Around 1906, Duan Fang and Dai Hongci led the first batch of inspection delegations, and the second delegation led by Zai Ze, Li Shengduo and Shang Qiheng successively set out from Beijing in a low-key manner and went abroad to inspect the constitutionalism of various countries. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

From forcing foreign envoys to kowtow to taking the initiative to learn from foreign countries, the Qing Empire experienced an awkward and difficult turn, but after all, it turned to the side of hope.

Foreign public opinion reacted enthusiastically to the Qing court's dispatch of an inspection delegation. Long before the five ministers went abroad, some foreign newspapers carried the news that the Qing Empire was going to send an inspection delegation, and the British "Times" also published a series of commentaries entitled "On the Future of China," which spoke highly of China's new policy reform and the selection of ministers to go abroad for inspection.

After the five ministers were formalized, The Times published an article entitled "Chinese's China." The author, Brand enthuses, observes: "The people are crying out for reform, and it will come...... Today's Beijing is not the Beijing you knew a few years ago. China can abolish the imperial examination system that has been in place for so long without stirring up any commotion, and China will be able to bring about change, no matter how drastic. ”

Franck, the well-known originator of Sinology in Germany, published an article in the Cologne Zeitung entitled "Chinese Visiting Delegation Learns the State Management of Foreign Countries". In the article, Frank said optimistically that the purpose of the Qing delegation's visit to China was to study the political and economic systems of Japan, Europe and the United States, and that it would be very likely that the Western constitution and system would be transplanted to China.

Both Chinese and foreign countries have pinned their hopes on the Qing court's delegation, hoping that their visit will bring something different to China. The wish is good, but the only thing that can be predicted is that the constitutional movement will inevitably accelerate. Will take a big step forward.

Obviously, the decision to set off in batches and travel in a low-key manner was due to the fear of the bombs of the revolutionary party. At this time, Chen Wenqiang, who politely refused to participate in the selection of candidates from various provinces to go abroad with the delegation, was showing his strength in the Lianghu area. Create achievements that have attracted the attention of the government and the opposition.

The development and construction of the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway, Hanyang Iron Works, Daye Iron Works, Changlei Manganese Mine, Sino-American and German Joint Coal Chemical Company, Sino-German Joint Telegraph and Telephone Company, Sino-German United Locomotive Manufacturing Company, and Sino-American United Tram Company are either built, or started, or have a new look, or expand the market, and the development and construction of the two lakes area has embarked on the fast track, changing at an amazing speed, changing people's concepts and lives.

In his book The Evolution of Cities, the British scholar Kenh proposed that the beginning of modern cities originated from the era when railways were the main transportation. In this way, the railway became a strength and a spirit.

The Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway is the main artery, and the branch road connected to it is equivalent to a vein or capillary, which also plays a non-negligible role in the economic development of the region. While building trunk roads, Chen Wenqiang did not ignore this, and he adopted a small investment and fast construction method - laying light rail railways and running electric passenger trains.

The so-called light rail railway. Like the subway, it has its own dedicated tracks, and at the same time can be exercised on the ground like a bus. So it's a mode of transportation between the subway and the bus. Its tracks, which can be laid on the ground or on elevated roads, are particularly suitable for medium-distance urban and rural traffic.

As a result, the German company Siemens, with its leading position in the electric locomotive industry, has become the object of Chen Wenqiang's joint venture. Coupled with the investment from the United States, the Sino-American and German United Tram Company was established in Wuhan. With Wuhan as the center, the light rail railway leading to Caidian, Hongshan, Qingshan, Huarong and other places was laid.

Since Chen Wenqiang began to cooperate with German companies, Siemens has undoubtedly benefited the most and expanded its business the most. Electrical, communications, transportation, business is comprehensive; Shanghai, Southeast China, Southwest China, Central China. The area is almost half of China.

Especially in the field of telecommunications, Siemens, with the help of Chen Wenqiang, defeated the rival Danish "Great Northern Telegraph Company" in South China and Central China, which was a supplier and partner in the Daqing telegraph industry. This success alone is enough to make Siemens happy. The invention of a variety of plastics by Chen Wenqiang has undoubtedly made Siemens a new breakthrough in the electrical field, and the prospects for cooperation are bright and brilliant.

In the promotion and use of the new telephone, Siemens has adopted a strategy of low-price competition, and the sales wave is also unexpected for the company, making it difficult for its production to keep up with the growth of demand. Investing in China, using China-produced plastics, and taking advantage of China's cheap labor have become the best choice for Siemens to occupy the Asian market.

However, Chen Wenqiang's interest is obviously not entirely in the manufacture of telephones and the popularization of telephones, but he wants to use Germany's scientific and technological level to develop wireless telegraphy with more prospects and practical value.

"From here to Shanghai and then to Qiongzhou, I have to first establish a three-point wireless telegraphy." Chen Wenqiang took a pencil and casually drew three circles on the map, ignoring the bitter expression on the face of the representative of Siemens, "Within a year, the wireless telegraph connection between these three points must be established." In fact, as long as the equipment is available, it is also very simple to have a few more points. ”

Halsk felt a little helpless about Chen Wenqiang's idea, so he had to persuade: "The transmission of radio waves is not stable, and it requires high power and a large antenna. The cable telegraph, on the other hand, was much more reliable and technologically sophisticated. ”

"Then look at the information." Chen Wenqiang stubbornly adhered to his own ideas, and also took out documents and materials as evidence.

In 1895, Marconi successfully experimented with radio wave transmission in his garden, and obtained a patent the following year; In 1898, wireless telegraphy was successfully tested across the sea on both sides of the English Channel, with a communication range of 45 km; In 1899, a communication link was established at a distance of 106 km; In 1901, Marconi successfully received wireless telegraphy across the Atlantic with a kite towing antenna in Canada; Beginning in 1903, news was transmitted by radio from the United States to the British newspaper The Times, which appeared in the newspaper on the same day......

"The Atlantic Ocean spans more than 3,000 kilometers, and since the transmission of news by wireless telegraph has been stable and normal, how much distance is there between Shanghai, Wuhan, and Qiongzhou? Moreover, in Tianjin, China, Beiyang Minister Yuan Shikai opened a radio training course last year. Acquired radio sets, installed in Nanyuan, Baoding and other camps and some warships. Chen Wenqiang looked at Halsk with suspicion, and said unhappily: "Could it be that your company wants to keep the technology secret, so you refuse to help me establish a wireless telegraphy, and refuse to help Governor Zhang lead Yuan Shikai in this field?" If that's the case, I think Bell in the United States, General Electric. Maybe you'll be willing to help? ”

Halsk swallowed hard, changed his tone, and said: "Mr. Chen insists on this, of course the company will do its best to help." When it comes to wireless telegraphy, in fact, the technology is not complicated, and the wireless telegraphy technology in our country is also very advanced. One year's time will definitely make Mr. Chen get satisfactory results. ”

It is not an exaggeration to say that German radio technology really does not lag behind other countries. The scientist Braun will also be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909 for his improvements to wireless telegraphy technology.

Chen Wenqiang smiled like an old fox and said: "A year is just talking, I mean the sooner the better." By the way, I heard that the engineering team set up by your company has encountered some trouble in the laying of the light rail to Caidian, do you want me to help solve it? ”

"Of course, Mr. Chen needs to send someone to solve it." Halsk smiled bitterly and nodded yes, no way, without Chen Wenqiang as an agent, it would be quite difficult for Siemens to expand its business in China, where there is strong xenophobia among the people. This is the same situation that many foreign-funded enterprises faced at that time.

"No problem." Chen Wenqiang achieved his goal and was in a happy mood. With a quick wave of his hand, he called his subordinates and ordered the matter to continue.

Using the big stick of "clinging to the chaotic party", Chen Wenqiang successively solved three local squires who tried to incite the people to obstruct the construction of the road, and now no one dares to openly fight horses. And Du Yuesheng, Yang Hongming and other subordinates have also learned and mastered this weapon, and many things no longer need Chen Wenqiang to go out in person.

"Except for the light rail laying. In addition, the work of erecting telegraph and telephone lines often encountered obstruction from the Chinese people. Halsk smiled bitterly and said, "If Mr. Chen can send some railway patrol officers to follow and protect him, the work will be much smoother." ”

Chen Wenqiang thought for a while and said, "Okay, I can send someone to accompany me to protect it." But not the railway patrol, but this, the local patrol. When I present it to the Governor, I will take on the post of local patrolman. ”

Doing everything possible to grasp the armament is Chen Wenqiang's justifiable expansion of power in the name of ensuring the normal operation of roads and factories. Although there are railway patrol officers along the railway line, Chen Wenqiang is obviously not satisfied with the development of the line, and if he competes for the title of a senior patrol officer, he will be able to extend his tentacles to the towns along the railway line, and develop from the line to the surface.

Chen Wenqiang inherited some of the privileges and policies granted by the government to the railway company, although he did not use them as a tool to treat and exploit the people. But it is very good for him to gradually control the grassroots power. For example, the yamen in the original company had a strong habit, and the company's leaders even dared to issue notices to the society in the form of official documents of "Anmin Notice", just like the government's uncle. Well, that's very good, the notice should be issued, so that the people are accustomed to listening to the words of the railway company, and in the future, it will naturally be the railway company that has the right to guide public opinion is the most credible.

"Of course it's good." Halsk nodded with a smile, stretched out his thumb like a Chinese, and said: "If Mr. Chen can take over the official post of maintaining local public order, it will be of great benefit to the development of our common cause." ”

"A common cause, yes, should have that awareness." Chen Wenqiang was a little cheeky, got up and patted Halsk's arm, and said: "The matter of opening an electrical major at Dehua University is basically decided, I think it is better to open another telecommunications major, teacher, please send someone to help!" ”

"No problem, no problem." Halsk smiled and nodded repeatedly, this is not a loss-making business, the teachers and professors of Dehua University have salaries, and the Germans will teach them, and in the long run, they will naturally be better than the British and Italians.

"Wait for a vacation in Yazhou in your spare time." Chen Wenqiang also gave Halsk a sweet date in understanding, and described it quite vividly: "The sunshine, the beach, the sea water, tsk, is refreshing!" ”

"It's a beautiful place." "I've seen photos in newspapers and magazines, and I've heard from friends that it's being built into the best vacation place in China by Mr. Chen. ”

Not to mention anything else, when it comes to the enjoyment of modernization, Chen Wenqiang is naturally many times better than others. Trendy toys such as electric lights, telephones, and fans, coupled with entertainment and leisure projects such as surfing, sunbathing, yachting, etc., as well as all kinds of food and drink, plus promotional packaging, Yazhou is indeed the most famous tourist resort. Of course, this kind of luxury is only affordable for the rich Chinese and foreign devils.

Another advantage of creating packaging in this way is that the immigration work is smoother, and the development and construction of Qiongzhou is changing with each passing day.

After sending off Halsk, Chen Wenqiang returned to the office, touched his chin and fell into a long thought.

The railway companies in Hunan and Hubei have all taken over smoothly, and only Guangdong is left. From a practical point of view, Guangdong should be the least resistant. Not only is there no disturbance of renting shares, but the Guangdong Railway Company still raises the most funds, which shows that the ideology is more open. Although there is also erosion and corruption, it is far less serious than that of Hunan provincial companies.

Chen Wenqiang had already settled the problem of Hunan and Hubei, and also sent people to Guangdong with letters to negotiate, and with the construction of the railway project began with great fanfare, the attitude of the Guangdong company also changed greatly. Judging from the recent letters, the Guangdong company's preference to welcome Chen Wenqiang's takeover has prevailed, but the specific conditions need to be negotiated.

Otherwise, Chen Wenqiang will set up another railway company, leaving aside the Guangdong company and starting to survey, design, and pave the road on his own.

Chen Wenqiang issued a final threat, whether it is capital, technical personnel, official prestige, the Guangdong company believes that it is impossible to resist the new company that will be established after the breakdown of negotiations. If you don't want to let the funds you have raised sit at a loss and achieve nothing, then letting Chen Wenqiang make up for the deficit and take over the company should be the best choice.

As long as the work of Hunan and Hubei is on the right track, can be stabilized, and his subordinates can pick up the burden, Chen Wenqiang will set off for the south, go straight to Guangdong, and solve the last hurdle of taking over the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway.

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