The sudden rise and fall of gold prices is a catastrophe for the entire Wall Street. Many brokerage banks and banks directly declared bankruptcy on the same day. Countless brokers and speculators instantly became penniless paparazzi or even heavily in debt, but this was just the beginning.

As the gold price collapsed and huge funds evaporated, Wall Street stock exchanges were the first to suffer the impact, and the stock market fell sharply one after another. This was a slight insult to injury for Wall Street. Brokerage banks, banks, insurance companies, and listed companies went bankrupt one after another.

No one could have expected that a farce-like gold speculation would lead to the United States entering a six-year economic depression.

Yi Zhizu may be the only one who knows clearly what serious consequences this famous "Black Friday" in history will have on the American economy. This is undoubtedly a rare opportunity for the rising Qing Dynasty. He is wondering whether he should take the blame and liquidate the US debt. In the Civil War, America owed huge debts of Yuanqi.

After repeated weighing, he still gave up this idea. Yuanqi undoubtedly played a role in fueling the gold speculation in New York, and made a small profit. This could not be hidden from the federal government. If the debt is liquidated at this time, it may be completely reversed. Moreover, a six-year economic depression is enough.

Slowly unfold the curtain on the wall, revealing the hanging world map. His eyes swept across America and turned to Europe. The French-Prussian War will break out next year. This war that changes the European landscape will inevitably have a great impact on the European capital market. It is time to prepare for the future and make arrangements in advance.

That morning, Hu Guangyong quickly walked into Changle Bookstore and entered the room. He saw Yi Zhizu sitting behind the desk and flipping through the account book. He quickly bowed and said, "I have met the big shopkeeper."

"Xueyan is here." Yi Zhizu closed the account book and said, "Sit there is no need to be polite." He waited for the other party to sit down and said slowly, "Xueyan has been in Europe for two years, would he wish to stay in Europe for another year?"

Going to Europe? Hu Guangyong's eyes lit up and he hurriedly asked, "Have you a chance?"

Yi Zhizu nodded, "In my judgment, there should be a war in Europe next year - Prussia vs. France."

Hu Guangyong has been paying close attention to the situation in Europe. He is very clear that finance and politics are inseparable. He was surprised by what he said, "In just a few years, Prussia has launched two wars in succession, and now it is going to launch the third war in the region? Or France?"

Yi Zhizu said slowly: "If Prussia wants to complete unification, it will inevitably fight with France!"

Since the Crimean War, France has become a veritable overlord of Western Europe and Central Europe. As a rising star, Prussia dares to challenge France? Although he is clear about the incredibly accurate prediction ability of someone on the other side, Hu Guangyong is still a little skeptical. In his opinion, this is simply incredible!

After pondering for a moment, he said, "The shopkeeper is sure that the war will break out next year?"

Yi Zhizu nodded and said with a firm tone: "No surprise, it should be next year." After a pause, he continued: "Yuanqi has been actively preparing for the expansion of the northwest, and what he is waiting for is the opportunity for a large-scale war to break out in Europe, and he will not make any mistakes in judgment."

After hearing what he said, Hu Guangyong no longer struggled and asked, "Judged by the shopkeeper, who will win the war in the end, Prussia and France?"

"Prussia!" Yi Zhizu said without hesitation: "Prussia will complete unification through this war, and become a European power and change the European pattern."

"If you know the result of the war, you are simply going to Europe to make money." Hu Guangyong smiled and said, "How much money is the shopkeeper planning to withdraw?"

Speaking of funds, Yi Zhizu pondered for a moment. In the Civil War, Yuanqi was both arms trade and cotton trade. He really made a fortune, but he made quick money and spent quickly. The development of heavy industry in China, railway construction, shipbuilding, education funds, shareholder dividends, war against Japan, immigration to Japan... silver flowed out like water.

"The day when the French-Prussian War broke out is also the time for the Northwest to expand greatly." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The war in the northwest has always been about money and food. Although the Northwest Railway has been operating for many years and the Northwest Railway has been opened, this time it is a large-scale expansion, with sea and land moving forward, which requires huge military expenditures."

After pausing, he continued: "For such a huge military expenditure, Yuanqi's shareholders will inevitably have a lot of complaints or even criticisms. The purpose of going to Europe to make money this time is mainly to supplement military expenditure. As for the funds, the estimated funds that Yuanqi can withdraw is only about 20 million yuan."

How much military expenditure is required for northwest expansion? Hu Guangyong was not interested in asking, but it was said that it was a large-scale expansion and was moving forward simultaneously with sea and land. It would have to be at least tens of millions. If the time delayed, the expenses of hundreds of millions or even hundreds of millions of yuan were not new. What can a 20 million yuan cost? Even if it could double it, it would only make 20 million yuan.

This is not the time to be polite. He pondered for a moment and said, "Can the funds of overseas branches be mobilized?"

Yi Zhizu glanced at him and smiled: "After experiencing the cotton trade in Europe, Xue Yan's appetite has become more and more popular, and he is quite as good as Han Xin. Don't worry, Yuan Qi's 200 million is not enough, and I have my private money."

After hearing this, Hu Guangyong was immediately excited. He didn't know how much private money Yi Zhizu had, but he thought it would not be less than 100 million. He immediately smiled and said, "The funds are enough, and my subordinates dare to guarantee that they will fully pay the military expenses for the Northwest expansion."

"Don't be careless. This time is not as good as the cotton trade in the past." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "You have been in Europe for a long time, so you should have heard of the Rothschild family?"

Hu Guangyong nodded and said, "In recent years, there are a saying that Europe has six major powers: English, France, Tsarist Russia, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Prussia and the Rothschild family. This Rothschild family has a nickname called the 'Sixth Empire'. It is said that the accumulated wealth is as high as 1.5 billion pounds, and it controls the currency issuance power of major European industrial countries such as Britain, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy."

It is easy to know whether the Rothschild family has a wealth of 1.5 billion pounds, but he knew that this family was indeed a financial empire. He nodded slightly and said: "This family not only has strong capital, but also has a huge intelligence network in Europe. He especially likes war and is accustomed to betting on both sides, winning and losing. It is the base of this family. When we go to make money, it can be said that it is a tiger's teeth extraction, and we must be extra cautious."

Hu Guangyong nodded and said, "I understand, try not to attract the attention of this family."

"Xueyan should have been paid attention to by them during the cotton trade." Yi Zhizu reminded: "This time you must go to the West secretly. It is best to bring some capable people, otherwise your appearance in the West will inevitably arouse their vigilance."

Hu Guangyong took his leave, Yi Zhizuo stood up and walked to the window and lit a cigarette. No one knew how much wealth the Rothschild family had accumulated. However, this is indeed a financial empire that countries around the world must respect. They opened banks everywhere, engaged in securities, stock trading and insurance businesses, invested in industry and commerce, railways and communications, and then developed into steel, coal, mining and other industries, penetrating every corner of the economies of European and American countries.

This family especially likes war. Whenever there is a war, they bet on both sides - providing military loans to governments and providing compensation for defeated countries. Typical winners and losses are taken advantage of, the Crimean War, the Civil War, and the Pakatan-Austrian War.

In fact, Yuan Qi is largely similar to the Rothschild family, but Yuan Qi does not want to be the "Sixth Empire" with a false reputation, but wants to truly control the Qing Dynasty.

He knew very well that if the Qing Dynasty wanted to rise strongly, there would be a fierce battle between Yuanqi and the Rothschild family. However, Yuanqi is currently unable to compare with the Rothschild family at all, so it is better to be low-key and cautious.

He was thinking about the sound of footsteps behind him, and turned around and saw Zhao Liewen tiptoing to retreat. He couldn't help but smile and said, "It's okay."

Zhao Liewen smiled and walked into the room and said, "I didn't disturb the boss's idea."

"The child has met his father." Yi Zhengxing, who followed in, smiled and bowed to the salute.

"Sit all, don't be polite." Yi Zhizu said as he threw away his cigarette butts and walked slowly over to sit down in the main seat. Zhao Liewen sat down close and said, "The shopkeeper, the first regular meetings of the two provinces in Nanyang and the southeastern provinces have ended. The meeting materials of other provinces have not been sent yet. Students from Jiangsu Province have read them and have received a total of 184 bills, including 15 bills submitted by the governor, 98 bills proposed by the parliamentarians, and 71 bills requested by the people.

These proposals mainly include the following seven aspects:

First, the legislative bill. The purpose is to make the Advisory Bureau truly a complete legislative body and power body, rather than a consulting body controlled by the government; at the same time, the parliamentarians can truly grasp the actual power of participating in the regime, rather than just decorations for the government. Second............ "

Yi Zhizu waved his hand and said, "Be simpler."

Zhao Liewen smiled and continued: "Second, the proposal to protect sovereignty. Third, the proposal to impeach officials, the proposal to develop industrial projects, the proposal to handle constitutional projects, the proposal to eliminate bad policies, and the proposal to build education projects."

After pondering for a moment, Yi Zhizu said: "It seems that the constitutional propaganda over the years has not been without effect. It is rare for the first Standing Committee to have this effect."

"Big shopkeeper." Zhao Liewen smiled and said, "This is from the two provinces of Nanyang and the southeast. They are provinces with good constitutional foundations, and other provinces may not..."

Yi Zhengxing interrupted: "Father, some members of the parliament strongly demanded the reclaiming of the concession and prohibiting foreigners from purchasing land at home..."

Taking back the concession? Yi Zhizu was stunned for a moment before saying, "How do you think Xingzhi?"

"I think that there is no need to rush to take back the concession." Yi Zhengxing said carefully: "Although the concession damages sovereignty, it is not without benefits."

"Where is Huifu?"

Zhao Liewen pondered for a while before saying, "After all, I bought the concession land at the beginning. It seems inappropriate to take back the concession, but we can negotiate and lift some restrictions. As for prohibiting foreigners from purchasing land in China..., this is unreasonable. Yuan Qi has also bought a lot of land in Western countries."

After pondering for a moment, Yi Jingzuo said slowly: "The concession is a product of specific historical conditions. Some privileges do damage sovereignty and can prevent the concession from appearing again in the future. It is not appropriate to force the concession to be reclaimed before the existing concession expires. It is not appropriate to talk to them to cancel some privileges and restrictions in the concession.

As for prohibiting foreigners from purchasing land at home, I hope we will return to a state of being closed to the country? The Qing Dynasty wants to integrate into the world, not only go out, but also openly welcome others in. Huifu wrote an article in the newspaper to publicly refute this idea!"

Zhao Liewen smiled and nodded, "Too much is too much, too much is too little."

What is too much or too little should be a sensational! Yi Zhizu was too lazy to pay attention to it, and looked at Yi Zhengxing and said, "What are your elder brother busy with during this period?"

Yi Zhengxing was stunned for a moment before saying, "It seems that he is fiddling with the airship..."

The airship is not very valuable, at least Yi Jingzu is not interested in the airship. The practicality of the thing is too low. "Let him have dinner with me tonight."

"Oh." Yi Zhengxing responded softly, secretly worried about Yi Zhengde, and probably scolded him.

Seeing this situation, Zhao Liewen changed the topic and said: "Now more than a dozen provinces have established advisory bureaus. It is estimated that the advisory bureaus in all provinces will be established by the end of the year. The establishment of the Advisory Council has been put on the agenda. Next, it is time to form a cabinet..."

Yi Zhizu glanced at him and said, "Hui Fu wanted to ask whether the candidate for the cabinet minister has been decided?"

"The big shopkeeper Mingjian." Zhao Liewen nodded and said, "As soon as the year begins, the cabinet should be established..."

Yi Zhizuo is indeed a headache for the candidates for cabinet ministers. Those with qualifications are not enough, but those with no qualifications are not enough. You can't get a few third- and fourth-rank officials to be cabinet ministers. Yi? Firmly protested. Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang were the right candidates, but the war in the northwest is about to begin, so he didn't want to pull the two of them back to Beijing from the northwest at this time.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Zhao Liewen knew that he must have not decided on the candidate, so he didn't say anything immediately. In fact, he knew in his heart that the cabinet minister was really hard to decide, and he could not throw all his civil and military confidants to the capital.

Yi Zhizu said suddenly: "Does Huifu have any ideas?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Liewen waved his hand and said, "Don't kill the students with the first cabinet ministers. The court and the public are attracted by them. The prestige and qualifications they need are enough to convince the public. Students cannot afford it. Besides, the shopkeeper also needs people around him."

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Hui Fu wants to go, but I won't let it go." As he said that, he sighed, "The question of choosing other people is not too big. This minister of the Ministry of Justice is really a bit troublesome."

Zhao Liewen tentatively said: "Can Manager Kong succeed?"

Recommend the new book of the urban god Lao Shi:
Chapter completed!