Like a snowball, Chen Wenqiang, because of his own ability and because of his left and right, the stall is getting bigger and bigger, and his power is getting stronger and stronger. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

It stands to reason that the Hubei Gun Factory was handed over to him for management, and in the eyes of outsiders, it should be a good thing with benefits and no harm. From the perspective of the Renaissance Society, this is the best guarantee for mastering the military industry and launching a revolution in the two lakes. But Chen Wenqiang's thinking is very different from others, and he has his own worries and considerations about how to take over.

The Hubei Gun Factory is in the hands, although there are many benefits, but it can also become a burden. It's very simple, if you take over, you have to run it well, and Chen Wenqiang will not invest money in the bottomless pit without seeing the benefits. As for the guns and cannons that were made, before they openly changed their faces, they must have been supplied to the Qing army, whether it was a new army or an old army, and whether or not they supported the revolution in the future.

What is more crucial is that a well-run arsenal is bound to be the focus of contention between both the enemy and us after the outbreak of the revolution, and the revolutionary army will definitely invest heavy troops to protect the arsenal to ensure that it will not fall into the hands of the enemy. Let's not talk about whether or not we can win a fierce battle, but let's talk about the overall arrangement of the revolution at present, with Qiongzhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guangdong as the center of gravity, and if we want to change, all aspects involved are quite complicated, and it cannot be completed in a short time.

All in all, Chen Wenqiang is quite worried about the geographical location of the Hubei Gun Factory. This is different from Yazhou, which hangs alone overseas. This is the hinterland of China, and the Beiyang Army can go directly south from the Luhan Railway, which will definitely be the place of the future war.

But in any case, the takeover is a certainty, it just needs to be cleverly planned. The first is to enable the Hubei Gun Factory to make a profit, and Chen Wenqiang will not do it at a loss; The second is to take the opportunity to turn the Yazhou Arsenal into the public, as a branch of the Hubei Gun Factory, to produce and manufacture weapons and equipment that are more conducive to the revolutionary army's operations; It is also possible to control the guns and ammunition of the new army of the South, which will be built up one after another.

Chen Wenqiang thought about it for a day, and then gathered his cronies to discuss it before rushing to Wuhan the next day. Negotiate conditions with Governor Jang Zhidong.

And if you want to fool Zhang Zhidong, Chen Wenqiang doesn't think it's difficult. Because although Zhang Zhidong is rich in learning, he doesn't understand science, as long as he speaks some terms or something, he is estimated to be dizzy.

"The steel produced by the Hanyang Iron Works is then processed by the steel tank factory. It should be no problem to make guns. But if you want to build artillery, you can't do it. The steel used to make guns should be mixed with chromium, manganese and other metal elements, and a special process should be applied before it can be applied. Chen Wenqiang observed Zhang Zhidong's expression and continued to flicker, "In addition, although the steel produced by the Hanyang Iron Works has been phosphorus removed, it can be used to make guns. But to make artillery, even if chromium and manganese are added, it is useless, and it is necessary to make steel with low-phosphorus pig iron. ”

"This low-phosphorus pig iron - well, the gun factory does purchase foreign materials, which is also in line with the reason you said." Zhang Zhidong obviously didn't understand, what kind of chromium and manganese were this, and it was low phosphorus, which made him a little dizzy. I just want to hear Chen Wenqiang's final charter.

Therefore, Xia Guan thought that the Hubei Gun Factory should be the first to refine and then to be wide. Prepare the guns and ammunition first, and then consider other weapons. Chen Wenqiang clarified his main meaning, "If you want to build artillery, the lower officials think that a branch factory can be set up, and if there are qualified steel materials, you will get twice the result with half the effort." ”

"It's expensive to build a branch, isn't it?" Zhang Zhidong walked into the train of thought designed by Chen Wenqiang, and said thoughtfully: "Look. You have to build iron works, steel mills, pharmaceutical factories, etc., and other ancillary facilities, which, there are not a few million taels, how can it be done? ”

"There is a convenient way for the lower officials." Chen Wenqiang deliberately groaned. said: "Yazhou Iron Works, adults know!" It was Xiaguan's industry, which was established early, and the iron ore used was also a low-phosphate ore in Qiongzhou. Originally, the steel-making materials were used for shipbuilding at the Huangpu Shipyard, and if the adults were interested, the lower officials could purchase chromium and manganese ore from Guangxi, and the Yazhou Ironworks would produce the steel for making guns. As for the pharmaceutical factory, Xia Guan thought that the current steel pharmaceutical factory could be divided into two, which were the gun factory and the Yazhou branch factory to produce gunpowder. ”

"No need to build a new factory?" Zhang Zhidong thought about it, and didn't decide immediately, but continued to ask: "The scale of Hubei Gun Factory is very large, if it only produces guns and ammunition, this, isn't this-ah-"

"Overcapacity, waste of resources." Chen Wenqiang poked out a new word again, Zhang Zhidong didn't understand it or not, anyway, he nodded in recognition of what he meant.

"It's reasonable for adults to be worried, but the lower officials think so." Chen Wenqiang praised it first, and then slowly began to explain, "According to the current output, but there are more than 30 fast guns per day, and a quarter of them cannot pass the precise inspection." After the lower officials took over, the output reached 80 branches per day within a year, which is probably the limit. And how many new troops does the imperial court have to train? Thirty-six towns, three or four hundred thousand people, if all supplied by the gun factory, how long will it take to produce? The gun factory is open day and night, I'm afraid it will be years long, right? Coupled with the supply of bullets, there is no need to worry about the problem of overcapacity. The key now is how to build satisfactory guns and get the big order for the new army to equip them. ”

"Well, well, Wen Qiang said it thoroughly." Zhang Zhidong was persuaded by Chen Wenqiang's detailed calculations, this is indeed what he hopes to achieve, the time is tight, the task is heavy, and the funds are lacking, except for Chen Wenqiang, who can complete this task?

"In addition, the gun factory can also produce ammunition for other new armies." Chen Wenqiang glanced at Zhang Zhidong and continued: "For example, the six towns of Beiyang use most of the foreign weapons, but the ammunition is not all purchased from foreigners, right? If the guns factory can produce and manufacture the sabers, sabers, and even pistols and ammunition used by the new army, how can it be said that resources are wasted? ”

"That's right, after calculating this detailed account, the headquarters is too worried. It seemed a little greedy before! Zhang Zhidong smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Then Wen Qiang is planning to take over the gun factory and share the worries of the headquarters?" ”

Chen Wenqiang nodded, and said with a wry smile: "Wen Qiang dares not to share the worries and solve problems for adults, but this condition, he must also petition to adults, so as not to disappoint the expectations of adults in the future." ”

Zhang Zhidong glanced at Chen Wenqiang, meaning to say: I have long known that you must take advantage of this to make some benefits, and you fought with me several times when you took over the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway, and it is the same now.

Chen Wenqiang didn't care, and said: "The accumulated deficit of the gun factory and the steel medicine factory is only tens of thousands of taels, so let's find a way to solve it!" Previously, the perennial fund of the gun factory was 360,000 taels, which was later increased to more than 800,000 taels. Wen Qiang didn't dare to open his mouth, as long as 400,000 taels, the adults would probably not refuse, right? In addition......"

Zhang Zhidong's face is getting darker and darker. Rolling his eyes, when Chen Wenqiang finally finished speaking, he snorted angrily and said, "Aren't you a lion opening his mouth?" Okay, now you're done, let's hear what the main department can do. Let's see what else can be squeezed out of the oil and water by you. First, 150,000 taels of foreign tax silver from Jianghan and Yichang were allocated to pay off the debt; Second, Hankou Huai Yan Li Jin, Yichang Sichuan Yan Li Jin, Hubei Migu Li Jin, Yichang Soil Medicine Tax, Soil Medicine Transit Tax, North Road Soil Medicine Tax ......"

Chen Wenqiang originally had the idea of asking for a sky-high price and paying back the money on the spot, but Zhang Zhidong was very realistic, and the conditions offered were already doing his best. Well, the arrears have been repaid, and the centigold, plus the messy local taxes, is also more than 200,000 taels. If more than 300,000 yuan is invested, it will be almost enough to purchase machinery and transform guns.

"One year!"

"Three years!"

"Two years at most!"

"Deal." Chen Wenqiang slapped his thigh, although the support of centigold and miscellaneous taxes is only two years, this is obviously Zhang Zhidong's final bottom line. To be a human being, you can't go too far.

Zhang Zhidong also let out a long breath, although he still has to take out a lot of local taxes and cents, but he has been spending a lot of money with the gun factory, and he has already shaken off the burden. Moreover. Chen Wenqiang's temperament and temperament he also knows a thing or two, or don't do it. If you want to do it, you can do it well. Therefore, he is still relatively confident about the prospects of the gun factory.

"My lord, the lower official has a small request." Chen Wenqiang's words made Zhang Zhidong nervous again, and he stared at Chen Wenqiang with a frown.

"I heard that next year, the imperial court will draw up and promulgate regulations for the formation and training of new armies in various provinces." Chen Wenqiang smiled slyly and said, "If the railway construction was smooth at that time, the railway patrol would not need much. Can some of them be transferred and included in the formation sequence of the new army? ”

Hmph, Zhang Zhidong understood what Chen Wenqiang meant, and couldn't help but roll his eyes, "You will save money." ”

Railway patrols are now paid by railway companies. Included in the new army will be supplied by the provincial finances, Zhang Zhidong thought that he had seen through Chen Wenqiang's careful thinking, and after thinking about it, he nodded reluctantly, "One standard, no more." ”

According to the establishment of the new army, a target is 2,000 people, and this number meets Chen Wenqiang's requirements, so he is not allowed to fight for it again.

"Thank you for your understanding." Chen Wenqiang breathed a sigh of relief, thanked him, and did not forget to complain, "In order to repair this railway, Xia Guan has put his net worth on his worth, and he has offended many people." The formation of railway patrol police is also a last resort for the purpose of building roads. If you pay for a long time, it is really unsustainable! ”

"The credit for building the railway, the headquarters will remember it, and it will not treat you badly." Zhang Zhidong's tone softened, and he laughed and teased: "It's true to offend people, but you have also made a lot of friends!" Some people enrich their pockets by controlling the road administration and delaying the construction of roads, but there are also people who count on the rapid completion of the railway and making profits! The railroad has not yet been completed, and the positions of the railway transport company have been divided among all parties, and you have benefited a lot from it, right? ”

"The gains are indeed greater than the losses, or the adults know it." Chen Wenqiang admitted calmly and said with a smile: "If there is no accident, the Changzhu line will be repaired in four months, and a year later, the Wuchang line will be completed." ”

"Good, good." Zhang Zhidong nodded again and again, and said with emotion: "As long as this railway can be completed, you are-" He suddenly paused and waved his hand, "Well, I can't say it, if you say it casually, you will definitely take advantage of the situation to make another request." Slippery head, the head of the department still has to be careful with you! ”

"My lord thinks so badly of the lower officials? Alas! Chen Wenqiang seemed to be a little aggrieved, but he didn't care, got up and said goodbye, "Xiaguan will go to take over the Hubei Gun Factory, please wait for good news!" ”

"Let it go, what the main department wants is the result." Zhang Zhidong got up and sent it to the door, and did not forget to remind: "We must make a batch of qualified guns as soon as possible, so that they can be sent to Beijing for inspection." If it is delayed, it will be too late to wait for the imperial court to set the charter. ”

"Don't worry, the lower officials will do their best, and they will definitely satisfy the adults." Chen Wenqiang took his leave and strode away.

……………

Although the Westernization Movement in the late Qing Dynasty was vigorous and fast, in fact, the investment was huge, and the results were very limited. Blindly launched, blindly built, blindly produced, many decisions and actions are close to child's play.

The most important problem is that lay leaders do not understand foreign languages or foreign affairs, and it is simply impossible to directly change from traditional officials to management and scientific talents.

Chen Wenqiang led a group of Chinese and foreign technicians to station in the gun factory, and soon discovered the problem and began to rectify it vigorously.

"Horcell, a pharmaceutical engineer, is a Swiss philosopher, and is not an expert in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The level of medicine made today is very low, and many of them are not suitable for the purpose of making medicine. ”

"There are those who are the supervisors of the medicine factories who are translating and filling, and those who are the craftsmen of the coppersmiths who are filling the factories with sulfur and water, what they are used to is not what they are used to, and what they are used is not what they are used to, and the general rate is yes."

"The disadvantages are all due to the improper use of people and the lack of orderliness. Check the factory to send the staff and craftsmen of the book, assign functions, the name is cumbersome, handle everything, do not have a certain authority, and there is no unified organ. ”

…………

Three days later, the problems and rectification documents about the gun factory had been put on the case of Zhang Zhidong. At the same time, Chen Wenqiang proposed to stop the modification of the German Committee Type 1888 and directly produce the Mauser Type 1898 rifle.

In this way, just the replacement of production equipment will require more than 300,000 taels, and it will be carried out by Chen Wenqiang.

Because Zhang Zhidong was very appreciative of the Mauser company's firearms, the Germans had to play tricks and falsely claim that the committee 1888 was Mauser 1888 before selling the drawings and production machinery. Moreover, Zhang Zhidong had already learned that Germany had eliminated the Commission 1888 type, so he decided to improve the existing Hanyang-made rifles. Now, the direct replacement of the more advanced Mauser 1898 style is naturally what Zhang Zhidong hopes and approves.

Whether the investment in improvement is large or the investment in direct replacement is a relatively complex issue. If it's just an improvement in appearance, and the actual performance is not much different, there is no point in making a small investment.

And if Chen Wenqiang wants to improve Hanyang manufacturing, he is not only satisfied with the aspects of illuminating the door, ruler, handguard, and sleeve.

First of all, in order to use a pointed bullet with greater accuracy and power, it is necessary to change the barrel diameter and rifling of Hanyang-made guns to solve the problem of exploding the chamber.

Secondly, the leakage made by Hanyang made it impossible to bulk the bullets, and it could not be reloaded in the middle of the shot, and it had to be all shot before it could be reloaded. This may not be a problem in the eyes of others, but it makes Chen Wenqiang, a sniper expert, dissatisfied.

In Zhang Zhidong's opinion, the investment is huge, but he definitely won't know that Chen Wenqiang has already purchased the production equipment of the German Mauser 1898 rifle in the Yazhou Arsenal. At first, it was for money, but now according to his good relationship with Germany, the re-purchase of production equipment must be quite favorable.

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