Super Dictator - Chapter 253 Fengtian Chamber of Commerce

It’s not dark yet and the sun is still setting.

The entrance to the Haicheng government office was already busy with traffic and people. Countless landlords, gentry and merchants in silk mandarin jackets came in a hurry. Some of them had worried faces, while others had indifferent expressions on their faces.

At the entrance of the Yamen, Yan Dunyuan and Zhang Zuolin stood to greet the guests with smiles on their faces. In addition, there were several sergeants standing next to them with expressionless faces, which seemed to complement each other.

Zhang Zuolin’s business is getting bigger and bigger now. Changfeng Escort Agency is no longer an escort agency in the original sense. It has developed towards the integration of security company and logistics company. It not only delivers precious goods, but also ordinary goods, charging low prices. Shipping costs are also guaranteed.

Some smart people know the details of Zhang Zuolin and know that he has worked in Wei Zijun before, so he must have the support of this commander behind him, and the fact that he is standing at the door to welcome guests today shows this even more.

Ever since Wei Jichen’s invitations were sent to landlords, squires, and businessmen from all over the country three days ago, they were all on tenterhooks, unable to sleep at night, and unable to eat, for fear that the Liaodong general was hosting a Hongmen Banquet, and would not hold it in his hands. We have no money, so we have to start robbing wool.

Therefore, they all have smiles on their faces that are uglier than crying.

“Mr. Zhang, you’re here, please go inside.” Yan Dunyuan greeted him with a smile and invited people inside.

One of the landlords, Lao Cai, snorted softly when he passed by Zhang Zuolin. Zhang Zuolin looked slightly embarrassed, because this man was his Taishan Zhao Zhanyuan. Zhang Zuolin even handed over his father-in-law. Only after the list came the invitation from Wei Jichen.

“Mom, please give in, why are you people so slow?” Not long after, more than 20 sturdy men wearing fur coats came to the door on horseback.

Seeing this, the other squires frowned and did not bother to argue with them. They stepped aside and made way for them. These people were ‘planers’ and ‘takers’, who were used to dig ginseng, catch mink, fish, and gather food. Those who make a living from pearl mining and gold mining. Although these industries in the Northeast are huge profits, they are also very dangerous, so these people spontaneously formed organizations. These twenty men are the leaders of each organization, and they have Not a small weapon.

Yan Dunyuan invited these people in without changing his expression.

“Brother, why do you think Wei Jichen sent us an invitation this time?” one of the planers asked softly.

The leader no longer had the arrogant expression he had when he was outside, and said helplessly: “How do I know what’s going on? There is no shortage of taxes to be paid, and there is no shortage of silver to be filial. I don’t know what this gentleman means.”

“Let’s take a look first and then talk. If it doesn’t work, we will spend money to eliminate the disaster.” Several other people also shook their heads helplessly. Every time a new official takes office, everyone will be more filial.

Wei Jichen had been ignoring them these days, which made everyone think that he was different from others. Now it seemed that he wanted to do it all at once.

At this time, the people who came to the banquet had more or less prepared some silver coins and were ready to bleed.

When these planers walked into the hall with their heads in hand, they were secretly shocked. They saw that the hall was already filled with no less than four or five hundred people, from all walks of life. Everyone was sitting together clearly, and if it weren’t for the hall, The atmosphere is a bit depressing, and they will definitely be happy to talk, but at this time, most of them are silent or whispering.

Zhao Zhanyuan was so depressed. He didn’t expect that his son-in-law’s elbow was turned outward. In Zhao Zhanyuan’s mind, as long as it was a government matter, it was definitely not a good thing. He only married his daughter to Zhang Zuolin after seeing what he had done in Wei Zijun. Come to think of it, I can’t help at all now.

Everyone was not in the mood to drink tea and waited anxiously for Wei Jichen to appear until it was just dark.

First Yan Dunyuan and Zhang Zuolin walked in with smiles, but no one came to the door anymore.

Then there was a loud shout: “General Wei is here!”

Wei Jichen was seen walking in from the side door, wearing a yellow mantle and a flowered feather on his head, walking slowly and slowly.

Behind him were several ruthless soldiers.

“Everyone, everyone, thank you for coming to the banquet in time.” When Wei Jichen walked to the door, he had already cupped his hands to express his gratitude.

Wei Jichen’s spring-like smile made everyone relax a little.

“As for the general, it’s a blessing for us to be able to meet him.”

“That’s right, I’ve wanted to come and see the general for a long time, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a way.”

“General Shenwu fought hard to protect our land in Liaodong. I admire you with all my heart.”

Hundreds of people in the hall immediately stood up, hurriedly returning gifts and exchanging compliments. For a while, the scene was very lively.

Wei Jichen nodded and returned the greeting, and only stopped when he reached the front desk.

“Everyone!” Wei Jichen’s sharp eyes swept across hundreds of people, and he spoke slowly and loudly.

The place suddenly became silent. Everyone looked at Wei Jichen with cautious expressions, wanting to know why he had summoned so many people this time.

“China is worrying!” Wei Jichen sighed heavily at first, causing everyone to follow his emotions, and the expressions on their faces changed from cautious to solemn.

“The Treaty of Shimonoseki allowed Japan to invest and set up factories in China. Now, the great powers have cited the provisions of equalization of interests and have rushed to open factories in various parts of our country.”

Wei Jichen paused briefly to give everyone some time to think.

Then he continued to say seriously: “The opening of a large number of treaty ports and the exemption of all miscellaneous taxes on the products of various countries have enabled the great powers to seize a large amount of wealth from our country through trade and economic aggression. There are also many people who are doing business and setting up factories. People must know that the great powers take advantage of the machines, which makes the production cost of their goods low, and gradually crowds out our own products. “

At this time, Chinese business was still based on small workshops and handicrafts. Only in a few coastal cities were some large comprador merchants using modern machines. Naturally, these small workshop-style factories could not withstand the dumping of goods from various countries, and countless people went bankrupt. , which was also one of the reasons that led to the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion later.

My dear, there will be more after this chapter^.^,

Some of the gentlemen and businessmen below heard what Wei Jichen said was reasonable and nodded in agreement.

Wei Jichen continued: “The imperial court has realized that if this continues, foreign goods will become popular, and China will become a commodity dumping ground and a raw material and mineral extraction area for various countries. Foreigners only need a set of machines to use Chinese labor and use Chinese raw materials, and then seize the wealth of the Chinese people and take away the gold and silver. The wealth that China has accumulated over thousands of years will be swept away by foreigners like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. The ores and coal left by our ancestors will also be swept away by foreigners. Dig it out.”

Wei Jichen first explained the truth, then changed the topic, his face became slightly clearer, and said: “Fortunately, the imperial court issued an edict: the foundation is to support businessmen and workers.”

Afraid that everyone would not understand the meaning, Wei Jichen explained briefly: “It means that we Chinese should be encouraged to open our own companies and factories and engage in business wars with foreigners. But how to conduct business wars specifically?”

Wei Jichen asked a question and slowly looked at the crowd. Seeing that some of them also looked like they were thinking, he couldn’t help but feel a little better.

“You must all have no idea. The slogan of learning from the foreigners and gaining skills to defeat the foreigners has been chanted for decades. I, Wei Jichen, are now repeating the same old tune, which is to purchase advanced machines from foreigners, reduce commercial production costs, and produce products with high quality and low prices. “

Only then did everyone suddenly realize that they wanted us to buy machines and open a factory.

Some people still had doubts. After Wei Jichen finished speaking, a gentleman and businessman stood up and asked: “General, although we have only a partial understanding of what you said, we can understand it. It is to compete with foreigners for profits, but only for our funds.” “You can’t afford machines at all, and you can’t resist the oppression of foreign business forces.”

Some other people were just like him, looking helpless.

Wei Jichen smiled slightly, glanced at the people below, and then said in a sonorous voice: “That’s why I summoned you all here to discuss the establishment of our Fengtian Chamber of Commerce. Through the Chamber of Commerce, we will be organized into a joint venture between government and businessmen, or The completely commercial form allows everyone to organize themselves, raise funds to participate in setting up factories, and jointly resist the economic invasion of foreigners. “

There began to be discussions among the people below about pooling everyone’s funds and using them together, and the government was also involved. How to ensure their own interests has become the focus of everyone’s worries.

It is not uncommon for businessmen to be swallowed with their skins and bones by officials.

Wei Jichen’s assistant stood up again and said what everyone was thinking: “I know that the general is clean and honest, but I cannot guarantee that others will have selfish motives and embezzle everyone’s money.”

Wei Jichen smiled lightly and said calmly: “My father-in-law’s concerns are very reasonable. Therefore, the role of the Fengtian Chamber of Commerce comes into play. The Chamber of Commerce is only semi-official. Everyone has a say in the Chamber of Commerce, and the government We will only guide people to set up factories and mines. As for the specific business matters, they will be completely left to you. Of course, in view of the lack of experience of some people, the newly opened company factories can hire professional consultants from the chamber of commerce. These consultants only provide professional opinions. Helping everyone get the company’s factory on track without any other real power.”

When some people heard what Wei Jichen said, their eyes lit up and they began to think about the gains and losses.

“Everyone, if you want to be alone and live in your own home with three acres of land, it is not feasible in this era. In the end, it will only be defeated by foreigners one by one. Therefore, I took the lead and asked us Chinese businessmen to unite and speak to the outside world. , I also ask everyone to trust me, Wei Jichen, if you have any selfish intentions, you will make me die badly.” Wei Jichen even swore a poisonous oath. In fact, he really didn’t have much selfishness in doing this. , he can also start these factories and mining companies by himself, because he has a system to purchase machinery and does not need to worry about capital at all.

However, this will only make him a wealthy businessman and a monopoly comprador, and will not have much effect on the rise of national capitalism as a whole.

Wei Jichen believed in his heart that he only needed to be a few leading enterprises.

“Furthermore, in order to encourage the establishment of industries, General Shengjing Yiketang’a has discussed with me. In view of the chaos in taxation, unified taxes will be formulated, miscellaneous taxes will be reduced, and escorts will be provided for everyone to open factories.” Wei Jichen dropped the question again. heavy bomb.

What scares most about starting a company and setting up a factory is not the lack of sales, but the fear of exploitation by the government. Various donations and filial piety discourage many people. When Wei Jichen said this, everyone was excited.

Tuo spoke again, and this time he asked: “General, you said that I am very excited. I just want to invest all my property in starting a factory and setting up a company. However, I don’t have much knowledge. Not only does I have no way to buy machines, but I am also afraid of it.” The machine I bought is old.”

“No one needs to worry about this.” Wei Jichen smiled broadly and said calmly: “The procurement of machines can be left to us. In order to make everyone feel at ease, all machines will be used only after you have verified that they are qualified.” If you are not satisfied with the payment, you can return it on the spot, and the cost will be borne by the government.”

Yan Dunyuan promptly told the story below that Wei Jichen saved the life of the British princess and was now able to purchase the machine through the British princess.