The guest and the host entered the living room and sat down, probably Zhang Zhidong was reminded by Sheng Huaixuan's words, perhaps seeing Deng Zixuan's distinctive demeanor, his attitude changed significantly: "Since Zixuan's chest is a little ink, you might as well tell a thing or two, as far as I know, foreigners' things may not be so mysterious, I think I can produce many people in China, as long as we do our best and do things for the court wholeheartedly, we will be able to get twice the result with half the effort!" ”

Seeing that Zhang Zhidong was a little careless, Deng Zixuan secretly thought: This gentleman is really conceited, no wonder the history books record that he made a bitter joke. No, you must hang his appetite, and you can't let him underestimate himself. Deng Zixuan made up his mind and stood up and said, "My lord, I'm really sorry. Today the saddle horse is tiring and physically and mentally exhausted. If the adults are willing to listen to the noise of the grass people, wait for the grass people to recharge their energy and refresh themselves before speaking to the adults. Zhang Zhidong was stunned when he heard this, Sheng Huaixuan was not mentally prepared, and he didn't know what medicine was sold in Deng Zixuan's gourd.

“haha！ Since Brother Zixuan is tired of saddle horses, someone is coming, please ask Brother Zixuan to go to the guest room to rest! Zhang Zhidong reacted quickly. Deng Zixuan got up and said before leaving: "My lord, it is not easy to build a large-scale steel plant, and the things involved in this are the results of decades of repeated practice by foreigners. My lord, the grass people suggested making a blackboard and smearing it with ink, the grass people are not talented, as long as the adults believe me, I will do my best. ”

After saying that, Deng Zixuan followed his subordinates and left, and the scene was a little embarrassing. "Brother Zhang, my brother is not allowed to be rebellious, and he is talented, please don't mind." Sheng Huaixuan hurriedly played a round. “haha！ My cousin is really unusual, and I treat him slowly. According to what Cousin Ling said, I want to hear what I think, come on! One of his subordinates came in, "Make a blackboard immediately, and bring in the officials tomorrow." Sheng Huaixuan heard that he was old in his heart, and he had no objection to how Deng Zixuan would perform.

Deng Zixuan shirked the reception banquet in the evening, and the next person sent the meal directly to the room. Deng Zixuan woke up and had a hasty meal, then sat under the lamp and began to prepare. How to let Zhang Zhidong get rid of his conceit psychologically and face science realistically is the first thing Deng Zixuan has to do. It was not difficult for Deng Zixuan to build a steel plant, because he knew that Zhang Zhidong had made a mistake, as long as he avoided it. However, it is crucial for Zhang Zhidong to accept scientific ideas and understand the connotation of modern industry. In the future, Zhang Zhidong opened a lot of modern industries, and brainwashed him in advance, perhaps his achievements will be greater.

Deng Zixuan not only wanted to overthrow the Manchu Dynasty, but more importantly, the future empire must quickly enter the industrial age, so it is necessary to take advantage of the current favorable conditions to build a minimum industrial base. Deng Zixuan must use his own ghost hands to secretly add fuel to the fire. The four famous ministers of the late Qing Dynasty were not in vain, especially in the wave of promoting the Westernization Movement, and even the mediocre imperial court would support them for the sake of its own stability. Deng Zixuan firmly believes that with his secret help, they will take fewer detours and make fewer mistakes, and in this way, Bi will make a leap. It doesn't matter what the result is, what matters is that in the process of industrial development, a large number of talents can be cultivated, which is Deng Zixuan's biggest purpose.

The next day, after breakfast, Deng Zixuan entered the lobby with a chalk box and the prepared teaching materials. At this time, Zhang Zhidong and Sheng Huaiyuan sat in the master's position, and several officials sat on both sides. Deng Zixuan greeted Zhang Zhidong and said: "Mr. Deng was invited by me, he is proficient in foreign languages and familiar with Western countries. Now we are preparing to build a steel plant, and we don't know anything about the manufacturing skills of foreigners. Mr. Deng explained that everyone listened attentively and could speak freely. ”

Seeing that the officials on the left and right were a little disdainful, Deng Zixuan seemed to turn a blind eye and said, "Lord Zhang, the grass people are presumptuous." Deng Zixuan took out the chalk from the chalk box, walked to the blackboard and quickly wrote the word science, and then said without thinking: "The things I explained seem to be off-topic, but they are all closely related to the preparation for the construction of the steel plant, please pay attention to the lecture." What is science, concise and concise is what human beings have summed up in the struggle with nature, science means seeking truth from facts, and it means that human beings transform nature and use the laws of nature to abandon a kind of unyielding exploration. ”

"For example, when we build dikes to prevent flooding, we have learned a lot of lessons that future generations can easily use to do so, and that includes science. The science of doing is the correct understanding of the natural world by human beings. "Can you be more specific, what science is, don't follow the crowd!" An official complained. Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "If you want to truly understand the meaning of science, you must be proficient in Western Gewu. With the progress of science, the Westerners' understanding of nature has left us far behind. The ships and sharp weapons of Western countries, clocks, telescopes, including the limited telegraph that appeared, are all products of science, and if you list them one by one, there are countless of them. Western countries have entered the industrial age, which is called the age of steam. ”

"You're saying that the manufacture of foreigners is produced by science?" An official asked. "That's why we have to admit that we're falling behind in this regard. However, our Chinese nation is brave after being ashamed, and it is not too late to catch up. I very much advocate Mr. Zhang's idea of taking middle school as the foundation and foreign as the Chinese application. Zhang Zhidong was originally deeply attracted, and when he heard this, he was shocked and said: "Mr. Deng, I want to be a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger in China, Mr. Deng is really extraordinary." If the Qing Dynasty wants to take the road of strengthening the country, it must promote the Westernization movement. The only way out is to honestly learn from Western countries, and it has been proven that it is foolish to close ourselves to the rest of the world. ”

"Adults are worthy of insight into everything, based on themselves, foreign for Chinese use, I believe that in the near future, the face of the Qing Dynasty will be completely new. If we do not possess scientific knowledge in the process of industrialization, we will be like a blind man and will make fatal mistakes, so the popularization of scientific concepts is of utmost importance. Then Deng Zixuan talked eloquently, especially how Western countries develop scientific systems, how to build industrial civilization, how to use modern industry to become a strong country, etc., and made a detailed description.

Deng Zixuan's shocking words, not to mention Zhang Zhidong and other officials, even Sheng Huaixuan heard it for the first time, and everyone was deeply attracted and intoxicated. During the lunch meal, Zhang Zhidong was extremely excited, and he was definitely impressed by Deng Zixuan and said: "Brother Sheng, my cousin Ling is a pillar of the Great Qing Country, which is rare, why don't you let him join the court to serve the imperial court." Without waiting for Sheng Huaixuan to answer, Deng Zixuan replied first: "My lord, grass people are not materials for officials. The grass people are used to freedom and are willing to live an unfettered life. My cousin has advised me many times. "Yes! This is where the difference lies. ”

"Brother Zixuan is really extraordinary, it is indeed admirable, it seems that I am hypocritical. People have their own aspirations, and Deng Gongzi's willingness to be chic and happy is also a realm. But I would like to know, what are the suggestions for the construction of a steel plant? "Zhang Zhidong is completely instructive. Deng Zixuan pondered for a moment and asked, "My lord, let me first hear how you prepared to build the steel plant." Zhang Zhidong said: "I plan to set up a steel mill in Hanyang and mine in Daye, using coal from Ma'anshan for coking. "My lord, if you follow your plan, even if the steel mill is built, it will not be able to produce steel?"

"What do you mean by that?" Zhang Zhidong was taken aback when he heard this. "As far as I know, the coal produced in Ma'anshan has a very high ash content and cannot be coking at all. How can you make steel without coke? "Is that true?" "My lord, the coal in Ma'anshan will be known as soon as it is tested, and the grass people can take the head on the item as a guarantee!" "Brother Zhang, my brother never speaks, I believe in his words." "I'll send someone to check on it right away?"

"My lord, not only that, but if the steel mill is located in Hanyang, the cost of transporting iron ore from Daye to Hanyang will inevitably increase in the future, which will have a negative impact on the long-term production of the steel mill. If the steel mill is always losing money, it is untenable. I suggest that steel mills choose Daye with more advantages than disadvantages. "This can be considered, if the coal in Ma'anshan can't be coking, it will be a big trouble." "My lord, it's easy to solve the coking problem, we can use the coal from Pingxiang, Jiangxi, and the coal produced here is completely up to standard!" Zhang Zhidong was overjoyed when he heard this: "It seems that Brother Sheng is so important to you, it is not in vain, Brother Deng is prepared, if you say the truth, you will handle it accordingly, I will now notify the British side to purchase the furnace and explore the factory site in Daye." What you say makes sense, it is reasonable to set up the factory site in Daye! ”

"My lord, I agree to purchase the furnace and prepare for the construction of the factory site at the same time, but there is an important link in the process of purchasing the furnace must be paid attention to, if the furnace device is not right, it will cause fatal problems." "Would you like to hear Qixiang?" "As far as I know, the furnaces produced in Britain are divided into acidic furnaces and alkaline furnaces, and their purpose is to use different furnaces for smelting different iron ores. Daye's iron ore contains too much phosphorus, and alkaline furnaces must be used to remove phosphorus. Otherwise, the steel contains too much phosphorus, which is prone to brittleness and cannot be used at all, which must be noted. ”

Zhang Zhidong was taken aback when he heard this: "Mr. Deng, if you don't say it, you will really make a big mistake." I immediately asked the British to test the iron ore and the coal from Ma'anshan, and then determine what kind of furnace to buy. Starting tomorrow, Mr. Deng will explain the relevant knowledge, and it seems that not understanding science is extremely harmful, but now I understand what science is. Brother Huaixuan, there is a priceless treasure by your side! ”

In the following half a month, Deng Zixuan systematically explained how scientific knowledge can be widely used in industrial production, especially in steel manufacturing. Zhang Zhidong and other subordinate officials have conducted a short-term training, and their horizons have been broadened, and at the same time, they have a preliminary and correct understanding of modern industrial manufacturing. Subsequently, Deng Zixuan accompanied Zhang Zhidong to explore Daye Iron Mine and chose the site.

After a month, the test results of the British came out, as Deng Zixuan said. Zhang Zhidong was shocked, and so far he was convinced of all Deng Zixuan's actions. Deng Zixuan personally participated in the planning, personally negotiated with the British, and Zuihou Deng Zixuan personally wrote the development outline for the construction of the steel plant. Three months later, the steel mill has begun construction, and the purchased furnaces have begun to be transferred from the British mainland.

Deng Zixuan was about to return, and Zhang Zhidong personally went to the dock to see him off. It was obvious that Zhang Zhidong was a little reluctant, "My lord, if you need my brother to give you orders at any time, it is not ambiguous to call him as soon as he is called." Deng Zixuan said. Brother Zixuan, I am really reluctant to let you go, but I know that my brother's heart is not here. Parting is imminent, do you have any suggestions? Zhang Zhidong humbly asked for advice, which seems to be logical.

"My lord, I have discussed with Brother Sheng that after the steel plant produces in the future, if we need to expand the scale, we can imitate the machine furnace. At present, the machine factory has the production capacity, in terms of industrial equipment, we have to buy from the imitation to their own design and manufacturing, zuihou to build our own industrial system, we can not always rely on foreigners, once the wings are full, we must take the road of independence, as adults said, foreign for the use of China, in the body of the foundation. ”

Zhang Zhidong was very excited: "Mr. Deng's talent is unparalleled, and his insights are unique, and we must produce our own machine furnaces in the future." "My lord, after the grass people go back, they will send their disciples to be interpreters, and it will be much more convenient for adults to deal with foreigners in the future. In addition, I have sent you two good coke makers, and the coke they refine is not inferior to that of foreigners, and the grass people can be regarded as having an explanation for the love of adults. The freighter was far away, Zhang Zhidong stood at the wharf for a long time and was unwilling to leave, and this prominent figure in the industrial salvation of the country began his move and epoch-making cause. You may not know that the steel plant to be built by Zhang Zhidong is the largest steel plant in Asia, with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons. The small steel mill that Deng Zixuan is preparing to build in Dongguan can only produce more than 2,000 catties of steel per month, and the annual production of steel can only reach 24,000 catties, totaling about 10 tons, which is very different.

On the return boat, Sheng Huaixuan felt and said: "Brother Zixuan, you are a real person who cannot be revealed, and once again I am impressed." "Brother Sheng has won the award, everything I said is written in a foreigner's book, and there is nothing to show off. Didn't you say that you learned foreign languages, I don't know how you learned? "Don't mention it, it's stumbling to say a few words of greeting, if you want to understand foreign language is more difficult than climbing to the sky, forget it, I don't have the energy to learn foreign language anymore!" It just so happens that I'm going to Tianjin to build a weaving factory in Tianjin, Brother Zixuan, are you interested in going to Tianjin to relax? ”

"You are already familiar with the road to build a factory, so I will not accompany you." Deng Zixuan refused. Sheng Huaixuan seemed to remember something: "I heard that you have set up a processing workshop in the machine factory, and the mystery is not for people to see, what are you doing?" "Brother Sheng, the machine factory is constantly expanding, the team of technicians is also expanding, now there is a need for technicians everywhere, I am cultivating skilled talents, some things we must go ahead, otherwise it will affect the development of the machine factory." "It's still my brother who thinks thoughtfully, what are you going to do when you go back, I don't believe you can live honestly at home."

"I'm going to Fujian!" "What are you doing in Fujian?" "Keep it secret for the time being, you'll know when the time comes, and it's guaranteed to surprise you!" Deng Zixuan seemed to remember something and continued: "Brother Sheng, you write me a letter of recommendation, I want to see the Governor of Fujian!" "Lord Admiral? There is no problem with the introduction, what do you look for him with! "Give a gift!" Sheng Huaixuan was stunned when he heard this.