Chapter 270 269 [Settlement]
Inexplicably, someone came to "see the end", who would be happy?
Yan Xishan suppressed his anger, and asked with a fake smile: "Mr. Zhou, what do you mean?"
"Minister Yan, please read." Zhou Hexuan took out two official letters from his pocket.
Yan Xishan opened the official letter and found that the payment was made by the Central Ministry of Finance, and the content was to ask Tianjin Customs and Changlu Salt Bureau to allocate money to pay the education expenses of Beiping University District every month.
Not to mention the customs surplus of Tianjin Customs (repayment of foreigners' loans), the Changlu salt tax is very scary, with an annual income of more than 10 million. When Chu Yupu was the governor of Zhili, he relied on intercepting salt taxes to forcefully support an army of nearly 200,000 people. No matter who controls Tianjin, he will not let this money go.
Yan Xishan also had a nickname of "Qian Guizi". He even fought like he was in business. Who to ally with, who to turn against, whether to send troops... Before making a major decision every time, Yan Xishan's first consideration is whether he will lose money.
After seeing these two official letters, Yan Xishan immediately understood that Chang Kaishen was going to reach out to his purse, and said with a sneer, "Song Ziwen asked me to give you money after a few empty words? He doesn't think he has too much appetite." Struggle yourself to death." As he spoke, he glared at Zhou Hexuan again, "Just for this matter, you came to die for me? Tell me, what are you planning?"
Zhou Hexuan asked with a smile, "Minister Yan, what do you think the central government wants?"
"Money touches people's hearts, so of course they want money." Yan Xishan said.
"Is it really that simple?" Zhou Hexuan asked.
Yan Xishan said impatiently: "Speak directly if you have something to say, don't be obsequious."
Zhou Hexuan did not talk about the topic, but talked about the current situation of the central government: "In order to win the Northern Expedition as soon as possible, the Nanjing National Government implemented a policy of buying and reorganizing the defeated small warlords. These miscellaneous warlords, plus Minister Yan, you are in Hebei, Tianjin, Beiping, and General Feng Yuxiang’s garrison troops in Shandong, Henan and other places, all expenses need to be allocated by Nanjing. If it were you, Minister Yan, you would be willing to spend hundreds of thousands of troops every year to support an army that you can’t command ?"
Of course Yan Xishan was unwilling, but he said with a smile: "Nanjing is the central government, and it is only natural that the central government pays for the support of troops."
"It's only right and proper for the central government to provide money to raise troops, so it's also natural and right for the central government to announce disarmament," Zhou Hexuan said.
"He dares!" Yan Xishan said angrily.
Zhou Hexuan sighed: "It's not a question of daring, but a question of whether you can afford it. If Chang Kaishen doesn't announce disarmament, then more than half of the central government's annual fiscal revenue will be used for military expenditures. The central finance department According to statistics, the actual annual military expenditure is even more than twice the national budget. What's more, the warlords in various places do not listen to the propaganda. As the head of state, Chang Kaishen can bear it? Whether it is for political or economic considerations, disarmament It’s all imperative.”
Yan Xishan liked to settle accounts, and Zhou Hexuan specially settled accounts for him.
After hearing this, Yan Xishan fell into silence for an instant. Considering in his shoes, even if he were to be the leader of the central government, he would definitely not be able to tolerate the current situation.
Zhou Hexuan continued: "The first step of the Nanjing government must be to recover the finances of various places, such as Tianjin Customs and Changlu Salt Bureau. The second step is to stop the military expenditures of the warlords' garrison troops in various places. The third step is to start a large-scale disarmament gone."
Yan Xishan had a small plan in mind, he could barely accept Zhou Hexuan's second step, but the local financial power would never be handed over. As for the abolition of the army, if the central government pushes too hard, it will have to roll up its sleeves and fight.
Zhou Hexuan also said: "As for the disarmament, Chang Kaishen will definitely attack the Gui faction first, because the south is his base camp, and he must first stabilize the rear. When the warlords of the Guangxi faction are dealt with, it is up to you, Minister Yan, and General Feng Yuxiang. Yes. So, out of admiration for you, I will send you a clock in advance, so as not to miss the opportunity."
Yan Xishan didn't get angry anymore, but asked with a smile: "Do you think I will lose? If Chang Kaishen dares to cut the army, the local real power factions all over the world will unite against him!"
Zhou Hexuan said: "Chang Kaishen has the righteousness of the central government, and disarmament is a matter of course, because China has too many troops, and the people's hearts are at least on his side. As for the alliance of warlords from all over the country, Minister Yan, you understand. The alliance is too fragile, just like the eighteen princes at the end of the Han Dynasty discussing Dong Dong, each has its own calculations."
Yan Xishan remained silent, he didn't want to fight, because fighting would cost money and there was a risk of losing.
Historically, the warlords of the Guangxi faction had already been dealt with by Chang Kaishen. Feng Yuxiang rolled up his sleeves and confronted Chang Kaishen, and it was Yan Xishan's turn soon. But Yan Xishan is still undecided, and hopes that everyone can sit down and resolve the issue peacefully, as a businessman, peace makes money.
"You step back first, let me think about it." Yan Xishan waved his hand.
"Farewell!" Zhou Hexuan clasped his fists and laughed.
After Zhou Hexuan left, Yan Xishan immediately asked his adjutant to send telegrams to Tianjin Mayor Nan Guixin and Tianjin Garrison Commander Fu Zuoyi to inquire about the specific situation there.
Fu Zuoyi mentioned in his reply that the military expenses of the Tianjin garrison had not been paid for more than half a month. He was arguing with the Central Military Department, but the other party kept avoiding the question.
Like Zhou Hexuan, Nan Guixin is also a lip service, a first-class political strategist, and an important adviser to Yan Xishan.
Nan Guixin has been keenly aware of the anomaly, saying that Nanjing seems to have sent representatives who are in secret contact with foreign officials from Tianjin Customs and Changlu Salt Administration. After his many inquiries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nanjing is also taking active actions, intending to take back the financial control of the customs and the Salt Administration from foreigners in the name of the country.
Yan Xishan looked at the two telegrams sent by his subordinates, and was speechless for a long time - Zhou Hexuan's words were all right!
Whether it is financial power or military power, Yan Xishan does not want to give up.
He recruited counselors to discuss countermeasures, but he still couldn't find a countermeasure, so he could only see the tricks. The most urgent thing at the moment is to keep North China's finances.
Five days later, Yan Xishan took the initiative to summon Zhou Hexuan, and asked kindly, "Who is Mr. Zhou speaking for?"
Zhou Hexuan said with a helpless smile: "I can't help anyone. Chang Kaishen must disarm, and the real power factions in various places must resist. This battle must be fought if not fought. The result is that you high-ranking people, in order to protect your own interests, take China Beat badly, beat China badly, and then go to the field, the scenery that should be beautiful."
Yan Xishan frowned and asked: "Then why did you come to me? Don't mention the matter of sending the clock."
"I want money," Zhou Hexuan said, "300,000 per month for education."
As soon as money was mentioned, Yan Xishan immediately exploded: "I'm not the central government, education funding has nothing to do with me!"
"It was none of your business before, but now it is none of your business," Zhou Hexuan said, "Nanjing wants to allocate money from Changlu Salt Bureau and Tianjin Customs to Peking University for funding. After all, the public opinion is also towards them. If Minister Yan refuses to agree, he will be accused of disrespecting the central government and not supporting education. Now in the public schools in Pingjin, the teachers have not been paid for 10 months. The officials of the education department are also waiting for the rice to be cooked. Thousands of students are looking forward to resuming classes as soon as possible. If you don’t give this money, the education officials, teachers, and students in the entire North China will hate you, and the newspapers will write The article scolds you!"
"This is Song Ziwen framing me!" Yan Xishan said angrily.
"They're using a conspiracy, so what if they frame it?" Zhou Hexuan laughed, "I know Minister Yan's scruples. You are afraid that if you give this money, the Central Finance Department will take the opportunity to withdraw the customs duties and salt tax."
Yan Xishan didn't say anything, it was a tacit agreement. Song Ziwen is leading his army, no matter what he does, he will suffer a lot.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Zhou Hexuan began to persuade him further: "Minister Yan is running a large-scale education in Shanxi, and the enrollment rate of school-age children in Shanxi has reached 70%, which is far ahead of the whole country. Why don't you spend money to support education in North China? Is Shanxi your territory? , the people of North China are not your people?"
"It's different!" Yan Xishan said distressedly.
Zhou Hexuan added: "Minister Yan feels that the officials in the Peking University District are all appointed by the central government, and you should not pay the money. You paid the money, but the benefits go to the central government. This business is a big loss, isn't it?"
"That's the reason." Yan Xishan nodded.
"No," Zhou Hexuan analyzed, "the central government headed by Chang Kaishen is against education reform, and they want to control the education system in their own hands. Without the support of the central government, otherwise, it would not be impossible to raise funds for education.”
"Is there such a thing?" Yan Xishan heard of it for the first time.
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "In the education bill promulgated last year, after the education reform, the funding of the university district should be settled by the local finance, and its status is independent of all levels of government. Minister Yan, you can declare that the North China local government will bear the burden according to this legal clause." Funding for Beiping University District. This move is legal, no one can object to it, and it can also win the support of teachers, students, and public opinion, which will greatly benefit your reputation. Not only that, but it also avoids meddling the Nanjing government in Tianjin The pretext of customs duties and salt taxes kills birds with one stone."
Yan Xishan still feels bad about money, 300,000 yuan a month is not a small amount, he said: "Let me think about it again."
Zhou Hexuan hit the rails while it was hot: "It's too late to think about it any more. The students in Peking are already making trouble. If the Nanjing government reveals the matter, saying that you have withheld education funds, what can you do in the face of monstrous public opinion? Tianjin customs and salt tax, Even after deducting the loan repayment to foreigners, there is still more than 20 million yuan left every year. A mere 300,000 yuan in education allocation per month only adds up to 3 million yuan a year, and you still make money from this business.”
There is only one way to convince Yan Xishan, and that is to settle the score with him, and if you settle the score clearly, the matter will be sure.
After thinking about it, Yan Xishan finally made up his mind, and he was still in the mood to joke with Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, you are really a literati, you should go into business."