Chapter 974 - Advance Project (Page 1/1)

Consulate of the United States of America in Shanghai.

Although an embassy has been built in Beijing, the U.S. envoy to China still lives in Shanghai for a long time, and the new envoy is also a contented old friend and acquaintance, Wei Sanwei.

As a missionary, Wei Sanwei entered the Yuanqi printing house at the beginning of the establishment of Yuanqi, and had a very close relationship with Yi Zhifen, and was completely out of the driver's seat, and he also served as the secretary and translator of the American Mission in China for a long time, and had acted as the U.S. minister to China several times.

The 'five-year plan' suddenly thrown out by the Qing Dynasty, the United States was extremely concerned in the United States, originally the United States occupied a large share in the railway market of the Qing Dynasty, and now the stocks of domestic railway companies have fallen across the board, and the railway construction has slowed down, in this case, several major railway companies are eager to expand the market in the Qing Kingdom.

However, although the railway market of the Qing country is large, the competition is not small, the railway construction boom of the Qing country lasted for more than 20 years, and the railway companies of the United Kingdom, the United States and France in China and the local railway companies of the Qing country have all developed rapidly during this period, and it is not an easy task to continue to expand the market.

As soon as the news spread, the ministers of various European countries rushed to Shanghai, in addition to Britain and France, as well as Germany and Italy, it is obvious that all countries want to expand or squeeze into the railway market of the Qing country, after all, the railway market potential of the Qing country is too great, but all the railway companies with strength want to intervene.

"Sir——。" A counselor reported at the door: "Mr. Yi has returned to Shanghai....... ”

"Prepare the car and go to Zhennan Wangfu." Wei San stood up as he commanded, now that the ministers of all countries are in Shanghai, he must meet Yi Zhicontent before the ministers of various countries, if he falls behind, it will be troublesome.

Yi Zhizhi returned to Shanghai did not hide his traces, as soon as the news of returning home spread, he had been waiting for all walks of life in Shanghai when he heard the wind, when Wei Sanwei rushed to Zhennan Wangfu, there were already a lot of sedan cars parked outside the door, seeing this situation, he hurriedly ordered to go to the side door, and the side door was also to deliver the post, but it was definitely faster than the gatekeeper of the gate, after all, there were too many people in the gatekeeper.

To Wei San's surprise, seeing his carriage coming, the side door actually opened, he suddenly felt a little hot in his heart, it was obvious that Yi Zhixin expected him to come, so he ordered him to be released in advance, and the carriage stopped outside the gate ......of Changle's study, Zhao Liewen slowly greeted him and said with a smile: "Our prince is taking a bath, please wait for Mr. Wei for a while." ”

Yi Zhishu saw Yan Shikuan as soon as he returned home, and only after learning about the situation in Shanghai did he go to take a shower and change clothes, and walked into the study house, and Wei Sanwei, who saw him, walked out quickly, and said with a smile on his face: "Your country has two railway construction projects in my country, so don't you worry about being greedy or chewing?" ”

Seeing him so direct, Wei San smiled and said: "Your Highness should have an understanding of the situation in my country, now that the construction of my country's railways has slowed down, several powerful railway companies are eager to come to your country to open up market ........" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled: "We welcome all railway companies that are willing to come to our country with open arms. ”

Hearing this, Wei Sanwei's heart sank, in this case, the United States has no advantage at all, and other countries are in an equal competitive position, after the two shook hands, politely entered the house, and after sitting down, he tentatively said: "Your country's railway market has great potential, if it is not restricted, European railway companies may flock to ......." ”

"Of course there are limitations." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Anyone who comes to China to undertake railway construction projects must advance funds. ”

Advances? Wei Sanwei was shocked in his heart, "The construction of the railway costs a huge amount of money, often millions, tens of millions or even tens of millions of silver dollars, if all the funds are advanced, I am afraid that few railway companies have this strength ........" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "The railway company has insufficient funds, so it can find a bank loan, and all construction projects can sign contracts, and Yuanqi will be the guarantee." ”

Hearing this, Wei Sanwei was silent, half of the domestic railway construction funds were borrowed from England, where could he raise so much money to build railways in the Qing Kingdom? After a slight groan, he said, "Can it be guaranteed to be profitable?" ”

"That's nature." Yi Zhixiang smiled: "It's not profitable, and this contract can't be signed." ”

Even if it is guaranteed to be profitable, it is not easy to raise funds, such a big plan of the Qing Kingdom, and the surplus funds in Europe are afraid that they will roll in the east, Wei San thought for a while before saying: "The railway companies in Europe are afraid that they will take this opportunity to squeeze out and seize the market." ”

Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Don't worry about this, I will consider it as appropriate, the situation is different in different countries, and we will treat it differently." ”

Hearing this, Wei Sanwei was completely relieved, and said with a smile: "I will immediately convey His Highness's meaning to the country." ”

Seeing Wei Sanwei get into the carriage, Zhao Liewen spoke: "The United States is already short of funds....... I'm afraid it won't attract much money to come. ”

"There is no shortage of money in the United States, and the gold mines in the West have allowed the United States to quickly accumulate a very considerable wealth." Yi Zhizu said softly: "Since 1865, the United States has invested as much as two billion dollars in the construction of railroads, although half of it was raised from Britain, but it is still a billion dollars, which is higher than China's investment in railway construction. ”

Will the funds invested in the construction of the railway be withdrawn for a while? When the words came to his lips, Zhao Liewen held back, and said: "Western countries advance funds to build railways, will they transport the materials needed for the construction of railways from their own countries?" ”

"It depends on how big the gap between our country's prices and theirs is, and it is the nature of capital to pursue profits." Yi Zhishu said and turned around and walked slowly to the study, taking advantage of this large-scale and long-term economic crisis to carry out railway construction on a large scale, not only to stimulate the economy, but also because the cost of railway construction can be greatly reduced, and the price of steel will definitely fall sharply.

Of course, this will pose a great impact on the domestic steel industry, but he does not care, because the steel industry in the Qing Dynasty is almost controlled by Yuan Qi, and the reason why foreign railway companies should advance funds to contract railway construction projects is to use foreign capital to promote the industrial development of the country.

Compete? How can free-for-competition capitalism be an opponent of monopoly capitalism? Yuanqi is essentially a huge monopoly organization, which is far larger than the British East India Company back then, and the last thing it is afraid of is free competition!

Entering the study, Lin Meilian came in with a stack of worship notes and said, "The big shopkeeper——。 ”

Yi Zhizu asked directly, "Is Wei Tuma here?" When he comes, invite him in. ”

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