"Is that the people of Beiyang..."

In one of the 20-story skyscrapers in Anqing City, a young man stood next to a window on the 13th floor, looking at the long queue of motorcades on the street with some curiosity. Although this young man is only in his early 20s, he looks very energetic when he wears a decent gray suit.

"If you look at the time, it should be from Beiyang..."Standing next to the young man, a middle-aged man in his 40s leaned up, pushed the glasses on the bridge of his nose and looked down, and replied.

"I don't know if the peace talks will go smoothly after the most difficult road..."

"Who knows, but it should be fine, isn't it already said in the newspaper? Beiyang basically has no strength to continue fighting..."

That being said, middle-aged people are not sure. After all, this is just a newspaper report, and who knows what is going on in the real situation? In fact, after experiencing a lot of things, middle-aged people know very well that newspaper reports can usually only be trusted with 3 points, and sometimes they are afraid that they can't even believe 1 point.

But this time, Beiyang even sent people, so the middle-aged people also believed it a little.

Standing by the window and looking down, the two of them returned to their original positions when the convoy disappeared. It's just that while working, the two are constantly discussing this peace talk, in fact, not only them, but many people around them are also talking about it.

Obviously, for them, this peace talk is not a trivial matter.

It's just that just when the seven or eight people in the room were talking energetically, a figure suddenly shook outside the door. After noticing this figure, the people in the room immediately closed their mouths and lowered their heads, making it look like they were working wholeheartedly.

A few seconds later. An old man with a beard and a dignified look pushed open the door, and when he saw that everyone was working honestly, he nodded in satisfaction and closed the door, and then walked to the next room.

After the old man left, several people in the office breathed a sigh of relief, and then raised their heads and continued to talk about the interesting things that had happened recently.

Office building. This is Yan Shao's name for the seven or eight 20-storey buildings in Anqing, but in fact they are the so-called office buildings in later generations.

In this era, a slightly larger enterprise usually has its own headquarters—————— whether it is a high-rise building or a separate courtyard or something.

However, it is a building more than 10 stories and 20 stories like this. But it is definitely not something that ordinary factories or enterprises can enjoy. After all, the high cost alone is enough to discourage many people.

As for how high the price of high-rise buildings in this era is, let's take an example to illustrate.

For example, the Woolworth Building, built in the United States in 1913, is 57 stories tall, the tallest building in the world. It costs a whopping $13.5 million. It is equivalent to 35.43 million silver dollars, which is definitely not something that ordinary merchants can take.

Especially considering that in 1911, the annual fiscal revenue of the Qing Dynasty was only more than 400 million silver dollars. More than 35 million silver dollars, I dare not say that it is equivalent to one-tenth of the annual financial revenue of the Qing Dynasty, and one-twelfth of it alone...

A high-rise building is equivalent to one-twelfth of a country's annual fiscal revenue...

How expensive do you say this building is?

Although the cost of building a high-rise building in China is lower than in the United States, a 20-story building cannot be built without a few millions. Thinking about the fact that many factories in this era make a profit of only a few hundred thousand a year, it is conceivable that this is not something that ordinary enterprises can afford.

That's why Yan Shao built these buildings. The purpose is nothing else, but to lease it to other companies or businesses in strata as in later generations.

Of course. Yan Shao also kept one for himself, after all, now that the scale of the Yushi Group is getting bigger and bigger, ordinary buildings are afraid that they can't accommodate so many people at all.

Somewhat unexpectedly, after the office building was built, the rental effect was very good.

In addition to the office building used by Yushi Group, the first office building was built in just one week, and all 20 floors were rented out—————— although the rental cost of each floor was somewhat surprisingly expensive.

The effect will be so good, probably because since the establishment of the automobile company, a large number of supporting factories have also been built, and because the sales performance of the automobile company has been very good, so these factories have basically not lost money. For high-rise buildings with dozens of floors, people in this era usually have a yearning mood.

Of course, there is vanity and comparison, as long as human beings basically have this kind of emotion.

It is precisely because of these psychology that, of course, the vanity of the owners of factories or enterprises also rises after making money. Naturally, they wanted their office space to be more luxurious, and at this time, the high-rise building built by the construction team of Yushi Group became their target.

And I don't know what's going on, in these buildings, the higher the number of floors, the more people will choose, especially the twentieth floor. But then again, this seems to be the same at home and abroad.

It's just that considering the reliability of the power system and elevators in this era...

If there is a power outage or a breakdown, climbing the 20th floor can be tiring...

On the other hand, due to the high rental cost of these office buildings, although the emerging entrepreneurs seem to be happy on the surface, in fact, they are always bleeding behind the scenes, and even the management of employees is very strict, and laziness is absolutely not allowed.

However, it is also because of the smooth sales, so now Yushi Group still has several high-rise buildings under construction.

Especially some time ago, I even considered a building with more than 50 floors in Anqing Lane as the headquarters building of Yushi Group.

But now, with the war with Beiyang divided, I'm afraid this matter can only be over for the time being...

After all, since Yuan Shikai had been defeated, it was impossible for Yan Shao to continue to stay in Anqing like he was now. Although after years of development, both Anqing and Wuhu have been very prosperous. But after all, the foundation is there ...

And after Yan Shao left, it was impossible for the Yushi Group to continue to stay in Anqing—————— unless Elaline wanted to separate from Yan Shao, but even if they wanted. Yan Shao would not agree, not to mention that they would not be able to leave Yan Shao's side—————— because they were afraid that no one would take care of them, and Yan Shao would 'mess with the relationship between men and women' behind their backs or something...

On the other hand, the 50-storey Yushi Group headquarters building that was originally planned has actually been overthrown by Yan Shao himself. Because after the news of the successful construction of the Woolworths Building in the United States came, Yan Shao also had his own thoughts in his heart.

Didn't Hitler say it decades later—————— magnificent architecture is a good medicine to dispel our national inferiority complex. No one can lead a nation out of inferiority by just empty words. He had to be able to build something that people would be proud of, and that was something that could be seen and touched. It's not about showing off. It's about giving a country self-confidence. Our enemies and friends must recognize that these structures have cemented our regime.

Regardless of Hitler's conduct in the world, there is still some truth in his words.

The beginning of the 20th century was the era when Chinese people felt the most inferior.

The New Culture Movement in History. Lu Xun and Qian Xuantong even proposed the abolition of Chinese characters.

It can be seen to what extent the inferiority complex of the nation has reached, and the most important thing in this situation is to do something that can stimulate national pride.

And then the question arises...

What exactly should be done?

For Yan Shao, Qingdao is a very good opportunity, if he can recover Qingdao, by the way, he will teach the Japanese a hard lesson. More or less, it can inspire some national pride.

The question is if only to teach the Japanese. This kind of thing seems a little bit unmentionable.

After all, in the eyes of the Chinese people, although Japan is also a great power, it is a second-class power.

Just winning in a local battle doesn't mean anything at all. And if you want to win the Japanese in an all-out war...

If nothing else, the Japanese navy alone is an insurmountable wonder.

If in terms of the army, Yan Shao is confident that he will be able to surpass Japan in 5 to 10 years, then there is no hope for the navy in 2 to 30 years. After all, the gap between the Chinese Navy and the Japanese Navy is too big, and the Navy is not the same as other arms.

If other branches of the armed forces are usually summed up in a 5-year plan, then the Navy is a 10-year plan...

This is also for what to say. If you want to surpass Japan in the navy, there is no reason why there is no hope for 2 or 30 years.

20 years. That's pretty much the bare minimum...

As for something else...

To recover Outer Mongolia, this Yuan Shikai has already done it.

Although the Russians were very dissatisfied with this, Outer Mongolia is still Chinese territory after all, and there are British and Japanese there, and the Russians do not dare to really send troops directly.

If it is to recover the Outer Khing'an Mountains, the best opportunity for Yan Shao is to wait for the disintegration of Russia and do it according to the situation...

The collapse of Russia meant that the end of World War I was near.

Yan Shao's most basic goal is to recover the lost territory, including the Outer Khing'an Mountains, and if the national strength is advancing rapidly at that time, he can even consider going further or something...

But that's all off topic...

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There are usually only two ways to inspire national pride...

One is through war, through wars that are constantly won. How has China's self-confidence been shattered? It is because the Qing court has been defeated repeatedly in foreign wars, and as a result, treaties that have lost power and humiliated the country have come one after another, how can the people of the country not feel inferior in this situation.

So the best way to inspire self-confidence and pride is to win a few battles.

If Britain, France, the United States, Japan, and Germany can be pinned to the ground and beaten violently, it is guaranteed that the Chinese people will be confident...

However, this is a bit unrealistic.

And considering the First World War, it will take 5 years even at the earliest...

5 years, whether it is long or not, is not short...

The other way is Hitler's thing that can be seen and touched.

For example, the development of the country, such as the continuous improvement of industrial standards or GDP or something...

Like steel, one million tons this year. Two million tons next year, surpassing France this year and Russia next year. The year after that, it surpassed the UK, and this is also a way...

Considering China's huge population and landmass, this aspect is relatively simple...

And then there's architecture...

If Yan Shao can build the most magnificent building in the world, he will still be able to improve some self-confidence...

This is also for what Yan Shao will overturn the original plan—————— the 57th floor has come out, and what is the 50th floor to do...

Of course, there is another reason that Yan Shao has a lot of money and doesn't know how to spend it...

Although Yan Shao has decided to set up a private bank. But he now has more than 200 million pounds in cash alone, that is, more than two billion silver dollars. No matter how much you borrow, it is impossible to throw all the more than 2 billion out of the bank in a short period of time...

Woolworth Building. More than 30 million silver dollars?

Yan Shao could have thrown 100 million yuan to build the world's tallest building, such as a building as tall as the Empire State Building in later generations—————— considering China's low labor costs, to build a building as high as the Empire State Building. Maybe it's about the same as the Woolworths Building...

And a hundred-storey building. Apparently enough to inspire pride in the hearts of many ...

But all this is just a plan in Yan Shao's heart, and he doesn't even have a design drawing at the moment, even if he really starts construction or something, he will wait until he moves...

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Sitting in the car, looking at the scenery outside the window, everything in Anqing made Duan Qirui and them feel very fresh. It's no surprise that while Beijing is bustling enough, everything there is too old. There's a suffocating twilight.

It is not the fault of the city, but the fault of the rulers of the city.

Whether it is Yan Shao or Duan Qirui, they are very clear. Now there will definitely be many people who hope that this peace talks will be ruined, and then it is better for Beiyang and the National Social Army to fight to the death.

Therefore, the special affairs bureau has done a very thorough job of security work this time.

Even the road leading to the Governor's Mansion was controlled, which also allowed Duan Qirui's convoy to arrive at the Governor's Mansion in a relatively short time.

"This is the Governor's Mansion..."

Completely stopped in front of and behind the door of the Governor's Mansion, Wu Qianqiu, who had been sitting next to Duan Qirui and making an introduction, said with a smile.

Along the way, Wu Qianqiu was introducing the scenery of Anqing to Duan Qirui and them, and the two of them were somewhat familiar.

After the convoy drove into the Governor's Mansion, Duan Qirui and the others soon saw Yan Shao, who was leading many officials of the military government to stand in front of the steps.

"This is Yan Dudu, right..."Looking at Yan Shao's young and somewhat excessive face, he first smiled bitterly, and then Duan Qirui asked Wu Qianqiu beside him.

Although he had seen Yan Shao's photos a long time ago, the camera technology of this era was relatively backward, and many of the photos were very distorted. So although he had already guessed that it was Yan Shao in his heart, Duan Qirui still asked.

"That's right!" Wu Qianqiu replied with a smile.

After speaking, he opened the car door and asked Duan Qirui to go down.

At the same time, standing in front of the steps, Yan Shao was also looking at the leading car.

In order to show his sincerity in the peace talks, Yan Shao naturally came to greet him in person. And to be honest, Yan Shao also has a deep curiosity about Duan Qirui. It's not surprising, after all, in later generations, the fame of the Beiyang Sanjie is still very great—————— by the way, I don't know what happened to Lu Dao, Yan Shao seems a little unfamiliar with Wang Shizhen, but he is very familiar with Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang.

This is probably because Wang Shizhen is relatively reserved, while Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang are more flamboyant.

On the other hand, Feng Guozhang is also the ancestor of Yan Shao's favorite comedy star in later generations, which is another reason why Yan Shao can remember Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui.

"Mr. Shiba Izumi?"

Seeing Duan Qirui walking out of the car, Yan Shao greeted him with a smile.

"Governor Yan?" The original wry smile disappeared without a trace, and Duan Qirui also walked up and laughed.

"I have heard Mr. Zhiquan's name for a long time, and I finally saw it today..."Saying this sincerely, Yan Shao held Duan Qirui's right hand with both hands and shook it vigorously, before pointing to the official residence behind him. Please..."

"Please..."

I don't know why, looking at Yan Shao's enthusiastic face, Duan Qirui always felt that the feelings he showed at this time were all real. And this is also the strangest thing that makes Duan Qirui, after all, today he and Yan Shao met for the first time...

But anyway, this time he came to the peace talks after all, and it was a good thing for him that Yan Shao showed such enthusiasm, so he also pointed behind Yan Shao and said a word of please...

Yan Shao showed such enthusiasm, and the officials of the military government naturally did not behave too rudely, so they all had smiles on their faces.

All this fell into the eyes of the onlookers and the local gentry, and naturally became one of the scenes in which the peace talks went smoothly...

The reason why I say this is because the peace talks have not yet begun, and although it seems to be going well now, who knows what will happen to Lu Dao later???

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Facing Duan Qirui and them, Yan Shao and the others soon came to the conference room of the Governor's Mansion.

This is also the venue for the peace talks between the Guoshe government and the Beiyang government. Due to the importance of today's peace talks, the entire venue has also been redecorated again, which also makes Duan Qirui and them feel very satisfied.

found a place of his own and sat down, and after motioning for Duan Qirui and them to sit down as well, Yan Shao lightly tapped his finger on the table. "Originally, you were tired of traveling, I should have arranged a place for you to rest and rest first, and then talk about business, but Yan has always been more anxious, so while the sky is still bright, let's talk about business first, how much can we talk about..."

Hearing Yan Shao say this, although Duan Qirui and the others were indeed a little tired, they still nodded.

After all, the current situation is very complicated, and it would be very beneficial for them to conclude the peace talks sooner.

So after nodding in agreement, Duan Qirui said with a smile.

"Since Yan Dudu is so anxious, let's start now..." (To be continued......)