I am an industrial worker during the War of Resistance

Chapter 76 Who says we can't do business?

The final surrender of Ma Hongshan's cavalry brigade not only shocked Ma Hongkui, but also terrified him.

Upon hearing this news, the bald man flew into a rage and published a scathing critique in the newspaper, accusing the Shaanxi side of sabotaging the cooperation.

However, northern Shaanxi was not to be outdone and directly published the telegrams from their verbal battle in the newspapers.

Everyone went back and forth, arguing fiercely.

Finally, George Smith, a reporter from The New York Times, went to northern Shaanxi and interviewed Ma Hongshan, who was undergoing labor reform, and his prisoners of war.

Here, the reporter first asked about Ma Hongshan's initial intention in sending troops, and then asked how Ma Hongshan failed.

Ma Hongshan first vaguely explained his intention to send troops.

But when asked about this failure, he just smiled wryly and said, "I don't know exactly how we failed."

I just fell into a trap.

It was a trap surrounded by ditches and horse pits on all sides.

And then we failed.

When American journalist George Smith interviewed our reception staff, he asked what a horse trap was and what kind of ditch could trap cavalry.

Our staff then led him to the fields where spring plowing was underway.

He pointed to the hand-held tractors turning the soil and the hoes in the farmers' hands.

He told American journalists, "We used these tools to dig out the horse traps and the deep trenches that surrounded the cavalry."

George Smith was completely stunned when he saw these.

He asked the man who received him, "Sir, are you saying that you defeated a powerful cavalry brigade of more than two thousand men using only these simple farm tools?"
My God, this is absolutely incredible.

In those days, hand-held tractors were not considered high-tech products.

The prototype of the hand tractor already appeared in 1911.

However, as things stand, this little thing has not been truly valued.

One reason is that almost all agricultural machinery manufacturers in the world focus on medium and large-sized agricultural machinery.

This is especially true of the United States, which is now an industrial center.

Their agricultural machinery companies aren't actually very interested in these small things.

Another issue is that the engines in small agricultural machinery are not very powerful.

The commonly used engines are low-horsepower gasoline engines, and they are mostly gasoline engines with two or more cylinders.

The power output is generally between a few horsepower and eleven or twelve horsepower. Gasoline engines with more than ten horsepower are basically small four-cylinder gasoline engines.

However, this "small" is relative to other gasoline engines.

They are quite large for a hand-held tractor.

High-power small diesel engines like the 135 single-cylinder diesel engine we have now are really rare.

Our receptionist said, "Mr. Smith, don't underestimate this simple farm tool. I can show you around and give you a good look at it."

So the man called for a stop on a hand tractor that happened to be the closest to them.

The two men approached the tractor.

Our personnel said, "Look, the engine of our tractor is a high-powered single-cylinder diesel engine."

It is compact in size, powerful, easy to maintain, reliable in quality, and fuel-efficient.

It can pull up to eighteen horsepower; it's a real small but mighty machine.

Look at this hand tractor again. Although its structure is simple, it has many functions.

By changing different farm tools, he can plow the land, break up clods of soil, harrow the land, and create ridges.

With the addition of seeding machinery, it can sow seeds.

Once you replace the harvesting blades, it can harvest.

Well, finally, when you attach a trailer to it, it can also become a transport vehicle that can carry three or four tons of cargo.

By simply replacing its wheels, it can be used on any terrain.
With its steel wheels, it can run through muddy fields and country roads.

With rubber tires, it can run on the road.

Therefore, it is truly a great helper for a farmer's family.

After our staff finished introducing the hand tractor, they had the driver take it to continue tilling the land.

He then turned his head and gave a meaningful look to the person standing next to him, whose eyes were fixed on the slowly receding hand tractor.

The land plowed by the double-headed heavy plow pulled by the tractor.

This reporter comes from The New York Times, one of the most influential newspapers in the United States.

George Smith.

According to intelligence given to him by his comrades in the Special Branch, this young New York Times reporter, George Smith, was in his early twenties.

He comes from the Smith family, which has a certain influence in the United States.

They wield considerable influence and connections, especially within the U.S. military.

If a local official in northern Shaanxi allows an American journalist to come here for an interview, they certainly wouldn't do so without conducting any investigation.

Journalists from various countries are an important bridge connecting nations. The Special Branch comrades are very interested in and willing to understand the identity and background of each journalist.

Which journalist is willing to be close to me? Which journalist can play an important bridging role?

That reporter may have had a special background or mission.

These are all things that should be understood as clearly as possible.

The reason for choosing George Smith to come to northern Shaanxi for this interview was...

Of course, the headquarters also had its own intentions.

"Sir, this is really a good thing. It's much better and more convenient than those gasoline-powered hand tractors I've seen in America."

Sir, I have a question that may be a bit presumptuous, and I wonder if I may ask you.

Of course, this is not a question from the interview.

This is a personal matter for me.

Our staff then smiled and said, "Of course, no problem. Since Mr. Smith has come here,..."

Then we're friends.

Between friends, there must be mutual honesty and openness; please ask me.

George Smith asked, "Did you design and manufacture this hand tractor yourself?"
If so, have you obtained international patent protection?

Upon hearing Smith's question, our team laughed even harder.

He said to George Smith, “This walking tractor, from the engine to the entire body and the implements that come with it.”

Every single component of it is designed and manufactured by us.

Of course, we are not yet a member state of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

Therefore, we are naturally unable to apply for international patents.

This is a very regrettable thing.

Because this is very unfair to our inventions and creations.

George Smith nodded after hearing this and said, "Well then, sir, I have a suggestion, I wonder if you would be interested."

I personally would like to collaborate with you on some projects.

I believe that if this little thing enters the American market, it will definitely be welcomed by American small farmers.

In the United States, medium and large-sized agricultural machinery can be very expensive.

Moreover, the maintenance of those large agricultural machines is very complex and the maintenance cost is very high.

Therefore, some small farmers prefer to use horses to cultivate their not-so-large farmland and vegetable gardens rather than opt for large-scale equipment.

So I think it would be good if we could cooperate.

I could open up a new market for this little guy.

Wouldn't this be very beneficial for both of us?

Sir, you don't need to worry about patent issues; we can sign an agreement.

It is used to protect the patent interests of both of us.

"And I can help you with international patent protection."

After hearing George Smith's initial conditions, our personnel had a better understanding of the situation.

However, he didn't show it.

Instead, he looked troubled and said, "We certainly welcome Mr. Smith's offer of cooperation."

But I think you know that, Mr. Smith.

That bald guy in Nanjing is keeping a very tight blockade on us right now.

So even if we cooperate, Mr. Smith, how will you get the tractor to America?

I heard our staff mention that bald guy.

A hint of mockery crept into George Smith's eyes.

However, it disappeared again in the blink of an eye.

George Smith said, "Sir, you don't need to worry about that. We deal in agricultural products for people's daily use."

This does not violate any international trade laws or restrictions.

As for the blockade by that bald man...

Well, I think, as a member of the American Smith family, I cherish the friendship between the Smith family and Mr. Chennault and Mrs. Song.

That bald man still gives me some preferential treatment.

I don't think there will be much of a problem with that.

"Haha, if that's the case, then we can have a deeper discussion about our cooperation."

Only then did our team members truly start to laugh happily.

(End of this chapter)