Return to Africa to become a tycoon

Chapter 34 The Lady's Wool

That afternoon.

Liu Yide once again traveled by carriage to the port. Upon arriving at the port authority, he had barely alighted when the port official greeted him warmly:

"Mr. Liu Yide, you've come at the perfect time. I was just about to send someone to inform you. First Mate Hyde and his ship have returned, just a few hours ago, and are currently handling port entry procedures. I've already informed them of your request for him..."

The port official was so enthusiastic because he was also a patient he had treated at the clinic. Before he could finish speaking, a boy in a sailor uniform suddenly ran over from the side:

"Mr. Louis, Mr. Louis, the First Mate originally intended to visit you tonight. I didn't expect you to come in person."

It's Tom!

He came to the port authority to run errands, but he didn't expect to see Liu Yide here. He seemed extremely excited and kept talking.

"Sir, do you know where we went? We went to Egypt. We were originally going to Singapore, you know? You must know, it's in Asia."

They're actually going to Singapore!

This surprised Liu Yide a bit. In fact, most sailors in those days did not have fixed routes; they traveled to various parts of the world according to the cargo arrangements of the ship owners.

"If we hadn't already stocked up on cotton in Egypt, we would have gone to Singapore..."

While Tom was explaining why he hadn't gone to Singapore, he also said he needed to inform the first mate and the others. Liu Yide then said he would wait for him at the Lucky Sailors Hotel.

That was the place where they first met, and it was there that everyone's destiny changed.

But this time—can I change my fate again?

Looking at the familiar hotel sign in the distance, Liu Yide's heart was filled with anticipation...

Lucky Sailor Hotel!

It remains the same as before, nothing has changed, the only thing that has changed is the people.

More than a month ago, Liu Yide entered this hotel to fill his stomach.

And this time?

I came here for—a greater goal.

Upon returning to the hotel, he received a completely different treatment; Cam warmly led him to the best spot.

"Sir, what would you like to drink?"

"Let's have a beer."

After waiting for about ten minutes, a familiar voice came from the hotel entrance:

"Cam, you all better behave yourselves. Don't think you can mess around just because Mr. Louis is around. Watch yourselves! Don't catch another disease and cause trouble for him again."

Hearing Hyde's voice, Liu Yide put down his wine glass and smiled:

"First mate, you're wrong. If they get infected again, I can't guarantee I can cure them."

"Louis, it's our Mr. Louis."

Hyde and his companions immediately swarmed around him, their expressions and words filled with gratitude, just as they had always been.

It's gratitude!

Feeling their gratitude, Liu Yide knew he had made the right choice.

So he invited them to sit down and called the bartender for beer.

As soon as he sat down, Hyde quickly asked:

"Sir, I heard from the port authority that you've been looking for us?"

"Sir, is there anything you need?"

Conrad said directly:

"Whatever it is, just tell me."

"Yes, sir, just give the order."

Seeing how eager the sailors all looked to stand up and help him, he was struck by their expressions.

Liu Yide smiled and said:

"Yes, I'm planning to buy a boat."

Hyde exclaimed in surprise:

"What? Sir, you...want to buy a boat?"

The other sailors also looked at him blankly, seemingly not understanding why Liu Yide wanted to buy a ship.

"Yes, I don't know much about ships. My requirements are that they can sail long distances, have a fast speed, and of course, be cheap."

So I hope Hyde can help me with this. And what else?

Although it sounded like there were many conditions, Hyde agreed without hesitation:

"That's easy. I'll go out and ask around in a bit. I'm sure there will be ship owners willing to sell their boats. I'll choose the best and cheapest boat for you, sir."

Nodding, Liu Yide looked at Hyde and said:

"There's another thing... that ship needs a captain and crew. Hyde, Conrad, would you be willing to come and help me?"

What?

captain!

Hyde's eyes widened suddenly. Although he was already the first mate, just one step away from becoming the captain, not every first mate could become the captain.

Because a first mate who wants to become a captain needs more than just extensive sailing experience and a captain's certificate, among other stringent requirements. Most importantly, the certificate is just a qualification; the power to appoint rests with the shipowner.

In this era, ocean-going vessels were high-risk and required large investments, so ship owners were extremely conservative, giving priority to older captains around 50 years old with many years of experience.

The promotion of a first mate to captain usually only occurs when the original captain dies, becomes seriously ill, goes missing, or there is an urgent shortage of personnel.

As for Hyde, although he was over 40 years old, he had no experience as a captain.

This is a paradox—to be appointed as a captain by a shipowner, one must first have many years of captaining experience.

So who can become the captain?

These are the shipowner's confidants—the shipowner personally mentors some of his own people, sending them to merchant shipping schools to learn navigation, honing their skills in his own shipping company, and then gradually helping them become captains.

As for Hyde... he was a free man, and without anyone to mentor him, it would be difficult for him to become a captain in his lifetime. Becoming a first mate was the pinnacle of his life.

Conrad, Tom, and the others all turned their gazes to Hyde, their expressions equally pleased. After all, in their view, the first mate should have become captain long ago.

However, it has never been appreciated by the shipowner.

"Sir, I..."

Hyde's tone was somewhat agitated. He finally stood up, grabbed his sailor's hat, and bowed.

"Sir, please rest assured, I will definitely not let you down."

"Yes, I believe you. By the way, Conrad, are you willing to help me?"

How could they possibly refuse?

They almost unanimously agreed, and even offered to find some reliable sailors.

Hyde and his team were very efficient. The next morning, Tom brought the news, and then Liu Yide and Tom arrived at the port and boarded a ship.

This was his first time on a sailboat. As soon as he boarded, Liu Yide was startled by what was on the deck.

"They actually have cannons?"

"Sir, this is for defense against pirates."

Tom's voice wasn't loud; only the two of them could hear it.

Oh, I see.

Just as Tom finished speaking, Hyde walked over with a man in his fifties.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the shipowner introduced the ship to him.

"The Cayadi, as you can see, is a three-masted, all-sail, steam-assisted clipper ship with a displacement of 1560 tons. It has a 260-horsepower auxiliary steam engine, making it very fast. Not only is it an iron-hulled ship, but it's also only five years old. And you see, it also has eight Armstrong cannons..."

After a brief introduction of the vessel, Dix gave a direct quote:

"If Mr. Louis is interested, he is yours for just £12000."

£12000...that's about 30 lira.

The price is quite reasonable.

In the past few days, Liu Yide has also seen in the local newspapers the prices of some merchant ships like this iron-hulled ship, which are about £10000 to £18000 for ships that are 5 to 10 years old.

A 5-year-old boat is practically brand new, and at £12000, it's not expensive.

At this moment, Hyde, who was standing to the side, said:

"Mr. Dix, your ship has never achieved a speed record on the tea transport route, so this price is clearly inappropriate."

The so-called "tea transport route" runs from Fujian to London. Every year when the new tea is available, clipper ships loaded with tea will speed all the way to London. The first ship to arrive in London can not only sell the tea at a high price, but also receive a bonus.

Other ships sailing on this route, even if they lose the race, can obtain sailing records, which can fetch a premium when sold.

If there's no record of success, then naturally it's impossible to sell for a high price, because clipper boats are all about speed.

"First mate, this ship is only four years and six months old."

Just as Dix was about to emphasize that his boat was worth the price, Liu Yide made the decision directly:

"£11000. I'll pay 50% as a deposit first, and the remaining 50% will be paid with a bank loan. If that's possible, we can sign the contract now."

Dix said with some surprise:

"Bank loan? Of course, that's no problem for me. But, sir, you'll have to be responsible for it yourself."

Nodding, Liu Yide said in one breath:

"Yes, of course, Cornaro Bank, a century-old institution with an excellent reputation..."

Although she could withdraw money with that black card, using her money to buy a boat would change the nature of the transaction. The boat had to be hers; only then could she have autonomy over it.

Since this card is for credit, it's the same if you use it to get a loan.

If there's an opportunity to take advantage of a deal, of course you should take advantage of it.

You have to be careful with every penny you have, because there are so many things to spend money on.

Hyde, standing to the side, asked in surprise:

"Cornarro Bank, sir, will they lend you money? They seem to do very little of this kind of business."

"Don't worry, First Mate, I have a good relationship with Mrs. Asolo, they will approve it."

I'm delivering business to her door... Only I would wholeheartedly help her like this.

(My new book is nearing the end of its sales cycle. I earnestly request all readers to add it to your collections and continue reading. Thank you!)