Chapter 649: I Also Worked Hard

The first batch of French engineers have already started working.

Li Weidong was a little worried that the French engineers would not be able to adapt to the Chinese working environment, so he went to the mine to check the situation in person.

"Lao Zhang, these French engineers are not difficult to serve, right?" Li Weidong asked.

"French engineers are still very serious and responsible in their work. I have also seen some technicians from large coal mines before, and I think their work attitude is better than our Chinese technicians." Lao Zhang answered.

"What about life? Do the French complain?" Li Weidong asked again.

"No, I thought at first that the French would think that life in our mines is too hard and they would not be able to bear it. But later I found that these French people are also very hardworking."

Lao Zhang continued to answer: "We have a big pot lid in our mine, which can receive foreign TV stations, so after get off work every day, these French people sit in front of the TV, eat mutton,

and drink a few glasses of rice wine.

When they are drunk, they go to sleep and don't make a fuss!"

"French people drink rice wine?" Li Weidong was stunned, thinking that you are not blind to red and yellow colors!

"Isn't it rice wine? I thought the French must like red wine, so I bought red wine. But the French said our red wine was not good, not as authentic as French red wine.

I gave them white wine, but they said it was too spicy and not to their taste. I gave them beer, but they said our beer was too light, without the aroma of wheat, and not as good as French beer.

At that time, I was still thinking that these foreigners were really hard to please, and one of the French engineers happened to see my bottle of old yellow wine. They had to try the wine, and they became addicted to it. The French think that rice wine tastes sweet and is more to their taste.

However, although the alcohol content of rice wine is not high,

it is intoxicating. These French people drink it without restraint. After a few glasses of wine, they get drunk quickly and fall asleep.

Although rice wine is easy to get drunk, it is not like white wine that will make people dizzy after waking up. Although these foreigners are drunk, they will be fine after a nap, and it will not affect their work during the day. "Lao Zhang explained.

"It's a good idea to get people drunk so they won't make trouble." Li Weidong nodded and continued, "What about food? Are the French used to it?"

"They like to eat knife-cut noodles and are almost addicted to it." Lao Zhang continued to explain; "When I invited this group of foreigners to eat, drink and have fun before, I let them see our knife-cut noodles. They were all shocked at the time.

As a result, they are now clamoring to eat knife-cut noodles every other day, and they have to be cut by the chef in front of them. I simply hired a knife-cut noodle chef to make knife-cut noodles for these French people every day."

"It is said that French cuisine is one of the three major cuisines in the world. It seems that these French guys have not seen much of the world!" Li Weidong thought to himself.

Li Weidong went to communicate with the French engineers again. Fortunately, these French engineers really did not slack off, and their work attitude was very serious and responsible.

In Li Weidong's impression, the French are known for their romance, and their attitude towards work is also relatively casual. They work slowly and leisurely every day, and leave work on time. From time to time, they will go on a small strike to demand more benefits.

However, these French engineers are different from what Li Weidong imagined. At least they are very dedicated.

People generally believe that French workers are lazy, but in fact, French workers have also been hardworking.

In fact, the French workers at that time were not lazy. They were no less serious and rigorous than the Germans in their work.

From another perspective, if the French workers were lazy, France would not have become a world-class industrial country. Relying on colonization and plunder can indeed bring wealth, but it cannot bring industrial development. If a country wants to become an industrial power, it still has to rely on labor to create.

Many people think that Germany's industry is the strongest in Europe. In fact, the first industrial power in continental Europe has always been France.

In terms of industrial output value alone, Germany is indeed ahead, but in terms of comprehensive industrial strength, France is better.

In terms of overall technological level, Britain, France, Germany and Japan are basically at the same level, but their population and resources do not support them to fill up all the technology trees, so these countries are good at their own specialties in terms of technology, unlike the United States.

However, France's advantage is that it has a more complete industrial system. In this regard, whether it is Britain, Germany or Japan, they are not as good as France.

There are some things that France can make, but Germany and Britain cannot. On the other hand, what Germany or Britain can make, France can also make, but the performance may be slightly worse. .

In terms of the completeness of the industrial system, only China and the United States can surpass France in the world.

After the end of World War II, Europe entered a recovery period. Peace brought rapid economic development, as well as a baby boom, and sufficient labor force, which fed back economic growth.

Therefore, in the process of growing up, this generation of post-war baby boomers has been enjoying the dividends of economic growth all the time. When they were young, it was a period of rapid economic recovery, and when they grew up, it was a matter of rapid economic growth.

Therefore, for that generation, life is full of opportunities. As long as you are willing to work hard, you can make a fortune.

Japan is similar to Europe. The post-war baby boom generation can easily accumulate wealth as long as they work hard. However, the Japanese economic bubble burst later, interrupting this process.

China has experienced a similar situation. In the early days of reform and opening up, opportunities were everywhere. No matter where you come from or what your education level is, if you work hard, you can always live a good life.

Many people born in the 1950s and 1960s can easily accumulate wealth and rise in class. When those born in the 1980s and 1990s grow up, it will be much more difficult to accumulate wealth. If you are born with many things, if you are born without them, you will probably not have them in your lifetime.

Precisely because hard work can accumulate wealth, this group of European workers of the baby boom are also more diligent than their descendants.

The situation is similar across Europe. The post-war baby boomers believe that hard work can change their destiny, so they are willing to work.

Even the Italians, who were ridiculed by the world as "lazy men" in later generations, were all hard-working workers in the post-war baby boom generation. If you look at those well-known Italian brands, you will know that they basically developed after World War II.

Italians of that era were willing to sit at the workbench all day long and make exquisite bags by hand. As for the Italians nowadays, who is still willing to work? Luxury goods production has been outsourced.

The French engineers hired by Li Weidong are basically the post-war baby boom generation and the last group of hard-working workers in France.

Later, as social welfare improved, French workers born in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s would no longer be as hard-working as their parents. Therefore, modern people think that the French are lazy.

All this is mainly caused by two reasons, one is tax policy, and the other is social welfare.

Since the end of the Cold War, the income gap among French workers has been narrowing. It is said that the reduction of income gap means that wealth distribution is more even, so the gap between rich and poor should be narrowed.

However, the gap between rich and poor in France has been widening.

Obviously, economics in theory is completely different from economics in real life. Therefore, most of the economists in the world are the kind of economists who think twice.

In the process of economic development of any country, a large number of middle class will be generated. When the middle class gradually becomes the mainstream of society, the country will not be far from developed countries.

The same is true for France. In the process of economic development, a large number of French families have entered the ranks of the middle class.

However, these middle classes are the main tax payers in France.

When social welfare increases, the state must collect more taxes to maintain the normal operation of the social welfare system. These taxes mainly come from the middle class.

In contrast, low-income families not only do not need to pay taxes, but also receive various subsidies and social benefits because you are a low-income earner. The money for these subsidies and social benefits comes from taxes.

As for the truly high-income groups, they have ways to avoid taxes.

It is equivalent to taking middle-class money to subsidize low-income families.

This is different from robbing the rich and giving to the poor. Robbing the rich and giving to the poor means using money from the rich to help the poor. If the rich and poor are equalized, everyone will become the middle class. It's like using a Grant Thornton card.

This approach in France did not hurt the rich, but made the middle class poorer, while the poor did not become the middle class. It is equivalent to using a poverty alleviation card.

A billionaire who distributes his property equally to 100 proletarians becomes 100 millionaires. And if a person with a savings of 10,000 yuan distributes his property to 100 proletarians, he will end up with 100 paupers!

The middle class bears a large amount of taxes, and their living standards are no better than that of low-income families. Many middle class people even feel that their lives are very difficult.

Therefore, when the "Yellow Vest Movement" broke out in France later, many middle class people also participated.

All this is reflected in the gap between the rich and the poor. Because the middle class bears taxes, they spend all the money they earn, making it difficult to accumulate wealth.

Low-income families originally rely on social welfare to live. These social welfare can at most allow them to sleep peacefully, but are not enough to allow them to accumulate wealth.

As for the truly wealthy, it is easier for them to accumulate wealth because they do not need to bear so many taxes.

Eventually, the rich will get richer, while the middle class and low-income groups will be at the same level, and the gap between the rich and the poor will naturally widen.

The middle class works hard, but in the end they cannot accumulate wealth, and their life is not much better than that of low-income families. So what is the point of the middle class?

It's better to lie down and be a lazy man and receive benefits from the government. The quality of life will not decline. Instead, you will have a lot of time to bask in the sun, walk the dog, and have outdoor bbqs. It will definitely be more comfortable than working hard every day.

So the French became lazy.

Zhao Jinshan called, his tone seemed a little happy.

"Weidong, I just received news that Director Du from the National Work Safety Commission is coming to our company to inspect the safety production work of the coal mine!" Zhao Jinshan said.

It is definitely a good thing for local enterprises to have superior leaders come to inspect their work.

The leader's inspection means that you are valued, and you may get more policy preferences in the future.

If in later generations, if there were inspections by big leaders, it would be absolutely easy for the stock price of this company to reach the daily limit of four or five times.

Li Weidong was stunned, and he asked: "The leader wants to come to our place to inspect the work? Under normal circumstances, doesn't he go to some large state-owned enterprises? How could such a good thing happen to a private enterprise like ours?"

In terms of scale, we are still inferior to those large state-owned coal companies. Moreover, we have not been established for a long time. In terms of seniority, it is not our turn, right? "

"Because we are a private enterprise, that's why the leaders came to inspect the work." Zhao Jinshan continued: "We have so many coal mines, and we are the largest private enterprise in the domestic coal industry. Maybe we are the largest private enterprise in the country. The state wants to encourage the private economy to engage in the coal industry!”

"Impossible!" Li Weidong immediately vetoed: "The coal industry is related to national energy security. This kind of industry is related to basic people's livelihood. Private enterprises can only stand in a supporting position. It is the large state-owned enterprises that really take the lead!"

Zhao Jinshan thought about it carefully, and it seemed that this was true, so he asked: "Weidong, you mean, there is something wrong with this leadership inspection?"

"I'm afraid someone will take this opportunity to flatter us!" Li Weidong sighed lightly, and then said: "The leader will come to inspect the work. If everything goes well, it will be okay. If the leader discovers problems during the inspection, shall we? Have you lost your appetite?”

"What's the problem?" Zhao Jinshan snorted coldly, and then said: "We are purchasing new coal mining equipment, and now we have invited French coal mine engineers. The layout and design of the coal mine will be based on European standards. Standards. European standards are higher than our domestic standards! If we all have problems, then other coal mines also have problems!”

"That's true." Li Weidong smiled and continued, "Maybe we can take this opportunity to promote the improvement of safety standards in domestic coal mines!"

There was a knock on the door, and Professor Han subconsciously shouted "Come in."

A man in a suit with a smooth face walked in and asked, "Are you Han Qing, Professor Han?"

Han Qing raised his head and looked at the other person, then nodded: "Yes, I am Han Qing. Do you have anything to do with me?"

Han Qing, who is in his forties, is actually an associate professor at the University of Mining and Technology, but the title "vice" does not sound very nice, so everyone still calls him "Professor Han".

And Han Qing also acquiesced in this title. After all, the extra word "vice" does not sound good.

The other party took out a business card, handed it over with both hands, and then introduced himself: "Hello, Professor Han, I am the Beijing representative of Huiyuan Industrial Group, and my surname is Liu."

Han Qing took the business card, glanced at it, and said, "It turns out to be Manager Liu. Please sit down."

Han Qing pointed to the chair in front of him and motioned for the other party to sit down. He did not pour tea, but asked directly: "Manager Liu, what do you want from me?"

"That's it. I heard that Professor Han has recently applied for a scientific research project on coal mine inspection?" Manager Liu asked.

Han Qing nodded: "Yes, the application has been submitted to the school. We are just waiting for the school's approval before the project can begin."

"We, Huiyuan Industrial Group, are quite interested in this project and can provide part of the financial support to Professor Han!" Manager Liu said with a smile.

The "industry-university-research" model has been around for so many years, and it is nothing new for companies to sponsor university professors to engage in scientific research.

For things like scientific research, the more money, the better. If a company is willing to sponsor it, scientific researchers naturally want it.

The next second, a bright smile appeared on Han Qing's face. He stood up, walked directly to the water dispenser, and said at the same time: "This water has just boiled. Manager Liu, let me make you a cup of tea first. Let’s talk slowly!”

Manager Liu, a passerby, is naturally treated differently from his father, Manager Liu, the sponsor!

Manager Liu took the tea, thanked him, and then asked: "Professor Han, Director Du of the National Work Safety Commission is going to inspect local work recently. I heard that you have been invited to be a consultant?"

Han Qing is also a smart person. He knows that Manager Liu mentioned this matter deliberately because he must have done something himself, and the sponsorship fees for scientific research projects are probably related to this matter.

So Han Qing nodded and said: "The Safety Production Committee originally invited Director Cai from our department, but Director Cai happened to have an academic conference to attend, so he asked me to replace him and be the consultant to accompany him. Director Du’s inspection work.”

"Then during this inspection, we should learn about the production efficiency of coal enterprises, right?" Manager Liu asked again.

"Of course, when we go to inspect coal production enterprises, we mainly inspect two points. One is safety, and the other is production. These are must-see items for leaders during the inspection." Han Qing replied.

Manager Liu continued: "As far as I know, the production efficiency of some coal production companies is not high, and the recovery rate is also very low. This results in a large amount of waste of resources in the production process, which is also a loss for our country!"

"I wonder which company Manager Liu is referring to?" Han Qing asked following Manager Liu's words.

"There is a Dongshan Mining Company, which is also one of the units inspected this time. This is a private enterprise with a lot of coal mines, but the mining technology is very low, and the recovery rate is only about 30. Such a low recovery rate , Every day’s production is a waste of the country’s precious coal resources!” Manager Liu said.

Han Qing instantly understood Manager Liu's intention.

“It seems that Huiyuan Industrial has a competitive relationship with Dongshan Mining, so Huiyuan Industrial hopes to lend my hand to suppress Dongshan Mining.

If the recovery rate of Dongshan Mining is really so low, then for me, telling the truth in front of the leadership is just a piece of cake. With just a little effort, you can get a large amount of scientific research funds. This is a good deal!

I am only an associate professor now, and the scientific research funding provided by the school is not that abundant. If there is social funding, the scientific research project will go much smoother.

And if this project is completed, it will be much smoother for me to be evaluated for the title of full professor in the future. Maybe I can be promoted to the title of full professor a few years ago! "

Thinking of this, Han Qing smiled, nodded, and said, "Coal is non-renewable, and wasting the country's precious coal resources is a shameful act. If something like this happens to me, I will never sit idly by and ignore it!"

Seeing Han Qing agree, Manager Liu breathed a sigh of relief, and he immediately said: "Professor Han really has a sense of justice! Based on your sense of justice, we at Huiyuan Industrial will definitely sponsor your scientific research project! "

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