Chapter 46: Giving Gifts

  The small steamer chugged upstream along the Yangtze River, despite it being a cold winter month, the temperature remained above zero. The small steamer sailed on the main navigation channel in the middle of the river, occasionally cargo ships would pass by from upstream, almost all the cargo ships sailing against the current were towed by people and horses on both banks, the scene was bustling with people pulling and carrying goods, indicating a thriving business and prosperous trade.

  A steam cargo ship overtook from behind, accompanied by the whistle, and the steam cargo ship proudly surpassed the small fire wheel. It was clear that the speed of the overtaking cargo ship was faster than the small fire wheel. As the cargo ship quickly overtook, the crowd on the deck of the small fire wheel couldn't help but sigh. "Mr. Deng! Look at this cargo ship is twice as fast as ours!" Wan Chuan exclaimed in admiration.

  "Husband, I really didn't expect to see a steam cargo ship on the Yangtze River. The world has truly changed!" said Wan'er, wearing a sable coat, couldn't help but whisper. Looking at the high-speed cargo ship, Deng Zixuan said: "The cargo ship in front is a new type of steam cargo ship produced by Mawei Shipyard. You see that it can carry twice as much cargo as a ship of the same tonnage, and its speed is more than ten times faster than the horse-drawn cargo ships on both banks. What does this show? This shows that the power of science is boundless."

  "What is the power of science!" Wan'er asked curiously, and the people around her also perked up their ears. Deng Zixuan said: "The so-called power of science is the ability of human beings to harness nature with their wisdom in the struggle against the great nature. In the future, with the rapid development of science, you will see many fantastic things become a reality. Take steamships for example, in the future our Yangtze River will be filled with them everywhere, and even faster cargo ships than steamships will appear. It can even achieve the feat of sailing upstream for thousands of miles to Jiangling in just one day!"

  "Master Deng! The scene you painted will surely appear, I believe it will appear in your hands!" Wan Chuan couldn't help but exclaim. "What you said is not accurate, it's that it will appear in our hands. But the premise must have a suitable soil, otherwise it can only be thought about." Wan Chuan heard the implication from Deng Zi Xuan's words and stopped speaking. Yuanyu asked in confusion: "Husband! What is suitable soil?"

  "Wan'er, what I'm doing now is searching for a suitable soil, although the path ahead is full of thorns, but I will persevere and never give up." Deng Zixuan said, looking far away with a resolute expression on his face. Some things can't be explicitly stated, they can only be slowly instilled in them, and over time, it will yield twice the result. Suddenly, Wan'er felt a sense of unease rising within her, amidst confusion and uncertainty. She sensed that what her husband was doing went beyond mere business. Could it be that he was truly preparing for rebellion? The last time Deng Zixuan spoke to her, it wasn't just an idle joke. Wan'er's mood turned heavy.

  Arriving smoothly at the Nanjing dock, Deng Zixuan didn't have the mood to appreciate the scenery in the city. At his sister's husband Zhang Yan's official residence, the group got off the carriage. "Brother-in-law! You're not in Shanghai City doing business or running a factory, how do you have the leisure time to run to Nanjing to relax?" Zhang Yan said with some surprise as soon as they met at the door. "Sister's husband! I wouldn't dare to come to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason, naturally today brother-in-law didn't invite me to come so I must need sister's husband's help." Then Deng Zixuan introduced Wan Chuan and others, Gongfu Ruoer and Guier were affectionate, soon the group was welcomed in.

  After the host and guest sat down in the living room, the maid came up to serve tea. Zhang Yan smiled and said: "Brother-in-law! I heard that you have become sworn brothers with Sheng Huai Xuan, and now Sheng Huai Xuan is highly valued by Master Zhong Tang. This humble abode doesn't know what matter brother-in-law needs my help with?" Deng Zi Xuan smiled and said: "Sister's husband, I have two things to ask of you, which shouldn't be difficult for sister's husband."

  "I am a scholar without power, I don't know what my brother-in-law wants me to do?" "Brother Wan wants to do business in Nanjing city. This place is familiar to Brother Ji, and he hopes that Brother Ji can help him buy a house in a prosperous area, requiring a three-entry courtyard, and also purchase a shop front. He hopes that Brother Ji can help and take care of it." Wan Chuan hurriedly stood up and said: "Lord Zhang, I pay my respects!"

  "Brother-in-law! No problem with small matters, Mr. Wan is a friend of my brother-in-law and also my friend. What's the second thing?" Deng Zixuan said: "Brother-in-law, as an official, you should know about the vacancies in various provinces!" Zhang Yan was slightly surprised and said: "Could it be that your brother-in-law wants to become an official?" "It's not me, but my friend who wants to become an official. They have been scholars for many years, and now they are getting older, it's too difficult to advance further, so I want to help them."

  Zhang Yan sank into thought for a moment before saying, "A scholar can only serve as a county magistrate, and they are all in remote areas. There is no rich position available. Moreover, my brother-in-law can only provide information, if I were to find a way, my brother-in-law's ability would not be enough!" "My brother-in-law only needs to provide the information, I will take care of things on the imperial court side." "Brother-in-law is indeed a man of great abilities! What kind of connection do you have?"

  "Brother-in-law! If the governor gets involved, it shouldn't be difficult to handle this matter!" "You mean Governor Ding?" Deng Zixuan nodded. "When did you and Governor Ding become acquainted?" "Last year, Governor Ding went to Shanghai for an inspection and stayed at my residence for one night, that's all!" Zhang Yan took a deep breath and said: "Brother-in-law! You will be looked at in a new light from now on. Currently, Ding is Governor Li's right-hand man, not to mention being a county magistrate, even being a prefect would be no problem. Brother-in-law! Which province's vacancy do you need?"

  "I need the shortage situation of Guangdong Province and Guangxi Province?" Zhang Yan dared not to delay, quickly took out the flower name book from the cabinet, and reported the shortage situation of various places in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Province. Deng Zixuan was overjoyed after hearing his brother-in-law's report, which was exactly what he wanted. Then Zhang Yan personally entertained Deng Zixuan and his party to wash away their fatigue, and unintentionally showed extra respect to Deng Zixuan.

  Two days later, Deng Zixuan and Wanyi personally visited Ding Ruchang with gifts. This time, Deng Zixuan brought two boxes of new high-grade matches from the match factory, two boxes of new soap, two boxes of glass, and dozens of specially made mirrors. At present, these things are scarce luxury goods in the Qing Dynasty, and even officials like Ding Ruchang cannot buy them at will.

  At present, almost all the soap produced by Deng Zixuan is supplied to Beijing, while the high-end glass produced by the glass factory is almost entirely supplied to the Manchu nobility. The Manchu nobles' love for luxury goods has reached a state of madness, and it is said that Empress Dowager Cixi has already listed glass as a valuable item. Even the Manchu royal family cannot easily get their hands on such things, let alone Ding Rìchāng, who is a Han official of this level. The key point is that the glass produced by the Xi'an and Dongguan branch factories are almost "defective products", while the Pudong Glass Factory currently specializes in producing high-end glass.

  After the announcement, Deng Zixuan was allowed to enter the mansion. Ding Rìchāng, being the governor, couldn't possibly go out to greet him for the sake of his dignity. However, Ding Rìchāng still made an exception and welcomed him at the door of the living room. As soon as they met, Deng Zixuan and Wǎn ér wanted to kneel down, but Ding Rìchāng hastily came forward and helped Deng Zixuan up, saying: "Young Master Deng, we're all family, no need for formalities!" "Thank you, Governor Ding, for your kindness!" Ding Rìchāng personally led Deng Zixuan by the hand into the living room.

  "Brother Huai Xuan is busy setting up his factory, and Master Deng is not in Shanghai waiting for him. How did he have the leisure to come here?" As soon as he finished speaking, a pair of eyes wandered around Wan'er's body, and Wan'er saw that her face turned red and quickly lowered her head. Damn this old lecher! Deng Zi Xuan cursed in his heart but said on his lips: "Lord Ting, I'll get straight to the point. This time I came to Nanjing to ask for your help."

  "Ah! Master Deng, what brings you here?" Deng Zixuan didn't respond and instead instructed his servants to bring in the gifts. Before long, the gifts were brought in and as soon as they were revealed, the ladies-in-waiting let out a collective gasp of surprise. "Sir! These humble gifts are not worthy of your presence, please accept them with a smile!" Wanyan got up from her seat to introduce herself to the madam and concubines one by one. Before long, the ladies took their leave, carrying their gifts as they went to the inner chambers in high spirits.

  "Mr. Deng! You're too kind, we're all family, no need to be polite. I'm not familiar with outsiders, so just speak your mind!" "Sir, you're straightforward, that's the thing. I have two good friends who were high school classmates for many years and are now in their thirties. They have ambitions but nowhere to realize them, so I'm worried about them. We should serve the imperial court as a matter of course. I heard that the position of Magistrate of Changjiang County on Hainan Island is vacant, and the position of Magistrate of Dingming County in Guangxi is also vacant. Please help recommend one or two people."

  "Haha! Master Deng is indeed a man of passion, for friends can be said to be willing to insert two ribs. Hainan Island and Guangxi are both barbarous lands, it's hard to believe that Master Deng doesn't want to give his friend a fat official position!" Ding Ri Chang was somewhat perplexed. Deng Zi Xuan said: "Sir, these two friends of mine have ambitions and want to make a name for themselves. Especially in remote areas, they can achieve more, and I will also help them with all my might!" "So Master Deng has ulterior motives, no harm in saying it out loud so I can hear?" No profit without effort, Ding Ri Chang wouldn't believe in nonsense about ambitions.

  Deng Zixuan said, "Your Honor is wise and discerning. My idea is this: Hainan Island is a hot region with three harvests per year and favorable winds and rains. I want to open up land there to grow rice. Moreover, the island's fruits are very abundant. With the current flourishing sea transportation, if we transport cheap goods from there, the profit will be huge. Guangxi is also like this; if my friends serve as county magistrates there, at least they can take care of me!"

  "Haha! I knew it, Master Deng wouldn't have wasted his efforts. This matter isn't difficult, no one wants to go to such a desolate place, I've promised you, Master Deng will make a fortune in the future, just don't forget about me."

  "Sir! Rest assured! Your humble servant is eternally grateful, how could he ever forget your kindness?"

  Ding Rì Chāng was in high spirits and specially invited Deng Zǐ Xuān to stay at the Ding Manor for two days.

  Actually, if Deng Zixuan asked Sheng Huai Xuan to handle this matter, there would be no problem. However, Sheng Huai Xuan is currently devoting all his energy to helping Li Hongzhang with his business ventures. If he were to advise Li Hongzhang on this matter, it would inevitably arouse Li's suspicion and dissatisfaction. On the other hand, if Ding Ruchang were to recommend someone, it would be a smooth and natural thing to do. To put it bluntly, Ding Ruchang could grandiosely persuade Li Hongzhang in the name of strengthening border defenses, and also use the excuse of expanding his power. If Ding Ruchang recommended two people, Li Hongzhang would definitely think they were his men and wouldn't harbor any suspicion.

  Deng Zixuan returned to Shanghai Castle in less than 10 days, and good news came. Deng Zixuan immediately told Kuang Jiazhi and Li Tong to go to the capital to receive the imperial edict. After the old calendar year, Kuang Jiazhi and Li Tong returned to Shanghai Castle by sea, with Kuang Jiazhi serving as the magistrate of Changjiang County in Hainan, and Li Tong serving as the magistrate of Dingming County in Guangxi. During this period, Deng Zixuan selected a group of people to follow the two magistrates to take office in Guangdong and Guangxi.

  On the dock, two steam cargo ships were ready to set sail. Deng Zixuan held the hands of Kuang Jiazhi and Li Tong and said: "You two gentlemen, don't forget our shared ideals, a country's rise and fall is the responsibility of every individual, remember that I am your strong backing." "Mr. Deng, Kuang is grateful for your great kindness, and will follow you for life!" "Li will never forget Mr. Deng's teachings, and will fulfill the oath of the Tongmenghui with his life!"

  "I've told you everything I need to say, don't worry about the silver, I think there won't be any unexpected problems, and we'll have a harvest in two years. After you arrive in Guangzhou, my people will take care of you, wishing you a smooth journey, and we'll meet again! At this moment, Wang Jiuyi and Pei Xuan, along with other scholars from the Tongren Academy, came forward to bid farewell. Although they didn't explicitly discuss rebellion against the Qing, a centrifugal force had already emerged. Unconsciously, they had formed a community bound by shared ideals and interests. The key was Deng Zixian, this ever-growing tree, which had begun to provide them with shade and soil."

  With a whistle, the steam cargo ship loaded with goods set sail, and Deng Zixuan's earth-shaking plan officially began its journey.

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