Chapter 8 Talent

  Although the trouble was resolved satisfactorily, Qiao Yu couldn't help but think that the textile mill had attracted unwanted attention. Judging from Yang Hongying's attire, it was likely related to the overseas students in Japan, which meant they might have connections with the Tongmenghui or be members of the Gelao Association; otherwise, no other organization would have thought of using such a despicable method to threaten them.

  Of course, these two organizations are actually the same thing, and they are deeply connected. The one with the surname Yang has already made their purpose very clear, which is to get money. Is it possible that the Tongmenghui or the Tiandihui are lacking in funds? It's very likely. The Tongmenghui has always been poor, and isn't its leader still begging everywhere? However, after years of failure, failure, and more failure, their reputation has been almost completely consumed, and they can't get any money either. It's extremely possible that the Tongmenghui is desperate and has turned its attention to itself.

  The Alliance people are not doing enough to succeed, but they are doing more than enough to fail. The factory hasn't even started production yet, and if it's disrupted like this every other day, nothing will get done. It seems that action needs to be taken now. Qiao Yu invited his uncle Bai Kuan into the office, and since he was family, there was no need for polite small talk. Qiao Yu got straight to the point.

  "Uncle, I've already had Big Brother Han investigate, but I suspect that Yang Hongying is a member of the Ge Lao Hui gang. It's clear that he was the one who incited this trouble. Our factory has grown big and attracted attention, and there are people who want to take advantage of us. I think we can't just passively respond, who knows what tactics they'll use? There's a saying 'thousands of days for thieves, but not thousands of days for defense'. So, I think we should expand our circle of influence, win over more people and form an even bigger force, so those petty thieves won't dare to covet us!"

  Bai Kuan had heard Qiao Yu mention before that he wanted to give up some shares, and now hearing Qiao Yu say so again, he knew his nephew had made up his mind. However, Bai Kuan was somewhat unwilling, thinking of the hard-earned money and countless efforts he had invested, which were finally starting to show promise. Selling shares at this time would be like cutting flesh from his own body. Bai Kuan said: "Shun Qing, it's just some petty thieves causing trouble. I share your view that it's just some people from the Jiaolao Association who have gone mad with poverty and want to take advantage of us. I'll mention it to Fu Zun and add some manpower, we can definitely guarantee safety, don't worry about these people."

  Qiao Yu saw that his uncle was unwilling to sell the shares, and in fact, he was reluctant to let go of his own hard work. It was indeed heart-wrenching, but with chaos approaching, it was impossible to win over allies without sufficient funds for self-preservation. Even if there were no current matters at hand, Qiao Yu had already planned to sell the shares after the first phase of construction of the textile mill was completed. Now he had made up his mind.

  "Uncle, I know you're attached to your own business, but in doing business, the biggest taboo is eating alone. Moreover, these days are not peaceful, with revolutionary parties and gangsters jumping up and down, and the imperial court is also incompetent. By selling shares, we can win over a large number of merchants to our side, so that whoever wants to move against the factory will have to consider their influence. Furthermore, we can't just set up one factory. I plan to establish a garment factory after producing cloth, and also set up factories for foreign-style grey fabric, foreign-style nails, matches, and other necessities for people's daily lives, which are highly profitable and not inferior to the textile factory. The investment is not too much either. If we put all our money into the textile factory, we won't be able to do other factories. Our competitors are not just Sichuan merchants, but also Jiangsu and Zhejiang merchants, as well as foreign merchants. To survive, we must form a united front. How can we form a united front? It's through these shares, where everyone holds each other's shares, you have me, I have you, our interests are aligned, and only then can we present a united front to the outside world. This is more useful than anything else!"

  Bai Kuan listened with increasing astonishment at Qiao Yu's ambition, he had already taken a textile mill very seriously, but he did not expect that Qiao Yu would see further, think more deeply, and paint a more enticing prospect, so he nodded in agreement on the spot.

  "Shun Qing, I agree, but the factory hasn't produced any fabric yet. Although many people are interested, they don't dare to invest money just like that. I can only make some contacts for now, and it's likely that we'll have to wait until production starts before attracting investors!"

  "Alright then, Uncle will first take note of those powerful and credible merchants, and when the time comes, he'll pull them all in!"

  After the discussion, Qiao Yu put all his energy back into the factory. The progress of the project was not slow, and he worked hard for a month. The overall framework had been completed, and it was just waiting for the machines to arrive before processing some details and starting production. The first batch of weavers had also been recruited, with 200 people hired, mostly from weaving families, who were honest, diligent, and hardworking. Additionally, young apprentices were selected and sent for unified training on the textile factory's rules and regulations. Just two days ago, Boschert sent a telegram saying that the first batch of 180 looms and other machines had been shipped from Shanghai and would arrive in Chongqing within ten days. Qiao Yu's mind was relieved by more than half, and with the machines, everything would be easy to say.

  Just as Qiao Yu was busy in the factory, he suddenly heard someone calling him. He turned around to see that it was his older brother Qiao Cheng, and beside him were an old man and an elderly woman, who were his parents. Qiao Yu hastily ran over to them.

  "How did you two old men come here?"

  "We wouldn't come if you didn't want to go home!" The old lady said with a hint of resentment, grabbing onto Qiao Yu and taking a closer look before giving a stern glance at Bai Kuan standing behind him.

  "San Er has lost a lot of weight these days, and you, as his uncle, don't even know how to take care of your nephew. Can't you do more for him?"

  Bai Kuan had no status in front of his older sister, and could only remain silent. However, he also felt a bit guilty, as most things were indeed handled by Qiao Yu. Originally, he wanted to set up a factory himself, but if it weren't for his nephew's help, he probably wouldn't have been able to do it in several years.

  Qiao Guangyuan coughed on one side: "This is not the time to chat, Saner, I'll introduce you to two great talents. Both are returned overseas students. This is Tang Yisheng, Mr. Tang, and this is Zhao Baoxuan, Mr. Zhao. Both studied in America. Mr. Tang majored in civil engineering, and Mr. Zhao majored in factory management. Learn from them well." As the old man introduced the two to Qiao Yu, he saw that Tang Yisheng was not tall, wore glasses, and looked refined. Next to him, Zhao Baoxuan was also not tall or large, and was quite dark-skinned. Both of these people seemed a bit malnourished, but Qiao Yu didn't dare to neglect them. The people his father introduced to him were definitely not mediocre.

  "Gentlemen, Qiao Yu has taken his leave!"

  "Qiao Xian Di is being polite, the old master has a nurturing affection for us. Some time ago, the old master sent us a letter saying that Xian Di wants to set up a factory, so we came to take a look!" said Tang Yi Sheng.

  It seems that Father still favors himself, although he didn't say anything, secretly bringing in two talented individuals. You should know that the quality of overseas students is absolutely high. In modern history, the number of Japanese students was the largest, but most of them were not successful and couldn't learn any real skills, they were mostly enthusiastic about rebellion. On the other hand, American students like Zhan Tianyou and Tang Shaoyi are all famous figures, their quality is obviously not comparable to that of Japanese students. Although these two individuals are very young, not among those American-trained children, but being able to enter the most advanced country for study in this era, their abilities can't be bad either.

  Qiao Yu led everyone into his own office, but the office was very simple, with only four or five chairs. Qiao Chengyi said as soon as he saw it: "Dad, third brother, I think we should go directly to Uncle's house and entertain the two gentlemen first. This place is really not a good place to talk, and it's also inconvenient for the two gentlemen."

  "No bother, I have a question for Mr. Qiao and it's urgent!"

  Zhao Baoxuan, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up, but his tone wasn't very polite. At a glance, he was a man of action, but such people must be unhappy in today's society. Qiao Yu also understood this and thought to himself why these two were willing to come to Sichuan to help him. Tang Yisheng smiled wryly: "Old sir, you also know that Baoxuan isn't very good at talking, please don't mind him. I think it's better for you to go back and rest first. I have some questions about the construction of such a large factory, just like Baoxuan does, and would like to ask Brother Qiao."

  Qiao Guangyuan also knew that these capable people had some quirks, so he didn't find it strange. Although he could invite people over, whether or not they would stay depended on his son's true abilities to impress the two of them. So, Old Master and Old Madam left together with Bai Kuan and Qiao Cheng.

  Qiao Yu and Tang Zhao sat facing each other. Zhao Baoxuan asked first: "Mr. Qiao, what do you think should be done to change the backward face of China's industry now?"

  "Mr. Zhao's question is too big, and it's also very difficult to answer. Since the Qing Dynasty, China has been lagging behind for 300 years. Nowadays, China is not only backward in industry, but also in economy, culture, politics, military, and organization. To become strong again, it will take decades or even generations of effort. However, with Western industrialization as a reference, there is still hope for China to establish its own industrial system. But it needs overall planning, starting from light industry, then heavy industry, introducing, imitating, and finally innovating. Building factories is easy, but changing people's minds is not that simple. The key is not talking, but doing. Since the Reform Movement, there have been too many talkers in China, but too few doers. For example, if the new policies can be truly implemented, the country will undergo earth-shaking changes, rather than being in a state of stagnation like now."

  Zhao Baokun and Tang Yisheng both studied in the United States, learned business administration, and returned home with great ambitions. However, they couldn't stand the bureaucratic style of the Qing government, which was inefficient and frustrating. They wasted several years without achieving anything. It wasn't until Qiao Guangyuan wrote to them asking for help with his son's factory that they came to Chongqing. The two had been able to go abroad smoothly in the first place thanks to Qiao Guangyuan's help, and they also harbored a sense of gratitude towards him.

  But now, after listening to Qiao Yu's words, I have started to admire this young man. How many people in today's China can clearly see the way to develop industry? And who else can say "China has too many talkers and too few doers"? This sentence perfectly captures their feelings of being stuck in bureaucratic red tape, where they just shift responsibilities and don't get things done.

  The two people suddenly looked at Qiao Yu with new eyes, and Zhao Baoxuan asked another question: "Mr. Qiao, which country's industrial path do you think we can follow?"

  "No matter whether it is the Western powers or Japan, they are all very different from our national conditions. Therefore, if China wants to develop its industry, it must take its own path. If we really need to learn from someone, I think America can be a model, but America has no historical burden and it's much easier for them, especially since the Americas is a virgin land with abundant resources, which is enough to support American industrial development. However, China also has the largest population in the world, as long as we can mobilize their creativity, we can surpass any country."

  "How can we then bring out the creativity of Chinese people?" This time it was Tang Yisheng who asked, and Qiao Yu took a light sip of tea.

  "Education! A hundred-year plan, education is fundamental, only education is the best medicine for China's problems!"

  A hundred years plan, education is the foundation! Tang Yisheng and Zhao Baoxuan both fell into deep thought, they naturally knew the importance of education, and after hearing Qiao Yu's words, they were even more shocked. It seems that this young man in front of them was absolutely extraordinary, and they admired him from the bottom of their hearts. They chatted with each other for a while, and Qiao Yu said to himself: "You've just been testing me, now it's my turn as your boss to see your level."

  "Mr. Zhao, since you studied factory management, I wonder if you have any methods for managing a factory well?"