Chapter Sixty-Nine Must Be Accepted

  Not mentioning the revolutionary party, everyone's mood is still pretty good.

  The sample coins for minting were also seen, according to Fang Zidao's estimate, in 1914, one billion yuan of silver coins would be minted. If auxiliary coins are added, the total number will reach three billion, with a total value of over 1.3 billion yuan. Moreover, according to the plan, from 1914 to 1916, the next three years, the amount of currency issued will exceed five billion yuan, and by around 1917, the total issuance will break through ten billion.

  This is a huge sum of money. Let's not talk about the significance of minting coins as a national currency, but just from the profit made from minting alone, the central government can get an additional income of over 10 billion yuan out of thin air. Adding to that the difference in exchange rates for silver and copper coins, etc., the central finance department will have at least an additional income of 15 billion yuan. This is a huge benefit for the financially strained Ministry of Finance.

  Besides, Fang Zidao's central bank is not just about minting coins, other businesses will also be launched one after another. Although Song Jiaoren himself doesn't quite understand financial operations, seeing Tang Shaoyi in the audience with sparkling eyes and an excited look, Song Jiaoren completely put his mind at ease.

  It can be said that the conversation between everyone was conducted in a harmonious, friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere. As Premier Song Jiaoren and Finance Minister Tang Shaoyi both expressed satisfaction with Zhang's work and fully supported his plan for the complete reform of the Central Bank. In addition, regarding issues such as legislation, national defense, military construction, adjustments to the Central Military Academy, separation of local military and political powers, education, etc., Song Jiaoren also put forward his own views and plans, and solicited opinions from everyone.

  The conversation had been going on for a long time, and it was already midnight when they left. Beijing at this hour was very quiet, and Fang Zidao declined Song Jiaoren's kind offer to send him home in a car, as he didn't live far away. He decided to walk back instead, and just as he was about to knock on his door, he suddenly saw a dark shadow dart out from the corner of the wall.

  "Who!" His heart tightened, Fang Zidao stretched out his hand to grasp the pistol hidden under his armpit and swiftly turned his head.

  "It's me, sir." A familiar voice came over, and by the moonlight, he took a closer look, and it was actually Zhou San'er.

  "What's going on? You're hiding in the corner in the middle of the night, what are you doing?" Fang Zida asked with a frown, releasing his grip on the gun handle.

  "Mr. Fang, let's talk while we walk." Zhou Saner looked around cautiously, lowering his voice as he spoke, since there was no one else in the alley besides them.

  Fang Zida followed Zhou Saner to a quiet corner, and the two of them whispered to each other for a few minutes. No one knew what they were talking about, nor was it clear why Zhou Saner had been waiting outside the door at midnight instead of going inside. However, when Fang Zida walked back home again, his face turned unusually solemn.

  As the firecrackers sounded, the Spring Festival finally arrived. For several days in a row, Fang Zida was busy visiting relatives and friends, and didn't stop until after the fifth day of the new year. He rested on the sixth day, and on the seventh day, which was February 1st, Fang Zida set off from Beijing to head south.

  On the sixth day before leaving Beijing, Fang Zida made a special trip to Liuguo Restaurant and found Toda Ichiro who lived there.

  "Fang Sang, Happy New Year!" Japan also has a new year, Toda Ichiro wore a brand new kimono, smiling and learning from the Chinese to bow for the new year.

  "Happy New Year, Mr. Fujita!" He bowed slightly and forced a smile, taking off his coat and sitting down on the sofa.

  Knowing Fang Zida likes coffee, Toda Ichiro specially brewed a pot of coffee and brought it over: "Fang-san, is there good news today?"

  He didn't even bother to get the coffee that was specially brought for him, Fang Zida puffed on his cigar and leaned against the sofa, casting a sidelong glance at Tengtian, coldly smiling: "Good news? Hmph!"

  Tōda was taken aback and asked in a somewhat puzzled tone, "What's wrong, Fang-san? Your complexion seems to be...".

  "Slap!" A loud slap landed on the table, causing the coffee-filled cup to overturn and spill all over. Fang Zida suddenly burst out in a loud scolding: "What's wrong with you Japanese people? Ah! Do you still want to cooperate or not? You ask me to help with this and that, but behind my back, you stab me in the back, what kind of intention is this?"

  Fujita was shocked and at a loss for words, staring at Fang Zidao who was furious. He didn't understand what had happened. He hastily bowed and apologized, still dazed and confused, asking what had happened.

  "What? You still have the face to ask me?" Fang Zida's saliva was about to splash onto Fujita Ichiro's face, his neck muscles twitching with extreme anger. Fujita hastily calmed him down for a long time before Fang Zida gradually calmed down and explained what had happened.

  According to Fang Zidao, thanks to Japan's financial support, the assistance to the central bank was immense. As the general manager, Fang Zidao was extremely grateful for the selfless aid from Japanese friends and had already made a report to Premier Song Jiaoren and President Yuan Shikai, proposing a suggestion to jointly develop the Northeast with Japan. However, this plan was too grand, and it was not easy for the National Assembly to pass it. The government did not immediately give its consent, but considering Japan's help, cooperation with Japan could be tried in small parts first to see the effect. If feasible, direct approval from the National Assembly would be sought later to expand full-scale cooperation.

  "Isn't this a good thing? Why are you getting so angry, Fang Sang?" Toda heard this and was delighted, but also felt strange.

  "It's all because of you Japanese!" Fang Zidao glared and cursed: "The matter was already settled, now it's all ruined!"

  "Ah! How did it turn yellow?!" Fujita suddenly became urgent.

  Fang Zida spread his hands and immediately said a few words. When Fujiwara Ichiro heard this, he was both anxious and angry, and jumped up to scold "Baka" (fool).

  Fang Zidao told him that everything was going smoothly, but just a few days ago, news came that Sun Wen in Japan had started another revolution to overthrow the national government, wanting to start a protection law movement, with the shadow of support from the Japanese government and financial groups behind it. Upon hearing the news, President Yuan slammed his cup and immediately stated that the Japanese were doing business with two households under one roof, wanting to get benefits from both the government and Sun Wen, completely without sincerity. Not only that, but in a fit of rage, President Yuan vetoed the cooperation matters that had already been settled, and summoned Fang Zidao for a scolding.

  "Hey! You Japanese are too careless!" Fang Zida shook his head, pulled out a check from his pocket and placed it on the table, pointing with his finger: "This is the money you borrowed from me. Now I, Fang Mou, have returned it all. Mr. Fujita, please accept it."

  Fujiwara Ichiro hastily pushed the check back, he didn't dare to accept it! If he really accepted this money, wouldn't it mean that the plan had completely failed? In the beginning, they invested so much just to win over Fang Zida and gain benefits in Northeast China. If he accepted this money today, once he returned to Japan, he would definitely be ordered by Nitta Toshihei to commit seppuku.

  "Fang Sang, let's talk this through and discuss it properly." He took out a handkerchief to wipe away his cold sweat. Even if he were beaten to death by Tōyama Ichirō, he wouldn't accept the bill. In his heart, he was cursing whoever in Japan had lost their mind and was still sponsoring Sun's military expenses - wasn't this just causing trouble?

  "What's there to say? Paying back debts is a matter of course, I've returned the money today, and from now on, whether you find someone else or continue to support Sun Wen, it has nothing to do with me. Haha, this way is also good, our side will be relieved, just mind your own business, Japan has nothing to do with me." Holding his coat, Fang Zida seemed about to leave, and Fujita Ichiro hurriedly pulled and persuaded him, barely managing to stop Fang Zida.

  "Hoson, I, Tōyama, guarantee to you that this matter is absolutely not the intention of our Japanese government, nor would it be the intention of Mr. Uchida. Regarding Sun Wen's affair, I will report back to Tokyo and give you a reasonable explanation."

  "What's the point of explaining? Do you think it would be useful at this stage?" Fang Zidache asked back, rolling his eyes.

  Tōyama Ichirō thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "How about this? I will propose to Tokyo that all of Sun Yat-sen's expenses in Japanese banks be frozen, so he won't have the ability to oppose your government again."

  "Freeze expenses? Haha, Sun Wen is not alone in Japan." Fang Zida sneered, seemingly dissatisfied with this answer.

  "We can still imprison him!" exclaimed Toda Ichiro.

  "Imprisonment?" Fang Zidao said in surprise: "This matter can't be spoken of randomly, if it gets out, you're not afraid, but I'm afraid of the impact."

  "It doesn't matter, don't imprison him in the mainland, just find an excuse to send Sun Wen to Taiwan, and once he's there, restrict his departure, that way nothing will happen."

  This suggestion seemed to have moved Fang Zidao, who nodded slightly: "This is a good idea, put this mad dog that bites people indiscriminately into a cage, not bad, not bad!"

  "So, Fang Sang, let's continue working together!" Fujita Ichiro saw Fang Zida's tone soften and was overjoyed, hastily requesting.

  "Ah, cooperation is not impossible, but after this incident, wanting to cooperate again will be a difficult opportunity to find. Mr. Fujita, you also know how much effort I put into persuading President Yuan and Premier Song, and now it's all down the drain! If we bring up old matters again, at least we'll have to wait until the Sun Wen affair cools down before slowly finding an opportunity, do you understand?"

  "Ah! I understand!" Fujita nodded repeatedly, took the check from Hosokawa with both hands and handed it back to him respectfully: "Hosokawa-san, please take this back."

  "Never mind, I don't need this money in the Central Bank either. Take it as a kind intention and return the money to you." Fang Zida waved his hand and said magnanimously.

  "No, no, no, Fang Sang, you must take it!" Toda was on the verge of tears. If Fang Zida really returned the money, only the great god of heaven would know when his promise could be fulfilled. This money had to be taken by him no matter what. Seeing Fang Zida repeatedly decline, Toda steeled himself and rushed back to the bedroom to fetch a check. He presented it together with Fang Zida's original check and sincerely told him that this was another sum he had originally agreed to give. In consideration of Sino-Japanese friendship, he implored General Manager Fang to accept it no matter what.

  Finally, Fang Zidao reluctantly accepted the two checks and put them in his pocket with a sigh. He looked very reluctant. On the other hand, Toshirō Fujiwara felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders, let out a long breath of relief, and showed a pleased smile.