As time passed, Russia's performance on the battlefield became worse and worse. In the spring and summer wars of 1915, Russia lost a total of more than 1.7 million soldiers, countless weapons and equipment, and a large area of territory.
, the battle line had to retreat in large strides.
Although Russia has a large population, it cannot withstand such losses. Gray animals can be recruited after they die, but the loss of arms and weapons cannot be replenished for the time being. Russia is in an unprecedentedly difficult situation. Domestic social conflicts have become more intensified, and strikes have become more frequent.
The flames of uprising have become difficult to suppress.
This war has become a nightmare for the Russians, and it is still a nightmare with no end in sight. Fred has a clear understanding of Russia's internal situation through various channels. He is very fortunate to be able to fight with the Russians.
Zhang Tinglan cooperates. Judging from the current situation, Russia has indeed reached its last moment. It depends on who can bite the most meat from this huge empire.
The country has reached its most critical moment, but the Russian aristocrats are completely unaware of it. They still live a luxurious life, and their demand for luxury goods continues unabated. The more expensive the better, they spend money without any hesitation.
.
The nobles of Tsarist Russia seemed not to care about the life or death of the empire. They only wanted the war to continue. They didn't care whether Russia won or not. Therefore, as long as the war continued, they could use their power to embezzle the Mexican government's military spending and rob businessmen of their wealth.
This is the so-called war fortune!
The luxury goods smuggled by Zhang Tinglan just impressed the Russian aristocrats. They turned their ill-gotten gains into high-end leather clothes, expensive wines, cosmetics, jewelry, etc. Anything that could satisfy their mentality of showing off was sought after.
Qiao Lanyun's business ability has indeed been fully utilized. The products she chooses are all things that can touch people's hearts. She has taken great pains to transport the products from Shanghai Beach and Tianjin Wei. The investment is amazing, but the harvest is even more amazing. Many things
You can get more than ten times the profit.
Relying on goods and banknotes to open the way, Fred finally bribed the greedy Russian aristocrats. This time he shipped a large number of second-hand machines from Russia in the name of purchasing scrap iron.
Zhang Tinglan was sending people to carry people down from the train. Fred said proudly: "Zhang, this time I only spent a small amount of money to get the Russians to close four factories, including a quilt factory and a clothing factory."
A cannery, a cement factory, and a flour mill. Then all the machines were purchased at the price of scrap iron. I also hired a dozen skilled workers for you. The machines can be reinstalled soon, and you can
You can have four factories!”
Also participating in the porter work this time was Liu Shucheng. In the past, he only knew that Zhang Tinglan had obtained grain from the Russians, which had already made Liu Shucheng admire him. For so many years, foreigners have bullied the Chinese, how could the Chinese be able to defeat the foreigners?
I'm afraid Zhang Tinglan will be the first to take advantage of me!
As a result, Liu Shucheng now knew that Zhang Tinglan had already brought the business to such an extent that he was directly poaching Russia. He had acquired four factories at once. This was quite a feat!
The sewing machines, electric grinders, etc. that were shipped were all good machines. At this time, the number of Chinese factories was very small, and the machine technology was extremely backward. They were basically junk goods from the great powers. It was not that the Chinese did not want to get good things, but that they simply did not
Can't afford it.
This is the same in later generations. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, there have been only a handful of fully industrialized countries in the world. The reason is that the huge upfront investment cannot be afforded. Even if the great powers do not engage in technological blockade, a price threshold alone is enough to make the big countries
Most countries are deterred because complete sets of industrial machinery are too expensive.
The machines shipped this time are relatively advanced. Although Liu Shucheng has never run a factory, he still has a good vision.
"Master Zhang, you asked me to purchase several small workshops that produce building materials earlier. The cement equipment shipped this time is very good. Our factory is about to be completed!"
"Well, it's indeed good. Other clothing factories, flour mills, and canneries will also be established. After a while, we will not only rely on smuggling, but also traffic in serious goods. Smuggling is not a right way.
, Besides, we also need to cultivate our own team of workers, so it is necessary to build a factory!"
Compared with later generations, these machines are very crude, stupid, big, black and thick, not beautiful at all, and their performance is mediocre. However, this is indeed the beginning of Fengtian's industrialization, so it is very important.
"Old friend, light industry is good, but it is best to get some heavy industrial equipment, preferably military production lines. This is what we urgently need!"
"Zhang, you are greedy. It is not easy to get these equipment. Russia has entered a wartime system and has very strict control over the production of materials. The soldiers on the front line do not have enough to eat or wear warm clothes. They
If they knew that we bought valuable machines for scrap metal, they would definitely rebel!"
Zhang Tinglan laughed loudly: "Don't worry, even if it is a rebellion, it will only cause trouble for the Tsarist Russian government and has nothing to do with us at all."
Fred also had a smile on his face. He shrugged and said, "The Russians are indeed in big trouble, Zhang. I think the Russians are likely to lose the race!"
Zhang Tinglan said when she first met Fred that Russia was in a race against time. If they wanted to survive, they had to win the war before the empire collapsed. Fred said this at this time,
In fact, I am already very pessimistic about Russia's future.
"Zhang, we still need to have an in-depth discussion and come up with a better cooperation plan."
Zhang Tinglan and Fred have cooperated many times and have a deep tacit understanding. He knows that this Jew is probably planning to make plans for the Russians. Zhang Tinglan is also happy to do so. The collapse of any empire is a luxurious feast.
It just depends on how much you can eat.
"We should really talk about it. We all need to think about it carefully. A huge cake is placed in front of us."
Soon the equipment was moved away. This time Fred also recruited a dozen Russian technicians. The Russian economy had collapsed and the black market was rampant. These workers worked hard and could not support their families, so when they heard about the opportunity to go to China
They are extremely motivated to work and receive generous rewards.
In order to avoid too much influence, Fred only selected a dozen of the most skilled and honest guys to come together by train this time. Zhang Tinglan immediately asked Liu Shucheng to prepare the best houses to house these Russians.
Technicians, let them eat well and live well, and then let them put their skills to use.
Zhang Tinglan did not need to explain these matters. Liu Shucheng had already made good arrangements. He placed these Russians in a special compound, provided them with high wages, and prepared a large amount of spirits. In addition, he found
Several women accompanied them.
These Russians are addicted to alcohol to an outrageous level. Spirits are like water to them. Especially during this period, Russia was short of supplies and they couldn't afford alcohol. Now in Fengtian, they finally have something to drink.
When given the opportunity to binge drink, everyone seemed to be desperate for their lives.
Liu Shucheng was even worried that they would drink to death, so he had to set strict restrictions and required them to drink binge only after they had taught their apprentices how to work. This made these little bears stop going crazy.
From the moment the machines were shipped to Fengtian, these four factories began to enter intense construction. Liu Shucheng had previously acquired several small workshops, expanded the factory buildings on the original basis, and then placed all the machines in
.
These Russians participated in the whole process. Liu Shucheng selected a group of young people aged 16 or 17 with the strongest learning ability to follow the Russians and learn from them how to install machines, striving to become qualified workers as soon as possible. Soon
Zhang Tinglan will be able to own the first batch of factories.
Of course, this still cannot satisfy Zhang Tinglan's appetite. What he really wants to get are steel plants, power plants, coal mining plants, and even military factories. Only heavy industry is the backbone of a country.
The demise of Tsarist Russia is a good opportunity to get a group of machines and technical workers from Russia. Although Russia is among the great powers and its industrial technology is at the bottom, its skinny camels are bigger than horses, so it is still better than China.
And with Fengtian's foundation, don't even think about getting something too high-end. Even if you put precision instruments in front of you, not many people can operate them. On the contrary, relatively backward things like Russia are just suitable for China's national conditions.
Since Fred is planning to deploy in Russia this time, he will simply leave all the money-making things to him and get as much useful information as possible. However, Zhang Tinglan's thoughts have already flown to Europe, and the industrial enterprises of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are both
Top of the line, the collapse of these two empires is the biggest opportunity.
In addition, Britain and France will also be severely damaged. The short-term opportunity after the First World War must not be missed. At least the problem of Fengtian's weapons must be solved. As for whether it is good or bad, it depends on the efforts of the Chinese workers themselves.
After thinking about it for a day, he finalized the general plan. Zhang Tinglan was about to go find Fred, and his father Zhang Zuoxiang just returned to the house. As soon as he saw Zhang Zuoxiang, he smiled and said: "Tinglan, Gao Ming's director has been dismissed. Wang
Yongjiang temporarily acted as the director. Yuting also went to visit Zhang Xiluan, I guess the old man is not necessarily angry!"
After saying this, Zhang Zuoxiang burst into laughter. Zhang Zuolin was obviously bullying Zhang Xiluan because of his old age.
"Tinglan, during this period, you have successively copied Koreans, Shengyun, and the Gao family. Your reputation is not very good. From now on, leave this kind of dirty work to your subordinates. Don't always think about charging into battle!"
Zhang Tinglan also blushed for a while. What his father said was polite. Some people outside have already called him a little bandit. Although it is easy to confiscate the house, it does affect his reputation. Zhang Zuoxiang also protects Zhang Tinglan. A person's reputation is still very important. Zhang Tinglan
He is young and has a bright future, so his reputation cannot be ruined. Zhang Tinglan also understands his father's hard work, so he hurriedly nodded in agreement. Zhang Zuoxiang smiled with satisfaction: "If you have something to do, go and do it!"
After bidding farewell to his father, Zhang Tinglan quickly rushed to Daosheng Bank. Fred had already prepared the finest Fujian Tieguanyin.
"Zhang, before we talk about Russia, I have to tell you good news. The Russian side has relented and the bait has been thrown out. It depends on whether the Japanese can catch it!"