Among the people, it is undoubtedly those who are compradors of foreign banks and those who have always been disconnected from foreigners who are the most worried. For example, Wu Tiaoqing, the comprador of HSBC, who has the oldest qualifications and the largest deal, is one of the representatives.

He not only supported HSBC's business in Tianjin and even in the north, but also served as the general office of the Railway Bureau and the general office of the Huaijun Bank and Money Institute because of his connection with Li Hongzhang. In addition, he also facilitated the loan project between the Qing court and the British by virtue of his position, from which he made a fortune.

Although he also actively participated in the commercial projects of the Yang Group, and as the head of the comprador in Tianjin, he occupied a very important position in the commercial bank and the Yanhua Chamber of Commerce, and used it to expand its industry several times. However, he has never severed relations with foreigners, all he has is stepping on a few boats, no matter which one has the upper hand, he can be left and right and invincible.

But today's events made him a little numb. Previously, Yang Hao tore his face with the foreigners, he chose to wait and see the changes, did not show his support, and privately discussed with other compradors, thinking that Yang Hao must not be able to withstand the strength of the foreigners, and he will inevitably lose.

But the result? It was actually the Yang Clan's navy that broke the combined fleet of the great powers, and captured so many people and warships, no matter how many unknown mysteries were hidden in it, in a period of time, the world will inevitably change color because of this!

Not to mention anything else, once the Yang clan suddenly rebelled against the Qing Dynasty by taking advantage of this momentum, the capital that was close at hand would definitely not be guaranteed. After the imperial court retreated in panic, it was feared that the loans to the British would not be repaid. Whose head is this to be reckoned with?

Moreover, if the Yang family completely tore his face with the foreign powers, would it still be possible to allow the foreigners' banks and foreign banks to do business on the ground in China? It's all unknown!

Wu Tiaoqing sighed worriedly: "Alas! I knew it was so. We should have been proactive. Even if he gives up hundreds of thousands of two fortunes to the Yang family. It will never fall into such an embarrassing situation as today. Guys, is there anything else you can think of? ”

Liang Yanqing, a comprador of Jardine Matheson & Co., who is also suffering from the same disease, also faces a similar problem. He held the position of a number of foreign companies, controlled the export business of Gaolin Foreign Company for many years, and was also responsible for the shipping and arms business of Jardine Matheson, and was inseparable from the foreigners in the Qing court.

Liang Yanqing shook his head and smiled bitterly: "What can be the best solution?" It's just a matter of bowing his head and admitting his mistake, and I think that Mr. Yang is not a narrow-minded person, and he will not be angry with others if he wins a big victory this time. ”

"Hmph. That might be. The corners of Wang Minghuai, the oldest comprador of Lihe Foreign Bank, twitched slightly, and poured a basin of cold water on everyone, "Don't forget, Mr. Yang is the leader of the revolutionary army and the leader of the revolutionary party, and he wants to do major things to subvert the imperial court." In this world, changing his name and surname is between his palms, and we people are too deeply involved, and we have to bleed. It's good to be able to buy a peace, but just say a few soft words, can he agree? Who knows if they will make use of us. Do that kind of murderous thing? ”

These words made everyone shudder. Subconsciously turned his head to look at the figure on the battleship, his eyes were full of horror.

Wang Minghuai can be regarded as the oldest comprador and arms dealer among the people. As early as many years ago, he hooked up with Li Hongzhang and was responsible for reselling guns, weapons, machines, etc. from the Germans to the Huai army and the Qing court. In the past 20 years, the Great Qing Kingdom has bought thousands of cannons, countless guns and ammunition, and his shadow is in them. Although he himself made a lot of money, he also had a constant relationship with the Qing court.

In this dispute between the Yang family and the foreign powers, Wang Minghuai not only joined the Qing court to arm the new army, but also borrowed a lot of money, and was the representative of the interests of foreigners like the other two.

People like them are the best to survive and profit in the decaying and chaotic end of the dynasty, but they also have to bear the risk of turmoil caused by the change of dynasty. If you stand firm in advance, you will have to obtain a seat from the dragon, such as the seat of the eight emperors of the Manchu Dynasty. But if you stand in the wrong line, you will become the number one target to kill the sacrificial flag. Not to mention that they are worth millions one by one, and they can arm an infantry division with a random copy.

A few comprador bosses look at me, and they are all full of fear. If they had gotten the news two days earlier, they would have been able to prepare, at least before the victory of the fleet, they would have managed to find Yang Hao to get through.

But the problem was that the battle was taking place at sea, and at that time there was no one on all sides, and they didn't have a radio, so they didn't even know when the battle would start and what it would be. By the time the news suddenly got this morning, it was too late.

"Otherwise, ask a friend from Shanxi to come forward and say yes? Anyway, we are all businessmen, and the interests of the big guys are still the same. Even if he gave up some money, he confessed it. ”

Zheng Yizhi, comprador of Swire & Co., mentioned yì. He is young, has a lively brain, is bold, and has a wild path. He was the first of all compradors to actively participate in a series of projects of the Yanhua Chamber of Commerce, and was the first to contract the real estate projects of the American Concession and Huayuanyang, and had a hot fight with the third child of Li Hongzhang's family.

His advice has made many peers quite excited, but they are also worried. Wu Tiaoqing shook his head and sighed: "I'm afraid that people won't help!" When Mr. Song came to us to cheer for the Yang family, what did the big guys say? The refusal was too simple, and he gave up the road. ”

"Alas! Who's to say it isn't? Wang Minghuai stumbled, "But who would have thought that the Yang family would be so powerful, and many foreigners couldn't defeat him together." ”

This is really a "never expected". As compradors of foreign banks in the world, they know the strength of foreigners best, no matter how powerful a Yang clan is, after all, it is only a local force in their hometown, how can they compete with the dominance of foreigners in the world?

Li Fuchen, an authentic comprador from Tianjin, couldn't help but say: "It's not a dead end now, right?" Even if it is really a big loss to teach foreigners, after all, it is not to the point of breaking their muscles and bones, and the foreigners will definitely refuse to give up...... If this is a real fight, it is not certain who will win and who will lose, right? ”

Some people with shallow eyelids couldn't help but echo in unison.

Wu Tiaoqing glanced at them sideways, and said angrily: "Hmph, even if the foreigners refuse to take a break, it is not possible to complete the deployment of troops in a month or two if they want to fight again." But this time is enough for people to raid our family and exterminate the family! Ladies and gentlemen, people are under the roof. I can't help but bow my head! ”

The men were shocked. Don't dare to speak nonsense anymore.

That's right. The Yang army's army is in front of the eyes, saying that it will not take the next day to kill people. Foreigners, when will they care about the life or death of a bunch of Chinese compradors? Besides, they have fallen into the current dilemma, isn't it because they also had similar thoughts last time?

Several leaders discussed a few words, and cheekily came to the side of another group of people, Zheng Yizhi pretended to smile, and arched his hand at Song Yunsheng: "Brother Song is invited." Our friends have two sentences, I want to ask Brother Song, I don't know ....... ”

Song Yunsheng still doesn't know what they think? However, he is a kind person, and he can't do that kind of trick, so he hurriedly waved his hand and said modestly: "Brother Zheng doesn't have to be like this, I know what you mean, but I haven't received any news about this matter beforehand." Therefore, even if you can meet Mr. Yang, whether you can talk to him or not, there is no bottom at all. ”

Zheng Yizhi climbed up the pole. Finalizing the corner, he grabbed the stubble: "Brother Song is willing to help with two sentences, which is a great help." I don't dare ask for more. ”

A group of compradors quietly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking in their hearts about what price they would have to pay if they had to get things done. Let Song Yunsheng intercede with empty mouths and white teeth, how can there be such a good thing in the world? In addition, if you want to get Yang Hao's understanding, how much price you have to give, you also have to be mentally prepared in advance, but don't wait for someone to cut it down, it's not stupid.

got Song Yunsheng's letter, and put down half of the big stone in his heart. I don't know who said coldly: "I said everyone, should we also give a reminder to the people in the south?" ”

"Southside?"

Everyone looked at each other, and no one could make up their minds. This is talking about the Jiangsu and Zhejiang business gangs, which are also shareholders of the Yanhua Chamber of Commerce and commercial banks. Compared with this guy in Tianjin, who just stood on the side and watched the direction of the wind, and did not help Yang Hao, the counterparts in the south did a little unauthentic. Some of them not only openly swallowed up many enterprises supported by commercial banks, but also cleaned up the trade union groups and representatives stationed in the factory, completely tearing up Yang's skin.

There are also some people who not only did not support Yang's when they launched the acquiring war, but also took advantage of the fire to rob and raise prices, making Yang pay a few percent of the cost for no reason.

They all regarded Yang Hao as the second Hu Xueyan, thinking that by helping the foreigners toss and collapse the Yang Group, they would be able to make huge profits along the way. But they probably forgot that Hu Xueyan was just a businessman who relied on the government, and no matter how red his top was, he was like rootless duckweed.

Who is Yang Hao? There is an invincible strong army under his hand, and there is a powerful fleet, don't look thousands of miles away from the south of the Yangtze River, say kill the past, that's no second word!

The greed of the Southern Merchant Gang is obviously higher, which also has a lot to do with the fact that they have been compradors for a long time. In their bones, these people have already recognized themselves as vassals of foreigners, and think that as long as the foreigners' warships stop on the Huangpu River and cruise on the Yangtze River for a day, no one will be able to turn over this plate.

It's a pity that their calculations are all wrong now.

Wang Minghuai was scheming, and dragged out the door: "Breaking bones and tendons, they are all business partners, of course you have to fight one." But whether they are willing to listen to persuasion or not, it is difficult to say. ”

Most of the compradors in Tianjin also came from Guangzhou and Shanghai, and the people there had some connections. Watching them suffer without saying a word, it seems cold and bad to say this. But it's not okay to say too much, God knows how Yang Hao plans to deal with the big guys, this big disaster is coming, let's pick myself out first.

If you say that, you have to do it, but if you want to do it, it is not so easy. Now the telegraph lines in the north, whether they are foreigners or Chinese, have to go from Tianjin, Yang Hao strangled him, and no one can deliver the news. By water? Now that the navy is blocking the port, whether the sea is too peaceful depends on whether people give them an opening.

A group of people discussed countermeasures, and then waited for Yang Hao to give an explanation.

On the battleship, Yan Fu and the others finished visiting with great interest, and came to the command tower to look into the distance, and they were all fierce and fierce. Yan Fu said excitedly: "If all these warships are incorporated into our navy, the strength of our army will more than double, even if the great powers continue to attack, they can be repulsed!" ”

Among the eight captured warships, Germany and Russia each had one 10,000-ton ship, France had two 10,000-ton battleships and four cruisers, the smallest tonnage was the 3,861-ton "Forliant," and the rest were around 6,000 tons. In terms of tonnage and main guns alone, these battleships were enough to throw the original Beiyang Naval Division a few streets away. It is no wonder that the great powers looked down on the Great Qing State, and it was really a powerful navy that could not be compared.

Now. If all these warships are returned to China. The total displacement can be quadrupled on board. It's powerful.

Yang Hao shook his head disapprovingly: "We don't want these broken copper and iron, and when we get to know it, let the foreign devils redeem it, the province has a lot of trouble to maintain, and if our navy wants to use it, we will use the best warships in the world." ”

Yan Fu and the others opened their mouths in surprise, don't? These are all good things that money can't buy! If you pull one out of it, the age of the ship will not exceed five years. It's a new gadget when it's advanced, and it's a pity to return it to foreigners!

Yang Hao pointed to the "Dingyuan" and said proudly: "Do you see it?" At least it's by standard enough to qualify for being in our fleet. When the construction of our new cruisers and battleships is completed, these battleships of the old Beiyang will be converted into training ships or third-class coastal defense ships. ”

Yan Fu didn't know what to say, but there was always an impulse in his heart, thinking that it would be better to simply quit this government position and become an officer in ......the navy.

After the visit was completed, the reporters took photos separately, and Yang Hao immediately ordered the captured warships to be open to the public. Let the old and young masters in Beijing and Tianjin see their gains with their own eyes. He then led the crowd out of the docks. In front of the anticipatory merchants, he just nodded with a smile on his face, and then got in the car and drove away.

Song Yunsheng did not dare to slack off on his heavy responsibilities, and hurriedly followed with several representatives of the Chamber of Commerce until he went to the US Concession Office. Finally, Yang Hao didn't turn him away, and after meeting, he first said a few polite words, and then cautiously and tactfully asked, is it to give those wall-riding factions another chance?

Yang Hao smiled and comforted him: "Brother Song doesn't have to be like this, in public and private, you and I are not as nervous as we are with Dabin, or we have the same friendship relationship as usual." However, it is a matter of the military junta's economic plans, and those who refuse to cooperate must be dealt with accordingly. ”

Song Yunsheng's heart tightened, for fear that he would say something cruel about cutting the grass and eradicating the roots.

Yang Hao took out the relevant system he had drafted before, and said: "The rules we have set must be implemented." The junta will not infringe on the lawful property of others without reason, but those who dare to openly ignore the law will be severely punished! No matter what your profession is, you must first figure out which side of your ass is sitting on. Those who want to continue to act for foreigners and help foreigners invade our country must not continue to exist in this land! This bottom line cannot be violated. ”

Song Yunsheng's face was gloomy, this was the death sentence of some people.

However, he was also shocked by Yang Hao's foresight, and co-authored the so-called chamber of commerce system that he made from the beginning, which was actually a commercial law to be implemented after the establishment of the military government! So other things concocted by Yang, such as the wage system, the insurance system, the trade union system, the eight-level worker system, etc., are also to be fully implemented?

Yang Hao did not hide it, and said bluntly: "We don't engage in that set of methods without teaching, we have already explained to them what we should say, and now we have to hold them accountable with rules and regulations." Whose problem is to be and who is responsible, this does not allow for personal favors to bend the law. ”

Song Yunsheng understood his attitude, so he had to sigh and accept: "Okay, I'll make it clear to them." I only hope that this can be used as a criterion in the future, and it will not change overnight. ”

Yang Hao said with a smile: "People can't stand without faith, Brother Song doesn't have to worry about this." ”

Song Yunsheng left with apprehension, came out of the office and turned around to go to the Chamber of Commerce building, and was surrounded by worried people into the conference room, and asked impatiently: "How is it?" What do you think? What kind of charter is it, can there be a saying? ”

found that his face was not very good, and the hearts of the people flickered and did not fall. Wu Tiaoqing raised his hand to suppress everyone's noise, and asked directly: "Whether it's good or bad, please tell Brother Song clearly." ”

Song Yunsheng was physically and mentally exhausted, and replied shyly: "Please forgive Song for being powerless, Mr. Yang said, do business." As soon as the constitution of the law announced before is taken as the criterion, I advise everyone to quickly dispel the idea of luck, act according to the rules, and plug the holes that have been poked out. ”

"Is there really no room for accommodation?"

Everyone can't believe that they have never had rules and regulations in doing business, who is not a cheater and a trick? No one in the Great Qing Kingdom has ever told you about any laws, and it doesn't depend on the mood of the official?

Some people disagreed, gritted their teeth and said: "The surname Yang is too ruthless, this is to force us to go bankrupt!" It's really not good, let's just not do business here, the world is ....... ”

Before he finished speaking, he was covered by the person next to him and scolded: "You don't want to die, we still want to live!" I don't want to think about it, if the sea and frontier are all under Yang's umbrella today, who can't rely on his machine and goods? ”

Not to mention the south, at least in the north, the foreign goods that Yang's commercial capital has run on have no way to live, and they can't be sold if they are brought in, which is also an important reason why foreign devils want to kill him. The people present were all involved in the Yang family's business system, and if Yang Hao was not happy, he would not even want to buy a nail.

Song Yunsheng didn't like to listen to such wild words, and said solemnly: "Isn't it good to do business in a down-to-earth manner?" In the past, there was no system to follow, and the big guys had no choice but to rely on the government and nobles. Now that the legal system is to be implemented, there is nothing wrong with the system practiced by the Chamber of Commerce before, and it is okay to continue as before. If you make money in an upright manner, you will be at ease in your heart, and you will be worried about being looted and deprived at will. Even if there is some price to pay this time, it will be long-lasting. ”

There are no stupid people in business, Liang Yanqing thought for a while, and immediately decided: "I don't know what you think, anyway, I don't plan to leave here." Now that Guangdong is also making a revolutionary party, the general trend of the world is about to change, and it is not too late to keep up at this time. Isn't it just money, you can earn it again after you spend it, I'll give it! ”

The local householders had the same attitude as the northern merchants, and accepted the punishment. In fact, they all knew in their hearts that if Yang Hao wanted to kill them all, there would be no Song Yunsheng to spread the word at all, and if there was a slope, they would hurry down, and if they didn't know about it, they would be killing themselves.

So, without waiting for Yang Hao to make a move, many people lined up to the Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Law Department to voluntarily surrender on the same day, confessing their violations in the past few days, and admitting punishment and accepting punishment. After half a day's effort, a fine of millions of taels of silver was collected! (To be continued......)