Zuo Zongtang said angrily: "President, in the past many years, China has had no Laoshizi industry, but under your leadership, it still defeated the coalition forces of various countries."
Zuo Zongtang dismissed the so-called industry.
Think about it, the Manchu Qing Dynasty was defeated again and again by the foreigners, and had to cede land to pay compensation. After Li Zhen appeared, he led the army to continuously fight back, not only unified China, but also took back all the ceded land, and even The expansion of territory, including the overseas Hawaiian Islands, the Lake Baikal area, and a large area in the south, are all achievements that cannot be called industrial development.
Zuo Zongtang believes that this is not due to industry, but because the country has strong leaders. A country without wise leaders and the emperor is fatuous leads to a decline in national strength. However, Li Zhenying was wise and powerful and led the army to victory, so he was able to win.
Obviously, this has nothing to do with industry.
Zeng Guofan nodded with an expression of approval and said: "President, I also agree with Zuo Zongtang's statement. The sage said that playing with things makes one lose one's ambition. The so-called industries are all wonderful things. Once the people are addicted to them, it will cause chaos in the country. It may even lead to people in the country not wanting to make progress.”
Li Zhen said: "Brother Bohan, you are talking nonsense."
Zeng Guofan insisted: "No matter what, reading is the most important thing. If everyone is addicted to the weird and obscene skills of industry, the country will be ruined and the good situation will be ruined."
He looked serious and looked very solemn.
Li Zhenyi rolled his eyes, shook his head and said: "Prime Minister Zeng, did I tell students not to study? According to the plan that has been formulated long ago, there are already primary schools, middle schools, etc. to ensure that children across the country can study and receive education. Under your promotion, the teaching plan is constantly being improved and results are being achieved. It is impossible for me to let students fail halfway, and it is impossible for me to let all students do research."
After a pause, Li Zhen continued: "Studying is necessary, but not everyone is ready to study. There are many people who find it difficult to move up after finishing middle school, so they need to go to industry to let them learn to support their families. Since the ability to make a living gives them skills, then the development of industry requires these people with skills. This is the ability for them to support their families."
"These words are actually quite far-fetched and somewhat off-topic."
"The development of industry is not a fancy skill, but a science. It also requires a large number of talents and a large number of scholars. There is nothing wrong with reading books by sages, but if you just hold on to the idea of studying and becoming an official, the country will take another detour and let a hundred flowers bloom. , is the most suitable.”
"Back to business, back to industry."
Li Zhen changed the topic and brought the topic back.
Zeng Guofan was speechless and did not dare to argue with Li Zhen anymore.
Zuo Zongtang was upright and said: "I still stick to my statement."
Li Zhen rolled his eyes and had to continue: "Brother Ji Gao, China defeated the coalition forces of various countries, but what is the result? You have also seen the final result. Although we won, we also suffered huge damage and consumed huge weapons. , countless people were killed and injured in the war, and the financial resources consumed by the war placed a heavy burden on the people, making their lives difficult."
"Such a war is to injure the enemy one thousand and lose eight hundred to oneself. It is the most helpless tactic. Who is willing to use this method? As the industries of Britain, France and other countries developed, the fleets they sent failed, and soon they It can be restored, but we cannot, and it will take a long time to recover. This is the difference between whether there is industry or not. When industry develops, it not only leads to how many workers have new jobs, it is not just the study of kinky techniques, the most important thing is the comprehensive The improvement of national power.”
Li Zhen's eyes were burning and he looked a little excited.
Zuo Zongtang nodded in agreement.
He glanced at Zeng Guofan and felt Zeng Guofan's helplessness.
Trying to argue against Li Zhen always fails in the end.
Li Zhen continued: "According to the last division of heavy industry and light industry, China has started manufacturing weapons, steelmaking, smelting, chemicals, etc. These are all categories of heavy industry, but whether it is heavy industry or light industry, they must be developed. I am personally responsible for this matter, with Zhao Liewen, Hu Linyi, and Zuo Zongtang assisting me. Industry is the foundation of a country. Without industry, the country will definitely not be able to keep up with the pace. We must pay attention to it."
"call,."
In the room, a clear sound of breathing could be heard.
Zhao Liewen, Hu Linyi and others all breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Li Zhen was in charge directly.
If it were them, they would probably have no clue.
Population, agriculture and transportation have a certain foundation and can be done according to certain rules. Industry is completely confused. If we let them manage it directly, we don't know where to start.
Li Zhen took a deep breath and said: "The plans for the next five years are probably as follows. Population, agriculture, and transportation are all arranged. Everyone will go back to improve their own plans, and then start to establish projects and notify the whole country. The rest, Zhao Liewen, Hu Linyi, Zuo Zong Tang stays."
"yes."
Zeng Guofan, Shi Dakai and Peng Yulin said goodbye and left, leaving Li Zhen and others behind.
Li Zhen stood up, took a map and placed it on the conference table.
Li Zhen put his left hand on the table, bent over, pointed at the map with his right hand, and said: "To develop industry, there is a long way to go. My idea is to develop some key areas first, and then promote the development of surrounding areas. If you want to develop industries in all directions, If it blooms, I'm afraid nothing will be accomplished in the end. My plan is to establish industrial bases in the southeast, southwest, east coast, and north, and gather factories together to form a large-scale area."
Zhao Liewen thought for a while and said loudly: "President, it is right to focus on establishing a few regions. It is a necessary process, but when it is first established, I think it should be more stable. For example, the southeast coastal area Because of the foreigners, the port was opened early and it is the most prosperous area. My idea is to choose a place on the southeast coast as a pilot. If the development goes well, then choose to establish industrial bases in the southwest, east, and north. If it does not go well, , it can also reduce losses, what do you think?"
Hu Linyi was mature and prudent and immediately said: "I agree with this statement."
Li Zhen nodded and said: "What Dean Zhao said makes sense, and I agree with it. We will first choose the southeast coast as the pilot area."
Peng Yulin added: "In that case, which position should I choose?"
Li Zhen's eyes fell on the map, staring at the Pearl River Delta area in later generations. He drew a circle with a pencil and said unhurriedly: "This area is the intersection of Xijiang, Beijiang and Dongjiang. It belongs to the Pearl River." Downstream, it is adjacent to the Hong Kong area and faces Southeast Asia across the sea. It has convenient sea and land transportation. In my opinion, choosing this place can attract both sea trade and land trade. It is a great area."
Zuo Zongtang nodded and said: "What the President said makes sense, and I agree."
This guy has almost no knowledge of industry. Anyway, Li Zhen has decided and he supports it.