The reason why Rong Hong didn't speak for a while was because Futai's question was not easy to answer.

In the case of the Qiji Iron Works, if he built a factory and bought machinery according to his plan, it would take at least a year of work before it could be opened. After the start of construction, the operation is running-in, and the coaches have to have another year of work before they dare to say that they can be on the right track. If you want to keep up with foreign goods in terms of the quality of the things you make, then I am afraid it is not possible to achieve it in three or five years.

Rong Hong has always received a Western-style education and believes in Christianity, and he is not like those bureaucrats in the Chinese officialdom who have the problem of great joy and exaggeration, so although he knew that Guan Futai's question meant something, he still answered honestly after pondering for a while.

"If you compare it with foreign goods, it will definitely not be comparable within seven years."

The implication is that after seven years, it may be possible to compete with foreign goods. Whether it can be done or not, of course, is not yet known, but this is a very real attitude.

"Seven years is not too long, but Brother Chunfu must know that things like guns and cannons are not ordinary goods, and they can be used improvised first - guns are meant to be used to equip the army! When the two armies see life and death on the battlefield, can I say, don't fight us first, and when we change Mr. Yung Hong's newly made guns and cannons in seven years, let's try again? ”

"This ......," Rong Hong was speechless for a while, "I can't think about it." ”

"Okay, then let me ask Brother Chunfu again, the machine you plan to use is naturally bought from abroad, and it is generally the same as the one used by foreigners, why is the thing you make is not as good as foreign goods?"

"This ......," Rong Hong thought for a moment. He replied, "The machine is the same." But there are high and low levels of craftsmanship. The deployment of personnel and materials is not as familiar as that of foreigners. ”

Guan Zhuofan thought that he was on the point - jishu is not as good as people, management is not as good as people, and the same equipment will produce different products.

"After all, there is a lack of such talent, is it?"

"Futai is absolutely right. If there are the same people, things can naturally be as good as foreigners. ”

"So, where do these people come from?"

"Should we ......" Rong Hong suddenly realized, "Futai is saying that it is necessary to use the Qiji Iron Factory to educate these talents?" ”

"It's not just a flag mark, but within a year or two, as long as you can train a group of people to come out, I guarantee that they will have more places to go." Guan Zhuofan saw that he understood, and said with a smile. "To do foreign affairs, you can't do it without money. But you can't just have money! At any time, always take talent as the first, as long as there are people, what is written on the two pieces of paper in your hand is a matter of course. ”

Rong Hong was convinced, this is the real far-sighted move. He looked at this Guan Zhuofan, who was ten years younger than himself, and thought to himself that this young Futai was in a high position and enjoyed a great name, which was really not lucky!

"As for the steelmaking mill you mentioned, it is true that it is the industrial foundation of a country, but in addition to the need for machines and jishu, steelmaking must also have iron ore and coal mines. Iron ore ore is said to exist, but so far, China has no real coal mines, if we say that it relies entirely on foreign procurement, wouldn't it lose the original intention of running its own steel? What's more, under the difficulty of national strength, we can't do things without making a plan on the cost, in terms of steelmaking, it doesn't mean that as long as the steel is produced, it is haode - less out, the cost is high, it is not cost-effective, and if there is more, which one should it be sold to? You Rong Chunfu is as big as the sea, these things, as long as you think about it, it will not be difficult to understand. ”

"Yes." Rong Hong really thought about it for a while before he spoke again, "Futai, with the size of China, there is absolutely no reason why we can't find coal mines, so we can start hiring Western technicians to explore." I also understand the steel thing...... It's just that I don't know the railway, what is Futai's plan? ”

"Well said!" Guan Zhuofan smiled, "I plan to entrust the matter of coal mine exploration to my brother in the future." As for the railway, to the point, but in the end I am only the governor of Jiangsu, the matter of the railway, can not be decided by my words, but between steelmaking and railway, it is really complementary to each other - I said it bluntly, in a word: no railway, no steelmaking! ”

Rong Hong was very shocked, and did not speak again for a while, pondering the meaning of his words, especially the sentence "No railway, no steel."

"Brother Chunfu, in the past few years since you came back from the United States, you must have seen that China is barren and has no unlimited money, which can be wasted on face-saving matters." Guan Zhuofan's tone turned solemn, "There is so much money, it must be used on the blade, every time you spend a tael of silver, you must have the effect of one or two silver." ”

"Okay, I understand, lie down and try the guts, in order to get a chance." Rong Hong looked at Guan Zhuofan and said sincerely, "Whether it is Qiji or the Cantonese Dialect Museum, I will definitely follow the purpose of Futai." In addition, can I handle the prospecting matter entrusted by Futai now? ”

"Don't be in a hurry," Guan Zhuofan shook his head, his eyes blazing at this foreign Chinese, "Mr. Chunfu, what I want to entrust you is more than just prospecting. ”

*

*

There are still three days left before the day of going to Beijing.

Ding Shijie, Zhao Jingxian, Liu Xunjiao, Yang Fang, and Libin were once again summoned to the governor's yamen, which, according to Guan Zhuofan, was a meeting of Zuihou before he left Shanghai.

Meetings are commonplace, but Guan Zhuofan, who walked in on this day, seemed to be the commander who entered the Chinese military tent before the war, and there was no smile on his face, and he was unexpectedly serious. Everyone felt unusual, so the atmosphere in the side hall of the Fu Ya became solemn for a while.

Guan Zhuofan's face was certainly tight, but there was a different kind of nervousness and excitement in his heart, he was about to announce the most important new policy since the start of foreign affairs.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he took a deep breath and spoke, "Since Zhuo Fan arrived in Shanghai, both the military and the political ends have been in place, and he really has to rely on your strength. Since the establishment of foreign affairs, everything has gone smoothly, which is also due to your great help. As far as Zhuo Fan is concerned, one less person is like losing an arm, and it is really impossible to leave. You are not only my arms, but also friends who participate in major business matters and can be confidential. ”

This meal of rice soup was poured very sincerely, but it was not a word against his will. Among the few people present, Ding Shijie is a brother in the army who lives and dies together, Zhao Jingxian was rescued by him from Li Xiucheng, Liu Xun is his simple among the customs and customs, Yang Fang is a person who has long been secretly familiar with the song, and he is Huaer's father-in-law, not to mention Libin, who is in the Zichun Pavilion in the south of the Beijing Division, and he is a person who has "been determined for life".

When everyone heard him say this, they all left their seats and bowed, and even said "I dare not be". These five people, including Ding Shijie, are all thoughtful people, and they all know that the marshal must have something important to say, so they all listen attentively.

"On the new policy, on foreign affairs, we are only afraid that the court has different views on this thing we have done in Suzhou Province, let alone the defense of China and foreign countries, who dares to open it without permission? And yet—"

At this point, he paused slightly, deliberately accentuated his tone, and his eyes became sharper.

"Shijie trend, mighty, those who go along with it prosper, and those who go against it die! At this very time, I can't help but do something extraordinary, there is one thing I have decided to do, and I will give you a bottom today. ”

That is to say, this is not only a major matter, but it is not here to be discussed. Everyone pricked up their ears for fear of missing a word.

"This is a sketch of the Gaochang Temple area on the west bank of the Pujiang River, and it is also the place where the Qiji Iron Works intends to move in. With the exception of a dockyard, the vicinity is mostly wasteland and tidal flats. Brother Zhu, your feudal division yamen, that is, with the Qiji Iron Works as the center, along the Pujiang River up and down three miles, each carved out a piece of land, three long and two wide, respectively called Shanggaochang and Xiagaochang. ”

"Cheng, I'll do it tomorrow!" Zhao Jingxian didn't ask weishenme, and agreed.

"These two places are going to be used to set up factories. Brother Zhu, I will give you a year, please recruit people to complete the two things of leveling the land and building roads. ”

"Cheng, leave it to me!" Zhao Jingxian still answered without hesitation, but in his heart, like several other people, he was taken aback - what kind of factory should use such a big place?

Three miles long, two miles wide, this is more than 2,000 acres, a piece of land in Gaochang and Gaochang, plus the Qiji Iron Factory, a total of nearly 5,000 acres.

"Qi Weng, the topography of the upper and lower Gaochang area, you have to go to the same place with the Jiang Customs, that Englishman Skylin, to investigate in person." Guan Zhuofan's eyes turned to Yang Fang, "Especially in Gaochang, after a year, the wharf and the road will be ready to set up a branch customs." ”

A wasteland, where did the dock come from? Even if there is a wharf, why set up a customs office? These are all unsolvable questions, but Yang Fang, like Zhao Jingxian, didn't ask, and calmly answered the word "yes".

"Shijie, the left side of Gaochang Temple is near, and the Xuan army wants to set up a camp and take a battalion of soldiers to take turns to station it for protection."

"Huh!" Ding Shijie still followed the rules of the army, and Huo Di got up to take the order.

Guan Zhuofan waved his hand and motioned for him to sit down, then took out a piece of paper from his body and unfolded it, pinched it in his hand, and looked around first.

"The land in Gaochang will be vacant first." He read expressionlessly, "A piece of land in Gaochang will be drawn and circled, exempted from land rent, and allowed to set up factories in Western countries!" For example, all materials loaded into foreign countries that do not exceed the line will be exempted from customs tariffs, and all goods made for export will be exempted from customs duties! All factories are not subject to official shares! Within the demarcated plot, if there is a dispute and dispute that does not violate the "Qing Law", it will be handed over to the Chinese and foreign investment promotion bureaus for disposal! ”

Under the earth-shattering shock, who can answer? Everyone in the audience looked at each other, and the same thought came to their hearts.

Isn't this another concession?

*(To be continued......)