Zhu Zhihan left with the order, and Ye Zuwen watched as he walked far away before asking his son-in-law in a low voice: "Wen Zheng, isn't this loan of 100 million too much?"

  "General, we have a loan of 10 million pounds that has just been returned to us from your country's central government. This is roughly equivalent to 1 billion and 100 million yuan in customs duties. I'm sure you're aware of the post-war loan situation, so I won't elaborate. As it happens, I'm currently in charge of lending matters, and since our lending plan is approved on a yearly basis, this sum is currently idle. What I'm worried about is whether you can handle such a large loan."

  Wang Zhenyu was overjoyed upon hearing this, one billion one hundred million, could it be that these foreigners are deceiving me? If he can really get his hands on such a huge sum of money, the construction progress in Xiangxi will greatly accelerate, and his own power will rapidly expand like a balloon. Wang Zhenyu secretly made up his mind, for the sake of a better tomorrow, no matter what unreasonable demands this seemingly polite Belgian man makes, he must get this loan.

  "Dear Mr. Franke, you can turn to the map and take a look at the area I am currently managing, which is larger than your entire country. Within this vast territory, there are enormous resources waiting to be tapped. Just take a look, the timber, tung oil, and pig bristles that have been developed so far can bring in an annual income of 20-30 million yuan. So if we were to build hydroelectric power stations, steel mills, railways, and develop industry here, what would happen? Dear Franke, you will surely say that my population is only 22 million, the market is too small. But this is not a problem, compared to Belgium, who is closer to the huge Chinese market? We have people, we have markets, all we lack is a brave heart. I admire your early-rising European friends, no matter how great their original sin may be, at least they dare to risk their lives and fortunes to seek new wealth. Western Hunan is China's largest virgin land, now it depends on whether you dare to take the risk and come here to make a fortune, gentlemen. When ship after ship of goods passes through the Yuanjiang River into the Yangtze River, you will see enormous returns."

  Frankie and others were ignited by Wang Zhenyu's passionate speech, but they kept their heads cool enough. No matter how good the blueprint is, if they get too little benefit from it, it's still nonsense.

  "General, what can we get out of this, or how do you plan to safeguard our interests? To be frank, everything else is easy to talk about, but the matter of building a railway may have exceeded your current authority. Excuse my candor, even if someone from your country's central government agrees to let you build the road, the foreign ministers will still intervene in this matter, it's an old rule since the Qing Empire." Frank continued to ask questions on behalf of everyone.

  Wang Zhenyu felt a surge of sadness and anger upon hearing this, thinking that even the power to build roads in China still needs to be approved by foreigners. But cooperation has finally reached the most substantial thing. After exchanging in Chinese for a while, Ye Zuowen proposed a loan cooperation plan.

  "Firstly, we hope that the bank can re-lend this huge loan to Xiangxi Development Company. In fact, Zhongyang Zhengfu is no longer able to borrow this money. The loan conditions remain unchanged, with a total amount of ￡10 million, an interest rate of 5%, a discount of 97%, payment to be made within 15 days of signing the contract, and without specifying the use of funds."

  Second, the construction of the railway from Anjiang to Tongdao, hereinafter referred to as the Antong Railway, passes through six counties including Anjiang, Luyang, Qiancheng, Huitong, Jingzhou and Tongdao. The starting point is in Anjiang and the terminal point is at Yatunbao, with a total length of 200 kilometers, all of which are mountain roads. The estimated cost of building the railway is 9 million yuan. Given the situation of the Luhan Railway, it is now required that the quality must be guaranteed to allow vehicles to run at speeds of 40-60 kilometers per hour.

  Thirdly, repayment will be made in thirty years with Antung Railway as security.

  Fourthly, as an additional condition, the Antung railway project was handed over to the Belgian side for construction, with the Chinese side's Xiangxi Town Guardian Traffic Bureau supervising the work.

  "Fifthly, the Hua Bi Bank may be established within General Wang's jurisdiction but it cannot issue currency."

  These conditions were extremely conservative, and originally Wang Zhenyu was waiting for Frankie to haggle, but unexpectedly the other party agreed immediately, only indicating that they needed the Shanghai headquarters to confirm. This made both Wang Zhenyu and Ye Zuwen somewhat disbelieving, until Frankie said a few words that suddenly enlightened Wang Zhenyu: "Dear Wang, since you know Beijing's Director Xiong, I can believe that your country's central government will also agree to the construction of this railway. Moreover, I don't expect to gain any benefits beyond commercial profits from this loan; I hope to become friends with a young and enviable general like you."

  In fact, when Frank was negotiating with Yuan Shikai about the national loan, he was dealing with Xiong Xiling, who was then the Minister of Finance. Ten days ago, Xiong Xiling, who had already resigned and was idle at home, received a telegram from his hometown saying that the new commander-in-chief of Western Hunan, Wang Zhenyu, had come to pay his respects and brought 3,000 yuan in gifts. As a native of Fenghuang, Xiong Xiling is also a man who attaches great importance to local sentiment. Coincidentally, Frank was preparing to leave Beijing for the south, so he came to bid farewell to Xiong Xiling. Xiong Xiling happened to mention it casually, and as a result, Frank began to pay attention to matters related to Western Hunan. Subsequently, things developed in a very coincidental way, and soon after arriving in Wuhan, Frank saw the plan for the great development of Western Hunan...

  Foreigners find it difficult to understand the so-called relationships in Chinese society, and Wang Zhenyu didn't spell it out. He just nodded and said: "As for the powerful countries, your side doesn't need to worry either. With the precedent of the Luhan Railway, I think there won't be a big problem..."

  Hans from Li Ho Yuen and Felix from Luxembourg are getting restless, oh God, this Frankie from Wahby Bank must be crazy, lending 10 million pounds to this Wang Zhenyu who looks like a local tyrant. This guy is not some greenhorn who just arrived in China, what if Wang Zhenyu gets transferred or something terrible happens, how will they get the loan back?

  But soon they didn't care about this anymore, and they started working hard to promote themselves.

  "Dear General Wang, our German company has rich experience in urban construction and we have a team of professional technical personnel. You know that the beautiful Qingdao also has contributions from our company, so I hope that the Anjiang model city project can be handed over to us." Just now Hans, the German who was still questioning Wang Zhenyu's bragging, is the first to take the initiative to participate in the development of Western Hunan. No one will not get along with the British pound.

  "Dear General Wang, our steel industry in Luxembourg is very famous in Europe. You should know that your Han Yang Steel Factory was built in cooperation with us. So I hope you can consider our company Albede for your steel factory project. In terms of equipment, our technical level is absolutely not inferior to those Germans, and the price is more reasonable."

  Wang Zhenyu nodded, but smiled and said: "It's very late today. This loan matter, I think Mr. Frank still needs to send a telegram to consult with the Shanghai headquarters, so let's not rush it. Everyone should get some rest early..."

  Since the host had given the order to ask them to leave, the three foreigners with different emotions could only politely stand up and bid farewell.

  After seeing off the three foreigners, Ye Zuwen returned to the study and looked at his son-in-law who was deep in thought. The more he looked, the more he admired and loved him.

  "What's on your mind?"

  "Father, I'm wondering if all of this is real?" Wang Zhenyu looked at his father-in-law with a sincere expression. Everything felt unreal, especially if the Shanghai headquarters of Huabei Bank agreed to the loan tomorrow. Then, the funds that Wang Zhenyu could dispose of would reach an astonishing 2.2 billion yuan, including 10 million pounds.

  What that means is if you bring back the three financial people who left earlier, they will tell you that with this ￡1 billion, you can print your own currency as collateral.

  For Wang Zhenyu from the future, this means that the funds he can currently allocate have already exceeded those of Yuan Shikai in Beijing. According to historical records, the 25 million pounds that Yuan Shikai obtained through the Reorganization Loan after the Song case in 1913. The financial situation of our current president is still very tight, and even if he obtains this loan, Yuan Shikai will have to pay a much larger amount than Wang Zhenyu, who only controls Xiangxi.

  Perhaps Xiangxi can really build itself into a special zone after all, concentrating its strength to achieve great things is not an empty boast.

  Wang Zhenyu seemed to have already seen the factories rising from the ground, trains rushing away, and then the wealth rolling in, making his army vast and his flag planted all over the country. Thinking of this, Wang Zhenyu almost couldn't help but drool, maybe he could really reach the pinnacle of success in this life.

  Ye Zuwen looked at Wang Zhenyu's appearance and suddenly understood seven or eight parts. He immediately reminded his son-in-law: "Wen Zheng, without accumulating small steps, you can't reach a thousand miles; without accumulating small streams, you can't form a river. Even with such a large sum of money in hand, you still need to be careful and down-to-earth!"

  Wang Zhenyu finally came back to his senses: "Thank you, Father, for reminding me. Wen Zheng understands that the most important thing right now is probably building Anjiang into a model city."

  Just then, Wang Zhenyu suddenly remembered that report on the construction of Jingzhou Business Town: "Zhu Cihang, come in."

  Zhu Zihang heard the noise and rushed in: "General, what orders?"

  "Great General?" Wang Zhenyu actually quite liked this title, he was now a billionaire, if he were to be transported back in time, that would be the typical tall, rich and handsome. Hmm, his height wasn't enough, but his charm was great, being called "Great General" wasn't bad either.

  "Tell the communication team, pass on my order, summon Chen Shao to meet me at Hongjiang."