Volume 2 King of the Northwest Chapter 33 Signature
Another month passed. Although the turmoil caused by the "Well Case" and the "Yanchang Case" in Shaanxi Province had gradually subsided under Dai Jiliang's soft and hard tactics, the situation in China as a whole was deteriorating.
On April 25, the Duan government once again convened a meeting of representatives of military governors from various provinces and decided to declare war on Germany. However, this resolution was once again opposed by Sun Yat-sen's party who had accepted bribes from the German envoy, which once again intensified the conflict between the government and the parliament. On May 23, the two sides finally had a showdown.
Because Duan Qirui instigated groups such as the so-called "Citizens' Petition Group" to surround the parliament, forced the passage of the bill to join the war, and formed a warlord group to demand the amendment of the constitution and the dissolution of the parliament, on that day Li Yuanhong finally ordered the removal of Duan Qirui from the post of Prime Minister and appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Tingfang as acting Prime Minister.
As soon as the Presidential Order was issued, Duan Qirui fled to Tianjin. This event was later known in history as "the first fall of the Duan Cabinet" and was the first ominous cloud for the Chinese civil war.
"This is illegal personnel!"
According to the "Provisional Constitution" that the Kuomintang has always insisted on, the presidential decree will not take effect without the counter-signature of the Prime Minister, even the appointment and removal of the Prime Minister. For this reason, Dai Jiliang immediately sent a telegram to the whole country, refusing to accept Li Yuanhong's relevant personnel orders.
"If the president continues to act illegally, Shaanxi reserves all freedom of action."
Although Dai Jiliang did not declare independence on the spot, the seeds of division had already been sown.
Just three days later, on May 26, Anhui Governor Ni Sicong announced his separation from the government, and then Fengtian, Shaanxi, Henan, Zhejiang, Shandong, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Zhili, Fujian, and Shanxi provinces successively declared independence.
Ni Sicong also seized vehicles in Bengbu and transported troops to Tianjin, preparing to march to Beijing together with the three provinces of Fengtian, Shandong and Henan.
Under such a critical situation, Li Yuanhong reappointed Li Jingxi as Prime Minister on May 28. However, Li was never able to complete the cabinet formation negotiations. Thus, Li's cabinet collapsed before it was even formed.
Wu Tingfang continued to serve as acting Prime Minister, but the conflict between the government and the legislature had reached the brink of intensification.
However, in such a terrifying political atmosphere, Dai Jiliang leisurely welcomed two groups of guests in the city of Xi'an.
"General Manager Zhou, congratulations. If your Jincheng Bank doesn't reopen, I will report you to the Tianjin Police Department and accuse you of absconding with the money."
Dai Jiliang looked at the complacent Zhou Zuomin and joked loudly.
"Come on, come on, congratulations on the grand opening, give me the red envelope!"
"General, what you said is really insulting! You are the major shareholder of Jincheng, you should be the one rewarding me. How can a subordinate give a red envelope to his boss? It is not right, it is not right!"
Zhou Zuomin was good at handling things, so it was no problem for him to respond to Dai Jiliang's little teasing.
"Boss, I'm here to collect a debt."
When Jincheng Bank first opened, the capital actually paid by all parties was only 500,000 yuan, and Dai Jiliang alone promised 200,000 yuan. If this money was received, it would naturally have immeasurable benefits for the newly opened Jincheng. It is no wonder that Zhou Zuoming put aside the myriad things at hand and traveled thousands of miles to Xi'an in person.
"No problem, no problem! Youyan, go inform Director Sima and ask him to write a Bank of Communications check for 200,000 yuan."
Dai Jiliang smiled and gave orders.
"General Manager Zhou, why don't you also open up the Jincheng Xi'an branch this time? The business community in Shaanxi is crying out for help!"
"In fact, Shaanxi can issue its own banknotes."
Zhou Zuoming actually had another purpose for his visit this time, which was to seek the right to issue Shaanxi Provincial Currency.
"This is the greatest benefit, Governor. You know, the Russo-Asiatic Bank increased its capital from 6 million rubles to more than 100 million taels of silver in just 20 years by issuing banknotes in China. This is a profit of 300 times!"
“The right to issue banknotes!”
Dai Jiliang fell into deep thought. Apparently he was not blind to this benefit. He had intended for Gu Changqing to come to Xi'an to establish Shaanxi's own central bank. But now Gu Changqing's attitude was ambiguous and the National Protection Law was imminent. It was not a good opportunity. However, he was reluctant to hand it over to Zhou Zuoming.
"There's no rush for this. Let me discuss it with the Provincial Department of Finance first."
“It’s natural.”
Zhou Zuoming smiled. He also knew that more haste makes waste.
"Boss, since I came all the way to Xi'an, you have to treat me to Qinqiang tonight!"
"Let Director Wang accompany you."
Dai Jiliang shook his head. The Shaanxi Army had already entered a state of war, and he was too busy to handle it all. He had no time to accompany Zhou Zuoming in fun.
"I have too many things to do right now. The guests from Shanghai have arrived, and I have to rush to Lintong tonight. I won't accompany Zuomin anymore."
"Guests from Shanghai, what big deal has the Governor made again ?"
Zhou Zuomin keenly discovered the business opportunity.
"I don't know, what role can Jincheng Bank play in this?"
If Zhou Zuoming had to choose between making money or listening to Qinqiang, he would definitely choose the former.
"Please help introduce it to me, Overseer!"
"this?"
Dai Jiliang didn't expect Zhou Zuomin to ask this, and he couldn't help but smile. Dai Jiliang was not like Ni Sicong who treated Zhou Zuomin as the God of Wealth. He would give Zhou Zuomin any benefits, and he had to consider the long-term interests.
"It's about the railway construction last time. I think we can officially sign the contract this time. It's a pity that we promised the Bank of Communications at the beginning. This money has to go into the Bank of Communications' account. General Manager Zhou can't help you this time."
"No, no, it would be a blessing for me if I could help the governor. Besides, American merchants in Shanghai are big clients. If I could really establish a relationship with them, I would be happy even in my dreams."
Zhou Zuoming became even more anxious after hearing this. Indeed, the accounts worth millions would not go through his Jincheng Bank, and his Jincheng Bank was not able to take on such a big piece of cake now. However, if he took the opportunity to join this meeting, he would have some connections. Why would he be afraid of not being able to open up new opportunities in the future?
"Oh, are you really that interested?"
If there was no suitable financial talent around him, Dai Jiliang would never have let Zhou Zuoming get involved. Since the other party was so eager, it seemed not good to refuse directly, so Dai Jiliang just gave in reluctantly.
"Well, when Director Wang and Sima from the Finance Department arrive, let's go to Lintong to welcome the Americans."
On May 30, 1917, Shaanxi Railway Company was formally established, and the Xiyao Road construction strategy and stock offering policy were announced on the same day. The attention of the entire western China was once again focused on the thousand-year-old city of Xi'an. Apparently a new storm was brewing.
"Brother Songsheng."
After a hundred days of healing from his broken bones and massive blood loss, Hu Jingyi was almost fully recovered, but people around him were keeping a close eye on him, so he had no choice but to lie on his sickbed and greet another garrison commander of the same status.
"Dai Jiliang's move is very vicious. Once the construction of Xiyao Road begins, it will be like a sharp knife hanging over our heads. We have to be on guard!"
"Building a railway has been the wish of many people with lofty ideals in Shaanxi since the Qing Dynasty. We cannot easily oppose it!"
Naturally, the people in northern Shaanxi did not know the secret agreement behind the construction of Xiyao Road, but Dai Jiliang ensured that the right to the road remained in the hands of the Chinese. Based on this alone, Jing Xiuyue knew that there was no way to overturn this established agreement.
"But Brother Liseng is right. Once Xiyao Road is completed, the Shaanxi Army can quickly mobilize its forces. Then we will suffer a great loss!"
“It’s not just that.”
Hu Jingyi obviously thought more about it.
"Money, Dai Jiliang now has at least several million in cash. It's several million, Brother Songsheng. If he embezzles some of it, the Shaanxi Army may attack us anytime soon!"
Hu Jingyi shook his head.
"Although the Duan government has stepped down, Dai Jiliang has taken the opportunity to declare independence. A war is imminent. We must prepare in advance!"
"Brother Liseng, I feel the same way. The President summoned Zhang Xun to Beijing on June 1 to discuss state affairs. This was so unwise. Everyone in the world knew that Zhang Xun was the leader of the warlord group and he was in the same boat with Duan Qirui. This was courting disaster!"
Jing Xiuyue was also extremely anxious. The "Jing case" had put the entire Shaanxi-Gansu militia in a state of division. Guo Jian had since obeyed orders but not instructions, and the deputy regiment commander Geng Zhi, Gao Jun, who had always been on good terms with Guo Jian, was also distant. How could such a grim situation not make the two giants in northern Shaanxi worried?
"Tianjin established the General Staff Office on June 2, and Anhui, Shandong, and Fengtian each sent heavy troops to approach Beijing. Perhaps a shocking change is just around the corner."
"How about this, I'll figure out a solution for Guo Jian and Geng Zhi."
Now we can only rely on Hu Jingyi's prestige to integrate the Shaanxi-Gansu militia.
"Brother Songsheng, I'm going to ask you to take care of the money and ammunition for the war."
Who says Yulin is the richest place in northern Shaanxi? Only Jing Xiuyue can take on the important task of raising grain and funds.
"rest assured!"
Jing Xiuyue patted Hu Jingyi's hand.
"If I had known this, I should have fought a decisive battle in April. Now."
Jing Xiuyue shook his head. "I'm in a dilemma. Han Wangchen really did me a lot of harm."
"I can't say that about Brother Wangchen. I can only say that one wrong step will lead to many wrong steps."
Hu Jingyi also sighed. He absolutely did not believe that Dai Jiliang was not behind the assassination of Jing Wumu and the expulsion of Han Jun from Shaanxi. But what could he do if he did not believe it? Without evidence, it would only embarrass the already hit Shaanxi Democratic Party again and would not help the current situation at all.
"I hope we can get the upper hand this time."
"Mr. Governor, I have already reported your suggestion to our company."
When the Japanese heard that Dai Jiliang had reached an agreement with the Americans on railway construction, they finally became unable to sit still, and Hirono came to visit again.
"Our company has confirmed it. May I ask Your Excellency, when can we officially sign the contract?"
"Really?"
The Japanese were anxious, but Dai Jiliang was no longer anxious.
"Excuse me, Hirono-kun, when will the goods you promised me be delivered last time? It has been delayed for several months. Do I have to charge you for breach of contract?"
Looking at Guangye's embarrassed expression, Dai Jiliang snorted coldly.
"Let's talk about it when your goods arrive. Don't worry, I'm a man of my words. As long as the goods arrive, I will sign for them."
