Ji Xin Tong

Chapter 230 The White Moonlight of a Republic of Literature Master (16)

Upon setting foot in Shanghai, Ye Xiu Yuan immediately noticed the city's transformation. The people here exuded an aura of prosperity and optimism. It seemed everyone had a purpose, a direction in life, and even the rickshaw pullers on the street ran with an unusual lightness.

This vibrant, hopeful energy stood in stark contrast to the numb, life-weary demeanor he had witnessed in the capital. He couldn't comprehend why, living in the same world of oppression and exploitation, the people of Shanghai seemed so full of vitality.

Despite this, Ye Xiu Yuan found himself fond of this city. He felt that even if he didn't find Mr. Qi Ming, witnessing this societal change alone made the journey worthwhile. He admired the spirit of the populace, which gave him hope that the nation was not beyond saving, not entirely beyond recovery.

He was tired of the apathetic masses. He had strived to enlighten their minds and uplift their spirits, but they seemed utterly indifferent. After all, spiritual needs paled in comparison to material ones. As the saying goes, "When granaries are full, people understand propriety." How could he expect spiritual advancement from people struggling for survival, their bellies empty?

The elder generation's spirit, he believed, was beyond redemption, which was why they placed their hopes in the youth and students. He diligently studied advanced Western knowledge, hoping to use it to improve the lives of the common people. He believed that Mr. Qi Ming shared this aspiration, otherwise, why would he meticulously record and transcribe fundamental knowledge? Their efforts, he felt, were all for the sake of the Chinese nation.

However, the changes in Shanghai now offered a glimpse of dawn. The people here seemed remarkably positive and forward-looking, devoid of the crushing weight of life that bowed heads. He yearned to understand the source of this transformation and whether it could be replicated nationwide, allowing all Chinese people to share the same hope for life that the people of Shanghai now possessed.

Ye Xiu Yuan no longer rushed to find Mr. Qi Ming. The changes in Shanghai now demanded his exploration. He penned a letter back to the capital to Principal Gao, informing him of his intention to remain in Shanghai and his plan to apply for a teaching position at a local school.

After renting a small courtyard and hiring a local auntie to manage his household affairs, he began making friends. Ye Xiu Yuan came from a well-off family, which was how he afforded his overseas studies. With his intelligence, anyone would find it hard to refuse his overtures of friendship. Consequently, he quickly made many acquaintances, from whom he gathered a considerable amount of information. Among the names he heard was Lin Yan, the daughter of Shanghai's Minister of Finance.

She was known as a woman with a Midas touch; her products were incredibly popular, even selling abroad. Many who collaborated with her reaped immense profits. She had also established an industrial zone on the outskirts of the city, which brought together numerous factories from Shanghai. These factories, united under her banner, formed a force that neither the government nor foreign powers dared to trifle with. To further secure their position, they also had the backing of Mr. Du, the most influential figure in Shanghai's underworld.

Ye Xiu Yuan found Lin Yan to be exceptionally intelligent. This intelligence, he mused, wasn't just about her products or her business acumen, but her ability to foster such a collaborative spirit among the factories and secure a powerful patron. No matter how much money she amassed, few would dare to harm her, especially considering her business dealings with foreigners and her role as a supplier to overseas markets.

He felt a growing desire to meet this woman who, single-handedly, seemed to be transforming Shanghai. With more factories, lower prices, and improved living standards, anyone not predisposed to idleness could support themselves. Such a society held promise. Although her influence was limited, and the government remained corrupt, she had indeed provided ordinary people with a much-needed respite. Moreover, her capabilities were such that one would naturally wish to befriend her. Expertise in mechanical modification and various formulas were not easily acquired.

Though he still had no leads on Mr. Qi Ming, Ye Xiu Yuan felt he had found someone far more intriguing. And this boss, Lin, was undoubtedly much more accessible than Mr. Qi Ming.

Lin Yan was unaware that someone was so eager to meet her. The person who had stayed at her home departed after only a few days. Before leaving, her father had instructed her to prepare a considerable quantity of useful medicine. Later, on a tranquil night, he left as silently as he had arrived. The next morning, Lin Yan discovered his room was empty. However, she paid it little mind, considering it a minor interlude in her life.

After his departure, some of the guards stationed near the Lin residence were withdrawn, granting Lin Yan much greater freedom. After all, she had consumed a significant amount of spiritual spring water and resumed her martial arts training from her time in the martial world. In these turbulent times, she possessed some means of self-defense. Her enhanced senses, a result of her consumption of spiritual spring water, allowed her to perceive everyone posted near the Lin mansion, making her feel uneasy with so many eyes on her.

Recently, Lin Yan's focus had been on the newly constructed steel rolling mill. Heavy industry was paramount, and she needed to oversee every aspect personally. Her experiences in the 1970s had equipped her with the knowledge to build a factory from the ground up.

Regardless of the time, Lin Yan consistently amazed Mr. Du's associates. Initially, they had underestimated this relatively young woman. But now, they held her in high regard. They had witnessed firsthand her leadership in overseeing the construction of the factory.

Once the factory began operations, many of her associates who had been injured, and the widows and children of fallen comrades, found legitimate employment. They watched, mesmerized, as raw materials were transformed into steel products, which were then transported to other factories for processing. Even without fully understanding the intricacies, they found it miraculous. Mr. Du was wealthy, and Lin Yan was no less so. She had found a way to acquire discarded machinery from abroad, repair and modify it, and install it in the factory. Thus, this seemingly modest yet fully equipped facility was established.

While Mr. Du also harbored ambitions of opening a larger factory, he recognized that the current circumstances were not conducive to such an endeavor. Yet, having a factory of this caliber was already incredibly appealing. Throughout Shanghai, perhaps even all of China, there were few heavy industrial factories of this nature.

However, Mr. Du was also aware of the need for discretion. Everything proceeded discreetly. He believed that only once he possessed sufficient military strength would he reveal his hand. With ample wealth, a loyal following, and a factory that could continuously produce armaments, in this chaotic era, he might just claim his share.