Shanghai, Zhenhai Mansion, Changle Book House.

Xie Xiuyuan smoked silently, the expression on his face was very solemn, since the establishment of Yuan Qi in the seventeenth year of Daoguang, he has followed Yi Zhicontentment, for more than 20 years, he has proved the amazing foresight and judgment ability of Yuan Qi, the big shopkeeper, for more than 20 years, and he also admires the five-body throw.

But this time is different, this time the international cotton hegemony, the situation is more complex than imagined, the amount of funds used is also beyond imagination, once lost, Yuanqi more than 20 years of accumulation will be lost, the current good situation will also be ruined, which involves not hundreds of thousands, millions, but millions, tens of millions of people's livelihood!

After a long time, he spoke: "Great treasurer, the cotton spinning industry is one of the pillars of the English economy, and the number of workers employed is as high as 1.5 million. Don't the business owners and businessmen of the cotton spinning industry know how much they need cotton every year? Can't they foresee what kind of impact the American Civil War will have on cotton?

Now that the American Civil War is about to break out, at this time, Hu Xueyan can easily buy 400,000 bales of cotton at a low price in London, what does this mean?

This shows that London shows that there is no shortage of cotton in the European cotton market, but that there is an oversupply, and that Britain and France and other countries have a large amount of cotton hoarding! It shows that they have absolute confidence and certainty that the cotton of the American South will not be cut off! ”

Speaking of this, he let out a long sigh, "Big shopkeeper, after all, Europe is too far away from us, and the business situation is also changing rapidly, so we can't afford to make such a risky ........" ”

After a slight groan, Yi Zhizhi said: "You have been following me for more than 20 years, do you think I will gamble with the net worth and future of the entire Yuan Qi and even the future of the entire country and nation?" ”

Xie Xiuyuan listened to it, and he couldn't speak, this was very serious, and even the future of the country and the nation was said, which shows that the other party clearly knows the consequences of a mistake, yes, Yi Zhishu is indeed a person who likes to take risks, and is also good at taking risks, but he is definitely not a person who does not know the severity, otherwise this country would have changed masters long ago.

After a pause, he hesitated and said, "The big shopkeeper is absolutely sure?" ”

"Three years ago, I could have asked you to start preparing for the cotton hegemony, how can you not be absolutely sure?" Yi Zhizu rolled his eyes and said in a slow tone, "Let him wind and rain, I will take a leisurely stroll, don't let the changes in the situation affect my judgment, don't shake easily, you must firmly believe in your judgment!" ”

Xie Xiuyuan smiled bitterly and said, "Can the big shopkeeper give the bottom ...... the inferior level?" ”

Yi Zhizhi said in a deep voice: "It's very simple, I believe in the United States!" ”

On April 12, the Confederate States of America opened fire on Fort Zante, and the war officially began.

On April 15, President Abraham Lincoln of the United States of America issued a crusade and declared war on the Confederate Confederate, and the Civil War broke out.

On April 17, Jefferson Davis, the interim president of the South, allowed pirates to plunder Northern ships.

On April 19, Lincoln announced a blockade of southern ports, prohibiting ships from entering and leaving the south, and sending navies to prevent European regimes from providing material support to the south.

In the Changle Book House, Cao Gensheng walked into the room quickly with a telegram and said loudly: "Big treasurer, President Lincoln of the United States announced yesterday that the blockade of southern ports ........ ”

After listening to Cao Gensheng, Zhao Liewen couldn't help but be surprised and delighted, "The north reacted so quickly? Immediately a naval blockade when the war began? ”

After a slight sigh, Yi Zhizhi said slowly: "This is a gesture, and it is also a ...... of temptation. ”

"Temptation?" Zhao Liewen immediately reacted, "Test the reaction of Britain, France and other countries? ”

"Not bad." Yi Zhi said with a full jaw: "With the current strength of the Northern Navy, it is simply impossible to implement an effective blockade, which is to test the reaction of Britain and France. ”

"And how will Britain and France react?" Zhao Liewen hurriedly said: "Is it to remain neutral?" Or send troops to intervene? ”

"Wait and see, Britain and France should react soon." Yi Zhifu said slowly, he didn't know the bottom in his heart, he knew that Lincoln would blockade the South, but he didn't expect it to be so fast, he was sure that the North and Britain and France should have held diplomatic consultations, judging from the reaction of the United States, the talks should have collapsed.

This made him a little nervous, in the face of such a quick and tough reaction from the United States, how would Britain and France react? Will it be off the trajectory, and what variables will happen that he didn't expect?

Britain, France, and other countries did not react as quickly as Yi Zhixiang thought, and it is clear that the reaction of the United States was not as quick as they expected, and it was only after nearly a month of delay that Queen Victoria of Britain announced on May 13 that she would maintain strict and impartial neutrality in the war between the North and the South of the United States.

On May 14, the London Gazette officially issued a declaration of British neutrality, which recognized that the Southern Alliance was a belligerent country on an equal footing with the federal government of the United States and had the right to belligerent.

Other European countries, such as France and Spain, have also supported the UK's decision.

In Changle Book House, Zhao Liewen looked at the telegram in his hand and said with a puzzled expression: "What does the British mean by this strict neutrality?" What does it mean to have equal status, belong to the same belligerent countries, and have belligerent rights? Is this a recognition of the legitimacy of the regime in the South? ”

"See it thoroughly!" Yi Zhi said contentedly: "This declaration of neutrality by England is actually an indirect recognition of the Southern regime, the Confederate States of America, as a legitimate state with an equal status with the United States of America.

In this way, according to the 'national law' of European international law, the Southern regime can legitimately contract with neutral countries to borrow debts, buy various supplies, and carry out belligerent missions on the high seas.

Under the guise of neutrality, England is pursuing two US policies, and it is a conspiracy to interfere in the name of neutrality! This can be said to be a very crucial move, with this declaration of neutrality, England can justifiably support the South.

Moreover, this move can be called a retreat, after all, it is only an indirect recognition of the southern regime, and there is no formal public recognition, so that England can advance and retreat freely, so to speak, this is a very wise and clever intervention! ”

That's what really you see! Zhao Liewen was secretly embarrassed when he heard this, and then said: "Since Britain and France have declared neutrality, does it mean that it is impossible to send troops to intervene in arms?" ”

"Not necessarily." Yi Zhishu smiled: "They can take all kinds of provocative actions, and once the United States makes the first move, neutrality will naturally be broken." ”

Xie Xiuyuan was not interested in these, he was concerned about the impact of the cotton hegemony, and immediately said: "Big boss, the northern navy has no strength to blockade the southern ports at all, and the English navy is not something that the northern navy can contend with, so wouldn't the cotton in the south be transported to England in a steady stream?" ”

"Don't be in a hurry." Yi Zhizhi said unhurriedly: "The northern navy is not enough to blockade all the ports in the south, but this does not mean that the south will continue to supply cotton to England, and the south must be extremely dissatisfied with the neutrality of Britain and France and other countries, and will use the cotton in their hands to threaten Britain and France, so that Britain and France can provide them with more powerful support!" ”

Threatened Britain and France? Xie Xiuyuan said: "The south dares to openly blackmail Britain and France? ”

"What's not to dare?" Yi Zhizhi said disapprovingly: "Cotton is a trump card in the hands of the south, in their opinion, the British and French cotton spinning industry cannot do without their cotton, this is their confidence, they think that Britain and France will never stand idly by, the reason why they dare to be independent, why they dare to boast of ending the war in 90 days, is because they believe that Britain and France will inevitably support their ........" ”

Before the words fell, Lin Meilian came in and reported: "The big treasurer, His Excellency the American Minister has come to visit. ”

"Ask him to come in." Yi Zhifen said and stood up, "An old friend for many years, Yingying." ”

Greeted the uncle at the gate of the courtyard, exchanged a few words, and said contentmently: "The south allows, or even encourages pirates, to loot northern ships, and our fleet transporting arms will not be in danger, right?" ”

Bo Jia smiled when he heard this, "Just rely on those broken warships in the south to plunder Yuanqi's fleet of transporting arms?" Unless it is Britain and France to send the main fleet, it is impossible to eat Yuanqi's fleet, the Bohai Sea battle, Yuanqi's fleet has played a prestige, and now no one dares to provoke the Yuanqi fleet escorted by warships. ”

Yi Zhishu said that the fleet transporting arms was escorted by warships, even if the Southern Navy dared to plunder, he was not worried at all, and he didn't pay attention to the entire American Navy now.

The two of them entered the house and sat down as they spoke, and Uncle Jia was not polite, and said directly: "We have not prepared for this civil war, but the south has been planning for a long time, and in order to win this war, we need to issue a large number .......of war bonds ......." ”

Although these words were said in a hurry, the meaning was very clear, hoping that Yuan Qi would be able to buy a large number of American war bonds, Yi Zhixiang did not rush to express his position, American war bonds must be able to make money, there is no doubt about this, and he also knows that the United States issued a large amount of currency during the Civil War, and it continued to depreciate during the war and the depreciation was not small.

In this regard, he had a plan, after the cotton hegemony, he used the money earned from Europe to buy the bottom of the dollar and then use the dollar to buy war bonds, this is a quite perfect package, for Yuanqi, this war is a luxurious feast.

Listening to the translation, seeing Yi Zhizhi was silent, Xie Xiuyuan was a little anxious, he knew that Yi Zhixiang and Bo Jia had a very close relationship, for fear that he would not be able to agree with the emotion, and even said: "Big shopkeeper, at present, Yuan Qi is afraid that it is difficult to withdraw a large amount of money for the purchase of American war bonds, and a large amount of money is also needed in China for acquisition and hoarding." ”

Yi Zhixiang glanced at him and said directly in English: "I'm sorry, at present, Yuan Qi cannot subscribe to your country's war bond ....... ”

As soon as he heard this, he was in a hurry, and hurriedly said, "Mr. Yi is worried that we will lose this war?" ”

"I am confident that under Mr. Lincoln's leadership, your country will be able to win this war and preserve the unity of the country." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "However, Yuan Qi can't draw funds to subscribe for bonds now, and we have only experienced two wars and have not fully recovered." ”

Bo Jia couldn't help but be disappointed, but thinking about it, Yuan Qicai experienced the invasion of Britain and France and the two wars of conquering Goryeo, and it was reasonable that he could not withdraw funds.

Seeing the disappointment on his face, Yi Zhizhi smiled and said, "Although Yuan Qi can't subscribe to a large number of bonds now, during the war, all the arms and medicine trade between Yuan Qi and your country can be paid for by your country. ”

It's a lot of fun! Bo Jiadeng was overjoyed, the domestic arms and medicine trade with Yuanqi is not a small amount, just the first trade is as high as 20 million silver dollars, he is sure, there will be in the future, because Britain and France and other countries tend to support the south, will not sell a large number of arms to them, even if he understands in his heart that the other party is using this means to expand the arms and medicine trade, he must also receive this favor, for the federal government. In terms of the house, this is undoubtedly timely rain!

"Thank you!" Bo Jia said enthusiastically: "The United States will definitely remember the friendship between Your Excellency and Yuan Qi!" ”

"I have the conditions." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "At present, it can be paid with bonds, but after the end of the war, I hope that your country can pay in gold, not dollars, and the gold-silver ratio can be according to the international exchange ratio." ”

Gold itself is a common currency for international trade, and the dollar may fluctuate greatly during or after the war, this condition is completely reasonable, and it can even be said that it is not a condition, Bo Jia hurriedly said: "I think we have no reason to refuse this condition....... As he spoke, he stood up, "I'll report the good news to the country right away." ”

Listening to the translation, Xie Xiuyuan couldn't help but secretly complain, what is this called? After sending Bo Jia away, he said softly: "The current situation is beneficial to the south, and the south also has the support of Britain and France behind it, even if the big shopkeeper is optimistic about the north, there is no need to take such a risk, this is tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of taels of silver arms and medicine trade, once the north is defeated, it will ......." ”

"Even if the north is defeated, it will not be destroyed, and it will not admit it?" Yi Zhi said disapprovingly: "In this way, Yuan Qi can monopolize the arms and medicine trade in the north, which is at least hundreds of millions of taels of silver, this is the best opportunity to exchange American gold!" ”

Xie Xiuyuan said: "If the north is defeated, can there still be enough gold to pay?" ”

Yi Zhizu chuckled: "Believe me, the north will not be defeated. ”

Seeing that his tone was so firm, Zhao Liewen, who had not spoken, said: "Since the big shopkeeper firmly believes that the north will not be defeated, why do you close the factory and withdraw the students and all the workers." ”

"I firmly believe that the North will win in the end." Yi Zhizhi said without hurry: "But during the war, it is difficult to say whether the northern territory will fall, after all, the north is currently in a weak position, and for the sake of their personal safety, they must be withdrawn." ”

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