Is a large-scale, prolonged economic crisis sweeping the world on the verge of erupting? Abundant? My heart sank, the Qing Dynasty had just followed the example of Western countries to implement constitutionalism and actively develop industry, but there was a large-scale economic crisis at this juncture.

Although the Qing Dynasty never had an economic crisis, because he had always kept a close eye on the Western powers, he still had some understanding of the economic crisis, a large number of banks went bankrupt, factories closed, a large number of workers lost their jobs, production capacity was sharply reduced, the market was depressed, the economy was in recession, and social unrest ........

If a large-scale, prolonged, and serious economic crisis breaks out in the Qing Dynasty, like Western countries, it will definitely be a blow to the Qing Dynasty, which has just implemented constitutional government!

After a long silence, he said: "Over the years, economic crises have also broken out in Western countries, but hasn't the Qing Dynasty never had an economic crisis?" ”

"It didn't break out before, and that's because we don't have the qualifications to break out of an economic crisis." Yi Zhishu lit a cigarette as he spoke, "The last economic crisis was the economic crisis that broke out in Britain in the last year, the scale was not large, and the affected countries mainly affected the industrial countries of Europe and the United States.

At that time, although our industry already had a certain scale, we made a lot of money through the cotton trade in Europe and the arms trade in the Americas, and turned to large-scale investment in railway construction, port construction, urban construction and basic science and technology, so we did not suffer much impact.

The scale of this economic crisis is far greater than the last time, and the duration may be as long as five or six years or even ten years, if we do not take a larger scale of investment and construction, it will inevitably suffer a huge impact, our country has not suffered an economic crisis, it is easy to cause panic, last year's run, you also saw the ........ ”

An economic crisis that lasts for a year or two is already shocking, but what will happen to an economic crisis that lasts for five or six or even ten years? How harmful will it be? Abundant? It's really hard to imagine.

For Yi Zhi's judgment, he does not doubt, or dare not doubt, too many things prove that the other party has the ability to judge and foresee that ordinary people can hardly reach, especially in the economy and war, the other party's judgment and foresight have never been wrong, not once!

After a slight groan, he said with some uncertainty: "Can this method really alleviate or avoid the occurrence of the economic crisis?" ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Whether it is effective or not, large-scale infrastructure construction is not a bad thing. ”

"It's not a bad thing for the people, but it's not necessarily a good thing for the court." Abundant? He said in a muffled voice: "The treasury is not rich, and such a large-scale debt for infrastructure construction will inevitably attract criticism. ”

Gently knocking the ashes, Yi Zhizhi said with a long time: "The proposed infrastructure investment plan covers all provinces, the scale is large, it can be said to be unique, and it is a huge economic stimulus plan jointly promoted by the imperial court and Yuan Qi. ”

"If you let this go, I'm afraid that no congressman will dare to object." Abundant? With a smile, infrastructure construction is not only about building bridges and roads, but also about water conservancy construction and urban construction, and the members of the Senior Affairs Yuan are really going to cancel the infrastructure plan of their province because they oppose this plan, and as soon as the news spreads, they will inevitably be scolded by the officials and gentlemen of the province.

After a pause, he continued: "Since the imperial court and Yuan Qi have joined forces, how much does Yuan Qi contribute?" ”

"Given the length of time this economic crisis has lasted, our stimulus package is not a one-shot deal, but a package that lasts for seven or eight years, or even the last decade." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The initial investment is 400 million yuan, and Yuanqi and the imperial court are half each. ”

Four hundred million silver dollars? And that's the initial investment! Abundant? Although he was not shocked by the changes he had already experienced, he was still taken aback by this number and said in a lost voice: "How much?" 400 million? Where did Yuan Qi get so much silver? After a pause, he said in a deep voice: "Should you print paper money indiscriminately?" ”

"What do you mean by printing banknotes?" Yi Zhizhi said dissatisfiedly: "There are strict regulations on the printing and distribution of banknotes by Yuanqi, and if there is not enough reserves, how can you dare to issue more?" The credibility of Yuanqi Bank has been accumulated bit by bit over decades, so how can I let it collapse all at once? ”

Abundant? Stared at him and said, "Yuan Qi was only .......embarrassed last year. "The implication is that where did Yuanqi raise such a huge amount of money for infrastructure construction?

"No matter how big a bank is, it will be embarrassed if it suffers such a large-scale and large-scale run." Yi Zhishu said indifferently: "Last year's run, Yuanqi just didn't want to damage the interests of the Qing Dynasty, if Yuanqi implemented the gold standard at the worst of the run, who would suffer the loss?" Anyway, Yuan Qi will not only not have a loss, but will throw away the burden of hundreds of millions of taels of silver. ”

That's the truth, Yi? Nodding slightly, Yi Zhishu had already publicly published his opinion on the gold standard in the newspaper at that time, and his intention to implement the gold standard was already very obvious.

"Despite the rare run, Yuanqi did not harm the interests of the Qing Dynasty for his own benefit." Yi Zhishu continued: "Because of what? Because Yuanqi has ample reserves, but not silver, but gold! Yuanqi has the ability to exchange every banknote circulating on the market!

South Africa's war, why don't I take the opportunity to blackmail England, is to avoid sideways, Yuanqi is now eager to quickly and large-scale mining of the Transvaal gold mines, in order to implement the gold standard as soon as possible, the task set this year is to produce 100 tons, and it will be increased year by year in the future.

How much is South Africa's gold production worth in a year? With the most conservative annual output of 100 tons, it is 70 million yuan a year, is it enough to deal with this economic stimulus plan? Is it enough to exchange the extra banknotes? ”

Abundant? Listening to it can be described as a joyful heart, the imperial court owns 20% of the shares of the Transvaal gold mine, which means that according to conservative estimates, the imperial court can also collect 14 million yuan a year, which is definitely a huge additional income for the imperial court!

"Enough, enough!" Abundant? Smiled and nodded, although it is an initial investment of 400 million, it does not mean that 400 million can be spent in a year, with the strength of Yuanqi, the issuance of hundreds of millions of yuan in banknotes a year can definitely guarantee the exchange!

However, the smile on his face quickly became a little stiff, "Even if it is an annual interest rate of three cents, a loan of 200 million yuan, what is the interest for a year?" Million? If you add the medium-term and late-stage investment, the annual interest is not tens of millions? ”

Yi Zhishu said with a smile: "Just take the share of the Transvaal gold mine to pay interest, anyway, it's for nothing." ”

Listen to this, Yi? couldn't help but be stunned, "Together with the Transvaal Gold Mine, the imperial court is empty?" In fact, you can't get a big son? ”

Yi Zhi's content rolled his eyes, "Without the share of the Transvaal gold mine, the imperial court would not have to pay the interest on this huge loan?" ”

Abundant? A little weak-hearted: "That's not it, but this stimulating the economy is not the responsibility ......of the imperial court itself." ”

"Isn't it the responsibility of the imperial court?" Yi Zhizu said coldly: "When the economic crisis breaks out, how much will the imperial court's income be reduced?" It's not just a decrease in income, it's also a relief! How big is the gap between this in and out? ”

This truth, Yi? How can he not understand that he is nothing more than trying to reduce the interest rate, "The huge loan of 200 million yuan, can the interest rate be reduced a little more, so that it is easy to convince a group of cabinet ministers and members of the Senior Council." ”

"King Gong won't forget, Yuan Qi also paid 200 million yuan!" Yi Zhishu said in a deep voice: "If it is funded by the imperial court, I can make the decision and borrow without interest." ”

"Don't mind." Abundant? waved his hand again and again, this Shizi stimulus economic plan is terrifying, let the court bear it alone, he really doesn't have that much courage, he can't cut interest rates again, and he doesn't force it, anyway, the annual interest rate of three points is already an unprecedented low interest.

"Although the main purpose of this stimulus package is to avoid an economic crisis, it is actually a rare measure to benefit the country and the people." Yi Zhishu slowed down and said: "The new monarch ascends the throne and still has to promote the favor of the people, and the implementation of constitutional government is far more important than the new monarch's accession to the throne, how can it benefit the people?" ”

After a pause, he continued: "Just 'promote constitutionalism and benefit the people.'" In the name of promoting this infrastructure construction plan, it is proposed that the provincial capitals will be included in the railway transportation network, and the first, second, and third five-year plans can be launched for a period of five years, and the ...... will be launched first, create public opinion, and win the support of public opinion. ”

Integrating provincial capitals into the rail network? How big a plan this is! I'm afraid it's difficult to do the three-five, four-five-year plan, yi? When he was shocked by the huge size of this plan, he was full of joy, which is equivalent to Yuan Qi paying money to buy the hearts of the people for the court and establish the prestige of the court.

Only two days in Shanghai, Yi? He hurriedly returned to Beijing, and on the day he returned to Beijing, he held a cabinet meeting and threw out the 'five-year plan', of course, he never mentioned the imminent outbreak of the economic crisis, and if this matter was to be poked out, it would definitely cause a big panic.

As soon as the cabinet meeting ended, the news spread that the imperial court was ready to spend huge sums of money to implement the 'Five-Year Plan' to benefit the people, and the so-called 'Five-Year Plan' was not just a five-year plan, but a long-term plan with a five-year period, focusing on gradually integrating the provincial capitals into the railway transportation network, that is, all the prefectures and cities should be connected to the railway. In addition, there are a series of plans for river control, water conservancy, capital and provincial capital reconstruction, etc., and the investment in this series of plans will be as high as a staggering 400 million silver dollars, and this is only the initial investment!

As soon as the news spread, it caused a great sensation, and the Information Administration Yuan exploded on the spot, and the Information Administration Yuan has the power to supervise and audit the income and expenditure of the imperial court.

Most of the indignant parliamentarians are from the northern provinces, and the parliamentarians from the southeastern provinces, as well as the southern, northwestern, and Southeast Asian provinces, are basically silent, and the matter is clear, the imperial court cannot have so much money to implement the 'five-year plan', there is no doubt that it is Yuan Qi who is actively promoting this 'five-year plan' behind the scenes. As soon as the news came out of Shanghai, I knew what was going on in my head, to oppose such a huge plan proposed by Yi Zhixiang, unless the councillor didn't want to do it.

Sure enough, soon there was a rumor that it was Yi? In the cabinet meeting, the provincial legislators will be excluded from the 'five-year plan' if they oppose it.

As soon as this news spread, the legislators of the northern provinces lost their temper at the time, and the 'Five-Year Plan' of Shilaozi had already been spread loudly, and what would be the consequences if the province where they were located was excluded from the 'Five-Year Plan' because of their own opposition? Just thinking about it, I feel chilling, the initial investment is 400 million, even if it is apportioned to the provinces, it is at least tens of millions of yuan, how many prefectures and counties, how many officials, gentlemen, businessmen and people will benefit from such a large project? At that time, what Qianfu refers to is light, which is to cut off people's financial routes and cut off the future of a province.

Naturally, reporters with a keen sense of smell could realize the importance of this bombshell news, and immediately the eight immortals crossed the sea to show their magical powers, and tried their best to ask and interview all the cabinet ministers, and after receiving the confirmation, the next day, the newspapers of all sizes in the northern and southern provinces of the Qing Dynasty published this news on the front page.

Not only the government and the opposition sensation, all the embassies in China were shocked by this news, the territory of the Qing Dynasty is so large, even if it is the British Empire, known as the 'empire on which the sun never sets', adds all the overseas colonies together, I am afraid that it cannot be compared, it can be called the largest country in the world, such a big country, actually put forward such an ambitious plan, and the initial investment is huge, it is also unique in the world!

England and the United States, which occupy a large share of the railway market in the Qing country, immediately sent a telegram to the country to report this important news, and France was naturally not far behind, after being seriously weakened by Germany's economic strength, France was eager to open up overseas markets, and the Qing country was the main target.

Germany, which has established diplomatic relations with the Qing State and has always maintained friendly relations, cares more than Britain, the United States and France, because for Germany, this is an extremely rare opportunity to enter the Qing railway market!

On the contrary, Russia is the most indifferent, before the opening of the Qing-Russia Railway, no matter how good the opportunity is in front of them, they can only stare dryly, and Russia itself is also actively building a railway to strive for an early connection with the Northwest Railway of the Qing Dynasty, which is simply powerless.

As soon as the news was reported, Yi Zhizhi left Shanghai by boat for Nanyang, he knew very well that as soon as the news spread, the ministers and consuls of various countries in China would come to the door, and simply go out to hide, this large-scale economic stimulus was aimed at avoiding the outbreak of an economic crisis at home, and it was not impossible for countries to want a piece of the pie, but they had to invest in, and he went out to hide, but also to pull them out.