Some readers have been asking about the background of this article, and I will explain it today.

The next day, on the network of the core star field, an inconspicuous news was broadcast - a coup d'état of a weak civilization in the fringe star sector.

No one took it seriously.

After successfully puppeting the Yellow Sun civilization, Blue Feather handed over the sale rights of the Arcanon creatures to Zago and returned to Hesse City, where they had been in the Odyssey Universe for far too long.

After falling into the spatial pool, in a trance, they returned to the world of mental images.

"Sure enough, it's Paradise Island."

Shen Mengfei, who was leisurely on the paradise island, ran over quickly, but unexpectedly saw a large group of strangers.

Blue Feather introduced the members of the New Eden Project to the two of them.

"This is Makarov, the elder brother of the New Eden Project......"

"He is a member of the New Eden Project 10, his name is Ludwig, and his full name is Alfred. Feng. Bollen. Halbach. ”

"Alfred. Feng. Bollen. Halbach? Wait, are you a German nobleman? Shen Mengfei, who was more familiar with the history of European aristocracy, asked curiously after hearing the aristocratic prefix "Feng".

Ludwig responded with a smile: "Yes, I am the heir of the Krupp family. ”

Chen Yang remembered something: "I seem to have seen this name in a history book about World War II, but I didn't expect your family to last so long." ”

Shen Mengfei was also curious: "Krupp? I have used your elevator, and I feel that your elevator is really good, is that your fist product? ”

Hearing this, Ludwig laughed: "No, no, no, our fist product is munitions!" You've heard of their names! ”

"Huh? Have you switched to the military? ”

"Ha, it's just a return to the old ways. You know? U-boats, Leopard tanks, 98k rifles, artillery of all calibers. Tiger tanks, Bismarck-class battleships are all made by us! ”

"Ah?!!h The two couldn't believe their ears.

"You are from East Asia, you must know the Zhenyuan ship and the Dingyuan ship, they are also our products. Even, the beginning of your modern military is inseparable from the active participation of this family and our enterprise, and Li Hongzhang and the second-generation head of our Krupp family can be said to be good friends. ”

As he spoke, Ludwig sighed: "This history is so tortuous, I have only returned to Krupp in recent years, and everything is inseparable from the help of my friends." ”

Krupp has had its ups and downs for two centuries, but in the end, it cannot escape the vicious circle of "no more than three generations of wealth".

The first three generations of the Krupp family lived in Prussia, during the German II and German periods! In their time, Krupp has always been the largest military-industrial group in continental Europe and even in the world, and their industrial system is almost equal to the defense system of a great power.

The founder of the Krupp arms empire, named Alfred Krupp, inherited a small shop from his father, focusing on steel and iron.

His name and son, great-grandson, great-great-grandson.................. All with the same name!

Although the elder Krupp only received a basic education, he was particularly able to delve into it, and his vision and judgment were quite sharp. At that time, the ununified Germany was at the height of the Industrial Revolution, and the states were busy building railways, and the spliced wheels of trains at that time were easily deformed and derailed when running at high speed on the tracks, so that many local steel mills were reluctant to take orders for wheel hubs.

He was one step ahead of the curve in inventing the seamless train wheel.

Soon, orders began to pour in, and the small shop, which had only five people, including him, was upgraded to a Krupp steel mill and a highly effective production system was established – a key factor in the success of most German-style companies.

The symbol of the Krupp family, the three intertwined rings, symbolizes the craftsmanship of our ancestors – the seamless train wheel.

"Three intersecting rings, aren't they Audi?"

"That's five!"

Since then, Krupp Steel Mill has not only successfully occupied the domestic market, but also exported a large number of products to the Americas, becoming a German national enterprise with a very good reputation. After deciding the first pot of gold, the old Krupp resolutely decided to make munitions!

He designed and produced breech-loading cannons for the Prussian army, which far exceeded the world average in terms of rate of fire and accuracy. Winning the title of "king of cannons", Krupp was upgraded from a steel mill to Prussia's "royal" arms supplier.

It was these cannons that allowed Germany to defeat Napoleon III at the Battle of Sedan and advance to Paris, and Wilhelm I was crowned Emperor of Germany in the Hall of Mirrors of Versailles!

The unification of Germany made a perfect advertisement for Krupp, and the guns and armor steel plates of the K1 successfully entered the world market, becoming the largest enterprise in Europe and forming its own "military-industrial empire".

What's more transcendent is that my ancestor also belonged to a caring good boss - he created an employee welfare system that transcended the times~ Employees are almost all employed for life, similar to iron rice bowls, 8-hour work system, and can also enjoy the benefits of housing, medical care and pension provided by the company;

At the Krupp Corporate Park, he conscientiously built schools, parks, department stores, public baths and entertainment venues for his employees. In the event of an accidental death or incapacity for work, the family members of an employee can also receive adequate living security from Krupp.

You must know that in most European and American factories at this time, workers have to work an average of 14 to 16 hours a day, and sometimes even up to 18 hours. Moreover, in terms of no labor security, after being disabled or killed by a work-related injury, most of them have no way to appeal and have no room to defend their rights.

A job advertiser at a factory in New York, USA, generously stated, "This arrangement can ensure that the average daily working hours can reach 11 hours throughout the year." Of course, there are so-called "rest days" – that is, on Saturdays, workers can leave work one or two hours earlier.

While the Krupp factory continues to provide "killing weapons" for the global battlefield, the elder Krupp is also a good boss who is sympathetic to employees, a good husband and a good father who is loyal to his family.

During this period, in Essen, overlooking the Ruhr River, the Hügel estate, the Krupp family's stronghold, was erected. Later, generations of Krupp people turned the manor into the palace building it is today.

It was also during this period that Krupp received orders from East Asia and built a large number of ships for the Beiyang Naval Division, including the Zhenyuan and Dingyuan ships.

When Krupp Sr. died in 1887, he left his only son, Alfred Krupp Jr., Germany's largest company with 75,000 employees.