Young Marshal: Many children bring more blessings, marry a wife who is as powerful as the world - Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Our Far East Group is in the ‘Security Export’ Business!

Since we’re already preparing to extract manpower and resources from my father-in-law, it’s like fishing—you’ve got to bait the hook first. Sure enough, Zhang Xueming’s move had a clear effect.

“Two million silver dollars!”

“Goodness! Goodness! This is the first time I’ve seen so much money in my life!”

“Indeed, it’s the Zhang family of Fengtian. Only they could come up with so much money in all of Northeast China!”

Shocking!

Everyone present, whether they were wealthy merchants or ordinary folk, was stunned by Zhang Xueming’s generosity!

In the early years of the Republic of China, the silver dollar was very strong. One silver dollar could buy 10 pounds of fatty pork or 20-30 pounds of rice. Workers in Shanghai were considered to have high incomes, but even they earned only about 20 silver dollars a month. Farmers, on the other hand, could earn only a few dozen silver dollars in a year working the land.

To put it bluntly, this 2 million silver dollars could buy a small county. However, just as everyone was stunned by this mountain of silver, there was only one person who remained calm—Yu Fengzhi’s father, Yu Wendu.

Yu Wendu knew the ins and outs of the Fengtian military headquarters. On the day of the wedding, the old general had sent a deputy with a secret letter, asking him to urgently deliver 200,000 bags of grain to Fengtian. If it weren’t for the army nearly running out of food and wages, the general wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to marry his daughter into the Yu family!

Furthermore, the crafty Yu Wendu had picked up on Zhang Xueming’s words!

“Father-in-law! Today, Fengzhi is visiting, and this two million silver dollars is my gift!”

This was not a gift from the Zhang family; it was Zhang Xueming’s personal gift!

At such a young age, Zhang Xueming could present two million silver dollars. This new son-in-law of theirs was even more capable than expected.

Yu Wendu, a successful businessman, was naturally not overwhelmed by two million silver dollars. What concerned him more was whether his daughter had married the right man!

He took a sip of wine, turned to Zhang Xueming, and said, “Son-in-law, Fengzhi is planning to do something big with you!”

“This two million silver dollars? I’ll leave it for Fengzhi to manage!”

“A woman also needs a bit of private savings.”

Yu Wendu was no rookie in the business world, and his implied meaning was obvious.

“I won’t take this money, I’ll pass it to my daughter. After all, the two of you are married, and the money will eventually come back to you anyway. Just treat her well.”

“However! Son-in-law, with so much money, what do you plan to do?”

Seeing that his father-in-law had understood, Zhang Xueming smiled and said, “Let’s speak plainly!”

“I want to learn business from you, Father-in-law!”

The moment business was mentioned, Yu Wendu exuded confidence. He had gone from being a mere apprentice to becoming the grain king of the nine provinces in the northeast. It all came from doing business.

“Business is simple—buy low and sell high, trade goods across the country. But I wonder, what kind of business does my son-in-law want to do?”

Zhang Xueming stood up, took out a pistol from his waist, and slapped it on the table.

Bang!

“Father-in-law, it’s this! I want to make money standing up!”

A gun?

Selling arms!

Yu Wendu gasped in surprise.

“You want to set up a weapons factory and trade arms?”

“This is a dangerous business!”

In those days, dealing in arms was as profitable as dealing in opium. It wasn’t a secret that the rule was “neighbors store grain, I store guns.”

The marriage between the Zhang and Yu families had two main reasons. First, the Fengtian military headquarters was desperate for grain. Second, the Yu family was worried about being raided. The marriage was a mutually beneficial deal!

Seeing his father-in-law’s shocked expression, Zhang Xueming casually smiled.

“Father-in-law, calling it ‘selling arms’ sounds too crass! Let’s call it ‘exporting security’!”

“For example, look at our Yu family’s village. With so many grain silos, if we didn’t have guns, wouldn’t we be scared of bandits raiding us at night?”

“I’ll set up a weapons factory and sell guns to you!”

“With guns, won’t you have security?”

“We’re doing good deeds here!”

Exporting security? Selling arms equals doing good deeds?

Whoa!

This son-in-law really knows how to spin a tale! He’s got the makings of someone who can do big business!

Looking at Zhang Xueming with a smile, old Mr. Yu suddenly felt a warm, endearing sense about him!

He realized that his son-in-law was someone destined to achieve great things, though he hadn’t expected them to be this big!

He weakly asked, “Son-in-law, how can I help you?”

Zhang Xueming grinned.

“Father-in-law, to be honest, I’m so poor I only have money left!”

“My Far East Group just started!”

“I need your help to provide some grain and recruit workers!”

Saying this, he took out a recruitment agreement and placed it on the table. At that moment, not only Yu Wendu, but the wealthy merchants around them all gathered around.

On the agreement, it clearly stated.

The group is hiring workers of all kinds.

Accommodation and meals are provided.

Every month, workers will receive 30 pounds of grain, including 10 pounds of fine rice.

The monthly salary will be five silver dollars.

After five years of work, housing will be provided.]

“Whew—”

“30 pounds of grain a month, free accommodation and meals, plus five silver dollars salary!”

“This Young General is doing charity, right?”

To put it into perspective, even a shopkeeper in the city earned only 20-30 pounds of grain a month. Only during holidays would they receive a few silver dollars as a bonus, which was considered a good year. But five silver dollars a month—this was really generous!