In his free time, Li Yu continued to write the plot outline for the Star Wars sequel. Fortunately, it was not a particularly difficult task. After all, Lu Bicheng was there to assist.
Because of the success in Tianjin Quanyechang some time ago, northern industrial giant Zhou Xuexi found Li Yu again.
Zhou Xuexi has recently reestablished Qixin Cement Company to engage in cement production.
After Tang Shaoyi built a cigarette factory, he also wanted to build some new factories, so he came to Li Yu to discuss some industrial planning and layout.
Zhou Xuexi is a second-rank official and Yuan Shikai's confidant in charge of industry. His father, Zhou Fu, is currently the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. It was Zhou Fu who gave 20,000 taels to Fudan University.
Li Yu happened to have some suggestions for Zhou Xuexi to mention.
In addition, Zhou Xuexi brought several outstanding students from Peiyang University, including demographer Ma Yinchu.
After a few words of greeting, Zhou Xuexi first took out a letter of recommendation: "Master Imperial, it is impossible for us at Peiyang University not to have a hand in such a wonderful thing as studying in the United States."
Ma Yinchu was originally going to study at Yale in the United States, but it was equivalent to going a year earlier. Moreover, Ma Yinchu was indeed regarded as the top student in this class of Beiyang University, with very good grades in all subjects.
Li Yu followed suit and said, "We are very happy to have such an outstanding student."
Fengling served them tea, and Zhou Xuexi said: "I have seen the products produced by the Imperial Master's factory, and they are actually a bit larger than I expected. They are all products for people's livelihood. According to the development of Western countries, shouldn't it be more appropriate?
Develop heavy industry?”
Of course Li Yu knows this truth, but there is really no environment for the development of heavy industry now.
Li Yu said: "Mr. Zhou, even the British Empire started from the textile industry in its early years. Industries related to food, clothing, housing and transportation can carry out large-scale production and develop into labor-intensive industries. In this way, more workers can be attracted. Secondly,
In the future, we can save funds to further develop follow-up industries."
Zhou Xuexi has been in industry for more than ten years, and he understood immediately when he heard: "This truth is simple and profound, but the imperial court does not think so. If it cannot build powerful artillery, it will not be peaceful."
Li Yu said helplessly: "Although the fear comes from the lack of firepower, the arms industry is an upper-level industry that requires skilled workers, extremely excellent firearms technicians, and production lines. Everything is not that simple."
Zhou Xuexi said: "You can't just rely on buying, right?"
Li Yu said: "For the time being, arms can be regarded as a business, because they can indeed be purchased. Americans across the ocean are keen on selling arms, so we create foreign exchange and then buy them."
Zhou Xuexi sighed: "But in that case, how much cotton cloth would need to be spun to replace a cannon?"
Li Yu spread his hands: "That's what it means to start a business. There is no way but to get through it. But we have the foundation to develop labor-intensive industries, which is actually more beneficial to us."
What Li Yu said was the only path China would take later, so he dared to speak so conclusively.
Zhou Xuexi thought about it and really didn't have any better way, so he said: "I have too few things in my mind, so I can't compare with the master."
Li Yu said modestly: "Master Zhou worked hard and devoted himself to the country's industry, and his heart is clear. When there are more outstanding students and technicians in the future, many things will not be so difficult."
"I hope so." Zhou Xuexi said.
Li Yu added: "And my factory planning includes not only these daily necessities, but also the more complex automobile supporting industry and radio industry. These things are of high value and are in great demand."
Zhou Xuexi said: "I have already seen radios, but how do you produce cars?"
Li Yu shook his head: "We are not producing complete vehicles, but important parts, such as the four-wheel drive system of the chassis, the gearbox and even the engine."
Zhou Xuexi said: "What the emperor's master does are all things that foreigners can do. I don't understand it, and it doesn't seem to be of much help."
Li Yu had prepared some documents, took them out and put them on the table and said: "My company can't do so many things, even in factories in the United States. It requires many supporting industries, such as screw factories, mold factories, and iron nails.
Factory, etc.”
"These things sound much simpler," Zhou Xuexi said while stroking his chin. "What the emperor means is that we can help you produce the parts you need and become a parts factory within a parts factory?"
Li Yu smiled and said: "It can be understood that way."
Zhou Xuexi asked again: "So there really is a parts factory? Are foreigners like this too?"
"The entire industrial system is like this," Li Yu continued to explain to him. "If the upstream and downstream of the industry and the sales channels are smooth enough, it can support a lot of companies."
"Even Governor Yuan is impressed by you. I have no reason not to believe you," Zhou Xuexi said. "You happen to be the leader of this industrial system. I will fully cooperate with you!"
Li Yu said: "These industries are very profitable, and Mr. Yuan will not have any objections when the time comes."
"No matter how small a fly is, it's still meat. Anyway, as long as I'm not working for foreigners, I'm content," Zhou Xuexi said.
——
Two days later, a warship docked at Tanggu Port, and a middle-aged naval officer in his forties disembarked. It was Li Yuanhong, the admiral of the Yangtze River Fleet. After he got off the ship, he immediately approached a middle-aged senior naval officer who was also standing on the shore.
A military salute: "Teacher, long time no see. How are you?"
Li Yuanhong's mentor is called Sa Zhenbing, who is currently the Commander-in-Chief of the entire Chinese Navy and the admiral in charge of the entire Northern and Southern Ocean Navy.
Sa Zhenbing is a very legendary figure. As a soldier, he firmly opposed the civil war throughout his life and never allowed his soldiers to fire on his compatriots.
This king also stood on the city tower when the country was founded.
Sa Zhenbing smiled and said: "You performed very well in the autumn exercise. It seems that Hubei's new army should not be underestimated."
Li Yuanhong said: "It's all the credit that Xiang Shuai attaches great importance to."
Sa Zhenbing said: "Fairy and handsome people are like dragons and phoenixes. You should follow me more and learn more."
Li Yuanhong said respectfully: "I will follow the teacher's teachings."
Zeng Guofan was the first powerful Han minister in the Qing Dynasty. Starting from him, almost every successful Han minister was good at "exploding troops".
Regardless of your military ability, you will definitely be able to train troops and be able to control the new army.
At present, the two most powerful officials among the feudal officials are Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong. Yuan Shikai's Beiyang New Army is too famous. In fact, Zhang Zhidong also trained a new army in Hubei, but the scale is not as large as that of Beiyang.
The military command ability of these people, including Zeng Guofan, is difficult to evaluate, but this approach has a vague tendency to dominate one side.
The Qing Dynasty guarded the Han people for two hundred years. After just a little decentralization, it quickly lost control and perished within a few decades.
Li Yuanhong said: "I came to Tianjin because I hope to ask for leave from my mentor to build a naval school and purchase some equipment."
Yantai Maritime School was built in Sazhenbing three years ago, and the first batch of students just graduated this year.
Sa Zhenbing said: "The establishment of a school requires military training, which is much more difficult than training sailors."
Li Yuanhong said: "The navy is always more educated than the new army. Sometimes I get worried when I see some of my soldiers who don't know the characters, for fear that they will get the wrong model of artillery shells."
Sa Zhenbing laughed loudly: "That's not a problem with the naval school or naval academy, but that you should equip the ship with a study room."
Li Yuanhong scratched his head: "Then I'll try it first."
Sa Zhenbing said: "In addition, when it comes to purchasing equipment, you are referring to radios, right?"
Li Yuanhong said: "I used to rely on semaphores. After I saw a radio equipment in the Governor's Mansion, I learned that it can also transmit sounds wirelessly. It's just like the clairvoyance and ears in Journey to the West. I had to buy it no matter what.
use."
Sa Zhenbing said: "Just in time, I'm going to the capital to see Li Yu. Bring your banknotes and come with me."
——
Li Yu is currently scratching his head at home writing a Star Wars sequel. This thing is really difficult for him.
As soon as Lu Bicheng brought over a cup of Biluochun, he heard Uncle Wang shouting at the door: "Sir, the two military masters from Beiyang want to see you."
When Li Yu came to the main hall of the north room, he recognized Li Yuanhong at a glance, who looked very much like Fan Wei, but seeing that he was standing behind another man, he probably had a higher military rank, so he did not dare to recognize him.
Sa Zhenbing said: "Your Majesty, I am here with Sa Zhenbing, the Admiral of the Beiyang Navy and the Nanyang Navy. This is Li Yuanhong, the Admiral of the Hubei Yangtze River Fleet. I have come to visit you rashly, so I hope you won't disturb me."
Li Yu said: "Two generals, please take a seat quickly."
Sa Zhenbing continued: "Recently we heard that Imperial College helped reopen the study tour channel in the United States. Originally, I had arranged for 24 overseas students to study in Japan. This time I specifically want to add two more to study in the United States."
Li Yu was a little confused: "General Sa, to be honest, the number of people studying in the United States this time is already full. If we add more people, we will have to pay for it at our own expense."
Sa Zhenbing said: "It doesn't matter. The cost of studying abroad can be reimbursed by the Navy. I am also a person who has studied abroad and I know the importance of studying abroad."
Since they had to pay for themselves, Li Yu certainly didn't have to worry about it and readily agreed: "Don't worry, General, I will help arrange this matter, but it is easy to study in the United States. As for whether I can enter the Naval Academy in the United States, I cannot guarantee it."
.”
Sa Zhenbing asked: "What other procedures are needed?"
Li Yu thought for a while and said: "The military academy is too special, unless the general asks Beiyang to inform the ambassador to the United States, Liang Cheng, and ask him to help apply."
Sa Zhenbing said: "This is not a difficult task."
It is not impossible to get into the U.S. military academies now, but you must apply through the application procedures provided by the government.
Even two years ago, Chinese students entered the extremely famous West Point Military Academy.
But, in the words of German Field Marshal Schlieffen during World War I: "Excellent generals are not appointed, but born."
Whether you have attended a military academy or not is not a necessary condition for becoming a famous general. Anyway, these students at West Point, well, are not famous generals.
Li Yuanhong then said: "Master Imperial, I want to buy ten sets of radio equipment from your factory to equip the Yangtze River Fleet below."
Li Yu would definitely not be stingy with them and directly gave them a preferential price: "A set of 2,000 silver dollars is enough. Another batch has just arrived. You can send someone to move it away."
Li Yuanhong said in surprise: "I heard that the Japanese and Russians both spent tens of thousands of silver dollars."
Li Yu quickly put his index finger on his mouth: "Shh! You must keep it a secret!"
Li Yuanhong understood: "Master Gao Yi! When you come to Wuchang in the future, I will definitely let you go for a ride on my warship!"
Li Yu had no hope at all for the navy of the Republic of China, and it was impossible to keep up with the rapid development of the navy in the first half of the twentieth century.
Warships are the same as aircraft. Once there is a generation difference, it is impossible to fight. The navy during the Republic of China could not even defend the Yangtze River, let alone the coast.
Li Yuanhong was full of confidence: "When the navy is completed in the future, I will make sure that there are no more British ships on the Yangtze River."
Li Yu could only encourage him: "The general is mighty."
Their fighting spirit is still very good, but they cannot stop the foreign navy.
This ideal must be realized, at least until before Li Yu's time travel. At that time, there were aircraft carriers and fifth-generation aircraft. If it was purely defensive, let alone the United States itself, even if it brought the entire NATO with it, it would be basically impossible to break through China's offshore defense system.
But it's a pity that none of these people will see that day.
Sa Zhenbing is currently very obsessed with the navy. After all, last year's naval battle between Japan and Russia was too shocking. Having sea control is indeed very important for now.
After Li Yu left the information given by Sa Zhenbing to two students who were going to the United States, he asked Hu Jiayan to help him count ten radio equipment.
Then Li Yu explained the use of radio to Li Yuanhong and several of his subordinates.
The difficulty is not very high, the key is the proficiency and accuracy of sending and receiving electricity.
Li Yuanhong said: "No wonder Governor Yuan wants to set up a radio class in the Beiyang Military Academy. This thing is really amazing!"
"The key is that they are of great significance to the war and are crucial to the success or failure of the naval battle." Li Yu told them about the radio that played a huge role in the Japanese-Russian naval battle.
The two of them were filled with excitement. Sa Zhenbing slapped the table: "After I go back, I must arrange funds to purchase radio equipment as soon as possible!"
Now that Beiyang has purchased a lot, Li Yu said: "For the navy, the role of radio is even more significant."
The two of them were becoming more and more interested, and there was no need for Li Yu to sell it too much.
——
After they left, the Tsinghua Academy, that is, the American Studies Affairs Office, was busy preparing for students to go to the United States. They would be able to leave for the United States in another month.
Li Yuze quickly rushed out the manuscript of the Star Wars sequel and handed it over to Lu Bicheng for polishing.
This method has proven to be more reliable, because Li Yu's ideas are too advanced, and science fiction is even more advanced. There must be someone new to this era to control the rhythm. Anything that Lu Bicheng finds extremely difficult to understand, Li Yu will make modifications.
Fortunately, Star Wars itself is soft science fiction, with lightsaber settings, and the core of the Star Wars story is a "family ethics drama", so it will not be incomprehensible to a wide range of readers.
After finishing these tasks, Li Yu will prepare to go to Japan with his students.
Toyama Mitsuru has urged him several times, and both Tokyo Imperial University and Kyoto University have sent invitations. As Asia's first Nobel Prize winner, Li Yu is a huge celebrity in the academic world.