Cars moved slowly along the streets of the concession. Compared with last year, there were obviously fewer pedestrians on the road, and there were not as many customers in various shops as before.
All this was caused by the Japanese. The two riots in November last year made people in Tianjin panic. Many people who could afford to move chose to leave Tianjin, including foreigners in various concessions, for fear that war would break out in Tianjin.
It has gotten much better now, but it was even more depressed from December to January. Ordinary people did not buy other goods except necessities, and they took out their bank deposits and prepared to run away.
The Belgian concession in Tianjin was officially returned to China last year, and only the Belgian consulate continues to show its existence.
The car stopped at a restaurant near the consulate. Zhou Hexuan walked in and followed the waiter to a private room.
Today is a private banquet for Zhou Hexuan. The Consul General of Belgium in Tianjin and the general manager of the Tianjin Tram and Lighting Company are very considerate and quickly agreed to come to the dinner after receiving the invitation.
Zhou Longguang arrived early and is now sitting in a private room. He is eager to resolve the matter as soon as possible. There is no need to worry, the people are clamoring to welcome Zhang Xueming back as mayor, and let him get out of here!
Zhou Hexuan sat down leisurely, but Zhou Longguang seemed more anxious. After waiting around and seeing no foreigners, Zhou Longguang couldn't help but ask: "These two Belgians, are they not coming?"
"Mayor Zhou, please rest assured and don't act too impatient." Zhou Hexuan reminded.
"Mr. Zhou is right, I have learned a lesson." Zhou Longguang laughed awkwardly. He used to be the director of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the central government. He still has some authority and patience, but he has been very anxious recently. The so-called care is chaos,
His IQ has almost fallen below the passing line.
The two waited for nearly 20 minutes before Lubeya, the Consul General of Belgium in Tianjin, and Van Benk, the general manager of Tianjin Tram Company, arrived successively.
Seeing that Zhou Longguang was there, Lu Beiya immediately understood what kind of meal he was having today. He smiled and said, "Hello, Mr. Zhou, I have long admired you!"
Zhou Hexuan often said: "Mr. Consul's Chinese is very good. He has lived in China for many years?"
Lu Beiya said: "Yes, I used to work in Wuhan and was transferred to Tianjin last year."
Zhou Hexuan said: "I have been to Belgium. It is a very beautiful country. I particularly like Bruges. The ancient buildings there are well preserved and the culture and art are particularly impressive."
"Really?" Lubeya said, "I grew up in Bruges. Next time Mr. Zhou travels to Bruges, I can be your guide."
"Haha, it's settled then." Zhou Hexuan said with a smile.
The two started talking nonsense, ranging from the natural scenery of Belgium to culture and art, and then talked about the situation in Europe in recent years. Anyway, they were all about the world.
Zhou Longguang and Van Benk sat nearby, chiming in a few words from time to time, but neither mentioned the tram company's price increase controversy.
When the wine was almost gone, Zhou Hexuan said: "Mr. Consul, I wonder how you plan to deal with this tram price increase controversy?"
Lubeya said in an official tone: "As a diplomat, I must protect the legitimate rights and interests of my country's enterprises."
Zhou Hexuan frowned and said: "But it is unreasonable for the tram company to raise prices. Now that people's livelihood in Tianjin is in decline, you are raising prices at this time, which will inevitably arouse the dissatisfaction of Tianjin citizens. Things are getting worse and worse. With the current situation, I am afraid that you will also
Don’t you want to see it? I hope to be a mediator today so that we can negotiate and solve the problem and get rid of the trouble as soon as possible.”
Lubeya shook his head firmly and said: "The reasons for the price increase of our company are reasonable and legal. First, Article 13 of the contract signed at the time stipulated that the tram company has the right to increase the price; second, the consuls of Japan, France and Italy all recognized the price increase.
In order to be legal, China should not object; thirdly, it has been more than two months since the tram fare increase, and no passengers have objected; fourthly, the tram fare increase has been approved by the Tianjin Municipal Government."
Zhou Hexuan looked at Zhou Longguang doubtfully: "Tianjin Municipal Government agrees to increase tram prices?"
Zhou Longguang said awkwardly: "The tram company's increase in fares has indeed been registered with the city government. However, only one official signed the decree in violation of regulations, and it was not approved by collective discussion, so it is illegal in terms of procedures."
"How was the illegal official dealt with?" Zhou Hexuan asked.
Zhou Longguang said in a low voice: "Those are Deputy Commander Zhang's people. It's not easy for me to deal with them."
Zhou Hexuan slammed the table and shouted loudly: "No matter who he is, this kind of person who practices favoritism and betrays the interests of the people must be thoroughly investigated! You can investigate it for me when you get back. If Zhang Xueliang is unhappy, let him come to me directly.
!”
Zhou Longguang was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, I will investigate thoroughly!"
In order to resolve the incident quickly, Zhou Longguang did not bother to offend Zhang Xueliang, since he was a person sent by the central government anyway.
Zhou Hexuan then said sternly to Lu Beiya: "Mr. Consul, you said that Japan, France and Italy agreed to increase prices, so China should not object. Is Tianjin the territory of China or the territory of Japan, France and Italy? We must make it clear today.
, Otherwise I will publicly question your country’s minister in China!”
"Um," Lubeya suddenly didn't know how to answer the question and reluctantly replied, "Tianjin is of course Chinese territory, but the tram fare increase also affects the concessions of Japan, France and Italy. Since Japan, France and Italy did not send the correct message, it means that the tram fare increase
It has no negative impact, so China should not object."
When the two sides were negotiating, Lu Beiya also used the consuls of Japan, France, and Italy to scare Zhou Longguang. Zhou Longguang was a coward and did not dare to raise the territorial issue at all. Instead, he retorted that the trams were mainly used by civilians and had little impact on foreigners from Japan, France, and Italy.
, so the support from Japan, France, and Italy is invalid.
However, Zhou Hexuan insisted on the territorial issue. He rebuked: "Mr. Consul, do you have the documents from the consuls of Japan, France, and Italy? If you do, please show them. As a Chinese citizen, I severely condemn Japan, France, and Japan."
The consuls of the three Italian countries illegally interfered in China’s internal affairs!”
Of course, Lu Beiya did not have the consuls of the three countries to prepare a letter, so he reasoned: "In any case, the price increase of the electric lighting company is in compliance with the provisions of the commercial contract."
Zhou Longguang interjected: "But you did not follow formal procedures for raising prices. The city government must agree to this."
Lubeya raised her eyebrows and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhou, let's continue drinking. There is no need to get entangled in this kind of matter."
Zhou Hexuan also felt helpless because there were too many interests involved in this matter. The Tianjin Municipal Government, the Kuomintang Party Headquarters, the tram company, the concessions in various countries in Tianjin, the trade unions of various industries in Tianjin, the Tianjin Tram Trade Union, and the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce all had interests in it.
involve.
In particular, the various concessions in Tianjin support the increase in tram prices. Because the concessions are jealous of the profits of tram companies, they have forced the collection of "tolls" many years ago. The tram companies must give a share of their annual dividends to the Concession Industry Bureau.
Moreover, according to the contract when the tram company was established, if the Tianjin Municipal Government wants to take back the tram business, it must pay 15 times the tram company’s profit for the year as compensation (acquisition costs are not included). Now that tram prices have increased, the tram company can increase the price by 30% per year.
If the Tianjin Municipal Government wants to recover the income of 10,000 yuan, it will have to pay an additional 4.5 million yuan in compensation.
Zhou Hexuan was so active in this matter because he just wanted to do something to help the common people, and by the way, help the city government increase some fiscal revenue. After all, the price increase by foreigners this time was too outrageous.
But Zhou Hexuan only had a slight influence except for his bad mouth. He sneered and said: "Mr. Consul, Mr. Manager, let's wait and see. I have prepared a little surprise for you."
