Chapter 56 New Life

  In the morning, the small steamer docked at Fuzhou Wharf. The wharf was very busy, and what was most surprising was that a steam crane appeared on the wharf to load and unload goods, and the huge roar seemed to form a symphony. At this scene, Deng Zixuan felt very relieved in his heart, it seems that the steam engine produced by Mawei Shipyard has begun to popularize.

  The carriage stopped in front of the mansion of Governor Shen Baozhen, who heard the news and personally led his wife and daughter to welcome them at the door. "Haha, Hu Laoxiong, Deng Gongzi, I've finally been able to wait for you, I was really looking forward to it!" "Congratulations on your appointment as Governor of Jiangxi!" "Congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Nanyang!" Hu Xueyan and Deng Zixuan paid their respects. "Both of you, please come in!" Shen Baozhen's wife and Wen'er were familiar with each other and greeted each other warmly. Wen'er took the opportunity to introduce Hu Xueyan's wife, and the warm atmosphere among the women made the atmosphere even more harmonious.

  As soon as they entered the living room, they took their seats and soon the table was set. It wasn't hard to see that Shen Baizhen wanted to play the host to the fullest. During dinner, Deng Zixuan said: "Sir, last year you greatly boosted the morale of our nation in Taiwan, successfully driving away Little Japan, sir is truly a great minister." "Deng Gongzi, it's embarrassing to say! Now even little Japan dares to show off its might above us, we can't take it lightly either."

  "Mr. Shen said that only when we become strong ourselves can we avoid being humiliated by outsiders!" Hu Xueyan echoed. "Young Master Deng, the young men you recommended are all very talented, I heard they studied at your school?" "Yes, sir, they all studied at my school!" Young Master Deng, I must thank you, I hope you will recommend more people to contribute to the Qing Navy! "Don't worry, sir, this year I'll recommend 30 more people, and every year after that I'll keep recommending candidates!" Deng Zixuan heard this with secret delight.

  "Come in, Deng!" "Sir is above, please grant the disciple a bow." A young man came in and knelt down. "What are your orders, sir?" "Deng Gongzi, the disciple you recommended has great talent, I am grateful beyond words. I intend to marry my daughter to him, can you agree with that?" "Deng Xiang, don't thank me yet!" "Thank you for your kindness, sir, I am grateful beyond words!" "Haha! I'm too excited, let's get drunk today and forget about everything!"

  After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, Hu Xueyan interjected: "Sir, I have some good news to share with you. Brother Zi Xuan told me that the steam locomotive we purchased from America will arrive in Fuzhou in a few days." "Haha! Mr. Deng, this is the best news I've ever heard. You are a man of your word, and I appreciate that about you." Shen Baozhen laughed heartily with joy.

  "Mr. Deng, you have been stirring my appetite for two years now, and I have made a thorough study of steam locomotives. If we can build railways, it will be an undertaking that benefits both the present and future generations. This time, everything depends on you." Shen Baozhen's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

  "What you said is absolutely right, sir," Deng replied. "Although I have never seen a real steam locomotive, I saw one in a foreigner's photograph, and it shook me to the core. So I made up my mind that we must have our own steam locomotives, and our trains must run on railways. Don't worry, sir, I will do my best to support you."

  "Hu Xueyan interjected: 'Sir, my brother Zi Xuan is doing his best and I won't fall behind. If you need silver, just let me know.' 'Haha! With the support of two financial gods like you, what do I have to worry about? However, there's one thing that's quite tricky - Wu Tang, the Fujian governor, is Li Hongzhang's man. To build a railway from Mawei Shipyard to Fuzhou City, we need his approval. This might be difficult to accomplish.' Deng Zi Xuan took it upon himself: 'Sir, I'll take care of Governor Wu and make sure you're satisfied!'"

  "Do you have confidence?" Shen Baizhen was puzzled, he knew that Wu Tong often made trouble at the Mawei Shipyard. "Sir, I have 70% confidence." "Good! Since so, as long as the steam locomotive arrives on shore, I will set up a railway from Mawei to Fuzhou City." The next day, Deng Zixuan carried Sheng Huaixian's letter and brought gifts to visit Wu Tong, the Fujian Governor. This old guy was over 60 years old, he was a kind of person who would lean whichever way the wind blows. It wouldn't be accurate to say that he was a core member of Li Hongzhang's group, nowadays Li Hongzhang's power was growing bigger and this guy was actively trying to curry favor with him.

  Entering the living room, Wu Tong didn't even lift an eyebrow and said: "You say you're from Sheng Huai Xuan's faction, what evidence do you have to prove that?" If Deng Zi Xuan hadn't mentioned Sheng Huai Xuan, Wu Tong probably wouldn't have seen him. "Sir, I'm Sheng Huai Xuan's cousin, and I've come specifically to visit, please show me your favor." Upon hearing the word "cousin", Wu Tong opened his eyes to scrutinize, "Sir, this is a letter from my brother, please take a look!" Deng Zi Xuan presented the letter.

  Wu Tang's attitude changed immediately after reading the letter, and he said with a smile: "Haha! We're all on the same side, Mr. Deng, please take a seat. Now that Sheng Huai Xuan is highly valued by Lord Li and is making great achievements, what does he need me for?" Deng Zi Xuan didn't respond, but instead instructed his attendants to bring in the gifts. Deng Zi Xuan personally opened a box among the gifts and said: "Sir, these are two Song Dynasty official kiln celadon vases, please accept them with a smile." "Mr. Deng! Why would you give me such precious gifts when I've done nothing to deserve them?" Wu Tang's face showed an expression of delight.

  Deng Zixuan smiled but didn't answer, and instead opened several boxes, revealing matches, perfumed sachets, mirrors, and glassware. Wu Tang's eyes nearly popped out as he exclaimed: "Master Deng, these are all precious items! It seems that Master Deng is a wealthy gentleman." Soon, Wu Tang regained his composure and said: "Master Deng, we're not related or acquainted, so why would you give me such valuable gifts? If Master Deng has any requests of me, as long as I can fulfill them, I will definitely do so."

  "Wow, Master Wu! Look at this!" Deng Zixuan said as he took out another box and opened it. He busied himself on the table for a moment, and soon a model train and tracks appeared. This time, Deng Zixuan's model was even more exquisite and lifelike, with carriages attached. Deng Zixuan used his hand to push the train, which began to move along the tracks. "Is this a foreigner's train? Master Deng, why are you showing me this thing? It's a rare treasure!"

  "Gentlemen, the Westerners' novelty is something we can't have? I'd like to lay a railway between Maiwei and Fuzhou City just for fun." Deng Zixuan said with a nonchalant tone. Wu Tang sat up straight in surprise and said: "Lay a railway just for fun? Young Master Deng is indeed extravagant, from Maiwei to Fuzhou City, even if I agree, I'm afraid Shen Baoyan won't agree." To be honest, I've already smoothed things over with Governor Shen. After the train started running, he thought it was convenient for transporting goods and approved it."

  "Mr. Deng's words are not superficial! It's really that you can't judge a person by their appearance. Is this what Sheng Huai Xuan meant?" Deng Zi Xuan smiled and didn't know if he should agree or not. Wu Tang took a deep breath, his eyes rolling around as he thought to himself: Could it be Mr. Li's intention? They don't want to take the lead, so they're letting this young man take care of it. Building railways is no joke, just playing around is nonsense, it must be the intention of the Prime Minister. Thinking of this, Wu Tang sat up straight and said: "Since Mr. Deng wants to play around, I'll give him some leeway. However, having trains enter the city might not be suitable!"

  "Sir, the common people have built the train station outside the city, it won't cause trouble for you." Deng Zixuan saw the old man's furrowed brow suddenly clear up, knowing he had misunderstood. The misunderstanding was just what he wanted, and later Sheng Huai would know that even if he didn't acknowledge it, he would have to. Moreover, since the old man had misunderstood, it was impossible for him to take the initiative to ask questions.

  "Haha, isn't it just laying a railway? I've made up my mind about this. Later when the railway is completed, let me play with it too." Wu Tang started teasing.

  "The adults are pleased, and the railway was repaired the next day. I let the adults go play first." "Master Deng is truly a romantic, and I waited patiently. Master Deng can rest assured that I will take care of the station address outside the city, and I will make sure you are satisfied." The railway from Maiwei to Fuzhou City is only five kilometers long and runs along the riverbank, so it does not occupy arable land and has no impact. Moreover, it belongs to their jurisdiction. Wu Tong treated him with great hospitality, as if they had known each other for a long time.

  Back at Shen Baoyan's mansion, the sky had already darkened. When Shen Baoyan heard that Wu Tang agreed to lay down the railway, he was almost unbelievable. It wasn't until he saw the letter written by Wu Tang that he confirmed it without a doubt. "Master Deng, I really didn't expect you to do such a great job. Everything is ready, just waiting for the east wind, now we're just waiting for the train you bought to arrive." Shen Baoyan was overjoyed. Hu Xueyan smiled and said: "Zixuan younger brother, how did you persuade Wu Tang?" "I sent him so many valuable gifts, since he accepted them, he definitely granted his favor!" Such a statement, Shen Baoyan had no objection to it. With money, one can make the devil push the mill, it's not something strange.

  It seems that Deng Zixuan remembered something and said, "Your Excellency, we should lay the roadbed now, we can't delay." Hu Xueyan said, "Your Excellency, Brother Zixuan has bought a train, I'll pay for the roadbed, I'll send someone to buy wood right away." "Your Excellency, after observing the shipyard build ships, there are a lot of leftover materials that can be used as sleepers." "Great idea, the leftover materials piled up like mountains can finally be put to use, Mr. Deng really has a keen eye for this. You said you would invite several foreign technicians from America, this matter is all up to you." "Your Excellency, rest assured, the foreign technicians will arrive by ship!"

  10 days later, two British cargo ships docked at the Ma Wei Shipyard Wharf. On that day, Deng Zixuan and his wife, Shen Baozhen, Hu Xueyan and his wife, etc. watched on the wharf. After Deng Zixuan finished handing over to the British captain, he began laying temporary steel rails on the wharf, with 5 technicians from the United States directing the construction. After the temporary steel rails were laid, the steam crane started unloading cargo, and everyone's eyes widened in amazement.

  Deng Zixuan stared at the steam locomotive, skeptical in his heart. From a distance, the train head was small and pitiful, even smaller than the forest railway train. The train head was very simple, with only two driving wheels, and the coal-water car behind had only one wheel. Moreover, the driver's cab did not have a roof, exposed to the elements, yet everyone was still sighing in amazement. When it came to the hanging carriage, Deng Zixuan was even more disdainful. The five-carriage train was completely made of wood, with three freight carriages having a box body only half a meter high and about 4 meters long. Two passenger carriages were about 6 meters long, with only one door, and two windows on each side, but no glass in the windows. It's not hard to see that although flat glass had already been invented in Western countries at this time, it hadn't yet been widely popularized.

  A half-kilometer long iron rail came with the train, and there were other parts as well. After the inspection was completed that day, Deng Zixuan personally arranged for the five American technicians to rest. The five Americans included two engineers, two technicians, and one driver. The next day, Deng Zixuan, Shen Baozhen, Hu Xueyan, and others personally watched the locomotive run on the temporarily laid steel rails, with Deng Zixuan climbing aboard to inspect it himself. After all, Deng Zixuan was a "professional", and the questions he raised made the Americans look at him in a new light.

  "Sir, the production process of this steel rail is not high, and it should be no problem for the shipyard to manufacture such a steel rail." Deng Zixuan said while checking the steel rail. "The American engineer who came to inspect the equipment in the factory thinks that it can completely produce steel rails, and I have already arranged for someone to prepare." Deng Zixuan took the opportunity to say: "Sir, when the locomotive pulls the carriage on the steel rail, it will be like flying, Sir, you will see it with your own eyes, and there will definitely be a sensational effect afterwards. I dare guarantee that once the imperial court permits it, railways will be laid within the Great Qing Empire."

  "Deng Gongzi, what do you mean?" Shen Baizhen was puzzled. "Sir, I have signed a 2-year contract with the American engineer, why can't we produce locomotives ourselves? The American engineer told me that the shipyard has the capability to produce steam engines, and producing locomotives is no problem. Moreover, many auxiliary equipment can be produced by the Shanghai Machine Factory. We cannot always rely on foreigners, we must have the courage to produce our own steam locomotives."

  Shen Baizhen shook his head and said, "At present, the ironware of the shipyard is sufficient for manufacturing steel rails, but in the future, we will have to purchase steel from foreigners to manufacture trains. We are still controlled by others. Although Zhang Zhidong is building a steel factory in Wuhan, I'm afraid it will take at least three years to produce steel. Now, even if we can build trains, we can't wait for the rice to be cooked!" Deng Zixuan glanced at Hu Xueyan. Hu Xueyan understood and said, "Sir, to be honest with you, I have built a small steel factory in Dongguan, Guangzhou, which produces 2,000 catties of steel per month. The quality is excellent, almost the same as the steel produced by foreigners. At present, the demand for steel is not large, and we have a large inventory."

  "Mr. Hu can't see that you're waiting for me here, so I agree to set up a steam engine factory. However, the imperial court won't contribute a single penny, and I need your two gentlemen's assistance." "Sir! The idea was mine, of course I'll take responsibility!" "Sir, Xueyan will definitely assist with all his might." The next day, Deng Zixuan went to the dock to see off Hu Xueren, "Old brother, it's enough to send someone to Qinghai to take a look, why do you have to go yourself?" "Younger brother! Lately I've been unable to eat or sleep well. If it's really a treasure trove, even if I have to throw my bones there, it'll be worth it. I must go myself. If the excavation is easy, I'll set up a merchant team. After I leave, please take care of my family for me!"

  A month later, the roadbed of 5 kilometers was completed. This section of the route had no rivers, only two small streams, and stone culverts were built on the streams, so the construction speed was very fast. A month later, the workshop produced steel rails, and at the same time, both sides began to prepare for building stations. During this period, Deng Zixuan wrote a letter to Sheng Huaixuan briefly describing the situation of the train, revealing an important piece of information in the letter. Deng Zixuan's purpose was very clear: he must get Li Hongzhang involved, otherwise the Qing government would have no chance of building railways.

  Deng Zixuan's plan was flawless, his target being Li Hongzhang. Shen Baozhen's main business was shipbuilding and coastal defense, so it wouldn't work for him to be in charge of building the Daqing Railway. If Li Hongzhang took the lead, building a railway from Fuzhou to Shanghai would be no problem, with huge benefits in sight, Li Hongzhang being so wise would definitely go all out. At present, Zuo Zongtang is in Xinjiang, even if he knew about it, he wouldn't interfere. And Shen Baozhen would certainly push the wave forward, thus the Daqing Railway would naturally be undertaken by the Beiyang Group.