A two-hundred-ton German gunboat led a five-hundred-ton Belgian cargo ship upstream. Under the night sky, both sides of the river bank were dark and lifeless. Occasionally, one or two dim lights in the distance could be seen, and it was like a blur.
The illusion made An Yi feel desolate.
Hans has a lot of energy and a sincere heart that cherishes friendship. He and his deputy Lauter were worried about accidental damage to Japanese and British naval ships that frequently came and went, so they used all their connections to quickly transfer a team from Hankou, where the dispute was taking place.
A German gunboat escorted An Yi and his soldiers back home smoothly.
In the narrow captain's lounge, An Yi reclined on a sturdy armless soft chair. Four cups of fragrant and rich coffee were placed on the semi-oval small coffee table in front of him. Dr. Kruse, who was sitting opposite An Yi, pointed.
Pointing to the exquisite and compact fan above, he asked Hans next to him in German in a low voice:
"What an exquisite and cute fan! The shape is very beautiful, and the wind power is also very good, especially in such a small size, which is amazing! This is the first time I have seen this kind of fan. Is it a new product of your Lulin Company?
"
Hans pointed at An Yi: "You would never guess that the fan was designed by General An himself. There are two major breakthrough improvements. The fan blades are made of lightweight aluminum alloy instead of thin steel sheets. The fan blades have novel and efficient radian and bending.
The design is very precise, which greatly reduces the power required, thus promoting the step-by-step miniaturization of the corresponding motor."
Kruse looked at An Yi in disbelief, then turned to Hans: "Oh my god, are you kidding me?"
Hans shrugged and smiled. Lauter, who was sitting on the other side, answered for Hans: "How could such a thing be a joke? It's true! We obtained General An's design drawings in the middle of last year and sent them to
After returning to Germany, it only took one month to produce the innovative fan blades. You also know that our country's material processing technology leads the world, so it was easy to do it. What is rare is the ingenious use of this creativity and precise air transmission.
Now our company's products have been sold all over the world. Many ships in the Far East have installed this series of our new products. Further improvements are currently in progress, such as the research on the use of plastic fan blades that has just begun.
Wait, the prospects are quite broad, and Hans and the senior management of the headquarters are full of confidence in it."
Kruse saw Hans nodding with a smile, turned to An Yi and said with a smile in Chinese: "General, you can always create miracles, it's admirable!"
"I'm not afraid of your jokes. I've taken great pains to improve my technology, but it's actually for money." An Yi said honestly.
Hans smiled: "Kruuser, maybe you don't know that An used the proceeds from this and other three patents to support more than 40 Chinese students studying in Germany, many of whom studied at Krupp institutions.
There are thirty-two people, as well as other international students in chemical engineering and communications. All the expenses are borne by An. He is a genius, not only in the military, but also in mechanical design and innovation, especially in mechanical design and innovation.
It is the latter that has been unanimously praised by many of our outstanding engineers in Germany, so I say that if An does not become a general, he will definitely become one of the richest men in China within a few years."
Kruse nodded with admiration: "I believe it."
Hans picked up the coffee cup and gestured to An Yi: "An Yi, are you used to the taste of coffee?"
"It's okay. I've had it before, but I have been leading troops in war for such a long time. I prefer tea. Today's coffee is very good, fragrant and delicious, and the taste is very pure."
An Yi replied in a low voice, then picked up the coffee and tasted it carefully, closing his eyes in comfort.
Hans smiled slightly, put down the cup and asked in a low voice: "Ann, please forgive me for being abrupt, why doesn't your beautiful and noble sister return to Old Nanchang with you?"
An Yi was stunned for a moment, and the image of Gong Qian and Grandma Shirley's faces flashing with tears as they stood on the pier to say goodbye appeared in his mind. He shook his head to dispel the sadness in his heart, and replied in a low voice:
"My sister works in the Nanjing Central Party Committee. After my principal, Mr. Chiang Kai-shek, resigned, many party elders left with him. But my sister said that someone always needs someone to do the work, so she chose to stay. Moreover, I am in Nanjing
The city bought a lot of properties, leaving many subordinates to manage them in Nanjing, and my sister is still needed to help take care of them."
"Your sister is amazing! By the way, An, why did you buy so many properties in Nanjing at this time? Do you have confidence in the current National Government?" Lauter asked.
An Yi thought for a while and answered: "It is difficult to explain this question clearly at the moment. Although I have no confidence in the current government and the current situation is very bad, I am confident about tomorrow, not far away.
At this time, many people are fleeing Nanjing as much as possible out of fear of the war. It is the best time to acquire various industries. I have instructed my subordinates to acquire as many properties and shops as possible in several areas that are being sold off on a large scale and at low prices. I believe
In less than a year, the value will double. Especially in the current situation where silver and gold are flowing out of China in large quantities, the value of real estate in Nanjing is obvious.
Speaking of which, I'm quite surprised, why have you, European and American countries, including the Japanese, been transporting large amounts of gold and silver away in the past three months?"
Lauter looked at Hans in embarrassment. Hans hesitated for a moment and then told him frankly:
"The reason is that the world economy seems to have encountered a little trouble. Since the beginning of the year, there have been signs of slow economic development or even stagnation. Many bankers and economists have called on countries to adopt active economic promotion policies, but so far, there have been no results.
Not big, so many countries with gold standard currencies have started preventive reserves and financial and circulation adjustments... Can you understand what I say?"
"Ah!? You mean it is likely to trigger a global economic crisis? Inflation and other crises, right?" An Yi asked in surprise.
Hans nodded appreciatively: "You are really surprised, dear Ann, that you can have such broad knowledge and foresight. Yes, strictly speaking, it should be called inflation caused by overproduction. This is a
I hope a huge economic disaster will not happen."
An Yi smiled slightly: "Hans, I have asked you many times to help introduce German diesel engine production technology and production lines, and to produce optical instruments such as telescopes and sights through cooperation or technology transfer. You have always declined politely. If the currency
If inflation has really arrived, will you still stick to your opinion?
Let me explain my attitude first. If I still cannot buy from Germany, I will probably turn to the United States and France. Really, this is my true thought. As an honest friend, I will not hide it from you and Lauter.
, after all, I also need to develop and take advantage of every opportunity to improve the technological level of the company."
"I understand very well!"
Hans thought for a moment and replied solemnly: "After completing this inspection, I will write a complete report and submit it to the German headquarters. I hope we will have a good cooperation prospect."
An Yi's eyes lit up: "Is it really possible to relax the introduction of high-tech technologies such as optical instruments? I am very much looking forward to this, and thank you for your selfless help."
"An, the situation in China is so chaotic. Why don't you increase military procurement and improve your military technology, instead of insisting on the introduction of these exquisite gadgets? Can you guarantee a peaceful development environment?" Lauter asked carefully.
ask.
An Yi nodded: "There is tranquility in the turmoil, and there is paradise in troubled times. According to my speculation, Nanchang and central Jiangxi will have a peaceful development environment in the future. In addition, the water and land transportation in this area is very convenient, and there is only one missing outlet."
Haikou is rich in agriculture, fishery, forestry, mineral resources and labor resources. Compared with other troubled areas, its development prospects are much better. In particular, Jiangxi and Hunan are very rich in tungsten mines. European and American countries, including Germany,
They are all purchasing in large quantities, and I really want to enter this field when I come back this time.”
Hans and Lauter looked at each other, feeling quite surprised. This was the main business of the two major foreign companies in various countries, so they couldn't help but ignore it. Hans asked calmly:
"An, as far as I know, the largest tungsten mines in the two provinces are all controlled by local military forces. Other small and medium-sized mines also have strong backgrounds. Will they allow you to join?"
An Yi laughed: "Why do I want their permission? No matter how large the military force is, it is not as powerful as the national army; secondly, most of the warlords in China today were formed spontaneously from scratch, including today's Li Zongren Ministry
, Feng Yuxiang's tribe, Sun Chuanfang's tribe, Yan Xishan's tribe and Zhang Zuolin's tribe. The loose and weak central government did not have so many troops and financial resources to annihilate them, so it could only appoint them as local military and political chiefs to achieve nominal unification of the country.
Slowly weaken the power of local warlords and implement centralized leadership.
For a long period of time thereafter, with guns, cannons and people, we were able to dominate one area and occupy areas rich in resources.
Think about it, since these people can openly occupy the wealth that should belong to all people and take it for themselves without caring about the life and death of the people, why can't I organize my own army to drive them away or eliminate them so that all people can
People should participate together and develop together?
Don't forget, I still have more than 3,000 soldiers who have survived hundreds of battles. The combat effectiveness of my army does not need to be explained. You should also know something about it. Moreover, I still have money and many friends to support me. As long as I am willing
, who can stop me from moving forward?
If it annoys me, I will form an army of more than 10,000 people, unite with one or two military partners with the same interests, drive away all the troops in southern Ganxi, and closely connect with my forces in central Ganxi.
Occupy all roads and waterways leading to Guangdong and Fujian, prohibit the entry and exit of all materials, especially opium and tungsten sand, who can do anything to me?"
Hans and others were shocked when they heard this. Even Dr. Kruse, who had been listening attentively, looked at An Yi in surprise, but An Yi shook his head and smiled:
"I'm sorry, friends, maybe my words are harsh, but the truth is like this. You also know that there is a saying in China: If you have a gun, you will be a grass-headed king! This can very well represent the reality of China today, so I have reason to believe that as long as
If what I do is recognized and supported by the majority of people, I will be successful, and this is the same whether in business or military."
Hans and others all laughed, but Hans knew clearly in his heart that An Yi's words were by no means casual remarks, but a tactful yet forceful way of telling him that everyone must share the same interests.
Establish a fairer cooperation principle, otherwise An Yi will turn to a better collaborator, and An Yi's words also revealed a very important message, that is, he will make major adjustments when he comes back this time.
You may get involved in the lucrative tungsten ore trade, and you may even resort to force for it!
The sound of footsteps was heard, and the thirty-eight-year-old captain entered the lounge and politely informed everyone: It was getting dark, and he would arrive at the important Hukou Pier in fifteen minutes.
Everyone stood up immediately. Kruse carefully stepped forward to help An Yi. An Yi politely thanked him and indicated that he could walk. Everyone filed out and walked to the bow of the ship where the river breeze was blowing. They stood on the deck and looked westward.
The rising sun is rising slowly, and the first rays of the morning sun are shining on the two sides of the river and the vast eastward. What is coming is the pier and the lake bathed in the golden glow. In front of An Yi is a glittering broad road.