After listening to Marx's analysis, Engels frowned, he is now not the manager of a small textile factory, but the de facto "director of the Planning Commission" of the Ming Empire, and the problems he sees are always more comprehensive. Technological progress has certainly reduced the value of labourers, or rather those who can only do simple labour, but the incomes of British labourers have increased dramatically over the past few years.

"Karl, I don't think we can deny the fact that the wages of workers in most of Europe have been rising throughout the 5o years, and the increase in wages has been significantly higher than the increase in prices. That is to say, the standard of living of the workers is improving, they are indeed sharing in the benefits of scientific and technological progress, and the value of labor is not devalued but increased. ”

Engels is not opposing Marx's proposition, but the differences between the two men do exist and have always existed, whether it is in this time and space, or in the original history. A brief comparison shows that Marx's views are more radical, his goals are more ambitious, and his ideal society is more perfect. Engels, the second teacher, had a more complex mind, and sometimes he was closer to the reality in front of him.

He paused for a moment, and then added: "The term Mixer Qì Workers' Association has been mentioned more than once in the various reports submitted by Jason Holdings to the Crown Consortium, and my British subordinates have all thought that the work of this association is effective, and that perhaps the workers and capitalists can find a more reasonable and equitable method of distribution, at least for a while......

Marx was slightly moved, the "workers' association" that Engels had just mentioned (of course it was reactionary, but now the relationship between this person and Marx was not very bad), and the point of view of this workers' organization was conciliationism. It is believed that the interests of the bourgeoisie and the workers are in harmony. Advocate a purely economic struggle. Focus on the immediate and temporary interests of workers. Ignoring the overall interests and ultimate goal of the working class -- well, to put it simply, as long as the wages are high, the life is good, what democracy, what freedom, what constitutionalism, what kind of leadership of the working class. It's all ethereal!

"I know what those people are saying," he said. Marx was silent for a long time, and finally he nodded slightly, "And I also think that the struggle of the various trade union organizations, including the Mixer Qì Workers' Association, throughout the 50 years is indeed effective. But, Friedrich, my friend, have you ever wondered why such a workers' struggle did not appear before the 5o years of the 19th century, or did it appear but did not achieve anything? ”

"Because of the Chartist movement and the Revolution of 1848." Engels replied immediately. "The working class was the main force of the Chartist movement, and in the midst of the Revolution of 1848. The working class on Europe's Big 6 was also tempered and showed strength. So the rulers of Britain and Europe had to make certain concessions and compromises. This is a policy of concessions. At the same time, it is also the result of the workers' struggle. ”

"Yes, I think so too." Marx seemed to agree with Engels, but he soon smiled sarcastically, "but there is a limit to such concessions." Although wages have generally risen in Britain and Europe throughout the 5o years, productivity has undoubtedly grown faster due to technological advances, so that British and European wealth has been more concentrated rather than dispersed over the past 1o years. And the crisis of overproduction has not been averted, and now factories across the UK are worried about the squeezed product. Before, they sold their products to the United States in exchange for bonds from the American Bank, but now they are making a fuss. ”

"But we cannot deny that the English proletariat has nevertheless benefited from technological progress. According to the report of the Jason-Skoper Rubber Products Company, the average wage of male workers (including skilled workers) employed by it 1o years ago was 4 to 5 shillings per week, now it is 18 shillings, and by 6o it may be more than 1 pound. This is a very remarkable step forward, and this is the fruit of the Chartist movement and the revolution of 1848. I think this will become a pattern of development and distribution that will persist in capitalist society for a long time, where technological progress leads to an increase in productivity, and the laborer participates in distribution through struggle and benefits from technological growth. ”

"Yes, you're right. So the British working class has already tasted the sweetness of the struggle, so their struggle will continue in the future. ”

Marx laughed: "Now a couple's salary is enough for them to support their three children and themselves, and if the male workers don't drink or gamble, they can even send the children to school." This was simply an incredible myth 1o years ago. Workers in the UK have seen more real income growth in the last 7 years than in the last 1oo years! I don't think anyone would think that the current workers are the hardest working in the past 1oo years...... That is, their wages are increased by struggle and not by labor!

So the British working class has tasted the sweetness of the struggle, and their struggle will continue! But next time, and next time, will the bourgeoisie choose compromise and concession? Will they keep compromising and conceding? ”

The answer is...... Negative?

I don't know if it was out of curiosity or a mischievous joke, Engels nodded whimsically and asked with a smile: "What if the bourgeoisie and the working class have always been able to reach a compromise?" ”

Marx's laughter was even louder, "Keep compromising? What a fantastic idea! Of course, as a sociologist, we should consider all sorts of possibilities. But I have no way of making the assumption that capitalism, as a form of society, can unleash the limits of its productive forces to meet all or even most of the demands of the capitalists and the working class. Because capitalism also has limits!

We all know that no form of society will perish until all the productive forces it can contain are unleashed...... In other words, until the full range of productive forces that capitalism can accommodate, there is room for compromise between the capitalists and the workers, because both classes can benefit from the development of the productive forces. Therefore, the proletariat, even if it has an overwhelming numerical advantage, will tolerate exploitation because of the constant concessions and compromises of the capitalists.

What the capitalists have sold is only a part of the increase in social wealth brought about by the exhibition of productive forces. In fact, in the last 7 years, the British bourgeoisie has earned more than any previous 7 years! But when capitalism reaches its limit, when the bourgeoisie is unable to extract more profit from the development of the productive forces of society, the room for compromise disappears.

In fact, such a trend is already very clear in front of us. In times of economic prosperity, such as the past seven years, the British capitalists are still relatively easy to talk to, and they have not paid much price. But since this year, things have changed a little. ”

"I know because there is an economic crisis in the United States, and the crisis has spread to Europe." Engels, the agent of the bourgeoisie, looked very calm and said with a smile, "But the social form of capitalism will not come to an end because the Americans do not repay their debts." The next boom cycle will come soon, and it will be even more prosperous than the last 7 years! ”

"Because of China." Marx nodded, he is now the most famous "China expert" in Europe, and of course knows how big the Chinese market is.

"Technology is also advancing, and as you said before, capitalists are investing more money and resources in scientific and technological research."

Engels laughed: "I am also in charge of the Jason Central Office, the world's largest scientific research institution, which has invested nearly £1oo0,000 in research funding in the past seven years, and has achieved many very commendable results, in medicine, biology, chemistry, metallurgy and mechanical engineering. These achievements are enough to support a new industrial revolution! I think capitalism will not perish until the full force of the industrial revolution is exhausted. ”

Marx's expression was stern, "But the day of the demise of capitalism will come!" (To be continued......)

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