On the second day of October, Zhang Yanling finally found some time to go to Longjiang Bao Shipyard to meet Xu Gao and others.
When the carriage and horses arrived at the Longjiang Bao Shipyard, Xu Gao and others had already come to greet them. After the greetings, everyone walked along the broad road and entered the factory area from the tall and majestic gatehouse of the Bao Shipyard. Zhang Yanling was very excited by the sight in front of him.
I remember that when Zhang Yanling first came to Longjiang Bao Shipyard three years ago, it was a desolate beach with overgrown reeds and grass. The once-splendid Bao Shipyard was almost a deserted land with ruins and ruins.
There are ponds clogged with silt, reeds as tall as a person, and tangled shrubs and grass everywhere. It is hard to believe that the huge treasure ship that the Sanbao eunuch once sailed to the West was built here and then set sail.
But now, everything has changed dramatically. The construction of Bao Shipyard started three years ago. While building ships, the factory area was rebuilt at the same time. Now it is already busy and prosperous.
After entering the gate, there is a straight and wide avenue going north, extending to the groups of houses in the north. On both sides of the main road, there are more than ten roads leading east and west.
On the west side is the office area, with several small buildings hidden among the trees. In the middle is a two-story house with two stone lions squatting at the door. This is where the steward's office of Longjiang Bao Shipyard is located. It is home to Xu Gao, Wang Qinian and others.
It is the place where promotion and supervision officials and other officials work daily.
The south side is the direction leading to the pond by the river. From a distance, the scene is very shocking. Tall wooden cranes and iron gantry cranes stand in clusters, flags are flying on the high towers, and dense figures of people are shaking on the ground.
Countless carts and mules and horses were shuttled in an endless stream on the road in the distance. They were all transporting materials from the warehouses and yards near Zuotang to Zuotang. Iron workshops, canopy workshops, cable workshops, and cable workshops.
The location of the workshop lamp workshop is located in the east of Zuotang. There are many chimneys there, the tall chimneys are emitting smoke, and people are coming and going, and they are busy.
Where the main road on the north side extends, there are rows of houses, which are the living areas of the shipyard workers. The Bao Shipyard provides free accommodation so that young and strong laborers from all over the world can live in the factory. Living facilities such as dining halls, bathhouses, and pubs are all available here.
, which can fully meet the workers’ living needs.
The entire Bao Shipyard is surrounded by a wall more than one foot high, with a radius of five or six miles, forming a huge industrial atmosphere that is somewhat inconsistent with the atmosphere of this era.
Under the guidance of Xu Gao, Wang Qinian and others, Zhang Yanling walked around the Bao Shipyard. Everything here was in order, all affairs were in order, and production was in full swing. Zhang Yanling was very satisfied.
Returning to the official building of the supervising Yamen, Wang Qinian, the promotion superintendent, made a report to Zhang Yanling on behalf of the officials of the Yamen supervising the ship on the Longjiang River.
"On behalf of the Longjiang Shipyard Supervisory Building Yamen, the lower official reported to the Protector the current situation of our Longjiang Shipyard. At present, our Longjiang Bao Shipyard has a total staff of 6,328 people. Among them, in addition to the three officials and handymen who supervise the construction Yamen,
In addition to twelve people, there are also
There are 3,600 shipbuilders, 813 workshop workers, 520 carriage and horse transporters, and 98 purchasing and liaison personnel stationed in various state capitals. Ma'anshan Smelting Furnace Yard has 360 people.
people. A number of other handymen."
"...According to the previous instructions of the Grand Duke, Mr. Xu Gao made a plan. Now the entire factory area is divided into four areas. The north side is the living area, with 600 houses, which are provided according to the standard of ten people per room.
Free accommodation. The west side is the public housing area. The east side is the pond area, and the southeast is the workshop and yard area. At present, our Longjiang Bao Shipyard has seven ponds, 18 related manufacturing workshops, 300 mules and horses, and vehicles.
Two hundred and sixty. Two smelting furnaces."
"...As for the specific production situation, No. 1 and No. 2 are the exclusive working ponds for armored warships. They are building armored warships at a rate of one every three months. According to the follow-up construction plan issued by the Duke, it is expected to be completed in two years.
The construction of all armored warships and transport ships. The remaining five ponds have received orders for the construction of sea-going ships and small transport ships. Since this year
Since the beginning, orders have increased dramatically. Now the orders for sea-going ships have been scheduled for three years. The orders for small ships have been even longer. At present, we receive an average of three to five orders for ships every day. In short, I, Longjiang,
The Bao Shipyard is thriving, and everyone at the top and bottom is full of confidence. It will definitely make the Bao Shipyard better and live up to the trust and expectations of the Lord Protector."
After Wang Qinian reported, Zhang Yanling gave full affirmation.
"The two adults and the supervising officials have made great contributions to the shipyard. I am deeply impressed and very happy that the shipyard has the atmosphere and scale it has today, and it operates in such an orderly manner. All this is due to you. I will reward you, and the relevant personnel will be promoted.
.I thank you for your contribution. Your contribution is greater than those of those who are in high positions and talk about it."
Xu Gao, Wang Qinian and others were happy in their hearts, but they dared not even say it.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Relevant commendation orders will be issued soon, and everyone in the supervisory office will be rewarded. This is necessary."
Wang Qinian smiled and said: "We are satisfied to be recognized by the Duke. Mr. Xu and I have never thought about awards or anything like that. What we are most worried about is betraying the trust of the Duke and not doing things well.
."
Xu Gao said: "Wang Qinian, why should you be too modest? If you have merit, you should be rewarded. Don't you want to join the Nanjing Shipping Company? How about I recommend you in front of the Duke?"
Wang Qinian was startled and quickly waved his hand to Xu Gao not to say this.
However, Xu Gao still said to Zhang Yanling: "The Lord Protector, I recommend Mr. Wang Qinian to the Lord Protector. In the past three years that I have worked with him, Mr. Wang Qinian is calm and careful in his work. He is a rare talent. I heard that Nanjing Prefecture has established a trade zone.
Mr. Wang Qinian has a sharp mind and is not too old, so he can be reused."
Wang Qinian hurriedly waved his hands and said, "No, no, no, no, Master Xu, don't do this. Mr. Guo, I don't mean that."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Master Wang, do you really not want to be an official in the Shipping Department? The Nanjing Shipping Department still lacks a deputy to be promoted."
Wang Qinian was stunned and stammered: "I...I...this..."
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly, took out the letter of appointment from his arms, and read it loudly: "Xu Gao and Wang Qinian were in charge of the Longjiang Shipyard and supervised the construction of the Yamen. They worked hard and made great achievements. The Longjiang Shipyard is in today's situation. These two people should be the first to make the contribution. Merit.
Dangjia specially appointed Xu Gao and Wang Qinian as the deputy deputy general manager of the Nanjing Shipping Department, taking charge of Nanjing shipbuilding and related affairs."
Xu Gao and Wang Qinian were greatly surprised and were stunned.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "One of the purposes of my coming today is to issue a letter of appointment. Nanjing is now one of the trade zones designated by the imperial court, and the Municipal Ship Bureau needs more capable officials to do things. The two of you are in Long
Jiang Shipyard has proven your abilities, so you will naturally be promoted and do more things. Mr. Xu and Mr. Wang will have to take on greater responsibilities in the future."
Wang Qinian couldn't help being happy and thanked him repeatedly. But Xu Gao seemed to be hesitant.
Zhang Yanling noticed Xu Gao's mood and asked, "Does Mr. Xu have anything to say?"
Xu Gao said: "We are all gone, what should we do here? I don't trust this place. I'd better appoint someone else to appoint someone else as the deputy director of the Nanjing Shipping Department."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Of course you can't let go of things here unless you have a suitable candidate. I have a suggestion. Wang Qinian can immediately go to the Shipbuilding Department to take up his post. There are a lot of things that need you to do. Mr. Xu will stay in charge of the shipyard.
We need to find and train replacement candidates. What do you think?"
Wang Qinian agreed repeatedly, and Xu Gao thought about it for a while and agreed. In fact, Xu Gao didn't want to bother. He had served in the Ministry of Industry and had already seen some things in the officialdom. He just wanted to do practical things and did not want to be a official.
He doesn't care about high-ranking officials. He doesn't care about the official position in the Shipping Department.
After the official business was completed, it was time for private time. Zhang Yanling followed Xu Gao to his home. Xu Youtang's mother had already moved here to take care of Xu Gao. She was naturally happy to see Zhang Yanling.
Zhang Yanling brought many gifts, and the table was piled full of them. Some were brought by himself, and some were sent by Xu Youtang on Zhang Yanling's behalf. Xu Gao didn't think much of it, but Mrs. Xu looked through them with joy and complained about the waste of money. She said she wanted to eat here.
They are all suitable for wear, so there is no need to bring these things.
When Xu Gao and his wife learned about Xu Youtang's pregnancy, even Xu Gao was no longer calm, and his wrinkled face seemed to be blooming. Mrs. Xu even lifted up her clothes to wipe away her tears, feeling very happy.
At noon, while Weng and his son-in-law were having a drink, Xu Gao confessed his feelings to Zhang Yanling, saying that he did not want to leave the Longjiang Shipyard and no longer wanted to be an official. He hoped that Zhang Yanling would allow him to stay here and run the shipyard well.
Zhang Yanling thought about it and decided to respect his idea. People like Xu Gao can only use their abilities in specific affairs and on the front line. If they go to the Shibosi Yamen, they will not be able to use their talents. In this case, it is better to
Just keep him in the Longjiang Shipyard and provide him with two young and capable deputies to relieve some of his burden. This will actually be a reward for him.
Xu Gao was very happy to see Zhang Yanling agreed to his request. When the two talked about the future of the shipyard, Zhang Yanling gave Xu Gao some suggestions.
"Father-in-law, the current situation of Bao Shipyard is very good, but I think it can be better."
"Oh? You can tell me what you think of Yanling."
"Father-in-law, my suggestion is very simple. First, increase the number of ponds and expand the scale. The existing number of ponds cannot meet the demand for shipbuilding. It is a waste of time to queue up after two or three years.
There is so much idle labor, it is necessary to play a mentoring role and absorb more manpower
, to expand the scale. The subsequent ship manufacturing market will be extremely huge. It must be planned in advance. To tell you the truth, three other shipyards will be established in Nanjing soon. The Municipal Shipping Department has approved the construction plan, all of which are funded by local businessmen.
.It’s because the shipbuilding speed is too slow and the market is too big.”
Xu Gao was slightly surprised. Longjiang Shipyard is actually a government-run shipyard and belongs to the Municipal Shipping Department. According to general logic, the Municipal Shipping Department will not approve a new shipyard to compete with his own business. But Zhang Yanling agreed to do this, then
This shows that the situation is indeed pressing, and Zhang Yanling is not thinking about the shipyard.