Cixi fled to the west and used the golden locomotive clock as collateral to borrow money from the Cao family. Why did they agree?

This small object is the treasure "Golden Locomotive Clock" now stored in the Sanduotang Museum.

This object was a gift from France (now France) to Qianlong during the Qianlong period. It is made of gold, platinum, black gold, crystal, etc., and weighs 42.25 kilograms. There is a clock on the body of the golden locomotive clock. At each time, the platinum bell on the top of the locomotive will chime. At the same time, there is a barometer on the right side of the train, which can accurately predict weather changes.

Accompanying the golden locomotive clock are two 1.5-meter-long tracks made of black gold. At that time, there was a golden key on the train that could wind up the clockwork. As long as the clockwork was tightened, the locomotive could fly back and forth on the track. And when the locomotive moves, the hour and minute hands will also move. In addition, there is a cylinder in front of the bell of the locomotive. As long as water is poured into the cylinder while the train is running, steam will emit from the chimney of the locomotive, and then smoke will emit just like a real train.

This golden locomotive is just an ordinary toy for us now, but the materials are expensive. However, if it was placed in the late Qing Dynasty, it was indeed a rare object, and the Qing royal family regarded it as a treasure.

But to be honest, it is not a priceless treasure to the Cao family, nor is it worth it. Who is the Cao family? One of the richest families in the Shanxi merchant group in the Qing Dynasty. Their business spans the north and south of the Yangtze River. Not only do they own more than 640 shops across the country, but their assets are as high as 12 million silver. At that time, the Cao family also expanded its business to Paris, London, Tokyo, Japan and other places. So do you think the Cao family really cares about a "toy" that is only a rarity at best?

Don’t forget, the “Golden Locomotive Clock” was made by the French. Since it was made by people, it would be a simple thing to make another one. What's more, at that time, the Cao family had already established its business in France, which meant that if they really wanted it, they could use a sum of money to customize another one. I think the price of doing this must be lower than the huge sum of money lent to Cixi.

In fact, the value that the head of the Cao family talks about is not the value, but the value of benefits that can be brought to the Cao family.

You must know that the "Golden Locomotive Bell" was given to the Cao family by Cixi, the ruler of the Qing Dynasty, to pay off debts. Think about it, even the ruler of the country owes money to the Cao family. What do you think the world will think? They must think that the Cao family is really rich. Even Lafayette has borrowed money from them, and Lafayette can't repay a debt that even a country can't repay. How much does it cost? But even with this much money, the Cao family can still lend it out. It seems that the Cao family is really strong.

Just think, to put it bluntly, business depends on strength, right? Only when others think you are strong enough will they do business with you and dare to do business with you. In fact, at that time, the Cao family still seemed to have strong assets, but it was already in decline. Many businessmen were more or less aware of the Cao family's situation. So at this time, the Cao family must let those hesitant partners regain confidence in themselves, otherwise the Cao family will perish.

It was at this time that the "Golden Locomotive Clock", which Cixi used to pay off debts, came into use. After all, no one knows how much money Cixi asked the Cao family at this time, and Cixi will not say. It can be said that at this time, it is clear how much money Cixi borrowed from the Cao family. The Cao family can make the decision on their own, although he himself You can't say it, but you can secretly let people spread rumors outside. After all, at this time, the "Golden Locomotive Clock", the object that Cixi used to pay off debts, was clearly there, and no matter what it was said, some people believed it.

In other words, the Cao family is still strong in the eyes of outsiders, so there will definitely be no trouble doing business with them. Just like this, the Cao family's business can come back to life again. Of course, in the end, due to the continuous civil strife in the Qing Dynasty, the great powers launched wars against the Qing Dynasty one after another, and the Cao family's stronghold in Northeast China was later invaded and occupied by Japan, the Cao family finally fell into despair.

In addition, there are actually two other theories that the "Golden Locomotive Bell" fell into the hands of the Cao family.

First, the "Golden Locomotive Bell" was originally hidden in the Old Summer Palace. When the British and French forces invaded Beijing and burned the Old Summer Palace, some eunuchs also took advantage of the chaos to steal many treasures and then sold them. In this way, the "Golden Locomotive Bell" was bought by the Cao family's "Xianyuanhui" business.

Secondly, the "Golden Locomotive Bell" was given to the Cao family's "Xianyuanhui" business by a large French businessman who had business dealings with the Cao family. In 1941, the Japanese army invaded Northeast China and the "Xianyuanhui" bank was annexed. But before that, the shopkeeper of "Xianyuanhui" took advantage of the chaos and transferred small objects such as the golden locomotive bell to the Cao family in Beijing.

Of course, no matter which theory is used, it is an indisputable fact that the "Golden Locomotive Bell" once belonged to the Cao family.