Chapter 10, please help me deceive others

While thinking this in his heart, he couldn't help but frown at Li Zicheng

Perhaps, upon thinking of this, he turned around and walked towards the sofa, sitting down again. A smile immediately appeared on Li Zicheng's face.

Taylor

Holding this name in mind, Li Zicheng stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the snow-covered courtyard

Brother Ou, the reason I am saying this is that, first, I came to you to ask for your help, and secondly, I would like you to persuade someone for me

What are your thoughts after coming to the United States?

While Li Zicheng was speaking, Mu Xiangyue was gazing at the young man

These words emerged, and Li Zicheng chuckled softly. Dealing with idealists is truly no difficult task; all it takes is...! ... Hmm, give him an ideal!

Taylor

Mu Xiangyue opened her mouth wide, her round eyes filled with astonishment

I hope that one day, on the land of China, there will stand a Chinese Pittsburgh or, in other words, a Chinese Bethlehem

What are your thoughts? Looking at Li Zicheng in surprise, Mu Xiangyue remained silent for a moment before finally speaking in a soft voice

I have a dream

Who should give him an ideal

Nodding slightly, Li Zicheng leaned back against the sofa

After the war ended, the world steel industry, which had been stimulated by World War I, fell into a cold winter due to overproduction. Ultimately, even Hanyang, which had profited during the war, ceased operations and shut down its furnaces. The steel mills that had been planned were left to languish in overgrown weeds.

Frederick Winslow Taylor

to persuade someone

Hearing this, Li Zicheng burst into laughter and then confidently said

I know that this dream of mine is filled with fantasy. Ancient and backward China lacks its own steel industry, lacks its own steel experts and mechanical experts. It can be said that China is utterly impoverished and devoid of resources

However, now it is different; it is February 1912. If one seizes the opportunity, there are two and a half years to build a large steel plant, taking advantage of the rare development period of World War I, which means there is no need to consider the dumping and suppression by foreign companies, and one can achieve profits exceeding tenfold.

When I first arrived in Pittsburgh, seeing the towering chimneys, the steel mills belching flames, and the hundreds of thousands of tons of steel continuously being sent to various factories to be made into machines, which in turn transformed into factories, a dream was born within me

Taking a deep breath, Li Zicheng exhaled and, looking at the astonished Mu Xiangyue, continued to speak to her

Establishing a factory, machines can be purchased, workers can be hired, and technicians can also be employed. However, what about modern management? How many factories across China have adopted modern management systems and frameworks? A factory can be set up in a year or two, but despite the numerous attempts from the Self-Strengthening Movement to the present, what has been the outcome? What are those factories like in the end? Therefore, to establish a factory, we need to introduce modern management systems.

Brother Ou Chu!

He is an "idealist" who, after leaving Bethlehem, has only engaged in unpaid management consulting, writing, and speaking, promoting scientific management across the United States from a "neutral" standpoint, yet continues to face indifference and criticism

That's right

Mu Xiangyue's performance made Li Zicheng chuckle softly. Seeing his parched expression, it was clear that the words he had just spoken had already touched his heart. For the Chinese people of this era, every Chinese person shares a common dream: the dream of a prosperous nation and a strong country. Now, I must first use this dream to move him, and then let him...

Perhaps at this moment, in this era, no one understands Taylor, but I clearly know that his scientific management is fundamentally a multiplier of production efficiency. It may be true, as others have criticized, that Taylor's scientific management "increased wages by 61% while the workload increased by 362%"; however, from another perspective, it scientifically and rationally utilized human resources, which is precisely what I need. If I were to return to my country to start a business and hire Taylor... Taylor's scientific management "increased wages by 61% while the workload increased by 362%"; however, from another perspective, it scientifically and rationally utilized human resources, which is precisely what I need. If I were to return to my country to start a business and hire Taylor...

After the outbreak of World War I, the price of steel soared like a runaway horse. During the war, mining, iron smelting, and steel production undoubtedly became lucrative industries. However, while the world recognized the opportunity for immense profits from mining and iron smelting, the Chinese were a step behind. The Hanyang Iron Works was unable to expand its production capacity due to equipment limitations, and the equipment for newly established ironworks could only be returned to the country after the war ended due to restrictions.

It is essential to get him to China

It is indeed a challenging matter, Mr. Taylor has not accepted employment from industrial companies for ten years, and he has also refused to work for those companies. During these ten years, he has traveled across Europe and America to promote scientific management, essentially making hotels his home. To hire him, I fear that...

Brother Ou, consider this: now that the Republic of China is initially established, it will surely encourage industrial development in the future. The state may support industrial growth politically, legally, and economically. There is no other choice; the nation is currently weak. If we do not strive to catch up, we will only become prey to other countries. Therefore, I plan to return to my homeland soon to establish an industry. Opportunities like this are fleeting and will not come again. In just a few years, with the government's support, as factories and industries are established one after another, competition will only become more intense. Such favorable conditions as we have now will be hard to find! Being poor and starting from scratch is precisely what suits us for entrepreneurship! Being poor and starting from scratch is precisely what suits us for entrepreneurship!

Ah?

Li Zicheng provided an answer that left Mu Xiangyue utterly astonished

Zhi Yuan, I will help you persuade Taylor. You must understand that if it is a small factory, it may be very difficult to engage him, and there might be unforeseen complications! I wonder, Zhi Yuan, what are your plans for your future endeavors?

Taylor

Money is not an issue; you just need to persuade Taylor for me, and when the time comes

During my university years, any book that mentioned economic management would invariably refer to this individual, yet the evaluations of this person are a contradictory amalgamation.

As he turned his head, Li Zicheng saw Mu Xiangyue sitting on the sofa. Looking at this middle-aged man, who came to study in the United States at nearly forty years old and even pawned his wife's dowry to cover tuition fees, he found that this person bore some resemblance to Taylor.

However, China ... ...

Li Zicheng looked at Mu Xiangyue, who seemed to be filled with emotion, and uttered a sentence.

With a chuckle, Li Zicheng spoke to Mu Xiangyue in a manner that was not mysterious at all

He was completely captivated by Li Zicheng's words, nodding in deep agreement. He too had harbored the same dream, even though that dream seemed so distant and unattainable

After a moment of silence, Mu Xiangyue looked up at Li Zicheng and tentatively asked

Looking at the extremely confident Li Zicheng, Mu Xiangyue smiled helplessly. She found it impossible to refuse his silver-tongued persuasion, and indeed, he had convinced herself. However, there remained a question in her heart.

What term better encapsulates the current situation in China? China boasts the first steel mill in Asia, yet the Hanyang Steel Plant fails to produce qualified steel, relegating it to merely being a supplier of pig iron and iron ore to Japanese steel mills

Thinking about all this, Li Zicheng even felt grateful to the exploration program of China Central Television, as it was an episode that made him aware of everything. If he could seize the opportunity, merely a steel factory might become his greatest contribution to the country. What could be more helpful in a war than sufficient steel?

As Li Zicheng described his dreams, Mu Xiangyue felt a bit restless. He picked up his teacup and drank deeply from it. The tea was very hot, but once it entered his stomach, it brought a slight feeling of coolness

Steel

The advanced technology, developed industry, and powerful nation of the United States surpass the combined strength of several European countries

penniless and destitute

Before Mu Xiangyue could refute him, Li Zicheng directly interrupted his words

Mu Xiangyue, whose heart was stirred by encountering a kindred spirit, glanced at Li Zicheng and tentatively asked

Therefore, I need your help

At that time, when you see a report in the newspaper, it will be the moment we set off. How about it, Brother Mu? Are you willing to join me in pioneering all of this?

Steel is the mother of heavy industry, yet China lacks sufficient steel. Without steel, machines cannot be produced; however, this is not the most important issue. In fact, while persuading Taylor just now, I was contemplating which enterprises to invest in. It is my understanding of the steel industry that has solidified my decision to invest in the steel sector

This individual, who invented the modern factory management system, suffered injustice due to scientific management and was accused by workers, authors, and the press of being the "culprit who extracts the last drop of blood." As a result, in 1901, he left Bethlehem Steel Company and ceased all dealings with any industrial companies

Zhi Yuan, do you want to hire Taylor to go to China

Idealist

Leaning slightly forward, Li Zicheng gazed at Mu Xiangyue with a scrutinizing look

As Mu Xiangyue uttered these words, he felt a wave of fatigue wash over him, his body weak and sore. Looking at the still-excited Li Zicheng, he wanted to ask how he had so much energy. Little did he know, Li Zicheng was secretly delighted at having managed to deceive someone again, or rather, he should say, at having successfully led someone astray.

Zhi Yuan, do you know how much it costs to set up a steel mill

What is he thinking

I will do my best

Staring at Li Zicheng, Mu Xiangyue felt a sense of kinship with this young man who was more than ten years her junior. Was this not exactly what she had been hoping for? From engaging in industry to strengthen the nation and enrich the people, to introducing modern management systems.

Lift the teacup, take a gentle sip of tea, and simultaneously make a gesture of invitation

Exactly!

It has been ten years since he last accepted an invitation, and inviting such a person to China is likely not an easy task, but...

But who can deny that being utterly destitute is precisely what is most conducive to creating miracles

Mu Xiangyue looked at Li Zicheng, unable to help but think this way. An hour ago, he had been preparing to visit Taylor together, but suddenly changed his mind and instead invited her to his home. Then he fell silent.

Referred to by workers as beastly cruel, irreconcilable with labor unions, compelled to testify in Congress, and continuously criticized by modern management scholars, this individual, however, is highly revered by mentors in a red nation and has promoted scientific management across all enterprises in the country