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To solve the quality problem of Hanyang Iron Works, it is only necessary to conduct laboratory analysis of iron coal, and then choose an alkaline open-hearth furnace or modify an acid converter to solve it.

But at that time, China lacked skilled personnel and scientific knowledge; Foreign engineers are difficult and reluctant to teach key technologies easily. Therefore, when the problem that had plagued the Hanyang Iron Works for many years was solved by Chen Wenqiang, and after investing money to bring the Hanyang Iron Works back to life, it immediately aroused the amazement of the world.

"Half a month?" Zhang Zhidong, the governor of Huguang, put down the newspaper, took off his reading glasses, and shook his head incredulously.

"More than half a month." Gu Hongming, who is the "interpreter" of the Zhangzhidong shogunate, thought for a while and said: "I heard that a group of personnel arrived in advance, and with the cooperation of Li Weige, the general office of the iron factory, the relevant work has been started. Chen Wenqiang will only be officially accepted at that time, saying that it is half a month, but in fact it is more than a month. ”

"It's been more than a month!" Zhang Zhidong sighed, "After several years of difficulty, he was able to solve it in more than a month, he is really a wizard of foreign affairs." Cen Chunxuan, hehe, I really found a good help. When the court commends him, his position in the court will be more solid and his momentum will be stronger! ”

"Chen Wenqiang may not be Cen Chunxuan's person." Gu Hongming groaned and said: "It should just be borrowing from each other." However, Chen Wenqiang was very thoughtful, and took advantage of the decline of the Hanyang Iron Works to talk about the benefits of corporatization in the newspapers, apparently to promote the imperial court to implement the "Company Law" as soon as possible, so as to pave the way for the country's industrial and commercial development and reduce obstacles. And from a deep point of view, it is not reserved for Cen Chunxuan in case he loses power in the future. ”

"It makes sense." Zhang Zhidong thought so and said: "If the "Company Law" is introduced, Hanyang Iron Works has been changed to a commercial office, and it will be managed by the law. The imperial court had just implemented a new law, and Chen Wenqiang was the main force of the constitutionalist. When it will not be Cen Chunxuan and planted. No matter whether Cen Chunxuan is prosperous or declining, this Chen Wenqiang is already invincible. It's just that this guy can't help but ignore Ben Du too much, and he hasn't posted a post to ask for a meeting so far. ”

"People with the ability are naturally a little arrogant." Gu Hongming felt that it was not a big deal, which was also similar to his temperament, so he helped Chen Wenqiang speak. "I just took over the iron factory, and I am busy with affairs, so I can't get out for a while."

Born in Penang, British Malaysia, Koo Hung-ming has an amazing understanding and memory of languages since he was a child. At the age of fourteen, Gu Hongming was sent to Germany to study science. Later, he returned to England and mastered English, German, French, Latin, and Greek. He was admitted to the prestigious University of Edinburgh with honors and was appreciated by the Chancellor, the famous writer, historian and philosopher Carlisle.

After obtaining a master's degree in literature, Gu Hongming went to the University of Leipzig and other famous universities in Germany to study literature and philosophy, and successively obtained 13 doctorates in literature, philosophy, science, and divinity. Speaks nine languages. After returning to his hometown of Penang after 14 years of study, Koo met Ma Jianzhong and talked to him for three days, and his thinking changed significantly, and he immediately resigned from the colonial government to study Chinese culture, and embarked on the road of writing to promote Chinese culture and ridicule Western studies.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Gu Hongming also translated the Analects and the Mean into English, which were published and published overseas. Later, he translated "The University". You know, I want to translate ancient Chinese scriptures into Western languages. You must be proficient in both languages and be able to understand both cultures thoroughly. Otherwise, it will be impossible to reflect the essence of Chinese culture as a whole, which is by no means possible for ordinary people.

Because of his knowledge and ability, although Gu Hongming has been only Zhang Zhidong's staff for more than 20 years. But he was very arrogant, and even dared to make fun of Zhang Zhidong and the two governors of Huguang before and after Duanfang.

"In addition to having the ability, he is also very rich." Zhang Zhidong paused and said in a deep voice: "It should be good at fundraising, not only domestic." There are also foreign ones; Not only Chinese, but also foreigners. Tang Sheng, you said that the construction of the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway can be entrusted to him? ”

In October 1896, the Qing government ordered the construction of the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway. However, due to the huge cost of construction, the construction was delayed until July 1900, and the progress was slow. By August 1903, only 49 kilometers of Guangzhou-Sanshui branch line had been built. In June 1905 (the 31st year of Guangxu), Zhang Zhidong was ordered to supervise the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway. First, after difficult negotiations with the American company, the right of way was redeemed at a high price, and the three provinces were each assigned to their own lots.

Originally, it was a great thing to take back the right of way from foreigners, raise funds from Chinese merchants, and build railways through the strength of the Chinese themselves. In particular, with the flourishing of the nationalist trend of thought in the economy, "rejecting foreign debts, abolishing contracts, and collecting roads for themselves" has become a clear slogan of the gentry throughout the country, and the resumption of mining rights and road rights has also become a conscious movement of the people, especially the intellectual circles and national business circles.

As a result, the Chinese "do not borrow foreign debts and build roads on their own" has also become a craze, and commercial railway companies have also been established in various places, such as the Guangdong Chaoshan Railway Company, the Hunan Provincial Branch Road Corporation, and the Sichuan-Han Railway Co., Ltd. However, the lack of funds is the biggest problem for commercial railways. For example, Guangdong raised 14 million taels of share capital, equivalent to half of the investment in the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway in Guangdong; Hunan raised 5 million taels, less than one-fifth of the investment in Hunan of the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway; Sichuan raised 16 million taels, which is only one-sixth of the investment in the western section of the Sichuan-Han Railway (Chengdu to Yichang).

In addition, in order to raise shares, these provinces have also set up rice donations, housing donations, and even rent shares (rent shares per mu), salt shares, tea shares, and local medicine (opium) shares, which will inevitably increase the burden on small households and poor peasants. And the erosion and misappropriation of railway company employees is even more common. The most ironic thing is that Sichuan established a railway company in 1903, but it has not yet built an inch of railway, but it has already spent more than 10 million taels, and the accounts are piled up and cannot be calculated. In this way, the opening of the Guangdong-Hanzhou and Sichuan-Han railways will not be until the Year of the Monkey.

Correspondingly, most of the railways built with the help of foreign capital are well funded and the construction speed is also fast, such as the Jinghan Railway, the Shanghai-Nanjing Railway and the Bianluo Railway, three long lines have been completed one after another, which is in sharp contrast to those commercial railways that have been "running for many years and not improving".

Due to the extreme shortage of railway construction and management talents in China at that time, it seems that it is not an exaggeration to send such talents from foreign parties in the process of railway construction, and in many cases, it is not possible to talk about the intention to control China's right of way. In this regard, nationalism is exciting, but it is not necessarily effective.

Zhang Zhidong and Gu Hongming saw this. However, in the context of nationalist entanglements, decision-making is caught in a dilemma: continuing to run the policy is not conducive to the urgent requirements of railway construction and the long-term development of the country; However, if we want to borrow foreign debts and implement the policy of having the main railway lines built by the state, although we can complete the construction of the railway at a relatively fast speed, it will inevitably meet with strong opposition from the people at home and provoke a large-scale wave of resistance.

Gu Hongming thought for a moment. Gently shook his head and said: "The cost is too great, the time is too long, and the results are too slow, even if Chen Wenqiang is good at dancing with long sleeves, I am afraid he will not invest funds and energy in the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway." However, to undertake a railway project in a province, it is still possible to negotiate with it. ”

"If we can build a railway in Hunan or Hubei in a short period of time, it will also be a great achievement." Zhang Zhidong sighed: "This official is ordered to supervise and supervise, and so far not an inch of railway has been completed. Lose the court, and shame the people. Every time I think about it, I can't sleep at night! ”

"Chen Wenqiang is very shrewd, if he wants to promise, I am afraid that it will not only be satisfied by the railway revenue." Gu Hongming paused, and then said with a wry smile: "But it is much stronger than the Sheng family, if it is not reputable, how can it raise huge funds at home and abroad?" How can there be the support of many industrial and commercial tycoons? ”

As he spoke. The next person came to report that Chen Wenqiang, general director of Han (Hanyang Iron Works) Metallurgical (Daye Iron Mine) Ping (Pingxiang Coal Mine) United Coal and Iron Company, posted a post asking for a meeting.

"Said Cao Cao. Cao Cao arrived. Zhang Zhidong really wanted Chen Wenqiang to eat a closed door, beat his arrogance, and also show his resentment, but Gu Hongming smiled and said nothing, doing so was inevitably a bit narrow, so he had to shake his head helplessly. He commanded, "Yes, please." ”

"Your Excellency the Governor, Chen Wenqiang does not ask to see him as an official, which is intriguing!" Gu Hongming reminded on the side.

Zhang Zhidong frowned and thought about it, knew it in his heart, and nodded at Gu Hongming. It means that he has understood the deep meaning.

Seeking to see as an official is to bow down to the top, and it is natural for the official to reprimand him, whether it is right or wrong, he must be respectful; Seeking to see him as a businessman, although he still bows down to him, but in business, he is a good citizen, and he has not committed a traitor, and you are also very restricted if you want to point fingers.

Moreover, through the success of the Hanyang Iron Works, Chen Wenqiang has established a certain momentum in public opinion. The reason for the postponement of the visit was precisely because the renovation of the Hanyang Iron Works would be effective in the short term, so Chen Wenqiang temporarily changed his original plan. In fact, there is a discrepancy between the news published in the newspaper and the facts, and the Martin furnace does not need to be modified and can be produced normally; However, only one Bessemer converter has been renovated, and there is still trial production and commissioning. But success is unquestionable, it's only a matter of time.

Suits, leather shoes, top hats, trench coats. Chen Wenqiang visited Zhang Zhidong in a completely Westernized outfit, only bowed his hands deeply, but did not kneel and kowtow. You want to be called Zhen'er, but you will find that he is also an official and a businessman, whether he asks for a meeting or a visit, and his rhetoric is very flexible.

And Gu Hongming is also in a suit and leather shoes, and he is born with a foreigner appearance with deep eyes and a high nose, as soon as they met, he attracted Chen Wenqiang's attention.

One of Chen Wenqiang's characteristics is that he plans before acting, and he has learned some about Zhang Zhidong's situation in advance, and he also knows a lot about his famous staff.

There are indeed geniuses in this world, and after learning about Gu Hongming's situation, Chen Wenqiang believes in this conclusion more and more. Nine Chinese dialects, thirteen doctors, if you are an ordinary person, how many years you have to study, maybe it is difficult to reach this level even if you try your best.

Noise, scrutiny, temptation...... The conversation slowly turned to the point.

"Within half a year, the Hanyang Iron Works will build four 30-ton Martin furnaces and a 150-ton mixed iron furnace, and the output of pig iron and steel will greatly exceed that before the shutdown, and there is no problem in turning losses into profits." Chen Wenqiang paused, smiled and arched his hand to Zhang Zhidong, and said: "Hanyang Iron Works has some foundation and scale, all of which are pioneering and enterprising by the Governor, and Chen is just opportunistic. ”

"Mr. Chen's proficiency in foreign affairs and his deep understanding of the essence of the West's 'political, educational, and technical knowledge' (i.e., technical and scientific knowledge) have given the Hanyang Iron Works a new look, and there is no need to be humble. It's just that I don't know that this production has increased dramatically, and the sales can be guaranteed? ”

Zhang Zhidong is very pleased with the resurrection of the Hanyang Iron Works, after all, it was the beginning of his establishment of foreign affairs, which was built by him, and if it can prosper, his face is also very glorious.

"As long as the quality of steel is guaranteed, there should be no problem in selling it in China." Chen Wenqiang said very confidently: "Even if you go out of various oceans, you can be sure that the corner is better than the world's shopping malls." ”

Obviously, Chen Wenqiang did not understand Zhang Zhidong's hints, or he didn't want to easily fall into Zhang Zhidong's trap and give up the dominance.

"When Sheng Xuanhuai took over the Hanyang Iron Works, he also swore an oath." Gu Hongming reminded him even more explicitly, "The Governor will ensure that he will be the superintendent of the Luhan Railway to ensure the sales of the products of the Hanyang Iron Works." Unfortunately, the Sheng family did not have this ability, and the Hanyang Iron Works was not well managed, and all the rails produced were not suitable, which disappointed the Governor's painstaking efforts. ”

"Railways are indeed a big demand for steel." Chen Wenqiang arched his hand, "The Governor not only runs foreign affairs, but also has power to change, and pays attention to practical benefits, which Chen admires." ”

"The railway is the first important end of self-improvement, and if the railway is not successful, he will not care about it." Zhang Zhidong stroked his beard and said solemnly: "The West is rich and strong, and it is especially rooted here." Mr. Chen, what do you think? ”

"Your Excellency the Governor." Chen Wenqiang smiled and complimented: "Railways and economic development, and national defense, are all of great significance. ”

"His Excellency the Governor also knew the importance of the railway, so he attached great importance to the construction of the railway." Gu Hongming said on the side: "The construction of the Luhan Railway is still going well, and the Duyue-Hankou Railway is costing a lot of money and the process is slow, which makes adults very worried. Mr. Chen is skilled in foreign affairs, can he have a wonderful way to complete the construction as soon as possible? ”

Chen Wenqiang thought about it, shook his head and said, "Chen doesn't know the specific situation, so he doesn't dare to say anything." However, the cost is huge, and it is not something that commercial offices can afford. As for the construction of the railway, a huge amount of capital is needed, which could not have been supported by private apportionment. ”

"So does the Governor." Zhang Zhidong frowned and said: "But if you want to borrow foreign debts, it will inevitably be boiling in the hearts of the people, which will arouse the people to rise up and oppose and resist." ”

"It is estimated that borrowing foreign debt is unavoidable." Chen Wenqiang pondered for a while and said: "As long as you don't lose the right of way, you can achieve mutual benefit and win-win with foreigners, why not?" Public opinion is boiling and the people's will is opposed, because the information is unclear and the understanding is biased, and there is no way to solve it. ”

While building railways, foreign capital often controls the right to manage, use, audit, and purchase materials of railways. What is more serious is that the loan contracts of these railways often stipulate that the Chinese side must use the entire railway industry as collateral, and if it fails to repay the principal and interest when due, the foreign party will take possession of the railway.

Therefore, "rejecting foreign debts, abolishing contracts, and collecting roads for themselves" has become a clear slogan of the gentry throughout the country, and the resumption of mining rights and rights of way has also become a conscious movement of the people, especially the intellectual circles and national business circles.

……………… (To be continued.) )