Chapter 90

Habi was at the back of the convoy. To be honest, before this, he only knew that China was very large, similar to the United States. Born in Europe, he was accustomed to the small scale of European countries. For a country with vast inland areas like China, he felt a significant difference, especially after getting off the train. For three consecutive days, they were on the dusty Loess Plateau, looking quite disheveled.

Dazed and confused, he only came out when they reached Baotou. However, Baotou left him with no different impression from the small towns he had seen before. It seemed to be just an ordinary border town in China. Could such a place establish an industry?

"This is Mr. Habi from the De Mei Trading Company. Our machines are all purchased through him!" Yang Yuanzhao introduced to Wei Ming.

Wei Ming hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Mr. Habi, hello, I am Wei Ming!"

Habi exchanged a few pleasantries with Wei Ming. Seeing that Habi seemed to have something to say to Yang Yuanzhao, Wei Ming did not linger and instead directed the convoy to enter Baotou. The goods on the vehicles needed to be settled. Although Baotou was a major trading center, there were not many places that could accommodate over 100 horse-drawn carriages at once.

After Wei Ming left, only Habi and Yang Yuanzhao remained, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Habi looked around at the sandy weather and hesitantly said, "Young Master Yang, are you sure you want to build an industrial base here?"

"Yes, do you have any doubts?"

"But the conditions here are too poor?"

"Poor?" Yang Yuanzhao shook his head and said, "This place is right next to China's largest coal-producing province, with dozens of world-class large coal mines. Not far away, there is also a large iron mine and a copper mine. It is the best place to establish an industrial base!"

"Resources are important, but this place is too far inland, and the transportation is not convenient!" Habi still tried to persuade Yang Yuanzhao. Having seen the large-scale industrialization in Europe, he knew that resources were an important condition for an industrial base, but transportation was even more crucial. Inland China's transportation was too isolated, unable to support a large industrial base.

"Habi, I understand your thoughts, but I have my own considerations. In short, Baotou as the core of development is already a settled matter. We will do our best to minimize the unfavorable conditions!" Yang Yuanzhao said firmly. The development of Baotou was already decided in his mind. On one hand, it was due to the resource advantages, and on the other hand, it was the geographical advantage. In the chaotic China of this era, the northwest had never been within the Qing court's sights, providing an opportunity to develop a large industrial base. When the base was successful, he would have the capital to resist.

With Yang Yuanzhao's decision made, Habi could not say anything more. Next, they coordinated on the specific machines to import. Many machines were either unavailable abroad or had new technologies that needed to be adjusted. These fine adjustments could have been communicated via telegraph, but the categories involved were too numerous. Additionally, there were some custom-made items by Yang Yuanzhao, such as high-pressure sealed containers.

In the heavy chemical industry, high-pressure sealed containers are crucial. Without sufficient pressure, many chemical syntheses and reactions would be significantly affected, especially for ethylene and fertilizers, which require high-pressure containers.

This item was impossible to find in China and was at the cutting edge of technology abroad. Even with Habi's network, it might not be possible to custom-order one. Fortunately, Yang Yuanzhao was very clear. He had prepared over 100 tons of tungsten, a strategic metal, which could help Habi connect with Germany's military giants. Once this connection was established, the high-pressure sealed container would be an easy matter to resolve.

They spent the afternoon discussing most of the matters, finalizing the machines and personnel to be imported, with a total investment of over 15 million US dollars. This was a huge amount, but fortunately, Habi had already sold the weapons left by Yang Yuanzhao and had also resold some items from other trading companies. The trading company in Shanghai was thriving, and the funds were almost in place.

Yang Yuanzhao was confident that this investment, even if it was just the 100 tons of tungsten, would be enough to cover the costs of this trip. He was not afraid of spending money, but he was afraid that the spending would not be effective. China's foundation was too weak. In Habi's mission abroad, machines were secondary; the key was the people who would operate the machines and the researchers. Once these people and machines were in place, many plans could be implemented.

One person, no matter how powerful, could not do everything, especially in heavy industry, which requires both capital and personnel.

After a hurried report, Habi mentioned one more thing with a troubled expression. In recent days, he had been recruiting students in Shanghai for the entire southeast, with Germany as the destination. Germany was far less famous than the United States and the United Kingdom, and it was mostly for engineering students, so few people were willing to go. He had managed to recruit 70 students but could not find any more.

70 students, compared to Yang Yuanzhao's plan of 200, was a significant gap. Yang Yuanzhao thought for a moment and said, "Alright, gather these people first and start training them. I will see if I can find some more. When the time comes, they will all go to Shanghai and leave with you!"

Habi came in a hurry, spending only an afternoon to discuss with Yang Yuanzhao before returning. There was still some follow-up work to be done in Shanghai, and he could not leave yet.

After seeing Habi off, Yang Yuanzhao called Wei Ming, Yang Yue, and others to explain the purpose. At this point, it was unlikely he could find students, and although he did not want to rely on the four major families, to avoid wasting a year, he had no choice but to continue to depend on them.

"Germany, engineering!" Wei Ming frowned. He was a native-born businessman with some knowledge of foreign countries but not in-depth. Germany was one of the major powers, with influence in Shandong, China, but he knew little else. He turned to Yang Yue, who was a student, for more information.

"Brother Wenju, Germany's engineering is the best in the world and is very famous in the West. Our children will benefit greatly from studying there!" Yang Yue affirmed Yang Yuanzhao's words but then added, "However, Yuanzhao, as far as I know, Germany rarely accepts foreign engineering students. Can you solve this problem for 200 students?"

"No problem. Mr. Habi from the De Mei Trading Company has some influence in Germany. The issue of 200 students can be resolved, but I have one condition!"

"Go on!"

"Students who return after completing their studies must work for at least 8 years in my factories and research institutes. Of course, their salaries and benefits will not be less than those offered by other major companies in the world!"

Eight years is a long time for a person, especially for those in their twenties, which is almost their entire golden age. Wei Ming was hesitant, but Yang Yue readily agreed, "That's natural!" He then turned to Wei Ming and said, "The salaries in international companies are very high. Moreover, our clan's children, if they study other subjects, might still find positions, but for engineering students, without laboratories and factories, they are almost useless!"

"But 8 years?"

"What's 8 years? Some overseas定向 training programs have contracts for 12 or even 15 years, and the salaries are often below the standard for regular employees. That's really like signing a contract of servitude. Compared to that, Yuanzhao's offer is much better. Let me give you a number: I know that top researchers in the United States earn about 400 US dollars a month!"

400 US dollars, Wei Ming knew the value of foreign currencies. The exchange rate between US dollars and silver dollars was roughly two to one, so 400 US dollars was equivalent to 800 silver dollars. In China, this was not a small amount, almost equal to the salary of several dozen acres of land, and it was a monthly salary. Adding to that the work environment and research conditions mentioned by Yang Yue, Wei Ming was convinced and promised to facilitate the clan's children going to Germany for studies. Yang Yue would do the same.

The two of them represented the two largest families in Taiping. Their families had many children studying in modern schools, giving them a significant advantage over those who received traditional Chinese education. They did not need to supplement basic knowledge in mathematics, physics, and chemistry and could quickly adapt to the conditions in Germany and enter the learning phase.

With the agreement of the two, Yang Yuanzhao did not seek others. He believed that Wei Ming and Yang Yue would convey this condition to the others. Given the depth of Shanxi's resources, the number of 200 students should be easily met.

Baotou was far from Taiyuan, and this matter could not be resolved in a day or two. Yang Yuanzhao did not urge them. Habi would still need one or two months before setting off for Europe, so there was plenty of time.