I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 221 New Product Display of Electric Power Company

In the stock exchange, the national bonds have been sold out, and then the stocks of companies such as telegraph companies and cigarette companies were purchased in large quantities. The electric power company was a newly listed national company. No one knew what it was, and even the nobles did not take it easily. .

In other words, the nobles who had good relations with Yagyu bought hundreds or thousands of shares as a token of their goodwill.

At the end of the day, Shibusawa Eiichi reported the statistics to Yagyu.

"Your Majesty Prime Minister, once the stock exchange is opened, the situation is very good. However, the British Ambassador wrote a letter saying that he hopes that foreign businessmen in Japan can also participate in our stock exchange."

"Don't take the British words to heart, just refuse them directly. In addition, let Mr. Tokugawa prepare to contact the British ambassador to discuss the previously signed treaty with them.

We must amend the customs treaty and take back their consular jurisdiction. The British who break the law in Japan must be tried by our judges. "

Yagyu said loudly.

This matter has been delayed for a long time, so some parties have been given an excuse. Moreover, the current economic situation is not very good. Countries are raising tariffs to protect the domestic economy, so Yagyu wants to resolve the unequal treaty with Britain as soon as possible.

Shibusawa Eiichi was a little excited. As long as this unequal treaty is abolished, Japan will be a truly independent country.

"I see."

Just as Shibusawa Eiichi was about to retreat, Yagyu raised his hand and said, "Wait a minute, Shibusawa, please notify the power company and ask them to prepare for the press conference and display the first product!"

Shibusawa Eiichi immediately went down and conveyed Yagyu's order.

In the general manager's office of the state-owned electric power company, Koichiro Mouri was still waiting for news from the stock exchange.

Just as he was stunned, the assistant knocked on the door and said quickly: "Mr. Maori, the Prime Minister's order."

Mouri Koichiro woke up in an instant and immediately took the message and read it. He perked up and said immediately: "Tomorrow morning, I will send out manpower immediately. I want the citizens of Kyoto to know within two days that our company will have a shocking product for sale!

In addition, I will immediately send someone to contact several newspapers in Kyoto. I need news about our company to be on the headlines tomorrow! "

Mouri Koichiro was no longer in the mood to get off work. He immediately asked everyone to work overtime to prepare for the next battle.

Then he went to the factory in person to once again inspect the new products that were about to be sold!

In the early morning, the sky was slightly bright, and Kyoto was gradually becoming lively. The vendors who got up to do business were shouting there, the citizens were hurrying to work, and the hard-working rickshaw drivers. In just a moment, the streets were already busy with traffic.

Wearing a power company vest, there is a flag on the back. The flag says state-owned electric power company, transforming people's lives.

"Take a look, take a look!"

“The state-run power company is about to sell a product the world has never seen before!”

“This will be an earth-shattering product that will change our lives from now on!”

The young man waved the leaflets in his hands vigorously, letting sweat drip down his face. He shouted loudly, attracting the attention of the people on the roadside.

When people around him heard this, they immediately became interested. Seeing this slogan, is it earth-shattering? Never seen before? change life? What's so powerful? Let me see what's going on!

"Hey, boy, let me take a look."

The shop owner took the flyer from the young man's hand, and the nearby vendors, customers and passers-by came over.

The boss took the flyer and read: "Since ancient times, thunder and lightning have been considered to be the power controlled by Jianyu Thunder God, but thousands of miles away in Europe, a scientist discovered electricity!

His name is Faraday. Although the electricity he discovered is not as good as Jianyu Thunder God, he can still let people see the power of thunder and lightning!

Even mortals can use electricity in the future instead of waiting for a gift from God! "

Just such a paragraph made people around him explode.

Takemi Raijin is an important god in Japanese Shinto. This god is the son of the sword god "Ama no Ohabari". In addition to the thunder god, he also has the attributes of a god of war and a god of war.

There are multiple ways of spelling the name of Takemi Raijin, such as Takemitrai God in "Kojiki", "Takemitrai God" in "Nihon Shoki", etc.

He is also known by other names such as Kenbuto-god, Toyobuto-god, or Kashima-god in the enshrinement of Kashima Jingu Shrine.

This shows the popularity of Jianyu Thunder God.

Now the power company says that they have discovered the power of Jianyu Lei Shen. Although it is only a little bit, it is enough to make people crazy.

"Is this true?"

"Isn't it possible? Is there really a god in the world?"

"It must be a lie. How come Japanese gods were discovered by foreigners?"

The boss immediately said: "You are mistaken. The power company said we can use electricity."

"What do you mean?"

"Can we be like God?"

"It's fake, it must be fake!"

The boss immediately raised his hand to stop him and said, "Don't be impatient now. Let's take a look later."

"Our electric power company will launch a product that uses electricity at dusk in three days. Then everyone can see such miracles!"

The boss was a little surprised and said: "Three days later, that won't be long. Then there will be fun!"

"Now that the power company says so, I have to go take a look."

"It is a company run by the state, and it will definitely not lie to people."

"Is it true? I don't believe it. It must be fake."

Everyone was talking about it, and everyone had their own reasons, but the excitement still attracted many people.

Not far away, in the British Chamber of Commerce, a British businessman handed a leaflet to his companion and said: "Look, this is a gimmick made by the Japanese. This kind of thing has long been available in Europe. What new thing can Japan come up with?" Tricks?"

"Faraday, I know him. He died four years ago. Speaking of which, he was a very powerful scientist."

"He is the pride of us British people, the Japanese are really despicable!"

Several British businessmen loudly cursed the power company, venting their accumulated anger.

Since Japan's victory, their situation has become worse and worse, and those Japanese businessmen no longer treat them with the same respect as before.

Especially Nobuyuki Nakajima, who was always willing to pay every penny when negotiating with them, and his attitude was also very bad. He was not a gentleman at all. The money they made before was much less.

They had never encountered this kind of treatment in the Qing Dynasty!

"No matter whose name they use, they are bound to fail."

"Can Japanese people do business? How funny!"

"Just wait and see the joke then, hahaha."

A group of British businessmen were very happy to think about the jokes made by Japanese state-owned companies. The matter of the electric power company attracted much attention, and this matter also spread to the palace due to the ulterior motives of some people.

Motoda Eifu held a leaflet and said to Emperor Meiji: "Your Majesty, conducting business in the name of the country is disrespectful to the country. You see, it seems that such actions to gain attention with shocking words will only make others look down on the state-owned enterprises. Character."

Tomomi Iwakura immediately defended: "Shitori Motoda's words are serious. Prime Minister Yagyu's original intention of establishing a state-owned company was also to guide the direction of domestic reform. These actions should be the independent actions of his subordinates.

After all, with Prime Minister Yagyu's vision and methods, he would not use such methods. "

Genda Yongfu said with dissatisfaction: "But if this situation continues to develop, how will the government end it?"

Iwakura Tomomi was silent, and Emperor Meiji above said anxiously: "What should we do? Suspend it immediately?"

Yuanda Yongfu immediately said: "Your Majesty, this matter must be organized as soon as possible!"

Iwakura Tomomi immediately said: "No, I think we should ask Prime Minister Yagyu what he wants. It is better for the cabinet to handle this matter."

Motoda Eifu's face turned red, and he accused Iwakura Tomoshi in an aggravated tone: "Iwakura-sama, what do you mean by this? Isn't it true that His Majesty can't handle such trivial matters? Does Your Majesty still need to ask the Prime Minister for instructions on everything?

Your Majesty is already married, and the Queen has been diagnosed with pregnancy. As usual, Your Majesty can govern personally, and the cabinet should consult Your Majesty on everything! "

Iwakura Tomoshi seemed to have suddenly come to his senses. He quickly saluted Emperor Meiji and said, "Your Majesty, I am confused."

The double act performed by the two people was just right, unlike Ohara Shigenori who played a straight ball in front of Emperor Meiji. The purpose was obvious. At this moment, Emperor Meiji did not see the intention of the two people and thought that the two ministers were quarreling.

He quickly advised: "You two should stop arguing. I think my father-in-law is far more capable than me in governing the country.

I ask myself that my talent is not as good as that of Huang Kao, but Huang Kao has given full authority over national affairs to the prime minister, and the country has prospered.

Furthermore, before Huang Kao died, he told me to obey my father-in-law's teachings. Therefore, there is no need to say more at this time. When I can handle government affairs, my father-in-law will make arrangements for me. "

Iwakura Tomomi and Motoda Eifu looked at each other, their plan failed again, with a hint of disappointment in their eyes, but they would not give up.

In their plan, as long as the Emperor is in charge, they, as the Emperor's teachers, can naturally participate in practical matters, and if they often appear next to the Emperor, they will naturally gain the most power.

This is their best chance of success in seizing power.

To do this, they had to subtly change the relationship between Emperor Meiji and Yagyu, so that the two would resent each other.

Therefore, when Iwakura Tomoshi and Motoda Eifu gave lectures to Emperor Meiji, they would mention the history of conflicts between powerful officials at home and abroad and the emperor.

But Emperor Meiji had no reaction to this.

They forgot that when Emperor Meiji was still the crown prince, he had already seen Yagyu's reliability.

On the night of the August 18 coup, it was Yagyu who stood behind him to protect him and let him accept the worship of everyone in front of outsiders.

Coupled with the advice from his father, Emperor Komei, Yagyu occupied a very important place in his heart.

Iwakura Tomoshi and Motoda Eifu did not remember or know this, so the new plan failed again, and they could only wait for new opportunities.

Although their small report had no actual impact on Yagyu's status, Emperor Meiji was still very interested in the power company's propaganda.

He immediately said: "Send someone to ask my father-in-law. I also want to see the display of the power company's new products."

The attendants on the side immediately got up and left the hall to report the news.

Yagyu was in the office, and he did not refuse Emperor Meiji's request.

He immediately said to Ichimura Tetsunosuke: "Let Mori come to the palace with something."

More than an hour later, Koichiro Mouri came over with a box and went with Yagyu to meet Emperor Meiji.

Mouri Koichiro was very excited. He didn't expect that he could see the emperor again.

Soon, Yagyu took Mouri Koichiro to see Emperor Meiji. Koichiro sat down and kowtowed on the red carpet.

Emperor Meiji extended his hand and said: "There is no need to salute like this, just bow."

"The grass-roots people are too excited. Your Majesty the Emperor, I'm very sorry." Mouri Koichiro explained quickly.

Yagyu said: "Koichiro, please show it to Your Majesty."

Emperor Meiji looked at the items displayed by Koichiro Mouri, and his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed in shock: "This... this is amazing! Your leaflets are well written, they are really shocking!"

Yagyu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please keep it a secret."

Emperor Meiji smiled and said: "Don't worry, Xiangfu, I will keep it a secret."

Yagyu took Mouri Koichiro out of the palace. Koichiro still walked lightly.

Yagyu reminded: "Koichiro, you have also seen that His Majesty attaches great importance to this matter. Now it has reached a critical moment. You must not let it slip, do you understand?"

Koichiro patted his chest and assured loudly: "Don't worry, Prime Minister, if something goes wrong, I'll come to see you!"

After Mouri Koichiro returned to the company, he was more diligent than before. He inspected the entire conference in detail.

He checked the list of invited newspapers, people from all walks of life, etc. one by one, and confirmed that everyone on the list had sent invitations.

Then he went to the factory to inspect the products, especially the exhibits that were to be displayed on stage that day. He carefully inspected them bit by bit, and there was an engineer beside him who was introducing them.

After reading it, Koichiro Mouri checked the quantity again. He said to the factory director: "This quantity may not be enough. Let the workers work overtime and make more!"

The factory director suggested: "Mr. General Manager, the prices of these things are not low. Most people may not be able to afford them."

Mouri Koichiro waved his hand and said: "Don't worry that no one will buy it. His Majesty the Emperor has seen our new products today. His Majesty is very satisfied with the new products. When the time comes, we will have to provide them to the palace, and the quantity will be quite large.

Remember, when the time comes, you must take the best and send it to the palace, do you understand? "

When the factory director heard this, the Emperor knew about it. He blushed excitedly and said: "Mr. General Manager, don't worry, I will definitely take care of this!"

Koichiro Mouri left the factory very satisfied.

Then he came to the venue where the new products were displayed.

The display at that time will not only be seen by dignitaries, but also by the citizens of Kyoto.

And it also needs to be shown to foreigners in Kyoto.

When this new product is displayed, people will know that Japan has become strong and prosperous under the leadership of Prime Minister Yanagi Yagyu!

“I’m really looking forward to the day when it will be shown.”

(End of this chapter)