Deng Zixuan said: "Brother Sheng, the government accounts for 51 percent of the shares, and the private government accounts for 49 percent of the shares, so the right to operate is in the hands of the government." As for private shares, I think that Lord Zhongtang is honest and upright, and his reputation is far and wide, and if Lord Zhongtang is the guarantee, private capital will actively participate in the shares. If Brother Sheng doesn't believe it, I can contact a group of people, and I can personally invest 20% of the shares or even more, and I will be familiar with the situation of Western countries, and negotiate with foreigners to prevent foreigners from fooling us. ”

Sheng Huaixuan is also a person, not to mention the truth after a layer of window paper is pierced, and the mystery is needless to say. At this time, Sheng Huaixuan was a little carried away excitedly and said: "Brother Zixuan, you can be described as talented, you will be my assistant from today onwards." In this case, I will rush back to Tianjin immediately and report to Lord Zhongtang in person. In addition, I would like to recommend you to Nakado-sama! "No!" Deng Zixuan refused, and everyone was surprised, "Brother Zixuan, people go to high places, water flows to low places, and it is the right time to go to the command of Lord Zhongtang to make a big difference, don't you want to be a high-ranking official!" Sheng Huaixuan asked confusedly.

Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "I understand Brother Sheng's good intentions, I don't hide it, I'm still young and don't want to be restrained." If I defect to Lord Nakado, I may lose my freedom. I'm used to being careless, and I just want to live freely in this life. In addition, I am not interested in officialdom, and I am not good at deceit and intrigue. But don't worry, Brother Sheng, your business is my business, and I will serve before and after the saddle in the future. Please Brother Sheng don't recommend me, otherwise I will quit! ”

Sheng Huaixuan was secretly happy when he heard this: "Brother Zixuan lives a chic life, he is so young and has this kind of realm, it is better to be a brother!" That's it! I promise not to recommend you to Nakado-sama, but you keep your promise! "Brother Sheng! No problem, as long as it's your business at your disposal! Deng Zixuan patted his chest and promised. Good! A gentleman's word, the horse is difficult to chase! Let's have a drink! Sheng Huaiyin shook his head and said, "Zixuan, you are too young, it's a pity to have such a great opportunity." ”

The next day, Sheng Huaixuan set off in a hurry, he was brainwashed by Deng Zixuan and was impatient. Sheng Huaiyin also said goodbye, and when he was leaving, Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "Second brother-in-law, the Changshu County Order is too small, and the younger brother will definitely let you change to a higher position in the future, I think the location of Shanghai Daotai is suitable for you!" "Brother Zixuan, how can you let me be good, if you need a brother-in-law in the future, just say a word." Sheng Huaiyin was completely convinced. Jin'er took Wan'er's hand and said: "Brother-in-law is really temperamental, he would rather be beautiful than Jiangshan, you have to watch it, maybe you will marry a lot of aunts in the future, your troubled days are behind!" ”

Wan'er smiled: "Husband said, he only cares about me alone!" I believe in him! "There are a few men who are not flowery. Haven't you heard that he is going to be on the loose for the rest of his life? You must have watched him," Jin'er whispered. Wan'er smiled and nodded.

Sheng Huaixuan walked on the front foot, and Deng Zixuan took Wan'er and the maid to Hufu on the back foot. Deng Zixuan came to visit with his wife for the first time, and the aunt in charge of the Hu Mansion was a dramatist, and this aunt saw Bingqing Yujie Wan'er, who was charming and coquettish, not to mention enthusiastic. In front of Hu Xueyan, Mrs. Aunt seemed to praise Deng Zixuan for being talented, handsome and chic.

After the ladies left, Hu Xueyan said with a high expression: "Brother Zixuan, I have good news for you, at present, all the glass and mirrors produced by the glass factory are supplied to the capital, and only Bauhinia City will eat up at least half of our production volume, and I am ready to double the glass factory." Deng Zixuan smiled: "Brother Hu! Here's a suggestion for you! ”

"What a suggestion!" Hu Xueyan listened attentively. "The imperial court requires that all the glass produced be supplied to the capital, so how can he fix it with the existing production volume, so that the imperial court thinks that the glass produced will always be fixed. In the future, to expand the production of glass, it is necessary to carry out quota wholesale. "What is Quota Wholesale?" Hu Xueyan was confused.

Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "Brother Hu! That's what I thought. Now this move of the imperial court has invisibly advertised us, and the bureaucrats and aristocrats in the provinces will flock to it in the next step, and the rich will be even more popular. In this way, the price of the glass we produce will be pushed up, but it is not a good phenomenon that the price will be pushed up in the long term. Therefore, if the price of glass is to be maintained at a reasonable price, it is necessary to engage in quotas. ”

Hu Xueyan was confused when he heard this, and Deng Zixuan continued: "For example, the merchants from Shanxi who came with silver could not buy glass, and asked them to transport coal to exchange glass according to different prices. "Brother Zixuan, he is really a business genius! In this way, it can stimulate the trading market even more, killing two birds with one stone! Hu Xueyan was overjoyed.

Deng Zixuan continued: "Also, even if you expand production at the moment, it will be difficult to meet demand, and it will be a seller's market for at least three years." Therefore, I propose to set up branch factories in Guangzhou and Xi'an. I have a piece of land in Dongguan, Guangdong, and the factories are ready-made, as long as we send people, it is estimated that it will be put into production in two months, and it is up to Brother Hu to set up a branch factory in Xi'an. ”

Hu Xueyan widened his eyes again and asked, "Brother Zixuan, could it be that you have already thought of today's situation, and you can really take precautions?" "It's a vague idea!" Hu Xueyan was a little forgetful and said: "Brother Zixuan, I feel like a god, you are really my god of wealth." It just so happened that Lord Zuo went to serve as the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, and there was no problem in setting up a factory in Xi'an, and I could write a letter to the governor of Liangguang. ”

In fact, Deng Zixuan arranged for Pei Gejin to be ready in Dongguan, and to be precise, the raw materials for making glass also began to be prepared, so he sent Hu Xueyan a letter to the governor of Liangguang. As long as Jishu personnel are dispatched, it is estimated that construction will start within a month.

Hearing that Zuo Zongtang went to Shaanxi and Gansu to take up his post, Deng Zixuan had an idea: It seems that the signs of instability in the northwest have appeared, and Agubai in Xinjiang must have begun to worry. Deng Zixuan said: "Lord Zuo went to Shaanxi and Gansu to sit in the town, obviously the northwest is unstable!" Hu Xueyan was shocked and said, "Brother Zixuan, how do you know about this situation?" ”

"What's so strange about this, Lord Zuo is supervising the Mawei Shipyard, and at this critical juncture, he will be transferred to the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, if it weren't for the instability of the west, how could an invincible general like Lord Zuo be transferred, I guess that in two years, Lord Zuo will lead his troops to the west to quell the rebellion." Seeing that Hu Xueyan was thoughtful, Deng Zixuan continued: "Brother Hu! You have to prepare well and stock up on large quantities of grain and grass in the west so as not to be caught off guard. I suggest that you persuade Lord Zuo to organize displaced people to go to the west to reclaim land, and if the grain problem can be solved on the spot, Lord Zuo will have no worries. Brother Hu, you just believe in the little brother once, we prepare in advance, there will be no loss. ”

"Brother Zixuan's words make sense, I will leave for Xi'an immediately! Take the opportunity to discuss with Lord Zuo! Hu Xueyan couldn't help but think in his heart: In time, this kid will be terrible! Not to mention, Hu Xueyan went to Xi'an, and Deng Zixuan organized people to go to Guangdong to open a glass factory. After a month, Sheng Huaixuan rushed back from Tianjin.

It happened that the special matches produced by the match factory had also been loaded onto the ship, and Sheng Huaixuan personally sent the cargo ship away, and then began to buy shares and foreigners' machinery. This time, Sheng Huaixuan came back from Tianjin and stayed directly in Deng Zixuan's mansion in Shanghai. “haha！ Brother Zixuan, Lord Zhongtang has approved our jihua, you and I can throw off our arms and do it! "When we met, we were happy.

"Brother Sheng, I have contacted a group of merchants this month, and as long as there is the approval of Lord Zhongtang, they are willing to buy shares. In addition, after preliminary discussions with the charge d'affaires of the British Empire's East India Trading Company, as long as Lord Nakado signed the approval, they agreed to negotiate the purchase of the machine. "Good! You immediately inform the British chargé d'affaires and start negotiations tomorrow without further delay. Sheng Huaixuan was full of spirit.

The next day, in the bungalow of the British East India Company's headquarters in Shanghai, Sheng Huaixuan, as the president of the Beiyang Industrial Group of the Great Qing Dynasty, held a consultation with Mr. Douglas, the chargé d'affaires of the British Empire East India Company in Shanghai. Beiyang Industrial Group is the name given by Deng Zixuan, Sheng Huaixuan thinks that the name is both imposing and appropriate, so he naturally laughs at it.

The carriage stopped at the headquarters of the East India Company, Sheng Huaixuan, who was wearing a five-grade official uniform, got off the car with great energy, followed by Deng Zixuan wearing a white satin civilian clothes, and then several subordinates got off, Deng Zixuan was the most inconspicuous in the crowd. Chargé d'Affaires Douglas personally greeted him at the door as a sign of respect.

With Deng Zixuan's fluent English, everyone happily entered the living room. After the guests and hosts were seated, Sheng Huaixuan first gave a detailed explanation on behalf of Master Li Hongzhang on the purchase of the machine. The tall Douglas also showed his attitude and promised to take on the machine factory with all his might. Sheng Huaixuan, in accordance with Deng Zixuan's intentions, demanded that after the contract between the two parties was signed, if there was fraud or breach of contract between the two parties, the responsibility would be fully borne by the British side, and Douglas accepted it. Deng Zixuan translated for both sides, and his fluent and accurate expression shocked the British people present.

Zuihou Deng Zixuan, on behalf of Sheng Huaixuan, expressed the supplementary terms: "Dear Mr. Douglas, on behalf of Lord Zhongtang, the choice of the British Empire as the object of cooperation is completely in line with the attitude of friendship between the two countries. Someone at the court proposed to cooperate with the Americans or the Germans, but the central hall was resolute in cooperating with the British Empire. Therefore, Lord Nakado hopes that the British side will show sincerity and not cause unpleasant things! Deng Zixuan immediately translated to Sheng Huaixuan.

With such a dripping remark, Sheng Huaixuan's beard trembled with joy. Chargé d'Affaires Douglas was shocked and said: "Mr. Deng, please tell Mr. Sheng and Lord Zhongtang that the British Empire has always been honest and will never do anything that harms the friendship between the two countries, please tell Lord Zhongtang that the British Empire is the most ideal partner!" Deng Zixuan continued to translate to Sheng Huaixuan.

Seeing Sheng Huaixuan nodding frequently, Deng Zixuan continued: "Mr. Douglas, according to the information I have, the current price of various machinery and equipment in the UK is ・・・・・・ like this. Deng Zixuan said without missing a drop of water: "We need to buy three sets of machinery and equipment, including a steam engine, I have made a preliminary calculation, about 2 million taels of silver." In addition, the engineers and technicians of the factory need to be borne by the British side! ”

Douglas was even more surprised, he did not expect that the Qing Kingdom actually knew so much about the production situation in Britain. Douglas discussed with the left and right and said, "Mr. Deng, you know so much about it, we respect your wishes ・・・・・. The negotiation soon entered the substantive stage, and after discussing with Sheng Huaixuan, he said: "Mr. Douglas, we will pay 30% of the payment in advance, and the rest of the payment will be deposited in Jardine Matheson, and all payments will be made after the machine arrives. Douglas has no objections.

The details were then discussed, and after no further objections, Douglas proposed to sign the contract, and he signed his name with great pride, which can be said to be out of the limelight. Walking out of the headquarters of the East India Company and getting into the carriage, Sheng Huaixuan immediately changed into a person, he took off his official hat and said: "Brother Zixuan, you are by my side, I don't know how strong my confidence is, haha!" Today I finally regretted it in front of foreigners! ”

Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "Brother Sheng, there is one thing I didn't tell you, we spent 2 million silver to buy three sets of equipment!" "What did you say?" Sheng Huaixuan's eyes widened in surprise.