Years of the Republic of China 1913

Fang Zida, who had been confident for a long time, was not stage-frightened. He cast his eyes on Song Jiaoren to reassure him, and then smiled and said to everyone: "President, seniors. I have been in the West for a long time, and I have returned to my country for the first time. I have studied economics a little bit." However, there are not a few countries in the West that borrow from the country, and there have been routines for a long time. Just like France, Germany and other powerful countries in the past, they all borrowed huge amounts of debt to tide over the national crisis, so borrowing is not a shameful thing, just like ordinary businessmen doing business If you don’t have money, you can find someone to borrow money to run the business.”

When Fang Zida said this, everyone smiled slightly, and listened to him continue to speak in a relaxed mood.

Fang Zida paused, turned to look at Zhou Xuexi, and asked, "President Zhou, after listening to the loan situation you introduced just now, is it okay to think about it next?"

"Yes!" Zhou Xuexi nodded.

"The total loan amount of the five-nation consortium is 500 million pounds. Based on the actual income of 100%, the actual loan amount should be [-] million pounds?"

Seeing that Zhou Xuexi had no doubts, Fang Zida continued to ask: "According to the requirements of the loan terms, the actual loan of 100 million pounds should be deducted from the advance payment, the repayment of the due boxer indemnity, and foreign debts?"

"Of course!"

"Okay! Then again, after deducting these expenses, how much will the government actually get?" Fang Zida asked calmly.

"This..." Zhou Xuexi glanced at Yuan Shikai first, and then said after getting his approval: "It is estimated to be around 750 million to 760 million."

"Hehe, even if it's 750 million pounds, 750 million pounds, that's a huge amount of money! But Mr. Zhou, do you think the government can use such a huge amount of money?" Fang Zida asked with a smile.

750 million pounds is indeed a huge sum of money. If it is converted into silver, it is nearly 500 million taels. However, this amount of money is a drop in the bucket for a vast territory, a large population, and a newly born Republic of China.You must know that in 700 alone, the total fiscal revenue of the Manchu Qing government was 500 million taels (including various exorbitant taxes), and military expenditures alone accounted for [-] million taels, which is comparable to this huge figure. In comparison, [-] million taels is not worth mentioning.What's more, now that various forces in various places have formed separatist regimes. Except for the places occupied by the Beijing government, the governors of other provinces are trying their best to collect taxes to raise money and support soldiers. They don't pay a penny of taxes to the central government. They kept asking Beijing for money and food.

Everyone was silent, even Yuan Shikai frowned and remained silent. There was a huge gap and obvious comparison. Everyone knew in their hearts that even if they borrowed money, the money was far from enough.

"Shang Ming, I know that you studied economics in Europe, and I hope you can help the country in economics this time when you go north. Since you see the problem so thoroughly, there are no outsiders present, so just speak up if you have any ideas. Song Jiaoren was also surprised by Fang Zida's words, these were issues that he hadn't considered or thought of before.The country is so difficult, and as the next prime minister who is about to form a cabinet, he suddenly finds that the road ahead is so tortuous and difficult.He glanced at Fang Zida with some reproach, as if he was blaming him for not talking to himself about this before, but then he thought that Fang Zida had just returned to China, and he didn't know the government's situation at all, and the matter of the big loan came today and after he came here I just heard that it is not easy to have such an opinion in the conversation just now.

"Yes, brother Zhang Ming, please give me more advice!" Zhou Xuexi, who was beaten and covered with a stick, said eagerly, with the same attitude as the two before and after.

"Hehe, my solution is actually very simple." Fang Zida said calmly: "Since the government wants to borrow money and the borrowed money is not enough, then simply borrow more. Twenty-five million pounds is too little. Twenty-five million is fine. If possible, you can even consider adding more. As for the interest and time, you can also increase and extend it accordingly. To make an inappropriate analogy, it’s all for sale anyway. Why not sell it at a high price as much as possible, as long as the government has sufficient funds, everything will be easy to handle in the future!"

"what!"

Fang Zida's wild words shocked everyone, good guy!The idea is outrageous.For a moment, everyone looked at Fang Zida with strange expressions. Some people who were hopeful a minute ago showed disdain, and some even put Fang Zida in the category of Sun Wenzhi in their hearts. Of course, it doesn't mean his revolutionary consciousness, but that his mouth is unobstructed, and he talks endlessly without shocking, setting up a posture of bombardment with cannons.

"Crazy life! It's really whimsical!" Lu Zhengxiang changed his face on the spot, and reprimanded: "I thought there was some clever trick, and it was such a bad idea after a long time? A joke! How can it be so easy for countries, governments and governments to borrow money? First Not to mention whether the five-nation banking consortium can lend so much money, even if we are willing to borrow, what will we repay? You know, it is an annual interest of 47%, and the repayment period is [-] years. Customs duties and salt taxes have to be used as payment. Mortgage, which has already put the government under great pressure, if you want to increase the loan amount and pay more, this... this..."

His face was flushed, and he was gesticulating excitedly while spouting, Lu Zhengxiang almost cursed the word "traitor".Song Jiaoren was also taken aback. He never thought that Fang Zida, who had always seemed stable, would suddenly say such outrageous words. This is simply unbelievable!

"Shang Ming, are you crazy?" Lowering his voice, Song Jiaoren tugged at Fang Zida's sleeve: "What nonsense are you talking about? You're talking traitorously!"

"Brother Dunchu, don't worry..." Replied in a low voice, Fang Zida smiled indifferently and sat back in his seat, as if he hadn't said anything or done anything just now.

After Fang Zida got involved like this, everyone present lost the mood to continue the conversation, and they left one after another after not staying for long.And Fang Zida also left the presidential palace with Song Jiaoren. After they all left, Yuan Shikai who was sitting upright held a teacup in his hand and thought about it. It took a long time before he spoke slowly.

"Xizi, Gengfu, what do you think?"

"A madman!" Xia Shoutian, who had been by Yuan Shikai's side but had not spoken a word, snorted coldly, while Yang Du on the other side said with a smile, "I think Fang Zhangming is an interesting young man."

"Oh..." Yuan Shikai raised his eyebrows.

Yang Du smiled and said: "Actually, what Fang Zhangming said is correct, it's just that these loans are far from enough for the current situation. Since it is a loan, why not borrow a little more? It's a betrayal of the country. It's better to sell it thoroughly, so as not to be caught in the future." If people scold you a few times, you don’t have to worry about debts, the key is to have enough money to do big things.”

"Everyone understands the truth, but how easy is it to do things?" Xia Shoutian shook his head and said, "It's just empty talk!"

"Yes!" Yuan Shikai agreed: "It's easy to talk, but difficult to do things! It's one thing to see clearly, but another thing to be able to do it. Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!"

In fact, why did Yuan Shikai not move his mind?If there is really a huge sum of money, with the strength of Beiyang in his hands and the support of Song Jiaoren, the possibility of stabilizing the whole of China is still very high.As long as there is stability, relying on China's vast land and endless population base, as long as it takes 20 years or even less than ten years, the whole country will take on a new look and move towards prosperity.

"President, I think this Fang Zhangming may have something in his heart, and those words are probably not for nothing..." Yang Du smiled.

"Hehe, if that's the case...interesting...hahaha...interesting!" Yuan Shikai's eyes flashed, and he immediately laughed.