Since the outbreak of the international silver crisis, although the Qing Zheng Axe temporarily transferred silver assets into foreign exchange, a country cannot use foreign currency as a means of circulation for a long time, so the Qing Zheng Axe decided to use the local currency as soon as possible.

However, the impact of the international banking crisis is still very strong, silver continues to fall, and the use of silver as the local currency will have to bear a huge risk of depreciation. The Qing government, which was already aware of the great harm of the silver deficit crisis, had no choice but to take corresponding measures. In addition, Guangxu hoped to control the country's finances through currency reform, and then achieve the power to compete with Cixi.

Monetary reform was carried out, but the gold reserves of the Qing government were weak and the funds to adopt the gold standard were insufficient, so Guangxu decided to use the limited gold resources to implement the gold-copper standard first.

Nonetheless, reforming the currency would also require a huge amount of money as a foundation. The military conflict in the northeast had already left the Qing government with huge debts, and the fiscal deficit in 1897 would reach 13 million pounds. The Qing government has no money left, and only IOUs remain. In order to solve this urgent problem, Guangxu ordered Sheng Xuanhuai to set up a bank to raise funds. At the same time, he is also accumulating experience in running a bank for the imperial court, which is only needed as the next step to establish the Daqing Bank.

Sheng Xuanhuai chose to establish the Daqing Commercial Bank in Shanghai, so he negotiated financing with a local bank in Shanghai. Li Jingchu's Yishanyuan and Qiao Zhiyuan's Jinde firm made a lot of money in the silver loss crisis, and became a well-known big money bank in Shanghai in one fell swoop, so they became Sheng Xuanhuai's first target.

However, Li Jingchu and Qiao Zhiyuan's financial resources were not enough to support the Qing Empire's currency reform, and they recommended that Wang Chenhao join them. It happened that Wang Chenhao returned to China, so the two of them brought Sheng Xuanhuai to visit him.

Sheng Xuanhuai told Wang Chenhao about his plan to set up the Daqing Commercial Bank in Shanghai, and asked Wang Chenhao to invest in the shares.

Sheng Xuanhuai's invitation really made Wang Chenhao very happy, he was worried about how to control the finances of the Qing Zheng Axe, if he could buy shares in the Commerce Bank, it would be equivalent to becoming the creditor of the Qing Zheng Axe in disguise.

"I don't know how much money Shanda has raised, and how much is still missing?"

When Sheng Xuanhuai heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he secretly criticized this Wang Chenhao for being wealthy, and he was looking for the right person this time.

"To be honest, I've only raised £3 million so far. According to the basic reserves needed by the imperial court to reform the currency system, and the need to cover the fiscal deficit next year, at least fifteen million pounds will be needed. The gap is significant. ”

"Is that still a big gap?"

"Please help!"

Wang Chenhao smiled faintly and said, "Don't treat me as a rich man!" I can't come up with that much money! ”

Sheng Xuanhuai smiled, he didn't believe that Wang Chenhao had no money.

"If you don't have money, then we won't be able to find rich people in the Qing Kingdom! The Beijing-Tianjin-Tang industrial base built by adults in Zhili is more than 20 million pounds. The private fleet of adults probably spends more than this amount on coal every day, right? ”

Although what Sheng Xuanhuai said was exaggerated, it was undeniable that Wang Chenhao, Li Jingchu and Qiao Zhiyuan understood what he meant.

Qiao Zhiyuan said: "My lord, this is an opportunity to make a lot of money. I heard my cousin Qiao Zhiyong say that if you can undertake the national debt of the imperial court, you will definitely make a lot of money. ”

Li Jingchu also drank from the side, it seems that this Sheng Xuanhuai has done a lot of work for the two of them.

Wang Chenhao smiled, this Qiao Zhiyuan's cousin Qiao Zhiyong is like thunder for Wang Chenhao, the strongest Jin merchant in the late Qing Dynasty, carrying the Qing Empire's war indemnity of up to 780 million taels of silver, this transaction created the myth of Qiao Zhiyong, and also became a classic case of speculative treasury bonds.

"Master Shan, although I personally can't come up with so much money for the time being. But I know an American friend who is the managing director of Bank of America, and I think he can help you raise this money! ”

Qiao Zhiyuan suddenly asked, "Bank of America?" Why does it sound familiar? ”

Li Jingchu said with a smile: "Some time ago, a new American bank was established in the Shanghai Public Concession, and its name is Bank of America. ”

Wang Chenhao smiled: "That's right! That's the Bank of America! Their headquarters are on Wall Street in New York! ”

Wang Chenhao had already ordered Ge Denger to prepare to open a branch in China before he left the country, and this plan had been completed three months ago. The Bank of America has a branch in the Shanghai Public Concession, and the bank building is located on the banks of the Huangpu River, on the bank street on the Bund. Will Carnegie, deputy manager of Bank of America, took a ship to Shanghai after dealing with the land in Texas, he arrived in Shanghai half a month before Wang Chenhao and put the Shanghai branch of Bank of America into operation.

Sheng Xuanhuai didn't want to borrow usury from foreign banks, so he asked with a little disappointment: "My lord, we can't afford to borrow that foreigner's money, and the interest is too expensive." ”

Wang Chenhao said with a smile: "Don't worry, Shanda, I have a very good relationship with the directors of this bank, and I will persuade them to take a stake in Commerce Bank." ”

Sheng Xuanhuai looked at Wang Chenhao in surprise, and asked in disbelief: "Then how much can Bank of America out?" ”

Wang Chenhao replied: "Don't worry, Master Shan, with my relationship with the directors of the Bank of America, the remaining gap is on me!" ”

"Thank you so much, sir!"

Sheng Xuanhuai, Qiao Zhiyuan and Li Jingchu glanced at each other and were very happy.

Of course, it was Wang Chenhao who was even happier.

Subsequently, several people exchanged views on the matter of investing in Commerce Bank. Qiao Zhiyuan finally brought up the matter of three auction houses.

In this regard, Wang Chenhao assured him that in about two months, his marine biological environment scientific expedition team will return to China. On their way home, they will salvage a number of shipwreck treasures along the way. The location of these shipwreck treasures has been marked on the chart, so when the fleet returns, it is enough to directly find a place to salvage the treasures inside.

"Don't worry! When the time comes, you'll have to worry not that there won't be any treasures to auction, but that there won't be enough warehouses to house them! ”

Qiao Zhiyuan was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "Thank you for taking care of you!" ”

Wang Chenhao said with a smile: "It's not about taking care of it, it's just a win-win situation!" ”

Li Jingchu had heard about this a long time ago, although he did not run the antique auction business, but after listening to the conversation between Wang Chenhao and Qiao Zhiyuan, he couldn't help but be envious.

After sending the three away, Wang Chenhao immediately sent a telegram to the New York Consulate General, telling Tang Shaoyi about his secret shareholding in the Daqing Commercial Bank, and he conveyed it to Ge Denger.

At the same time, Wang Chenhao immediately ordered someone to call the Shanghai branch of the Bank of America and call Will Carnegie to discuss the matter.

"Boss, you are in such a hurry to call me, I don't know what is the matter?"

Will politely saluted Wang Chenhao, and Wang Chenhao motioned for him to sit down and speak.

"A big business for you to do!"

After the gold run crisis and the acquisition of land in Houston, Texas, Will, has become very admired and even admired Wang Chenhao. Hearing Wang Chenhao say that there was a big business to do, Will was already a little impatient.

"What kind of business?"

Wang Chenhao then told him about Qing Zhengaxe's plan to establish the Great Qing Commercial Bank and Sheng Xuanhuai's plan to raise funds.

"Investing in treasury bonds, this is really a big deal!"

Wang Chenhao nodded, noncommittal. Among the eight major U.S. consortia that greatly touched him during his trip to the United States, Morgan ranked first. Because Morgan's history is to continue to buy the national bonds of various countries around the world, so as to not only get the huge feedback of the political axe of various countries economically, but also frequently give Morgan the green light in the career, so that the development of the company is unimpeded.

Inspired by the Morgan consortium, Wang Chenhao also discovered the huge benefits involved, so he and Will agreed with each other.

"That's right! This time, Qing Zhengaxe is going to use the Commerce Bank to raise 15 million pounds, and 5 million pounds has been raised so far, I want you to contact Sheng Xuanhuai immediately and buy the remaining 10 million pounds of equity. ”

Will said: "Boss, we bought 10 million pounds of equity at once, accounting for 80%, which means that Commerce Bank is ours. Isn't that too risky? ”

Wang Chenhao smiled: "Do you think the Qing Zheng axe is stupid? They only sold half of the shares, totaling £15 million. We can only buy 40% of the shares for 10 million pounds, and Qing Zheng Axe is still the largest shareholder. ”

Will frowned and said, "Is it clear that the Qing Zheng Axe is an empty glove white wolf?" ”

Wang Chenhao snorted coldly and said, "Which country's political axes are not all empty gloves and white wolves?" ”

Will was stunned and speechless.

Wang Chenhao said with a smile: "No matter how empty he is a white wolf, he has the credibility of a political axe." We don't have to worry about that, as long as we can make money! Although it is only 40% of the shares, the capital will be doubled in a few years. Looking at the world, there is no easier way to make money, it is like grabbing money. ”

Will laughed: "Turning 10 million pounds into 20 million pounds in a few years can indeed be called a money grab." However, in my opinion, this level of money grabbing is nothing more than pediatrics compared to the old version of your action in Houston. ”

Wang Chenhao smiled, it seemed that his glorious deeds had been deeply engraved in Will's mind.

It's just that Will only thinks that Wang Chenhao wants to make money, but he doesn't know that Wang Chenhao's real purpose is to control the finances of the Qing Zheng Axe through the Commerce Bank. This is only the first step, and once the Qing government axe has raised the funds, the monetary reform will begin. According to Wang Chenhao's estimates, the funds needed for the Qing political axe are not enough to complete with just 15 million pounds. Sheng Xuanhuai only knew a little about currency reform, and according to the fact that the basic reserves for monetary reform should not be less than 10% of the country's gross national product, the Qing Empire's huge economic aggregate would need at least 100 million pounds to successfully complete the currency reform. Obviously, the Qing political axe, which does not understand the modern economy, will need a huge amount of money to invest.

Wang Chenhao did not tell Sheng Xuanhuai, but misled the top management of the Qing government to implement financial reforms through him. At that time, Wang Chenhao could easily get the currency issuance power of the Qing Axe in his hands through the Bank of America, and become the money printing machine of the Central Bank of the Qing Empire, so as to achieve the goal of finally controlling the financial lifeline of the Qing Axe.

Wang Chenhao naturally won't tell Will about this, but let Will prepare in advance. After all, 100 million pounds is an astronomical amount, although Wang Chenhao's total personal assets are now close to 200 million pounds, but fixed assets account for more than half, and if you want to come up with 100 million pounds, you have to turn around in advance and be prepared.

"Remember! My identity can't be revealed! ”

"Yes! Boss! ”

"That's it! You go and do things! ”

"Yes! Boss! ”

Will did as instructed by Wang Chenhao, and the negotiations with Sheng Xuanhuai went very smoothly, and the two sides quickly determined the share division agreement. But to Wang Chenhao's surprise, Will used his status as an American to force Qing Zheng Axe to take the initiative to increase the shares held by the Bank of America, and finally the Bank of America invested 10 million pounds into the Daqing Commerce Bank, holding 45% of the shares, Yishanyuan Li Jingchu held 6% of the shares, Jinde firm held 4% of the shares, Qing Zheng Axe held 40% of the shares with the guarantee of national credit and land owners, and the remaining 4% of the shares were raised by other money banks in Shanghai, and 1% of the shares were raised by the private sector. As a result, from the day the Daqing International Commercial Bank was prepared for its establishment, the Qing government lost its position as the largest shareholder.

On December 11, Wang Chenhao left for Tianjin. At the same time, the ships of the Pacific Fleet were also overhauled. The damaged parts of each ship in the Battle of Dajiyang have also been repaired, and Wang Chenhao is very satisfied with the work efficiency of the shipyard, and especially praises Wei Han.

The Pacific Fleet escorted Wang Chenhao's fleet all the way, and the staffing of the ships of the Pacific Fleet changed slightly. Wang Chenhao transferred 1,000 elite naval officers and men from the Fujian Naval Division, the Guangdong Naval Division, and the Yangtze River Patrol Naval Division, and 1,000 outstanding naval cadets from the Nanyang Naval Academy, the Fujian Shipbuilding Academy, and the Guangdong Huangpu Naval Academy, making a total of 2,000 elite naval officers and outstanding students to work on various ships of the Pacific Fleet.

The explanation to the outside world is only that the naval battle of the Great Tsugi Ocean has lost a large number of naval combat personnel, and it needs to be supplemented. On the surface, it was a paralysis of the Russian Far East Fleet, but in fact, Wang Chenhao hoped to minimize the degree of dependence of the Pacific Fleet on British personnel, and to realize the localization of the ship's crew as soon as possible. At the same time, the addition of these 2,000 naval personnel also provided them with an excellent opportunity to learn from the British without going abroad, which was extremely important for improving their personal combat qualities.

The captured Russian Rurik builder Rear Admiral Nebogatov and his entourage were imprisoned in the Shanghai Provincial Yamen Prison, and Wang Chenhao strictly forbade the Shanghai Taoist Li Ming to prohibit anyone from arraignment or visitation, so as not to leak the combat strength of the Pacific Fleet.

Luo Xier was arranged to temporarily live in Wang Chenhao's private residence in Shanghai, which was built by Li Jingchu, Qiao Zhiyuan, and the bosses of more than a dozen silver accounts and money banks in Shanghai. The decoration of this official residence is extremely luxurious, with a total cost of 2.3 million taels, of which Li Jingchu alone contributed 300,000 taels. This official residence is a large villa combining Chinese and Western, with a total of five floors, more than 100 rooms, and luxurious decoration.

Rothier originally insisted on following Wang Chenhao, but Wang Chenhao said that he was going to fight this time, so it was inconvenient to take her with him. In fact, Wang Chenhao didn't want to take Luo Sier to appear directly in front of Li Youyi, he was going to coax Li Youyi first, and then take Luo Sier to live in Tianjin together. Wang Chenhao left Si Qi and the two pretty maids to Luo Hill, and he didn't want Li Youyi to get the news from the two girls, and at the same time, Wang Chenhao left 20 guards for Luo Hill to defend himself. In fact, Wang Chenhao was a lot worried, this official residence is in the public concession, and the security is far better than that of Shanghai County.

(To be continued)