Chapter 9 The Textile Mill Started Operations

  Zhao Baokun heard that he was asked about his own major and suddenly became spirited.

  "At present, China's factories are not managed at all, and they completely rely on those foremen. These foremen do not understand technology, have no culture, and are simply a group of rascals. Labor is also compulsory, and the efficiency is really too low. To achieve efficient management, we must abandon our original empiricism and adopt scientific management concepts to manage, establish an effective reward system, pay wages according to piecework, provide professional training for workers, and improve labor standards!"

  Qiao Yu listened to Zhao Bao-kun's talk, these things are already relatively backward basic common sense of scientific management in later generations, but in this era they are absolutely new and unparalleled, it seems that this person is indeed talented and knowledgeable.

  "Mr. Zhao has a very deep understanding of Taylor's scientific management! With such skills, he can indeed manage a factory well!"

  Zhao Baokun was shocked as soon as Qiao Yu mentioned Taylor, Taylor is a household name in the US, and his views are gradually being taken seriously by people, but China still doesn't know much about this management expert, who would have thought that the young man in front of him could speak out the root of what he said, how could Zhao Baokun not be shocked?

  "Haha, I've been in the US for almost a year and have barely come into contact with some of it. But to be honest, I really can't agree with Mr. Taylor's views. People are human beings after all, with seven emotions and six desires, not machines. Mr. Taylor uses methods for treating machines to treat workers, which has indeed improved efficiency, but also has serious flaws! What we should do is respect workers and treat them well!"

  Qiao Yu took advantage of what he learned in his university management class to persuade Zhao Baojun and Tang Yisheng, who were immediately convinced by Qiao Yu's far-sighted views. The three talked until the lantern-holding time, when they were called back by Qiao Cheng for dinner. After an afternoon of communication, the two overseas students were thoroughly convinced by Qiao Yu and agreed to do business in the factory.

  With the help of these two assistants, Qiao Yu's pressure was greatly reduced. Tang Yisheng took charge of commanding the construction of the factory, while Zhao Baokun helped train the weavers and formulated more specific rules, planned the factory building, and had some free time to visit many wealthy merchants in Dongchuan with his uncle Bai Kuan. They wanted to pull these people in, but except for two families who expressed their willingness to invest, the rest were just watching. However, Qiao Yu was already very satisfied, after all, changing one's mind is not something that can be done overnight, and only by letting them see real results will they become enthusiastic.

  Another week passed, and Boshert finally delivered the machine, along with two engineers and twenty skilled German technicians. After the handover was completed, the textile factory began to bustle with activity. The Germans were indeed meticulous, inspecting the factory as soon as they arrived. They were very satisfied with the design of the factory building, and soon the machines began to be installed inside. Zhao Baokun took charge of all the specific tasks, and after a month of busy work, the machines were finally installed, leaving only some finishing touches and debugging before the factory could start formal production.

  After discussion with Bai Kuan, the factory was finally named Limin Textile Factory, taking the meaning of benefiting the country and the people. Qiao Yu had already launched an advertisement for his own factory in Sichuan newspapers, and for a time, all Sichuan people knew that Sichuan also had a large textile factory. Newspapers such as Shen Bao also applauded the rapid construction of Limin Textile Factory.

  This era is very sensitive to domestic and foreign goods, advocating for domestic products is a universal social mentality. Only when there are no domestic products or the quality is too poor will they consider foreign goods. Now, half of the textile market in Sichuan has been occupied by foreign cloth. Suddenly, a large-scale textile factory appeared, which was founded by locals themselves. It's really impressive! Every time people see the construction of Limin Textile Factory, everyone gives a thumbs up and praises "Qiao Yu is great!"

  It took a total of four months, and now it was February 1911. The first family business had been set up, and Qiao Yu couldn't help but feel excited. However, there was someone even more excited than him - Bai Kuan's old man had clearly lost a lot of weight over the past few months, but he looked even more spirited. Every day, he would rush back and forth between the factory and various merchants, without a moment to spare.

  The groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for February 14th. Merchants big and small in Chongqing, along with officials of all levels, were extremely interested. Even the Governor of Chongqing, Niu Chuan Shan, would attend in person. Just after breakfast time, thousands of curious Sichuan locals gathered on the empty land in front of the textile mill. Bai Kuan had deliberately chosen an auspicious hour, and the ceremony officially began at 10 am sharp. By around 8 o'clock, the invited guests from all walks of life had arrived one after another. The vast majority were prominent figures in Chongqing's business circle, who were usually difficult to meet, but now they were all gathered on the bustling square, chatting enthusiastically with Bai Kuan and Qiao Yu.

  The factory gate is designed to be very spacious, with a width of over 20 meters. There are no majestic lions on either side, but instead two rows of cypress trees have been planted, making it look elegant and pleasing to the eye. It's completely different from other factories' official style, which makes people can't help but praise.

  As the clock struck ten, another commotion arose. Niu Chuan-shan's sedan chair parted the crowd of onlookers and arrived at the factory gate, where Qiao Yu and Bai Kuan immediately came forward to greet it.

  "The Labor Palace is majestic and dignified, it's all because of this old man's fault!"

  "Xu Ren, you're not being very kind. The successful opening of Limin Textile Factory is a good thing for Chongqing and the whole of Sichuan. As a government official, how could I not attend? Doesn't everyone think so?"

  Niu Chuan Shan's expression was obviously not ordinary, he shouted loudly and everyone followed suit, the atmosphere was extraordinarily lively. Niu Chuan Shan slightly turned his body, leaned against Jin Bai Kuan and said: "This commotion is big enough, I'm afraid there are several thousand onlookers."

  "It's still not the honor of being favored by Master Fu, who wouldn't want to bask in his glory?"

  "Older brother is taking me out for a spin, but I have to tell you, you're going to bask in the glory of the Governor-General!"

  As Nuan Chuan-shan walked quickly to the front gate of the factory, two guards held up a banner more than one meter long and respectfully raised it above their heads. Nuan Chuan-shan pointed with his hand: "Fellow villagers, these four characters 'Benefiting the Country and the People' are written by Governor Zhang himself and entrusted to me to give to Messrs. Bai Xueren and Qiao Shunqing, who invested heavily in setting up this factory, pioneering a new trend and bringing benefits to Sichuan Province, serving as role models for all merchants!"

  It was unexpected that a factory would shock the governor of Sichuan, it was really beyond expectation. Now the governor of Sichuan is Zhao Erxun, who later wrote the draft of Qing history. His learning is not to be mentioned, and his four characters are also iron paintings and silver hooks, with an extraordinary momentum. However, Qiao Yu soon thought it through, if Zhang Jian's factory can shock the emperor, then shocking a governor is not impossible either. Moreover, Zhao Erxun was actually giving face to Qiao Guangyuan, who had been the right servant of the Ministry of Households and was considered a high-ranking official. What Qiao Yu didn't know was that Zhao Erxun had asked Qiao Guangyuan for help before, so he sent this plaque as a gift.

  This is also a warning to those who intend to take liberties with the textile mill, be careful, this factory has already been registered with the Governor-General, whoever dares to move will have to bear the wrath of the Governor-General. The current Governor-General holds great power and is like an emperor on earth, especially in Sichuan where there is no provincial governor but the Governor-General takes charge, holding both the gun and the purse, who can afford not to fear the Governor-General?

  From afar, a pair of venomous eyes were fixed on the radiant Bai Kuan at the ceremony. It was none other than his old nemesis, Huang Baimian. He had recently gained control over the sale of fabrics in Chongqing and Dongchuan with the support of the British, and with just a bit more effort, he would be able to squeeze out the White family's fabric store, Zhuang. The news that Bai Kuan was planning to build a textile mill to weave foreign cloth had just been leaked, and Huang Baimian couldn't help but burst into ridicule upon hearing it.

  The old man was overestimating himself, the foreign cloth was woven by foreigners, if Chinese people wove it, could it still be called foreign cloth? However, as he continued to see news about Limin Textile Factory in the newspaper, Huang Baiwan's heart also began to feel uneasy. Could it be that Bai Kuan really could produce foreign cloth? Just over a month ago, a large batch of foreign machinery was transported into the factory, and many people saw foreign technicians entering and exiting the factory, Huang Baiwan's heart was filled with anxiety.

  This time, at the groundbreaking ceremony, he couldn't help but satisfy his curiosity, so he quietly came to watch. When he saw the plaque sent by Governor Zhao Erxun, Huang Baiwan was shocked. How could a small factory like this attract the attention of the governor? He couldn't understand it no matter how hard he tried. His business was not inferior to that of the White family, and although they were polite on the surface, that was because he had spent money to feed them. But where did he see that kind of respect from the bottom of their hearts? Therefore, his jealousy grew even more intense.