"I want to build a steel mill. 4∴8065" Sun Yuanqi replied succinctly, "I promised others." ”

"So what are you going to do in your steel plant? Mining? Beneficiation? Ironmaking? Steelmaking? Foundry? Or something else? Arthur asked.

"All from the initial geological exploration, to the final smelting and casting."

Inadvertently, Arthur frowned, "That's a huge project, do you plan to do it alone, or do you want to unite with others?" ”

"I'm going to be alone, of course, including the teachers and students of Jingshi University." "Don't worry too much, at least for a long time to come, this steel plant will only be a research institute and a practice base, not a profit-making enterprise." ”

"So what can I do? I studied law and didn't know anything about the steel industry. ”

"I will let professional people do professional things," Sun Yuan said with a smile, "Your work mainly has the following four aspects

"First of all, as a legal representative, I am responsible for the preliminary preparation of the factory. Of course, your focus will be mainly on the formalities related to the law. The year before last, Lilith had already established a Chung Hwa Industrial Machinery Company in Shanghai, and now we are preparing to set up the 'Beiping Iron Works' in Beijing, which will be a subsidiary of Chung Hwa Industrial Machinery Corporation. It's up to you to do the work, register, and approve it. ”

Sun Yuanqi has read the article "Controlling Taiwan and Seeing Foreigners" adapted from the fifty-third chapter of "The Appearance of Officialdom", "Westerners are able to do things but seek form, and foreign jiāo veterans have unique lungs and intestines", and he knows that the politics at all levels in the late Qing Dynasty were like tigers - of course, it is still now, the Japanese lost their bicycles, and the public security bureau had to find them back even if they didn't sleep; Chinese lose hundreds of thousands of bicycles every year, and the police will only lazily say "the amount is not enough to file a case" and "you should register first".

In view of this national condition, Sun Yuanqi can only take advantage of the situation, take advantage of the foreign self-respect, and let Yaser be responsible for the complicated preparation work, thinking that he can get twice the result with half the effort. If you add your uncle and grandfather Sun Shouzhou Zhongtang, and Zhang Zhidòng, who has a familiar face, it is three fingers to pick up snails - nine out of ten are stable

Yaser knew that his brother-in-law had a relative, who was the deputy prime minister of the Qing Dynasty, and the preparations should be smooth; In addition, he himself is a student of law, and he is no stranger to this part, so he nodded "Okay" at the moment

"Secondly, as a U.S. citizen, I am responsible for the import of factory equipment. The construction of the iron plant must be arranged as a whole, and some workshops can be prepared in advance, and even run in advance, and other parts are unnecessary. If the process of prospecting, mining, beneficiation, sintering, ironmaking, steelmaking, casting and other processes is followed, one link at a time, the iron plant will not be built for ten years. So once the type and grade of iron ore is determined, the various equipment for the whole process must be quickly imported, installed in place, and workers must be recruited to familiarize themselves with the work. In order to avoid unnecessary troubles in the import process, you need to come forward as a U.S. citizen."

Sun Yuanqi did not know whether there was an organization similar to the later "Batumi" in the late Qing Dynasty, nor did he know whether Europe and the United States had an embargo list for the Qing government. 3∴35686688 But it is conceivable that the export of some advanced equipment will inevitably be restricted. In the spirit of caution, there is no big mistake, and a U.S. citizen needs to come forward.

Arthur felt that this was even more of a problem.

"Thirdly, as a manager, he is responsible for the initial operation of the plant. You don't have to be nervous, you're just a sign of the ironworks, just to deal with some minor troubles. For specific production management, I will ask Lilith to hire a qualified manager. ”

In China, it is not easy for enterprises to do, if you do not have a strong relationship, industry and commerce, taxation, quality inspection, health, safety, environmental protection, fire protection, electricity, ...... All those who are on the stage and those who are not on the stage are like grasshoppers who have seen blood, and will come over from time to time to stab you, eat, give gifts, and stuff red envelopes, all of which are the proper meaning of the question. Even if you have a backer, you have to re-establish the backer. Again and again, the factory was not far from closing. This is one of the reasons why the average life expectancy of Chinese companies is not long. If the business owner is a foreigner, the vampires will throw a rat into the trap.

"As for the last one, it's your long-cherished wish to be the legal advisor to the factory patent application. I've now come up with a brilliant design, as long as the casting and stamping shop is operational, even if we import steel from somewhere else, we can get into production quickly and make good profits. Provided, of course, that the design is well patented. ”

Sun Yuanqi's so-called wonderful design is the necessary equipment of steel helmets for later generations of soldiers. Legend has it that the modern steel helmet was conceived by General Adrian of France in World War I when he heard that the cook had escaped with a wok-fried pan on his head. Later, it became the standard equipment of all ** people and played an important role in the war. Just take the example of the American army in World War II, which saved at least 70,000 casualties due to the steel helmets it was equipped.

Of course, Sun Yuanqi, as a traverser, naturally thinks more about the design of the steel helmet, such as the size and shape of the steel helmet, the lining of the steel helmet, the light-absorbing paint on the outside of the steel helmet, and even the mí color coating, etc., which is enough to disassemble into countless patents to ensure that his products are unique and have no other branches. It's just that this design is ingenious, but the technical content is not high, and it is very easy to be plagiarized, so only when the factory can be put into production, it is good to apply for a patent.

After thinking for a moment, Arthur asked tentatively, "Yank, in this case, I'm afraid it will take a lot of money, right?" Your finances—"

"Haha, that's not even more to worry about. I've found a credible investor with a total of $3 million in research funding over the next five years. You should be able to keep the factory running, right? ”

According to the exchange rate in 1906, 3 million US dollars was converted into silver, which was enough for 4.5 million taels to build the Hanyang Iron Works, and the actual expenditure before and after was only 5 million taels of silver. In addition to being shocked, Arthur was also overjoyed, and if he really had $3 million, it would not be difficult to build a steel plant.

In the following days, he abandoned his former playmate Xiao Huaizu, hid every day to write and paint, and began to start the preliminary preparations.

Sun Yuanqi patted Xiōng Chest and told Yaser that the iron works had a fund of 3 million US dollars, but in fact, this money was mainly the cost of researching automobile engines, chassis, body and electrical equipment, although it could be embezzled for a period of time in the name of casting engine prototypes and researching body materials, but in the final analysis, the name is not justified. So he asked Lilith to analyze the profitability of flour, miji, instant noodles, xiōng clothes and other products in the next few years, and saw when this leak could be plugged while ensuring the normal operation of Jingshi University.

On the whole, there will be a large shortage of funds, fortunately, now the military conflicts between countries are continuous, there is a situation of mountains and rains coming to the wind and full of buildings, as long as the steel helmet can be put into production as soon as possible, the profit of the iron plant is just around the corner.

When it comes to talking about problems, time flies. On the last day of January 1908, Sun Yuanqi hurried back to Beijing, which was already half a month beyond the original three-month vacation.

Regardless of the fact that the dust was not washed, Sun Yuanqi hurriedly rushed to the school department to cancel the leave. This is the last day before Chinese New Year's Eve, I don't know if the affairs are too busy, or the rules are so, Yamén actually did not have a seal, which made Sun Yuanqi breathe a sigh of relief. What's even more coincidental is that Rong Qing, the secretary of the Faculty of Management, was sitting in the hall chatting with Zhang Zhidòng, the Minister of Affairs of the Faculty of Management.

They are all acquaintances, and they have to greet each other.

"Lord Zhongtang, Lord Shangshu, the lower officials have taken a leave of absence for three months this time, but there is something in the middle, and it has been delayed for half a month, I don't know how to deal with the lower officials in the ministry?" Sun Yuanqi decided to confess and turn himself in and strive for leniency.

"It's okay, it's okay." Zhang Zhidòng stroked his white beard and said, "The Queen Mother heard from several ministers' wives that you have won a very prestigious monument transfer award in the West and won glory for the country, which is very gratifying, and you still need to discuss it in the ministry." What's more, it's the month of Layue now, and the right is for you Hubei to make the secretary mén seal fifteen days in advance."

Rong Qing also said, "With the efforts of Zhang Zhongtang and Baixi, Hubei has promoted education and built schools in recent years, and it has been far from other provinces, and the school department has little to rely on." As for disposing of something, Baixi doesn't need to mention it. ”

"Hubei education can have today, it is all the credit of the Zhongtang people, and the lower officials dare not plunder the beauty." Sun Yuanqi hurriedly humbly conceded.

After a few more words of gossip, Sun Yuanqi got up to say goodbye. Zhang Zhi Dòng and Rong Qing saw that he was indeed tired and tired, and Jīng was not strong, so they did not keep too much.

Out of Mén, Sun Yuanqi rushed to Lianzi Hutong again. After more than half a year, I don't know how the old man has been in health recently. During the journey, I was quite worried. As soon as I entered the entrance of the alley, I saw Sun Duonan, Sun Duoyi, Sun Duoshi, Sun Duoxuan and other teenagers walking out, hooking their shoulders and back, and squeezing their eyebrows. When he saw Sun Yuanqi, he was startled, and quickly stood up in a proper manner, bowed and asked "Hello, sir"

It stands to reason that these are still their younger brothers. But since I was a child, I have been studying under my hands, and seven or eight years have passed in a blink of an eye. In their eyes, they play the role of a teacher more often. The old man also often orders himself to discipline strictly, these are lawless masters at school on weekdays, and seeing Sun Yuanqi alone is like a mouse seeing a cat, and tuǐ's stomach is spinning.

"What are you doing here?" Teacher Sun Yuanqi has been doing it for a long time, and this is the taste when he speaks.

A few people were in a state of arms for a long time, and Sun Duoxuan had the courage to say, "Back to Mr., we want to go out and buy some New Year's goods......"

Sun Duoxuan was born in the 19th year of Guangxu (1893), the fourth grandson of the elder, and he is a little old-fashioned.

Sun Yuan nodded, only to think that tomorrow was Chinese New Year's Eve, and this was not in school, it seemed that there was no need to put on the face of the division commander, so he smiled and waved at them, "You guys go play"

Several juveniles such as méng amnesty.

When I arrived outside the Sun Mansion, a few servants had already greeted me, "Young Master Nephew, you can come, the old lady has been talking about you these days."

In the Sun Mansion, the eldest is the highest and is respectfully called "Old Lady" by the servants; Sun Chuanzang's sons and nephews of these "biography" generations are collectively referred to as "masters"; As for himself and the third generation of those "many" generations, even if they are thirty or forty years old and have a son, they can still only be called "young masters".

"Uncle, grandfather, how is his old man doing lately?" Sun Yuanqi walked into the courtyard and asked the servant who led the way in front.

"The old lady is still in good health. A few days ago, I occasionally felt cold, so I have been asking for leave to raise at home, and recently it has calmed down, but it is cold in winter, and I dare not go out and walk around. The servant replied respectfully.

Lifting the heavy cotton curtains, stepping into the study, a hot smell mixed with charcoal came to my face, and I don't know how many braziers were placed in this small room. The old man sat in the Taishi's chair, covered with a thick máo blanket, and thought he was napping. Elderly people are like this, they can't wake up during the day and can't sleep at night. Hearing the sound of mén, he opened his eyes slightly and looked over.

"Uncle and grandfather" Sun Yuanqi hurriedly stepped forward and kowtowed to him respectfully.

"Baixi, is that you?" When the old man was overjoyed, he wanted to stand up. It's just that old age and frailty, plus sitting for a long time, where can I sit up?

Sun Yuanqi's nose was sour, and he hurriedly rushed forward and held the boss, "Uncle and grandfather, it's me"

"Hehe, when you're old, you're useless, and you can't stand up." The old man shook his head helplessly, "The time to go is not far away"

This sentence almost didn't bring out Sun Yuanqi's tears. Thinking about how strong the old man was when he first met in the Horse Temple ten years ago, but now he is so tired, it really makes Sun Yuan sigh.

Sun Yuanqi hurriedly smiled and comforted: "Uncle and grandfather's body is still very strong, and when the weather is warm, you can recuperate, and you can go to the Horse Temple to have a look." Maybe I'll be able to pick up another niece."