"If you know, it's good." Huang Yunzhi sighed softly, "I talked to those beauties sent by Yuan Dagongzi today, and the background of each of them is actually quite pitiful. ”

"Hopefully I can give them a bright future as well." Yang Shuoming took a deep breath and said.

Listening to what he said, Huang Yunzhi was stunned, blinked her big eyes, and didn't speak.

As long as she feels confused, she often shows this cute expression.

Yang Shuoming knew the question in her heart, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

"From now on, our command center will be moved to the capital." Yang Shuoming said, his eyes turned to the window.

In the distance, the majestic palace is clearly visible.

Fujian, Fuzhou Shipbuilding Bureau, Mawei Shipyard.

Shi Xuanhou stood on a dirt slope, looking at the desolate and deserted factory area, and had mixed feelings in his heart for a while.

When he was in Ganxi, the dream of shipbuilding in his heart still seemed so far away, and now, when the person he followed began to fulfill his previous promise, he felt a little lost.

Because he never imagined that the once glorious Mawei Shipyard would be so dilapidated.

The old sailboats moored on the river, the towering cranes, the mountains of scrap steel plates and rusty screws, and the slipways where weeds grow all pierced the heart of Shi Xuanhou.

From a distance, it looks like a dilapidated shipyard, but the abandoned rusty guns of a gate next to the scrap metal pile, and the broken stone monuments lying in the grass, remind the Elector of the extraordinary history of this shipyard.

In the 60s of the 19th century, when the Qing Dynasty was fully engaged in economic reforms, a new shipyard soon rose on the banks of the Ma River, covering an area of 600 acres, well-equipped and large-scale, and can be said to be second to none in the Far East.

In the following 30 years, the Mawei Shipyard built more than 40 ships of various types for the Qing Dynasty, accounting for 70 percent of the total domestic output at that time, and the first naval fleet of the Qing Dynasty, the Fujian Naval Division, was also established, and a large number of ships and generals were equipped for the Beiyang and Nanyang Naval Divisions in the future.

It is a pity that the navy established by the Qing Dynasty at great expense experienced the Sino-French Majiang Naval Battle and the Sino-Japanese Naval Battle respectively, and has been in a slump since then. The defeat to the French teacher who taught him to build a ship and build the army is understandable, but the defeat to the Yuben Navy, which is also in its infancy, makes the Chinese people embarrassed. In 1907, the Qing Dynasty ordered the Fuzhou Shipbuilding Bureau, which had been operating dismally, to stop shipbuilding. In 1911, the Xinhai Revolution was surging, and in the turbulent times, no one cared about China's shipbuilding industry anymore.

Shi Xuanhou still remembers that when Yang Shuoming, who was far away in the United States, sent him a telegram saying that he had bought the Mawei Shipyard and asked him to be the president of the newly established "Renhe Shipbuilding Heavy Industry," he was so excited that he almost fainted.

And now, as he stood here, he knew why that man had bought the shipyard at such a low price and given him far more operating funds than expected.

Today, the Mawei shipyard is barren and overgrown with weeds, and has been reduced to the point of relying on the sale of scrap iron. Only the large but dilapidated factory buildings and the mud-filled dockyard reminded him and those around him that it once had the glory of "the first shipyard in the Far East".

Shi Xuanhou and his entourage, under the leadership of the factory director and some reception staff, entered the factory.

In the engine shop, the blackened workshop doesn't look much different from what it was a few decades ago, with a corner of a group of black, skinny workers sitting around an oil-stained table, playing pai gow, and passing the boring time before work. Their expressions were calm and numb, not caring at all about these strangers who had just arrived.

Seeing all this, Shi Xuanhou couldn't help but sigh deeply in his heart.

In fact, since the fall of the Qing Dynasty, this most important shipyard of the late Qing Dynasty has begun to decline. In 1907, the Qing court ordered the shipyard to stop building ships, which meant that the Mawei shipyard lost its historical status as a shipbuilding base in China. Today, the so-called dream of a big ship, Mawei Shipyard has long been unable to afford, and the workers of the factory are only working hard to support their families.

Since entering modern times, the Chinese's dream of a powerful ship has never really come true. The Mawei Shipyard, once a dream base, no longer exists.

The backward political system of the Qing Dynasty eventually dragged China's shipbuilding industry to its death. Shi Xuanhou still remembers that in 1907, the "Times" published an article signed "Fujianese", angrily pointing out: "The big and small personnel of the shipyard office only want to increase their salaries and ask for leave, and they want to enrich their personal fat. ”

The largest shipyard in the Far East, built by the Qing Dynasty with the help of the whole country, looks magnificent on the outside, but is in fact fragile on the inside. Due to the lag in the reform of the political system, the problem has not been solved for a long time, and although the economic construction to which the Westernists have devoted themselves has made tremendous economic achievements, it has finally been destroyed without any suspense.

“…… The reason for its eventual stagnation and decline is not so much the incompetence of the officials as the accumulation of institutional defects. ”

The words of the young man who had sent him here to start over seemed to be ringing in his ears at this moment.

After the visit, Shi Xuanhou came to the shipyard compound, where the big banyan tree planted by Shen Baozhen was still lush.

"If Shen Wensu Gong sees the situation of the shipyard today, I don't know what it will be."

Wu Mingyun, the assistant next to Shi Xuanhou, saw that Shi Xuanhou's coffin face had turned the color of pig liver, and knew that he was very uncomfortable, so he joked.

Hearing this not very funny remark, the director of the shipyard who accompanied the tour laughed dryly, probably because the thick history of the Mawei shipyard made it difficult for him to speak, and he didn't say anything more.

"Walking through these workshops is equivalent to reading the history of shipbuilding in China." Shi Xuanhou sighed and said, "It seems that we have to start everything from scratch. ”

"I've seen their reference room, and the technical data accumulated over the years is there, and there are still many technicians and craftsmen." Wu Mingyun seemed much more confident than Shi Xuanhou, "General Yang has already opened the door for us to be in the navy, and has given us so much money, if it is planned properly, it will not take too long to resume production." ”

"It's easy to resume production, but it will take some time to build large warships." Shi Xuanhou sighed.

"It won't be too long, will it?" Wu Mingyun said, "I've seen their original equipment, it's too old, and it has to be replaced with a new one, aren't we rich now?" You can buy the best one from the United States right away. ”

In 1912, after the Fuzhou Shipbuilding Bureau was taken under the jurisdiction of the Navy, it was basically relying on the sale of machinery and scrap iron, and Yang Shuoming, who wanted to revitalize China's shipbuilding industry, after learning about the situation of the Fuzhou Shipbuilding Bureau, bought the shipyard through the Minister of the Navy Liu Guanxiong, handed it over to Shi Xuanhou to take care of, and gave him a large amount of operating funds, which was regarded as fulfilling his previous promise to Shi Xuanhou. Because he had money in his hand, Wu Mingyun, who assisted Shi Xuanhou, dared to say such things.

"It's not just about the equipment, it's also a trouble to have a shortage of workers, and we have to open a technical school for training." Shi Xuanhou was not as optimistic as Wu Mingyun, "Besides, the Minjiang River has been neglected for many years, the sediment has been quite serious, and the Mawei port is also very silted, and it is impossible to build too big a ship to start construction immediately." ”

The current Shi Xuanhou, somehow, is a little envious of his friend Lin Yuqing, who was sent to the United States as a shipbuilding supervisor.

"Send a telegram to General Yang, tell him about the situation here, and see if we can get the Fujian side to find a way to organize manpower to clear the dredging," Wu Mingyun said. ”

"That's all it can be." Shi Xuanhou nodded, "Let's build a freighter to run the factory first, and then consider launching a big ship!" ”

Shi Xuanhou and his subordinates talked about some details, and the workers who had heard the news that the factory was about to start again gathered at this time, looking at these strangers with surprised and slightly surprised eyes.

Yanjing, Jizhao Hutong, Duan's house.

"This is the political axe bulletin the other day. General Yang Shuoming has been relieved of his post as general of Shandong and has been reappointed as the national industrial and commercial superintendent. ”

Duan Qirui's adjutant Luo Fengge handed a communiqué to Duan Qirui, who was lying in a chair, "I heard that he also serves as the supervision of the National Railway and the National Economic Boundary Bureau. ”

"He Yuan Xiangcheng knows how to play this game," Duan Qirui sneered, and did not look at the communiqué, but threw the communiqué on the table, "It's just a matter of not letting this Yang Shuoming supervise Jiangxi, letting him be a general of Shandong and not allowing him to return to Jiangxi is a restriction in itself, and now he is completely removed from military power, and he is not even a town guard." Just to give such a bunch of titles to supervise, it's no wonder that people can be happy! Cai Songpo still hung the name of General Zhaowei in the General's Mansion! I don't know what he thinks! ”

"But I heard that this Yang Shuoming, like General Cai Songpo, doesn't seem to have any dissatisfaction, as if he has already taken office." Luo Fengge said.

"This shows that he and Cai Songpo are the same kind of characters." Duan Qirui sneered and said, "Isn't Cai Songpo originally supervised by the National Economic Boundary Bureau?" ”

After listening to his godfather's words, Luo Fengge did not dare to express his opinion again.

"Who is the new Shandong general?" Duan Qirui asked.

"It's Fu Xiao'an, and the fifth town is now officially under his command." Luo Fengge replied.

"Oh." Duan Qirui nodded thoughtfully, "Who did the three eastern provinces send there?" Is that Zhang Yuting? ”

"No, President Yuan appointed Duan Zhigui as General Fengtian and General Zhen'an of the Three Eastern Provinces, not Zhang Yuting." Luo Fengge said.

Hearing Duan Zhigui's name, Duan Qirui sneered again.

"He Yuan Xiangcheng is not afraid of chilling the hearts of those old brothers who were born and died together."

Hearing Duan Qirui's words so heavy, the young Luo Fengge was stunned and didn't dare to speak.

Looking at Luo Fengge's somewhat nervous appearance, Duan Qirui couldn't help but smile dumbly, he waved his hand and asked Luo Fengge to retreat.

Seeing Luo Fengge's submissive figure disappear at the door, Duan Qirui's gaze fell on the "Fifty Box Cannons" given to him by Yang Shuoming on the table, and a strange smile appeared on his face.

Yanjing, Yang's Mansion, Secret Room.

"There's a problem in Fujian again? Is it because of the money? ”

Seeing Yang Shuoming frowning while looking at the telegram sent from Fujian, Huang Yunzhi asked.

"No, I didn't expect the situation over there to be so bad." Yang Shuoming said, handing the telegram to Huang Yunzhi, "If you want to build a big ship there, you still need to do a lot of work in the early stage." ”

Huang Yunzhi took the telegram and glanced at it, and saw the words on it: "The shipyard has not built ships for a long time, and the workers are scattered, saying that they are selling scrap steel", "The devastation is full of eyes, three or five craftsmen, unkempt, and the dishes are miserable", "The machine has been abandoned for a long time, it is unusable, and it needs to be purchased again", "If you want to build a big ship, you still need to dredge the port and river first", and so on, she immediately understood why her husband said this.

"We've given him plenty of money, and it's not a problem for that shipbuilding maniac." Huang Yunzhi comforted him, "As far as I know, he is not only an excellent ship designer, but also a good manager. ”

"Yes, he sent this telegram to let me know the real situation over there," Yang Shuoming turned around and opened a folder, "Dredging the port river, he needs me to help him think of a way, and he can solve other things himself." ”

While the husband and wife were talking, an adjutant walked over quickly and handed a letter to Yang Shuoming.

Yang Shuoming saw the black and red herringbone logo on the envelope, and immediately opened the envelope and looked at it.

"What's wrong?" Seeing Yang Shuoming's expression gradually become solemn, Huang Yunzhi couldn't help but worry.

"Our President Yuan appointed Wang Shizhen as the 'Supervisor of the Participating Army' to organize and train the 'Participating Army,'" Yang Shuoming said, "and it may be necessary to transfer personnel and equipment from the Jiangxi Army." ”

"What?" Huang Yunzhi was shocked, "How can this be?" ”

"And that's to be expected." Yang Shuoming put down the letter in his hand, and the expression on his face gradually calmed down, "It's good that he didn't stuff all my Jiangxi army into the participating army." ”

"In this way, he is still not at ease with you, even if you have handed over the military power in your hands." Huang Yunzhi said.

"Just as Lord Yuezhang said, the merits are high, and I actually divided all the military exploits in Shandong to get the current result." Yang Shuoming lit the letter and envelope with a lighter and put them in the brazier, "Otherwise, I'm afraid it will be worse." ”

"The matter of building ships overseas is also a big trouble for us." Huang Yunzhi said, "For such a big thing, he will hear the wind sooner or later." ”

Yang Shuoming nodded, and was about to speak, when Xiao Yi, the head of the guard, walked in.

"General, there's a guest coming." Xiao Yat said.

"Don't call the general in the future, call it the superintendent." Yang Shuoming half-jokingly patted Xiao Yi's shoulder, "How is your injury?" ”

"It's okay." Xiao Yi showed a hearty smile and shook his arm, "Sometimes it can be a little itchy on a cloudy day, but I usually don't feel it, and I don't delay shooting at all." ”

"Great." Yang Shuoming nodded, "Who is the person who came?" ”

"It's General Wang Shizhen and General Chen Huan." Xiao Yat replied.

After listening to Xiao Yi's answer, Yang Shuoming and Huang Yunzhi glanced at each other.

"It's coming pretty quickly." Yang Shuoming smiled and said to Xiao Yi, "You go and ask them to wait a while, and I'll go over immediately." ”

Xiao Yi agreed, turned to leave, Yang Shuoming smiled and asked Huang Yunzhi, "What do you guess they came to me for?" ”

"It should be for the sake of the participating army," Huang Yunzhi tilted her head and thought about it, "But I think it is unlikely that they will ask you to lead the participating army and give you greater military power, and most likely they want us to equip the participating army with new weapons and equipment." ”

"That's right, there's progress." Yang Shuoming praised his beloved wife with a smile, and walked to the mirror to straighten the clothes on his body, "But it's not all." ”

"And what else do you say?" Huang Yunzhi came to him and helped him sort out his clothes.

"I'll tell you back." Yang Shuoming smiled and kissed her lightly on the forehead, straightened up, and looked at himself in the mirror.

"That Chen Eun is a powerful character." Yang Shuoming sneered, "I should learn from him." He reviewed the plan for improving the equipment of the participating armies drawn up by the "supercomputer eye", turned around and walked out.

When Yang Shuoming came to the living room, Wang Shizhen and Chen Huan were looking at the model of the "Dingyuan" ironclad ship on Yang Shuoming's table and sighed.

"Seeing this battleship reminds me of the time when I fought with Yue himself."

Wang Shizhen, who was already gray-haired, did not notice that Yang Shuoming had arrived, but stroked the ship model that had been wiped spotless by the maid, and sighed there, "We started earlier than we said, but we have fallen to the point where we are today, it's really sad and lamentable!" ”

"The president has approved the Admiralty's shipbuilding plan, and our China will definitely have warships as powerful as the Navy in the future." Chen Yan had already noticed Yang Shuoming's appearance, but he still pretended not to know and talked to Wang Shizhen.

"I'm sorry to keep Wang Lao and Yang Tian waiting for a long time." Yang Shuoming smiled and stepped forward to greet Wang Chen, Yang Shuoming noticed that Wang Shizhen and Chen Yan were wearing straight military uniforms.

"I just took office in the past two days, and there are too many things, so I ask Wang Lao and Yang Tian to forgive me."

"Hanzhi doesn't have to be polite, he is in charge of the national industry, and he has a lot of responsibilities, and he can't do it if he is not an energetic young man like Hanzhi." Wang Shizhen said with a smile, "If it rests on my old bones, it will be crushed." ”

"Wang Lao is a famous Beiyang guesthouse, and the younger generations have always admired him," Yang Shuoming smiled and looked at Chen Eun beside Wang Shizhen, "If there is anything we juniors don't understand in the future, we still need more guidance from Wang Lao." Isn't it, Yang Tian? ”

"Elder Wang is the dragon of the 'Three Heroes of Beiyang'," Chen Yan nodded with a smile, "Otherwise, the president would not have invited Elder Wang out of the mountain again." ”

(To be continued)