Chapter 66: Part Two Guangzhou

  After the old calendar year, Deng Zixuan heard that Hu Xueyan had returned. Deng Zixuan hurriedly took Yuanyuan to visit him. At the gate of Hu Xueyan's mansion, Hu Xueyan, with a dark and thin face, looked very spirited. "Haha! Brother Zixuan, I've been through hardships, but I didn't expect you'd also lost weight. It's been over a year since we last met, and I'm not hiding it from you, I've had a great harvest and returned with a full load!"

  As soon as they met, Hu Xueyan was exceptionally excited and didn't let Deng Zixuan speak. He excitedly pulled Deng Zixuan's hand into the courtyard. Yuanyu and his concubine were a bit bewildered by this scene. "Look! Our family's master is getting more and more like an old child, really can't do anything about him." The concubine sighed softly and followed Yuanyu into the courtyard.

  "Zi Xuan, little brother, take a look at this!" Hu Xueyan seemed somewhat impatient. Deng Zi Xuan gazed at the numerous cloth bags on the ground and casually opened one of them, revealing white salt inside. Deng Zi Xuan didn't seem surprised, merely scooping up a handful to taste before putting it down. "How can you not be shocked? This is silver!" "Old brother! What's there for me to be surprised about? You've been gone for over a year, I knew you wouldn't return empty-handed, you must have found the treasure pot."

  "It's not just a gathering of treasures, it's literally a silver sea with white flowers. I'm telling you, when I was on that salt lake, I didn't sleep for three days and three nights, and even thought I was dreaming. My great Qing dynasty is truly vast and rich, turning stones into gold! Brother Zixuan said it right, the barren west is indeed hiding gold and silver, a mountain of gold and a mountain of silver, my eyes are opened now. Don't be modest, brother, I've already formed a large-scale merchant team, I promised to give you 20% profit without fail, see, the contract is already drafted, just waiting for your signature!"

  Hu Xueyan finished speaking and took out the contract, Deng Zixuan also signed his name without hesitation. "Haha! It won't be long before Jiangnan and Jiangbei will be eating this cheap salt." "Old brother, you're getting too excited, although we are businessmen, seeking profit is our nature, but we can't do things that harm the heavens and reason," Deng Zixuan said bluntly.

  "What's the meaning of this?" Hu Xueyan was suddenly bewildered. "Old brother, you want cheap salt to quickly occupy the market and impact the market, but have you thought about it? What about the salt merchants in Jiangnan and Jiangbei? What about the salt people along the coast? Do you want them all to go bankrupt? We can't just think about making money for ourselves while harming the common people. We can't just be sinners who only care about ourselves. Businessmen not only need integrity but also a conscience."

  Hu Xueyan's face turned stern as he said, "Younger brother, your reminder is very timely. I indeed overlooked this issue. If the salt merchants go bankrupt, it may lead to riots, which is not my intention." "I have an idea that can make your profits rich and not harm others!" "What idea? Speak quickly!"

  "After your salt arrives, despite the long distance, the cost is still low. The price can be increased by 30%, which will not have a great impact on the salt merchants. Firstly, since the quality of the salt you transported is good, it can target the wealthy class. Secondly, the purity of the salt you transported is high, and Western countries have a large industrial demand, foreigners will definitely buy in bulk. If overseas markets can be developed, your salt can be sold to foreigners on a large scale in the future, which would be a win-win situation."

  "Haha! Brother Zixuan, you are indeed clever. I'll do as you say, but we need your help to entertain the foreigners. No problem, afterwards we'll hold a business meeting and the foreigners will definitely take the bait." As they spoke, the two sat down at the table and began drinking wine. Throughout the meal, Hu Xueyan remained enthusiastic.

  "Zixuan, my younger brother, I went to the place you mentioned in Yumen myself. As you said, there are many places where oil is gushing out from underground. To be honest, after digging 3-4 meters, oil started flowing out. I've already drilled 20 oil wells, and each one can produce over a thousand kilograms per day." "Old brother, congratulations on your overflowing wealth!"

  "I sent people to transport the fire oil to Dihua, and Zuo Zongtang found that the fire oil could be used for lighting and was very fond of it. He then sent people to search for more. Before I returned, I received news that Zuo Zongtang had also discovered fire oil oozing out from underground in a place called Karamay in northern Dihua, and it is said that tens of thousands of catties can be collected every day. Zuo Zongtang has already ordered people to start extracting it."

  "Old brother! I wonder how Zuo Daren is doing in the Western Regions!" Hu Xueyan said with a smile: "Zuo Daren can be said to have achieved brilliant military results. He led his troops into Central Asia and pursued Agubo fiercely, and it's said that Agubo escaped to the West Asian Peninsula. If not for the imperial court's order, Zuo Daren probably wouldn't have let him off. Currently, Zuo Daren is stationed in Di Hua, he wants to stay in Di Hua for a while, I estimate he won't be back until next year."

  "I heard that General Zuo has recovered a large piece of land, and the old Russians are getting anxious and have issued a protest to the imperial court. But as far as I know, the old Russians are very powerful, how can they be underestimated?" "Younger brother! You don't know, the old Russians are currently fighting with Turkey and have no time to bother with us." Deng Zixuan heard this and secretly rejoiced, it seems that General Zuo's military achievements are not ordinary."

  "Old brother! I want to go south for a trip, do you want to come with me?" "Great, I've been wanting to go to Guangzhou for a long time." Hu Xueyan was overjoyed. A few days later, Deng Zixuan personally operated and held an exhibition at the British and French concessions. The exhibition was a huge success, and at that time, the British, French, American, and German business firms signed purchase contracts with Hu Xueyan. Such pure salt is simply hard to come by for Western countries.

  A few days later, Deng Zixuan and his wife, Hu Xueyan and his wife, were on a small steamer sailing across the sea. Hu Xueyan was in an exceptionally good mood, perhaps because they had been isolated from the world for a year and there were many topics to discuss. "Brother Zixuan, I heard from your wife that the trains in Fuzhou are fantastic. Why don't we stay in Fuzhou for a while and let me experience it too?" "Since Brother has the intention, we'll linger in Fuzhou for a few days."

  "I didn't expect Sheng Huai Xuan to get such a big bargain, this kid has a keen sense of smell, I heard that his road-building speed is very fast, and the whole line will be open to traffic by the end of the year."

  "Yes! Sheng Hua Xuan is indeed a talent, the Qing dynasty needs talents like him!"

  Seeing Hu Xueyan's somewhat disdainful expression, he continued: "Old brother, you are also a talent, you are the uncrowned king of the business world."

  "Zi Xuan younger brother, you are the real talent, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-reaching. If it weren't for your guidance, Sheng Huai Xuan wouldn't have achieved today's results. The governors of Guangdong and Hubei joined forces to build railways, but it was said that they were struggling to make progress, and after more than a year, they hadn't even finished the surveying, what does this show?"

  "Old brother! You're overpraising me, I'm just borrowing your and Sheng Huai Xuan's energy to make suggestions. Brother's strengths are understanding the Western countries, some things are completely copied, nothing special. As for achievements, you and Sheng Huai Xuan are both geniuses of the Qing dynasty."

  "Zixuan younger brother, I'm not praising you to your face, facts speak louder than words. Your greatest ability is your keen sense of grasping business opportunities and your extraordinary intuition, this is something ordinary people can't do."

  Hu Xueyan continued, "Zixuan younger brother, I want to ask a question?" "Older brother, just say it!" "You said you wanted to be carefree and at ease, but I feel that's not the case. In these few years, I haven't seen you indulging in luxuries, nor have I seen you surrounded by beauties, nor have I seen you traveling and having fun. What I've seen is that you're busy every day. How do you really think?" Deng Zixuan smiled, "Older brother, to be honest, seeing the foreigners' advanced warships, seeing how backward our Qing dynasty is, seeing the foreigners flaunting their power on our coastlines and land, it's making me anxious! I hope that this land will become stronger day by day, and one day we can build our own advanced warships. Older brother, I'm just beating around the bush, but I hope to entrust my hopes in you and Sheng Huaiquan. This is what I think now, do you accept my explanation?"

  "You sent me the Chaka Salt Flat, showing your generosity and magnanimity. But it's really hard to be a rich country through commerce. People fear fame like pigs fear getting fat, danger and wealth are always accompanied. Do you think I'm having an easy time? Accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger, but I have no way out, so I can only move forward. Brother Zixuan, if you have such ambition, I'm afraid I won't be able to fulfill your wishes."

  "Brother! Don't be disheartened, maybe one day you'll proudly raise your head and even become famous for ages! I believe you will see that day." Hu Xueyan shook his head helplessly, knowing that Deng Zixuan was trying to comfort him.

  The small passenger ship docked smoothly at the Fuzhou wharf, and a group of people disembarked. The wharf was bustling with activity, and a man walked up to Deng Zixuan and handed him a badge. Deng Zixuan knew at a glance that he was from Wan Chuan. The man approached and said, "Mr. Deng, this is a letter from your disciple Deng Xiang for you, please take a look." Deng Zixuan unfolded the letter and read it carefully, learning that he and Shen Dadian had gone to Beijing. The letter did not mention what they were doing in Beijing, but instead focused on providing information about He Tao and other students on the warship.

  The man saw Deng Zixuan finish reading the letter and bid farewell. Seeing Hu Xueyan's confusion, Deng Zixuan said: "Old brother, it was a letter left by my younger brother, but unfortunately, Governor Shen has gone to Beijing. Since Governor Shen is not at home, I think we shouldn't disturb the Shen family." "Younger brother speaks reasonably, let's find an inn to stay in, after all, we're just passing through." The group stayed at the best inn in Fuzhou, relieving their travel fatigue.

  Next, the two of them boarded a small train in Fuzhou. At that time, apart from transporting goods to the Mawei Shipyard, another function of this small train was to receive large numbers of high-ranking officials and dignitaries who came from afar. This route had added several passenger cars, which were very beautiful and had bright glass installed on the windows, becoming a tool for sightseeing and curiosity. "Riding the train is really comfortable and intoxicating, not to mention that foreign things are indeed rare." Seeing Yuanyuan and his wife's excited appearance, Hu Xueyan couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

  "Brother, when the railway from Fuzhou to Shanghai is completed, that's when we can truly enjoy ourselves." Deng Zixuan said lightly. Hu Xueyan stretched his neck and looked outside, as if his eyes weren't enough. When they arrived at Mawei Station, this group of passengers got off the train, and the waiting passengers swarmed on again. "Haha! The Mawei Shipyard has expanded again, it's really unrecognizable after three years! In two more years, I'm afraid we won't be able to recognize it anymore." "Yes! The development of Mawei Shipyard is too fast! It's really a new moon every day!" The two stood on the platform and sighed again.

  The director of the Ma Wei Shipyard heard that Hu Xueyan and Deng Zixuan had arrived, and he hurried to greet them. Without going into details, the director personally accompanied them on a tour of the steam engine factory and the vehicle factory. The director happily introduced that the vehicle factory had already started producing vehicles. Steel rail production was continuously expanding in scale and fully supplying the needs of the Fuzhou-Shanghai railway line. Moreover, the director proudly said that the steam locomotive would be put into operation by the end of the year. During the tour, Deng Zixuan remained calm, while Hu Xueyan was extremely excited.

  That night, back at the inn, the two had a small drink. "Zixuan younger brother, I'm simply dreaming, didn't expect that we ourselves can produce steam trains, it's like I'm in a different world." "Older brother, actually there's nothing difficult about it, if foreigners can do it, Chinese people can also do it. The key is to dare to think and dare to act." "If one day trains are running everywhere, what a scene that would be!" Hu Xueyan was getting carried away under the influence of wine. Seeing Hu Xueyan's intoxicated face, Deng Zixuan couldn't help but laugh. Because Hu Xueyan got overly excited and drank too much, he retired early to rest.

  That night, He Tao and more than a dozen other students who had been promoted to military officers came to the inn to meet Deng Zixuan. "Master is above, please accept our respects!" He Tao led the students in kneeling down. "Get up! No need to be formal. Tell me about your situation!" He Tao said: "Master, I have been promoted to the position of First Lieutenant on the Yang Wei warship." "I have been promoted to Second Lieutenant on the Weiyuan warship!" "I have been promoted..." Each person introduced themselves, their young faces radiating vigorous and ambitious spirits.

  Looking out at the future heroes of the ocean, the brave warriors who will ride the great waves, Deng Zixuan's heart surged with emotion: "Not bad, you've all done very well. But don't forget to hone your skills through bitter practice, for the heavy responsibility of defending our maritime borders will soon fall on your shoulders. You must become the brave warriors who ride the great waves."

  "We won't forget, Master's teachings are etched in our hearts forever!" The crowd chorused in unison.

  "I hope each and every one of you will make a name for yourselves, I hope my students can bring glory to their ancestors. And there's one more thing, when danger arises, you must stand up and take action."

  "Please be at ease, Master, we will always heed your call!"

  Deng Zixuan finally left He Tao with the words: "He Tao, your responsibility is heavy, everyone needs you to communicate, and you must not make any mistakes. Also, you need to grasp their movements at all times and provide timely feedback." "Understood, Master, the personnel are carefully selected and will not make any mistakes." "My people will keep in touch with you at all times, currently the court wants to build a northern navy, if possible we want to infiltrate the northern navy." "Yes! I remember!"

  In the next few days, Deng Zixuan successively summoned the students who had boarded the ship, as well as new students studying at the naval school. What kind of fruit the seeds he sowed would eventually bear, Deng Zixuan was not sure. Later, how much role they could play was also unknown, but Deng Zixuan was clear that once he took action, using them as the elite of the Qing Navy would be enough to achieve his goal.

  The little steamer continued to cut through the waves, and after a while entered a beautiful bay, stopping at a simple wharf. "Zixuan younger brother, this is what you said Hong Kong Island, the scenery is indeed beautiful, the terrain is excellent, it's a sheltered harbor." Hu Xueyan looked at Hong Kong Island and said. "Older brother, the British are eyeing this place with envy, they dream of getting this place." "We can't let the British get their way!" "That's right, I want to build a wharf here, and later make it the base of the South China Sea fleet." "Your ambition is big! I want to know where your fleet is?" "Later there will be, not only me but also an ocean-going fleet, let my fleet appear in Western countries." "Zixuan younger brother, I hope I can see that day!" "You will definitely see it, I guarantee!"

  The little steamer entered the Dongjiang River and soon docked at the Baishi Beach Wharf in Dongguan. When Deng Zixuan was staying on Hong Kong Island, news had already spread to Guangzhou City. At this time, Qin Fan, Pei Gejin, and Bai Sheng's wife Biying stood on the wharf, looking out eagerly for a glimpse of him.