And to invest a large amount of money? Xie Xiuyuan was shocked, for this cotton tyrant Yuanqi had already invested a huge amount of money, for this reason, the bank shopkeeper Kong Jian'an had complained to him privately, saying that the cotton occupied too much money had seriously affected the bank's cash turnover.

After hesitating, he said: "The big shopkeeper, and then transfer the bank's funds, I am afraid that it will affect the bank's cash turnover, and if the news leaks, it will cause a run ......." ”

"Naturally, you won't let the backyard catch fire." Yi Zhizhi said: "Tell Kong Jian'an to realize all the securities held by Yuanqi Bank in case of accidents, as for the funds of cotton dominance, I will find another way." ”

Xie Xiuyuan knew him very well, and as soon as he heard this, he knew that he was planning to use private funds, it seemed that for this cotton hegemony, the other party was determined to win, and he couldn't help but wonder if he was also involved, after all, he had made a lot of money after following Yi Zhixiang over the years, and he could be regarded as a rich man.

However, this cotton hegemony is not domestic, but international, there are too many unpredictable factors, and the situation is simply beyond Yuanqi's control, and the current situation is also very unfavorable, he has some hesitation in his heart, once he misses, years of accumulation can be in vain.

Yi Zhixiang plans to use not only private funds, but also the funds of the Townsend company specializing in Hai Luoying, the last time the four-nation coalition invaded, the stock market plummeted, in order to save the market, he invested a total of more than 70 million yuan, of course, the return is also rich and directly doubled, and now the funds he directly controls are not enough to describe the rich, that is, to stir up the European financial market, he also has full confidence.

Xie Xiuyuan weighed it, and finally decided to gamble with Yi Zhi, and immediately said softly: "If the big shopkeeper uses private funds, he will have a little savings behind the big shopkeeper in the next few years, and he is willing to do his part." ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Haven't you always been worried about cotton domination, why do you suddenly want to get involved?" Not afraid of losing all your money? ”

"The subordinates trust the vision and judgment of the big treasurer." Xie Xiuyuan sneered and said: "The subordinates' savings of this idea are also earned behind the big shopkeeper, even if they have no money, it is nothing, and the annual salary of the subordinates is enough to support the family." ”

"Not bad." Yi Zhifen smiled: "However, it's not bad money now, if you think about it carefully, there are indeed many uncertain factors in the cotton market, and there are certain risks, of course, I am also welcome to be willing to get involved." ”

After a pause, he continued: "This matter is not suitable for fanfare, otherwise I will openly recruit a part of the funds, so that everyone can feel for themselves, no matter how much money is made or lost, it is actually very beneficial." ”

Yuanqi Branch, City of London, England.

Hu Xueyan, who was sitting in the tall chair with a large backrest, held a telegram in one hand and a bill of exchange in the other, speechless for a long time, Yi Zhixiang actually remitted another six million pounds, equivalent to more than 20 million taels of silver, he had a feeling of shock, this amount is too big, he knows very well that this is not all, there must be a follow-up, after all, this cotton hegemony can only be regarded as just kicking off.

Yi Zhishu also made it clear in the telegram that it was the Southern Union of the United States that could affect the price of cotton, and Yuan Qi did not need to try to affect the price of cotton, which meant very clearly, that is, let them ignore the price fluctuations of cotton and bury their heads in the goods.

He has already reminded that since Yi Zhizhi has insisted repeatedly, he has no other choice but to act as ordered, after all, for Yuan Qi, whether it is a shopping mall or a battlefield, Yi Zhicontent is an undefeated myth.

Just when Hu Xueyan led a group of subordinates waving banknotes to buy cotton and related securities, something happened that shocked the British Isles - the Taranto incident.

The warship of the Confederate Navy of the United States of America intercepted the British cruise ship Taranto in the Bahamas Strait, and removed the two Southern envoys on board, former Senator James Murphy. Mason and John. Sledel robbed.

As soon as this happened, the major British newspapers reported one after another, pointing out that the move of the Northern Union was a challenge to the maritime status of the British Empire, which meant that the merchant ships of the British Empire would not be able to receive security guarantees in the Atlantic.

British Prime Minister Palmerston's reaction was also very fierce, and the House of Representatives immediately convened to discuss it, and soon passed a plan to send troops to protect Canada and invade the northern United States.

As soon as the news spread, European countries paid close attention, the City of London reacted the most quickly, the price of cotton fell, and England sent troops to intervene, which means that the civil war in the United States will eventually end with the victory of the South, which means that the cotton from the South will be unhindered and continue to enter England.

The large-scale purchase of cotton by the London branch of Yuanqi became the biggest joke in the financial city, everyone was talking about it, and waiting to see the excitement, and the speculators who bought and fell in cotton futures were eager to wait for Yuanqi to sell cotton on a large scale, so as to promote a further decline in cotton prices and maximize profits.

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House.

Yi Zhizu stood by the window with a cigarette and looked at the scenery in the backyard without saying a word, the 'Taranto Incident' England sent troops to Canada to intervene in the American Civil War under the guise of protecting Canada, which shocked him very much, he didn't know if history changed the trajectory, or if this thing was originally there, but he didn't know.

If it belongs to the former, the world has changed its trajectory, then for Yuan Qi, it is tantamount to a disaster, there will be the biggest loss in history, and it will be a great blow to his prestige. If it falls into the latter category, then this is at best an episode and will not affect the final result.

At present, he must make a choice, whether to continue to dominate the market, or decisively give up to minimize his losses!

In the room, Zhao Liewen sat quietly, he knew that this matter was a big blow to Yuanqi's international cotton hegemony, and he also knew that he was under pressure at this time, Yuanqi was not only as simple as dominating cotton, but also had a clear attitude and spared no effort to support the American Northern Union.

Once England sends troops to intervene in the American Civil War, France may also follow suit, which means that a large-scale war will break out in North America that is far larger than the scale of the Crimean War.

Lin Meilian poked her head out at the door and said softly: "The big shopkeeper, the shopkeeper Kong and the minister of reconciliation are here." ”

"Let them in." Yi Zhizu turned around and commanded, as he spoke, he paced back to the desk and sat down, taking a shallow sip of tea, only to realize that the tea had already cooled.

Kong Jian'an and Xie Xiuyuan walked in quickly, and after seeing the salute, Xie Xiuyuan said straightforwardly: "Big shopkeeper, once England sends troops, things may become extremely complicated, should we be cautious?" ”

"The 'Taranto incident' has indeed made the situation more complicated, and the price of European cotton has fallen again, and our losses on the books are already not small, but I think it is an opportunity for us." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "In this case, even the most firm speculators will shake their confidence.

Cotton futures prices fall again and again is a good illustration of this, in this case, we persevere, it is possible to become the biggest winner, as the so-called greater risk, greater profit. ”

"The big shopkeeper." Kong Jian'an said softly: "This matter is too risky, once the situation cannot be reversed, Yuan Qi's loss will be amazing, and the news spreads, which may trigger a series of reactions ......." ”

"Stop now, our losses are not small." Yi Zhishu glanced at Xiu Yuan, "And we can't stop it, for this cotton hegemony, we have been preparing for three years, and there are nearly two million bales of cotton hoarded in China alone, how to stop it?" ”

Slowly glancing at the three of them, he slowed down his tone and said: "There is no turning back from the bow, rather than stopping and suffering huge losses, it is better to grit your teeth and persevere, I believe that the American Northern Federation will properly resolve this crisis." ”

After hesitating, Xie Xiuyuan said: "Even if we can't stop it, there is no need for us to continue eating, how about waiting and seeing?" ”

"With such a great opportunity, why wait and see?" Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "If you want to do it, be ruthless, don't look ahead!" ”

Zhao Liewen asked: "The big treasurer is judging that England will not interfere in the American Civil War?" ”

"It's not that England won't, it's that the Northern Federation won't give them a reason and a chance to go to war!" Yi Zhicontent said ominously: "Everyone wait and see, the Northern Federation should compromise soon." As he spoke, he looked at Xie Xiuyuan, "Give Hu Xueyan some back, seize the opportunity, and continue to eat!" ”

Kong Jian'an and Xie Xiuyuan, who were waiting, left, and Zhao Liewen looked unwilling, "Can the big shopkeeper talk about his judgment of the current situation?" ”

"In terms of the big picture......." Yi Zhizhi pondered: "Although England is strong, France, Prussia, and Russia are all potential strong opponents for him.

The United States has a vast territory, a certain industrial base, and a strong war potential, and once England rashly intervenes, it is very likely to fall into the quagmire of war and be unable to extricate itself, if this is the case, it may change the existing pattern of Europe, Prussia, France, and Russia are all likely to take advantage of the situation, and England cannot ignore this.

In addition, the cotton of the southern United States is of course important to England, but the wheat and the vast market of the north are equally important to England, and England has a lot of investment in the railway, banking, securities and other industries in the north. ”

As it turned out, it was not bad that England did not want to make a big deal out of it, and soon the British ambassador to the United States, Richard Lyons, made two demands to the United States: first, the release of two envoys from the South; Second, a formal apology for insulting the British flag within seven days.

Of course, the plan approved by the parliament was still carried out, and England sent a naval fleet to reinforce the Southern navy; The Army Expeditionary Force also went to Canada as a necessary threat of force.

The Northern Confederacy, knowing that it did not have the strength to deal with such a powerful naval king as England in a civil war, naturally would not be tough, so it simply chose to compromise and officially stated that the two southern envoys were released, and at the same time stated that the 'Taranto Incident' was the personal will of Captain Wilkes, not the government. The instructions of the government.

What followed was a great debate in the legal circles of the two countries over the blockade and the law of naval warfare, with Britain and the United States arguing over the Paris Declaration's clause prohibiting the seizure of imperial cargo on ships flying the flag of neutral countries.

The dark clouds of war dissipated in the chatter, but the price of cotton began to rebound in the two-month-long debate, rising steadily from the lowest price of six cents to easily breaking the ten.

Many brokers in the City of London are jealous and envious when they see this situation, and the strong cotton price is undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face of their previous ridicule, and now when it comes to the Orientals in the City, they are all in a sour tone.

The price of cotton continued to rise, and Yi Zhizhi was also relieved, but fortunately, he chose to insist at the beginning, if he chose to wait and see or sell, he was afraid that his intestines would have to regret it.

"The big shopkeeper." Xie Xiuyuan's face was happy, and he walked in briskly, "Hu Xueyan called to ask for instructions, with the price of cotton today, the profit is already quite large, do you want to continue to hold it?" Or cash-out? ”

Yi Zhizu raised his chin slightly, "What do you say?" ”

"If you are subordinate, it's better to continue to hold it." Xie Xiuyuan said with a smile: "We have been planning for a few years of cotton hegemony, how can we be satisfied with two melons and dates." ”

Yi Zhizu nodded slightly: "That's right, you can't be shallow-eyed, if you don't make four or five times as much, let's not let go." ”

Four or five times? Even if Xie Xiuyuan had a big heart, he was taken aback by these words, "Can the price of cotton rise so high?" ”

"What will happen to the mills if cotton is out of stock?" Yi Zhizhi said to the old god: "The textile industry is a pillar industry in England, and there are four or five hundred thousand textile workers alone, otherwise the south would not dare to be so confident, four or five times should be no problem, and look at it, this is just the beginning." ”

If you really want to make four or five times as much, what will happen to that? Xie Xiuyuan was happy in his heart, both happy and regretful, he should have realized all the securities in hand and invested them in it, but he couldn't say anything if he made additional investment now, and immediately handed over the telegram in his hand, saying: "There is also a call from New York, the Northern Union has canceled the gold standard, issued 450 million banknotes and sold 2 billion long-term war bonds.

This led to the formation of a new two-track monetary system, with paper money becoming legal tender for domestic debt and payments, and gold coins being the world currency for foreign trade. It also stipulates that the ratio of paper money to gold coins floats freely. ”

After a pause, he continued: "Subordinates, because this is a good opportunity to arbitrage gold. ”