Qiao Yu knew that the most precious thing now was time. It would definitely be a good thing to quickly set up the factory with the help of the foundation laid by Bai Kuan. Therefore, he was very anxious. Qiao Cheng and Qiao Yu arrived at the Bai family's house not long after, just in time.
A carriage came from the other side of the street and arrived at the door of Bai's house. It was Bai Kuan's carriage.
"Uncle, how are you doing in old age?"
Qiao Yu came to the side of the carriage, the curtain was lifted, and a short, fat old man leaned out. When he saw Qiao Yu, his face was full of surprise.
"Here, isn't this the third boy? You are finally back. Go into the house with your uncle!"
Bai Kuan grabbed Qiao Yu's arm tightly and refused to let go: "San'er, you've been away for five years. Not to mention the arrival of my sister, even I, as an uncle, feel distressed. I have been with you a lot in the past few years.
When dealing with foreign devils, those people are like people who came down from Liangshan Mountain. They are unreasonable and unreasonable. My uncle has been very angry these days. You have not suffered any grievances in these years!"
"People have to bow their heads under the low eaves. We Qing people have no status outside, so we have to roll our eyes and so on. But you see, I'm not very good now. I don't lack anything. You always did too. This difficulty will eventually pass.
At that time, in fact, those foreigners were just bluffing, as long as we grasp their lifeblood, there is nothing difficult!"
When Bai Kuan heard what Qiao Yu said, he immediately became energetic.
"Qing Shun, you have to help uncle. I know you have learned your skills and you can help uncle run this factory. Why do I have to fight for this!"
Qiao Yu, Qiao Cheng, and Bai Kuan came to the main hall. Bai Kuan hurriedly ordered his family to prepare wine and food. A table was soon filled with authentic Sichuan dishes, full of spicy flavor, and several bottles of Maotai Zhenronghe.
The wine was good, the food was even better, but what touched Qiao Yu the most was the strong family affection. Bai Kuan didn't say anything to him, he just asked about his well-being, and after chatting for a while about his experiences in Europe and the United States, Qiao Yu took the initiative to change the subject.
"Uncle, why are you thinking about setting up a factory? Are there any problems now? I have been living abroad for a few years, so I can help you with your advice!"
"Hey, Mr. Shun, you must also know that in the past few years, foreigners have become more and more decisive in our country. With foreign cloth, cement, nails, foreign oil and other foreign goods becoming popular, more than a dozen of my cloth shops used to have the final say.
In the homespun cloth business, my old enemy Huang Wanwan hooked up with foreigners and started a foreign cloth business. Seeing that my business was not getting better day by day, I was not willing to accept it, so I prepared to set up a factory and we could weave foreign cloth ourselves!"
Qiao Yu listened quietly to Bai Kuan's narration. It turned out that Bai Kuan had always been the leader of the cloth shop in Chongqing. However, Bai Kuan did not like foreign cloth and insisted on selling homespun cloth. His competitor Huang Wanwan also ran the cloth shop business.
, he hooked up with a British foreign company more than a year ago. The British sold him a large amount of foreign cloth, and then Huang Wanwan sold it back to earn a middle price. But to be honest, the quality of foreign cloth is indeed better than that of homespun cloth, and the price is also lower.
The market for home cloth shops is getting smaller and smaller.
Bai Kuan originally planned to resell foreign cloth, but one reason was that the supply of goods was limited, and the other was that Huang Baiwan had already taken the lead, and it was already a bit late to do so. This aroused Bai Kuan's ambition to deal with his competitors.
I can only build my own factory and weave foreign cloth.
Listening to Bai Kuan's narration, Qiao Yu's heart was filled with waves. In his previous life, China was already known as the world's factory. Chinese manufacturing was all over the world, which also brought problems such as pollution. However, by the end of the Qing Dynasty, he
Only then can I truly feel the value of industry. Without the support of manufacturing industry, everything is a castle in the air, and everything is controlled by others.
Not to mention heavy industry, even ordinary daily necessities are imported. Cement, foreign oil, foreign cloth, matches, foreign nails, foreign cars, everything is foreign. Only by experiencing it personally can you know how much power there is in this era.
Being occupied by foreigners, Qiao Yu admired his uncle very much. At least he took the first step...
"I wonder how much you are planning to invest, uncle? To start a textile factory, you still have to rely on scale. This cloth is a necessity of life. If the scale is small, it will not affect the market. The cost is high, and it will inevitably be suppressed by others.
"
"I have prepared 300,000 taels of silver, and have found land and other materials. Aren't we in the process of contacting the machine? Originally, I had discussed with the British foreign firms to order 200 looms, but those foreign devils wanted to pay for it again.
Price, I just got into an argument with them and got very angry!"
"Uncle, what do you think about the two of us joining forces to build this factory? The scale of two hundred looms is not large. I think it needs to be at least 800 or more and more than 20,000 spindles. The investment must also reach one
One million taels!”
Bai Kuan found his brother-in-law before setting up the factory, but the old man was not very interested, so Bai Kuan set up the factory alone. When he heard Qiao Yu's suggestion, his eyes immediately lit up. The Qiao family's family background is also very strong, especially
Qiao Guangyuan knew a lot of people in the official circles. The most important thing was that Qiao Yu was an international student. He always paid attention to the spirit when looking at people. Bai Kuan had long noticed that his nephew was calm and confident. He wanted to come outside.
He must have gained knowledge and skills. If he can help himself, it will definitely alleviate a lot of trouble.
However, the scale of 20,000 spindles mentioned by Qiao Yu also made Bai Kuan gasp. He spent 300,000 taels and already spent money. He did not expect that this nephew would be more ambitious, but if he could join forces with the Qiao family, the funds would not be
what is the problem.
"Of course that's good, but your old man is quite stubborn. Can you pass that test?"
"Times have changed now. Old Huang Li always needs to change it. I will go and persuade my father. I believe he will listen."
Qiao Cheng has been listening. He is not yet thirty, which is the most ambitious age. When he heard that Qiao Yu actually advocated joining hands with his uncle to set up a factory, he agreed very much, but he was still a little worried.
"Third brother, the Dasheng yarn factory run by the No. 1 industrialist a few years ago was not as large as our investment. Even the investment in Dasheng No. 2 Factory was only 800,000 taels. We have to invest so much at once?"
Qiao Yu is quite familiar with the famous Zhang Jian. Qiao Cheng raises this question. It is not surprising that he is worried. One million taels is equivalent to putting down the family fortunes of both families, and they have to sell off some properties. It is really an investment.
Too big, but Qiao Yu feels that the southwest textile industry is still blank now, and the development prospects are very huge. No matter how large the scale of the textile factory is, it can absorb it. In addition, he clearly knows that next year will be the Year of Xinhai, and he plans to build a new factory based on this factory.
How can I do it if my team is too small?
"Brother, the textile industry in the entire southwest is still blank. It is a great opportunity to show off your skills. It is the most important to set up a big factory and firmly seize the opportunity. Even though Zhang Jian is a top scholar, his courage is still too small. The pattern is
It’s not enough. He relies too much on his own connections and privileges to set up factories. This kind of factory has no competitiveness. We must not follow his path. In addition, now that the court is rewarding industry and commerce, we have less investment, and the officialdom may treat us.
It’s a piece of meat on the spot, but if the investment is large enough and the shock is large, the officialdom will definitely help us for the sake of future achievements, and our early development will definitely go much smoother!”
Bai Kuan agreed with Qiao Yu's point of view. It has not been difficult for him to do business in recent years. As long as he has capital, some hard work and genuine goods, he can always make money. What he fears most is that everyone from the black and white will pounce on him and take a bite.
No amount of money is enough.
"What Qing Shun said makes sense, but isn't this too arrogant?"
"Why are you afraid of being exposed, uncle? When we set up a factory and build a brand, we need to build up our reputation. Otherwise, no one will know about our stuff."….
This is the ideological issue of people in two eras. After listening to Qiao Yu's words, Bai Kuan lowered his head and thought for a long time, and then slapped the table hard.
"Shun Qing, Shiqing, let's set up a factory together and let them see what we can do. I will go to Wanxian County with you now, and we will convince my old brother-in-law together!"
Bai Kuan, who was a businessman and acted vigorously and resolutely, simply cleaned up, got up and went straight to Qiao's house with his brother Qiao Yu.
The Qiao family is a very large family in Wan County. They own 30% of the land in the entire county. Qiao Guangyuan is also the right servant of the transfer department. The house is built with great style. Someone has already informed the old man and the old lady that the third young master is back.
My uncle was also coming, so Mrs. Bai and Qiao Guangyuan were waiting in front of the door, refusing to listen to their family members' requests to go inside and wait.
Seeing that it was almost noon, two carriages came from a distance, it was Brother Qiao Yu and Bai Kuan. Qiao Yu saw the two elders waiting in front of the door from a distance, and he couldn't help feeling sad. No matter in the past life or in this life, his parents were like this.
Leaning against the door and looking forward to going home, time and space change, but true feelings never change.
Before the carriage could stop, Qiao Yu jumped out of the carriage, jogged to the old man, and knelt down on his knees.
"Mom and Dad, the unfilial child is back!" The old lady cried with joy, hugging her son, and didn't know what to say. Qiao Guangyuan had long since lost the composure of an official. He pulled Qiao Yu and kept crying and laughing, "
Five years, five whole years!"
Bai Kuan and Qiao Cheng also got out of the car and gathered together.
"Old sister, brother-in-law, Shun Qing has returned from his studies. This is a happy event. Let's celebrate it. Don't cry. We have had a bumpy journey and we haven't eaten yet!"
"Look at me, this old fool, how could I have forgotten all this? Come in quickly."
The family entered the main hall happily. The old lady never let go of Qiao Yu's hand, and kept stroking her.
"My child has grown up, taller and stronger. When he walks, he is about the same as me. Now he is a head taller than me. He is not as fat as when he was a child. He is wronged outside. He is wronged!"
Mother Qiao couldn't help but sigh. Qiao Guangyuan recovered quickly and was no longer so excited. After everyone sat down, they started asking questions.
"San'er, have you learned anything from this five-year journey?"