Chapter 5 prepare before the talk

Zuo Zongtang's first major event in front of him is to calm down the chaos.In any war, the first task is of course to recruit soldiers and prepare the army's food and pay.As the saying goes, the three armies have not been dispatched, and the food and grass go first. How to raise money?Zuo Zongtang is a high-ranking official and general, and he can only dispatch troops. As for the turnover of money and silver, he must ask Hu Xueyan for advice. How many soldiers will you bring?Hu Xueyan asked.I can only bring three thousand soldiers there at most.Left answer. Where is your original army?Why not Hu Xueyan asked in surprise.With so few soldiers, how can we quell the chaos?Wasn't the army I brought in before wasted?

Doing things should be tailored to local conditions, time and people.Zuo Zongtang said, as the saying goes, one time and another time, the soldiers who put down the Taiping rebellion in the past may not be suitable. Zuo Zongtang also said: This time, we must reorganize the army and retrain the soldiers. This is a struggle from scratch! Hu Xueyan understands this. He has tried different businesses, and every time he starts a business, he starts from scratch and reaches new heights.Zuo Zongtang pacified the Taiping Army, of course he had a lot of generals, but this time he had to deal with different people, so he had to choose suitable generals to go into battle.Zuo Zongtang made a plan, at most only 3,000 people will be used, and the rest of the army will have to be recruited and trained again.

Then, it will take at least one or two years for you to see the results.Hu Xueyan said. Not just a year or two, Zuo Zongtang said, it would take ten or eight years to put an end to this chaos. Seeing Hu Xueyan's astonishment, Zuo Zongtang explained: How can there be results so quickly in the affairs of the world?For example, if you are in business, can you open a store today and make money tomorrow? After hearing this, Hu Xueyan also understood that being an official and doing business is the same, and there is no immediate gain.Hu Xueyan went on to say: Then, we have to raise the salary for ten or eight years, right?

Yes, this is a long-term struggle. I want to train the cavalry, build two-wheeled gun carriages, and set up the Tunhui General Bureau.Zuo Zongtang said. Will the court approve your long-term plan?Hu Xueyan felt strange. There are also knowledgeable people in the court, and they will understand.Zuo Zongtang said. Hu Xueyan couldn't help but blush when he heard this, because this sentence hit Hu Xueyan's vitals. He didn't read much, so he felt very inferior. He immediately said: I don't understand, I hope adults can teach me. Zuo Zongtang said: The purpose of my dispatch of troops this time is to uproot the chaotic army.

right.As the so-called wild fire burns endlessly, spring breeze blows and regenerates.Hu Xueyan said that as long as you are willing to work hard to turn over the land, weeds will naturally not grow. Only if you understand what I mean, I want to make a career, not to treat the head with the head and the foot with the foot.Zuo Zongtang said that the real headache is the funding for the war. After hearing this, Hu Xueyan couldn't help secretly calculating the funds needed for ten or eight years. My lord, how many soldiers do you want to bring?Hu asked. Counting 3,000 junior soldiers, plus other recruits, it would take about 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers.Zuo Zongtang said that after the garrison is completed, the army will be recruited and trained.

Even if there are 6,000 elite troops, each of them will pay 12 taels per month, which is more than 60,000 taels.If an army of 50,000 is added, each person's food, clothing, bedding, weapons, etc., calculated on the basis of five taels, would cost 250,000 taels. Hu Xueyan calculated, gesticulating with his fingers, and it would cost thirty-one taels a month. Ten thousand taels. When Zuo Zongtang heard this, he was also stunned.Calculated in this way, isn't it about four million taels a year?This is not a small amount.Even if half of the funds are raised before sending troops, it will cost two million taels.Zuo Zongtang said: We need to look at the funds raised before we consider recruiting troops. In terms of costs, they can also be scaled.

I want to raise a sum of money before starting the trip, at least half a year's worth of funds must be raised before the army can settle down.Zuo Zongtang said. Of course, if you have money, you will be courageous. I have half a year's funds in hand, and I can easily arrange other things.Hu Xueyan then asked, how sure are you that you can raise enough funds? I have influence in the three provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang, and they also have to pay monthly to help fight the war.Zuo Zongtang said with confidence, stretching out his fingers to count, Fujian can raise 40,000, Zhejiang 70,000, Guangdong 40,000, plus 30,000 from Jianghai Customs, the total monthly income is 180,000, and a year is 2 million 160,000.There is still a long way to go!

Zuo Zongtang went on to say: Calming chaos is a major national event, and the Ministry of Household Affairs will of course help, and other provinces will also help.However, I believe support is also limited.The total is only about 2.4 million taels. Okay, let me raise half of it for you first!Hu Xueyan answered. half?Zuo Zongtang said in surprise, this is 1.2 million taels, are you sure?He was very concerned and said, where are you going to raise money? I have a solution, but first of all, I need the approval of adults and let me handle it with full authority.I'll explain it to you when I'm done planning it!

Zuo Zongtang also knew that Hu Xueyan was a man of hard work, and he could do what he said.All along, Hu Xueyan's words have been fulfilled one by one.This time Zuo Zongtang saw that he was so confident, so it was inconvenient for him to interrupt and ask more questions. When will my lord leave?Hu Xueyan said. I want to leave in November and talk to the governors of the provinces along the way and ask for help.I believe that he will arrive in the capital at the end of the year.Zuo Zongtang said. I am sure of the fundraising of 1.2 million taels, please rest assured.Hu Xueyan said with confidence that the purpose was to reassure Zuo Zongtang and let him plan for the war. Hu Xueyan also said: I need money now, two to three hundred thousand taels of silver, and I can arrange it at will. If necessary, please Do whatever you want.

That's great!Hu Xueyan, I hope you plan early and save your troubles.Zuo Zongtang said. After Hu Xueyan finished talking with Zuo Zongtang, his whole body became heavy.The money needed for this military affairs is not a small amount, and he has already agreed to it, but is he really sure? As the saying goes: A meal full of food is delicious, but a meal full of words is hard to say.At this time, Hu Xueyan couldn't help but feel a trace of regret in his heart, complaining that he was careless for a while.But this thought of retreating was immediately reversed by him, he thought to himself that since he had already agreed to others, he couldn't back down.

Success and failure are often just a difference of thought.The thoughts of retreat in the mind must not be allowed to grow and expand, otherwise, once the thoughts of retreat are overcome, people will retreat again and again. Hu Xueyan has dealt with many things, and he often has to go through a psychological struggle before doing things.After winning the battle, one will go all out to strive for the greatest gain. Once the ideological struggle fails, one will have no desire to fight, and then feel powerless and powerless to fight.Hu Xueyan has always understood that success in doing things does not care about strength, but only whether he has defeated himself psychologically.When thinking is victorious, one naturally has the strength to face difficulties. On second thought, why not look at the good side?When Zuo Zongtang came back from the chaos in the future, he was a big celebrity who was in command at that time. Wouldn't his career rise with the tide?Suddenly Hu Xueyan's eyes lit up, his confidence increased, and he said in his heart: Good!I must work hard and must not fail. Zuo Zongtang saw that he changed from sorrow to joy, showing a little joy, and wanted to ask, but the attendant next to him asked: Do you want to keep Mr. Hu for dinner? Hu Xueyan woke up from the dream and hurriedly said: It's getting late, I have to go to deliver the ship.Then he got up and said goodbye. Before leaving, Zuo Zongtang said in a more emphatic tone: I hope you will work hard and raise enough 1.2 million taels.The sooner I finish it, the sooner I feel at ease. Hu Xueyan said confidently: Please rest assured, my lord. In order to raise funds, Hu Xueyan had no choice but to go to Shanghai for a while.There is an old friend in Shanghai, Gu Yingchun, who specializes in contacting foreigners on behalf of Hu Xueyan. Gu Yingchun's career has developed very well recently.He became a comprador for HSBC Bank.What is a comprador?The comprador is the Chinese leader in the foreign business organization.Nominally, it manages accounts and all miscellaneous affairs, but in fact, negotiating with the Chinese, dealing with officials, and hiring labor are also in charge of compradors.The work of compradors is actually a bridge between foreign businessmen and Chinese.The connection between Chinese customers and foreign businessmen is also first through compradors. Gu Yingchun is proficient in English, is diligent, efficient, and has good interpersonal relationships, so he is trusted by the boss.Hu Xueyan often borrows money from foreign-funded banks, and consults with him if he has anything to do. Ying Chun, I want to have dinner with a foreign bank, please give me a list of foreign banks stationed in Shanghai!Hu Xueyan told Gu Yingchun. For the shipyard?Gu Yingchun asked. no.Hu Xueyan replied, I want to borrow money from them. When Gu Yingchun heard this, he was also a little shocked. All along, the loan of two to three hundred thousand taels was just enough for Hu Xueyan to say a few words. This time we have a meal and a meeting, the amount is definitely not small. Gu Yingchun took out the directory of commercial banks stationed in Shanghai, turned to the column of banks, and wrote down the names of ten foreign-funded banks, which are: 1. Agatha Bank; 2. Lizhong Bank; 3. Lishang Bank; 4. Huiquan Bank; 5. Macquarie Bank; 6. Huilong Bank; Bank; Ten, Liru Bank. The above ten banks, commonly known as foreign banks, belong to different countries.The most competitive are French and British banks.The last time Hu Xueyan negotiated with the French bank for the loan of the shipyard, which made the British bank very unhappy. If they invited their heads together for dinner, the scene would definitely be embarrassing. Therefore, Gu Yingchun said: It is better to invite separately than to invite everyone. You see, which ones are good?Hu Xueyan asked. Gu Yingchun listed HSBC, Macquarie Bank and Beneficiary Bank on the list.This McGalley is the Standard Chartered Bank in the Guangdong population. Because the Shanghainese have difficulty pronouncing the word Standard Chartered, they changed the name of his first stallholder, McGalley, into the name of the bank. Gu Yingchun said: These three are British banks. Gu Yingchun is the comprador of HSBC Bank. Hu Xueyan understands that if the conditions of all banks are the same, of course they will follow Gu Yingchun's method. HSBC is not entirely British.Its original name was Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Co., Ltd. It was founded in Hong Kong in the third year of Tongzhi, with a total capital of five million Hong Kong dollars. Gu Yingchun was also one of the shareholders, so he won the position of comprador. The Shanghai branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank was established one year later than the head office in Hong Kong.The general manager in Shanghai is named Mai Lin, a British gentleman businessman, and Gu Yingchun is a good friend. Mai Lin is very good at doing business, and he deeply understands that when he goes to the East to do business, he must of course do as the Romans do.In the past three or two years, he also learned the theory of Feng Shui, which made the Chinese staff a confidant.Westerners are religious, so they should resist the theory of magic numbers, but in order to please the employees, he put on a good show to make the Chinese employees work with peace of mind.When they opened a bank in China, they paid attention to Fengshui when they chose auspicious days, but they didn’t pay attention to Fengshui when they returned to their country, which shows that they just follow the local customs and believe in Fengshui. Mai Lin was willing to listen to opinions, and tried hard to change the shopping habits of the British to adapt to the Chinese.Gu Yingchun pointed out that the name Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, translated directly from English, is a bit deaf.If this bank is stationed in Shanghai, wouldn't it become the Shanghai branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank?The statement is a bit repetitive and cumbersome, and the two place names are connected together, Hong Kong and Shanghai become one name, which is a bit baffling and does not conform to Chinese grammar. The Chinese people have a habit of changing their names, on the one hand, for auspiciousness, and on the other hand, they want to be smooth in pronunciation. Mai Lin followed the good example and changed the name of the bank to Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, or HSBC Bank for short, which is also convenient for customers to call. Gu Yingchun once pointed out that the shareholders of HSBC have too many nationalities and have too many opinions.If there are differences of opinion, we will not be able to work together.Therefore, he advocated to focus on British shareholders and gradually collect shares from other countries.Mai Lin also thought it was right, and gradually turned HSBC into a British company. These three companies have the same position, you can invite the heads of these three banks to have dinner together.Gu Yingchun said. But I'm afraid that Sanjian's funds are not enough.Hu Xueyan said how much do you want to borrow?Gu Yingchun asked. 1.2 million taels.Hu Xueyan said For such a large loan, who should I borrow it for?Gu Yingchun asked. Of course I borrow it for Mr. Zuo.Hu Xueyan said. Shipyard?Gu Yingchun asked. No, Hu Xueyan replied, as food and wages for Lord Zuo's army. You can borrow money to fight a war, I have never heard of it.Although Gu Yingchun is well-informed, he has never heard of borrowing money to fight wars, so he made a verdict and said: This kind of loan may not have a chance, right? I also know that it is not easy. Although no one has tried it, everything is created by people.People can make ships, why can't we create business?After listening to Hu Xueyan's analysis, Gu Yingchun believed that he was a person who dared to do something, dared to go the way that others dare not go, and was not afraid of difficulties. Nothing could hinder him for such a person.Gu Yingchun also understands that instead of throwing cold water on Hu Xueyan's questioning, it is better to assist with all his strength to overcome difficulties, and everyone can create unprecedented achievements. Therefore, Gu Yingchun said: Why don't you make a plan, explaining how to borrow, how to repay, how much interest, how long is the term, how long is the term, etc., and write it out so that everyone can refer to it. If you borrow 1.2 million, the interest rate might be higher.The term is one year, and only the interest will be repaid in the first half of the year, and the monthly deduction will be made in the second half of the year. The principal and interest will be repaid in six installments.Hu Xueyan answered. What are you going to bring back then?Gu Yingchun asked. The provincial capitals are responsible for the food and payment of the army.As Hu Xueyan said, he raised his fingers and counted, Fujian 40,000, Guangdong 40,000, Zhejiang 70,000, which is 150,000, and there is still a difference of 50,000.Jiang Customs is in charge of 30,000 and still owes 20,000. Let's try to find a way! The money paid by the provinces may not be delivered on time. This is unreliable. Who can guarantee the repayment ability?Gu Yingchun asked. If they want a guarantee, I will use my Fukang Bank as a guarantee!Hu Xueyan said. This is not suitable.Gu Yingchun replied, foreigners are practical. Since your Fukang is willing to guarantee, foreign banks will say, why don't we just lend money to Fukang directly, why bother? Gu Yingchun said again: Uncle, you don't have to be too ostentatious and take too many risks! In recent years, you have had a lot of contact with foreigners, and you know their personalities and tempers. How do they do things?Hu Xueyan asked Gu Yingchun, an expert on Westernization, for advice. Foreigners do business differently from us.Gu Yingchun said that we Chinese pay attention to credit, and what we say means what we say. As long as we agree to others, we will go all out regardless of the consequences.What about foreigners?They also pay attention to credit, but besides credit, they also talk about legal principles, and they also have a bit of a villainous heart.In the beginning, they figured out what went wrong.For example, if you borrow money from them, the first thing they consider is your ability to repay the debt.Still not worth it?If you can't pay the debt, how can you recover it?Therefore, when negotiating business with them, you must first work hard on these two aspects, and you must be sure, otherwise, you should avoid opening your mouth. When it comes to paying off debts, don't worry.The debts we borrowed will of course be reported to the Ming court, and the suppression of chaos is a major national event, and all provinces should also assist.Whichever province sends the money late, it will delay the country's major affairs, and the crime is not light, and ordinary officials dare not.At the same time, the main provinces responsible are Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong. These three provinces are within the reach of adults.The three provinces have already made do with 150,000 yuan, so there is no need to worry about the rest, right? Well, even if we have the ability to repay the debt, who will guarantee it?Gu Yingchun asked. Since it is inconvenient for my Fukang to come forward, so what if Mr. Zuo guarantees it?Hu Xueyan asked. Since Mr. Zuo is a debtor, it is of course inconvenient to act as a guarantor.Gu Yingchun replied. This is difficult, because you have the ability to repay the debt, but you can't find someone who is willing to underwrite it.Hu Xueyan was feeling embarrassed, and suddenly had an idea and said, since the governors of the provinces will allocate funds, why not invite them to be guarantors?Banks can issue promissory notes to the provinces and collect them at maturity, isn't it possible?Hu Xueyan found a way and acted very happy. This may be a feasible way.Gu Yingchun said, however, are the governors of the provinces willing to sign a contract to repay the loan on schedule? You can rest assured on this level.Mr. Zuo has his own method, I guarantee he can do it.Hu Xueyan said with confidence. Since we have a solution, we might as well ask the big boss of HSBC to come out and talk to see what he means.Gu Yingchun said. The big boss of HSBC is Mai Lin, and Hu Xueyan met him.Mai Lin is also very smart and capable. You have to be careful, though, and keep it a secret.Hu Xueyan said solemnly, even Mr. Zuo didn't know about this matter. When Gu Yingchun heard this, he was also taken aback. He didn't expect that Hu Xueyan would have such great confidence to deal with such an important matter.Then, Hu Xueyan said: Once the secret is revealed, the officials of the imperial court know, and if there is a massive attack, we will not be able to talk. Don't worry, it will never be a joke.Gu Yingchun replied. Gu Yingchun arranged a dinner at the newly opened German General Club, which led to the meeting between Mai Lin and Hu Xueyan.And him?Served as interpreter for the two.Both Hu Xueyan and Mai Lin are successful businessmen, and when they meet, they immediately talk about the topic without going around in circles. Hu Xueyan first explained his position and requirements clearly, and Mai Lin just listened patiently and recorded the details without saying a word of comment.After listening to the whole process clearly, Mai Lin asked a series of questions. What is your country's opinion on this debt incident?Merlin said.Putting down chaos is the top priority of the country.Hu Xueyan pointed out affirmatively, and said that Mr. Zuo was entrusted by the state with full power to put down the chaos, so training the army and raising food and wages were of course also his responsibility. As far as I know, Mr. Zuo is the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, but the governor of your country has power only within the scope of his own jurisdiction, and Shaanxi and Gansu provinces have the most barren land. Can they pay off their debts?Merlin asked. You are right, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, of course, do not have enough funds to pay off their debts.But this time the war was ordered by the imperial court, and Master Zuo did not pay for the war. Hu Xueyan also patiently analyzed that since the imperial court wanted to fight, the provinces would naturally be responsible for the food and wages.This is the prestige of the imperial court, so you don't have to worry about it. Since it is a national loan, why doesn't your government come forward to negotiate directly? Master Zuo came forward to borrow money, isn't it just representing the Chinese government?Hu Xueyan said that in diplomatic negotiations, the most important thing is to talk about equal status.If our government comes forward, we will discuss it with your household department, so we don't need to meet. Mai Lin also thought that what Hu Xueyan said was right, nodded slowly, and said: Mr. Zuo represents the Chinese government, and you represent Mr. Zuo, so, isn't it like you also represent the Chinese government? Hu Xueyan couldn't help feeling cold when he heard Mai Lin's inference. This is a difficult question to answer, because this matter is only in the first stage of negotiation, and even Zuo Zongtang doesn't know what method Hu Xueyan uses to borrow money, let alone Not authorized by the imperial court.If the words are leaked out and rumors are spread, once it reaches the ears of the officials, the crime of stealing the name and humiliating the country is not a light one.But if you shrink back at this time, you will lose the negotiation opportunities you have worked so hard to get. Hu Xueyan said grandly: If the negotiation is successful, I will be the representative of the Chinese government.Otherwise, I'm just representing myself. Mr. Hu is indeed a master negotiator in shopping malls, his words are very decent, he is down-to-earth and quick in response, which is just right.Well, I will treat Mr. Hu as a representative of the Chinese government.Merlin said. After some compliments, the atmosphere of the meeting became more harmonious.Mai Lin said again: I agree with this loan in principle, but before the negotiation has reached a conclusion, I ask you not to discuss it with other banks, is that okay? This of course!When we Chinese do business, we pay attention to long-term credit.Hu Xueyan said, however, a time limit must be set for the negotiations. On the other hand, I also hope that you will keep all the contents confidential and not leak them. Yes, everyone has to be a little restricted.As for the time limit for the negotiation, it is difficult to set it in advance, because there are many details in it, and everyone has to study and negotiate carefully, and the time required cannot be generalized.Merlin said. So, let's talk about the details.Hu Xueyan is indeed a master negotiator. Just a few words can stabilize Mai Lin's intention and make him acquiesce that the entire loan plan has been implemented.In Western negotiation theory, this technique is called Implied Consent.With one sentence, you can measure the other party's inner motivation.If Mai Lin was not sure, he would definitely say: Wait a minute, let's talk again.If he has agreed in his heart, he will jump into the details and study. Gu Yingchun, who was on the sidelines, immediately said: "Little uncle, you are really capable. The whole negotiation shows that the master's tricks can only come to an end. Only smart people can appreciate each other, so that the whole negotiation can be completed smoothly." Finally, Hu Xueyan and Mai Lin had a secret and long meeting, which lasted for three days.This is an innovative lending business, and Mai Lin has no experience. However, the more he negotiates, the more he admires Hu Xueyan's work attitude. Insight.Finally, Mai Lin reached an agreement with Hu Xueyan, and Mai Lin also handed over Hu Xueyan, a visionary entrepreneur. This agreement is only a verbal promise, not recorded.However, both parties also have a moral responsibility to keep their promises, and must not go back on their word.The terms and conditions of the agreement are as follows: First, the loan, totaling 1.2 million taels, was arranged by HSBC as the lead consortium. Second, the monthly interest is 8%, and the interest will be deducted when paying, which is everyone's profit. Third, Hu Xueyan and Gu Yingchun introduced Chinese businessmen to make deposits with HSBC Bank. The monthly interest rate is 4% in the open market and 8% in the dark market. Fourth, each customs office also has monthly tax revenue, and the host of the customs office is a foreigner. Therefore, the loan contract is guaranteed by each customs office, printed by each governor, and withdrawn from each customs office when it expires. Fifth, starting from July of the sixth year of Tongzhi, 200,000 taels of principal will be repaid every month, and all debts will be paid off after half a year. There are five agreements in total, and the third involves interest, including the profits of Hu Xueyan, Gu Yingchun and HSBC.Hu Xueyan and Gu Yingchun introduced Chinese people to deposit money into HSBC, get back 4% interest, and then put the money back into Zuo Zongtang's account, charge 8% interest, the net profit is 4%, of which 2% goes to HSBC, and 2% goes to HSBC. It belongs to Hu Xueyan and Gu Yingchun. As for the promise, Mai Lin insisted that the customs make a promise, because they are all foreigners.He believed in Zuo Zongtang and Hu Xueyan, but he did not trust the governors of the provinces.At that time, the credit of the Chinese people was really worthless in the eyes of Westerners. At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty’s foreign trade, the Manchu and Qing government did not understand the method and importance of customs tax collection, so they entrusted foreigners to do it for them. The original intention was that the customs revenue was too small and they were not interested in it. , Only then regretted ceding the management rights to foreigners.It can be seen that if the vision is not accurate, the loss is great. Every subsidized province has customs, and it is no problem to ask the customs officer to make a promise.Negotiations worked well.Zuo Zongtang was also very satisfied.After the imperial court studied it, it also approved it.But the approval time was already in the early spring, when silk and tea business had just started, and the cash for loans to silkworm farmers and spring farmers was very tight, and the interest rate rose to 1.2%, which was an unprecedented usury.As a result, rumors spread, saying that Hu Xueyan was enriching himself.Later, after ingenious appeasement and mediation, the objections of all parties were subsided. This was the first time that a Chinese borrowed money from a foreigner. Zuo Zongtang won a battle with this fund and established an unprecedented achievement. As a result, Hu Xueyan skyrocketed and his career reached the peak.But the Chinese say that good fortune depends on misfortune, and this achievement has buried the opportunity for failure. Hu Xueyan's career failed in his later years because he was a victim of political struggle. There is only one big backer for Hu Xueyan, and that is Zuo Zongtang.Zuo Zongtang is talented, knows how to do things, and has the courage to do great things, but he has no ability to be an official because of his poor interpersonal relationship. Zuo Zongtang yelled at someone he didn't like, and those who worked with him often felt very embarrassed.Moreover, he can exercise power and has a bit of a domineering attitude, which is very annoying.When his career was in full swing, everyone was afraid of him, but once his career reversed, there would be a phenomenon of sinking and stepping down, and more people would hit him. Since the death of Zeng Guofan, the two factions of Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang have been the most competitive.Li Hongzhang is more knowledgeable about being an official and will create opportunities for his subordinates. Zuo Zongtang is like a general who is good at fighting. He only knows how to do things and disdains to please others.As the saying goes, one mountain cannot hide two tigers. In Li Hongzhang's heart, he thought that since he wanted to flex his muscles, he certainly couldn't tolerate Zuo Zongtang. How to attack Zuo Zongtang?Still start turning over from the bottom. Zuo Zongtang's success lies in his victory in sending troops.The reason for sending troops is sufficient funds.Since borrowing from HSBC, Zuo Zongtang has borrowed more than 15 million taels in total through the hands of Hu Xueyan.Sufficient finances made Zuo Zongtang's career skyrocket.To dig Zuo Zongtang's bottom, it is better to start by cutting off the source of income. This is the real reason why Hu Xueyan was defeated. Hu Xueyan had a big business back then, including: First, the bank business, opening Fukang banks all over the provinces, earned Hu Xueyan the title of Hu Caishen.Compared with the government's bills, his bank has more credibility. Second, the pawn business.Some people can't bear to open a pawn shop, thinking that they are making money from the poor.But Hu Xueyan's concept is different. He believes that Qianzhuang is a pawnshop for rich people, but what about pawnshops?It's just a bank for the poor. Third, silk tea business.When foreigners traveled thousands of miles to China, they first bought silk tea.Because the Chinese are not united, Westerners see it through and carry out individual extortion to lower prices.Seeing this, Hu Xueyan united all silk merchants, negotiated prices with foreigners, and controlled the conditions and prices of silk sales.Later, due to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution, machines replaced human hands, and the new silk reeling factories overwhelmed the rural handloom industry.In order to support the rural handicraft industry, Hu Xueyan continued to fight against the foreign silk industry. He casually accumulated millions of silver dollars in silk and ate a lot of money. Fourth, the medicine village business.Hu Xueyan opened a pharmacy called Hu Qingyutang.Zhuge Xingjun San, Biwen Pill, Shenmian, Liushen Pill and other patented medicines he sold were specially used to treat bruises and knife wounds. They were quite useful for marching members. After mutual promotion and promotion, they became popular patented medicines across the country. . Hu Xueyan's business is doing very well.He should have been the richest man in the country as stable as Mount Tai, but if Li Hongzhang wanted to overthrow Zuo Zongtang, he had no choice but to attack Hu Xueyan. The easiest way is to squeeze money from his bank.No bank can handle a run.Hu Xueyan also opened too many banks and lacked management personnel, so that some of the employees cheated.Ever since, if a crisis cannot be dealt with, a chain phenomenon of defeats will appear.Such a huge career, it disappeared in the blink of an eye. This story happened about forty years before Bao Yugang was born.He must be clear about Hu Xueyan's legendary story.Doing business requires political connections, but of course it is dangerous to put all your eggs in one basket.For this reason, Bao Yugang maintains relationships with the giants of various political regions, but there is a certain distance between him and everyone.Bao Yugang's method is to be close but not close, and to make friends with politicians extensively, so as to win and balance each other.He would not rely on Zuo Zongtang alone like Hu Xueyan.For this reason, Bao Yugang is relatively active, and the dignitaries of various countries are also competing to make friends with him.