[During the new book, recommendation votes are very important. The emperor solemnly asked for a few recommendation votes! Thank you for your generosity!]

A week later, the verdict was finally announced. The facts of the two chief and deputy chief officers of the arsenal were corruption were taken to the Beijing Prison of the Ministry of Justice on the same day. The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice jointly made the final judgment. The evidence of the three managers of the arsenal embezzlement of 10,000 to 30,000 taels was conclusive. To be submitted to the Ministry of Justice for review and approval, the death penalty was executed locally. Another 17 other officials under the sixth rank were dismissed, demoted and retained.

Xiao Yiming was extremely depressed. He worked hard for two months to investigate and found out a series of conclusive evidence and shocking cases of embezzlement and two murders that caused it, but the final result was:

A group of outrageous murderers did not need to die. The amount of direct embezzlement of more than 1.7 million taels of silver became a few tens of thousands of yuan. The huge losses caused by this were not mentioned or the workers' indignation. The so-called harbor to Beijing prison, reported to the Ministry of Justice for review, dismissal, etc., were all nonsense to deceive the people. It is estimated that these people will leave Sichuan for various high-sounding reasons, and there will be no trouble afterwards. Usually, they will stay in their hometown for a year or two, and then change places to continue to be officials.

Xiao Yiming, who has become one of the stolen players, was completely at ease. Although he had justice and conscience in his heart, he was in such a world and in such an era, only conscience and justice would not last long. After putting aside all his concerns and guilt, he knew what he should do.

When Xiao Yiming appeared in the Governor's Office again, he was already upright and calm. After the notice, he waited a little and was summoned by Zhao Erxun soon.

After Xiao Yiming finished his salute, he respectfully sent two concise reports:

One is to recommend the top 20 students in the first comprehensive examination of Sichuan Army Quick Encyclopedia Academy, who entered the Japanese Non-commissioned Officer School and Baoding Army Quick Encyclopedia Academy for further studies. Among them, six students from Ya'an, including Wang Qian, He Chengliang and others; the second is to recommend the rectification and production plan of Sichuan Arsenal.

Zhao Erxun read it with interest, and after ten minutes, he put down the report:

"I am sure the list of recommendations for the Quick School. The rectification plan of the arsenal is very detailed and insightful. After the new general office and the company will take office, just copy it. During this period, you can go to the factory more often. You can't ignore it just because you resume work. This factory is the guarantee of the Sichuan army and cannot be careless at all. The list of machines and parts attached above is not necessary. I don't need to read it. You are directly responsible for contacting foreigners to purchase it. If you decide on the contract, you will allocate funds to you."

"As for the order!" Xiao Yiming replied.

Zhao Erxun pointed at the report:

"In addition, the proposal for entrusting and processing of weapons spare parts in the report is good. Judging from the current situation of the arsenal, it is indeed as you said. It is impossible to produce all parts by themselves. This is also an important reason why the production cannot be increased since its establishment. Those spare parts that are not key parts such as bolts and barrels can be handed over to several local factories with good strength to produce. The arsenal only needs to accept it, and if it is not qualified, all kinds of expenses can be reduced a lot. This idea is good, I agree."

Xiao Yiming smiled and said, "Sir, the humble West China Company also wants to get a share of the pie."

"Oh? The West China company you co-organized with foreigners is not a real estate, civil engineering and trade company? When will it start the weapons business?" Zhao Erxun asked with his eyes closed.

Xiao Yiming smiled:

"Sir, does not have a hardware factory under West China Company? Several sets of processing machines will be shipped next month. It is estimated that the construction will start after the New Year. First, the flashlight will be produced - the first thing that has been popular in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Tianjin in the past two years is the iron tube. The front is covered with a glass sheet, and a small light bulb is installed inside. The iron tube is equipped with imported batteries, and there is a door switch. It can be 50 steps away at night, which is much better than ignition to lift a lantern."

Zhao Erxun smiled and said, "There is one in my house with a steel shell, which was given to me by the US ambassador to Beijing a year ago. It's hard to find the battery, and it's over. I'll let Tiecheng show you. Your idea is good. If you can really make a flashlight, it will undoubtedly be a great thing to inspire the national spirit. At that time, I will reward you with great rewards in the name of the Sichuan Governor's Office!"

Xiao Yiming strikes while the iron is hot:

"Sir, don't underestimate people. This is a big prize! Not only flashlights, our West China company also needs to build batteries. Dayi, Ya'an and other places have always been rich in sulfur. Bei'e plans to build a sulfuric acid factory in Dayi or Ya'an. With sulfuric acid, there will be nitric acid, and with nitric acid, there will be enough gunpowder for the arsenal... After these things are done, Bei'e will buy foreigners' formulas and equipment. In the future, mining, mountain building, road building, or even power shells, etc., there is no need to bend the Hubei Guns and Cannon Factory and Jiangnan Machinery Bureau."

Zhao Erxun was very happy: "Take it serious?"

Xiao Yiming focused on the key points: "Take it seriously! If adults are willing, West China Company can produce smokeless powder before the end of next year! Not only that, as long as adults permit, the hardware factory in Weizhi only needs to purchase a few more sets of equipment to imitate all the pistols on the market. Of course, rifles and cannons cannot be made, but producing various bullets is not a problem, at least it is much better than the crooked bullets made by the arsenal."

Zhao Erxun slowly leaned towards the back of the chair, gently stroked his long beard, and thought for a moment: "No rush for this matter. Although the sound of entrusting civilian production of weapons and ammunition in recent years has been getting louder and louder in the court, the court has not made a decision so far, so your plan must be slow.

"As for making gunpowder, I think it's feasible. It's not enough to use it when starting mountains and mines? Why not do this? You ask your West China company to sign a contract for parts processing with the arsenal. After that, you can consider making gunpowder. Let's do it first, and take a look at the others one by one."

"I remember my humble profession." Xiao Yiming replied respectfully.

Zhao Erxun smiled and said, "Okay, the graduation ceremony will be held tomorrow. You can go there. Come and come the night after tomorrow. I will introduce you to me."

"Who?" Xiao Yiming asked curiously.

Zhao Erxun laughed: "You will know when you meet. Get out of here, slut, haha!"

Xiao Yiming walked to the main hall, said a few words to Yuan Jinkai who was coming, went out and got on the horse and headed straight for the British business, took out the list of four small machine tools and parts that the arsenal wanted to purchase, discussed with Roberting and Zhuang Sen for a long time, then pulled Zhuang Sen to the German Consulate on Zhushi Street, and found Sharp Le and business official Woller to discuss it together.

Sharple and Woller excitedly went to ask the Consul Fu Diegen. Fu Diegen heard that it was possible to obtain equipment orders for a medium-sized chemical plant and supporting power plant, and threw down the matter at hand and immediately went downstairs to meet Xiao Yiming.

Xiao Yiming made detailed statements to the Consul in detail about the history of sulfur mines in Ya'an and Dayi, the current output situation, the three major sulfur mines and surrounding coal mines, and then said frankly in fluent English:

"Dear Consul, you are very familiar with China and Sichuan. You must also know that we do not have experience in chemical factory construction and lack sufficient understanding of the advanced technologies of European and American countries, especially Germany, but we are confident in opening up this new field.

"After the discussion of the company's shareholders and after obtaining the support of Sichuan Governor Zhao Erxun, we were the first to think that we had a very pleasant cooperation in the past six months. We sincerely hope that the Consul who has always strongly supported us can promote cooperation with each other and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

"Here, I am willing to promise to pay the full amount of all the fees for the German technicians and engineers to visit Sichuan. After receiving the reply from your country's Ryin Company, Mauser Company or other more professional companies, I can immediately deposit 200,000 yuan, that is, 430,000 marks into the newly opened German Deutsche Bank Chengdu Branch to show our sincerity."

Fu Diegen was very happy to see that he had taken a large order:

"Dear Xiao, my sincerity and trust have moved me very much. My colleagues and I are willing to contribute a meager strength to Sichuan's industrial construction. I will convey your sincerity and plans back to my motherland within three working days and to the desks of the heads of several famous industrial companies. I think you will receive a satisfactory reply soon."

Xiao Yiming sent another news that excited Fu Diegen:

"Thank you, Mr. Consul. If this can be facilitated, our West China Industrial Company is willing to carry out more in-depth cooperation with Mauser Company. Our preliminary plan includes technology purchase, personnel training and production guidance. In addition, I will solemnly submit a written suggestion to Mr. Zhao Erxun, the governor of Sichuan, in the name of Sichuan Arsenal's acting director, to hire a group of German mechanical engineers and technicians to enter the Sichuan Arsenal as technical supervisors. Of course, the premise is that the Consul can agree."

"I am very happy, my dear friend, I will send this news back to Germany. I think the hardworking and enthusiastic Germans will cherish this friendship very much."

After Fu Diegen finished speaking, he stretched out his wide palm, held Xiao Yiming's hand tightly, and sent an invitation:

"Xiao, since last Christmas, we have never had the chance to sit together and talk. I still remember the precious gift you gave us. This year's Christmas is coming. Before that, I sincerely hope to raise a glass with you and have a chat. How about having dinner together?"

Xiao Yiming's smile froze. While hesitating, Sharp on the side smiled and said:

"Xiao, you will stay tonight, right? By the way, the few documents I will translate into English for you are still in my bedroom. Don't you want to read them?"

"There is a saying in China that respect is worse than obedience. Besides, I miss the German pork sausage very much, just like I like the weapons of the Mauser company." Seeing that she could not refuse, Xiao Yiming smiled and said a playful word.
Chapter completed!