Yi Zhishu got up early in the morning, went to the main courtyard to ask his parents for peace, accompanied by a while, then went out to Xiguan Wharf, in the nearby teahouse to eat some breakfast, then called a clipper to Changle, he passed by Henan Island yesterday when he noticed that the tall chimney of Changle Machinery Factory has been built, Humen trip, delayed him for a few days, I don't know if those half a bucket of water Citi mechanics have designed the process of machine forging, Shunde Longjiang Machine Reeling Factory is now waiting for rice to cook, really can't afford to delay.

Hurriedly entered the factory, he went straight to the forging workshop, entered the door of the workshop, and saw that it was busy inside, it seemed that the machine was being installed, it seemed that they did not slow down the progress because he was not there, Tang Degui, Xiao Mingliang, Wang Xiaoqi and several people were all around to watch, they couldn't intervene in these things at all, one didn't understand, and the other didn't understand the language, so they could only watch from the sidelines, and a group of small translators were busy before and after.

Seeing Yi Zhizhi came in, Tang Degui and several people were happy to hurriedly greet him, after the ceremony, Tang Degui said with a smile: "We don't know that the big shopkeeper bought a forging hammer machine, unloaded the machine from Huangpu Port and transported it to the factory, and the foreign technicians who counted and classified it said that there was a forging hammer, and it was being installed and tested today." ”

And the hammer in the machine that Wetmo brought? Yi Zhishu really didn't know that the English of the machine was too professional for him to understand at all, so he only glanced at it twice, but when he placed an order last year, the machine manufacturing class was the focus, and it was not surprising that there was a forging hammer.

"Okay." Yi Zhizhi nodded with a smile and said: "During this time, I have a lot of things, you must learn to make reasonable arrangements independently, don't wait for me to decide everything." As he spoke, he looked at Tang Degui and said, "You are the owner of a factory." Gotta pick up the burden. It can't be a name. ”

"My subordinates understand." Tang Degui nodded hurriedly.

"Let's go. Look at it. Yi Zhizhi said and paced over, and Tang Degui also said step by step: "We can't understand the forging process designed by a group of foreign technicians, and we have to ask the big shopkeeper to take charge of it." ”

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Well, take it all and watch it here." ”

Seeing that Yi Zhizhi came over, the attitude of the foreign technicians changed greatly, and they greeted each other. Yi Zhixiang didn't know any of them, he responded one by one with a smile, and then stood aside to watch the excitement, Xiao Mingliang leaned beside him and said: "I heard from a foreign mechanic that the machine can swing a thousand catties of forging hammers." ”

A thousand pounds? It seems to be a small forging hammer, but the parts of the forging and reeling machine should be enough, Yi Zhizhi said disappreliably: "A thousand catties are surprised, the big forging hammer weighs tens of thousands of catties, don't worry, our factory will install it one after another in the future." ”

"A forging hammer of tens of thousands of catties?" Wang Xiaoqi was surprised and said, "What can this machine do?"

"No problem." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "These days." The rough parts didn't fall, did they? ”

"Go back to the treasurer." Wang Xiaoqi hurriedly replied: "All kinds of rough parts have been being processed, and they will be installed today." before the work is stopped. ”

"Where's the mold?"

Listening to the question, Wang Xiaoqi said with some worry: "The mold is cast in a batch, but the hammer is too heavy, and the small one is worried that the mold can't stand it." ”

These things are easy to be content, but there is nothing he can do, he smiled and said, "Can a living person suffocate urine?" Settle this matter on your own. ”

Speaking kung fu, Tang Degui has already taken a stack of design drawings over, Yi Zhizu took the drawings and entered the workshop office, looking through them one by one, he really didn't understand this thing, but a comparison, he still divided the good and bad, the machine forging of this year is simple, and after a brief look, he already has the bottom in his heart.

After choosing, he pulled out the most detailed one of the designs, and said to Xiao Mingliang and Wang Xiaoqi: "Rough billet processing can be carried out directly on the forging hammer, rough processing, tire die pre-forging, final forging, trimming, and correction, which means that a part needs a set of molds." As he spoke, he smiled and said, "Let the foreign mechanic explain it to you." ”

As he spoke, he looked at Tang Degui and said, "How much was the reward I promised at the beginning?" ”

"Two hundred silver dollars."

Yi Zhishu nodded and said, "Make a propaganda column, post this design drawing at the door of the workshop, and reward." He looked at the name on the design drawings and said, "Reward this two hundred oceans named Paul and promote him to the deputy supervisor of the workshop." ”

"Two hundred oceans!" Xiao Mingliang hesitated and said, "Just a few words, a few pictures, it's worth two hundred oceans?" ”

Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "Two thousand oceans are not enough, you not only have to learn from foreign technicians, but also ponder more, if you can figure out new things, I will not hesitate to reward, such as complex parts processing, machine defects and improvements, etc., I will not hesitate to reward those who have merit." ”

The installation of the forging hammer was completed in the afternoon, and the start-up test was completely carried out by foreign technicians, watching the big hammer easily beat the red-hot rough blank into the mold sleeve, and two or three hammers were formed, Wang Xiaoqi couldn't bear to step forward and tried it once, Tang Degui said excitedly: "This machine is really amazing, this is too easy, the big shopkeeper, 20,000 silk reeling machines a year, the subordinates are now confident." ”

"It's good to have faith." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "Customize the mold as soon as possible and implement mass production, now is the peak season for silk reeling, waiting for the silk reeling machine to be used urgently." Before he finished speaking, he looked up and saw Wu Changqing hurrying over.

As soon as they met, Wu Changqing said: "The big shopkeeper is back, and Anderson of the Yili Railway Company is going crazy, and he comes to block me every day." ”

"Let's go, go out and talk." Yi Zhizu walked out of the workshop with a smile, and then said, "Changqing didn't arrange it for him?" ”

"How do I know if you're deliberately procrastinating?" Wu Changqing said angrily: "I really don't know what is interesting in Humen, but I have been gone for seven or eight days." ”

"Let's talk about this on the boat." Yi Zhicontent said with a smile: "Rush to see Oliphon and them now." ”

The two got on the boat, and Wu Changqing asked, "How is the situation in Humen?" ”

"It's bad." Yi Zhizhi said: "If war breaks out, it will not be able to stop the British fleet at all. ”

"What then?"

"Help the Humen Fort replace the artillery, and ask the American gunners to train them as gunners."

Wu Changqing said worriedly: "Is it too late? ”

"No problem." Yi Zhi said confidently: "The outbreak of war is at least the peak season of maritime trade in the year after tomorrow, and the time is in time. ”

Wu Changqing said: "To be honest, I don't have confidence in those green battalion soldiers. You can't even fight pirates. How to fight the British Navy? ”

"I also don't have confidence in the officers and men of the Marine Division. That's why the money was paid to let Guan Junmen recruit volunteers. Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "In addition, I am going to spend money to build a few new forts in Humen, there are sailors, volunteers, plus our merchant group, I guarantee that the British army will not be able to cross Humen, although Changqing can rest assured, but." You have to blow the wind to the old man, and it is estimated that it will cost two million silver dollars, and the silver dollars can be out, but with such a large amount, the shareholders are afraid that they have opinions. ”

"What can I say?" Wu Changqing said disappreliantly: "But it's just two million, Changle Machinery Factory will earn it back in a year, Donghuang Silk Industry, there are two million a year, what do they have to say?" Don't make any noise about this in advance, Yuanqi's account period will not be until next year. Next year, let's talk about it. Humen's investment is not in place all at once, so don't worry about this. ”

As he spoke, he smiled, and continued: "Brother Contentment is confused, this matter can be blamed on the imperial court, just say that it was ordered by the imperial court, and the governor's palace, the governor's department, and the admiral's office will not take the silver without saying a word?" Having said that, with such a large scale, how could Yuan Qi be less able to donate to the imperial court? ”

"It's really confusing." Yi smiled contentedly.

After a slight groan, Wu Changqing said: "Brother Contentment is in a hurry to see Olifin and them, but is it for the purchase of artillery?" ”

"Evergreen has a way?"

"Macau." Wu Changqing said: "All the owners of seagoing ships buy firearms and gunpowder in Macao, and they can buy firearms from Western countries from foreign businessmen in Macao, but with such a large purchase, I don't know if they have the ability." ”

Yi Zhishu was quick-witted, and immediately asked, "How expensive were the muskets we bought from the Americans last time?" ”

"It's not expensive." Wu Changqing said with a smile: "Brother Si Yu has cut thirty percent of the total price, which is slightly cheaper than the price in Macau, six or seven oceans. ”

"That's because we didn't order those guns, otherwise they wouldn't be so easy to talk to." Yi Zhishu said with a slight groan, and after a little weighing, he said: "Talk to the Americans first, see the situation, even if it is expensive, it doesn't matter, after all, we want to cooperate with the United States for a long time, and it is understandable to give them some sweetness." ”

The two went ashore at Xiguan Wharf and went straight to the ophthalmology clinic opened by Bo Jia on Xindoulan Street, and sent the little guy to invite Oliphy and Wei Temo, and the two entered the door, the business of the ophthalmology medical bureau was very good, and Bo Jia was busy and didn't have time to greet the two of them, so he said hello and let the two of them go to their own devices.

Yi Zhishu entered the living room in the backyard with familiarity, then took two cigars, threw one to Wu Changqing, took the cigar and ordered it skillfully, Wu Changqing said: "Why is Brother Contentment reluctant to enter the commercial hall area, he always likes to meet them here?" ”

"Our identities are too sensitive." Yi Zhisuff spewed out the smoke from his mouth and said: "There are too many British merchants in the merchant district, I don't want to be false with them, and I don't want the British to notice the frequent exchanges between Yuanqi and American merchants too early. ”

"Cover your ears and steal the bell." Wu Changqing laughed and said: "Who doesn't know that Yuanqi and the American businessmen are fighting fiercely, and the towering chimney of Changle Machinery Factory can't be seen by the British?" ”

"Well, the main thing is that I don't want to deal with the arrogant British."

"The British don't really talk about it." Wu Changqing raised his chin slightly as he spoke, stood up and said, "Yilu is here." ”

The Law of Righteousness? Yi Zhizhi is content, why did he come? Although he had never met the British trade and commercial director in China, he knew about this person and inquired about it in detail.

As soon as he entered the door, Yilu, who was wearing a suit and a bow tie and was a little bald, said very politely: "I just passed by the medical bureau and heard that Mr. Yi and Mr. Wu were guests here, so I took the liberty to come to visit." ”

Ma Ruhan hurriedly introduced on the side: "This gentleman is the British Empire's General Inspector of Commerce in China - Sir Charles Yilu. ”

Yi Zhishu put down the cigar in his hand, stood up, stretched out his hand very enthusiastically, and said in English: "It turned out to be Your Excellency the Chief Superintendent, Jiu Yang." ”

Ma Ruhan introduced on the side: "This is the big class of Yuanqi Bank, Mr. Yi Zhifen. ”

Yilu shook his hand and said, "Mr. Yi speaks English very well. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Ma also speaks Chinese fluently."

Wu Changqing smiled and stretched out his hand and said, "It's a pleasure to meet His Excellency the Chief Superintendent here. ”

"Mr. Wu, I haven't seen you for a long time."

Several people sat down to greet each other, and Yilu said straightforwardly: "The British Empire and the Qing Empire have a history of more than 200 years of commerce and trade, as the chief superintendent of commerce in China, I hope that the trade between the two countries can develop steadily for a long time, and I hope that the trade between the two countries will be more reciprocal and fair.

I have heard that Mr. Yi not only speaks fluent English, but also knows the situation in Europe very well, and has a good relationship with the Governor-General, could I please discuss with Mr. Yi, I hope to meet with the Governor General to discuss the business and trade issues between the two countries. ”

"Your Excellency the Governor's request, I will truthfully convey it to the Governor." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "National affairs, not my small businessman can easily interfere, and please forgive me, all I can do is pass on a word." ”

"Mr. Yi is not an ordinary businessman." Yilu said: "I heard that Yuanqi is going to build a railway from Guangzhou to Foshan, and Yuanqi has also built a machine manufacturing factory in the west of Henan Island. ”

"Your Excellency the Superintendent is really well-informed." Yi Zhisuff said with a smile: "Yes, Yuanqi really wants to vigorously develop industry in Guangzhou. ”

"Mr. Yi is a very thoughtful person, and he also understands the world very well, which is very different from ordinary Qing officials and businessmen." Yilu said and took a deep breath and said: "However, I don't understand, Mr. Yi should know very well that the British Empire is the first country to carry out the industrial revolution, the most complete and advanced industrial technology, and has long-term business and trade with the Qing State, Mr. Yi wants to vigorously develop industry in Guangzhou, why not choose to cooperate with the British?" ”

Yi Zhishu looked at him and said, "I heard that your country has long forbidden skilled workers from leaving the country, and it is also strictly forbidden to export machinery. ”

"It's slander." "The British Empire has long lifted the restrictions on the export of machinery, let alone restricted its citizens from going abroad. ”

"Is that really the case?" Yi Zhicontent had a look of sudden realization.

Yilu said in a deep voice: "That's true. ”

Yi Zhishu immediately said seriously: "I heard that your country's cannon casting technology is leading the world, guns are not hollow casting, but solid casting, after casting, drill the chamber with water, and then use steam-powered equipment to spin, the chamber is precise, the quality is very good, there is no need to worry about the danger of exploding.

This set of machinery and equipment, whether your country is willing to sell, the price is negotiable, with the strength of Yuanqi, the price is not a problem. (To be continued.) )