Hu Xueyan was no stranger to foreign-business.In 1868, when Zuo Zongtang launched Fujian Ship-Building Bureau, Hu Xueyan was in full charge of procurement of foreign machines and munitions.

• 胡雪岩对洋务并不陌生，1868年左宗棠创办福建船政局的时候，所有购买外商机器、军火事务便都是由胡雪岩一手操办的。