1908 Far Eastern Maniac Chapter 193 Public Debt

yīn heavy. The river swept the city from east to west.

The boats on the Huangpu River were also blown away by the river wind. I can't hear it anymore.

Pedestrians on the Bund in Shanghai are in a hurry. No one noticed that a dark carriage was running over the rutted asphalt road. There are no signs on it. But the passengers in the car were no ordinary people.

There were two people sitting in the carriage. One is Shao Yi. The other person is Yang Du. The former was the acting foreign minister of the current republic zhèngfǔ. The latter is a member of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference. Both are big names in what is now the Republic of China. And all of them are senior senators of the Constituent Assembly. They had just come out of the Shanghai National Concession. Now he is preparing to travel to Huajie.

Since the beginning of the North-South Council. Tang Shaoyi stayed at sea almost all the time. During this period, I only went to Tianjin once. He was Yuan Shikai's negotiator. Take on an important task. Don't dare to slack off. After finishing the North-South peace talks, he has been busy with constitutional matters. It can be regarded as a busy man of the republic temporary zhèngfǔ. As for Yang Du. This section of rì is also from south to north. Running around. For President Yuan's ascension, it can be regarded as exhausting the work of dogs and horses. He is also a busy man in the republic temporary zhèngfǔ.

These two busy men are now together again. But now they are not busy with the drafting of a constitution. Rather, it is another more important thing than the Constitution.

For President Yuan Shikai and Yuan Da. What could be more urgent than a financial matter?

Now Beiyang is aggressively expanding its strength. Without strength, it is impossible to subdue the revolutionaries in the south. Shikai intended to expand the Beiyang Army from six towns to more than twenty towns. There were many obstacles to this ambitious expansion. Recruitment of soldiers, training of officers, construction of supplementary barracks of weapons. These are still minutiae. The real obstacle is the financial problem.

There is no military spending. The army cannot be expanded. Nor can the soldiers and officers have any morale.

However, some time ago, the "Three Nations Banking Group" formed by Britain, France, and Russia had signed a draft of international borrowing with President Yuan Da, but with the telegram of Zhao Bei, commander-in-chief of the Republican Army, on international borrowing. and the disturbance of the "Qizhou Incident". At present, the loan plan of the three banking groups has actually run aground, and it is dissatisfied with Yuan Shikai's failure to take a tough position against the Republican army. Rìben and Russia have unanimously decided to suspend the official loan program to China in the near future. The French financial community is worried that the loan may become a bad debt due to the opposition of the powerful faction in the south, so it has also decided to take a wait-and-see attitude for the time being. Although the British zhèngfǔ is full of Yuan Shikai. But also due to the "state incident" in the British face problems without delaying the official loan program. As for private financing. It is also difficult to achieve after all because of the anti-British position of the Republican Army. The British are also patriotic. British politicians will never risk losing the trust of voters by advocating the issuance of financial vouchers.

Now that the great powers can no longer count on it. Yuan Shikai could only turn to those small European financial countries for help. Belgium and the Netherlands are interested in lending. However, due to the situation in China and the diplomatic pressure of France, the decision was delayed, although the United States and Germany offered to provide President Yuan Da with an international joint loan. But due to the resolute opposition of the British, Russian, and French. Shikai had no choice but to abandon this direction.

International loans are out of the hope for the time being. It goes on and on. There seems to be only one way to fundraise:

Issuance of public bonds.

Issuance of public bonds. This is a common way for foreign countries to raise funds for emergencies. But in China, it is a new thing, in fact, in the pre-Qing Dynasty, it was the 24th year of Guangxu that issued similar public bonds. The Qing court issued "letter stocks" in response to the financial difficulties after the First Sino-Japanese War. But because the credit of the Qing court was very problematic. And the smooth issuance of public bonds is inseparable from the credit of zhèngfǔ. So. The Zhaoxin stock issued by the Qing court became a piece of rotten paper. Nobody cares. Later, it simply became an apportionment of the imperial court. Somehow raised some money. However, most of this silver eventually became the palace gardens everywhere. Neither profitable. Nor can it be a strong country. As you can imagine. Until the fall of the Qing Dynasty. The word "Zhaoxin" in this Zhaoxin stock has become a joke in the end. Public debts are borrowed but not repaid. Then it's not a public debt.

Right now. The Qing Dynasty has fallen. Republic and zhèngfǔ established. Public bonds will also be issued.

The lessons of the Qing court's Zhaoxin stock are not far away. President Yuan Da is also not imprudent. He ordered Tang Shaoyi and Yang Du to discuss with the foreign bank. Let's see if a foreign bank can guarantee the issuance of the bonds. Yesterday they had consulted with several big banks in the Shanghai Public Concession. Today, a meeting was held with several major banks in the French Concession in Shanghai. There is a little bit of harvest.

Managers of foreign banks are all indicated. If the republic is willing to come up with a salt tax as collateral. They could have guaranteed the issuance of bonds for China's Republic. It can even be taken to foreign countries for distribution. The premise is that the country zhèngfǔ does not interfere.

Although the negotiations went well. But Tang Shaoyi still couldn't get up. Sit in a carriage. It's all frowning. Didn't speak for a long time.

Tang Shaoyi specially instructed the coachman to circle the carriage from the Bund. One is to breathe in a few breaths of fresh air brought by the river breeze. The second is to look at the scenery on the Huangpu River. Soothe the lumps that have accumulated in your chest.

In fact, there is no beautiful scenery on the Huangpu River now. In addition to the ships of foreigners on the river. Most of the remaining Chinese ships were ragged sailing ships. The boatman's slender man was also dressed in tattered clothes. Compared with those brightly dressed foreigner crews. It makes people feel the huge difference in national strength and the incomparably difficult life of the people.

"Skinny. The Qing court's Westernization Movement was busy for decades. In the end, it's still a dream of Nanke. ”

Look at a China Merchants steamer slowly passing by on the river. Tang Shaoyi sighed. Look at the five-sè flag flying at the stern of the boat. An inexplicable sadness hit my heart. His gaze was retracted. glanced at Yang Du, who was also lonely.

"Brother Shaochuan. How did you become so pessimistic? It's not like you. Yang smiled wryly.

"People always change. Times change, things change, and people change. When I used to be an official of the Great Qing Kingdom. The people who often deal with them are officialdom figures. Now it's fate. Dealing with the Southern Revolutionary Party was indispensable. That's what I understand. The thoughts of the officialdom and the opposition are the opposite of the north. ”

"That's why we need a Congress. Reconciling the golden mean is the way to govern the country. In fact, in the final analysis, whether it is an officialdom or an opposition. Everything you do. Every word he says is nothing but rushing for himself. The next bustle is all for profit. The world is bustling for profit, and I understand this truth. Then you can understand why there are so many strife in this world. ”

Speaking of which. Yang Du changed his words. asked, "Brother Shaochuan." I heard you're joining the League? ”

Tang Shaoyi was stunned for a moment, and then nodded. said: "You are well-informed. ”

"Does Xiang Cheng know?"

"Yes. I've taken a telegram. Xiang Cheng knew that the alliance would win me over. ”

"It's okay to join the League. Go see what they're doing. Be an eye and ear for Xiang Cheng. ”

Seeing that Yang Du understood what he meant like this, Tang Shaoyi had no choice but to end the topic in a timely manner

That's why I joined the Alliance. But to say that he admired the god of constitutionalism and yearned for parliamentary politics. It has little to do with Yuan Shikai's attitude. Yuan Shikai defaulted to the best, even if he didn't agree to this move, he would never look at his face and act. Although the two have been friends for many years, this can change the reality of each person.

"I don't know when Xiong Bingsan (Xiong Xiling) will be able to arrive in Shanghai. At that time, he worked as a financial supervisor in Mukden. Familiarize yourself with this aspect of the business. It would be better for him to take care of the financial affairs. You and I are both laymen. In this financial problem will not help Xiangcheng. Tang Shaoyi took the topic.

"Some time ago, he was still busy with the bank. After Xiang Cheng ordered him to preside over the issuance of public bonds. He also had to hand over his errands with the bank. It is estimated that it will be a few days before leaving for the south. Wait for him to come and preside. Let's not overfill the numbers. ”

"Who will take over the bank?"

Tang Shaoyi asked. In fact, he is not very clear about the public debt. Yuan Shikai gave him the task of assisting Yang Du and Xiong Xiling. Once Xiong Xiling arrived in Shanghai. He is not in charge of this public debt. Wait for the Constituent Assembly to end. Tang Shaoyi also had to leave for the north immediately. Go to participate in the negotiations. On the aftermath of the "Qizhou Incident", he gave advice to Yuan Shikai.

"I heard it's Liang Yifu (Shi)." Yang Du said.

"If the public debt is issued smoothly. The first finance minister of the Republic of China may not be Xiong Bingsan. Treasurer. This is put aside in the Qing Dynasty. That's the book of the household. At that time, he participated in the establishment of the Changsha School of Current Affairs. Participate in the Pentecostal Method. I almost took my life. Looking back now. I'm afraid it's also embarrassing. Tang Shaoyi said with emotion.

Yang Du just smiled bitterly. When Tan Tong Tang Chang and others founded the Changsha School of Current Affairs. He also went to school. Xiong Xiling is also his mentor. Speaking of which. His New Deal ideas were also nurtured at that time. Merely. At that time, all that was on the minds of the people was a constitutional monarchy and peaceful reform. In any case, the crowd did not want to "rebel". It's only been a decade. The Manchu Dynasty, which everyone had planned to assist with all their hearts, has become a thing of the past. The vagaries of history are truly breathtaking.

Ultimately. This is the general trend of history. The mighty historical trend. Individual power cannot be changed. Yang Du can't change it. Shikai can't change either. They can only conform to this historical trend. As a passerby. Leave a series of shallow footprints on the road of history.

Tang Shaoyi talked a little bit with Du. And they were silent again. Just turned his head to look out the window. Each pondered his heart.

The carriage quickly left the rental. The guards who had been waiting for a long time greeted them. The carriage was escorted to the South City.

The carriage rushed back to the Shanghai Provincial Yamen. It's noon. The Constituent Assembly will continue in the afternoon. The final opinion of the draft law proceeds to this constitutional matter once it is completed. The republic zhèngfǔ can be regarded as truly established.

Tang Shaoyi and Yang Du broke up in front of the yamen. Take a few members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and rush to the four roads. I was going to take a break after lunch at a restaurant. But he didn't wait for him to finish his lunch. Yang Du hurriedly found the restaurant. Give him a copy of the telegram.

"What is this? Co-branded power-up? ”

Tang Shaoyi was a little surprised. Take a closer look. That's what I understand. The telegram turned out to be a petition sent by the name of a revolutionary party in Sichuan. The names of the big names are all on the letter. Sun Wu, the leader of the Communist Advancement Association, Yang Wangpeng, the leader of the Endeavor Association, and Zhang Peijue, a cadre of the Alliance. Even the "South Sichuan Town Guard" Tian Zhenbang signed his name on the telegram. As for the content of this electricity? It's also appalling. This can be seen only from the title of the telegram: "The revolutionaries of the people of Sichuan urge the Constituent Assembly to severely punish the puppet Qingchuan Governor Zhao Erxun!" 》。 Actually, it's a petition. The Constituent Assembly was asked to severely punish Zhao Erxun, the governor of Sichuan in the Manchu Qing Dynasty. He was held accountable for the "war crime" of massacring civilians resisting divisions.

"War crimes? What the hell is going on? Xiang Cheng's electrification said. This Zhao Erxun is a defection before the battle. It is a republican hero. Why did this telegram say. Zhao Erxun did not defect before the battle. But the city is broken, please surrender? ”

Tang Shaoyi put the transcription on the dining table. glanced at the members who accompanied him to the meal. Everyone looked at each other. I don't understand what happened in Sichuan.

This is not surprising. Chengdu has just been announced. All kinds of rumors and rumors are flying. No one can figure out how Chengdu was recovered.

In fact, both the North and the South are representatives. They don't care about the details of Chengdu's recovery. In their opinion. As long as Chengdu is recovered. Then Sichuan will be recovered. The communication connecting the Manchu diehards in the northwest and southwest was in the hands of the republicans. For the stability of the republic temporary zhèngfǔ is a great achievement. All those who have contributed to the restoration of Sichuan should be commended.

So. Yuan Shikai appointed Zhao Bei as the "Governor of Eastern Sichuan" in the name of the provisional president of the Republic. At the same time, Zhao Erxun was appointed as the "Senator of the Western Sichuan Governor's Office". And Zhao Erxun's elder brother Zhao Erfeng also became the "Governor of Western Sichuan". The Governor's Mansion of Western Sichuan and the Governor's Mansion of Eastern Sichuan are one west and one east. Jointly press Sichuan.

But now. Chengdu light has not been two days yet. A joint telegram from various forces in Sichuan spread throughout the country. Then you can think of it even with your toes. The struggle in Sichuan is still fierce!

In fact. When Yuan Shikai appointed Zhao Erfeng as the governor of western Sichuan, the telegram was issued. Tang Shaoyi was very unimpressed. In his opinion - for a flag man. Zhao Erfeng is really not the best candidate for the governor of western Sichuan. This would infuriate the revolutionaries in the South. Yuan Shikai is in the north. There has never been direct contact with the people of the South. Naturally, it is not clear that "racial revolution" is more than a slogan in the eyes of the revolutionary party. That's real action! Yuan Shikai's move will only give people a handle.

And. If it is for the purpose of decentralization, Sichuan is forcibly divided into eastern Sichuan and western Sichuan. Apparently redundant. And it will anger the actual "four|" Zhao Bei. The so-called outweighs the loss. What's more. After Yuan Shi's appointment was made. Zhao Erfeng's "Yi Zhi" electricity is long overdue. It makes people feel a little upside down.

In a word. It's puzzling.

He has followed Yuan Shikai for many years. Tang Shaoyi asked herself to understand the methods of this old marshal Yuan. But in the appointment of the governor of western Sichuan. But he couldn't figure it out. I can't figure out what Yuan Shikai wants to do. I was going to shoot a telegram to ask about a |. But after careful consideration, I abandoned this idea. After all, the power-on has already been shot. There was no turning back from the bow. If you take back your fate. It will have a negative impact on Yuan Shikai's prestige.

Right now. The revolutionaries in Sichuan had trouble with the appointment of the governor of western Sichuan. This is not what Tang Shaoyi wants to see. In his opinion. This joint telegram was actually slapping Yuan Shikai in the face in public.

However, Tang Shaoyi also noticed a detail in this power-on. The commander-in-chief of the IRA did not sign the telegram.

As a real powerful figure in Sichuan at present. Why didn't Zhao Bei, the "Governor of Eastern Sichuan", sign the electricity?

Is it to avoid suspicion?

It's hard to think about.