The small steamer went up the Yangtze River, and although it was a cold winter, the temperature was still above freezing. The small steamer sails on the main channel in the center of the river, occasionally there are cargo ships passing by from the upstream, almost all the cargo ships going upriver are going against the water on both sides of the river, the scenery of people on both sides of the river pulling shoulders and horse-drawn cargo ships is very lively, indicating that the trade is prosperous and the trade is prosperous.

A steam freighter overtook from behind, and with the sound of the whistle, the steam freighter proudly crossed the small steamer, and it was obvious that the freighter behind was speeding faster than the small steamer. Seeing the freighter rushing over, the crowd on the deck of the small steamer couldn't help but sigh. "Mr. Deng! Look, this freighter is twice as big as our small steamer, it's so fast! Wan Chuan praised it.

"Husband, I really didn't expect to see a steam freighter on the Yangtze River, this world has really changed!" Wan'er, who was wearing a mink coat, couldn't help but mutter. Looking at the high-speed freighter, Deng Zixuan said: "The freighter in front is a new type of steam cargo ship produced by Mawei Shipyard, you can see that he carries twice as much cargo as a cargo ship of the same tonnage, but his speed is more than ten times faster than that of the cargo ships drawn on both sides of the strait." What does this mean, this shows that the liliang of science is infinite. ”

"What is the liliang of science!" Wan'er asked curiously, and the people around her also pricked up their ears. Deng Zixuan said: "The so-called scientific liliang is the ability of human beings to use their wisdom to control nature in the struggle with nature. In the future, with the rapid development of science, you will see a lot of fantasy things become reality. Take steam freighters as an example, in the future, we will see cargo ships everywhere on the Yangtze River, and even faster than steam freighters will appear. You can even sail against the current for thousands of miles and return to Jiangling in one day! ”

"Deng Gongzi! The scene you depicted will definitely appear, and I am sure it will appear in your hands! "Wan Chuan can't help it." What you say is not accurate, but it appears in our hands. But the premise is that there must be a suitable soil, otherwise it can only be a thought. Wan Chuan heard the meaning from Deng Zixuan's mouth, and stopped making a sound. Wan'er asked in confusion: "Husband! What is the right soil? ”

"Wan'er, what I am doing now is to find a suitable soil, although the future is full of thorns, I will always be unswerving and persevering." After Deng Zixuan finished speaking, he raised his eyes and looked into the distance, with a resolute expression on his face. There are some things that cannot be said explicitly, but can only be instilled in them slowly, and over time they will get twice the result with half the effort. Suddenly, a trace of gloom welled up in Wan'er's heart, and mixed flavors and ominous omens arose in the confusion. He felt that everything his husband did was not just about business, it was simple. Could it be that the husband is really preparing for a rebellion? What Deng Zixuan told him last time was by no means a joke, and Wan'er's mood became heavy.

Successfully arrived at Nanjing Wharf, Deng Zixuan was not in the mood to enjoy the scenery in the city. At the official residence of the eldest brother-in-law Zhang Yan, the group got out of the carriage. "Brother-in-law! You don't do business and run a factory in Shanghai, how can you have the leisure to go to Nanjing to relax! As soon as they met in front of the door, Zhang Yan was a little surprised. Brother-in-law! I have nothing to do but kick the Three Treasures Palace, and my brother-in-law naturally needs my brother-in-law's help when he is uninvited today. Then Deng Zixuan introduced Wan Chuan and others, this kung fu Wan'er and Gui'er were affectionate, and soon the group was welcomed in.

After the guest and the host were seated in the living room, the maid came up to serve tea to the guests. Zhang Yan smiled: "Brother-in-law! I heard that you and Sheng Huaixuan have become brothers, and now Sheng Huaixuan is deeply valued by the adults in the middle hall. I don't know what my brother-in-law is asking me to help with? Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "Brother-in-law, I have two things to ask you, and these two things are not difficult for my brother-in-law." ”

"I'm a civil official with no authority, I don't know what my brother-in-law asked me to do?" "Brother Wan wants to do business in Nanjing, and his brother-in-law here is familiar with the road, and he hopes that his brother-in-law will help him buy a house in a prosperous area, and he asks for three courtyards and another piece of shop. I hope my brother-in-law will help and take care of him. Wan Chuan hurriedly stood up and said, "Master Zhang, the grass people are polite!" ”

"Brother-in-law! There is no problem with a trivial matter, since Mr. Wan is a friend of my brother-in-law, he is also a friend of mine. What's the second thing? Deng Zixuan said: "Brother-in-law, you are a civil official, you must know the situation of official vacancies in various provinces!" Zhang Yan was slightly surprised and said, "Could it be that my brother-in-law wants to join the scholar?" "It's my friends who want to join the Shi, they have been showing talent for many years, and now it's too difficult to be promoted in Xiangshang when they're older, so I want to help them."

Zhang Yan groaned and said: "Xiucai can only serve as a county commander, and they are all remote areas, and there is no shortage of fat at all. Besides, my brother-in-law can only provide information, if I have the ability to find a way, my brother-in-law can't do it! "Brother-in-law only needs to provide information, and I will handle the affairs of the imperial court?" My brother-in-law is really not shallow! I don't know what path you have? ”

"Brother-in-law! It wouldn't be difficult for the governor to come out in this matter! "You mean Lord Ding?" Deng Zixuan nodded. "When did my brother-in-law get in touch with Master Ding?" "Last year, Lord Ding went to Shanghai to inspect and stayed in my mansion for a night, that's all!" Zhang Yan gasped and said, "Brother-in-law! Don't be impressed by the three days of the day. At present, Ding Richang is Lord Li's confidant, and it is no problem to say that he is a county magistrate, even a prefect. Brother-in-law! Which province do you need? ”

"Do I need vacancies in Guangzhou and Guangxi provinces?" Zhang Yan didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly took out the roster in the cabinet and quickly reported the vacancies in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Province. Deng Zixuan was overjoyed after listening to the vacancy reported by his brother-in-law, and he was in the middle of it. Then Zhang Yan personally picked up the dust for Deng Zixuan and the others, and inadvertently Zhang Yan had special respect for Deng Zixuan.

Two days later, Deng Zixuan and Wan'er visited Ding Richang in person with gifts, and the gifts brought by Deng Zixuan this time were, two boxes of new high-grade matches from the match factory, two boxes of new soap, two boxes of glass, and dozens of special mirrors. At present, these things are in high demand in the Qing Dynasty, and even officials of Ding Richang's level can't buy them if they want to.

At present, almost all the soap produced by Deng Zixuan is supplied to the capital, and almost all the high-grade glass produced by the glass factory is supplied to the Manchu aristocracy, and the Manchu nobles' love for luxury goods is simply obsessed to the point, and it is said that the Empress Dowager Cixi rewarded the Manchus with glass as valuables. It is difficult for the Manchu princes and nobles to sell, and Ding Richang is even more difficult to find as a Han official of this level. The key is that the glass produced by the Xi'an and Dongguan branches is almost "defective", and the Pudong glass factory now specializes in the production of high-grade glass.

After the briefing, Deng Zixuan was allowed to enter the mansion. Ding Richang is the governor after all, and it is impossible for him to go out to greet him for the sake of face. But Ding Richang still made an exception to greet him in front of the living room door. As soon as they saw that Deng Zixuan and Wan'er were about to kneel, Ding Richang hurriedly stepped forward to help Deng Zixuan up and said, "Deng Gongzi, they are all their own family members, so you don't have to be formal!" "Lord Shetding, raise love!" Deng Zixuan's hand, which Ding Richang personally held, walked into the living room.

"Brother Huaixuan is in full swing to run the factory, Deng Gongzi is not serving in Shanghai, how can he have the leisure to come to me!" After speaking, a pair of lustful eyes wandered over Wan'er's body, and Wan'er's face turned red when she saw this, and she hurriedly lowered her head. Damn, this old pervert, Deng Zixuan scolded in his heart, but he said: "Lord Ding, the grass people are straight to the point, I came to Nanjing this time to ask for adults?" ”

"Oh! What is Deng Gongzi begging me for! Deng Zixuan did not answer but ordered his subordinates to bring the gift up, and after a while, the gift was brought up, and as soon as all the things appeared, the female dependents who accompanied him suddenly exclaimed. My lord! It's not a respect, please laugh! Wan'er left her seat to introduce her wife and aunt to them one by one, and after a while, the ladies took their things and went to the back hall to be lively.

Although Ding Richang was happy in his heart, he said with a very determined face: "Deng Gongzi! It's too polite, it's all your own people, why bother to see outside. I don't learn anything from Brother Huaixuan, so you can just say anything about it! "My lord is refreshing, that's the case, I have two good friends who have only been in high school for many years, and now they have reached the age of standing, and the two of them have empty ambitions but have nowhere to show them, so my brother is very anxious in his eyes. It is only natural for us to serve the imperial court. I heard that there is a shortage in Changjiang County on Hainan Island and a shortage in Dingming County in Guangxi, so I asked you to help recommend one or two. ”

“haha！ Deng Gongzi is really temperamental, and he can be described as a knife in both ribs for his friends. Hainan Island and Guangxi are both wild places, and Deng Gongzi doesn't want to be fat for a friend! Ding Richang was a little confused. Deng Zixuan said: "My lord, these two friends of mine want to show their ambitions and make a name for themselves. Especially in remote areas, I can make a difference, and I will help them too! "So Deng Gongzi has a plan, why don't you say it and let me hear it?" If you can't afford to be early, Ding Richang won't believe nonsense like ambition.

Deng Zixuan said truthfully: "My lord is aware of everything, my idea is this, Hainan Island is a hot area, three crops a year and the wind and rain are smooth, I want to reclaim the land there to grow rice, in addition, Hainan Island is very rich in fruits, and now the shipping is booming, if you transport cheap things over there, the profit is very large." The same is true in Guangxi, if my friend is serving as a county magistrate over there, at least he should not take care of it! ”

“haha！ I'll just say, Deng Gongzi can't waste his efforts in vain. This matter is not difficult, no one wants to go to the wild land, I promise you, Deng Gongzi will make a fortune in the future, don't forget the old man. "My lord! Don't worry! The grass people are grateful, how can they forget the kindness of adults. Ding Richang was in a good mood and specially invited Deng Zixuan to stay in Ding's Mansion for two days.

In fact, if Deng Zixuan asks Sheng Huaixuan to handle this matter, there is no problem, but Sheng Huaixuan is now doing his best to run the industry for Li Hongzhang, and if he makes suggestions to Li Hongzhang, it will inevitably cause Li Hongzhang's suspicion and even dissatisfaction. To put it bluntly, Ding Richang can lobby Li Hongzhang in a high-sounding manner, in the name of strengthening the border gates, and there is also a reason to expand his strength. Ding Richang recommended candidates, and Li Hongzhang thought that these two people must be his people, and he would not have the slightest suspicion.

Less than 10 days after Deng Zixuan returned to Shanghai, the good news came. Deng Zixuan immediately told Kwong Jiazhi and Li Tong to go to the capital to receive the order. After the old calendar year, Kuang Jiazhi and Li Tong returned to Shanghai by sea, Kuang Jiazhi served as the commander of Changjiang County, Hainan, and Li Tong served as the commander of Dingming County, Guangxi. During this period, Deng Zixuan selected a group of people and followed the two county commanders to Guangdong and Guangxi to take office.

The two steam freighters on the dock were ready to set off, Deng Zixuan held the hands of Kuang Jiazhi and Li Tong and said: "Two brothers, don't forget our like-minded ideals, the rise and fall of the country is the responsibility of the husband, remember that I am your strong backing." "Mr. Deng, Mr. Kuang is a great virtue and will follow him for the rest of his life!" "Li will never forget Mr. Deng's teachings, and fulfill the oath of his colleagues in the party!"

"I've repeatedly explained what I should say, you two don't have to worry about the silver two, I can't think of an accident, there will be a harvest in two years. After you arrive in Guangzhou, my people will pick you up, I wish you a smooth journey, and there will be a period in the future! This kung fu Wang Jiuming and Pei Xuan and other scholars from Tongren Academy stepped forward to say goodbye. Although it is not anti-Qing now, centrifugal force has already been generated. Inadvertently, they have formed a community of ideals and interests. The key is that Deng Zixuan, a growing tree, has begun to provide them with shade conditions and soil.

With a whistle, the steam freighter set off with a full load of goods, and Deng Zixuan's shocking plan began to officially set sail.

‘