Chapter 10 Unreasonable

  Deng Zixuan and Zhang Manchong stayed overnight in the new house, but the large courtyard felt empty. Ma Zhanggui was supposed to prepare for his journey, but it wouldn't be possible to set off within a short period of time. Deng Zixuan told Ma Zhanggui not to rush, but Ma Zhanggui thought that since he had sold the shop and the house, there was no reason to stay behind, so he led his family, luggage, and apprentices to move into an inn.

  The next morning, Deng Zixuan stood in the garden for a while. Then he ordered Zhang Man to prepare paper and ink, after which he wrote: "From today on, our store is recruiting one shopkeeper and five apprentices. Our store provides food and accommodation, with excellent treatment. We hope that those who are interested will sign up enthusiastically." He then ordered Zhang Man to post the notice and open the door to welcome applicants.

  Deng Zixuan was carefree and confident. He poured a pot of tea, then sat in front of the shop counter, waiting for applicants. Zhang Man Cang asked hastily: "Master Deng, what does the posted notice mean?" Deng Zixuan smiled: "When a shop is taken over, someone has to run it, right? Do I look like a businessman? So we're recruiting a store manager and apprentices, the posted notice is a recruitment announcement!"

  Zhang Man Cang was shocked and said, "Deng Gongzi, I've heard that when a business is recruiting clerks, but not the boss. What if something goes wrong with the business after you're gone? If the business loses money and the owner runs away, who will you look for?" "Don't worry about this, we have our own plan." Just then, a commotion was heard from outside the door, and Zhang Man Cang hurriedly ran out to investigate.

  Someone loudly read out the notice, attracting more and more people. A bold young man walked into the store, followed by a crowd of young people pushing inside, making a loud noise. Deng Zixuan saw this scene and got anxious, "Man Chong, tell them to line up for an interview, one by one." Zhang Man Chong stood in front of the door with his iron tower-like body and shouted loudly: "All of you line up! Line up for me, one by one!"

  Suddenly, chaos erupted outside again. A group of Qing soldiers arrived, pushing through the crowd and storming into the shop. The leader, a small-headed man, looked at the notice and walked in, saying: "Don't you know that gatherings are not allowed in the city?" Deng Zixuan quickly stood up and handed the small-headed man one or two silver coins, saying: "Officer, I've just taken over this shop and am recruiting employees. Please make an exception!"

  This guy didn't count the silver, probably just knew how much was in his hand. The little head quickly put the silver into his bosom and said with a clearly softened attitude: "Boss, you can recruit apprentices but not loudly disturb the business." "Officer, I'll let them line up one by one and won't make any noise!" Deng Zixuan readily agreed. After the Qing soldiers left, Deng Zixuan glared at Zhang Man Cang with dissatisfaction, because just now he had put his hand into his bosom, obviously wanting to pull out a gun.

  It seems that money is always useful, Deng Zixuan thought to himself as he glanced at Zhang Man Cang again. His brothers were fiercely opposed to evil and lacked patience, so he would have to repeatedly remind them later on. Impulsiveness was indeed the devil. Within one morning, all 5 partners had been recruited. Deng Zixuan may not be good at doing business, but he was fine when it came to selecting people. However, a day passed and surprisingly, no one came to compete for the position of shopkeeper.

  Deng Zixuan knew that recruiting a shopkeeper in the Qing dynasty was absolutely unreasonable and almost unprecedented. Even if some people wanted to apply, they would be scared away. Rather than being too picky, since there were already enough apprentices, the recruitment notice had been modified to only recruit a shopkeeper. On the second day, no one applied, and on the third day, still no one came to compete. Deng Zixuan estimated that this news had probably spread throughout half of Guangzhou City.

  Deng Zixuan was still leisurely and self-satisfied, while Zhang Man Cang was anxious. "Master Deng, I'm afraid no one will dare to come and apply for the position of shopkeeper." "There are many people who pursue profits, there must be someone." Deng Zixuan was very confident. At dusk, when the door panel had just been put up halfway, a man wearing a worn-out long gown walked in. Deng Zixuan examined this person, seeing that he was around 30 years old, with several patches on his long gown, and a messy beard on his face, but his eyes were very spirited.

  The newcomer clasped his hands together and said, "I'm here for an interview. Is it not too late?" "Not at all! My name is Deng Zixuan, have you been here before during the day?" Deng Zixuan asked with a smile. "Mr. Deng has a good eye, I have indeed been here!" Because this person had stuck his head out and looked around on the opposite street during the day. "What's your name?" "My name is Qin Fan." "Tell me about your experience," Deng Zixuan said, putting away his smile.

  "Mr. Deng, two years ago I had a silk shop on another street. Once, I did business with foreigners and was framed, which led to me being sued. Not only did I lose everything, but I also spent two years in prison. I was released this morning and heard about your recruitment notice, so I came to apply. I hesitated for a day before making up my mind to come." Deng Zixuan immediately took a liking to him and said: "So you haven't gone home yet?" "No! I haven't been home!"

  "Zhang, hurry up! Accompany Mr. Qin to bring the family over immediately, there's enough space in the backyard for them to live!" Deng Zixuan said decisively. Qin Fan was about to open his mouth when he suddenly reacted and knelt down with a thud, saying: "Thank you, Mr. Deng, for your kindness, I will definitely repay it with my loyalty." "Mr. Qin, please get up, from tomorrow on, we are family, no need to be so formal!" An hour later, Qin Fan's wife and children were brought over.

  A boy and a girl, about ten years old, wearing tattered clothes, their thin bodies clearly showing signs of malnutrition. Qin had a few good looks, but her face was dark and thin, with rough hands. Qin Fan brought his wife and children to kneel down to Deng Zixuan again, thinking that he couldn't stop it. Soon, Zhang Man Cang came from the nearby tavern to order wine and dishes, filling up a table. After eating a few bites, Deng Zixuan pulled Zhang Man Cang into the house to rest, with the intention of letting the family reunite and have a full meal together. If they were here themselves, they wouldn't be able to relax.

  The next morning, Qin Shi had already prepared breakfast. After finishing the meal, Qin Fan took out the account book and said: "Mr. Deng, 5 of our employees are very capable and can be used. I have checked the accounts and inventory, please take a look. If there is no problem, we can open for business today!" Deng Zi Xuan casually threw the account book aside and said: "Qin Zhanggui, since I hired you, I trust you, from now on, you are in charge of all business matters." "Mr. Deng! This won't do, you're the boss and must be in charge!"

  Deng Zixuan took out the contract from his bosom and said, "Qin Zhanggui, take a look at this contract!" "Mr. Deng, giving me two-tenths of the profit is absolutely unacceptable!" Qin Fan's hands were shaking as he spoke incoherently. Deng Zixuan said, "Qin Zhanggui, after I return to Shanghai tomorrow, the business in Guangzhou will be handed over to you. If your business grows bigger, my dividends will also increase. It all depends on your abilities now!" "Mr. Deng, with such trust in me, I will not disappoint your expectations!" Qin Fan solemnly tucked the contract into his bosom.

  Deng Zixuan took out 5 taels of silver and said, "Qin Zhanggui, you are now a person with a good reputation and social status. How can you dress like this? Go make a few sets of clothes, your wife and children also need to buy new clothes. Moreover, your children are not young anymore, they must be allowed to read books!" "Mr. Deng, this..." Qin Fan's eyes were moist and he couldn't continue speaking. Deng Zixuan did not expect that after several years, Qin Fan's business would spread throughout Guangdong and Guangxi, becoming a dominant commercial group in the region, and playing a crucial role in the smooth implementation of his grand plan. This is a later story, let's not mention it for now.

  After 10 days, Pei Gejin and Wang Xia'er returned, both of them were dusty. In Deng Zixuan's house, the two brothers wolfed down their meal, and Deng Zixuan smiled as he brought tea to them. Pei Gejin drank a few mouthfuls of tea and said: "Master Deng, we searched for several days and bought 500 mu of beach land in a place called Baishatan in Dongguan. This place is less than 1000 meters away from the coastline, according to your requirements, the coastline is suitable for building a dock. Here are the deed and map of the purchased land."

  "Master Deng, 500 mu of sandy land was bought for less than 100 taels of silver. At that time, the wealthy owner thought we were fools and disappeared after signing and fingerprinting, probably afraid that we would regret it." Wang Xia'er said excitedly.

  Deng Zixuan looked at the map thoughtfully and said: "In the second half of this year, build a wall around it, build houses, and also build a simple dock."

  Pei Ge asked cautiously: "Master Deng, I have something unclear, why buy that piece of land where rabbits don't even shit?"

  "Afterwards, I will build a factory, what kind of factory to build depends on the situation!"

  "What's our next move?" asked Pei Gejian. "There is no news from Shaoguan, so you two should first get familiar with the terrain of Guangzhou. Starting tomorrow, wander around the city and then check out the surrounding areas." "Check out the terrain?" Pei Gejian was puzzled. "Brother Pei, after a few days, you two will be staying in Guangzhou, how can you do that without being familiar with the local customs?! Not only that, but you also need to learn the local language!" The two were stunned upon hearing this.

  After dinner, Qin Fan anxiously asked: "Mr. Deng, who are the guests that came today? I found out they seem to be up to no good?" Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "Qin boss, you don't have to worry, they're my bodyguards. After I leave, these two will stay with you. Since you're my man, your safety is also my responsibility. They won't interfere with business matters!" Qin Fan let out a sigh of relief.

  Deng Zixuan seemed to have thought of something and said, "Qin boss, my two brothers will be staying here for a long time. You are a local and know the people well. See if there are any suitable women to marry them off. The conditions aren't high, just a decent family background is fine, but they must be pretty. I need to solve their wife problem before I leave." "Mr. Deng, don't worry! Leave this matter to me!"

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