Reborn Bao Guowei, I really didn’t want to be a great writer!

Chapter 345: Invest in Yongli Factory! Meet Fan Xudong!
"Yongli Alkali Manufacturing Company."

The white sign on the round gate reflects light under the street lamps.

In particular, the red inverted triangle sign on the sign is extremely eye-catching.

In the 15th year of the Republic of China, Yongli Soda Factory resumed operation. With the participation of a group of technical personnel such as Hou Debang, the soda ash produced met all the standards.

In the same year, it won a gold medal at the Philadelphia World Exposition and was hailed as "a symbol of China's modern industrial progress". Yongli was also known as the best Solvay soda plant in Asia at that time.

It was very popular for a time and broke the monopoly of foreign alkali factories.

But if we don't have the core technology in our own hands, no matter how powerful we are, we will still be controlled by others.

The purchased Western technology was a semi-finished product. Even with the efforts of Hou Debang and others, there were still a series of problems such as high raw material costs, difficulties in purchasing and transporting foreign equipment and raw materials, etc.

Even under the situation of domestic unrest, Yongli Factory encountered difficulties several times.

Hou Debang is a scientist. He has devoted all his energy to alkali production technology, but he is still controlled by others in terms of technology.

It's not just about making alkali, it's also about making ammonia and so on.

But research is never a one-day thing. Hou Debang even felt a little desperate after encountering technical and financial difficulties.

He had imagined countless times the scenario of the problem being solved.

But Hou Debang never imagined that the new method of alkali production that he had dreamed of would come from the hands of a young man.

The most outrageous thing is that this young man is majoring in liberal arts.

In the late night of Tianjin Industrial Zone, the dark sky was shrouded in fog, and only a few stars could be seen occasionally.

Hou Debang, along with Bao Guowei and Lin Jiyong, dragged their tired bodies and strolled on the road to Yongli Soda Factory.

As he walked, he couldn't help but stop and spoke for the nth time.

"Bingwen, you are really a genius in chemistry. I wonder if there is any."

Bao Guowei stopped and couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed. After all, this technology was originally invented by Hou Debang. If he didn't want to take advantage of the current development opportunity to advance the domestic industrial level, he would not have "plagiarized others' ideas".

But he was already used to this reaction from others, and it wasn't the first time he had to deal with it.

He smiled and declined, saying, “Sir, Guo Wei is a scholar, and today’s technology is just the inspiration generated by studying Mr. Hou’s past achievements and combining them with some foreign papers.

You can see that, to put it bluntly, if it weren’t for your help, I might have studied for a few more years but still not been able to realize this conjecture.”

Join the chemical industry? Develop various chemical products? Even help develop weapons?
These are all good ways, perhaps better than Bao Guowei's current literary path.

But Bao Guowei knew that he had no limit to his abilities. He thought that with his abilities, it was already a blessing to have achieved success in literature, and he would not bite off more than he could chew.

As for other fields, Bao Guowei only intends to help some scientists in history achieve achievements ahead of time, just like he is doing today.

This is already a very good result.

"Mr. Hou, please stop forcing Bingwen. He is just like this. He was like this before in Shanghai. You are not the first person he has rejected."

Lin Jiyong said jokingly with a smile.

When Bao Guowei first became famous in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, he demonstrated his talent in various fields.

Masters in various fields, including film, drama and music, have all extended olive branches to Bao Guowei.

Lin Jiyong thought for a moment and said with a metaphor.

"Bingwen is the Leonardo da Vinci of China today. He has made extraordinary achievements in all fields."

"Bingwen is a natural genius in chemistry. He found a formula that we have not been able to figure out for so many years just by looking at papers and materials. If he is willing to study chemical engineering, I can't believe it."

Hou Debang only felt regret.

Hearing the two of them exaggerating more and more, Bao Guowei felt helpless and couldn't help but interrupt them.

"Gentlemen, please stop talking. I'm starving. Let's go to the restaurant and talk in detail."

Tianjin National Hotel, located on Consul Road in the French Concession, can be said to be one of the most luxurious hotels at that time.

As the director of the Yongli factory, it was not difficult to bring Bao Guowei to this place for dinner.

It was late at night and there were not many people in the hotel, so it was a perfect time to talk.

"Bingwen, what are you going to do with this technology? The new alkali production method developed by our countrymen will definitely cause a sensation throughout the country, and it will also be extremely explosive news for the whole world.
I see that you are not short of money, so perhaps you can invest in Yongli Factory and continue the research with us. Mr. Fan Xudong will obviously welcome it."

Hou Debang obviously has not given up on recruiting Bao Guowei. When he said this, he thought of another point.

Bao Guowei became a hot topic across the country recently because of the Pulitzer Prize.

The identity of a Chinese citizen was recognized by Americans, which made all Chinese people proud.

Now that this matter has been exposed, I don’t know how the public will react.
Bao Guowei naturally knew what Hou Debang was thinking, but he still refused to speak.

"I have no plans to continue my research for now, but I can consider investing in it. I am still very optimistic about the future of Yongli Factory."

He smiled and had no intention of being a "selfless" person.

Bao Guowei gave this "combined alkali production method" directly to Yongli Factory for no reason, which seemed very strange and aroused suspicion.

It would be better to be more tacky and exchange the patent for shares, which would be good for both parties.

"this."

Hou Debang has always been very straightforward, but today he appeared to be a little fussy in front of Bao Guowei.

Lin Jiyong immediately came out and added, "Director Hou, please don't mention it again. I think it's a great thing for Bingwen to invest in Yongli Factory. If there is anything in the future, I can help you, right? If Mr. Fan knew it was Mr. Bingwen, he probably wouldn't delay it."

"Ok."

Hou Debang sighed, ultimately he couldn't defeat Bao Guowei.

But he mentioned it anyway.

"It will take some time to contact Mr. Fan. Bingwen, you have to stay in Tianjin for a few more days so that I can fulfill my duty as a good host. I will write to Mr. Taiyan."

When he came, Bao Guowei mentioned that he wanted to go back early. Hou Debang knew that Zhang Taiyan was ill, but when he heard that he was much better now, he wanted Bao Guowei to stay for a few more days.

I hope to figure out more things.

After thinking about it, Bao Guowei couldn't postpone it, so he could only nod and say.

"OK then."

It just so happened that he came to Tianjin not only for the "combined alkali production method", but also for the construction of a factory in northern Fujian.

Regarding this matter, he planned to communicate with Hou Debang and Fan Xudong from the beginning.

Now that I think about it, it would be better to find Fan Xudong.

When it comes to the research of chemical technology, Hou Debang is definitely the first person who comes to mind.

But when it comes to experience in building factories, especially dealing with various warlords.

Fan Xudong is the right person for the job.

Besides, Mr. Fan is absolutely trustworthy.

He is known as the father of modern national chemical industry, and is even praised by teachers as one of the four great industrialists that the nation cannot forget.

There is absolutely no problem in handing over the technology and secrets to him.

The food at the National Hotel is okay, but for Bao Guowei, it is just enough to fill his stomach.

After a simple meal, they took a bus back to the factory.

It was late at night, so it was not convenient to contact Fan Xudong, so the three of them agreed to contact each other tomorrow. Hou Debang wanted to arrange a hotel for Bao Guowei, but Bao Guowei insisted on staying in the factory, so he had to arrange the best dormitory for him.

The reason why Bao Guowei did not stay in the hotel was very simple. Tianjin was not peaceful at the moment, and the factory was equipped with a security team, which was much safer than a hotel.

The dormitory of Yongli Factory also smelled of chemicals, but Bao Guowei slept soundly there.

It was Cao Yanhai who was talking in his sleep.

"Waiter, two more servings of steak and red wine, Grandpa, I want to feast on it. Fork? Can't I just use my hands?"

I went to the National Hotel earlier and booked a table for him alone. He seemed to be still savoring the steak in his dream.

The next morning, before ten o'clock, there was a knock on the dormitory door.

Normally, Bao Guowei would not get up before ten o'clock, but thinking that he had something to do today, he got up and opened the door.

As soon as the dormitory door was opened, the factory security captain stood at the door and said with a smile.

"Sir, Director Hou wants you to come over. He said that we should go to meet our boss Fan. Would you like to have breakfast first?"

The captain of the guard was even more enthusiastic than yesterday.

This is not surprising. After all, when Bao Guowei first arrived at the door yesterday, he thought it was some rich young man looking for trouble. Later, when he found out that it was Director Hou's guest, his attitude became better.

When I heard this morning that this young man actually wanted to discuss something with Fan Xudong, I immediately put away all my contempt.

Jiuda Refined Salt Company.

Located at No. 63 Chifeng Road, Tianjin.

In 1910, Fan Xudong graduated from the Department of Chemical Industry of Kyoto Imperial University, and then, with the introduction of Liang Qichao, he went to work in the Beiyang government.

Because he was dissatisfied with the corruption in the officialdom at that time, he resigned from his job.

In the fourth year of the Republic of China, Fan Xudong founded the Jiuda Refined Salt Company in Tianjin and produced the first batch of refined salt produced in China.

When talking about the national industry during the Republic of China period, Fan Xudong is an unavoidable figure.

The teacher once said that Zhang Zhidong was engaged in heavy industry, Zhang Jian was engaged in the textile industry, Lu Zuofu was engaged in transportation, and Fan Xudong was engaged in the chemical industry.

They are all unforgettable figures in modern times.

After entering the fan-shaped building of Jiuda Refined Salt Company, Bao Guowei saw Fan Xudong's true face in the office on the top floor.

He was a tall and thin middle-aged man, wearing a pair of small round-framed black glasses and looking very smart in a suit.

To be honest, when Bao Guowei was a student, he saw a photo of Fan Xudong in his textbook and thought that he looked somewhat similar to Puyi.

Now that I see them in person, I think they are 80% similar.

However, his contribution to the modern country is much greater than that of the abdicated emperor Puyi.

Seeing Bao Guowei and Hou Debang walk in together, Fan Xudong could no longer sit still. He hurried forward to greet them and said.

"Mr. Bingwen, I have long heard of your great name!"

Fan Xudong was not arrogant. He happily shook hands with Bao Guowei and invited the two to sit down and chat.

Bao Guowei smiled and said, "It's the same with you. I'm also very familiar with Mr. Fan's name."

Fan Xudong said with emotion: "I can't compare with Bingwen. You are a young hero. You have achieved such success at such a young age. Your future is limitless."

He said, pointing to the bookshelf behind him.

"Bingwen, look, I have a complete set of your books here. I am your loyal fan, Bingwen."

Bao Guowei looked at the bookshelf and saw that it was filled with a row of his own works.

From the complete works of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, to The Old Man and the Sea, and every issue of The Times.

Fan Xudong is a very sentimental person. Not only did he set principles for life when he founded the company, but he also set principles for life.

He is also good at writing and has a strong interest in literature.

The two talked about Bao Guowei's works. Fan Xudong was particularly interested in Bao Guowei's book "Guns, Germs, and Steel".

"I think it is only natural that this work has been recognized by the Pulitzer Prize, especially the book's understanding of the rise of civilization, which is far-fetched and reasonable. In the book, Bingwen tells the Chinese people not to lose faith."

Fan Xudong did not seem to be very anxious about the "combined alkali production method", but was very interested in discussing literary history.

Bao Guowei didn't seem disgusted at all. He responded with a smile.

Hou Debang was a little anxious. He interrupted him and said, "Mr. Fan, this joint alkali production method, and Mr. Bingwen's investment..."

But Fan Xudong didn't care. He waved his hand and said, "To me, you are a little petty. I trust your vision for the joint alkali process, and I trust Bingwen's talent for the shares. I agree with everything you said on the phone. I think the shares should not be 3%, but should be increased to 5%. "

Fan Xudong was very straightforward, which surprised Bao Guowei a little. Yongli Factory was not a small enterprise, and 5% of the shares was quite exaggerated. He didn't know what to say for a moment.

Hou Debang nodded in surprise.

"Okay, I'll prepare the documents right away."

Bao Guowei underestimated his position in the other party's heart and Fan Xudong's vision.

I was also thinking that Mr. Fan was a kind-hearted man. He had worked hard to build the company, and he gave away his shares and profits without hesitation.

The combined alkali production process was completed smoothly.

Instead, it was Fan Xudong who asked impatiently.

"Every time I read this book, I have a question that I have always wanted to ask Bingwen, but I don't know whether I should ask him or not."

"Sir, it doesn't matter."

Bao Guowei felt a little guilty for taking the other party's shares for nothing, so he naturally told everything he knew.

Fan Xudong asked seriously.

"Bingwen, what do you think of the current international situation? Where should the Chinese nation go from now on?"

“This question is quite grand.”

Bao Guowei smiled and shook his head, but he happened to have something to say, so he just combined it all into one sentence.

"A major change that has not happened in a century!"

"Oh?" Fan Xudong's eyes suddenly lit up and he looked at Bao Guowei with great anticipation.

Hou Debang also listened carefully.

Bao Guowei nodded and said, "The current world situation, on the surface, is affected by the Great Depression. The major powers of various countries have stopped fighting and it seems that there is no time to start a war. But in my opinion, it is the beginning of the next war."

He mentioned it without hesitation.

"All countries today are mired in economic recession and political turmoil. Conflicts are bound to erupt within ten years, and the signs of expansionism in the East and the West have already emerged.

On the other hand, back home, the Central Plains War was still going on. Although there were signs of an end, the war had greatly consumed the country's strength. Both the warlords and the national government would be exhausted after the war.

Therefore, I assert that peace will not last long, and in the near future, my country will be invaded by the great powers again.
This great power could be Britain or the United States, but I think it is more likely to be Japan."

When he said this, the two gentlemen in front of him already had worried expressions on their faces, some even seemed a little bit unbelieving.

Bao Guowei sighed. In front of Fan Xudong, he couldn't care less.

"This is the purpose of my coming here to provide the 'Joint Alkali Production Method'. China's industrial development is running out of time. We must make all preparations for war!"

(End of this chapter)