Chapter 35: Playing the Green Leaf Role

  Deng Zixuan said: "Sheng brother, the government holds 51% of the shares and the people hold 49% of the shares. This way, the operating rights are in the hands of the government. As for the people's investment, I think that Lord Zhong is honest and upright, with a reputation far and wide. If Lord Zhong acts as a guarantor, the people's capital will enthusiastically invest. If Sheng brother does not believe it, I can contact a group of people. Moreover, I myself can invest 20% or more of the shares. Also, I am familiar with Western languages and situations in various Western countries. I will participate in negotiations with foreigners to prevent them from cheating us."

  Sheng Huai Xuan and others, after the first layer of window paper was broken, the truth was revealed, and the mystery didn't need to be said. At this time, Sheng Huai Xuan excitedly forgot himself and said: "Zi Xuan younger brother, you are indeed talented, from today on, you will be my assistant. I will immediately rush back to Tianjin and report to Minister Zhong in person. Moreover, I want to recommend you to Minister Zhong!" "Impossible!" Deng Zi Xuan bluntly refused, everyone was greatly surprised. "Zi Xuan younger brother, people go to high places, water flows to low places, joining Minister Zhong's team is the right opportunity to achieve great things, don't you want to be a high-ranking official with wealth and honor?" Sheng Huai Xuan asked in confusion.

  Deng Zixuan smiled and said, "I appreciate your good intentions, Brother Sheng. To be honest, I'm still young and don't want to be constrained by others. If I were to join the ranks of Minister Zhong, I might lose my freedom. I've grown accustomed to a carefree life, and this lifetime, I only wish to live freely and at ease. Moreover, I have no interest in officialdom - all that intrigue and backstabbing is not for me. However, Brother Sheng, rest assured that your affairs are mine too; from now on, I'll be by your side, serving you faithfully. Please, Brother Sheng, don't recommend me to anyone, or else I'll quit!"

  Sheng Huai Xuan heard this and secretly rejoiced, saying: "Younger brother Zi Xuan is living a carefree life, having such an understanding at such a young age, I'm not as good as you! Never mind! I promise not to recommend you to Minister Zhong, but you must also keep your promise!" "Elder brother Sheng, no problem, I'll be at your beck and call for any matter of yours!" Deng Zi Xuan patted his chest in guarantee. "Good! A gentleman's word is as good as gold, once spoken it cannot be taken back! Let's have a drink to seal this deal!" Sheng Huai Xuan shook his head, saying: "Zi Xuan, you're too young, such a great opportunity wasted."

  Next, Sheng Huai Xuan hastily set off, he had been brainwashed by Deng Zixuan and was impatient. Sheng Hua Yin also bid farewell, at the time of parting, Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "Second brother-in-law, the position of Changshu County Magistrate is too small, next time I will definitely let you change to a higher position, I think the Shanghai Dao Tai position suits you!" "Zixuan younger brother, how can I be good, next time if you need brother-in-law, just speak up." Sheng Hua Yin was thoroughly convinced. Jin Er pulled on Bao Er's hand and said: "Brother-in-law is really a romantic, he'd rather have beautiful women than the throne, you must keep an eye on him, who knows, next time he might marry a bunch of concubines, your troubles will be behind that!"

  Yan'er smiled and said, "My husband has already told me that he only cares about me! I believe him!" "How many men are not flirtatious? Haven't you heard that he wants to be carefree for the rest of his life? You must keep an eye on him," Jin'er whispered. Yan'er smiled and nodded slightly.

  Sheng Huai Xuan walked ahead, while Deng Zi Xuan followed behind with Wan Er and the maid to the Hu residence. This was the first time Deng Zi Xuan had brought his wife to pay a visit. The madam of the Hu household, who was in charge of receiving guests, was an actress. When she saw the elegant and refined Wan Er, she put on a charming display, lavishing praise on Deng Zi Xuan's exceptional talent and handsome appearance. The madam even flirted shamelessly with Deng Zi Xuan right in front of Hu Xue Yan, extolling his virtues as if he were a rare treasure.

  After the ladies left, Hu Xueyan's expression changed and he said: "Zixuan, my younger brother, I have some good news to tell you. At present, all the glass and mirrors produced by our glass factory are supplied to Beijing. Just for the Forbidden City alone, they need at least half a year's production from us. I plan to expand the glass factory by one more time." Deng Zixuan smiled: "Brother Hu! Let me give you some advice!"

  "What a suggestion!" Hu Xueyan listened attentively. "The imperial court requires all the glass produced to be supplied to Beijing, so we should fix the current production volume and make the imperial court think that the glass production is always fixed and unchanged. After that, expand the production of glass and implement quota sales." "What is quota sales?" Hu Xueyan was puzzled.

  Deng Zixuan smiled and said, "Brother Hu! I think so. The current move by the imperial court has inadvertently advertised for us. Next, officials and nobles from all provinces will flock to us like birds, and rich people will be even more enthusiastic. This will drive up the price of our glass products, but a long-term high price is not a good phenomenon. Therefore, in order to maintain a reasonable price for glass, we need to implement quotas."

  Hu Xueyan was confused, and Deng Zixuan continued: "For example, merchants from Shanxi come with silver to buy glass that is not available. We ask them to transport coal in exchange for glass based on different prices. We quickly trade the coal in the market, and this profit margin is the most substantial." "Brother Zixuan, you are indeed a business genius! This way, we can stimulate the market even more, achieving two goals at once!" Hu Xueyan was overjoyed.

  Deng Zixuan added, "Besides, even if you expand production now, it's hard to meet demand. At least for the next three years, it will be a seller's market. So I suggest setting up branch factories in Guangzhou and Xi'an. In Dongguan, Guangdong, I have a piece of land with existing factory buildings. As long as we send people there, I estimate that production can start within two months. As for setting up a branch factory in Xi'an, it's up to Brother Hu."

  Hu Xueyan widened his eyes again and asked, "Zixuan younger brother, didn't you anticipate today's situation? It can be said that you were preparing for a rainy day!" "There was some vague idea!" Hu Xueyan was somewhat absent-minded: "Zixuan younger brother, I feel as if I have divine assistance. You are indeed my god of wealth. Just in time, Governor Zuo is taking office as the governor-general of Shaanxi and Gansu, setting up a factory in Xi'an will not be a problem at all, while for the two Guang provinces, I just need to write a letter."

  Deng Zixuan had already arranged for Pei Gejian to be ready in Dongguan, and the raw materials for making glass were also being prepared. All that was needed was a letter from Hu Xueyan to the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and then the technical personnel could be sent over. It's estimated that production would start within a month.

  When Dengzi Xuan heard that Zuo Zongtang was going to Shaanxi and Gansu, he thought: It seems that the signs of instability in the northwest have already appeared, and the agate in Xinjiang must be getting restless. Dengzi Xuan said: "Governor Zuo's trip to Shaanxi and Gansu is obviously a sign of instability in the northwest!" Hu Xueyan was shocked and asked: "Brother Zi Xuan, how did you know about this situation?"

  "There's something strange, Governor Zuo is overseeing the construction of the Mawei shipyard, and at this critical moment, he's being transferred to Shaanxi-Gansu as governor-general. If it weren't for the instability in the west, how could Governor Zuo, a matchless general, be transferred? I reckon that within two years, Governor Zuo will lead his troops on a western campaign to quell the rebellion."

  Seeing Hu Xueyan lost in thought, Deng Zixuan continued: "Brother Hu! You must make early preparations and stockpile large quantities of grain and fodder in the west, lest you be caught off guard. I suggest that you persuade Governor Zuo to organize refugees to open up land for cultivation in the west. If they can solve their food problems locally, Governor Zuo will have no worries about his rear. Brother Hu, just trust me this once, we'll make preparations ahead of time and won't suffer any losses."

  "Xu Xuan, my younger brother, makes sense. I will set off for Xi'an immediately! Take the opportunity to discuss with Zuo Daren!" Hu Xueyan couldn't help but think in his heart: If he continues like this, this kid won't be easy to deal with! Not to mention, Hu Xueyan went to Xi'an, Deng Xu Xuan organized people to go to Guangdong to set up a glass factory. More than a month later, Sheng Huaixuan rushed back from Tianjin, dusty and tired.

  Just in time, the special matches produced by the match factory were also shipped, and Sheng Huai Xuan personally saw off the cargo ship. He then began to take care of the shares and purchase foreign machinery. This time, Sheng Huai Xuan returned from Tianjin and directly checked into Deng Zi Xuan's mansion in Shanghai City. "Haha! Brother Zi Xuan, the Grand Minister has approved our plan, you and I can now work together with ease!" Sheng Huai Xuan exclaimed as soon as they met.

  "Brother Sheng, this month I've contacted a batch of merchants. As long as they have the approval document from Master Zhong, they are willing to invest. Additionally, after initial negotiations with the British East India Trading Company's agent, as soon as Master Zhong signs the approval document, they agree to purchase the machinery and start negotiating." "Good! You immediately notify the British agent, don't delay, tomorrow we'll start negotiating!" Sheng Huai Xuan was full of energy and enthusiasm.

  Next, in the British East India Company's Shanghai headquarters, Sheng Huai Xuan, as the general manager of the Beiyang Industrial Group of the Qing Dynasty, had a formal negotiation with Mr. Douglas, the agent of the British Empire East India Company in Shanghai. The name "Beiyang Industrial Group" was given by Deng Zi Xuan, and Sheng Huai Xuan thought that the name was both majestic and fitting, so he naturally accepted it.

  The carriage stopped in front of the East India Company headquarters, and Sheng Huai Xuan, dressed in a 5th rank official uniform, got out with great energy. He was followed by Deng Zi Xuan, who wore a plain white satin changshan, and several subordinates also got out of the carriage. Among the crowd, Deng Zi Xuan's attire was the most inconspicuous. Deputy Douglas personally came to the door to greet them, showing respect.

  Along with Deng Zi Xuan's fluent English, everyone entered the living room in high spirits. After the host and guests were seated, Sheng Huai Xuan first explained the details of purchasing machinery on behalf of Li Hong Zhang. The tall Douglas also expressed his attitude and promised to fully undertake the machinery factory. Sheng Huai Xuan, following Deng Zi Xuan's meaning, requested that if there was any fraud or breach of contract after the signing of the bilateral contract, the British side would be fully responsible, which Douglas accepted. Deng Zi Xuan translated for both sides, his fluent and accurate expression shocking the British present.

  "Mr. Douglas, Lord Elgin's representative, chose the British Empire as a partner in good faith and friendship between the two nations. Some people at court suggested cooperating with the Americans or Germans, but Lord Elgin firmly opposed it and insisted on cooperating with the British Empire. Therefore, Lord Elgin hopes that the British side will show sincerity and not let unpleasant things happen!"

  So the words were translated, and Sir Thomas Francis Wade's whiskers quivered with excitement. Douglas said in a shocked tone: "Mr. Deng, please tell Mr. Shen and Zongtang that the British Empire has always been honest and would never do anything to harm the friendship between the two countries. Please inform Zongtang that the British Empire is the most ideal partner!" Deng continued to translate for Shen.

  Jian Sheng Huaixuan nodded frequently, and Deng Zixuan continued: "Mr. Douglas, according to my information, the current prices of various machinery in the UK are as follows..." Deng Zixuan said without hesitation: "We need to purchase three sets of mechanical equipment including a steam engine. I've made an initial calculation, which is approximately 2 million taels of silver. Additionally, the factory's engineers and technicians will need to be provided by the British side!"

  Douglas was even more surprised, not expecting the Qing government to be so well-informed about British domestic production. After consulting with those around him, Douglas said: "Mr. Deng, your side is so detailed in its understanding, we respect your intentions..." The negotiations quickly entered a substantive stage, and finally, Deng Zixuan and Sheng Huai Xuan negotiated and said: "Mr. Douglas, our side will first pay 30% of the goods payment in advance, and the remaining payment will be stored at the HSBC bank, and the full payment will be made after the machine arrives." Douglas had no objections.

  Afterwards, they discussed the details of the matter and, with no further objections, Douglas proposed signing the contract. Sheng Huai Xuan signed his name with great fanfare, showing off his skills. As soon as he left the East India Company headquarters and got into the carriage, Sheng Huai Xuan became a different person. He took off his official hat and said: "Zi Xuan, my brother, with you by my side, I don't know how much more confident I am! Haha! Today, I finally got to vent my frustrations in front of those foreigners!"

  Deng Zixuan smiled and said, "Sheng brother, there's something I didn't tell you just now. We spent 2 million silver coins to buy three sets of equipment!" "What did you say?" Sheng Huai Xuan was shocked, his eyes wide with surprise.