Stop imports of English iron? Yi Zhizu shook his head slowly, and said: "No, as long as the price of England does not rise, there is no need to stop importing, this price is now the price of cabbage, which is cheaper than our own mining and smelting, not an economic crisis, and the iron price of England is as high as eighty or ninety yuan." ”

After a pause, he continued: "Our own steel plant will take at least two or three years to be completed and put into operation, in the next few years, Guangzhou's demand for iron will rise sharply, the construction of the railway is just the beginning, not only the Foguang railway to extend, Changhua to the eight railway has also started, Changle Machinery Factory's consumption of iron will continue to grow." ”

"Then are you considering launching Yuanqi Longyang?" Kong Jian'an said tentatively: "The mint's hoarding of Long Yang is as high as three million. ”

"Three million is a little less, not enough to roll it out across the board." Yi Zhishu glanced at the two of them as he spoke, and said: "Now is not the peak season for maritime trade, and the demand for silver in the market is not high, but it occupies six or seven million, and the silver bills issued are enough to offset it, not to mention that there are still a large number of deposits, why is there a tightening of the bank?" ”

Kong Jian'an said with a bitter face: "It is rumored that there will be a war with England, not only the gentry and merchants, but also the small people have exchanged cash, and many people do not even want interest, but also want to withdraw their deposits." ”

"Run?" Yi Zhicontent's heart sank.

"It's not at the point of a run yet." Xie Xiuyuan said slowly: "Yuan Qi's principal is abundant, and the proportion of deposits of merchants, silk merchants, and tea merchants is relatively high, and it is stable for the time being, but if it continues, it will be difficult to predict." ”

Yi Zhishu nodded, in the face of war, who doesn't want to hold the silver in their hands? It's human nature, it seems. Crow. The outbreak of the war was also a big test for Yuan Qi, and after a little groaning, he said: "It's still far from the war, don't worry, the top priority is to stabilize people's hearts." ”

Far from war? Xie Xiuyuan said in surprise: "The big shopkeeper." Will war really break out? ”

Yi Zhishu glanced at the two of them, took out a cigar and lit it slowly, and then said slowly: "The war with England is expected to break out in May and June next year." ”

The two of them have always believed in Yi Zhi's words, and Yi Zhi's tone of speech is quite heavy, how dare Kong Jian'an and Xie Xiuyuan doubt it, their faces have changed at the moment, and what they are most afraid of in business is natural and man-made disasters, especially military disasters. There is a way that bandits are like combs, soldiers are like grates, and officials are like shavings, if war breaks out in Guangzhou, how can Yuan Qi be spared?

Seeing the expressions of the two people, Yi Zhizhi smiled disappreciatively: "Don't worry, England may not be able to enter Guangzhou." ”

"Don't take it lightly." Kong Jian'an said solemnly: "Yuan Qi is now famous, if a war breaks out. It is inevitable that a large donation will be made, and it is even more worrying. Run! People are flustered, there will inevitably be a run, and besides, anything can happen, and the big shopkeeper must take precautions. ”

Xie Xiuyuan continued: "Yuan Qi dominates the Guangdong money industry, although the principal is abundant. But the semicolon is all over the province's prefectures and counties, once there is a run, the consequences are unimaginable, and the big shopkeeper is asked to make a plan as soon as possible. At present, it is necessary to shrink the monetary base, stop all lending, step up loan collection, cash out silver, and accumulate strength to cope with the imminent run. ”

Yi Zhixiang smoked his cigar for a long time and was silent, Yuanqi Bank's measures have the most direct impact, much stronger than the effect of newspaper propaganda and gossip, this series of measures are introduced, the Guangzhou gentry will inevitably be panicked, and the momentum will be created, which is conducive to winning the gentry to hold group exercises.

At present, for him, the most important thing is to fight for the right to run group exercises, many shareholders under Yuan Qi's name, whether they are silver merchants, merchants or silk merchants, most of them are gentry status, once the government allows the local gentry to run group training, the merchant group will be expanded by 10,000, it is just a matter of one sentence.

After a while, he spoke: "Don't worry, wait until I go to see the Governor and Futai before making a decision." ”

Selling Ma Street, the Governor's Palace, Signing Houses.

Deng Tingzhen, the governor of Liangguang, gently put down the "Notice to the Coastal People's Regiment to Practice Self-Defense" in his hand, and hesitated in his heart, this notice had been prepared by Lin Zexu as early as August, but he had been hesitant to use the seal, Lin Zexu set up a gentlemen's public bureau and launched a ban on smoking among the gentry, he was worried about the erosion of the place, if the gentry were allowed to form a regimental exercise, it would be out of control, and this was not what he was most worried about.

Governor Yiliang glanced at him, sighed, and said: "The two battles of Kowloon and Nose Piercing, although it is a small victory, but the Guangdong Navy will be cowardly and tired, and the malpractice of escaping from the battle is undoubtedly exposed.

The gentry formed a regiment training, which is not conducive to local Jingning, is not conducive to governance, and is not conducive to education, and there are many disadvantages, but the lesser of two evils is the lesser of two evils, even if the place is eroded, you can spend energy to slowly rectify it in the future, and the Yingyi invades, not only erosion, but the loss of the city and land. ”

Which is more important, how can Deng Tingzhen not be clear, and after a while, he said in a sullen voice: "Lord Lin asked Yueting to lobby?" ”

Yi Liang nodded and said, "Yesterday afternoon, I sent someone to deliver the letter, and I must persuade the adults to agree to the formation of a group training in the local area." ”

"Didn't Lord Lin say that it was impossible for Yingyi to cross tens of thousands of miles across the ocean for the sake of trade?"

"I heard that Yi Zhifen is back, and I went to Humen with Guan Junmen yesterday."

Before the words fell, an entourage reported outside: "Lord Yubutang, the big shopkeeper of Yuanqi is content to ask to see outside." ”

"Let him in." Deng Tingzhen said and stroked his beard and smiled: "This is really talking about Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrived." ”

Yi Zhizu walked in quickly, and there were only Deng Tingzhen and Yiliang in the room, and immediately bowed down casually and said, "I've seen two adults below." ”

Deng Tingzhen waved his hand and said with a smile, "There is no need to be polite to be content, sit." After he sat down, he asked, "You came back yesterday?" ”

"Yes, I only returned to Xiguan yesterday evening."

"Kowloon, Piercing the Nose, Guanyong, the Sailors have won several battles, content or firmly believe that England will go to war and will attack in a big way?"

Yi Zhishu nodded and said: "A little war, not enough to worry about, cutting off trade, is the reason for forcing England to go to war." ”

Listen to this. Yi Hao said curiously: "Since ancient times, it has been rare to hear of wars because of trade, can you explain in detail about contentment?" ”

Yi Zhixiang glanced at Deng Tingzhen and said with a smile: "It's all a cliché." After a pause, he said: "The trade between the East and the West has huge profits, and England wants to maintain the status of European hegemon and maritime hegemon." It is necessary to control the trade between the East and the West, if France or the United States controls the trade between the East and the West, England will decline, and its hegemony will be replaced. ”

In other words, it is a matter of national fortune. England has to fight? Yiliang groaned, "What if trade is reopened? ”

"Reopening trade?" Yi Zhizhi laughed and said: "That means that the previous efforts are wasted, and it means that the smoking ban has failed." ”

Deng Tingzhen said in a deep voice: "The ban on smoking is related to the national fortune of the Qing Dynasty, and the Qing Dynasty has to ban it, that is to say, in this battle, our Qing Dynasty and England are fighting for the national fortune?" ”

"Exactly." Yi Zhishu nodded.

"It's still contentment and thoroughness." Yiliang said and glanced at Deng Tingzhen.

Deng Tingzhen naturally understood what he meant, and immediately took the "Notice to the Coastal People to Practice Self-Defense" and handed it to Yi Zhicontent, saying, "This is the notice of self-defense of the group training prepared by Lord Lin. Be content and take a look first. ”

Notices have already been prepared? After only glancing at the topic, Yi Zhizhi was happy in his heart. It seems that Lin Zexu also has long called on the local gentry to form a group training, which is just right, and he takes a closer look at it at the moment, "This minister and the ministry hereby tell the fathers, old gentlemen, merchants, and residents of the coastal villages, etc., that Yingyi smuggles crows. Pieces, poison the world. Because of the great harm, the emperor can not bear to sit idly by, be loyal to the country, and gather in groups. Buy equipment, gather Ding Zhuang, think of self-defense, if you see Yingyi go ashore to make trouble, all the people are allowed to shoot to stop it.

After reading it quickly, Yi Zhizhi didn't understand what Deng Tingzhen's intention was to let him see this notice, could it be that he had insight into his intentions? This is probably not big? After a slight sigh, he said with a smile: "It is not only a call for the formation of a regiment to practice self-defense, but also a reward for killing a hero, so that it can stimulate the enthusiasm of the people." ”

Deng Tingzhen glanced at him and said, "Have you ever considered that as soon as this notice comes out, how will the Guangzhou city react?" Now it is just rumors that there will be a war with England, which has caused panic, the price of silver has risen sharply, and prices have skyrocketed. ”

It turned out that the other party was worried about local turmoil, Yi Liang secretly said ashamed, he really didn't think about this aspect, as soon as this notice was posted, it would inevitably cause greater panic, there is no doubt that Yuan Qi's pressure should be the greatest, once it triggers a run, Yuan Qi is unimaginable, and Yuan Qi is now the most powerful supporter of Guangzhou's fight against Yingyi.

Yi Zhixiang painstakingly wanted to obtain the power to form a group training, for Yuan Qi's safety, he was not worried, just a run, but not enough to squeeze Yuan Qi, a slight groan, he said: "Please rest assured, even if there is a run, Yuan Qi is sure that he has the ability to deal with it, and will not go out of business because of the run, but he must give Yuan Qi a few days to prepare for the transfer of silver to avoid unnecessary panic." ”

What is Qian Zhuang most afraid of? There is no doubt that he is afraid of a run, although Deng Tingzhen does not understand finance, but he is also very clear about this, it is because he hesitates, local erosion can be slowly managed, but if the war has not broken out, it will cause a major economic collapse in Guangzhou, then this battle does not need to be fought, and the defeat is decided.

Listening to Yi Zhicontent, he confidently guaranteed that Yuan Qi would not go out of business due to a run, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and said: "It seems that the headquarters still underestimates Yuan Qi's strength, and although he is content, he will arrange it calmly, and he will not fight for these few days." Saying that, he looked at Yiliang and said: "The gentry and businessmen are uneven, Guangdong has always been a fierce people, once the local group training is allowed, Guangdong will be eventful from now on, the most worrying person is still the party, Guangdong and Fujian, the party has always been rampant, the formation of group training, the party will inevitably take advantage of the situation." ”

Hearing this, Yiliang couldn't help but be stunned, forming a team practice, and this hidden danger? No wonder the other party hesitated, but he quickly settled down, first solve the urgent need, and then talk about it, the future is endless, is it possible that he can still be an official in Guangdong? The iron-clad yamen and the flowing officials give the officials behind them a headache.

After making up his mind, he spoke: "The Hui Party is just a group of rabble, and it has never been seen that there is a Hui Party in the climate, so why should the ministers worry too much? Moreover, there is a distinction between the harm of the party and the trouble of the Yingyi, which is the priority of the internal and external, the outside first and then the inside, the first heavy and then the light, the first urgent and then the slow. ”

"What Lord Futai said is very true." Yi Zhishu hurriedly echoed: "Compared with the strong ships and guns, the English Navy, which can be called a division of a hundred battles, is not worth mentioning at all. ”

Deng Tingzhen nodded slightly: "That is the case, the headquarters agrees to use the seal, and the Yue Pavilion replies to Lord Lin, and when Yuan Qi is ready, it will be widely posted." As he spoke, he turned his head and asked, "Contentment with the trip to Changhua, how is the situation?" How did it go for a long time? ”

Yi Zhizhi knew in his heart that the other party was concerned about the situation of the Changhua iron mine was concerned about whether the Foguang Railway could save silver, and how much silver Yuan Qi could donate. ”

Hearing this, Deng Tingzhen smiled and said, "It seems that Xu Wen's sugar merchants are about to be unlucky." ”

Five days later, inside and outside the city of Guangzhou, Lin Zexu, the minister of the Qincha and the governor of Liangjiang, and Deng Tingzhen, the governor of Liangguang, jointly printed the "Circular on the Coastal People's Regiment Training for Self-Defense."

As soon as the notice was posted, it immediately caused a huge sensation throughout the city of Guangzhou, which undoubtedly confirmed the previous rumor that the imperial court and England were going to war.

On the same day, Yuanqi ushered in the first wave of runs, and all branches in Guangzhou City and surrounding prefectures and counties lined up in long queues, without exception, all to exchange cash or withdraw cash.

Yuanqi double-door semicolon, the long queue from the lobby to the street, although there were preparations, seeing this situation, the second shopkeeper Hou Linsheng was still a little nervous, while arranging for the guys to maintain order, while personally coming forward to greet the familiar big households, inviting a group of big households into the living room, he smiled and arched his hand: "You don't need to be anxious, Yuan Qi has mobilized enough cash to deal with the possible run, you are all big depositors, the amount of cash withdrawals is large, according to the rules of Yuanqi, large withdrawals need to be booked three days in advance." ”

"We all know the rules." A customer said dissatisfiedly: "But isn't the situation special at the moment, the shopkeeper also said, this is a run, there is a run, can we not be in a hurry?" ”

"Everyone, everyone." Hou Linsheng still said with a smile on his face: "Knowing that you are anxious, the shopkeeper of Yi Da specially instructed that anyone who withdraws more than 1,000 taels of cash silver, if they are not willing to wait for three days in the semicolon, they can go to the Yuanqi General Account and withdraw the cash on the same day." ”

Before he finished speaking, there were already a few big households rushing out of the door, seeing this situation, he smiled and said: "You don't need to worry, Yuan Qi dares to promise to let the big households withdraw cash on the same day, you are still worried that you can't get the silver?" You can rest assured, Yuanqi will not smash his own signboard, if there is a deposit due in the next few days, the shopkeeper will guarantee you, delay for a few days, and take the principal with interest, England is 40,000 miles away from us in Guangzhou, not bad for these days. (To be continued.) )