Wang Yunpeng said: "I am not very proficient in military affairs, but I can talk about our current financial situation. Of course, for the sake of easy reporting, the numbers I mentioned are basically integers and will not be too accurate. We participated in the war in May this year. So far, we have participated in the war for a total of 8 months. In summary, the monthly war expenses for the flat field are about 40 million silver dollars, and the accumulation is 320 million silver dollars. In addition, before we joined the war, the preparation cost for the early stage of the war was 150 million silver dollars. Therefore, for this reason, our total expenditure on this war is 470 million silver dollars."

"And we accumulated that the funds we can use for war are that before joining the war, the expenses of fiscal allocations for war preparations were 80 million silver dollars, while after joining the war, the fiscal allocations for war expenses were 60 million silver dollars; the income of bonds issued by Germany in the United States was 50 million pounds, which was converted to about 450 million silver dollars, and there was also about 8 million pounds of income, which would be accounted for in January 1906,

It is about 70 million silver dollars; the domestic bond income is 70 million silver dollars; and part of it is the fiscal revenue surplus this year, about 50 million silver dollars. Together, the total amount of funds we can use for war is 780 million silver dollars; and after deducting war expenses, the remaining funds are about 300 million silver dollars. Based on the average monthly war expenses in these 8 months, it can support about 7-8 months of war expenses."

"At present, the funds we can still raise are about 30-40 million silver dollars in bonds in China, and the fiscal revenue surplus in 1906 was also the surplus in 1906. However, due to the impact of the war, our fiscal revenue in 1906 will drop significantly. The fiscal revenue surplus is expected to be around 30 million silver dollars. That is to say, the funds we can still raise can support the war for about two more months. Of course, we can also conduct comprehensive material control by appropriately over-issuing currency, causing inflation, and entering a full-time wartime state, and it is expected that we can support it for a period of more time. Therefore, our actual potential for war should be guaranteed by one year."

"Of course this does not count on borrowing new foreign debt funds. According to feedback from Germany and the United States, the bonds we issued are very popular in the markets of the two countries. Although Britain and France decide to jointly send troops to intervene in the war, it will have a certain impact on our bonds and will have a significant depreciation, but since our first two batches of bonds have been sold out, the depreciation of the bonds has basically no loss of our bond income. The impact mainly is those who purchased our bonds. Of course, if we win the war with the British and French coalition forces, we can immediately push the value of the bonds up, and we can issue another 30,000,000 pounds of bonds in Germany and the United States, which is about 270,000,000-360 million silver dollars. Overall, our current war funds are sufficient. As long as we can ensure that we continue to maintain victory on the battlefield, we basically don't have to worry too much about the funds."

Xiao Jianjun said: "That's good. From this point of view, there is still a fight in this battle."

Xia Bohai nodded and said, "It is a good thing to have sufficient funds, but it is not enough to have money alone. You must be able to buy things if you have money. Therefore, the channels for purchasing various materials and supply can be guaranteed."

Wang Yunpeng said: "This is safe, and the purchase channels of various materials can be basically guaranteed."

After the war began, the demand for various materials in East China politics increased greatly, and each one was almost a massive demand. According to conventional rules, the prices of various materials would rise sharply at this time, and at least doubled, and it was not surprising that the most could rise to 3-5 times. However, because the East China government had sufficient preparations before the war, and the momentum was extremely high, and the continuous victory on the battlefield, the merchants who supply the East China government did not dare to raise prices randomly. After all, they were afraid of taking on the bad reputation of destroying the war and making wealth in the national crisis.

Because of the defeat of the Qing army's four attacks in the river and lake base areas, forcing the Qing court to admit that the East China government was an independent government, many businessmen also had an account in their hearts, because most people could see that if this continues, it would be almost inevitable to change dynasties. The East China government replaced the Qing court and established an infrastructure country was basically irreversible. Therefore, it was not possible to take the opportunity to establish good relations with the East China government at this time. As a result, the highest increase in all the supplies provided to the East China government was only about 50%, and the average increase was only 30%.

Xia Bohai said: "That's good. What do you think? If Britain and France really participate in the war, then should we fight this war with the British and French coalition forces?"

Qin Zheng said: "Winning this battle must be fought. Whether it is the tactical blackmail between Britain and France this time, or is really preparing to join the war, we should fight with them, otherwise other countries can use the same method to scare us in the future. Moreover, from the current situation, we have the power to fight with Britain and France."

Shang Jinfeng also said: "Yes, you can punch one punch and you can defend yourself from a hundred punches. Since we are sure of military logistics, let's fight a war with Britain and France."

Qin Zheng added: "There is another point, that is, after winning this battle, no country is afraid of going to war with us easily. In the next step, we will send troops to attack the Qing court and seize the power of the whole country, and no other country dares to interfere."

Several other people also spoke, and advocated fighting a war with Britain and France. So Xia Bohai said: "Okay, that's it. For negotiations between Japan and Russia, we still have to insist on asking for compensation. If the negotiations break down, we will start the war immediately."

Turning back, Xiao Jianjun said, "Old Xiao, you must immediately formulate a detailed and comprehensive combat plan. If the negotiations break down, Britain and France will go from organizing their troops to rush to Asia. It is estimated that it will be in May and June next year. During this period, we will not be idle. We will definitely take Japan and Russia to take action first. How to arrange the order and plan of the combat, fight first, and then fight there, and how to fight each battle, we must have a clear arrangement."

Xiao Jianjun nodded and said, "Okay, I'll make arrangements right away."

Xia Bohai also said: "In addition to military arrangements, there is another point that please everyone should pay attention to. Once the negotiations break down and Britain and France decide to jointly send troops, there will be a period of time that is unfavorable to us. In this era, Britain and France are both giants. Therefore, before this war, there will definitely be many people who are not optimistic about us, and even speculate on the side of Britain and France, including a group of fenceists, the Qing court, and Yuan Shikai, and we may be ready to move. We must take some precautions. On the one hand, we must strengthen propaganda, because in public opinion, we must never fall behind. No matter how many people believe that we can defeat the British and French coalition forces, we must never waver within us. And we must try our best to suppress the Qing court and Yuan Shikai. This is the responsibility of Lao Qinduo."

Qin Zheng said: "Okay, I will make arrangements and I will definitely not lose in public opinion."

Xia Bohai said: "By the way, Lao Qin, you have another task, which is Germany. They provided us with this important information, so this is because we owe them a favor. However, Germany obviously hopes that we will give up the compensation requirements for Japan and Russia. No matter what their thinking is for, we must explain to them clearly that this task must be you."

Qin Zheng said: "I have an idea. This time, Britain and France are not allowed to pass on the mouth of Germany to pass on this news to us and put pressure on us. We may also pass on Germany to fight against them and insist on not giving up the reparations to Britain and France to see what their reactions are. We cannot rule out the possibility that Britain and France will return after we take a tough stance. Although I also think this possibility is not great, we can always give it a try."

Xia Bohai said: "It's great, Lao Qin, you are smart, just do as you think, just grasp the right measure yourself. On the other hand, our supplies should also be paid attention to, because after Britain and France join the war, there will definitely be a group of suppliers who are not optimistic about us, and may increase the price of our supplies, and even interrupt the supply of our supplies. It is necessary for us to increase the purchase of materials before the negotiations break down, and hoard more materials to prevent changes. This is the responsibility of Lao Wang."

Wang Yunpeng said: "Okay, I will arrange this time to expand the purchase of various materials."

Xia Bohai nodded and said, "Okay, do you have anything else to say?"

Xu Jichao said: "Would you like to tell Commissioner Li Sanjie about this so that they can feel at ease. They should be on the road at this time, or just ask them to come back and don't go to negotiate."

Xia Bohai smiled and said, "The negotiations still need to be negotiated. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we cannot give up. It is said that Britain and France are intentionally blackmailing us. When we refuse to make concessions, Japan and Russia may surrender. Moreover, this time we go to the United States is not entirely for negotiations, and there is also the task of attracting investment and development of the Northeast. In addition, even if the negotiations are destined to break down, there is no need to let them come back. It is to let the Foreign Affairs Commission go out to experience, gain experience, and accumulate economics. Therefore, we will definitely have a lot of things in the future when facing such a negotiation situation. As for this news, we can tell Li Sanjie, so that he can have a clear mind and facilitate negotiations with Japan and Russia, but other members should not tell them to avoid distracting them."

Qin Zheng said: "I agree with this, but I think Li Sanjie should be given power, that is, when he thinks it is necessary, he can tell other members or some members, so that this way he can handle it more effectively."
Chapter completed!