Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

When Liu Ye said this, he suddenly stood up and raised his voice: "Everyone, you are all elites in Shandong's business community. If we go back four or five hundred years from now, not to mention the Han and Tang dynasties, even during the Song Dynasty, our Chinese caravans could still spread all over the world, invincible. It was only us who made money from others. When did it become the foreigners' turn to make money from us? Our ancestors left us a good example, but in our current generation, we are squeezed by foreigners and can't even raise our heads! I'm not a businessman, but as the governor of Shandong, if you are still so lacking in ambition and timid, then I feel ashamed. As long as you have the courage to do it, I will fully support you. I have already said that in any industry, whether it is business or mining, I will fully support you. Not only will I provide loans, but I will also give you tax cuts and exemptions, in order to rapidly strengthen our strength! What, with me backing you up, you still don't have the confidence?"

Li Jixian's face flushed red, and the others were even more ashamed. Li Jixian said in a deep voice: "Your Excellency, when it comes to business, we have never been afraid of anyone. Why are we so timid towards foreigners? Isn't it because foreigners rely on the advantages of naval guns to rob and plunder? Our local officials are afraid of getting into trouble and turn a blind eye. We can't stand up straight! Your Excellency, as long as you can make the decision for us! Even if the foreigners come, we will definitely not let them take advantage of us. We will continue to sell our goods to the West!"

Another shopkeeper stood up and replied, "Sir, since you are so magnanimous, what do we common people have to worry about? We are willing to follow you to conquer the world, but now the matter of the bank..."

Liu Ye replied, "Regarding the money house matter, I am willing to point out two paths for you. You can choose your own path. I will not force you. Everything is voluntary."

Li Jixian replied, "Your Excellency, we would like to hear the details."

Liu Ye said, "First, my bank has just been established and is short of talent. We don't have enough capital. Two or three million taels may seem like a lot, but we can't do much. The investment in building a seaport and commercial port in Dengzhou Bay alone is no less than one million taels! Therefore, you can choose to join my bank and hold corresponding shares in the bank according to the amount of investment. I won't take advantage of you. If you join us, we believe that we can raise at least five or six million taels of silver in assets in the short term, enough to ensure the development of mines in Shandong, purchase equipment, and establish factories. I also guarantee that your future profits will be no less than what they are now. Secondly, if you think these are ancestral inheritances or hard-earned, you can also choose to merge on your own and then improve the operation of the money house according to the rules of Qilu Bank. My tax policies will still be given to you, but life and death are not something I can control..."

Immediately, everyone in the hall fell silent.

Merger, there are two ways to merge, one is to merge by oneself, and the other is to merge into Qilu Bank. No matter which one, it means that the hard work of many years of operation will be wasted, and the long-standing brand will no longer exist. This is the hard work of many years, who is willing to give it up?

But, what if we don't merge? Relying solely on our own strength to compete with foreign banks, or even the Governor's bank, is simply impossible. How can we possibly be their opponents? In terms of power? In terms of financial resources? They're completely on a different level. By then, it won't just be a question of whether the bank exists or not, but even our livelihood will be in jeopardy. After all, the Shandong market is so small. If we deposit our money elsewhere, our own bank will lose access to it. Decline is inevitable!

Li Jixian stammered, "Sir, if, if we merge into the bank, will we only be able to receive dividends every year?"

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Of course not. You will merge into Qilu Bank. With your shares, you will naturally have a say! I will set up a board of directors. Every shopkeeper will be a member of the board. You can have a say in the board's decisions. According to your shares, you can decide the size of your voting rights. You can even remove or recommend the chief shopkeeper of Qilu Bank. Oh, by the way, I won't call him shopkeeper. I will call him manager! He will implement the business plan in full accordance with the decisions of the board of directors. In other words, our board of directors is the military council, and the shopkeeper is the governor-general below. One issues orders, and the other does the work! Do you understand?"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Board of directors? Managers? There was even such a term? They had never heard of it in decades.

Wang Youshun asked, "Sir, this is the first time I've heard of this. I don't quite understand. This manager is the bank's head treasury manager. Are you personally the head treasury manager?"

Liu Ye laughed heartily and said, "Manager Wang, you're right. Even if you wanted me to take the position, I'd have to have the time, right? I'm the governor-general, in charge of all the military and political affairs of the province. How could I have time to manage a bank? Well, I can give some pointers from the sidelines, but I won't interfere in the specifics. Right now, the bank is only being managed temporarily by a consultant from the Provincial Administration Office. Once the board of directors is established, I will be the chairman. As for the position of general manager, I'll have to rely on your recommendations. After all, I came from a wealthy family and don't know much about the heroes of Shandong. If any of you think you have the talent, you can nominate yourself or join forces. However, I have to make a rule: when choosing a manager, I'm not going to look at qualifications or age, and I'm not going to look at status, I'm going to look only at ability. I only appreciate people with great ambitions and have no interest in those who flaunt their qualifications..."

Liu Ye explained the matters concerning the bank merger one by one, and at the same time took out the charter jointly drafted by himself, Zhang Chunping and Guo Songtao, and showed it to everyone. After circulating it, everyone's mind became clearer. According to the meaning of the governor, this was already very clear. It was simply for everyone to get together and develop together. It would definitely not deprive everyone of their rights, and they could also free themselves up to devote their energy to other areas. It was a win-win situation. Why not do it?

Li Jixian replied, "Your Excellency, we thank you for your grace. However, we are in a hurry. Please give us two days to discuss this matter. If there are no unexpected events, I think everyone will be happy to accept it. After all, your reputation for mastery of Western affairs is well-known throughout the country, and we naturally want to benefit from it..."

Liu Ye smiled and nodded, then replied, "Okay, in that case, I'll give you three days to consider. Everyone, raise your glasses and I toast to you, the shopkeepers!"