Chapter 804: The President's Assassination

Xie Xiuyuan looked at Yi Zhixin with some incomprehension, he was really a little confused, if Yuan Qi's move was to subsidize those speculative cotton merchants, why did he do it for no reason? He doesn't think that Yi Zhi's contentment is out of kindness, Yuan Qi is doing charity, but business and charity are very clear.

After a little hesitation, he said: "Those businessmen don't listen to the greetings, why do the big shopkeepers want to help?" If there is a loss, I am afraid that it will damage the reputation of the big shopkeeper. ”

"The collapse of cotton prices in Europe is inevitable." Yi Zhizhi said disapprerovingly: "When the cotton is shipped to Europe, it is estimated that it has fallen to the price of cabbage, and the price of twelve cents is considered high in an ordinary year, and the price of this year's cotton trading season cannot exceed this price." ”

After a pause, he continued, "As for why you help?" Not only to alleviate their losses, but also for our own consideration, in recent years, our cotton has no inventory at all, intercepted and increased.

The planting of cotton is dependent on the sky to eat, as the saying goes, Sanfeng and a double flat year, has been a few years of harvest, we also have to consider the situation of the poor harvest, this price, in the poor harvest year is not high, this move can be regarded as benefiting others and self-interest. ”

Inventory? Xie Xiuyuan said with a bitter face: "Big shopkeeper, we don't seem to need so much inventory, and the cotton planting in the northwest has not been reduced. ”

"Who says it doesn't work?" Yi Zhizhi said: "This year and next year, the country will usher in the rapid development of the textile industry, the development of industry in Britain, France, the United States and Russia and other countries are starting from the textile industry, we are rich in cotton, and have a broad market, there is no reason not to vigorously develop the textile industry." ”

Xie Xiuyuan knew that he couldn't talk about him, and it was difficult for him to change his mind, so he couldn't help muttering softly, "The big shopkeeper has good intentions, but I'm afraid they may not appreciate it." ”

"For those who don't appreciate it, they have to hit the south wall and then turn back." Yi Zhicontent said nonchalantly: "It's going to rain, my mother is going to get married, this is a helpless thing, we can still buy and sell it." ”

For the speculative cotton trade, Xie Xiuyuan understands more thoroughly, and it is unfortunate that he said that Yuanqi's seizure of the merchant ships that are loading cotton and carrying cotton and preparing to set sail out of the port has caused a lot of criticism, and most of the speculators do not appreciate it, Yuanqi has almost monopolized the foreign trade of cotton in recent years, making a lot of money, and many people wonder if Yuanqi's move is regretful.

As for Yuanqi compensating for the price difference, few people really believe it, Yuanqi can now be said to be half-businessman and half-official, if the price difference is too big and Yuanqi does not compensate, they can't help Yuanqi at all.

Only a small number of businessmen agreed to sign a contract to sell cotton to Yuanqi, and these businessmen were worried that the cotton would continue to plummet, and they were quite familiar with Yuanqi's situation, believed in Yuanqi's credibility, and had some relationship with Yuanqi, and did not worry about Yuanqi's debts.

Listening to the information fed back by Xie Xiuyuan and Yan Shikuan, Yi Zhi's face couldn't help but be a little ugly, seeing that his expression was not good, Xie Xiuyuan hurriedly said: "Although Yuan Qi is strong, he has always valued contracts and reputation in business, and the supervision is extremely strict....... ”

Seeing that he didn't get to the point, Yan Shikuan hurriedly continued: "The big shopkeeper, this has nothing to do with Yuanqi's reputation, the Chinese people have always been reluctant to have anything to do with the government, Yuanqi is now a businessman and an official, and it is normal for them to have concerns, the most important thing is that they have too high expectations for the cotton trade, and they don't believe that the big shopkeeper will be so kind, a typical dog bites Lu Dongbin......." ”

"Herein lies the problem." Yi Zhizhi said in a sullen voice: "The spirit of contract, contract society is the foundation of constitutionalism, Yuan Qi has always paid attention to contract, but he is not trusted because of his identity as a half-official and half-businessman, and ordinary people are afraid that it is ...... same." With a long sigh, he said, "There is a long way to go...... ”

Zhao Liewen, who had been listening quietly and silently, said: "Can the big shopkeeper write an article to explain the spirit of the contract and the importance of the contract society......." ”

There is indeed a need for this, Yi Zhizhi said: "Huifu should not only explain the importance of the spirit of contract and contract society, but also link the contract with democracy and the legal system, and emphatically call on those in power to take the lead in abiding by the contract, and mention by the way that the constitution is supreme, and no person or group can override the constitution in the supreme ........" ”

Before he finished speaking, Cao Gensheng hurriedly walked in, glanced at a few people, and then looked at Yi Zhicontent, and said: "Big treasurer, Washington called, last night, American President Lincoln was assassinated in the theater, early this morning, rescue was ineffective, and he died." ”

Just days after the victory in the Civil War, President Lincoln was assassinated! Several people present were speechless for a long time when they were shocked by this news, Yi Zhixiang slowly lit a cigarette, and said after a long time: "I call Washington in my name, I deeply regret what happened to Mr. Lincoln, this is not only a loss for the United States, but also a loss for the whole world." ”

After a pause, he then instructed: "In addition, inform Prime Minister Yamen and King Gong of this matter, and send them a message of condolence." ”

Lincoln's assassination a few days after the end of the Civil War was easy to remember very well, but he did not remind him, neither reminding nor reminding him, and he did feel deep regret when he heard the news.

After Cao Gensheng memorized the message, Yan Shikuan spoke: "We need to know the details of President Lincoln's assassination, and the security precautions of the Zhennan Mansion and the big treasurer should also be strengthened. ”

No one thinks that what he said is wrong, Yi Zhicontent, as the big treasurer of Yuanqi, sits in the southeast of Zhennan, and the people who have offended the forces can be said to be countless, and the government and the opposition all know that Yi Zhicontent is the backbone of Yuanqi, once Yi Zhicontent has three long and two short, Yuanqi will inevitably fall apart.

Zhao Liewen immediately echoed: "The big shopkeeper is not only a matter of Yuanqi's honor and disgrace, but also a matter of the safety of the world, and no matter how strict the security measures are, it is not too much. ”

"Don't be a soldier." Yi Zhizu waved his hand, "For a long time, the security measures of Zhennan Wangfu have been very thorough, and I am also very careful when I enter and exit, besides, Shanghai is very closely watched in the open and in the dark, so there is no need to make a big fuss." ”

"It's not a trivial matter." Yan Shikuan hurriedly said: "Nowadays, there are more and more pistols, which are easy to carry and easy to hide, which is unguardable, and Lincoln is the president of the United States, can the security measures be negligent?" ”

Xie Xiuyuan said slowly: "Lincoln's assassination may inspire some people to follow suit. As the saying goes, be careful to sail a ship for ten thousand years, and the big treasurer's enemies are all over the Chinese and foreign governments, and everything must be sure to be foolproof. ”

"There aren't so many enemies, are they?" Yi Zhizu chuckled and said, "By what you say, it seems that my enemies are all over the world." ”

Zhao Liewen said with a smile: "The big shopkeeper's enemies are all over the Chinese and foreign courts, this is really not a lie, although the relationship between Yuanqi and the court has eased at present, but the court still wants to get rid of the big shopkeeper quickly."

Yuanqi monopolized the money industry, monopolized foreign trade such as raw silk, cotton, tea, etc., monopolized maritime trade routes, promoted new learning, advocated the gradual abolition of imperial examinations, built railways, etc., both benefited and damaged, and how many gentry and merchants gritted their teeth at the big shopkeeper.

In addition, the political dignitaries, financial forces and businessmen of Britain, France, Russia, Spain and the Netherlands should also hate the big treasurer, and the princes and nobles of Southeast Asia and the Northwest destroyed countries have the hatred of the big treasurer for the destruction of the country and the species, as well as the Japanese kingdom and many local kings ...... Nanyang. ”

After a pause, he continued: "The reputation of the big shopkeeper is all over the world, slander is all over the world, and the enemies are all over the world, which is not an exaggeration. ”

Hearing these words, Yi Zhishu no longer insisted, and looked at Yan Shikuan and said: "You look at the layout." ”

Zhao Liewen continued: "The war has ended, and it has just ended, so it stands to reason that the South will not send someone to assassinate Lincoln ....... so irrationally." ”

"Of course it won't be the South." Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "In the Civil War, it was not only the South that suffered heavy losses, but also the financial forces of Europe. ”

"It was the financial powers of Europe that assassinated Lincoln?" Yan Shikuan and Zhao Liewen said in unison.

At the end of the war, Lincoln declared that all the war debts incurred by the South during the war were written off. This caused heavy losses to the European financial powers, which had been providing huge financial support to the South during the war. Yi Zhishu said slowly: "For a long time, the penetration of European financial forces into the United States has been very serious.

Not only did they find it difficult to accept the great losses caused by the defeat of the South, but they also could not tolerate Lincoln's new currency policy, and it was inevitable that Lincoln's new currency policy would be abolished if Lincoln was assassinated. ”

The mastermind of Lincoln's assassination was actually a European financial power? Everyone in the audience couldn't help but look at each other, this inference is really a little difficult for them to accept, but, if you think about it carefully, it is indeed possible, as soon as Lincoln's new currency policy was introduced, the reaction of European countries was extremely strong.

Lincoln's new currency policy was to authorize the Treasury Department to issue a fully legally binding currency, which was completely uncollateralized by metals and other currencies, and provided only 5% interest per year for 20 years, breaking the convention that the government had to borrow money from private banks and pay high interest.

If the new currency policy is made permanent, then the U.S. government can issue its own currency at no cost. It will be able to pay off all its debts and no longer be in debt, and it will also have access to all the necessary currency to develop commerce, which is tantamount to cutting off the financial channels of the European financial powers, and it is strange that they can tolerate Lincoln!

"This is just speculation, don't spread the word." Yi Zhisuff admonished, and then looked at Zhao Liewen and said: "At the end of the Civil War, all the officers who returned to China from observation in Zaizhao made a detailed summary, summarizing the new weapons and new tactics that appeared in this war, especially the naval battle, although the scale of the naval battle is not large, but it has epoch-making significance, and they seriously summarized, I want to listen to the detailed report." ”

After a pause, he said, "Okay, let's get busy." The waiting crowd stood up and saluted, and he added, "Tell Lin Mi that you won't see any guests today." ”

After everyone retreated, he then lit a cigarette, Lincoln's assassination did not shock him much, he has always been very concerned about his own personal safety and protection measures, he knows that not only Lincoln was assassinated, but also Alexander II of Russia was assassinated, and assassination is not only popular in the West, but also in China.

Over the years, Yuan Qi has cut off the wealth and even livelihood of countless people, destroyed countless large and small countries, and enemies all over the world, it is really not an exaggeration, Xie Xiuyuan is right, Lincoln's assassination is likely to stimulate some people to follow suit, this matter must indeed be taken seriously.

It seems that it is necessary not only to strengthen security measures, but also to strengthen the control of weapons, in recent years the Qing Dynasty has also been frequent, I do not know how many weapons have been in the civilian population, and it is necessary to carry out a large-scale collection and cleanup.

As the summer cotton began to be picked, the price fell faster, and a large number of merchant ships carrying cotton in the Qing Dynasty, India, Egypt, Greece and other countries were stranded in the ports of Britain, France, Prussia and Russia in Europe, and cotton could not be sold at all.

"Big shopkeeper, at present, many cotton merchants have taken the initiative to sell cotton to us, to accept it or not?" Xie Xiuyuan looked at Yi Zhizhi with admiration and said, "The latest London cotton price has fallen to twelve cents a pound. ”

"Collect, why not?" Yi Zhifen smiled: "Collect at a price of eight cents per pound, no contract, no subsidy, they love to sell or not." ”

Xie Xiuyuan said tentatively: "What does the big shopkeeper mean, will cotton prices continue to fall?" Will it fall below eight cents? ”

"This one could be big." Yi Zhizhi said: "It may be more than eight cents, and it may be a new low........" ”

Before he finished speaking, Cao Gensheng hurriedly walked in with the Zhao folder, glanced at Xie Xiuyuan, and said, "Big shopkeeper, London emergency call." ”

There's movement in London? Yi Zhizu said loudly: "Nian——。 ”

"Because of the large import of cotton, England has a large foreign trade deficit, and the outflow of gold is serious, resulting in a shortage of funds, and the Bank of England has to raise the discount rate, causing turmoil in the London discount market.

Railways, ships, textiles and other industries in England were generally hit, and the shares of Offren-Gurney Bank, which is as creditworthy as the Bank of England, fell sharply. Hu Xueyan. ”

London discount market turmoil? Yi Zhifen nodded slightly, it seems that under the comprehensive impact of many reasons, England's finance is really in trouble, that is to say, England is currently facing a new economic crisis!

After a slight groan, he said, "Call back, ask for details of the Overhron-Gurney Bank." ”

After Cao Gensheng left, Xie Xiuyuan said: "Isn't the big shopkeeper planning to stir up trouble in the financial center of London?" ”

"We don't need to stir things up, and the financial centre of London will soon be in turmoil." Yi Zhizhi said: "Tell Mr. Yuanqi to prepare a sum of money in case of emergency, thirty or fifty million is enough." ”

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