Every day in Qingzhou starts with the same scenery.
When most people were still sleeping soundly in their dreams, a rising sun jumped over the distant horizon, coating the thick clouds covering the city with golden light, creating the illusion of clear weather, and then disappeared without a trace.
Like the seven southern provinces of the Ming Dynasty, the provincial capitals are either close to the sea or built along the river. Qingzhou City, located on the right side of the Barana River, is located in the center of the Pampas, one of the three richest granaries in the world.
Known as "Rosario" in the old days, it was an important port city as early as the Argentine period and was the place where the first flag of the Argentine Republic was raised.
Of course, history has no practical significance. Now this is the Qingzhou City of the empire.
It is the most important grain producing area in the empire. Every year, millions of tons of wheat and soybeans are shipped from here to Europe. This is why the seven southern states and two provinces have ports. In order to facilitate the foreign trade of each province, there will be no coastal provinces.
Relying on the convenience of the port, the family dominates.
Although Qingzhou is a major agricultural state, it does not mean that its industry is underdeveloped. In fact, thanks to the prosperity of agriculture, there are several enterprises in Qingzhou that mainly produce agricultural machinery and equipment, as well as hundreds of supporting factories.
Benniu Tractor Company, which is world-famous for its production of gasoline tractors, is located in Qingzhou.
As usual, Tang Shaozeng works step by step every day like a clock. He drives to the company at 7 o'clock every morning and arrives on time 20 minutes later. After parking the car in the parking lot, he will arrive at the office within ten minutes. He works six days a week.
On the seventh day, he would drive his Italian wife and daughter to church, and then have tea with friends in a nearby teahouse—most of them, like him, were men who took their wives and children to church.
In Daming, many people are like him, marrying a European or Latino wife. They have their own beliefs, and men... are often more willing to spend time in teahouses, so in Daming, the biggest
What are its characteristics? There must be a teahouse near the church where men can drink tea and chat.
Why a teahouse and not a tavern?
Because Chinese men... tend not to be fond of alcohol.
His work and life are so step-by-step that there will be absolutely no mistakes. This is a habit he has developed over the years. As an engineer, Tang Shaozeng has long been accustomed to such a life.
After entering the office, he will first drink a cup of coffee prepared by his secretary in advance - this is a habit he developed while studying in the United States. This is also the reason why he married his wife. Michelle, the landlord's daughter, will give it to him every day.
Bringing a cup of coffee, for a teenager, it will always be easy to fall into such enthusiasm.
Once many habits are formed, they are difficult to change.
Holding the coffee cup in his hand, Tang Shaozeng once again looked at the drawings on the table. As the chief engineer of Benniu Company, he is currently working on a new project - a large tractor.
The advantages of large tractors are obvious, including greater power and higher efficiency.
Of course the price is also higher.
However, the development of large tractors has not been very smooth. The reason is that large tractors are heavy and have high ground pressure, which will cause a series of usage problems when plowing.
"The wheels still need to be further enlarged."
After taking a sip of coffee, Tang Shaozeng frowned slightly. Just when he was about to pick up a pen and calculate how much the wheels should be widened, the news in the newspaper next to him attracted his attention.
Even third-rate tabloids sometimes have valuable news. Each newspaper always reprints each other's news. This inconspicuous piece of news in the "Qingzhou Morning Post" caught his attention.
"Steel feet for the tractor? What feet?"
Tang Shaozeng, who was holding a coffee cup, stared at the news in the newspaper, but it was just a brief look. After reading the introduction, his eyes lit up. He hurriedly picked up the clothes hanging on the hanger and told his secretary on the way out.
commanded.
"If Manager Sun comes to see me, I'll go out."
As the chief engineer, Tang Shaozeng basically had free control of his time. He didn't even go to the train station, but drove directly to Xinyi, 300 kilometers away. Fortunately, the highway construction in the empire was pretty good - in the past
Over the past ten years, hundreds of thousands of kilometers of asphalt roads have been rebuilt and built with huge sums of money. Although a lot of money has been invested, the benefits are also obvious: the government can quickly reach all parts of the country, whether it is to collect taxes or suppress rebellions or
War has improved a lot than before.
Of course, the government does not lose money - those roads are all toll roads. Road construction can also make money in a sense, because the toll roads have obvious effects. A large number of wealthy businessmen understand the huge potential of the roads and rush to build them.
Investment and rapid development of the Ming Dynasty's transportation system.
After passing the toll station and getting on the highway, Tang Shaozeng drove towards his destination at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour. Although the highway tolled, like Europe, people did not dislike toll roads. After all, everyone was lamenting the reduction in travel time.
From one big city to another, comfortable cars can run freely and arrive quickly.
Because there were not many cars on the road, under constant acceleration, Tang Shaozeng's Maxima soon exceeded 60 kilometers. In fact, it can reach 67 kilometers at the fastest, but few people can drive at such a high speed. But even so
, and it’s much faster than the train.
When Tang Shaozeng arrived at the farm, the sun was almost setting. In order to rush for time, he didn't even eat in the service area. He just ate a piece of bread when he stopped to refuel, and then drove directly to Xinyi, where he stopped in the countryside.
After driving for two hours, we finally arrived at Wu Huasun's farm.
"Mr. Wu, this is an authorization letter. If you sign it, we will pay you 5,000 yuan. From now on, the company will pay you a patent licensing fee of 1,500 yuan every year, and it will increase by 5% every year."
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As soon as he met Wu Huasun, Tang Shaozeng expressed his attitude. As the company's chief engineer, he had the right to acquire some technologies based on his personal judgment. In his opinion, this crawler track was definitely the most suitable technology for tractors.
"What?"
Wu Huasun looked at the contract in front of him in surprise. He even suspected that he heard it wrong.
"You want to buy it, don't you?"
And they are even willing to pay 5,000 yuan! That is definitely a huge sum of money! Besides, there will be a sum of money every year in the future! Is this a good thing really?
"Yes, I think it has certain application prospects in tractors. Mr. Wu, with this income, you and your family will live a more prosperous life."
Tang Shaozeng's words made Wu Huasun a little moved. Who else would not be moved?
Looking at his wife and children through the window, he thought for a while and said.
"This, this...Mr. Tang, this is not my invention."
What?
Just when Tang Shaozeng was wondering, he heard the sound of brakes coming from outside. Almost subconsciously, an idea came to his mind - a competitor was coming.
The next moment there was a knock on the door, and when the door was opened, it was the military police who appeared in sight.
"Is it Wu Huasun?"
the gendarme asked.
"Yes, yes, I am..."
When Wu Huasun answered, there was a hint of ominousness in his heart.
"You have been arrested for violating the Defense Secrecy Act."