Volume 2 King of the Northwest Chapter 4 Stability (IV)
Although Dai Jiliang only needed a squad of messengers as his guard, he was the provincial commissioner for post-war relief, so how could one squad be enough? In the end, under the strong request of everyone, Dai Jiliang finally retained the size of a reinforced company.
Of course, this was just an episode. Now Dai Jiliang's attention has completely shifted to the financial problems of Shaanxi.
Lu Jianzhang left a mess behind as governor of Shaanxi. The entire Shaanxi provincial treasury was almost empty, not even a penny could be found.
Although Dai Jiliang had previously extorted over 600,000 yuan from Lu Jianzhang through He Oucai, and later uncovered many corrupt officials in Mengcheng during Lu Jianzhang's time through Guo Bingchang, his total inventory was only over 3 million yuan, including many calligraphy and paintings and antiques that were difficult to cash in, and two or three hundred boxes of opium.
The available cash is just enough to cover the current expenses of the Shaanxi Army and the Shaanxi government for half a year, and this is a balance that can only be achieved without taking into account arms expenses and without fighting. If we have to march south to southern Shaanxi or north to northern Shaanxi, financial bankruptcy will be imminent.
Although the autumn tax can be collected in three months, and the controlled area also receives a considerable amount of lijin every month, who would complain that they have too much money?
"Supervisor, President Lu from the provincial capital and the presidents of the guilds from all over the place are here."
Sima came in and reported that according to Dai Jiliang's suggestion, the presidents of the chambers of commerce in Xi'an, Baoji, Xianyang, Weinan, Pucheng and other places were invited one by one.
"Let's go and meet these gods of wealth."
Dai Jiliang tidied his clothes. As the Governor's Mansion was damaged by artillery fire, he could only take temporary shelter in the Copper Coin Bureau.
"Sima, go get some good tea. We can't neglect these big money sponsors!"
As he was talking, they arrived at the small meeting room where the Copper Coin Bureau used to entertain guests. Looking at the businessmen gathered there, Dai Jiliang showed a murderer's smile.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."
"I dare not, I dare not."
Although the people present were trembling with fear when they stamped their feet on their own turf, no one dared to be arrogant in front of Dai Jiliang in the face of the Beiyang Army's bayonet invitation.
"Sit, sit!"
Of course, if Dai Jiliang himself did not sit, who would dare to sit first? The supremacy of official position was not achieved overnight.
"You are all the best businessmen in Shaanxi. I invited you here because I have something to ask of you!"
"We understand what the Governor means. I and several Chamber of Commerce presidents have discussed this before. We are willing to contribute 500,000 yuan for the Governor to reward the three armies."
To Dai Jiliang's surprise, he was interrupted by a white-haired old man before he could finish his words. He offered five hundred thousand in one breath, which was a really high price.
"What's your name? President Ji from Weinan. Well, well, well, I'm very grateful for your hospitality!"
Dai Jiliang glanced coldly at everyone present, without any polite words.
"However, Dai did not invite you here to entertain the troops."
This one sentence made everyone present look grim. There is no official in the world who doesn't want money, it just seems that the price is not right.
"I would like to ask you, what is the current price of cotton, cotton yarn, and cloth in Shaanxi? What is the price of coal? What about flour?"
"Are you asking about the price of native cloth or foreign cloth, the price of Shanxi coal or Luanzhou coal, the price of foreign flour or the price of local native mill?"
Although everyone was surprised why Dai Jiliang cared about this, they still answered the questions one by one in different categories.
"That is to say, whether investing in cotton spinning, building a flour mill, or opening a kiln and mining coal, it is profitable."
Dai Jiliang tapped the table unconsciously with his fingers, and it took him a long time to make a decision.
There are too many disputes in coal mining, including the influence of local big households and illegal mining in small coal mines. Let’s just start with the simple ones.
"Everyone, the war in Europe is raging right now, and investing in industry is a great benefit. You have just donated 500,000 yuan, and I am willing to use all of it to jointly establish a spinning mill, a cloth mill, a flour mill, and a cement mill with you. What do you think?"
Dai Jiliang was very good at getting something for nothing, but who among those present grew up eating for free? As soon as Dai Jiliang's proposal came out, everyone was silent. Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what they were thinking.
"Since the supervisor is willing, I am willing to co-found a spinning mill with him in Baoji."
An old acquaintance, President Li of the Baoji Chamber of Commerce, patted his chest and stood up.
"I don't want a penny from the supervisor. As long as the supervisor can get the machine, I am willing to give him 10% of the shares for free."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone immediately regretted their decision. Why didn't they think of this method to get closer to Dai Jiliang? So, whether they were regretful or contemptuous, everyone's faces were colorful and looked really beautiful.
"What if I say I don't want to do the shares?"
However, Dai Jiliang's words were like a strong medicine that immediately left everyone at a loss.
"President Li, do you think Dai is after your money?"
Of course not, Dai Jiliang has bigger plans.
"The yarn can be spun into cloth, and the cloth can be woven into the uniforms for the Shaanxi Army. Two sets of military uniforms a year must cost tens of thousands of yuan, right?"
After hearing what Dai Jiliang said, everyone's eyes immediately became bloodshot.
"This does not include the purchases made by officials' relatives and their families. Besides, Dai can do business for one day in Shaanxi. Does Dai care about your 10% share after spending a lot of money?"
"What do you mean by asking the supervisor?"
President Li wiped the sweat off his forehead and asked with his back bent.
"It would cost at most 50,000 or 60,000 yuan to build a spinning mill with 1,000 or 2,000 spindles. I'll pay you 10,000 yuan, and I'll find a way to get you machines and technicians. In return, you'll give me a quarter of the shares of the Shaanxi Army."
What! Such a good thing, you know, 50,000 yuan to open a spinning mill, the scale of 3,000 or 4,000 spindles does not require so much money, the Li family is rich this time, why am I so stupid, the presidents felt a sense of tightness in their chests again.
"Don't worry, there is still business to be done. Everyone can do it in the spinning mill, cloth mill, and flour mill."
Having said this, Dai Jiliang stood up.
"You can discuss these with my adjutant, Sima. My conditions are very simple. I will not interfere with your business, but I will check the accounts on time."
“It’s natural!”
The businessmen all nodded. Although Dai Jiliang's words meant that he had not paid a penny, with the 15,000-strong Shaanxi Army and the machines guaranteed by Dai Jiliang, they could see a steady stream of money with their own eyes. The initial investment and the profit-sharing ratio were worth it.
As for whether Dai Jiliang would keep his word, the merchants had no worries at all. The Chinese clearly separated private property and public funds. Since Dai Jiliang asked for shares, he would definitely not hesitate to pay for the purchase.
"Sima, I'll leave it to you."
Dai Jiliang stood up gracefully, slapped his butt, and let these incited businessmen surround his adjutant.
"I am busy with official duties, so I will not accompany you, the presidents..."
After leaving the meeting room, Dai Jiliang turned a corner and went into E Tao's Military Affairs Office. The Shaanxi Army was newly established and everything was in a state of disarray. E Tao was also very busy. He saw Dai Jiliang coming in, but he couldn't put down the pen in his hand. He just nodded as a greeting.
"Brother Zhi, please go to Beijing and Baoding."
Dai Jiliang intended to establish the Shaanxi Army Crash School on the basis of the Shaanxi Army Middle School as a training ground for his officers, but there was no teaching staff at all. This idea could only be pursued in Beijing and Baoding, hoping to find some more teachers through Jiang Fangzhen, who was then an adviser to the Presidential Palace in Beijing.
"Okay, let me take care of this part first."
E Tao is now extremely anxious. Although he cannot refuse Dai Jiliang's request, he has to give himself some time to catch his breath.
“This is natural.
Oh, and there is one more thing.
There is a man named Niu Cexun in northern Shaanxi. Has he ever been the commander of the Shaanxi cavalry and the commander of the 23 counties in northern Shaanxi and the anti-smoking commissioner? "
E Tao thought about it and nodded.
"Send someone to find him immediately. This man still has influence in the north. We must not let him join forces with Hu Liseng. You should discuss with Brother Park Chu immediately and draft an order in the name of the Military and Political Department to appoint him as the commander of the Shaanxi Army Cavalry Regiment or something else. In short, we must let this guy bring his people back from northern Shaanxi."
"Okay, I'll be there right away!"
E Tao was still able to distinguish priorities, so he stood up.
"Supervisor, won't you come with me?"
"No, I have something to talk to Chu Zixiong about. I trust you."
In fact, Dai Jiliang was talking nonsense. In Shaanxi now, no one can mobilize a single soldier without Dai Jiliang's approval. However, doing everything personally is not Dai Jiliang's favorite method. Wouldn't it be more helpful to motivate his subordinates by giving them some power appropriately?
Of course, Dai Jiliang's purpose in looking for Chu Gan was also for money. It would take time for businessmen to open a factory, and even if they did, they would not be able to make immediate profits. The only thing they could think of now was to cash in on the seized old-fashioned firearms and some of the confiscated opium.
"Zixiong, you have to think of a way. We can't let the guns fall into the hands of our enemies, and we can't let the opium be sold in Shaanxi. Firstly, we can't sell it at a good price, and secondly, it will ruin our reputation."
"Director, I think this gun can be sold to Sichuan."
Chu Gan's eyes rolled around. Now that the civil war between the north and south of Sichuan has just ended, many forces are expanding their strength. Sichuan is deep inland and it is not easy to replenish firearms. Therefore, the antiques found in the Shaanxi arsenal cannot be sold elsewhere, and Sichuan must be in short supply.
"Well, get ready. Take 100 Springfield single-shot rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition for the journey."
It doesn't matter if this batch of outdated rifles is lost.
"But don't come back directly."
Dai Jiliang thought about it.
"Don't let anyone know. This batch of goods was purchased by us. So, you go to Wuhan."
Chu Gan's cousin was the brigade chief of staff of the Second Division. The Second Division had remained in Hubei since the Second Revolution, so naturally it had some connections in Hanchang. Dai Jiliang also had this consideration in appointing Chu Gan as the deputy director of ordnance and quartermaster.
"We need to find a way to exchange the money for Hanyang or Maxim rifles. We still have too few guns."
"I know what to do."
Having said that, Chu Gan had other ideas.
"Director, I think I should go to Shanghai. If I want to sell this opium at a good price, it can only be sold in a big place like Shanghai!"
"go to Shanghai?"
Dai Jiliang hesitated again and again. If he was dealing with the three big tycoons in Shanghai, he would be lucky not to be swallowed up whole. However, considering Chu Gan's enthusiasm and the current low price of Shaanxi opium, he finally nodded.
"Forget it. Take a few soldiers from western Henan with you and say they are from Henan. I think it shouldn't be exposed."
