"Congratulations." In the Jiangning Sihai Hotel on the bank of the Qinhuai River, wealthy businessmen and local governors around Jiangning gathered together to wash the dust for Yan Fuyan Zhongtang, who had just taken office.

"Jiangning has been a place of literati and artists since ancient times. Yan Zhongtang was originally a master of Chinese studies, and now he can still work in Jiangning, which is really a blessing for Jiangning literati. ”

"Nature, nature. Yan Zhongtang's talent and learning can not be compared to people like me who smell copper. Yan Zhongtang is not only talented, but also has outstanding achievements in this industry. ”

"I'm ashamed. This official has only been an official for three years, and he has made outstanding achievements in the matter. In fact, everything is my emperor's sage, and this official is only ordered by the emperor. Everything depends on the help of fathers and elders from all over the world. Yan Fu was really modest and said: "In addition, this official also asks you not to be commensurate with the middle hall." This official is actually the governor of Jiangsu, and Liangjiang is just a temporary generation. ”

Yan Fu, whose real name is unknown. Since Rong Hong invited him to teach at Beijing Normal University, it began to be popular. In just three years, he has become a feudal official. The emperor's favor is naturally one of the reasons, but also because he built the industrial park in the two years of his tenure in Hangzhou...... Taking the opportunity of the emperor's preparation for the war, a large number of factories of basic industrial materials such as steel and cement have been established, and the Hangzhou Industrial Park has been expanded three times, covering an area of more than 2,000 acres. It is also because of the vigorous development of industrial factories in the local area, which is now a blockbuster.

"Lord Zhongtang is polite, although the adult is temporary. But with the merits of Lord Zhongtang and the emperor's grace, I believe that the word "temporary generation" will be taken away soon. The words of a wealthy local businessman drew a chorus of echoes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you're gracious. The reason why this official can be transferred to the temporary Liangjiang is really in line with the emperor's intentions for Hangzhou, if you really want to get rid of the word "temporary generation, this Jiangning's industrial ......" Yan Fu suddenly laughed a few times, narrowed his eyes, and then said slowly: "Whether this official can really lead the land of Liangjiang depends on the great assistance of the villagers and elders." ”

Yan Fu's words did not hide his ** for the actual leadership of Liangjiang, and also showed an attitude: I, Yan Fu, came here to actually lead the governor of Liangjiang in the future, but if I want to lead the industry of Liangjiang, I must do it, and I must do it well. If anyone wants to give me Yan Fu a trick from this, don't blame me for Yan Fu's black hand.

"Lord Zhongtang rest assured, the people of Liangjiang still rely on the protection of adults, and they will fully support their adults."

"When it is, when it is. Jiangning has been the hub of the south of the Yangtze River since ancient times, and the waterways are convenient. The goods are complete, and there are many shops. If it is only about dealing in goods, but how to do this industry, we really don't know. Please also ask for more advice from Lord Nakado. ”

"Since this official wants to run an industry, it is naturally the first to bear the brunt. It's just that the machines sold by the emperor to Western countries this time are still very complicated according to the official's understanding, not only the production cycle is long, but the number is also very large. Therefore, before this official came to take office, he not only entered the palace to face the saint, but also went to the Academy of Sciences to learn the truth. It's still difficult to produce, but it's still very profitable. Yan Fu smiled and said to the fat salt merchant who came from Hangzhou: "General Manager Tong, the money for selling a machine is more than your two ships of salt." ”

The fat salt merchant is called Tong Youde, and since Yan Fu came to Hangzhou to serve as the prefect, in order to tie up the emperor's new favorite. "Very unwillingly" invested 60,000 taels to set up an ash factory. The huge profits, coupled with the fact that the factory is not careful, not only made those Jiangnan traders invest more and more money in the industry, but also made the industrial scale bigger and bigger, and its profits have gradually equaled with the first. **Salt and iron must not only be divided among the officials up and down, but also be aware of whether they will be stabbed in the head in the future. The industry is lucrative, and the factory has a special person to take care of it, and there is no possibility of the East Window incident. This made the original factory owners in Hangzhou follow Yan Fu as the governor of Liangjiang, isn't this the emperor selling the machine to the foreigners? Find a way to get a piece of the pie too.

Tong Youde finally waited for Yan Zhongtang to talk about him, and he couldn't wait. stood up and said: "Maybe Jiangning's fathers and elders don't know much about this business, but our fellow villagers from Hangzhou know it. My Yan Zhongtang, you can tell the truth. What should I do with this Jiangning industry, you will always let it out. Our fellow villagers in Hangzhou are absolutely strict, and the middle hall is the first to look forward. ”

"It's the same, it's the same. Please ask Yan Zhongtang to speak clearly. The factory owners in Hangzhou responded one after another.

"This industry must be done, or we have to use the model of Hangzhou Industrial Park. As you know, if the construction of the Hangzhou Industrial Park was not supported by the Hangzhou fathers, it would not be enough to rely on the treasury of the Hangzhou government. However, when the official first came to Liangjiang, the tax matter had not yet been straightened out, and this time, in order to deal with the emperor's sale of machinery to Western countries, the official planned to build an industrial park in the south and north of the Yangtze River, plus follow-up equipment. The sheer size of the investment needs to be carefully planned. This matter must not be rushed. No hurry, no hurry. ”

"Not in a hurry? How can you not be in a hurry. Tong Youde's eyes widened: "My Yan Zhongtang, the grass people have heard about it." Someone has already started production on the Zhili side, and our Zhongtang adults are not in a hurry? Isn't it just a matter of money, then use money to smash this industrial park open. I don't want to say anything else, I have a German cement factory and am willing to donate 50,000 taels of silver to build this Jiangning industrial park with Zhongtang adults. Tong Youde smiled after speaking, and said in a low voice: "As long as Lord Zhongtang can be in this industrial park, just leave a place for the grass people." ”

Tong Youde was really anxious, and he was unwilling to pay at the beginning, so he put on the frame of the Hangzhou family and chose a business with the least money - to run a cement factory. As a result, I regret it now, and those who have paid more money to build an iron factory now do not earn more than him, that is, the year of the war with Xiao Yueben earned more than the five years of his cement factory. Tong Youde was not happy, and encouraged a group of people to follow Yan Fu to Jiangning, isn't it money, this time he will also set up an iron factory.

"I'll also give 50,000 taels." "I'll give you 70,000 taels." "I'll give you 80,000 taels." ……

"I paid 100,000 taels from the hair iron factory." You Shengfa, general manager of the Shengfa Iron Factory, stood up: "Lord Zhongtang, you don't know, this newly appointed prefect of Hangzhou heard that it is Prince Li's person. Although we and other grass people have discussed this industrial matter with the new prefect many times, the new prefect has no intention of this industrial park, and only knows how to make money. I'm afraid this Hangzhou Industrial Park is over. We can only follow the Lord Zhongtang to Jiangning, one is to think if we can regain a foothold in Jiangning, and the other is that the Lord Zhongtang is deeply blessed by the Holy Grace, I don't know if I can listen to the Holy Voice, and leave a way back for the development of my Hangzhou industry. Please also ask Lord Nakado to be clear. ”

"Hangzhou is not under the jurisdiction of this official, so it should not be asked. However, this official has the help of you in Hangzhou, how can he sit and ignore it. Ming said that the official went to the heavens to listen, but the result was that the official could not guarantee it. This official temporarily takes over the post of Liangjiang, and he can't always meddle in the affairs of Fujian and Zhejiang. But within these two rivers, the official still did the master, as long as you have a heart, this Jiangning Industrial Park will have your place. ”

Yan Fu's words made the Hangzhou factory owners feel at ease. As long as you can regain your foothold in Jiangning, even if you lose Hangzhou, what's the matter. What's more, Yan Fucai said that the meeting will be dedicated to the Ming Emperor's visit to Hangzhou. Although the rules of officialdom are that you can't meddle in other places, with Yan Fu's current status in front of the emperor, not to mention that this fold can replace the prefect of Hangzhou, at least it can make him a lot more restrained. The owners of the Hangzhou factory raised their glasses to Yan Fu to express their gratitude. Yan Fu's words made the wealthy businessmen in Jiangning unhappy.

There are also many industries in Jiangning, which were run by Liu Kunyi, the former governor of Liangjiang. Although there are also a lot of profits, they are not as large as traditional operating income. Not to mention compared with Hangzhou Industrial Park, what people eat is an order from the imperial court. This also made the wealthy businessmen in the Liangjiang area red-eyed. Now that Yan Fu, the new favorite of the emperor and the upstart of the imperial court, is in charge of Liangjiang, who in the world does not know that Yan Fu is because he is good at running an industry in Hangzhou, and the imperial court also has Ruiyin, and the people have also become rich. So Yan Fu came here, this is not only a local official, but also a god of wealth. No, they all came to inquire about the news.

Unexpectedly, the gang from Hangzhou also came, and they clearly wanted to run the industry to Liangjiang, so don't rob my Liangjiang business. And just now, the Hangzhou group took out more than 400,000 taels of silver. If you really want to let this money enter the two rivers, it will be difficult to drive them back again. So, they have to be stopped now.

"Nakado-sama." Huang Changrong, a chubby local landowner in Jiangning, stood up: "Jiangning has been a waterway wharf in the south of the Yangtze River since ancient times, and a transit place for goods to and from south to north. This Jiangning industrial park should not be funded by Hangzhou's fathers. Huang is not talented, and he is willing to give 50,000 taels of silver. In addition, Huang also has a 1,500 acres of land in Jiangbei, and he is also willing to take it out to build an industrial park. When he spoke, he also glanced at the people in Hangzhou, and there was a disdain in his words. Huang Changrong's words drew a voice of response from the wealthy businessmen in Jiangning.

"In the small family, the small family is not as good as Master Huang. I am also willing to pay 30,000 taels of silver, and there is also an 800 acres of land in the south of the Yangtze River. I am also willing to take it out to build an industrial park. ”

"I have always been doing business as my home, and the land is gone, and there is still some silver, so let's take 70,000 taels."

After a while, the wealthy households in Jiangning pledged more than 500,000 taels of silver and more than 2,000 acres of land. Some wealthy businessmen also pledged to donate twice, just to compare the people of Hangzhou. The dignified Jiangning, the rich land in the south of the Yangtze River, still need your little silver in Hangzhou?

In fact, Huang Changrong's donation of land was also a helpless move, and the emperor not only wanted to set up a large industry, but also issued an order to reform agriculture last month. Where there is less than 500 acres of land, the tax shall remain unchanged. The tax revenue from the harvest of 500 to 800 acres of land is doubled, and the tax revenue of more than 800 acres is doubled. In this way, 800 acres of land are basically unprofitable.

This decree also caused some shocks among the people. Because a family with more than 800 acres of land is a big family, they originally expected to make some money in these fields, so it is unprofitable. Besides, it can cover an area of more than 800 acres, but at present, the Qing Dynasty must still be a minority. Below 500 acres remain unchanged, and landlords below 800 acres are still profitable, and everyone is reluctant to follow the coaxing. The emperor is in charge of the new dynasty, and with the momentum of a great victory, there are still three fires for the new official to take office. If you want to collide with the emperor at this point, Wei Zhen was very angry that day, so it's better to be honest. Besides, if you don't think there is any silver to make in the land, you can also sell the land to the emperor, and the emperor is willing to pay 20% higher than the market price to recover the land.

Since ancient times, new local officials have taken office, and local wealthy businessmen have always had to express themselves. Anyway, it's going to be given away for nothing, so it's better to use it to support the development of industry by Lord Zhongtang. First, it is strictly refuge and does not accept gifts. Yan Fu built an industrial park in Hangzhou with the gifts of wealthy merchants, and the news of finally replacing Liangjiang for the time being has already spread throughout Jiangning. During the banquet, Yan Fu also expressed his intention to win the word "temporary generation" and actually lead the two rivers. In this case, it is better to use the gift money to support the development of industry in Zhongtang, and it can also win the joy of Zhongtang adults. Second, the gift silver was originally given for free, but now it is used in industry, and it can be profitable in the future. If the industry is not profitable, why should the people of Hangzhou follow Yan Fu to Jiangning?

Seeing that the people on both sides were about to quarrel, Yan Fu hurriedly stood up, pressed down with both hands, and signaled everyone to be quiet. A banquet brought more than 900,000 taels of silver and more than 2,000 acres of land, which was really higher than Yan Fu's estimate.

Yan Fu happily hugged his fists and said, "This official first thanks the fathers and elders for their love." With your strong support, I believe that this official will not need to be temporarily replaced soon. When this official actually leads the two rivers, he will not forget to say that your support will be repaid to you. Hello, hello, everyone, is the last word. Do you think so? ”

Needless to say, there will naturally be voices everywhere during the banquet. Yan Fu turned around and said: "Actually, you don't have to divide regions. You don't know how many machines will be sold to foreigners this time. According to the estimation of this official, even if there are 100 Hangzhou Industrial Parks in Liangjiang and Zhili, it will take five years to meet the number of foreigners, not to mention the number of people who sell to foreigners. Therefore, we need all of you to work together. ”

The scale of 100 Hangzhou industrial parks will take five years, how much is that? Huang Changrong hurriedly asked, "Lord Zhongtang, why don't you tell us in detail?" ”

Don't say you don't know, but be shocked when you say it. Although everyone knows the number of tens of thousands of machines, what I didn't expect is that not only the purchase contracts signed by Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia and other countries, but also the United States, which has direct current, and Spain, an old power, have determined their purchase intentions. During the banquet, Yan Fu even revealed the emperor's plan, which is not calculated in the late Qing Dynasty alone, and at least 30,000 units are needed in the early stage alone. The number of 100,000 units is indeed not something that a single Jiang Ning can eat. Moreover, Yan Fu "unintentionally" leaked the production cost and the estimated selling price, and the difference was as high as nearly 1,000 taels. This is a profit of hundreds of millions of taels of silver.

"We don't have so many factories in Liangjiang compared to Zhili, and we are already backward. Lord Zhongtang, the matter of Jiangning Industrial Park should not be delayed sooner or later. Huang Changrong, who is the largest household in Jiangning, stood up: "Although we don't know how to run this industry, we have money and people." Just wait for Nakado-sama to speak. ”

"Well, well, since you are so determined. How can this official disappoint your fathers? Please allow this official to say three times. After the third day, please go to the Liangjiang Governor's Palace, and we will discuss it carefully. It's just a little bit, and I won't pay less taxes in the future. ”

Yan Fu, who returned home after being full of wine and food, hurriedly picked up a pen and wrote an excerpt. The next morning sent to the capital, in the afternoon of the same day this fold was placed on Guangxu's desk. Guangxu just read it roughly, which is similar to what the CIA sent, but Yan Fu's excerpt has one more request: to have people, to have a lot of people, and to have a lot of people related to industry. There is a great tendency to wipe out the hall of Beijing Normal University.

Guangxu quietly handed the fold to Tang Shaoyi. Tang Shaoyi was overjoyed after seeing it: "Yan Dao really has a few methods. As a result, the wealthy businessmen of Liangjiang are bound to rush to invest in industry. Congratulations to the emperor for his discernment, and the industry of Liangjiang can rest assured. Not only that, with the development of Liangjiang Industry and the expansion of the Zhili factory, the demand for talents in science and engineering arithmetic will also increase. Although studying science and engineering arithmetic may not be able to enter the court as an official, as long as the students who have finished their studies can enter the factory to work, they will get real silver every month. In this way, there will be one more way out for students in the world, as long as it is said that the imperial examination system that has only read poetry and books and deposited for thousands of years will naturally end without a problem. ”

"Not only that, but the finances of the imperial court will also be greatly improved." Lin Qizhao, who had just put down the fold, continued: "Using private funds for infrastructure construction can greatly reduce the financial investment of the imperial court. Moreover, once it is completed and produced, it can not only solve the problems of the people's lives, but also provide more taxes for the imperial court. At the end of the day, all investments are made with foreigners' money. The emperor is wise. ”

It was a great joy, but Guangxu frowned. made Tang Shaoyi and Lin Qizhao puzzled, this is a good thing, why does the emperor still have a sad face?

"Since the Opium War, the Qing Dynasty has been defeated in every battle. However, the Chinese people do not think about introspection and regard Western technology as tigers and beasts. Nowadays, with the help of radio and war reparations, it is not possible to set up a factory and study. This time, by the light of the radio, what if the machine was sold out? Looking at the domestic market, it is all enriched with foreigners' goods, and the traditional handicraft industry of the Qing Dynasty has failed in front of foreigners' machines. If one day foreigners suddenly stop importing any products to the Qing Dynasty, I am afraid that they will not even be able to buy cloth for making clothes. Guangxu's words woke up the two who were complacent.

I only heard Guangxu continue: "A country without its own industry will be controlled by others everywhere. Only when the country is all its own produced goods, and it is also exported to foreigners, can the country be regarded as taking the road of becoming a strong country. Nowadays, everyone sees that there is money to be made by making generators, so they all come to make generators. Maybe there will be no problems in three or five years, but what about three or five years later? There is always a limit to the market demand, and once the demand is enough, who can the generators that continue to be produced be sold to? Is a factory that can't sell its machines just going out of business? Businessmen seek profits, so they only see the immediate profits. Then it is even more necessary for the imperial court to be carefully guided, and not to do it like a swarm of swarms like a blowout, and then fall like a landslide. Take demand as the ultimate goal, rational layout, and careful development. Easier said than done. ”

Guangxu has seen too much of this kind of thing. In later generations, the political axe said that whatever was good should be done. This said that wind power generation was encouraged, but as a result, all of them switched to wind power generation, and as a result, overcapacity collapsed. Encouraging solar power generation and then swarming again, with the result that China's capacity alone is greater than the world's demand. Just in order to get financial subsidies from the central government, now they are swarming to build subways, regardless of the size of the city, without considering the actual situation, and the result - who knows......

"And Shaohua, you have to pay attention too. China's wealth since ancient times has all turned into silver precipitation of the people, which can be said to be the real wealth and people of Tibet. Now that the imperial court wants to vigorously develop industry, once the wealth of the people explodes, will it lead to currency depreciation and rising prices. In this way, will there be an impact on the country's economy? This has to be done with care. ”

"In a word. Crisis crisis, there is opportunity in danger, and there is danger hidden in opportunity. Be careful. ”

But in any case, Chinese officialdom has always been pleasing to the like. Nowadays, the emperor likes to set up factories, and as a result, factories have sprung up everywhere. This has taken foreigners who are concerned about China by surprise. The scale of industrial development in the Qing Dynasty far exceeded that of the Westernization Movement. (To be continued.) )