There is no doubt that in Mei Lehe's opinion, the carriage he is in at this time is undoubtedly the most luxurious carriage he has ever seen. Even the so-called Empress Dowager Cixi's float cannot compare with it. The interior of the carriage

It was decorated in the style of the Palace of Versailles. **There were golden sculptures on the train aisle and gorgeous murals on the top. The entire carriage looked as luxurious as a palace. Merle and Dao were very curious about this, because

Although the prime minister in front of him is very rich, perhaps one of the richest people in the East, and his wealth is increasing at a rate of hundreds of thousands or even millions every day, he is not an extravagant person.

It was a bit frugal, but the rather luxurious carriage subverted his consciousness.

Seeing that Mei Lehe's attention had been focused on the luxurious interior decoration of the carriage, Li Zicheng smiled slightly.

"This carriage was ordered by the Siberian Railway Company of Russia before the war. It was originally used for the international transport line in Siberia. The interior decoration of the carriage was designed by the French. However, Russia canceled the order last year and was later bought by the Longhai Railway Company at a low price.

Come down, this time when I return to Beijing, they insist on hanging up these carriages, well, I think I am using my power for personal gain!"

Li Zicheng's words were full of jokes, but Mei Lehe finally understood why the prime minister would ride in such a luxurious carriage. It was originally ordered by the Russians. Just when he suddenly realized it, Li Zicheng stood up.

, opened the wine cabinet door, turned around and asked:

"What would you like to drink? Whiskey, orange juice or coffee?"

Because it was a private conversation, there was no one else in the car.

"Orange juice."

Merlot, knowing that this would be a serious conversation, would naturally not ask for wine. He needed to keep a clear head and had a conversation with the prime minister.

When Li Zicheng poured the orange juice, the carriage started very smoothly. Merlehe only noticed that the carriage was accelerating when he saw the orange juice level tilting backwards. He looked out the window and saw the green trees sweeping back quickly.

Wilderness. A group of birds flew past the window and immediately appeared in the window behind. But he keenly discovered that the so-called window was very thick. He tentatively knocked on the window with his hand, and the muffled sound from the window reminded him that this window might not be as thick as he thought.

It's so simple.

Seeing that he was curious about the window of the carriage, Li Zicheng smiled and said:

"Mr. Mei, your observation skills are very keen. As you know, this carriage is completely enclosed, and the central air-conditioning controls the temperature inside the carriage. If you are willing to introduce our central air-conditioning to your British friends, I guarantee that the company

We will definitely give you the best price. Our air conditioners are the best in the world. I believe you will not doubt this. If I remember correctly, Jianghai Customs also installed air conditioners this summer."

Like most of the time, Li Zicheng would always advertise his company's products when he didn't notice. When Mei Lehe praised the air conditioner for allowing him to have a very comfortable summer, Li Zicheng just smiled.

said,

"Originally, the progress of science and technology should bring a better life to people. I firmly believe in this."

At this time, the train had already driven out of the semi-underground passage and started to speed up, and the scenery outside the window was sweeping back faster and faster. Judging from the previous trip to Lianyun, the train has now driven out of the Lianyun station area.

After Merlot and took a sip of orange juice, Li Zicheng's expression became serious:

"I know, your uncle also told you why I chose you as the Chief Tax Department!"

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister, my uncle once told me directly in a letter!"

Mei Lehe did not hide it. In the letter to him, he clearly mentioned that "the Prime Minister needs a general tax department who can take into account China's interests." At the same time, he implicitly hinted that if the Prime Minister puts forward conditions, if he does not

If you violate the principles, try to accept it because he is a person who does not mind using any means - "He will be more difficult to deal with than Li Hongzhang."

"How should I put it? I very much hope that you can become the third General Taxation Department, but first you must completely eliminate your previous ideas."

Li Zicheng pondered for a moment and said calmly:

"You must understand that although you are a British citizen, you are an employee of the Chinese government. You must understand this.^//^"

Regarding Li Zicheng's emphasis, Mei Lehe just smiled and said:

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, when I was very young, Uncle Hurd once told me that we are just Chinese employees, and as an employee, he must first be loyal to his employer. I think, for this

, Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, does not need to have any doubts. In the future, my work will prove this.

After looking at him for a long time, Li Zicheng smiled and said:

"I did not misjudge you. Your thinking is indeed very bright and you grasped the key point at once. But please understand that your predecessor was fired because he refused to accept the administrative order of the Chinese government. Moreover, I am the only one who

Personally speaking, because of my business experience, I have always firmly believed that I will not have any sympathy for incompetent employees. For a company, the first thing required is the loyalty of employees to the company, and the country also

So...”

Staring at Mei Lehe, Li Zicheng emphasized again,

"I hope you can keep this in mind. You are British, but as an employee of the Chinese government, you must first consider the interests of China, not the interests of the United Kingdom. If the interests of China and the United Kingdom conflict, in terms of customs,

Out of professional ethics, I think you will make the right choice."

Facing the Prime Minister's words, Merlot just smiled and said nothing. In fact, from the first day he received the letter, he understood that his current position as Chief Tax Department was definitely different from Anglian, and was also inferior to Hurd.

, the customs will lose its independence and will slowly become the real Chinese customs, of which he has no doubt.

At this time, Li Zicheng stopped talking and simply said:

"I have finished speaking. I hope you can remember our conversation today."

Finally, he added another sentence,

"I hope one day I can call you 'our Merlot'."

Faced with this title, Mei Lehe thought for a moment and said.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I personally believe that it is impossible for the customs to completely stop hiring new foreign workers for at least the next three to four years!"

Looking at the Prime Minister in front of him, Mei Lehe continued:

"At this point, I stick to my idea. In fact, I think that even if the proportion of Chinese personnel is increased, their own quality needs to be taken into consideration. For a country, the most precious thing is the integrity and integrity of the customs.

Effectiveness·So, I hope that the Prime Minister can seriously consider this suggestion.

When Mei Lehe made this suggestion, at first, Li Zicheng instinctively thought that it was just Mei Lehe's excuse. However, after thinking for a moment, Li Zicheng took a breath in his heart. Sometimes some things really shouldn't be rushed.

But he did not give him a direct answer:

"I will seriously consider your suggestion! However, I hope you will sign the new customs order immediately after arriving in the capital."

Sure enough, what is supposed to come will come. Merle immediately realized that the next step is probably the real core of this negotiation - tariffs. The Chinese government needs tariffs, and the State Council needs tariffs even more. For the relationship between the State Council and the Presidential Office,

Melo and Merle had some familiarity with the financial secret war. As early as when Li Zicheng took office as Prime Minister, when Merle and his friends chatted together, they would always say that "China's seemingly stable and effective two-horse carriage system"

The central power of the country will fall into a new dilemma due to the financial dispute between the State Council and the Presidential Office." However, what is unexpected is that Li Zicheng did not grab the "local small money". As soon as he came up, he took advantage of the hard nut of customs.

, but what is his ultimate goal?

It’s undoubtedly the tariff!

Seeing that Mei Lehe was just listening, Li Zicheng said calmly:

"I think it is extremely inappropriate to deposit China's huge tariffs in foreign banks. This not only damages China's financial interests, but also damages China's national interests and national image. I will never tolerate this. Likewise,

China will not tolerate it either, so I hope to see it."

As he spoke, Li Zicheng looked down at the calendar in his hand, and then said:

"Before October 15th, customs duties can be deposited into China's central bank, which is the Bank of China!"

Smiling, surprisingly, Mei Lehe did not answer, he just remained silent, seeming to be using silence to fight Li Zicheng's decision, while Li Zicheng was also not in a hurry and just drank tea with a smile, no matter how he

He said that this tariff must be recovered, and he is still waiting to use the tariff to do big things:

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, after the General Taxation Department of Anglian integrated all customs tariffs into HSBC, it certainly took control of China's tariff power, but on the other hand, it also created an opportunity for the central government to take back the unified power of taxation, at least avoiding local interception.

tariff…···"

When Mei Lehe tried to defend his predecessor and also fight for the interests of his friends, Li Zicheng looked at him with doubts on his face, and then said:

"Oh? Is that really so? If I remember correctly, there may be customs surplus in recent years, but the customs duties are eventually transferred from customs in various places to HSBC. After being summarized by the customs and HSBC, the tariffs are first paid.

Compensation was paid, and then there was the so-called Guanyu,"

With a sneer, Li Zicheng looked at Mei Lehe and said.

"And if I, the dignified Prime Minister, want to do something, I need to use Guan Yu, and I also need the signature of the General Taxation Department. The power of the General Taxation Department of Customs is really powerful. Even the Ministry of Finance does not have the right to use Guan Yu. I

I would like to ask a question, is this the Chinese customs or the customs of the General Taxation Department?"

The cold question did not make Mei Lehe's heart tremble slightly. Now he finally understood why his uncle said that he was easier to deal with than Li Hongzhang and Yuan Shikai, but more difficult to deal with than them. Because, you don't know what

When the time comes, he will tear himself apart!

"Local governments intercept tariffs. If they can intercept tariffs, what do they need the General Taxation Department to do? What do they need the customs to do?"

After several cold questions, Li Zicheng thought for a while and said:

"Of course, as a British person, you need to take into account the opinions of the minister and the wishes of the consul. However, as the Prime Minister of China, I cannot tolerate all this. On the 15th, I hope to see the tariff deposit

Bank of China,."

"However, Prime Minister, the customs must ensure that the compensation can be paid to all countries on time. Even if the adjustment is made now, it will not be possible to complete the transfer within half a month..."

"General Mei's Taxation Department, I believe in your ability. You can transfer the tariffs deposited in the Bank of China to HSBC within three years. Then, there will be no problem in transferring the tariffs to the Bank of China within fifteen days."

,What do you think?"

No mercy. When it came to practical issues, Merlehe noticed that the Prime Minister showed no mercy to him. His toughness was even greater than the Manchu "conservatives" that Merlehe had ever seen.

,

Looking at Mei Lehe with a half-smile, Li Zicheng was thinking about a question in his mind. Will being too tough be counterproductive? On how to deal with the customs issue, after some discussions with the State Council, the final decision was made

It is necessary to bypass the British and make some decisions directly from the customs. To be precise, they are decisions that are beneficial to China. But how can we make Merle and the General Taxation Department obey the State Council?
To be continued...