The territory is large and rapid development requires a large amount of capital investment.
Shi Dakai's gains from continuing to implement the agrarian revolution in Hunan and Hubei are far from enough to make weapons, recruit troops, and build infrastructure.
Blue Star November 1856, one month before the economic crisis broke out in the Free State.
Following Shi Dakai's instructions, Zhu Yidian secretly went to the Free State embassy to seek loans from the Free State. Now the railway growth of the Free State has begun to stagnate, and a large number of bankruptcies will soon occur.
Inside the embassy of the Free State, the atmosphere is solemn and mysterious. On the long corridor paved with stone bricks, the wall clock is ticking, and the sunlight is mottled on the finely carved wooden doors and windows. Rows of books are neatly placed on the bookshelf, exuding a faint fragrance of ink.
Walking into the center of the lobby, you will see a huge globe.
"Mr. Burlingame, on behalf of Nanchang, I want to make a deal with you. The world is not peaceful. The Crimean War in Xizhou has just ended. Good weapons and equipment are very important. Take a look at this. I can give it to you. country." After Zhu Yidian finished speaking, he handed over the design drawings of the Gatling rifle I had prepared.
This weapon was invented by the Free State a few months later, so it wouldn't hurt to give it to him in advance now.
"Such an exquisite design, Mr. Zhu, what conditions do you have?" Burlingame's eyes shone.
"I just want your country to give me a loan of 100 million U.S. dollars. The interest will be based on the international bank interest rate for the same period. The term is three years. This design drawing will be used as a witness gift." Zhu Yidian read stiffly.
"Such a large loan requires collateral." Burlingame was a little surprised that a warlord actually wanted so much funds.
"I believe you have heard of the recent wars our army has fought. It will be us who will unify China in the future. You will definitely not suffer losses in the future if you invest in us."
"We can mortgage two advanced arsenals. If the Free State is really unwilling, we can also go to the Mi Country with the design drawings. They should be willing to pay for it." Zhu Yidian said impatiently.
"I want to ask the higher-ups, please wait."
The loan is only for three years and has interest. This transaction is not a loss, and there is such a good rifle design. Now the conflict between the north and the south of the Free Country has gradually increased, and sooner or later there will be a war.
Burlingame came out of the room.
"Dear Mr. Zhu, deal done!"
"The weapons design drawings now belong to the Free State." Zhu Yidian presented the design drawings with both hands.
Burlingame was very proud after getting it.
"We will send the funds to Nanchang in the near future."
In December 1856, when Blue Star's loan arrived, Shi Dakai quickly converted the US dollars into silver, and then kept half of it to pay off the loan one year later, because the free country over there was affected by the economic crisis and the currency depreciated seriously.
Blue Star In March 1857, Wei Yuan passed away.
Wei Yuan made great contributions to the popularization of new ideas, and countless students expressed their condolences.
Blue Star In June 1857, after half a year of rest, the Taiping Army had expanded to 800,000. Coupled with advanced weapons configuration, it was already the strongest army in China.
The economic crisis in the free country is getting worse, and the entire society is in deep trouble. Thousands of factories closed down (especially railway companies), workers lost their jobs, prices soared, and people's living standards dropped sharply. In the streets and alleys, people looked pale and sad, losing the joy and laughter of the past.
The fronts of the shops are deserted, and the once bustling market has now become depressed and desolate. Unemployed workers wandered the streets, their tools dropped aside, their eyes full of confusion and helplessness.
Zhu Yidian followed Shi Dakai's instructions and found Burlingame again.
The last time the weapons design drawings and loan business got Burlingame recognized by the upper management, this time he ran over to shake hands with Zhu Zhuyidian as soon as he saw him.
In fact, he had a small idea in mind, which was to ask Nanchang to pay back the money as soon as possible so that they could tide over the difficulties, but it was not easy to ask. After all, it was the uncle who owed the money.
"Mr. Burlingame, I know that the free country is having big economic problems right now, and I am here to help you."
Burlingame couldn't believe it. It's easy to add icing on the cake, but it's difficult to provide help when it's time.
"Really?"
"It's absolutely true, we are willing to purchase all the machinery and equipment in your factory. At that time, our volume was so large, and your equipment was still second-hand, so we needed to give a big discount."
The factory has closed down, and the machinery is useless. In a few years, it may become completely scrap metal. This country with free trade is not at a loss, and it just happens to be able to obtain some funds to tide over the difficulties. "
"Mr. Yidian, you are really noble people of our country. Thank you very much."
Burlingame held Zhu Yidian's hand excitedly.
Through Burlington, Shi Dakai purchased a large number of machinery for textile, mining, smelting, transportation and other industries at low prices.
Various industries flourished in the three provinces ruled by Shi Dakai, especially the laying of railways. The use of the industrial technology of the Free State greatly reduced costs. The total mileage has reached 3,000 kilometers, which has opened the door to the industrial revolution.
Jiangxi has become a paradise in this troubled world.
Western powers have paid attention to the changes in Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi. If they are allowed to develop, there will be a powerful enemy in the world in the future.
They have always remembered Napoleon's words: China is a sleeping lion. If one day this lion can wake up, it will shock the whole world.
