Chapter 4 Chapter Two

Use your brains and innovate tricks Just as European imperialism invaded China, internal changes also took place in China, most notably the Taiping Rebellion.The leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was Hong Xiuquan. He failed in many examinations and was dissatisfied with the Manchu system. It happened that Christianity was introduced to China, and Hong Xiuquan gathered a group of people because of his preaching.There is strength in a large number of people, and Hong Xiuquan's resistance actually submerged most of China.The Qing government at that time did not have the power to deal with the turmoil, so it had to rely on local forces to quell the chaos. Local militia leaders such as Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Li Hongzhang, etc., used the local psychology of maintaining traditional culture to resist the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Anti-traditional culture, organizing militias and fighting against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom rose rapidly, but fell because of its rapid success, and perished in just a few decades. The high official in charge of governing Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces is Zuo Zongtang.Zuo Zongtang is good at fighting but can't create economic conditions.He understands that it depends on businessmen to invigorate the economy.The most aggressive person at that time was Hangzhou businessman Hu Xueyan. Hu Xueyan knew that the power to rebuild the economy was in the hands of Zuo Zongtang, so he took the initiative to find Zuo Zongtang and sell him his talents. After some research, Zuo Zongtang also believed that Hu Xueyan was a man with a way.

Since Zuo Zongtang defeated the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Army in Zhejiang, he entrusted Hu Xueyan with the post-disaster reconstruction work in Hangzhou and even Zhejiang. Hu Xueyan is a prodigy in business and trade. Although he has more than enough to do the work of revitalizing the market well, he is too busy due to lack of manpower.In addition to running these mass construction projects, Hu Xueyan also has to take care of his own business: bank business and silk tea business.In the face of both public and private business, Hu Xueyan really wished to have more rivals and work two or three more hours a day.

Although he is busy, Hu Xueyan also keeps in touch with Zuo Zongtang from time to time. He understands that the cooperation between the government and businessmen is the only way to revitalize the market.One day, Zuo Zongtang wrote a personal letter, inviting Hu Xueyan to visit the West Lake.Hu Xueyan was dumbfounded by this senior official, everyone is so busy, how can they have time to go to the lake?However, since Zuo Zongtang had an appointment, he had to go.He had no choice but to stay up all night, to clean up the work on the desk, and hastily processed the documents that should have been processed tomorrow morning in the middle of the night. After finishing, he was so tired that he fell asleep on the desk.The next morning's sunlight illuminated Hu Xueyan and woke him up.He thought it was getting late, so he hurriedly washed and changed his clothes, jumped into the sedan chair and hurried to the West Lake to meet Zuo Zongtang's appointment.

On the way to West Lake, there are many pedestrians.The news that the bearers came back from inquiring was that everyone was also going to see the big Western steamer. Only then did Hu Xueyan realize that Zuo Zongtang didn't invite him to visit the West Lake, but to see the small boat.Half a year ago, Zuo Zongtang also mentioned to him the matter of hiring a foreign machine maker to build a ferry. At that time, he had too many trivial matters, and he didn't take this matter to heart.As everyone knows, three months later, the small wheel was completed. Small ships can be made now, and large ships can be built in the future. If the Chinese can build ships, can they also build other machines?The more Hu Xueyan thought about it, the bearer had already stopped, and he only woke up at this moment.After getting out of the sedan chair, Hu Xueyan realized that he was obviously late.

This is Zhaoqing Temple, one of the four famous temples in West Lake.A tent has been set up by the lake. In the tent, apart from Zuo Zongtang and several senior officials, there are two foreigners from France. Hu Xueyan also knows these two people. One of them is called Ri Yige. He assisted in the fight against the Taiping Army, and now he has abandoned martial arts and followed literature, and was appointed as the tax department of Ningbo Customs.The other, named Di Kebei, was promoted to general because of his military merits. At this time, he actually gave up his suit and put on a third-rank military officer's attire, with a fake braid on the back of his big hat.Both of them have joined Zuo Zongtang.The Han Chinese, who have suffered so much from foreigners, of course hold these two pro-China foreigners in high regard.

Hu Xueyan got out of the sedan chair, first came to congratulate Zuo Zongtang, and said: "If you don't come to wait on you earlier, you will be guilty of your crime."Then he said that although Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang emphasized the strength of ships and guns in the Westernization Movement, they must have fallen behind the adults this time. When Zuo Zongtang heard Hu Xueyan's flattery, he couldn't keep his mouth shut with a smile, and said: Only you understand me.well!Hu Xueyan knew that Zeng Zuo and Li were competing to engage in the Westernization Movement and strive to revitalize China, but he wanted to highlight his personal achievements in the midst of open and secret struggles.Hu Xueyan didn't say anything more at this time, because he understood that these compliments should not be said too much, and besides, he didn't know anything about this aspect of the ocean liner's trial run today, so if he said too much, he would make many mistakes.Hu Xueyan deeply understands that showing ugliness is worse than hiding clumsiness.

With an order, the small boat lying in the center of the lake made a bubbling sound, and a large splash of water was stirred up at the stern of the boat. The engineering personnel, walking up and down, are extremely busy.After working for a long time, the sound of starting the machine became smoother. Suddenly, the ship rushed forward, and the onlookers said happily: "It really started, thank God!" The boat started, but it was always like an old ox pulling a cart, not going fast at all.Seeing this, Zuo Zongtang had no choice but to give out a lot of lai sees and send the staff away.

After everyone left, Zuo Zongtang invited Hu Xueyan and two Frenchmen to have lunch together to study the development of the aviation industry. As long as we improve it well and use more foreign machines, the ship will work.Zuo Zongtang said. Your Excellency meant that Hu Xueyan wanted to ask, but Zuo Zongtang had already interrupted and said: I want to build a shipyard with the help of foreign craftsmen.After finishing speaking, Zuo Zongtang entrusted the translator to pass on the words. I saw the translator, after chatting with the two Frenchmen for a while, he reported to Zuo Zongtang: They saw that the Taiping Army had calmed down, and they all said that if necessary, they could return to Europe to hire foreign craftsmen on their behalf, and they could also buy them for them. The materials, and even the supervision and implementation, can be handled by one hand.

Zuo Zongtang listened, nodded deeply, and then looked at Hu Xueyan.Ever since he worked with Zuo Zongtang, Hu Xueyan understood that Zuo Zongtang was just finalizing the plan, and he was responsible for organizing the funds. Therefore, he repeatedly asked the two foreigners through an interpreter, focusing on the cost.After some conversations, Hu Xueyan also had a general idea about shipbuilding.After sending away the two foreigners, Zuo Zongtang left Hu Xueyan behind. He said: Xueyan, I want to start a shipyard by myself.Zuo Zongtang said with certainty. Hu Xueyan was taken aback when he heard this, and thought to himself: This is not easy.But he said in his mouth: To build a shipyard requires at least an investment of five hundred thousand taels of silver.He looked at Zuo Zongtang, saw that he didn't respond, and said that a ship cost two to three hundred thousand taels of silver, so to build a shipyard and build his ten boats, wouldn't it cost at least two to three million taels?

Hu Xueyan also said: The two provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang, plus the two rivers, may not have the financial resources Although Hu Xueyan seemed very worried, Zuo Zongtang said with confidence: You don't need to worry, and you don't need to worry. The Westernization Movement started that day, and Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, and Zuo Zongtang tried their best to show off and strive for merit in the court.Zuo Zongtang said: The knowledge of Li Shaoquan (that is, Li Hongzhang) came from reading one or two scriptures. Although the articles are well written, as for the shipbuilding experience, I have worked hard since the 19th year of Daoguang. After Lin Zexu fought the Opium War, the Chinese people set off an upsurge of learning Western science and technology. Zuo Zongtang lived in the home of Tao Shu, the Governor of Liangjiang, and had the opportunity to read all the books about shipping since the Tang and Song Dynasties. Jubo, he is not all laymen. In fact, when Li Shaoquan bought the boat, he fell into the tricks of the Westerners.Zuo Zongtang said with emotion. Back then, in order to study Westernization, Li Hongzhang and others rushed to buy ships from foreigners, but they didn't know that sea ships could not travel inland rivers, so they ran aground.Inland shipping stagnated.Zuo Zongtang said in a heavy tone: They really don't understand! In the last years of Xianfeng, do you remember that they bought a ship from the British? which one?Hu Xueyan knew that Zuo Zongtang was going to go on, so he pretended not to remember, so that Zuo Zongtang could go on, which was the best thing to do. I have read all the memorials of this public case.At that time, the British Li Taitai and Hurd were making troubles. The British agent had three medium-sized steamers and four small-sized steamers. The price of the ships was 650,000 taels of silver. To one million and seventy thousand taels of silver.As for the arrival of the steamer, the monthly food and miscellaneous expenses of the officers, soldiers and crew on the ship amounted to almost one hundred thousand taels of silver.This is more than that, all relevant personnel on board are all British The reason why Li Hongzhang and others listened to the British was to calm the Taiping Army. At that time, the British said that buying foreign ships and guns would be the most beneficial to destroy the Taiping Army. Therefore, they were eager to show their merits, so they listened to the British. , Was caught in a trick and lost money. Using a steamer to chase a thief into a river is like an athlete holding a spear in an alley, and it is even more inconvenient to move.Zuo Zongtang sighed and said, they really don't understand! He also said: I am duty-bound, Xueyan, I must set up a shipyard. As long as there is funding, of course it should be done.Hu Xueyan answered. There is no need to worry about funds, you can borrow from various customs.The two customs offices in Fujian and Zhejiang that I take care of, of course I need extra help. Hu Xueyan was already frowning when he thought of the huge expenditure.Zuo Zongtang also understood, so he said with confidence: Slowly plan, things will always find a way. Zuo Zongtang spoke with confidence, because he believed that his military achievements were extremely high.In the three provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong, he drove the Taiping Army away in one go.This military achievement alone has already made him awe-inspiring all over the world.These three provinces are also close to the ocean, so the development of shipping is inevitable.What's more, the three provinces of Guangdong, Fujian and Zhejiang are famous for their wealth. As long as the customs are willing to pay the expenses, there is no way out. Zuo Zongtang understood that building a shipyard was the first time in history, in order to win the court's attention.If you can build it, you can make great contributions to yourself. For the construction of the shipyard, of course, the customs will pay for it. There are five customs in the south: Jiang Customs in Shanghai, Yue Customs in Guangzhou, Min Customs in Fujian, Xiamen Customs in Xiamen, and Ningbo Customs in Zhejiang. Hu Xueyan As he said, he was counting his fingers. The general built a shipyard, and the customs had to bear some expenses. By the way, Xueyan, you are a sensible person, I hope you will spend some effort to plan and write a report on your behalf, let me explain to the court!Then he emphasized that the Jianghai Customs in Shanghai is very important, and it cannot be dominated by Li Shaoquan. You must think of a way to poach him more. I have a way, but it's better not to use the old way.Hu Xueyan said.He is a businessman, Zuo Zongtang is an official, and everyone has a big difference in thinking.People who are officials focus on enforcing established laws. Generally speaking, they seldom take the initiative to use their brains to innovate. People who do business focus on innovation, because once the tricks in the market are used, they can no longer be used. It's time to transfer. To use methods to make money in other people's pockets is like using insecticides to treat insects. After a drug is tried, it does not work. The reason is that insects have a kind of immunity. Insect medicine.Doing business is the same, you have to innovate every day, and after you have used an old trick, if the customer refuses to pay, you have to change the trick immediately.For this reason, when Zuo Zongtang ordered Hu Xueyan to use the old method to earn other people's money, Hu Xueyan was unwilling. Is there any way?Zuo Zongtang followed up and asked. I dare not say it, for fear that you will scold me.Hu Xueyan answered. Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, is there anything we can't say?Zuo Zongtang said enthusiastically. You can borrow money from foreigners.Hu Xueyan told Zuo Zongtang based on the experience of the boss of the bank that the debt needs to be guaranteed.If the various customs say that they can't raise money for a while, it doesn't matter, they will always be able to allocate money.We refer to the approximate amount of customs revenue in a certain year as the payment for foreign debts, which is the guarantee.After Hu Xueyan finished talking about the method, he said with a little worry that if we borrow money from foreigners in our great country, there must be some people protesting.That group of officials and elders will definitely attack together, so, can't your lord not be able to bear it? After hearing this suggestion, Zuo Zongtang did not speak immediately. He paced back and forth in the hall, and then handed a memorial to Hu Xueyan, saying: Look here. This memorial was written by Prince Gong, saying that in order to facilitate the purchase of the steamer, Li Taitai suggested to Prince Gong to borrow money from foreign businessmen: If China wants to use silver, he can borrow one million taels of silver from foreign businessmen on behalf of China, and China will pay interest every year return!However, Prince Gong came to another conclusion: China has absolutely no way to ask for a loan of one million taels of silver. It can be seen that the DPRK and China do not approve foreign debts.Hu Xueyan said. Xueyan, those who do great things must make up their minds. Once they have an idea, it is easy to find a reason.Zuo Zongtang said that it is this moment and that moment.Back then, Prince Gong wanted to borrow foreign debts, but he didn't want to be restricted by foreigners in everything, and knew that the officials would criticize him, so he had no choice but to retreat, saying that there was no precedent to help. And what about us?But different.We are development professionals.Borrowing money is active.The reasons can be said: first, foreigners are willing to lend money to China because they admire our great country, China; second, foreigners are willing to lend money because they trust us, because they deeply believe that we have the hope of development.As long as the words are nice, how can the court disapprove? After hearing this, Hu Xueyan couldn't help nodding, and put on an attitude of willingness to learn. Zuo Zongtang saw that since he understood, he would not let it go, so he continued talking. Let me talk to you about the key to doing great things.We have a saying that it is better to take advantage of the momentum than to wait for the time. Many people wait for the opportunity to do things, but when they are discouraged, they can't wait for the opportunity.But what about some people?There should have been no chance, but just grasping everything tightly created a momentum, and the things that could not be done in the first place were successfully completed.This is the reason for taking advantage of the momentum.What is potential, let me ask you, Xueyan. I don't understand this.Hu Xueyan knew the way to please others, he knew that in this situation, it was not appropriate to intervene, so he puffed up his ears and said, please give me your advice. For some things, such as doing business, I want to ask you for advice, but for some things, I know better than you, so I have to do my part.Potential is formed by people, events and time.Things don't go well because one's own power is not as good as others'.If you are in a weak position, it is futile to fight for it.What about today?I won a few battles, and it became an advantage. The most tense thing for the imperial court today is naturally to suppress the rebels.The military situation is urgent, they have to listen.So, we have a talking point. In addition to the military exploits of adults, of course they want to listen.Hu Xueyan said again. I speak, of course they listen.When I talk about the military, they want to listen even more.Beyond that, it depends on the timing.The timing of speaking must be grasped just right, so that others will obey what they say. If you speak too late, you will miss the opportunity. If you speak too early, others will not pay attention to it. Zuo Zongtang said a lot of truths, and Hu Xueyan also understood that Zuo Zongtang's principles for being an official are roughly the same as his principles for doing business.People say that when doing business, you have to follow the trend. It is better to buy goods at the head than to go against the trend. This is the same as Zuo Zongtang's principle of taking advantage of the trend. After Zuo Zongtang finished speaking, he laughed with a sense of success, and he said: The matter of setting up a shipyard should only be brought up at the right time.When military affairs are tense and everyone is talking about coastal defense, it is brought up, and the imperial court will definitely agree.However, we also need to be well prepared, lest the opportunity comes and we fail to write a proposal and miss the opportunity. After hearing this, Hu Xueyan understood.Hu Xueyan participated enthusiastically in this matter because his career was decided on Zuo Zongtang.If Zuo Zongtang can win a few battles beautifully, Hu Xueyan's business affairs will naturally go smoothly. Hu Xueyan continued: I understand your lord's ambition.I know when and what to do.What is the first thing adults should focus on when fighting against bandits nowadays? Naturally, it is military pay.Zuo Zongtang said. In terms of military pay, I will definitely raise money for the adults.Naturally, big things like building a shipyard cost a lot of money.As long as the adults order in advance, I will definitely run around and raise enough funds.Hu Xueyan said. great.Zuo Zongtang said, just let it go!Everything is up to me. The friendship between the two has deepened. Zuo Zongtang planned to build ships by himself, and after he decided, of course he pushed forward, but since he had the task of supervising troops into Guangdong to suppress the rebels and planning to build a shipyard, he had no choice but to entrust Hu Xueyan, whom he trusted most. Hu Xueyan therefore ran to discuss with a man named Gu Yingchun, who was a comprador of HSBC Bank in Shanghai.Gu Yingchun is very familiar with the conditions of various countries and has a wide range of avenues. He believes that it is not necessary to find the French to run shipping and railways. The stubbornness of the French, the brutality of the French, the insidiousness of the Japanese, and the aggressiveness of the Americans are relatively easy to deal with. After Hu Xueyan listened to Gu Yingchun's opinion, he made a little analysis, and the result was to maintain the original intention, and still use the French Riyige and Deke monuments, because the two of them were the first to propose a loan, if they had not betrayed If you have the heart, in theory, you should not adopt their suggestions but then turn your back on them. In addition, Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang fought fiercely at that time.Li Hongzhang trusted the British more, and the influence in China was also dominated by the British.If this matter also relies on the British, it will not only strengthen their power, but also pave the way for Li Hongzhang.Didn't this plan to borrow a shipyard benefit Li Hongzhang? After more than a year of planning, we have a general idea.When Zuo Zongtang returned from fighting in Guangdong, Hu Xueyan immediately took him to Fuzhou to visit a seaport called Mawei. This Mawei, with clear sea and deep water, is most suitable for slotting and building docks.China's famous Fuzhou Mawei Shipyard was built here. Zuo Zongtang looked at the environment and the plan, was quite satisfied, and happily approved the implementation.The rest is a matter of funds. Buying a machine shipyard, hiring foreign engineers, etc., will cost more than 300,000 taels of silver.As for the monthly expenses, it will cost about five or sixty thousand taels of silver, and after a year, it will cost six or seven hundred thousand taels of silver.It is estimated that after the ship is built, at least 1.5 million taels will be invested, and it will take about five years to see results, so three million taels of silver will have to be invested. How to raise the three million taels of silver?According to Zuo Zongtang's opinion, it is necessary to raise one million taels to start building the factory first, and then make plans.He believes that the boat will be straight when it reaches the bridge. As long as it starts, the court will not be afraid. As for the money, the governors of Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces will also make contributions because of Zuo Zongtang's face. Roughly speaking, there is no money questionable.In this case, Zuo Zongtang submitted a memorial, asking the court to approve the purchase of machines and hire Western engineers to try to build ships. The imperial court also agreed that the trial building of ships is a top priority, and the funds needed can be used at the discretion of Fujian Customs. If the funds are not enough, Fujian Province can be used.At the end of the imperial decree, it is also written: all the articles stated are handled according to the discussion, and all unfinished matters are still discussed in detail. Now that the approval was obtained, Zuo Zongtang worked hard and decided to build a shipyard in Mawei. As for the details of the planning, he entrusted Hu Xueyan with full authority. He was working hard on the construction of the shipyard when Zuo Zongtang suddenly received an imperial edict to send him to Shaanxi and Gansu to quell the chaos.When Zuo Zongtang received this order, he was more excited than he was approved to build the Mawei Shipyard, showing great ambition. For Hu Xueyan, it was a bit of a disappointment. Everything was ready and the Mawei shipyard was being built quickly. Suddenly, he lost a big backer. Facing the impermanence of the world, Hu Xueyan sighed a little uncertainly. One of the aides, Wu Guanli, saw Hu Xueyan so lonely, and asked with concern: Are you afraid of losing your backer, Mr. Zuo? Yes.Seeing that the other party asked directly, Hu Xueyan answered honestly.Hu Xueyan continued: Master Zuo will take at least three to five years to go.In this way, without this big backer, his future work will be easily provoked by others.Hu Xueyan deeply understands that Zuo Zongtang's military aura is very important to do things smoothly. Wu Guanli asked: Have you read "Sheng Wu Ji"? This is Hu Xueyan's shortcoming, he doesn't read much.At this time, Hu Xueyan was speechless, so he could only listen to Wu Guanli's advice. The most prosperous martial arts in the Qing Dynasty should be counted in the Qianlong era.Qianlong proclaimed himself a perfect old man because of the ten great martial arts.For a long time, the use of troops on the frontiers of the Western Regions has always been done by sending relatives or dignitaries.Wu Guanli said: Sending Zuo Gong to send troops this time is a big deal! Of course, Hu Xueyan got through with one point, as if he could see the blue sky through the clouds, and he got a glimmer of hope.Seeing that he understood, Wu Guanli said again: To quell the chaos in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, in terms of military achievements, besides Zeng Guofan, there are Li Hongzhang and Zuo Gong.The world uses Zeng Lilian's theory to discuss military achievements.But from then on, as long as there are achievements in Pinghui Chao, Zeng Zuo will be as famous in the future. You're right, you're right!Hu Xueyan said happily, I want to plan well and look farther.