Training the Heavens

Chapter 398 Extra 2: Strategy for Zhuang Yueming
Zhang Xingjiu is not the only son in the family. When he was born, it was rare for a family to have only one child. He also has several younger brothers and sisters.

After Zhang Xingjiu passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, his family's financial situation improved and he wanted to send his children to school. Unfortunately, none of them were cut out for it. Later, they basically stayed in Shaoxing and ran the family's small business. With Zhang Xingjiu's care, they were able to get by.

Later, they grew up and had their own children. Following Zhang Xingjiu's advice, they sent their children to school since they were young. Although these children and nephews could not catch up with the three brothers Zhang Guoqiang, they were much better than their parents.

When Zhang Guowei went to Hong Kong, he also asked them, and eventually several relatives followed him. Among them, his favorite was his cousin's child, Zhou Ruiyang.

Zhou Ruiyang was born in 1930. After graduating from high school, he was admitted to the business school of an ordinary university in Shanghai. After graduation, he followed his cousin Zhang Guowei, who came to Shanghai to visit relatives, to Hong Kong. He started as the simplest worker, worked in sales and finance, and completed every job very well.

By the 1950s, Zhou Ruiyang had become Zhang Guowei's right-hand man, managing several important companies under Zhang Guowei's name. Zhang Guowei gave him a lot of shares, and he is now considered one of the most promising young talents in Hong Kong.

Zhang Guowei was naturally very happy to have such a promising junior, but there was only one thing that always worried him. Seeing that Zhou Ruiyang was almost 30 years old and had not found a suitable girl to marry, he had introduced many girls to him before, including rich daughters of equal status, female students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the daughter of an old friend who ran away from Shanghai to Hong Kong, and even British girls, but Zhou Ruiyang still didn't meet the one he liked.

For this reason, Zhang Guowei was really worried.

That day, Zhou Ruiyang came to the house for dinner. Zhang Guowei was just about to introduce him to a few more people when Zhou Ruiyang took the initiative to speak, "Uncle, I recently met a girl who is gentle, virtuous, well-educated and well-mannered. I am attracted to her, but I don't know what to do."

Zhang Guowei laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Haha, good boy, you finally got it! I was thinking that if you didn't get married, I might as well find a girl and tie you up to the bridal chamber! Tell me quickly, what kind of girl is it?"

Zhou Ruiyang blushed and stammered, "You should have seen this girl before. She is the daughter of Mr. Zhuang Jing'an, the chairman of Zhongnan Watch Company."

"Oh, now that you mention it, it reminds me. Back then, when he ran into business trouble, I gave him some money to help him out. We agreed to lend him the money for a year, but he ended up paying it back with interest in just six months. I saw that he was a good person and had a good business ethics, so I gave him some opportunities, and he seized them all."

"Every holiday, he would bring his family to visit me. I've also met his daughter. Her name is Zhuang Yueming, right? She used to study at Ying Wa Girls' School, and now it seems she's been admitted to the Chinese University of Hong Kong."

Zhou Ruiyang nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, that's her. I met her a while ago when I was discussing business with Mr. Zhuang, and then I met her again when I went to the Chinese University for recruitment. She even came to help me on her own initiative. After a few interactions, I think she's a really good girl, but... I just don't know how to approach her. Uncle, your reputation as a playboy spread throughout Shanghai back then, so I'd like you to teach me."

"Ahem, ahem, why bring up these things now?" Zhang Guowei has settled down since he got married and has never been involved in these matters. It's a bit embarrassing to be brought up now.

He had a strength: he could remember people he had met quite clearly. Now that his nephew wanted to get married, he immediately recalled his impression of Zhuang Yueming, and frowned as he thought about it.

"I think it was the year before last? Their family came over to pay New Year's greetings. Seeing that Yueming was not young anymore, I half-jokingly suggested introducing her to some young talents. Mr. and Mrs. Zhuang were very happy, but Yueming said she still had to study and didn't want to think about these things for the time being."

"I just said it casually at the time and didn't take it seriously. Now I think that what she said might not be true. The Chinese University of Hong Kong does not prohibit students from dating. This may just be an excuse. Maybe she already has someone she loves." "Ah? Uncle, what should I do?" Zhou Ruiming panicked.

"Don't worry, I'll check for you first. If the guy she likes is a good one, then you can look for someone else. If she's been deceived, this will be an opportunity for you."

Zhang Guowei had spies all over Hong Kong, and he got the result the next day. It turned out that Zhuang Yueming liked her cousin who had lived in her house since junior high school.

Although this cousin came from a poor family, he was very motivated. He took on the responsibility of supporting the family when he was in his teens. He worked as an apprentice in Zhuang Jing'an's watch company and a salesman in a hardware factory. Later, he jumped to a plastics company and was successively promoted to department manager and general manager. Now he has founded the Yangtze River Plastic Factory, which is doing very well.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ruiyang felt embarrassed. The two of them had been childhood sweethearts, and the man was a man of good character. Was he just going to give up like this?

Zhang Guowei felt sorry for his nephew and went to check on the young man several times. He came back feeling relieved. "Ruiyang, in my opinion, Yueming has been deceived by this kid. His character is not very good. Everything he is showing now is just an act."

"He's a child from a poor family. Although he's in his current situation, he's still a long way from making a fortune. If he wants to make a fortune, he can only rely on Mr. Zhuang's support. How can he make Mr. Zhuang help him wholeheartedly? The best way is to marry his daughter!"

"It would be fine if he was just content with a small fortune, and maybe the couple could still live in harmony. But if he becomes very rich, he'll feel wronged when he thinks back on what's going on now, and Yueming will have to suffer then!"

"Mr. Zhuang is a good man. I don't want him to be sad because of his daughter's matter, so leave this matter to me. It won't take long to expose his true face. When Yueming is sad, you can go and comfort her. Maybe this matter will be resolved."

Zhang Guowei's routine was very simple. He would arrange for a rich girl with a better family background than Zhuang Yueming to contact him, pretending that she wanted to do business with the Yangtze River Plastic Factory. If she showed a little bit of goodwill, he would be fooled.

Under his arrangement, Zhuang Yueming ran into his cousin dating the rich girl at an opportune time. The rich girl immediately forced him to make a choice. His cousin chose the rich girl without hesitation, and Zhuang Yueming ran back crying.

Zhou Ruiyang took advantage of the situation and, with his excellent character, quickly won Zhuang Yueming's heart. As soon as Zhuang Yueming graduated, the two held their wedding.

But his cousin got nothing in return. Not only did he lose Zhuang Yueming, but the rich girl soon ignored him. His business was also bankrupted by competitors. With no other choice, he jumped into the sea.

This has saved Hong Kong from a great disaster in the future.

(End of this chapter)