"For working hours, I recommend a weekly system. Seven days a week, one day off per week. Everyone has been working for six days and will rest tomorrow. Chen Ke put forward his own suggestions for a work and rest system. Everything in the factory is discussed collectively, and all systems are handled transparently. For a project that is doomed to failure, Chen Ke is not so picky. He used the advanced management experience of later generations here, and also had the meaning of doing social practice.

"Let's vote." Qin Tongren said tepidly. At the end of these six days of work, the young man's calm expression also revealed exhaustion. The result of the vote was unanimous. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. After such a high-intensity work, everyone is really tired. If it weren't for such a group discussion model, it is estimated that many people would have started to be lazy a long time ago.

"Everyone has just arrived, and people's hearts are unstable. My suggestion is that we only use the weekly salary system for these two months. Paychecks are made weekly. Let's vote. Chen Ke threw out his "dry goods".

Hearing this suggestion, everyone really smiled. It was immediately unanimously approved. Now the agreed salary is 8 oceans per month. That's two oceans per person per week. Everyone put the ocean in their pockets, and the joy was palpable.

There is also a sanitation duty schedule, and there is a shift system that several factories must have. Two simple honeycomb coals have been made, and after Chen Ke repeatedly told him to be careful about gas poisoning, this democratic life will be dissolved. Chen Ke was about to leave with Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo, when Qin Tongren took the initiative to come over and ask, "Is Wen Qing going back to his residence?" ”

Qin Tongren is a typical example of the old-fashioned style, never talking about private matters in public. His question made Chen Ke feel a little curious. "Yes, I'll go back to my lodgings now."

"Let's go together, I'm just going to Master He's." Qin Tongren's spirit looks very good.

Chen Ke didn't dare to snub this Mr. Qin, in fact, if he had to say it, Chen Ke even had some respect for Qin Tongren. I saw that Qin Tongren had a high reputation among his colleagues in the Tianjin Machinery Bureau. Chen Ke privately inquired about the origin of this Mr. Qin. Yin Ergou and Shen Songwen were the first to take refuge in Chen Ke because of their outstanding performance in the house repair project. The two recounted Qin Tongren's experience.

Tianjin Machinery Bureau is a government-run military enterprise. In the sixth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1867), it was founded in Tianjin by Chonghou, the minister of trade and commerce. It was originally known as the "General Directorate of Munitions and Machinery". The start-up fund is more than 200,000 taels, second only to the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau. In the ninth year of Tongzhi, it was taken over by Li Hongzhang, the governor of Zhili, and was renamed "Tianjin Machinery Manufacturing Bureau". This enterprise can be said to be the stronghold of the Northern Westernists. In addition to the production of munitions, the Tianjin Machinery Bureau also produced a number of warships and ships, including the cruise ship of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Of particular note is the construction of China's first submarine and the first bridge in 1880.

In the Gengzi Incident, the Eight-Nation Coalition must destroy Asia's largest military industrial enterprise. As a technician, Qin Tongren also volunteered to participate in this war, fighting under the command of Nie Shicheng. The specific situation is not clear, but I heard from the workers of the factory that Qin Tongren guarded the factory and did not evacuate until the end.

As soon as the military disaster passes, it will be followed by **. After the loss of the factory, other countries except Japan were not interested in the equipment of the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau. The Japanese are scrambling for equipment. Not only the Japanese, but also many local people in Tianjin also pulled things from the manufacturing bureau to their homes. So the good manufacturing bureau was completely destroyed, and there was not even a single scum left. However, many private factories and workshops appeared in Tianjin.

Chen Ke believes that everyone is not lying, the manufacturing bureau belongs to the imperial court, and the equipment of the manufacturing bureau can become his own when he pulls it to his home. There is no need to say who is light and who is heavy. Yin Ergou also told Chen Ke privately that Qin Tongren pulled some people to protect the manufacturing bureau back then, but not only failed to keep the factory, but Qin Tongren was even broken by someone.

After listening to these introductions, Chen Ke couldn't help but be in awe of Qin Tongren. There are still such people in these years, it is even more difficult than a white rabbit out of the coal pile.

Qin Tongren is usually silent, even if he speaks, his voice is not high, his attitude is calm, and he looks like a scholar. At that time, he also personally took up arms against the Eight-Nation Alliance and defended the factory. These two different images could not be unified in Chen Ke's mind. But no matter what kind of question mark Qin Tongren is, since he said that he wants to go along, Chen Ke will naturally not refuse. After the group hit the road, everyone just chatted. Qin Tongren didn't ask so much about personal matters, everyone just chatted simply, but they were also happy. At the door of Chen Ke's house, Chen Ke opened the courtyard door.

It was very different from a few days ago, now the courtyard was quiet, Pang Zi and the others set off two days ago, Wu Xingchen and Chen Tianhua returned to Nangong County with Pang Zi, and the brothers from Shandong returned to their hometown together. Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo remained in Beijing, and they now live in the factory with Chen Ke. Only Wang Bin stayed here, and it was not a little deserted compared to the previous days.

"Wen Qing, you're back." After seeing Chen Ke, Wang Bin was quite excited, "Do you want to go to the reception at the German Legation?" ”

"Huh?" Chen Ke could understand this sentence, but he was not able to understand the meaning of this sentence. The reception at the German Legation was also a high-level diplomatic gathering. Wang Bin, a cadre of a foreign bank, was able to participate, which was already somewhat unexpected, and he could also bring his friends to participate, which is even more puzzling.

Seeing Chen Ke's doubts, Wang Bin smiled and said, "My invitation letter is universal, you can bring a few people with you." I can't find anyone else, Wen Qing, you go with me. ”

This is generally the case with foreign invitations, and with a few exceptions, single young people are generally not welcome at those parties. Chen Ke had the idea of going to see the world, but after thinking about it, he still felt that it was inappropriate. After hesitating, he suddenly remembered something, so he asked, "Brother Wang, do you remember Qin Tongren?" It is also said that he graduated from the Humboldt University of Berlin. A few years higher than you. ”

"Uh-huh......, uh-huh! I remember, it's the skinny one, Tianjin people. Wang Bin was excited.

"That's right, that's the one."

"How did you meet?" Wang Bin asked eagerly.

"I know you through the door. Now he's in Lord Ho's house. ”

"Wen Qing, take me over to see him, it's really been a long time."

Chen Ke originally wanted to find He Ruming, but last time he refuted He Ruming's face, the relationship between the two began to grow cold. Although Chen Ke sold the medicine to He Ruming at a price of 12 taels, He Ruming was obviously angry. But Chen Ke really felt that this old man was his nobleman, even if he just met Qin Tongren through He Ruming, Chen Ke felt that it was very worthwhile. Hearing Wang Bin say this, Chen Ke got up and said, "Go now." ”

After He Ruming saw Chen Ke, he still ignored him. However, Qin Tongren looked at Wang Bin with an excited face in slight surprise, and then stood up, he said slowly in that signature relaxed tone: "This is Wang Bin, right?" ”

"Brother Qin, it's the little brother." Seeing that Qin Tongren recognized him, Wang Bin hurriedly took a few steps forward and held Qin Tongren's hand, "After many years, Brother Qin's demeanor is still the same." ”

He Ruming looked at this scene dumbfounded, although he was extremely dissatisfied with Chen Ke, but he also had to be convinced, Chen Ke's wide range of contacts was really breathtaking.

Not as enthusiastic as Wang Bin at all, but definitely not cold. Qin Tongren was also very happy that this old friend could meet here. He introduced Wang Bin to He Ruming, and everyone simply talked about it at He Ruming's house. Wang Bin was very excited, and after talking for a while, he simply invited Qin Tongren to attend the reception at the German Legation with him. Wang Bin is also very smart, since he is at He Ruming's house, he naturally will not snub He Ruming, and also invite He Ruming's family to participate in the reception.

Chen Ke watched quietly from the side, Qin Tongren had no interest in this invitation. After He Ruming heard the invitation, he was first shocked, and then couldn't help but be happy. Wang Bin made it clear that this reception was held by the wife of a counselor when she arrived in China. Not only foreign missions, but also Chinese officials. He Ruming couldn't help but ask: "But the German legation didn't send me an invitation." ”

"Don't worry about this, I can go with whoever I want this invitation, and there is no limit to the number of people."

"If I go, who will I take?"

"Just take your wife, son, and young lady with you."

"Oh?"

"But I suggest that the children don't bring them."

"Oh. When does the drinking party start? ”

"Tomorrow morning starts. End of afternoon. Have a meal together at noon. If you want, let's go with you. ”

Knowing that Wang Bin is now living with Chen Ke, He Ruming said that he would reply to Wang Bin early tomorrow morning. Wang Bin asked Qin Tongren to come to Chen Ke's side if he was free, and then he and Chen Ke got up to say goodbye.

Qin Tongren did not come that night, which made Wang Bin quite disappointed. Early the next morning, He Ruming sent a housekeeper to come and said that he was willing to go together.

No matter what others think, in Chen Ke's opinion, the wine party looks very bad. Groups of foreign devils came out and went in, Wang Bin was still with Chen Ke at first, and then he disappeared. The food is not good, it is much worse than the high-end buffet. Chen Ke lost interest after taking a few bites. When He Ruming saw this scene, he was a little trembling, but he soon met several Manchu officials. He Ruming is from the Ministry of Rites, and these people should be his superiors. So Master He smiled and went to talk to the officials. Germany is a rising star in Europe, and there are really a lot of people who come, listening to a group of birds with various accents, Chen Ke feels a little drowsy. He hid in a corner, holding a slice of bread and munching on it boringly.

It is said that the great teachers Marx or Engels thought that German women should go to the farm. The difference in the appearance of German women is the second lowest in Europe. After the hostess of this reception appeared, Chen Ke thought that Wang Bin's friend should be an ordinary German dragoon aunt, but he didn't expect that his appearance was not bad. The master of ceremonies introduced it in French, and Chen Ke didn't understand the grunting words. The hostess toasted everyone, and Chen Ke followed the team to take a wine glass, raise a glass together, and then drink. Then go ahead and start boring.

But opportunities will come your way as long as you are willing to wait. Chen Ke seems bored, but in fact, he has been waiting for an opportunity. Now the opportunity is finally here. He Ruming came out this time and brought his two daughters. The girls have been following He Ruming, and now the handsome guy He has finally left with Shangguan. Chen Ke hurriedly walked over.

He Qian's dress today is very different from the last time I saw it, although this dress is not a Western-style dress, it is not a Manchu style. It's winter, and this dark cyan silk suit is quite similar to Hanfu. And the two girls only combed their braids, and there were not so many bits and pieces on their heads, which looked quite delicate.

"Hello, Miss He." Chen Ke said.

He Qian didn't expect Chen Ke to come over to say hello, and there was immediately vigilance in his expression. "Hello Mr. Chen." He Qian said lukewarmly.

"I was really happy to talk to Miss He last time I had a business. But I wonder if Lord He has any other ideas for cooperation? Chen Ke didn't want to get entangled with He Ruming about honeycomb coal. Even if He Ruming helped Chen Ke do a lot of things, Chen Ke still didn't want to talk about business with He Ruming. Because I'm too tired.

He Qian didn't expect Chen Ke to come over to say this, her beautiful big eyes stared at Chen Ke for a while, as if she wanted to see Chen Ke's thoughts.

"Don't worry, I don't mean anything else. He is not a good partner in business. For your part, I'd love to cooperate. ”

Hearing Chen Ke say bad things about her brother in person, He Qian felt angry and funny, she looked at Chen Ke with a contemptuous gaze, "Mr. Chen, don't you think it's inappropriate to say that?" ”

Such doubts had no effect on Chen Ke at all, and he smiled: "Business is business." I want to negotiate with someone who is best suited for negotiation. It's easy and fast. I'm a lazy person. ”

He Qian couldn't help but smile on her lips when she heard Chen Ke's praise so seriously. But the smile was fleeting, and she said seriously: "My eldest brother is in charge of my family. Mr. Chen approached me for business, but I found the wrong person. ”

Chen Ke stared at He Qian seriously for a while, and then replied, "Yes." After speaking, he looked at the little girl who was a little timid and half-hiding behind He Qian, but looked at him with curious eyes. The little girl is fifteen or sixteen years old, and the silk clothes on her body are similar to He Qian's, and the color is dark green.

"Hello." Chen Ke greeted her.

"Hello." The little girl replied politely.

"Have you eaten enough? The food in this place is brought by himself, not by others. So you're welcome, if you see what's on the table, just take it. Chen Ke said softly to the little girl.

"Thank you for the advice." Although the little girl was shy, she was not timid, and she replied to Chen Ke very seriously. Chen Ke thought that the little girl would have stage fright, but he didn't expect it to be like that at all. He couldn't help but look at the little girl carefully, her skin was dark, but her luster was delicate, and her eyebrows were quite deep, but she didn't look like He Ruming. Chen Ke's gaze made the little girl bow her head slightly. Damn, this is really everyone's show. Chen Ke mentally praised that although He Ruming is not very good, his sister and this little girl are really unusual. Yin flourishes and yang declines.

"Is there anything else Mr. Chen is up to?" Seeing Chen Ke looking at his niece, He Qian asked unceremoniously. This is an eviction order, Chen Ke understood, and he hurriedly responded: "Then everyone play well and eat well." I'll go over there first. ”

Sitting back in the corner, Chen Ke looked at the two young ladies of the He family again. I saw He Qian looking around, she should be looking for He Ruming, the little girl was still standing quietly in place, her eyes slightly downward. It's far away, and it looks like a beautiful doll. Chen Ke suddenly wanted to go over again and said, "Little Loli, strange uncle, I'll take you to catch goldfish." ”

While thinking wildly, Wang Bin suddenly appeared in front of Chen Ke. Although he wanted to force a smile, an anger that could not be concealed wanted to cover up.

"What's wrong? Who messed with you? ”

Wang Bin was silent.

"If you're not happy, let's go. This drink will come and go freely. Chen Ke said with a smile.

"Well, that's fine." Wang Bin nodded fiercely.

The two found He Ruming, only to see He Ruming standing cautiously next to several officials. One of them is talking eloquently, and he should have a high official position. No wonder He Ruming doesn't even care about his daughter, and he can't serve Shangguan well. Seeing Chen Ke beckoning to him, He Ruming confessed his guilt and came over. It should have earned face, and He Ruming, who was very cold to Chen Ke a few days ago, looked quite excited. Knowing that Chen Ke and Wang Bin were leaving, He Ruming looked a little embarrassed.

"It's okay, Lord Ho. This drink will come and go freely. We'll just go, and there's nothing to do with you staying here. Chen Ke hurriedly explained.

Knowing that he didn't have to go together, He Ruming immediately became happy again. Everyone said goodbye to each other, and Chen Ke and Wang Bin embarked on the way home.

"What's the matter, did your friend's husband say something unpleasant?" Chen Ke said with a smile.

"How do you know?" Wang Bin was taken aback.

"You can see it at a glance. Let's hear what's going on. Chen Ke comforted Wang Bin.

Humboldt University of Berlin was arguably one of the world's centers of scholarship before World War II. Many well-known scholars and politicians have left their mark here, and 29 Nobel laureates in the fields of chemistry, medicine, physics and other fields have been produced, and the achievements are amazing.

In such a school, naturally there are a large number of children of German aristocrats studying here, and Wang Bin met a lady here, Joanna. Feng. Weitbach, the two fell in love like that.

"Wait, von. Weitbach? Is she Bavarian? Chen Ke stopped Wang Bin's words.

Such profound genealogical knowledge startled Wang Bin, and Wang Bin nodded in surprise.

"Brother Wang, you really know how to choose people." Chen Ke said admiringly.

Feng. Weitbach is the royal family of Bavaria, Germany, with an eight-hundred-year heritage. There were quite a few in this family who had been kings of some small European countries.

"There's only one name left in Joanna's house now." Wang Bin said with regret, "I didn't know her family's origin until I knew her for a year. ”

Joanna's family is not a branch of the family inheritance, it can only be regarded as a standard side branch. However, in Germany, the name is already very famous, pursuing Joanna, hoping that his name can be compared with the illustrious von . There are also many children of big capitalists with connections with Wittbachla. Obviously, Joanna's father had this intention too. Marrying a wealthy in-law is a very good choice for this family with empty titles of nobility and no wealth.

So when he heard the news that his daughter was in love with a Chinese student, the father was quite unhappy. Unhappy will lead to unhappy results, Wang Bin was cleaned up several times at school. Joanna was Bavarian after all, and had a lot of fights with her father about it. But the two really couldn't screw it, so they had to break up.

Originally, Wang Bin wanted to stay in Germany to work, but after graduation, he also found a job. Unexpectedly, Joanna got married after graduation, and her husband's family had a deep relationship with Wang Bin's company, so Wang Bin was "sent" back to China by the company, and a dignified science and engineering student became a staff member of a foreign bank.

But providence made people, Joanna's husband was a member of the German Foreign Office, and less than a year after Wang Bin returned to China, he was appointed as the consul of the German embassy in China, and brought his wife Joanna to China with him.

Wang Bin didn't say the rest, and Chen Ke could guess it. It must have been Joanna's husband who said a lot of unpleasant things to Wang Bin, so Wang Bin left the scene angrily.

"It's okay, Brother Wang, wait for us to beat the foreign devils out of China later. We just want this brother to be the German ambassador, and we must let him personally hold a reception to entertain you. I'll see how arrogant he can go. Chen Ke comforted. For some reason, he suddenly remembered the He family's loli.

"It's hard enough to beat foreign devils out of China." Wang Bin said regretfully, but after a while, Wang Bin deliberately said in a happy tone: "That's right, when the foreign devils are beaten out, we will let this bastard be the German ambassador." ”

"That's how you should have the courage." Chen Ke also laughed.

After the Sunday holiday, the Monday resumes work. Qin Tongren is still the same. There was no intimacy with Chen Ke because of the encounter with Wang Bin the day before yesterday. Chen Ke didn't expect so much, and the next step was even more arduous.

First of all, there was a plenary meeting, which was the design analysis of the honeycomb coal production line. Chen Ke saw a steam honeycomb coal engine when he was a child, he was born in engineering, and he still knows the principle very well. The most critical part is the linkage. The core of the honeycomb coal machine is to automatically fill the pulverized coal at the same time, the hammer is lifted, the coal filling is over, the sledgehammer falls, and 16 pieces of coal are knocked out at one time. In this way, Chen Ke has the impression that using a machine can produce 48 pieces of coal in one minute. According to the calculation that the machine works 10 hours a day, it is 28,800 pieces of coal in a day.

Tianjin Machinery Bureau is a military enterprise, and everyone's level is not low. I watched Chen Ke finish drawing the entire set of machine designs on the blackboard, but no one spoke. After a while, Qin Tongren spoke. "Do we build the machine ourselves, or what should we do?"

"I don't know if there is any remaining equipment available in Tianjin Machinery Bureau. If these devices are made in-house, the steel used, as well as the accessories, are all a problem. I mean being able to use the old equipment, that's the best. ”

After listening to Chen Ke's suggestion, Qin Tongren stopped talking.

"Mr. Chen, your set of things is good. But seriously, this reciprocating device is too demanding for steel. Do you think, how long can the parts last after hammering down thousands of times a day? Xu Erba spoke.

Seeing Xu Erba speak, Xu Tianqi from the steel workshop came to speak, "I don't think it's necessary to do this, it's winter now." It's taken too long for us to build such a complete set of equipment. I think the basic principle is already clear, so let's redesign it, mainly the take-off and landing of the sledgehammer. Looking at Mr. Chen's design, this reliable is the screw. This kind of screw is not easy to make in China. I think it's a stop way to do it, so it doesn't have to be so troublesome. ”

Chen Ke hurriedly gave up his position in front of the blackboard, "Come on, you two come up and talk." ”

As soon as these words came out, Xu Erba and Xu Tianqi blushed. "There are so many engineers here, we don't dare." Despite saying this, the two young people were still eager to try.

"I told you about the rules of our factory, and we are discussing something together. Everyone gathers firewood and the flame is high, and the man is still afraid that he will not be able to speak in public? Chen Kelian dragged the two of them to the blackboard.

Xu Erba hurriedly arched his hand to everyone, "I'm also talking nonsense." Don't laugh. ”

The words fell, and everyone was already laughing. This time Xu Erba was even more embarrassed. looked at Chen Ke, but smiled encouragingly. Xu Erba had some courage at this time. His advice is not to have such a delicate equipment, but to use a more bulky equipment so that it can be used for a long time. "When I was in the factory, it took a long time to change parts every time, and I thought to myself, instead of making something so delicate, I might as well make something big and ugly. It's not good-looking, it's just durable. And coal is not to make munitions, so it doesn't have to be so fine. ”

After making a concluding speech, Xu Erba saw that everyone was silent. I don't know if what I said is right, so I just stay in front of the blackboard.

"Is Mr. Xu finished?" Chen Ke asked.

"That's it, that's it." Xu Erba hurriedly responded.

Chen Ke was the first to applaud, which made Xu Erba inexplicable. "Mr. Chen, don't pepper me, what I said may not be right."

"It doesn't matter if it's right or not, but you can stand up and say that this is the attitude towards work, and we should applaud and encourage it, right?" Chen Ke said with a smile, "Comrades, please use applause to encourage Comrade Xu Erba's speech. ”

Gao Huaide applauded, but only patted a few times, but found that no one responded, and he also felt embarrassed. Surprisingly, Qin Tongren then applauded. With him taking the lead, everyone began to applaud. Xu Erba really didn't expect that his speech would be respected by everyone, and tears poured out at that time, while wiping his tears, Xu Erbayi bowed to everyone in return. Chen pulled him back to his seat. This allowed Xu Tianqi to continue to speak.

It is definitely the front-line workers who know how to work, they may not understand the purpose of production, these are the scope of work of engineers. But after operating the machine themselves, the workers must have had their own ideas. Whether this idea is correct or not, it represents the experience of time.

Xu Tianqi is a technician, specializing in steel casting. His point of view revolves around the range of load-bearing forces. When he finished speaking, everyone naturally applauded together. Xu Tianqi also felt very excited, his face was flushed, and his breathing was short.

Next, for Chen Ke's design, everyone expressed their opinions. The purpose is very simple, to get started and earn money quickly. After two days of discussion, Chen Ke's exquisitely designed coal mill was changed beyond recognition, and a new design that was thick and ugly took shape. Not only is it ugly to look at, but it is also much less efficient. But the feasibility of this device is much greater. It can be made with what the factory can use now.

In the end, after everyone's voting, a design team headed by Qin Tongren was selected. Qin Tongren said that an overall design could be come up with within two days.

After the meeting, Chen Ke said to Qin Tongren from the bottom of his heart: "Mr. Qin, the colleagues of the Machinery Bureau really want to be good. Chen Ke originally thought that there would be too many outstanding talents among these people. I didn't expect that these people can basically use it.

Qin Tongren replied lightly: "The workers who can still gather up to this day really like machinery. This is not unusual. It's strange, Mr. Chen, you. ”

"What's so strange about me?" Chen Ke was puzzled.

Qin Tongren showed a rare emotion, and his brows furrowed slightly, "Mr. Chen, I'm reading your masterpiece." What is being said there is really unusual. I thought Mr. Chen was a literati, but in the past two days, I have watched Mr. Chen discuss building machines together, although he is not an expert or a layman. What's even more rare is Mr. Chen's design idea, this kind of linkage production is by no means something that ordinary people can understand. This really makes me weird. At Mr. Chen's age, I can only say that it is very unusual. ”

"Laugh and laugh. I'm just a businessman now. It's all about getting the business done. ”

"Now a businessman, what about in the future?" Qin Tongren asked.

Chen Ke was speechless for a while, he couldn't say that I would be a professional revolutionary in the future.

Seeing that Chen Ke was silent, Qin Tongren said: "Mr. Chen, I think you are very unusual in managing the factory. I have a suggestion, you just take out your set and use it. These workers, oh, according to Mr. Chen's love to say, are comrades, and they all really love the machine industry. Lord He gathered these people together, but it took a lot of effort. If this factory is not good, I think it will just make everyone sad. I hope Mr. Chen won't hold back. ”

This is reasonable, but how to give Chen Ke a very strange feeling. He replied, "Naturally." ”

"Then I'll go design the drawings." After Qin Tongren finished speaking, he turned around and left, leaving Chen Ke in place, stunned and didn't know what to say.