Chapter 34

Upon hearing the good news, Yang Yuanzhao became very excited. Beside him, Yang Shixun shook his head. This young man seemed hasty and not as outstanding as his third brother had said. The worldly-wise Yang Shixun did not say much and silently followed him out.

Just as they were about to leave, they happened to meet Yang Yue returning from having his meal. Seeing Yang Shixun and Yang Yuanzhao about to go out, he asked where they were going. Upon hearing they were heading to the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works, a look of disappointment appeared on his face. He did not like the atmosphere in the steel plant, a place of cold steel with no vitality. He made an excuse to rest and did not follow. Yang Shixun took Yang Yuanzhao and they set off for the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works in a carriage.

The Hanyang Iron and Steel Works is located in the suburbs of Hanyang. In this era, the city is similar to a county town in later times, with only a few bustling streets. Hanyang is a bit larger than those county towns, with just a few more streets. It took about half an hour for the carriage to pass through the entire Hankou and reach the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works.

The Hanyang Iron and Steel Works is situated at the foot of Gui Mountain in Hankou. The factory stretches for ten miles, with numerous large chimneys. Currently, there are six steel furnaces and three iron furnaces. The designed production capacity is high, but from the start of operations to now, it has not even reached the basic production level, let alone exceeded it. It appears that the factory is not fully operational. At least, only half of the large chimneys are emitting smoke, meaning only half of the production lines are running.

Yang Yuanzhao's goal was the steel and iron furnaces, the most important parts of the steel plant. He did not think much of the blast furnaces from decades ago at the Hanyang plant. To truly start a large-scale steel enterprise in Baiyun Ebo, he would probably need to improve on this foundation. In today's China, the industrial sector is impoverished and backward. The first step is to address the issue of availability before considering improvement. This is the fundamental reason for coming to Hanyang.

As a mechanical engineer, Yang Yuanzhao had not been involved in steelmaking. However, the 21st century is an era of advanced information technology. Even with basic knowledge, one can know a lot. Steelmaking generally involves open hearth furnaces and converter furnaces. Open hearth furnaces require a large investment and have low production, suitable for large castings and hydraulic press rolling. Converter furnaces require less investment, are more efficient, and are suitable for smaller batches or high-quality steel production. By the 21st century, with the advancement of electronics and technology, most steel plants use converter furnaces.

Yang Yuanzhao was very clear that he could not currently produce converter furnaces; the conditions were not up to par. This technology only developed after World War II. If he started research now, it might take a decade or so to see results. For China, which urgently needs various types of steel in large quantities, open hearth furnaces are the best choice. Even in later times, open hearth furnaces were not completely phased out. Using oxygen-blown open hearth furnaces can significantly increase efficiency, though they are not as good as converter furnaces in terms of dust removal and environmental treatment. This is his best option, and with appropriate modifications, steel production can be greatly increased.

Getting off the carriage, Yang Yuanzhao looked at the vast Hanyang Iron and Steel Works, and his mind was filled with thoughts. This was the most famous and representative heavy industrial base established in the late Qing Dynasty.

In the history of old China, the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works held a unique position. On one hand, it was the first heavy industrial enterprise in modern China, attracting the attention of the nation from its inception. Since its establishment by Zhang Zhidong, it has been a symbol of China's heavy industry. On the other hand, it has been a source of pain for China. Although it was once the first in Asia, it did not develop much and even began to decline. After nearly 20 years of ups and downs, it was nearing its end.

Yang Yuanzhao had never been to a steel plant. In his impression, a steel plant should be a monstrous place with towering buildings, chimneys, and various iron structures. Before he traveled through time, he had watched a TV series called "Steel Piano," which seemed to be a reflection of China's heavy industry in later times. The large workshops, the fusion of steel and fire, and the interaction between steel and people represented the pulse of heavy industry, which was quite different from what he saw now.

This place, more like a workshop, had a few large chimneys still emitting black smoke, which proved that it had modern industry. Otherwise, he might have thought it was a shantytown.

The vast factory area had a large expanse of land, most of which was wasteland. There were even vegetable gardens within the factory, clearly cultivated by workers or nearby farmers. Using green vegetables instead of landscaping to decorate the steel plant was probably unique to old China.

Above the dilapidated factory gate was a sign made of white stone with a somewhat British style. At the top were the English letters "HANYANG," in the middle was "IRON & STEEL," and below was "FACTORY." There was also a graphic logo with two crossed hammers and a clamp-like object in the center, and at the bottom was "1890."

Twenty years had made the sign somewhat worn, but the blend of history and reality seemed to carry a special meaning. If it were to be preserved, it might become an antique in a few decades.

The factory was severely underutilized, with only three of the ten chimneys emitting smoke. Unlike the initial period, the factory was now empty, with few workers in sight. Occasionally, they would see a farmer working in the fields, watering the vegetable garden.

At the entrance of the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works, below the factory sign, an official in official attire was waiting. Seeing Yang Shixun approach, he hurriedly greeted him, saying, "Mr. Yang, it's been a long time!"

On the way, Yang Yuanzhao had already heard from Yang Shixun that he could visit the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works because the logistics director, Zhao Erlxiang, had dealt with him. The logistics department was always a relatively lucrative position. This man was particularly thin and slightly hunched, looking more like a hardworking farmer than an official.

Zhao Erlxiang's thin appearance was just a facade. When mentioning him in casual conversation, Yang Shixun would deliberately change the subject. However, Yang Yuanzhao clearly saw Yang Shixun slip something into Zhao Erlxiang's hand, which made Zhao Erlxiang's face wrinkle into a fake smile.

Zhao Erlxiang did not stay long. After a few pleasantries with Yang Shixun, he excused himself, leaving a helper to guide them through the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works.

The helper was named Wu San, a local from Hankou. He had been recruited into the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works five years ago. His cousin was a clerk in the Board of Revenue, who had paid to get him into the logistics department. He was a smooth-talking person.

"Mr. Yang, I am Wu San. I will be your guide today!" Wu San had small eyes that squinted when he looked at people, making him seem particularly sleazy. Yang Yuanzhao took out two silver dollars from his pocket and handed them to Wu San. Wu San's small eyes immediately narrowed into a slit, and he dryly laughed, "Thank you, Mr. Yang!"

"Behave well!"

"Yes, sir!"

With Wu San's help, the two entered the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works. On the surface, the factory still appeared to be well-guarded, but upon entering, the wasteland was more extensive than the buildings, and there were no defenses. If they had not found Zhao Erlxiang, they could have entered the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works from various directions.

"Mr. Yang, what exactly do you want to see?"

"Anything, I like all kinds of things related to machinery!"

Wu San's small eyes rolled, but he obediently led them forward. They soon walked from a wasteland to a cluster of buildings. Wu San said, "This is the No. 7 iron furnace, equipped with cold rolling equipment. Would you like to take a look?"

"Let's go and see!" Yang Yuanzhao nodded and followed Wu San into the iron furnace. A row of buildings surrounded an old iron furnace. Yang Yuanzhao could barely recognize it as an open hearth furnace, but it was clear that it had not been used for a long time. The rusted iron and overgrown weeds, even the animals in the grass, seemed to be disturbed by their presence and quickly fled.