Originally, Bai Kuan was planning to import machines from Hutchison & Co., Ltd. in the UK, but Qiao Yu still wanted to import equipment from Germany. This was not because he was close to Germany, but because the Yangtze River Basin was now the British sphere of influence.
The British are very arrogant, unkind and difficult to cooperate with.
As a backward power, Germany reluctantly snatched the privileges of Shandong, but the ambitious Wilhelm II was certainly not satisfied. Therefore, in order to open up the Sichuan market, the Germans would not ask for as harsh a price as the British. They could compete with Germany.
Maintaining friendly relations is also very beneficial to our Xinhai layout. We can use the power of Germany to offset the influence of the United Kingdom and establish an independent industrial system. Moreover, the United Kingdom is also in a period of decline. Although it seems to be showing its teeth, it is just a bluff.
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Of course, the current Chinese people do not have this understanding, and their instinctive awe for the British is abnormal. Bai Kuan followed Qiao Yu's suggestion and contacted Buschter, the deputy manager of the German Shichang Yang Company. The two parties made an appointment to meet at the Changtai Tea House. This was also Qiao Yu's special intention.
Arranged to discuss business in a traditional Chinese teahouse, it is also a way to gain the initiative.
The aroma of tea lingered as Qiao Yu and Buschter sat across from each other. Buschter was not very old, in his mid-twenties, and was tall and strong, standing at 1.85 meters. However, he was not as rigid and rigorous as the traditional Germans.
It seems a little out of touch, but it still shows the shrewdness of a businessman.
"Mr. Qiao, your German is very good, it really surprises me!"
"I studied military affairs for two years at your Berlin Military School, so I have a great fondness for your country, so I want to do business with your businessmen!"
Buschter was also very excited when he heard that Qiao Yu had studied at the Berlin Military School in Germany. The Berlin Military Academy was the top military school in Germany. Those who could enter it were all elites. The number of foreign students was very small, so he immediately became interested in Qiao Yu.
Interested.
"Qiao, Germany's military is the best in the world. Since you have studied military affairs, why don't you join the new army? As far as I know, your country is preparing a new army!"
"If I join the New Army, can we still do business here? Business is more important. This is my shopping list! I believe it will be a big deal this time!"
Buschter taught himself Chinese, so it was not difficult to understand the list. He took the list and read it carefully, but the more he looked at it, the more surprised he became. This is definitely a big deal, with a total of 800 looms.
Including the rest of the machines and supporting technical services, the total cost is seven to eight hundred thousand taels based on the Chinese market price. Since I came to Sichuan, I have discovered that the people here are relatively conservative, and the British are extremely powerful.
, it is difficult to carry out business.
Now, suddenly, such a big pie fell from the sky, which completely knocked Bushit unconscious. It seemed that he was about to be lucky.
"Qiao, I think it is wise for you to choose to buy German machines. Our machines are definitely much better than those of the British. The cloth weaved is faster and better. I believe that the entire Sichuan market will fall into your hands!"
"
"Mr. Bushit, please tell me the price and how long it will take you to deliver the goods?" Qiao Yu ignored the already happy and somewhat crazy Bushit and asked about the price.
Brett's eyes kept rolling. These machines are very common in Europe, but they are still relatively sophisticated in the Far East. How to bid is a big question. He thought about it for a long time.
"Qiao, these machines cost 750,000 taels of silver! They can all be shipped within half a year."
Qiao Yu did not answer, but smiled and said: "Mr. Buschter, I originally planned to hold a bidding meeting in Chongqing, mainly for major foreign banks, and I would use the one with the right price, but out of concern for your country
Friendship, plus I am ready to see results quickly, so I found a German friend. What I value is your country’s sincerity. You will only disappoint me!”….
If the purchase is small, Buschter can naturally ask for a lot of money, but the other party is obviously an expert at first glance, and the quantity required is such a large one. If the deal can be completed, it will even be beneficial to German businessmen in opening up the market in the southwest.
, so Busht gritted his teeth and had no choice but to lower the price.
"Qiao, seven hundred thousand taels, no more!"
"Haha, these machines are not even worth 400,000 taels in Europe. You just shipped them here and doubled the price out of thin air? It's only 600,000 taels at most."
Of course Bushit knew the value of this batch of goods, and the profit from selling it to 600,000 taels was not small, but it obviously exceeded his limit. His face was a little ugly, and he was a little tempted, but he was unwilling to give in. With the shrewdness of the businessman,
He still argued: "Qiao, it's not easy to transport it here. Not only is the risk at sea huge, but there are also damn British people behind my back. I really can't accept the price of 600,000 taels."
What Qiao Yu cares about now is not money, but time. He believes that the Germans, who are famous for their rigor and rigidity, will be able to make their factories run quickly. The rest is easy to discuss, so he gently knocked on the table and said with a smile: "
In fact, the price of 700,000 taels is not impossible, but I have two conditions!"
Buschter's eyes immediately lit up when he heard this: "Qiao, what are your conditions?"
"It's very simple. Within two months, you must transport me two hundred looms. First, let my factory run and be able to weave cloth. The second is to recruit some reliable technicians for me, plus two
engineers to help me build the factory, I am willing to pay a high price to hire these people!"
"Qiao, I can definitely do it! But you have to pay a 130% deposit first." Busht thought for a while and nodded solemnly. Qiao Yu also agreed to this request, and the two parties discussed some details.
, Bushit hurriedly went to make preparations. This was no small deal. Bushit felt that his spring was coming, so his face seemed to be blooming with joy.
"Bushter, actually this is just the beginning. I am planning to build more factories, not just light industry, but also heavy industry, and even military industries. I believe we will continue to cooperate. At the same time, I also hope you will set your sights on
Take the long term, and you will definitely have the opportunity to become the largest ethical businessman in China in the future!"
Qiao Yu made a bad promise, but it's not actually a bad promise. Now he is just a small factory owner. If he soars into the sky after the Revolution of 1911, he will definitely have the confidence. Busht is not old,
It was a time of passion and excitement. Hearing Qiao Yu's words became even more exciting. He left Changtai Tea House and went to do it immediately.
After Qiao Yu got the machine, he accelerated the progress of building the factory again, and at the same time began to arrange personnel. The Bai family and the Qiao family combined have dozens of cloth shops and silk and satin shops. Now, according to Qiao Yu's wishes, they will be temporarily closed.
, first unified the decoration, making the front door more beautiful and more Western-style, and then waiting to buy their own cloth, they also selected fifty people from the clerks, all of whom were smart and capable, and prepared to send them to the factory to let them take the initiative to learn Western skills.
The craftsmanship of technicians quickly grew into the backbone of technology, and finally got rid of the technical monopoly of foreign technicians.
It has been almost a month since the construction started. Qiao Yu only sleeps four or five hours a day. Although he is tired, his heart is extremely full. Looking at the planned factory, he seems to see the future. Although Bai Kuan is in his fifties,
, but he is also very motivated. Now he is mainly contacting materials and workers. At the same time, he is also strengthening contacts with other businessmen, trying to get them to purchase goods from him. According to Qiao Yu's estimation, this textile factory is the chicken that lays golden eggs.
After it is completed, it is difficult to ensure that others will not be jealous. It is best to share the benefits. Therefore, it is recommended that Bai Kuan contact those wealthy businessmen and it is best to let them join in setting up the factory. Bai Kuan is busy with this every day, but he insists on doing it every day.
Come and have a look at the construction site.
"Shun Qing, the progress of the project is not slow. I have contacted you about the raw materials, but I don't know when the machine will arrive. As soon as it arrives, we will be able to produce foreign cloth!" Bai Kuan drank tea and chatted with Qiao Yu.
At this moment, a guard ran in in a panic.
"Sir, what's wrong, there are dozens of people outside the construction site, saying they are looking for you."