For this dinner, the organizers invited more than 60 reporters from well-known European newspapers, such as The Times, London Times, Hamburg Handelsblatt, Deutsche Zeitung... a total of more than 60 red envelopes and more than 60 commemorative gold coins.
The gold coin is heavy, about the same size as a Mexican eagle, but its value is far more than ten times that of the eagle. Such a gold coin is worth at least ten pounds in the London market, and this is only the value of gold.
Since these are a batch of commemorative gold coins minted by the Chinese, they are definitely worth collecting. If they are passed on to collectors, even if they are hyped up to 30 pounds, some people will want them.
The monthly salary income of these reporters is only more than ten pounds. In this era, money is still very valuable. It is locked with gold and silver. There is no concept of inflation in later generations. A monthly salary of more than ten pounds is enough for them. Rent a house in London, eat, drink and live.
Calculating this, the meeting gift Xiao Letian gave them was three months' salary!
The reporters looked at me and I looked at you, holding the golden coins in their hands with embarrassed expressions on their faces, "I'm really sorry, we can't accept such a gift, it's too expensive..."
Before these reporters could completely reject him, Jin Sanshun's fat face was filled with a smile. He had long thought that these reporters would be pretending to be aloof.
"No...my dear friends, don't misunderstand our good intentions. What are you worried about? I know very well, isn't it just the reputation of corruption?"
"Wrong, you are absolutely wrong. Such a gold coin is actually only worth more than ten pounds. Such a small amount of money is completely within the scope of a normal gift. Could it be that we are giving you a set of porcelain, or silk products, or tea? Wait, isn’t the gift worth such a small amount of money?”
"Don't underestimate the financial resources of our Chinese family, let alone live up to the good intentions of our head of state. This is very rude behavior!"
"What's more, this gift is actually just a small subsidy for your hard work. In such a hot weather, there must be a high temperature allowance, right? You have to spend money to rent a carriage, right? I can't let you run an errand and pay for it. It doesn't make sense to pay for it ourselves, so giving a little gift can be considered as our compensation..."
Jin Sanshun is very good at doing this kind of human relations, and he can win over these sanctimonious reporters in just a few words.
In fact, this kind of subsidy is an open secret in the industry in the 21st century. At that time, when reporters conducted some business interviews, the organizer had to prepare some gifts or even directly give cash subsidies. This kind of money has a professional name called carriage fees.
Reporters are not invited for free, and their writings are also biased. Since it is business news, it must have a certain degree of hype. Everyone in the circle knows the principle of carrying a sedan chair.
Xiao Letian just moved the open secrets of the 21st century to the 19th century in advance. Do you think this is bribery? However, the market price of a gold coin is only more than ten pounds, and a set of relatively high-end Chinese porcelain is the same price.
In other words, two cans of relatively high-grade Chinese black tea cost more than ten pounds. If someone uses this small amount of money to find trouble with these reporters, then the other party will also have an excuse. After all, accepting a set of porcelain and two cans of black tea is not considered a bribe. .
A small loophole has been exploited, making it impossible for anyone to find reason, but at the same time, this gift can definitely arouse human greed.
First of all, this is gold, gold! gold! Let me say important things three times. Human beings' love for gold has been imprinted in their souls. It feels completely different if you give him gold and give him bread of equal value.
The light of gold can directly evoke human emotions!
Look at their clasped hands. Although they say they don't want it, their eyes have long betrayed them.
Not only is gold attractive, this kind of commemorative gold coin also has the value of collection and appreciation. After all, things are rare and expensive. On the surface, it is only worth one month's salary. In fact, they all know that this thing is more than three months' salary.
This is the highest level of gift-giving. Before sending it, I have already thought of all your excuses for refusing. You will not be able to accept it even if you are forced to accept it. It also helps you solve other people's doubts, so that those with red eyes will complain even if they want to. No excuses can be found.
Jin Sanshun deceived, persuaded, and threatened. If he refused to accept these people, he would not give face to the head of state. If he did not give face to the head of state, he would not give face to the Chinese people. If he did not give face to the Chinese people, he would not give face to the whole world of China. People's face.
Since you don't give me face, how do you plan to cooperate in the future? If that newspaper dares not to accept it, all opportunities for them to cover Asia News will be cut off from now on.
This step was even more secure, and everyone nodded and said to themselves, "I'm not accepting the gift because I'm greedy, I'm being selfless! I'm considering the future development of the newspaper, and I accepted this gold coin just for the sake of humiliation. The baby is feeling miserable!"
"If I don't accept this gold coin, what will happen if the newspaper can't get the latest news from the Chinese people? What if the head of state and Emperor Tongzhi refuse our newspaper's interview?"
"Hey... for the future of the newspaper, I will risk my reputation and suffer some losses!"
A group of reporters with strange expressions stuffed the gold coins into the inner pockets of their suits, stuffed them into the innermost pockets, buttoned them, and finally patted them outside.
"Well... then thank you for the kindness of the head of state. We will take these gold coins back and hand them over to the newspaper office for collection as souvenirs! Hahaha..."
After Jin Sanshun handed out the gold coins, he sent these people back to the hall. He had a smile on his face, but there was a hint of contempt in his eyes, "Damn, what the hell, you're taking bribes, and you still want to build a memorial arch?"
"But this is okay. As long as you are greedy in your heart, we can satisfy you. As long as your pen is inclined to us, then the money will not be wasted..."
The hall is already crowded at this moment, the VIPs have already arrived three-quarters of the way, and the time has reached 7:45. According to the schedule, the Queen should arrive in five minutes. At this moment, Xiao Letian is standing at the gate talking to Jonas. Waiting for familiar guests to chat, he pointed out the famous mountains and rivers in the paintings and told the unknown stories inside.
Jin Sanshun and Xiao Letian looked at each other. The fat quartermaster quickly stood at attention and nodded. Xiao Letian's eyes immediately relaxed a lot. He just had to pry open the holes of these reporters, eat his own shortest, and take his own short hand, and the following Things will be easier to handle.
At this moment, the royal guard outside the gate suddenly stood at attention and shouted in a melodious voice, "The Queen's carriage has arrived...play music!"
The palace trumpeters lined up on both sides, blowing cheerful trumpets to welcome the guests. The Royal Guards on the street stood at attention and saluted with their swords drawn. Even the police maintaining order in the distance stood at attention and saluted in the direction of the Queen's carriage.
The dazzling golden carriage, surrounded by cavalry and amidst the cheerful sound of trumpets welcoming guests, drove into the East Palace!
