Shen Xin hesitated for a moment when he learned that Ziyang had invited him to meet. The rivalry between the two had lasted for several years. Shen Xin had tried to overthrow the annoying guy through the system, but it turned out that Ziyang was not Yao Bang.
After Yao Bang was elected president, he acted as if he wanted to fully inherit Vézé's power. This frivolous attitude was disliked by the entire party, and this domineering approach had also offended his comrades in the Central Committee. In the end, Vézé had come out and said something that represented the voice of his comrades, and Yao Bang had fallen to the ground. Ziyang had obviously absorbed Yao Bang's experience. He had adopted a very cautious and respectful attitude toward Vézé, and he had vigorously roped in his comrades in the Central Committee. Shen Xin had done many sand table simulations. Even if he had taken the most forceful approach and publicly proposed to dismiss Yao Bang, he would not have been able to gather enough votes. He realized that he would not be able to gather enough votes. This deduction did not take into account the backlash that such a drastic action would cause.
Never fight an unprepared battle was the motto of the Liberation Army, and it was also one of the principles that Shen Xin adhered to. Therefore, Shen Xin decided to attend the banquet in the end. The two of them sat down. Ziyang did not stand on ceremony and said bluntly, "Shen Xin, we've gotten rid of so many corrupt officials recently. Do you think the economy has improved?"
Shen Xin was stunned by these words. He asked in confusion, "What are you trying to say?"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not pleading for the corrupt officials. Ever since I became president, and even before that, I really wanted to do something, "Ziyang said with a smile.
Shen Xin did not say anything. Anyone who could become a member of the Central Committee wanted to do something. It was impossible for a person who had no desires to climb to his current height.
Ziyang continued, "I don't think the conflict between the two of us is personal. It's completely about how we do things. I have to make it very clear that I object to your command-style way of doing things. "
"Does that work?" Shen Xin finally couldn't help but sneer.
Zi Yang said bluntly, "If it weren't for the fact that you immediately started to close down those badly run enterprises after the North American War, you definitely wouldn't have lasted until the end of your term. Your methods can only be used as a means. If you don't have someone as talented and resourceful as the Commander-in-Chief to command you, your methods alone will definitely cause a huge mess. "
Shen Xin did not reply immediately. Zi Yang's words had touched his sore spot. Shen Xin didn't really agree with Vézé's decision to kill those underperforming companies. It wasn't until he saw the investigation report on this group of incompetent people that Shen Xin truly understood that even the president of the country didn't know many things.
Ziyang ignored Shen Xin and continued talking to himself. "In the past, I thought that for the sake of domestic stability, everything for victory was just a slogan. After becoming the chairman, I finally understood that this was not a slogan, but a national policy. Therefore, in order to pursue output, the country made great concessions in terms of efficiency. Comrade Shen Xin, now that our national policy is peace, efficiency must be the top priority. How much can those corrupt officials embezzle? Any large enterprise with a slightly lower efficiency can embezzle more money than all the corrupt officials embezzle in a year. I'm sure you understand this. "
"What are you going to do?" Shen Xin asked. Even if what Zi Yang said was completely against Shen Xin's wishes, this conversation could still be considered a stylish one.
Upon hearing Shen Xin's question, Zi Yang immediately perked up. "In the past, the Commander-in-Chief would let the state capital withdraw some industries at every stage. In the beginning, even the canteen was state-run. After the North American War, although the country eliminated a large number of enterprises, it didn't withdraw from industries like before. I think we need to start this process again. "
Hearing this policy direction, Shen Xin sneered. "Haha! Steel, electricity, water, chemicals, machinery, shipbuilding. Which industry are you going to let the country give up? "
"I'm not asking the country to give up, but to let more enterprises come in. I'm not asking all industries to let go. I'm asking those enterprises that can't take it anymore to let go first. Comrade Shen Xin, I know you insist on iron discipline, and I also think there's no problem doing this in the army. However, managing enterprises and developing productivity definitely can't rely on orders. When the army completes orders, they have to accept the test of life and death. Enterprises have never been under such pressure, so many enterprises feel that it's fine as long as they complete orders. As for whether the technology is advanced, whether there are savings, and whether the cost calculation is reasonable, it has nothing to do with them. Comrade Shen Xin, I hope you can think about it carefully. The specific conditions for many things are different. "
After Zi Yang finished speaking, he took out something from his briefcase and handed it to Shen Xin. "These are the key points in my work that I think must be reformed in the past few years. Comrade Shen Xin, please take a look. If your comrades can't accept it, I probably can't push it. "
Shen Xin took the document from Zi Yang with some skepticism. When he saw Zi Yang stand up and walk away, he was very surprised because Zi Yang's words had moved him to a certain extent. As for the difference between the army, the government, and enterprises, Zi Yang's point of view was indeed very convincing. Fulfilling orders on the battlefield required the sacrifice of one's life. Such extreme conditions could not be treated as common. From this point of view, the Iron and Blood Era of "everything for the frontline, everything for victory" was really over.
However, Shen Xin instinctively felt a sense of unease. After fighting with Zi Yang for so long, Shen Xin's evaluation of him was not low, even if it was very negative. Moreover, the end of the Iron and Blood Era meant the end of Shen Xin's era. In the new era to come, Zi Yang was undoubtedly walking in front. This seemed to be very disadvantageous to Shen Xin.
'If only Wang Mingshan was here,' Shen Xin could not help but think. This old brother of his had a very high level of understanding of the economy. If Wang Mingshan read this document, he would probably be able to see through some of the traps that Shen Xin could not.
At this time, Wang Mingshan met up with his wife and children in Vienna. The children had finished their exams, and it was finally the happiest summer vacation. As soon as the children's mother, Grace, arrived in Vienna, she could not help but comment, "It's a bit cold." Vienna was indeed much colder than Nanjing. In July, they wore short sleeves in Nanjing, but in Vienna, where the average temperature was 1419 degrees, they needed to wear long sleeves.
Marquess Grace brought four bolts of the highest quality silk and two bolts of new velvet. Marquess Grace brought the two children to visit her friend, Empress Qianqian. In order to welcome her friend, Her Majesty the Empress held a tea party. When the gifts were taken out at the tea party, the noble ladies became a little excited. In recent years, the domestic consumption of silk in the Min dynasty had become more and more vigorous. It was already very difficult to see the expensive top-notch goods of the Min dynasty in Europe. If one wanted to buy it, they would probably have to travel thousands of miles to Nanjing and other places of the Min dynasty. Staying on the ship for a month every year was somewhat unbearable for the noble ladies. They did not need to travel far to be able to see such top-notch goods. Soon, there were people who began to urge Marquess Grace to sell these luxury goods between Europe and the Min dynasty.
"In a few years, the Min dynasty's airlines will probably reach Europe." Marquess Grace said in a flat tone. As a woman, she still enjoyed the feeling of introducing the highest level of life.
"Airlines?" The noble ladies of Vienna were completely puzzled.
Marquess Grace simply introduced the aircraft that could fly in the sky. This kind of magical machine could fly at a speed of 330 kilometers per hour, which was eight times faster than the current 40 kilometers per hour train. Moreover, it was not affected by the terrain, and completely used the shortest route between two points in a straight line. This time, when Grace came to Europe, she took the plane from Nanjing to the pier near the Cara Canal to take a boat. Compared to the traditional way, she saved at least two days. The brave pilots of the Min dynasty also opened up the route from the Cara Canal to Sinhala, and from Sinhala to Madagascar. However, Grace did not have the courage to leave her life in the hands of a machine flying in the sky on the boundless sea. If something happened, it would be the end of a hundred deaths.
Hearing that they could travel between Vienna and Nanjing within the next week, the noble ladies who had been to Nanjing were extremely surprised. The advancement of modern technology had already made it hard for them to understand. Grace couldn't help but feel some jealousy towards living in the Min dynasty.
Wang Mingshan was completely uninterested in this kind of court ladies' meeting. He walked around Vienna. If you wanted to understand a city, personally walking through its streets was a very good method. After getting used to the streets of the Min dynasty, it was very difficult to accept the streets of a European city. Vienna was a standard European city. This city was very lively. There were many shops, butcher shops and delicatessen shops. From the price point of view, the Austrians made very effective use of the cheap meat they bought from Hungary. What made Wang Mingshan feel very surprised was that there were many shops opened by Chinese in the workers' district of Vienna. White steamed buns and sesame seed cakes were cheaper than European bread. A large pot of braised pig's head and innards were steaming hot and fragrant. If you wanted a portion of meat or intestines, the boss would add some onions to the meat. Steamed buns or sesame seed cakes dipped in the meat soup were cheap and delicious. He also had a bowl of corn grits soup, which was considered a decent meal.
Most of the diners, who were mainly workers, had a glass of wine in front of them. With a casual sniff, Wang Mingshan could feel the familiar smell of African erguotou. This thing wasn't brewed purely from grain. Bagasse was made into a high alcohol content pulp. This pulp was mixed with grain fermentation pulp for a period of time before being distilled. The cost was much lower. During his visit to Hungary, he had seen that Hungary was also using imported bagasse pulp to brew African erguotou. Europe had strict control when it came to collecting taxes on liquor. Therefore, besides being cheap, it was very likely that this thing was smuggled into Austria. Otherwise, this kind of small shop in China wouldn't be able to provide liquor at such a low price to the low and middle income diners.
Wang Mingshan also saw a few young people with drawing boards beside them eating at a small table. Except for one, everyone had a glass of wine in front of them. The young man who didn't drink was not tall. He was even shorter than Wang Mingshan. Wang Mingshan couldn't help but look at the young man a few more times. This young man had a feeling that he was rapidly developing from emotional chuunibyou to rational chuunibyou. Moreover, Wang Mingshan felt that this development didn't seem to have reached its end. It seemed like there was still a possibility of further improvement. A young man who didn't drink was the first person who made him feel this way.
This feeling didn't stop Wang Mingshan. He continued to walk forward. He only vaguely heard the few young people behind him say, "Adolf, let's go to the 20th street …" He couldn't hear the rest because of the distance.
In the next few days, Wang Mingshan continued to visit Wierna. In the end, he came to the conclusion that the country's industrial strength and political system were not enough to start a war. Just before preparing to go to Berlin, Wang Mingshan met the young artist who didn't drink near the 20th street.
"Do you want to do a sketch?" The young man asked Wang Mingshan shyly, who stopped beside him. Without waiting for Wang Mingshan to answer, the young man continued, "I can give you half the price."
"Why?" Wang Mingshan was a little surprised.
"A Chinese businessman provided me with a free place to stay, so I'm willing to give you half the price," the young man answered. "Also, there are very few Chinese who come to this city."
The last sentence amused Wang Mingshan. He decided to do a sketch on this young man's side. However, the young man mostly asked Wang Mingshan some questions. Because his German was limited, Wang Mingshan could only answer briefly. Even so, the young man was still surprised by the Min dynasty's ethnic policy. 'You mean there are no ethnic divisions in China, and everyone speaks the same language? Write the same language? Live the same life? '
"Yes," Wang Mingshan answered readily. He knew that it wasn't easy at all.
"Are there Jews in China?" the young man asked excitedly.
"No. At least, I've never heard of them, "Wang Mingshan answered.
"As expected!" the young man murmured. It was obvious that he was very concerned about this.
Seeing Wang Mingshan looking at him in surprise, the young man was a little embarrassed. He quickly explained, "Sir, I don't think the ancestors of the Austrians have to be Germanic or Roman. But I insist that the Austrians must have the consciousness of an Austrian, know that they are Austrians, and regard the interests of the Austrian nation as the highest interest. If they admit this, they shouldn't deny their identity as a member of the German nation. But it's too difficult. Too many people not only don't understand this, but even go against it. They think that everything they inherit is above their obligations as Austrians, and the country has no meaning. Because no one knows who they are fighting for … "
This didn't surprise Wang Mingshan. The young man was indeed talking about the fundamental problem of the Austrian Empire. The country had no cohesion. The success of the Hungarian Revolution was officially confirmed on December 19, 1900. This day was designated as the National Day of the Hungarian Slovak People's Republic. The new Austro-Hungarian Constitution was signed. Hungary only remained within the Austro-Hungarian Empire in name. In reality, Austria had no influence on Hungary. Both were in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but Hungary and Austria didn't belong to each other in domestic and foreign affairs. Hungary, which had gained substantial independence, found its own core and its own methods. Whether it was the Malzas, Slavs, or Romanians, when they cleansed their national identity, they obtained the citizenship of the modern Hungarian nation state. They advanced by leaps and bounds under the socialist system.
The people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire had to be bound by their national identity and struggled forward with great difficulty. Their national identity was their dependence, but it was also their shackles. However, the young man who could understand this didn't seem to have such a keen talent for drawing. Wang Mingshan stood up from the small stool and took out a five mark bill and handed it to the young man. "I still have something to do, so I'll leave first."
The young man was stunned. He steeled his heart and signed his name on the half-finished sketch. He took out two drawings from the folder and handed them to Wang Mingshan. "These two drawings are for you."
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