As for Liu Ruoshui's instructions to put some effort into the Liu family, Zhou Wen quite disagreed.
The cooperation between Zhou Wen and the Liu family, aside from Liu Ruoshui's relationship, is actually that the Liu family needs Zhou Wen more.
Without Zhou Wen, the three families would not have been able to easily build a steel factory until now, and it is still a large factory with an annual output of more than 20,000 tons of high-quality steel.
You must know that when Zhou Wen established the steel plant, he took advantage of the Great Depression of the United States to conduct some treasure hunting. Under the careful selection of Zhou Wen and Henry Jr., they not only purchased the latest technology steelmaking equipment in the United States at half the cost, but also recruited foreign workers from the United States. A large number of unemployed technicians and engineers caused the starting point of Lishi Iron and Steel Plant to be relatively high.
Except for alloy steel, which cannot be produced due to technical constraints (from this period until later generations, the formula and technology of alloy steel were strictly controlled technical secrets in various countries), other high-quality steels can be produced.
In other words, as long as the barrels of large-caliber artillery and special sniper rifles that require high chamber pressure are not used, other barrels and barrels can be manufactured. The barrels and presses of various firearms currently produced by Hanyang Arsenal Gun barrels and artillery barrels with a caliber below 100 mm are basically purchased from Lishi Iron and Steel Works.
In the past, although Hanyang Iron Works was known as the largest steel plant in the Republic of China, with a maximum annual steel output of 77,000 tons, however, because the steelmaking technology used open-hearth steelmaking, the quality of the steel was mediocre, and the quality of the steel produced in each furnace was not good. First, there are very few steel materials that can be used for gun barrels and barrels, and the steel for manufacturing guns is still imported.
Lishi Iron and Steel Plant introduced an electric furnace with a daily output of 5 tons and a 50-ton open-hearth furnace at the beginning. After the three major companies took shares, it also introduced two 5-ton electric furnaces. Now it has a daily output of 50 tons of open-hearth steel and 15 tons of electric furnace steel. , with an annual output of more than 20,000 tons of steel.
It can be said that the high-quality steel from Lishi Iron and Steel Plant is currently in short supply. Not only is Hanyang Arsenal in need, Taiyuan Arsenal will also be a potential major customer after it is approved to resume operations.
You must know that although Taiyuan also has a northwest steel plant, the steelmaking technology is only at the level of more than ten years ago. The quality of the steel is not as good as that of the Hanyang Arsenal. It is enough to make artillery shells and grenades, but it is not enough to make guns and cannons. Somewhat reluctantly.
Although the Taiyuan Arsenal can build mountain artillery and field artillery, it can only imitate old Japanese models and does not have high requirements for the quality of the barrels. However, the problems it brings are heavy weight, short range, and poor accuracy. It was enough for use in previous civil wars. But there is still a long way to go to confront the Japanese army in the future.
In the historical Battle of Taiyuan, the Jin army deployed a total of 10 artillery regiments and more than 200 artillery pieces with a caliber of 75 mm or above. However, facing the Japanese artillery, whose range and accuracy far exceeded its own, they were no match at all. Conservative and backward in tactics, after the battle, only 5 of the 10 artillery regiments were left with incomplete formations, and most of the artillery was damaged and abandoned.
Therefore, the current Lishi Steel Plant is a star in the steel industry of the Republic of China. It not only makes money, but also fills many gaps in the quality of the military products of the Republic of China. It has earned enough political capital from the principal.
Having tasted the sweetness, the three companies began to plan to increase capital to purchase equipment again, preparing to further expand the production capacity of Lishi Iron and Steel Plant.
Therefore, Zhou Wen's role in this is becoming more and more irreplaceable. This is something that the Liu family understands very well. What's more, there is a pharmaceutical factory that can produce purple clear red medicine, which is a scarce resource during the war.
Therefore, as the Liu family who were able to prosper in the Republic of China, it is impossible not to know the cause and effect relationship.
Regarding the marriage between Zhou Wen and Liu Ruolan, it is normal for the Liu family to have different opinions. After all, it is a long-established wealthy family. It is normal to be arrogant and conceited. However, if the seriousness cannot be distinguished after a calm analysis, the Liu family is not worthy. Became a wealthy man.
What's more, this is not a political marriage. Zhou Wen and Liu Ruolan really love each other. This kind of good thing can not only fulfill their precious daughter, but also firmly tie an ally with strength and military power. Only a fool will not agree.
Therefore, Zhou Wen's attitude toward the Liu family is to remain unchanged in response to all changes. Anyway, I have done nothing wrong, so I can't bear to explain to others in such a hurry. The love between myself and Ruolan is a matter between the two of us, and there is nothing to explain. , as for the door-to-door marriage proposal, you have to consider the candidate.
If you want to marry someone's precious daughter, you will have enough face and dignity.
Just as he was thinking about this, Zhao Changshu winked at Zhou Wen, gave a thumbs up and said: "This time, I, Old Zhao, am convinced of you as a junior. The daughter of the Liu family, you are so mysterious to me." I think I got it, tell me, did we hook up in Nanjing?"
Zhou Wen rolled his eyes after hearing this. Is this still the heroic white horse general? She is simply more gossipy than a neighbor’s aunt, and a dog can’t spit out ivory from its mouth, so what’s the point of getting it? What hook up? Is this what a senior should say?
I ignored him at the moment and just sat on the bench with my eyes closed to meditate.
Zhao Changshu is not giving up yet. This boy has now learned how to make a fortune quietly. The Liu family is not an ordinary wealthy family. It is not an exaggeration to call them relatives of the emperor. They are the top existence in the society of the Republic of China.
Which of the richest ladies in this kind of family is not used as a bargaining chip for political marriages? You kid took someone else's important bargaining chip into your own pocket without saying a word, so why shouldn't they be in a hurry with you?
But Zhou Wen just ignored him and let him chatter in his ear. Zhao Changshu even spoke earnestly and thoughtfully, pretending to be a senior who cared about his juniors, but Zhou was unmoved.
In fact, we can't blame Zhao Changshu for being too gossipy, but the fact that Zhou Wen and Liu Ruolan are together is too shocking.
Zhao Changshu dared to believe that as long as this matter was exposed, the headlines of major newspapers across the country would be sure to write about it as soon as possible. Even some reporters from Shanghai and Nanjing would be inspired by the news and come to Taiyuan to follow up the report.
In fact, it is because the influence of the three major families in the upper class of the country is too great. They not only control the financial circles of the Republic of China, but also have a lot of prestige in politics. Not to mention their inextricable relationship with the principal, they are in the political circles and The military community has an intricate network of relationships.
For these families at the top of the food chain, any marriage of their direct children is tantamount to a political or economic union and reorganization, and the information revealed is worthy of long-term study by so-called experts and elites. For their competitors, it is a warning signal.
