Chapter 24: Searching but Not Finding

  The lively old year has passed, and Deng Zixuan shifted his energy to the preparation of the Pudong Comprehensive Market. "Deng Gongzi, you're looking for me?" Chen Jintang appeared in front of him. Deng Zixuan said: "At the end of the year, I will start building the Shangwu Academy, and now we need to start planning for military affairs. The people of Jiangbei, Luoyang, and Anhui are fierce, while Hunan is home to hidden dragons and sleeping tigers. Brother Chen, take Wu Bao and Wan Chuan to Jiangbei to recruit students, and let Bai Sheng lead Leng Yifei and Zhang Manchu to Hunan."

  "Master Deng, what are the conditions for recruiting students?" Chen Jintang asked. Deng Zixuan replied without hesitation: "The age is between 15 and 20 years old, preferably orphans or people with no family or occupation. Those who have been persecuted by the imperial court, have a deep hatred for the imperial court, can be selected regardless of age up to 30 years old. Remember, it's better to lack than to be excessive, we must recruit people with quick minds and healthy bodies. Those who have attended private schools and know how to read and write can be given priority. Here are two 5,000 taels of silver, this is your travel expenses. Tell Bai Sheng that this time when you go out, don't get into trouble, the overall situation is most important." On the same day, Chen Jintang and Bai Sheng set off separately.

  Deng Zixuan's foundation has achieved success, and the momentum of development is strong. Therefore, Deng Zixuan must consider cultivating modern qualified military talents, and these military talents must unconditionally serve him in the future. It takes a long time to cultivate an officer system that is both invisible and hidden. After careful consideration, Deng Zixuan decided to take multiple routes, absolutely cannot be impatient. On the one hand, he built a commercial foundation through business operations, and then spawned the arms industry, which is the most important link. On the other hand, slowly accumulating strength, widely searching for available talents, creating conditions for the final rebellion.

  The next morning, Deng Zixuan was teaching the children as usual. "Young master, Shen Rui Sheng from Fu Kang Money House has come to see you!" a servant reported from outside the door. Upon hearing this, Deng Zixuan instructed Deng Qiang to lead everyone in reviewing their lessons, and then instructed the servant to invite Shen Rui Sheng in. "Haha! Mr. Deng is really carefree, I've never seen an owner like you who doesn't care about building a market." Shen Rui Sheng laughed as soon as they met.

  "Shen Zhanggui, I'm willing to pay a premium for your effort! The imperial exam is just around the corner, and I'm busy studying at home. It's not excessive to ask you to put in some work, right?" Deng Zixuan said with a smile, then instructed Xiaohong to pour tea.

  "Mr. Deng is indeed a man who excels in both fame and wealth! I admire him greatly. If Mr. Deng passes the exam, it will be a double success, and I offer my congratulations in advance!"

  "Shen Zhanggui, you wouldn't come to my humble abode without a reason. Is there something wrong with the market?" Deng Zixuan asked, changing the subject with a hint of surprise.

  Mr. Shen Rui Sheng smiled and said, "Young Master Deng, don't be suspicious, Mr. Hu has returned from the capital and is currently inspecting the Pu Dong market. The first phase of the comprehensive market project has been completed, and Mr. Hu praised your ingenious ideas. He has important matters to discuss with you, please ask Young Master Deng to make a trip." "Coincidentally, I have something to discuss with Mr. Hu too, let's set off immediately." About an hour later, Deng Zi Xuan and Shen Rui Sheng crossed the river and arrived at the newly built pier on the other side of the riverbank.

  The ferry docked, and on one side of the pier, two wild ducks suddenly flew up from the green grass. As the saying goes, "the wind brings warmth, and the ducks know first." Deng Zixuan gazed at the flying wild ducks with a thoughtful expression. Time really flies! He had been in this era for exactly two years now. "Mr. Deng seems to have been inspired to compose a poem," someone asked from beside him. Deng Zixuan hastily turned his head and said, "It's Mr. Hu, forgive me! Forgive me!"

  "Mr. Deng, I just visited the layout of the comprehensive market and I must say that I am impressed. Such a layout can not only facilitate merchants to concentrate on transactions but also effectively manage and provide complete service facilities. Rui Sheng said it was your suggestion to move the money storage business directly into the market, this idea is very innovative. After the merchants finish their transactions, they can put the silver directly into the money house, which will greatly promote my Fu Kang Money House's branches all over the country. I can boldly predict that this comprehensive trading market will definitely be a hit." Hu Xueyan stared at Deng Zixuan, now he no longer thought of the young man in front of him as a naive youth.

  "Mr. Hu has spoken, I'm just a junior who has just come out of the thatched cottage and doesn't know the dangers of the world, so I'm bold and reckless!" Deng Zixuan pretended to be honest and fearful.

  "Haha! Mr. Deng is actually making a fool of me in front of my face, it's really a bit arrogant!"

  Hu Xueyan laughed heartily.

  "I don't know what's going on, please teach me, Mr. Hu!"

  "Mr. Deng probably had a plan long ago, but I was blind to it. Now I finally see the true intention of Mr. Deng."

  Hu Xueyan continued to smile.

  Deng Zixuan was startled and said, "I am sincere in my cooperation with Mr. Hu, I absolutely did not cheat." "Mr. Deng misunderstood my intention, just now I saw that you purchased 3 kilometers of land along the river, it's a big deal. Although the transaction income from the first phase is not large, but after a few days, the three-kilometer-long riverside will become a trading market, and it will be a year-round commodity trading market, with a huge turnover, the profit is self-evident." Deng Zixuan couldn't help but admire Hu Xueyan's sharp business mind, no wonder history books evaluate him as one of the most outstanding business leaders in the late Qing dynasty.

  Deng Zixuan thought to himself: Old Master Hu, when you stand before me, history has already changed. Your business empire is not cut short halfway, but instead becomes even more brilliant. My appearance will give you wings to fly higher and farther. Hu Xueyan somehow knew what Deng Zixuan was thinking and continued: "Not only that, with the expansion of the comprehensive trading market, transportation on the river will become even more prosperous, and a thriving transportation industry will also greatly promote the prosperity of Shanghai's commerce. At that time, my Fu Kang Money House will surely be overflowing with wealth!"

  Deng Zixuan gazed at Hu Xueyan's excited and triumphant appearance, once again applauding the business genius in front of him. After all, due to historical limitations, his vision was not yet far-reaching, but he could see through comprehensive market analysis that Shanghai's commercial activities were booming, and his own money house was developing rapidly, which was not something an ordinary person could achieve. Deng Zixuan was even more secretly amazed, Hu Xueyan's business talent was by no means just a reputation.

  "Mr. Deng, I underestimated you. Initially, you approached me to cooperate, but I didn't trust you. You then used my brand and gave me a 20% profit for free, which shows Mr. Deng's extraordinary ability. Now, I've decided not to take the 20% profit, and instead want to cooperate with Master Deng. What do you think, Master Deng?" Hu Xueyan's eyes gleamed deeply. "Mr. Hu! I'm more than happy, with your guidance, our future prospects will be even brighter!"

  Deng Zixuan didn't know what Hu Xueyan meant, but he was overjoyed in his heart. If they cooperated with Hu Xueyan, it would be like having double insurance. Hu Xueyan said: "The contract we signed before is invalid, and we will redraft a new one. Mr. Deng invested 50,000 taels of silver, and I also invested 50,000 taels of silver. The second and third phases of the project this year will start as scheduled, and the profits will be divided equally between us!" "Agreed!" Deng Zixuan said succinctly.

  After the comprehensive market profit, Hu Xueyan saw a great business opportunity and Deng Zixuan took the chance to discuss cooperation. Unexpectedly, Hu Xueyan brought it up himself, and Deng Zixuan was overjoyed. As the saying goes, people fear fame and pigs fear strength, Deng Zixuan wanted to overthrow this dynasty by hiding in plain sight, not by becoming a business magnate. Deng Zixuan knew very well that what he hated most was the officialdom, and once the market grew big enough, the government would inevitably take notice of this fat meat. Hu Xueyan was a favorite of Zuo Zongtang and also had connections with Cixi, so if Hu Xueyan took charge, they could rest easy for many years to come.

  "Master Deng, don't tell me you have another one of your wild ideas?" Hu Xueyan asked curiously as he saw Deng Zixuan deep in thought. Deng Zixuan's mind was racing and he decided to add fuel to the fire, making Hu Xueyan look at him with even more admiration: "Mr. Hu! I indeed have a new and extraordinary idea!" "Oh? Do tell!" Hu Xueyan's interest grew. "Master Deng is getting hoarse from talking, why don't we go into the room and discuss it over tea?" Shen Ruisheng chimed in with a smile.

  As Shen Rui Sheng personally poured tea, Deng Zi Xuan said: "Mr. Hu, you must have heard of the Yihe Match Factory?" "I heard about it when I returned from Beijing, the foreigners' safety matches are booming, and we can't compete with them!" Hu Xueyan sighed helplessly. Deng Zi Xuan said mysteriously: "Mr. Hu! To be honest, I can bring the matches produced by Yihe Match Factory to the trading market for trading!"

  "How much confidence do you have? If we put the safety matches on the market, they will definitely be a hit!" Hu Xueyan's eyes widened. "I know the manager of Yihe Yanghang, I'm 90% sure!" Hu Xueyan heard this and stood up suddenly: "Are you working for foreigners?" "Mr. Hu! I learned foreign languages in secret at church when I was young, that's all!" Hu Xueyan smiled: "You want to use the foreigners' factories for my benefit?" "That's exactly what I mean!"

  "Foreigners are involved in this transaction, and we charge a reasonable commission. Alright, you handle it immediately!" Hu Xueyan said with a decisive tone. Deng Zixuan secretly rejoiced and replied: "Mr. Hu, after the market opens tomorrow, I suppose you already have a plan in mind. For long-term consideration, we must make new arrangements." "What arrangements?" "After the second and third phases of the project are completed, we will set up an iron ore and coal trading market. As the number of factories increases, the demand for iron ore and coal will surge in the next few years." "You're right!" Hu Xueyan said thoughtfully.

  Deng Zixuan added: "After the transaction market is formed on a larger scale, the land in Pudong will appreciate in value. I think entrepreneurs will set up factories around the transaction market, and businessmen will not miss out on such business opportunities and favorable conditions. Therefore, we must make preparations in advance. In the early stage, we can buy a large amount of land and use the profits from the transaction market to make it bigger and bigger like a snowball!"

  Hu Xueyan widened his eyes, seemingly as if he didn't recognize Deng Zixuan, saying: "Younger brother Zixuan, you are my god of wealth. As the saying goes, heroes emerge in their youth, your future is boundless!" Hu Xueyan changed his address to show respect.

  "Mr. Hu's praise, I'm honored and surprised. I just made a suggestion, but the major decisions need to be made by you."

  "Younger brother Zixuan is indeed clever, this was all planned out by you. Today is my happiest day, from now on we are friends regardless of age. Let's go to my mansion and have a drink together!"

  "Older brother is above, younger brother follows!" Deng Zixuan also changed his address at the same time.

  As he walked out of the room, there was a pile of sand beside him. Deng Zixuan's eyes lit up as he gazed at the crystal-clear river sand, and he picked up a handful to examine it. "Young Master Zixuan, what's so special about the sand?" Hu Xueyan asked curiously. Deng Zixuan picked out quartz from the sand and said, "Mr. Hu, this isn't sand, it's silver!" "Silver!" Hu Xueyan took the quartz and examined it closely, but couldn't see anything unusual. "Mr. Hu, foreigners' glass is produced from this!" Hu Xueyan was overjoyed and said, "Young Master Zixuan, let's discuss this further at the dinner table."

  Quartz, soda ash, feldspar and limestone are calcined at high temperature. This simple attempt is not difficult for Deng Zixuan at all. The key is that the production process of glass is very simple. At present, the Qing Dynasty has the conditions for production. As long as there are people with experience in firing ceramics, they can fire glass. The key is how to configure the raw materials. Deng Zixuan thought to himself: I must produce flat glass and let foreigners buy my patent.