There are many people in Shanghai who want to watch movies, and some people don’t want to watch movies. △↗, last month, from North Korea to Liaodong, then from Liaodong to Shanxi, then Shanxi to Wuchang, Nanjing, and finally arrived in Shanghai. The Japanese steel industry delegation did not want to watch movies at all, even if the newspapers were full of movie advertisements.

Okura Kihachiro, Okura Kishiro, Okura Group's general office, Ryotaro Shimaoka Okaoka, and Iwase Tokuzo and others have been depressed for more than half a month. They were all frightened by the scale of Greater China Coal and Iron Factory Mine Co., Ltd. When they first arrived in Benxi, Liaoning, everyone was still in a high mood. Although the Chinese invested 20 million Huayuan in large-scale construction of Benxi Steel Plant, after completion, there will be a large blast furnace with 500 tons of pig iron in twelve days, producing 1 million tons of iron annually. Using these pig iron to make steel, the annual output of 600,000 tons of steel is produced, which is twice the total of Japan's steel industry.

Although the scale is large, it has not been completed after all. People are inevitably lucky. Large steel mills cannot be said to be built just by building them. However, when they arrived in Taiyuan, they saw the blast furnaces of Wutaishan steel plants, which were like the city-like factory areas, from Okura Kihachiro to the translation and documents at the bottom, their faces suddenly pale. Japan also wanted to become a major steel country, but it lacked high-quality iron ore, which had to rely on Daye. China not only had Daye, but also Benxi, Wutai Mountain, and Ma'anshan, three super-large iron ore, and countless high-quality coke. This is the natural steel country.

Not counting Tonghua Steel Plant, Benxi Steel Plant and Hanyang Steel Plant, the steel production exceeds 1.5 million tons, and in two years, the total output of China's five major steel plants will reach 2.4 million tons. This is eight times that of Japan's national output, and the longer it takes, the bigger the gap will be. In this case, the arms industry will be several times that of Japan. As for the Wuhan Military Industrial Park visited by the delegation, its output is already twice that of Japan's arms production, which does not include other military factories.

Faced with China, the delegation had to admit that in terms of security, the Sino-Japanese coal-iron joint venture actually had more benefits to Japan than China. Excluding security, because the joint venture is not a joint venture, but only a certain degree of market and resource allocation. Therefore, Japan's steel industry has achieved great development since the joint venture will obtain sufficient raw materials. However, the delegation regards this thing that should have been joyful as a harbinger for China to surpass Japan and become an Asian hegemon. Since the Meiji, the kilowatt-speaking national efforts of the kilowatt-stop, but to this day, the empire will not change its previous fate. It will eventually become a vassal of China again.

"Father, can we get more market share? For example, North Korea is very close to the local area, and our steel can be sold here." The crowd was depressed. Kishiro looked at Okura who was thinking about drinking and couldn't help but make a sound and broke the silence.

However, Okura had not yet spoken, but Ryotaro Shimaoka said: "Your Excellency, Benxi is also very close to North Korea. Although land transportation is more expensive than sea transportation, Fushun is an open-pit coal mine. Wherever coal is transported to Japan in real time, it is cheaper than local coal in Japan."

"Your Excellency. The cost of Chinese steel mills is lower than ours, but the efficiency is higher than that of us. If it weren't for the local market, only pig iron could enter China. I think the Hachiman Ironmaking Institute will go bankrupt next year due to the squeezing of Chinese steel." Iwase Tokurajima, another backbone of the Okura Group, knew that China's labor wages were lower than those of Japan, but he did not want the efficiency to be higher than that of Japan.

"You guys, we cannot just look at China, but should stand in East Asia and look at the world." After all, unlike young sons and capable subordinates, Okura Kihachiro is a chaebol and a businessman. Although patriotism is available, profit is more important. "The United States' steel production exceeds 30 million tons, and the country's only country is nearly 20 million tons. Britain, Buddha and Lu are all over 4 million tons. Even the small Italy has steel production of nearly 1 million tons. If Asia wants to become an Asian Asian, the steel production of China and Japan cannot be less than 20 million tons. Now, China and Japan have less than 3 million tons in total, and we still have a long way to go.

The sleeping lion in China has woken up, but it will never be so simple to surpass the empire. Now China's steel and military industry have reached this scale with the strong support of the Yang government, but other industries have not developed much, even though the Yang government is trying hard to revitalize the industry. The competition between the country and the country is actually a competition between the people and the people. Can the Chinese people compare with the people of the empire?" Okura said, asking several subordinates here with his eyes, and then replied: "No! China is actually the same as Lucia. His strength is not because the people are better than the empire, but because of the huge number. But this is just a war. Business competition is not more than who has more people, but who is better."

Okura finally found an advantage in comparing individual citizens. His speech made people feel refreshed. When everyone was about to echo and regain confidence, he made a message outside the room: Master Mitsui's shopkeeper group, Master Mitsui's shopkeeper Iwasaki Koyata is coming soon. Mitsui, Mitsui is a first-class chaebol, and the Okura group is nothing more than the Japanese guns and cannon king. When he heard that the two chaebol shopkeepers were coming, Kihachiro Okura hurriedly took everyone to the street to welcome him.

Shanghai is the most prosperous place, and Hongkou is prosperous in recent years, and in recent years, it has been far better than in Shanghai. Therefore, in a noisy street market, two Les-Royce cars slowly came, and when they saw the golden radiator at the front of the car, Okura Kihachiro bowed respectfully, and waited for Tuan Dao and Iwasaki Koyata to get off the car, and then welcomed them respectfully.

"What a good place!" Tuan Zhuoma seemed to be in a good mood. He stood in the house and sat a few cloths. Qiyi found that through the glass window, he could actually see the tallest building in Huangpu Beach, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Building.

"Yes, Lord Okura, this place is better than a branch store." Morike, the manager of the Shanghai Branch of Mitsui Products, also praised the place. Before the war between China and Japan, he was the branch store manager of the Shanghai Branch. During the war, because China boycotted all Japanese goods, he had to return to China. After the Sino-Japanese peace talks, he was appointed as the manager of the Shanghai Branch store again and rushed to Shanghai before the big shopkeeper group.

Mitsui people were very happy, but Mitsubishi's shopkeeper Koyata Iwasaki didn't speak for a while, and Kihachiro Okura was unaware of it, so it was difficult to comfort him. He just waited for the clerk outside to bring the tea in, and then he smiled and asked everyone to have tea. Then he said, "You guys, you have been to China for many days. How is the impression?"

Hearing that Okura said that China is not China, Mitsubishi shopkeeper Koyata Iwasaki said: "Okura San. He was bribed by the Chinese people so soon. What benefits did they give you?"

"How could the Chinese people benefit me?" said Kihachiro Okura. "The output of Chinese steel is several times that of the empire. It is impossible to catch up with them. I was worried. Your Excellency Iwasaki recently visited the China Shipyard. What is the situation? When I visited the steel mill, the person in charge told me that most of this steel is used for shipbuilding."

Mitsui's industries include textiles and coal mines, while Mitsubishi is also a key industry in addition to textiles and mining. This time, the people from the Yokosuka Navy Factory came to Shanghai to assist in repairing the Hiei battleship. Iwasaki Koyata, who had heard that the Chinese were building ships frantically to attack the local area, went to visit the Jiangnan Shipyard. When he arrived at the shipyard, he was shocked when he saw that the dock was full. He found out that the entire dock was full of more than 200,000 tons, and they only built one type of ship. He was immediately frightened. He didn't know whether the Chinese would make money or lose money in this way, but no matter what, according to the current method of construction, within two years, the tonnage of the merchant ships in China would exceed the empire. This is very terrible.

What's more terrifying is that the cost of these ships is extremely low. According to the words and other information from the person in charge of the shipyard, Koya Iwasaki can roughly calculate that the cost of these merchant ships will not exceed 100 yen per ton, which is half the cost of Japanese shipyards at present; and in order to achieve the goal of rapid manufacturing, many of these ships are equipped with diesel engines. Small-tonnage merchant ships use diesel more than coal, and Japanese ships are old ships. They cannot be modified anymore, so the operating cost is much worse. In this way, how can the Japanese shipping industry compete with the Chinese shipping company? Will there be Chinese standard ships all over East Asia in the future?

Iwasaki Koyata, who felt the huge pressure, was originally unhappy. Now Kihachiro Okura poked the pain again and said: "All the docks in China, including the Qingdao Shipyard that just took over last month, are all full of orders. Because each ship is the same and is easy to build, they will launch 500,000 tons of merchant ships this year, which is eight times the empire's current..."

"Nani?! 500,000 tons?" Tuan was shocked. Before coming here, he did not meet with Iwasaki Koyata. In addition to attending the fair a few days later, his other purpose was to invite compradors from various places of Mitsui Products with officials from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The Sino-Japanese War caused panic among compradors under Mitsui. Moreover, Japan no longer has extraterritorial legal power and does not drag Chinese officials to endorse Mitsui Products. In the future, business in China will be difficult to start, especially now that the import of European and American products has been greatly reduced.

"Yes, 500,000 tons." Iwasaki Koyata said: "Don't look at other places. Just Jiangnan, Shanghai, and the three shipyards, Yesong, will produce more than 200,000 tons of merchant ships this year, as well as Nanjing, Wuchang, Xiamen, Qingdao, and Lushun. These shipyards only produce one ship and are simple in process, and can be launched in five months."

"It's crazy! If the European War ends this year..." Tuan Zhuang's ability is naturally no longer a problem when he can achieve the position of Mitsui's shopkeeper. He insisted on buying Mitsui's coal mine. Mitsui bought the coal mine at a low price and then used a large water pump purchased from Europe to solve the problem of low production due to water seepage, making Mitsui Mine the most profitable business among all the investments of Mitsui Zaibao. Such experience made Tuan Zhuang understand the importance of opportunities, but it is really unimaginable to bet on European wars like the Chinese like the Chinese to use the national strength to bet on the European war.

"The European war will be difficult to end in a short period of time." Iwasaki Koya was too concerned about shipping, so she naturally had a deeper understanding of the international situation than the regiment's thoughts. "Now the independent team and the British and Buddhist coalition forces are 'running to the sea'. In order to keep the east coast of the English Channel from being controlled by the Tuguo people, Britain has mobilized comprehensively. The war will soon enter a stalemate trench war. With the strength of the independent country, it will be no problem to drag the war to two years later, especially the Lu country is restrained by China in the Far East."

"Running to the Sea" is a special word invented by the China Times. After the German right hook was forced to stop on the Marne River, the British and French troops and the German team tried every means to detour on the other side's flanks, but everyone's detours were not successful. The troops of both sides extended the trenches to the sea. The northernmost end of France and the northern Belgium on the east side of the English Channel are extremely important. This is like Busan was occupied by Japan. The British mainland would be under the threat of Germany. The British who felt the threat mobilized comprehensively, and more than 200,000 people died in the war in half a month. The Calais region of France was barely saved.

"The war will take two more years?" Okura Kihachiro's eyes shone when he heard the good news. As the king of guns and cannons, he has been paying attention to the European war situation, but his strength is limited after all. He is not as strong as Mitsubishi.

"Okura Sang, Japan's shipbuilding stations also need to build large-scale ships. How much steel can your steel mills provide?" Iwasaki Koyata looked at Okura's delighted Okura. Japanese shipbuilders and docks have all but lack of marine steel plates. Although Britain, the United States and other countries do not restrict exports of steel, the freight rates are scary. Now, if you want to build a ship, you can only rely on Chinese steel plates.

"China promises to provide enough pig iron and steel plates." Okura Kihachiro said carefully. His words made Iwasaki Koya too satisfied, but the next sentence is not. "As long as we pay for the money."

"What does it mean?" Iwasaki Koyata raised her eyebrows, and he was very uneasy.

"Now the pig iron for use in China is completely based on the market price. The ex-factory price of pig iron this month is 90 Huayuan." Okura said.

"Nani? Ninety... Huayuan!!" Iwasaki Koya was too shocked, and Tuanmo and Morike were also moved. The exchange rate of Huayuan and Japanese yen is similar, and the price of 90 Huayuan is two and a half times that of pig iron in the past. With the current steelmaking technology, ten tons of iron and six tons of steel is equivalent to saying that marine steel plates will rise to more than 200 yen. Who can use such expensive steel to build a ship?

"Yes. Your Excellency. The Chinese people said that the whole country is building railways and ships, and steel is not enough. It was originally worth 100 Huayuan, but after several discussions, the price was finally set at 90 Huayuan. They said that the price of steel will rise. We suggest that we buy more now." Okura recalled the meeting with Mu Ouchu, the general manager of the Greater China Coal and Iron Plant and Mining Co., Ltd., and was very sad. Although this person is not a shareholder, he is very dedicated and unmoved by any interests.

"It's too expensive! Is there no other way?" Iwasaki Koyata sighed. The shipbuilding plan he had previously planned was immediately wanted to give up.

"Your Excellency, this is not expensive," said Okura. "After the British pig iron is cut off from its source, only pig iron on the east coast of the United States can supply East Asia, but the price of pig iron is also rising, and it costs twenty meters per ton. The freight rate has increased four times, about twenty-two meters per ton, and here is forty-two meters. If you include the tariffs, it is close to fifty meters. According to the exchange rate, this is one hundred Huayuan. Compared with American pig iron, the quality of Chinese pig iron is stable and the supply is sufficient. It is impossible for us to not buy pig iron in China and transfer to the United States."

"What about the marine steel plate?" Iwasaki Koyata finally asked the marine steel plate he cared about the most. This is the reason why he met Okura Kihachiro overnight. Without steel, a ship could not be built.

"Two hundred and forty Chinese Yuan per ton is also sufficient for use." Okura said a number that made Iwasaki Koya feel so painful, which made him say again.

"Why do you need 240 Huayuan? Isn't it okay to have 200 Huayuan?" Iwasaki Koyata said, resentful.

"No. The forty Huayuan is a special tax on marine steel plates by the Chinese government." Okura Kihachiro said. "Now the China International Taxation Bureau has imposed special taxes on all war-related materials, saying that it has cost a lot of money to fight."

"Baga!" Hearing such a crappy excuse, Iwazaki Koyata was furious, "The Chinese National Bank has basically unified the right to issue Huayuan, and the issuance of paper money has exceeded one billion yuan. As long as Yang's order is issued, the printing factory can print an additional hundreds of millions of Huayuan, and the Chinese government is not short of money at all."

Iwasaki said this, and Tuandao nodded. However, Kihachiro Okura did not operate a bank and did not know the secret. He puzzled: "If the Chinese National Bank printed hundreds of millions of Chinese dollars, wouldn't it cause price increases and bank runs?"

"Now everything is rising. It is said that the Chinese government has implemented a price increase order, and the price increase is what they want. As for the run, China is different from the empire. It used to use physical gold and silver items in transactions, but gold and silver are too inconvenient to carry. After the banknotes in China obtained credit, many people began to use paper money. There were more than 2 billion silver dollars in circulation in China, and now the banknotes accounted for one billion. The silver dollars exchanged for these banknotes were deposited in banks in various places. This is the additional funds of the Chinese government. As long as the political situation is stable, at least 500 million silver dollars can be allocated for use." Iwasaki Koyata said that when he thought of Japan, he sighed: "The biggest wealth in China is the more than 2 billion silver dollars circulating on the market, which is much more than the empire back then."

Iwasaki Koyata's words made Okura Kihachiro immediately realize that he was deceived by the Chinese. However, the bargaining was settled at this time, and the price of steel continued to rise again. He had to say: "Your Excellency, steel is always the weakness of the imperial industry. This time it was controlled by China because of the European War. If the war would end within two years, then I think the price of marine steel plates would not exceed 300 Huayuan."

"Three hundred Huayuan?" Iwasaki Koyata smiled and said, "Do you know how much a ton of ships made of a steel plate of 300 Huayuan? More than three hundred yen! But do you know how much a ton of shipbuilding cost of the Chinese shipyard? No more than one hundred yen! That is to say, the cost of a ship for a ship is three times that of the Chinese people, let alone all of them are diesel engines and low operating costs. The shipping industry is the pillar industry of the empire. If it is surpassed by the Chinese people, it will be a misfortune of the empire."

"Your Excellency..." Mitsubishi is the shipping king, and Kihachiro Okura knew that the comparison of ship prices between China and Japan he mentioned was very serious, but this was also powerless for Okura. He said: "The Chinese cause is just to fill the ships lacking due to the European War. After the war, British ships will have no cargo to transport these merchant ships."

"Instantly, British merchant ships are back, and shipping in mainland China will be recaptured by Chinese merchant ships. This benefit is already great enough. And war is the best time for the shipping industry to make money. Controlling shipping in Asia is equivalent to controlling the prices of the entire Asia. Now the empire has 1.4 million tons of merchant ships, but it will not be the case after next year. If the war lasts for another year, that would have two million tons of merchant ships, which will inevitably challenge the status of Imperial shipping and control the commodity pricing power of the entire Asia."

Iwasaki Koyata's last words were almost shouted out. This is a truth, the most painful thing he is, and the most hesitant thing. The price of steel plates for ships is so high, and it is definitely not cost-effective to build ships. After all, merchant ships do not only take two or three years, but will take more than ten or twenty years. But if you don't build a large scale ship, and watch the tonnage of the Chinese merchant fleet rise and eventually exceed the tonnage of the Imperial merchant ships, the pricing power temporarily obtained due to the withdrawal of Ome merchant ships during the war will be lost. There is nothing more to make money than manipulating commodity prices. Once the Chinese have the pricing power, the profits of the empire...

Another way is to use the imperial navy to threaten or limit the Chinese merchant fleet. However, he rejected this method as soon as it emerged. China was not the Qing Dynasty with only a few broken cruisers, but China with more than 100 ocean-going submarines, which exceeded the total of submarines in the world. If the Chinese people really wanted to use these submarines to block the entire land as the legendary, the empire would have been greatly damaged even if it was not landed by the Chinese Revival Army.

After Iwasaki Koyata finished calling, there was a silence in the room. After a while, the Mitsui shopkeeper group thought about it and said, "You guys, this time I came to China, although I didn't go many places, I could feel the profound changes in this country. Although we have recovered a lot of things in the negotiations, even the previously unresolved South Manchuria issue was because they affirmed that the Empire had paid in the Russo-Japanese War, thus permanently retaining the Empire's special interests in South Manchuria. However, a fact that we have to admit is that the country under our feet is rising and rising rapidly.

We can no longer control him and bully him like before. His army will mobilize more than two million, and this is only now, with his rise, the number of people that the army can mobilize will soon exceed ten million. I think there is no such a terrible country in the world except Lucia.

The situation is so serious. If we still regard him as an enemy, the empire will never stand out; but if we can integrate with him and treat him as a friend, then these two great countries will be awe-inspiring the entire Western world. The emperor of the Independence Kingdom announced ten years ago that if China is controlled by the empire, it will lead to a more serious yellow peril than Genghis Khan's Mongolian army. Haha, since Westerners are afraid, let's make the yellow peril a reality."
Chapter completed!