"South Cen and North Yuan" This was the name of Cen Chunxuan and Yuan Shikai, the two important ministers of the Qing court at that time, and they were also famous, but who didn't want to fight for the first place, who didn't want to overpower their opponents. As a www.biquge.info result, Yuan Shikai vigorously praised the new policy, including abolishing the imperial examination, supervising the new army, building schools, running industries, establishing a police force, and planning to build the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway; Cen Chunxuan was not lagging behind, sorting out finances, setting up industries, building railways, establishing police schools, and building a new army in Liangguang.

Political achievements and prestige, Cen Chunxuan and Yuan Shikai compete for this political capital. Advocating innovation is not only a historical trend, but also a good way to gain political capital. For this reason, the two of them are working hard, I will do whatever you do, and I have to do it better than the opponent.

But compared with Yuan Shikai, Cen Chunxuan's flaw is also obvious, that is, lack of money. In order to curry favor with Cixi, the previous governors of Guangdong handed over too much to the central government, and they also had to help Guangxi and other provinces, and their finances had reached the point of exhaustion. In order to deal with the suppression of bandits, the holding of new policies, and the overwhelm of political enemies, it is not denied that Cen Chunxuan is jealous and hateful, but his idea of relying on Cixi's trust and using measures such as counseling and recovering deficits to recover the money embezzled by corrupt officials is also obvious. Even so, there is still a lack of funds, otherwise, Cen Chunxuan would not have advocated "borrowing people's funds at interest" to "handle local profit-generating policies".

Chen Wenqiang and Zhang Rongxuan had communicated before and worked out a corresponding strategy, that is, to do what they liked, and add enough chips to Cen Chunxuan in the confrontation between Cen and Yuan.

Sure enough, Cen Chunxuan supported the construction of the Chaoshan Railway, but this did not satisfy him. He brought up the mess of the Guangdong-Hankou Railway again. When it comes to borrowing foreign debts, the United States, Belgium, Britain, France, and other countries are involved, and there are also gentry and businessmen from Guangdong, Hunan, and Hubei provinces who oppose the sale of the right of way. The issue of the Guangdong-Hankou Railway can be described as complex and difficult.

"Foreign debts can be borrowed, loans can be borrowed, commercial stocks can be raised, but the right of way cannot be lost." Zhang Rongxuan did not study this, Chen Wenqiang had to express his opinion, "If you get to the bottom of it." Sheng Xuanhuai should be killed, all because he borrowed foreign debts without authorization and privately signed contracts, which caused today's results. And. The three provinces are jointly organized, and it is difficult to reconcile the mouths, so it is better to raise their own funds and repair their own roads. Make an appointment to close the dragon. Fang shows the ability of the provincial officials. ”

Cen Chunxuan looked at Chen Wenqiang thoughtfully, Zhang Jian had already written to recommend him, asking him to take care of him, he was also very interested in this famous young rookie, hoping to use his strength to make his political achievements to the next level, at least not behind Yuan Shikai.

"Foreign debts are always troublesome, and public opinion is against them!" Cen Chunxuan shook his head slightly. said: "What about the loan, where to borrow from?" Offering of commercial shares. I am afraid that Cantonese businessmen do not have this strength. ”

"The loan from the China South Ocean Joint Venture Bank only involves interest, not the right of way." Chen Wenqiang smiled faintly and said: "Besides, the joint venture bank has the right to issue banknotes, if the governor gives the joint venture bank the convenience of opening a branch in Guangdong and the circulation of banknotes, the joint venture bank should be able to provide low-interest loans, right?" ”

Zhang Rongxuan saw Chen Wenqiang's eyes and immediately understood that this was a good time to expand the business scope of the joint venture bank, and he immediately nodded and agreed: "Xiaguan and Chen Jingqing are both shareholders of the bank, and they still have the right to speak. If the Governor can make it easier, the Lower Officials will guarantee that there will be no problem with the low-interest loan. ”

Cen Chunxuan smiled, as if he had seen through the thoughts of Chen and Lin, and did not show his attitude.

"As for recruiting merchants--" Chen Wenqiang disagreed, and continued: "The gentry of Guangdong Province may not have such strength, but what about the merchants from other provinces and cities, why should the governor be stubborn? ”

Zhang Rongxuan nodded in agreement, "Businessmen make profits, with the honest official reputation of adults, have reasonable business regulations, and then let the shareholding merchants form a management body, and the government appoints capable officials to supervise, why worry about not raising commercial shares?" ”

Cen Chunxuan's eyes lit up, he, like Zhang Zhidong, was not opposed to road construction, but he did not believe that the gentry and businessmen of the three provinces had enough financial resources to undertake this task. If it can succeed, won't the dominance of the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway be transferred from Zhang Zhidong's hands to himself, and he can also win fame in the industrial and commercial circles, which is really the best of both worlds!

"The words of the two of you are very much in line with my meaning." Cen Chunxuan did not hide his appreciation, nodded again and again, and said to Chen Wenqiang and Zhang Rongxuan for insurance: "In addition, the loan still needs more efforts from the two of you, and a lot of good words!" ”

"Don't worry, there is no problem with the loan." Zhang Rongxuan hurriedly assured, "The joint venture bank has just been established, and it is also a good opportunity to make a name for itself to participate in this high-profile project." ”

"Okay, okay." Cen Chunxuan said two "good" words, and said to Chen Wenqiang: "Since the collapse of the Guangzhou Electric Light Company, only the British businessmen in Shamian are left. I heard that Chen Jingqing had set up an electric power company in Shanghai, and he was also known for his proficiency in foreign affairs, but I wondered if he could rebuild the electric light company in Guangzhou and reverse the situation. ”

Chen Wenqiang thought for a while and said: "As long as the government supports it, with the current technical ability and development level, the lower officials are willing to make Guangzhou City full of light." ”

The development of electricity is changing with each passing day, from the power of generators, the distance of power transmission, to the life of light bulbs, and the introduction and use of other electrical appliances such as electric fans, which have made great progress compared to a few years ago.

In the late Qing Dynasty, Guangzhou was already a prosperous commercial city, and it was easy to get rich by doing business. Due to the rapid increase in rural population and natural and man-made disasters, the standard of living has declined, and the number of people who have abandoned agriculture and started business has increased; The crowded career and the relatively poor life of scholars have caused more people to abandon their studies and engage in business. In Guangzhou, merchants make up a fairly high proportion of the city's citizens, with shops accounting for almost one-third of the households. The elevation of the status of businessmen has made people's concept of cheap businessmen increasingly change to the direction of valuing business and admiring businessmen. The world values business, and the ideas and habits of businessmen have become the fashion to lead the trend.

As a result, the merchants' pomp, extravagance, and timely pleasure became the fashion of the moment. In order to show their wealth, wealthy businessmen often spend money and do their best to do extravagant things. And the other classes of people followed suit out of envy, making luxury consumption fashionable.

Although not all households can afford to use the substantial reduction in the cost of power generation and electricity, Guangzhou people are pragmatic and innovative, shops, restaurants, streets, plus wealthy families, as long as they can ensure a certain number of users. The maintenance of the electric light company is still predictable.

Another major matter was solved, Cen Chunxuan was happy in his heart, but he still had some doubts. When asked why Chen Wenqiang wanted to develop in Qiongzhou, wouldn't it be more convenient if he was near Guangzhou.

Chen Wenqiang was blunt, admitting that he liked the quiet environment there, as well as the advantages of Qiongzhou's abundant resources and fast sea transportation, especially mentioning the need to build a petrochemical plant, and it would be more convenient to receive oil raw materials from Nanyang in Qiongzhou.

“…… Salt chemical industry, coal chemical industry and petrochemical industry are the three major chemical industries in the world today. Among them, the petrochemical industry started the latest, but it has the greatest potential. Chen Wenqiang's narration made Cen Chunxuan have a bright future in front of him, and the hope of achieving political achievements and fame surpassing Yuan Shikai is getting bigger and bigger. The application of its chemical products will be in all aspects, which can be said to be closely related to clothing, food, housing and transportation. ”

I don't understand, but it's a good thing, like inventing a new drug. It will be not available in the country. Even overshadowed foreigners. Cen Chunxuan has already made a decision to give Chen Wenqiang space in the remote place of Qiongzhou, not only is there no loss, but it is likely to have a huge gain. Moreover, Chen Wenqiang has already hinted in his words that the new antimalarial drug is close to success, and he can also add glory to himself when the time comes, right? After all, it is in Qiongzhou, and it is in the territory under his own jurisdiction, this Chen Wenqiang, who seems to be very sensible and sensible. Will you count your support as a credit for the invention of new drugs?

Chen Wenqiang became more and more aware of Cen Chunxuan's thoughts, and became more and more sure of his previous analysis and judgment. Cen Chunxuan was more and more happy when he said it, "Adults have spared no effort to establish education, and they can be called leaders in promoting education." Brother Zhang and I are deeply admired, and we are willing to donate 200,000 yuan to the Liangguang Industrial School to facilitate the construction and development of Liangguang Industry. ”

Cen Chunxuan believed that "educators are the first priority of politics", and founded Shanxi University Hall (Shanxi University) when he was in charge of Shanxi; When he was in charge of Sichuan, he built the Sichuan Higher School; In Liangguang, more than 10 Western-style schools, such as the Liangguang Student Affairs Office, the Guangdong General Ben School, the Military Medical School, the Army Surveying and Mapping School, the Forestry School, the Patrol Police Coaching Institute, the Liangguang Excellent Normal School, the Army Primary and Secondary School, the Law and Politics School, the Liangguang Industrial School, and the Guangxi Higher School, were set up one after another.

After a few rounds of favoring, the conversation between the guest and the host became more and more harmonious, and Chen Wenqiang found that Cen Chunxuan was really more thoughtful. What he admired and emulated was the European-American style of economic state-building and the education-oriented development strategy, while he was critical of the Russian-German-Japanese style of military statehood. With regard to the development of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, and Guangzhou, he even had the idea of building a "special zone" and building Qinzhou and Beihai into a great southwest corridor.

Obviously, although Cen Chunxuan was not a revolutionary, he did not seem to reject the country to take the capitalist road. This is very different from simply advocating the New Deal.

However, Chen Wenqiang did not fully agree with Cen Chunxuan's idea, because with China's current industrial capacity and the quality of its workers, despite the advantage in labor prices, it will take a period of development to change to an "export-oriented economy." Moreover, China's tariff power is still in the hands of the foreign powers.

Despite this, Chen Wenqiang still put forward some unique insights according to Cen Chunxuan's general ideas, and won some preferential policies for his development in Qiongzhou. At the same time, he also explained to Cen Chunxuan that in order to ensure his safety in Qiongzhou, he was going to transfer some people from the Shanghai Ziqiang Business Group. In this regard, Cen Chunxuan did not say no, and Chen Wenqiang took it as a tacit.

Say hello in advance, not only to be honest, but also to pave the way for things to come. Anyway, it doesn't matter if Cen Chunxuan disagrees or not, the person brought it, and the guns and ammunition are also hidden on the ship, Chen Wenqiang will definitely not give up.

During the conversation, Chen Wenqiang seemed to inadvertently reveal the news that he would meet with Wang Hongtu, the successor of King Qian, in Guangzhou. Sure enough, Cen Chunxuan's eyes lit up again, and he enthusiastically asked Chen Wenqiang to introduce him on his behalf, and he was very willing to meet Wang Hongtu at the Governor's Mansion and talk about the new policy.

Cen Chunxuan really plucked the feathers of the geese, so he had to be sorry for Wang Hongtu. In this regard, Chen Wenqiang felt a little guilty, but it was only a flash.

At the end of the meeting, Chen Wenqiang and Zhang Rongxuan said goodbye and retired. Out of the gate of the Governor's Palace, Zhang Rongxuan immediately stretched out his thumb and expressed his admiration to Chen Wenqiang. The strategy of this time is basically Chen Wenqiang's analysis and judgment, and the cooperation between the two is also tacit, and the success of the meeting is self-evident.

"Hehe, it's all about money." Chen Wenqiang waved his hand humbly and said with emotion: "Without the approval and support of the government, it is really difficult to do something." Brother Zhang, although the imperial court has a decree and Cen Chunxuan supports it, there will definitely be a lot of trouble when repairing the Chaoshan Railway, you must be mentally prepared! ”

Zhang Rongxuan nodded and said: "In terms of funds, it is a trivial matter, all the projects, rails, locomotives, carriages and platforms are valued by the British Jardine Matheson, a total of 18.9 million yuan, and our brothers subscribe for one million, and it is solved." I'm worried about land acquisition, and I'm afraid it won't be smooth sailing. ”

"Brother Zhang doesn't have to worry too much." Chen Wenqiang said with relief: "Didn't the Queen Mother reward you with the imperial pen and ink treasure, jade ruyi and python robe, these objects are a symbol of authority. With Cen Chunxuan's support, difficulties will definitely be solved. ”

"Borrow your auspicious words, Brother Chen." Zhang Rongxuan arched his hand, with a slight smile on his face, "Brother Chen's reputation is far and wide, and he has the support of Zhang Lao Zhuangyuan and others, Governor Cen is also very kind to you in his speech, Brother Chen went to Qiongzhou to start a business, it must be smooth sailing." ”

"Whether it's smooth sailing or many difficulties, once the road has been chosen, we must always work hard to go on." Chen Wenqiang's words revealed other meanings, but Zhang Rongxuan couldn't hear them.

In the next few days, Chen Wenqiang arranged a contact point and left-behind personnel in Guangzhou, and met with Wang Hongtu. The two had a very pleasant conversation, and initially decided on matters such as investing in a pharmaceutical factory, as well as establishing a bank branch and an electric light company in Kunming.

After such an operation, the tentacles of the joint venture bank basically extended to Liangguang and Yunnan, and in addition to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the stronghold of Ningbo businessmen, the business scope suddenly expanded to several provinces.

If the joint venture bank can become bigger and stronger, it will have a decisive force in China's finance, and it will also have a mountain of gold and silver that can spend a lot of money. As long as the credibility of banknotes is established, they can be issued in the future for an amount that exceeds several times or even more than ten times the bank's capital. In other words, if the banknotes printed by the joint venture bank become credit currency, it is basically not closely related to the amount of precious metals held.

Of course, this is only a good expectation, and it is only theoretical. However, judging from the lack of funds for other revolutionary groups, and the fact that fundraising has become a very important task, the Renaissance Society is already far ahead.

As far as Chen Wenqiang was concerned, he felt even more that it was advantageous and easy to establish a constitutionalist faction. This is also a trend, especially in the main trend in the country, there is no need to fight, as long as he follows the trend, he can obtain unexpected benefits.

………….. (To be continued.) )