Crimson Dawn

Chapter 68

"For working hours, I suggest adopting a weekly system. Seven days a week, one day off each week. Everyone has worked for six days, and they will rest tomorrow." Chen Ke put forward his own suggestion on the work and rest system.All matters in the factory are discussed collectively, and all systems are handled in a very transparent manner.For a project that is doomed to fail, Chen Ke is not so picky.He used the advanced management experience of later generations here, which also means doing social practice.

"We vote." Qin Tongren said calmly.After the six days of work, the young man's calm expression also showed exhaustion.The result of the vote was a unanimous vote.Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.After such a high-intensity work, everyone is really tired.If it were not for such a group discussion mode, it is estimated that many people would have started to be lazy.

"Everyone has just arrived, and people's hearts are unstable. My suggestion is that we only use the weekly salary system for these two months. We will pay once a week. Let's vote." Chen Ke threw out his "dry stuff".

Hearing this suggestion, everyone really smiled.Immediately it was unanimously approved.The current agreed salary is 8 oceans per month.That is to say, two oceans per person per week.Everyone put the ocean in their pockets, and the joy was beyond words.

We also made a sanitary duty list, and there are several shifting systems that factories must have.Two simple honeycomb briquettes have been made. After Chen Ke repeatedly confessed to pay attention to the problem of gas poisoning, the democratic life meeting fell apart.Chen Kezheng was about to leave with Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo, when Qin Tongren took the initiative to come over and asked, "Is Wenqing going back to the residence?"

Qin Tongren is a typical example of the old style, never discussing private matters in public.His question made Chen Ke feel a little curious. "Yes, I'm going back to my residence now."

"Go with me, I happen to be going to Mr. He's place." Qin Tongren looked in good spirits.

Chen Ke didn't dare to neglect Mr. Qin. In fact, if he had to say something, Chen Ke even had some respect for Qin Tongren.Seeing that Qin Tongren has a high reputation among his colleagues in Tianjin Machinery Bureau.Chen Ke inquired about Mr. Qin's background in private.Because Yin Ergou and Shen Songwen performed well in the house repair project, they were naturally the first to join Chen Ke.The two told about Qin Tongren's experience.

Tianjin Machinery Bureau is a government-run military enterprise.In the sixth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1867), it was founded in Tianjin by Chong Hou, the Minister of Commerce and Industry.Its first name was "General Administration of Arms Machinery".The start-up cost is more than 1880 taels, and the scale is second only to Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau.In the ninth year of Tongzhi, it was taken over by Li Hongzhang, governor of Zhili, and renamed "Tianjin Machinery Manufacturing Bureau".This enterprise can be said to be the stronghold of the Northern Westernization Movement.In addition to producing arms, Tianjin Machinery Bureau also produced some warships and ships, including the cruise ship of Empress Dowager Cixi.What deserves special attention is the construction of China's first submarine and the first set of pontoon bridges in [-].

During the Gengzi Incident, the Eight-Power Allied Forces must destroy the largest military industrial enterprise in Asia.Qin Tongren, as a technician, also volunteered to fight in this war, fighting under the command of General Nie Shicheng.The specific situation is not clear, but I heard from the factory workers that Qin Tongren guarded the factory and did not evacuate until the end.

Once the military disaster was over, man-made disasters followed.After the factory fell, except for Japan, other countries were not interested in the equipment of Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau.The Japanese snapped up equipment.Not only the Japanese, many local people in Tianjin also brought things from the manufacturing bureau to their homes.So the good manufacturing bureau was completely destroyed in this way, not even a scum was left.Instead, many private factories and workshops emerged in Tianjin.

Chen Ke believes that everyone is not lying, the manufacturing bureau belongs to the imperial court, and the equipment of the manufacturing bureau can become his own when he brings the equipment to his home.It doesn't matter which one is light and which is heavy among them.Yin Ergou also told Chen Ke in private that Qin Tongren had pulled some people to protect the manufacturing bureau, but not only failed to keep the factory, Qin Tongren was even broken an arm.

After listening to these introductions, Chen Ke couldn't help admiring Qin Tongren.These days there are people like this, it is harder than getting a little white rabbit out of a coal pile.

Qin Tongren is usually silent, even when he speaks, his voice is not high, his attitude is calm, he looks like a scholar.Back then, he personally took up arms against the Eight-Power Allied Forces and defended the factory.These two different images could not be unified in Chen Ke's mind.But no matter what kind of question mark Qin Tongren is, since he said that he wants to go with him, Chen Ke will naturally not refuse.After the group got on the road, everyone just chatted.Qin Tongren didn't ask so many personal matters, everyone just chatted briefly, and it was fun.After parting at the gate of Chen Ke's house, Chen Ke opened the courtyard door.

It was very different from the previous few days, now the yard is quiet, Pang Zi and others set off separately two days ago, Wu Xingchen, Chen Tianhua and Pang Zi returned to Nangong County together, and the brothers from Shandong returned to their hometown together.Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo stayed in Beijing, and they are now living in the factory with Chen Ke.Only Wang Bin stayed here, and it was not 01:30, which was deserted compared with the previous days.

"Wen Qing, you're back." Wang Bin was very excited after seeing Chen Ke, "Do you want to attend the reception at the German Legation?"

"Huh?" Chen Ke could understand this sentence, but he couldn't understand the meaning of it.The reception at the German Legation is also a high-level diplomatic gathering.It was unexpected that Wang Bin, a cadre of a foreign company, could participate, and it was even more puzzling that he could bring friends to participate.

Seeing Chen Ke's doubts, Wang Bin smiled and said: "My invitation letter is universal, and I can bring a few people. I can't find anyone else, Wen Qing, you go with me."

This is generally the case with foreign invitations, except for a few cases, those receptions generally do not welcome single youths.Chen Ke had the idea of ​​going to see the world, but after thinking about it, he still felt that it was not right.While hesitating, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Brother Wang, do you still remember Qin Tongren? It is said that he also graduated from Humboldt University in Berlin. He is a few years older than you."

"Hmm...um! I remembered, it's the skinny guy from Tianjin." Wang Bin was excited.

"That's right, that's the one."

"How do you know each other?" Wang Bin asked eagerly.

"I got to know Mr. He through the opposite door. Now he is in Mr. He's house."

"Wen Qing, take me to see him, it's been a long time."

Chen Ke originally wanted to find He Ruming, but last time he refuted He Ruming's face, the relationship between the two began to cool down.Although Chen Ke sold the medicine to He Ruming at the price of 12 taels, it was obvious that He Ruming was still angry.But Chen Ke really felt that this old man was his noble person, even if he only got to know Qin Tongren through He Ruming, Chen Ke felt it was very worthwhile.Hearing what Wang Bin said, Chen Ke stood up and said, "Go now."

After He Ruming saw Chen Ke, he still ignored him.Qin Tongren, on the other hand, looked at the excited Wang Bin with slight surprise, then stood up, and said slowly in that signature calm tone: "This is Wang Bin?"

"Brother Qin, it's my younger brother." Seeing that Qin Tongren recognized him, Wang Bin quickly stepped forward and held Qin Tongren's hand, "Brother Qin is still handsome after so many years."

He Ruming stared at this scene dumbfounded. Although he was extremely dissatisfied with Chen Ke, he had to be convinced. The wide range of friends Chen Ke made was really amazing.

Not as enthusiastic as Wang Bin at all, but definitely not cold.Qin Tongren is also very happy that this old friend can meet here.He introduced Wang Bin to He Ruming, and everyone started talking at He Ruming's house.Wang Bin was very excited. After talking for a while, he simply invited Qin Tongren to attend the reception at the German Legation with him.Wang Bin is also very smart in doing things. Since he is in He Ruming's family, he will not neglect He Ruming, and also invites He Ruming's family to the reception.

Chen Ke watched quietly from the side, Qin Tongren was not interested in this invitation.After He Ruming heard the invitation, he was shocked at first, and then couldn't hold back his joy.Wang Bin made it clear that this reception was a social reception held by the counselor's wife when she came to China.Not only have foreign missions been invited, but some Chinese officials have also been invited.He Ruming couldn't help asking: "But the German legation didn't send me an invitation card."

"Don't worry about this, I can go with anyone with this invitation, and there is no limit to the number of people."

"If I go, who will I take?"

"Just take your wife, son, and miss together."

"Oh?"

"However, I suggest that those children should not be brought."

"Oh. When does the reception start?"

"It starts tomorrow morning and ends in the afternoon. Let's have a meal together at noon. If Master He wants to, let's go together."

Knowing that Wang Bin is now living with Chen Ke, He Ruming said that he would write back to Wang Bin early tomorrow morning.Wang Bin asked Qin Tongren to come to Chen Ke if he was free, and then he got up and said goodbye to Chen Ke.

Qin Tongren did not come that night, which disappointed Wang Bin.Early the next morning, He Ruming sent a housekeeper to come and said that he was willing to go with him.

Regardless of what other people think, from Chen Ke's point of view, the reception looks very bad.Groups of foreign devils came out and in. Wang Bin was still with Chen Ke at first, and then disappeared.The food is not so good, it is much worse than the high-end buffet.Chen Ke lost interest after taking a few bites.When He Ruming saw this scene, he was a little trembling at first, but he soon saw several Manchu officials.He Ruming belongs to the Ministry of Rites, and these should be his superiors.So Mr. He went to chat with the superiors with a smile on his face.Germany is a rising star in Europe, and there are quite a few people here. Listening to a group of birdsong with various accents, Chen Ke felt a little drowsy.He hid in a corner, gnawing on a piece of bread boredly.

It is said that the great teachers Marx or Engels believed that German women should go to farms.The appearance of German women is the second worst in Europe.After the hostess of the reception appeared on the stage, Chen Keben thought that Wang Bin's friend should be an ordinary German dragoon aunt, but he didn't expect her appearance to be not bad.The master of ceremonies introduced in French, and Chen Ke didn't understand the gibberish.The hostess made a toast to everyone, and Chen Ke took a wine glass at the end of the line, toasted together, and then drank.Then continue to get bored.

But as long as you are willing to wait for the opportunity, you will encounter it.Chen Ke seems bored, but in fact he has been waiting for an opportunity.Now is the chance.He Ruming came out this time and brought his two daughters with him.The girls followed He Ruming all the time, and now handsome old man He finally left with Shangguan.Chen Ke hurried over.

He Qian's dress today is very different from what she saw last time. Although this dress is not a Western-style dress, it is not a Manchu style either.It's winter now, and this dark blue silk suit is quite similar to Hanfu.Moreover, the two girls only had their hair braided, and there were not so many fragments on their heads, so they looked quite delicate.

"Ms. He, hello." Chen Ke said.

He Qian didn't expect Chen Ke to come over to say hello, and she immediately became vigilant. "Hello, Mr. Chen." He Qian said calmly.

"The last time I discussed business with Ms. He, I really felt very happy. But I don't know if Master He has any other ideas for cooperation?" Chen Ke didn't want to entangle He Ruming about the briquette.Even though He Ruming helped Chen Ke with a lot of things, Chen Ke still didn't want to discuss business with He Ruming.Because too tired.

He Qian didn't expect that Chen Ke came here to talk about this. She stared at Chen Ke with her big beautiful eyes for a while, as if she wanted to see what Chen Ke was thinking.

"Don't worry, I don't mean anything else. Mr. He is not a good partner in business. As far as you are concerned, I am willing to cooperate."

He Qian felt both angry and funny when Chen Ke said bad things about her brother face to face. She looked at Chen Ke with contempt, "Mr. Chen, don't you think it's inappropriate to say that?"

Such questioning has no effect on Chen Ke at all. He smiled and said: "Business is business. I hope to negotiate business with the most suitable person for negotiation. This is convenient and fast. I am a lazy person."

He Qian couldn't help but smile when she heard Chen Ke's earnest praise.But the smile disappeared for a moment, and she said seriously: "In my family, my elder brother is in charge. Mr. Chen asked me to discuss business, but he found the wrong person."

Chen Ke stared at He Qian seriously for a while, and then replied: "That's right." After speaking, he looked at the little girl who was timidly half hiding behind He Qian, but looked at him with curious eyes.The little girl is about fifteen or sixteen years old, and the silk dress on her body is similar in style to He Qian's, and the color is dark green.

"Hello." Chen Ke greeted her.

"Hi." The little girl replied politely.

"Are you full? The food in this place is taken by myself, not brought by others. So you don't have to be polite. If you see something on the table, just take it." Chen Ke said gently to the little girl.

"Thank you for your advice." Although the little girl was shy, she was not timid, she replied to Chen Ke seriously.Chen Ke originally thought that the little girl would have stage fright, but he didn't expect that to be the case at all.He couldn't help but carefully looked at the little girl. Her skin was relatively dark, but her luster was delicate, and her eyebrows and eyebrows were deep. She didn't really look like He Ruming.Chen Ke's gaze made the little girl lower her head slightly.I rely on, this is really everyone's lady.Chen Ke praised mentally, although He Ruming is not very good, his sister and this little girl are really extraordinary.Yin flourishes and Yang declines.

"Does Mr. Chen have anything else to do?" Seeing Chen Ke looking at her niece, He Qian asked bluntly.This is the eviction order, Chen Ke understood, he quickly responded: "Then everyone have fun and eat well. I will go there first."

Sitting back in the corner, Chen Ke looked at the two young ladies of the He family again.I saw He Qian looking around, probably looking for He Ruming, the little girl was still standing there quietly, her eyes slightly downward.This is far away, it looks like a beautiful doll.Chen Ke suddenly wanted to go over again and say, "Little loli, blame uncle, I'll take you to fish for goldfish."

While thinking wildly, Wang Bin suddenly appeared in front of Chen Ke.Although he wanted to force a smile, a kind of anger that couldn't be concealed was trying to hide it.

"What's wrong? Who messed with you?"

Wang Bin remained silent.

"If you are not happy, let's go. This kind of wine will come and go freely." Chen Ke said with a smile.

"Well, that's fine." Wang Bin nodded fiercely.

The two found He Ruming, only to see He Ruming standing cautiously beside several officials.One of them, who was talking eloquently, should have a high official position.No wonder He Ruming didn't even care about his female relatives, it would be impossible not to serve the Shangguan well.Seeing Chen Ke waving at him, He Ruming came over after pleading guilty.He Ruming, who was very indifferent to Chen Ke a few days ago, was quite excited because he had earned face.Knowing that Chen Ke and Wang Bin were leaving, He Ruming looked a little embarrassed.

"It's okay, Mr. He. This kind of wine will come and go freely. We will leave as soon as we go. There is nothing wrong with you staying here." Chen Ke quickly explained.

Knowing that he didn't have to go together, He Ruming immediately became happy again.Everyone bid farewell to each other, and Chen Ke and Wang Bin set foot on their way home.

"What's the matter, did your friend's husband say something unpleasant?" Chen Ke laughed.

"How do you know?" Wang Bin was startled.

"You can tell at a glance. Let's hear what's going on." Chen Ke comforted Wang Bin.

Before World War II, Humboldt University of Berlin could be said to be one of the world's academic centers.Many well-known scholars and politicians have left their shadows here, and 29 Nobel laureates in the fields of chemistry, medicine, physics and literature have produced amazing achievements.

Such a school naturally has a large number of children of German aristocrats studying here. Wang Bin met a lady here, Joanna von Wittbach, and the two fell in love.

"Wait, von Wittbach? Is she from Bavaria?" Chen Ke stopped Wang Bin.

Wang Bin was taken aback by such profound genealogical knowledge, and Wang Bin nodded in amazement.

"Brother Wang, you really know how to choose people." Chen Ke said admiringly.

Von Wittbach is the royal family of Bavaria, Germany, with 800 years of inheritance.Quite a few of this family have been kings of some small European countries.

"Joanna's family only has such a name left now." Wang Bin said regretfully, "I didn't know her family's origin until I knew her for a year."

Joanna's family is not a branch that inherited the family business, it can only be regarded as a standard side branch.However, in Germany, this name is already very famous, and there are many children of big capitalists who pursue Joanna, hoping that their name can be related to the prominent von Wittbacher.Obviously, Joanna's father also had this plan.It is a very good choice for this family with a noble title but no wealth to form a wealthy marriage.

So the father was quite upset when he learned that his daughter was in love with a Chinese student studying abroad.Unhappiness will lead to unhappy results. Wang Bin was cleaned up several times at school.Joanna was Bavarian after all, and she had a few big fights with her father about it.But the two couldn't screw it up, so they had to break up.

Originally, Wang Bin wanted to stay and work in Germany, but he found a job after graduation.Unexpectedly, after Joanna got married after graduation, her husband's family had a relatively deep relationship with Wang Bin's company, so Wang Bin was "sent back" to China by the company, and the dignified science and engineering student became an employee of a foreign company.

But by God’s will, Joanna’s husband is a member of the German Foreign Office. Within a year after Wang Bin returned to China, he was appointed as the consul of the German embassy in China and brought his wife Joanna to China.

Wang Bin didn't say the rest, and Chen Ke could guess it.It must be that Joanna's husband said a lot of unpleasant things to Wang Bin, and Wang Bin left the scene angrily.

"It's okay, Brother Wang. We'll get the foreign devils out of China later. We just want this brother to be the German ambassador, and we must let him hold a reception for you in person. Let's see how arrogant he can go." Chen Ke comforted.For some reason, he suddenly thought of the He family's loli.

"It's hard enough to beat the foreign devils out of China." Wang Bin said regretfully, but after a while Wang Bin deliberately said in a happy tone: "That's right, when the foreign devils are beaten out, we just let this bastard come to be the German ambassador."

"Should have such boldness." Chen Ke also laughed.

After resting on Sunday, continue to work on Monday.Qin Tongren still looked the same.He didn't have any intention of being close to Chen Ke because of the encounter with Wang Bin the day before yesterday.Chen Ke didn't expect so much, and the next step was even more arduous.

First of all, there is still a plenary meeting, which is the design and analysis of the honeycomb coal production line.Chen Ke had seen a steam briquette machine when he was a child. He had an engineering background, so he was very clear about the principles inside.The most critical part is linkage.The core of the honeycomb briquette machine is to automatically load pulverized coal, and at the same time, the pressure hammer is lifted, the coal filling is completed, the sledgehammer falls, and 16 pieces of coal are knocked out at one time.Repeatedly, in Chen Ke's impression, using a machine can produce 1 pieces of coal in one minute.Calculated according to the machine working 48 hours a day, the daily output is 10 pieces of coal.

Tianjin Machinery Bureau is a military enterprise, and everyone's level is not low.Watching Chen Ke finish drawing a complete set of machine designs on the blackboard, no one spoke.After a while, Qin Tongren finally spoke. "Should we make the machine ourselves, or what?"

"I don't know if Tianjin Machinery Bureau has any remaining equipment that can be used. If these equipment are manufactured by themselves, the steel used and accessories are all problems. What I mean is that it is best to use the previous equipment. .”

After listening to Chen Ke's suggestion, Qin Tongren stopped talking.

"Mr. Chen, your set is good. But to be honest, this reciprocating equipment requires too much steel. Think about it, how long will the parts last after being hammered thousands of times a day?" Xu Erba said. up.

Seeing Xu Erba's opening, Xu Tianqi from the iron and steel workshop came to speak, "I don't think it's necessary to do this. It's already winter. We have to build such a complete set of equipment for too long. I think the basic principle is already clear. Let's redesign it, mainly for the take-off and landing of the sledgehammer. Looking at Mr. Chen's design, the reliable screw is the screw. This kind of screw is not easy to manufacture in China. I think it will be done in a stop way, so that it doesn't have to be so troublesome. .”

Chen Ke quickly gave up his seat in front of the blackboard, "Come on, you two come up and talk."

As soon as these words came out, Xu Erba and Xu Tianqi blushed immediately. "There are so many engineers here, we don't dare." Although they said so, the two young people were still eager to try.

"I've said the rules of our factory. Everyone discusses what matters together. Everyone gathers firewood and the fire is high, and a man is afraid that he will not be able to speak in public?" Chen Ke dragged the two of them to the blackboard.

Xu Erba hurriedly bowed his hands to everyone, "I'm talking nonsense too. Don't laugh, everyone."

As soon as the voice fell, everyone was already laughing.Now Xu Erba was even more embarrassed.Looking at Chen Ke, he smiled encouragingly.Only then did Xu Erba gain some courage.His suggestion is that there is no need to get such sophisticated equipment, but to use more cumbersome equipment, so as to ensure the time of use. "When I was in the factory, it took a long time to change parts every time. At that time, I thought, instead of making something so precise, it would be better to get something big and ugly. It doesn't look good, but it's durable. And Mining coal is not making arms, so it doesn’t need to be so fine.”

After finishing his concluding speech, Xu Erba saw that everyone was silent.I didn't know if what I said was right or not, so I just stayed in front of the blackboard.

"Has Mr. Xu finished?" Chen Ke asked.

"It's over, it's over." Xu Erba quickly responded.

Chen Ke was the first to applaud, which confused Xu Erba. "Mr. Chen, please don't pepper me, what I said may not be right."

"It doesn't matter if you are right or not, but if you can stand up and say, this is the attitude towards work, we should applaud to encourage it." Chen Ke said with a smile, "Comrades, please use applause to encourage Comrade Xu Erba's speech. "

Gao Huaide applauded, but only clapped a few times, but found that no one responded, and he also felt embarrassed.Unexpectedly, Qin Tongren then applauded.With him taking the lead, everyone started applauding.Xu Erba really didn't expect his speech to be respected by everyone, tears welled up at that moment, and while wiping his tears, Xu Erba bowed to everyone in return.Chen pulls him back to his seat.Only then did Xu Tianqi continue to speak.

Those who understand the work must be front-line workers, they may not understand the purpose of production, these are the scope of work of engineers.But after operating the machine in person, the workers must have their own ideas.Whether this idea is correct or not, it represents the experience of time.

Xu Tianqi is a technician, specializing in steel casting.His point of view revolves around the bearing range.When he finished speaking, everyone applauded naturally.Xu Tianqi also felt very excited, his face was flushed, and his breathing became short of breath.

Next, everyone expressed their opinions on Chen Ke's design.The purpose is very simple, start working quickly to make money.After two days of discussion, Chen Ke's exquisitely designed coal mining machine was changed beyond recognition, and a new, bulky and ugly design took shape.Not only does it look ugly, but it is also much less efficient.But the feasibility of this device is much greater.What the factory can use now can be manufactured.

Finally, after everyone voted, a design team headed by Qin Tongren was selected.Qin Tongren said that an overall design can be produced within two days.

After the meeting, Chen Ke sincerely said to Qin Tongren: "Mr. Qin, the colleagues in the Machinery Bureau really want to be good." Chen Ke originally thought that there would be too many outstanding talents among these people.Did not expect these people can basically use.

Qin Tongren replied indifferently: "The workers who can still gather up to now all really like machinery. This is not unusual. The one that is unusual is Mr. Chen."

"What's so strange about me?" Chen Ke was puzzled.

Qin Tongren showed some emotions rarely, and he frowned slightly, "Mr. Chen, I'm reading your masterpiece. The things you talk about there are really extraordinary. I thought Mr. Chen was a literati, but after reading Chen Mr. Chen discussed making machines together. Although he is neither an expert nor a layman. What is even more rare is Mr. Chen's design ideas. This kind of linkage production is definitely beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. This really surprised me. At Mr. Chen's age , I can only say that it is very unusual.”

"Just laughing. I'm just a businessman now. It's all about getting the business done."

"I'm a businessman now, what about in the future?" Qin Tongren asked.

Chen Ke was speechless for a while, he couldn't say, I will be a professional revolutionary from now on.

Seeing that Chen Ke was silent, Qin Tongren said: "Mr. Chen, I think you are very unusual in managing the factory. I have a suggestion, you just use your method. These workers, oh, according to Mr. Chen's preference I’m talking about comrades who really love the machine industry. It took a lot of effort for Mr. He to gather these people together. If the factory fails, I think it will just make everyone feel sad. I hope Mr. Chen will not Cowardly."

These words were reasonable, but why did they give Chen Ke a very weird feeling.He replied, "Naturally."

"Then I'll go to design the drawings." After Qin Tongren finished speaking, he turned around and left, leaving Chen Ke where he was, stunned and not knowing what to say.

Chapter 68

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