Chapter 1004 Big Event (Third update, please subscribe)
In 1878, after the Imperial Army occupied Rio and the Emperor of Brazil went into exile.
The empire began to localize the Brazilian region. In addition to planning to immigrate two million households to the northern region in 20 years, and striving to increase the Chinese population to 75% of the total population in the northern region around 1900, there are also administrative regions.
The reform of the country established twelve provinces on the basis of its original administrative regions, and the first province refers to Gyeonggi Province, which is Zhongdu.
Why was Zhongdu established?
Of course, it was to develop the northern part of the empire. In addition, there was another reason: Yingtian was too close to the south. For the Ming Empire, which aspired to the entire South American continent, setting up its capital in the middle of the continent was undoubtedly the most appropriate choice.
.
After several years of construction, Zhongdu at this time had become the second largest city in the north after Huizhou. As the political center of the empire, a large number of high-level imperial officials gathered here.
In the north, Daming Lake—the artificial lake formed by damming two rivers by utilizing the local hilly terrain—was a paradise for senior officials of the Ming Empire.
The wise enjoy the water, the benevolent enjoy the mountains.
There are mountains, rivers, and beautiful scenery in Daming Lake. This place has naturally become the private residence of high-ranking officials of the empire. Chinese or Western villas are nestled in the green woods. This quiet landscape is connected by mountains, rivers and woods.
Hidden supreme imperial power.
A black BMW was driving on the road. On both sides of the road, there were manors hidden in the green woods. They were either ministers or ministers. To describe the owner of this mansion, he was either rich or noble.
It couldn't be more appropriate.
When the car drove into a private residence, the police officer in front of the private residence carefully and responsibly checked the license plate and driver. After confirming that there was a reservation, he signaled to open the door and let the car drive into the private residence.
When the car stopped in front of the Chinese-style villa, a middle-aged official had already stepped forward to open the door, then bowed and spoke softly.
"President Hu, the Prime Minister is waiting for you in the pavilion."
Hu Guangyong nodded and walked over.
After arriving in Zhongdu, he did not ask to see His Majesty immediately, but came to see Wang Youling. The two of them were old acquaintances, so naturally there was nothing polite about him. As soon as he saw Hu Guangyong, Wang Youling pointed to the chessboard on the table.
said.
"Come on, Xue Yan, come and play chess with me."
"Why, your hands are itchy again?"
"What is itchy hands? I will play chess with Your Majesty this day. Your Majesty's chess..."
Wang Youling shook his head and did not continue. Hu Guangyong nodded deeply.
It’s hard to describe His Majesty’s chess skills in words!
It is a favor from the Emperor to play chess with His Majesty, but... you can only know the feeling after playing it. If you lose, you must not lose. If you lose on purpose, Your Majesty won't be able to tell. But if the win is too obvious... then...
So?
"Oh, just practice. It's just right. I want to practice too."
"You just want to practice. You are in Nanhua. You only come to Zhongdu every few months. If you are far away, you will be far away."
Nodding, Hu Guangyong started to play chess. Of course, neither of them were playing normally. This chess game... was really not that interesting.
But I can’t help but His Majesty likes me!
After playing two games in succession, Wang Youling, who was very tired, put the chess pieces directly into the box and ordered the maid to serve tea.
After the tea was served, Hu Guangyong directly stated his intention.
After knowing the purpose of Hu Guangyong's visit, Wang Youling thought for a while and then said.
"Do you mean that you want the Imperial Bank of China to participate in China's currency reform?"
"Yes."
After taking a sip of tea, Hu Guangyong said.
“Mr.
Implementation, although HSBC also has strong capital and has the advantage of operating in China for many years, HSBC organized a group of banks to participate in this matter. If there are too many people, things will be chaotic. This will inevitably have an impact on some of the empire's future policies. Therefore, I think that the empire will
It is more conducive to the implementation of imperial policies if the bank is responsible for this matter."
What Hu Guangyong said was entirely from the perspective of the empire. In fact, he was quite upset. After all, HSBC was, to a certain extent, the American Bank and the South China Bank in the Qing Dynasty.
There was a shell over there, but after a few years, that shell actually grew. Ten years ago, at the suggestion of His Majesty the Emperor, the two banks were directly separated. For the Imperial Bank, the blow was not heavy, but the most heaviest.
What was the blow? It was that Imperial Bank lost most of its business in China and Japan, and now Imperial Bank's business there is almost starting from scratch.
It is precisely because of this that Hu Guangyong regards "currency reform" as an opportunity to "return to China", and of course he will do everything possible to stop HSBC.
"Well, the truth is indeed the same."
Wang Youling nodded slightly and thought for a while before saying:
"Xue Yan, do you know why His Majesty has separated many businesses of Nanhua Company in recent years and made many subordinate companies independent?"
His question made Hu Guangyong frown. How could he not know why His Majesty did this?
One big family!
The Nanhua Company is so huge. The simplest figure is that 70% of the gross national product of the Ming Empire was created by the company!
Even now that the Nanhua Company has been split into more than a dozen companies, the Nanhua Company still accounts for 25% of the empire's gross national product.
Not to mention other things, the Imperial Bank... used to be owned by a company.
"This...the Imperial Bank is nothing compared to the company."
The company has its own meaning in the context of the Ming Dynasty - it is the Nanhua Company, the company that created the Ming Dynasty. To a certain extent, only the Nanhua Company can be called a "company", and other companies are calling themselves
When doing so, you need to use "such and such company".
Hu Guangyong did not dare to compare with his old owner. After all, even now, the company still holds 25% of the shares of Imperial Bank, while the royal family holds 45%. Well, the company's largest shareholder is also the royal family.
In other words, the royal family... is the actual helmsman of the empire's economy and finance.
His answer made Wang Youling smile and say.
"The Imperial Bank is indeed not worth mentioning in front of the company, but in the financial industry, it is indeed the leader. One company is the only one!"
Wang Youling's reminder made Hu Guangyong's face change slightly. This was indeed a fact. He thought for a while and then said.
"So, Your Majesty will not accept one company being the only one?"
Faced with his inquiry, Wang Youling paused and then said slowly.
"Next month, Prime Minister Zuo may be retiring."
What!
The sudden news almost made Hu Guangyong jump up, and he said anxiously.
"What, what's going on?"
The reason why he was so surprised was because Zuo Zhongtang had won the trust of His Majesty for the past ten years. How could he suddenly become an official?
"It is an ancient ritual to become an official at seventy. It will happen one day."
After that, Wang Youling continued to say, as if he was fighting to the death.
"Speaking of which, I am a few years older than Zuo Zongtang. He is about to retire. I am afraid that I will also retire by then..."