A 17-kilometer-long deep water shoreline quietly lies in the north end of Benxi, a beautiful city. Two 200-ton fasteners were moored on the shore in the rain and fog, and a conveyor belt extended out of the fog, sending reddish-brown iron ore and black coal ore directly from the ship to the factory on the shore. The two ships have to travel back and forth four times a day to transport 1,600 tons of raw materials, while Bengang produces 600 tons of high-quality steel, which are continuously delivered to all parts of the country.

The "Folchampad" steel mill is now living in a huge gray factory area ten kilometers north of Benxi City. Previously, the steel mill was located in the city of Forchampad, France.

It was precisely because he purchased the second-hand steel mill "Folshanbude" from the arrogant Europeans that Zhao Gang and the Manufacturing Bureau attracted the attention of the world, and the production capacity of the Manufacturing Bureau has jumped to 100,000 tons. The current "Folshanbude" is several kilometers long. It is a 150,000 tons long process steel production line, integrating sintering, coking, ironmaking, steelmaking, continuous casting, rolling and corresponding supporting supplies and auxiliary. Even the workers who participated in the relocation were difficult to point it out in full. After the upgrade and modification under the guidance of the Ao Steel Alliance, it has been "unrecognized" and has been reborn.

The decision to buy Forshanbude Steel Plant is of extraordinary significance to the Manufacturing Bureau, and it can even be said to be the most important watershed in the Manufacturing Bureau's growth. Without this step, the Jilin Manufacturing Bureau would not have increased the steel output to 100,000 tons out of thin air in less than one year, and it would be difficult to quickly change the structure of small quantities of pig iron production, low-quality steel and other primary steel products, but high-strength boards have been blank, and the time to enter the long-process production line will be delayed by several years.

For Zhao Gang, this seems to be a natural match. Last year, Zhao Gang began planning how to build the steel industry, because it only takes 40 taels of silver to produce steel from blast furnaces, while the cost per ton of steel in the coal-steel consortium is only six taels of silver per ton of steel. The Forchbude Steel Plant requires a lot of manpower, which causes excessive costs, but the labor cost in China is only 1/20 of that in France, and the cost has been greatly reduced. In the long run, the Lushun Shipyard and the manufacturing bureau all need a large amount of high-quality steel, and Zhao Gang is very clear that after thirty years of plunge, the price of steel has been rising steadily since 1893. It can be said that until 1929, the steel industry was in a golden period of rapid development.

On this day, just as Zhao Gang was worried about how to cover up the high production volume, he reported:

"American counselor visits."

Zhao Gang was not fluent in English, so when he thought of Tang Shaoyi, he called him to come over together.

When Zhao Gang and Tang Shaoyi arrived at the study room, there were already two guests in the study room. Although they had never seen them before, they could see that neither of them was simple. One of them was elegant and should be the counselor Tian Bei. The other was in his fifties, wearing the clothes of a priest, with a pious look, but his expression clearly showed a sense of arrogance in his hands holding the world.

"Everyone, I am Zhao Gang, the General Office of the General Office of the Westernization Affairs Office of Shengjing. This is my deputy Tang Shaoyi!"

Zhao Gang's expression was as usual. First of all, Tang Shaoyi was used to seeing the domestic officials politely towards foreigners. Seeing Zhao Gang's neither humble nor arrogant look, he couldn't help but feel secretly amazed. The two guests bowed slightly, and one of the young men said in a fluent Beijing film:

"My name is Tian Bei, the US counselor to the Qing Dynasty. This is the respected Mr. Carnegie!"

Carnegie nodded slightly to Zhao Gang and Tang Shaoyi. Zhao Gang was shocked and blurted out

"Are you the Iron King Carnegie?"

After saying that, I felt reckless and felt embarrassed on my face.

"I'm Carnegie!"

The old man smiled kindly.

"I am no longer the king of steel now. I have put myself into the arms of the Lord and become his loyal believer."

Zhao Gang winked at Tang Shaoyi, and Tang Shaoyi hurriedly said, "Everyone can sit down first."

Under the owner's arrangement, everyone sat down around a table. Tian Bei spoke first:

"Mr. Carnegie's arrival is to show the US government's full attention to the Northeast Manufacturing Bureau. Today, I am very honored to notify several people on behalf of our government that after a long period of serious consideration, our government has agreed to your requirements for purchasing equipment."

Tang Shaoyi and Zhao Gang stood up to express their gratitude, and the two Americans accepted the gratitude politely. Tang Shaoyi took advantage of the opportunity to look at Tian Bei. Tian Bei had no expression on his face, and everything was hidden in his cold blue eyes. Tang Shaoyi knew that things were not that simple, so he silently waited for them to propose the conditions. After a while, Tian Bei took out a document:

"In return for this generous decision of my government, my government hopes you will sign it."

Zhao Gang took the document and looked carefully. After a while, Zhao Gang put down the document and said to Tian Bei.

"Mr. Tianbei, your country has too little loan to our coal-iron and iron joint company, only 1.5 million taels of silver, but you have to deduct 10 points of interest first, and the interest rate is set to 15%, and you will pay it off in five years. This condition is a bit... harsh."

Tang Shaoyi saw that although Zhao Gang said he didn't want it, he looked extremely nervous and couldn't help but laugh in his heart. He saw that Zhao Gang was orderly and looked very mature, and he always regarded him as his boss. Today, Zhao Gang's performance made Tang Shaoyi understand that the general manager around him was just a twenty-year-old young man.

When Tian Bei heard Zhao Gang's complaint, he naturally saw Zhao Gang's nervous expression. He spread his hands and shrugged:

"Oh, that's a shame. We have worked hard for so long to win such generous conditions for you..."

Hearing this, Zhao Gang was a little nervous, while Tian Bei breathed a sigh of relief.

"As far as I know, our country has not given such generous conditions alone for any country, let alone a manufacturing bureau."

After saying these words, Tian Bei was silent at the right time, "Let them feel the pressure in silence."

The depressing atmosphere in the study had reached a critical point. Zhao Gang saw sweat on his forehead, his eyes were fierce and fierce, and hesitated for a moment. Seeing Tian Bei pretending to leave. He bit his teeth, he was ready to agree to Tian Bei's conditions.

A firm voice answered:

“NO!Wecannotcomplythis condition!”

Tang Shaoyi's answer surprised everyone, especially the two Americans, who did not expect to hear pure American in the inland cities of the Qing Dynasty.

As an excellent diplomat, Tian Bei immediately woke up, and he was ashamed of his surprise:

"Why? Don't you understand that this is the first time that we in the United States have traded with an institution like you and helped you? You are so weak, but you are demanding treatment that is inconsistent with your own strength!"

Tian Bei's face turned red, and he finally couldn't help but jump out and accused him loudly.

"One of the first thing I want to do is correct your statement. You are not helping us. On the contrary, I think we are helping you, and you take the opportunity to want us to contribute more money."

Tang Shaoyi said calmly, observing Tian Bei's reaction.

"Your government loans us only to sell our own materials. This is just an ordinary business act. Your country does not lend us, Britain, France, Germany, and the world is so big that any country can lend us. So, I think we are just conducting an ordinary business transaction, not because your country has given us any special help."

After Tang Shaoyi finished speaking, he saw Tian Bei put away his arrogant expression with satisfaction, and the things hidden in his deep blue eyes slowly floated out.

"I'm very sorry! I owe you to you for my fault. Please don't care! You have your own opinions on the proposals of our government. Can you speak out openly and honestly? We can discuss your opinions accordingly."

Tang Shaoyi calmed down for a while, clarified his thoughts, and said, "Grandpa Tianbei, I heard that your country signed an agreement with Japan last month to pay off the interest-free loan of 10 million US dollars for ten years. I feel very puzzled by your country's generosity when treating Japan and not harsh conditions as harsh as we do to us. Please give me a more reasonable explanation so that I can feel that I am not subject to undue humiliation."

Tian Bei was silent, and after a while: "What do you mean?"

"We hope to get an interest-free loan of 10 million without any conditions."

"This simply does not meet the requirements of our government! It is impossible to get a loan!"

Tian Bei was completely angry, and the calmness in his eyes was completely replaced by furious. As a diplomat in the United States of America, he was not forced to the edge of the cliff by his opponent during negotiations, but never again. On the contrary, he forced his opponent to the edge of the cliff countless times, while appreciating his opponent's ugly appearance, while calmly getting his spoils. But today, he was controlled by his opponent and retreated step by step to the edge of the cliff.

Carnegie, who was beside him, looked up at Tian Bei, and the angry Tian Bei turned a blind eye.

"The conditions you have made are too outrageous. I cannot accept such unreasonable requests. Maybe, I should ask my respected Zhao, can Tang represent you?"

"Mr. Tian Bei, Tang Shaoyi can represent my opinion. Also, I remind you that you represent your country rather than an individual. I can't believe that you raised the stupid question just now."

Zhao Gang expressed his meaning.

Tang Shaoyi looked at Zhao Gang with gratitude and continued:

"As far as I know, there was a mild economic recession in your country in August this year, right?" Tang Shaoyi said in a calm tone, while throwing out the last ammunition.

Sweat flowed down from Tian Bei's forehead and dripped on the ground: "Tang, I'm sorry, I'm rude, but I'm curious why you understand the United States so much. Among the Qing officials I have come into contact with, Zhang Zhidong is the most enlightened, but his understanding of our country is only a little bit or a little bit."

Tang Shaoyi answered lightly

"I have been in the United States for more than ten years, and the United States can be regarded as my second hometown."

Tian Bei wiped the sweat, the smile of the diplomat was gone, and replaced by a bitter smile

"Your Excellency is the best diplomat I have ever met. The smartest way to go in front of two diplomats is to turn out the trump card directly. Tang, now you can make specific requests. What kind of aid do you want us to provide and what is the specific amount?"

Tang Shaoyi smiled slightly and said in a respectful tone: "Your Excellency, I don't have high demands. I just hope that your country can treat us equally and give us the treatment that Japan enjoys."

"It's also ten million US dollars?"

Tian Bei asked.

"Yes! We will use all this money to purchase machinery and equipment in your country."

Tang Shaoyi answered without hesitation.

Tian Bei waved his hand and signaled Tang Shaoyi to continue.

"We hope that your country can provide at least one main rapid armored ship, 500 latest rapid-fire guns, the latest maintenance and manufacturing machines, smelting equipment and other corresponding materials within half a year, and use the market price to offset the assistance you give us, so that the funds can still be used on your country's goods. If your government is not at ease, the use of this funds can be placed under the joint supervision of your country and our representatives."

Tang Shaoyi said relaxedly, because Tian Bei had surrendered, this was a unique feeling for diplomats. Tang Shaoyi was very proud to be able to control diplomats in a powerful country.

"I cannot accept your advice. The authorization I have received is that the amount of the loan shall not exceed 25% of your capital. If you do not have any excess capital, then we will only be able to borrow 4 million US dollars. Of course, the interest rate is 6.5%, withhold interest for two years and pay it off in 6 years."

Tian Bei frowned and said.

Zhao Gang gave Tang Shaoyi a wink, and the two of them took the excuse to change their clothes and leave the study.

Zhao Gang walked to a secluded corner, and after confirming that there was no one on the left and right, he quietly said to Tang Shaoyi.

"Tang, if I use equity mortgage, you can see if I can mortgage it to US$100 million. This money is very important to me."

After a cup of tea, the two returned to the study, Tian Bei continued:

"Tang Shaoyi, Mr. Carnegie said just now that given your good personality, he is ready to participate in the coal-steel consortium."

Tang Shaoyi was delighted. This happened to be in conjunction with what Zhao Gang said just now.

"How much money is Mr. Carnegie planning to invest? How many shares are he planning to have?"

"Mr. Carnegie will invest $15 million and zhan has 51% of the shares."

Tang Shaoyi smiled and said calmly:

"Mr. Carnegie's generosity can illuminate the moon, but the suggestions I made are a little smaller. I have a bigger business. I wonder if Mr. Carnegie is interested?"

Carnegie was about to speak, but Zhao Gang, who was standing up and walked towards Tian Bei:

"Mr. Tianbei, my subordinates just hunted a mountain pig. Are you interested in going to try wild game with our mansion?"

"I'm just thinking."

After Zhao Gang and Tian Bei left, only Tang Shaoyi and Carnegie were left in the room.

"Tang Shaoyi, you are an amazing diplomat. Although Tian Bei is outstanding, he is a little immature in front of you."

"Dear Mr. Carnegie, no one can be said to be amazing in front of you. You have hit the world with bare hands, and people all over the world take you as an example, and everything you do is a miracle."

"Hahaha, OK, Tang, your flattery words will almost make me, the old man."

Carnegie laughed happily.

"Say it, Tang, tell me your wise thoughts!"
To be continued...