The Qing Empire has a happy future, including fair play for all cooperation."

Song Biao stood up and thanked you: "Thank you, Minister Rock Hill, and thank you to the U.S. government and the Embassy in China for your blessings. There is no doubt that any blessing in this world is not late. No matter how early or late it comes, it will always come."

It’s very important information.”

Minister Rockhill happily replied: "You are a very intelligent young man. Perhaps, as you said, you are a clumsy and young politician, but you must believe in your own strength and value. This should be the first choice for everyone."

generally accepted facts."

Song Biao thanked him again.

Seeing the two of them thanking each other, the others were a little at a loss. Regarding the railway that Song Biao suddenly proposed, almost everyone had a premonition that a thrilling battle was about to begin.

Japan has been eliminated, and its only chance is probably to export rail tracks.

This is what Rear Admiral Hayao Shimamura thought, but he probably didn't expect at this time that Song Biao would not even give Japan the chance to use railway tracks. Don't be kidding, he was preparing to invest a large amount of money to build the largest steel plant in Asia. This

The steel mill's first big business was all the rails for this railway.

Song Biao is ready to use railway shares in exchange for the foreign investment and various technologies he needs, especially in the field of steelmaking, as well as some special cooperation. If the conditions of the other party are high enough, and it is Germany or France who are in the world at one time

If a country has an opportunity to take advantage of the war, he can even take out more shares, provided that he must ensure the military management authority of the entire railway.

Apart from Russia, his second largest partner in the three eastern provinces will be decided in the battle for this railway.

Everyone except Japan has a chance. Song Biao has long thought about this. He has enough cards to prevent Russia from joining the competition for the time being, giving him the opportunity to obtain more benefits.

According to the original plan, at the banquet, Song Biao, as the governor of the three northeastern provinces, would discuss the current situation in the three northeastern provinces with the diplomats, disclose some information that everyone is more concerned about, and let all countries confirm this information.

Even after the banquet, Song Biao had to have an informal conversation with the ministers of France, the United States, and Britain on the protection of the interests of each country in the three eastern provinces.

All the itineraries arranged by Britain, France and Russia were disrupted by Song Biao directly using the Huijin Railway issue. At the banquet, everyone was basically asking about this railway and some follow-up questions about the Northeast New Deal. After the banquet, the United States and Britain

The minister of the country and Rear Admiral Hayao Shimamura were eager to negotiate first, while Song Biao and General Seyensky negotiated first.

Entering the small reception room, when Song Biao was about to sit down, General Xie Yenischi was surprised and asked him: "What's going on? We have never heard of this before?"

Song Biao calmly patted Sheyenitsky on the shoulder, comforted him to sit on the sofa with him, and said: "Don't mind, this is actually what I said two days ago with Mr. Yinchang, the newly appointed governor of Fengtian.

Even if the results of the closed-door deliberations are known now, it is not too late for Russia."

General Seyenischi couldn’t wait to say: “We need management rights for this railway. There is no doubt about it.”

Song Biao said unhurriedly: "There is no doubt that Russia has neither the need to control this railway nor the possibility. Considering the chaotic situation in Russia, I can't think of Russia getting more support at the moment, and then consider the British

The Japanese alliance competes for the interests of the Northeast. I must continue to unite with other countries besides Russia and give them less benefits, but it is enough to ensure that Britain and Japan do not have the opportunity to involve more of our interests in the Northeast.

Let the Anglo-Japanese Alliance have the opportunity to break through my control of the three provinces. Therefore, the reason why I am announcing here is to deal with unfair things in a fair manner. The result will be that the Anglo-Japanese Alliance will be more responsible for this railway and other

Not even a single silver coin can be earned on the Northeastern Railway. If the situation is ideal, I hope that this railway will be split up and built by two of the three countries, Germany, France and the United States, and the management will be based on my new Far Eastern Railway.

The Railway Corporation is the main body.”

After hearing these words, General Sheyensky couldn't help but nod in agreement.

If Song Biao is a young and clumsy politician, General Shyensky is not even a politician. He and Song Biao have always had a very good relationship and regard Song Biao as a special and close friend.

General Sheyensky was silent for a moment before saying: "Well, maybe this is a better way, but you really should inform me in advance so that I can report this matter to the empire."

Song Biao said: "It's not too late to report now. I have said that this is indeed a temporary task, because before this, I have not had any chance to consider this matter, nor have I the ability to control this railway myself."

in my hands. Just a few days ago, I

I really control all the power in the three provinces. From now on, every new railway in the Northeast will be decided by me, and my plan is just the beginning. In the next five years, my railway company will probably open more

Construction work on five to six new railway lines,

No matter how I bid, it will not benefit Britain or Japan in the end. This is our attitude, unless Britain gives up supporting Japan. If the British Empire firmly believes that supporting Japan can earn benefits in the Northeast, then it is destined to gain nothing in the three northeastern provinces.

.if I

If we want to do this, we must bring Germany, France and the United States together to isolate the Anglo-Japanese alliance, especially Japan. In short, only by giving enough meat to wolf dogs will they help you look after your home. This is

What a simple truth, Your Excellency Seyenisky?"

General Sheyensky praised: "Yes, isn't that so? It's just that the empire cannot accept the special situation of other countries owning railways in the Northeast."

Song Biao continued: "Russia should think more deeply. If it does not open up to construction, the three northeastern provinces will be just a wasteland. We need them to become richer. This is in our interests. Russia alone cannot do this.

After all, I am well aware of Russia’s strength. Even Russia’s own railways depend on French loans.

According to my calculations, Russia will not have enough financial resources to build the Northeast Railway in the next five years or even ten years.

to any form of investment. Therefore, it is better not to adhere to this unreasonable principle

You and I both know that this is a meaningless insistence. When Russia hopes that I will serve as the governor of the three eastern provinces and places its hope of protecting Russia's interests on me, you should understand, especially you, Your Excellency Seyenisky

, you should understand that the three northeastern provinces are my territory of influence, and I need this place to become more

For prosperity. Provide me with more taxes and income. In short, I need more income to expand my army, develop more interests and occupy more forces in the decadent world of the Qing Empire.

, and as my power expands, Russia will undoubtedly always be the first stakeholder."

General Xie Yenischi could only nod in agreement. He said: "Yes, it is such a thing. Then I will try my best to explain it to the empire. I initially thought that you came here just to discuss financial solutions. I really didn't expect that you would come here this time."

Suddenly we talked about the railway issues in the three eastern provinces."

Song Biao nodded slightly and added: "If our financial reform plan does not have the acquiescence and support of France, I think it will be difficult to obtain sufficient support and help. It is a matter of knocking the financial power of Japan and the United Kingdom out of the three northeastern provinces.

The more critical thing is that they must not be allowed to have any form of currency issuance rights in the three northeastern provinces. This is our goal. It is also our most important goal. The so-called railway issue is just to protect the realization of this goal."

General Sheyensky praised: "Who said you are a young and clumsy politician? In my opinion, Song, you are simply the most experienced politician."

Song Biao did not deny it and sighed: "Yes. Who says it's not!"

The two talked for a while about the railway issue. After reaching an agreement, Song Biao, accompanied by General Sheyensky, continued to meet with German and French diplomats, explaining the full length of the Yanjin Railway and the approximate total amount of funds required.

, construction period. And possible return on investment.

Song Biao planned to divide this railway into two parts, namely the Fengjin Railway in the western section and the Fengyan Railway in the eastern section. Obviously, because the Fengjin Railway was part of the Beijing-Fengcheng Railway, it connected the most prosperous and harmonious areas of the Qing Empire.

In the important Zhili area, the rate of return will definitely be higher. However, the section that the Fengyan Railway passes through not only has a large amount of mountainous land, a large scale of investment, and high construction difficulty, but also is a barren newly reclaimed area along the way, so the rate of return is lower.

a lot of.

Because the Fengyan Railway passes through Fushun, this section is definitely very easy to make a profit. In order to increase the possibility of profit and reduce the difficulty of construction, Song Biao also prepared another alternative plan, which is to build a railway from Fengtian to Jilin.

Then build a branch railway at Meihekou to Tonghua, and finally

Later, a railway was built from Tonghua to Yanji, and then a railway was built from Yanji to Jilin and Changchun. As a result, the east line is a circular line composed of three railways, passing through the entire Jilin Province and passing through most of the grain-producing and population centers.

The yield will naturally increase significantly, while the Western Line is just a railway.

Germany and France are typical countries that have nationalized railways, while the United States and the United Kingdom are countries that have privatized railways. If Germany and France invest in the Northeast Railway, it must be government-funded and managed, while the United States and the United Kingdom are responsible for private capital.

Both aspects have their own advantages. The former is more loosely calculated in terms of return on investment. The goal is to expand the market and the construction period can be arranged more tightly. The latter will be more concerned about the rate of return. It is absolutely normal to delay the construction period.

, but there won’t be too much fighting at the government level.

The total investment on the Western Front is expected to be approximately 1.7 million pounds, while the Eastern Front is expected to require an investment of 7 million pounds. The investment on the Eastern Front is very large, and the rate of return is not stable. Both Germany and France hope to compete on the Western Front.

After discussing with the French Minister Lupin and the German Counselor in China Xin Liping for a period of time, Song Biao generally predicted that the competition on the Western Front would be very fierce. For the Eastern Front, it seemed that he would have to wait for further opening up terms and higher-level politicians from various countries.

choice.

It will all be very intense in the end, Song Biao firmly believes this.

As for Xin Liping, it is worth mentioning. In the next fifteen years, Xin Liping has been an important German diplomat in China. During World War I, in order to prevent the Duan Qirui government from declaring war on Germany, Xin Liping

Ping had very close contact with Mr. Sun Yat-sen and hoped to support Mr. Sun Yat-sen in leading the civil war to overthrow the Duan Qirui government. The price offered by Mr. Sun Yat-sen was to ask the German government to provide 20 million US dollars in free aid and provide other military support, etc.

Anyway, during the Republic of China, warlords and politicians had no moral integrity at all.

After the public meeting with Germany and France, Song Biao will continue to have separate discussions with the French Minister Lupin. There are many things they want to discuss, and these will be summarized one by one. Many of them have already been contacted before.

Accompanying Lu Ban was the French military attaché in China, Pedré. This brigadier general had met with Song Biao many times during the Russo-Japanese War, and the two sides were still very familiar with each other.

After the German Counselor and General Scheyensky left, Luban couldn't wait to propose to Song Biao: "Governor Song, whether from a private or public standpoint at the government level, I recommend that you choose to cooperate with our country. If the two

All the lines will be given to our country, and our country is willing to

Provide all loans. I believe that the reason why you openly talk about this and invite other countries to participate in cooperation must be because Russia's current strength is relatively weak and is not enough to support your effective rule over the three eastern provinces. You truly understand Russia.

Man, I think I was right,

And France is willing to support you. In fact, we have clearly stated our support for you from the beginning. You are very aware of this. Brigadier General Federer has had relatively in-depth contact with you, and he thinks very highly of you.

The same is true for me and the French government. We hope to cooperate with you

The cooperation will be carried out in a more in-depth manner. Of course, all the cooperation we have negotiated before will not be affected by the bidding for this railway. But there is no doubt that if this railway is ultimately handed over to France to prepare and manage, it will be very important to France.

Our cooperation will definitely have a better impact."

Song Biao thought for a moment and replied: "You are a wise man. I deeply feel that the cooperation with France has always been very pleasant. Especially on the transfer of equipment from the Chateau Arsenal, including cavalry and military horses."

In terms of cultivation, as well as financial cooperation, everything is very pleasant. Such cooperation is very beneficial to both parties, and I also have the responsibility to ensure that this cooperation is deepened and maintained, and guarantees

France’s investment interests in the three eastern provinces. However, as I stated, my company must be responsible for the main operation and management of this railway and hold the majority of the shares. On this basis, all countries have sufficient room for negotiation.

.The answer I can give you is simple, that is, France is the closest to the authority to invest in this railway, but I must ask for a more detailed investment and construction report."

Lu Bandao: "This is certain. We will dispatch the best railway engineers and surveyors as soon as possible to cooperate with your railway company in investment and construction research. We have enough confidence in you, and we will never ask for the right to garrison troops.

Such special terms, and the shares will not exceed your requirement for majority equity, but the specific total investment and total loan amount also need to be linked to the shares, do you think this is the case?"
To be continued...