While the development of East Africa was in full swing, other regions in the world were not peaceful. It can be said that the stable development of East Africa benefited from the Far East Empire sharing most of the pressure. Britain, Russia, and Japan invaded Far East Empire from the southwest, northwest, and West Pacific three directions as agreed.
East Africa is not small in the world, but Europe does not have a deep understanding of East Africa, and the Far East is the kind of country that cannot be hidden.
France did not join this time because France was digesting the results of the second Vietnam-France War (1873 to 1874). On March 15, 1874, France signed the second Treaty of Saigon with Cochin, which stipulated: France The army will maintain law and order in the areas ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty; Vietnam recognizes that France has indisputable control over Cochin; and allows French to use the Red River as a channel for business with the Far East Empire southwest.
Africa, as the last territory invaded by Europeans, can still lie down for a while. It is obvious that the entire Far East region is more attractive to the great powers than other regions and even Africa (excluding North Africa).
Japan's test in Dawan Island was thwarted last year, but the crisis in the northwest and southwest is beyond Ernst's ability to intervene. Both places are deep in the hinterland of the Far East.
To the southwest, British has not taken action yet. If no accident occurs, a crisis will break out after next month.
The northwest direction is actually an old issue that broke out in 1864, but there was a debate within the Far East government about coastal defense and fortification defense. This debate lasted for ten years, and it was really efficient.
This year, the Far East government finally made up its mind to solve the northwest problem and regain the lost territory in the northwest, but the decision was made, but no one was willing to pay.
The empire's finances can be said to be riddled with holes. The national army owes more than 30 million taels of pay, and the important financial and tax areas are controlled by local forces such as the Hunan-Huaihe (army). This puts Zuo Jiga, who is actively fighting and defending his country, in trouble.
May 1875.
Hechingen Bank (Kaifeng).
As the capital of a province, Kaifeng was relatively prosperous in this era. It was also the easternmost point of Huaihai Economic Zone and a key area for Hechingen Bank's inland business. It was also the place where Shanxi Merchants, Anhui Merchants and Hohenzollern Conglomerate negotiated.
Today, representatives of two rare business gangs came to Kaifeng to discuss matters with Mayweather, the head of Hechingen Bank Central Plains Region, but they also brought one person with them.
"Mr. Mayweather, this is an important member of our Far East government, Mr. Zuo Jiga. I came to visit you today to ask for something!"
Mayweather, who thought he was here to discuss business, laughed, "Easy to talk to, easy to talk to. As long as it's not too difficult, I'm willing to help."
Qiao Zhiyong: "To tell you the truth, we are here to raise military funds this time. Your bank must have heard about it."
Mayweather's eyes lit up. "Hades Show tea to these distinguished guests!"
Not only have they heard about it, but actually all the big banks doing business in the Far East know about it. However, why Zuo Jiga found Hechingen Bank is because of two business allies of Hechingen Bank.
Zuo Jiga has a very good relationship with Hu Xueyan, and he works in the northwest, so he has to deal with Qiao Zhiyong, so they came to Kaifeng together on the recommendation of the two.
Zuo Jiga: "Mr. Mayweather, this time we borrowed money to deal with the separatist forces in the northwest. The journey is long and the environment is harsh, so this battle may not be easy to fight..."
Mayweather interrupted, "Sir Zuo, just tell me how much you want to borrow!"
So simple? So Zuo Jiga stretched out five fingers to see what strength this Hechingen Bank had. Zuo Jiga had also been to HSBC before. After all, HSBC had a greater reputation and had been operating in the Far East for a longer time.
"Five million taels of silver?"
"It doesn't matter if your bank can't get so much money out in a short time. We can still contact other people."
"Haha, I'm joking. Five million taels is not much for us. I just wonder if this money is too little for you? You must know that the person behind the northwest separatist forces is Russians."
"Can your bank borrow more money? I asked HSBC before, and they said that it would take some work to come up with such a large amount of funds. This is not a small amount."
"Haha, let alone five million taels, we can borrow even twenty million taels, but the twenty million taels may not all be silver."
"It would be acceptable if it were in pounds."
"No, it's East African Rheinland Shield, which is also a national currency."
Hu Xueyan explained on the side, "Rheinland Shield is a kind of banknote issued by Kingdom of East Africa. One tael of silver is equal to the face value of five Rheinland Shield."
"Is this currency reliable?"
"You can exchange gold directly at Hechingen Bank."
"!"
Mayweather: "Don't worry, Mr. Zuo, there are not many East African Rheinland Shield circulating in the world, but it is indeed the genuine currency issued by Kingdom of East Africa. It is backed by gold and its currency value is very stable."
"Isn't it troublesome to use this currency to buy supplies?"
"Don't worry, just tell us what you are short of. We Hechingen Bank can provide this, military rations, military uniforms, ordnance, and we can even hire European military instructors."
"This..." seems to be missing.
Regardless of anything else, let's first see what conditions Hechingen Bank can offer. Zuo Jiga put aside the thoughts in his mind and said, "If, I mean, if our government borrows 10 million taels from your bank, what conditions can you offer?"
Mayweather did not accept the offer. "Then it depends on what price your country can offer?"
Zuo Jiga tentatively said, "My expectation is no more than five!"
"Deal!" Mayweather said directly.
"..." Did you cum yourself?
"Of course..."
Sure enough, there are conditions. Zuo Jiga guessed that Westerners would not agree to it so easily. According to the current market price of international loans, the interest rate is about 4%. If I only raise it a little, I am afraid that no one will agree to it casually.
Just listen to Mayweather continue to say, "We can borrow money from your country, but the corresponding procurement of military rations should be handed over to our bank, and we also need to take part in the ordnance." Hechingen Bank Kaifeng Branch President Mayweather said.
Zuo Jiga: "Does your bank still engage in grain business?"
Hu Xueyan explained on the side, "Mr. Zuo, Hechingen Bank looks like a bank, but in fact it is a top Western chaebol with many operations. It is German territories a well-known big bank."
Zuo Jiga: "But this war is far away in the northwest. Do you have the ability to send food to the front line?"
Mayweather: "This matter is easy to handle. We have a mature commercial route that can go directly from East Africa to Jiaozhou and finally to Kaifeng by land. The rest is what you need to consider."
Qiao Zhiyong on the side said, "We can do this for you. We absolutely guarantee that there will be no problem from Henan to the northwest."
The business alliance is not just talk. In fact, without this war, Shanxi Merchants would still be transferring food from Huaihai Economic Zone to the northwest.
Zuo Jiga: "Let's not talk about the food issue first, but I'm afraid about the arms!"
Mayweather: "Haha, Mr. Zuo, don't worry, we are also quite good at the arms business. Whether it is Germany or Austria weapons, as long as we have money, we can get them. They are cheap. There are also some backward rifles like Dreyse, we still have a lot of them in stock. If they are more advanced rifles, Prussia, the most advanced Mauser rifle, we also have supply."
Good guy! A while ago, Li Hongzhang also purchased a batch of 90% new Dreyse rifle production lines from Germans. In the blink of an eye, they became outdated rifles?
Feeling that saying this was not enough, Mayweather added fire, "As we all know, your country's equipment is mainly British. Although Britain is strong, it is more reflected in the navy. When it comes to the army, we Germans are the world's number one. Even French Army, who was previously known as the world's number one, was defeated by our Germans."
The fact that France lost to Germany will probably be talked about by Germans for decades to come.
"These are easy to solve, but what other conditions does your bank have?"
"In addition to these, we need to see sincerity in the collateral. After all, this is a high-risk investment. Feelings are more important than feelings, and business is business. Don't dare to make random loans without collateral."
"Are there really no other additional requirements besides these?"
Mayweather shook his head and said, "No."
It's not that Mayweather doesn't want to, but there is an order from above that this time Far East Empire cannot charge too high an interest rate. Although other banks have lowered the price, according to Mayweather's psychological expectation, the interest rate should be at least around seven.
Five is not bad, you can still make some money, the interest of four in the market is already a lot, most people will not borrow unless there is an emergency. Hechingen Bank's business in the entire Far East is similar to HSBC, so loan sharks are also operating, just like Japan and North Korea, they can borrow money, but if they can't repay it, they can use their population and resources to pay off the debt.
It is impossible to default on the debt. There are three countries behind Hechingen Bank. Most countries do not have the courage. Moreover, East Africa is also capable of armed debt collection. If it cannot deal with Europe, it cannot deal with you?