Qin Zheng said: "Although our economy is mainly domestic, most of the materials we need are purchased in Shanghai, and basically cooperate with Shanghai merchants. However, the UK has a huge influence in the business community in China, and almost all Shanghai merchants who cooperate with us have business dealings with the UK. If the UK uses their influence, what is the Qing court that will put pressure on these merchants, not conduct transactions with us, or engage in malicious purchases and price gouging during the transaction, it will cause great difficulties for me."

After listening to Qin Zheng's words, everyone became a little serious. This is indeed a very difficult problem, because Britain now has this ability, and for Britain, this is indeed the best way to do so without directly participating in the war.

Although Shandong is also a resource-rich province, it is far from enough to supply the development of the East China government. The East China government must import various materials from other regions of China and export its own industries to other places. Once the source of these materials is lost, it will have a great impact on the development of the East China government. Whether it is still in the war period, if the supply of materials is not enough, then the battle cannot be fought. We can only succumb to the pressure of Britain, choose to cease war with Japan and Russia, and give up the fruits of victory.

For a moment, there was a silence in the conference room. Everyone was thinking about ways to deal with it, but they couldn't think of any good idea.

After a while, Xia Bohai said, "I have a way, everyone can see if it's OK."

Qin Zheng said: "Tell me, everyone, let's find a way together."

Xia Bohai said: "It's easy to deal with the Qing court. We always warn the Qing court. In addition, nothing is wrong, but the influence of Britain is not so easy to clear. My opinion is that this time we will take the initiative to organize all the merchants in Shanghai on the grounds of supporting the Liaodong War and establish an organization similar to the chamber of commerce. The main purpose is to give priority to supplying us materials and not raise prices. Of course, we promise not to default, and then create the momentum. In this way, Britain will put pressure on these merchants. Under the pressure of public opinion, the merchants may not surrender easily. Moreover, after we organize all the merchants, we will naturally be stronger and we will have the capital to bargain with the UK. After all, in China, it is difficult for a strong dragon to defeat local snakes."

Wang Yunpeng nodded first and said, "I think this method is good. In fact, Li Songchen has similar suggestions. The Industrial and Commercial Committee is studying it."

Xia Bohai said: "Oh! How did he suggest it."

Wang Yunpeng said: "According to his report, Shanghai's business activities are mainly in the domestic scope, and are basically unranked. The result is mutual price reduction within the internal or various means that they cannot stand up to attack opponents. However, when facing competition from foreign capital outside, they have almost no ability to resist. Therefore, what is most satisfied with the Shanghai New District is the fairness of rules. In fact, if a sufficiently powerful force or group comes forward and organizes into a unified group, most businessmen join the original intention. Now we have enough reputation, status and influence in Shanghai. We should take the lead in establishing a chamber of commerce organization, organize Shanghai merchants, formulate a set of fair and fair business rules that participants respect, compete fairly internally, protect the basic interests of each businessman, and respond to the competition of foreign capital externally. This is not only beneficial to us, but also beneficial to the development of national capital."

Qin Zheng nodded and said, "That's right. You can see this after only two months in the Shanghai New District. How is the research done by the Industrial and Commercial Committee?"

Wang Yunpeng said: "The Industrial and Commercial Commission also supports it, but he is worried that when we come forward to organize the chamber of commerce, it will attract the attention of foreign capital and destroy it. In fact, some people have launched similar actions before, but they have been secretly destroyed by foreign capital. We have not controlled Shanghai yet, and Shanghai's foreign capital is too strong. Such actions must be planned seriously. Once implemented, they can only succeed, not fail. It is best to wait until we win the Liaodong battlefield before taking action."

Qin Zheng said: "Since this is the case, it is a very good opportunity to establish a chamber of commerce organization under the pretext of supporting the war. Now the atmosphere of supporting our war in Shanghai is very warm, and this way can avoid the interference of foreign capital first. After we win the war, we will turn this temporary organization into a fixed organization. At that time, it will be too late for foreign capital to destroy it."

Xia Bohai also nodded and said, "Since this is the case, then the Industrial and Commercial Committee will discuss the details and then hand it over to Shanghai for implementation." He paused and said, "When necessary, the Ministry of Security must cooperate."

Shang Qisong said: "Okay."

At this time, Xiao Jianjun said: "I support this suggestion, and I can indeed support our war with limited support. But we must also make the worst plans. What if the chamber of commerce we formed cannot withstand the pressure from Britain, or can't compete with the British business strength?"

After hearing this, everyone couldn't help but feel silent again. Although Britain is only the third largest economy in the world, it is far stronger than China. Therefore, if Britain really wants to interfere with it with all its strength, the East China government will indeed not be able to withstand it. Moreover, Britain has the help of France, and France's commercial strength in China is second only to Britain.

Seeing that everyone was not speaking, Xiao Jianjun said, "I'll just express my opinion. If we really get to that point, we should send troops to occupy Shanghai, take back the Shanghai Concession, and even confiscate all British property in Shanghai."

As soon as these words were said, everyone else was shocked. Xu Jichao said: "This is too radical. Shanghai is not another place. It is too sensitive for us to occupy Shanghai rashly, and it will cause all countries to oppose us."

Xiao Jianjun said: "What's so scary? At worst, we can come to the Eight-Nation Alliance again. As long as we attack with real swords and guns, will we be afraid?"

Wang Yunpeng also said: "Besides, isn't it a bit rogue when we do this?"

Xiao Jianjun said: "What is rogue? Britain helps Japan to put pressure on us. Isn't it called rogue? And why do we have to follow the pace of Britain? If Britain dares to attack our economy, we will occupy Shanghai and completely eliminate the British power in Shanghai. If you hit yours, I hit mine, and see who can't stand it."

Others wanted to say something else, Xia Bohaiji said: "I agree with Lao Xiao's opinion. When we really reach that point, we will not let the UK manipulate it. We must let the UK get some blood."

Qin Zheng also said: "This should be our last move. If Britain really pushes me to a desperate situation, will it be so difficult that we won't allow us to fight back? Besides, it is morally reasonable to regain the concession."

Seeing that Qin Zheng also agreed with Xiao Jianjun's suggestion, Wang Yunpeng and Xu Jichao were not good at saying anything. Xia Bohai said: "Okay, then that's the matter. Is there anything else for everyone?"

Jinfeng said in this fashion: "There is another thing. Five days later, a battleship we ordered in Germany will arrive at Qingdao Port. The Navy is preparing to hold a grand welcome ceremony for this warship. I wonder if you have time to attend."

Shang Jinfeng, Zhu Yaping and Shang Qisong are all members of the military team, but their identities are quite special. Shang Jinfeng and Zhu Yaping are both in-service soldiers, and Shang Qisong is an intelligence department. Therefore, unless they are negotiating matters related to their positions, they rarely speak for other matters. Now it is also at the end of the meeting that Shang Jinfeng is mentioning the return of the battleship.

The East China government ordered a total of 5 warships in three batches in Germany, which was the last batch. When the first two batches of warships returned, the navy held a welcome ceremony. This was the first battleship newly built by the East China government. Both symbolic and practical significance were very important. Against the background of the East China government's participation in the war, the navy played a huge role in this battle. Therefore, Shang Jinfeng hoped that Xiao Jianjun could go out to attend the welcome ceremony to boost the morale of the navy and continue to inspire the navy's fighting spirit.

Of course, Xiao Jianjun knew what Shang Jinfeng meant, so he said: "No problem, I will definitely take time to attend. This is our first battleship."

At this time, Xia Bohai suddenly said, "Wait a minute, I feel that I can take this opportunity to make the welcome ceremony bigger and more sensational. Lao Qin and I attended."

Qin Zheng nodded. He and Xia Bohai had more than 20 years of friendship and had been in politics together for nearly 6 years in this era. Therefore, he immediately understood Xia Bohai's intention and said: "It's very good, it can really make it bigger. It's best to notify the consulates and let them send people to participate."

Now that Liaodong has entered a truce period, it is expected that there will be no large-scale war within 2 or 3 months, but the struggle on the diplomatic battlefield is fierce, and Britain has sent out its own signal, obviously standing on the side of Japan and Russia, so the East China government must respond. The return of the battleship is of course a good opportunity. It is natural that it is better to show its force and express the attitude of the East China government with a grand welcome ceremony. As a result, this symbolic significance is due to the fact that the East China government is currently dominant on the battlefield.
Chapter completed!