Seeing his expression and tone, Yi Zhixiang said a little funny: "Shopkeeper Wang wants to ask, will Yuan Qi rebel?" ”

Wang Chaoyi nodded hurriedly, He Shutai also stared at him with a nervous face, rebellion is a big crime of the Jiu clan, both of them have a big family in Shunde, with deep roots, and they have never thought of rebellion.

"Rest assured, both of you." Yi Zhisuff said with a smile: "Expanding the scale of the Yuanqi Protector Merchant Group is not to rebel, but not to rebel. ”

"In order not to rebel?" He Shutai didn't react for a while, and said a little confused: "The big shopkeeper is confused." ”

Wang Chaoyi smiled and said: "It's like Brother Zi'an's family has a hundred and ten nursing homes, and ordinary bandits don't dare to easily fight Zi'an's family." ”

"That's the reason." Yi Zhizu smiled and nodded: "Yuanqi controls the finance of a province in Guangdong, and has Donghuang Silk Industry, Changle Machinery Factory, Changzhou Shipyard, Foguang Railway, Changhua Iron Mine, etc., and is now preparing to build a large steel mill and sugar company, and will continue to invest in the construction of a series of factories in the future.

If we don't have enough strength to protect ourselves, we won't be as simple as making wedding dresses for others, and it is likely that we won't even be able to protect our lives. ”

"That's right." Wang Chaoyi hesitated and said, "However, the scale of the thousands of people in the merchant protection group will instead force the imperial court to take action against Yuan Qi?" Such a large-scale private army is unheard of, how can the imperial court rest assured? ”

"You don't have to worry about that." Yi Zhizhi said: "In another half a year, England will invade on a large scale, and it is too late for the imperial court to resist foreign aggression, how can it have the energy to take care of Yuanqi?" By the time the war was over, the Yuanqi Protector Merchant Group had grown to the point where it was enough for the imperial court to fear. ”

He Shutai looked at him suspiciously. But he didn't dare to ask more, Yuan Qizhen has really developed to that point, he wants money and money, he wants soldiers and soldiers, and he is so contented and so young, he really has no ambition? Judging from the development of Yuanqi in recent years. The last thing this big boss lacks is ambition.

Wang Chaoyi asked directly: "To the point where even the imperial court is jealous, the big shopkeeper has no intention of rebelling?" "Why do you have to rebel when you have strength?" Yi Zhizu looked at him and said: "Since ancient times, there has been no shortage of thousand-year-old families, how many have you seen a thousand-year-old royal family?" The descendants of the Zhu family in the former Ming Dynasty can be said to have deep roots, and they are still being killed? Besides, now that the way of the world has begun to change, it is not easy for the emperor to do it. ”

As he spoke, he knocked on the ashes of his cigarette and continued: "There are nearly two thousand shareholders of Yuanqi. is not a rich businessman, or a local gentry, who is not a big family? If Yuan Qi pulls the flag and rebels, if he does not eliminate the official government's requisition and suppression, he will collapse on his own, and outsiders will not be able to see through it, so we know it in our hearts, and don't mention this topic again in the future. ”

Hear him say so. Uncle Ho was relieved when he boarded, this is the truth. Few of the shareholders of Yuanqi will have the heart to rebel, it is difficult to be content with the young but can see so thoroughly, he immediately bowed slightly and said: "Don't worry, the big shopkeeper, Shunde group training, we will do our best." ”

Wang Chaoyi said: "The scale of 2,000 people is not small, I am afraid it is difficult to avoid people's eyes and ears." ”

"Don't worry." Yi Zhisuff said with a smile: "Changhua Iron Mine now wants people. All transferred to Changhua for training. ”

After a slight sigh, He Chaoyi said again: "The big shopkeeper has considered that the five or six thousand people in the merchant group will cost a lot of money. ”

Yi Zhisuff said with a smile: "Of course, I have considered that the merchant group is not only for self-protection. It is also the need and guarantee for Yuanqi's external expansion, and furthermore, the merchant group can not only spend money, but also make money for Yuanqi. ”

Early the next morning, Yi Zhishu got up early and moved a little in the yard, Li Wang bought the breakfast back, and just after eating breakfast, Kong Jian'an, Xie Xiuyuan, Liang Jiemin, and Tang Jingyuan rushed over.

After sitting down, Liang Jiemin spoke first: "Yesterday, the lord of the domain deposited 600,000 taels of official silver in the treasury, and the ticket numbers of Shanxi, such as Rishengchang, Zhichengcheng, Wei Fenghou, Tianchengheng, etc., deposited a total of 2.8 million taels. ”

"Two million eight thousand, it is estimated that everything has been exhausted." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "They sincerely want Yuan Qi to owe them a big favor." ”

Kong Jian'an said: "At this juncture, the West Ticket did not fall into the ground, but did his best to help, and it is worth owing a favor." ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled, didn't say anything, this favor is really not worth it, this run, Yuan Qi has not yet reached the point of exhaustion, the West Ticket can be said to be a favor this time, but he still doesn't receive it, to be honest, a little depressed, this favor will not be good in the future.

After a slight pause, Kong Jian'an continued: "Yesterday, Citi merchants deposited a total of 1.1 million yuan. Saying that, he looked at Yi Zhizhi and said: "It would be good if the Citi merchant could have 100,000 yuan in hand, and this silver dollar was paid in advance by the big shopkeeper?" ”

"One million and one million?" Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "One million of them is Yuanqi Longyang of the Changle Mint, and the other 100,000 should be temporarily made up by Citi merchants, so it's hard for them to make up 100,000." After a slight pause, he advised: "Don't move that batch of Yuanqi Longyang, just put it in the silver treasury." ”

Kong Jian'an nodded and said, "In this way, a total of 2.15 million yuan was spent yesterday, and the income was 4.06 million yuan. ”

"I have already let people spread the news yesterday, and I have also asked the Xiguan Daily to give a detailed introduction to the situation in England, focusing on the geographical location of England and the sea trade routes and seasons." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "In other words, let everyone know that even if a war breaks out with England, the war will not break out until next summer."

The spread of these news, as well as yesterday's government, West Bill, Citigroup, Yuanqi staff of the deposits, should be able to appropriately alleviate the pressure of the run, however, everything should not be careless, today each semicolon must be prepared enough silver, any semicolon silver, may make our efforts wasted. ”

"Understood." Kong Jian'an and the four of them hurriedly responded.

After the meeting, Yi Zhizhi cleaned up a little, and was about to go out to the teahouse to listen to the discussion in the market, but Wu Changqing entered Rongyuan unhurriedly, and saw his unhurried steps, Yi Zhixiang smiled and said: "Look at this appearance, there should be good news." ”

"Contentment brother is a good means." Wu Changqing said: "Now the discussion outside is all in favor of Yuanqi, and it is estimated that there should be no more runs today." After entering the house, he smiled and said, "Let the Citi merchant come forward to make a deposit." It's really a good calculation, some people scolded the teahouse this morning, even Citi merchants support Yuanqi, you who usually borrow from Yuanqi at low interest, but you are dead to run Yuanqi, and the faces of our old and young masters in Guangzhou have been thrown to Citigroup! ”

"I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed." Yi Zhishu said with a smile: "Yuan Qi really hasn't spared his hands to do something practical for the people of Guangzhou in the past two years. It seems that in the future, we will have to give some money to do good deeds. ”

Wu Changqing rolled his eyes and said: "Yuanqi has done fewer good deeds, as soon as there is a wind and grass, one by one is not a busy squeeze, who reads Yuanqi well?" ”

"Why do those Yuan Qi and the displaced people resettled by the Thirteen Elements and the staff of Yuan Qi read Yuan Qi well?"

"That's because they are favored by Yuanqi, because they are related to Yuanqi's interests."

"That's right." Yi Zhishu nodded and said: "The reason why there is a run on Yuanqi whenever there is a stir is because most of the businessmen and people in Guangzhou have no interest in Yuanqi. It is because they have not received the favor of Yuanqi, so we should do more good deeds, so that more businessmen and people can get the favor of Yuanqi and enjoy the benefits brought by the development of Yuanqi. ”

Wu Changqing looked at him suspiciously and said, "What is the idea of Brother Contentment?" ”

"Look at what that's said." Yi Zhixiang smiled: "Rich and virtuous, Yuanqi is rich, and it is not normal to do good deeds and accumulate virtues?" ”

"It's not normal." Wu Changqing said with a smile: "Brother Contentment's silver is spent." How can it be without a purpose? ”

"It's not my silver, it's Yuanqi's."

"It's all the same."

"Okay. It's a buy of people's hearts. Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "Guangzhou is the foundation of Yuanqi, our invitation to buy people's hearts, and in another year or two, Yuanqi will prepare to issue banknotes, we are not the imperial court." In addition to strong economic strength and capital, we also have to win the hearts of the people, otherwise there will be a run on the slightest wind and grass. This is not conducive to the promotion of banknotes. ”

"That's pretty much it." Wu Changqing said as he took a cigar from the table and lit it before saying, "What good deeds are you going to do?" ”

"Running a school, donating funds to build a large number of Mongolian schools in Guangzhou and surrounding prefectures and counties, so that all children can go to school for free, this is the best way for the people in Guangzhou and nearby to get the blessing of Yuanqi."

"That's a lot of money."

"In the West, it's called basic education." Yi Zhizhi said: "Of course, this is not only an invitation to buy people's hearts, but also a long-term investment, talent investment, think about it, ten or twenty years later, the children who have grown up with Yuanqi's free education will have feelings for Yuanqi?" ”

"It's been too long."

"A one-year plan is as good as a tree valley, a ten-year plan is as good as a tree, and a lifelong plan is as good as a tree. We have the conditions, the financial resources, and the need, and no matter how long it is, it is worth it. ”

The two of them had a casual chatter, only at ten o'clock, and Kong Jian'an, who listened to it, reported that the feedback from each semicolon was normal, and Yi Zhizhi breathed a sigh of relief, got up and said, "Let's go, let's go to visit Nanshan Gong in Huadi." ”

The two of them were discharged from the hospital, and when they raised their eyes, they saw Guan Tianpei striding in civilian clothes, Yi Zhifu hurriedly stepped forward, and said with a smile: "How did Guan Junmen come?" ”

"Old man, this is an umbrella after the rain." Guan Tianpei smiled heartily: "The old man went into the city yesterday to allocate money, and I heard that Yuanqi was hit by a run, no, I urged them to come to Xiguan early in the morning. ”

"Sending an umbrella after the rain is also a sentiment." Yi Zhifen hurriedly bowed down and said, "Xie Guanjunmen helped." ”

"Contentment is not it." Guan Tianpei gave a sigh of relief.

Lifting up, Yi Zhixiang said with a smile: "The gate of the army is just right." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and said, "Please." ”

After turning back to Rongyuan and taking a seat, Yi Zhizhi said: "Calculating the time, the Citi dealers who purchased gunpowder machinery and equipment should also be coming, a few days ago, the craftsmen of the Ammunition Bureau who studied the flowering bombs reported that the flowering bombs needed casting craftsmen, and they were preparing to go to Foshan in a few days to ask for some craftsmen from the Artillery Bureau. ”

"It's a trifle." Guan Tianpei said nonchalantly: "There are many foundry craftsmen in the Guangzhou Yantang Artillery Bureau and the Foshan Artillery Bureau, and the Naval Division Ammunition Bureau has important people, forgive them for not daring to let go, and if they are content, they will go to investigate, and then draw up a list, and the old man will negotiate with them." ”

"If you have the military gate, it will be much easier." Yi Zhishu smiled and arched his hand: "Xie Junmen first." ”

Flower field, shade garden, listening to pine garden.

Although the winter in Guangzhou is not cold, but nearly sixty Zhang Weiyun is a little afraid of the cold, roasting charcoal fire in the room, leisurely tea and reading, he likes to be pure, has never liked to socialize, although he is the identity of the senior of Xuehaitang, and is also hired to lecture at Bao'an Academy, but he also has a class to go, generally nest in the listening to the pine garden, as for the gentleman's bureau, he rarely shows up.

"Sir, I have a visitor." The little servant whispered at the door.

"Who?" Zhang Weiyan asked without raising his head, he didn't like people to disturb his purity.

"It's Yuanqi's big shopkeeper, Yi Zhicontent, and Wu Changqing, the little son of the Wu family."

"Oh, invite them in." Zhang Weiyun said and put down the book in his hand and stood up, he has a lot of love for these two juniors, especially Yi Zhicontent, although he is young, but he is very knowledgeable.

When Yi Zhishu and Wu Changqing entered the room, they bowed down with a smile and said, "The younger generation has seen Nanshan Gong, but didn't you disturb Nanshan Gong's purity?" ”

"Sit." Zhang Weiyun said and sat down first, and said, "Yuan Qi has been squeezed in the past two days, and he is content and has the leisure to disturb the old man's purity?" ”

"The run has eased somewhat, so it's not a cause for concern." Yi Zhisuff sat down casually, and said with a smile: "Nanshan Gong didn't hear anything outside the window, and ******** wrote a book to say it, and he actually knew that Yuan Qi was being run." ”

"The old man doesn't eat the fireworks in the world, Yuanqi has been squeezed, and the whole city knows about it, how can the old man not know?"

"Then there is another thing, which is also known all over the city, I wonder if Nanshan Gong has heard of it?"

"What?"

"There will be war between the court and England."

Zhang Weiyun naturally knew that the kid in front of him had close contacts with the military and political officials in Guangzhou, and when he heard this, he immediately frowned and said, "Isn't this a rumor?" ”

"It's true, next summer, the war will break out." Yi Zhizhi said that after briefly introducing the situation in England, he said: "When the war breaks out, the Qing Dynasty will be defeated, and there is no suspense." ”

Zhang Weiyun seemed to have a hard time accepting what Yi Zhixiang said, looked at Yi Zhixiang in a daze, and only spoke after a while: "Contentment has seen the English navy? ”

"Nope." Yi Zhizhi said: "But Citigroup fought with England twenty years ago, when England was fighting on two fronts, fighting with France in Europe and fighting with Citigroup, and in the end, England won on both fronts, and Citi and French businessmen were very familiar with the combat power of the English navy, and the younger generations heard the detailed description of the merchants of the two countries. ”

Zhang Weiyun stared at him for a long time before he said, "The two ministers and Guan Junmen don't believe in contentment? ”

"Believe." Yi Zhicontent said with a smile: "Otherwise, the gentry will not be allowed to form a group practice." ”

"Then what did it mean for Contentment to come and tell the old man about this?"

Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "Naturally, it is borrowed from Nanshan Gong's wonderful pen. (To be continued.) )