1908 Far East Maniac Chapter 244 American Thighs (Part II)

However, the American thighs look like a very worthwhile hug. But this thigh is also easy to hold.

Essentially. The United States is no different from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United States. They are all great powers. They all drooled over the cake of China. Although American businessmen pay attention to a "money to convince people". But that doesn't mean they're good men and women. They will not hesitate to use force to gain advantage when necessary. And it is guaranteed that this kind of force will be seized and changed into a high-sounding sound. The Spanish-American War of that year was proof of this.

Now the American consul has pointed to this American leg and made conditions to the commander-in-chief. But the commander-in-chief did not immediately pounce and hug him.

Zhao Bei has difficulty hidden.

At the beginning he - ran the image of a patriot. Rely on this image to rally the patriots of the whole country to their side. Compared to Shikai. The one who occupies the north is a "people". This is his biggest capital. We must not lose this capital.

If the Americans insist on building and managing Yuehan Road in accordance with the Jinghan Road charter. Then it would be better if the railway was not repaired. It's okay if you don't hug this white American thigh.

The commander-in-chief bore the infamy of a "traitor". At least not for now.

Other. Yuan Shikai only gave Zhao Bei the title of "Southwest Salt Administration Supervisor". The "Southwest Highway Administration" did not give. So now there is a name missing. The so-called "name is not right". Zhao Bei wanted to take care of the railway, and there was no suitable excuse. At least not yet.

"I heard that the three banks once cooperated in the construction of this railway. The U.S. consortium has also expressed its willingness to participate. How. Now you're talking about it? Zhao Bei glanced at Si Dai and was a little puzzled.

"This. There are disagreements over the details. It can't be solved for the time being. Stade said perfunctorily.

Actually, the truth is. Zhao Bei's anti-rì "-energized" caused a chain reaction. One of the conditions for the peace talks was to join the Three Kingdoms Banking Syndicate. Expanded into a group of banks in four countries. Those who participated in the request for financial regulation in China received the full support of Ying|zhèngfǔ. However, it was strongly opposed by the United States and China, which are not members of the banking syndicate. The two countries have even threatened to form a separate banking consortium to confront them. As a result, the construction project of the Guangdong-Hankou Railway, which had already taken the initial intention, was once again shelved. Countries are starting to go it alone. The British negotiated directly with Yuan Shikai. American businessmen put pressure on Yuan Shikai in a two-pronged manner. On the one hand, he sent Si De to Hubei to negotiate with Zhao Bei. Trying to take the square route. The cooperation of the Fang Li faction which took this. Before visiting Zhao Bei, Si Dai had already met with powerful figures in Guangdong and Hunan and the head of the Confederacy Restoration Society. And when it came to some promises, as long as Zhao Bei nodded again, this Han Tie could completely dump Yuan Shikai and do it alone.

Neither do foreigners. The situation after the revolution was already clear. Yuan Shikai in the north, although he had British support. But in order to unify the decree in the short term. But it's not an easy task. Give sufficient support to the revolutionary forces in the south. It is not necessarily impossible to achieve a "divide and rule" situation, in fact, as early as 190. The southern provinces have already begun to openly confront the central branch of the Qing court, and the banner is "southeast mutual protection". If it weren't for the British's concern for the expansion of Russian power. The districts of southern China may have long since broken away from Qing rule.

The previous U.S. zhèngfǔ and intended to challenge British interests in the South China district. But this strategy had been abandoned with the onset of the economic depression in 1906. The United States began to abandon its conservative East policy. It's time to take the tiger's mouth. In the eyes of American businessmen and politicians. There is still potential for the development of the Chinese market in the Far East. Especially the railway. If you can reach this market. Economic pressures in the United States can be eased. Idle funds can be liquid. Under-run steel mills can also get orders. Angry entrepreneurs can also be appeased.

But two obstacles stand in the face of American businessmen. One is the United Kingdom. Dominating South China. One is rì Ben and Russia. Dominate the three eastern provinces. The actions of American businessmen are also fraught with difficulties. But on the side of interests. The businessmen of the country will never give in lightly.

With the coming to power of President Taft. In the face of the "American threat theory" that is very much in the limelight in Europe. The United States cautiously accelerated its economic expansion in the Far East. The first target is China. Railways may be a good investment opportunity. American businessmen had already started their ambitious actions before they did. As for the attitudes of those continents.

Stade did not come to Wuhan as an official envoy for U.S. politics. Rather, he came as the personal representative of the American railroad magnate Harriman. Due to Rì's refusal to open up the right to build a railway in the Northeast. Harriman had no choice but to turn his attention to South China. Of course. Since not an official representative of the government. Stade is light and simple. And without much fanfare. I only brought an assistant and translator Marvin. Holding is not zhèngfǔ official letter. Rather, it's a private letter of recommendation.

"Mr. Stade. If your company insists on referring to the Jinghan Road Office. Then I can't help with that. The United States invests in railroads. I raised my hands in approval. But the railways must be managed by the Chinese. If you can't do it at all. It is difficult for me to convince the people to agree with Your Excellency. ”

Zhao Bei sighed in his heart. It seems that this beauty is not easy to hold. The country is no better than Germany. Germany is closely monitoring the situation in Europe. Vacillating stance on China. Widely co-opt allies among the powerful factions. So it's more "easy to talk". But the United States is different. There is no elbow in European affairs. The United States can now put its full mind on China's side. Not as easy to fool as the Germans.

Warlords engage in speculation. It's not that easy, either. The image of a patriot that has been painstakingly built cannot be ruined. In the matter of hugging the thighs of foreigners. The commander-in-chief can't compete with Yuan Shikai. After all, Yuan Shikai is the president. Dominate the center. You can sell whatever you want. In his eyes anyway. "People

It's not worth the money.

But this "public opinion" is important for the commander-in-chief. This is the only capital he has the confidence to despise Yuan Shikai.

"If Your Excellency the General cooperates. The U.S. consortium will give you an adequate loan. In order for Your Excellency to maintain military strength, if Your Excellency the General intends to enter the Presidential Palace. The U.S. business community will also give its full support. It wasn't the first time he had opened the skylight and said something bright, a promise he had made. And I also have the confidence to impress the other party again

But it was not what he expected. Zhao Bei rejected this seemingly tempting suggestion without thinking about it. Just said lightly: "The republic has been." The president is Yuan Gong Shikai. As long as he does not violate the constitution, Zhao will never replace him. If the merchants of your country really want to support the revolutionary cause of the despicable people. It is better to invest more in this factory. The contemptible must take care of it. You can even get a reduction on it. As for the railway. The stakes are high, and consultations must be conducted in accordance with the principle of equality. Success or failure. It always promotes friendship between the two countries. ”

Zhao Bei didn't say anything to death. Feng Yi changed and said: "If the merchants of your country are willing to build a joint venture with Chinese businessmen to build a railway. If you monopolize the right of way and mining rights, the contemptible people are happy to help, and everyone earns money together. It's a win-win situation. It is also the "balance of interests" that your country's politicians have always advocated. Now the republic is square. Public opinion can be ignored. Isn't the presidential election in your country also about the will of the people—but? At the moment, I'm just the governor of a province. There is no right to intervene in the affairs of the main railway line, and the Han Railway runs through several provinces and is a railway trunk line. No, the Fang Railway is not something that I can manage as a governor. Even if you build a railway in your country. Is it also impossible to leave the states on their own? There's always a plan. There is one manager who coordinates everything. "Is it a matter of the name of the general?"

This is not just a matter of righteousness. It is a matter of central authority. If the provinces are on their own. Where is the center located? Where is the president? ”

Zhao's sincerity. But Stade sneered in his heart. Yuan Shikai wanted to disarm, but he couldn't. This alone shows what the authority of this "center" really is.

Stade was silent for a moment. The gift of the table. He stood up and said, "The matter of the railway." The general's fears were not justified. However, our position is not unchangeable. Since it is impossible to refer to the loan of Jinghan Road to build. Then perhaps the two sides could seriously explore the idea of cooperating in the construction and management of the railway. However, this idea needs to be consulted with our country-regiment. Let's talk about it today. Wait for domestic feedback to come. Let's make another appointment to talk about it in detail.

It's not the same. Before arriving at Take. I have already held talks with military and political leaders in Hunan and Guangdong. They were very interested in the construction of the Han Railway. For the Han Railway. Our businessmen are ambitious. I also hope that His Excellency the General will help from this. If the Yuehan Road can be built. Our business community will certainly give financial support to your revolutionary cause. There is no reliable financial security. No army can be maintained. The British zhèngfǔ and rì本zhèngfǔ are fully supporting President Yuan in expanding his army. In my opinion. Maybe it won't be long. A new war is about to break out in your country. After all. For your country's traditions. The idea of "great unification" is deep-rooted. ”

"Mr. Stade. It's a shame I couldn't help this time. However, Your Excellency's views on our politics are still very discerning. And I also know the history of my country. Zhao Bei got up to send him off. The Han Railway must be mastered by the Chinese. is my basic position. But if your business community is willing to invest in railways. I can also vouch for their interests. Other than that. If U.S. businessmen are looking for other investment opportunities. I can help with the steel mill problem. Mr. Stade can walk around Wuhan. Maybe you'll find something you're interested in. ”

"It's about Han Yeping's public expansion - I can think about it.

But. The U.S. steel industry is more interested in Sichuan's iron ore resources. ”

Stade put on his top hat. A few noncommittal comments. Then he floated away with his assistant.

After Stade left. Zhao Bei read Zou Tingbi's letter. I watched it again. He said to himself: "This Zou Ting has a lot of friends. It's not very good to remember xìng. Obviously promised to help me form a bank as soon as possible. Why hasn't it stopped yet? Could it be that you have found another backer? ”

"I see. Eighty percent of the people surnamed Zou are liars. Tian Jinfu, the captain of the guard standing on the side, interjected inappropriately. He still owes us 100,000 oceans. At first, he said that he was investing in his bank. Now I don't know if his bank of Prudential has collapsed. If it goes out of business. Then the meat bun beats the dog. ”

Zhao Bei was shocked when he heard it. This concern is not unfounded. Although someone was sent to check the details of Zou Tingbi at the beginning. But since returning to Wuxi with the 500,000 oceans invested by Zhao. In the meantime, in addition to a letter and a few ships of raw materials for military industry. Zou Tingbi never showed up again. The 500,000 oceans are not too much, but not too much, and no less. Almost two quarters of military spending for an infantry division. In the opinion of the staff officers. It is better to raise soldiers than to engage in venture capital

"Yiren. You go and shoot the telegram right away. Let our purchasing representatives go to Wuxi. Let's see if the bank has collapsed. If not. Let's visit Zou Tingbi. Urge. Our bank can't just keep it going. There are regular banks. We can treat one ocean as five oceans. It's much more useful than the current money bank. ”

Zhao Bei froze. The order was given. If it weren't for the lack of talent. He had long since formed a commercial bank on his own and issued banknotes. Where is it the turn of others to intervene?

Talent. Every era is the most precious.