Chapter 10, The Shen Family at Sea

In recent years, the rise of Shandong merchants has posed a threat to the status of Jiangsu and Zhejiang capital. Although Liu Jingxiao's political achievements are mediocre, the long-awaited peaceful environment, coupled with relatively low tax levels, has allowed the grassroots commercial forces in Shandong to take flight, even confronting the Jiangsu and Zhejiang capital across the Huai River

In the tone of the superior, there seemed to be an unspoken grievance: "The council must have approved it, right? Then why ask me about it?"

Yue Zhonglin responded: "The three armies... Li Dingyuan and Cao Ming have such good intentions as you, Little Lü. They definitely want us to take the lead. After we fight to a standstill with Liu Jingxiao, they will come out to reap the benefits! Be careful not to lose the chicken while trying to catch it!"

A heavy atmosphere pervaded the entire assembly hall, and the young officer who had rushed to deliver the message could no longer bear it; he stood up and said: "Brother Yang, if a decision must be made, then it should be decisive"

The elder replied cautiously: "The council of elders will await your wise decision"

About an hour later, the sound of urgent hoofbeats echoed once more. Yang Linyi looked outside and saw Yue Zhonglin dismounting from his horse, shaking his head as he quickly walked into the hall. Yang Linyi stood up, took Yue Zhonglin's hand, and comforted him, saying: "You have worked hard! What happened?"

The Shen family in Shanghai, since the early years of the Republic, has proclaimed "value neutrality" and "perpetual neutrality." Countless generals who have fallen from power and local tyrants have transferred their assets to Shanghai. Although they are actually closer to the south, since the establishment of the Republic, the voices advocating for peace between the north and south in the Shanghai area have never ceased. The pretext for the Shen family's mediation is "absolute neutrality"

The Shen family at sea

Distributing all the power evenly into four factions, such a plan could only be conceived by a fool! A local landlord is still a local landlord! This time, regarding the turmoil in Shandong, although the Four Great Families may incite chaos in Jiaodong within two to three months, and may even capture Jiaodong, I believe these local landlords will be the first to be eliminated in the struggle for dominance in Shandong.

Yangfu, Beijing. The conference hall is brightly lit

The kind old man carefully took off his shoes, lifted the beaded curtain, and stepped onto the soft carpet. At a glance, one could see exquisite crafts displayed everywhere on the table and walls, from Yixing's purple clay teapots, Jingdezhen's porcelain, to the silver-plated wine cups from the Rouran, the celadon pottery from Silla, and even the crystal short swords from Tiele. Everything was present, yet under the host's meticulous arrangement, there was no sense of clutter; instead, it imparted a feeling of refinement.

The entire room appeared tranquil and distant, except for the faint sound of the owner's abacus.

Xiao Lü could not help but glare at Yue Zhonglin. At that moment, Yang Linyi finally spoke up: "Is there any news from Liu Jingxiao's side?"

On the table in the center, a graceful figure holds an abacus in her left hand and rests her right hand on a ledger. From this angle, one can see her long, flowing black hair cascading over her shoulders, her porcelain-like perfect features, a delicate jade neck, and a petite, exquisite figure, evoking a desire in any man to embrace her tenderly.

After decades of operation, the Shen family's commercial empire has extended its reach into every corner of the Republic. With the arrival of the Shen family's trading fleet, countless commercial spies dance in the shadows, and naturally, commercial intelligence may inadvertently carry one or two pieces of highly confidential military and political information.

Since receiving the news of the four prominent families of Jiaodong uniting to raise an army, Yang Linyi has remained silent, his handsome features showing signs of strain from prolonged tension

The esteemed young lady patiently explained to the elder: "I do not understand military maneuvers or warfare, but the moment I first saw this plan... I knew it was a mediocre plan... There is truly nothing more mediocre than this plan in the context of literature..."

However, placing all the eggs in four unstable baskets poses the greatest danger for an expanding businessman

Yue Zhonglin replied: "Brother Yang, no! No!"

Because of this, waving a small booklet of unknown origin, the superior's lips curled with a hint of arrogance, "The Shape-shifting Sorceress" truly lives up to her name

At the military academy, there is a sentry every five steps and a post every ten steps. Troops are on lockdown, strictly prohibiting pedestrian passage. Our people have tried every possible means but have been unable to infiltrate.

What happened

Yang Linyi still wore a tense expression. An officer beside him mocked, "Our little Lu is truly selfless; I fear he would help count the money even after being sold by someone!"

If the four esteemed elders who formulated the plan were to learn that their painstakingly crafted strategy was deemed worthless by this woman, they would undoubtedly be furious. However, the elder is different from these elders; he merely expresses his confusion: "But isn't there a saying that goes: Don't put all your eggs in one basket?"

The elderly do not understand the thoughts of those in power and can only voice their doubts: "Why? At least the chaos in Shandong could be prolonged for another day? For us, it would only be more advantageous, as it would further benefit our interests. Are they afraid it might affect our consistently neutral stance"

It is impossible; the cabinet will not agree to such a significant matter as martial law. Do you know which military unit it is?

Yue Zhonglin, what do you mean? I am doing this for the good of our Shaanxi army! Brother Yang... please speak up! With three armies simultaneously attacking Shandong, along with the support of the four major families in Jiaodong, how can this grand plan not succeed?

Yang Linyi did not respond, merely answering absentmindedly, his face still bearing that same expressionless demeanor

Yue Zhonglin called out a greeting, quickly walked out of the conference hall, mounted his horse, and the crisp sound of hooves faded into the evening breeze, returning the conference hall to its previous oppressive atmosphere

The young man said with an expectant tone: "Brother Yang, to hesitate in making a decision is to invite chaos! This is indeed a rare opportunity; as long as we take Shandong, attack Shanxi, capture Hubei, and then march south, the imperial ambitions will soon be realized"

Our Shen family can engage in unprofitable ventures, but we will absolutely not invest money in businesses that lack prospects

In the face of threats from Shandong merchants, certain elders of the Shen family at sea, in addition to employing legitimate business tactics, also hoped for some unethical means. However, the young lady who held the highest authority in the family clearly did not appreciate this approach. She stated in a firm tone: "Tell them, not a single cent will be given!"

However, knowing the formidable figure before him, he cautiously presented the telegram and said: "Miss, the four prominent families of Jiaodong have risen up to attack Liu Jingxiao, and they request a loan of one million yuan for military use"

Expand the twelve regiments of the Jiaodong Self-Defense Army into four divisions, then use Lin Yichen's First Division to attack Yantai, the Second Division to move towards Weihai, the Third Division to assault Qingdao, and the remaining three regiments to guard the Jiaodong headquarters. After capturing Jiaodong, split the forces into four routes to advance on Jinan

Yue Zhonglin Road: "There is still no new information!"

The elderly man cautiously opened the booklet thrown over by his superior. If Lin Baihe were to see this small mound, he would surely be heartbroken, lamenting in despair. This was the strategic plan for Shandong, painstakingly formulated over many years by more than a dozen elders from the four prominent families of Jiaodong. It covered everything from military organization and combat operations to logistical support, and was extremely detailed; however, it now appeared in an inappropriate context.

Yang Linyi said: "You should go and take a look at Yan Aoshang's Zhuque Military Academy"

The tone of the superior was filled with sarcasm: "The Elder Council wants to take this opportunity to suppress the power of the Shandong merchants"

According to my observation, it is likely to be the Thirteenth Division