Sending away foreign merchants and then welcoming local businessmen, they have always been too intimidated to approach, fearing and dreading the foreigners and envoys.
The Thirteen Hongs' merchants were once deeply hurt, their fortunes vanished in an instant, and their businesses became dowries for others.
Foreign merchants possess a status higher than the Banners' descendants within the Qing court's domain, which leads to their disregard for rules in business dealings.
"It's getting late, so I'll cut to the chase. I want to bring you in to jointly counter Western capital.
I've mentioned before to some of you that here in the Qing court, if you don't wish to make money, then the foreign merchants will take it all.
What we need to do is not to expel the foreign merchants but to compete with them for market share, aiming for a worst-case split of 60/40, best-case 50/50.
