1890 King of Southeast Asia

On January 16, the first day of the twelfth lunar month, Nanhua still used both the national and lunar calendars.

Two million pounds, an annual interest rate of 6%, to be paid off in five years, the profit is still considerable. Besides, the money is also in the UK, so on the 16th, Liu Yiming and Charles finalized the cooperation intention, and the ship construction work officially began.

The specific loan contract was signed by the Far East head of the British Empire Bank in the Straits Settlements, but it was just a formality, and Liu Yiming would not regret it.

"Charles, I still want to continue borrowing, with the income from light chemical products as collateral, and tung oil, gold and silver mines, of course, everything is a commercial loan." Liu Yiming thought big, whether it was the remaining 3 million pounds of equipment, raw materials and technology, or the upcoming currency unification, a lot of funds were needed.

Nanhua's funds were only enough to do one thing, which was okay in peacetime. If the money was not enough, then they would do it one by one, but now it is not a peaceful time. If you can't speed up the development, not to mention the Dutch, everyone will want to bite you.

"Of course!" Charles felt that serving overseas was his best choice. Not only would he be promoted quickly, but he would also make money quickly. Whether it was a warship order or a loan, he would have money to take.

"I will help you contact the right bank and give you the most favorable interest rate. How much do you want?" Charles smiled like a fox.

"The more the better!" Liu Yiming didn't know how much he could borrow, and how much he could borrow.

"Good brother! You can trust me to do things!" Charles held Liu Yiming's hand and was reluctant to let go.

After sending Charles away, Liu Yiming went to meet the Americans, that is, the steel tycoons who wanted to sell the steel plant.

"Sorry for the long wait, gentlemen. I just reached a deal of 5 million pounds with my British friends, which wasted some time." Liu Yiming said vaguely.

"No, no." As expected, the 5 million pound order shocked them. This was equivalent to 25 million US dollars. They were not that rich at their peak, of course, except for the bankers.

"Sit down, sit down, and talk about our business." Liu Yiming said when he saw that the Americans had all stood up.

"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Ross, Ross Monte. I represent the American steel industry and would like to express my greetings to Mr. Liu." Ross took off his hat and gestured.

"Mr. Ross, I think your time must be very valuable. Let me put it this way. I have some ideas about your proposal. Three coal-steel complexes, with an annual output of 300,000 tons of iron, 300,000 tons of steel, and 200,000 tons of rails. And corresponding mechanical processing equipment." Liu Yiming picked up the plan and sat like your client.

"I am very interested. But I think we can talk about something we are both interested in." Liu Yiming did not answer directly, but said instead.

"I don't know what you mean?" Ross did not quite understand what Liu Yiming meant.

"I just paid 5 million pounds, and there is not much money left. I hope to be able to borrow money." Liu Yiming said.

"Loan?" Ross was stunned at first, and then his eyes unconsciously looked at a middle-aged man next to him.

"Hello, Mr. Liu, my name is Richard. I don't know how much loan you want, what collateral to use? How to pay, forgive me for being blunt, you are just a newly established country that may disappear at any time..." The middle-aged man named Richard looked at Ross and stood up and said.

"Hello, I will give you confidence about this. Before that, I want to know who you represent? What is your relationship with Ross?" Liu Yiming asked curiously.

"My full name is Richard Mellon, representing Mellon Bank. As for Ross, we are business relations. For some reasons, these people have business relations with our bank." Richard said.

Mellon? One of the current major American conglomerates, but I don't know if Mellon has developed to the point of controlling 1\\/3 of the national wealth of the United States at this time.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Richard." Liu Yiming suddenly became much more enthusiastic.

"Um, sorry to bother you, Mr. Liu, what do you think of the acquisition of the steel plant?" Ross bit the bullet and interrupted. He didn't want to, but if he didn't sell it, he would be scolded.

"Let's draw up a contract, but those things are only worth three million dollars." Liu Yiming said to Ross with a smile.

"What? Mr. Liu, this is too low. We are already selling at 30% off the original price. This is impossible." Ross said loudly. In fact, as long as it can be sold, it will be sold. He just wants to sell it at a higher price.

"But it has been used, and it is a buyer's market now. No matter where you put it, it will eventually break down, and you won't get three million. You can discuss it yourself..." Liu Yiming finished speaking and invited Richard Mellon to the office to talk.

"Mr. Richard, I have heard of your name, but I really can't figure out why you are here?" Richard Mellon, the nephew of the old Mellon and the head of the second generation of Mellon, but now it seems that he is living an ordinary life...

"To be honest, I just came here to try my luck. Let's talk about the loan. How much interest can Mr. Liu accept?" What can Richard say? He worked behind his uncle. His cousin had grown up and he was marginalized. This time he was sent to deal with the steel industry, which was a marginal industry of the Mellon Group, especially now that there was an oversupply of steel rails and steel mills were closing down one after another...

"Annual interest rate of 4%, long-term loan." Liu Yiming didn't think so much about Richard, but he also knew that he was not the child of old Mellon. The dramatic thing was that the child of old Mellon would rather guard the library than take over the consortium, so Richard took over and became the second-generation head of the consortium.

"Mr. Liu, this is too low. Maybe it can be loaned to other countries, but your country can't even maintain stability. In addition, can you decide on the loan?" Richard asked.

Because Liu Yiming is not the president or the prime minister, Nanhua has not held a general election yet. Liu Yiming plans to delay it and hold a general election after the first and second batches of administrative villages are established in three years. Therefore, he only has the title of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Navy and Army, so Richard has this problem.

"The chairman has granted me the right. Because there is no Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I am also responsible for foreign negotiations. This is a cooperation intention signed by my British friends and me. The British are willing to lend, but they are too harsh, so I hope to find a more tolerant creditor." Liu Yiming said.

The purpose of showing the loan contract is to have Britain guarantee this matter. Britain is the boss at this time. With the endorsement of Britain, even if Nanhua loses, the new country will have to inherit the debt, otherwise the British will come to take it themselves.

"Such a low interest rate is definitely not acceptable! Just like Britain, 6%, the period cannot be less than five years, and the international practice is to pay 90% in actual payment." Richard said.

"Friend, you are greedier than the British. At least they didn't ask me for a 10% handling fee. If you insist, then this negotiation ends here." Liu Yiming said, and made a move to stand up.

"Wait a minute, Mr. Liu!" Richard's face darkened. Why is Britain like this? Isn't this secretly taking me?

"I agree with your proposal! Talk about what you use as collateral!" Richard said.

"Grain exports, pepper, and teak. The latter two have an annual profit of 2 million pounds, all of which belong to the government. The former is exported at 5 pounds per ton. In 1891, it is expected to export 2 million tons." If possible, Liu Yiming will stop this export method. Teak is very useful. The value of processing and re-exporting can be multiplied several times. Grain is even more so. For winemaking, whether it is selling wine or alcohol, it is very useful.

"I think I need to see the real thing." Obviously, Richard did not have the right to make the final decision.

"Yes, I just tell you first what I will use as collateral. For these things, I hope to mortgage 30 million US dollars, of which 15 million will be used to purchase equipment in the United States. In addition to steel equipment, it also includes a complete set of equipment for two shipyards. And a set of oil extraction and refining equipment. In addition, thank you. The factory needs to be responsible for training workers. At the same time, I need to send students to study in the United States. I hope Mellon can provide convenience." Liu Yiming said his request.

"30 million US dollars!" Richard was frightened. Is this small country crazy?

"Don't worry, these things are worth the price. At present, they are all in my hands. It's only 6 million pounds. If you agree, make a decision early. I have already proposed the same conditions to the UK. I don't need more funds." Liu Yiming said.

If this loan is established, Liu Yiming will be burdened with a debt of 11 million pounds and an annual interest of 6%, which will eventually be equivalent to 14.3 million pounds. However, Liu Yiming will control the repayment date before 1895, because the price of silver will be halved and the pound will appreciate accordingly. At that time, he will borrow a sum of silver from international futures to repay the debt. After 1895, he will repay it again, which is equivalent to only repaying 8.17 million pounds. This is the benefit brought by foresight!

"Secretary Wang, this is my secretary. He will take you to see the granary, pepper field, and teak forest. Most of these are government properties." Liu Yiming asked Staff Officer Wang as his secretary and took Richard to see the confidence of Liu Yiming's payment, including the golden spoils that were accidentally leaked.

"Staff Officer Yang, what else is on the agenda recently?" Liu Yiming asked after seeing Richard and his party off.

"The engine factory has encountered problems in the production of gasoline and diesel engines, and hopes to get technical guidance."

"Okay, let's go today!" These two things, plus the generator, are the core competitiveness for the next 60 years, one of the two cores that Liu Yiming attaches the most importance to. The other is population.

Just when Liu Yiming arrived at the Sishui Engine Manufacturing Plant, outside Sishui City, at Liu Yiming's first chemical production base, a fat man was dancing excitedly in front of a row of culture dishes.

"Found it! I found it!" Wang Wei, the fat man, was dancing with joy, and no one knew what he found.

"Report, report immediately!" Wang Wei ran out of the room and gently closed the door...