The dance was held at the Lishunde Hotel, and the invited guests included not only high-level foreigners, but also many well-known figures in Tianjin's industry, business, politics, and academia.
Zhou Hexuan and Zhang Leyi encountered a strange thing as soon as they arrived at the door of the hotel in the car.
I saw a few old men in suits directing the coolies to carry items, shouting repeatedly: "Slow down, slow down, don't break it!"
It was an umbrella with a peculiar shape. The umbrella cover was decorated with colorful fabrics, and there were various characters written with brushes on the fabric.
Wanmin Umbrella!
"Boss Zhang, Boss Wang, what are you doing?" Zhou Hexuan stepped forward and asked curiously.
Those two old men were Zhang Zhongyuan, the current president of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, and Wang Yibao, the vice president, business leaders who had just been elected in September last year.
During the Republic of China, the Chamber of Commerce had great power and controlled commercial activities in all walks of life. Under the General Chamber of Commerce, there were also various guilds. For example, Zhou Hexuan's underwear business in Shanghai was managed by the Textile Industry Guild under the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce is a fat sheep. Not only the domestic politicians are watching, but even foreign consuls want to get involved. Every election of the Chamber of Commerce is a struggle for the interests of all parties.
In the past few years, the Japanese wanted to intervene in the reelection of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, but they encountered strong resistance from Chinese businessmen. Even the chambers of commerce and guilds in the south responded actively and launched a vigorous boycott of Japanese goods. As a result, the Japanese concession in Tianjin
The volume of merchandise transactions dropped rapidly and has not yet recovered.
These Chinese businessmen are very smart. They can't do anything to you on the surface, but secretly they are stumbling in all kinds of ways. No matter how arrogant the Japanese are, they can only suffer.
"It turns out to be Mr. Zhou," Zhang Zhongyuan clasped his fists and smiled, pointing at the Ten Thousand People Umbrella and said, "This is the Ten Thousand People Umbrella jointly presented to General Butler by all the major guilds in Tianjin."
"Wan...Wanmin Umbrella?" Zhou Hexuan thought there was something wrong with his ears. Damn, this is the Republic of China, and there is still such a thing.
Wang Yibao gave a thumbs up: "General Butler is a good man. Regardless of his own safety, he led his officers and soldiers to save the people from the fire. Although we are businessmen, we also know how to repay gratitude and send a Ten Thousand People Umbrella to wish General Butler a long and healthy life!"
"Yes," Zhang Zhongyuan said with emotion, "I have never seen such a benevolent foreign general in my entire life. The American soldiers under him are all well-trained and disciplined, and they have never harmed the people.
Such a benevolent and righteous teacher should be greatly commended. Our Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce is also planning to petition the American Minister to allow General Butler to stay in Tianjin for a long time."
Zhou Hexuan really had nothing to say.
The Americans flew warships and planes and came to station troops on Chinese soil without even saying hello.
This is a national shame!
But Butler's small act of kindness was able to win over the Chinese people, and the people even hoped that the U.S. military would stay here permanently.
This can only be said that the Chinese people's requirements for the army are too low. As long as they do not burn, kill, and loot, do not act arrogantly, and do not buy or sell by force, they are benevolent and well-disciplined troops.
Of course, businessmen cannot afford to be too early if they are not profitable. The Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce has even created the Wanmin Umbrella. There must be another purpose behind it.
Since American soldiers came to Tianjin, more than 4,000 people have purchased their food locally, military camps and warehouses have been rented from the Chinese, and the soldiers have spent money unscrupulously. This situation has greatly prospered Tianjin's business, and only half of it
In just a few months, more than 20 new theaters, bars, dance halls, bowling alleys, billiard rooms and underground casinos have opened in Tianjin, and every business is booming.
The gorgeous military uniforms of the Marine Corps have become the most beautiful scenery on the streets of Tianjin. Dark blue jackets, light blue trousers, white military caps and luxurious armed belts will attract onlookers wherever they go.
It can be said that since Butler came with the Marine Corps, Tianjin is experiencing the most lively and prosperous period since the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded China.
Tianjin's businessmen naturally wanted to show their support and tried their best to keep the US military stationed there.
Businessmen from all walks of life in Tianjin continued to come to the hotel. In addition to the Wanmin Umbrella, they also prepared medals, banners and other items for Butler.
Zhou Hexuan took out a handful of IOUs, quietly handed them to Zhang Zhongyuan and said, "Boss Zhang, take a look at this."
"IOU? There's nothing wrong with it." Zhang Zhongyuan muttered.
Zhou Hexuan pointed to the English on the IOU: "The problem is in the signature. The American soldiers signed the names of presidents and congressmen. This kind of IOU is invalid."
Wang Yibao was shocked and asked: "Mr. Zhou, where did you get these IOUs?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "You can find it in any store."
Zhang Zhongyuan and Wang Yibao looked at each other with panic in their eyes.
More than 4,000 American soldiers spend a lot of money in Tianjin every day. The daily expenses of a soldier are at least more than 5 US dollars. If they all write invalid IOUs, you can imagine how many IOUs will be issued in a few months.
A loss of at least several million oceans!
Once the American soldiers leave, those bosses who cannot get their money will naturally go to their respective guild presidents, who in turn will turn to the General Chamber of Commerce for help.
As the chairman and vice-presidents of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Zhongyuan and Wang Yibao will definitely be in dire straits by then, and may have to pay some money out of their own pockets.
Zhang Zhongyuan was stunned for a long time, gritted his teeth and uttered a few words: "Foreigners... can be killed!"
Zhou Hexuan offered advice: "While the American soldiers have not left Tianjin, you should quickly collect all the IOUs. Don't alert the enemy yet. Once you have all the IOUs, send them directly to General Butler."
Zhang Zhongyuan calmed down and suddenly bowed and said: "Mr. Zhou, I would like to thank you very much. If anything happens in the future, the General Chamber of Commerce will definitely help!"
"Easy to say, easy to say." Zhou Hexuan said happily.
It was just a little effort for him, but he was able to win the goodwill of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, and this business made a lot of money.
The Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of all businessmen in Tianjin. They dare to be tough even with the Japanese. You can imagine their power.
Zhang Zhongyuan and Wang Yibao were both old foxes. They walked into the hotel calmly, and they had to give away umbrellas, banners and so on. Even the IOUs, they didn't plan to take them out immediately. They only needed to summon the presidents of the guilds from all walks of life.
, everyone can sit down together and have a meeting, and this matter can be properly resolved.
Let those American soldiers spend money as much as they can, collect all the IOUs received, and at the same time secretly observe the movements of the American soldiers. When the American soldiers are about to leave Tianjin, they will directly take thousands of business people (shopkeepers, clerks, etc.)
Counting everything), take the IOU and block it in the middle of the road.
Hehe, give me the money, you!
The picture is so beautiful that I dare not look at it.
Zhou Hexuan followed the two business tycoons in. When he walked to the banquet hall, General Butler personally greeted him, looking like a good man who was good to the people.
"Wanmin Umbrella, open it!"
With a loud roar, the huge Wanmin Umbrella opened, leaving Butler stunned on the spot.
