Chapter 49: Jialing Silk Company

  Shunqing people have a long history of sericulture, and unexpectedly, each county still has a sericulture bureau. When Yang Xing proposed to meet these sericulture technical talents, under the organization of Wu Feibai, more than 100 good-looking ones came at once.

  Unexpectedly, Shunqing has so many professional sericulture and silk experts. Yang Xing was overjoyed and immediately told everyone about the importance of developing local economy. Now that we have won the revolution, as revolutionary soldiers, we should develop local economy, adapt to local conditions, blaze a trail of blood, and drive the development of local economy.

  Western economies, without exception, all start with light industry, Britain is like this, our close neighbor Japan is also like this, they are a small country, yet their annual silk production reaches as high as 15,000 tons, three times that of the whole of China, it's truly a shame for us Chinese.

  We China have always been known as the silk country, how can this title be occupied by little Japan?

  In the past, someone used "heavenly silk and human weaving, the whole city hears the sound of looms" to describe Nanchong's sericulture.

  In the Western Han Dynasty, Nanchong silk became a tribute to the imperial court; in the Tang and Song Dynasties, Nanchong's "Shunqing Da Zhu" was renowned in the capital city and sold well along the Silk Road; Guo Zhou's satin was treasured by the Japanese royal family as a national treasure.

  In 1915, the silk fabrics handmade in Nanchong won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

  In the past, Nanchong silk and satin were sold in more than 30 countries and regions. Its export of silk and satin accounted for 50% and 80% of Sichuan Province's total export of silk and satin respectively, earning it the reputation among foreign merchants as "all-purpose silk" and "all-purpose satin".

  Greatly develop Shunqing's silk industry. Sericulture is our traditional industry in Shunqing, that is to say we have the habit of breeding silkworms in Shunqing, so the Xuanfu government decided.

  Immediately let Wu Fei Bai help find professionals in Shunqing silk to draft the outline of Shunqing silk exhibition.

  Yang Xing then locked himself in his room, drafting plans every day and meeting with sericulture experts every day.

  Among them, a young man named Xiao Chengyuan caught Yang Xing's attention.

  Xiao Chengyuan, born in 1887, also known as Jun Chuan, from Xiaojia Bay, Pengzhou. As a young man, he first attended a private school and later entered the Jinxi Higher Primary School. In 1907, he was admitted to the Sericulture Department of Chengdu Industrial School. Xiao studied diligently and after three years, mastered a complete set of new techniques for sericulture and silkworm breeding. After graduating in 1910, he returned to his hometown and worked as an instructor at the Pengzhou Agricultural Extension Station, teaching farmers about agriculture and sericulture.

  Xiao Chengyuan believes that Shunqing, due to the local economic poverty, many people simply regard sericulture as an ordinary sideline industry, no different from raising pigs and chickens, and fundamentally do not treat it as a developed industry.

  Secondly, the silk industry in Sichuan is very backward. I heard that in Jiangnan and other places, large-scale silk factories have already been established, but in our Sichuan, it's still mainly manual workshops with hand-reeling of silk.

  Again, it is that the government does not attach importance to the sericulture industry at all. Although each county has established a sericulture bureau and built mulberry gardens, there is no fund guarantee for good-looking ones.

  Again, Sichuan is located inland and cannot directly export silk to foreign countries like Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. We have to go through multiple checkpoints, making it difficult to transport goods to other places. If we take the water route, we can transport them out through the Jialing River, but there are too few merchant ships in various places, making transportation difficult. If we take the land route, there are no highways.

  Finally, the landlord's extortionate exploitation meant that although people generally had enough to eat in good years, when a great famine came, those who fled would flee, and who would have the heart to raise silkworms?

  Yang Xing silently listened, silently recorded, and in the depths of his heart also strengthened his determination and perseverance to spread his wings. Looking at Yezi Youyou.

  That night, he reported to Deng Xiaoke that in order to revive the economy of Shunqing, sericulture must be promoted in Shunqing Prefecture.

  It is known that Nanchong Shunqing has always been a famous silk city in the country, but now it not only lags behind small Japan, but also lags behind other domestic silk production areas.

  Deng Xiaoping had once been a student in France and had also worked at the Dalmine Factory in France, so he was quite supportive of practical industries.

  When Yang Xing brought Xiao Chengyuan and others before him, telling that the yield of mulberry leaves can be increased through new grafting technology, and the economy of northern Sichuan can be revitalized through sericulture, Deng Xiaoke nodded in agreement.

  After careful consideration, Deng Xiake decided that Shunqing Prefecture would save 300,000 yuan each year to be used as a special fund for the development of sericulture.

  It was decided to establish a sericulture technical vocational school in Shunqing, and hire sericulture technical talents from all over the country to serve as teachers, cultivating sericulture technical talents for various regions.

  Ordered the establishment of sericulture bureaus in all parts of Shunqing, setting up mulberry nurseries, building silkworm houses, preparing silkworm equipment, and holding training classes to teach sericulture techniques.

  Yang Xing organized local gentry to host this matter and decided to set up a Jialing River silk factory.

  Yang Xing spent another sleepless night perfecting the Shunqing Sericulture Revitalization Strategic Plan, and after completing it, they discussed and decided to promote a good-looking version.

  Early that morning, Wu Fei Bai and Xiao Chengyuan brought several merchants wearing long gowns to the Shunqing government office and said to Yang Xing: "Sir, these are all wealthy businessmen from Shunqing. They heard that you have a mind to develop the silk industry in Shunqing, so they especially came to see you."

  After a brief welcome, Yang Xing immediately explained the exhibition plan. Northern Sichuan has been famous for its silk since ancient times, and our Nanchong is also a well-known silk city at home and abroad. However, it has now fallen behind major domestic cities and Japan.

  Now we are in an industrialized era, and we can no longer develop our economy through handicrafts as in the past. We need industrial unions now.

  You are all silk merchants, traveling south and north, and you also know the difference between Shunqing Silk and other domestic silk factories, as well as the difference with foreign countries.

  At home and abroad, the use of hot steam reeling has been adopted early, but in Shunqing, most of them still adopt manual reeling. Manual reeling not only has low output, but also poor quality, and the price is far lower than that of domestic brother provinces.

  In addition, apart from this, China is originally a big country in the world, recognized as a major silk producer. However, our national silk production is less than 1/13 of Japan's. What is Japan? Its land area is not even as large as our entire Sichuan province. Why should we let little Japan make a fortune in the silk industry while we suffer and feel humiliated?

  Shunqing Prefecture decided to introduce more than 100 sets of 6-spindle direct spinning machines and prepare to open a large silk factory to revitalize the local economy.

  You are all local tycoons and should make efforts for the development of the local economy. I have invited everyone here today to discuss the establishment of a silk factory.

  In order to develop the silk industry, I have already negotiated with Deng Xiaoke and decided that every year 300,000 taels will be allocated from Shunqing Prefecture as special funds for the development of silk in Shunqing.

  In the next year, each county in Shunqing will establish a sericulture bureau and cultivate silkworm houses.

  In order to develop sericulture industry, a silk vocational and technical college will be established in Shunqing.

  In order to develop sericulture, a Jialing silk factory will be established.

  Everyone heard that in the past, there were officials who respected and revered merchants. For merchants, it was not thought to be cleverly taken or bullied, but rather thought to be deceitful and monopolistic. This young military and political commissioner actually wanted to start a silk factory with everyone, and everyone agreed on the spot.

  Yang Xing mentioned the scale of the silk factory he was going to set up and the amount of investment, and these wealthy businessmen took a deep breath when they heard it. The total investment in the silk factory was over 100 million taels, equivalent to 660,000 taels of silver in the past! This is an astronomical figure! Although everyone was rich, with assets worth tens of thousands, when they heard such a large investment amount, they couldn't help but doubt Yang Xing's sincerity.

  Is the director using the excuse of running a silk factory to swindle his own property, and then use clever means to seize it by force?

  Yang Xing seemed to see through everyone's thoughts and said, "The machinery and equipment for the silk factory have already been entrusted by the director to be purchased from the British, and will arrive in Shunqing soon. The factory building is also being selected and constructed. I wonder if you all have any intention of investing in this industry?"

  Everyone heard, although they had the heart to participate, but were afraid of being deceived, and did not speak. Yang Xing knew that these people would only join after seeing the factory built, and was just about to serve tea and send off the guests.

  A man in his thirties, dressed in a suit, stood up and asked: "Sir, is the silk factory run by the government or privately?"

  Yang Xing waved his hand, indicating for everyone to sit down and said: "Xing thinks that light industry is still better off with private management. Looking at the Westernization Movement, how many enterprises were established? Those government-run factories had terrible efficiency, with too many people doing nothing, and up until now they haven't even recovered their costs. But if we look at some privately-run enterprises in Guangzhou and Shanghai, their efficiency is quite good. There's an English economist named Adam Smith who said that the market is an invisible hand that controls everything. Therefore, Xing thinks that private management is better for industry, as long as companies operate legally, pay taxes according to regulations, then entrepreneurs will be making a huge contribution to the local economy."

  The man exclaimed in surprise: "Sir, you know Adam Smith!"

  Yang Xing burst out laughing and said: "When I was in military school, I was influenced by foreigners and read Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations"

  Wu Fei saw Yang Xing chatting with the man, and leaned in to say: "Sir, this young man's surname is Tan, his name is Qianlu, and he is the eldest son of Tan Baiwan, a wealthy family in the city. This young man went to Western Europe last year."

  Yang Xing heard that, and wondered if this person was Tan Qianlu, who had funded Lu Zuofu.

  In real history, when Lu Zuofu started Minsheng Industrial Company, Tan Qianlu also bought a ship named Shunqing, to compete with Lu Zuofu.

  However, the problem lies in the two words "Shunqing". Just on the second day after the "Shunqing" train arrived in Chongqing with a loud whistle, it was detained by the original commander of the Reorganized 3rd Division, Fan Shaoren.

  To talk about Fan Ha'er, he was originally a big fool. In the past, he roamed the mountains and forests, but after being recruited by the Yunnan army, he spent several years among the Sichuan warlords and finally became human-like.

  At that time, Shunqing Wang Luo Zezhou happened to have a feud with him. When he saw this boat in Chongqing, the name of the boat was Shunqing Boat, which indicated that this boat belonged to Luo Zezhou. Without saying anything, he immediately detained the boat.

  Tan Qianlu sought help from all sides and repeatedly negotiated, but to no avail. Finally, he had no choice but to find Zheng Dongqin, the chairman of the Minsheng Company, and ask for his mediation.

  Zheng Dongqin had served as county magistrate in Yuechi, Guang'an and Nanchong of Shunqing during the early years of the Republic of China. He was familiar with Tan Qilu, and as an official who had studied in Japan and was a member of the Tongmenghui.

  Through Zheng Dongqin's mediation, Tan Qianlu finally led the ship back. At this time, it was already half a year after the "Shunqing" arrived in Chongqing.

  Tan Keen Luen was originally a businessman and did not understand the shipping industry. The China Steamship & Navigation Company cooperated with him to form Yangtze River Shipping Co., Ltd. on condition of paying off his debts.

  Tan Qianlu changed the name of "Shunqing" to "Changjiang", entrusted Minsheng Company to manage it, and operated on the route between Chongqing and Fuling. In 1929, Tan Qianlu withdrew his shares from the company, feeling that the business was not going well. The "Changjiang" was then acquired by Minsheng Company for 30,000 yuan and renamed "Minwang".

  After this, Lu Zuofu's career took off rapidly.

  Although the tonnage of Minwang is only 125 tons, it is much larger than the 70-ton Minsheng and the 34-ton Xinmin.

  At this time, Tan Qianlu stood up and said: "When I traveled to Europe last year, I also saw that although the European countries are small in size, their economy is prosperous and their markets are booming. The output of a small town is far beyond that of my county. After returning home, Hua has suggested to his father many times to dedicate himself to industry for the country, but unfortunately, there was no opportunity. Now, after hearing your words, I understand that you have come to appreciate me early. As for building a silk factory, the Tan family is willing to invest 50,000 taels of silver to support your enthusiasm for entrepreneurship."

  Everyone was shocked and amazed when they heard it. In the Republic of China era, 100,000 yuan was an astronomical figure, but 50,000 yuan exceeded 33,000 taels of silver.

  Under Tan Qianlu's lead, everyone came up with a sum of money.

  After two days, the shares needed for the Jialing Silk Factory were finally raised.

  Yang Xing was overjoyed and immediately decided to appoint Tan Qianlu as the manager of Jialing Silk Factory, fully responsible for the construction and management of the silk factory.

  Yang Xing himself invested 700,000 taels of silver as a major shareholder.

  At the time of Kangding, after annihilating bandit Wang Dagna, several gold bars were obtained. During the search and seizure of Jia Yizhai, a portion of the funds was left behind. Now, in Shunqing, after suppressing the bandits, even more spoils were seized. As a result, the battalion can have 2 million yuan in funds.

  Jialing Silk Factory was established many years ahead of schedule. Historically, Jialing Silk Factory and Nanchong Sericulture College were founded by Zhang Lan in the 1930s.

  To purchase silk reeling equipment, Yang Xing immediately had someone contact Captain John in Chengdu, Britain, and Tan Qilong went to Shanghai together to purchase silk reeling equipment.

  And himself, organized people in Shunqing to buy land and build a factory.

  Three days later, John rushed over excitedly and was thrilled when he heard that Yang Xing had let him contact such a big deal.

  But John raised a difficult problem, that is the transportation problem. The railway from Shanghai to Chongqing is different, and it is also difficult to book a ship by waterway. 400,000 yuan worth of silk equipment needs to be transported to Shunqing, but I don't know when it will arrive.

  Yang Xing felt an opportunity. When he was young, people often said that to get rich, one must first build roads. Since waterways are difficult to navigate, it means that the shipping industry is a very profitable business.

  The silver obtained from Jia Yiqing and Huang Qingyuan had no investment channels, so he decided to take out 300,000 yuan to purchase several foreign ships for shipping operations.

  But at this time, Tang Qunliu raised an objection, believing that China could produce 10,000 tons in the late 19th century. In this case, how to buy Western ships?

  Yang Xing was shocked and asked the reason. It originated from Li Hongzhang's creation of Jiangnan Shipyard, which has been expanded over the past decade or so and has a considerable scale. Now it can manufacture large ships of thousands of tons. Among them, the "Jianghua" Yangtze River passenger and cargo ship built in 1911, Xuantong 3rd year, was 330 feet long, 47 feet wide, 7.5 feet deep, with a displacement of 4130 tons, and was evaluated by the shipping industry at that time as "the largest and best ship made in China". Looking at the Phoenix TV's Truth column, after liberation, Mao Tai Zu wanted to justify his name, so he immediately fixed the old China as poor and white, so it would say that during the Republic of China period, nothing could be built. In 1918, Jiangnan Shipyard once manufactured four million-ton ships for the United States.

  Tan Kenluo said that domestic cargo ships are not only reliable in quality, but also cheaper than foreign ships by 30% due to the low labor costs at home.

  Yang Xing was overjoyed when he heard this and muttered to himself: Who says old China is poor and white? In the early years of the Republic, weren't we able to build 4,000-ton ships?

  Moreover, the terrain of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River is extremely treacherous, and at that time it seemed that only ships with a tonnage of less than 4,000 tons could pass through.

  Immediately ordered that the purchased ships and equipment should be mainly domestic, if there is no domestic or the domestic quality is too poor, then consider foreign goods.

  After Tan Kenlu and others calculated, it seems that in addition to purchasing silk factory equipment, they can also buy 3 cargo ships with a tonnage of over 2,000 tons and 5 ships with a tonnage of 200 tons.

  When John heard Yang Xing's arrangement, he nodded repeatedly. The British Empire was mainly founded on shipping, and when he came to the Far East, John had always dreamed of having his own fleet.

  On April 28th, after preparation, Jialing Silk Factory was officially established in Shunqing Prefecture, which is a modern factory built in Shunqing.

  Before that, although there were many small silk reeling workshops in Shunqing Prefecture, most of them used earth kilns, which not only had low output but also could not guarantee quality.

  The establishment of Jialing Silk Factory will completely change this phenomenon.

  According to Yang Xing's suggestion, the newly established Jialing Silk Factory was set up in accordance with modern enterprise management model, setting up a board of directors responsible for strategic decision-making and management. A general manager was also appointed to be responsible for the production and operation of the enterprise.

  As the representative of the group and also the largest shareholder, Yang Xing was undoubtedly elected as the chairman of the Jalain Silk Factory.

  After the election was completed, Yang Xing explained to everyone that his main purpose in taking on this role as chairman of the board is to help the company get back on track and achieve profitable operations.

  After the company makes a profit, I will gradually withdraw from the operation of this company.

  Tan Qianlu was appointed as the manager of the company due to his experience traveling in Europe, his family's long-term business in Shunqing, and his investment of 100,000 taels of silver as the second largest shareholder, responsible for daily management work.

  Yang Xing set up the Jialing Silk Factory Preparatory Committee, with Tan Qianlu and Xiao Chengyuan serving as chairman and vice-chairman respectively.

  Tan Kenlu went to Shanghai to purchase silk factory equipment, while Xiao Chengyuan was responsible for the construction of the factory building.