Chapter 16 chapter Five

On April 3, our peripheral troops attacked the enemy's command post, and the miners' guerrillas cooperated in operations to harass the enemy's rear.Our army repeatedly crossed the Grand Canal, attacked the enemy, and carried out flanking encirclement, killing many enemies.However, due to the ineffectiveness of the Tang Legion in combat, they failed to actively launch an offensive against the enemy. The enemy in front of Taierzhuang was still arrogant, and the tug-of-war intensified. In order to ease the pressure on the frontal battlefield of the Kuomintang, the anti-Japanese armed forces under the leadership of the Communist Party of China attacked frequently in various battlefields behind enemy lines. The 129th Division defeated the Japanese army and established an anti-Japanese base in Northwest Shanxi.

On April 4, Harriman, the charge d'affaires of the British Drockel Coal Mine Company in Liujiawa Coal Mine, offered to take charge of the Chinese company during the war.On the same day, Liu Renjie forwarded information from Japan to Zhang Daren. China Coal Mining Co., Ltd. is in the midst of wind from all sides... The wind from all directions did not sink the dilapidated giant ship of the Chinese company. In a sense, it brought a bright future to the general manager Zhang Daren. Zhang Daren couldn't help being a little self-indulgent.Li Xiongfei, who left in a hurry, did not put him in a desperate situation. He pulled out his foot from the hesitant quagmire and took the first step.The Germans entered the mine, and the British reached out. The Qiuba who were ordered to explode the mine were tied up hand and foot by "Brother Kong Fang".In the next step, as long as a decent fake contract is signed with the Germans, and Ji Xiangnan, the old but not faint vice chairman, can hold it with his hands and eyes open to the sky, and make a pass in Wuhan, the order of the relocation supervision committee to explode mines will be the same. Waste paper.As long as the mining industry does not fall into the hands of the Japanese, no one has the right to force him to explode the mines.Seizing the company's property in Hankou can only be a threat that cannot be carried out.He felt that he could gradually move from the foreground to the backstage, and the Germans could handle the situation in the future.

Naturally, this intoxication is pitiful and limited. It is the intoxication of the drowning man after he grabs a piece of rotten wood, with a kind of numbness.It must be a shame and a great shame for a Chinese enterprise, a Chinese industrialist, to rely on foreigners to protect it on Chinese soil!Every time Zhang Daren thinks of this, he feels uncomfortable,... Today, Zhao Minquan, on behalf of the company, is still negotiating with the German Hoffman, and he is still haggling seriously. The new situation of British intervention undoubtedly increases the weight of Zhang Daren, forcing Hoffman to Lower conditions.At this moment, Zhang Daren, who had just woken up from his afternoon nap, was eager to see Zhao Minquan and wanted to hear about the progress of the negotiations.

Unexpectedly, Liu Renjie and Zhao Minquan came to the company's reception room at the same time, asking to see Zhang Daren.Hearing the report from civil servant Li Defa, Zhang Daren yawned comfortably, wiped his face hastily, and walked quickly to the living room. There was light blue smoke floating in the living room, Liu Renjie and Zhao Minquan sat drinking tea and smoking.When Zhang Daren entered the door, the two stood up at the same time: "General manager!" "Daon!" "Sit! Sit!" Zhang Daren gestured for them to sit down, and he himself sat down on the opposite sofa.

Zhao Minquan obviously felt that it would be inconvenient for Liu Renjie to reveal the inside story of the negotiation, so he didn't speak.Liu Renjie also seemed to have some unspeakable suffering, so it was inconvenient for him to ignore it in front of Zhao Minquan.The two looked at each other, chatted a few words, and turned their faces to one side. Seeing this situation, Zhang Daren was also a little puzzled. He didn't know what was in Liu Renjie's active little head.The sales director is eager to see him at this moment, probably not for a cup of tea, a cigarette, and admiration of the dignity and demeanor of his Zhang Daren general manager.

With a slight smile, Zhang Da said humanely: "Brother Jie, what's the matter? You talk about it first!" Liu Renjie glanced at Zhao Minquan and murmured: "Zhang Gong, brother... brother wants to talk to you alone... alone!" "Oh?" He almost waved his hand, and asked Zhao Minquan to avoid it for a while. After a second thought, he resolutely vetoed himself: Zhao Minquan's current actual use value is much greater than that of Liu Renjie, and Zhao Minquan should be fully rewarded. sense of trust.Giving collaborators a high sense of trust is the consistent attitude of Zhangda people.

Zhang Daren said kindly and seriously: "Brother Minquan is now the chairman of the company's aftermath committee. If he can talk to me, he should know too!" No more, Liu Renjie had no choice but to bite the bullet and say: "Mr. Zhang, there is a Japanese named Takahashi Ichiro, and I asked my brother to bring you a letter..." Zhang Daren was taken aback!This matter is no small matter, if it is not done well, it will ruin his reputation and cut off his future!If government officials like Li Xiongfei learn about this, all his efforts for more than a week will be in vain!Not only will Xiyan Mining be sealed up and confiscated, but the industry in Hankou will also suffer the same bad luck!Liu Renjie deserves to be killed!Zhang Daren's face suddenly became tense, and a gloomy and menacing light shot out from his eyes.

Liu Renjie handed the letter to Zhang Daren. Zhang Daren refused to answer, and squeezed out a word from between his teeth: "Read!" Liu Renjie already felt that the situation was not good, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say: "Taijian Zhang, General Manager of China Coal Mine Corporation: The unswerving fundamental policy of the Empire of Japan is to cooperate with Manchukuo and China to form the axis of peace in East Asia, and contribute to world peace in this way. The imperial government's handling of the Chinese incident The ultimate goal is to eliminate the conflicts between Japan and China in the past, rebuild the diplomatic relations between the two countries from the overall situation, and respect each other's sovereignty and territory. However, the Chinese National Government, ignorant of the imperial intentions, even launched a war of resistance, and internally did not understand the suffering of the people. , while the outside disregards the peace of East Asia as a whole,..."

Zhang Daren couldn't take it anymore, and said angrily: "Stop reading these nonsense! I only listen to the substance!" Liu Renjie broke out in a cold sweat, and chose to read: "The empire is not hostile to the innocent Chinese people, and protects their private property. ... The Chinese company is Mr.'s industry, and has frequent contacts with the empire's Showa Iron Works, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., and the imperial army will also Protection. Mr. Yin Pan, don’t believe in the reactionary propaganda of the national government, and follow suit... The imperial government is willing to work closely with Mr. to revitalize the mining business. The distribution of shares, Mr.’s Chinese company can account for 51%, the imperial government or imperial businessmen only accounted for 49%, and the empire introduced its advanced mining technology into the company..."

After reading, Liu Renjie stood aside blankly, wiping his sweat with a handkerchief, and Zhang Daren didn't speak for a long time. Liu Renjie had more or less seen Zhang Daren's attitude, and secretly complained in his heart. In order to save the situation, he had to do everything in his power.He stepped forward and said with great emotion: "Mr. Zhang, there is absolutely no selfishness in doing this. It is entirely for you and for the Chinese company! Brother..." "Asshole! Asshole! . . . " Zhang Daren couldn't bear it anymore, and pointed at Liu Renjie's nose with trembling fingers, furious.

Zhao Minquan hurried over, helped Zhang Daren, and made him sit down on the sofa again. "Da Weng, calm down! Calm down!" Zhang Daren sighed, stood up with the coffee table in hand, and tried his best to restrain the anger in his chest: "Liu Renjie! As a senior employee of the company, you dare to commit such traitorous activities behind the company's back. Let me ask, what should you do? If the government seizes this matter and makes a big fuss, how will the company gain a foothold and protect itself!" On the contrary, Liu Renjie calmed down, and said deeply: "Mr. Zhang, your kindness to me is as great as a mountain. The Chinese company has given me a bright future. As long as I can keep the company, I will lead the traitors. I will kill and cut them. Brothers, I will bear it alone!" Liu Renjie's eyes were moist: "Zhang Gong, brother knows your difficulties. The government authorities are unreliable. Not only are they unreliable, but they also want to take the opportunity to eat us. The British Derocker company is also coveting the company's mining rights. Can the Germans keep it for us? Minerals, I thought there would be a big question mark too. Forgive me, brother, your only way out in the future is to escape to the rear to become an apartment and become a high-level refugee!" Zhang Daren was shocked, his eyes full of doubts and melancholy fixed on Liu Renjie's flushed face due to excitement, and his attention was highly concentrated.He had to admit that Liu Renjie was sober and calm, not scaremongering.Of course, it's not that he hasn't thought about all this. Whether the Germans can keep the minerals is indeed a question mark. Liu Renjie continued: "The government is incompetent, the government is corrupt, and the military has repeatedly failed, causing mountains and rivers to be broken, and the company suffers! Under such circumstances, we are forced to cooperate with the Japanese for a short period of time. It is a curve to save money, and we have a clear heart. If you want to criticize the circle, you should blame the government. Scold Generalissimo Chiang!" The expression on Liu Renjie's face became more natural, and when he spoke, his emotions were more abundant, soft but not soft, very moving: "Mr. Zhang, you and I have different identities. Therefore, my brother never advocates that you show up and cooperate with the Japanese. Once the mining area falls, you can go far away, and my brother stays to clean up the mess, bear the humiliation, and wait for the recovery. After the recovery, it will be like the government The authorities punished me as a traitor, and I will never drag you down. I just ask Mr. Zhang to take pity on my sincerity for the company and properly arrange for my brother's family and children..." Speaking of this, Liu Renjie couldn't help crying sadly. Zhang Daren was moved, and a hanging heart was put into practice.What more could he say?What should have been thought of, Liu Renjie thought of it, he didn't drag him into the quagmire, for his innocence, for the Chinese company, Liu Renjie gave up his life and wealth.Should such a person be blamed?Should it be considered a traitor?This is undoubtedly the time to show generosity, and you should pay a sum of affection just right in order to receive actual benefits.Zhang Daren wanted to stand up and say a few words from the bottom of his heart to express his gratitude.However, he immediately thought of Zhao Minquan beside him, Li Xiongfei's sinister smiling face, and even more so, the actual weight of the word "traitor".So I immediately gave up the idea of ​​paying my feelings and became stingy.The muscles on his face that had just been relaxed tightened again, the grateful light in his eyes dimmed, and lines of depressed wrinkles piled up again on his bald forehead. Liu Renjie decided that Zhang Daren should be touched, he should stand up and hold his shoulders to say something, and he should make a decisive decision and appoint him to be the chairman of the aftermath committee when he is in danger.He has always stubbornly believed that he should be the chairperson.What is Zhao Minquan?How many Japanese does he know?Immediately to deal with the Japanese, only Liu Renjie is the most qualified!And only he, Liu Renjie, can keep the company's property in Xiyan for Zhang Daren! Therefore, Renjie said again: "If Mr. Zhang feels any inconvenience, he has the right to pretend that he doesn't know about it. Everything will be arranged secretly by the brother..." Zhang Daren had weighed and weighed repeatedly in a short period of time, and had made up his mind. Before Liu Renjie could finish speaking, his face was full of anger, and he went up against the case: "Presumptuous! Zhang is still the manager of the Chinese company, and this earthen pond is still under the jurisdiction of the Yuanfu. It is me, not you, or the Japanese who decide the fate of the company!" With a long sigh, the tone lowered a bit, but the actual weight of the words increased: "Zhang has already represented the company repeatedly and repeatedly, and will never cooperate with the Japanese. He once said that the employees of Mingyu Company, who are collaborators and traitors, will never be hired by the company! Today, you have to blame yourself!" "Mr. Zhang—" Zhang Da waved his hand: "Stop talking! I'll immediately notify the Finance Department to settle the accounts with you, so you can do it yourself! In the future, all your words and deeds have nothing to do with Zhang or the Chinese company!" Liu Renjie was stunned, as if struck by lightning, he felt his eyes dim for a while, and countless gold stars swirled in front of his eyes.He wanted to stand up, but when he was halfway up, his spine seemed to be suddenly broken, and he slumped limply on the chair. Two muddy tears rolled out of his eyes, rolling down his greasy cheeks to the corners of his mouth. To be so loyal in exchange for such an ending was something he never expected, and his heart was stabbed.He didn't understand why Zhangda people did this. He had already considered Zhangda people very thoroughly. Zhangda people would not lose anything because of this, they would only gain benefits.And Zhang Daren treats him like this, which is simply unreasonable. Liu Renjie couldn't help thinking wildly: Since the export of coal stagnated years ago, his status in the company has declined significantly. Now that the company has stopped production, he is no longer needed. With a monthly salary of 1,100 yuan, Zhang Daren may have long since lost Wishing to pay, and taking the opportunity to spend him, is really a good saving measure.He, Liu Renjie, has become an extra burden to Zhang Daren, and Zhang Daren is unwilling to carry it on.From this, he also thought that Zhang Daren's benefits to him in the past were nothing more than some emotional and material deceit.He was fooled, and he repaid the hypocrisy with loyalty, so that he ended up like this!Let's go, there is no foster father here, there is a place to raise him!There's no need to serve Zhang anymore, he's Bai Nan. Liu Renjie got up and bowed to Zhang Daren: "Since that's the case, Liu will leave! Liu will only repay the benefits that General Manager Zhang and the company have done to Liu!" He wanted to say a few harsh words to ridicule Zhao Minquan, but when he saw Zhao Minquan's bloodshot eyes due to lack of sleep and his somewhat swollen cheeks, he couldn't help feeling a little pity in his heart. All the contradictions and entanglements of civil rights are ridiculous, like two dogs fighting each other to flatter their masters, which is really unreasonable and meaningless.The wolf is the ancestor of the dog, and a good dog should be a wolf.He had a premonition: he felt that Zhao Minquan's future ending would not be any better than his. Liu Renjie also bowed to Zhao Minquan and said sincerely: "Brother Minquan, working together for a long time will inevitably offend you. After the brother leaves, I hope you will forget about those unpleasant things and remember the benefits of the brother." Minquan hurriedly stood up: "Where! Where! Is it all for the company..." Turning to face Zhang Daren, Minquan sincerely said: "Mr. Zhang, Renjie's move is indeed inappropriate, but it is really out of respect for the company..." Zhang Daren interrupted Zhao Minquan mercilessly: "There is no need to talk about what has been decided!" Undoubtedly, Liu Renjie has been publicly humiliated again. He can't stay any longer. The survival of the Chinese company has nothing to do with him!He originally wanted to save it, maybe he could save it, but now, no need! ... Liu Renjie left, leaving the Chinese company with a melancholy, a shadow, and a ruined autumn, and Zhao Minquan couldn't help feeling desolate.He deeply felt that the weight on his shoulders was too heavy, and he didn't know if he could carry such a heavy burden on his shoulders and walk through this difficult and dangerous road. "Brother Minquan, how did you go with Hoffman this morning?" Zhang Daren's words interrupted his contemplation. He immediately put a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, and said calmly: "Daon, Hoffman made concessions, and the escrow fee has been reduced from 20,000 US dollars to 18,000 per month. I am going to sign three written agreements immediately: 1. The company's property in Xiyan will be priced at 7 million, and The pretense that the company borrowed 6.5 million from Lihe twice in 18 years and 23 years, and the principal and interest could not be repaid, was managed by the Germans with the qualification of creditor's rights. 2. At the same time, a secret contract was signed to clarify the mining rights and clarify our The legal documents of the company's property will be used as legal evidence in the future to avoid being plotted by the Germans. Third, the Germans hope to continue production after the fall, and raise the issue of sharing...” "How much do they want?" "Hoffman proposed that the two sides should open their accounts and declare that if the business fails, it will not bear its losses." Zhang Daren shook his head in disappointment: "Hard! Too harsh!—then, is there room for negotiation?" Minquan said: "Maybe we can get them to make some concessions. It is estimated that the maximum concession will be 40 to 60 percent." Zhang Daren nodded and pondered for a moment, then asked again: "There is one more thing I don't know how to do? To build a new well, I borrowed 1.2 million from the Bank of China and other syndicates. Will it be refunded?" Minquan said: "Yesterday, I received a reply from the bank, saying that the cancellation of the contract section is already under consideration. After contacting the banks of the syndicate, we will go through the cancellation procedures. The two sums of money with the company have been delivered. Three days ago Return it. Don't worry about Da Weng!" "Oh! I can't help but worry!" Zhang Daren said with a sad face, "Sometimes when I think about it, I feel really boring, and I really want to pat my ass and walk away!" "Daon was joking!" "Yeah, I can't bear it... As long as there is a glimmer of hope, no one wants to leave millions of dollars here." Zhang Daren lit a cigar and turned the topic into the right direction again, "Hoffman, You must not get stuck, you must exercise restraint. Your brother is a veteran negotiator, and you have to talk to him with a smile, trying to reduce the escrow fee to 15,000 US dollars. After the resumption of production, the issue of sharing can be postponed. The most urgent task now is not Resume production, but keep the mine. This morning, Drocker's charge d'affaires, Harriman, came to the company and offered to manage the company during the war, do you know how much Drocker asked for?" Zhao Minquan shook his head. "The escrow fee is 30,000 US dollars! The production profit will be divided into 20 to 80%, we will get 20%, and Drocker will get 80%. After deducting the escrow fee, maybe none of them can get it, which is equivalent to giving them a business for nothing!" "Since that's the case, why should Da Weng bother with them?!" Zhang Daren smiled bitterly and said: "The tiger has fallen into Pingyang, so I have to deal with it patiently. You must know, I have to stay behind in the three caves of the cunning rabbit! I have already entrusted Qian Jun to handle this matter." Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Minquan wanted to leave, but before leaving, he said to Zhang Daren: "Hoffman proposed that once the final negotiation is finalized, the German flag should be hoisted in Xiyan and Tiantun as soon as possible, and the German creditor team's takeover of the company should be officially made public." "Yes!" Zhang Da said humanely, "The momentum must be bigger, the fake show must be performed as a real show, and there must be no flaws! You have full authority to arrange the specific affairs, so you don't need to talk to me." Sending Zhao Minquan out of the gate, Zhang Daren returned to the reception room and rang the electric bell. Civil servant Li Defa ran in. "Invite Mr. Liu Renjie and Mr. Liu here immediately, and tell me that I have something important to discuss! Listen clearly: Yes please!" "Yes! General manager!" Zhang Daren frowned, lowered his head, and walked up and down restlessly. All the parts of his brain revolved around the fate of the company at high speed.He may have to take a step to interact with the Japanese. Instead of being led by the nose, he might as well stretch out his feet to try it out, even with his toes! ——In his opinion, Liu Renjie can only be regarded as a toe at best. If it is unsuccessful, squeezing the toe will not endanger the life of the company. However, if it is successful... Zhang Da people are Zhang Da people!Without the spirit of taking risks and the courage to face reality, what kind of industrial giant is he?It is because of the courage to compete with the sinister fate that this land has given such great love to the Chinese company, and this land has dedicated endless black treasures. Open the window and look at the sky, the sky is blue and blue; look at the ground, the ground is real.it is good!This is better than anything!The sky has not collapsed, the earth has not sunk, the industrialist called the lion is still breathing the free air with his huge lungs...