"The Wu family should already know the news by now, we don't have to make any moves, just watch how they move." Niu Jingye said.

"What do you mean......" Fu Xiaowen stared at Niu Jingye's eyes, trying to find out what he really thought.

"The number of boats does not hinder the river, and there are those who are comparable, and only then can they see growth." Niu Jingye smiled slightly and met Fu Xiaowen's gaze, "I think it is impossible for the Wu family to monopolize this matter, and it may not be a good thing for us to have a few more merchants come in." ”

"Makes sense." Fu Xiaowen nodded and said. "Responding to change with the same is also the way to deal with it."

"The Jingli Diet is discussing the currency reform bill, and there will be news in the next few days, and our main force now should be put on the banks." Niu Jingye said, "Those things, let them go for the time being." ”

"That's it, but the news channels still have to be kept open." Fu Xiaowen said, "Especially the third child in Beijing. ”

The two of them discussed for a while, Niu Jingye got up to say goodbye, and after sending Niu Jingye away, it may be that the news of the woman from the Lu family interfered with his mood, Fu Xiaowen always felt a little uneasy in his heart, he paced in the room for a while, looked up at the sky, and found that a round of red light was suddenly blocked by a thick dark cloud, and the surrounding sky became dim for a while.

Yanjing, the National Assembly Building of the Republic of China, the meeting hall.

"The mint has got the pattern of the new silver dollar, so let's take a look." Liang Qichao looked at the seats below and said in front of the loudspeaker.

The Capitol staff handed the attendees a beautiful photo album containing photos of the new silver dollar pattern and asked them to pass it on one by one. Looking at the exquisite silver dollars with different patterns, many people let out a sigh of admiration.

The silver dollar that is now in circulation in China is the silver coin made by Yuan Shikai, which is commonly known as "Yuan Datou". During the Guangxu period of the late Qing Dynasty, in order to adapt to economic development, silver dollars began to be minted by the provinces, and the provinces did their own thing, and the original casting pattern silver was the same, not only the weight and fineness could not be unified, but the quantity was also difficult to control. After the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution, the provinces were in a hurry to use the money, not only processing and minting silver dollars, but also indiscriminately minting copper dollars, indiscriminately issuing banknotes and military bills, making China's already ununified currency system even more chaotic. After the establishment of the Republic of China, the central government's finances were almost inconsistent, and the financial crisis was very serious. In the short term, the issuance of paper money is also a wonderful way to accumulate wealth, but paper money is the representative of the silver dollar, is an exchange certificate, if there is no full preparation and wide circulation of the silver dollar, the credit of paper money is also difficult to establish. Therefore, the reform of the currency system cannot be delayed. After Yuan Shikai became the president in April 1912, Beiyang Political Axe decided to mint and issue national currency in view of the fact that the coinage and banknotes were very complicated at that time, and there were more than 100 kinds of Chinese and foreign currencies in circulation, with different specifications, chaotic circulation, cumbersome conversion, and the people's grievances. In order to improve his dominance, Yuan Shikai took this opportunity to decide to cast his head on the surface of the coin, from which "Yuan Datou" came. On February 7, 1914, Yuan Shikai promulgated the "National Currency Regulations" and the "Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the National Currency Regulations" in the form of a "Great Presidential Decree", stipulating that there are four types of national currencies (one yuan, medium yuan, two corners, and one jiao), one nickel coin (five cents), and five copper coins (two cents, one cent, five cents, two cents, and one cent). The national currency is mainly the "One Yuan" silver coin, with a total weight of Kuping seven coins and two cents (26.86 grams), including six coins of sterling silver and four cents and eight cents (23.9024808 grams), and is minted with silver nine and copper one (later changed to silver 89 and copper 11). The front is engraved with the side portrait of Yuan Shikai and the date of issue, and the back is decorated with Jiahe ornaments and currency values. In the same year that the "National Currency Regulations" were promulgated, the Beiyang Political Axe first minted the "Yuan Datou" one-dollar silver coin at the Tianjin Mint, and then successively minted it at the Mints in Nanjing, Guangdong, and Wuchang. Due to the uniform shape of the Yuan Datou silver coin, strict regulations on fineness and weight, it was quickly recognized and accepted by the society, and gradually replaced the Qing Dynasty's Longyang in the domestic financial market and became the main currency in the circulation field.

The minting volume of "Yuan Datou" was very large at that time, and the Nanjing Mint alone reached 379819210 yuan in the nearly two years from February of the fourth year of the Republic of China to the fifth year of the Republic of China. And only one yuan "Yuan Datou" minted 750000 pieces. After many years of minting, the "Yuan Datou" silver dollar has been minted, and its reputation is very high, the number has increased, and the circulation has gradually become wider. "Yuan Datou" has an important position in the history of Chinese currency, it is the most widely circulated and influential silver dollar variety among nearly 1,000 kinds of modern silver coins in China, and it is also an important role in the reform of modern China's currency system. The passage of the "Yuan Datou" silver dollar promoted the unification of China's currency and also prepared the conditions for the further reform of China's currency system.

Although the circulation of "Yuan Datou" was very smooth, due to the great loss of prestige caused by Yuan Shikai's restoration of the imperial system, after the collapse of the "Hongxian Empire", some people in the National Assembly proposed to re-mint a new silver dollar, and the newly established Republic of China political axe also had to issue a new currency to replace it, and implemented the plan of "abolishing the two yuan and changing the yuan" that had not been realized in the Yuan Shikai era, but because of financial embarrassment and a series of wars, it could not be implemented. Now, with the victory in the war in Europe and the Second War of Resistance against Japan, as well as the large amount of dollars earned by Yang Shuoming, China's political axe finally has the strength to carry out the currency reform in depth.

Due to the full preparation this time, and the introduction of advanced machinery and equipment from the United States and the guidance of excellent technicians, Yanjing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other major mints have come up with the most beautifully designed new version of the silver coin style, its workmanship is excellent, the pattern is exquisite, are the crown of history.

Soon, discussions began about the style of the new silver dollar.

Lin Changmin, the leader of the Progressive Party, proposed to use the silver dollar provided by the Yanjing Mint with the dragon as the main pattern, Lin Changmin believed that the dragon is a symbol of the Chinese nation, and the dragon as the pattern can better reflect the rise and take-off of China. Lin Changmin's proposal has been approved by many people, especially the support of some parliamentarians from the Beiyang department, but it has been opposed by the opposition party led by the Youth Party, Zhang Dongsun, a member of the Youth Party, believes that the silver dollar minted at the end of the Qing Dynasty is the "dragon ocean" with the dragon pattern as the main pattern, and the new silver dollar adopts the dragon pattern is easy to confuse with the folk use, and the dragon-shaped pattern has always been a symbol of imperial power, with the dragon as the currency pattern, there is a suspicion of restoring [***] imperial power. Zhang's views were supported by many lawmakers, and in the end, the Yenching Mint's plan was rejected.

Subsequently, Huang Xing, the leader of the National Socialist Party, proposed to use the heads of Chinese historical celebrities from the Shanghai Mint, which was supported by many parliamentarians, but some people raised objections, especially the use of designs of former Qing officials such as Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, and there were many slanders about the use of designs of former Qing Dynasty officials, believing that beautifying the Qing Dynasty was contrary to the original intention of the "republic of five ethnic groups", so Huang Xing's proposal was also not adopted.

Liang Shiyi, the boss of the Department of Transportation, proposed to use the traditional Chinese auspicious bird pattern of the Tianjin Mint as the main pattern of the new silver dollar, this set of design scheme was designed by an American technician who loves Chinese traditional culture in the Tianjin Mint, according to the different values of the auxiliary coins of one yuan and below, respectively, the pine eagle, flying geese, cranes, golden chickens, and mandarin ducks of the traditional Chinese Gongbi flower and bird patterns are the patterns, and these auspicious birds symbolize the meaning of the take-off of new China. However, some legislators pointed out that the "pine eagle" pattern of the main coin of the "One Yuan" is that the image of a goshawk standing on a pine and spreading its wings is close to the American eagle pattern in the US dollar, and the size of the Chinese silver dollar is similar to that of the US dollar, which seems to have "relied on the United States". As a result, this plan was also rejected under the pressure of a "nationalist" atmosphere.

After almost an hour of discussion, there was still no result on the currency sample plan, when a corner door of the conference hall suddenly opened quietly, and a staff member walked in with a person, who sat in a seat in the auditorium from a distance, quietly listening to the discussion of the congressmen, Liang Qichao recognized who he was, and couldn't help but smile.

The person sitting in the auditorium was Yang Shuoming.

Seeing that it was not early, Liang Qichao announced the suspension of the meeting and rested, and then quietly came to Yang Shuoming's side, and while showing him the silver coin sample, he asked with a smile: "Why did you think about coming over today to listen?" ”

"There's not much going on lately." Yang Shuoming smiled, and his eyes fell on the template in his hand, "As long as the state affairs are on the right track, I will become more and more idle in the future." ”

"How? Which set are you Yang Hanzhi optimistic about? Let's talk about it. Liang Qichao said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Anyway, you pay for it, you have the final say, you decide which set, and we will pass it." ”

After Yang Shuoming inquired about the meeting, he couldn't help frowning.

"It seems that this change in concept did not happen overnight."

"Why did Hanzhi say that?" Liang Qichao asked a little strangely.

"If Zhuo Ru asks my opinion, I prefer this one." Yang Shuoming took out a sample of a silver coin and handed it to Liang Qichao.

Liang Qichao took the sample and saw that this set of samples was provided by the Wuhan Mint, because the process and accuracy were not as good as the plans of other large mints, and the pattern was not exquisite, so it was ignored by most people.

This set of silver coins is based on the most representative of the industrial era of several major inventions as the main pattern, of which the main coin of the first dollar is a steamer running on the sea with smoke, the north side is the traditional Chinese curly pattern and Jiahe pattern, in the middle is the Chinese character script "one yuan", the auxiliary coins according to the size of the currency, the obverse pattern is a train, an airplane, a car and a submarine. Although the overall design is not very exquisite, the style is slightly rough, but its concept is novel, with a strong modern atmosphere, and it is also a very good design plan.

"I understand," Liang Qichao sighed, "Your name as a 'high-tech warlord' is really not in vain. ”

"Of the three gentlemen who can save China, there is a 'Mr. Sai' who can be printed on this money, which can be regarded as giving money a vulgar thing with some elegant atmosphere." Yang Shuoming said with a smile.

"It's up to me to propose this plan, it is estimated that there will be no accidents and it will be passed." At this time, Liang Qichao had been persuaded by Yang Shuoming, "Let the people always remember that today's victory and peaceful development are inseparable from the power of science and technology." ”

On January 29, 1922, the Chinese National Assembly passed the Currency Reform Act, which determined that the "industrial technology" design of the Wuhan Mint would be the main design of the new Chinese silver coin.

February 12, 1922, Tokyo, Prime Minister's Office.

"The National Assembly of China has approved a plan for the issuance of a new currency." Nishihara Kamezo handed over a report to Prime Minister Hara Kei, "This plan was formulated with the help of the people of the United States, so its main content can be said to refer to the monetary system of the United States." ”

"In other words, the United States is strengthening its financial control over China." Yuan Jing let out a long sigh, "And there's nothing we can do about it now. ”

Nishihara Kamezo forgot about this emaciated "civilian politician" who seemed to be ten years old, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"These can't explain what kind of policy the United States is adopting for the time being, but it is obvious that after the rectification of the monetary system, China's economy will enter a period of rapid development, and this is quite unfavorable for the capital." Nishihara Kamezo said, "When the economy of Shina is strong enough to support a strong army, the disaster of Kamoto will befall. ”

"One misstep has become a thousand years of hatred, and I said that Ben has lost too many things in this war," Yuan Jing clenched his fists and said, "Now let's find a way to do our own thing!" ”

"Actually, I think that what Ben gained in this war is greater than what he lost." Nishihara Kamezo said.

Hara Kei looked at Nishihara Kamezo, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

"It is said that Ben has obtained an unimaginably vast land from Lucia, which is a real treasure trove of resources, and if it can be properly exploited, the income will far exceed that of Manchuria, Mongolia and Korea." Nishihara Kamezo looked at a map of the world that was placed on Hara's desk, and added, "And Taiwan." ”

"It would be nice if all the people themselves thought like you did Nishihara-kun." Yuan Jing's voice was full of deep helplessness, "This is the only thing I can do for Yuben, but no one wants to believe it." ”

At this time, Yuan Jing felt as uncomfortable as a knife when he thought that for the sake of Yumoto's future, he was forced to agree to give up Taiwan and northern Korea to China in exchange for control of parts of Eastern Siberia.

This is because, in the eyes of outsiders, the fruits of the foreign expansion that Samoto had carried out since the Meiji Restoration had been corrupted to the point that there was not much left in the hands of Hara Kei.

Although his strategy of "losing land to Qin and reaping compensation from Qi" was finally realized, now, he himself, who has always regarded himself very highly but suffered a heavy defeat, is so stimulated by the "double failure" of war and diplomacy that he is fascinated by the "double failure" of war and diplomacy, and he can no longer see the direction of the future at all.

"History will tell." Nishihara Kamezo gritted his teeth and hissed when he thought of the huge amount of money he had invested in China.

Hara Kei and Nishihara Kamezo were standing in front of the window, and it was cold and windy outside the window at this time.

When the cold snap and the snow rushed through the Strait from the far far depths of the polar region and broke into the brightly lit streets of Tokyo, the festive atmosphere of saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new was enveloped in the whole of Saimoto, because the relationship between war and diplomatic defeat was already not so strong, and it was affected by the sudden attack of this once-in-a-century blizzard. Despite this, I still tried to create a singing and dancing appearance. The sound of firecrackers is still heard on the streets, and people walk through the thick snow to greet each other and congratulate each other on the New Year; When the New Year's bell rings, the streets are filled with all-night revelry and drunken crowds, and the smell of alcohol and the pungent smoke of firecrackers in the air will not dissipate for a long time.

At this time, an army officer was sitting on the "tatami mat" of the officer's dormitory, carefully wiping his saber.

This officer is Captain Matsumoto Taiyasu, a soldier of the Imperial Road Sect.

At this time, Captain Matsumoto was so focused, so passionate, that he completely forgot about the girl who sat in the corner and played the piano for him, his lover and geisha Reemi Kato.

The saber in Captain Matsumoto's hand was by no means an ordinary sword, it was a saber given by Emperor Samoto with the nickname "Fengjie". The saber symbolizes the honor of the empire, and it increases the pride of the soldiers, and symbolizes the dedication of the saber soldiers to be loyal to the emperor at all times.

For this soldier, the saber is his life.

The sound of the piano is melodious, and the saber emits a pleasant cold light of Aomori in the soft light. It was quiet all around, and those melodious notes were falling around him like petals, but at this time Captain Matsumoto was unconscious, he just wiped the saber over and over again.

Tomorrow, no, in a few hours to be exact, the rebel forces under his command will take over the division headquarters and at the same time launch a military coup in Tokyo to overthrow the Hara Kei cabinet and the political axe. The slogans of the coup d'état: "Defend the Emperor", "Crusade against the Annihilation". The aims of the coup d'état were: "to recover Manchuria", "to eliminate the tyrannical branches", "to drive out rice and livestock", and "to unify Asia".

There was a chaotic footstep outside the door, and a group of junior officers crowded into the room.

The captain still sat upright without squinting. He slowly raised the saber that had long been wiped spotless, and looked at each other for a few minutes with his eyes in the cold swishing light of the sword. The visitor soon fell silent, and the air in the room was so heavy that it seemed to freeze. After a long time, Captain Matsumoto finally let out a heavy breath and put his saber back into its scabbard with satisfaction.

"Play your piano well, and leave our business alone!" Captain Matsumoto warned Suzumi Kato, then looked around at his accomplices and comrades, bowed his head slightly, and said, "Gentlemen, tonight's mission, please everyone!" ”

The soldiers sat upright, breathing heavily, and only the melody of thin strings in the air caressing the nerves of the people.

(To be continued)