Reborn Bao Guowei, I really didn’t want to be a great writer!

Chapter 341 Hou Debang! Pioneer of national industry!
An important industrial city in the north.

Economic and trade center.

The population exceeds one million.

It contrasts with the Shanghai Stock Exchange from afar.

The streets are bustling, factories are everywhere, and machines are roaring.

This was Tianjin in 1930. It can be said that the level of industrial development in Tianjin at that time was comparable to that of Shanghai in the south, and even far surpassed that of Beijing.

Compared with the bustling downtown area, Tianjin's industrial area is naturally a different scene.

Huge chimneys tower above the skyline, with smoke swirling like giant dragons.

The roar of machines, the clashing of steel, and the shouts of workers can be heard all around.

"Mr. Bao, it's just ahead. Please walk a few more steps. Mr. Hou is waiting for you in the office."

The captain of the guards turned around, smiled warmly, and pointed to a three-story building in front of them.

This small building is located next to a low-rise gray factory. Some people coming in and out are wearing work clothes, some are wearing long gowns, and some are wearing suits.

Such a mixed scene can only be seen in the Republic of China.

"Wow! This smell is so strong!" Cao Yanhai followed behind and couldn't help covering his mouth and nose when he smelled the chemical waste in the air.

The guard said apologetically, "This is how it is in our factory. The workers start work very early. It is now ten o'clock in the morning and the machines in the factory are running. Gentlemen, please go to the office. It will be better inside."

It was the first time Cao Yanhai saw it, so he was naturally surprised.

Bao Guowei turned his head and took another look at the factory facilities from the 20s, nodded, and walked into the office.

After entering the office building, the air was indeed much fresher. The staff passing by couldn't help but glance sideways when they saw Bao Guowei and the other person walking in.

Hou Debang's office was at the end of the third floor. The guard took the two to the door and said with a smile.

"I won't go in. Director Hou is waiting for you two inside."

Bao Guowei looked a little dazed. He couldn't help but recall the photo of Hou Debang in the textbook and his great contributions to modern China's chemical industry.

But he was not stage-frightened. He knocked gently on the iron door, and after receiving a response from inside, he pushed open the half-open door.

The first thing you see when you look towards him is a shiny top of his head. The hair beside it is growing vigorously, but it is still very sparse.

It seems that no matter in the Republic of China or modern times, there is one theorem that will not change.

The ability of scientists and doctors is often inversely proportional to the thickness of their hair.

Noticing the unusual movement, the man who was writing on the table immediately stood up, showed a somewhat honest smile on his face, walked towards him, stretched out his hand and spoke enthusiastically.

"Are you Bingwen? Seeing is believing. My name is Hou Qirong, and my courtesy name is Zhiben."

When Bao Guowei saw the two big dark circles around the other person's eyes, he could tell how much effort this legendary scientist had put in.

He also smiled and said, "Hello, Mr. Hou. I am Bao Guowei, also known as Bingwen. Mr. Taiyan introduced me here to discuss something with you."

Hou Debang had just received Bao Guowei's letter of introduction. After confirming his identity, the expression on his face became more enthusiastic.

"Hurry up and sit down!"

His office was a bit messy, and he finally cleaned up a reception area. Then he took out a large teapot and poured two cups of tea for the two of them in worn porcelain cups.

As soon as he sat down, Hou Debang said with emotion.

"Everyone says Bao Bingwen is a heroic young man, but I didn't believe it at first. It's hard to understand how he could have achieved such amazing achievements at the age of 17."

Praising youth is something that everyone who sees Bao Guowei must mention.

Bao Guowei was already somewhat indifferent, he said with a cupped hand.

"Sir, you are too kind. Your research on national alkali production has made great contributions to the current industrial development of China. In particular, your research on the Solvay process is really touching."

Bao Guowei was not being polite. Hou Debang was indeed the best chemical industry scientist of this era.

At that time, the alkali production technology and market were still monopolized by foreign companies. Even though Yongli spent a lot of money, it only bought the simple materials of the "Solvay process".

Hou Debang’s contribution to China’s ability to produce high-quality soda ash at this point in time is indelible.

It was because of Hou Debang that China at that time was able to break the American monopoly on soda ash in 1927.

Hou Debang had a smile on his face. Bao Guowei is now famous throughout the country, and it is very pleasing to be recognized by him.

But Hou Debang was not complacent about this. Instead, he said with some worry.

"I am ashamed of what Bingwen said. I have indeed achieved some results, but they are ultimately a drop in the bucket in the overall environment."

Bao Guowei nodded and said, "Now our country is still in the initial stage of industrialization. War and political turmoil are too unfavorable for industrial development. Agricultural production still occupies a large part of the country, and there is still a long way to go in the future."

These words touched Hou Debang's heart. He took off his glasses. It was obvious that the continuous work made him a little tired.

Especially now that research has reached a bottleneck.

Hou Debang successfully produced soda ash, but ultimately failed to achieve the full effectiveness of the Solvay process.

It was as if he had obtained half of the martial arts secret book. It was not easy for him to practice it successfully without going astray.

It is extremely difficult to go further.

Historically, Hou Debang did not fully develop the combined alkali production process until 1943, which is called the Hou alkali production process in textbooks.

This technology not only far surpasses Solvay, it can even be said to be a milestone in alkali production technology!

The difficulties in research, coupled with the turmoil in the country, made Hou Debang angry.

When facing Bao Guowei, he couldn't help but open up.

"Not only is there a long way to go, but there are also many crises. In my opinion, the industrial development of our country is now in its golden age, and it is the best time to catch up with Western industry. Coupled with the impact of the Great Depression, foreigners no longer have the energy to restrain our development.

But now the country is still in turmoil, with warlords fighting each other and spending huge amounts of manpower and material resources to seize territory and power. If we can unite this energy, why won't our country's industry prosper?
Not to mention, under the current circumstances, building an industrial factory even depends on the warlords’ wishes and giving them most of the benefits.”

Hou Debang had obviously been thinking about the issue of national industrial development for a long time.

He has read a lot of Bao Guowei's works, and now that the real owner is in front of him, he can't help but talk about it.

After saying this, Hou Debang realized that he had lost his composure, shook his head repeatedly, took a sip of tea and said.

"I'm sorry, Bingwen. I couldn't control my emotions."

"It doesn't matter, you are also serving the country and the people." Bao Guowei naturally understood, and he paused and couldn't help but say, "But it's not hopeless."

Hou Debang frowned, not knowing what the other party meant. Thinking of the content of the letter, he couldn't help but ask.

"I heard that Bingwen came here to build a factory for himself."

"This is rather complicated. Mr. Hou, please listen to my slow introduction." Bao Guowei replied, then turned his head to glance at Cao Yanhai.

The latter curled his lips, knowing that it was time for him to stop listening.

But Cao Yanhai also understood. It was not that Bao Guowei did not trust him, but that Cao Yanhai was a person who could not keep secrets. You never know when, in which woman's bed, everything would be revealed.

It’s better not to listen.

So he left tactfully. Before leaving, he looked around and after making sure that there was no one there, he stood guard at the door like a door god.

Seeing the other party's attitude, Hou Debang became even more confused.

He couldn't figure out what Bao Guowei was going to do, so he made a guess.

"Is Bingwen planning to open a factory to produce allicin?"

But then he thought again, something was not right. Guowei had already outsourced the production of garlic extract to other people, so there was no reason for him to open his own factory.

Bao Guowei took out another document from his bag, pushed it over and said.

"Sir, you'll know it at a glance."

(End of this chapter)