Chapter 159: U.S. Involvement

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As a commercial counselor and representative of the United States Steel Corporation in China, it is not the first time that he has visited the country's large enterprises, the former Gaochang Temple Manufacturing Bureau, Mawei Shipyard and even Japan's Yawata Steel have left his footprints, and his impression of Asian enterprises are all typical of dirty and messy ().

But today I felt a little surprised, the newly renovated factory was clean, the ventilation and light were very comfortable, and the wires were clearly organized, and the walls and roofs reached all the locations (). Each workshop has set up obvious Chinese nameplates, and guidance signs have been erected at intersections. There are many new factories in the distance are being built, and the workers are beginning to set up new machines in predetermined positions, and they are very careful from their movements, which shows that everyone is very careful, and there are many European faces in the middle, and he is not surprised by this, the commissioning of new equipment, and the trial production are generally supported by Europe.

After patiently watching the completion of the large and complex hydraulic press with the help of European technicians, Hanger turned his head to look at Yang Qiu: "Your Excellency, Honorable Commander, this scale is no less than that of a European factory. I believe that under your leadership, the three provinces have taken the lead in entering the spring. ”

Since the new patrol made this official position very difficult to say, they all continued to call Yang Qiu the commander, and he was also very willing to accept this title, and said with a smile: "This is thanks to my German friends, if it weren't for their help, maybe we would have to continue to endure the cold winter." After saying this, he smiled and said: "Of course, you and Your Excellency the Minister, as well as the United States, have also helped us a lot, I have planned enough land in Hankow, and the workers are leveling the foundations day and night, and I believe that in two months there will be early summer." ”

Hanger came this time to finalize the previous procurement contract, and by the way to inspect the two special zones of Chongqing and Hankou, the US government is very happy that Yang Qiu has fulfilled his promise to open the special zones, and dozens of American companies in China are already eager to try and wait to enter these two places, but he does not want to have a showdown now, and suddenly asked: "Your Excellency, I heard that your army has used a new machine gun designed and manufactured by itself, can I have a visit?" ”

Zhang Wenjing and Su Hongsheng, who were accompanying them, immediately became nervous when they heard this, the Han-1 machine gun is the latest equipment of the National Defense Force, and according to their thinking, it is still a secret that cannot be revealed. But Yang Qiu didn't care, in a semi-colonial country, and it was the most industrially developed area to use new equipment without being discovered, it was really good to be able to keep it for a few months, so he immediately asked people to find Liu Qingen, the director of the machine gun factory, and generously invited Hangel to visit.

Hanger was also slightly surprised, did not expect Yang Qiuzhen to open to him, in fact, the United States did not have much interest in this machine gun, but he was personally very curious that the Chinese could develop a machine gun that was said to be comparable to the Madsen type.

The machine gun factory is composed of five workshops side by side, and this is the second workshop after the rifle workshop to adopt the piecework assembly line (). Since the beginning of the month, the manufacture of improved Han-1 machine guns has begun here, mainly based on the Bren light machine gun, the number of spare parts has been simplified again, the caliber has been changed to 7.62 mm, the standard 7.62 * 51 bullet selected by the Wehrmacht has been used, the complex threaded heat dissipation sleeve has been canceled, replaced by a thickened barrel to increase the heat capacity, and a new dust-proof flame suppressor has been installed. With the new assembly line, the monthly output has reached 30 pieces, and when all the new equipment is put into operation, 200 pieces per month is not a dream.

Liu Qingen is a senior technical expert in firearms like Su Hongsheng, the first semi-automatic rifle in Chinese history was also designed by him, and he spent a lot of time pondering and studying after getting the improved drawings, and he knows better than anyone how good this machine gun is, so he deliberately put the main energy on the magazine, barrel, manufacturing process and other minor details, and the most critical receiver and flame suppressor were not taken out at all.

After hearing that after half a year of trial production, 30 of these machine guns can be manufactured per month, Hanger was not surprised, but he was extremely satisfied with Yang Qiu's frankness, and said: "It can be seen that Your Excellency the Commander is still a very good manager, if you retire one day, I think the American Steel Company will be willing to hire you with a high salary." ”

After nodding slightly to Liu Qingen and giving him an approving look, Yang Qiucai said: "China is not short of skilled craftsmen, although China's industrial workers cannot be compared with your country, but we are also working hard. As of this month, we have opened six technical schools, which will increase to 30 by the end of the year, providing at least 50,000 workers with primary training for factories and special zones over the next three years. Our three provinces are trying to prepare for your country's businessmen to come and invest, now. After walking outside, Yang Qiu deliberately paused and looked at the Hanyang Iron Works across the wall: "We are most lacking in steel and cement for construction. ”

Hanger understood what he was implying that the Han Yeping incident did not have much at stake in the United States, but rather had a lot of benefits. Japan was building battleships again, and before the Panama Canal was built, the West Coast of the United States was always facing a huge external threat. In addition, Japan's accelerated competition for the market in the Far East, as well as the problem of Japanese immigration in the country, have made the White House very unhappy, so it is the responsibility of these diplomats to crack down appropriately.

What's more, the market is so big, squeezing out Japan will naturally have more share! So Hanger smiled: "From my personal standpoint, I support the commander to take back all the shares of Han Yeping ()." ”

Just a personal position? Yang Qiu is well aware of the thoughts of these colonists, although the United States is better spoken than Britain and France, but it is the same in the pursuit of interests, fortunately, he has been prepared, so Zhang Wenjing brought two bidding proposals: "Your Excellency Hangel, there is a slang saying in China, open the skylight and speak brightly." These are the two tenders I have just signed, and these two companies will start construction of the Wuchang-Chenzhou, Hunan, and Liupanshui-Guizhou railways in the next three years. If the central government agrees, the two railways will be extended to Guangzhou and Yunnan respectively. Together with the Hanchuan Railway, we will build three main lines in the next seven years. They have fully agreed to have the government fu purchase the required equipment on their behalf, and after the completion of the locomotive procurement contract will also be made by our government fu, you see. ”

Equipment for the three main lines and trains in operation? A minimum value of 10 million dollars! "If Your Excellency the Commander trusts, I am willing to help you mediate the negotiations to recover Han Yeping." To be honest, the current United States is really not interested in plundering resources, but it is very interested in plundering the market and expanding the share of American goods, which is why the United States is the country that most actively supports Yang Qiu's establishment of special zones.

And it can also be seen from this railway tender that this young man's ambition is that when the lower reaches of the Yang River and the north are still entangled in the distribution of power, he has begun to plan for the future, does this mean that the United States can obtain more lucrative commercial benefits through him?

In addition to Han Yeping, Yang Qiu also said that he would purchase a quota of machinery and equipment from the United States every year, and hoped to expand cooperation with the purchase of a medium-sized steel plant and the idea of expanding his Jiangnan Industrial Company shipyard into a large shipbuilding enterprise with two 10,000-ton docks and three 5,000-ton docks. We also hope to send students to the United States to promote exchanges between the two peoples.

Whether he can get the money or not, these are opportunities for Hangel, so the two had a good chat along the way, and Hanger even said that he would immediately urge the delivery of the last purchase contract to be accelerated when he returned.

As the two walked and talked as they walked towards the Hanyang Pier, Hanger even began to imagine what kind of sumptuous lunch this young man who always surprises America would prepare for himself, which was his greatest interest and hobby, and fine Chinese food was the only thing in this country that could conquer him. But before they got on the boat, there was a faint thunder in the sky, and dozens of guards and soldiers who had been scattered around to protect them immediately contracted to surround the two of them, and pulled them to the hidden place next to them without waiting for a break.

"What's wrong?" Yang Qiu asked in a deep voice, but if you pay attention to his eyes, you can even see the flames beating excitedly inside. It's a pity that Hanger didn't pay attention, although he already knew that there was an armed confrontation in Daye, but he always thought that it would not go that far.

"Report."

The young second lieutenant intelligence officer came running quickly, with a serious expression: "An hour ago, the Japanese army stationed in Dayetun interfered with our army's exercise and opened heavy fire on the training regiment of our first division, causing a large number of casualties. The training regiment is already returning fire, the exchange of fire is still ongoing, and the Japanese Third Fleet is firing artillery in the Daye area. ”

"Bastard!"

Before the translator could fully explain, Yang Qiu jumped up first: "Didn't I say that I wanted to avoid the Japanese garrison?" Why is there still a firefight? ”

"They shot first, and they used artillery, so we had to fight back!"

"Damn, damn it!" Yang Qiu stomped his feet and pretended to be angry, and after pulling Zhang Wenjing over, he shouted: "Immediately let Wang Zhengting go to the Japanese minister to protest!" Demand that the Daye Tun army immediately and unconditionally lay down its arms, otherwise all the consequences will be borne by Japan! ”

Hanger watched as the soldiers took orders away, and suddenly felt like he was on Broadway. However, whether this is a farce or not is he has no intention of pursuing it, and now that the two sides have exchanged fire, will this become the fuse for a new war in the Far East?

In the past 17 years, there have been two wars that have shocked the world, but is the third one coming again?

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