The weight of wealth had begun to lose its gravity. As winter loomed on the horizon, completing two military supply contracts left more than enough to erase debts and even accumulate a surplus. Though he had often heard news of staggering taxes and the unimaginable fortunes of global tycoons, holding such a substantial amount himself made reality feel strangely distorted.
Money flowed out as swiftly as it came, leaving little time for him to fully grasp its magnitude. To him, it had become mere numbers.
After his first military supply contract succeeded, another quickly followed. The scope mirrored the previous deal—8,000 pounds of goods. With production costs at roughly 40% and a 10% commission deducted, nearly half of the revenue landed in his hands.
Even so, the 800-pound commission to the officer overseeing the deals was no paltry sum. A British laborer, toiling relentlessly for an entire year, barely earned 60 pounds. Earning 800 pounds signified a role of prestige—a banker or a merchant, perhaps—far beyond what any soldier could dream of touching. Yet, greed, it seemed, had no limits.
The officer, having tasted the sweetness of his first commission, grew restless to bring in more deals. Not all of it, of course, went directly into his pocket. He had higher-ups to appease and subordinates to reward. Nevertheless, no one dared to raise complaints. Why? Because the prices he offered were dramatically lower than before.
Previous merchants, entrenched in inefficiency and greed, had merely acted as intermediaries, profiting handsomely for minimal effort. In stark contrast, his direct involvement in production revolutionized the process. Where others saw military procurement as an afterthought, he saw opportunity.
Hong Kong, a bustling commercial hub, thrived on trade, not manufacturing. European merchants stationed there rarely considered setting up local factories, viewing it as a risk with little reward. "Why build a factory on unstable ground when goods can simply be imported from the homeland?" they reasoned.
But he had done what no one else dared to. By establishing a reliable factory and undercutting inefficiencies, he positioned himself not as a competitor but as a collaborator. Entrepreneurs began seeking him out, intrigued by the success of his operations.
The year 1896 arrived, marking a period of rapid expansion for him. On the very first day of the new year, an unexpected visitor appeared.
As dawn broke, Liu Feng, an enigmatic Chinese associate, approached him at the docks. The two shared tea, perched on crates as waves lapped gently at the shore. Their relationship was as layered as their conversation. What began as a simple creditor-debtor bond had evolved into something resembling friendship—or, perhaps, rivalry.
"Direct as always," he remarked with a smirk. "Can't you cut me some slack?"
Liu Feng's eyes gleamed with mirth. "Cut slack? What nonsense. I checked this morning—your bank debts are paid in full. Principal, interest, and all fees—6,652 dollars, cleared to the last cent."
"I just couldn't stand it," he admitted. "Borrowing from you? That's fine. But banks? Feels like inviting disaster."
"Disaster?" Liu Feng tilted his head, intrigued. "Another curious word from you. What does it mean?"
"It means… memories you'd rather forget."
Liu Feng chuckled. "You don't seem like someone haunted by memories. Honestly, Fang Ming, you're more of an elder brother than a younger one."
"Brother?!"Fang Ming scoffed. "You've got at least twice my years on you. Don't give me that nonsense."
But Liu Feng only smiled. "There's something different about you, Fang Ming. You're decisive, bold. Fear doesn't seem to find its way into your plans."
"Don't flatter yourself,"Fang Ming retorted. "Every move I make is calculated."
"Calculated? Perhaps. But watching you work feels like a storm—chaotic, yet unstoppable."
Their banter continued, light and sharp as the salty breeze around them. Yet neither was alone. Behind Liu Feng stood over ten men, stoic and armed. Behind Fang Ming, his own staff watched attentively. To a stranger, it might have looked like the prelude to a clash.
With a smirk,Fang Ming handed over a chest brimming with cash. "Here's your first repayment. Principal: 3,200 dollars. Interest: 1,280. Count it."
Liu Feng inspected the contents, nodding with satisfaction. "I knew you'd repay. I never doubted it."
"Don't act like you didn't send your goons to keep an eye on me,"Fang Ming shot back. "Not that I blame you."
"Goons?" Liu Feng laughed. "I was more afraid you'd come after me."
Fang Ming raised a brow. "And what power would I have to do that?"
Liu Feng's gaze hardened slightly, though his smile remained. "But now… you do."
Power. The word lingered in the air, undeniable. In a single year, Fang Ming's position had transformed. No longer a mere boy of intriguing rumors, he was now the son of a factory owner, a man entwined with military contracts. Where he had once been overlooked, he now stood as a partner to the military itself.
Power,Fang Ming mused, wasn't the right word. Influence—that was it. And influence, he knew, could shift mountains.
Liu Feng gestured subtly to one of the men standing behind him, and the man stepped forward, carrying a large envelope.
"This is everything I have," Liu Feng said, his tone even but resolute. "My personal assets, along with anything that might aid you, Fang Ming."
The envelope landed with a solid thud in Fang Ming's hands. He opened it carefully, his eyes narrowing as he examined the contents—a check certified by the Bank of England and several documents. The check bore an eye-watering figure: £30,000.
"What's this?"Fang Ming asked, his voice steady but with an undertone of caution. "Explain, Liu Feng."
"You once said I'd regret not lending you more," Liu Feng replied with a small smile. "Well, now I want to change our relationship. If you pay back the debt, our connection ends. I'd rather ensure I remain within your circle. Fang Ming, you always draw clear lines, but I'm asking to step over them—to stand on your side."
Among the papers was a deed to land near Fang Ming's factory..