The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

Cars were slowly advancing on the streets of the concession. Compared with last year, there were significantly fewer pedestrians on the road, and there were not as many customers in various shops as before.

All of this was caused by the Japanese. The two riots in November last year caused panic in Tianjin. Many people who were able to move chose to leave Tianjin, including foreigners from various concessions, for fear that war would break out in Tianjin.

It is much better now, and it was even more depressed from December to January. Ordinary people buy nothing but necessities, and withdraw their bank deposits to run away.

The Belgian Concession in Tianjin was officially returned to China last year, leaving only the Belgian Consulate still showing its existence.

The car stopped at a restaurant near the consulate. Zhou Hexuan walked in and followed the waiter to a private room.

Today is Zhou Hexuan's private banquet. The Belgian Consul General in Tianjin and the general manager of Tianjin Tramway Lighting Co., Ltd. are very respectful. After receiving the invitation, they quickly agreed to come for dinner.

Zhou Longguang arrived early, and now he is sitting in a private room, he is eager to resolve this matter as soon as possible. I have to be anxious, the people are clamoring to welcome Zhang Xueming back as mayor, and tell him to get out of here quickly!

Zhou Hexuan sat down leisurely, but Zhou Longguang seemed more anxious. Waiting left and right, there were no foreigners, Zhou Longguang couldn't help asking: "These two Belgians, shouldn't they come?"

"Mayor Zhou, please rest assured, don't be too impatient." Zhou Hexuan reminded.

"Mr. Zhou is right, you have been taught." Zhou Longguang laughed awkwardly. He used to be the director of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the central government, and he still has the skills and patience, but he has been messed up recently. The so-called caring is chaotic, and his IQ has almost fallen below the passing line.

The two waited for nearly 20 minutes. Lu Beja, the Belgian Consul General in Tianjin, and Van Benck, the general manager of Tianjin Tramway Company, arrived one after another.

Seeing that Zhou Longguang was there, Lu Beya immediately understood what meal he was having today, and he smiled and said, "Mr. Zhou, hello, I've heard of you for a long time!"

Zhou Hexuan said: "Mr. Consul's Chinese is very good, have you lived in China for many years?"

Lu Beya said: "Yes, I used to work in Wuhan, but I was transferred to Tianjin last year."

Zhou Hexuan said: "I have been to Belgium. It is a very beautiful country. I really like Bruges. The ancient buildings there are well preserved, and the culture and art are particularly impressive."

"Really?" Lu Beya said, "I grew up in Bruges. Next time Mr. Zhou travels to Bruges, I can be your guide."

"Haha, that's a deal." Zhou Hexuan laughed.

The two started chatting nonsense, from the natural scenery of Belgium to culture and art, and then chatted about the situation in Europe in recent years, anyway, they brag casually.

Zhou Longguang and Fan Benke sat next to each other, interjecting a few words from time to time, but they didn't mention the incident of the tram company's price increase.

When the wine was almost drunk, Zhou Hexuan said: "Mr. Consul, I wonder how you plan to deal with this incident of tram price hike?"

Lu Beya said in an official tone: "As a diplomat, I must protect the legitimate rights and interests of my country's enterprises."

Zhou Hexuan frowned and said: "But the tram company's price increase is unreasonable. Now that the people's livelihood in Tianjin is declining, your price increase at this time will inevitably arouse the dissatisfaction of Tianjin citizens. Things are getting worse and worse. In the current situation, I am afraid that your side will also Don’t you want to see it? I hope to be a mediator today, we can negotiate a settlement, and get rid of the trouble as soon as possible.”

Lu Beya resolutely shook his head and said: "The reasons for our company's price increase are reasonable and legal. First, Article 13 of the original contract stipulates that the tram company has the right to increase the price; second, the consuls of Japan, France, and Italy all recognize the price increase. To be legal, the Chinese side should not object; third, the tram fare increase has been going on for more than two months, and no passengers have objected; fourth, the tram fare increase has been approved by the Tianjin Municipal Government.”

Zhou Hexuan looked at Zhou Longguang suspiciously: "Tianjin Municipal Government agrees to raise tram prices?"

Zhou Longguang said embarrassingly: "The tram company raised the fare, and it has indeed been recorded in the municipal government. But only one official signed the decree in violation of regulations, and it was not approved by the collective discussion, so it is illegal in terms of procedures."

"How did the offending official deal with it?" Zhou Hexuan asked.

Zhou Longguang said in a low voice: "That's Deputy Commander Zhang's man, I can't deal with it."

Zhou Hexuan slammed the table and shouted loudly: "No matter who it is, this kind of person who cheats for personal gain and betrays the interests of the people must be thoroughly investigated! You can investigate and deal with me when you go back. If Zhang Xueliang is not happy, let him come to me directly !"

Zhou Longguang was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I will investigate thoroughly!"

In order to resolve the matter quickly, Zhou Longguang didn't care about offending Zhang Xueliang, since he was sent by the central government anyway.

Zhou Hexuan immediately said to Lu Beiya in stern words: "Mr. Consul, you said that Japan, France and Italy agreed to increase the price, and China should not object. Is Tianjin the territory of China, or the territory of Japan, France and Italy? We must make it clear today. Otherwise, I will publicly question your country's ambassador to China!"

"Uh," Lu Beya suddenly didn't know how to answer the question, and reluctantly replied, "Of course Tianjin is Chinese territory, but the tram fare increase also affects the Japanese, French and Italian concessions. Since Japan, France and Italy have no objection, it means that the tram fare increase is not There is no bad effect, so China should not object."

When the two sides were negotiating, Lu Beiya also used the consuls of Japan, France and Italy to frighten Zhou Longguang. Zhou Longguang was a coward and dared not bring up the territorial issue at all. Instead, he retorted that the trams were mainly used by civilians and had little impact on foreigners from Japan, France, Italy, so the support from Japan, France, and Italy was invalid.

However, Zhou Hexuan insisted on the territorial issue. He reprimanded: "Mr. Consul, do you have the documents of the consuls of Japan, France and Italy? If you have, please take them out. As a Chinese citizen, I severely condemn Japan, France and Italy. The consuls of the three Italian countries are illegally interfering in China's internal affairs!"

Of course, Lu Beya didn't have the consuls of the three countries to prepare documents, so he said in a poor way: "No matter what, the tram company's price increase is in line with the commercial contract."

Zhou Longguang interjected: "But you didn't go through the formal procedures for raising the price, and the city government must agree to this matter."

Lu Beya raised her eyebrows and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhou, let's continue to drink, there is no need to get entangled in this matter."

Zhou Hexuan also felt very helpless, because too many interests were involved in this matter. The Tianjin Municipal Government, the National Party Headquarters, the Tram Company, the foreign concessions in Tianjin, the trade unions of various industries in Tianjin, the Tianjin Tram Trade Union, and the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce all have interests involved in it.

Especially the international concessions in Tianjin, which support the price increase of trams. Because the concessions are jealous of the profits of the tram companies, they have forced them to collect "tolls" many years ago-the tram companies must give a share of their annual bonuses to the Ministry of Industry in the concessions.

Moreover, according to the contract when the tram company was established, if the Tianjin Municipal Government wants to take back the tram business, it must pay 15 times the profit of the tram company in compensation for the year (acquisition costs are calculated separately). Now that the price of trams has risen, the tram company can increase its income by 300,000 yuan a year. If the Tianjin Municipal Government wants to take it back, it will have to pay an additional 4.5 million yuan in compensation.

Zhou Hexuan was so active in this matter, he just wanted to do something to help the common people, and help the city government increase some financial revenue by the way. After all, the price increase for foreigners this time is too outrageous.

But Zhou Hexuan only had a slight influence except for his broken mouth. He sneered and said, "Mr. Consul, Mr. Manager, let's wait and see. I have prepared a little surprise for you."