Sweep Yuan

Chapter 209 Listening to the Footsteps of the New Era

Ishiyama picked up his teacup, took another sip, and then changed the subject again, pointing to the core competitiveness of the Veterans Affairs Society in the future.

"In addition, the way the Veterans Affairs Company used to improve labor efficiency was mainly by subdividing the work processes and standardizing the procedures. To put it bluntly, these are just management tricks, not really ingenious. The difficulty lies in strictly controlling the standards."

Zhou Wendao nodded, deeply agreeing. The meticulous division of labor and strict processes did indeed allow the Veterans' Society's workshops to achieve far greater efficiency than their competitors in the early stages. However, these management methods were actually quite simple, not particularly profound.

"but."

Shi Shan's tone carried a hint of warning as he said:
"With the Veterans Association's massive reduction of personnel and divestiture of inefficient industries, its management structure, employment model, and efficiency improvement methods will inevitably be observed and imitated by astute businessmen as the workshops are handed over."

These management techniques have no real barriers to entry; once they spread, the technological advantage that the Veterans' Society has gained through them will quickly vanish. At that point, how can you guarantee that the Veterans' Society's workshops can compete with those shrewd and resourceful private businesses?

The question posed by Shishan instantly struck at the heart of Zhou Wendao's deepest anxieties. Just moments before, he had been immersed in the exhilaration brought about by the transmission of knowledge, but now he was pulled back to the harsh realities of business.

Zhou Wendao frowned, lost in thought. As a former merchant, he knew all too well the basic methods by which the workshops were currently making profits.

There are only two paths:
First, they relentlessly exploit their employees, deducting wages and extending working hours, driving them like cattle and horses, and making them struggle in the market with low costs and meager profits.

Secondly, they sought government protection to obtain franchise licenses, monopolize certain lucrative industries, and make money effortlessly.

In his petition to Shishan, Zhou Wendao specifically emphasized that the Rongjun Society was essentially a "government-run" enterprise of the Red Flag Battalion, and should therefore be granted a license to operate some highly profitable businesses in order to provide the Marshal with a continuous source of funds for his campaigns.

Zhou Wendao was about to speak, wanting to emphasize the necessity of franchising again, when Shishan suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question:
"The other day, I had Sun Wuben (who appeared several times in the previous text, infiltrating Jiangnan to gather intelligence) spend a lot of money to buy back that set of new looms from Songjiang Prefecture, along with the spinning wheel, slingshot, and agitator. Have you taken a close look at it?"

The topic suddenly shifted to the loom, and Zhou Wendao was slightly taken aback.

He was originally a cloth merchant, and spent many years traveling between Songjiang Prefecture to trade cloth. He had an almost instinctive sensitivity and interest in all things textiles. He was very familiar with the so-called "Songjiang loom".

"We dare not deceive the Marshal."

A professional glint flashed in Zhou Wendao's eyes, and his tone became more enthusiastic as he said:

“In previous years, when I was selling cloth, I saw this kind of loom in the large workshops of Songjiang Prefecture. This thing… this thing is truly a marvel of craftsmanship!”

He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:

"Huang Daopo of Songjiang was truly an extraordinary woman. She integrated the methods of 'twisting yarn, matching colors, heddles, and embroidery' of the Qiongya Li people, improved the loom, and even created a three-spindle foot-operated spinning wheel, a four-foot-long large bow cotton carding machine, and a labor-saving and efficient seed-removing and stirring machine!"

With this entire system, the labor efficiency of spinning and weaving far surpassed that of old-fashioned looms! Songjiang cotton cloth was able to be of high quality and low price, selling well throughout the country and overshadowing other local cloth, all thanks to this powerful tool!

The marshal often uttered new terms such as "labor efficiency" and "technological advantage," which Zhou Wendao was already used to. He could basically understand their meaning accurately and even apply them flexibly.

Huang Daopo passed away only 22 years ago. Although her improved textile techniques have gradually spread, they have not yet been popularized throughout the country.

Zhou Wendao had a question in his mind: Why didn't the marshal buy more looms with such good quality? Or why didn't he simply gather skilled craftsmen to make them? But he had just been intimidated by Shishan's imposing presence and had questioned the treatment of the wounded soldiers, so he dared not make any rash suggestions at this moment.

Seeing that Zhou Wendao still had potential, and hadn't completely fallen into the traditional merchant's trap of "buying low and selling high" and "monopolistic operation," Shishan could still understand the higher-level business logic of "efficiency improvement" leading to "good quality at low prices" and "market expansion." He nodded with satisfaction and said:

"very good!"

Shi Shan paused slightly, his gaze intense, as if he could see through the camp before him and glimpse a vision of the future.

"I've heard that if you could go a step further than Huang Daopo's improvements to the spinning wheel and loom, increasing the labor efficiency of spinning and weaving by several times, or even ten or dozens of times, would you still need a franchise?"

The air inside the government office seemed to freeze.

"what?!"

Zhou Wendao abruptly raised his head, his eyes wide, his mouth slightly agape, the color draining from his face in an instant, then rushing back to reveal a flush of extreme shock. He even forgot his manners, questioning:

"Ten...dozens of times? This...how is this possible?!"

This completely overturned the limits of his understanding as a seasoned fabric merchant.

In Zhou Wendao's mind, the Songjiang looms and spinning wheels were already the pinnacle of their time, and their efficiency had increased several times over, which was a miracle.

Ten times? Dozens of times?
That's practically the work of the legendary master Lu Ban! How could human beings possibly accomplish that?
But the next moment, Zhou Wendao thought of Huang Daopo, who was just a weak woman who had wandered the world, yet she was able to reform the entire industry on her own and create a prosperous era for Songjiang cloth industry.

There are countless hidden talents and brilliant craftsmen in this world.

Now that the Marshal has pointed out the direction, is it really impossible to go any further?

This thought spread like wildfire in Zhou Wendao's mind, instantly igniting a crazy flame called "possibility".

His voice trembled uncontrollably, filled with astonishment, shock, and a faint hope that even he himself couldn't believe. His body leaned forward involuntarily, almost subconsciously asking:

"Marshal, could it be... could it be that the Marshal has already created such a miraculous machine?!"

"Hahaha!"

Shi Shan looked at Zhou Wendao's expression, which went from extreme shock to being lost in reverie, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"I am not skilled in weaving, how could I possibly create such a divine object out of thin air?"

As the laughter subsided, Shi Shan's eyes suddenly became incredibly bright, as if they contained wisdom that transcended time and space.

He recalled the world that would be turned upside down by the spinning jenny and the flying shuttle, the colossal waves unleashed by that tiny loom, powerful enough to sweep away all the dust of the old era. Shishan spoke slowly, his tone becoming low and mysteriously alluring:
"But..."

He drew out his words, with an intriguing air of mystery.

"Ever since Sun Wuben transported that Songjiang loom all the way to Hefei, I have taken the time to visit the workshop several times in person."

Shishan seemed lost in memories, his fingers unconsciously tracing the outline of an invisible machine on the rough tabletop.

"We even specially invited several experienced weavers to demonstrate on the spot and explain the key points in detail. After watching and asking questions, and thinking about it day and night, a few vague ideas have emerged."

He paced back to his desk, his gaze fixed intently on the tabletop, as if a working machine model sat there:

"For example, why can a three-spindle spinning wheel only have three spindles? Is it because the weaver can only drive three spindles to rotate using only their foot strength? Or is it that the machine's structure itself can only accommodate three spindles? What if it had five spindles? Ten spindles? Or even... fifty spindles?!"

Shi Shan raised his head, his gaze shooting towards Zhou Wendao like lightning, and threw out his first thunderous idea.

"If we were to use the power of a rushing river to drive a huge waterwheel, and then use precise gears and belts to drive dozens or even hundreds of spindles to spin simultaneously! What a sight that would be... what an efficiency that would be!!"

Zhou Wendao felt a buzzing in his head. Water power?! Simultaneously driving hundreds of spindles?! Just this sight made his blood rush to his head, almost bursting out of his skull.

This is no longer about improving efficiency; it's about disrupting the entire spinning industry!
"And that seed-removing mixer."

Ishiyama traced a path on the table with his finger, mimicking the movement of a mixer.

"Relying entirely on human power to push and pull, even strong men would inevitably be out of breath, which is time-consuming and laborious. If we used the strength of strong mules and horses, or the power of the surging rivers, to drive it day and night, how much would the efficiency be improved?"

"As for the shuttle moving back and forth on the loom..."

Ishiyama's fingers moved rapidly across the two ends of the table, mimicking the back-and-forth motion of a shuttle.

"Relying entirely on the weaver's arms, she slowly pushed and pulled the cloth back, stroke by stroke! This was not only inefficient, but also limited the width of the cloth!"

His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he suddenly waved his hand forward as if to cleave an invisible barrier. "If we install strong 'springs' at both ends of this loom, and connect them to the foot pedals with an ingenious mechanism..."

With a mere tap of the foot, the weaver unleashes the power stored within the weaving frame, propelling the shuttle like an arrow from a powerful bow, sending it swiftly and automatically weaving back and forth between the warp threads. Its speed is far beyond what human effort can achieve!

The limitations of fabric width will also be easily resolved! Even... or perhaps...

Every idea that Shi Shan uttered struck Zhou Wendao's heart like a heavy hammer. As an expert who had been immersed in the textile industry for many years, Zhou Wendao was all too aware of the terrifying potential hidden behind these "vague ideas"!

Water turbine drive? Flying shuttle? Just imagining the scene made his blood feel like it was boiling.

Although the marshal was not proficient in specific skills, every direction he pointed out directly addressed the bottleneck in improving the efficiency of current textile processes. It was a strategic vision that transcended the limitations of craftsman's thinking and looked at the big picture!
The hall was silent, with only Zhou Wendao's heavy breathing clearly audible.

He stood frozen in place, his mind a turbulent sea. The "vague ideas" described by Marshal Shi had now transformed into an incredibly clear and awe-inspiring picture before his eyes:

The rushing river waters propelled the enormous waterwheel to turn slowly, producing a deep and powerful roar.

The water turbine, through a complex transmission device, drives the densely packed spindles inside the factory, which rotate at high speed in unison, emitting a heart-pounding hum, and the pure white yarn cascades out like a waterfall.

On the loom, the heavy wooden shuttle, driven by the powerful tension, transformed into a black lightning bolt that was almost impossible to see with the naked eye. It moved back and forth wildly and tirelessly between the dense warp threads, making crisp and rapid "crack! crack!" sounds.

The cloth that would normally take a weaver half a day to complete is now being stretched out at a visible speed thanks to the swift movement of the shuttle.

The mountains of cotton were greedily devoured by the huge machines, and with the roar of the machines, snow-white, long, and incredibly even yarns were continuously expelled.
These yarns are then rapidly woven into bolts of wide, uniform cotton fabric, flowing like an endless river...

A mixture of extreme shock, soul-stirring ecstasy, and burning passion for that revolutionary future instantly overwhelmed the newly appointed veterans' association director.

What are the problems of bloated staff, chaotic management, incompetent workers, and meager profits from franchises? They all seem so insignificant and trivial in the face of this grand blueprint that could change the world, easily swept away like dust.

Zhou Wendao's heart was completely ignited by the vision of a future filled with the roar of machines and the tide of cloth.

Seeing the gleam in Zhou Wendao's eyes, Shishan knew the time was right; the seed of thought had been planted deeply. He stopped describing the breathtaking future and instead calmly outlined the practical steps:

"Your report mentions measures for training service personnel and clarifying their responsibilities, which are well-organized, specific, and feasible. I would like to emphasize two points further."

Zhou Wendao suddenly snapped out of his daze, forcefully suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart, and listened intently.

"Firstly, teaching should not be limited to the specific crafts at hand. For those craftsmen and apprentices who are eager to learn and are willing to delve into their craft, we should teach them to read and do arithmetic by opening night schools and after-work classes—this is the foundation!"
In the future, our machines will be continuously upgraded, becoming more sophisticated and complex. How can someone who only knows how to work hard but can't even understand the machine's nameplate or operating instructions, or can't even do simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, effectively use these new machines?

How can we understand its intricacies and then improve upon it? Literacy and arithmetic are the keys to unlocking the door to the future!

Literacy? Arithmetic? Zhou Wendao's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood the marshal's deeper meaning. This was not only necessary for using the new machines, but also the foundation for cultivating talent capable of understanding and even improving them. He nodded immediately:

"Understood! This is a long-term plan, one that will last for centuries, and we will certainly do our utmost to ensure its success!"

"Second."

Shi Shan raised his second finger, stating in an unquestionable manner:

"The treatment of front-line craftsmen must be tiered. Those who work quickly and can exceed their targets should receive a raise. We should also reward those who can delve into the craft, invent new methods, or improve machines, thereby significantly increasing labor efficiency."

Shi Shan's voice suddenly rose, carrying a sense of extravagance, as if he were willing to spend a fortune to buy a horse's bones.

"As long as they can create value far exceeding their salaries, don't be afraid to spend this money. Let them see that using their brains and producing results can bring tangible and enviable benefits! This money is well spent!"

When Zhou Wendao heard "monthly wages are going to increase" and "generous rewards," he instinctively felt a pang of sadness—another increase in expenses! The Veterans Affairs Company was already burdened with heavy expenses, and before the streamlining had even begun, new investments seemed imminent.

But then I thought of the scene the marshal described of water-powered spinning and shuttle weaving—if someone could really create such a divine machine, or even just increase its efficiency by one or two times, the value created... this monthly salary and reward would be nothing.

However… the machine for that divine artifact was still in the marshal’s mind, so where would he find the money for this “generous reward”? This sense of predicament, like a cold tide, slightly dampened the fervor in his heart.

Shishan seemed to be able to see through Zhou Wendao's thoughts, and immediately reassured him and pointed him in the right direction.

"The situation in Hefei has been stabilized, and breakthroughs have also been made in the cannon casting project in Chuzhou. Tao Siye (Tao Chengdao) and his workshop are on their way to Hefei."

Once you get back, get to work immediately. First, gather the best carpenters and blacksmiths in the company and explain the ideas I just proposed to them in detail. See which of these ideas are feasible under the current conditions and which are just wishful thinking.

If any craftsmen feel they can attempt to create a physical prototype for verification, let them do so freely; prioritize supplying them with the necessary materials.

Shi Shan tapped his finger heavily on the table and said:
"If you encounter any technical difficulties that your craftsmen cannot solve during the verification process, you can consult Tao Siye when he arrives. The Crafts Institute brings together top craftsmen from all walks of life, and with collective wisdom, they can always come up with ideas."

Zhou Wendao suddenly understood. It turned out that the Marshal had made arrangements in advance. With the Crafts Institute as a backing, those seemingly ethereal ideas had hope of being realized—at least, the time to verify their feasibility could be greatly shortened.

"Look back."

Ishiyama gave the final instruction: "You should reorganize and integrate what we have discussed today, and draft a detailed 'Strategy for the Reorganization and Future Development of the Veterans Affairs Society,' and formally submit it to us."

The marshal has already pointed out the path, resources, and direction; all that remains is to overcome obstacles and forge ahead.

Zhou Wendao felt an unprecedented sense of mission and pride surge within him, as if he were shouldering the heavy responsibility of ushering in a new era. He abruptly stood up, straightened his clothes, bowed deeply to the stone mountain, and said in a slightly trembling voice, his voice trembling with excitement:
"The Marshal's profound wisdom has shown the Veterans' Society the right path to success. Even if I were to give my life, I could never repay even a fraction of his kindness! I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to promoting reforms and exhausting all my efforts to transform the Veterans' Society into a solid support and powerful weapon for our Red Flag Battalion!"

Looking at the blazing fire in Zhou Wendao's eyes, Shi Shan finally smiled with satisfaction and nodded slightly.
"Okay! Go ahead and get busy."

Zhou Wendao bowed deeply again before turning around and striding out of the government office with a steady yet unprecedentedly high spirit.

Only when the slightly heavy curtain fell behind him, cutting off the somewhat oppressive air in the hall, and the cool autumn breeze brushed against his burning cheeks, did Zhou Wendao's mind, filled with future blueprints and impassioned vows, finally calm down a little.

A previously overlooked detail, like a hidden reef underwater, quietly surfaced in my mind.

Wait a minute… the Marshal just mentioned that once the Veterans' Society becomes profitable, the Ministry of Revenue's allocation will be converted into tax reductions or refunds? This… this seems to mean that the Veterans' Society needs to pay taxes?

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Zhou Wendao stopped in his tracks under the eaves outside the government office, his brows furrowing in confusion once more.

Wasn't the Veterans Affairs Bureau the Marshal's "Ministerial Treasury"? In his mind, throughout history, the Emperor's Ministerial Treasury provided for the royal family's needs, so why had it ever been required to pay taxes to the national treasury?

What is the deeper meaning behind the Marshal's move? Does it mean he intends to treat the Veterans Affairs Society as a completely independent "government-run" enterprise, rather than purely private property? What are the boundaries and intentions behind this...?

He subconsciously glanced back at the tightly closed gates of the government office, where he could faintly hear the soft sounds of Shi Shan turning the pages of documents. Going back now to inquire about the tax details would be inappropriate and would make him seem overly calculating.

"Alright, I'll think about this later." Zhou Wendao shook his head, temporarily suppressing his confusion. He took a deep breath and started walking again, his mind already occupied by the roaring waterwheel and the speeding shuttle.

Not long after Zhou Wendao left the Marshal's Mansion, a series of rapid hoofbeats suddenly rang out. The rider, holding an urgent dispatch token, dismounted and was quickly led into the Marshal's Hall by the guards at the gate.

"Report! Urgent military news! An envoy from the Yuan court has arrived at the Wuhe Ferry! He is carrying a grand procession, claiming to be acting on imperial orders, and requests an audience with the Marshal!!"

……

P.S.: A couple of extra words: Textile technology innovation has indeed brought tremendous changes to the world, but if we only go this far, we are still a long way from the Industrial Revolution.

From the appearance of Zhou Wendao in Chapter 73, the book has been laying the groundwork for the innovation of textile technology.

But innovation isn't so easy.

Just like in Chapter 55, "The Invincible Bronze General," which began setting the stage for cannons. It's already over two hundred chapters, and the actual cannons haven't even appeared yet.

For this, the Wild Man was criticized by many readers who said that he deliberately suppressed his combat power. I don't understand, does technological innovation really only require the protagonist to have a flash of inspiration, without objective conditions and verification steps?

The late Yuan Dynasty was a crucial crossroads in the development of Chinese civilization. In the real world, the founders of the Ming Dynasty failed to choose the right path. In the world of the time traveler, if this isn't rectified, wouldn't the time travel have been pointless?
(End of this chapter)