Chapter 17: The Dock

  After settling the matter with Charlie, Deng Zixuan took the opportunity to buy a piece of land near the concession wharf through Charlie. On this day, after a light rain, the sun smiled again. With the rising temperature, a lively scene appeared on the wharf. The figures of Deng Zixuan and Chen Jintan appeared on the concession wharf, and Deng Zixuan pointed and said: "This land is not flat enough, we need to hire people to flatten it. This place can be used to build warehouses, this place can be used to build open-air cargo yards, this place will be a factory in the future, and this is where workers will live!"

  Looking at Deng Zixuan's enthusiastic face, Chen Jintan asked in doubt: "Deng Gongzi, the firecracker factory has no one stroke, and can you guarantee that foreigners will buy back the machines?" Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "In this world, interests are the most tempting. If the profit reaches 300%, people who seek profits will risk their lives and property. Think about it, Charlie is making a profit without any capital, he's probably more anxious than me, there's no such thing as absolute safety without any risk, the key is that if you have money and don't make it, you're the biggest fool under heaven!"

  "Mr. Deng, you come from a family of merchants and are familiar with business, but I find that your age and experience in the business world don't match. You're already cooperating with foreigners to set up factories, which is impressive. It seems like you have a clear plan." Chen Jintan asked.

  "Do you believe in innate talent? That's my advantage!" Deng Zixuan said with some self-satisfaction.

  "Mr. Deng, I'm worried that foreigners are not reliable. They're not of our kind, so we must be cautious," Chen Jintan said with concern.

  Deng Zixuan thought for a moment and said, "Everything has variables, and it's impossible to be 100% sure. I now have 50% confidence, so I must take action, because you and I have no way out. Our development momentum is very good now, and we can't slack off. I believe that as long as everyone is full of confidence, the future will definitely be bright! Moreover, foreigners are not all fierce beasts, they can steadily gain benefits, why would they risk it? I tell you, even if foreigners are strong, they are still on the land of the Qing Dynasty, so foreigners doing business will also follow the rules and won't act recklessly." Chen Jintan nodded and said, "Young Master Deng, your insight and strategy are extraordinary, I have confidence in you."

  On the vast river surface, a sailboat appeared, and the sailboat lowered its sails and headed towards Ma Tou. "The person standing on the bow of the boat seems to be Lin Haisheng!" Chen Jintan exclaimed with joy. "And that guy next to him is Quick-witted Ghost Wan Chuan, no mistake, the one standing at the bow must be Lin Haisheng!" "Master Deng!" a shout came from the other side. "It looks like we've added another big ship, Wan Chuan's efficiency is impressive!" "This kid has a clever spirit, but he's even better at gathering information!" Deng Zixuan heard and seemed to have an idea.

  It seems that next year, we must let Wan Chuan go out. This kid is clever and suitable for intelligence work. Timely and accurate intelligence will be very important in the future. First, establish an intelligence network along the coastal areas, and then gradually expand inland. In order not to attract attention, initially focus on economic intelligence. Business cannot be separated from intelligence, and even more so from market trends in various regions. When the opportunity arises, a massive intelligence network will also be established, achieving two goals at once.

  Deng Zixuan was thinking to himself, the big ship had not yet stabilized, when he saw Lin Haisheng jump onto the dock, and Wan Chuan followed closely behind. "Master Deng, I heard you're back, and you've even bought a piece of land! You're really extravagant. How is it? This big ship isn't bad, right?" Lin Haisheng's face was full of joy. Wan Chuan added, "Master Deng, this ship may be old, but its tonnage isn't bad!" "Not bad at all! I'm very satisfied. It's really smooth sailing, we have a fleet now." Deng Zixuan looked at the sailors tying up the ropes and a satisfied smile spread across his face. "Master Deng, I bought a mansion on the other side of the riverbank dock, everyone has moved in, would you like to go take a look?" Wan Chuan added.

  "No need! Your task is complete, no need to stay there!" Deng Zixuan showed a smile. "Master Deng! At present, we have two large ships and twenty or so people. As the saying goes, 'it's hard to get everyone to agree when there are many mouths', we now need someone to take charge!" Lin Haisheng thought aloud. "Haha! What's difficult about that? Far away in the distance, yet right before our eyes! Isn't the person in charge already present?" "Who is it?" Lin Haisheng saw Deng Zixuan with a mysterious expression and couldn't help but feel suspicious. "Brother Lin! You're really a wooden melon head, the person in charge is you!" Wan Chuan reacted quickly, clenching his fists and laughing.

  Lin Haisheng heard this and secretly rejoiced, saying: "Deng Gongzi, Lin is not talented, I'm afraid I'll tarnish your kindness!" "Just be at ease and do it boldly! The captain of the fleet is you!" Deng Zixuan waved his hand, indicating that this was a settled matter. "Lin brother, Deng Gongzi is decisive in his actions, since he regards you as a brother, don't decline!" In an instant, Chen Jintan exercised the power of the second-in-command. Deng Zixuan announced on the sea that Chen Jintan was his deputy, and when he himself was not present, Chen Jintan would be in charge of management.

  "As you trust me so much, Master Lin, I will definitely work hard and be loyal!" Lin Haisheng said sternly with a dark red face. Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "We are all brothers, no need to be like master and servant, I like to be casual!" "No! Master Deng is the master, this point cannot be ambiguous, otherwise where is the dignity, how can we convince others?" Chen Jintang said firmly. "Okay! Let's just do it your way then!" Seeing that Chen Jintang would not give in, Deng Zixuan shook his head helplessly.

  "Listen up, from now on we're going to have some discipline around here," Chen Jintang said loudly. "From now on, Young Master Deng is our breadwinner, and everyone must be loyal to him. If anyone has any second thoughts, even if the young master lets you off, I, Chen Jintang, won't let you off!" "We swear to die for Young Master Deng!" The crowd shouted in unison. Deng Zixuan clenched his fists in respect, thinking that he indeed needed to establish some authority, or else how could he command respect? Brother Chen was right, without discipline, nothing would work out.

  Lin Haisheng nodded slightly and said, "Deng Gongzi, now we have two ships and two docks. Are the docks too many?" Deng Zixuan smiled and said, "Not enough! In a few days, our docks may not be enough to use. Why build a fleet? Don't look at it now, there are only two ships, but in a few years, we will have dozens, hundreds of ships, I, Deng Zixuan, want to become the giant of the sea!" Deng Zixuan looked towards the direction of the Huangpu River estuary, proudly raising his head.

  Lin Haisheng seemed to remember something and said, "Master Deng, you plan to let us go to Guangzhou at the end of the year. Now there are still half a year left until the end of the year, we can't just stay idle, right? Chen Fugui suggested that we should take on some business and do some short-distance transportation!" Deng Zixuan smiled and said, "Now you're the big boss, whatever you say goes, I won't interfere with how to do business." Then, Deng Zixuan turned to Wan Chuan and said, "At the dock, we need to build a factory, build warehouses, and recruit workers. Your task is to find people for me, find builders, I want to personally plan and strive to complete the construction of the factory before the end of the year. And also, we need to hire skilled craftsmen who are good at carpentry!" "Yes! Subordinate will take care of it!"

  The Wan River legs are gone, and Lin Hai Sheng also bid farewell. The large sailboat left the dock again with Yang Fan. "Master Deng, after returning, my brothers have nothing to do, I'm afraid they will get into trouble." "This is easy! Let them follow the Deng family class, before the end of the year, cultivate their spirit and sharpen their minds, strive to recognize more characters and gain more knowledge. Brother Chen! Before the end of the year, you must get married, I promised things that must be fulfilled." "Master Deng, having a wife is too troublesome, I'll pass!" Chen Jinban refused. "Brother Chen! Getting married, you must take the lead, this is not up to you. After finishing this busy period, I will be responsible for arranging your marriage!" Chen Jinban was somewhat embarrassed.

  Deng Zixuan returned home after inspecting the empty land at the dock and drew a plan for the dock, factory area, and warehouse. Considering the expansion of scale in the future, it is necessary to scientifically plan the overall situation. As for drawing maps, he was very skilled and could be said to be an expert. Wan Chuan did things quickly and efficiently, and soon the construction workers arrived and started working according to the requirements on the drawings. Deng Zixuan attended classes every morning and spent his afternoons with Chen Jintan at the construction site. Deng Zixuan strictly controlled the factory layout, and after half a month, the construction was going smoothly, so he temporarily handed over the task of supervising the workers to Chen Jintan.

  On the seventh day of July, my sister returned. At the dinner table, my sister asked about Deng Zixuan's trip to Guangzhou and what he had gained from it. Deng Zixuan made up a story, saying that on this trip to Guangzhou, he met a wise man who was very knowledgeable and under his guidance, he had a great epiphany and would definitely be on the list tomorrow. Deng Zixuan's lies made my mother and sister laugh with joy. Even Zide thought that his younger brother had changed a lot, it had been two months since he returned, and Zide didn't know what Zixuan was doing, he was busy with his tea business.

  Seeing his sister's joyful flutter, Deng Zixuan suddenly remembered Chen Dage's marriage and said: "Sister! I have something to ask of you!" "I heard that on your way back, you unexpectedly got a batch of Song Dynasty porcelain, so you must not be short of money. What could you possibly want from me?" his sister teased. "This time when I went to Guangzhou to pay respects to my master, Chen Dage and the others accompanied me all the way, their hard work and dedication were truly impressive. I am deeply grateful and feel ashamed that I have no way to repay them. Now Chen Dage is starting a business in Shanghai and preparing to set up his own household. I think he's getting on in years, so I want to help arrange a marriage for him, as a small token of my appreciation!"

  "Who is this Brother Chen?" asked his sister in surprise. His mother smiled and said, "This Brother Chen is a Jianghu person who once saved Xuan'er's life. This time when Xuan'er went to Guangzhou, Brother Chen escorted him all the way, and Xuan'er returned safely, truly a man of sentiment and righteousness. Since Brother Chen is willing to stay in Shanghai, we must help him with this matter." "Xuan'er! When did he save your life?" Deng Xuan'er had no choice but to repeat his lie, finally saying: "We are now brothers, so I beg sister to consent."

  Deng Yimei thought for a moment and said: "In Taocun, not far from my home, there is a wealthy man named Wu, known as Wu Caomi. In Wu Caomi's family, there is a thousand-year-old daughter named Wu Taohua, who is as beautiful as a flower and jade, knowledgeable and reasonable, and is a famous beauty in Taocun. However, the young lady was delayed by her father's obsession with riddles, and this year she is already 20 years old but still unmarried. The reason is that those who came to propose were scared away, Wu Caomi declared that without 10 gold bars, don't even think about proposing. I wonder if Brother Chen can afford the betrothal gift."

  "Sister! My brother-in-law Chen is rich, with a fortune of tens of thousands, isn't that just 10 gold bars? A small matter!" Deng Zixuan immediately took charge. "Alright then, I'll go back and propose the marriage, you wait for news!" At this time, Zi De didn't care about things like proposing marriage, he was still obsessed with the porcelain. "Younger brother! How much of the porcelain did you get?" Zi De asked quietly after leaving his mother's room. Deng Zixuan furrowed his brow and said: "It was Chen Da Ge and them who found it, what can I say? But don't worry, from now on, all of Shu Tong's expenses will be paid by me, brother doesn't need to worry!" "This is what you said," "A gentleman's word is like a horse, difficult to chase back!"

  Seeing his brother's back as he walked away, Deng Zixuan shook his head helplessly. His brother was not a bad person at heart, but he was too calculating and petty-minded. He had originally wanted to pull his brother in and make a big show of things, but now it seemed impossible. If his brother found out what he was doing, he would probably be so shocked that he would lose his composure, or even have the opposite effect, so it was better to just keep it from him.