The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 506: Teng Xingfu Was Not Lying

Li Hongzhang said with a complicated expression, "You have read The Rise of Great Powers, right? Zhang Xiangtao told me about it. He said that not only our people were greatly enlightened by reading it, but even foreigners were equally amazed."

"British Minister to Hankou, Frederick, told him that after reading this book, Westerners were also shocked by this profound explanation and analysis of the rise of Western powers. They couldn't believe that a Qing Chinese, who they considered to be ignorant and backward, could see and analyze the profound things that even they, the Westerners, were not aware of, and could see them clearly and analyze them to the core!"

"According to Fu Leis, several European universities are planning to offer international studies courses to study the causes of the rise of major countries. Teng Xingfu's book will be listed as a must-read for them, and they may even award Teng Xingfu a doctorate."

Li Hongzhang said with regret, "The thing I regret most in my life is that I didn't discover and use Teng Xingfu earlier. If I had used him before the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, how could I have been driven to Guangdong and Guangxi?"

Li Hongzhang's words left Zhang Peilun speechless. After a long while, he spoke again.

"Prince, it is true that Teng Xingfu is a first-class talent in military strategy. Not to mention that no one in the country can match him, even the generals of the great powers cannot be compared with him. But in the end, where did Teng Xingfu get such a large sum of money?"

"Although Teng Xingfu received ten years of taxes from the imperial court, how much taxes does Zhili collect in a year? He also has to support hundreds of thousands of troops, unless he can take money out of his own pocket."

"Even if there are large donations from various places to the Vanguard Army, it won't exceed 100 million taels of silver. 20 or 30 million is the maximum."

At this point, Zhang Peilun's heart couldn't help but move. He glanced at the tightly closed doors and windows and whispered carefully.

"Zhongtang, there are rumors that when the Boxers looted the capital last year, most of the large amount of gold and silver they seized fell into the hands of Teng Xingfu who was pursuing them."

"There are also rumors that before Tianjin fell, when the Boxers, the Green Camp, the Lianyong, and the Wuwei Army invaded the concession, many banks and foreign companies in the concession were robbed. It is said that the amount of loss was very huge, reaching tens of millions. Could it be that this was also related to Teng Xingfu, and that all the money ended up in his pocket?"

Li Hongzhang glared at Zhang Peilun and said, "Those rumors are just for fun."

Li Hongzhang sighed and said, "You should have heard of the saying, 'Three years as a clean official, one hundred thousand silver coins'. Not to mention the Qing Dynasty, which dynasty in history could eliminate corruption among officials? Not to mention Yongzheng, even the ruthless methods of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang could not eliminate it, but only forced these officials to become more secretive in their corruption methods."

"Honest officials like Hai Rui, who lived in poverty, only exist in dramas, but in reality, there are many Heshens."

"Let's not talk about others, let's just talk about our own money, is it all clean?"

Li Hongzhang's words made Zhang Peilun blush. He opened his mouth but said nothing in the end.

Li Hongzhang continued, "Looking at what Teng Xingfu has done since he started his rebellion, all of them were planned before they took action. Therefore, I believe that Teng Xingfu's plan to vigorously promote Westernization in Zhili is not false."

Zhang Peilun still didn't believe what Li Hongzhang said. When he was about to argue again, Li Hongzhang had already taken out an exquisite sandalwood box from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Peilun.

Zhang Peilun didn't understand what was going on, so he carefully opened the box and couldn't help but let out a slight exclamation!

On the gold velvet lining in the small box, there was a golden fountain pen lying quietly. A ray of sunlight coming in through the glass window shone on it, and the golden pen shone with a golden glow.

Zhang Peilun had read about fountain pens in newspapers a long time ago. He only knew that they were designed and manufactured by a domestic manufacturer in Shanghai, and that Chinese people had overseas patents. However, fountain pens were not available in the domestic market, where people usually used writing brushes. It was said that foreign merchants lined up in the factory. Even though an ordinary fountain pen cost one pound, foreign merchants still flocked to it and competed for the limited production.

The golden pen in front of him was obviously of the highest grade. Zhang Peilun saw it for the first time at Zhang Zhidong's place after he followed Li Hongzhang to Wuchang. It was Zhang Zhidong who took it out to show off. It was the same golden pen.

Li Hongzhang looked at Zhang Peilun and said, "This is a gift from Yushan."

Li Hongzhang paused for a moment and continued.

"I've told you before that Yushan's son Xuexi is now working for Teng Xingfu. This fountain pen was made in one of their factories. Yushan told me privately that this fountain pen was even designed by Teng Xingfu himself, but he applied for a Western patent in the name of Teng Xingfu's brother just to hide his identity."

Li Hongzhang's words made Zhang Peilun open his eyes wide in surprise.

Li Hongzhang said with some regret, "There are several factories opened under the name of the Aurora Industrial Development Company headed by Zhou Xuexi, including a spinning mill, a weaving and dyeing factory, and a flour mill that produces more than 10,000 bags a month."

"I've seen their flour at Yushan, it's really as white as snow!"

Seeing that Zhang Peilun was not interested in the flour he mentioned, Li Hongzhang said.

"Hearing is believing. Yushan will send some to us in a few days. Xuexi will send some to him every month."

Li Hongzhang sighed and continued.

"According to Yushan, the flour produced by this factory was supplied in small quantities to the Governor's Office in Xianzhuang and several government offices in Shanghai, while the rest was purchased by foreign merchants at high prices and shipped overseas."

"There is also the weaving and dyeing factory. According to Yushan, their cloth is not only fine in texture, but also bright and durable in dyeing. It is also snapped up by foreign merchants at high prices."

"According to Yushan, not only did this flour come from Teng Xingfu, but the weaving and dyeing techniques also came from Teng Xingfu."

"There are more factories that are making a fortune, and new factories are being opened one after another. All of their patents and know-hows are from Teng Xingfu."

"The money flowing in and out of these factories, which made a lot of money every day, and even the initial capital for setting up the factories, was handled by the Aurora Bank. The amount of money flowing in and out was huge. In time, this bank alone would provide a large amount of money to Zhili, becoming a strong backing for Teng Xingfu to promote Westernization."

Li Hongzhang said with some lingering feelings, "Now it seems that Teng Xingfu is not just a master of both Chinese and Western learning. If what Yushan said is true, Teng Xingfu can be said to be a scholar of heaven!"

However, Zhang Peilun did not seem to fully understand Li Hongzhang's feelings. After hearing what Li Hongzhang said, he could not help but exclaimed in a low voice.

"Zhongtang, does this mean that the Aurora Bank is also owned by Teng Xingfu?"

(End of this chapter)