Add Bookmark | Recommend this book | Back to the book page | My bookshelf | Mobile Reading

Free Web Novel,Novel online - All in oicq.net -> Historic -> Taiping blood

Volume 1: Fierce Battle in Changsha Chapter 251: General Administration of Investment Promotion

Previous page        Return to Catalog        Next page

    The discussion on tariff details between the Taiping Army and foreign merchants was held at the Manchu and Qing Customs Jiangguan Yamen in Shanghai, which faces the Huangpu River and opposite Shanghai's famous Sanshan Guild Hall, Tianhou Palace and other buildings.

    It was very lively here today, and almost all the prominent figures in the foreign concession were present.  British Minister Wenhan, Consul Aliguo, Secretary Midile, French Minister Blomble, French Consul Atang, American Minister Marsali, American Consul Wu Liguo, and Vice Consul Jin Nengheng.  Wu Liguo and Jin Nengheng had dual identities. They were also representatives of American Qi Chang Yang Company.

    The representative of British Poshun & Co. was represented by Englishman Bill. BaoShun & Matheson is its common name in Chinese. In fact, it should be called Diedi Bill & Matheson. The first boss of this company was the notorious East India Company opium merchant Lancelot.  .Diandi, he was one of the culprits that triggered the Opium War.  Bill joined Poshun & Co. in 1840. After he joined, Dingdi & Co. changed its name to Dingdi Bill & Co.  Bill only brought a fifteen-year-old Chinese man with him. This young man turned out to be just an apprentice of Baoshun Yang Company in Shanghai. Xiao Yungui and Hong Yun'er were a little surprised when they introduced each other. They didn't understand why Bill would bring an apprentice to attend.  , but upon hearing his name, the two of them were immediately relieved. This young man's name was Xu Run.

    Xu Run, also known as Yizhang, with the courtesy name Runli, nickname Yuzhi and alias Yuzhai, was a native of Beiling Village, Xiangshan County.  When he was 14 years old, he was brought to Shanghai by his uncle. Under the introduction of his uncle Xu Yuting, who was a comprador of Baoshun Foreign Company, he entered Baoshun Foreign Company as an apprentice and began his career.  Xu Run later became one of the most influential businessmen in Shanghai and even China. His business involved shipping, tea, silk, raw silk, cloth, banks, etc. Xu Run established many firsts in the Chinese business world, such as  The first insurance company, Renji He Water and Fire Insurance Company, operated China's first machine printing factory, Tongwen Bureau, and the General Investment Promotion Bureau chaired by Xu Run laid the foundation for China's shipping industry.  Because of his talent and intelligence.  He is well-behaved, hard-working, and skilled in doing things, and is highly valued by foreign companies, so this time Bill brought him here.

    Other British foreign companies participating in the conference include the famous Jardine Matheson, Taikoo & Co., Dachang & Co., etc.  French foreign companies include Arune Matheson, which specializes in arms business, and Limei Matheson, which specializes in wine and French cosmetics trade.

    There are also some Chinese businesses involved, including Fang Zhenji, a Ningbo merchant from Zhenhai, whose boss is Fang Runzhai.  The Fang family started out in the sugar industry in their early years. Fang Runzhai and his fourth brother Fang Mengxiang partnered to open Fangcuihe Tang in Shanghai.  In addition to the sugar industry, Fang Runzhai began to operate banks, raw silk, homespun cloth, groceries and other businesses after the opening of the port in Shanghai.  He is considered the leading businessman in Shanghai.

    In addition, there are Zhao Puzhai and his partner Li Yeting, who run Shachuan Shipping and Bank.  Zhao Puzhai's original name was Zhao Licheng, Puzhai was his given name. He was a foreigner from the Zhao family in Hongtang, Cixi. He studied literature first and then engaged in business.  When I was young, I went to Shanghai and worked as a streetwalker in a bank.  Because he is smart.  capable.  He is good at communicating with people and willing to help others. He quickly won the trust of customers and established a wide range of personal relationships, which laid a good foundation for independent entrepreneurship in the future.  Li Yeting, named Rong.  A native of Zhenhai, Zhejiang, he was a giant shipping businessman in the late Qing Dynasty. He once monopolized the sand ship industry in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. He was the founder of the famous family business group "Xiaogang Li Family" in old Shanghai.  In addition, there are shipyards and shipbuilding industries.  Yu Songnian, a wealthy family man, and Shen Daben, who runs a tea and silk business.  Yu Songnian was not only a businessman but also a famous book collector in the late Qing Dynasty. It is said that his family had a collection of 100,000 volumes of ancient and modern books.

    Other large and small Chinese businesses also sent people. The lobby of Jiangguan Customs Yamen was filled with dozens of people, and there were also people standing outside the hall.  Chinese companies and merchants also attended this discussion. Xiao Yungui mainly considered asking Chinese merchants to listen because foreign goods are coming in force and have a great impact on local cloth and groceries. Tariffs are actually a means to protect local industry and commerce. He  I hope Chinese businessmen can realize this, play their role and participate in business affairs.

    Dozens of guards from the West Hall lined up at the entrance of the hall. Hundreds of Taiping soldiers stood in bright armor at the entrance of the yamen, and no casualties were allowed in or out.  At midnight, after three gun salutes were fired at the Yamen Gate, a Taiping military officer in the hall shouted loudly: "Quiet!" The noisy Yamen gradually became quiet.

    At the main seat in the lobby, Xiao Yungui, the Western King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, stood up, clasped his fists and saluted everyone sitting below. Fortunately, the foreigners stood up and bowed slightly in return, but many Chinese businessmen were shocked. They said that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom  The prince is a high-ranking official with less than one person and more than ten thousand people. In China, no matter how rich you are, you will kneel down when you see a seventh-grade county magistrate. When have you ever seen a prince salute first?  Immediately, many people knelt down and worshiped. Only Yu Songnian and others stood up and bowed their hands slightly in salute.

    Yu Songnian came from an official background, and he really looked down on this rebellious traitor in the hall. It was only because of his wealth and life that he reluctantly came here, so naturally he would not kneel down and worship.

    ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Xiao Yungui asked everyone to refrain from courtesy, and gestured to everyoneAfter the man sat down, he said: "We, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, uphold God's will, crusade against the Manchu Hunu, and restore our Han Dynasty. Now we have recovered Shanghai. I hope that the people of Shanghai can live and work in peace and contentment from now on, and no longer be oppressed by the corrupt officials of the Manchu Qing Dynasty."  . We have summoned all the foreign firms and business owners here to discuss important matters. One of them is to inform you that our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom welcomes you to continue business transactions in Shanghai, and you should continue to supply department stores in the Shanghai market! "

    The owners of foreign banks and business houses were not surprised when they heard this. The Taiping Army had already posted notices to inform the people that the Taiping Army protected all merchants and firms and encouraged all industries to reopen. The Taiping Army in the West Palace never disrupted business. This was true for a long time.  I heard about it, so as of today, Shanghai's large and small businesses have already reopened.

    Xiao Yungui continued: "The second thing is to inform all the business owners that the commercial taxes set by the Manchu Dynasty in the past will remain unchanged, but all the exorbitant miscellaneous taxes and annual profits and filial piety in addition to the commercial taxes will be cancelled! From now on, all the people in our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will  If an officer or soldier asks for any form of benefit from you, please report it to the Administrative Department of Shanghai, and our Kingdom of Heaven will definitely deal with it severely!"

    As soon as this statement came out, the merchants below began to talk about it. The payment of taxes by merchants has remained the same as the payment of taxes on farming. However, the Manchu and Qing officials in Shanghai were corrupt and exploited at every level. There were countless exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes in addition to various taxes every month.  Shanghai merchants were miserable.

    Yu Songnian stood up and said: "The King of the West purging officials is a blessing to the people. Just don't just say empty words." Yu Songnian was also very troubled by the government's exploitation. When the Taiping Army attacked Shanghai, he was forced by the government  He donated tens of thousands of taels of money and food, and there were even more soldiers and subordinates who came to fight against the autumn wind. It would be a good thing if the Taiping Army could cancel all kinds of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes in the future, but he didn't quite believe that this group of people who he regarded as bandits could do this.  to this point.

    Xiao Yungui smiled and looked at Wang Kaiyun sitting next to him. Wang Kaiyun stood up, took out several yellow silk notices from his arms, opened them and showed them to everyone.  He said loudly: "I am the first director of the Naval Administration Department of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. I served in Wuxi before. When I took office in Shanghai this time, I brought with me a notice on the officials and soldiers of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom who had committed crimes in Wuxi! You can see  Look, any official, big or small, who violates the laws of the kingdom of heaven will have their crimes listed on these notices. Those who deserve to be killed will be killed. Those who deserve to be imprisoned will be imprisoned!"

    The businessmen were shocked.  Several west hall counselors circulated the notice to the merchants, and saw that it stated so-and-so, such-and-such official position, when and where, what crime was committed, and what punishment was to be imposed.  There were dozens of people on several notices.  There were even people who bought and sold things without paying, and were convicted and severely punished.

    Wang Kaiyun said loudly: "I would like to make it clear to everyone that if you find any illegal behavior among the officials and soldiers of our Kingdom of Heaven, you can report it to me. Not only will each person who reports the crime be innocent, but they will also receive a reward of five taels of silver!  "

    The businessmen started talking again. They felt that the move of the Taiping Army was very new, but they seemed to see the determination of the King of Xi to purge the officials, and they all applauded together.

    Xiao Yungui continued: "Thirdly, I appointed Wang Kaiyun as the Secretary-General of the Military Affairs Department of Shanghai. Our Heavenly Congress will vigorously support our country's industry and commerce. Subsequently, the Military Affairs Department will launch many investment projects. I plan to summon all businessmen in Shanghai to establish the General Investment Promotion Bureau, and the military affairs department."  Together with the Secretary-General, Shanghai's industry and commerce will be prosperous. In the future, Director Wang will often come to discuss with you. Don't underestimate this General Investment Promotion Bureau. There are opportunities to make a fortune in it. If you don't come, you will miss it. Don't watch others make a fortune when the time comes.  My eyes are hot."

    The businessmen burst into laughter, and the foreigners couldn't sit still. After hearing the words of the translator around them, they began to get restless. Jin Nengheng was the first to stand up and said loudly: "Your Majesty the King of the West, it's unfair for you to do this, your army."  If we want to establish an investment promotion bureau in Shanghai, we foreign merchants should also be allowed to participate, and opportunities for market business and trade should be equal."

    After Jin Nengheng finished speaking, a group of foreign businessmen applauded and made noises. Many Chinese people from small businesses and companies in the hall also started making noises. "Foreign devils want to come to China to make money. From now on, they must ask us first." "Damn foreign devils."  , buying foreign goods will make us unable to sell our fabrics, so go back as soon as possible."

    Xiao Yungui laughed. Sure enough, the Chinese people's instinct to be open to the outside world is still there, not to mention that many small shops and merchants have been squeezed out of their living space by foreigners and foreign companies, and they are even more angry.

    Xiao Yungui clapped his hands, suppressed everyone's voices and said: "Please be patient, everyone. It's not easy for foreigners to do business from far away. What do businessmen do? They are to travel far and near and adjust the surplus. Although foreigners are on our ground,  They sell goods from their country, but when they go back, don¡¯t they also buy our raw silk, tea and many other goods? If they don¡¯t come, many of our goods won¡¯t be sold.¡±

    Someone in the hall booed, "What Prince Xi said is reasonable. Foreigners are also good, but they look a little weird." Everyone laughed together.??, all the foreigners started shouting and cursing, booing, shouting and cursing everywhere, and the scene became lively.

    Dozens of West Hall counselors outside the hall suddenly shouted together: "Quiet!" The loud shouts of these dozens of people were loud and clear, and they were immediately silenced, and the scene became quiet again.

    Xiao Yungui walked off the stage and stood in the middle of the lobby and said loudly: "Don't make a noise, everyone. We are all open to do business. Whether we make money or lose money, we all look at our own abilities. But we will definitely do whatever we can do in the Kingdom of Heaven."  , the most important thing I invite you to come here today is to discuss with you the tariff details of our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom¡¯s Shanghai Customs! Merchants in our heavenly kingdom have to pay commercial taxes and negotiate customs duties when doing business in their own country, and foreigners also have to pay customs duties when doing business.  This is only fair, don¡¯t you think so?"

    Lord Wenhan said with a gloomy face to Midile beside him: "What on earth does this King of the West want to do?"

    Midile said worriedly: "He wants to unite Chinese businessmen to put pressure on us, and wants us to make concessions on tariff matters. Before the negotiations have begun, he is already building momentum. This person is very cunning and terrifying." (Unfinished)  To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novel will be better and updated faster!
Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report