Chapter 438: Releasing Financial Power with a Cup of Wine

"Shao, I think you did something unwise. The two sides have different economic policy philosophies, and I am very familiar with this. Ten years later, the conflict will only become more intensified."

"Our union is like this. We can't avoid a Civil War."

"I think it is better to suffer a short pain than a long one. You should make up your mind to eliminate dissidents and eliminate future troubles. This is the best policy."

Shao Quanzhong was moved by President Johnson's sincere words. "Thank you for your reminder, Old Joe. Now that things have come to this, they have been announced to the world and cannot be reversed."

"You're going to retire next year, right? If I lose, it may not be a bad thing. Then, I'll ask you to go fishing for grouper in Nasao. If China cannot be revived, I, as the emperor, will have no future. I might as well ride a raft on the sea."

Maria, who was holding another phone for simultaneous interpretation, covered the phone and said, "Shao, what is cha? I don't know how to translate it."

At the same time, the King of England and the King of France had another phone call.

"Alfonso, your advisor has gone to Bactria to be the prime minister of six countries. France has recovered very quickly. Will Bactria become our enemy in the future?"

"Your Majesty, you worry too much. My brother-in-law's country is now divided. What's so scary about half of Daxia?"

"Ten years from now, they will probably still have a civil war. Who will be willing to give up the power and interests in their hands? By then, the increased armaments on both sides will only cause greater damage to the country. Daxia is finished. Let's concentrate on getting rid of the Germans first."

…………

On May 1875, 5, Shao Quanzhong returned to Hailing by train.

He ruthlessly left Ping'er in Prince Rui's mansion, but Ping'er didn't seem to care. Theoretically, she was already the mistress of Prince Rui's mansion in the capital, but she didn't consider herself that way.

Ping'er knew clearly that without Shao Quanzhong's trust, all titles were empty.

She handed over all the affairs of Prince Rui's Palace to Widow Sun, and invited the wife of the Austro-Hungarian ambassador into Prince Rui's Palace. She studied German with the foreign woman vigorously every day, and no one knew what she was planning.

Qiao Garden, two bamboo houses.

"Report, Li Henian, the inspector general of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, sent a telegram, Fujian and Zhejiang provinces joined the literary society camp."

"Report, Shandong senior official Ding Baozhen announced that he has joined the literary society camp."

"Report, Dong Fuxiang, the inspector general of Kokand and Ili provinces, announced that Kokand and Ili provinces will accept the guidance of Zhang Siwen."

Alas, those who should leave will eventually leave. Shao Quanzhong was already very surprised that Ding Baozhen did not follow the Qing court to Osaka.

Fujian and Zhejiang provinces were the foundation laid by Marshal Zuo, and in fact he did not recognize either side. However, he could not do anything alone, so he had to choose the lesser of two evils and finally joined the literary society camp.

Dong Fuxiang is commendable in that he is still loyal to me, the commander-in-chief.

"Siwen, don't feel too stressed. Hui'er is right. There is no such thing as a kingdom that will last forever. It is enough to live a life with a clear conscience. So, what are you going to do first?"

"Brother, the first step is to build ten analytical machines."

What? Shao Quanzhong thought he had heard it wrong, "That thing can also help govern the country?"

Zhang Siwen nodded, "Yes, it is very useful."

"The economy is something that is constantly changing with the international situation, resource allocation and even people's hearts. There is no always correct solution. We need to constantly adjust our strategies based on market feedback."

"Seven years ago, I started a policy pilot in Cuba. At the beginning, everyone was very motivated, and Cuba quickly began the process of industrialization."

"But over time, enthusiasm will cool, people will become lazy, and now everyone is not so motivated anymore. No one is willing to work overtime anymore, and some are just doing it for the sake of formality, and efficiency is starting to decline. Some places have become bureaucratic, with people just killing time by drinking coffee and reading newspapers."

"France has fallen even faster. They were originally a world power, but they were crippled by the Franco-Prussian War. My policies have been very effective, and everyone is determined to take revenge."

"In just three years, their economy created a miracle of rapid recovery and rapid development. But after the success, they immediately became lazy, became dissatisfied with their pay, started to slow down work, and demanded more benefits."

"I consulted my think tanks, and after research, they gave the answer that my policies were too radical and I needed to take a step back and let capital continue to take charge and stimulate market vitality."

"I have already taken a step back in Cuba, and the results are good. But the French are very strange. They don't want to step back. They think it's great to be able to take a leisurely life without any responsibility and receive benefits."

"The answer they came up with from their own research was to transfer cheap labor from African colonies to produce low-tech industries, while their own people were treated like welfare masters. Now that the European war has begun, their sense of crisis has returned, and France has begun to work hard again."

"As for Bulgaria, because it was bullied by the Ottoman Empire for many years and was extremely poor, the people are very ambitious and are still developing rapidly. It is estimated that it will have no problem maintaining high-speed growth for another ten years."

Shao Quanzhong put his hands behind his back and said, "The Chinese are hardworking and diligent. They must not be as useless as the French. I think the Chinese will be like Bulgaria. They can work hard for ten years without any problem."

Zhang Siwen nodded. "Nationality is also a factor. The above is my experience in governing other countries over the past seven years. Now we have to really show our prowess in China so that China can avoid detours."

"My opinion is that since radical policies were very effective in the first few years, we should start with a quick one. When people become disenchanted and lack the energy, we can take a step back like Cuba did, activate the market, and mobilize people's selfish desires to help."

"But when do we need to stop and take a step back? We can't just do it on impulse." "If we withdraw too early or too late, we will lose money. This is when the Analytical Engine comes in handy."

Shao Quanzhong pondered for a while, "I understand. If we want to win this big gamble, we must strive to keep the people's morale high and their hearts persevere for as long as possible."

"Okay, Sven, just go ahead and do it. I'll go down and help you boost morale. Let's try to keep going for ten years!"

On May 5, Zhang Siwen officially began to govern.

The first step was to establish the Privy Council Planning and Investment Committee, chaired by Wang Yongxian, which formulated the first five-year plan and set astonishing growth targets.

As soon as the target was announced, envoys from the north and various countries all shook their heads and sneered. Shao Quanzhong was crazy about winning. It was a joke to set such a target relying on the ten provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Liangjiang, Daqin, and Yihao.

Zhang Siwen is a meticulous person who never jokes. This is based on Cuba's experience. However, Cuba is a small country and has developed quietly, so no one knows about it.

Then, the Privy Council Investigation and Statistics Bureau was established, Zeng Xiaoyi was transferred back to China to serve as the director, and personnel were allocated to conduct comprehensive monitoring of various economic indicators in the ten provinces.

Zhang Siwen gave a complex calculation equation, and eventually, the analytical engine would calculate a curve. When the curve dropped to a certain level, it would be time to take a step back.

This equation is said to be given by Zhang Siwen's think tank, two top economic experts. Originally, this level of monitoring was impossible to achieve, but the emergence of the analytical machine solved this problem.

Moreover, the analytical engine has other uses. Zhang Siwen is to integrate the economy of the entire ten provinces, rationally allocate resources, and avoid waste.

Resources in various locations are changing all the time, and investments must also be adjusted at any time.

In the past, they could only rely on their intuition and intuition to work, but with the data calculated by the analysis machine, the Planning and Investment Committee can respond in a timely manner.

Wang Yongxian, a student who studied abroad, had his knowledge put to good use, looking at tables and data every day. Zeng Xiaoyi's subordinates were spread across ten provinces, visiting every mine, factory, farm, and trading market to obtain first-hand information.

This thing looks very advanced, and Shao Quanzhong immediately became confident of winning the bet.

The Huai Army was mobilized in its entirety, and under the leadership of the military supervisors, they used bayonets to guarantee the implementation of the policy of redeeming land and allocating permanent farmland.

Zhang Siwen himself supervised the establishment of large farms and studied how to use mechanization to save manpower and allocate manpower to the industrial field.

Where is Shao Quanzhong? He held a banquet in Qiao Garden and invited all his important officials to come.

"Brothers, you have been working with me for more than ten years. Do you feel regretful that I didn't become emperor and that you couldn't get a higher position?"

"Everything is up to the Marshal."

"I understand your loyalty. I made a big bet with someone. If I win, everyone will have high positions and generous salaries, and their children and grandchildren will enjoy a happy life. If I lose, everyone can go back to their own homes and take care of their children."

"So, please brothers, please help me."

"Now, Wen is taking the lead and handing over all the businesses to Sven. I don't want any dividends for ten years. Can you follow me?"

"can!"

The answer was not neat enough.

Shao Quanzhong pointed to a rectangular coordinate system drawn by Zhang Siwen on the wall behind him.

"My fourth brother is very knowledgeable now. I don't understand this stuff. But do you see this dot? This is our starting point now."

"Old Four said that beating those idiots in the literature club is not a big deal. If this line keeps going up, China will be able to surpass big brother Britain, and everyone here will go down in history as a contributor to China's revival."

"If you are interested in the money, I won't stop you. Now take your money and go to the north. Zhang Zhidong welcomes you, and I won't blame you."

"If you are willing to take a big gamble with me, let me tell you, this line can't always go up. When it goes down, that's when I will return your property to you."

"When the time comes, you will gain both fame and fortune, your names will go down in history, and your descendants will be rich and prosperous for eternity. You can choose for yourself."

Shao Quanzhong pulled out his revolver and slammed it on the table. "Go now, I won't stop you. Go and make a fortune. If you want to change your mind halfway, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"I am willing to follow the Marshal!"

This time there are many more.

"Okay! Put your fingerprints here. Just keep an eye on this line. When everyone gets rich, I'll lead you to form a hometown group and have another drink here!"

Shao Quanzhong held a banquet at Qiao Garden and handed over 60% of the industries in the ten provinces under his command to Zhang Siwen.

(End of this chapter)

previouscatalognext