The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

The ball was held at the Astor Hotel, and the invited guests included not only high-level foreigners, but also many famous people in Tianjin's industry, commerce, politics, and academia.

As soon as Zhou Hexuan and Zhang Leyi arrived at the entrance of the hotel by car, they encountered a strange thing.

I saw a few old men in suits directing the coolies to carry things, shouting again and again: "Slow down, slow down, don't break it!"

It was a giant umbrella with a strange shape. The umbrella cover was surrounded by colorful fabrics, and there were various characters written with brushes on the fabric——

Manmin Umbrella!

"Boss Zhang, Boss Wang, what are you doing?" Zhou Hexuan stepped forward and asked curiously.

Those two old men were the current president of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Zhongyuan, and the vice-chairman, Wang Yibao, business leaders who had just been elected in September last year.

During the period of the Republic of China, the Chamber of Commerce had great power and controlled commercial activities in all walks of life. Under the General Chamber of Commerce, there are various guilds, such as Zhou Hexuan's underwear business in Shanghai, which is managed by the textile industry guild under the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce is a fat sheep, not only the politicians of the country are staring at it, but even foreign consuls want to get involved. Every election of the chamber of commerce is a struggle for the interests of all parties.

A few years ago, the Japanese wanted to intervene in the general election of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, but they were strongly resisted by Chinese businessmen. Even chambers of commerce and guilds in the south responded positively and launched a vigorous boycott of Japanese products. As a result, the turnover of commodities in the Tianjin Japanese Concession declined rapidly, and it has not slowed down until now.

These Chinese businessmen are very smart, and there is nothing they can do to take you on the surface, but they make all kinds of stumbling blocks secretly, no matter how arrogant the Japanese are, they can only suffer.

"It turned out to be Mr. Zhou," Zhang Zhongyuan said with a smile while cupping his fists, pointing to the Wanmin Umbrella, "This is the Wanmin Umbrella jointly presented to General Butler by the major guilds in Tianjin."

"Wan... Wanmin Umbrella?" Zhou Hexuan thought there was something wrong with his ears, Nima is now in the Republic of China, and there is such a thing.

Wang Yibao gave a thumbs up: "General Butler is a hero. Regardless of his own safety, he led his officers and soldiers to save the people from the fire. Although we are businessmen, we also know how to express our gratitude and send an umbrella to wish General Butler a long and healthy life!"

"Yes," Zhang Zhongyuan said with emotion, "I have never seen such a benevolent foreign general in most of my life. All the American soldiers under him are well-trained and disciplined, and they have never harmed the people. Such a benevolent and righteous teacher should be greatly praised. Our Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce is also planning to petition the American Minister to allow General Butler to stay in Tianjin for a long time."

Zhou Hexuan really had nothing to say.

The Americans drove warships and planes, and ran to China to garrison troops without saying hello.

This is a national shame!

But Butler's small act of goodwill can actually buy the hearts of the Chinese people, and the people even hope that the US military will stay here forever.

It can only be said that the Chinese people's requirements for the army are too low. As long as they don't burn, kill, loot, domineering, and buy and sell by force, they are benevolent and benevolent teachers with strict discipline.

Of course, businessmen can't afford it without profit, and the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce even made the Wanmin Umbrella, which must have another purpose.

Since American soldiers came to Tianjin, food for more than 4,000 people has been purchased locally, barracks and warehouses are rented from Chinese, and soldiers spend money recklessly. This situation has greatly prospered Tianjin's business. In just half a month, more than 20 theaters, bars, dance halls, bowling alleys, billiard rooms and underground casinos have been newly opened in Tianjin, and every family's business is booming.

The gorgeous military uniform of the Marine Corps has become the most beautiful scenery on the streets of Tianjin. The dark blue jacket, light blue trousers, white military cap and luxurious armed belt will attract crowds wherever they go.

It can be said that since Butler came with the Marine Corps, Tianjin is experiencing the most lively and prosperous period since the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded China.

The businessmen in Tianjin naturally want to express their views and try their best to keep the US military stationed permanently.

Businessmen from all walks of life in Tianjin continued to come to the hotel. In addition to the Wanmin Umbrella, they also prepared medals, silk banners and other items for Butler.

Zhou Hexuan took out a handful of IOUs, quietly handed them to Zhang Zhongyuan and said, "Boss Zhang, take a look at this."

"IOU? There's nothing wrong with it." Zhang Zhongyuan muttered.

Zhou Hexuan pointed to the English on the IOU: "The problem lies in the signature. American soldiers sign the names of presidents and congressmen. This kind of IOU is invalid."

Wang Yibao was shocked and asked, "Mr. Zhou, where did you get these IOUs?"

Zhou Hexuan said: "You can find it in any store."

Zhang Zhongyuan and Wang Yibao looked at each other with panic in their eyes.

More than 4,000 American soldiers spend a lot of money in Tianjin every day, and the daily expenditure of a soldier is at least 5 US dollars. If all invalid IOUs are issued, one can imagine how many IOUs will be issued in a few months.

A deficit of at least several million oceans!

As soon as the American soldiers left, those bosses who couldn't get any money would naturally go to their respective guild presidents, and the guild presidents would turn to the General Chamber of Commerce for help.

As Zhang Zhongyuan and Wang Yibao, as the principal and vice presidents of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, they will definitely be devastated by then, and they may have to pay some of their own money to settle the matter.

Zhang Zhongyuan was stunned for a long time, gritted his teeth and spit out a few words: "Foreigners... can be killed!"

Zhou Hexuan made a move and said: "Before the American soldiers leave Tianjin, go and collect all the IOUs. Don't startle the enemy, and send them directly to General Butler after you have collected all the IOUs."

Zhang Zhongyuan calmed down, and suddenly bowed and said: "Mr. Zhou, thank you for this old man. If there is something to do in the future, the General Chamber of Commerce will definitely help!"

"It's easy to say, easy to say." Zhou Hexuan said happily.

He just raised his hand, but he was able to win the goodwill of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, and the deal made a lot of money.

The Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of all businessmen in Tianjin. They dare to be tough even to the Japanese, and their energy can be imagined.

Zhang Zhongyuan and Wang Yibao were both old foxes, they walked into the restaurant calmly, giving away Wanmin umbrellas, pennants and the like. Even those IOUs, they didn't intend to take them out immediately. As long as the presidents of the guilds from all walks of life are called together and everyone sits together for a meeting, the matter can be properly resolved.

Let those American soldiers spend money vigorously, collect all the white notes received, and at the same time secretly observe the movements of American soldiers. When the American soldiers were about to leave Tianjin, they took tens of thousands of business people (including shopkeepers and clerks) to the middle of the road with IOUs.

Hey, give me the money, you!

The picture is too beautiful, I dare not look at it.

Zhou Hexuan went in with two big businessmen, and when he walked to the banquet hall, General Butler greeted him personally, looking like a good man who is kind to the people.

"Wanmin Umbrella, open it!"

With a loud roar, the huge Wanmin Umbrella opened, leaving Butler stunned on the spot.

WTF?