Linxia

Chapter 203, Layout
As soon as I left Mr. Ou's house, I saw my cousin Ren Xiu'er holding Qiuqiu's hand. No, to be more precise, it was Qiuqiu who walked with her short legs, pulling Ren Xiu'er, and rushing towards me, shouting "Daddy" and "Daddy".

Fang Lin picked up his daughter, kissed her on the cheek, and made Qiuqiu giggle.

Fang Lin and Ren Xiu'er each held one of Qiuqiu's hands. Qiuqiu's two short legs were curled up and the whole person was lifted up.

There was a hole on the road, and Qiuqiu shouted, "Brush it over!"

——'擦往往' is a dialect, which probably means to step over.

A few days ago, Fang Lin took Qiuqiu out to play. There was a ditch dug in a place. He subconsciously said the local dialect "wipe it over". Qiuqiu was at a loss for what to do and changed his words to explain.

Unexpectedly, Qiuqiu remembered this word. When passing by this pit today, she said it out loud. Fang Lin and Ren Xiuer were stunned for a moment and then burst into laughter.

Go home and put Qiuqiu down.

Inside the house, my aunt Sun Hongye, my cousin Ren Chang, Fang Chuanhui, Fang He, Meng He and his wife, and Meng He's brother Meng Jiang were all there.

Needless to say, Fang Chuanhui from my aunt's family was traveling with the fleet for business and just came back from overseas these two days; Meng He's brother Meng Jiang was brought here by the couple because he and Fang He were attending a skill training class at the factory.

When they saw Fang Lin, they all stood up subconsciously and were much more reserved and polite than when they were facing Fang's father and mother.

——There is no other reason, it’s just because of one’s identity and status.

Fang Lin invited them to sit down, with a casual attitude, chatting about daily life, guiding the topic and slowly opening the conversation.

Aunt Sun Hongye said, "The factory dormitory we live in now is great. It's much closer than the place we rented before. Now we don't have to get up so early every morning. The place is big and clean... These days, there are some vegetable vendors outside, so we don't have to go far to the vegetable market."

Actually, the factory dormitories are dormitories after all, how big can they be? But relatively speaking, compared with the small places that factory workers used to rent in order to save money, they are already quite large and excellent in all aspects.

Also because factory workers gathered near the dormitory, Fang Lin gave orders to organize supporting facilities for food, clothing, housing and transportation nearby, so that a community similar to the previous life would gradually be formed in the future.

Cousin Ren Chang added: "The dormitory is convenient, and there is a big toilet, but you have to clean it, make the quilt, and check it."

This is for the purpose of standardization and disciplinary guidance.

Fang He talked about the skills training class: "I've been to school, so I know a lot of words. Reading is easy, but arithmetic is a bit difficult, with all the symbols... and running in physical education class requires consistent steps. I couldn't even tell left from right at first!"

"The class also talks about things happening overseas, which I think is great. My mother is feeling better now, and my sister Xiu'er has found a place to stay. After I finish my studies in the class, I plan to join the fleet and go overseas to see the world." Meng Jiang said.

……

Fang Lin chatted and listened to their feedback.

The skill training classes at the factory do not only teach literacy, but also arithmetic. Not the traditional abacus, but Arabic numerals, addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc., to facilitate future integration with Western science.

——These things are teaching materials written by Fang Lin himself, so that teachers can learn them before teaching them to students.

Then there is the "ideological education class", which cultivates loyalty to oneself and subtle identification. There are also physical education classes, including running, Cuju, etc. This is discipline education, which cultivates the ability of unity and cooperation, as well as unity and obedience.

Finally, there are geography classes and so on, which talk about overseas and broaden our horizons and thoughts.

——Nowadays, although overseas business is not uncommon, the public still has the impression that overseas is a barren land. Through this kind of "geography class", the education of half-grown children in skill training classes is also subtly influenced, paving the way for possible going overseas in the future.

To people at that time, these courses were nothing special. Outsiders thought that Fang Lin wanted to train management talents, so it was understandable to educate them on loyalty. Talking about overseas geography was probably just to trick these people into joining the fleet.

As for further improving military skills, that is not the time.

'In ancient times, those who secretly harbored rebellious intentions and had the heart of disloyalty all raised dead soldiers, trained them intensively, provided them with sufficient meat, honed them into an elite army of cold weapons, and stockpiled bows, crossbows, and armor. They would not be like me who only trained a group of scholars without teaching them the Four Books and Five Classics.'

After all, isn’t there a saying that a scholar’s ​​rebellion will fail in three years?
'But times have changed, and we are about to transition from cold weapons to the era of hot weapons such as volley guns and cannons. With the emergence of guns and cannons, the importance of personal force in war has been greatly weakened.'

Under such circumstances, the training of modern military forces is, first, loyalty and ideological education, such as the Whampoa Military Academy, and the decentralization of the political department to the company; second, discipline, unity, and obedience; third, cultural foundation, literacy, and mathematical principles, laying the foundation for future military literacy courses.

It can be said that this is a cross-dimensional conceptual blow. Cultivating armed forces in this way has never happened in history. Fang Lin is imitating the modern experience of his previous life. At this moment of transition from the cold and hot weapon eras, this kind of information gap and thinking gap is difficult for even the smartest people to think of.

'After I have completed these preliminary work and built the framework, I will open up overseas weapon channels in the future, obtain a large number of muskets and cannons, and even build my own mature military factories. In an instant, I will be able to build a prototype of a hot weapon army. Then, I will train my troops by picking on the weak overseas. After a few battles, I will be able to build an elite hot weapon army. This is the foundation for protecting ourselves and our lives in this era.'

Although limited by the environment, the army trained in this way may still be inferior to the modern Western armies in World War I and World War II in the past, but in this era of comparing the worst, it is already a dimensionality reduction attack!
"When it comes to opening up overseas arms channels, you still need to have your own fleet to be able to act in a secretive, safe and reliable manner, which will give people peace of mind."

Fang Lin said this in his heart, and Fang Chuanhui waved and called him over.

……

Behind him, Fang He saw Fang Lin calling Fang Chuanhui away. Now, Fang Lin was obviously closer to Fang Chuanhui, and he felt regret for his hesitation and missed opportunity.

Of course, he also knew that even if he were in Fang Chuanhui's position, he might not be able to do it well... All he could say was that he used to have high aspirations, but when he really put it into practice, he found that he couldn't even take care of a small family and his family was in turmoil, and only then did he realize his own abilities.

"When I first arrived in the city, Chuanhui and I should have had similar status in Linzige's heart, but now, I am afraid that my impression in my cousin's heart is far inferior to Chuanhui's, and my future is far less promising than Chuanhui's."

However, Fang He did not regret it too much. Thinking about his own abilities, thinking about his current stable and prosperous life, and then looking at the pregnant Meng He, he felt satisfied.

All I can say is that everyone has different aspirations. Some people have lofty ambitions and pursue distant places and dreams, while others want stability and are unwilling to take risks.

Meng Jiang also glanced at Fang He, and sighed in his heart that the current life of his sister's family is already the dream of many people. The reason why his brother-in-law can be like this is largely because he has a good cousin.

In fact, he benefited from it, and now it is difficult for him to say anything about Fang He.

——This is also based on the fact that Fang He has improved a lot in the past six months and his sister is pregnant. Otherwise, if Fang He treated Meng He as badly as before, almost torturing her with cold violence, Meng Jiang would rather not have these benefits and suffer more himself than let his sister suffer.

……

Here, Fang Lin called Fang Chuanhui over, patted him on the shoulder, and praised him: "Chuanhui, not bad, you have grown a lot taller and your body is getting stronger after this year of overseas training."

"It was Brother Linzi who gave me the opportunity. Traveling overseas with such a bumpy road is indeed a training exercise, but I can also see many things that I couldn't see or think of before... I'm used to it. Brother Linzi, if you tell me to stay in the capital and live a stable life now, I'm afraid I still feel uncomfortable."

Today, Fang Chuanhui has a mature face and a much deeper voice, giving people a sense of stability. He also speaks differently, and one can see his rapid growth which is significantly different from Fang He.

"Good boy, I'm out of breath after praising you!" Fang Lin scolded with a smile, and patted Fang Chuanhui on the shoulder again, chatting with him about the experience of this trip to the sea, and then asked about the business: "During these two sea voyages, how was the Yang family, was it honest?"

“Neither of them is honest.”

Speaking of business, Fang Chuanhui also became serious: "Brother Linzi, according to the news from Jiao, the Yang family also tampered with the accounts twice, hiding 30% to 40% of the profits, and he kept a bottom... I have also observed it and have a rough idea in my mind. Jiao should be right. It is this number, and it is about the same."

At the beginning, Jiao Huiqing had seen Fang Lin's methods and after being warned, he had the intention to surrender to him. The last time they went to sea, the mature manpower trained by the Yang family replaced Jiao Huiqing, causing his status in the fleet to decline. This completely strengthened his determination to surrender to him. Now, through Fang Chuanhui, he has completely defected to Fang Lin.

As for the Yang family concealing their profits, this was their basic operation. Fang Lin also knew about it, but he remained silent and just kept the accounts in hand.

——As for these accounts, the Yang family can easily deny them and it will be difficult to get them back, but they can occupy the greater good, and it will be easier to expose their poaching in the future. Outsiders will say that it was the Yang family who was unjust first, not Fang Lin who had a bad character and cheated his partners.

All we can say is that Fang Lin still pays attention to his eating manners, and he also knows very well that reputation is something that cannot be seen or touched, but it can often have unexpected effects in many cases.

"Brother Linzi, you asked me to pay attention to those people in the fleet who can do things. I have discussed with Chief Jiao and drawn up a list. Most of them have already been connected. If we really want to take action, I'm afraid we can poach most of those people who can do things..."

The core of a fleet is nothing more than ships and people. This kind of poaching will definitely make the Yang family cry. On the contrary, with these people, Fang Lin can quickly build the skeleton of the fleet.

"it is good!"

Fang Lin nodded and expressed his appreciation for Fang Chuanhui.

The fact that they were able to achieve this point quietly and without making any noise without telling the Yang family was due to other reasons besides Jiao Huiqing and Fang Chuanhui's abilities.

On the one hand, the Yang family had previously concealed their profits, and Fang Lin remained silent except for the first time, thus lowering the Yang family's vigilance.

On the other hand, there is no concept of "people-oriented" in this era. The Yang family does not pay much attention to the people in the fleet. Just look at the attitudes of the Gu, Ma, Shao and Duan families towards the workers in their own factories. On the contrary, Fang Lin gave him instructions and taught Fang Chuanhui some psychology and business experience from his previous life.

Also, the Nanyang Caravan was originally jointly established by the Yang and Gu families, and their control was not strong. They have been integrating during this year...

It would be strange if we couldn't achieve this level with all these factors combined!
"As for the fleet, there are also sources of goods and sales channels. I have a weaving workshop here, which will be expanded in the future, so there is no need to worry about the supply. As for the sales channels, such as the Gu family, the Ma family, the Shao family, and the Duan family, they only transport the goods to Southeast Asia and wholesale them to local tyrants, so there is no need to worry about this either."

"Of course, making money is secondary. The most important thing is that after I have my own fleet, I can safely find weapons channels..."

Fang Lin thought about this, considered it, and said to Fang Chuanhui: "Don't worry, don't do it for now, wait a little longer, for now, just stay calm."

Prefect Pu has moved and Huai'an is about to welcome a new prefect. To be cautious, we should not make any big moves before we get a clear understanding of the other party's situation.

"Chuanhui, it's almost the end of the year. You shouldn't go with the fleet next time it goes out to sea. You can take a break in the next month or two. You can also go to a skills training class to further your studies if you have time..."

Fang Lin made arrangements for Fang Chuanhui, and when they returned, dinner was ready.

Dinner was hotpot, and Fang Lin even asked someone to make a pot specially for it. The family tried the hotpot and liked it very much, so he brought it out to entertain everyone today.

The dishes are also very rich, from vegetables to various meats.

Not to mention how rare it is to eat all kinds of vegetables in winter, just beef tripe, mutton, ham, seafood, etc. are also quite rare for my aunt, cousin, Fang He and others.

It was freezing cold outside, but the brazier inside was burning brightly, the table was steaming, and a large table of people were enjoying delicious food, with laughter ringing out from time to time.

In this brisk atmosphere, the winter evening gradually passed.

……

Time flies, the snow has stopped and melted, the Great Cold has passed, and soon it will be the Chinese New Year.

When the Little New Year is over, restaurants, teahouses, various shops, and factories in the city begin to close for holidays.

This year, the New Year goods at bookstores are as abundant as ever.

"Boss, I heard that there is a lottery at the factory. We can't favor one over the other!" Huang Di said with a smile.

Nowadays, this guy no longer lacks those things, he is just stingy out of habit, and what he said was mostly a joke.

"Do you think those pots and bowls are worth the lucky draw at the factory? To be honest, our bookstore has fewer people, better business, and more New Year goods, which are much more abundant than those at the factory."

Fang Lin joked, "If you really want to draw a lottery, that's fine. You can take out some of your New Year's goods and give them out for a draw."

"That means taking off my pants... ahem, forget it." Nowadays, Huang Di is very careful when making jokes. If it happened in the past, he would definitely say something about taking off pants to fart.

"Look, as soon as he heard there was no benefit, this guy rushed back to hug his wife!"

"Speaking of his wife, Ogi is a good man. He hands over his wages every month. Thanks to the kindness of Mrs. Qiu, she never treats him badly in terms of clothes, shoes, food, and daily necessities. She has made him look like a decent man."

"It's just that I don't have much pocket money. Are you afraid that you, Huang, are not honest? Just now, the day before yesterday, Huang said he would treat us to a meal, and then he took us to eat meat for a copper coin and a chopstick!"

"Yes, please give your opinion on this matter, Boss!"

……

Once the conversation started, everyone started to act frivolous. Even honest people like Chai Yiwei, Geng Shi and Liu Hongwen started to joke around. This brought back past memories and made Fang Lin feel warm in his heart.

……

The weaving workshop did hold an annual meeting. In addition to the basic New Year's goods such as rice and eggs, there were also rewards for outstanding workers, such as bacon, washbasins, etc.

There are also different numbers of draws depending on the position and whether the employee is an outstanding employee.

Fang Lin was also present that day, and the annual meeting of the weaving workshop ended amidst joy and happiness.

On this day, Dong Zugao returned from the capital on annual leave.

……

(End of this chapter)