Chapter 62 Fuye Pharmaceutical's Visit to China (5)

On August 25, 1935, the negotiations between the Nationalist Government and Fuye Pharmaceutical finally entered a critical moment, due to the concession of the Nationalist Government, the negotiations were completed in an atmosphere of harmony, after the two sides signed the minutes of the negotiation meeting, Kong Xiangxi asked Fuye Pharmaceutical when it could sign the investment contract, and Christopher replied that after obtaining the authorization of the board of directors by telegram this evening, it could be signed as soon as tomorrow morning.

On the evening of August 25, 1935, He Jianye finally received the latest progress telegram from Christopher, and the results of the negotiations were based on He Jianye's opinions, and the specific difference was that the central government's land use rent and ore procurement costs were paid for by the finished steel of the steel mill, and the price must be lower than the steel purchase price in the United States for the same period, and the purchase limit was increased by 1 time, which was twice the cost that Fuye Pharmaceutical needed to pay that year, and the difference was paid by the central government in US dollars. In addition, after learning about the current production of penicillin at Fuye Pharmaceutical, it put forward an additional requirement on the condition that the road from the mining area to the steel mill be built by free labor: the purchase of 5,000 penicillin bottles per year must be guaranteed to the central government. Christopher, after putting all his interests together, has already signed the minutes of the negotiation meeting, waiting for the contract to be formally signed tomorrow.

"Call back, agreed!" After He Jianye finished speaking, he went directly back to the study.

On the morning of August 26, 1935, in the conference room of the Nanjing Nationalist Government, the signing ceremony of the contract was held in the conference room by Wang Zhaoming, President of the Executive Yuan, Kong Xiangxi, Vice President and Christopher. After the signing is completed, there is a polite blessing and handshake from both parties. Kong Xiangxi politely invited Christopher to have coffee in the lounge next to him, and in the process of tasting coffee, Kong Xiangxi intentionally or unintentionally asked Christopher about the specific start time of the steel plant and the approximate time when the American machinery and equipment would be sent to Shanghai; Christopher replied: At present, the contract has just been signed, and if the central government strongly supports it, the equipment sent to the Philippines can be rerouted to Shanghai by merchant ships, but Christopher is worried about the current transportation facilities in China, afraid that the machinery will be delayed on the way for too long or the machinery will be damaged on the way due to poor traffic conditions, and said that even if he sends a telegram to the company's board of directors asking for this, I am afraid that the approval may not be very high. Kong Xiangxi almost jumped up excitedly when he heard the news, and asked Christopher about the approximate tonnage of the equipment sent to the Philippines and the manpower and transportation conditions required, and learned that this was only the first batch of machinery for the construction of the plant, if this batch of machinery was stopped, the second batch of steelmaking equipment that had now departed from the United States would arrive in Shanghai at the end of the year, and if the project progressed quickly, it was expected to be put into production at the beginning of next year.

"Your decision this morning was too wise. After the signing of the contract, the Americans inadvertently revealed that they have decided to open a factory in the Philippines, and the equipment is on merchant ships at sea, of which the construction equipment of the first batch of factories may arrive in the near future, and the second batch of steelmaking equipment has also been loaded from the United States and is expected to arrive before the end of the year. Kong Xiangxi excitedly reported,

"Oh! What does this have to do with the establishment of the factory in Geling, Jiangxi? It's just that Fuye Pharmaceutical in the United States has one more investment project! Jiang Zhongzheng said,

"Commission, we can ask Christopher Power Generation to request to start the construction of the factory in Geling, Jiangxi Province in advance, intercept these two batches of equipment, so that our steel plant can be put into operation at the beginning of next year." Kong Xiangxi reported,

"Christopher will agree? What conditions do we need to give? Jiang Zhongzheng asked,

Christopher doesn't think it's a big problem, but his main concern is the poor transportation conditions in our country, and he is afraid that the machinery will be damaged or put on the road because of road transport problems, which will delay the progress on both sides, so that he will not be able to account for it to the board of directors. We will only make a guarantee of the shipping problem first, and I guess he will make a condition. Kong Xiangxi said,

"Then you hurry up and consult with Christopher to try to intercept these two batches of machinery and equipment; The issue of guaranteeing transportation in the name of the Executive Yuan can be agreed to if other conditions are not too harsh. Jiang Zhongzheng said,

"Yes, take a seat." Kong Xiangxi ran out to find Christopher after speaking, and Kong Xiangxi, who had just arrived in the corridor of the lounge, happened to see Christopher and his party rushing out of the conference room, as if there were signs of leaving, Kong Xiangxi quickly caught up and said, "Mr. Christopher, please wait." I think we can continue to talk. With that, Christopher was let into the conference room next to him, and the staff who followed him was very discerning and immediately served everyone a cup of coffee.

"Mr. Christopher, for the sake of friendship between you and me, I have asked the chairman of the committee, and we will do our best to ensure the transportation of your machinery and equipment, do you think you can ask the board of directors to send the machinery and equipment that is expected to go to the Philippines to Shanghai first?" Kong Xiangxi asked a little eagerly,

"Oh! Kong, you're a tough proposition. Wait! Christopher patted his forehead and said,

"Daniel, please confirm the voyage and estimated arrival date of the equipment sent to the Philippines." Christopher commanded,

"I have to confirm it first, otherwise it will be difficult to explain it to the country." Christopher said to Kong Xiangxi,

"Mr. James, if nothing else, the merchant ship is expected to arrive off the coast of the Philippines this evening and is expected to dock at the dock tomorrow to unload its cargo." A U.S. attaché looked at the schedule and said,

"Oh, Kong, I'm afraid it's too late. You see it's almost off the coast of the Philippines. Christopher spread his hands and said,

"Mr. Christopher, you can help confirm that if you arrive off the coast of the Philippines at night, you can now use the radio to ask for the approval of the board of directors and ask the fleet to sail directly to Shanghai without stopping in the Philippines, which kind of Philippine arrival time in Shanghai will only be within three days, you can rest assured, within two days I will confirm the arrangement of transportation routes and migrant workers." Kong Xiangxi said,

"Oh! That's terrible advice! Then I'll give it a try! How do I notify you when the evening message is confirmed? Christopher said,

"Mr. Christopher, I will send someone directly back to the hotel with you, he will always be waiting for your news in the lobby of the hotel, you only need to inform my person after confirmation." Kong Xiangxi said,

Christopher shook his head and slowly walked out of the Nanjing National Government Building and returned to the hotel!

At half past two o'clock in the morning of August 27, after receiving the news that the fleet had turned to Shanghai, Kong Xiangxi immediately called for the officials of Jiangsu and Jiangxi to be responsible for arranging the unloading of machinery and transportation to Jiangsu around August 30, and wrote to the Jiangxi Provincial Government in the name of the Executive Yuan, asking the provincial government to fully cooperate. He also demanded that the Jiangxi garrison make every effort to ensure security.