Beiyang 1917

Wang Geng said that he would walk between the support of the big powers, and walk the road of opportunism on the fence like a tightrope. He even gritted his teeth and said that China would fight the old Maozi and the devil sooner or later. This decisive and domineering attitude infected Zhang Jiaao and Song Hanzhang. The two of them looked at each other, apparently it didn't matter whether Wang Geng was talking big or he really had that ability, at least at this moment, the two of them understood that this guy's eloquence and the appeal of his words were unstoppable.

Seeing that the three people nodded, Wang Geng snapped his fingers and said,

"I won't say much about the benefits of participating in the war. Since you are the representative of Jiangsu and Zhejiang capital, you understand that the European War is the best time for China's rise. The great powers bite themselves and lose both. Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Austria are all inevitable. It will be weakened, and if China does not seize the opportunity, only the United States and Japan will rise after the war!"

"The little devil's wolfish ambitions for mainland China cannot be relied on by international mediation in the future. Only when we unify and become stronger as soon as possible can we defend our home and country in the future and drive the invaders out of China. I, Wang Geng, may be a capitalist in the future. It may be a warlord, or even three wives and four concubines are extremely lewd, but there is one thing, that is, never be a traitor! This is my bottom line for myself, and I hope it is the bottom line for you to be a Chinese, do you have any questions?"

Lu Ding, Song Hanzhang, and Zhang Jiaao looked at each other, and they all shook their heads, which meant that there was no doubt, and then nodded fiercely, which meant that they would never be traitors. Who would dare to hesitate to make such an explicit statement?

Wang Geng saw it in his eyes, and secretly smiled in his heart, Nima, put on your big hats first, anyway, in ancient times, there is only curve to save the country, which traitor in previous life would admit that he is a traitor and traitor?

"Old Lu is in the Ministry of Finance, so he naturally knows that in the years of the Republic of China, the balance of the central government's finances was only one or two years after the Second Revolution when President Yuan Da was in power. , the warlords from all over the country are desperately expanding their troops, and they are seriously owed wages and wages, and they only rely on loans from the big powers to make a living, but this is the case?" Wang Geng looked at the three of them.

"That's true, so the cabinet acted indiscriminately, letting the Bank of China and the Bank of Communications print money indiscriminately, inflation, until the banknotes were devalued to the point of depreciation, and actually used the tiger-wolf machine to stop cashing, causing a run on the bank, if it weren't for the Han Zhang and the public authority Blocking this evil spirit in Shanghai, the reputation of the Bank of China has long been ruined!" said the Director of the Taxation Department of the Ministry of Finance deeply.

Song Hanzhang and Zhang Jiaao looked at each other. Last year, the two of them worked together to avoid a run on the Bank of China in Shanghai. This incident made the two of them very popular in the market. The press praised them as warriors who would not submit to the Beiyang government!At this moment, Lu Ding brought up the old matter again and praised him again, and the two couldn't help feeling a little proud.

"The United States has a strong industrial strength and a good economic foundation, but there are only 20 standing troops, so the military expenditure and burden of the central government are of course light. In China, four-fifths of our annual revenue and borrowing are used to supervise the division of the army and expand the army. If this fragmented situation continues, the country’s finances will never make ends meet, so unification and a strong army are the only ways to go.”

"Now the Ministry of the Army has nearly a million troops in the official establishment. The country is poorer than the United States and Japan, and the standing army is four or five times more than others. The industrial base is so weak, and the heavy pressure of Boxer indemnity, If this situation continues, China will never have a bright future, so unification is the only way out! What do you guys think?" Wang Geng looked at the crowd and asked.

"Wang Geng is right, unification is necessary, just like when we set up a bank, we want to gather idle funds from the society and use them for the projects that the country and society need most!" Zhang Jiaao shouted, shaking his fist.

"The European war is not about the number of troops, but the military industrial base and economic strength. Compared with the European powers, Asia, including Japan, is still in its infancy. Although Russia is backward, it has a strong mobilization ability, with more than 100 million casualties in one battle. You don’t even bat an eyelid, if Japan suffered more than 100 million casualties in World War I, the country would be destroyed, and as for us China, the last time more than 100 million troops went out together, we don’t know which dynasty or generation it was!”

Lu Ding, Song Hanzhang, and Zhang Jiaao looked at each other. Obviously what Wang Geng said was the reality that Chinese people have never been willing to face up to. Although China is big, it is still a giant with mud feet, weak and in need of revitalization!

"In order to develop the economy rapidly, industrialization is the only way, and the financial and banking industries are the best catalysts and lubricants for industrialization. I won't say much else. It takes five, ten, or twenty years to establish a complete industrial system. It can’t be done, but we can expect to establish a preliminary industrial system serving the unity, and the consumption of the European War will make the production capacity of European and American countries seriously insufficient. This is the basis for our initial industrialization!”

Wang Geng stood up and took a few steps, and said with a smile, "I'm not an economic or financial expert. These things will be something you people in finance and industry will have to think about in the future. Let's go back and say that now, the Ministry of Finance and The Ministry of Communications has always been the most lucrative department in the central government!"

Lu Ding blushed when he heard the words, and hurriedly argued, "The Ministry of Finance is just empty-handed. It has never been able to make ends meet, but the Ministry of Communications is really rich."

Song Hanzhang laughed, and said, "Old Lu, why are you so anxious, your future son-in-law has sharp eyesight, and you won't wrong the Ministry of Finance."

"What you said earlier is correct. The Ministry of Communications and the Bank of Communications are considered to be Xu Shuzheng's family property, and they are also the backbone of the Anhui Clan. It is not suitable for us to reach out when we are new. Now that we have established the revitalization financial salon, we are like-minded comrades who want to contribute to the country together. Although the Ministry of Finance is a hard job, we have to find a way to make Lao Lu improve!" Wang Geng said lightly.

"That's right! Chen Jintao used the name of corruption and bribery to drive away the deputy chief Yin Ruli, Wang Geng, the position of the finance minister, you have to plan a thing or two for the future father-in-law!" Song Hanzhang said anxiously.

"I don't think it's difficult. Old Lu is a delicate person, and Lu Mei and the second lady of Duan's house are best friends, so there are more reasons to go to Duan's house. Although Chen Jintao borrowed Xu Shiying's relationship I have taken refuge in Prime Minister Duan, but I see that he may not be able to secure the position of Chief Financial Officer. When I find a chance, I will whisper in the Prime Minister's ear, first let Lao Lu secure the position of Deputy Financial Minister, and wait for Chen Jin-tao After resigning, not to mention being the chief executive, it may not be difficult to act as an agent!"

Wang Geng's words obviously brightened the eyes of the three of them, Lu Ding naturally smiled, and Zhang Jiaao muttered in his heart, to see how powerful your skills are.

"It's the matter of the Bank of China's restructuring into a private company that Lao Song and Brother Zhang talked about. I don't have a clue about this matter. Why don't you tell me about it?" Wang Geng took out a cigar, and Zhang Jia'ao was quick-eyed and stroked it. After picking up the match and handing it over, the two of them took the opportunity of lighting a cigarette at close range to look at each other a few times, and secretly praised the word "handsome" in their hearts!

"The Bank of China is now a government-business joint venture, but the government is too eager to raise funds and withdraw funds. The bank has become a bottomless cash machine for the government's finances. The run on last year was caused by printing money indiscriminately. The Chinese are used to silver and cash. For a hard currency like silver dollars, the issuance of silver dollar certificates must have a corresponding silver reserve and promise to be exchanged for silver dollars at any time, otherwise, who would dare to use your banknotes!"

"Because of the nature of this government-business joint venture, Bank of China cannot operate independently, and is blindly commanded by the government all day long. If it continues to make ends meet, it will close down sooner or later. Therefore, we want to transform Bank of China into a commercial bank with private shares through capital increase and share expansion. To operate in a new way, to get rid of the government's control and blind command!" Song Hanzhang said his plan without any concealment.

"Lao Song, the Bank of China and the Bank of Communications actually have the functions of a national bank that issues banknotes and manages the treasury. This is equivalent to being granted the monopoly of the government to issue banknotes. The operation of commercial banks may not be feasible in China, have you considered this issue?" Wang Geng pointed out the problem sharply.

Song Hanzhang blushed, and Wang Geng's words clearly addressed this guy's pain. Bank of China and Bank of Communications are listed as the two pillar banks of the government. They have the privilege of acting as an agent of the treasury and issuing currency that other commercial banks have never had. You have to really think about it If you engage in private operation, the government will take back the privilege of issuing banknotes and representing the treasury to other banks in the future. Can you bear this risk?

"Supervisor Wang, although what you said is correct, the government's finances are so in short supply. Instead, the agency of the treasury and the right to issue banknotes have become a burden. Let’s run a purely market-oriented commercial bank!” Zhang Jiaao said a little unconvinced.

"That's wrong!" Lu Ding and Song Hanzhang objected in unison.

Nima, how important is the coinage right? How can you give it up easily? Don’t look at your Bank of China as the home of 7% of the government’s treasury. Because the treasury is too poor to make ends meet, you think it is a burden and a drag. Wait for the national economy in the future When it develops, how much monopoly benefits and benefits is that?

After all, the fourth young master of this family is young and energetic and thinks far enough!Wang Geng muttered in his heart.