Volume 2 King of the Northwest Chapter 18: Each Takes What It Needs
The negotiations with the Americans were very difficult. The key issue was the right of way. Shaanxi did not have suitable collateral, and the American companies would not give up until they got the right of way.
But how could Dai Jiliang dare to do such a thing that would go against the will of the world? The solution he proposed was that the Shaanxi Army Group would obtain 10% of the shares of the entire Xiyao Road, and half of the remaining 90% would be invested by Chinese merchants and landlords in the form of land, materials, manpower, and money, while the American company Meihua Foreign Trade Co., to which Driski belonged, would obtain the other half of the shares in cash and necessary technology.
The Shaanxi Army's 10% stake was dry stock, so they naturally didn't have to pay a penny. In return, the China-America Trading Company could receive 51% of the dividends in the next 30 years and the position of chairman on the railway board of directors. Of course, the chairman of the supervisory board and the general manager of the railway company would be appointed by the Shaanxi Army or the Ministry of Communications.
"General, your suggestion is really far from our company's pre-planned plan."
The Jew shook his head. The negotiations were really difficult. He had never met such a difficult opponent in China.
"I think both sides can end this negotiation."
"Mr. Assistant Manager."
Dai Jiliang was also exhausted. He was not a professional business person, and this experience was also a kind of training for him.
"In fact, Shaanxi does not necessarily need the entry of American capital. Although the European war is fierce now, Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen and Zurich should have sufficient capital. Of course, you can refuse, but it will be difficult to enter later."
Dai Jiliang simply said that the United States is not the best in the world yet, and as a business rival, old Europe still has great potential.
"Besides, our government had already signed a loan contract with Belgium for the Longqin-Yuhai Railway in September 1912, which stipulated that related branch lines could not borrow money from other countries. I am taking a risk by exploiting a loophole in this contract."
Of course, Dai Jiliang not only used intimidation but also lured them with benefits.
"I don't know if Mr. Gu Changqing in Shanghai has made it clear to your company. I have a big plan for the construction of the Shaanxi railway. Shaanxi is rich in resources. There are coal, oil, and salt mines in northern Shaanxi and northern Wei. There are iron, copper, and gold in the Qinling and Bashan areas in southern Shaanxi. Once the railway network is built, it can also connect to Sichuan and Hubei in the south, Shanxi and Henan in the east, and Gansu and Xinjiang in the west. Can't your company see this prospect?"
However, no matter what, it is impossible to get the Jews to pay the money without immediate benefits. Moreover, Dai Jiliang's subsequent plans are too huge and cannot be taken care of by their foreign company alone.
So Dai Jiliang had no choice but to take out his last big killer.
"How about this? I will grant you the privileges of the Xi'an Electric Light Company and the Water Company. You can operate them exclusively for 20 years!"
"No, fifty years!"
Driski's eyes lit up and he blurted out more than double the monopoly time.
However, when he saw Dai Jiliang's face suddenly darken, he couldn't help but shrink back.
"Thirty years, no less. In addition, the electric light and water supply businesses in Baoji and Hanzhong must also be handed over to our foreign company."
This Jewish guy was quite shrewd. Baoji was an important town on the Longhai Road, and its future development was foreseeable. As for Hanzhong connecting Sichuan and Longnan, it was also an important node in Dai Jiliang's railway plan, and naturally could not escape Driskill's keen eyes.
"You can give us the same business in Baoji and Hanzhong, but only for 20 years. You must provide two bullet production lines, one of which must be pointed bullets. In addition, you must help the Shaanxi Army build a gunpowder factory. This gunpowder factory must be able to produce black powder, nitrocellulose, picric acid, TNT, fulminate of mercury, special dana, and RDX. I must be able to produce all the gunpowder and explosives currently on the market."
Since the other party was interested, Dai Jiliang started asking for a sky-high price.
"Then we must have the exclusive privilege of operating in these three places for fifty years."
But how much money can such a bullet production line make? We can just take two old production lines from the arms dealers in the United States, which would only cost about 30,000 to 40,000 US dollars. Compared with the monopoly of the water and electricity systems in the three cities, it is a drop in the bucket.
However, the gunpowder factory is more troublesome, and it is impossible for Driskill to increase his investment in it.
"In addition, our foreign company will also have priority in all future railways built in Shaanxi."
I'll give you priority, but you have to be able to eat it, Dai Jiliang thought about it.
"How about this, add a complete set of rifle repair machinery, and I can promise you a thirty-five-year monopoly."
Since it can be repaired, it can also be used for manufacturing. Although the machine tool shipped from Hanzhong has begun to be debugged, Dai Jiliang absolutely does not think that it is redundant to ask for more spare parts. As long as there is suitable steel in the future, it is possible for Shaanxi to manufacture its own rifles.
"As for the priority right, it does not include the part that has been signed and transferred by our central government. In addition, this priority right cannot be transferred."
“That’s as it should be!”
The Longhai Railway is definitely not wanted. As for the fact that the priority right cannot be transferred, it means that Meihua will be the only beneficiary. Anyone who wants to take over the Shaanxi railway plan must take the Meihua line. Driskill naturally welcomes this.
"But the general should give our company tax-free privileges on thermal power and water supply equipment."
However, the assistant manager of Meihua was unwilling to suffer a loss and proposed a relatively equal condition.
"make a deal!"
Dai Jiliang nodded with relief.
"I will arrange for someone to sign an agreement with you in the name of Shanfu Company.
Guiyang Company and Shanfu Company established a joint-stock company to jointly participate in the construction of Xiyao Road.
Xiyao Road's current expected share capital is 2.5 million. As long as your half of the foreign company is in place, Shanfu Company will immediately sign the relevant water and electric lighting contracts with you."
Dai Jiliang was not worried at all that Meihua did not have enough capital.
Please, it's World War I now, and Americans are making a lot of money all over the world. Even if Chinese Americans don't have money, as long as they go back home and spread the word that they have opened up the railway market in Shaanxi, there is no doubt that investors will flock to them. This is also a way to make money in the United States in this era.
"General, now that the deal is done, shouldn't we celebrate?"
Driski stood up with a smile on his face. Being able to get the contract in this way of kickbacks made him look up to the young ruler, which was another catalyst for him to agree to bet.
"No, you can go around Lintong and Xi'an. I still have to use this agreement to deal with the people in the Shaanxi Provincial Council and the Ministry of Transportation, so I won't accompany you."
Dai Jiliang shook his head and stood up. He needed to have a good sleep, otherwise he would not have the energy to face those people from the Ministry of Transport.
"Provincial Council? I have to say that His Excellency the General is the most democratic Chinese governor I have ever seen."
Driski's flattery almost made Dai Jiliang shiver. The latter raised his head, looked at the American with a Slavic name, shook his head, and walked out on his own.
After the American rich were dealt with, the Ministry of Transportation would be easier to deal with. Zeng Zhisheng conveyed the meaning of the Ministry of Transportation leaders to be nothing more than two points: "First, the construction costs must be deposited in the Bank of Communications; second, the Ministry of Transportation must participate in management and obtain benefits."
Dai Jiliang had no objection to this. Of course, they still had to discuss how the Ministry of Transport would participate in management and how the profits would be distributed. But with an American major shareholder, they probably wouldn't dare to make excessive demands.
"Mr. Zuomin, I'm sorry for being so slow these past two days."
Dai Jiliang did not participate in dealing with the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Transport. He only had Wang Danping, a veteran in the officialdom, to do the important things. He focused on recruiting the banker Zhou Zuoming.
"I heard that Mr. Zuomin has a very good relationship with Senior Youzheng and Dan Shuai, and he is deeply trusted by both of them. After meeting him today, I found that he is indeed a very smart person!"
"You are too polite, Marshal Zhi. Zuomin is not worthy of the title of Mr. You should just call him Zuomin or Weixin."
Zhou Zuoming was a man of many talents and was used to saying one thing to one person and another thing to another. Dai Jiliang had left him aside for more than ten days, but he did not get angry. As soon as they met, he called him "Zhi Shuai" affectionately, which really made people feel good about him.
"Okay, Brother Zuomin, I've heard Youzheng talk about you before, and I asked you to come here this time because I have something important to discuss with you."
Dai Jiliang did not insist. Treating people with sincerity was his principle in dealing with things, and he was not afraid that Zhou Zuomin would look down on him.
"I welcome the Bank of Communications' plan to open a branch in Xi'an! But have you ever thought about this, Brother Zuomin? Now that President Liang is wanted and Cao Rulin has taken office, will he still keep you, his predecessor's favorite? Even if Cao Runtian is tolerant, will he let Brother Zuomin be the manager of the Xi'an branch?"
"What does Zhishuai want to say?"
Zhou Zuoming's mind was working quickly. Although he knew that every word Dai Jiliang said was true, he didn't know what Dai Jiliang meant by saying it, so he didn't dare to respond easily.
"It's easy, just do it for me!"
Dai Jiliang stared into Zhou Zuoming's eyes.
"The initial start-up cost is 500,000 yuan, and then I will use the profits from the Shaanxi opium monopoly to add 300,000 yuan each year. Please open a Sanyong Bank for me, and you will be the general manager. You will have the final say on personnel matters. I will pay you an annual salary of 10,000 yuan, and I can also give you 10% of the shares."
Listening to Dai Jiliang's conditions, Zhou Zuoming smiled. Although Dai Jiliang's conditions were generous, they could not satisfy him, so he put forward a counter-proposal.
"Speaking of banks, I have actually wanted to open one myself for a long time. I mentioned this to Dan Shuai not long ago and he was very supportive. I have also decided on a name , Jincheng Bank, with a total share capital of 2 million and an initial paid-in capital of 500,000."
Zhou Zuomin used Ni Sicong to shut Dai Jiliang up.
"I have almost raised the capital, and Secretary Xu has agreed to invest 50,000 yuan. Zhishuai, since you also want to open a bank, how about you invest a share?"
Dai Jiliang's face suddenly darkened. He had not expected such a result. But after thinking about it, he finally smiled again.
"Brother Zuomin, you are amazing!"
Dai Jiliang stood up, turned around a few times, and walked in front of Zhou Zuoming.
"Okay, I'm in!"
Since it was no longer possible to keep Zhou Zuomin, Dai Jiliang simply decided to use another method to make him work for him.
"I will deposit 200,000 yuan, and when the Xi'an branch of Jincheng Bank, owned by Brother Zuomin, opens, I will entrust all the income and expenditure of the Shaanxi Anti-Smoking Bureau to your bank. What do you think, Brother Zuomin?"
"Master Zhi is really a man of few words, so it's a deal!"
Zhou Zuoming also stood up with an excited smile on his face.
Yes, Jincheng Bank has not yet opened, but this big business has already been won. How can he not feel that his future is bright? "Please rest assured, Marshal Zhi, in the future, it will be my duty to lend money to Shaanxi industry and commerce."
Obviously, Zhou Zuoming did not waste these days. He certainly knew about Dai Jiliang's ambitious industrial plan in Shaanxi, so he made special guarantees for it.
"God bless the Shaanxi business community."
Dai Jiliang also became happy.
"Come here, arrange a banquet. Brother Zuomin and I want to have a good chat about the issue of saving the country through industry."
