On January 12, 1935, the "China Silver Committee", a temporary organization of the British cabinet, held its third meeting in London.
The meeting analyzed the situation in China and believed that it was technically feasible for China to abandon the existing currency system, peg its currency to the pound, and adopt the pound exchange rate standard. The British government should provide China with a loan, which would be denominated in China's silver reserves.
To secure it, China's cash had to be sold, and the United States was the only buyer.
Well, whether it is the United Kingdom, the United States, or Chang Kaishen and Kong Xiangxi, they all hope that China will sell silver to the United States. Because China really has no money, it must use this to obtain funds and obtain the most basic foreign exchange reserves to prevent new issuance of silver.
Currency collapse.
It is impossible for the UK to buy Chinese silver on its own, because the international silver price is too high, and the UK will lose as much as it buys.
At the same time, in order to stabilize China's financial market, the United Kingdom will sell some silver to China, increase China's silver reserves, and make the United Kingdom a huge profit from China's purchase of silver. The money will be provided in the form of British loans, and China will
The customs duties are guaranteed.
This kind of three-party transaction seems nonsense. The one who benefits the most is the United Kingdom. By the way, it can initially bind China's currency reform to the pound.
Different from historical development, this time the United Kingdom did not propose a joint solution by Britain, Japan, France and the United States, but directly sent economic experts to visit China.
On February 5, Song Ziwen had returned to China and was urgently summoned by Chiang Kai-shek. Minister of Finance Kong Xiangxi was also present.
Chang Kaishen looked very embarrassed because he was threatened by the British. British economic experts vaguely revealed that British banks in China would provide loans to support China's large enterprises and local banks to tide over the difficulties. This completely disrupted Chang Kaishen.
The rhythm of Shen and Kong Xiangxi harvesting private capital.
"Ziwen, take a look at this." Chang Kaishen threw out a document.
The document has more than ten pages. At the beginning, China sells silver to the United States, and then the United Kingdom provides silver and loans, and helps China complete its currency reform. There are many additional conditions at the end, which can be summarized into four points: First, use Chinese tariffs
To obtain a British loan as a guarantee, in order to ensure the repayment of the loan, China must retain the management of the customs by the British General Taxation Department. The General Taxation Department should have sufficient powers, including recruiting foreign staff; secondly, control the use of loans, limited to currency
Reform purposes; third, restructure the central bank and hire British consultants; fourth, reform the budget.
"This plan is very good." Song Ziwen smiled, but he was surprised in his heart. He was extremely surprised by Zhou Hexuan's diplomatic ability.
"What a good thing!" Chang Kaishen pointed to the first item of the additional clause and said angrily, "Retain the management of the customs by the British General Taxation Department. The General Taxation Department should have sufficient powers, including recruiting foreign staff! The British
What do you want to do? Treat the Republic of China as the Manchu Qing Dynasty? You also want to continue to control China's customs!"
China's negotiations to take back the customs were protracted, and it was not until two years ago that China truly took back its customs autonomy. Although the General Taxation Department of the Customs is still retained, the director is still a British person, and the number of foreign senior customs staff is ten times that of Chinese senior staff, but it cannot
Deny that the Nanjing government already has a say in the tariff issue.
Zhou Hexuan never expected that the British would be so greedy and wanted to take the opportunity to regain control of China's customs.
Alas, this is the helplessness of diplomats. Although they can promote the historical process, they cannot make the decision in key places. Chang Kaishen has his own calculations, and the British are not smart. Both sides are trying to obtain the maximum benefits.
Song Ziwen said: "In terms of tariffs, we definitely cannot agree to the British agreement. It is not easy for us to have independent tariffs."
Kong Xiangxi said happily: "The British are daydreaming."
Chang Kaishen said worriedly: "British economic experts revealed to me that they want to lend money to large Chinese companies and local banks. This has disrupted our plans. How do you think we should respond?"
"The British won't do this. At most they can just show off." Kong Xiangxi shook his head.
Song Ziwen said: "We can release the news that the British want to seize the opportunity to seize China's tariffs, so that the British will have no calculation to make."
Chang Kaishen thought: "Don't act rashly for the time being. After arousing public resentment, it will not be conducive to relying on the UK to close the deal. We should speed up our actions. We must completely control the Bank of China within this month. The next step is the Bank of Guangdong. On the British side, temporarily
Let’s talk first, they will definitely fight with Japan and the United States.”
Again, Zhou Hexuan underestimated the greed of the British and actually wanted to take the opportunity to dominate China's customs. Chang Kaishen was a nationalist. He was extremely sensitive in this regard and would never agree to the blackmail plan proposed by the British.
China's silver crisis, which could have been solved half a year ahead of schedule, will probably be delayed another two to three months because of the greed of the British. This time it has nothing to do with Chiang Kai-shek. It is purely because the British are too arrogant and really mistake the Republic of China for the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
The progress of Sino-British negotiations has slowed down, and the speed of Sino-Japanese negotiations has also slowed down. Only Chiang Kai-shek's plan to harvest private capital is accelerating.
Zhou Hexuan had already gone to the United States at this time and was communicating with left-wing writers there. After he received Song Ziwen's overseas telegram, he was so angry that he threw the glass: "The British guy with a wet brain is bullying people too much!"
Meng Xiaodong picked up the broken cup and said comfortingly: "Don't be angry. What can ordinary people do about such a major national matter?"
Zhou Hexuan couldn't help but swear: "I showed the British the way. This kind of thing is obviously beneficial to the British, but they actually think the benefits are not enough and want to take advantage of the Chinese customs! What is this called? This is called insatiable! British
This guy’s arrogance and arrogance will never change in a few hundred years. He really thinks that the whole world is their backyard!”
Meng Xiaodong chuckled: "You look like a child when you are angry."
Zhou Hexuan managed to calm down and said depressedly: "No matter what I do in the future, I won't engage in diplomacy anyway. It's really thankless. Now think about it, it's really not easy for diplomats like Gu Weijun and Yan Huiqing. If it were me, I would have been driven crazy."
Already."
"You have tried your best. Just have a clear conscience." Meng Xiaodong comforted her softly.
Zhou Hexuan murmured to himself: "No matter what, we still let Britain enter the situation. It should be two or three months earlier than in history."
"What two or three months in advance?" Meng Xiaodong asked.
"Nothing," Zhou Hexuan smiled and changed the subject, "Let's go to Hollywood to visit Vivian and the others filming."
Meng Xiaodong said happily: "Okay, Mr. Chaplin also said that he would treat me to dinner."
Zhou Hexuan looked at the sky outside the window. It was covered with clouds and it was about to rain. He really didn't want to get involved in international diplomacy anymore. He was tired. Domestic bosses were causing trouble and foreign bosses were greedy. There was no way he could do it if he was caught in the middle.
work.
As for the arrogant and arrogant British, just go ahead and eat shit. When the United States steps up to pick the fruits, they won't even be able to cry.
