The conversation with the old friends of the Restoration Society was almost unpleasant, Xu Xilin was silent, Qiu Jin had the mellowness of a woman, she smiled and said: "Wen Qing, I haven't seen Sister You Yi for a long time, I don't know if I can get together with her." I think that when we first met in Shanghai, you, me, Sister You You, Bosun, Zhenglan, and Wang Bin would be good if we could reunite. ”

Chen Ke is not opposed to the reunion, but all four members of the People's Party, including Chen Ke, hold important positions. It's not easy to get together like this. However, Chen Ke thought about it and said with a smile: "It's not impossible, everyone happens to be in Wuhan, and I'll make an appointment to meet you." ”

Seeing Chen Ke say this, Qiu Jin was also happy, "That's great." ”

Chen Ke did need to meet with the other three to discuss the current industrial integration issues. But that's the way things are in the world, once you get busy, you're very busy for a short time. The day after Chen Ke met Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin, the US representative suddenly asked to meet Chen Ke.

Wang Bin is now in charge of foreign trade, and trade with the United States can be said to be the most important. A large amount of heavy industrial equipment of the People's Party is imported from the United States, and the US representative also made it clear in advance that he hopes that Wang Bin will also be able to participate in the meeting. Chen Ke simply called You Wei to the meeting.

"We'd like you to be able to purchase an additional batch of equipment." The representative of the United States said bluntly. After speaking, he handed a list to Chen Ke. Unlike the British side, this list is in English, but a Chinese translation has been added under the English name very thoughtfully.

This time, Chen Ke did not simply glance at it, but took it and read it carefully. The key high-temperature and high-pressure reactor for ammonia synthesis, steel rolling equipment, and a whole host of other heavy industrial equipment related to the steel industry. There are always dozens of them.

"But this year's share has been roughly determined, and we don't have the money to buy these things now." Chen Ke replied.

"If you are willing to buy it with gold, we can continue to lower the current price." The representative of the United States replied.

"We don't have much gold." Chen Ke said with a look of embarrassment.

The representative of the United States laughed, "What if we say that this price is reduced by 40%?" ”

Even if Chen Ke, You Wei, and Wang Bin discussed it before the meeting, they had to pretend that they had no money anyway, and everyone practiced in front of the mirror, and when they heard this, the three of them still changed their faces.

"You get what you pay for, if the price is reduced by 40%, will the quality also be reduced by 40%?" Wang Bin couldn't help but ask.

"Your People's Party has always been very strict with quality requirements, and you can't just do it according to the original payment method?" The representative of the United States had been prepared.

Faced with such a price, Chen Ke felt that he was completely tempted. The economic crisis is an insurmountable problem for capitalism, and the BJP has a lot of intelligence points overseas, and it is no longer blind to the situation in Europe and the United States. After entering 1900, economic crises continued in Europe and the United States, and in 1900 and 1907, economic crises broke out in Europe and the United States. Textbooks specifically say that the economy was more ferocious before World War I. The news from the BJP confirms this. And the recent surge in gold prices in the international market has led to panic selling in the US stock market. Even a layman like Chen Ke can deduce that a large amount of money in the stock market has been withdrawn to buy gold.

The slump in the US domestic market has put pressure on the sales of industrial goods, and the demand for profits from the surge in gold. It is not incomprehensible that the representative of the United States proposed that gold could be used to buy industrial products at a six-rate discount.

"But we also need gold to stabilize our own currency." Chen Ke resisted the great temptation and began to talk about the current difficulties of the People's Party.

The American representative naturally saw through Chen Ke's thoughts, and he leaned back on the sofa quite relaxedly, "Mr. Chen, what do you think if I can negotiate a loan agreement with you?" ”

"Private loan or government loan?" Chen Ke wanted to pretend that nothing happened, but he felt that his heart couldn't help but start beating faster.

The U.S. representative looked at Chen Ke and said slowly: "A loan of 100 million US dollars." If you can provide a more reliable collateral, we could even consider $200 million. Of course, this loan must be used to buy goods from the United States. ”

Chen Ke and others were silent, such a sum of money means that a large number of industrial products can be purchased. At present, the base area has imported a large amount of machinery and equipment from the United States every year, and if it can obtain a one-time loan of 100 million or even 200 million, its driving effect is immeasurable.

Finally suppressing the excitement in his heart, Chen Ke felt that his brain was also a lot more flexible, and he asked tentatively: "May I ask the parliament that Your Excellency represents?" Government? Consortium? Or is it the Federal Reserve Board of the United States, which is said to be on the horizon? ”

The U.S. representative was stunned for a moment, and he looked at Chen Ke carefully before saying: "The U.S. Federal Reserve wants to issue a batch of dollars that cannot be exchanged for gold and silver. Pure banknotes or account transactions, must purchase U.S. goods. We have had a very pleasant cooperation in the past few years, and I think you have this need. ”

Chen Ke replied seriously: "But how do we pay it back?" It's easy to borrow money, but it's not easy to pay it back. The current trade balance allows us to guarantee solvency. But we can't be sure of what will happen in the next few years, and if we borrow debts that we can't pay off, won't we have to commit suicide? ”

The US delegate was quite satisfied with this remark, and he would not have put forward such a proposal if it had not been for the fact that the two sides had not established a minimum understanding and understanding over the past few years. With a smile on his lips, the representative of the United States said, "Mr. Chen, I have a suggestion. If you are willing to repay 20% of the loan with gold, all the loan will be used to buy goods from the United States. I would like to negotiate a package agreement with you. The loan amount can even be put between 200 million and 300 million. The method of repayment is secured by the raw silk trade. ”

After such an earth-shattering plan came out, Chen Ke even heard Zhang Bin's voice swallowing saliva. Afraid that after talking about it, Zhang Bin and You Wei couldn't help it, Chen Ke said: "This matter is too involved, can you come up with a feasible plan." ”

"There is a solution." The representative of the United States immediately pulled a document from his briefcase.

98% off, paid off in ten years, annual interest pay, 5% per annum. The BJP had to pay 20% of the total loan amount as collateral to the Americans as collateral at the same time as the BJP borrowed. After reading such a document that did not seem too harsh, Chen Ke expressed his objection at that time. "What you really give must be enough. Interest accrual must also be made from the beginning of the loan. If that's the case, I might as well ask for the 40% discount on the purchase price. ”

The preferential purchase can be negotiated in the package agreement. Our trade is already very high, and for you, it's just a matter of buying these goods years in advance. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The representative of the United States advised.

"Let's talk about it." Chen Ke felt that he could no longer pretend, and he hurriedly asked to interrupt the talks.

As soon as the American representative left, Chen Ke collapsed on the sofa. He finally understood what it was like to drop pie from the sky, and his own organs were fluttering wildly, and the whole person was immersed in excitement and excitement. Before the First World War, such a loan could be obtained and the equipment was purchased. Then the benefits of China's production capacity that erupted in World War I could easily pay off the money. As for the benefits obtained by the base areas, it is a great increase in industrial production capacity and a corresponding social promotion.

Even if You and Zhang Bin don't have Chen Ke's knowledge of history, they know the impact of this loan. Coupled with seeing Chen Ke's extremely rare gaffe, they all knew Chen Ke's attitude towards this loan very well.

"Chairman Chen, we might as well stabilize our own position first. If the Yankees see through our hole cards, I'm afraid they will dare to sit on the ground and increase the price. You Yu persuaded. However, it is one thing to persuade Chen Ke, and her excitement was completely exposed in You Wei's own voice.

"If we really ship this batch of gold to the United States, our own treasury will be emptied, right?" Wang Bin said worriedly. The Yankees' most ruthless point is that the People's Party will pay 20% of the gold loan to the United States first.

"If you want gold, you have to take Henan. There is a gold mine belt over there in Sanmenxia, and it is okay to pay the Yankees for this gold. Chen Ke said in a calm tone as much as possible. But he just said this to appease Wang Bin. Even if there is no more gold income, the dividends of the First World War, especially the dividends of industrial strength, are simply not comparable to such a little gold. Chen Ke himself does not have the concept of the gold standard, because of his background in chemical engineering, Chen Ke lacks a sense of "precious metals".

Shaking his head vigorously and sobering his mind for a while, Chen Ke said: "Immediately convene a meeting of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense!" I called Minister Hua as well. This time it was no small matter. ”

The meeting was of an extremely high level, and seven core cadres from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Central Military Commission attended the meeting. After briefly introducing the Americans' proposals, Chen Kexian asked the comrades to calm down, "We can completely ignore the Americans' suggestions this time. When the butcher died, he didn't eat hairy pigs. A country's industrialization must be based on its own strength. The comrades of the Military Commission have a limited level of knowledge of industry, so I will digress a little bit this time. What is called an industrial system, an industrial system is not called an industrial system if it has a bunch of factories. Beiyang felt that he could open a few factories and make something, which was called an industrial system. This view is very wrong. ”

Qin Tongren came from the old Beiyang, and when he heard Chen Ke criticize Beiyang in person, not only was he not angry, but he agreed with it very much in his heart. Industry is not a simple accumulation of factories, but a complete system of operations. For example, in the steel industry, which is the foundation of the industry, if the steel mills that have been built are to operate normally, they must first have ore and coke, consumable parts, and many workers and technicians who can run the steel plant. In what ways is the steel produced used to be processed into machinery? Or are they processed into farming tools or weapons? As Chen Ke said in a rather nasty joke, "Think about where to poop and pee before eating, otherwise don't eat." If you don't eat, you can control it, and if you don't pull or scatter, it will kill people. ”

If we take steel as an example, if a furnace of molten steel is burned, if it is not poured out, the furnace that was purchased at a high cost after the temperature is lowered will be completely wasted. If it is poured out at will, it will only solidify into a pile of iron ingots and steel ingots that are strange and difficult to process. In recent years, the People's Party has imported a large number of steel rolling equipment, and it has also made efforts to imitate various steel processing equipment, and these technical efforts have made the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense suffer a lot. This is not just money, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has paid a lot of lives, and many people have been injured in various tests, and even left with lifelong disabilities. Industry is indeed an industry that is the result of blood, sweat and human life.

After listening to Chen Ke's brief introduction to the concept of the industrial system, Hua Xiongmao asked, "So what should our army do?" ”

"Manage and control." Chen Ke replied.

Hua Xiongmao was stunned for a moment, he was a little puzzled by how the army could participate in the management of industry. "Our specific job is ......"

Chen Ke replied: "In another year or so, a civil war will definitely break out. At that time, we had to face not only the attacks of the Beiyang Army and other provinces on the frontal battlefield. It is also necessary to prevent enemy sabotage inside the base area. A steel plant has such a large investment, and one person with an explosives bag can cause sabotage to stop the steel plant. Therefore, how can we tightly control the interior of the base area and defend these key departments? It is the responsibility of the army. In addition to factories and mines, transport lines are also a top priority. The work of the army is heavy. ”

"Then we have to continue to expand the army. At the moment, 600,000 troops are absolutely not enough. Hua Xiongmao replied.

"If you want to expand the army, you should consider it above three million. If the whole of China is liberated, it will not work without this number. Chen Ke originally wanted to say five million, but considering that his opponent was not the Kuomintang in 1945, which claimed to have an army of eight million, but the Beiyang government. He lowered that number by two million.

"We have only 62 million people in our base area at the moment." Hua Xiongmao was frightened, the ratio of twenty to one troops was too appalling.

"So we want to liberate Henan. After the liberation of Henan, the population of the base area will reach 100 million. Henan is also a large production province, if you can use chemical fertilizers, two seasons a year. One season of winter wheat and one season of corn. Food is not a problem. As a native of Henan, and some students work in the Food Department, Chen Ke is still very confident in the food situation in Henan.

"What are we doing at the moment?" Qin Tongren was not too interested in the army.

"Yes. You need to integrate industrial production now. Once the war starts, all the weapons and ammunition will have to be borne by ourselves. So I'm not asking for precision for now, I'm asking for homogeneity now. All similar industrial products can be homogenized as much as possible. Of course, I'm well aware that this needs to be accumulated, so do your best. ”

"If you want to homogenize, you have to solve the process problem, and now we haven't understood the process principle of many imported technologies." Qin Tongren regretted this.

Chen Ke replied: "Is there a way to spend more than a year in the future, and after that, there may be a war at any time." I don't want this industrial system to be advanced now, but this industry must be able to withstand all kinds of pressures in the war, and it must be able to run itself. That's why I set up the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense to let you take charge of all industries. ”

"Is it steam power or electricity in terms of industrial power?" Kong Zhang couldn't help but speak.

"Kong Dianba, let me ask you a question," Chen Ke made a rare joke with Kong Zhang in terms of title, "I heard that you wanted to take on the work of measuring instrument manufacturing last time?" ”

Kong Zhang's personality was a little pixpy, he waved his hand again and again, "Don't talk about that, last time I knew that the sky was high and the earth was thick, I was wrong." ”

Qin Shi Huang's great merit is that the book is the same text, and the car is on the same track. This also includes the unification of weights and measures. The industrial circles of the BJP soon ran into problems with weights and measures. Chen Ke does not understand the imperial system, only the metric system. So he naturally pushed for metric units. The advantage of the metric unit is that it is a unit of length based on 1/40 million of the total length of the Earth's meridian passing through Paris. On May 20, 1875, the French government came forward to convene a meeting of representatives of 20 national governments, and formally signed the Metric Convention, which recognized the metric system as the international unit of measurement. At the same time, it was decided to establish the International Committee for Weights and Measures and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.

With rice, one cubic meter can be determined. Then there is a temperature measurement tool that determines the weight in kilograms. Then you can use a number of methods such as equalization to determine grams, milligrams, and these more detailed things.

The Second Industrial Revolution requires more detailed measurements, especially in power systems. One of the simplest examples is a copper cable core. If the wire is thin, it won't work, and it won't work if it's too thick. The People's Party lacks copper, and even if the cross-section of the cable core is only a little bit of area, after the accumulation of tens of thousands of meters, it is also a huge consumption. Faced with this situation, Kong Zhang once volunteered to take on the work of the base measuring instrument factory. In less than two months, he obediently said that he couldn't do it. Just a hot and cold shrinkage material problem, Kong Zhang was confused. In winter and summer, if the tolerances of the measuring tools are more than a few microns apart, this is a terrible problem. The BJP's current technology simply cannot solve such problems. Seeing that Chen Ke and Kong Zhang were joking, You Wei and Qin Tongren also laughed.

Everyone understands industry, so they naturally know that this is just a joke. If you can't do this kind of thing, you can't do it, and it's useless to be in a hurry.

"Try to use electricity as much as possible." Chen Ke slapped the board, but he still didn't want to let go of Kong Zhang, "Kong Dianba, you are shouting to build a power grid, and two or three years have passed in a blink of an eye, how are you building?" ”

Kong Zhang didn't mess up his position, "Chairman Chen, last year, when we engaged in this city-level substation transmission, more than a dozen people died. If you push me again, I'll do it at this speed. ”

"I asked you to engage in urban substation transmission, because I was afraid of industrial power problems when large-scale expansion of industrial production capacity was carried out. How have you accumulated experimental data over the past few years? In various seasons and climates, how many problems will be found in power transmission? Chen Ke was still not at ease.

"Wuhan is basically electrified, and the maintenance has increased from one or two hundred a day to fifty or sixty now, from a transformer explosion every two days to a transformer explosion once a week. There is progress, there is progress. Kong Zhang replied.

Hua Xiongmao and Kong Zhang didn't see each other much, and they were greatly surprised when they heard this terrible failure rate. However, seeing that Kong Zhang was arrogantly saying brazen words, Chen Ke also listened carefully and did not look angry. Hua Xiongmao was a little confused. Is the power system so unreliable?

"Today, let's just have a meeting first, and tomorrow we will give you an outline, and comrades will formulate their own needs according to the outline, and there will be more meetings in the future, so be mentally prepared. The meeting is now adjourned. Chen Ke gave the order.

In the evening, Chen Ke continued to do Dong and had a meal with a group of old friends. Qiu Jin originally wanted to pull the family meal first to ease the atmosphere. But this effort has had no effect. She could see that You Wei, Hua Xiongmao, and Zhang Bin all had something on their minds. Even when they get together, everyone's mind is far from reminiscing about the past. The party was so confused.

When Qiu Jin and Chen Tianhua returned to their residence and closed the door carefully, Chen Tianhua said, "This time it's for nothing." Wen Qing seems to be enthusiastic, but in fact, he doesn't take us seriously at all. ”

Qiu Jin didn't refute, relying on her parents at home to go out and rely on friends. The reason why she hoped to have this gathering was to make a final effort to see if Hua Xiongmao, who was a relative, and You Wei, who was an old acquaintance, could help the Zhejiang West Branch of the Guangfu Society out of affection. At this meeting, it can be seen that Chen Ke is the one who attaches the most importance to the Zhejiang branch of the Restoration Society. Hua Xiongmao and You Wei completely ignored the Restoration Society.

Thinking of this, Qiu Jin couldn't help but complain: "What is the People's Party busy with every day? Where is there so much to do? ”

Xu Xilin waved his hand, "Don't worry about these anymore." After we went back, we told the comrades of the western Zhejiang branch that the People's Party must carry out land reform. This is the end of the relationship between our western Zhejiang branch and the People's Party. ”

Seeing that Xu Xilin was angry, Qiu Jin couldn't help but persuade Xu Xilin again, "Bosun, when Wen Qing talks about his political position, I think what he said is not unreasonable. If it is divided according to what he said, the position of many people in our western Zhejiang branch is still on the side of the people. We and Mr. Cai were already very unhappy, and a few of the comrades of the Liberation Society who stayed in Hangzhou shouted that they wanted to kick us out of the Liberation Society. If we are also infighting. Isn't it a joke? ”

"Those gentry are also inconsiderate of the revolution!" Xu Xilin's tone was also full of dissatisfaction.

Qiu Jin saw that Xu Xilin's attitude had also eased, and she continued: "Bosun, we might as well just talk to Wen Qing, we came this time to ask him for advice on how to make the two sides safe. Wen Qing has a lot of ideas, let's really ask for advice, he should help us come up with ideas. ”

Xu Xilin couldn't think of any other way. The Zhejiang West Branch of the Liberation Society is divided into two factions at the moment, and there is a lot of trouble. The brothers who were originally born and died, first argued, and then quarreled. Especially around the matter of the People's Party's land reform, whether Zhexi should follow up on it, and what policies should be upheld if land reform. Recently, the Liberation Council has become a situation of incompatibility. Mo said that there was no need to talk about the land reform that was originally discussed, and even the original consensus on rent and interest reduction has been violently shaken. Thinking that if he slapped his ass and left now, he would have to face these situations when he returned to western Zhejiang, Xu Xilin's attitude finally softened, and he sighed, "Alas! That's all there is to it. ”