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Volume III Aftermath 140 Tokyo Impressions

Song Weichen was not interested at first, but after learning that the Meihua Company had a contract for the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway, his attitude immediately became positive.

After he went to Shanghai to negotiate with Lin Yimin, he agreed to establish the Yangtze Locomotive Manufacturing Company with Meihua Company, with a total investment of 3 million yuan, with each party accounting for half of the shares, Song Weichen invested in factories, workers, land, etc., while Meihua Company was responsible for providing technical equipment and some funds.

In order to manage and integrate resources, Lin Yimin and Song Ziwen discussed and established Hanyang Industrial Group in Wuhan, and merged Hanyang Iron Works, Yangzi Locomotive Manufacturing Company and other related businesses into the new company.

Feeling that the new Hanyang Industrial Group had been established to control the Yangzi Locomotive Manufacturing Plant from all aspects, Song Weichen soon merged the entire Yangzi Machinery Manufacturing Plant into the Hanyang Industrial Group and served as the chairman, and Song Ziwen served as the general manager of the group.

After the acquisition of Yangzi Machinery Qì Manufacturing Plant, the largest private manufacturing plant in Hubei, and the addition of Hanyang Iron Works, Hanyang Industrial Group once again became the largest industrial group in China. Hubei has also surpassed Shanghai to become China's industrial center of gravity, and the Chicago of the East has finally regained a bit of the grandeur of the Zhangzhidong period.

It is a pity that due to the economic and political situation in Hubei, Hanyang Industrial Group has not been able to fully exert its power, but around the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway project, Hanyang Industrial Group can still move forward step by step.

The Japanese were red again, and the Guangdong-Hankou Railway had no part in them. When they heard this, they were eager to join in, but neither HSBC, Meihua, nor Citi could let the Japanese interfere. HSBC made it clear that the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway is not a Manchurian railway! The greed of the Japanese needs to be reined in.

Under the joint exclusion of the Anglo-American consortium, the Japanese returned in disgrace again, and even if the Japanese advisers and Japanese ambassadors went to Beijing to intimidate and rot, it was useless.

As for the French, they were a little apprehensive, and after knowing that they had nothing to do, they set their sights on the Southwestern Railway. Unfortunately, the Annam section of the railway was repaired, but due to the terrain around Yunnan-Guichuan, the progress of the Southwest Railway was slow??????

Tokyo Bay, Japan.

The wind is calm, and there are countless ships moored in the harbor, many of which are huge ships of more than 10,000 tons. Boats come in and out, and it's bustling.

There are many such ports in Japan, especially along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. Heaven seems to be a little fair, although it does not give this island country rich natural resources, but all over the world, few countries have so many excellent seaports, which is self-evident for foreign trade, economic development benefits.

The Tokyo area is the heart of Japan, where the best of the island nation is concentrated, and the center of industry, culture, economy, and politics is located. In particular, the (East) Kyoto (Yokohama) Industrial Belt accounts for one-third of Japan's industry.

Situ Nan looked at the city with complicated eyes. Decades ago, the U.S. Peyton fleet knocked on the door here, but it alerted the island nation to its indignation.

Decades later, the Americans came here again and bombed it to rubble, but ten years later, it stood up even more tenaciously.

History always has a similar side, it seems that the people of this island country are really as tenacious as cockroaches, unless they are like pinching a lice, pinching its belly, and then rubbing it with their hands?????

"Yongyuan, what's going on in Tokyo?" Situ Nan asked the secretary He Yongyuan.

"Much better." He Yongyuan said.

"Much better?" Situ Nan was a little dissatisfied.

"Well," He Yongyuan immediately realized that he had made a mistake and explained, "this spring, the post-war economic crisis broke out in Japan, a large number of companies collapsed, banks were runs, the stock market fell one after another, and the government raised financial loans one after another, which eased up. It is unlikely that the same prosperity will be achieved in the previous two years. ”

"It's not even close." Situ Nan nodded, not only Japan, but also the United States The post-war economic crisis has become more and more severe, and a large number of farmers in the Midwest have gone bankrupt, and their land and livestock have also fallen into the hands of bankers.

The agricultural depression is good for big conglomerates like Wells Fargo, which can easily buy up the small and medium-sized banks in the western region that are usually coveted and turn them into their own branches, while also getting a lot of land and livestock from bankrupt farmers. Fortunately, those farmers made a lot of money during the First World War, and now that there is no need for a large number of war orders, it is normal to spit out the money they earned.

Although Japan's economy is sluggish, and it is all small and medium-sized enterprises or farmers who go bankrupt, Mitsui, Mitsubishi, and other foundations can still make a lot of profits, and they can merge some good enterprises at a relatively small cost.

Situ Nan saw the industrial areas of Tokyo, and he was shocked by shipbuilding and steelmaking. After World War I, Japan's shipbuilding and iron industry developed by leaps and bounds, and the country's madness about iron and ship building is not something that the Chinese who are currently scattered in chaos can understand.

"Investing all the financial resources of a country in heavy industry is perhaps comparable to that of Japan by the tyrant of Stalin." Situ Nan thought.

"Japan is a country with amazing potential, and consortiums such as Mitsui and Mitsubishi are our competitors. Although Japan's economy is now sluggish, the profits they have made have been enough to allow Japan's industrialization and urbanization to advance rapidly. If we have the chance, we have to stop them and not let them develop too easily. ”

Situ Nan admonished. According to intelligence collected in Japan by the U.S.-Chinese company, Yawata Iron & Steel is now produced at 300,000 tons.

In contrast, the current output of tens of thousands of tons of steel at the Hanyang Iron Works is really empty. What is infuriating is that most of the original Hachiman Iron was originally from Daye, China, and the iron ore and pig iron smelted from Daye Iron Mine were transported to Japan to be smelted into steel, and then produced into various machine products.

In addition to Yawata Steel, a number of iron and steel companies such as Wanishi Steel, Kamaishi Mine, Fuji Steel, Toyo Steel, Mitsubishi Steel, and Kyushu Steel have also sprung up, and the raw materials for coal and iron also come from China and North Korea, so Japan's thirst for resources is the most urgent.

To be sure, for an island country with few coal and iron resources, it would be dazzling to see the rise of a group of companies like Hachiman Steel.

"Alas, now little Japan can be arrogant, and even naval guns can almost be domestically produced." He Yongyuan sighed. He had just seen the investigation report on the Mitsubishi shipyard and felt a little emotional.

"Who's to say it isn't? Originally, he was the younger brother supported by Britain, but after defeating Russia and taking over Germany's interests in the Far East, he had become a behemoth that threatened Britain's position in the Far East, so now the Japanese-British alliance could not be played. ”

Situ Nan smiled slightly, saw He Yongyuan's somewhat discouraged look, and said: "When I go to the United States, let me see what a real steel giant is, and when I go to Bethlehem to see it, I think Mitsubishi is nothing." Don't be discouraged, Japan has, I already have, and it's bigger, better and stronger than them. In the future, we will shift some of our forces to Asia, and we will definitely ask Japan to take a good look. ”

"I can't wait to hear you say that. Boss, you have done a lot in your career in the United States, and the steel, petroleum, shipbuilding and other companies are very large, all of which are among the best, and it is really a blessing to be able to go to the United States with you. ”

He Yongyuan thought that he was about to enter Situ Nan's business empire, and he might be an important member, he was excited and felt pressure at the same time. So I have been desperately familiar with the situation of the William consortium.

"Huh." According to business intelligence, during the First World War, Japan's trade exports surged, and shipping was extremely prosperous, which gave the export industry, the shipbuilding industry, and the basic and related industries including mining to create opportunities for development and prosperity, so that all industrial sectors were rapidly expanded.

The manufacturing industry as a whole increased by more than 30 times, the chemical industry increased by more than 96 times, and the profit margin of the major industries reached 55.2 percent in the second half of 1918, including 191.6 percent in some periods, and the shipbuilding industry also reached 166.6 percent.

In terms of efficiency, the speed of Japan's industrial rise is truly astonishing. Through the World War, Japan became a supernation from a long-term supernation since the Meiji era, and its industrial structure changed from an agricultural country before the war to an industrial country. In 1914, the value of agricultural output accounted for 45.1% of the gross national product, and the proportion of industrial output was 44.5%, but at the end of the war, the proportion of agricultural output fell to 35.1%, and the proportion of industrial output rose to 56.8%).

Japan's reform was top-down, and Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Fuji and other conglomerates had a high degree of monopoly on Japanese industry and commerce, and were closely linked to the interests of the country. When these consortia invest heavily in China, they naturally have the support of the state, and Chinese companies fighting locally often cannot compete with Japanese companies.

In 1915, the Okuma cabinet put forward 21 articles to China, calling for the expansion of Japan's military, political and economic rights and interests from "Manchuria" to the northern, central and southern parts of China.

"The Japanese still have an advantage over Western countries in encroaching on China's interests. However, Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Fuji and several other consortia have made so much money, and it is not bad to have the opportunity to shear their wool, let them know that money is not so easy to make! ”

Situ Nan's fingers tapped lightly on the table and muttered to himself. He thought about the Great Tokyo Earthquake three years later, which almost paralyzed Japan. Earthquakes, fires, tsunamis, retribution is so violent!

The ports of Tokyo, Yokohama, and Yokosuka were destroyed, tens of thousands of ships were damaged, various industrial zones were destroyed, more than ten percent of houses collapsed, and millions of people were left homeless.

Economically, short the Tokyo stock market, suppress the yen exchange rate, and arbitrage Japanese gold????? Well, it should be enough for them to drink a pot! But in this way, will they retaliate wildly? Well, it's better to be secretive.

Thinking of ambushing the Japanese economy and making it worse for them, Situ Nan was extremely excited. It reminded him of the time when he was on a frenzied short selling in New York.

He whispered to He Yongyuan: "You find someone to register a financial company in Tokyo, not in the name of Meihua, any name is fine, the scale does not need to be too large, it can be regarded as a leather bag company." Then hire some locals and let them come forward and work in Tokyo's securities and finance industry.

In the past two years, let them practice their hands, familiarize themselves with some business, and also inspect them. When they are proficient, I will be of great use in registering a few more similar companies! At the same time, pay close attention to the movements of the two Mitsubishi and Mitsui consortiums, and remember to pay attention to confidentiality. ”

"Okay." He Yongyuan took out his notebook and recorded Situ Nan's instructions. He had some doubts in his heart, Meihua Company obviously has a branch in Tokyo, but it can actually play its own signboard.

The boss must be playing conspiracy. He Yongyuan thought to himself. Seeing that Situ Nan didn't mean to explain, he didn't ask, nodded and went out. What he has to do is to convey Situ Nan's order, and naturally there are relevant people to deal with it.

Thinking that in a few years, he could step on the wounds of the Japanese and kick them a few times, Situ Nan was in a good mood. Stepping out of the deck and looking out at the calm Tokyo Bay with its chimneys towering along the shore is beautiful.

It's just that no matter how you look at it, it's a bit like a "tiger's mouth"? What a murderous place!

On the bow deck, there is a beautiful figure, sitting under a sun umbrella, facing the sea, very relaxed. This is the third day that the Wilhelm has arrived in Japan. On the return trip, there was an extra guest on the boat, she was the talented woman Lu Bihua, this woman was going to travel around the world, so she took this tailwind boat.

Situ Nan and Lu Bihua are not too familiar, they are ordinary friends. When he went ashore for a walk, he also handed over Lu Bihua. It wasn't long before they returned to the ship from the said Ginza.

"What is Miss Lu's impression of Tokyo?" Situ Nan asked. He wondered how "aborigines" like Lu Bihua viewed Japan.

"Very open and stubborn. They embrace what is good for them and study hard and are meticulous. I think Ginza is a completely westernized new city, and the transportation, electricity, architecture, clothing, and even language are all learned from Europe, at least there is no such place in the country except for the concession. ”

Lu Bihua said. At the same time, the Japanese stubbornly adhere to their traditions, and the Chiyoda area, not far from Ginza, retains traditional Japanese palaces, neighborhoods, and traditional architecture, in stark contrast to the Westernized Ginza. It seems a little out of place, but the Japanese have accepted it calmly. Such a nation is respectable and terrible! ”

Lu Bihua said.

Situ Nan nodded.

Lu Bihua's attitude also represents the view of most Chinese intellectuals or the upper class towards Japan. The advanced figures of this era, especially in the military and political circles, have a background in studying in Japan, and they have a favorable impression of Japan's enlightened and advanced people, and after returning to China, they have maintained close ties with the Japanese.

If it were not for the life-and-death war more than a decade later, China and Japan would not have become mortal enemies, at least not for the Chinese to mention Japan a hundred years later.

Looking at Situ Nan's slightly frowning brows, Lu Bihua suddenly remembered that Situ Nan seemed to be a little worried about safety, worried that the Japanese would be hostile to his party, so he was careful all the way and brought enough bodyguards.

She thought it was funny. "Mr. Situ, don't think it's safe here?" She asked.

"Sort of. You know, there are quite a few crazy people in this country, and who knows what crazy things are going to do to us strangers. Situ Nan replied with a smile.

In the past, when the prince of Tsarist Russia visited Japan, he was stabbed by a policeman who rushed out next to him, and although he did not die, he had a scar on his head and sequelae. Also receiving this treatment was Li Hongzhang, an old man who traveled thousands of miles to sign the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", but he was also stabbed, but unfortunately he did not die.

"It's fine! After walking around, I finally didn't meet the legendary ninja samurai. Situ Nan smiled. The Japanese are notoriously unfriendly to foreigners and often have some crazy behavior, so they are sometimes called "beasts in the cloak of civilization." ”

"So Mr. Situ compares himself to the Tsar and Li Hongzhang?" Lu Bihua said with a smile. She had also heard of the example given by Situ Nan.

"Don't say that. How could I get to the point where they were? Just be prepared. Situ Nan smiled, "But if I have to choose, I think the tsar has more backbone than Li Hongzhang." ”

What a proud guy!

Lu Bihua heard that there was no respect in Situ Nan's tone, and thought to herself, she glanced at Situ Nan, thoughtfully, Situ Nan faced it calmly.

Lu Bihua has a wide range of knowledge, and from her mouth, Situ Nan knows that there are many Chinatowns in Japan, and in addition to international students, there are also many Chinese businessmen in Japan.

"As early as the Ming Dynasty, there were Chinese merchants who went to Japan to do business. For example, there are thousands of Chinese merchants near Tokyo, most of whom are from Wenzhou. Lu Bihua introduced.

"Wenzhou people?" Situ Nan was slightly stunned, but quickly relieved and smiled, "It's a pity." ”

"What a pity?" Lu Bihua asked.

"Nothing!" South Szeto Road. He thought to himself, could he tell Lu Bihua that in the Tokyo earthquake not long after, Koreans and Chinese were massacred, and the dead should be the Wenzhou merchant in Lu Bihua's mouth?

It's just ridiculous that the Chinese are still donating money and materials to the Japanese who massacred their compatriots, and the first supply ship in Tokyo came from Shanghai.

There's really no way to be cheap.

Situ Nan shook his head. Shake off these absurdities.

"Thank you Miss Lu for writing a report to Hanyang Iron Works, which is very well written and arouses the confidence of the Chinese people in the steel industry." Situ Nan praised. Although he has more than 100 years of knowledge than others, he can even talk about some topics such as "The Rise of a Great Power", and when it comes to dancing and writing, he is far inferior to Lu Bihua.

"Mr. Situ has an overreputation. I'm just icing on the cake, and an industrialist like you is admirable. Lu Bihua said modestly. At this moment, she suddenly remembered Yu Yu, the reckless, bold and fiery engineer.

"The rise of Japan reminds me of the rise and fall of the modern European powers, and there are some topics that I would like to discuss with Miss Lui. It would be great if it could be compiled into a book. Situ Nan looked at Lu Bihua expectantly.

Thinking about the long journey, it would be a good thing if I could write the CCTV version of "The Rise of a Great Power" I saw in my previous life and my own feelings through Guò Lu Bihua's wonderful pen.

In the following days, Situ Nan really had a good conversation with Lu Bihua, and occasionally his secretaries He Yongyuan and Laura also participated in the discussion. However, it is mainly based on Situ Nan's thoughts.

This work made Lu Bihua very interested, and listening to Situ Nan's stories about the major countries, she deeply felt that it was the right thing to travel to Europe and the United States this time.

The long journey gave them plenty of time to devote themselves to their creation, especially the large number of books collected by Situ Nan on the ship, which provided Lu Bihua with rich materials. By the time they left San Francisco, the Szeto Nan's version of The Rise of Great Powers was largely finalized.

Of course, a lot of Situ Nan's private goods were added to it, such as industry to save the country.

"Mr. Situ is talented! I think that after the publication of this book "The Rise of Great Powers", it will definitely cause a sensation, and Mr. Situ will also become famous. Lu Bihua said.

Walking into the William Situ Nan, she found that Situ Nan was even more ?????? than she imagined Maybe it can only be described as a genius!

"Publishing? No, no, no! Situ Nan shook his head, he didn't plan to let this book be published, but only to let it circulate in a small area within the Zhigong Party, the top management of Meihua Company.

"Oh!" Lu Bihua was a little disappointed. Although she ghostwrote, Situ Nan's original did not mean to be published publicly, so she had to admit it.

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