Chapter 006: Anecdotes from the Sun Residence

While walking halfway, I recalled the osmanthus cake that Sun Daoren mentioned yesterday, and immediately dispatched a personal guard to Yang's shop in the northern city.

Simultaneously managing the new military and initiating new policies requires a substantial amount of silver, but what if the court lacks the funds? The answer lies in the excessive issuance of copper coins, increasing the tax on goods, and raising taxes. Although these measures temporarily mask the severe financial issues of the late Qing Dynasty, the ordinary populace endures ever-increasing inflation, leading to a sharp decline in their living standards. This has sparked significant public discontent. The answer lies in the excessive issuance of copper coins, increasing the tax on goods, and raising taxes. Although these measures temporarily mask the severe financial issues of the late Qing Dynasty, the ordinary populace endures ever-increasing inflation, leading to a sharp decline in their living standards. This has sparked significant public discontent.

If the Qing nobility had known the outcome of the New Policies initiated over a decade ago, they would have killed Empress Cixi to avoid implementing them. It can be said that for the Qing nobility, the reforms after 1900 were the greatest mistake made in over two hundred years since their entry into China. Had they not reformed and continued the policy of keeping the populace ignorant, they might have managed to maintain their rule for several more decades until being swallowed by foreign powers or colonized. However, just a few years after the reforms, they were overthrown by the new generation of intellectuals they themselves had nurtured. Therefore, from the perspective of the ruling class, it is preferable for the ruled to remain as ignorant as possible. The Qing dynasty and the Jin dynasty serve as the most obvious contrasts between success and failure.

Sun Daoren continued to stroke his beard and said: "As the saying goes, establishing a family comes before establishing a career. In this lifelong matter, Zihua must take action soon!"

Chen Jingyun did not say much; after resigning, he left the room and immediately changed into a new outfit. Only after donning a tailored officer's uniform did he step outside

After passing through the garden and turning several corridors, Chen Jingyun was led by Butler Sun into a flower hall. Just after sitting down for a short while, he heard Sun Daoren's voice coming from the doorway: "Zihua has arrived"

The Xu Jingqing mentioned by Sun Daoren is an old military commander in Fuzhou, with a subordinate force of about a thousand men. Chen Jingyun does not have much information about this person in his memory, indicating that they are not very familiar with each other. As for why Xu Jingqing arrested the disorderly party last night, Chen Jingyun has also guessed some of the reasons.

Could it be related to the situation in Wuchang? Chen Jingyun expressed his speculation

Good! When Sun Daoren saw Chen Jingyun's attitude, he naturally smiled broadly. It was precisely because of Chen Jingyun's attitude that he entrusted the 30th marker to Chen Jingyun. It was also due to Chen Jingyun's attitude that Sun Daoren invited him to this meal

Chen Jingyun casually replied: "Fortunately, thanks to the few century-old ginseng plants sent by Lady Sun, my health has been able to recover so quickly"

After the disastrous defeat in 1894 and the humiliation of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, the Qing court resolved to implement reforms, establishing new schools, building railways, encouraging industry and commerce, organizing a new army, and sending a large number of students abroad for study. The successes achieved over the decade were considerable, with significant advancements in industry and commerce. However, this also sowed the seeds of disaster. The young students who went abroad were exposed to foreign ideas, broadened their horizons, and, upon understanding the concept of freedom, naturally grew increasingly dissatisfied with the domestic situation under Qing rule. The outcome for any highly centralized government that awakens the public's consciousness is invariably tragic, and the Qing dynasty was no exception. However, this also sowed the seeds of disaster. The young students who went abroad were exposed to foreign ideas, broadened their horizons, and, upon understanding the concept of freedom, naturally grew increasingly dissatisfied with the domestic situation under Qing rule. The outcome for any highly centralized government that awakens the public's consciousness is invariably tragic, and the Qing dynasty was no exception.

Once this body is well, it will be good! Sun Daoren took a sip of tea and continued, "Alas, we are indeed in a time of many troubles; with so many affairs, one cannot manage without a good body! I am still counting on you to help me bear the brunt of it!"

At this point, Sun Daoren paused slightly and glanced at Chen Jingyun: "The current situation is tense, and I am aware that many revolutionaries have infiltrated the Tenth Town. I fear they might take the opportunity to incite trouble. If a military disturbance were to break out, the hundreds of thousands of citizens in Fuzhou would suffer! Our lives and fortunes would also be at risk!"

The news of the successful Wuchang uprising spread across the entire land of China through telegraph, stirring up public sentiment everywhere. Revolutionaries recklessly rushed about, attempting to transform the Wuchang uprising into a raging fire, and subsequently incite uprisings nationwide

The success of the Wuchang Uprising was not a matter of chance, but rather an inevitability

While speaking, he pretended to be angry

Speaking of this tumultuous autumn, Sun Daoren could not help but lament the current state of affairs: "In these times, everywhere is chaotic. Last night, Xu Jingqing led the patrol camp and spent the entire night on the rounds, and it is said that they captured quite a number of insurgents"

After encouraging the industrial and commercial sectors, while they experienced rapid development, capitalists were no longer satisfied with light industry and began to turn their attention to heavy industries such as railways in pursuit of greater profits. Naturally, the profit-seeking capitalists were dissatisfied with the court's submission to foreign powers, which involved the sale of numerous transportation rights, mineral resources, and customs duties being controlled by outsiders. More critically, following the spontaneous banditry, the domestic implementation of the tax system was initiated to address fiscal shortfalls, leading to a proliferation of tax checkpoints across the country. This had little impact on the circulation of goods. However, the key issue was the differential treatment of domestic and foreign goods under the tax system, which weakened the competitiveness of domestic products. All of these factors contributed to significant dissatisfaction among the business community towards the court.

When there were revolutionary parties pursuing ideals, capitalists seeking profits, and ordinary people filled with grievances, the combination of these three elements directly led to the outbreak of the Wuchang Uprising. In fact, even if the Wuchang Uprising had not succeeded, it would not be long before there would be uprisings in Nanjing and Taiyuan. In short, revolution had become inevitable. Therefore, the day after the success of the Wuchang Uprising, on the early morning of October 20, the Hanyang New Army responded to the Wuchang Uprising, quickly taking control of Hanyang and advancing towards Hankou.

Chen Jingyun could only smile wryly upon hearing this. Since he could not figure out what Sun Daoren intended to do, he decided to let it be. Since Sun had said not to stand on ceremony, was it necessary for him to be overly respectful? He immediately sat back down and said, "It was my oversight, please do not hold it against me, Master Sun"

Chen Jingyun was momentarily taken aback, and for a moment, he couldn't recall his own age. It was only after silently counting in his mind that he finally calculated the age of his current body: "If the adult remembers correctly!"

Chen Jingyun was also taken aback upon hearing this. It seems that the actions of the revolutionaries are quite swift. At this rate, within a few days, the three towns of Wuchang, Hanyang, and Hankou will completely fall into the hands of the revolutionaries. It appears that we also need to accelerate our actions; we cannot allow the revolutionaries to initiate the uprising without us, as that would not be a trivial matter

Chen Jingyun had a question, but Butler Sun, being a perceptive person, spoke up without waiting for Chen Jingyun to ask: "The master mentioned earlier that today's meal is a simple family dinner, and your presence here does not count as official business, so we will dine in the backyard"

Zihua understood! Chen Jingyun continued to respond with utmost respect

If I remember correctly, Zihua, you should be twenty-three this year, right?" Sun Daoren asked while stroking his beard.

However, as Chen Jingyun walked in, he noticed that Butler Sun did not lead him to the main hall, but instead headed towards the backyard. This struck him as somewhat strange, for although the atmosphere had become more open compared to several decades ago, the etiquette in official families was still strictly observed, and outsiders were not easily permitted into the backyard

Sun Daoren smiled and nodded, lifting his teacup as he said: "I had intended to invite you over a few days ago, but who would have thought you caught a chill. This has caused my wife to nag me incessantly these past few days, expressing her concern and insisting on sending someone to check on you"

Historically, given Chen Jingyun's attitude towards revolutionaries, Sun Daoren's words were indeed unexpected. However, the current Chen Jingyun is no longer the same as before. If the former Chen Jingyun was someone who remained indifferent and focused solely on military training, the current Chen Jingyun is now entirely preoccupied with rebellion. At this moment, Chen Jingyun naturally understands the appropriate stance to take: "Rest assured, my lord, with the 38th Banner present, chaos will not arise in Fuzhou! If anyone dares to cause trouble, they must consider whether the 38th Banner will agree!"

After the two engaged in casual conversation for a while, they gradually shifted their discussion from official matters to trivial personal affairs

Sun Daoren walked in, extending his hand in a gesture of invitation: "Zihua, there is no need to be overly formal! This is not a military camp, and your visit today is not for official business! To be so distant, could it be that you look down on me, Sun?"

Then a group of people headed straight for the Sun residence. Upon arriving, the bodyguards knocked on the door, and naturally, the servants of the Sun residence came to greet them. The steward personally led Chen Jingyun forward, while the bodyguards who accompanied Chen Jingyun were also shown to a side room to have tea and a meal.

After returning home, shortly after entering the door, he was called over by Yu. Although Chen Jingyun was no longer the same Chen Jingyun as before, the version of him that integrated memories still held a great deal of respect for Yu as his mother. After all, in this day and age, it is not an easy task for a woman to raise three children to adulthood.

After grooming himself, Chen Jingyun inspected the military camp once more. Then, around eleven o'clock in the morning, after reiterating the order to keep the camp tightly closed and strictly prohibiting any disturbances, he finally returned home with three to five personal guards. His adjutant, Lin Chengkun, had left early in the morning, and without needing to ask, Chen Jingyun knew he had gone to meet with the revolutionaries.

This courtyard is a typical three-entry residence of the Jiangnan region. Throughout the corridors and doorways, one can see exquisite carvings that reveal the delicate artistry characteristic of Jiangnan, which is entirely different from the grand and open architectural style of the north. The backyard even features a pond, fed by flowing water, beside which stands a rockery with a pavilion atop it. Numerous rare flowers and plants are cultivated around the pond, which have evidently just been watered, reflecting a sparkling brilliance through the sunlight that filters through the leaves and blossoms.

Alright! Since my son has a banquet, let's set off early so as not to keep Lord Sun waiting, after all, he is an elder! The tone of the Yu family was gentle, and there seemed to be a hint of joy in their words.

Hmm! Sun Daoren said: "The situation in Wuchang has escalated too much. I just received news that there was also chaos in Hanyang last night!"

Chen Jingyun quickly stood up and said, "I have seen Lord Sun!"

Oh! Chen Jingyun replied casually, but internally he was already speculating about what intentions Sun Daoren had in mind. There was no need for him to lead himself to the backyard to win him over.

He slept lightly during the first half of the night, fearing that something might happen in the barracks. It was not until the latter half of the night that he dozed off in a daze, and when he woke up in the morning, he was somewhat late

Of course, Chen Jingyun, still in a deep sleep, was unaware that the three towns of Wuchang were nearly occupied by the revolutionary army. This was not a concern for him, as he knew that in the end, the revolution would be successful, and it would not be long before uprisings erupted across the country. He would also be one of the participants.

After carefully observing Chen Jingyun, Yu inquired a few questions about why he had not returned home the previous night. Chen Jingyun naturally responded respectfully that it was due to being occupied with official duties. Since Chen Jingyun had often stayed in the military camp before, Yu did not say much more. However, when she heard that Chen Jingyun would be attending a banquet at Sun Daoren's residence later, a hint of joy appeared at the corner of her mouth