Go back to the past and be a schoolboy

Chapter 260 There is someone in our public house

"Professor Cheng, I've been looking forward to the stars and the moon, but I finally brought you here. I thought you didn't intend to come."

Zhang Guogan, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, personally brought a cup of tea to Cheng Nuo, and said politely: "The office is relatively simple, if the hospitality is not good, please forgive me, Professor Cheng!"

"Chairman Zhang's words are just a joke. It's enough to have a sip of water when you come here, and it's too late to thank you." Cheng Nuo hurriedly stood up to take the tea, and said politely: "Besides, President Zhang is also wholeheartedly for the development of the national industry. That deserves my respect even more."

Speaking of which, although Zhang Guogan was born in the imperial examination and held important positions in the central government of the Manchu Qing government and the Beiyang government for a long time, he is actually a man of high integrity and integrity, and he puts state affairs first.

Later, he disdained to be with these people, but just now he gave up politics and devoted himself to academics, and became a generation of historians.

So for this type of person, Cheng Nuo had always exchanged his sincerity for his sincerity, and his compliments were all from the bottom of his heart.

Originally, there was some estrangement between the two before the meeting, but as the chat deepened, they suddenly discovered that they were all like-minded people, and the relationship became more and more familiar. You talked about your entrepreneurial experience, and I talked about my experience in politics, and the guests enjoyed themselves .

"Zhiyuan, do you know what I admire most about you?" Zhang Guogan looked at the young man in front of him with a smile and asked, "Or, what do you think we have in common now?"

Cheng Nuo thought for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Industry?"

Zhang Guogan smiled: "That's right, but what if I asked you to be more specific?"

Reminiscent of the purpose of the invitation for this trip, Cheng Nuo said without hesitation: "That is steel. Last year, I was fortunate to see the "Plan Outline for New Construction after Participating in the War" drafted by President Zhang. I was deeply inspired."

Zhang Guogan's eyes lit up. Although he didn't care for fame and wealth, he was still very happy when he heard the praise from the younger generation he admired: "You are right. What I admire is that you do business, and what you do is to benefit the country and the people." I have great admiration for the iron and steel industry, and this is what I want to do and am doing.”

At that time, the United States and Japan specifically promised to provide my country with loans for participating in the First World War in order to allow China to participate in the First World War. Zhang Guogan, then the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, specially drafted the "Plan Outline for New Construction after Participating in the War" in order to use the loan. One of the A very important construction plan is the development of the iron and steel industry.

"Of course, I'm not saying that industries such as cotton textiles, porcelain, and tea making are bad. It's just that the iron and steel industry is more important than the national economy and people's livelihood." After a pause, Zhang Guogan continued to explain:
"The world's competition is based on iron and steel. Our country has a large land, rich in minerals, and all the iron produced. There is no iron factory in the country to undertake smelting. It is the most painful to say that it has to sell iron sand to outsiders."

Cheng Nuo deeply agrees: "Especially at the moment of the European War, countries are controlling steel, which is enough to reflect the vision of the general manager. Its strategic significance is by no means comparable to that of other industries. This is also the situation we want to change now. "

"Iron production first, steel production second, this is my previous idea, but now I have to make a change in time." After saying this, Zhang Guogan turned around and took out a document from the bookcase behind him, opened it to confirm that the contents were correct Afterwards, he took it over and handed it to Cheng Nuo: "This is a document we just drafted, please take a look."

Cheng Nuo opened the file and found that it was neither a policy support document nor a directive policy, but scattered mineral survey reports from various places.

But after reading carefully, Cheng Nuo found that there were very few geological surveys related to iron mines above, and only a few provinces such as Shanxi, Henan, and Shandong were relatively clear, and remote areas such as the Northwest and Southwest were basically not covered.

While lamenting the lack of geological data and the scarcity of talents, Cheng Nuo felt a little fortunate that at least the southwest direction was temporarily blank. If it was announced at this time, it might intensify Japan's aggression, and the loss would be even greater.

But after reading the information, Cheng Nuo still didn't understand the other party's intentions, so he put the things down and asked, "President Zhang, what do you mean by letting me see these things?"

Zhang Guogan sighed, looked at the information and said: "Since ancient times, Chinese people have regarded themselves as the kingdom of heaven, and boasted that they have abundant products and everything. Especially for iron ore that can be seen everywhere, they often think that it is everywhere and invincible. To describe it with words such as calculation, I never realized that China would lack iron ore resources.”

Cheng Nuo seemed to understand the meaning, and tentatively continued the topic: "So we want to use geological surveys to tell the people of our country that our iron ore resources are limited, so as to alert the world and make our compatriots worry, which will trigger domestic criticism of iron ore resources. voice?"

Zhang Guogan sighed and said: "Although the scope of our investigation is not very wide at the moment, we can basically infer that the amount of iron ore in the country with convenient transportation and easy mining is only about 30 tons. Li is more abundant.

Putting it in the world, it is only one-eighth of the United States, two-fifths of the United Kingdom, one-sixth of France, and one-sixth of Germany. If the average iron consumption per person per year is calculated, we are far behind. "

Hearing this, Cheng Nuo, who was originally well-informed, became a little confused again, and said in confusion: "But the problem now is that now, my country's iron ore resources have been exported in large quantities, and most of them have been shipped to Japan. If there is no national endorsement, these things will Obviously impossible."

Zhang Guogan showed embarrassment, hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "This is also the main reason why I want you to come. The public house cannot be pushed from the inside, and someone needs to start from the outside, and this is not something that just one person can do. , searched and searched, and found you."

In fact, in modern China, the iron and steel metallurgy industry has not yet been established as an independent industrial sector to be managed by a dedicated agency, and its management has always been under the jurisdiction of the mining administration.

In the early days of the Republic of China, the "Mining Regulations" were directly promulgated and implemented, and the Mining Supervision Bureau was established directly under the Central Government to strengthen the supervision of the local mining industry. It has the same administrative effect as the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce.

This move not only guaranteed the efficiency of government orders, but also played an active role in the investigation of mineral resources and resisting plundering by foreign powers.

It is a pity that with Zhang Jian's departure, the organization could not be preserved. Later, the Beiyang government abolished the Mining Supervision Office in the name of saving funds and reducing redundant staff, and delegated power to the local governments.

Just in time for the signing of the "Article 21" agreement, the decentralization of mining management power once again gave the green light to Japan's aggression.

With the progress of the First World War, the price of steel increased one by one every day, and there was also an upsurge in the establishment of iron ore companies in our country. The Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce also remembered the units that had been abolished before, and promulgated the "Iron Ore Company Supervisory Authority Charter" to come. Strengthen central management to prevent miners from colluding with outsiders to sell ore.

It is a pity that at one time and another, the Beiyang government could not bear the pressure from Japan at all, and had to come forward to compromise. In the end, the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce's goal of restricting Japan's plundering activities by supervising local iron ore companies came to naught.

Of course, Zhang Guogan was unwilling to be reconciled to this. Since the public can't count on it, they should cooperate with the outside world to put pressure on it. Just as the news that Cheng Nuo led the team to successfully produce Krupp steel spread throughout the country, it naturally attracted his attention.

"Our country's iron ore resources are extremely limited, and most of them are monopolized by Japan. One ton of iron ore exported now will reduce half a ton of steel in the future, which means that farmers, workers and soldiers lack a sharp weapon," Cheng Nuo's plan just now Unanimous, naturally will not refuse: "President Zhang, I agree with your approach."

Zhang Guogan said happily: "So you are willing to join hands with me?"

Cheng Nuo smiled and said, "Why not? The goals are the same and the direction is the same. I have no reason to refuse. However, steel production is a complex production phenomenon that is extremely dependent on resources and energy. Whether there is sufficient supply of raw materials and fuels? As well as the convenience of transportation conditions, these are very important..."

Zhang Guogan laughed out loud after hearing this, and couldn't help pointing at Cheng Nuo: "Good you Zhiyuan, aren't you here to negotiate terms with me?"

Cheng Nuo looked innocent: "Mr. Zhang, you have wronged me. It has been confirmed that the only iron ore areas with rich reserves are Daye Iron Ore Area, Nanman Liaoning Iron Ore Area, Southern Anhui Iron Ore Area and Shandong Jinling Iron Ore Area. Town iron mining area and so on a few limited.

But now the Daye Iron Mine has long been inextricably linked with Japanese capital, the Nanman Iron Mine is within the Japanese sphere of influence, the Jinling Town Iron Mine was also occupied by Germany at that time, and the Wannan Iron Mine was also sold to Japanese companies. Mining contracts, if we want to develop the iron and steel industry now, there is almost no iron ore available. "

Hearing this, Zhang Guogan was also full of helplessness. After hesitating for a while, he turned and went to the bookcase, searched for a while and took out a document again: "If you don't dislike it, you can take a look at this thing, it is my new request to you. Supported."

After taking the document, Cheng Nuo took a closer look, and it was clearly the construction plan of the state-owned steel plant of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce.

"Mr. Zhang, can I read this? Will it affect the plan?" Cheng Nuo said cautiously, holding the plan in his hand.

Zhang Guogan said with a wry smile: "There is nothing to look at. It's just a plan that has been aborted long ago. It was ambitious and reported to the higher authorities, but unfortunately it was all rejected. Now it can be regarded as saving your preparatory work and support for you. Although it won’t be as strong as planned, it’s enough for you.”

Cheng Nuo sighed inwardly, opened the file and read it.

Sure enough, the iron and steel plan was very detailed, and it was very suitable for the future planning of Cheng Nuo Qiuxin Machinery Factory.

The location is near Pukou in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Iron from Phoenix Mountain in Nanjing and Taochong in Tongguan Mountain in Anhui, and coal from Zhongxing Yixian and Jiawang are used to make iron first and then steel.After the scale is large enough to spontaneously form an industrial park next to it, each factory will be opened on a large scale.

Watching the young people look deeper and deeper, Zhang Guogan completely passed on his hope to the other party: "In this way, all factories will be small, and arsenals will be large. After ten or 20 years, when there are achievements to speak of, the nation will have hope, and the country will have hope. Hopeful!"

After a series of operations, Cheng Nuo couldn't help being awed, and solemnly put away the document: "Okay, I will discuss this matter with our comrades, and I will definitely give you a clear answer later."

Zhang Guogan said with a smile: "There is no need to be in such a hurry. You can do a good on-the-spot survey when you go back. Maybe it doesn't meet your standards. Besides, the Japanese are also thinking about the Fenghuangshan Iron Mine. The goal is too big. good thing.

But one thing is that Zhang Yiou, the director of Jiangsu Industry Department, has always been good friends with me, and he is good at dealing with Britain and the United States, and he can buy machines at a very good discount. Guarantee, get the machine first..."

In this regard, the United States has always been wary of Japan, and does not want it to monopolize my country's steel industry. At this time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce came forward to deal with it, which is also in line with the needs of the United States. There is a high probability that the negotiation will do what Zhang Guogan said.

Ever since, the two continued to talk about some specific cooperation later, and basically got the desired results.

Even the topics of conversation are no longer limited to steel, such as the cultivation of geological talents.

There are geological research institutes and survey institutes established in this regard. Among them, the geological research institute focuses on cultivating talents. In the first class of students the year before last, 22 students were trained. It is the cradle of the development of modern geology in my country.

Among the first batch of graduates, at least 13 were employed by the Geological Survey of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, and became the pioneers and new forces of early geological undertakings in China.

It's a pity that there are only one batch of students recruited and trained, but they have to give up due to various reasons, which is regrettable.

Now that he heard that Cheng Nuo had plans to engage in this field, Zhang Guogan naturally wanted to ask him to help him continue to cultivate talents. After all, our country has a vast territory, covering almost all the typical topography and landforms in the world, and there is a huge shortage of professional talents.

Cheng Nuo naturally agreed to this.

With these good foundations for cooperation, Cheng Nuo also tried to ask for help with radio telegraphy.

Although 20 yuan seems like a lot, in fact, Zhang Guogan's place is only just beginning to catch the eye. The Fenghuangshan Iron Mine planned to be built earlier has a budget of 5000 million yuan.

Of course, because the budget is too large, it is also the main reason for the abortion of its plan.

However, in order to prevent Duan Qirui from selling the country's minerals to Japan, Zhang Guogan directly rejected the 240 million heavy promise, which is enough to show his greatness.

Without any hesitation, Zhang Guogan said that as long as the technology is not bad, he can push the radio technology of the Academy of Sciences to the top, and there is even a pretty good chance of winning.

In other words, as long as Cheng Nuo can come up with the product in time, there is a great chance that this order will be won.

It's just that for the 20 yuan, you have to be mentally prepared. He knows exactly what's in it.

Just when the two had finished chatting and were about to separate, Zhang Guogan suddenly asked: "Zhiyuan, I often read your "National" periodical, and it most often talks about realizing the industrialization of our Chinese nation, so what exactly is industrialization? With automobiles and railways, does this count as industrialization?"

Cheng Nuo was stunned, and he didn't expect to ask this question, but after thinking about it, it's really easy to talk about industrialization in general, and it's normal for the other party to be confused.

After organizing his words a bit, Cheng Nuo said, "Actually, whether it's railways, automobiles, or even airplanes and ships, they are all industrialized. This is just a manifestation of it. It doesn't mean that we have these things. We have the ability to industrialize.

True industrialization is called division of labor and coordination and cooperation in the process. The deeper and wider the division of labor, the stronger our industrialization capabilities will be.Of course, the requirements for infrastructure and comprehensive governance capabilities are also higher.

But in the final analysis, the final foothold of industrialization is still on people. "

Zhang Guogan pondered: "So is this also the reason why you choose to continuously absorb talents into your Academy of Sciences?"

Cheng Nuo didn't deny it, nor did he admit it: "The road is long and long, and I will search up and down."

(End of this chapter)