The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 443: The Governor's Office Guarantee

Last night, Yang Shixiang had already told Teng Yuzhao.

As soon as Yang Shixiang arrived in Qi County, Cixi immediately summoned him.

Originally, Zai Yi told Yang Shixiang hesitantly that Cixi would summon him the next day.

At the same time, Zai Yi carefully revealed some very meaningful information to him during the conversation.

What Zai Yi meant was that Cixi was quite curious about why Yang Shixiang did not come to Shanxi first, but went to Zhili to meet Teng Yuzhao first.

Yang Shixiang could naturally hear that Zai Yi was carefully reminding him that Cixi was quite dissatisfied with Yang Shixiang's meeting with Teng Yuzao first, and might even have had some resentment in her heart.

Yang Shixiang naturally didn't know that Zai Yi and Teng Yuzhao had a close relationship, so he was naturally very grateful for Zai Yi's reminder. While expressing his gratitude to Zai Yi repeatedly, he hurriedly took out a silver note from his sleeve and handed it over.

Zai Yi glanced at the banknote and saw that it was a banknote payable on demand issued by the "Dadetong" bank, the most famous bank in Shanxi. Moreover, it was a banknote with a face value of one thousand taels. Without any hesitation, he put it into his sleeve.

Although a silver note of one thousand taels was a huge sum of money, Zai Yi would not even consider it.

But things are different now. Except for a small amount of silver bills and precious jewelry and jades that were brought out, the rest of the family’s wealth, including cash and a large amount of gold, were thrown into the silver cellar, and it is estimated that they will most likely not be safe.

The century-old family business was destroyed in an instant, which almost made Zai Yi heartbroken.

In particular, in the past six months, some people were eager to get close to him, the prime minister and future emperor, and offering large sums of money made Zai Yi feel very painful.

These huge sums of money are no less than his family property as a prince.

It was precisely because of such thoughts and feelings that Zai Yi accepted the mere 1,000 taels of silver with a humble attitude.

If it were a few months ago, Zai Yi would probably have thrown the banknotes directly on Yang Shixiang's face.

After presenting the silver note, Yang Shixiang hurriedly explained to Zai Yi that he went to see Teng Yuzhao first because he was eager to understand the war situation in Laishui and Yixian areas, as well as the current true situation of the vanguard army, so as to report it to the empress dowager.

Although Zai Yi had already received Teng Yuzhao's memorial, he still wanted to know more details about the war situation and the actual situation of the vanguard army, and immediately asked Yang Shixiang to tell him in detail the situation and news he had learned.

Zai Yi was very excited to learn that Yang Shixiang had a grasp of the situation and that his personal views on Teng Yuzao and the vanguard army were completely positive.

Zai Yi was very worried that Yang Shixiang had a negative opinion of Teng Yuzao and the Vanguard Army, and would be unfavorable to Teng Yuzao when meeting Cixi.

At this point, he was completely relieved and immediately ran to see Cixi regardless of his fatigue.

Naturally, Cixi was most concerned about the war.

After receiving Zai Yi's report, he immediately summoned Yang Shixiang.

Cixi was impatient to inquire about the situation of Teng Yuzhao and the vanguard army. Yang Shixiang naturally praised the vanguard army greatly. At the same time, he also exaggerated the decisive role played by Teng Yuzhao in the battle where the vanguard army was weak against the strong.

After hearing Yang Shixiang's account of what he had seen and heard, Cixi was silent for a while, and then instructed Yang Shixiang to do his job seriously and do his best to assist Teng Yuzhao.

She also said that she would immediately ask the Grand Council to send letters to the governors of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan and other places, asking them to fully cooperate with the vanguard army in recruiting soldiers.

Moreover, if the Vanguard Army had any difficulties, Yang Shixiang could directly send the memorial to her. Finally, before Yang Shixiang left, Cixi suddenly asked him, which one is stronger, the Wuwei Right Army or the Vanguard Army? If Yuan Shikai led the army to fight against the Japanese, would he have the ability of Teng Yuzao?

Although Cixi did not say a word against Teng Yuzhao and the vanguard army during the meeting, Yang Shixiang had already vaguely sensed some of Cixi's thoughts.

Cixi had no dissatisfaction with Teng Yuzao, and even relied on Teng Yuzao as a mainstay, especially in the current situation.

However, precisely because of this, Cixi was deeply wary of Teng Yuzhao. She urgently wanted a general and corresponding army that could compete with Teng Yuzhao and his vanguard army.

Although Teng Yuzhao had just arrived in Qi County last night, because the matter was of great importance, Yang Shixiang reported to Teng Yuzhao the conversation during the meeting with Cixi and his guess about Cixi's thoughts after meeting Teng Yuzhao and Zai Yi left that night.

"The matter of Aurora Bank is entirely up to you, uncle. I cannot get away to take care of this matter, but I can give you the seal of the Governor-General of Zhili."

"Regarding this matter, a notice should be issued widely, explaining the matter clearly. Anyone whose home is robbed of more than 500 taels of silver by foreigners will be punished by the government."

"That is to say, although they were robbed by foreigners, they will still be punished. Their crime is aiding the enemy, and if they have more than ten thousand taels, they can be beheaded. This matter must be reported to the Military Affairs Office in advance to avoid disputes in the future."

Teng Yuzhao's words made Zhou Fu frown.

Having their homes robbed has already caused the people to suffer heavy losses, but they are still punished by the government. How can they bear this?

Teng Yuzhao naturally saw Zhou Fu's expression and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Uncle, any family with more than 500 taels of silver in cash is not a small family. These people ignored the government's order and kept the silver at home in the hope of getting away with it."

"To put it nicely, they would rather let the foreigners rob them of their money than obey the orders of the officials!"

"To put it bluntly, these people would rather aid the enemy than obey the orders of me, the Governor-General of Zhili!"

"For people like this, punishment is a light punishment. Now is wartime, and those who aid the enemy should be beheaded."

Zhou Fu initially disagreed with Teng Yuzao's words, but after hearing the rest, he was somewhat moved and nodded.

"In order to help Zhili recover and develop as soon as possible, Xingfu would rather be criticized in the future and stick to his own opinion. This is really painstaking. Don't worry, I will do this."

"In order to avoid being caught, Xingfu can find some powerful banks and silver houses and ask them to join in and do this together."

Zhou Fu thought for a moment and then said, "In order to prevent my wealth from being seized by foreigners and for the future development of Zhili, I will simply be more decisive."

"For those who have floating wealth at home but refuse to deposit their gold or silver in a bank or money house, the government can forcibly confiscate it."

Zhou Fu's method was indeed for Teng Yuzhao's benefit.

Zhou Fu's idea was more perfect than Teng Yuzao's, but this would probably put Zhou Fu in the spotlight.

Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "Okay, but all announcements must be issued in the name of the Governor's Office, and I will be responsible for any problems that arise."

“Also, the statement should clearly state that the Governor’s Office guarantees the Aurora Bank and will compensate in full if anyone is unable to withdraw their deposits in the future.”

(End of this chapter)