Training the Heavens

Chapter 255: Learning is not human

"Last year, I was in Shanghai, observing the locals and people, and I found the stock market to be quite interesting. I'd like to try my hand at the market. If I'm successful, I'll have more money to study in France. However, I've been so focused on my studies that I don't know any reliable stockbrokers. Could you, President, introduce me to one?"

Zhang Xingjiu didn't dare to go to find those people in Huifang Teahouse. God knows what connections these people have. It is easy to give them the money, but it is difficult to take it back, so he has to ask Jiang Yixu for help.

You can question the ethics and abilities of middle and senior clergy, but you must never question their connections. Jiang Yixu was able to become a priest because of his connections, needless to say. Perhaps it was because he dealt with foreign businessmen a lot, and he had no prejudice against stocks.

Jiang Yixu warned, "Stocks are quite risky. Even if you enter the market, you should be cautious. It's best to choose foreign merchants with a long history. You might not make a huge profit that way, but you won't lose much either! Chinese merchants not only have to face market risks, but they are also greatly affected by turmoil in the officialdom. The risks are simply too high."

"Students are planning to buy shares of Lankai Tobacco Company. The company is doing well and I heard that it will issue new shares soon. I don't expect it to lose money." Zhang Xingjiu did not hide his goal.

"Well, Lankai Tobacco Company has a good reputation. Buying their stock is a good choice." Jiang Yixu nodded and handed a business card to Zhang Xingjiu. "Take it to Huifang Tea House and find a broker named John Liu on the third floor. He'll help you buy the stock when he sees my business card."

The next day happened to be the weekend, so Zhang Xingjiu went to Huifang Teahouse with his business card, intending to go to the third floor to look for someone. However, as soon as he reached the stairs, he was stopped by the waiter, "Excuse me, sir, have you made an appointment? I wonder who this gentleman is your guest?"

I used to sit on the second floor, but now I see that the third floor is probably the VIP floor, and you can't go up without a certain status. Zhang Xingjiu took out his business card and handed it to the waiter, "I'm looking for Mr. John Liu. Give him your business card."

"Please sit down for a moment, sir." The waiter respectfully took the business card and quickly turned around to go upstairs.

Jiang Yixu was indeed very influential. After a while, a waiter came down and took Zhang Xingjiu to a private room upstairs. After knocking on the door and going in, he saw a kind-faced man in his thirties sitting inside with a cross hanging on his chest.

Seeing Zhang Xingjiu come in, he stood up and greeted him warmly, "Young sir, I don't know you. May I ask if you are a new brother from the sect who has just arrived in Shanghai?"

Zhang Xingjiu secretly guessed that this person was a follower of Jiang Yixu's, and also revealed his identity, "Student Zhang Xingjiu, I just came to Shanghai last year, and now I am studying at St. Ignatius's School while teaching Chinese courses."

"So you are a gentleman from the public school. Please take a seat. By the way, I also studied in the public school. The name John was given to me by Father Jiang." Upon hearing this, John Liu became more enthusiastic.

"Then I should call you senior brother." Zhang Xingjiu also climbed up the ladder. Since he graduated from a public school, his credibility was more secure. If he dared to lie to himself, his reputation would be ruined.

"Haha, Junior Brother Zhang." John Liu laughed, pulled Zhang Xingjiu to sit at the table, asked him about his preferences, and asked the waiter to serve tea and snacks quickly.

The two of them ate and drank for a while, chatting about Jiang Yixu's recent situation. Zhang Xingjiu then explained his purpose, "Junior brother, my grades are decent, and the priest is kind enough to recommend me to study in France. Unfortunately, I'm short of money, and I don't want to bother the priest, so I thought of trying my hand in the stock market. The priest told me that you're a famous stockbroker in Shanghai, so I shamelessly came to ask for your help."

John Liu was shocked when he heard this. "Oh my! The public school has been established for so many years, but not many students have been able to study abroad in France. It seems that you, Junior Brother Zhang, are truly knowledgeable." He readily agreed to his request. "It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. Junior Brother, have you decided which company's stocks to buy? Why not tell me and I'll give you some advice. If you need anything when you go to France in the future, I can also help you."

Most students who graduated from public schools have dual connections with church members and classmates, and it is common for them to help each other. The church is happy for them to do this and occasionally calls them together for meetings.

Now that John Liu saw that a new young talent had emerged in the public school, he habitually planned to help him. If he encountered difficulties in the future, other classmates and church members would help him. In such a world, it is difficult to have a few trustworthy friends. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the church can develop in Shanghai.

"I think the Lankai Tobacco Company's market is doing well, and it may rise again in the near future. What do you think, senior brother?" Zhang Xingjiu took out a few copies of "Shenbao" and found the recent market information of Lankai Tobacco Company and said.

"Junior brother, your vision is indeed sharp. The Lankai Tobacco Company is doing well, and they're going to issue new shares soon. As far as I know, one share will cost about 25 taels of silver. This price is definitely a good price to make money." John Liu's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but clap his hands in applause. "Actually, I'm planning to buy some myself. Since you want it, I'll help you buy it! I just don't know how much you plan to buy?"

"Junior brother, I am short of money and can only give you five hundred taels of silver. I hope you don't mind." The five hundred taels of silver included Zhang Xingjiu's salary as a teacher at the public school and Zhang Fuqing's income from running a shop in Shaoxing.

Before he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, Zhang Fuqing only earned about ten taels of silver a year.

Zhang Xingjiu passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, and his family could make several hundred taels of silver a year. This shows the importance of fame and honor. Otherwise, even if Zhang Xingjiu could come up with a way to make money, he would not be able to keep it.

"Junior brother, your first investment is five hundred taels of silver, which is already a lot." John Liu thought he was just testing the waters, but he didn't know that this was all of Zhang Xingjiu's savings.

John Liu wrote the contract immediately. Zhang Xingjiu gave him the banknote after reading it, and then just waited to receive the money.

In the next two years, the market for foreign stocks in Shanghai will be good. Among the 24 stocks that have been issued, the prices of 16 are on an upward trend; among them, Lankai Tobacco Company performs the best. Its new shares have a face value of only 25 taels, but the market price soared to 80 taels in one year, an increase of 220%.

If Zhang Xingjiu invests these 500 taels of silver, he will be able to get 1,100 taels next year. If he sells at the peak of the price increase and buys at the bottom when the price drops, he can make more money by doing this a few times.

John Liu had a lot of guests to meet, so Zhang Xingjiu didn't bother him any further after finishing his business. The two parties agreed to go out for a Western meal together next weekend and meet with several senior students from the public school.

After deciding on the place, Zhang Xingjiu said goodbye and left. When he came out of the teahouse, he couldn't help shaking his head. Why did he have to learn stock trading from Zheng Sanfazi? He must change the subject next time.

　Thanks to Qingzhi Youming for the reward

　　
　
(End of this chapter)