Zhennan Wangfu, Heyuan.

After summer, the lotus leaves in the lotus pond quickly flourished, and the plump and green lotus leaves covered the entire pond surface. At first glance, it was very pleasing to the eye.

The sunset is setting and the sunset is full of sunset. On the terrace of the Listen Rain Tower, Zhao Liewen sat under the parasol and savored tea and music. What came from the phonograph was the melodious and smooth Guzheng song "Fallen Geese and Ping Sand".

The phonograph was not invented by Yuanqi, but was invented by Edison, the American inventor, a year ago. Yi Zhizu has always paid close attention to this famous inventor. Therefore, after the phonograph was released, Yuanqi quickly bought the patent.

The phonograph that just came out was completely different from what he remembered, and the record was also a wax cylinder, but he believed that it would soon be greatly improved.

He glanced up and saw Yi Zhengxing and Li Hongzhang slowly coming. Yi Zhizu raised his hand and signaled to turn off the phonograph. The two of them were waiting for him to greet him. He greeted with a smile: "No need to be polite, sit down." Then he turned his head and ordered: "Give tea."

After waiting for the two of them to sit down, he smiled and said, "Are you a little disappointed during this trip to South Africa?"

Yi Zhengxingdao: "The north has had a severe drought for five years, and has sent troops to South Africa one after another, so we should fight and decide quickly."

"The thunder is loud and the rain is small. I'm afraid many people are not satisfied." Yi Zhizu said, "Does President Transvaal come and ask for money?"

Li Hongzhang took the initiative to speak: "In this battle, the European Union adopted the scorched earth tactic of strengthening the walls and clearing the fields. Transvaal suffered extremely heavy losses and needed a large amount of funds for post-war reconstruction. Students personally thought that this was a rare opportunity to force the Boers to submit, so they politely declined their request on the grounds that our country urgently needed funds."

Yi Zhizu asked directly: "Do they want to share the war compensation?"

"The attitude is quite vague, saying that it is hoped that our country can provide a large amount of funds for post-war reconstruction." Li Hongzhang said cautiously: "Students think that if Transvaal continues to maintain independence, it will be detrimental to our country to control South Africa's gold mines."

Yi Zhizu has been a little unstable about Transvaal's attitude. He had no intention of annexing Transvaal. After the five European countries jointly sent troops to invade, he was a little shaken, hoping to take the opportunity to seriously weaken the strength of the Boers and force the Boers to take the initiative to propose to incorporate Transvaal into the territory of the Qing Dynasty, and then merge Maputo to establish a special zone in South Africa. In this way, it is enough to firmly control the South African gold mines.

The plan itself is not a problem, but the Boers are not stupid either. They directly adopt guerrilla tactics to preserve their strength. In this case, the Qing army was forced to fight quickly and end the war quickly. After all, the domestic economic situation does not allow the war to continue for a long time.

He glanced at Yi Zhengxing and said, "How do you think about Xingzhi?"

"The Boers moved northward in a large scale, which was dissatisfied with the British rule. Moreover, the Boers were originally very poor, and even if we did not provide funds, they would not surrender easily." Yi Zhengxing said slowly: "In addition, under the current circumstances, if our country forcibly annexed Transvaal, it may cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. I think it is better to maintain the status quo."

Zhao Liewen interrupted: "For the black people in South Africa, the Boers are also foreign invaders. If they can liberate and support the black people in South Africa, they can expel the Boers."

Yi Zhizu waved his hand, "Liberating and supporting black people in South Africa can only inspire black people in advance, which is not conducive to our long-term control of South Africa's gold mines.

The reason why Beginner and Natal were distributed to Germany, Austria and Italy this time was not only to curb Britain's continued expansion in South Africa, but also to prevent the unification of the black people in South Africa.

For my country, South Africa is in this current split situation, which is more conducive to my country's long-term control of South African gold mines. Tens of thousands of tons of gold reserves will not be fully mined in a hundred years.

Although we do not expect to control South Africa's gold mines for such a long time, we must try our best to control the world's largest gold mine before the gold standard collapses."

Yi Zhengxing said in surprise: "Will the gold standard collapse?"

"Not surprising." Yi Zhizu nodded, "Since the silver standard will be replaced by the gold standard, the gold standard will sooner or later collapse and will be replaced. Moreover, due to the rapid development of the world economy, the gold standard cannot exist as long as the silver standard."

As he said that, he brought the topic back, "In the current situation, Transvaal is better to maintain its original state. Only our country can maintain its strong military advantages and strength, and no country dares to provoke again.

In addition, our country's strong support for Germany this time will also promote the breaking between Britain, France and Germany and Austria. It is difficult for the five countries to join forces to invade Transvaal again."

Speaking of this, he paused and continued: "Strong military strength is the most important thing. Otherwise, even if Transvaal is incorporated into our territory, it will not be able to be protected!"

After hearing this, Li Hongzhang said: "The big shopkeeper, can we sell torpedo submarines to Germany, which will ensure that Germany will not fight back?"

"It is not that we can guarantee that Germany will not fight back." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "It is that we can guarantee that we have enough strength to clamp and counter torpedoes and submarines. Remember, never put hope on others. It is difficult for countries to have any friendship, but only interests."

After taking a sip of tea, he glanced at the people present, and finally stopped at Zhao Liewen, "Transva popular silver coins and gold coins, even after implementing the gold standard, Huayuan's promotion in Transva is not very ideal.

This time, Transvaal urgently needs a large amount of funds for post-war reconstruction. It is a rare opportunity for us. We must seize this opportunity and make the Chinese Yuan the only currency in circulation in Transvaal.

Huifu first talked to them that Transvaal itself is a gold source and can allow gold to be exchanged freely with Huayuan. The interest rate of borrowing is based on my country's lowest treasury bond interest rate and is guaranteed by mining tax."

Zhao Liewen nodded with a smile, "This will also reduce the pressure on domestic inflation."

Yi Zhengxing said: "Did my father want to control Transvaal through finance?"

"Yes!" Yi Zhizuji said first: "Compared with military control, financial control is more reliable and easier. Of course, financial control is based on strong military strength and financial and economic strength. This cannot be ignored, and do not put the cart before the horse.

The current era is a military battle. To maintain strong military strength, strong financial, economic, industrial, and technology are needed. In fact, whether it is technology, industry or economy, it is inseparable from finance, so it is finance in the final analysis.

The ultimate goal of military hegemony is to establish hegemony, military hegemony, economic hegemony, and financial hegemony! In essence, financial hegemony is an extension of military hegemony and economic hegemony. On the other hand, military hegemony and economic hegemony are the basis of financial hegemony. Without strong military and economic strength, there is no financial hegemony at all."

After hearing these words, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but feel deeply moved. Before the rise of Yuan Qi, the Qing Dynasty had never paid attention to finance, and it could be said that it didn't even have the idea of ​​finance. From the emperor to governments at all levels to local gentry and merchants, they opened pawn shops and loan sharks. Who could have thought that finance was the foundation for enriching the country and strengthening the army?

"From the beginning of the establishment of Yuanqi, our goal was to establish financial hegemony on a global scale!" Yi Zhizu was a sensational and endless death. "Establishing a financial system, developing industries, cultivating a new naval and army, controlling the Transvaal gold mine, regaining Central Asia, annexing the Persian Gulf, implementing the gold standard, etc., are all laying the foundation for establishing financial hegemony!"

The next morning, at about 8 o'clock, Pretorius and Kruger rushed to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion and handed the post to visit according to the rules.

Although he was the president of a country, it was not worth mentioning in the eyes of the huge Qing Empire. Moreover, although Yi Zhizu was the real ruler of the Qing Dynasty, he was an openly a prince who did not hold any official position. No rules are easy to use here.

Outside the gate of Changle Bookstore, Yi Shizuo came slowly. Zhao Liewen, who had been waiting for a long time, hurriedly greeted him, bowed and said, "The big shopkeeper, although Transvaal is small, it is an independent and sovereign country after all. As the president of a country, it seems inappropriate for students to come forward to receive the students..."

Yi Zhizu said indifferently: "I am not a court here, so how can there be so many rules and etiquette?"

"That's right, the shopkeeper still has the identity of the King of the South of the Qing Dynasty." Zhao Liewen smiled and said, "The student is only white, and it is the first time the other party has come here, so he doesn't understand the situation..."

"Okay, I'll see them in person." Yi Zhizu said and turned around, "give them a copy of their information and take them to Heyuan."

Pretorius little put his posture very low, but it is really not bad. Not only do he have to ask others for help, but the two identities are not equal. After all, this is a world where strength is respected.

After listening to Zhao Liewen's introduction, he knew that the person who was standing at the door of the yard was Yi Zhizuo. He quickly accelerated his pace. While taking off his hat, his face was full of the most sincere smile. He stretched out his hand a few steps away, "I am very honored to see Your Highness."

The reason why Yi Zhizu didn't want to see him at first was that he had an objection to him. After discovering the gold mine or after Transvar was rich, Transvar's senior officials rushed to Europe, but no one came to the Qing Dynasty. It seemed that they didn't realize that the Qing Dynasty was Transvar's patron god.

After listening to the translation, he shook hands briefly, and then let go, and said with a faint smile: "Welcome to the Qing Dynasty, welcome to Shanghai." After shook hands with Kruger, he showed his hand and said: "Please——."

There was nothing to say along the way, and when he entered the hall of Tingyu Building, he was content to give up his seat. Pretorius did not rush to take his seat, but bowed deeply and raised himself, and then said, "Without your country's timely military assistance, our country has been divided up by the five European countries. Please allow me to express my sincerest thanks to Your Highness on behalf of all our subjects."

"Your Excellency, don't be polite." Yi Zhizu said very directly: "Sending troops to your country is also to safeguard our country's interests."

After sitting down, Pretorius signaled Kruger to take out the photos and present them, "This is a photo taken by our military reporters..."

Looking through the stack of photos, Yi Zhizu's expression was always very calm. He had led the army many times and saw the cruelty and blood of the battlefield. These photos naturally would not move him. However, when he saw these photos, he felt it was necessary to add a military photographer.

Putting down the photo, he said slowly: "I deeply sympathize with the huge losses your country has suffered in this war."

Pretorius was waiting for this sentence and immediately said: "Fortunately, the war ended quickly. What is needed now is to quickly heal the trauma caused by the war. This time, I came to Shanghai to seek funds for post-war reconstruction from Your Highness."

Fight for funds for post-war reconstruction? This is very vague. Zhao Liewen spoke first: "The seven northern provinces in our country have suffered a rare drought for five consecutive years. Sending troops to South Africa has consumed huge war military funds. At present, there is no ability to support your country in post-war reconstruction."

Yi Zhizuji said first: "This is the truth, I believe you can understand it."

After hearing this, Kruger couldn't help but say, "But the five European countries compensated more than 100 million pounds..."

Once this sentence was translated, the atmosphere suddenly became cold. Yi Zhizu said coldly: "Do your country want to use war reparations for post-war reconstruction?"

"No! Your Highness, don't get me wrong." Pretorius waved his hand quickly. Since the other party did not let them share the idea of ​​war reparations, he could only firmly deny it. "The victory of the war was decided by the Battle of Maputo Bay, and the huge war reparations of the five European countries also have a lot to do with the South African colonies.

In addition, your army suffered more than 10,000 casualties in Standerton, and reinforcing our country consumed huge military expenses. Our country had no idea about war reparations."

After a pause, he continued: "My country has suffered too much loss in this war and urgently needs post-war reconstruction, which requires huge funds. We hope to obtain large low-interest loans from your country, and our country can use mining tax as collateral."

Yi Zhizu's face eased, "The severe drought that lasted for five years in northern my country has exceeded 100 million people. It does not count as losses. It consumes hundreds of billions of yuan in disaster relief alone, and the funds are indeed very tight."

Pretorius's face was bitter and hesitated for a moment before he said, "Can our country seek loans from Europe?"

This is not soliciting opinions, but threats! Yi Zhizu was silent for a while before saying: "We need our country to provide large amounts of low-interest loans, but Huayuan must become your country's only legal currency. Of course, Huayuan can be freely exchanged with gold."

After hearing this, Pretorius couldn't help but hesitate. The currency of Transvaal was very chaotic, mainly gold and silver coins and pounds. The Chinese dollar was not as popular as gold and silver coins in Transvaal. As white people, the Boers naturally tended to Europe.
Chapter completed!