Chapter 55: Earth-Shattering Secret

  "As soon as I go out, it's been several months and I don't want to go home. Have you forgotten about home?" Wen Er pouted and muttered when they met. "Who says I've forgotten about home? As soon as night falls, I think of you!" Deng Zi Xuan hugged Wen Er with a thick face. Wen Er heard this and pushed him away, saying: "As soon as night falls, you think of me, so you're saying that during the day you don't think of me. Could it be that you can't bear the loneliness and have found another woman?" Wen Er's expression changed. "Where did you go? During the day, I'm busy with work, do you know how strict it is to serve as an official? Not a single moment can be slackened. But when night falls and it's quiet, I involuntarily think of you." "This is more like it!" Wen Er showed off her feminine charm under Deng Zi Xuan's pampering.

  It was like a new marriage, after a while, Wan'er seemed to remember something and said: "Mr. Hu has sent someone to ask several times, but you are not at home. Mr. Hu seems to have something very urgent." Deng Zixuan knew what Hu Xueyan wanted him for: "Mr. Hu is back from Shaanxi, so Left Prime Minister's affairs must be arranged properly. We will go visit tomorrow. I estimate we will leave for Fuzhou soon." "Are we going by boat?" Deng Zixuan nodded, and Wan'er suddenly became excited.

  The horse carriage stopped in front of Hu Xueyan's gate, and after hearing the news, Hu Xueyan hurried out to greet him. "I say, Brother Zi Xuan, you're being mysterious lately, not at home for a while, is there some good way to make money that you've kept to yourself?" "I say, Brother, what do you take me for? I went to Wuhan, Zhang Zhidong wants to build a steel factory. Since he needs an interpreter to deal with the British, he found me through Sheng Huai Xuan, so I stayed in Wuhan for three months."

  Two people chatted and laughed as they entered the living room, Hu Xueyan's concubine was already familiar with Wan'er, and the two began discussing clothing and high heels. After the two walked into the back hall, Hu Xueyan said: "I heard that Madam has set up a garment factory and shoe factory, and the benefits are very good! This is big news! You little devil is really greedy, actually letting Madam take action too!" "Old brother! Madam was idle and willing to do it, what can I do? As long as she's happy, how much money she makes doesn't matter!"

  Hu Xueyan scolded: "This must be your doing, dragging me into this. I'm sure you haven't forgotten about me. My concubine is now obsessed with high heels. To be honest, women do look more charming in high heels. Seeing them so elegant and alluring, my interest has indeed increased! Isn't that strange?"

  "Haha! As the saying goes, 'A woman's beauty is for her lover.' This statement is not false at all. Since your interest has increased, your wife must know why, don't you think?"

  "Heretical doctrine, you always have a reason. The truth is restored, Governor Left entered Xinjiang very smoothly, Akhoondof was defeated in no time, and Governor Left has already recovered Dihua. This Akhoondof is extremely cunning, wandering around, his whereabouts are uncertain. Governor Left this time made up his mind to thoroughly stabilize the border region, to completely eliminate Akhoondof, and to eradicate future troubles. Because of my thorough preparation in the west over the past two years, the army's grain supply problem can basically be guaranteed, younger brother, your farsightedness has taught me a lesson." Hu Xueyan's face shone with radiance.

  "Old brother! Even if I don't say it, you can still do it, why be so pretentious!" "It's not the same, now I have no room for doubt about what my younger brother says. As a seasoned businessman who has been through countless deals and met numerous people over the years, I am still unable to fathom you. Sometimes I even think that your vision is not only unique but also extremely accurate, often leaving me baffled. Let me tell you some good news: the coal mountain of Shenmu is literally a gold mine, and I've already started extracting it."

  Hu Xueyan was somewhat excited and continued: "You said that in the Yanqing area of Shaanxi, there is oil gushing out from underground. I personally went to investigate and indeed it's true. This oil ignites with just a spark and can be used as candles. I arranged for people to dig 20 meters deep at an oil gushing point and built an oil well, just like a water well, which will never run dry and can be used endlessly. It's simply a profit without investment. This time when I came back, I brought several hundred kilograms with me, for lighting purposes."

  "Older brother, let's just transport them here like coal, I think there won't be any problem with the sale!" "I've already made arrangements for this. Our top priority now is to head to Fuzhou. You little scamp has got Shen Daren's stomach all tied up in knots, and it's my bad luck. Has that steam locomotive you mentioned come to fruition?" "Brother, when have I ever spoken nonsense? Honestly, I've purchased a steam locomotive and 5 train cars from the American firm of Jardine Matheson, estimated to arrive at Fuzhou dock around mid-month. You and I will head to Fuzhou to assist Shen Daren in producing steel rails, then we can lay tracks between Fuzhou and Mawei Shipyard."

  "Great, we'll set off tomorrow!" On the same day, Deng Zixuan went to Rose Manor and inspected the ironwork factory and Yu Ren Academy, gaining a general understanding of the situation. After discussing with Chen Jintan, he rushed back to the city that night. He also discussed with his disciples until late at night before going to sleep. The next morning, Hu Xueyan brought his concubine to the dock and met up with Deng Zixuan and his wife, boarding a small steamboat. This was the first time Hu Xueyan had taken his concubine on an outing, mainly because he saw the role women played, especially after seeing how effective Deng Zixuan's use of Wan'er in diplomacy was.

  The small steamer sailed across the vast ocean, and Yuanni and Hu Xueyan's concubine stood on one side of the deck, gazing out at the sea in high-heeled shoes. "Brother, this woman really has a different charm when she wears high heels, and her figure seems even more beautiful!" Under the parasol, beside the small table, Hu Xueyan and Deng Zixuan chatted idly. "Hu brother, you are someone who can't live without women for three sentences. I thought you couldn't accept women's new trends, but it turns out that you're so open-minded." "Women are playthings, and in this regard, brother, you're far inferior. This time when I went to Xi'an, I took another concubine!"

  "Haha! Old brother has 9 wives, I really admire you! But I want to know if you can handle it?"

  "To be honest, this is my proudest place. If we don't want the backyard to catch fire, we must use a clever trick."

  Just then, Captain Xiaohuojian walked over and interrupted their conversation. "What's up?" Deng Zixuan asked.

  The captain saw Hu Xueyan sitting beside him, somewhat embarrassed. "Brother Hu, it's okay to say it!" "Mr. Deng, Lin Zhang asked me to tell you that he has gone to Subei to recruit refugees. This year, Shandong and Subei have severe droughts, resulting in a large number of refugees." "I know, you can go down now!" Hu Xueyan asked in confusion: "Younger brother, why are you recruiting refugees?" "I have established many estates in Hainan Island and Guangxi. The land is vast and the population is sparse, so we need laborers. If it weren't for the disaster year, no one would be willing to go to such a desolate place, so this opportunity is rare."

  "Little brother, I've also established several estates in the northwest. It seems that I need to expand my scale. Estates require small investment and yield quick results, with immediate returns." "Congratulations to you, little brother! Although the land in the west is barren, there are also many fertile areas. Take advantage of Lord Zuo's efforts in the west and don't miss this opportunity, Brother Hu. Foreign missionaries have secretly investigated and concluded that the barren west is a huge treasure trove."

  Hu Xueyan widened his eyes in surprise and asked, "Brother, is this for real?"

  "I'll tell you two secrets. You and I are good brothers, otherwise I wouldn't tell you. But I have a condition: if we make a profit from this, you must give me 20%. Can you agree to that?"

  "No problem, quick, what's the secret?" Hu Xueyan's appetite was piqued.

  Deng Zixuan slowly and calmly took a sip of tea, saying: "First, let's talk about the first secret. The fire oil you discovered in Yanqing, I'm sure Brother Hu knows its wonderful use. In the future, the profit from this fire oil will be astronomical, and currently foreigners have already started using this fire oil. Although the amount of fire oil in Yanqing is limited, there is an abundance of it in Gansu Yumen, with many oil-producing points. You can dig numerous oil wells." "I've remembered Gansu Yumen, what's the second secret?"

  Deng Zixuan said: "In the northwest direction of Qinghai Lake, there is a huge salt lake. Its surface is covered with a layer of salt, and under the salt crust, there are white crystalline edible salt that can be consumed directly. Especially, the cost of mining is extremely low. I can tell you that the edible salt from that place can feed the people of the Qing Dynasty for tens of thousands of years. It's truly a treasure trove." Hu Xueyan was stunned after hearing Zhang Dàmǒu's words.

  But Hu Xueyan quickly came to his senses and said, "Younger brother, why don't you take the initiative to develop this treasure yourself? Why give it to me? How can I trust you?" Deng Zixuan said, "Not satisfied older brother, how could I not want to do it myself? But my ability is limited. The only one who can accomplish this matter is you, especially since Lord Zuo advocates for the western region and you are a key figure under his command. You're the only suitable person, Hu brother. We're brothers, and I'll give you 20% of the profit without any risk. Isn't that reason enough?"

  Hu Xueyan was somewhat excited and said, "As soon as I arrive in Fuzhou, I will immediately send someone to verify the situation. If it is true, I promise to give you a 20% profit." "One word is settled!" "A gentleman's word is like a horse that cannot be chased back! Although I am not a gentleman, I am a trustworthy businessman. Do you know what that place is called?" "Chagan Salt Lake!" Deng Zixuan gave Chagan Salt Lake to Hu Xueyan in order to boost the economic development of the northwest, especially since the transportation of salt would drive the entire western economy to prosperity. Moreover, with Zuo Zongtang in power in the northwest, Hu Xueyan's maneuvering in the west was as easy as turning his hand over.

  Hu Xueyan was stirred up by this earth-shaking secret for a long time before he calmed down, and he knew that Deng Zixuan would not speak nonsense. After a long while, Deng Zixuan changed the subject: "Old brother, our jointly operated Dongguan Iron Factory has already started producing iron, with an output of 2,000 catties of steel per month." "This is really good news! I've been too busy to go to Guangzhou to take a look." "The steel we produce is currently the best quality in the Qing Empire, especially the Hainan Island's stone green iron ore, which can't be found anywhere else in the empire. It can be said that it's the best under heaven."

  "Little brother, I admire you. You can control Guangzhou from home, which is not something ordinary people can do. Your business skills are unmatched in the Qing dynasty. Shen Rui Sheng told me that the profits of our money house have increased several times over, and the factories we co-founded are making a lot of money. Since I met you, Hu Xueyan, I've come to realize that money can be made like this. Little brother, I'm grateful and will definitely repay you in the future if you need me."

  Deng Zixuan knew that under his own ghostly push, Hu Xueyan had entered a period of prosperity ahead of time. At present, he was extremely popular, especially in helping Zuo Zongtang to enter Xinjiang and put down the rebellion. Hu Xueyan's logistical support made Zuo Zongtang like a tiger with wings added. Deng Zixuan could not guess what kind of results would be achieved in the end. If Zuo Zongtang had no worries, he might lead his troops to enter Central Asia and annihilate Yakub Beg. Of course, this depended on the court's intentions. However, one thing was certain: if Zuo Zongtang's military achievements were brilliant, the recovered territory might be larger than the original historical territory.

  Night fell, and Deng Zi Xuan stood alone on the deck, gazing out at the sea. Unable to sleep that night, Deng Zi Xuan walked out of his cabin onto the deck to clear his mind. He thought about Zuo Zongtang's western campaign, and how if Zuo achieved brilliant military successes, it would inevitably lead to a series of changes. The shift in the political landscape could affect both the imperial court and Western countries. Especially with the Qing dynasty's booming economy, would it attract the envy of Western nations? If this reasoning held true, the French might take preemptive action.

  Deng Zixuan broke out in a cold sweat, it seemed that he had to accelerate his martial arts training to meet the changing situation. If he adhered to conventional rules, he might make a big mistake. He knew that the butterfly effect would produce a chain reaction, and this point must be clearly recognized. At present, Deng Zixuan had undergone rigorous training, his political sense was becoming mature, and he keenly saw this point.

  The course of history has taken a turn, and later changes have confirmed Deng Zixuan's judgment.