The mage in the late Qing Dynasty

Compared to the treacherous and cunning Sheng Xuanhuai, Sheng Enyi's Daoxing is far behind.

Until now, he hadn't realized anything was wrong, so he asked stupidly: "Master Cheng Kun, why are you beating up the honey vendor?"

"Maybe it's because you two are a little stupid."

"..."

Zhao Chuanxin asked him: "How far are your father's negotiations with the Japanese?"

Sheng Enyi was indifferent to commercial secrets and answered without thinking: "The Japanese have something to rely on, the treaty is harsh, and there has been no progress yet. But my father is very anxious, fearing that he will have to compromise."

Next to him, Hu Li added: "Master, the Japanese want to loan Sheng Zuotang 2.3 million taels of silver."

Zhao Chuanxin scratched his beard on his chin. If he remembered correctly, since the coal and iron factory changed from a government-supervised commercial operation to a fully commercial operation, it will make profits year by year in the future.

During the next war, the total profit will reach nearly 30 million yuan.

But the biggest problem is that time waits for no one. If the loan is not repaid at maturity, the loan will become shares. Sheng Xuanhuai did turn a loss into a profit, but he made a wedding dress for the Japanese.

Zhao Chuanxin asked again: "How is this money used?"

Sheng Enyi really knew.

His father came to Hankou this time to take him with him just to let him see the world. He did not avoid many things: "It is said that the money from several consortiums in Japan was transferred from Zhengjin Bank to Mitsui Yoko. And then from Mitsui Yoko, Delivered to the newly established Hanyeping Coal and Iron Works."

Zhao Chuanxin suddenly felt something in his heart: "Is it the Yokohama Zhengjin Bank in Japan?"

Sheng Enyi nodded: "Yes, that's it."

Zhao Chuanxin was overjoyed.

Since he went to various foreign banks to withdraw money on a large scale, the banks have learned the lesson and started to reform, and the amount of reserves has been greatly reduced.

If the Japanese consortium had put all their money in Yokohama Shokin Bank, there would be at least two hundred, forty, and five million yuan stored there.

Sheng Enyi saw Zhao Chuanxin wandering in Taixu and called softly: "Master? Master Cheng Kun?"

Zhao Chuanxin had no reaction and even made a "suck" sound and sipped his saliva.

The two looked at each other: Master Cheng Kun, what's going on? Are you hungry? Then prepare dinner in advance.

…

By the way, after Asabuki Eiji and Aso Hisahide finished their discussion, Asabuki Eiji walked out of Mitsui \u0026 Yokoy \u0026 Co. and went to the Japanese Consulate in Han.

The Japanese consul in Hankou at this time was named Mizuno Yukichi.

This person also has his name in history. After he came to Hankou, he collected information on the surrounding geographical and humanistic environment and compiled a detailed intelligence.

It was he who first called Hankou the Chicago of the East.

Asabuki Eiji came to the consulate, but was told that Mizuno Kokichi was inspecting the Japanese military camp outside the Japanese concession.

Asabuki Eiji came to the barracks again.

He was very confused, why was the barracks built outside the boundary?

When he finally met Mizuno Kokichi, Asabuki Eiji expressed his doubts.

Mizuno Kokichi smiled: "Do you remember the "Articles for Promoting the Hankou Concession" that we signed with the Jianghanguan Supervisor at the beginning of this year?"

The Qing Dynasty is not famous, but the various clauses signed with the great powers are much famous.

So many times that Asabuki Eiji was embarrassed: "I don't remember."

"In that clause, it was stipulated that the Japanese Concession would be moved 150 feet down the river, with an additional area of ​​more than 370 acres. Today, our Japanese Concession is the second largest concession after the British Concession." Mizuno Kokichi said proudly, this is all because of him Feats accomplished during his term of office: "I will leave office soon. Before I leave office, I will continue to expand the area of ​​our Japanese Concession."

Asabuki Eiji saw several Japanese soldiers carrying the Japanese boundary monument and secretly moving it outside the newly dug foundation.

Good guy, if we move three to five meters every day, in a few decades we won’t be allowed to move to Qingfen Road?

Seeing his surprised look, Mizuno Kokichi became even more proud. He pointed to the newly built camps and said, "Did you see that within this year, our newly built military camps can accommodate more than 2,000 soldiers?"

Asabuki Eiji was shocked and said: "Wouldn't the Hankou government have any objections to this?"

These are all areas outside the boundary.

Mizuno Kokichi sneered: "Zhang Zhidong is no longer here, and the government office in Hankou is very weak. The Chinese people in Hankou do have opinions, but we don't need to pay attention to these ants. Asabuki-kun, look at it, those people will come soon There's trouble, and I've prepared soldiers to suppress it, to give them some color."

Eiji Asabuki's face was full of admiration, and he bowed with his head raised: "Consul General Mizuno is very capable, I admire you very much."

"By the way, Asabuki-kun, why did you come to see me today?"

Only then did Asabuki Eiji remember the business: "That's it. Several of our Japanese companies jointly gave Sheng Xuanhuai a loan, and the money was deposited in Yokohama Shokin Bank. We have made complete arrangements, but we still feel that we are not strong enough to ensure the safety of the funds, so we want to ask Mizuno Military protection of the Consul General.”

Mizuno Kokichi straightened the wrinkles on his suit: "Okay. But isn't the Yokohama Shokin Bank built in the British Concession? Will the British allow our soldiers to enter?"

The reason why Yokohama Zhengjin Bank was originally located in the British Concession was because the Japanese Concession came to Hankou late, and the area divided was far less prosperous than other concessions.

"Please rest assured that we have taken care of the British consuls and they have no objections." Eiji Asabuki said very confidently and toughly. Money is his confidence: "Consul General Mizuno, I hope our military attachés will listen to some of our suggestions. Suggestion. To this end, several of our companies are ready to jointly donate a fund to build campsites in our concession."

Mizuno Kokichi's eyes lit up slightly.

He knows how to handle this money.

He nodded reservedly: "Very well, Asabuki-kun, our army of the Empire of Japan is your most powerful backing, so go ahead and do it."

Eiji smiled knowingly.

At this time, groups of Hankou people came together.

There were also students among them, holding signs and writing: Give me back my land, regain my sovereignty...

Mizuno Kokichi immediately led the Japanese soldiers to greet them.

"Baga, what are you doing?"

A student stood up, pointed at the boundary marker and said, "You are so despicable, why did you move the boundary marker again?"

Mizuno Kokichi sneered: "The boundary monument is here, you must have seen it wrong."

Such shamelessness made the angry students blush and thicken their necks: "You have gone too far. You have repeatedly occupied land outside the boundary and built houses privately outside the boundary. Do you really think that we, the people of Hankou, are blind?"

At this time, Benjamin Goldberg and Zhao Yixian were suddenly among the crowd, joining in the fun.

This is why Zhao Chuanxian didn't find them.

Zhao Yixian stroked his beard. Although he was also a Chinese, he was not as excited as the people in Hankou. He said calmly: "Well, the Japanese are really ambitious."

But I heard Mizuno Kokichi say arrogantly: "Maybe you are just blind. Chinese people are weak and most of them are sick. What's so surprising about not being able to see clearly?"

The student was furious: "You are really shameless. There is no one in this world who is more shameless than you!"

In the crowd, Benjamin Goldberg whispered: "There are still some, the little devil is no match for my master..."

Zhao Yixian: "..."

He said in his heart: If your master says he can't win, then he will take action. Of course, the little devil is no match for him.

The common people became excited, and the crowd started to push forward.

The soldiers on the Japanese side and the Japanese patrolmen were also watching with eager eyes.

Now, just a spark can instantly ignite a battle, and the use of force only takes a moment.

At this time, a mature and steady Hankou gentry stood up: "Everyone, please be patient and don't be fooled by the Japanese. Mizuno Kokichi is deliberately provoking us. If force is used, they will have machine guns..."

The words "machine gun" were still very intimidating, and the crowd gradually became quiet again.

The gentleman pointed at Mizuno Kokichi and said: "You Japanese not only illegally occupied and encroached on our people's land, but in order to make the Japanese concession prosperous, you also used all means to smuggle cigarettes, arms, and even recruit prostitutes in large numbers. It is simply outrageous. You will be punished. .”

These are all the dirty tricks of Mizuno Kokichi.

Isn’t the Japanese Concession deserted? Well, let's let a large number of prostitutes see if you come?

There are always physiological needs, right?

Let's get the atmosphere team started!

Mizuno Kokichi didn't take it seriously: "There are also many prostitutes in the French Concession, why don't we see you making trouble? This is really unreasonable. Do you think our Empire of Japan is easy to bully?"

France has always been the best in the world in this area.

As early as the beginning of the last century, a large amount of health care culture began to be exported to the outside world.

Japan has learned a lot, and the best is better than the best.

In the 21st century, Bangzi also began to refer to this model. In the 1920s, it even surpassed Xiaoguizi. It’s just that Chinese people who have never been abroad don’t know it.

The stick is actually quite fun to play with.

The two sides exchanged words, but in the end they failed to fight.

In the evening, the crowd saw that there was no result, so they had to disperse one after another, and they would come back again tomorrow.

This kind of scene has been going on in Hankou for who knows how long.

Back at the Hu family's mansion, Benjamin Goldberg ran happily. Before anyone could enter the house, he shouted: "Master, I'm telling you, the little devils over there in the Japanese Concession are so nasty... Uh, there are outsiders here. ah."

Zhao Chuanxin waved: "Come quickly, let's have hot pot tonight."

"Huh? You still want to eat hot pot?"

Sheng Enyi rolled his eyes: "Master Cheng Kun, your disciple is a foreigner? Otherwise, I will also worship you as my teacher, right?"

"What are you praying for? Although the Dharma is profound, I am a poor monk, but you are not just idle people. Your future will be bright."

Sheng Enyi was smug after hearing this, Hu Li showed an unworthy sneer after hearing this, Zhao Yixian just curled his lips, and Benjamin Goldberg focused on the spicy side of the mandarin duck pot, waiting calmly for the meat in the clear soup pot to be cooked.

Everyone's reaction was noticed by Zhao Chuanxin. He smiled slightly. Just these expressions contained the secret of the difference between rich and poor in all living beings.

Some people will understand it before they reach adulthood, some people will understand it in their thirties and forties, and some people will never understand it in their lifetime.

Hu Li flattered him randomly and said, "Master Cheng Kun has a clear understanding of the world. I really don't know when we will achieve this level."

Before Zhao Chuanxin could say anything, Benjamin Goldberg said quickly: "Haha, you all live for others, but my master lives as if there is no one else."

After Zhao Yixian heard this, he felt his scalp tightening inexplicably.

Suddenly, I felt that I was getting further and further away from the avenue.

He asked himself, did he really want to pursue immortality?

Is learning magic really for the purpose of becoming an immortal?

At this moment, Zhao Yixian's mentality suddenly changed.

After Hu Li and Sheng Enyi heard this, they couldn't help but think of Zhao Chuanxin's words and deeds. Didn't they just echo those words? Looking at Benjamin Goldberg, who seemed to be speaking casually, he did not dare to underestimate Zhao Chuanxin, a foreigner's half-year-old apprentice.

Hu Li took a jar of wine and said to Kaifeng: "It is said that when you smell the aroma, dismount and stop when you know the taste, this is the famous Yanghe wine. Master Cheng Kun, please drink this cup to the full."

Zhao Chuanxin said with his skillful hand: "How can a poor monk drink alcohol if he has to abide by the precepts? What a nonsense. Let's have some beef to pad his belly first."

"..."

Well, the commandments have to be used flexibly, right?

Hu Li said to Sheng Enyi, "Tomorrow, I will take the Fourth Young Master to visit the flower house where my father often goes."

Sheng Enyi's eyes lit up: "That's a good feeling."

"Haha, you are so young that you indulge in pleasure?" Zhao Chuanxin said with a sneer: "Well, when you get old, you will find that your life is really not in vain!"

Hu Li and Sheng Enyi were knocked out of the way, choking on their wine and coughing.

Benjamin Goldberg slapped the table: "Master, I also think that my life cannot be in vain, so why not go shopping with these two wise brothers!"

The two of them rolled their eyes, who the hell is the good brother of this little foreign devil like you? If the hair is all grown, then just use it as garlic?

Zhao Chuanxin slapped him on the back of the head: "I have already passed down the Ming Deng Hua to you, how come you still can't figure out your position all day long? He is the second generation of rich people, how can you, a rich first generation, compare?"

Benjamin Goldberg chuckled and quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Master, I was shopping with Zhao Yixian today and saw the confrontation between the common people and the Japanese..."