"What about MacDonald?" Takahashi asked again.

"MacDonald's demand is 4.5 percent, but they ask us to use Taiwan's land or minerals as collateral. Moreover, they ask for a lot of collateral. are more than three times the value of the money lent. If we are defeated and we don't pay the money, I'm afraid that Taiwan will become MacDonald's Taiwan. Just like Alaska. It's a bit too harsh, but as long as we can win, it's not a problem. Kawaguchi replied.

"That's not just the problem." Takahashi took a sip of wine and said, "Yankees are not good things, especially those who are rich, the richer they are, the less they are things." The annual interest rate of 4.5 percent is indeed not high. But if we do borrow a large sum from him, then there is a real chance that we will not be able to pay it back. ”

"How so? 4.5 percent only. "Kawaguchi hasn't understood yet.

"The interest rate of 4.5 percent is not high, but those Yankees don't just think about this little money, they have a big appetite. Believe it or not, if we borrow a large sum of money as they want, and as soon as we turn our heads, they will immediately find the Russians, finance them at a lower interest rate, let them beat us, and then he will earn much more. Takahashi sneered and said, "When the time comes, we will be defeated by Russia first, and then naturally we will have no strength to resist the United States again, and at that time, whether it is the United States or Britain, I am afraid that it will immediately change its face towards us, and then the empire will fall into the situation when the black ship fell again." Their calculations are really ingenious, but they can't think of us as barbarians who don't understand anything, right? ”

To be honest, Kawaguchi really didn't think about it so much until Takahashi sneered and debunked his conjecture about Macdonald's intentions. So he sat up straight, and Masaseki said to Takahashi Shiqing: "I really didn't expect that there would be such a trap here." Fortunately, there is also Takahashi-kun, who saw through the tricks of the Americans at a glance. Hey, the state affairs are so difficult, it's like sailing against the current......"

"Kawaguchi-kun, what was the result of your contact with American Jews?" Takahashi asked again.

"I had some contact with Mr. Jacob Schiff. He was very interested in the deal. It's just that, as before, he also asks us to pay a higher interest rate. Or Taiwan leased certain land to him as compensation in addition to interest. "Mr. Jacob Schiff asked for the land to be leased for a long time and to allow them to govern themselves. He told me that he wanted to build a self-governing city there for the Jews. If we can agree to such terms, he will be able to put us in touch with Jewish bankers all over the world, and the amount of interest and loans will be easy to say. But I don't think that's necessarily a good idea. This is tantamount to selling the land. I don't want to be condemned as soon as I return to Japan; Second, it is not necessarily a good thing for us that the Jewish consortium really wants to have such an autonomous city in the Far East. What do you think? ”

"You have a point, his asking price is too high. Well, let's not mention that for now, let me tell you about some of the recent situation in the US economy. Takahashi said. The more information you can know before you take any action, the better.

"Some time ago, the president of the United States was assassinated, and Vice President Roosevelt succeeded him, and there is nothing to do for the time being." Kawaguchi thought for a moment and replied, "But there are also rumors that Roosevelt intended to control the monopoly of the big corporations. If President Roosevelt really had such an idea, I am afraid that the United States will have to be troubled for some time to come. Then, after the assassination of the president, the Midwest banking alliance was greatly affected and nearly collapsed, but Mr. Jacob Schiff sold many of his assets and bought a large number of shares in the relevant banks, thus stabilizing the situation. Today, the Midwest Banking Alliance has stabilized and become a fairly powerful trust. Mr. Jacob Schiff dares to say that interest rates and loan amounts are not a problem, and this is probably where his confidence lies. ”

"Do you know what percentage of Jacob Schiff is in this league?" Takahashi asked, frowning.

"Takahashi-kun, we really don't know about this. And we don't have the means to find out into such secrets. Kawaguchi replied.

Takahashi listened clearly, nodded, and said, "Kawaguchi-kun, this is indeed my asking too much. It is true that such a level of secrecy cannot be obtained by our ability. The Americans may seem like a big grin and a little less sophisticated, but they have always done a very good job of keeping key issues secret. At least, much stronger than the Qing or Russia, and even, much stronger than us, especially trade secrets. However, what is within the intelligence depends on the collection on the one hand, and analysis on the other hand. Kawaguchi-kun, can you help me collect all the relevant reports on the president and those influential newspapers before and after, I want to see it. ”

"Hey, that's no problem." Kawaguchi replied.

……

A few days later, Takahashi was in New York Harbor again, but this time, not to leave the United States, but to board a legendary yacht, the Corsair. It was also the first time that a Japanese person had boarded this legendary yacht.

At the docks, Takahashi first met Jacob Schiff.

"Hello, Mr. Schiff, it's a pleasure to meet you." At the suggestion of Tayuyuki Kawaguchi, Takahashi first greeted Jacob Schiff.

"Mr. Takahashi, welcome." Jacob Schiff was also enthusiastic.

"Mr. Schiff, thank you for helping me find an opportunity to attend such a meeting." Takahashi said sincerely.

"Mr. Takahashi, it's nothing. It's mostly for business. I know you have a big deal to talk to us about. In addition to me, there are many other businessmen who are also interested in this transaction. On this boat, you will have the opportunity to meet the most important figures in the American economic world. In addition, to be honest, it is one thing whether or not you can succeed in business, as long as I can make trouble for the Russians, I will be very happy...... Ah, let's get on board first. Jacob Schiff replied.

Morgan did not appear at this rally, this time it was his son Morgan Jr. who appeared as the host. In a sense, handing over the Pirate to his son also symbolizes that his son will gradually take over his class. It is precisely because of this meaning that this rally is more valued by those in the economic circles. Many people have brought their sons with them, so that they can get to know the people in the economic circle who are destined to call for wind and rain in the future. This also makes the number of places at this party very tight. To be able to participate in this gathering, Jacob Schiff was indeed a helper.

got on the boat, but no one was talking about anything serious, they were all talking about eating, drinking, and having fun, and it was in the process that Jacob Schiff took Takahashi to meet Morgan Jr. and Greystone.

During the first day on the ship, Takahashi did almost nothing. But Takahashi is not in a hurry, since he is on the boat, there is always a time to talk about things.

Sure enough, after a night of revelry, the next morning a waiter came to inform Takahashi that Mr. Jacob Schiff had invited him to the deck.

"Mr. Morgan Jr. and Mr. MacDonald Jr. are also there." The waiter reminded in a whisper.

"Thank you." Takahashi said as he handed a dollar to the waiter. Then he looked in the mirror and sorted out his meter at great speed. Takahashi's room has two mirrors on both walls, but the curtains are usually drawn. Last night, according to the general treatment of visitors who came on board, little Morgan had the dwarf send two golden cats, and then Takahashi found out that he was playing with the golden cats in front of the mirrors facing each other without turning off the lights...... It's so fun, but it's also so exhausting. If Americans do know how to play, compared to the level of decoration of those customs and industrial establishments in Japan, it is really much worse. Moreover, compared to Japanese women, the two golden cats are also better, well, anyway, it made Takahashi even have an illusion - as if he was circled and forked by others.

Leaving the cabin and onto the deck, Takahashi felt that his steps were slightly unsteady, and he didn't know if it was because the boat was swaying slightly in the sea breeze or because of something else.

"Mr. Takahashi, here." Jacob Schiff saw him from afar and waved at him enthusiastically.

Jacob Schiff wasn't a good-natured and enthusiastic man, and let's be honest, neither did Morgan Jr. and Greystone. But when anyone has money to earn, they will become enthusiastic and their temper will improve.

Takahashi walked over, and on the wide aft deck, parasols and tables and chairs were already set up, and several people were there. Takahashi walked over and greeted a few of the people who were there.

"Sit here." Little Morgan pointed to an empty chair and said to Takahashi.

"Mr. Takahashi, when do you plan to go to war against Russia?" When Takahashi sat down, little Morgan asked bluntly. If you change to the average Japanese, most of them will not be used to Morgan's too straightforward approach. However, Takahashi did not have such a problem, and it was not the first time that he had dealt with these impolite and uneducated Americans.

"It depends on the financing and, as well as the construction of the railway by the Russians." Takahashi replied directly without any concealment. While this is not a Japanese answer, it is necessary to convince those Americans in a way that is more acceptable to them.

"Mr. Schiff is very concerned about supporting the fight against Russia, so he has been encouraging us to support you as well. It's just that you should understand that the Russians are white after all, and the whites have not lost a war to a colored person. So, supporting you guys is a high-risk business. High risk must have high reward, I think you should understand this truth. Little Morgan said with a smile.