Spy Wars: I can get rewards by being a bully!

Chapter 1087 Wang Xiaoshou Goes North for the New Year

Shanghai, at the docks.

As dawn broke, the river breeze was damp and chilly, carrying a mixture of diesel fuel, salted fish, and even opium. The strong gust of wind pierced the nose, enough to give anyone who had just arrived at the dock a shiver.

"Make way, make way!"

Dockworkers, some wearing tattered cotton-padded coats and others even shirtless, were carrying large bags. The workers here were clearly in a bad situation; not only were their clothes ragged, but their cheeks were also sunken and their complexions were yellowish, signs of malnutrition.

The heavy bundles pressed on their shoulders and necks, and over time, they either developed thick calluses that forced their heads forward, or they bled and healed repeatedly, forming a terrible scab.

In Shanghai, wealthy people have a derogatory nickname for these laborers: "rotten-headed shrimp."

Wang Xiaoshou, who had just disembarked from a ship operated by Nippon Cruises Ltd., was smoking and observing the various scenes unfolding on the dock.

The ship he was on arrived in Shanghai at midnight and would remain there until tonight before setting sail again.

Wang Xiaoshou was wearing a striped wool suit, his leather shoes were shiny, and he wore a top hat, so you couldn't tell he was bald. Even if he took off the hat, it wouldn't matter. In Hong Kong, the best wig maker had measured his head and made several wigs for him, so he could change his hairstyle at any time.

A year of living in the port city has changed many of Wang Xiaoshou's habits, but he still longs for the land in the north.

Wang Xiaoshou felt endless gratitude towards Master Lin for sending him to Hong Kong.

Looking back on his time in Beijing and Tianjin, no matter how careful and cautious he was, the change in mentality that comes with a rapid rise in status is inevitable.

Especially when you have some old acquaintances and friends around you.

Helping someone settle a matter or speaking up for someone in a case isn't about getting any benefits, but rather about the prestige that comes with getting things done for them. Over time, it's easy to become complacent and arrogant.

Wang Xiaoshou is not Zhuzi, not Xie Quan, and certainly not Zhou Xuejin.

He was a pickpocket who frequented brothels; he was a sincere but also had many bad habits—a true "江湖人" (jianghu person).

After moving to the port city and managing several factories, and frequently dealing with Japanese and foreigners, the sudden change in environment diminished his former江湖气气 (a kind of chivalrous spirit), and his mindset also changed considerably.

Based on what he had seen and heard while following Master Lin, he gradually came to understand some principles: what rules are, what bottom lines are, and what restraint is...

"Could you please move aside? Don't touch my young lady's suitcase!"

Wang Xiaoshou came to his senses and saw a servant carrying large and small bags of luggage, panting as he looked at him, followed by a young woman in a Western-style dress.

This woman also seems to have been on this ship, returning from the port city.

The problem is that this person's words are unpleasant to hear. What do you mean by "don't touch your young lady's suitcase"?

In the past, Wang Xiaoshou would have definitely taught him a lesson, but now, Wang Xiaoshou just smiled gently and stepped aside.

"Ah Fu! How rude of you!"

Unexpectedly, the young woman behind spoke up. After scolding the servant, she smiled apologetically at Wang Xiaoshou, "I'm sorry, sir. My servant is ignorant of etiquette and offended you. I apologize."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaoshou realized that the woman had come from Hong Kong to Shanghai and spoke with a strong Beijing accent.

Since he had nothing better to do, he asked, "Are you from Beiping?"

The woman's eyes lit up. "Are you also from Beiping?! My name is He Zhihui. I grew up in Beiping with my grandfather before coming to Shanghai."

Wang Xiaoshou thought for a moment and asked, "Who is He Haoyun of Hong'an Shipping Company?"

He Zhihui was even more delighted. "It is indeed my father. Sir, may I ask your name? Do you know my father?"

Wang Xiaoshou handed over a business card, which He Zhihui took and saw that it read "Wang Juncai, Chairman of Gangcheng Yuanda Shipping Company" in both Chinese and English.

On his trip to the port city, in addition to taking over several foreign-owned factories and building several new factories, Wang Xiaoshou's most important task was to assemble a fleet of ships.

A decade or two ago, private shipping companies were very developed. Coastal shipping was quite frequent, and many routes could be considered lucrative, generating substantial profits with each trip.

However, when the Japanese came, the wealthy foreign shipping companies, such as Taikoo Shipping, had to withdraw. Later, some small and medium-sized shipping companies had their ships requisitioned by the Japanese. Those who did not want to be requisitioned by the Japanese went down the Yangtze River to Jiangcheng, where many of them were chased and bombed by the Japanese.

He Zhihui's father, He Haoyun, had an English background. Before the Japanese and the English completely broke off relations, he had moved most of his ships to other ports, thus preserving his family fortune. Although life is not as good as before, at least his strength is still there, and he is just waiting to rebuild after the war.

Wang Xiaoshou's Yuanda Shipping is quite impressive. The shareholders of this shipping company all have amazing backgrounds, and the controlling shareholder is Miyamoto Shipping Co., Ltd.

Miyamoto Shipping Co., Ltd. is jointly owned by Miyamoto Trading Co., Ltd. and a little-known small company.

Miyamoto Trading Company outsourced all its maritime transport tasks to Yuanda Shipping.

Meanwhile, due to the intense naval battles, shipping companies other than the Japanese themselves were generally restricted from sailing, but cargo ships from distant regions were not restricted and thus made a fortune.

With the money, Wang Xiaoshou, under Lin Ze's remote command, actively engaged in mergers and acquisitions, buying up companies like Dada Shipping and Zhongwei Shipping.

He Zhihui was overjoyed to see that this Mr. Wang was someone of such importance.

To be honest, Wang Xiaoshou isn't exactly good-looking, but he's a master at chatting and talking with girls. Plus, he used to practically live in Qin Sheng Lane, so he doesn't have any biases when it comes to women.

This sense of realism, coupled with a touch of nonchalance, is what women really like. If you speak hesitantly, appear very nervous, and try to express yourself but can't seem to choose the right moment, it can be very awkward.

How to do?

Just practice cooking more!

When Wang Xiaoshou first met a rich and beautiful woman like He Zhihui, he must have been at a loss for what to do.

Of course, there is another way, which is to improve oneself in other fields, such as becoming a shipping tycoon in the Far East like Wang Xiaoshou. At that time, no matter what woman one sees, one's heart will probably not be too stirred.

"Afu, you take my luggage and go home first. I need to talk to Mr. Wang for a while longer. Mr. Wang, is that alright?"

Wang Xiaoshou lit a cigarette and said, "It was originally a small matter, but I couldn't be happier to be able to talk to Miss He."

Ah Fu muttered softly, "Miss, Master is still waiting..."

He Zhihui waved her hand, signaling him to get lost. "Tell my dad that I'm going to talk to Mr. Wang from Yuanda Shipping about business matters, and I'm going to treat him to lunch."