Consulate of France in Shanghai, in the lobby.

At this moment, the hall is crowded, noisy and noisy, and it is already overcrowded. Most of these people were British and French businessmen doing business in Shanghai. Among them, there are also some Chinese businessmen who have relations with foreigners in Britain and France.

After leaving Daotai Mansion and returning to the French Consulate, Rawell quickly found out the businessmen who were related, sent people to inform them one by one, and invited the British and French businessmen to the consulate for discussion.

The merchants got the news, and they came.

Since the killing of Ali Guo and Ai Tang, the British and French merchants have lost their backbone.

After the troops stationed in the concession were wiped out, the British and French merchants clamped their tails and no longer dared to be arrogant. When the warships at sea attacked, the merchant's heart suddenly rekindled hope, hoping to win and return to the old days. It's a pity that Adams and Lawell were captured, the coalition soldiers were also captured, and the British and French merchants completely lost their confidence.

British and French businessmen were shrewd and knew the truth that the skin would be attached without hair.

They do business in Shanghai, relying on the backing of the state. Without the strength of Britain and France, without the country's army behind them, they would definitely be bullied. All the men who had been sent to tell them by Rachel had arrived. Even some of the merchants who did not arrive were spontaneously rushed.

Directly above the hall, it was empty, and Rawell had not yet arrived.

At this point, there is a shortage of spicy earls.

It didn't take long for Lywell to limp in with a smile on his face. Because of the thigh injury, the buttocks twisted and twisted when walking, like a foreign girl swinging her big ass to attract attention. Walking to the top of the hall and sitting down, Lady raised his hands and pressed down, and the hall immediately fell silent.

Rawell's gaze swept over the halls, and he was silent for a long time, not speaking.

The atmosphere was solemn and serious.

Rawell said slowly: "I hurriedly invited everyone to the consulate today, because there are some things to discuss with you. I think you all know a little bit about the current situation. Li Zhen, the Taoist of Shanghai, was tough and domineering, and defeated the allied soldiers stationed in Shanghai, which has already harmed the interests of Britain and France, as well as your interests. ”

"Your Excellency the Commander is right, Li Zhen must be eradicated." A businessman suddenly interjected. As a result of Lu Shaochuan's control of the sea routes, the opium business of many merchants was affected, and this merchant was one of them.

Hearing this, Earle's expression was a little unnatural.

Eradicate Li Zhen??

It would be good if Li Zhen didn't eradicate them!

Rawell paused for a moment and continued: "Last night, Li Zhen sneaked up on the battleships docked at sea, causing all the battleships to sink to the bottom of the sea. Among them, the British Minister to China was arrested, the French Minister to China, Bourlon, was arrested, nearly 200 soldiers were captured, and Adams and I were captured, and the Anglo-French forces were completely annihilated. ”

"Li Zhen was too cunning and secretly attacked the army, which led to a great defeat of the coalition army."

With a sad expression, Rawell beat his chest, his bloodshot eyes were full of tears, and he choked up and said: "The British and French forces have lost their combat effectiveness and have become prisoners of Li Zhen. However, Li Zhen asked for 10 million taels of compensation before he was willing to release the coalition soldiers. Bao Ling, Bour Long and I really had no way out, so we invited everyone here and asked you to sponsor. ”

"Wow!"

The hall was instantly noisy.

After a moment, it was silent again, and it became silent. If it was hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, it would be solved gently, but 10 million taels of silver immediately frightened the merchants present.

Seeing that no one had expressed his position, Rawell was disappointed. Originally, I thought that the merchants could easily scrape together 10 million taels of silver, but I didn't want it to be so difficult.

Rawell took a deep breath and said slowly: "Everyone does business in Shanghai, does business in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and makes money in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, relying on state support. Without the power of the state, your business will also be affected, and I hope you will lend a helping hand to resolve the current situation. Once we were killed, the Anglo-French army was completely finished. ”

Immediately, Rawell stood up again, bowing to the people sitting in the hall.

At this time, Rachel no longer had the idea of making money by fundraising, but just made up as much as he wanted. If it is not enough, he and Adams and others make up for it.

"Your Excellency, I am willing to donate 500,000 taels of silver to help Your Excellency the Commander tide over the difficulties."

This sound was like a thunderclap in the flat.

Everyone's eyes looked at him, but it was a Chinese businessman with a braided hair hanging from the back of his head. This person's name is Wang Million, five short figures, round face and small eyes, can speak English, colludes with foreigners to sell opium, has a rich family, has a net worth of several million, and is also the head snake in Shanghai.

Yang Fang is famous, but Wang Million is low-key and forbearing, not as arrogant as Yang Fang.

As a businessman, Wang Million knows the truth of sending charcoal in the snow. I usually try my best to give money and gifts to foreigners, and I want to get in a relationship, but I may not be able to succeed.

Now that the foreigners are in difficulty, Wang Million seized the opportunity to take action immediately.

When Rawell heard Wang Million's words, he was very grateful, and he didn't care about his injured thigh, so he stood up suddenly, bowed down to Wang Million, and said, "Mr. Wang has helped him righteously, and I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of Britain and France." After we get out of trouble, if Mr. Wang has something to do in the future, just say hello. ”

When Wang Million heard this, his heart was full of joy, and he humbly said that this was what should be done.

This time, it's really earned.

"Your Excellency Commander, I am willing to fund 400,000 taels!"

After a while, another man with a sallow face and dark circles under his eyes stood up. This man was also a Chinese merchant in Shanghai, also engaged in the opium trade, and also smoked opium himself.

A smile bloomed on Earl's face, and he immediately thanked him.

Driven by the best businessmen, the rest of the Chinese businessmen sponsored one after another, including 500,000, 400,000, and even 600,000. For these Chinese businessmen, the most important thing is to get in touch with foreigners and make money.

If Li Zhen was here, he would definitely scold the traitor.

If you have money, you don't subsidize the poor people, you don't fund the country, but you have to hug the thighs of foreigners.

Gradually, foreigners began to pay for sponsorship.

Foreigners donating money are not extravagant, most of them are 200,000, 100,000, and 300,000 are very few.

Fortunately, there are many foreigners, so they can collect money.

Once all the people had gathered the money, Lady immediately asked the person who recorded it to count the money. After some calculation, it was only 9.2 million, which did not reach the number of 10 million. This data has already made Hell happy, and even if he pays for it, he can't lose anything. Rawell rolled his eyes, but said: "There are still 800,000 taels left, who is willing to help again." ”

"Your Excellency, the short of 800,000 can be made up by another businessman."

Suddenly, a foreign merchant stepped forward.

With an excited look in his eyes, Rawell asked, "Who are you looking for?" ”

A sneer flashed in the eyes of the foreign businessman, and he said: "Almost all the British businessmen in Shanghai have come, and everyone has generously helped the country tide over the difficulties. However, the British businessman Gu Lina did not come, and she also relied on the powerful motherland to avoid oppression in Shanghai. Now that the country is in trouble, Gulina should contribute money to fund it. ”

After hearing this, Rawell nodded and said, "Okay, please come Gulina." ”

The foreign merchant looked excited and said, "I'm willing to go in person." ”

Rael showed a grateful look, nodded in response, and asked the foreign merchant to invite Gulina.

ps: two of the three watches; Xiaodong continues to write!