Chapter 190: City redemption fee

Although Li Fengjie thought it was feasible, when he thought of owing such a huge sum of money, he couldn't help but shake his head: "If you borrow it, you have to pay it back. With the interest, this is a lot of money!"

"In a few days, it will be the day to start the autumn fu. If you collect more of each acre of floating, you will be smoothed out." He Chengzong said, "If the thief does not leave, this autumn fu will probably be in great trouble..."

This last sentence touched Li Fengjie. The local government had everything, and they had to focus on taxation, the most concerned issue of the court. The thief was left on Henan Island and sent people to collect grain and silver every day. How could the autumn tuition start in November be collected? He Chengzong was right. As long as the autumn graft was collected, the hole of 300,000 taels of silver could still be filled.

However, these 300,000 taels are not small numbers after all. Li Fengjie was in a very unhappy mood when he thought of taking this debt for no reason.

Why did this kind of thing that has no benefit fall on him? This group of Australians have too much appetite! Thinking of this, he decided to bargain with the Australians, at least he had to cut off one hundred thousand or eighty thousand.

At this moment, he did not comment on He Chengzong's suggestions. He just asked him to retreat first.

He Chengzong felt inexplicable, so the next day, he came to visit and asked the governor how he finally made a decision. He continued to send Yan Xiaomao across the river to talk to the Australians in the evening.

"My lord doesn't comment," said He Chengzong, "My lord has not said it, nor has he said it."

"Adults need to think about it." He raised his head and beat him. Since he didn't say "yes", it was actually "no". Most of the governors still had the intention to bargain. He sneered in secret: This is what it means to not eat toast and not eat wine.

Sure enough, in the following days, Li Fengjie prepared horses and soldiers in Guangzhou City, recruited strong people, set up artillery, and acted like "fighting to the death", which made everyone confused. He Chengzong thought that his boss was really going to "sustain and die with the city", so he couldn't help but feel anxious. He advised him several times, but he was blocked by Li Fengjie.

Gao Ju knew that the governor was pretending to show the thieves outside the city, which made them feel timid, so that they could let go of the issue of redeeming the city expenses.

Sure enough, after a day, Li Fengjie had to hold him high and go to the Lotus Monastery to continue the peace talks.

"Sir, if there is no explanation for the redemption of the city expenses, I'm afraid I can't tell you any more."

"You are a business person. Could it be that if others buy as much as they offer?" Li Fengjie was very dissatisfied with Gao Ju's attitude.

He raised high and said respectfully: "Sir, it depends on what kind of goods it is. If it is a rare item, of course I will buy as much as he drives."

"Okay, okay. You go to the thief and tell me that there is too much money for 300,000 yuan and I can't take it out in the city. Let them reduce it."

"Sir, I think it's a lot to reduce..."

"This depends on your ability?" Li Fengjie sneered.

"Yes, yes, I will do my best."

This attitude certainly aroused the dissatisfaction of the top leaders of the task force. Originally, some of the elders asked to use rockets to attack Guangzhou on a large scale, killing the majesty of Guangdong bureaucrats. However, a group of veterans, including Wen Desi, tried their best to oppose it. Of course, this was not for the purpose of "protecting cultural monuments". Instead, Guangzhou, like all Chinese cities at that time, was a city dominated by brick and wood structures. The indiscriminate bombardment of a large number of Hale rockets would inevitably cause large-scale fires. Maybe it would burn the whole city.

Guangzhou is one of the richest cities in China. You can imagine how much wealth a fire in the whole city would burn and how many useful human resources would be burned. Many wealthy chambers of commerce went bankrupt and suffered unimaginable consequences. Time travelers could no longer use the city for several years after the war.

Now, Li Fengjie's attitude has brought the idea of ​​shelling Guangzhou to the surface again. Several veterans of the team have asked for this "military display".

Wen Desi probably felt it was necessary to show their military power - the so-called seeing is true, so as not to lack an intuitive impression of the crossover's force. He immediately approved the plan to launch a shelling of Guangzhou Nancheng. In order to avoid large-scale losses of life and property, the shelling targets were mainly the city defense facilities in the Nancheng and the stations, gate halls, docks and other facilities near the south gate.

On the evening of November 7, the Fubo Army launched more than 200 Hale rockets from its preset positions and artillery boats, completely burning many defense facilities near the south gate, stations, and offices. The officers and soldiers guarding the south gate and Zhuang Yong fell into great chaos. The rockets launched by the artillery boats also concentrated on bombarding the majestic and spectacular three-story tower on the south gate. Under the concentrated bombardment of nearly 40 Hale rockets, the brick-wood three-story tower quickly fell into a raging fire and burned for a whole night.

According to Chen Haiyang's order, several rockets were also fired into the Guanyaji District in the depths of Guangzhou City to show their power.

Li Fengjie spent a night like a nightmare night. When the dense rockets began to bombard the South City, the officials and the inns caught fire, and even the city towers burned, he thought the thieves were about to attack the city. He quickly led some staff to the South City Gate. However, before he could get there, the officers and soldiers who fled from the South City Gate blocked the road. They all looked dark by fireworks, panicked, and rushed across the streets, without any concern for the officers intercepting in front. After finally, when the crowd passed, he would never dare to look forward to it again - those terrible Australian fire meteors kept falling from the air, and if they were hit on their heads, it would be finished.

"Let's go back to the yamen!" Li Fengjie quickly ordered. His personal soldiers and family surrounded others and rushed back to the governor's yamen, and then transferred 200 soldiers to spare. Li Fengjie climbed the corner tower and looked at the south gate. The fire was blazing, reflecting half of the sky red, and he looked very scared. A thought flashed through his mind, if the thief took the opportunity to break the city, he would immediately commit suicide in the yamen.

At this moment, more than a dozen rockets kept cutting through the night sky like meteors, flying straight towards the deep area of ​​the city, landing in the streets and government offices from time to time, and a bang of fire appeared.

The water gongs were beating one after another on the street, and the brave men and the water club staff ran around to fight the fire. Fortunately, there were few rockets shot here, and the fire heads were blowing as they rose and rushed, without causing any greater damage. However, such shooting caused greater panic.

Li Fengjie was neither in the house nor outside. The god of death fell from the sky made him feel a huge fear he had never experienced before. In the past, as long as he hid behind the thick city wall, no matter how many golden swords and iron horses outside, bloody winds could not invade his head. However, the tall and thick city walls could not protect his life as they did in the past.

Fortunately, the thieves showed no sign of attack. More than half an hour later, the rocket attack stopped. The officials, officers and soldiers who had escaped were brave enough to return to the south gate to put out the fire.

The next day of this attack, Gao Ju left the city and agreed to all the requests made by Wen Desi.

As for raising money, Li Fengjie could not imagine it, so he had to adopt He Chengzong's "borrow" plan - he would talk about it after the difficulties were passed.

The next day, He Chengzong went to Gao Ju's house and told Gao Ju about this method. Gao Ju is the leading figure among foreign merchants in this city, and his attitude can influence many people.

Gao Qiao did not comment. He raised his eyelids slightly, and could not have thought that He Chengzong could think of this method. Gao Qiao's original method was also based on "borrowing". However, Gao Qiao's loan was a constitution, and he had already calculated it in his heart how to borrow, how to repay, and how much interest. Yesterday he was unwilling to say it immediately in person, because he wanted to avoid suspicion - in the eyes of businessmen, the reputation of the government has always been not very good. If the loan was denied one day, his peers would inevitably call him "spicy", which would make him famous.

Gao Ju kept thinking about how to ask Li Fengjie for this suggestion. Now he came to his door, of course no matter how good he was.

"This is 300,000 taels." He held up his fan and knocked on the side of the coffee table. "No one has ever let go of such a big sum."

"Of course, we have to ask Mr. Gao to work hard, understand it, and ask businessmen from all walks of life to work together. It will be easier for each household to share some of it."

He raised his head and smiled slightly. He Chengzong's idea was the same as the government's "disbursement" and "recruitment". In fact, as long as the profit is large enough, he can borrow as much as possible. Mr. He has not understood this truth yet. He deliberately took a look and said, "This matter is probably difficult."

"I know it's difficult, but are there any other ways to raise the 300,000 taels now?" He Chengzong smiled bitterly, "The warships of the thieves are circling in the river every day, and it is clear that if you don't pay, you have to fight Guangzhou. This is also for the common people of a city."

He raised his head high and nodded: "I can save it." He also said: "There is a solution and there must be a return. There must be a constitution: how to borrow, how to repay; how much interest is paid, how much time limit is set? Let's say it out first to see if it works?"

"Borrowing 400,000 - in addition to redeeming the city expenses, you must also compensate the Australian font for losses, and you can also get 20,000 to 30,000 silver. The thieves killed and looted along the way, and also had to spend some money on the pensions - in the end, there is a certain amount of money in the palace in Beijing, so you must have to avoid difficulties." He Chengzong sighed, "If you win a battle, you will only reward the three armies, and there will be some expenses on the ground. If you lose a battle, the expenses will be endless."

Since the fall of Humen, 60,000 taels of silver were spent on the vassal treasury and the county treasury alone. However, the money spent was not only the appropriations from the vassal treasury, but also the "payment" from the merchants, the civil servants, materials, and the rural brave men who collected the expenses...

How much money was spent on this "Guangzhou Defense Battle" was already a confusing amount. And in the end, there was a "city redemption expense" of 300,000 yuan!

Although He Chengzong did not know the famous saying "Victory is always cheaper", he had an extremely full understanding of failure as more money spent. He became increasingly firm in his future as a "peace faction" or a "surrender faction" who was rebuked by some Ming FQs.

He thought high that the additional 100,000 for the 400,000 miles had various uses, but a large part of it must be a "fake" and the benefit of officials at all levels. Before the money was borrowed, the benefits were already done. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look down on it.

However, as long as it is profitable and can guarantee the repayment of principal and interest, he will not bother with how these officials make money by making a clever name - if they are all as clear as water and as a mirror, he will do nothing business.

"I won't talk about it for 400,000 or 500,000. But there is a clear statement to say what the interest rate of this money is, how long the term is, how to pay the interest, and how to repay it. Only then can I tell you about this matter."

He Chengzong had already thought about this question: "The annual interest rate is one cent and three. It lasts for one year. The principal and interest will be paid once it expires."

He raised his head and said slowly: "Mr. He! Gao said that this charter cannot be obtained."

He Chengzong secretly cursed "a villain who forgets righteousness when seeing profit", but at this time he had something to ask others, so he had to ask patiently: "Where is in the opinion of Gao Gong?"

"I don't have any 'seeing'," Gao said, "borrowing money is not about the government levying the tax on the grain. It's like what you say. You have to have the intention of borrowing money." He coughed and cleared his throat. A beautiful maid who was waiting beside him quickly stepped forward and knelt down, and both sides handed an enamel phlegm box.

He raised his phlegm and took the Australian colored towel from another maid, wiped his mouth and took a sip of hot tea.

"...A yearly interest rate of 100,000 taels can be borrowed if there is such interest of 300,000 taels, Gao himself wants to borrow it."

He Chengzong knew that the interest rate was high and he felt that it was low. He was secretly alert in his heart and asked carefully: "Mr. Gao thought it would be appropriate to have an annual interest rate?"

"I'm not hiding it from my brother." Gao Qiao said, "Our industry dismantling is also required to have a year interest rate of two to two to four. Now, since it is the face of Lord Fujun, one or eight is indispensable."

Gao Ju continued to say his request: the term is one year, and only interest rates will be paid in the first half of the year; the second half of the year will be paid in six installments every month. The 12th month will be paid off.

It is said that it is a one-year loan, but in fact, the principal and interest will be paid periodically from the seventh month. The actual interest is much higher than the one-time repayment of principal and interest at maturity.

However, this condition is very suitable for the government's financial status. He Chengzong knew very well that it was impossible for the Guangdong government to pay 470,000 taels of silver at one time when it expired. It would be easier to break things into pieces.

"This makes." He Chengzong nodded, "but this matter also requires the approval of Fujun."

"Of course." He raised his head and asked, "What should I get to pay it back then?"

"Of course I made an idea in the autumn fu. A few points per acre will be fine. As long as Gao Gong told the merchants like this, can they still believe in the province's land tax as a guarantee?"

He sighed: "Brother He! You are really a scholarly opinion. Borrowing money requires evidence, and the other is that you have to have a mortgage as a guarantee. If you say the old saying goes, why are you willing to take out money?"

He Chengzong was confused for a moment. In his opinion, isn’t a word from the governor enough? In this Guangdong Province, there are not many people who say a word that is worth ten thousand.

"Isn't the reputation of the governor's yamen still possible?"

"Of course, it's just this credential?" Gao Ju saw that he was not at all enlightened, so he had to say straight to the point, "Mr. Li benefited all the people in the province and had to deal with all kinds of things every day. If there are too many current affairs, I forgot about this matter - do you think we should not hang ourselves if we borrow money?"

He Chengzong was speechless. Officials who were dependent on their debts and did not keep their words were not without such things.

"... Even if you have an IOU, you have to be a little bit pretentious." Gao Qiao smiled and said, "One day Lord Li was promoted, and the money was not yet repaid, and another person was promoted. He said: I didn't lend this money, I don't care. Everyone has to hang themselves again."

He Chengzong knew that Gao Ju said that it was not false, but the loan notes were mortgaged. He was in a dilemma. The Governor's Office issued a loan notes, which was unheard of. If one or two of them were found, Governor Li would definitely not be able to take it away.

Gao Ju knew that this IOU might not be able to get it out, but fortunately he had other plans.

"The Governor's Office has a loan note, which is of course the best guarantee. But as long as the guaranteed items are enough."

The mortgage proposed by Gao Qiao is salt ingot. According to the total amount of principal and interest, some salt pounds are added as the shipping and sales expenses as appropriate, and paid to the borrower in one lump sum to the loan merchant as collateral. The salt ingot is the most reputable securities in the hands of the government, and the merchant will never refuse to accept this as a guarantee.

"Salt can be used when you get it, or you can resell it privately. What if an illegal businessman takes the opportunity to resell it?"

"This is not difficult. Just stamp the salt indicia: it can only be used after a certain year, month and day - this day is the date when the final repayment expires." Gao Ju said, "When repaying the loan, let everyone bring salt in exchange."

"This method is very good." He Chengzong was convinced. There were indeed some ways to raise high. He Chengzong was not a corrupt scholar who studied hard - otherwise he would not be able to be a close associate of the governor, but he knew very little about the business story. He Chengzong could learn from it with just a little bit of a play. The two sides had a secret talk for several hours, and finally reached an agreement.

This agreement has not been drafted or recorded, but they have guaranteed each other that the oral agreement will not be regretted. The agreed methods and conditions are:

First, the total loan is 400,000 taels of Kupingyin; the head is raised and merchants are recruited to receive loans.

Second, the annual interest rate is 1 cent and 8 cents. Only interest is paid for the first six months, and the principal is paid every month after the next six months. The principal and interest are paid off one year later.

Third, the loan is mortgaged by the Governor's yamen. A 3% discount is added. The salt is stamped with a period of stamping. Pay it back to the Governor's yamen according to the monthly principal and interest repayment amount to be paid to the Governor's yamen every month.

After He Chengzong returned, he reported to Li Fengjie. When Li Fengjie heard that he used salt guitar as collateral, he thought that he had a really bad idea to promote his highness and agreed to it one by one.

It took some time to raise the money, Li Fengjie was afraid that he would be bombarded by the Australians with rockets again, so he ordered the temporary payment of 100,000 taels from the vassal Kuli, and the special person would release it. He would take advantage of the night to send it to the Australian camp. Yan Xiaomao also went with him, Xiang Wen and Chen demanded another three days of grace in order to raise all the remaining money.
Chapter completed!