"Well, 20 million gold shields as reserves? This amount is not large for the establishment of a bank, but it is not a small amount for us in the northwest. Xiao Tang, you have to ensure the necessary expenditures of our finances. This year Great changes are coming in the Central Plains. The replenishment and strengthening of our army will require considerable funds. You must be prepared. Will it be a bit hasty for you to spread it out in so many places at once?" Wu Feng frowned and asked Although he is not proficient in finance, he also knows that the construction of the financial sector cannot be successful overnight.
"Sir, time waits for no one. This financial industry is also the foundation of the country. Now that the gates of Pangzheren, Mote and the countries in the Western Regions have just opened, it is the best time for our Northwest Bank to enter. Most of the capital flows in these places were originally private. Mainly inter-party lending and informal loan sharking, there is no formal standard financial system at all. If we can take this opportunity to enter and obtain high profits, we can firmly control these areas through the operation and investment of borrowed funds. Important sectors, especially the gold mining and gem processing of the Pancha people, the horse, wool and leather trading of the Mote people, and the handicraft production and weaving industry of the Western Region countries, these are the most important industries among their ethnic groups. We can all invest and control them through borrowing funds, and even guide their development. This can put their economy in our hands more reliably, which will be of great help to us in controlling them." Xiao Tang obviously has some knowledge in this regard. He said, "If this opportunity is lost and other foreign financial institutions take the lead, we will not be able to control their economic lifeline, which is related to the national economy and people's livelihood. This will also have a negative impact on our rule in these areas. .”
Looking at Xiao Tang with some admiration, Wu Feng sighed and said: "Xiao Tang, I don't know that you are so proficient in this financial field. To be able to say such a thing, it seems that I still don't understand you. "
"Haha, sir, you are laughing. These are not entirely my views. Many of them are James's. However, I agree with his view. Control through financial lineage is sometimes more flexible and secretive than frontal rule. It is the same as ours. Direct control over these areas can also complement each other." Xiao Tang explained with a smile, "However, the Northwest Bank has obtained so many privileges as soon as it was established. I'm afraid those bankers will go crazy with envy. Some time ago, we were still preparing for it. When it was established, those guys with a keen sense of smell had already come to me to get the news. I even covered it up and didn't dare to admit it. If it were exposed now, I'm afraid those guys would come to ask for the opening of Pangzheren, Mott and the Western Region. All countries enjoy equal treatment."
"Enjoy equal treatment? Is there such a good thing in the world?" Wu Feng curled his lips disdainfully, "They only invest in industries that can generate high profits in our northwest and northern Luzon, but they pay no attention to those important infrastructure constructions. Wen Buwen, I didn't force them to get loans and financing, which is enough for them, and I still want to be treated equally? What's more, the territory of the Pangzhe people is not under my jurisdiction. We just have a mutually preferential agreement with the other party. How can we be blamed? "
"Sir, this principle of freedom of lending is a common principle across the continent. No one can force any company to lend money. If such a precedent is set, it will have extremely bad effects and the losses will outweigh the gains." Su Qin saw that Wu Feng was indignant and quickly interjected. explain.
"Haha, don't worry, Su Qin, I'm just talking. I can still grasp this standard. It's just that I'm annoyed when I see the bad behavior of these guys. They still want to ask for some preferential policies here. I'll come if I think of it. Angry." Wu Feng comforted the other party. He was just venting verbally. He would not easily offend such important issues of principle.
"In fact, adults can use some common methods in the Western Continent to restrict the development and penetration of these external financial institutions, such as requiring them to increase risk reserves and pay them to the fiscal treasury, limiting the number of their branches or imposing time restrictions. For example, when opening a second branch, it must be opened after the first institution has been open for a certain period of time. You can also limit the scope of their deposits, investments, and loans. These methods are very popular throughout the Western Continent, and they have certain basis. It's not without evidence, and they can't object." Xiao Tang suggested calmly. Seeing Wu Feng's satisfied eyes looking at him again, Xiao Tang quickly explained: "These are James' suggestions, I just It’s conveyed on his behalf.”
After hesitating for a while, Wu Feng suddenly said: "Xiao Tang, do you think James is suitable for the position of president of Northwest Bank?"
"But didn't your Excellency intend for him to take over the post of Director of Finance?" Of course Xiao Tang understood his boss's intention. Letting James take over the post of Director of Finance for Xiao Tang was a plan that Wu Feng and Xiao Tang had already discussed, so that it would be more convenient for Xiao Tang. Tang was able to free up more energy to pay attention to all-round affairs in the entire northwest.
"Well, I think we can let him take on two duties first. You can help him take care of the Finance Department for a while longer. I think it's better to let him spend more time on the preparations for the establishment of Northwest Bank in the near future. After all, this relationship Considering our major interests in these areas, we must make a good start without making any mistakes." Wu Feng finally made the decision.
"By the way, sir, James also raised another issue, which is the issue of the Hyderabadis. He said that since the Hyderabadis have a covenant agreement with us, we might as well discuss with them on tariffs and financial investment to see if we can use it. This covenant agreement obtained some privileges. For example, our northwest financial institutions have the priority to open branches in their tribal territories. The Hyderabadi people are far more prosperous in business than the Punja people, and trade with the western continent is also very frequent. Financial institutions There should be great potential for operating there, I hope you can consider it." Xiao Tang suddenly remembered something again and said quickly.
"Well, we should be able to discuss this with the people in Hyderabad. I guess there shouldn't be much of a problem. Why don't we ask Su Qin to come down and meet with their special envoy from Hyderabad who is stationed in our northwest, put forward our suggestions and ask them to consider it. It would be best if we can do it in the shortest possible time. Give us a clear answer within the time." Wu Feng thought for a moment and then said to Su Qin, "Even the Tike people can negotiate with them. Last time they sent people to express their willingness to negotiate with us about the Pangzha people issue. "Maintaining good and harmonious relations, we can take this opportunity to ask them to show sincerity and then make our demands."
The day-long discussion on government affairs finally ended. Even at the end, Xiao Tang still reminded Wu Feng that he should not forget to work hard. The issue of heirs was a major hidden danger in the northwest. Wu Feng must take this matter to heart. , even if it is possible to have an illegitimate child, Wu Feng is dumbfounded.
While Wu Feng was doing his best to manage the Mote Autonomous Territory and the countries in the Western Regions, the war situation in the Central Plains was also quietly changing. On February 28, 697 in the mainland Gregorian calendar, the Taiping Army, which captured the four prefectures of Heshuo, completed the reorganization, enrichment and renovation of its various departments, began to adjust its deployment, and expanded the troops gathered in Heshuo to more than 250,000 people. In addition to In addition to continuing to maintain a certain pressure on the imperial capital, the heavy troops began to tilt westward, and nearly 150,000 troops began to point towards Tianshui.
Situ Jun, who had already breathed a sigh of relief, became nervous again. He had suppressed nearly three divisions of the Fifth Army in Tianshui Mansion. This was also an important weight for him to claim credit from the empire. If he was recaptured by the Taiping Army, he would He will really become a sinner of the empire, but now only the commander of the Fifth Army is behind him. The remaining members of the broken Third and Fourth Army have been strictly ordered by the new Minister of Military Affairs of the Empire to return to the imperial capital to reorganize the new Third and Fourth Army. , considering that the combat effectiveness and morale of these remnant troops had dropped to the lowest point, and staying in Tianshui had no bearing on the overall situation, so Situ Jun generously agreed to their return via the Wuhu area after making some necessary arrangements.
With the fall of Hanzhong Mansion, Jincheng Mansion was also in an awkward position. The Linlang family even maintained a relatively large military force in Hanzhong, while the Longdong Mansion in the north was already controlled by Li Wufeng, and was Li Wufeng's third. The ace Liang Chongxin division is stationed in Longdong. Although Li Wufeng has formed an alliance with him, Situ Jun subconsciously still doesn't trust him very much. It is necessary to keep a division stationed in Wuhu County. The Fifth Army only retains one division, and all the pressure has been placed on the Sixth Army.
The commander of the Sixth Army, Jin Zhengyang, has asked himself several times to withdraw one or two divisions to deal with the pressure of the Taiping Army in the Heshuo area. Although the Taiping Army has not made any changes yet, it will continue to fight against the Hejian and Jinzhong prefectures for a long time. On the border with Machi Khan, the Sixth Army had to mobilize elite defenses from as many as three legions. At this time, only two divisions of the Sixth Army and some local security divisions were left in the regular army stationed at the border with Maci Khan. It can be said that this is the weakest time in history when the defense line is at its weakest. This situation will definitely not last long. Once the Machihans really launched an invasion, even Situ Jun had to admit that the empire was unable to resist at all, and perhaps the entire Wuhu County would fall under the iron hooves of the Machihans within a week.
When the Taiping Army calmed down some time ago, Situ Jun also planned to dispatch a division to strengthen defense at the junction of Wuhu County and Heshuo area, so that the Sixth Army could dispatch two divisions to return to the southern front to strengthen the attack on the Machikhans. However, judging from the current situation, it seems that this idea will fail. Not only will it fail, but we will even have to find ways to strengthen Tianshui's defense. Otherwise, with the posture shown by the Taiping Army, whether Tianshui can be saved will become a big question. Big problem.