Chapter 43: The Great Ship Governor

  The small fire wheel gradually approached the Fuzhou dock, and from a distance, the dock was very empty. However, Hu Xueyan's figure was particularly eye-catching. "Isn't that Mr. Hu? He personally came to the dock to meet us." Wan'er exclaimed excitedly. Deng Zixuan didn't make a sound, but he had an urgent feeling in his heart.

  Wannianqing, Meiyun, Fuxing, Fubo, Anlan, Yangwei and other wooden warships were built. In just 4 years, 10 warships have been launched, which shows Shen Baozhen's contributions are undeniable. However, due to lack of follow-up support, the Mawei Shipyard is struggling to move forward. Deng Zixuan helped Hu Xueyan with production of civilian ships and paid silver in advance, which was a timely help. As a result, construction of private steam-powered cargo ships began this month.

  "Haha! Brother Zixuan, I've been waiting for you with bated breath! Finally, you're here!" Hu Xueyan's face was flushed with excitement, his words filled with joy. "Brother Hu, I'm also extremely busy, but as soon as I had some free time, I rushed over!" "Brother Zixuan, I heard that recently you helped Sheng Hua Xuan set up a machinery factory, is there something going on?" Hu Xueyan's face turned serious, his sharp eyes fixed intently on him.

  Deng Zixuan did not conceal: "Isn't brother Hu monitoring me? It's like this, Sheng Huaixuan is my cousin-in-law's younger brother. Since I know foreign languages, he hired me as an interpreter, that's all. After careful consideration, I think it's all about serving the imperial court to deal with foreigners and avoid being deceived by them." Hu Xueyan said suspiciously: "Younger brother! You know I am a subordinate of Lord Zuo, Sheng Huaixuan is a confidant of Lord Li, you can't waver between the two!"

  Deng Zixuan said, "Brother Hu, you and I are both businessmen, making a profit is our nature. That's why I didn't choose to enter the officialdom in the first place. Brother Hu can rest assured that I won't participate in the struggle for power in the officialdom. Just like when Brother Hu was involved in the Long Hairs' rebellion, you were able to navigate through danger with ease back then, and now it's just a matter of differing political views between the two major factions. I'm not going to end up on the chopping block, am I? Besides, don't both of your factions need me?"

  Hu Xueyan shook his head and sighed, "Zi Xuan, my younger brother, although you're still wet behind the ears, but your cunning ways make me sweat. Alright, as long as you're sincere in your actions, I'll turn a blind eye. However, when working with Sheng Huai Xuan, don't be too high-profile, and our cooperation should also be low-key, lest we give others something to gossip about, it's for your own good!"

  "Hu brother! Don't worry, I won't do anything that harms both parties' interests. From now on, it's business as usual, just call me whenever you need me." As they spoke, the crowd got into the carriage and rushed to Shiping Da Ren's residence. The formalities of meeting were unnecessary, so Deng Zixuan observed the robust man in front of him and thought to himself that this gentleman was a rare talent of the late Qing dynasty. He was a meritorious official who had contributed to the creation of China's first navy and played a foundational role in its construction. Deng Zixuan thought to himself, "Now that I'm here, your handcrafted South Sea Navy will not be buried at sea again, and the Maji Shipyard will not be destroyed overnight; history will not repeat itself."

  Next year, the Japanese army invaded Taiwan, attempting to covet Taiwan and use its barbaric land as an excuse to steal it for itself. At that time, Shen Baozhen will lead the fleet and Huai Army to land in Taiwan as a special envoy, ensuring that Taiwan is not lost and returns smoothly to the motherland, making a great contribution. The Japanese army's invasion of Taiwan triggered a sense of crisis in the imperial court, causing the imperial court to clearly realize the danger of border defense and coastal defense. Subsequently, the imperial court urged Li Hongzhang to take charge of the northern navy as a minister to handle coastal defense affairs, Shen Baozhen was appointed as the governor of Jiangxi and concurrently served as the southern navy minister to handle coastal defense affairs, and China's modern naval construction began from this.

  Afterwards, how to plot the South Ocean Navy is an important part of Deng Zixuan's plan. How to achieve this goal, the current Shen Daren is crucial. In the following years, Shen Baozhen will open a ship political school, which is also a quasi-naval school, and this great opportunity must be utilized, Deng Zixuan is thinking about it.

  "Haha! Young people are really not simple! It can be said that the rear waves of the Yangtze River push forward, and heroes have always emerged in their youth. Dèng Gōngzǐ is so young and yet has achieved wealth and prosperity, I didn't expect it. What's even more unexpected is that Dèng Gōngzǐ's clever plan was put into action, just like sending charcoal in the snow. Xueyan, my younger brother, will probably have to admit defeat!" Shen Baizhen's voice was loud and clear, his bright face radiating a sense of closeness.

  "Ah, sir! I'm ashamed to say it, but Brother Zixuan's strategy is extraordinary, and his future prospects are boundless, he will surely surpass me!" Hu Xueyan chimed in. Deng Zixuan seemed to wake up from a dream and said: "Shen sir, this humble subject is also serving the imperial court. Now that you, sir, bear the heavy responsibility of defending the Qing dynasty's coastlines, our Qing dynasty's invincible fleet will soon be sailing across the vast oceans, striking fear into the hearts of all nations. You have established the Qing navy to protect our great nation's borders and ensure the peace and prosperity of our people, so this humble subject is filled with gratitude and has made a small contribution, which is not even worth mentioning."

  "Haha! Young Master Deng is indeed eloquent, although there's a hint of flattery, but I'm willing to listen. Young Master Deng has ordered ten steam cargo ships, and I've decided to produce them all within two years. Young Master Deng's suggestion for military-civilian dual-use has greatly promoted my subsequent production of warships, and currently, merchants have been placing orders for cargo ships one after another. This year, I'll be launching two more shipyards specifically for producing civilian cargo ships." Shen Baichuan was in high spirits. Deng Zixuan knew that at this moment, the course of history of the Matou Shipyard had changed, and at least the difficulties that future generations would face had been greatly alleviated, with a significance that could not be measured.

  At this time, Wan'er had already gone to the back hall and was getting along with the ladies. She gave the special palace pastries she brought to Shen Baizhen's wife and concubine, causing a stir. Deng Zixuan knew that when women got together to build relationships, they would achieve twice the result with half the effort. Shen Baizhen treated Deng Zixuan and his wife with great hospitality, doing his best as host.

  At the banquet, Deng Zixuan took advantage of Shen Baizhen's good mood and advised: "Sir, I heard that our Matou Shipyard can produce steam engines now!" "Haha! This is the most exciting thing for me. At present, our Matou Machinery Factory can produce 400-horsepower steam engines, even the British people praise our steam engines as being no different from those produced in Britain." Deng Zixuan was secretly shocked upon hearing this. What's the significance of steam engines? They are the foundation of modern industry! If it weren't for the Qing dynasty's incompetence and failure to promote and develop the steam engine industry, what would history be like now?

  "Sir, at present the imperial court is encouraging entrepreneurship and industrial development. The demand for industrial equipment from the people is increasing day by day, especially for steam engines. Western countries have relied on steam engines to create an industrial era, and our neighbor Japan is also actively promoting steam engines. Soon they will surpass us." Shen Baizhen sat up straight and said: "Deng Gongzi, how do you know these things?"

  "Gentlemen! The foreigners have described the situation in Japan in great detail. At present, the Japanese Emperor has issued a reform edict, and is learning from the West in all aspects, vigorously promoting industrialization. Therefore, I suggest that the steam engines produced by the Mawei Shipyard should be put on the market. To expand sales channels, we can produce large, medium and small-sized steam engines of different models, according to the requirements of merchants, so that the Mawei Shipyard can obtain a large amount of financial resources, achieving two goals at once!"

  Shen Baoyan's eyes lit up and he said, "This small country has actually surpassed us, it's truly unthinkable. What is the sales route for steam engines? Are you confident?" Hu Xueyan interjected, "Your Excellency, at present merchants are extremely envious of foreigners' mechanized textile production. If we have steam engines, merchants will set up spinning mills and weaving factories, so there shouldn't be a problem with sales."

  "Sir! Have you heard of the foreigners' steam-powered locomotives that run on iron rails?" "I've heard something about it, seems like a steam engine installed with wheels running on iron rails." Deng Zixuan exclaimed: "That's exactly what you described, sir!" Then Deng Zixuan pulled out a dozen papers from his pocket and handed them to Shen Baozhen: "Please take a look, sir. I've drawn pictures of the foreigners' steam-powered locomotives, basically like this."

  Shen Baizhen took the drawings and began to examine them, while Hu Xueyan also showed some interest and walked over. Deng Zixuan patiently explained how the steam engine would run on iron rails, and when he got to the part about the carriage, he said: "Sir, if we use horse-drawn carriages to transport goods from Shanghai to Fuzhou, assuming 10 carriages depart from Shanghai, it will take at least 5 days, not including overnight stays along the way. And the cargo can only carry a maximum of 5 tons. If we..."