Chapter 124: He Yuzhu Wants to Become a Shipping Magnate

The reason He Yuzhu said he needed to consider it, rather than directly refusing Zhao Ying's proposal, was indeed because he had his concerns.

The post-war United States economy was like oil poured on a hot fire; while prosperous on the surface, it had many problems, and racial discrimination remained severe. The laws of Los Angeles explicitly stipulated that landlords could not rent houses to people of color.

Although Zhao Ying's family had experience studying in Britain and the United States, they lacked roots there, and bringing money over easily made them targets for covetous eyes. Going with her and getting things settled before returning was the right thing to do.

However, the moment He Yuzhu thought about leaving for at least half a year, he couldn't help but worry about his family and his own small business.

He got into Zhao Ying's car, and the two of them, each harboring their own thoughts, didn't say much.

Seeing the two return, Liu Rusi looked grave and couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Did you two fight again?"

He Yuzhu gave a bitter smile and said, "Zhao Ying wants me to accompany her to the United States."

Upon hearing this, Liu Rusi's expression immediately sank, and she scolded Zhao Ying, "How can you be so impulsive? Even if this company were to close, I wouldn't let him go."

Zhao Ying blinked playfully and asked with a grin, "What, are you afraid I'll kidnap him? That he won't come back once he reaches the United States!"

Liu Rusi retorted crossly, "I'm talking to you seriously! I've already used up quite a few favors to let you go, and here you are, trying to screw me over before you leave!"

Zhao Ying put away her playful demeanor and said seriously, "Xiao Si, I'm really not just saying this. A few years ago, when I was studying in the United States, I heard about a wealthy merchant from Shanghai who took a large sum of money to the United States. His son was very showy, buying luxury cars and hanging out in casinos. Before long, he was targeted by gangsters, and in the end, the whole family was thrown into the sea. Their property was also looted. Although my family has two Bodyguards, I still don't feel secure bringing this much money."

Liu Rusi frowned and asked in return, "Since you're worried about safety, why didn't you mention it before?"

Zhao Ying still replied with a smile, "I didn't bring much cash before! This time I have to bring at least eighty thousand US dollars; can the situation be the same?"

Hearing this, Liu Rusi fell into deep thought.

At this moment, He Yuzhu carried in three heavy trunks and interjected, "Eighty thousand? You're underestimating the scale of our company."

He opened the trunks one by one, and in an instant, the room was filled with radiance: the first trunk was filled with bundles of US dollars, another with golden Big Yellow Fish, and the third with jewelry; just the jade necklace inside was worth a fortune.

He Yuzhu took out the jade necklace, handed it to Liu Rusi, and said, "This time I'll take the liberty of making a decision; I'm giving this necklace to my sister. We'll split the rest equally."

Seeing him be so thoughtful, Liu Rusi's gaze softened significantly, and her previous coldness vanished.

Zhao Ying pouted from the side, "Biased! I want special privileges too!"

He Yuzhu looked at Liu Rusi, and seeing her nod, he took out a jade bracelet and handed it to Zhao Ying, saying with a smile, "This can be considered an exception; everything else must be liquidated and invested."

Zhao Ying happily put on the jade bracelet and began to count the trunk of US banknotes.

She counted them stack by stack, her eyes almost glowing green.

About an hour later, she collapsed on the sofa, exhausted, and sighed, "Counting money is truly physical labor! This trunk of US dollars is six hundred thousand, equivalent to one million two hundred thousand Big Ocean! Damn it, making money is too easy; why even run a company." Zhao Ying's words made everyone laugh.

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "I don't have that kind of ability. It's still more reliable to honestly transport goods to make money, but since we have a shipping company, we can also transport arms. If we transport US arms back to Tianjin Port and sell them, we'll definitely make a fortune!"

"You two are truly bold; one wants to rob a bank and the other wants to smuggle arms. It seems I'm the only one who's timid!" Liu Rusi mocked.

Zhao Ying nodded and said, "Let me talk about something serious. I did a simple calculation: today's money plus the previous eighty thousand US dollars, our company probably already has eight hundred thousand US dollars. A US colleague of my father's said that the Victory Cruise ships in the United States are selling very cheaply; a fifteen-thousand-ton cargo ship can now be had for just three hundred thousand US dollars. With eight hundred thousand in capital and some loans, it's enough to build a fleet of three ships!"

He Yuzhu had also heard of this period of history; in the post-war United States, the shipbuilding industry had excess capacity, and a ship that cost two million US dollars to build would only be worth a little over three hundred thousand after two or three years of use.

The Greek shipping magnates were the ones who bought up these ships on a large scale at this time.

Zhao Ying looked at Liu Rusi and said even more confidently, "Xiao Si, if you let me carry eight hundred thousand US dollars, I'd be even more afraid. He Yuzhu must accompany me; at most half a year, once the company is on stable footing, let him come back."

Liu Rusi finally relented, "Fine, I agree."

He Yuzhu couldn't help but protest, "Two sisters, you've reached an agreement, but I haven't nodded yet!"

Liu Rusi did not yield, "This is a major matter for the three of us; you must go."

He Yuzhu had to compromise, "I can go, but Sister, you must look after my family and business; don't let my home base be wiped out while I'm gone."

Liu Rusi replied readily, "I'll send a battalion to guard it, that should be enough, right?"

"Then many thanks!" Things having reached this point, He Yuzhu had no choice but to go home and make arrangements.

He first went to Qianmen to find Wang Jiazhi and told her he was going to the United States for a while. However, he didn't give details or tell her exactly what he was going to do.

She didn't say much, only urging him to be careful on the road.

When He Yuzhu asked her to manage the newly opened restaurant by herself, she was a bit hesitant.

He Yuzhu comforted her, "Just handle the inspections; it's no big deal. Even if you mess it up, I won't blame you. If something happens, just find Chen Daya and Liu Rusi."

"Fine, then I agree."

He Yuzhu left her three thousand Big Ocean for opening the shop. Afterward, he went to see his Siqiang, Chen Qingshan.

Chen Daya said with some worry, "The United States is twenty thousand li away; when will you be back?"

"At most half a year, maybe only three months if things go smoothly," He Yuzhu said nonchalantly.

Chen Daya was a bit worried and urged, "You must be careful on the road. Don't push yourself!"

He Yuzhu nodded and said, "Don't worry about me. When you're running the restaurant, if you encounter desperate thugs, don't pay them any mind; wait for me to come back and deal with them."

Chen Qingshan comforted him, "Go with peace of mind; we're here at the shop. If it really comes to it, isn't there still Miss Liu! There won't be any trouble."

Before setting off, He Yuzhu went to the black market and exchanged all seventy thousand Big Ocean into gold bars; he planned to go to the United States to buy Coca-Cola stock. He would hold onto it for thirty years and learn from old man Buffett.

He had originally intended to return to Jidong to visit his parents, but in the end, he didn't make it due to being tied up with miscellaneous matters.

Many things had to be entrusted to Shen Wenqing.

When Shen Wenqing heard that He Yuzhu was going to the United States, he was initially a bit worried, but upon hearing that he was just acting as a Bodyguard for others, he didn't say anything more.

"When I come back next time, I might bring back a few ships. If you need medicine and weapons, give me a list; maybe I can bring some back," He Yuzhu thought that since he was going to the United States, he couldn't come back empty-handed; making a profit was a must.

Hearing this, Shen Wenqing felt it was a good opportunity and quickly used the radio to ask his superiors for instructions.

An hour later, Shen Wenqing received the list of requirements.

However, they didn't have money for the time being and needed He Yuzhu to pay in advance. He Yuzhu didn't say anything either.

In addition, He Yuzhu also took Wang Jiazhi to see Jin Hai.

He told him that the opening of the restaurant and the opening of several grocery stores had all been entrusted to Wang Jiazhi. He let the two of them discuss and handle it. Jin Hai had many storefronts, so he naturally agreed very readily.

Everything was arranged, and the time had come.

Under Liu Rusi's arrangements, He Yuzhu's Passport and visa were all ready.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the festive atmosphere of the New Year had not yet fully dissipated, and there were not many people at Beiping Railway Station.

On the platform, after hugging Zhao Ying, Liu Rusi walked gently to He Yuzhu and hugged him tightly.

That was only a brief contact, yet the wool coat seemed to carry an electric current that surged through He Yuzhu's entire body, causing him to freeze in place instantly.

Before he could recover his senses, she had already let go, her face returning to that cold, unapproachable expression.

The steam whistle blew long and loud, and the train slowly began to move.

Liu Rusi stood there alone, the winter sun stretching her shadow out thin, making her appear exceptionally lonely on the bustling platform.

Not until that figure completely vanished at the edge of his vision did He Yuzhu suddenly feel a sense of emptiness.

He could not help but laugh at himself—this mature soul trapped inside a youth's body had, after all, been stirred up by that one embrace.