Chapter 225: Captain Zuo's Talent Recruitment Tour (First Update, Please Subscribe)

At the end of 1864, a winter snow slightly lowered the temperature in the celebrating Berlin.

Prussia, which had just won the Prussian-Danish War, was still immersed in the joy of victory. For Zuo Zongtang and his party, who arrived in Prussia two months ago, they witnessed almost the entire war. After all, they arrived in France five months ago.

After arriving in Prussia, just like in France, Zuo Zongtang and his party not only visited the Prussian Parliament and learned about Prussia's political system, laws and many other aspects, they also visited many factories. As all factory owners expected, Zuo Zongtang and his party placed some orders with certain companies.

An order of just over 2 million marks may not seem like much, but it still shocked the industrial and commercial circles in the German states. However, these orders were not placed in vain. As part of the cooperation, they will accept South China students to intern in their companies in the next few years.

Perhaps the industry of the German states in 1862 was far inferior to that of Britain and France, but Germany's education was extremely developed. Half a century after Humboldt's educational reform, the German states were becoming the world's academic and educational centers. German universities in the 19th century were the starting point for the development of modern universities, and had a profound impact on the development of higher education in various countries, even American universities across the ocean. Before a large number of American students studying in Germany entered American universities, the American higher education system inherited the British education tradition, focusing on teaching rather than research. It was through the introduction of the German higher education model that American universities set their sights on the field of scientific research, rather than just teaching.

“…German universities focus on research. Famous universities have opened graduate schools to train high-level research talents. Learning from the experience of German universities and establishing a research-oriented university is the correct direction for the development of Nanhua’s higher education.”

On the campus of Humboldt University in Berlin, Zuo Zongtang listened carefully to the suggestions of Wang Mingqi and others.

The five young people in front of us are part of the first batch of overseas students sent by Nanhua. They study law, education, chemistry, mechanics and other majors in various universities in Germany. Although they have just entered university, they still have their own opinions and views on many matters.

In response to this, Zuo Zongtang, like other South China students he met in London, Paris and other places, only gave some verbal encouragement. After saying that he would include their suggestions in the inspection report, he asked them some technical questions.

"Wen De, you have been in Germany for almost three years, so you must have a certain understanding of this place. As far as you know, are there any technologies worth introducing from the German states, or any technicians worth introducing to the company?"

"Gas machine!"

Hu Weizong, who had remained silent, spoke.

"I wonder if you know about the gas engine improved by Ross August Otto in Germany. Although his company is a small one, the gas engine he improved has high power efficiency. He is currently negotiating with industrialists to invest in a company to manufacture and sell this gas engine. This is a free piston engine, a vertical single cylinder, with a relatively complex structure and a lot of vibration, but its efficiency is three times higher than Lenoir's gas engine. Its thermal efficiency far exceeds that of a steam engine, and he also has a four-stroke engine design. Although it is not very mature, I believe it has great potential for improvement. If you want to introduce technology, you might as well seize the opportunity to negotiate with him and directly introduce Ross August Otto and his gas engine to Nanhua."

Although Hu Weizong had some knowledge of Ross August Otto and his gas engine through magazines, he was vaguely aware of the potential of this machine. After all, compared with coal, gas is a more efficient fuel.

Of course, the more important point is that the thermal efficiency of the gas engine far exceeds that of the steam engine. The gas engine has only just been invented. If it can be further improved, its potential may even exceed that of the steam engine.

Sometimes, even the person making the suggestion does not know what kind of change a small suggestion will bring, but in many cases, it opens a door of unprecedented opportunity for people who are in trouble.

As a salesman, and a pretty good one at that, Otto saw the opportunity almost immediately after receiving the invitation.

In preparation for today's meeting, Otto changed into new clothes, hoping to leave a good impression on the other party.

Before entering the restaurant, Nikolaus August Otto took a deep breath.

God bless, hope everything goes well.

Although he was a very good salesman, there had been no progress in the negotiations with industrialist E. Langen in the past few months. The other party insisted on asking for 80% of the shares, while as the inventor he only had 20% of the shares, which was still a little short of his bottom line.

As soon as he entered the restaurant, Otto saw the potential investors - they were mentioned in all the newspapers, the Chinese people from American Company, and they were a group of extremely generous clients.

"Hello, sir. Are you Mr. Zuo?"

Taking off his hat, Otto said respectfully.

"Please take a seat, Mr. Otto."

Zuo Zongtang said.

"What would you like to drink?"

After the tea was served, Zuo Zongtang glanced at Nikolaus August Otto, and saw him open his bag and take out some information, then he said.

"Mr. Otto, I have learned a certain amount about your gas machine through my introducer. Now the only thing we need to discuss is whether you are willing to immigrate to Nanhua."

Although Zuo Zongtang was not good at technology, after consulting the technical personnel accompanying the delegation, he decided to recruit Otto. Recruiting technical experts while conducting inspections was also one of the purposes of his trip.

"What? Immigration? Sir, I have no such plans at the moment."

Otto was a little surprised. Weren't they here to discuss investment? Why did they suddenly change the topic to immigration?

"If you agree to immigrate to Nanhua, the company will invest in a factory to produce the gas engines you designed. You can invest in technology and get 30% of the shares. At the same time, the factory will also set up a laboratory, which you will be in charge of, specializing in the research of gas engines. How do you think?"

Zuo Zongtang directly put forward his conditions. In fact, these conditions were prepared for him by Zhu Xianhai. He only needed to take the framework and adjust it at any time.

30%!

Laboratory!

It is certain that for Otto, these two conditions alone far exceed the conditions offered by other investors. But when he thought of immigration, he was still a little unsure.

"Sir, can I think about it?"

After nodding slightly, Zuo Zongtang did not continue to try to persuade him. After all, for many people, immigration is a big deal and cannot be persuaded with just a few words.

"sure."

Zuo Zongtang smiled and said in an unquestionable tone.

"But Mr. Otto, you have to remember that in one's life, if an opportunity is missed, it is very likely that one will regret it for the rest of his life."

I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.

(End of this chapter)