Volume 2 King of the Northwest Chapter 55 Zhang Xiji
"You are the representatives of Shaanxi soldiers and the people of Shaanxi. You are the glory of Shaanxi's armed forces."
Standing on the high reviewing stand, looking at the officers and soldiers of the New Third Brigade, which had barely recruited 3,000 people on the last day before departure, arranged in an untidy formation that was unique in the Shaanxi Army, he immediately lost the will to continue speaking.
So he waved his hand and gave the order.
"Let's go now!"
At the order, He Oucai, riding a chestnut pony, was the first to pass the reviewing stand, followed by the military flag and staff of the Shaanxi Army's 3rd Brigade, then Dai Jiliang's former adjutant, current 3rd Brigade artillery chief Li Dingzhang and his artillery team, and then the three regiments and other directly affiliated units passed through the temporary gate set up in the training ground in turn and rolled eastward.
"Brother Guangfu is in big trouble this time!"
As soon as Zhang Binnan, who was standing next to Dai Jiliang, spoke, several brigade commanders who were watching the ceremony nodded.
Such a force, not to mention being treated as a weakling by the Third Division in the south, could not even defeat an equivalent security corps within the Shaanxi Army.
"I can only train while walking."
Dai Jiliang shook his head. He didn't expect this unit to have any good combat capability. As long as they had good discipline and obedience, that would be enough.
"Now Wu Ziyu has completely recaptured Changsha, the provincial capital, on the 26th. Brother Guangfu is just making a show of strength along the way. I don't think there will be any major battles even if there is a fight."
Dai Jiliang looked up to the sky and sighed.
"This is the third time that Prime Minister Duan has formed a cabinet, and we have to show some appreciation, so I have to trouble Brother Guangfu this time.
Okay, let’s all go.
The important thing now is the opening of the Army Speed Training School in April. This is the hope and future of our Shaanxi Army. You must do your best for me when the time comes. "
"At present, 1 million yuan of machinery ordered by Shaanxi has arrived, and Shanghai has also promised to deliver the remaining part by the beginning of next year at the latest."
The newly appointed Deputy Director of the State Administration of Taxation, Zhang Xiji, was indeed resolute and efficient. In just over a month, he had compiled a statistical analysis of the current industrial situation in Shaanxi.
“Among them, three textile mills have been put into operation, with 10,000 spindles.
There is one cement factory with an initial monthly output of 30 metric tons of cement.
Xi'an Rongchengtai Machinery Factory has also opened for business and is expected to produce 4.5-foot machine tools by the middle of the year.
The Xi'an Ruichang Machinery Factory's factory building has started construction, and it is expected to produce the first batch of popsicle machines and soda machines by the end of April or early May.
The 16-count looms at Weinan Weaving Factory will be able to produce cloth by the end of the year.
The Sanyuan Flour Factory will also be able to start production in April.”
"Okay, don't talk about the specific data anymore."
Dai Jiliang raised his hand to signal Zhang Xiji to stop.
"Brother Xiji, what suggestions do you have regarding tax reductions for machine manufacturers?"
"Marshal, I think we should not distinguish between large and small machine manufacturers, but should implement tax reductions and exemptions for all to encourage the widespread use of machines."
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiji went from one extreme to another.
"Brother Xiji, I don't think so.
It is true that small factories and workshops can also use machines, but large-scale machine production will be the mainstream in the future.
I know your intention is to protect existing small producers, but you can’t apply the same approach across the board, there have to be differences.”
Dai Jiliang stood up, picked up the thermos and poured a glass of water for himself and Zhang Xiji.
"I'm not an economics major, so I don't know the details, but the examples of Europe, America and Japan have given me some inspiration. To change the current poor and weak situation in Shaanxi, we must stimulate a group of people to engage in large-scale industry. How to stimulate them? The best way is to form a tiered or pyramid-shaped system."
"The Marshal's words enlightened Xiji."
Zhang Xiji praised Dai Jiliang slightly.
"However, Xiji still believes that the Japanese model is the most suitable for Shaanxi at present."
The so-called Japanese model is that heavy industry and large-scale industry are controlled by large conglomerates, while small factories and workshops of considerable scale exist around these large conglomerates as downstream auxiliary enterprises. Obviously, Zhang Xiji has also done some investigations.
"Brother Xiji has a point, but on the one hand, every time there is an economic crisis, a large number of small downstream factories are merged by large conglomerates and industrial manufacturers. On the other hand, even if this system is to be implemented, first, the weights and measures must be unified, and second, small factories must have enough technicians and skilled workers with secondary and primary education. I'm afraid Shaanxi has achieved both of these now."
Dai Jiliang shook his head and continued to refute.
"It's easy to standardize weights and measures, but it's not something that can be achieved with just money."
"The Marshal has a sharp eye!"
Zhang Xiji thought for a long time before nodding.
"Please rest assured, Marshal. I will come up with a new tax reduction and exemption plan as soon as possible. In addition, the State Administration of Taxation will implement unified weights and measures in the province as soon as possible."
"Okay, I'll wait for good news from Brother Xiji. But the issue of standardizing weights and measures cannot be accomplished by the State Administration of Taxation alone. I'll give Secretary-General Wang a call and ask him to take the lead. Several provincial departments should work together. I think we can set a timetable and expect to complete this work within three years."
Dai Jiliang touched his head and made a decision.
"In addition, we cannot rely on these factories now. There may be money coming into Xi'an recently. You can contact Director Sima and see if there is anything else you can order from Shanghai. By the way, we can build a glass factory."
Dai Jiliang forgot about the fact that optical mirrors can be used for both military and civilian purposes last time, but he must not miss it again this time.
"Marshal, I have checked it out."
After Zhang Xiji walked out, Guo Sinan and Song Cheng, who had been waiting on the side, walked in together.
"In northern Shaanxi, Yang Hucheng fled to Ansai and secretly raised the banner of the National Salvation Army. He recruited many militiamen and now he is said to have nearly a thousand soldiers and 300 guns. In addition, Li Duo, Zhen Shiren and other troops also left Hu Jingyi and joined Yang Hucheng. There seems to be some conflict between the two sides because of this."
"According to the report from the Pucheng Police Department, Yang Hucheng's sworn brother Li Zigao has sneaked back to Pucheng to collect military funds and ammunition. I have already sent someone to issue a wanted notice."
After Song Cheng finished speaking, Guo Sinan continued his report.
"In addition, Yu Youren is still determined to take action. He sent someone with a large sum of money to sneak back to northern Shaanxi. He should have contacted Yang Hucheng's people by now."
"Such a big thing, what's wrong with you?"
Dai Jiliang became furious when he heard this, and he slammed the table and scolded the two men.
"If I don't tell you to investigate, don't you have any sensitivity? Yang Hucheng has been in Ansai for more than a day. How did he survive this winter?"
Dai Jiliang was really angry.
The reason why he negotiated peace with northern Shaanxi was to avoid affecting the construction of Guanzhong. Now, the situation has revived and war is about to begin again.
"I handed over Shaanxi's intelligence system to you because I trusted you, so that one of you could be responsible for external affairs and the other for internal affairs. Now, you're just going to hand over this result to me?"
The more Dai Jiliang spoke, the angrier he became.
"Get out! Get out! I'll deduct three months' salary from you. Make a self-examination immediately. If you neglect your duties again, I'll skin you alive!"
Dai Jiliang suddenly threw a teacup at the feet of the two men. The crisp sound of porcelain pieces breaking made the two men tremble involuntarily.
"Guo Bingchang."
The two men looked at each other, smiled bitterly and were about to leave the room when Dai Jiliang shouted again.
"That Li Zigao doesn't want to be alive."
"Report!"
The new adjutant Zhang Xuelian pushed the door and walked in. He had performed well in the Northern Expedition, so he was recommended by the regiment commander Chen Youliang. When Dai Jiliang saw that he was from Yizheng, Jiangsu, he immediately transferred him over to fill the vacancy left by Li Dingzhang.
"Section Chief Chen reports that the gun repair shop has already manufactured the grenades."
"Grenade?"
Dai Jiliang, who was angry, looked up suddenly. This was good news.
"Let Chen Guang come in. Oh, and let Shen Qianxuan come in later."
"According to the Marshal's description and the information we collected, the gun repair factory has trial-produced a model this time. The main parameters are as follows."
Chen Guang explained the relevant data in detail.
"The bullet diameter is 50 mm, the total length is 100 mm, the total weight is 450 grams, the internal black powder is 170 grams, and the fragmentation radius is 10 meters. The reason for using a wooden handle is that we currently have no way to cast the projectile on a large scale and can only cast it by hand. Using a wooden handle can save time and expand production."
“What is the current production volume? Is it safe and reliable?”
Dai Jiliang asked, stroking his chin.
"Currently, the monthly production is about 1,000 pieces. In three months, it will be expanded to 1,500 pieces per month, and by the end of the year, it will reach a scale of 3,000 pieces per month."
Chen Guang was obviously well prepared.
"As for safety and reliability, we have tested more than 100 missiles, with a firing rate of 93% and a delay of 12 seconds after the trigger, which is enough to ensure the safety of the brothers below."
"very good!"
Dai Jiliang said two good words in a row.
He stood up, turned to Chen Guang, and punched Chen Guang's chest.
"You and Manager Luo have worked hard. This is a new weapon for our Shaanxi Army. I will remember this contribution. However, the production volume needs to be expanded. You need to think of a way to do this."
Dai Jiliang thought about it.
"Also, please arrange to allocate all the recently produced grenades to the First and Second Security Corps. They are facing the militia and have no heavy weapons. There will definitely be some scoundrels who are ignorant. It's a good opportunity for them to experience the power of our new grenades."
Dai Jiliang personally escorted Chen Guang out the door. He glanced and saw Shen Qianxuan waiting outside the door, so he waved and led him in.
"Send a telegram to northern Shaanxi immediately, asking Yang Hucheng what happened to occupy Ansai? If they can't solve it, the provincial government will take action themselves."
Yang Hucheng? Looking at the back of Shen Qianxuan and Dai Jiliang slumped in the chair, history is really stubborn. This tiger still chose to break with the Beiyang government completely.
However, this also aroused Dai Jiliang's fighting spirit. Come to think of it, Dai Jiliang had even succeeded in such a heaven-defying task as driving away Chen Shufan and incorporating the Jingguo Army. What kind of waves could a remnant army with only 300 guns and less than a thousand people make?
"Come on, prepare the horses, I want to go out."
Dai Jiliang thought for a long time before he stood up. No, he had to vent. The tragic mother and daughter were just the right thing for him to wash away his worries.
