There are two reasons why Yan Houxin can become the first person in Ningbo business gang from a signboard apprentice. The first is that he has the ability, the courage to work hard and knows how to do business; The second point is external reasons. He was appreciated by Li Hongzhang, supported by nobles, and the rise of national enterprises in the Qing Dynasty at that time, so it can be said that doing business was then? Fengkou? . It is for these two reasons that Yan Houxin can become a business tycoon from an apprentice.

When Yan Houxin was young, he was proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and he was very talented in reading. But after studying in a private school for several years, Yan Houxin suddenly didn't want to study. Young Yan Houxin realized that the imperial examination was not the only way out, and studying for the imperial examination was not in line with his philosophy. So he resolutely dropped out of school and went to a bank in Ningbo as an apprentice after dropping out of school. Before long, the banks in Ningbo began to operate. Yan Houxin was attracted by Hu Xueyan who came to the bank to collect debts. Hu Xueyan took Yan Houxin back to the source jewelry store and made a document for Yan Houxin. Yan Houxin performed very well in Yuan Jewelry Store, so Hu Xueyan recommended Yan Houxin to Li Hongzhang. When Li Hongzhang saw Yan Houxin's superior ability, he accepted him as his staff. Because of the support of nobles, Yan Houxin can ascend from an apprentice to heaven.

Li Hongzhang arranged for Yan Houxin to be the salt supervisor. With this position, Yan Houxin accumulated a lot of wealth in ten years and completed the original accumulation of capital at once. After completing the accumulation of capital, Yan Houxin carried out quite a lot of business activities. First, he started a bank of his own. Later, when the first modern bank in China was established, Yan Houxin also served as the general manager. In addition to the financial industry, Yan Houxin also established Tongjiuyuan cotton ginning factory and Wuhualou gold shop, and plans to establish ningbo tong Jiuyuan cotton mill and Tongli sack factory, and also plans to establish ningbo tong Jiuyuan cotton mill to invest in flour mills, oil mills and inland steamers. It can be said that Yan Houzhao touched a wide range of industries. This also shows that Yan Houzhao's ability to do business is quite strong. If he doesn't have this ability, he won't be appreciated by Li Hongzhang.

It is precisely because Yan Houxin grasped business opportunities, followed the current situation and dared to fight hard that he was able to create a large number of modern enterprises in the complex environment of the late Qing Dynasty and became the first person in Ningbo's business gang.