Seeing Anderson say goodbye, Wei Sanwei knew that several people had business to discuss, so he didn't want to listen, so he quickly got up and said, "I'll send Mr. Anderson to the merchant house." Saying that, he changed to Chinese and said to Yi Zhicontent: "I brought the printing equipment that Yi Shopkeeper wanted, and more than a dozen related technicians, can I arrange to go to the newspaper hall?" ”

Yi Zhishu said with a smile: "The imperial court has relaxed the restrictions on foreign businessmen, and Mr. Wei Sanwei can rest assured that they can go to the newspaper office." ”

"That's great news." Wei Sanwei said happily: "Then we'll see you in the newspaper." ”

After sending Wei Sanwei and Anderson away, Yi Zhishu asked directly: "Mr. Weitmore can bring professional and technical personnel in machine manufacturing and machining this time?" His top priority at the moment is the Changle Machinery Manufacturing Factory, and the top priority is to mass-produce silk reeling machines.

Weetmo smiled and asked knowingly, "Mr. Yi is going to build a machine manufacturing factory?" ”

"I want to be able to build my own steam engine." Yi Zhishu said calmly: "The steam engine occupies a lot of space, but the price is not high, long-term ocean transportation by merchant ships, for both of us, it is not cost-effective, in addition, the steam engine is widely used, the demand is not small, we must be able to manufacture independently." ”

"Mr. Yi's idea, I agree with it." Wetermo smiled: "No merchant ship is willing to load a steam engine, especially a high-horsepower one, which is too bulky and heavy, and it can't be placed in the bilge ballast, which not only damages the ship, but also is quite dangerous, and we are all paying high freight rates." ”

Olifen said: "Mr. Yi is familiar with the situation in Europe, does he know that England strictly prohibits craftsmen from going abroad and strictly prohibits the export of machines?" ”

I really don't know about this easy contentment. Think about it though. That's how it should be. Britain has been trading with the Qing Dynasty for hundreds of years, but there is not a single steam engine in Guangzhou, a treaty port, it is obvious that the British are deliberately blockading, but what does Olifin mean by this?

Before he could speak, Wu Changqing said with a big grin: "I take the liberty of asking, why didn't the United States blockade the Qing Dynasty with technical talents and machines?" ”

"Because Mr. Yi chose the right time." Wetermore laughed, "At a time when there was an economic crisis in the United States. Mr. Yi proposed the Industrial Revolution in the Qing Dynasty, and the largest market in the East was enough to impress all the businessmen and most of the politicians, who were eager to get out of the shadow of the economic crisis by helping the Qing Dynasty complete the Industrial Revolution. ”

Yi Zhizhi said: "What Mr. Olifin means is that although the United States will export technical talents and machines to the Qing Dynasty, it will also have reservations and blockades, right?" ”

Oliphon nodded and said, "Yes, although the American government is eager to expand trade with your country and is willing to help your country carry out the industrial revolution, it will not export technology and machinery without reservation. Please forgive Mr. Yi for this. ”

Smiling, Yi Zhizhi said, "The English blockade is so severe. Didn't the United States go through the Industrial Revolution and flourish? Not only the United States, but also France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland and other countries in Europe have carried out the industrial revolution, which shows that as long as there is demand, as long as there are enough interests, no matter how strict the blockade, there will be loopholes. ”

After a pause, he continued: "The Qing Empire, as an indispensable part of global trade, has trade contacts with all large and small countries in Europe, once there is a need for an industrial revolution, no country can stop it!" Nor would any country refuse to help the Qing Empire with the Industrial Revolution! Including English!

Regardless of the country's politics. The government understands that there are huge benefits in helping the Qing Empire, which has the largest market in the world, to carry out the industrial revolution, not because I chose the right time, but because of the American government. It is in the best interest of the United States that the government made the right decision to vigorously help the Qing Empire carry out the industrial revolution!

England was the first country to carry out the industrial revolution, and the technology was the most mature, so it was the best choice to help the Qing Dynasty carry out the industrial revolution, but I chose England instead of England, but the United States, which was out of the need to balance foreign trade, and I believe that American politicians can clearly understand this. ”

Listening to these words, Olifin and Weitmo couldn't help but look at each other, both of them knew that the ban on the export of machinery in England had been lifted, and the two of them were originally discussing that they would use this excuse to raise the price of the machines shipped in and strive for better treatment for the skilled workers who came to Guangzhou.

"Well said, thorough analysis." Wu Changqing praised lightly and said: "Steam engines and related technical personnel are available in all countries, but they are not like the tea leaves of the Qing Dynasty. ”

Yi Zhishu smiled, pulled the topic back, and said, "Can there be professional and technical personnel in machine manufacturing and machining to come to Guangzhou?" ”

"Yes." "The economic crisis broke out in China, many factories closed down, and a large number of workers lost their jobs, Mr. Yi offered three times his salary, attracting many young technical talents, including machinery manufacturing, iron smelting, chemical industry, shipbuilding, mining, printing and other industries. ”

Listening to him say that the triple salary is particularly heavy, Yi Zhixiang smiled and said: "Don't worry, I will not lose my trust because of the economic crisis in your country, and the triple salary will remain the same, but professional and technical personnel and skilled workers must be treated differently, and I will interview and assess them one by one." ”

Hearing that the triple salary would not change, Olifin and Wetmore both put their minds at ease and looked at each other, Olifin said: "There are a lot of skilled workers who came with the fleet this time, including the personnel of the railway company, there are more than 300 people, the American Merchant House is not able to live, how to properly settle it, and Mr. Yi and Mr. Wu, in addition, most of them are penniless and have not even paid the fare." ”

Hearing that there were more than 300 people, Wu Changqing was startled, groaned slightly, and said: "Shenjing Island, that is, the original French Island, is now inhabited by no foreign businessmen. ”

Yi Zhishu shook his head, what are you kidding, this is not a businessman, they are all skilled workers, what is it to throw it on Shenjing Island? He interrupted Wu Changqing's words and said: "The personnel of the railway company do not need to be resettled by us, let them stay in the American Commercial Pavilion, and the other personnel will be temporarily resettled in Changle Village, and each of them will be temporarily lent ten oceans first."

As for their fares, they were paid by Yuan Qi, and in the future, all Americans, whether they came to Canton or returned to the United States, were paid by Yuan Qi, except, of course, merchants. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Yi, for your generosity." Olifin hurriedly bowed in thanks.

Wei Temo took out a list, got up and handed it over, and said, "This is the list of goods of the fleet I brought, please take a look at it, Mr. Yi." (To be continued.) )