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

Chapter 346 Do you also understand synthetic ammonia technology?

It was Bao Guowei who said these words. If it were someone else, they would probably think that the other person was exaggerating.

Just like last time, Bao Guowei and Zhang Xueliang brought up the Japan threat theory.

During this period, many people in power believed that there would be no foreign invasion in the short term.

Neither Japan nor other countries are able to start another war.

Especially for Japan, Zhang Xueliang and the National Government, the inherent understanding at the time was that, given the domestic situation in Japan at the time, launching a large-scale war would be nothing but a way to death.

This is normal.

But what Lao Chang and Zhang Xueliang did not expect was that they and their generals were too spineless, and the Japanese Kwantung Army was too crazy.

As a result, in just three months, the Northeast had fallen.

"So that's how it is." Fan Xudong couldn't help but let out a breath. He listened to Bao Guowei's analysis of the Japanese threat theory in its entirety.

If this really happened and the entire Northeast was swallowed up by Japanese pirates, then the North China region would also become the target of public criticism.

Fan Xudong naturally couldn't be unaware of the true face of the Kuomintang government and the warlords.

If that time really comes, wouldn't everything he has worked so hard to build in Tianjin be taken advantage of by the Japanese?
This was indeed the case in history. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the Yongli Factory was bombed three times in a row and was forced to suspend production.

A large amount of strategic materials and a complete set of equipment in the factory were plundered by the Japanese and taken to Kyushu. Only a small part of these equipment was returned after the war.

There are still nearly seven years before the full-scale invasion of Japan. If we can start to shift now, we will be able to greatly recover the losses.

However, from Fan Xudong's perspective, this is a difficult decision.

He really trusted Bao Guowei, but from his perspective, the Japanese invasion was just Bao Guowei's speculation.

In order to convince him, he made up his mind to relocate the entire factory and abandon the established business environment.

This is simply a fantasy.

But Bao Guowei had his own confidence. With a sharp gaze, he continued to speak to Fan Xudong.

"Speaking of the impact of the world situation on our national industry, Mr. Fan, as I said above, the Japanese invasion is very likely to happen. If we can relocate the factory, we may be able to avoid a lot of losses in the future."

Bao Guowei's words made Fan Xudong fall into deep thought.

In fact, there have always been clues about the Japanese's evil ambitions. As a businessman who has been dealing with foreigners and warlords for many years, Fan Xudong could not have been unaware of this.

But people always have a lucky mentality. When faced with a difficult problem, it is easier to escape than to face it.

This was also the mentality of Zhang Xueliang and Chang Kai-shen during the Northeast Incident the next year.

They were not willing to face the invasion of the Japanese Kwantung Army, and were even afraid to confront it.

When this mentality becomes rampant, failure is inevitable.

Fan Xudong was unwilling to believe it, but Bao Guowei laid the facts out on the table.

There are several aspects that Fan Xudong cannot refute.

One is that Japan's domestic economic crisis is serious, militarism is on the rise, and foreign invasion is the best way to solve these problems;
One is that Japan's leased territory in the Northeast will expire next year, and they have to send troops before the lease expires;
One is that the Japanese have a tradition of overthrowing their superiors since ancient times. The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 during the Qing Dynasty was a gamble on their part. Having tasted the sweetness, how could the Japanese not resort to the same old tricks again?

Fan Xudong wanted to hear the reasons for the Japanese attack, and Bao Guowei could give more than a dozen of them.

The relocatable factory is still a very important matter after all.

"Bingwen, this matter is of great importance. I am aware of the threat from the Japanese, but you still have to allow me to think about it for a while."

Fan Xudong frowned. Even if Bao Guowei brought up this matter, it would not be easy for him to make a decision.

"It's okay, I'm just making a suggestion."

Bao Guowei nodded but did not insist on persuading him.

He was able to raise these points from the perspective of a latecomer.

It is normal that those who are involved are confused, especially those who are in the middle of it, and cannot see clearly how the future will develop.

In particular, the Fengtian Army, with hundreds of thousands of troops, is still stationed in the Northeast region. If Xiao Liuzi had not withdrawn his troops into the pass, they would have been reluctant to return to defend.

It is still unknown whether the events next year will happen.

Do your best and leave the rest to fate.

Seemingly feeling a little embarrassed, Fan Xudong said with a smile.

"We'll discuss this later. It's not that I don't want to trust you, Bingwen. I still value your opinion. If you have any other ideas, you can bring them up."

The other party spoke very sincerely.

Bao Guowei thought for a moment and said, "The combined alkali production method has been fully developed with the help of Mr. Hou Debang and Mr. Lin Jiyong. It is no exaggeration to say that there is little room for improvement in the short term."

Previously, Hou Debang had always been in the attitude of a listener. He was immersed in research and did not know much about the international situation.

When Bao Guowei mentioned the "combined alkali production method", Hou Debang finally had a chance to speak.

He said to Fan Xudong seriously.

"Mr. Fan, what Bingwen said is indeed true. I have verified this combined alkali production method and have studied it many times. It is the most advanced alkali production process in the world today. It is extremely difficult to find a more convenient and economical technology. If you ask me to find any problems, it is basically impossible."

This is also what Hou Debang admires about Bao Guowei, that he can achieve such an achievement as a 17-year-old high school student.

It's really amazing.

There have been people who claim to be geniuses or child prodigies since ancient times, but it is rare to find someone like Bao Guowei who has achieved outstanding achievements in various fields.

If you count them carefully, there are really not many in ancient and modern times.

Fan Xudong looked surprised. He had no doubts about the "combined alkali production method", but he knew Hou Debang's character well.

The fact that this "nerd" gave such high praise is enough to show how amazing this technology is.

For a moment, Fan Xudong felt fortunate for his early approval.

But Bao Guowei poured a bucket of cold water on them.

"That's true. There is indeed no problem with the execution process of the joint production method. However, the biggest problem is the upstream and downstream, especially the supply of raw materials."

"Synthetic ammonia!"

After breaking the blockade of soda ash preparation, Hou Debang immediately thought of this point.

Bao Guowei nodded and said, "You two gentlemen are both experts in the field of chemical industry, so I will not teach you how to do this. In the preparation of soda ash, ammonia is very important, and ammonia is naturally inseparable from the preparation of synthetic ammonia. The importance of synthetic ammonia is not only reflected in this, but also in the military."

Fan Xudong frowned. He was so immersed in joy that he had forgotten the crux of the matter.

He sighed and said, "It seems that I asked the right person. Bingwen really hit the nail on the head. Synthetic ammonia and soda ash are both important chemical raw materials in industry. According to their properties, they are often complementary and indispensable."

As a leading figure in the chemical industry, Fan Xudong naturally could not be unaware of the importance of synthetic ammonia.

It can even be said that the alkali industry is inseparable from synthetic ammonia. In recent years, the industrialization of synthetic ammonia has flourished in Europe and the United States, and an industrial chain has been rapidly formed.

Fan Xudong had already planned for the manufacture of synthetic ammonia. He planned to build a factory within a few years, introduce foreign technology, and achieve mass production of domestic synthetic ammonia.

Hou Debang added: "Synthetic ammonia is a chemical product of great importance. It is the basic raw material for industries such as fertilizers, plastics, and medicines, especially the military industry. Ammonia is also an important raw material for the production of explosives. Synthetic ammonia is really too important.

Bingwen is right. I cannot relax because of this. The next step is to put the technological breakthrough of synthetic ammonia on the agenda."

Fan Xudong said, "The importance of synthetic ammonia is self-evident. If we want to achieve mass production of industrial soda ash, synthetic ammonia cannot be left behind, but the technological blockade of European and American countries is still a problem."

After thinking about it, a look of worry began to appear on Fan Xudong's face.

"At this moment, we still need to work hard on the research of synthetic ammonia!"

His originally relaxed mood immediately tensed up again.

They fall behind step by step. If they want to catch up with the Western countries, relying solely on the strength of these people, it will be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Originally, both the upstream and downstream were lagging behind, so there was nothing to say, but now alkali production has made a breakthrough, if synthetic ammonia does not make a breakthrough.

It feels like there is something stuck in my throat.

Hou Debang made up his mind and said, "It seems that Mr. Fan, we may have to go to Europe again to discuss the technology of synthetic ammonia. As Bingwen said, time is running out for us."

"Gentlemen, perhaps this is not necessary."

Bao Guowei shook his head and a mysterious smile appeared on his face.

"Ok?"

Hou Debang and Fan Xudong were both stunned for a moment, not understanding what Bao Guowei meant.

Didn't you say that synthetic ammonia is very important? Shouldn't we work hard to promote it?

Bao Guowei paused and continued.

"I came to Tianjin this time with more than just the joint subtraction method."

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a thunderclap, exploding in the hearts of the two people.

What do you mean?
Do you, Bao Guowei, have the technology of combined subtraction?
Hou Debang could no longer sit still, he quickly stood up and said: "Bingwen, do you have any ideas about synthesizing ammonia? If so, please let us know, and we will send someone to experiment immediately."

"Bingwen, if you have any ideas, just tell us. As long as there is a breakthrough, we can meet any conditions, whether it's shares or patent fees."

Fan Xudong also lost his composure a little.

I felt some burning gazes from the two gentlemen.

Bao Guowei touched his stubble somewhat unnaturally.

Bao Guowei has been working on the development of synthetic ammonia since his time in Hangzhou.

At the beginning, his idea was very simple. He took a big book on chemical engineering and read it by himself.

With the golden finger after rebirth, I can still understand some of it, but I want to truly realize it in chemical engineering.

It's not something that happens overnight.

So, later Bao Guowei realized that he was not a genius, but just a porter of knowledge.

As long as the technology is passed to the right people at the right time, it will be enough.

But after thinking about it, he realized that he had already proposed a combined alkali production method, and now he was proposing a core technology for synthesizing ammonia, which was too outrageous.

Even genius has to have a limit, otherwise it would seem unreasonable.

Bao Guowei said cautiously: "It's not something I came up with, but you two should know that I have a close relationship with some American businessmen. They have a technical document on synthetic ammonia, and I got it by chance."

He didn't tell them the whole story, but just gave a brief hint and let the two of them figure out the rest.

Hearing this, Hou Debang felt relieved. If Bao Guowei could develop synthetic ammonia, he could really hand over his position as factory director to someone else.

You can even become Bao Guowei's disciple, and then all these years of research experience will be wasted.

"Technical documents? Are they authentic?"

Fan Xudong didn't suspect Bao Guowei of lying, he was just afraid that he was being cheated.

This kind of thing is not uncommon among Americans. Fan Xudong has dealt with them before. This group of people can do anything for profit.

Bao Guowei knew that he still had to put forward some technical points in order to convince the two.

So he picked out some key points and spoke.

"The technology for synthesizing ammonia was invented by German chemist Fritz Harper 20 years ago, and today's most advanced technology is derived from his research."

Bao Guowei briefly introduced the key technical points of the Harper process for producing ammonia to the two of them.

In just a few hundred words, it is like using iron-based catalysts, adopting a recycling process to increase ammonia yield, and multi-step separation to facilitate purification and compression, etc.

Hou Debang and Fan Xudong's eyes lit up when they heard this. These two were certainly connoisseurs of good stuff. Just by listening to some details, they knew that this was the real deal.

Honestly speaking, if it weren't for politeness, Hou Debang would have wanted to fetch paper and pen to write everything down.

If these technologies were used abroad, you wouldn't even be able to hear them at a price of hundreds of thousands each.

"The most important point is the best way to improve efficiency and benefits, high temperature and high pressure conditions, if the reaction can be achieved at 400-500 degrees Celsius and 150-300 bar pressure."

What Bao Guowei mentioned later was the complete version of the high-pressure ammonia synthesis technology improved by Carl Bosch.

The latter won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1931 for improving the original ammonia synthesis technology, which shows the importance of this technology.

Fan Xudong took a deep breath and for a moment didn't know how to express his shock.

He is not a complete businessman. On the contrary, he is very knowledgeable about technology, otherwise he would not have decided on the joint production and subtraction just by calling.

It is precisely because of his knowledge of technology that I admire this young man in front of me even more.

"Bingwen, did you really get this technology from the Americans?" Hou Debang frowned. He always had a feeling that this technology should have nothing to do with the Americans.

But no matter how you think about it, it doesn't make sense.

Bao Guowei spread his hands and said helplessly.

"Mr. Hou, I am a human being, not a prophet. It is not easy for me to discover the way to combine subtraction by chance, let alone synthesize ammonia."

"This"

Hou Debang really had nothing to say about this explanation.

At this point, Bao Guowei knew that it was a foregone conclusion. He looked at Fan Xudong and said with a smile.

"Mr. Fan, now we can continue to talk about how to build the factory."

(End of this chapter)