Chapter 5: In the Study

During the conversation, Chen Moran attentively observed the expression of Sun Jingnan before him

The ship waits at the dock, stopping for a day, and I pay a day's silver

five thousand taels

After speaking, Chen Moran walked towards the gangway. As he stepped onto the swaying gangway and set foot on the land of Shanghai, his heart suddenly raced, and his breathing became heavier. This was the territory of Shanghai.

The calm demeanor of Sun Jingnan before him caused Chen Moran a headache. Since he arrived in this study, this person had hardly spoken a few words, only occasionally asking him some questions, showing seemingly no interest in the matter of renting a house.

Chen Moran was immediately stumped by this question. The notion of returning from abroad was merely a pretext. Given the current situation, how could he possibly have any understanding of it? Hmm! It seems that the Xinchou Treaty is about to be signed.

I kindly request Mr. Sun to take care of the younger generation

Sun Jingnan was captivated by Chen Moran's words, perhaps out of curiosity, and thus overlooked the blasphemous nature of Chen Moran's speech

Oh! Please elaborate and let me hear it in detail

Especially the phrase "the thought of saving the nation through industry" that he mentioned regarding renting a factory resonated deeply with Sun Jingnan, making him feel understood. The factory building was originally abandoned by the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau. Many years ago, he purchased it with the intention of starting a factory, but this plan was delayed for several years. He had originally intended to establish a factory after the New Year, but unexpectedly, someone has now taken an interest in that factory building.

Simple numbers, yet they instantly filled this room with the stench of money from books.

Mr. Sun, this price is already quite high

He placed the teacup on the shelf, and Sun Jingnan involuntarily leaned forward, displaying a keen interest

Upon hearing this number, Sun Jingnan merely smiled faintly and continued to sip his tea

Nevertheless, Chen Moran could only flatter Sun Jingnan, who had once been a successful candidate in the imperial examination and had also served as a district magistrate. The house he found had a landlord, and its backyard was adjacent to the river, with electricity available. Moreover, there was a small dock behind the factory that had a wooden crane, which resolved the issue of getting the machinery ashore and into the factory. After searching for several days in Shanghai, he finally managed to find this suitable factory.

His question made Chen Moran breathe a sigh of relief. Although he did not come from a background in history, he still understood that the Boxer Protocol's indemnity of 450 million taels meant that the country would certainly not perish after paying the money. Moreover, the paper provided a thorough analysis of this reason, even adding some commentary as if it were a hindsight observation.

Sir, the ship has docked!

Chen Moran nodded slightly and turned to glance at the two containers covered by tarpaulin; those two containers represented everything to him

The reason for leaving Jinling for Shanghai is quite simple: electricity! Without electricity, one's own machinery cannot operate. Although Jinling has a small power plant, it only supplies electricity for the government, wealthy gentry, and munitions factories. For someone like Chen Moran, who has neither connections nor strength, trying to operate his machinery in Jinling is likely just a pipe dream.

Mr. Sun's words indeed left Chen Moran momentarily stunned; what was going on? Etiquette? He had never shown such respect to that person throughout his life, let alone mention gifts.

Although the furnishings in this main hall are not luxurious, they exude a sense of affluence and reflect the owner's taste. The entrance features a large lacquered Eight Immortals table and chairs. The dark red lacquer on the corners of the table and the armrests of the chairs has faded over time, revealing the wood beneath, yet it suggests a long-standing family heritage. Above the table hangs an old painting titled "Crabapple in the Snow." Although Chen Moren cannot decipher the wild cursive script on the painting, he can somewhat guess that it is likely the work of a renowned artist.

Recalling this term, Chen Moran remembered a paper he had read during university, and it seemed that he had even debated with someone about it at that time

Sun Jingnan looked at the puzzled Chen Moran with great interest. From the moment this young man, leaning on a cane, entered the main hall, he became intrigued. The reason was simple: he had previously mentioned studying abroad in the UK and the US for twenty years. In the vast Qing Dynasty, how many people had the opportunity to study abroad for twenty years?

You, Chen Quezi, if it were not for your return from abroad, and your lack of understanding of the court etiquette, I fear that with your previous remarks, you would have long been driven out already

Oh! What does it mean that, apart from Russia and Japan, no other country has the intention to destroy China

Mr. Nan Ping, being merely a young man, does not possess a deep understanding of military and national affairs; however, apart from Russia and Japan among the eight nations, the others do not harbor intentions to destroy China.

It seems that Mr. Nanping has no intention of renting out to outsiders; otherwise, he would not have personally visited.

After speaking, Chen Moran stood up. Although there was a dull pain in his left leg, he still respectfully bent down to pay his respects

Silver, although it is said that in Jinling, I pawned watches and necklaces for twelve thousand taels, in order to load two containers weighing over ten to twenty tons onto two sand boats, I spent one thousand taels on rental fees. The expenses for the boats docking at the wharf for three days, combined with the running around in Shanghai these past few days, have already amounted to nearly three thousand taels, which have long since vanished. After much difficulty, I finally found a suitable place, but the person was still unwilling to rent it, saying that their master might need it for personal use after the New Year. The expenses for the boats docking at the wharf for three days, combined with the running around in Shanghai these past few days, have already amounted to nearly three thousand taels, which have long since vanished. After much difficulty, I finally found a suitable place, but the person was still unwilling to rent it, saying that their master might need it for personal use after the New Year.

Ah!

In the memories of countless individuals, old Shanghai is merely a yellowed black-and-white photograph. It is a monstrosity born from the interplay between impoverished, backward China and foreign powers. However, everyone who understands it knows that on the other hand, it is a paradise for the wealthy, an arena for adventurers, yet it remains a hell on earth for the impoverished masses

In the main hall, Sun Jingnan, seated in the foremost position, was sipping tea. Although he was over fifty years old, he appeared vigorous and lively, his figure lean yet not emaciated, sitting upright in his chair with a straight posture

Shili Yangchang, here is https://m.hetushu.com, the starting point of Shanghai's Shili Yangchang. Perhaps due to the early morning, a thick fog envelops the bustling Shili Yangchang, rendering it quite indistinct, with objects more than fifty meters away shrouded in a hazy veil.

Although he had seen through the darkness of the officialdom many years ago and resigned from his post to engage in business, Sun Jingnan could not forget the affairs of the state for a single day. Since last year, when the Eight-Nation Alliance occupied Beijing and Tianjin, and the Empress Dowager and the Emperor fled west to Xi'an, the Alliance had held Beijing for several months, during which they continued to invade southward, causing Sun Jingnan great anxiety. Although the reports often claimed that the foreigners had no intention of destroying the Qing dynasty, he still harbored some concerns.

A tall gate tower stands, behind which is a two-entry southern-style courtyard. The gate tower is accompanied by gate compartments, and the large door, painted in red, is tightly closed. On the door, a plaque inscribed with the golden characters "Generations of Literary Heritage" is written horizontally from right to left, in authentic Han clerical script, embodying a blend of softness and severity, tranquility interwoven with an air of intrigue.

Then, having grown up in England and America since childhood, do you think that England and America harbor intentions to destroy our Qing dynasty?

Sitting in the armchair, Sun Jingnan remained silent, merely lowering his head to savor his tea, seemingly showing no interest in what the person before him was saying

The boatman, with utmost respect, said, "From Jinling to Shanghai, chartering the boat costs five hundred taels. Such a high price is probably unprecedented. However, considering the need to transport these two large iron cabinets for the gentleman, this sand boat, with its saw boards and padding, has indeed required considerable effort. If it weren't for the two wooden cranes at the dock in Jinling working simultaneously, it would have been impossible to even get those two large iron cabinets onto the boat."

This ... ... is Shanghai!

The policies and contradictions of the eight nations towards China have determined that it is fundamentally impossible for them to divide China! If division is out of the question, how can one even speak of destroying China!

Standing at the bow of the ship, Chen Moran saw several towering buildings emerging from the mist, revealing only the highest few floors. Rows of window openings flickered with a pale yellow light. From a distance, they appeared like mirages floating in mid-air, evoking a sense of something that seemed real yet was not, lacking any semblance of grandeur.

The courtyard features white walls and blue bricks, with snow-laden begonia trees in the yard. Although situated in the southern region, the snow on the begonia adds a touch of northern charm. A graceful maid enters the main hall, elegantly serving tea.

The dense fog is boundless, and the cargo ships navigating the Huangpu River break through the suffocating humidity as they move forward. Even the figures that are close at hand have become distorted and strange; everything has lost its distinct outline, and everything is becoming blurred and deformed. Although the misty water splashes against his woolen coat, Chen Moruan still stands at the bow of the ship

Hmm!

Current situation

Sun Jingnan smiled faintly and casually reprimanded.

It is not urgent; only then did Chen Moran hurriedly rent a carriage and rush from Shanghai to Songjiang County. At this moment, he offered five thousand taels, which is nearly the highest price he could propose.

Then, you just mentioned that you have recently returned from abroad. I wonder what your views are on the current situation.

Treaty of Xinchou