met free Chapter 965: It's hard to explain
Chapter 965: It's hard to explain
Wow, I thought the French would be tough, but surprisingly they are not that tough. They surrendered after just a few days?
Guo Zuming nodded and said, "Minister Bao has met with Mr. Philip, and Mr. Philip expressed his willingness to sign the contract to return the concession."
"but...."
Chen Yang had long known that things were not that simple, but he didn't know what kind of plane the French were planning to make at this time.
“What do they want?”
Guo Zuming hesitated for a moment and said, "Mr. Philip said that they need the right to navigate the rivers in the Chinese region and that France's trade rights with China cannot be reduced."
Chen Yang's expression froze and his smile disappeared instantly.
Inland navigation rights and national trade rights.
To put it simply, it is the permission and tariffs for ships to enter China.
The first reason why French trading companies were able to make huge profits in the concession was that they owned their own merchant ships, and French merchant ships did not charge any fees for docking in the French Concession.
The businessmen in Shanghai value this point, which is why they establish relationships with the French.
There are so many ships at the Shiliuhang Wharf. As long as it is a French trading company, it can be exempted from vehicle and vessel tax by simply producing a document.
This would be a very considerable profit for the business.
The second is that the French Concession Municipal Council charged very little tariffs on French businesses.
French businesses generally pay a tax of 70% on a hundred, while Chinese businesses pay a tax of 20% on ten.
That is to say, when two identical companies sell the same goods, the French pay only one-third of the tax that the Chinese pay.
Such a huge price difference also means that only some highly profitable industries can make money.
But after all, these are not the key points. If the concession is returned to the Nanjing government, the next step will most likely be for the Japanese to charge high tariffs on goods entering China from countries such as Britain, the United States, and France.
Japan was originally a poor country. All its resources were obtained through continuous expansion and plundering to maintain the operation of its war machine. The tariffs in China were one of their important sources of funds.
Commander Terauchi went to great lengths to help the Nanjing government take back the concession, but it didn't bring any benefit at all. He really took them for fools.
"Commissioner Guo, you don't seem to understand the meaning of the four words 'trade authority'." Chen Yang looked at the incompetent commissioner in front of him and for no reason felt the urge to slap him in the face.
Where did Bao Wenyue dig out this idiot? With such knowledge, how could he become a commissioner of the Ministry of Military and Political Affairs?
Guo Zuming smiled and said, "Minister Chen, I think as long as we can get the concession back, sacrificing some interests is inevitable."
"Sacrifice a little interest, Commissioner Guo, you call the tariffs on national trade a little interest?" Chen Yang sneered: "Then tell me what is a major interest."
Guo Zuming whispered: "Minister Chen, that's not what I meant."
"Minister Bao finally convinced Mr. Philip. If you think this condition is inappropriate, then, please forgive my stupidity and ask the Minister to make it clear;"
Chen Yang lowered his eyebrows and said calmly: "Minister Bao is in charge of the negotiations. It is not convenient for me to intervene."
"Besides, it would be unreasonable for a transport officer like me to interfere in the negotiations. "
"Commissioner Guo, you are trying to put me in an unjust position."
When such a big hat was put on him, Guo Zuming was stunned.
"But, but..."
Chen Yang stood up and said, "Nothing serious."
"Commissioner Guo, since you are willing to hand over the important task of negotiation to Minister Bao, it is obvious that you trust his ability."
"In terms of my official position, resume, and qualifications, I am not qualified to give orders to the minister."
"How you want to talk is your business. I'm sorry I can't help you."
"Commissioner Guo, please go ahead."
Seeing that Chen Yang had ordered him to leave, Guo Zuming bowed to him with a frustrated look on his face and turned to leave the office.
Seeing Guo Zuming leave, Chen Yang sighed slightly.
Chen Yang knew very well what these people were thinking.
The Nanjing government wanted to take back the concession, but everyone knew that it would be basically impossible without the Japanese's efforts.
In other words, even if the funds are recovered, most of the profits will still be controlled by the Japanese.
Therefore, tariffs and inland navigation rights are not important to them. What is important is that the French are willing to sign the contract.
What the Jinling government wanted was face, while what the Japanese wanted was benefits.
Shanghai, Jinling Hotel, VIP Room 3021.
Guo Zuming repeated Chen Yang's words to Minister Bao with some exaggeration.
Minister Bao's face gradually turned pale as he listened to Guo Zuming's words.
Speaking of which, Minister Bao is quite an important figure.
He was from Liaoning and was a warlord of the Fengtian clique.
In his early years, he followed the Northeast King. Later, after the Huanggutun Incident, the young commander took over. Old-timers like him gradually lost their importance.
After the Xi'an Incident, Minister Bao was completely marginalized.
In the 28th year of the Republic of China, after the Jinling government was established, Minister Bao completely gave up his reputation and led his troops to join the Jinling government.
Mr. Wang needed just such a person to make a name for himself, so, against all odds, he appointed him as Minister of Military and Political Affairs and Chief of the General Staff of the Military Commission.
This person has always had a high opinion of himself, and Guo Zuming knows his temper, so he exaggerated the story of Chen Yang...
"Minister, I'm not speaking up for you," Guo Zuming said, adding fuel to the fire.
"This Minister Chen doesn't take you seriously at all."
"He really thinks he is the boss of Shanghai Stock Exchange and that we have to get his approval for anything we want to do."
"If a young man in his twenties had not surrendered to the Japanese, he wouldn't even be qualified to be a clerk in the government."
"He also said, and also said..."
Minister Bao said coldly: "What else did he say?"
Guo Zuming whispered, "He also said that the gentleman gave you this seat because you are old. In terms of ability, you are not qualified to sit in this position at all."
"Bang," Minister Bao slapped the table and said angrily: "You little brat, you are going too far..."
"I asked you to give him a heads up because I wanted to give him face. He really thinks that the Shanghai market can't do without him."
"The French have agreed to sign the contract. What else can he do? Even if we take a step back, as long as the contract is signed, the concession will belong to the Nanjing government."
"I don't care what the Japanese attitude is. I'm just following Dean Chen's instructions. If they are dissatisfied, let them go and make trouble with the French. My job is to sign the contract."
"Xiaoan, call Mr. Philip back and tell him that the Jinling government is willing to agree to all their requests."
“Hopefully we can sign the contract soon.”
Guo Zuming hesitated and said, "Minister, if you do this, I'm afraid you won't be able to explain to the Japanese."
Minister Bao sneered: "What I want is a difficult explanation."