Chapter 255: Learning from the Unhuman

"Last year, I was in Shanghai and learned about the local customs and people. I found that stocks seemed interesting, so I wanted to try my hand at the market. If I make a profit, I will have more money to study in France in the future. However, I have been concentrating on my studies and do not know any reliable stockbrokers. I wonder if you, the principal, can introduce one to me?"

Zhang Xingjiu didn't dare to go to find those people from Huifang Teahouse. God knew what connections these people had. It was easy to give them the money, but it would be difficult to take it back, so he had to ask Jiang Yixu for help.

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

Jiang Yixu reminded, "Stocks are very risky, so you should be cautious even if you enter the market. It's best to choose foreign merchants who have been in business for a long time. You may not make a lot of money, but you won't lose much either! Chinese merchants not only have to face market risks, but the turmoil in the officialdom also has a great impact on them. The risks are really too high."

"Students are planning to buy shares of Lankai Tobacco Company. The company's business is in good condition. I heard that it will issue new shares in the near future. I don't expect it to lose money." Zhang Xingjiu did not hide his goal.

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

The next day was the weekend, so Zhang Xingjiu took his business card to Huifang Tea House and prepared to go to the third floor to look for someone. However, he was stopped by the waiter as soon as he reached the stairs. “Excuse me, sir, have you made an appointment? Whose guest is this?”

In the past, we always sat on the second floor. Now I see that the third floor is probably the VIP floor. 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 wait a moment, sir." The waiter took the business card respectfully and turned around to go upstairs.

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

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

This person might be a believer of Jiang Yixu, Zhang Xingjiu guessed secretly in his heart, and also revealed his identity, "Student Zhang Xingjiu, I just came to Shanghai last year, and now I am studying at St. Ignatius 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." Hearing this, John Liu became more enthusiastic.

"Then I should call you senior brother." Zhang Xingjiu also followed the pole to climb up. 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, and talked about Jiang Yixu's recent situation. Zhang Xingjiu then explained his purpose, "Junior brother, my grades are not bad. The priest is kind to me and is going to recommend me to study in France. Unfortunately, I am short of money and I don't want to trouble the priest, so I came up with the idea of ​​trying my hand in the stock market. I heard from the priest that you are a famous stockbroker in Shanghai, so I shamelessly came to ask you for help."

John Liu was shocked when he heard this. "Oh my, the public school has been established for so many years, but there are not many students who can go to France to study. It seems that you, Junior Brother Zhang, are indeed very knowledgeable."

He readily agreed to his request, "It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. Junior brother, have you decided which company's stock to buy? You can tell me and I will help you with it. If you need anything when you go to France in the future, I can also help you."

Most students who graduate 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 conditions are good, and there is a possibility of further increases in the near future. What do you think, senior brother?" Zhang Xingjiu took out a few "Shenbao" and found the recent market conditions of the Lankai Tobacco Company and said.

"Junior brother, your vision is really sharp. The Lankai Tobacco Company is doing well. They are going to issue new shares soon. As far as I know, one share will cost about 25 taels of silver. This price is definitely worth it." John Liu's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but high-five and cheer. "In fact, I also plan 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 take out five hundred taels of silver. I hope you don't mind." The five hundred taels of silver included Zhang Xingjiu's salary for teaching 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 save several hundred taels of silver a year. This shows the importance of fame and fortune. Otherwise, even if Zhang Xingjiu could come up with a way to make money, he would not be able to keep it.

"Junior brother, the first time you invested, you gave five hundred taels of silver. That's 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 he just had to wait 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 soars to 80 taels in one year, an increase of 220%.

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If Zhang Xingjiu invests these 500 taels of silver, he can get 1,100 taels next year. If he sells at the peak of the increase and buys at the bottom when the price drops, he can earn even more 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 he finished his business. The two parties agreed to go out for a Western meal together the next weekend and meet with a few senior brothers from the public school.

After deciding 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)