1928: The rise of giant merchants

Chapter 259 Power and Capital

After all calculations, Zhang Zhijiang excluded Song Ziwen and other royal relatives, as well as the principal, the top leader of the current National Government. Zhang Zhijiang even considered the Chen Guofu brothers, the leaders of the CC department who had a very close relationship with the principal. Only the principal's brother-in-law was considered. Kong Xiangxi, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the National Government, was omitted.

Why was Kong Xiangxi missed?

Because Kong Xiangxi’s experience seems like an upgraded version of Ye Luo.

He went to the United States to study in his early years. After returning, he devoted himself to business and running schools. He made a lot of wealth by selling kerosene. Later, he became passionate about public welfare and charity, and built a very good reputation in the north.

In early 1925, Mr. Sun went north to resolve state affairs and was ill in Beijing. Kong Xiangxi "protected him from left to right, morning and night," and was one of the signatories of the "Prime Minister's Will."

Mr. Sun passed away on March 12. Kong served as the chief of his funeral affairs department and tried his best to arrange the funeral.

Because of his extremely high popularity in the Tongmenghui, Kong Xiangxi was not able to squeeze into the inner circle like the principal. Not only did he patiently pave the way for the principal and make money, he was also one of the heroes of the Second Northern Expedition.

However, unlike Ye Luo, his goal in business was to enter politics. Therefore, after the Second Northern Expedition, he was appointed Minister of Industry and Commerce, coordinating the country's commercial operations.

In the early days of taking office, Kong Xiangxi issued a policy declaration, claiming that "we should take recuperation and rejuvenation as the first step, and actively prepare for development as the second step." Comply with the Prime Minister’s People’s Livelihood Principle and the nation-building industrial plan, strive to develop the country’s wealth and improve people’s livelihood,” etc.

It can be said that his reputation is much better than those of the Song family and the Chen family.

"The Jiang'an ship is the cargo of the Kong family, and the Nissing ship is Song Ziwen's ship. We can't even touch the buttocks of these two big tigers." Zhang Zhijiang sighed heavily and looked at Wei Daoming, "Old Wei, can we just Let them transport and sell cigarettes in such a arrogant manner?"

"The principal's secret message made it very clear that when we return to Jinling, people from the Military and Political Department will decide and punish us." Wei Daoming nodded, "If we continue to do it now, we cannot bear the consequences."

"What should I do with the goods?" Zhang Zhijiang's eyes widened angrily, "You can leave it alone, but the clues can be cut off, but the goods can't be sent out anymore, right?"

"Let's talk about it back to Jinling." Wei Daoming was different from Zhang Zhijiang who was alone. He still had family members, especially his wife, who was sent to study in the United States by the Nationalist Government. Faced with this situation, he could only choose to surrender first.

"Back, back, back! If we go back to Jinling, can we still care about Shanghai Beach's affairs?!" Zhang Zhijiang roared.

"Old Zhang, don't be impulsive! The total value of the goods on the Nissin and Jiangan exceeds 50 million yuan. They are all sold. It is conservatively estimated that the profit will exceed 8,000 yuan. At least 30 million of this money will go into the national The government's treasury becomes the principal's military budget. Without this money, who will fill the gap? Is it you or me?"

Wei Daoming pulled Zhang Zhijiang to prevent this middle-aged man who was crazy about Chinese martial arts and more passionate than most young people from getting dizzy and doing something irrational.

When he roared like this, Zhang Zhijiang also woke up.

The two looked at each other for a long time. Zhang Zhijiang sighed and patted his shoulder: "I understand. After attending Ye Luo's wedding, I will take the task force back to Jinling."

At the same time, the Jinling National Government.

Dong dong dong——

There was a knock on the door.

The guard's voice came: "Principal, Minister Song and Minister Kong are here."

"I understand, let them wait for a while, I will go to the reception room after reading these things."

The principal likes to learn from those big figures in the military and political circles overseas. He holds this book and reads it when he has nothing to do. His office is decorated magnificently, but he rarely receives guests here.

Half an hour later, Kong Xiangxi and Song Ziwen, who were waiting in the reception room, finally saw the principal.

"Chairman, thank you for working so late." Kong Xiangxi smiled and stood up to shake hands with him.

Song Ziwen's attitude was much more cordial. He said hello and sat down on his own.

The principal nodded at the two of them, sat down and crossed his legs: "Are you here about the beach?"

"Yes, my subordinates are ignorant. I didn't expect the trouble to get bigger and bigger. No, Ziwen and I discussed it and came here to apologize." Kong Xiangxi said with a smile.

In fact, he has a better relationship with the principal than his relationship.

Before the principal went out of office, it was he who traveled around, recruiting people and giving money, and finally allowed him to return to power, and won the ultimate victory of the second Northern Expedition.

The principal was grateful for his support and specifically left the position of Minister of Industry and Commerce to him. He turned a blind eye to many of his affairs, especially the Kong family's business, which had a green light all over the country. He could do whatever he wanted. .

But this time, letting Jiang An ship transport heavy cigarettes was equivalent to giving the principal a slap in the face after holding the anti-smoking meeting. Even he did not dare to be too proud and apologize.

"I will make my own decision on this matter when Zhang Zhijiang and the others come back. Don't worry, I told him that the matter ends here and there is no need to continue investigating." The principal took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "We have many problems with foreigners. Cooperation is about to begin. You should pay attention recently and don't make small moves that will affect the overall situation. Especially you, Ziwen, do you know what happened to the Nissin?"

Song Ziwen's face turned red and he said nothing.

"You have to be lucky if you want. You have to hide it from others and cooperate with a foreigner. The other party is the French Consul General. Do you think he dares to blatantly hide 2,000 boxes of cigarettes in his warehouse?"

The principal was usually quite dissatisfied with Song Ziwen, who always contradicted him, so he took the opportunity to teach him a lesson.

"He turned around and sold you to Zhang Zhijiang."

"This guy!" Song Ziwen also received calls from Zhang Zhijiang and Ye Luo. He was angry when he learned that Fan Erdi not only took his money, but also sold out his and Ye Luo's affairs.

"Chairman, the follow-up of these goods." Kong Xiangxi is not very interested in how to deal with these people. What he cares about is the 1,000 boxes of cigarettes provided to him by Lu Yusheng. They cost 15 million in vain. Even if they don't make a profit, they can sell them at the original price. Go, it's also a good amount of income.

When Song Ziwen accepted the 2,000 boxes of cigarettes from Huo Tianhong and the others, he also promised them that they would be connected with the Kong family and have a chance to surpass Ye Luo in the business world and return to the top of Shanghai.

Although they did not pay for the money themselves, at this moment they are more worried about the fate of the goods than anyone else.

"I'll think about this again." The principal frowned.

After the second Northern Expedition, there were two major things left in his mind.

The first is brother Zhang Hanqing from the north. Fortunately, the conversation has almost reached a conclusion and will be concluded in December.

The second is to crusade against Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Yan Xishan, who shared the results of the war with him, and the bunch of chaotic warlords entrenched in various places.

The second thing requires a large amount of military support. For this money, he has to count on Song Ziwen and Kong Xiangxi.

"Okay, then we'll just wait for the good news." Kong Xiangxi smiled.