The Iron and Steel Frenzy of the Republic of China

However, it seems that Zhu Bin has never rejected anyone when it comes to spending money, whether it is the small bosses in Hai, or the world-renowned industrial tycoons, just like Fan Xudong and Liu Hongsheng who are here today, each of them has no less than tens of millions of dollars Their venture capital has expanded their chemical and match industries tenfold, and the technology from Germany and the United States has made them even more powerful, and they have truly achieved systematic development without being controlled by others.

Such a large investment will not see a return for at least three years. Except for Zhu Bin, there is almost no other person in the world who has such ambitions, and those time-honored consortiums in Europe and the United States can't do it either.

Most of the industrialists in this era pay attention to the word "trust". Many businessmen never carry a single word of IOU in their lives, let alone have any contracts, but you will never find him breaking his promise. There are too many "Confucian businessmen" and people of faith.

Also because of this, Zhu Bin's style of work is actually more in line with the values ​​of the top Republicans present, and only in this way can he get almost one-sided support and praise.

But after all, not everyone is a pure industrialist. For example, the textile tycoon Mu Ochu who gradually faded out of the business world and turned to politics, and Qian Changzhao and others are no longer comparable to ordinary businessmen. They have seen through this new regime. There is a group of people outside, such a country, such an army, wealth alone is not safe at all.

Qian Changzhao couldn't see the change in his heart at all. After applauding with a smile, he continued: "In short, everyone's work achievements are obvious to all, and the chairman is very satisfied. Then, we will report the investigation results as soon as possible. Link it with investment in construction, and strive to realize the overall rationalization and improvement of my country's national defense economy and industry in the shortest possible time. Each group has listed all construction items that need to be resolved immediately."

The National Defense Design Committee is not a yamen for idle food. Everyone can be called an elite and a patriot among the elite. Half a year's work is enough to prove their enthusiasm. No one is lazy, which is extremely rare.It can be said that it is everyone's wish to achieve results as soon as possible.

Chen Yi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs and Director of Ordnance Industry, stood up. Cao said in Zhejiang-style official words: "The military team has basically completed the investigation and relocation of arsenals across the country. Among them, Jiangnan guns have been put into use after relocation, and the three factories in Hanyang, Gongxian, and Jinling have also been completed. With the help of Deputy Secretary Zhu , The equipment shipped from Germany has completed the expansion of the Jinling factory, and it is expected that the expansion of the Hanyang factory will be completed next year. The output of guns in my country will undoubtedly increase three times. After the Jiangqing base is completed and put into production, the total output is expected to be as high as Japan is shoulder to shoulder."

The production capacity of military equipment directly reflects a country's war potential. China has always been in short supply in this regard. Although since the Westernization Movement in the late Qing Dynasty, many arsenals have been built all over the country, almost every province has them, but the really useful ones are already available. Not many left.

The largest and most complete Shenyang arsenal can produce aircraft, tanks, automobiles, cannons, various firearms and ammunition.After being bombed by the meteor shower, he seized the occupation for Ri himself.The Taiyuan Arsenal is in the hands of Yan Laoxi, and now it can also imitate the Maxim heavy machine gun, the Czech ZB26 light machine gun, the Thompson submachine gun and the Mauser rifle, and the Japanese 75 field gun.

The Tianjin Armory has long been destroyed by war, including the one in Peiping.It doesn't work much.Small factories such as the Jinan Armory also started to fight. At present, it is a problem to manufacture qualified firearms, and the output is even more difficult to support the use of even an army.

The largest factories in Gong County, Jiangnan, Hanyang, and Jinling are now relocated and merged in Jiangnan.Gong County is trying to recover, but these factories are without exception.The equipment is relatively old and aging, and the production capacity is not guaranteed. Even if the current central yang army wants to update its weapons, it will not be able to do it in three to five years.The most terrible thing is that they are not able to produce large-caliber artillery. Even the advanced 105mm cannons have to be imported. The old and outdated cannons in the early years are no longer used and cannot be used. The decades-old equipment is already unsightly.

Last year, when Zhu Bin went to Germany for the first time to discuss cooperation, he finalized three weapon production lines, two of which were given to the military industry Shu, and one was used by his own sea equipment.It seems that he is at a disadvantage, but this is the only way to do things in China. Generalissimo Jiang wished that other people could not produce every single gun and bullet. It would be better if all the weapon manufacturing was in his own hands, so as not to satisfy him. Zhu Bin had no base before. not open.

However, he is also very careful. The first production line for Binggong Shu only includes light and heavy firearms, and the second line will be delivered early next year, including 105 Krupp cannons. The one left for him will be packed in a container right now. Stacked at the Guzhenkou Military Port Wharf, that is the full set of equipment including the Krupp 150 and below land and sea cannons!This one is richer than the previous three or four.

As for the set of American products Haizheng is using, they are only second-hand. They can only produce light weapons, a few mortars, and recoilless guns.

Others don't know the tricks here!Everyone felt that the country's weapons manufacturing capabilities had been greatly improved, and there was a burst of applause.

Qian Changzuo, who was in charge of aircraft production, stood up and reported: "As of now, the Zhongyang Aircraft Manufacturing Factory in Hangzhou has completed the second phase of plant construction with Curtiss of the United States, which can manufacture 150 light biplane wooden fighters per year, and all metal single wings There are 50 advanced fighter jets per year, which can temporarily meet the needs of the country; however, limited by funds and engine production, it is not yet possible to start construction at full capacity; the new Chong Qing aircraft factory has completed infrastructure, and it can be put into production after the equipment is in place. "

The original Hangzhou Aircraft Factory invested in the construction of outdated aircraft more than ten years ago. They are all made of wood. The flying speed is less than 200 kilometers per hour. They also have no funds. They are mainly used for repairing aircraft. Aviation as logistics.

Later, the Haizhuang Institute cooperated with Curtiss and put into operation a factory building there, which could manufacture the Hawker biplane fighter that Curtiss could not see, but the engine could not be produced by itself, and it lacked large-scale aluminum alloy processing machine tools. It's just an accessory assembly factory and a repair factory. It's just a nice thing to say about what it produces.

And Curtiss is also black enough, the simplest version of the Hawk 3 with a wooden body, no radio and bullet seats, and a lot of auxiliary equipment, the asking price is [-] US dollars, and the government has no money to afford it. , so the light has an empty shell.More importantly, there is an aircraft factory of the Haizhuang Institute next to it.

In name, the sea clothing institute is also under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Military and Political Affairs. In this investigation and statistics, Zhu Bin, as the deputy director and the actual controller, had to walk away from the scene, coughed and cleared his throat, stood up and introduced: "Navy equipment technology The research institute has been established for one year, and the construction results are not bad. At present, the gun repair factory mainly uses American firearms and ammunition, for the purpose of experimental research, it can only meet the needs of special forces; the production capacity of the aircraft factory is acceptable, and it can assemble 120 aircraft per year 21 fighter jets and 36 2 transport planes are currently mainly for export, and there are no domestic orders.”

After speaking, he sat down Shi Shiran.

Chen Yi, Qian Changzhao and others all stared at him, staring at him with strange eyes. What do you mean, it's that simple?Zhu Bin blinked innocently, it's actually that simple!

I was reminded by Chen Shaokuan, knowing that I can't poke Lao Jiang's eye sockets in the production of weapons. The production capacity of the Haizhuang Institute is very small, and the restrictions are very limited. Yes, although the factory buildings, equipment, and workers were all bought by him, Zhu, but these are not in his name on the surface, are they?

After glaring at him hard, but finding no effect, Qian Changzhao shook his head helplessly, and said, "So, what are the requirements of the military group for the next step of construction?"

Chen Yi pondered for a while, and said: "The most urgent thing is the special steel, copper, and machine tool equipment needed to manufacture guns and ammunition. Our opponent is Japan, which has a powerful navy. After all, it is not appropriate to rely on outsourcing. We must be self-sufficient Only then can the needs of the battle be guaranteed.”

This is actually the most critical issue. The so-called basic industry refers to the ability to produce these basic raw materials, and it is also the focus of the work of the entire National Defense Design Committee. Steel and chemicals are the core.

Secretary-General Weng Wenhao said with a faint smile: "Our work in this area has been somewhat effective, and we must thank Hanchen. As of the end of the month, the production capacity of Haigang Iron and Steel has reached 30 tons. Although they are all old equipment, the technology is not enough. Outdated, and all aimed at Xiqing Iron and Steel Base after it is completed and put into production, there should be 100 million tons of steel output, which can be said to be a huge improvement compared to previous years!"

This is all thanks to Zhu Bin. There are more than a dozen large and small steel mills in the sea. Except for seven or eight old small factories that were half-stopped and upgraded, the rest are second-hand goods dismantled from the United States and Germany. , to eat scrap steel from the United States and high-quality iron ore from the United Kingdom on a fixed-point basis, and all the high-quality steel comes out. Now it basically meets the dozens of hundreds of types of steel used in domestic large-scale industrial manufacturing, while the crude steel for civilian use is still imported. Lord, the import volume has even soared from more than 50 tons last year to 100 million tons!

"150 million tons!" The people in the room couldn't help but exclaimed. This figure was unimaginable before. In the past ten years, almost all steel has been imported. The annual import of 500 million tons of steel is controlled by others. In a country with a population of 5000 to [-] million, the average amount of steel sold by one person is less than three kilograms, which is a hundred times worse than that of Western powers!

"Of course, this number is still increasing rapidly. According to the plan, the construction of two major steel plants, Ma'anshan and Jinling, will start at the end of the year, with a total production capacity of 200 million tons. It is estimated that my country will have 3 million tons of steel production in three years' time. Japan is about the same."

Speaking of this, Weng Wenhao couldn't help being faintly excited. Such a quantity is simply earth-shaking!To be continued. .