Chapter 29: This kid is a treasure

  Ferries shuttle between cargo ships, giving priority to docking at the wharf. As far as the eye can see, cargo ships are competing to dock at the wharf, and the wharf is constantly expanding, yet it seems that it still cannot meet the demand for cargo ship berthing. Cargo ships come and go, all fully loaded, with goods being unloaded after arrival, and loaded and transported away after transactions. Recently, the government has also seen the tax revenue from the trading market, and as a result, the government is strictly controlling external buying and selling transactions, which in turn is further fueling the prosperity of the trading market.

  Because transactions within the market do not require paying taxes to the government, and the market itself undertakes the payment of taxes, although management fees are one-tenth higher than other trading venues, merchants consider it reasonable, at least they don't have to pay double taxes and suffer from exploitation. Especially since it is a fair trading venue without local evil forces harassing them, merchants flock to it like birds.

  The Qing dynasty has always focused on agricultural taxes since its rule, and commercial taxes have not been valued. Even in inland backward areas, no commercial taxes are collected at all. Since the Qing dynasty was forced to open up, most of the commercial tax revenue is concentrated in coastal areas with developed commerce, but the starting point for taxation is very low. The imperial court adheres to established rules and rarely makes concessions, which invisibly promotes the development of business activities. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Pudong trading market has flourished and formed a scale in such a short period of time.

  The market along the river has roads, apparently Hu Xueyan followed Deng Zixuan's thinking and rushed to buy land along the river to build docks, in order to meet the increasingly high trading volume. Seeing all this, Deng Zixuan couldn't help but admire the entrepreneur's pioneering spirit, their energy was simply too great. "Husband, this is just the beginning of the market, it's really booming!" Yu'er exclaimed involuntarily. "Wife! This is just the beginning, if you look again after a year, the changes here will be earth-shattering!"

  Deng Zixuan was well aware that a fully functional, fair and reasonable trading market would develop rapidly with increasing popularity. The later Han Zheng Street and Yiwu Market were the best examples of this. In this era, the traditional code of conduct for merchants was very strong, and there was no need for government regulations or laws to govern their behavior. It was a purely market-driven economy where only the fittest survived through ruthless competition, forming unwritten rules that were unshakeable.

  The ferry docked, and Deng Zixuan got off with his wife and maidservant. The dock was paved with bluestone slabs, as were the trading markets. Deng Zixuan had originally suggested paving the entire ground with bluestone to prevent muddy roads from hindering trade. Shen Zhanggui thought it was a waste of money to pave the ground with bluestone and didn't think much of Deng's idea of throwing silver at the ground. But now, given the rainy weather in Jiangnan, the effect is evident. Looking around, the roads inside the dock and market are very clean, giving people a very comfortable feeling.

  Shen Rui Sheng waited at the dock, and upon seeing Deng Zi Xuan hastily walking towards him, he said: "Mr. Deng, I've been waiting for you. Mr. Hu is waiting inside the market, please!" At this moment, Shen Rui Sheng showed absolute respect to Deng Zi Xuan. Deng Zi Xuan took the opportunity to introduce his wife and then expressed gratitude for the house they had purchased. The group walked towards the market, with Shen Rui Sheng flattering: "Mr. Deng, the profit from the transaction is quite substantial, your interest is in the bank, sir can withdraw it at any time."

  "Mr. Shen, my silver will not be used for the time being, and all of it will be invested within a year. The transaction market is developing rapidly now, so Mr. Shen must work harder!" Deng Zixuan said with a smile. Shen Risheng said: "Mr. Deng and Mr. Hu are in tacit agreement, no wonder Mr. Hu praised you as a business genius. You suggested setting up a glass factory, according to your requirements, we hired kiln workers in Jingdezhen and found the best blacksmiths in Jiangbei. Now that the factory has been built, after Mr. Hu returns from Fuzhou, he will urge me to start the glass factory, so it's all up to you next, Mr. Deng!"

  As they spoke, a group of people entered the market and then into a mansion in the market. Suddenly, Hu Xueyan made an exception to come out and welcome them. "Haha! Brother Zi Xuan, congratulations on your son's success in the imperial examination and your daughter's marriage! I happened to be away in Fuzhou, so I couldn't attend the celebration in person, please forgive me!" Hu Xueyan said with a smile. "Brother Hu has important duties, how dare I disturb your esteemed presence? With these words from brother, I am already satisfied. Moreover, brother secretly helped me, and I have no way to repay you, so I hope brother will excuse me!"

  "Brother Zixuan is really good at talking, from now on you are the treasure in my palm! Currently, the transaction market is booming, and the surrounding land prices have risen several times. Haha! Foreigners are all coming to rent land, I can't monopolize it alone. Now that the land value has increased, I've decided to give you a 10% profit." For the first time, Hu Xueyan reluctantly took out silver. Deng Zixuan took the opportunity to introduce his wife, "My humble wife greets Mr. Hu!" Wan'er shyly made a bow.

  Hu Xueyan looked at Wan'er with a smile and said, "Brother Zixuan is really lucky! My five wives put together are not as good as your wife. It's truly a match made in heaven!" Everyone laughed and entered the room. "Brother Hu, Governor Left is overseeing the Fuzhou shipyard to establish a strong Qing naval force. Our great Qing dynasty has seas but no defense, and as a humble citizen, I have always felt a sense of regret. Now that you are assisting Governor Left, I deeply admire you. Brother, I have a small suggestion, would you be willing to consider it?"

  Hu Xueyan was slightly surprised. At present, the Maji Shipyard is in a period of lavish spending of silver. The amount of silver invested by the imperial court is very limited. However, the prosperity of the transaction market has led to a significant increase in deposits at Fuheng Bank, barely supporting the construction of Maji Shipyard. Due to the limited silver from the imperial court, the construction speed of Maji Shipyard is very slow. "Zixuan younger brother, do you have any good strategy? Speak boldly and let me listen carefully!" Hu Xueyan became emotional.

  Deng Zixuan said, "Brother Hu, just now I saw at the dock that the cargo ships going upstream were not pulled by men or horses, but by steamboats. The Yangtze River is a golden waterway, and sailing against the current is too difficult. Nowadays, foreign steamships are prevailing, and in the future if our coastal and inland transportation becomes dominated by steamships, what will be the situation?" "Younger brother Zixuan, your idea is not bad, but we can't do it now. What does this have to do with the horse-tail shipyard?" Hu Xueyan was puzzled.

  "Brother Hu, the Ma Wei shipyard is producing warships for the imperial court. The imperial court has limited silver to invest in it, and you still need to raise more silver to meet the construction needs. Now that the factory building is up, the next step is to purchase machinery from foreigners. Although you control the tax silver of three provinces, I'm sure you're most aware of the difficulties involved." Deng Zixuan's words were sharp as a needle. "Brother Zixuan has shocked me again! You truly understand me! Please share your good strategy?" Hu Xueyan's expression turned solemn.

  Deng Zixuan said with confidence, "The Matou Shipyard can be used for both military and civilian purposes, killing two birds with one stone!" "Military and civilian purposes, killing two birds with one stone?" Hu Xueyan muttered to himself, then stood up and shouted loudly, "Brilliant! Younger brother Zixuan, please accept my respects!" The crowd was confused and didn't understand what it meant. Who was Hu Xueyan? Deng Zixuan's idea was familiar to him. Deng Zixuan smiled and said, "Brother Hu, if Left Grand Secretary permits, I promise to pre-order 10 cargo ships and pay 50% of the deposit in advance! I'm willing to be the first to take the risk, and later people will follow suit like a flock of geese. The most important thing is that the Matou Shipyard's future prospects are secured!"

  "Haha! Brother Zixuan, you're a godsend! I think Lord Zhong will take you under his wing when he hears your plan!" Hu Xueyan's heart was filled with joy. Deng Zixuan immediately stood up and said: "Brother Hu, I have something to ask of you?" "What is it? Please speak." "Brother Hu, as the saying goes, 'people fear fame like pigs fear getting fat', I don't want to draw attention to myself. I hope Brother can promise me not to mention my name in front of Lord Zuo. From now on, I'll be Brother Hu's humble servant, please promise me you'll agree?"

  Hu Xueyan gazed at Deng Zixuan, thinking to himself: "This kid is really clever! He's actually familiar with the darkness of officialdom. It's truly not something to be underestimated." However, he said aloud: "People tend to go to high places and water flows to low places, but high places are hard to bear the cold. Brother Zixuan looks so far ahead that it makes me feel ashamed. But I've already come this far and can't turn back, I can only move forward. Brother Zixuan, I promise you, living a carefree life is also enjoyable. As I said earlier, from now on, you will be my greatest treasure. Alright, let's get back to the topic at hand. You mentioned the glass factory, especially with glass inlaid on windows. If we succeed, the profits will be unimaginable. Now everything is ready, all we need is a push. Brother Zixuan, shall we go visit the factory?"

  The location of the glass factory is on the east side of the trading market, less than half a mile away. The carriage arrived at its destination in less than half an hour along the sandy road. Deng Zixuan and Hu Xueyan entered the factory area to inspect it, and many of the recruited workers were doing odd jobs. Shen Ruisheng accompanied them to explain things. The factory buildings were built entirely according to the drawings made by Deng Zixuan, and all the required materials were complete. The key was that the pliers pot required by Deng Zixuan had been made, which was what he was most satisfied with.

  After a quick tour, Hu Xueyan bid farewell and set off immediately for the capital to meet with Zuo Zongtang. The next day, Deng Zixuan brought Wan'er, Biying, and Danxia back to the factory. "Master, what do you want us to do?" Wan'er had changed into servant's clothes. "Just give us orders, Master!" "Master, don't let Miss work too hard, we'll do the heavy labor!" Biying and Danxia were also dressed as servants, but they looked excited and eager.

  "This room is where we work, you first wash these jars clean, then put these things in the jar, remember not to mix them up!" Deng Zixuan instructed and walked out of the room. Yesterday was just a quick glance, today he wants to take a closer look. Before Deng Zixuan arrived, the workers recruited by the factory had already started crushing various stones according to his requirements. This process is simple and has low technical content.

  Deng Zixuan inspected the raw materials and then came to the ironwork shed. At this time, more than a dozen burly men were standing by the bright red furnace, taking turns hammering away. "The boss is here!" A man in his 40s put down his hammer and said respectfully. "Old brother! Where are you from?" Deng Zixuan asked with a smile. "In response to the boss's question, we are from Hebei. My name is Wang Tiechui!" "Your name is very fitting. I require that the iron plates you make not only be flat but also smooth. Can you do it?"

  "Shopkeeper, my craftsmanship is renowned in Hebei Province. What style do you need? I'll make it and then we can talk. If you're not satisfied, we'll leave immediately without taking a single penny!" Wang Tiechui said solemnly.

  "Very well, I believe you! If the work is done beautifully, I'll double your wages!"

  "Please, shopkeeper, go ahead!"

  Suddenly, Deng Zixuan picked up something with his hand. Wasn't this charcoal? It was almost identical to the charcoal of later generations. This was unbelievable. It seemed that there were indeed hidden dragons and crouching tigers among the common people!

  "Shopkeeper! What's so special about this charcoal?" Wang Tiechui asked curiously. "Where did this charcoal come from?" "We made it ourselves, and using this charcoal to smelt iron water leaves no residue." Wang Tiechui said lightly. Deng Zixuan was secretly shocked, knowing the significance of the charcoal better than anyone. "Master Wang, how long is your work period?" "Half a year?" "If you're willing, I'll hire you for the long term, what do you say?" Deng Zixuan decided to keep them on. "Shopkeeper, as long as there's work to be done, that's all that matters!" Wang Tiechui was delighted. "Alright then, it's settled! From now on, your wages will be doubled!"

  Back in the room, everything was tidy and all the jars were sparkling clean. Only then did Yuanyu, Biying, and Danxia notice a few streaks on their faces. "Look at your faces!" Deng Zixuan couldn't help but burst out laughing. Yuanyu quickly pulled out a copper mirror and let out a cry of surprise, hurriedly covering her face with her hand. When Deng Zixuan saw the copper mirror, he felt a surge of excitement in his heart. Mirrors? They could mass-produce mirrors! This was another huge profit opportunity. Of course, this was only true for Deng Zixuan - the craftsmanship required to make mirrors was much simpler.

  Wan'er and the maid returned after washing their faces. Deng Zixuan said, "Come over here, I'll explain it to you. This is quartz, this is feldspar grain, this is limestone grain, this is pure alkali......" Wan'er and the maid were spinning around under Deng Zixuan's command, although they were very tired, but they were extremely happy, especially Wan'er who was like a happy little bird every day.

  The next day, after repeated experimentation, with dozens of trials every day, the purity of the glass was getting higher and higher. When the flat glass appeared before everyone, Yuanyuan was so excited that she had tears in her eyes, and hugged Biying and Danxia tightly, jumping up and down. When a mirror reflected their faces, Yuanyuan, Biying, and Danxia were overjoyed to the point of tears, after all, their invention embodied their hard work and dedication.

  Deng Zixuan held a glass knife made of gemstones, continuously performing cutting glass. A month later, Deng Zixuan witnessed the trading scene in the market with his own eyes. He did not expect that the first to go crazy were the foreigners. The glass and mirrors released into the market that day were swept away by the foreigners, showing how quickly they accepted new things.