Chapter 28: Unconventional Idea

  The candles in the hall were lit, and the maid brought the dishes to the table. The family was about to have dinner. These days, Gao Jiu's mood has been great, originally thinking that his son-in-law was a money-losing goods, but unexpectedly he got a golden turtle son-in-law. Now, the Pu Dong Trading Market is already famous far and wide, and Gao Jiu knows it well. Why did Brother-in-law occupy half of the shares in the trading market?

  Gao Ju Ren raised his eyes and looked at Deng Zi Xuan with a smile, saying: "Xian Xu! Today I walked around the manor, how was the tour?" Gao Ju Ren didn't know what to say. Deng Zi Xuan thought for a moment and said: "Father-in-law, today I walked around the manor and felt deeply moved. Now that the imperial court is implementing new policies to encourage commerce, it's a pity that our manor only grows grain!"

  "Xian Xu, the manor is surrounded by land, what's the point of not planting grain? As the saying goes, 'a family with stored grain has no worries', and for the people, food is heaven!" Gao Juren said with a smile. Deng Zixuan said: "No agriculture, no stability, this is the root. But without commerce, there is no wealth! I suppose your esteemed father-in-law knows the subtleties of this?" "The Gao family has been planting grain for generations, and has never engaged in trade. Does Xian Xu have some idea?" Gao Juren thought of the big market transaction, and couldn't help but get excited.

  Deng Zixuan said, "Father-in-law, I think this way. Rose Mountain Villa is only 5 kilometers away from Shanghai City, so I want to engage in diversified operations and sell agricultural products." "What do you mean by diversified operations?" Gao Juren asked, puzzled. "For example, the grain we produce can be taken to our trading market for sale, and after a few days, we can buy back the grain for resale. Therefore, we are planning to build a grain warehouse in the villa, and the profit will be quite substantial." Gao Juren's eyes lit up and said, "Although the profit from grain is small, it is traded all year round, which is a stable business. No wonder Hu Xueyan cooperates with you, you must have a unique vision and a talent for business."

  Deng Zixuan took the opportunity to say: "Father-in-law, the two small rivers outside the manor can also be utilized. We can raise chickens, ducks and pigs, which can be sold in the city and in the trading market. After forming a scale later, the profit will be more objective!" Gao Juren was overjoyed when he heard this: "Xianxu, you are indeed a wise and capable person! Zhang Guan Jia!" Zhang Guan Jia, who was waiting outside, hurriedly walked in and said: "Master! What instructions do you have?" "Zhang Guan Jia, from now on, the affairs of the manor will be handed over to my son-in-law. You must listen to his arrangements." Gao Juren's whiskers were all raised with excitement. "Yes, master! I will fully assist my son-in-law!" Zhang Guan Jia looked at Deng Zixuan with a shocked expression in his heart.

  Deng Zixuan was fully focused on painting, and Wan'er personally ground the ink beside him. The maids Biying and Danxia were also attending to them. When Wan'er saw her husband's rough sketch, she felt a surge of sweetness in her heart. At this moment, everything about her husband was adorable - his eyebrows, eyes, hair, even the way he held his brush. She secretly thanked heaven for sending such an excellent man to her side. She liked that he was sweet as honey, she liked that he was sometimes naughty, she liked that he had no temper and often took care of her, and she especially liked that he was always coming up with clever ideas and never followed the rules. Wan'er felt like she was the happiest person in the world.

  "Brother-in-law! What is this painting?" "Brother-in-law! You've painted dozens of drafts in these few days, what are you trying to do?!" Biying and Danxia chattered on the side. Deng Zixuan finished his last stroke, stretched his waist and said: "Look at you two chirping like a pair of sparrows, annoying me to death. If I'm not happy that day, I'll marry you off." "Miss, look! Brother-in-law is bullying us!" "Miss, you have to take our side!" Biying and Danxia were startled.

  Wan'er smiled and said: "You two have grown up with me since childhood, like sisters. You're not young anymore, it's time to find a good family to marry into!" "Miss, I want to serve you for the rest of my life!" "Miss, please don't let us leave you." One sentence shocked Deng Zixuan out of his reverie, he stared at them unblinkingly and thought: Biying and Danxia are both beautiful women, how did I not notice that?! "Miss! Look at Master Groom's serious expression!" "We'd rather die than get married!"

  "Wan'er, as the saying goes, 'fat water doesn't flow into other people's fields.' I have a few brothers who will be coming back at the end of the year. If Biying and Danxia are willing, I think we can arrange for them to get married." "Your brothers?" Wan'er asked in confusion. Deng Zixuan said, "They are my sworn brothers. You need to be mentally prepared, Wan'er. In the future, they will all look up to you as their elder sister. Right now, my brothers are out on official business and will return before the end of the year. Chen brother is already married, but there are still five unmarried brothers. As my wife, you will need to help me take care of their marriages in the future!" Deng Zixuan said with a serious expression.

  "Husband, isn't your brother a Jianghu person, someone without a home or occupation?" Wan'er asked in surprise. "Yes, once I was robbed by bandits and they saved my life. Later they pledged their loyalty to me and became sworn brothers." "Since he is husband's sworn brother, I will take care of it!" Yuanner said with a smile. Biying and Danxia heard that it was the young master's brother and felt slightly relieved in their hearts, thinking that even if they got married later, at least they wouldn't leave Miss.

  Next, after finishing breakfast, Deng Zixuan handed the drawings to his father-in-law Chang and explained in detail the use of each drawing. After reading them, Gao Jiren was overjoyed and urged Zhang Guan to take care of everything. Everyone was in a joyful mood when suddenly a servant came in and said: "Young master, there is someone outside who wants to see you!" Deng Zixuan got up and went to the front door, where he saw a man in his thirties with a rugged appearance come forward and bow, saying: "Excuse me, are you Mr. Deng?" "That's me!"

  The newcomer pulled out a letter from his bosom and said, "Mr. Deng! This is a letter from Mr. Hu to you, I bid farewell!" Deng Zixuan did not open the letter but guessed that it was about the Jiǔ partition. He thought to himself: Brother Hu's efficiency is really high, if he had handled this matter himself, it would have taken at least half a year. Opening the letter confirmed his expectations, and Deng Zixuan couldn't help but sigh. The new arrival walked into the hall and asked curiously, "Xianxu! Who was that person?"

  Deng Zixuan said lightly: "Father-in-law, this is a letter from Hu Xueyan to discuss the matter of jointly establishing a factory." "Jointly establishing a factory?" Gao Juren was slightly surprised. "Father-in-law, Hu Xueyan is wealthy and has many connections with officials. Our joint venture in the trading market is currently thriving, so he holds me in high esteem. This letter is his urging me to go and discuss cooperation in setting up a factory." Gao Juren took the letter and examined it, saying: "I agree that you should go, but isn't it a bit inconvenient for Ruan'er and Yan'er who have just gotten married?"

  "My father-in-law, Wan'er will go with me. Before our marriage, I had someone buy a house in the city for us, just to make it convenient for business negotiations. Don't worry, Father, Wan'er won't suffer outside."

  "Alright! I agree to let you go, leave household matters to me!"

  It's said that they're cooperating with Hu Xueyan again to set up a factory, Gao Juren is so excited he can't even... how could there be any disagreement?

  Wan'er was overjoyed when she heard her husband would take her along. Before leaving, Deng Zixuan explained the layout plan to Zhang Guanjia in detail until he understood it.

  Next, Deng Zixuan and Wanyi, as well as Biying and Danxia, stood in front of a large mansion. The servant girl knocked on the door, and the servants inside heard that their master had returned, and they all stood at the door with lowered eyebrows and welcoming eyes. Deng Zixuan thought to himself: It seems that Shen Zhanggui is very capable, not only did he personally purchase the mansion, but also hired all the servants in the courtyard. Wanyi didn't expect there to be such a good house in the city, Biying and Danxia were overjoyed, and they pulled Wanyi around to inspect every nook and cranny.

  One night without a word, the next morning, Deng Zixuan and Wan'er arrived at the dock by the river. The dock had a small courtyard with a sign that read "Yihe Tongda Freight". Before entering the courtyard, Lin Haisheng and Chen Fugui came out to greet him. "Mr. Deng, we've been waiting for you, we've long expected your arrival!" Lin Haisheng bowed his head. "Mr. Deng, I heard you got married, please forgive me for not attending to offer my congratulations!" Chen Fugui also bowed his head.

  "Come, let me introduce you, this is my wife Wanyu!" Deng Zixuan said politely. Wanyu was about to bow when suddenly Lin Haisheng and Chen Fugui knelt down and shouted: "The mistress is above, please accept our humble bows! We wish the mistress peace!" Seeing this scene, Wanyu was startled and said: "Such grand courtesy makes me feel uneasy, please get up everyone!" "Thank you, Mistress!" Wanyu looked at Deng Zixuan in surprise with a confused face. Deng Zixuan smiled mysteriously and led the way inside.

  After entering the house, Lin Haisheng said: "Mr. Deng, at present we have 4 ships, two of which have gone to Guangzhou. The Pu Dong trading market is very prosperous, and merchants from Guangdong are eager to sign contracts with us for transportation, business is booming. Today we set sail, I didn't expect you to come." Chen Fugui interjected: "Mr. Deng, at present we have also purchased another ship, after deducting labor costs, there are 2000 taels of silver left, Mr. Deng, this is handed over to you now."

  Deng Zixuan waved his hand and said, "I've told you before that I don't want your money within the next 5 years. The priority is to expand our fleet. You must keep buying cargo ships, the more the better, do you understand?"

  "Mr. Deng, this..." Chen Fugui was a bit flustered.

  "Lin Haisheng!"

  "Yes, sir!" Lin Haisheng replied.

  Deng Zixuan's face turned stern and he said, "Now that your business is on the right track, you shouldn't be sailing at sea anymore, but instead stay in Shanghai. I want to see my fleet growing stronger every day, do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir! Don't worry, Young Master Deng!" Lin Haisheng replied with a hint of joy.

  Then Deng Zixuan took out two letters from his bosom and handed them to Chen Fugui, saying: "Brother Chen, after arriving in Guangzhou, hand over the letters to Pei Gejian and Qin Fan separately. Remember that these two letters cannot be lost, if something unexpected happens, destroy the letters immediately, understand?" "Don't worry, sir, even if I lose my life, I won't lose the letters."

  At the time of farewell, Deng Zixuan said to Lin Haisheng: "Brother Lin, you are in charge of Shanghai. If you find young and strong sailors, recruit them together. The fleet will gradually expand. We need to reserve talents, don't wait until we have ships to recruit people, it will be too late." "Mr. Deng, I remember your words!" Lin Haisheng patted his chest to guarantee.

  Deng Zixuan once again reminded them, then boarded the ferry to head to the Pudong Trading Market. The ferry was a small steamboat going upstream, and Deng Zixuan stood at the bow of the boat taking in the view. Just now, Yuanyu had been confused by what had happened, and she whispered: "Husband, what's going on with this shipping company?" Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "Wife, to be honest, this fleet of cargo ships belongs to me, they're all my people!" "Husband, when did you get a fleet of ships?" Yuanyu almost couldn't believe it. "Husband, your wealth is really hidden deeply!" "This is husband giving the young lady a big surprise!" Biying and Danxia were overjoyed.

  "My dear wife, I must thank you for all of this. If it weren't for those pieces of jewelry you had at the beginning, none of this would have been possible. Thank you, my dear!" Deng Zixuan bowed slightly. Wan'er looked a bit flustered and said, "So you used the silver to do business!" "I'm someone who can both study and do business, what can I say? You're just too talented for your own good!" Seeing her husband shaking his head and smiling, Wan'er couldn't help but laugh. Deng Zixuan stretched out his hand and pulled Wan'er into his arms, Wan'er let out a startled cry as she tried to struggle free, but Deng Zixuan held her tightly in his grasp.

  The river wind blew in their faces, and Deng Zixuan said with deep emotion: "Wife, I told you that we will never be apart. No matter where I go, I will always let you accompany me. I keep my promises." Wan'er's eyes moistened when she heard this, and she gently leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, closing her eyes in happiness. Biying and Danxia were also deeply moved by what they heard, and their eyes became wet without warning.

  In this era, a man can be so gentle to a woman, it's simply a reversal of heaven and earth. Therefore, Yuanyuan and Yatou often have tears in their eyes, which is reasonable, after all, the status of women in this era is too lowly, as a man giving a smile to a woman makes her radiant in this social environment, Deng Zixuan has undoubtedly done too much.