Chapter 1 Hu Xueyan is dead
Four years of Guangxu, 1878.
July.
In the hot midsummer evening, the setting sun shone, and the red glow was covered with clouds in the sky. The Hu family courtyard on Yuanbao Street in Hangzhou was closed with a strict red lacquer gate, and a sad cry came from the door yard from time to time.
Hu Xueyan is dead.
It seems that the Optimus Prime-like reliance has died, giving everyone in the Hu family a feeling that the sky is about to collapse. Everyone's heart is full of fear and they don't know where the future is.
Dongyuan is a residential area. Qingya Hall is located in the center of Dongyuan. This is a seven open two-storey mansion. The first floor is the hall, flower hall, side hall, etc., and the second floor is the dormitory. There are Hu Xueyan's three sons and one daughter, and three aunts who are not very favored.
Hu Chuyuan, the eldest son of Hu Xueyan, lives on the easternmost side. At this time, he is sitting in his study, dressed in sackcloth and white filial piety, with a messy mind.
He is still very young. He is only 18 years old. He is not too tall, but he is by no means short. He is similar to Hu Xueyan. He has long pointed cheeks, slender eyes, high nose, slightly raised eyebrows, and wide hands and feet, which looks shrewd and generous.
This era is a little strange to him.
He only suddenly came to this world two years ago. At that time, his name was Hu Chusan. He was only 16 years old. He had just become a scholar and almost died of a serious illness.
He always felt that the name "Hu Chusan" was very strange, and there was only one word difference from Hu Hansan. It was a little difficult for him to accept, so he used the word "Yuan" to get a new life and changed the name to Hu Chuyuan.
In order to avoid a lot of embarrassment, he also went to Shanghai Yinghua College to study. He returned home with a very good grade last September and began to help Hu Xueyan take care of his business. Because his talent and vision are very strange, shrewd and pragmatic, he soon impressed Hu Xueyan, trusted and relied on him, and left many things to him.
But... Hu Chuyuan never thought that Hu Xueyan would die this year, which really disrupted all his plans.
He originally thought that he still had at least six or seven years to let him slowly step into the mall and take over the family business.
Hu Xueyan, a Hongding businessman, actually died in Guangxu for four years?
How could this happen?
Hu Chuyuan can't figure it out!!!
Because of the existence of Hu Xueyan, even in such a deceptive era, he has rarely suffered a deep hatred.
In his mind, as long as he gives Hu Xueyan some help and reminders at the critical moment, he can not only avoid Hu Xueyan's bankruptcy, but also continue Hu Xueyan's legend.
With Hu Xueyan's ability and wealth, it is not difficult for him to change the process and outcome of the Sino-French War, and it is even more difficult to change the Sino-Japanese War.
If everything goes well, before the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the Hu family could have at least 100 million pounds of assets, enough to buy 285 Zhenyuan ships. With a little effort in the war between Benzhi Bozhong, the final result can be changed.
These are the second... Hu Chuyuan happened to have a very special knowledge structure and background, so he knew very well where the real cause of death of the late Qing economy was. These happened to be Hu Xueyan's best at - raw silk and tea.
From the Meiji Restoration, between 1868 and 1872, the average annual output of raw silk was 1,026 tons, and the average annual export volume was 646 tons, that is, 1.08 million catties in the late Qing Dynasty, which is less than 1/5 of the total export volume of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, less than the whole country in the late Qing Dynasty. 1/7 of the total export volume.
By about 1910, the total annual export of raw silk was 9,462 tons, an increase of 14.6 times, and the total output of raw silk reached 12,460 tons, an increase of 12 times.
During this period, Japan is already the world's largest raw silk exporter, accounting for 3/4 of the world's total exports. As a traditional raw silk exporter, China's raw silk exports can only occupy less than 1/10 of the market.
In the past 40 years, the quality of raw silk has also improved rapidly. Around 1890, the average quality of raw silk has exceeded that of Chinese raw silk.
On the other hand, since 1850, Britain has begun to vigorously support Indian tea, not only providing British capitalists and tea planters with a large amount of cheap land in India, but also exempting all agricultural taxes, export tariffs and imports of Indian tea, and carrying out a comprehensive attack on Chinese tea in the domestic market. There are many problems in China's tea industry, which have gradually led to the development of Indian tea.
By 1903, Indian tea had surpassed China in the world's total tea exports. By 1921, the total tea exports of India, Ceylon and Java accounted for 75% of the world's total tea exports, while China fell to 8.79% from 77.29% in 1881.
Since then, the three traditional Chinese industries of raw silk, tea and porcelain have all-round decline to a low point. It not only has to face huge war compensation, but also a large outflow of silver, and there is no inflow of silver. The whole Chinese economy has also led to the final collapse.
This is an era of real money and silver. Without gold and silver, there is no currency, no currency, no consumption, no consumption, no market, no market, any foreign affairs movement and industrial salvation are all tragic dreams that will only lead to complete failure.
It can be said that the raw silk and tea industry cannot be maintained. China's economy and China as a whole have no future. In the future, China is only the world's first-class poor country. Even India, the Philippines, Indonesia... are not as good as it, and can only be bullied by others.
This is not based on people's will, let alone a little gunfire, a little modern factory, and a little political reform can change.
No economy, no money, everything is a fart word.
But in the past few years, Hu Chuyuan did not panic, nor did he have too much bitter hatred.
He has always believed that based on Hu Xueyan's financial resources, ability, manpower and market appeal, coupled with his knowledge and judgment of the future situation, he has a complete opportunity to reverse this situation and trend, keep the future of China's economy, and keep the market of the whole Chinese economy.
As long as the market is kept, it is easy to do anything. It is easy to fight against Japan and Russia. If you can mobilize the power of the whole country, it may not be impossible to fight against Britain!
What about now?
What should I do now?
Suddenly losing Hu Xueyan, the backer, Hu Chuyuan inevitably has a little worry in his heart!
What can he do with his own ability?
Is this fate?
He couldn't help thinking so, otherwise, how could Hu Xueyan die in this year, seven years ahead of schedule?
"Young Master!"
Hu Chuyuan was thinking so confusedly that he quietly walked into a person outside the door. At the age of forty-seven or eighteen, he was short, with refined eyes and filial piety.
This person is Wang Baotian, the housekeeper of the Hu family. Hu Xueyan's first clerk in the rice market business was him, who worked with the Hu family for 25 years.
Hu Chuyuan raised his eyes slightly and asked Wang Baotian, "What's wrong?"
Wang Baotian looked sad and said, "Young master, the old lady asked you to go there. There are some things to discuss at home!"
Hu Chuyuan nodded, got up in awe, and followed Wang Baotian to the Baishi Tower.
The Hu family compound is located in the area of the most prosperous drum tower in Hangzhou. Behind the compound is Niuyangsi Street, the east side is Yuanbao Street, and the front door is Wangxian Bridge and Hangzhou River. Because it is the old site of Song Huizong's residence in his later years, this land is very expensive, and 300,000 taels of silver bought more than 10 mu of land.
Among these ten mu of land, Xiyuan is a private garden covering four mu, and Dongyuan is a living area.
Zhongyuan is the central axis, with a vertical line of the front gate, the second gate, the Baishi Tower, the viewing stage, and the rear main gate. On the west side of the viewing platform is the Yinglian Academy, and on the east side is the Lengxiang Academy, which is symmetrical on both sides.
Baishi Building is located in the center of the whole compound, where the old lady and the old lady live. The hall, flower hall and side hall downstairs are all places where Hu Xueyan entertains guests and discuss things. To the east is the living area of Dongyuan's family. First of all, Hele Hall, Qingya Hall, Hele Hall is in front, and Qingya Hall is behind.
There are seven main aunts living in Heletang, and the children and unimportant aunts of Hu Xueyan live in Qingyatang.
To the east, these two halls are Lock Spring Courtyard, Yixia Courtyard, Cold Autumn Courtyard and Rongdong Courtyard. Rongdong Courtyard has the largest specifications and the most luxurious, which is specially used to receive distinguished guests.
The hall of the Hundred Lions Building has been set up with a spiritual platform, which is full of white practice, but Hu Xueyan's coffin is not here.
The old lady cried and fainted. So far, she has not fully woken up and was sent upstairs to lie down. In the hall, the eldest lady, the fourth lady Luo, the seventh lady and the ninth lady, as well as Hu Chuyuan's two younger brothers, Hu Pinyuan and Hu Yuyuan, and the little sister Hu Yulan, were also sitting in the hall, close to their biological mothers.
Hu Xueyan didn't start her fortune until she was 30 years old. In her early years, there was only the wife of the eldest wife, and only one eldest daughter under her knees. She also married someone early, and later died of dystocia.
When he was thirty-seven years old, his second aunt Hu Pengshi gave him an eldest son, that is, Hu Chuyuan.
After that, the third aunt, Mrs. Luo, added a second son, Hu Pinyuan, the seventh aunt, Mrs. Hu Yang, added a third son, Hu Zhenyuan, and the ninth aunt, Mrs. Hu Liu, added a little daughter, Hu Yulan.
The so-called Hu Xueyan has ten sons and ten daughters is just a folk rumor, which is not true. He only has two daughters and three sons under his knees.
As soon as Hu Chuyuan entered the door, the eldest lady Hu Jinshi asked him to sit down and said, "Chu Yuan, your father died. Your father left in a hurry. Your two younger brothers are still young. You and your third mother and I are both women. The affairs of the family can only be left to you for the time being."
Hu Chuyuan nodded slightly.
The Hu family is not an ordinary family.
Now, at the peak of Hu Xueyan's career, there are at least 20 million taels of silver under the account. Hu Xueyan's involvement in all aspects are not simple. The governors and governors from all over the country are in charge of the Xiang army's pay money and responsible for the Hunan army's procurement of arms. These things are not so easy to deal with.
In case of a bad pool, no one can afford it.
However, Hu Chuyuan couldn't flinch. At the critical moment, he had to hold on.
Mrs. Luo asked him coldly, "Chu Yuan, what should I do now? The master has been walking all day, and he can't stay in the ice cellar all the time, can he?"
It's probably because she also has a son under her knees. Fourth Mrs. Luo has never liked Hu Chuyuan, the eldest son, but she can't wait for him to die earlier.
Hu Chuyuan thought quietly for a moment and said, "I still do things according to my father's last words. First, wait for the news of the shopkeeper Tan, and rent a fireship from Hangzhou to the capital. As long as the speed is fast enough, it will take less than seven or eight days. At present, we will continue to lock the news, just saying that my father is seriously ill, close the door and refuse the guests.
Mrs. Luo said with hatred, "What's the reason? How can there be no reason why dead people are not allowed to do anything?"
Hu Chuyuan has begun to contact the Hu family's business. He understood it in his heart and replied, "Dad borrowed 12 million taels of military pay for Xiang Jun and Standard Chartered Bank. He is a guarantor. The bank only cares about asking him for money. Once the news that he went first spreads, in case the bank comes to force the debt, what money shall we pay back? If we can't afford it, it will affect the reputation of the imperial court and the Hunan army, and affect the Western Expedition of Lord Zhongtang. Even if we have ten heads, it is not enough to cut. Therefore, it was this that Dad couldn't rest assured before he left, so let us inform Lord Zhongtang first.
"This...!" Mrs. Luo seemed to understand this truth, but she felt that she, a woman, didn't care about these things.
Now that her husband is dead, she wants to do the funeral service for her husband. She was buried early and buried in the earth.
After thinking about it, she asked Hu Chuyuan unhappily, "If Zuo Zongtang is not in the capital and has returned to Xinjiang, is it possible that we have to wait for two or three months? Hu Chuyuan, you have to think clearly. This family is not so easy. It's easy to go to the capital. If you want to chase from the capital to Xinjiang, it will take at least a month. It's two months to go back and forth. We can't afford to wait. If it's your father's body...!"
"San Niang!"
Hu Chuyuan suddenly interrupted her and replied coldly, "I'm not a seven-year-old child. I know it. Before the shopkeeper Tan set out, I told him that if Lord Zhongtang was in the capital, he must come back within ten days. If the shopkeeper Tan can't return within ten days, it means that Zhongtang is not in the capital, and the shopkeeper Tan has also gone to Xinjiang. Therefore, if I don't see Mr. Tan in ten days, I will arrange someone to go to Jiangning and inform Lord Shen Baozhen, the governor of Liangjiang. Lord Shen is an old official promoted by Lord Zhongtang. He knows the importance of this matter in his heart, and he will naturally give us an explanation!"
"This...!" Mrs. Luo hesitated for a moment and couldn't find anything wrong for a moment.
Although it is midsummer, Hu Xueyan's body is placed in the ice cellar of the basement of his home, covered with salt sand and spices, and there will be no problem in half a month.
Besides, this is Hu Xueyan's last order.
Hu Xueyan died of a stroke. In the words of traditional Chinese medicine, this is an evil and poisonous hot wind. He died in a hurry. When he was about to die, he explained two things. First, his funeral should not be rushed, and he should inform Zuo Zongtang first. Second, if he really leaves, the family affairs will be left to the eldest lady, and the family business will be taken care of by Hu Chuyuan.
Mrs. Luo was very angry. Without her mother's efforts, how could Hu Xueyan have today?
That's good. If you really leave, the eldest wife and the eldest son are still important. Nuoda's family business doesn't have her share!
The Hu family is not an ordinary family. Now it is the peak of Hu Xueyan's career. At least 20 million taels of silver, which is equivalent to 23.7 billion RMB in 130 years.
At this time, there was a sound in the yard, and more than a dozen family people ran in surrounded by a thin rich gentry who was over half a hundred years old.
As soon as he entered the hall, when he saw the mourning hall and those white filial cloths, the old rich gentry screamed with a sad face, "My third brother!" He immediately fainted, and everyone hurried forward to rescue him.
Hu Chuyuan also followed the big guy over and helped the old rich gentry to sit in the hall.
After a while, the old rich gentry gradually recovered, and then cried again and beat his chest. He didn't know how sad it was.
He is Hu Yueqiao, Hu Xueyan's younger brother.
The fourth brother of the Hu family.
There are four brothers in Hu Xueyan's family. He is the third, and the eldest and second brother are not good at learning. After Hu Xueyan made a fortune, the two jointly cheated him of thousands of taels of silver to gamble. Since then, there has been no contact again, and there is a war, and his life and death are still unknown.
In his early years, Hu Yueqiao worked as a clerk in a pharmacy. He was shrewd and reliable. After Hu Xueyan started Fukang Qianzhuang, he lent him a sum of money to do medicinal materials business. Now he has opened a Fuchang Sanxing and is a well-known medicinal material merchant in Hangzhou.
The two brothers often come and go and have a good relationship.
Hu Yueqiao is two years younger than Hu Xueyan, and he is also 53 years old. His temples are slightly white, and he has experienced too much wind and frost. His face is full of folds, and his white beard is also long, which looks older than Hu Xueyan.
Everyone hurried up and persuaded, "Master, don't be in a hurry... Are you still waiting for you to make a decision at this time?"
Hu Yueqiao was already heartbroken and full of tears. The eldest lady, Mrs. Luo, who had already recovered from sadness, also cried. The whole hall was full of wailing, pain, fear, sadness... All kinds of emotions were entangled and rolled in this hall full of white cloth.
Where is Hu Chuyuan?
His heart is full of a kind of worry.
The Qing Dynasty was relatively loose and protected for merchants, at least much better than the period of warlords and the Republic of China. Therefore, almost all of the peaks of Jin merchants, Hui merchants, Guangdong merchants and Ningbo merchants appeared in the late Qing Dynasty. Qiao Zhiyong and Liu Yong were all rich people.
However, those are ordinary businessmen who keep a good distance from political struggles.
Officials and businessmen are different.
However, there are no officials and businessmen who do not get involved in political struggle.
The four officials and businessmen in the late Qing Dynasty were Hu Xueyan, Sheng Xuanhuai, Tang Yanshu and Xu Run. Their wealth was no less than tens of millions of taels of silver, but their descendants did not have a good end. Tens of millions of wealth were either blackmailed by Qing officials or occupied by the political axe of the Republic of China.
Before them, there were more brilliant thirteen lines of Guangdong, dead and scattered, either exiled overseas or took refuge in Nanyang.
Official businessmen, official businessmen, glorious when alive, poor when dead.
Hu Xueyan asked Hu Chuyuan to take over the family business, but Hu Chuyuan was not fully sure to keep this huge family business.
Since the case of "Yang Naiwu and Cabbage", Zuo Zongtang's Hunan officials left in Zhejiang have been lost. The whole Zhejiang Province is full of officials of other factions, and everyone is also eyeing the Hu family's family business.
Once there is no Hu Xueyan, these coveted corrupt officials will inevitably show their sharp minions... It's just a matter of time.
Hu Chuyuan is extremely clear in his heart that the most urgent thing is to find a political backer again, at least for a few years to give him enough time to transfer assets.
He knew that he was the eldest son in this family, and Hu Xueyan died, so he had to support the family.
He must find a way to save the family first.
Only in this way can he have the opportunity to do more!!!
(Supplement, this book is not a rebellious farming flow, but a chaebol novel and stealing lines. If you don't like it, please don't make too many personal attacks.)
(Second, I did not design a protagonist who fully knows what he should do. In the setting, Hu Xueyan's death completely disrupted his plan. At this time, the protagonist can only take one step at a time, temporarily keep his family business, and then consider more things.)
(In addition, it's not constitutional and royalist, and the rest don't want to explain. Tired!!)