Zheng Weiguo didn't get excited for long, and suddenly found that it was not a simple matter for the Jizhong base to set up a bank and a trading company. The trading company said that after all, it was no longer news that the national army was reselling supplies internally, such as opium, munitions, food, and medicines, there was nothing they did not dare to sell.

Banks, especially those with the power to issue notes, are almost a symbol of an independent regime. What's even more excessive is that Zheng Weiguo is not going to issue fiat currency, which makes Chairman Chang Kaishen, who pursues a country and a leader, embarrassed?

However, it is not without precedent for local governments to issue banknotes independently, not to mention the Soviet areas of Jiangxi, such as Northeast China, Shanxi, and Yunnan, which have all issued their own currencies. Especially in Shanxi, Yan Laoxier issued three "provincial banknotes", the last of which began in May 1938, and was not stopped until 1940 due to fierce opposition from the people.

Before the implementation of the fiat currency policy in 1935, in addition to the central bank, the Bank of China, the Bank of Communications, and the Agricultural Bank of China, there were 30 banks and banking institutions with the right to issue issues in the country, with a total issuance amount of 300 million yuan. As for banknotes issued by local banks and private bills issued by factories, shops, bankers or other non-financial institutions, there is even more confusion.

After the implementation of the fiat currency policy, the national government strengthened financial control, although there are as many as four note-issuing banks, but these four (i.e., the above-mentioned China, China, communications, agriculture) all have a national background and the figure of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang consortium, and the actual helmsman is the legendary "four families".

Zheng Weiguo and the Jizhong Base Area are now in a very embarrassing position, and they are not as independent as Yan Laoxi'er. Therefore, Lao Xi'er dared to run a bank unscrupulously and issue provincial banknotes. Chang Kaishen not only didn't dare to get angry, but also had to be careful to envelop him, for fear that this old man would be angry and vote for Japan or Balu. In fact, Zheng Weiguo is somewhat similar to Shang Zhen in Henan and Fu Zuoyi in Suiyuan, only with military strength and lack of political and economic soft power support.

In terms of affinity, it can't be compared with the real Central Army, maybe the chairman of the committee still had the idea of "recruiting An", but with the continuous improvement of Zheng Weiguo's influence and status in the Northeast Army, I am afraid that this idea has long been thrown to the Jawa country. Of course. No matter how close it is. Chang Kaishen will not hand over financial power to Zheng Weiguo.

But you can't run a bank, because the Japanese army in North China has already begun to issue counterfeit money, which is the infamous "Union Bank Bills". Due to the Japanese army's aggressive printing, the Union Bank depreciated sharply shortly after its issuance. There is a folk song in Beiping "Confucius to the Temple of Heaven." Five hundred when one round" for sarcasm. (Note: The Union Coupon is printed with the portrait of Confucius and the Temple of Heaven)

Counterfeit money has no credit at all. However, relying on the strong implementation of the Japanese puppet authorities will inevitably circulate in North China. If the base areas do not take practical measures to deal with it, then the entire financial situation in North China will be controlled by the Japanese puppet army. So, it's not just about running a bank. The right to issue banknotes must also be obtained. The question now is how to obtain an understanding from Wuhan, and Zheng Weiguo is worried that this matter will affect the relationship with the Military Commission. It is important to know that the 41st Army is inseparable from the support of the Military Commission in many aspects, such as the arms deal with Germany.

Chief of Staff Zhou looked a little optimistic and persuaded: "Commander-in-chief, you don't have to think too much, the chairman of the committee will definitely support this matter." However, according to what you said, it is not possible to issue Jizhong currency directly, and we have to be a little more flexible. ”

Zheng Weiguo didn't know much about things in officialdom, and said strangely: "How can you be flexible?" Is it to ask someone from the Central Ministry of Finance to come down for guidance, or to directly spend money and bribe? Less than 100,000 yuan can be considered. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled and said, "No, you can just ask the Military Commission for instructions, but this new currency can't be called Jizhong currency, let alone RMB, it still has to be called legal tender." ”

Zheng Weiguo was stunned for a moment and said, "Issue fiat currency? Isn't this the same as the status of the four major banks in China, China, Communications and Agriculture? How could the chairman agree? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "Of course, it cannot be compared with the big four banks, we just need to ensure that this currency only circulates in North China." In other words, it is also a local currency that does not have the qualifications to circulate nationwide. As long as it does not affect the financial affairs of the rear, I don't think the chairman will embarrass us. ”

Zheng Weiguo still didn't understand, and wondered: "Isn't that still Jizhong coin?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled: "It's different! If you change your name, the chairman will think that you are taking the initiative to safeguard the authority of the central authorities, and you will be happy that things will be done. If you don't give this step, the chairman of the committee may agree, but you will have a lump in your heart, and you may turn your face one day. ”

Zheng Weiguo finally got a little understood. To put it bluntly, it's still a matter of strength. As the Northeast Army moved closer to Zheng Weiguo, he was no longer an ordinary commander-in-chief of the group army or deputy commander-in-chief of the theater. Even if the chairman of the committee is dissatisfied, he will not easily turn his face with him. Of course, if you want to cooperate for a long time, you still need a little political wisdom, such as giving the chairman a step.

After figuring it out, Zheng Weiguo handed over the matter to Chief of Staff Zhou. According to his understanding of the Nationalist Government and the army, this should be a little bit of a problem.

Chief of Staff Zhou nodded and said, "Okay, commander-in-chief, please rest assured, the bank's affairs are on me." But it's up to you to explain the Eighth Road. After all, they still need to cooperate in the matter of accumulating reserves and material scheduling. ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Well, I know the way, you can do it with confidence!" ”

Such a major event must indeed be supported by Yan'an, otherwise there will inevitably be sequelae. Fortunately, Yan'an will never refuse, because the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei border region has already taken the lead in setting up the bank. It has to be said that in finance, the GC Party is much more professional than the Kuomintang.

As early as March 20, 1938, the Jin-Cha-Ji Border District Bank opened for business in the "Puji Temple" in Shizui Town, Wutai County, Shanxi Province, and also issued one-yuan and five-yuan Jin-Chahar-Hebei Border District Bank banknotes. Interestingly, this kind of banknote is the same as the border area bills issued by Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia, which are "grain standard".

Of course, there is a difference between the Jizhong Bank to be established and the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Bank. For example, the share capital of Jizhong Bank is completed in the form of private fundraising, which has the nature of a commercial bank. The Border Bank is purely a "government bank", which is equivalent to the central bank of the Border Region.

For this "new initiative" in Jizhong. Yan'an is not without misgivings, mainly because it is worried that the capitalists' "shells and shells" will corrode cadres and affect the building of party style and clean government. At the same time, it was also worried that the entry of the landlord class would cause the 41st Group Army to "degenerate" and thus fall to the side of the Kuomintang.

After a fierce debate, Taizu personally made a decision and agreed that Jizhong would take the lead in the trial. Because the benefits of this method are also very obvious, in short - let others use other people's money to earn money for themselves, is there a better deal in the world?

After receiving the reply from Yan'an, Professor Yang and Political Commissar Cheng led the agitation masters in the military and political team to talk around. Persuade those well-known big landlords, wealthy people, and capitalists in the base areas (there are some light industries in Jizhong) to take shares in the Bank of Jizhong. Although the approval of the government has not yet been obtained.

The efficiency of the GC Party was indeed amazing, and in just one day, more than a dozen wealthy wealthy people were mobilized, and a total of 200,000 yuan of the ocean's equity capital was raised. You must know that even if it is a mainland bank of the four northern banks, the initial capital is only 2 million oceans. Thus. The people of Jizhong are really rich. And the anti-Japanese enthusiasm is also high enough. Otherwise, no one wants to dig up the "money of children and grandchildren" from the ground.

However. At this time, another major event happened in Jizhong, which almost affected the opening of the bank and the long-prepared "Tianjin Plan". It's still a matter of the Hebei People's Army, but the contradictions have been completely made public.

I have already covered it. The real identity of Zhang Cunshi, commander of the advance army of the Hebei People's Army, was an underground party, but the commander-in-chief Zhang Yinwu did not know about it, and sent him stupidly to "mediate". What is mediation? Nominally, it was to mediate the relationship between Zhang Zhonghan, commander of the Boye People's Army, and the two subordinate regiment commanders. In fact, he wanted to regain control of Boye and even the surrounding six counties.

Jizhong has long been regarded as a thing in Zheng Huzi's bag, not to mention that Boye County is next to Lixian County, how can others be involved? So Zheng Weiguo secretly instructed Zhang Cunshi, commander of the advance army, to launch a military mutiny, waiting for an opportunity to seize the command of this army.

Zhang Cunshi once served as the head of the Jizhong intelligence agency in history, and it is needless to say how powerful he is. He first spent a few days to find out the situation of the various factions of the Boye People's Army, and then called a meeting of officers at and above the regimental level.

At that time, there were three regiments of the Boye People's Army, and the commander of one regiment was concurrently served by Deputy Commander Zhang Ziyuan, stationed in the east of the city; Zhang Wenxiang of the second regiment served as the head of the regiment and was stationed in Dacheng Town; Li Xiafei of the Third Regiment served as the head of the regiment and was stationed in the "Sicun Middle School" in Beiyang Village.

Zhang Zhonghan, commander of the Boye People's Army, has already introduced it before, and it is an underground party, so he naturally supports Zheng Weiguo's side. That deputy commander Zhang Ziyuan was once Ji Hongchang's subordinate, and his political attitude can be imagined. And Zhang Wenxiang, the head of the second regiment, and Li Xiafei, the head of the third regiment, are both Zhang Yinwu's hardcores.

Zhang and Li saw that Zhang Cunshi was sent by Zhang Yinwu, and they were not wary at all, and after receiving the order, they came to the banquet without saying a word, and they didn't even bring a few guards. I don't know if there were glasses dropped during the banquet, anyway, both of them were arrested red-handed. The 2nd and 3rd regiments were suddenly left without a leader, and they were easily disarmed.

Subsequently, Zhang Cunshi cleaned up the troops again, and everyone who was believed to be Zhang Yinwu was arrested. Of course, for the sake of the compatriots, there was no killing spree. Those who are willing to continue to resist Japan can stay, and their positions and benefits remain the same, but they need to change teams. If you want to go to Zhang Yinwu, you won't stop it, and you can even pay the travel fee as appropriate.

After the rectification was completed, Zhang Cunshi, in his capacity as commander of the Hebei Central People's Army, publicly announced in Boye that he would accept the unified command of the 41st Group Army and would henceforth break away from the Hebei People's Army. Of course, Zheng Weiguo gladly accepted it, and the 35th Infantry Brigade, which had already been prepared, quickly entered Boye County to break up and reorganize the original Boye People's Army. Since then, the Boye People's Army has become a historical term, and the 35th Brigade has also increased its strength by 2,000 men out of thin air.

Zhang Yinwu was still in Lingxian County, Shanxi Province at this time, and almost died of anger after hearing the news, so he immediately ordered Wang Changjiang, deputy commander-in-chief of the Hebei People's Army, to lead three regiments of soldiers into Boye, in an attempt to regain the leadership of the People's Army in Jizhong. At the same time, Qiao Mingli, deputy commander-in-chief of the People's Army, also received the order, and Qiao's department was in Jizhong at that time, and it had grown to six detachments, with a total of 7 or 8,000 men.

The big war seems inevitable!

Zheng Weiguo was also shocked when he heard the news, and said to Chief of Staff Zhou: "Is this Zhang Yinwu crazy?" Did he think that his three melons and two dates could beat our 41st Group Army? ”

According to intelligence, Wang Changjiang brought the first, sixth, and seventh regiments of the Hebei People's Army, a total of three regiments. Among them, the first and seventh regiments are the so-called core regiments, which are better equipped. But no matter how good it is, it is impossible to compare with the regular army, and even if it is three regiments combined, it may not be able to beat a regiment of the 97th Army.

Although there are many people in Qiao Mingli's department, most of them are defeated soldiers, bandits, landlords' armed forces, and puppet armies anyway, and it is difficult for these troops to exert their combat effectiveness if they are not reformed. In fact, Qiao Mingli could only fight guerrillas with 8,000 men, and even if he encountered a reinforced squadron of the Japanese army, he was helpless.

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled: "How is it possible! No matter how arrogant Zhang Yinwu is, he will not be like this. In my opinion, he most likely wants to use the power of public opinion to force us to cede Boye County, and he doesn't really want to fight us. ”

Zheng Weiguo frowned, thinking that this was a bit troublesome. After all, the Hebei People's Army is also an anti-Japanese armed force explicitly recognized by the Ministry of Military Affairs, and it is always bad to kill each other. (To be continued......)

PS: First of all, I apologize to everyone, but it was changed at this time yesterday. Actually, I wrote it last night, but the iron network was not working, and I still couldn't log in until two o'clock in the morning, so I had to sleep first.