Chapter 50

In March 1908, in late Qing Shanghai, the city was shrouded in a light mist in the early morning. Habi changed into a new set of clothes and followed Yang Yuanzhao. At this moment, he no longer looked as destitute as before. After two days of good food and drink, and with his worries resolved, he had regained his former demeanor, looking much like a successful businessman.

Early in the morning, when Yang Yuanzhao called him out, Habi knew why but couldn't help asking, "Mr. Yang, what do we need the warehouse for!"

"Have you found a warehouse?" Yang Yuanzhao asked.

Habi was a bit hesitant. After all, his knowledge of China and Shanghai was limited. He knew that along the Huangpu River, there were many warehouses, but these warehouses were controlled by the Shanghai underworld. To gain control of these warehouses, a significant amount of money would be required.

"Why are you worried about the cost? I don't need a prime location; just a large one will do." Yang Yuanzhao said, "The larger it is, the better, and the cheaper, the better."

"Large enough?" Habi was still a bit puzzled but said seriously, "That's easy. I know of a warehouse that is very large and is near the dock!"

The area near the dock was a good location. In China, land transportation had not yet developed, and trains were not well-established. Water transport was always the best option, making the area near the dock a popular spot.

"Let's go and take a look!" Since Habi had a target, they circled around and found a dock near the Huangpu River. It was then that Yang Yuanzhao realized why Habi's expression was a bit strange. The dock was already abandoned, and the surrounding shantytown looked dilapidated. Following a small path, they found a large warehouse covering over seven acres. Compared to other warehouses, this one was in very poor condition, with many holes in the roof. Clearly, it had no business, and the large rooms were only slightly better. The damaged roof might even leak during the rain.

In Habi's view, this warehouse had no redeeming qualities, but Yang Yuanzhao's eyes lit up. He turned to Habi and asked, "Do you know the owner's contact information?"

Habi didn't know why such a large warehouse was needed, but he had already gathered all the information about it. He took out a piece of paper with the owner's contact information.

They found a newsboy outside and paid him half a silver dollar to deliver a letter. Then, Habi followed Yang Yuanzhao to wait in front of the warehouse. Yang Yuanzhao also took a tour of the entire warehouse. At that time, the warehouse was empty, with only an old night watchman who was very deaf. No matter what Yang Yuanzhao asked, the old man couldn't hear clearly.

The owner of the warehouse arrived quickly. He was a muscular man with a long scar on his face and a particularly fierce gaze. Clearly, he was not a good person, which was very common in Shanghai at that time. The underworld controlled the docks, and almost all dock workers were under their control. They sold their labor and were doubly exploited. Not only that, but the underworld also built many warehouses near the docks. If you didn't use their warehouses, it was difficult to ship goods from the docks.

The muscular man's gaze swept over Habi and Yang Yuanzhao, and he finally walked up to Habi, saying, "Sir, are you here to rent the warehouse?"

He directly approached Habi, clearly mistaking Yang Yuanzhao for a translator. Habi was about to explain, but Yang Yuanzhao slightly shook his head. Dealing with such underworld figures, foreigners were much more effective. Indeed, the muscular man respected foreigners and almost followed their orders without question. Habi pointed out the flaws in the warehouse, but the man didn't dare to contradict him. They smoothly signed the lease agreement for the warehouse.

The rent was 800 silver dollars per year, paid quarterly, 200 dollars each time. The muscular man didn't ask Habi to pay immediately, and Habi didn't say anything more. After signing the contract, the muscular man called the old night watchman away. The old man was still very deaf, but when the muscular man raised his fist, the old man, despite his failing eyesight, had to follow him.

The warehouse now belonged to them, but Habi's doubts remained. Why did Yang Yuanzhao urgently need such a large warehouse? Was he going to store something here? But the place was so dilapidated that items like silk, cotton, and machinery couldn't be stored here. To make use of it, the warehouse would need to be renovated and repaired.

Yang Yuanzhao wasn't concerned about this. He had solved the warehouse issue in less than two days, which made him very excited. He needed the warehouse to store things. On the way, whenever he had free time, he made guns, using a large amount of jujube wood, which he almost consumed entirely, replacing it with a large number of firearms. These needed a place to be stored.

The warehouse looked very dilapidated, with most of the roof leaking, but there were still many intact rooms, enough to store the guns.

Yang Yuanzhao locked the warehouse door, left a key, and gave the rest to Habi, instructing him to find a warehouse keeper today, but not to start work until the next morning.

As they walked out of the warehouse area, Yang Yuanzhao suddenly turned and asked, "Habi, if I want to buy weapons, where is the best place?"

Buy weapons? Habi hesitated for a moment and said, "Of course, it's our German Lihe Trading Company."

"Then let's go and take a look!" Yang Yuanzhao nodded. He had heard of Lihe Trading Company, a first-class trading company. In China, it often represented the country. In terms of land weapons, Germany had already surpassed Britain, with its rigorous character and scientific advancement, constantly innovating in land warfare. Although the most advanced weapons were not available in East Asia, Germany was still the best.

Lihe Trading Company was not a small trading company like Demer. It occupied a huge building on the Shanghai Bund, a six-story building with a vast space, bustling with people.

"Habi, is this also part of your Germany? Do you have any acquaintances inside?"

Yang Yuanzhao asked casually, but Habi's expression was a bit strange. After a long pause, he said, "I have an acquaintance!"

"Then let your acquaintance help. I want to see all the military equipment."

Yang Yuanzhao said. He had a good number of rifles, enough to equip several towns, but relatively speaking, the supporting equipment was lacking. He didn't even know what a town or a division needed. Rifles were just a part of a regular army's needs, and the bigger part was still to come. The key was that he could only make a limited number of rifles and pistols. To form a combat-capable army, he would also need Maxim guns and artillery, which he hadn't obtained yet, especially artillery, which few trading companies in China could afford.

As one of the top trading companies in Shanghai and a German company, Lihe Trading Company definitely had what he needed.

Yang Yuanzhao didn't enter Lihe Trading Company. Habi went in and came out about ten minutes later with a foreigner who was about his age and looked like a British-German mixed-race person.