Seeing the significant changes in the young masters, Old Zhao felt they would turn their lives around like Zhang Fang and become mature and sensible.
However, Zhang Da Shao and the others were not concerned about business, but rather about Zhang Fang’s situation.
“Hurry! Send someone to Haicheng! Bring Fifth Young Master back!” Zhang Da Shao commanded Old Zhao excitedly.
Old Zhao looked puzzled and asked, “Is there some urgent matter that requires Fifth Young Master to return?”
Zhang Da Shao was about to share his nightmare when Zhang Si Shao interrupted, saying, “Did you not see that my elder brother is unwell? He is suffering and wants to see Fifth Young Master one last time!”
Old Zhao: ???
This sounded familiar; wasn’t this the same line Zhang Fang used to urge Zhang Laoye to return before?
Zhang Er Shao and Zhang San Shao chimed in: “Yes! My elder brother is unwell! Look at his poor complexion! He fainted just as we arrived at the doorstep! Quickly, call Fifth Young Master back!”
Zhang Da Shao nodded, clutching his chest and looking even more pained.
Old Zhao hesitated but could only nod, “Then I will write a letter to Haicheng and have Fifth Young Master come back as soon as possible. Should I also notify Old Master?”
“No need to notify my father!” Zhang Da Shao immediately shook his head.
Old Zhao looked at him hesitantly, did not ask anything more, and turned to leave.
After Zhang Fang arrived in Haicheng, he conducted market research for a few days. Here, the market no longer had homespun cloth; everything was selling imported fabric. Western clothing was everywhere on the streets, while only the very poor, doing hard labor, wore old clothes. Foreign goods were fashionable in Haicheng and favored by the wealthy. Everyone took pride in using foreign products.
Seeing this situation, Manager Wei felt heavy-hearted. There was a sense of inferiority as if being trampled underfoot, feeling powerless. The foreigners’ electric lights, telephones, and clocks were things that could not be manufactured in their own country.
This feeling of disparity caused deep unease and fear. They were lagging far behind!
“Fifth Young Master, can we really compete with foreign merchants?” Manager Wei, deeply affected, returned to the inn dejectedly, holding his head in his hands.
Zhang Fang turned on the electric light, his gaze calm and confident as he said, “Our grand Huaxia, a vast nation, is like a sleeping lion. Once the lion awakens, it will surely dominate all directions.”
Manager Wei slowly raised his head; the light was too bright, making it hard for him to see.
The youthful profile of Zhang Fang was like a portrait carefully outlined by an artist. His brows and eyes were cool and indifferent, showing a hint of disdain.
Manager Wei stared at him in a daze, whispering, “But our firepower cannot match theirs. They have electric lights while we only have candles. They have telephones while we can only send messages. We are far behind them…”
“It’s just a matter of time, and in the future, our firepower will undoubtedly be stronger than theirs! Our information technology will surely be the best in the world!” Zhang Fang’s tone was gentle, his expression confident, and his clear eyes were resolute.
Manager Wei stared at him blankly, questioning softly, “Can we really surpass the foreigners?”
“As long as we unite to develop science and technology, our nation will surely grow strong!” Zhang Fang stood, bending over to assist Manager Wei to his feet.
“Fifth Young Master, is that day far off?” Manager Wei whispered, tears welling in his eyes.
“It won’t be too far away.” Zhang Fang patted his shoulder.
Manager Wei raised his hand, wiped his tears, and smiled, nodding, “I believe in Fifth Young Master! In the future, we will definitely surpass the foreigners!”
“Tomorrow, come with me to the chapel.” In addition to conducting market research, Zhang Fang had also learned about export situations.
Getting overseas was not an easy task. Now, foreigners continuously tested the boundaries of the court’s authority on their land. Initially, foreign merchants could only buy and sell people through human brokers, transporting slaves to western countries. Now, foreigners bypassed all procedures and directly used violence to take slaves to the west.
Businesses like Zhang Fang’s were not in control of the seas; it was the foreigners who called the shots. Zhang Fang needed to find someone with status to shield him. Even government officials might not get the foreigners’ respect. If he could gain the support of a missionary priest, Zhang Fang could obtain a guarantee of safety.
“The chapel?” Manager Wei looked puzzled, hesitating to ask, “Fifth Young Master, why are you going to that kind of place?”
In the eyes of the locals, the chapel was a strange place. They did not believe in Western religions and thought that visiting it would bring about evil and impurity.
“To seek help.” After saying this, Zhang Fang returned to his desk and picked up an English dictionary to study.
Manager Wei hesitated, wanting to advise Zhang Fang against going to the chapel, but felt it would be useless to persuade him. After all, Zhang Fang was going there to ask for help. Now, the fabric shop was indeed facing difficulties and urgently needed to find a way out. So he swallowed his words.
Father Hebert had been preaching in the East for over twenty years, raising many children during that time. The children he adopted years ago had grown up and followed him to spread the gospel, strengthening the missionary group. However, most people in the East still regarded their religion as something to be avoided. They found it strange and unclean, no matter how much he tried to explain.
On this day, Father Hebert led the children in prayer at the chapel as usual.
Footsteps could be heard outside, along with the voices of unfamiliar people.
“Fifth Young Master, why don’t we just go back? This place is too strange…” Manager Wei felt that the atmosphere was chilling.
As Zhang Fang walked into the chapel, the people inside turned to look at him.
At first sight, Father Hebert was struck by the youth’s demeanor and appearance. In the words of this great Eastern nation, this young man appeared to have an exceptional physique, suitable for cultivation!
Seeing someone enter, Father Hebert quickly approached Zhang Fang and politely greeted him, “Child, may I ask what brings you here?”
Zhang Fang looked around, his expression initially confused, but gradually became clear as he murmured, “It’s here…”
Seeing Zhang Fang like this, Manager Wei immediately felt uneasy and quickly pulled him toward the exit.
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