are raising the price at this time, which will inevitably arouse the dissatisfaction of Tianjin citizens." Things are getting bigger and bigger, and I'm afraid you don't want to see the current situation, right? I hope to be a mediator today, and everyone will negotiate a solution and deal with the trouble as soon as possible. ”

Lu Beiya shook her head resolutely and said: "The reason for the price increase of our company is reasonable and legitimate, first, Article 13 of the contract signed at the beginning stipulates that the tram company has the right to increase the price; Second, the consuls of Japan, France, and Italy all recognize the levitation as legal, and the Chinese side should not oppose it. It has been more than two months since the third tram fare was raised, and no opposition has been seen from passengers; Fourth, the tram fare increase was approved by the Tianjin Municipal Government. ”

Zhou Hexuan looked at Zhou Longguang suspiciously: "The Tianjin Municipal Government agrees to increase the price of the tram?" ”

Zhou Longguang said embarrassedly: "The tram company raised the fare, and it is indeed on the record with the municipal government. However, only one official signed the decree in violation of the law, and it was not passed by collective discussion, so it was not legal in terms of formalities. ”

"What did that offending officer do?" Zhou Hexuan asked.

Zhou Longguang said in a low voice: "That's Deputy Commander Zhang's person, I can't handle it well." ”

Zhou Hexuan slammed the table and shouted loudly: "No matter who it is, this kind of person who cheats for personal gain and betrays the interests of the people must be thoroughly investigated!" If you go back, you will investigate for me, if Zhang Xueliang is unhappy, let him come to me directly! ”

Zhou Longguang was stunned, then gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I will definitely investigate thoroughly!" ”

In order to solve the incident quickly, Zhou Longguang didn't care about offending Zhang Xueliang, anyway, he was a person sent by the central government.

Zhou Hexuan immediately said to Lu Beiya in stern terms: "Mr. Consul, if you say that Japan, France and Italy agree to raise the price, China should not object. Is Tianjin the land of China, or the territory of Japan, France and Italy? I must make my words clear today, or I will openly question your Minister in China! ”

"Well," Lu Beiya suddenly didn't know how to answer, and reluctantly replied, "Tianjin is of course Chinese territory, but the tram price increase also affects the Japanese, French and Italian concessions. Since Japan, France and Italy did not issue a correct issue, it means that the tram fare increase has not had a bad impact, so China should not oppose it. ”

When the two sides were negotiating, Lu Beiya also used the consuls of Japan, France and Italy to scare Zhou Longguang. Zhou Longguang was a coward, and he did not dare to mention the territorial issue at all, but retorted that the tram was mainly used by civilians and had little impact on foreigners in Japan, France and Italy, so the support of Japan, France and Italy was invalid.

Zhou Hexuan stubbornly bit the territorial issue, and he reprimanded: "Mr. Consul, do you have the documents of the consuls of Japan, France and Italy?" If so, please take it out. As a Chinese citizen, I strongly condemn the illegal interference in China's internal affairs by the consuls of Japan, France and Italy! ”

Of course, Lu Beiya did not have a letter prepared by the consuls of the three countries, so he said with a low voice: "In any case, the price increase of the electric light company is in accordance with the provisions of the commercial contract. ”

Zhou Longguang interjected: "But you didn't go through the formal procedures for raising prices, and this matter must be agreed by the municipal government." ”

Lu Beiya raised her eyebrows and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhou, let's continue to drink bars, there is no need to dwell on this kind of thing." ”

Zhou Hexuan also felt very helpless, because there were too many interests involved in this matter. The Tianjin Municipal Government, the Party Department of the Kuomintang, the Tram Company, the Tianjin National Concessions, the Trade Unions of various industries in Tianjin, the Tianjin Tramway Trade Union, and the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce all have interests involved.

In particular, the concessions of various countries in Tianjin supported the increase in the price of trams. Because the profits of the tram companies in the concessions were forcibly demanded many years ago - the tram companies had to pay a share of the annual dividends to the Ministry of Industry of the concessions.

In addition, according to the contract contracted by the company at the time of its establishment, if the Tianjin municipal government wanted to take back the tram business, it had to pay compensation to the company 15 times the profit of the year (the acquisition cost is not included). Now that the price of the tram is rising, the tram company can increase its income by 300,000 yuan a year, and if the Tianjin municipal government wants to recover it, it will have to pay an additional 4.5 million yuan in compensation.

Zhou Hexuan is so active in this matter, he just wants to help the people do something, and by the way, help the municipal government increase some financial revenue, after all, the price increase of foreigners this time is too outrageous.

But Zhou Hexuan only had a slight influence except for a broken mouth, and he sneered: "Mr. Consul, Mr. Manager, let's see, I have prepared a little surprise for you." ”

Set yourself a small goal first: such as collecting pen fun pavilion:. Mobile version URL: m.