Just as the People's Army's overseas Chinese protection fleet left Java, Zhang Zhenxun, the head of the Zhang family, also came to Qingdao from Shanghai.

During the People's Army's protection of overseas Chinese in Java, Zhang Zhenxun basically lived in Qingdao, paying attention to the development of the situation in Java, and also remotely commanded his son Zhang Zhijun in Java to support the People's Army's operations in Java and provide manpower and material support. It can be said that the Zhang family's unreserved full support for the People's Army in Java is inseparable from Zhang Zhenxun's instructions in Qingdao. After all, if there is no Zhang Zhenxun's instructions, even Zhang Zhijun dares to make decisions easily.

It was not until the People's Army won the Battle of Java that the situation in Java was irreversible that Zhang Zhenxun was completely relieved and rushed to Guangzhou to deal with the Ohan Railway. After the signing of the [Batavia Treaty], Zhang Zhenxun received the content of the treaty at the first time and was extremely excited. To be honest, the content of the treaty exceeded his expectations with the simplicity of the treaty. It turned out that he just wanted to write the terms to ensure the security and rights of the Chinese in Java into the treaty. It was a matter that had never happened in hundreds of years.

However, Zhang Zhenxun also knew that although the treaty was signed, it was still backed by strength to ensure that the treaty was implemented smoothly. The current Chinese in Java obviously did not have enough strength to allow the Dutch colonial government to implement the treaty, and they still had to rely on the East China government. Of course, Zhang Zhenxun also believed that there was nothing wrong with relying on the East China government, at least it was much more reliable than the Qing court. With this strong support, Chinese in Java were no longer afraid of being bullied. Therefore, Zhang Zhenxun immediately returned to Qingdao and wanted to negotiate the next development with the East China government.

Qin Zheng was still the one who met Zhang Zhenxun, because among the main leaders of the East China government, only Qin Zheng had relatively little work and could spend enough time to negotiate in detail with Zhang Zhenxun.

Because they are very familiar with each other, Zhang Zhenxun was not very polite after meeting, and said: "This time, all the overseas Chinese in Java were helped by your wholehearted help. Not only were they spared, but they were also able to participate in Java government affairs in the future. This is still something that has never happened in ancient times. You are so kind to us Chinese in Java, it is unforgettable to remember."

Qin Zheng smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang is too rewarding. These are what we should do. The Chinese in Southeast Asia are all Chinese compatriots. We are now a government. Protecting our compatriots is our obligation. Therefore, we dare not take credit. Mr. Zhang is just a businessman, but he is running around for the safety of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia and spends a lot of money. This is admirable. To be honest, we will not be able to succeed without Mr. Zhang's help this time."

Zhang Zhenxun said: "You are still too humble. This time, Java protects overseas Chinese, and you are spending a lot of money. You have raised 3 million taels of silver. Although it cannot completely make up for your expenses, you are still expressing your feelings. Please accept it."

Qin Zheng shook his head and smiled and said, "No, no, we have to protect foreigners, and we have fulfilled our national obligations. This is not enough to exchange for any amount of money. Moreover, the Dutch colonial government compensated us 6.5 million pounds, which is enough to offset our expenses. Moreover, Mr. Zhang has also paid a lot of money to protect overseas Chinese this time. Although Mr. Zhang's family is big, it is not easy to make money. Therefore, Mr. Zhang should take back the money. We will not collect anything."

After hearing this, Zhang Zhenxun was quite moved. Of course, he knew that the East China government had received compensation from the Dutch colonial government, but the 3 million taels of silver he gave was not a small amount. He spent almost two months in Qingdao and had a certain understanding of the financial situation of the East China government. Although the fiscal revenue of the East China government is considerable, the investment is huge. Industrial and mining enterprises, bridges, railways, roads and docks, and military construction all require a lot of funds. Therefore, the financial situation is not very easy. With this 3 million taels of silver, you can still do a lot of things, but the other party actually said he didn't want it. This demeanor is indeed admirable.

Of course, Zhang Zhenxun is willing to pay this money, not only thanks the East China government, but after this overseas Chinese protection operation, the Zhang family has been tied to the East China government. Moreover, through the past two months of contact, Zhang Zhenxun also has a relatively comprehensive understanding of the East China government. It can be said that no matter in that aspect, the East China government can completely defeat the Qing court. This is because of this overseas Chinese protection operation, which shows that the only short-term military strength of the East China government is that their return time was too short and their foundation was insufficient, but in time, they could definitely take over the Qing court and replace it. Therefore, Zhang Zhenxun also decided to formally surrender to the East China government. The 3 million taels of silver was the first letter of the Zhang family.

But the East China government did not want this money, which made Zhang Zhenxun quite embarrassed, saying: "Compared with the Netherlands' compensation, a mere 3 million taels of silver is naturally nothing, but I think there are many places for you to use money. Before asking you to send troops, I had already said that all the costs will be borne by my Zhang family. How can I recover the words after I have already raised them? Besides, I have already collected all the money. This time I have shipped it to Shanghai. I can't let me drag it back."

Qin Zheng also smiled and said, "We have received Mr. Zhang's kindness. But we will definitely not accept this money. However, if Mr. Zhang is interested, it is better to invest this money in Shandong to drive Shandong's economic development. This is a big help. Mr. Zhang can take advantage of the investment to open a factory in Shandong, earn more money, kill two birds with one stone. Wouldn't everyone be fine?"

After a pause, Qin Zheng said again: "To be honest, we are not very satisfied with the result of protecting overseas Chinese this time. The original plan was at least to enable the Chinese in Java to achieve autonomy. However, our comprehensive national strength is limited and the interference of the UK has to settle for second place. However, to develop our comprehensive national strength, we need to invest more in merchants like Mr. Zhang to promote the economic development of Shandong. Of course, we will also provide investors with a good investment environment and various convenient conditions. We cannot make you pay in vain. In short, we welcome merchants to do business in Shandong, and hope that all merchants who come to Shandong business will make money and make money. The more money you make, the greater the help you will be."

Zhang Zhenxun also nodded. In fact, he had decided to make a big investment in Shandong. This time he returned to Guangzhou, he actually raised a total of 5 million silver and prepared to hand it over to the East China government. The other 2 million was to invest in the industry in Shandong. Now the East China government does not want his 3 million silver, so the actual investment capital is as high as 5 million silver, which is much larger than Zhang Zhenxun’s estimate.

Zhang Zhenxun said: "To be honest, I wanted to invest in and establish a winery in China. More than 10 years ago, I heard a Frenchman say that the climate and environment of Yantai, Shandong are suitable for grape growth. The grapes there can be used to make high-quality wines. Therefore, I hope to go to Yantai's local grape production situation and then determine to open the Bu winery to make the world's best wine." In fact, the wine industry is the main industry that Zhang Zhenxun started in Java. It was mainly engaged in the wine industry, but later it simply brewed wines by itself. Now the wine industry of the Zhang family accounts for nearly half of Java's share and is one of the main industries of the Zhang family in Java. After Zhang Zhenxun returned to China to start a business, he always hoped to build a winery in China. It just so happened that he plans to invest in Shandong, and Yantai is suitable for growing grapes, so he naturally thought of starting a winery in Yantai.

Qin Zheng nodded. This is probably the origin of Changyu wine. And running a winery is not only a problem, but also a large number of grapes are planted, so the scale is definitely not small. So he smiled and said, "This is easy. When will Mr. Zhang go to Yantai for inspection? I can notify the relevant departments to make arrangements."

Zhang Zhenxun was very happy to hear this. After all, his wish for many years was finally coming true, but investing in a winery could not require 5 million silver. So Zhang Zhenxun said again: "I don't know what investments you still need. As long as my financial resources allow you, I will definitely support you with all my strength."

Qin Zheng laughed and said, "We invited Mr. Zhang to invest in hopes that Mr. Zhang can make money. Mr. Zhang is good at operating those industries. The investment time, return cycle, and whether he can make a profit also needs to be evaluated by Mr. Zhang himself. Of course, we can give Mr. Zhang some suggestions, but in the end it will be decided by Mr. Zhang himself. However, the matters of negotiation should be under the responsibility of the Industrial and Commercial Committee. If Mr. Zhang opens a winery and wants to grow grapes, he must negotiate with the Agricultural Committee. I can arrange it for Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Zhenxun sighed softly. The biggest difference between overseas Chinese and the Qing court is not in integrity and efficiency. Zhang Zhenxun has been back in China for more than 10 years and has been accustomed to the atmosphere of the clean government. Anyway, these problems can be solved with money, so it is no longer a problem. The best thing about overseas Chinese is respect for people and being able to imagine from the other party's perspective. So he said: "Thank you, Speaker Qin."

Qin Zheng said: "What's the point of thanking me? We should thank Mr. Zhang. But there are two more things. We want to ask Mr. Zhang for help."

Zhang Zhenxun hurriedly said, "Please say that I must help you with all my strength."

Qin Zheng said: "Now the [Batavia Treaty] is signed. Overseas Chinese in Java can participate in Java's government affairs and establish overseas Chinese trade unions. However, I think the Dutch will not be willing to do so. Although they may not dare to put force into force, they will definitely find ways to sow discord and divide and disintegrate the Chinese. I am worried that the environment will be better, and the Chinese will not be able to unite. Mr. Zhang is famous and has a high reputation in Java. He also hopes that Mr. Zhang can come forward more and unite the Chinese and the whole family, and not give the Dutch the opportunity to take advantage of it. Our office in Java will fully support Mr. Zhang."
Chapter completed!