Volume 1 Teacher Chapter 2 In Shanghai
In Shanghai in the 1910s, the Bund did not yet have the skyscrapers that are now lined up one after another. The wooden plank road stretched from the river bank to the center of the Huangpu River. In addition to the colorful foreign flags, there were foreign warships that were rampant and showed off their power to the Chinese people with their guns.
"This is the Japanese battleship Hizen, over there is the American cruiser Princeton, the two ships to the east are the British gunboats HMS Mallard and HMS Endurance, and in the distance are probably the old armored ships of France, Italy, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
Dai Jiliang stood on the high top deck and introduced himself to Zeng and Gu beside him in a melancholy tone.
"The stupidity of the Qing dynasty has made the country weak. Since the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the great powers have regarded China as fish and meat , and have used knives and chopping boards to manipulate it. That is why Dr. Sun Yat-sen has repeatedly raised the banner of rebellion. Now that the provisional government has been established, I think it is time for us to serve the country."
Gu Changqing still has the tone of a passionate young man.
"forget it. I'm done here."
Dai Jiliang waved his hand and sighed disinterestedly.
"We are about to part, please take care of yourselves."
After saying that, I wanted to go back to the cabin to pack my luggage and prepare to disembark.
"Brother."
Zeng Zhisheng grabbed him and said, "Thank you for your care on the way. Zhisheng has a humble request. I wonder if you are willing to do it?"
Dai Jiliang raised his head in confusion, only to hear Zeng Zhisheng continue speaking.
"Changqing and I have been calling Brother Dai 'Big Brother' all the way. Now we have to part ways. We really don't want to let him go. Please agree to become sworn brothers with us."
"Sworn brotherhood?"
Dai Jiliang was getting goosebumps because of Zeng's ambiguous words, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but laugh.
One is a revolutionary party and the other is a conservative party, but they insisted on involving a neutral person like me in the Peach Garden Oath.
However, one more friend means one more way in this world, so Dai Jiliang has no need to object.
"My birthday is June 28, the eleventh year of the Guangxu reign. What about you two?"
"I was born on September 3rd in the twelfth year of the Guangxu reign."
"I was born on April 19, the 12th year of the Guangxu reign."
After a discussion of age, Dai Jiliang became the undisputed eldest of the three, Gu Changqing was the second, and Zeng Zhisheng was the youngest.
Since it is a sworn brotherhood, it should be done solemnly according to etiquette. However, now we are on a French ship, and it is impossible to have all the incense and three sacrificial animals at once, so we can only do it at the expense of the others.
"Come on! Let's drink this glass of wine and we'll be brothers."
They returned to Dai Jiliang's cabin, opened the bottle of wine, and each of the three of them held a glass. They clinked their glasses together and drank it all in one gulp, completing the ceremony.
"Sir, you can prepare to disembark."
The French host on the ship
"Brother, Third Brother, after you get off the boat, go stay at my uncle's house for two days."
Gu Changqing greeted them earnestly. He knew that once they got off the boat, they would probably go their separate ways, so he hoped to be together for a while longer.
"What do you think, Third Brother?"
Dai Jiliang thought this suggestion was dispensable. Having lived in Shanghai in his previous life, he naturally did not have the common interest in this city which is still evolving.
"Brother, I'm sorry."
Zeng Zhisheng refused awkwardly.
"The department has already arranged a boat ticket to the north today. I have to change boats soon, so I really don't have time to go."
As the war between the North and the South has not yet ended and the Jinpu Road has been cut off, it is now difficult to get a boat ticket to the north. Zeng Zhisheng does not want to trouble the clerks in the department for the second time.
"Third brother, the Nanjing government's Ministry of Transportation also needs talents, why do you have to run to the north to be a slave?"
Seeing that the two people were about to fight again, Dai Jiliang hurried out to stop them.
"Second brother, everyone has their own aspirations. Don't force me, third brother. The most important thing for us brothers is to be close to each other. Don't force the other party to become your comrade. That's wrong."
However, Dai Jiliang, who had experience in two lifetimes, returned the beating with a date.
"Since the third brother won't go, I'll bother you a little bit."
Anyway, it’s hard to get a boat ticket back home for the time being, so it’s not a bad idea to stay at Gu Changqing’s place.
"By the way, let's exchange addresses so we can exchange letters in the future."
Dai Jiliang takes care of it.
"Well, see you later."
"Second brother, does your uncle live in the Chinese district or the concession?"
After getting off the boat and seeing Zeng Zhisheng off, Dai Jiliang looked at the Bund paved with coal slag in front of him and sighed in his heart. All the things in his past life appeared in his mind like a movie, making him melancholy. So in order to relieve his depression, he asked casually.
"North Sichuan Road was originally part of the Chinese area, but the Municipal Council built roads across the border, and now it is also considered part of the International Settlement."
Gu Changqing's words reminded Dai Jiliang of a lot of things, such as the alleys and houses in that area, where he had spent his childhood in his previous life.
"I'm afraid there are only Japanese people there now."
The historical Japanese concession should be located at that location.
"There are groups of Japanese devils around Hongkou Park, especially the gang of tyrannical ronin, who are even more annoying."
Gu Changqing's words were full of resentment, which was somewhat different from those guys in the Tongmenghui who took Japan as their teacher and tried to take advantage of the tiger.
"However, North Sichuan Road is fine. The British Concession will not tolerate their reckless behavior."
This is the tragedy of the Chinese bourgeoisie. They always claim to make the country rich and strong, but when faced with the great powers they always seek profit and avoid harm.
Dai Jiliang shook his head.
"Let's find a car. I'm a little hungry and tired of the foreigners' feasts. Let's find a Huaiyang restaurant to satisfy our cravings. Then we can go visit your uncle."
"That's fine. I remember there's a Yangzhou restaurant not far from my uncle's house."
Gu Changqing waved his hand.
"rickshaw!"
"Don't think that the Nanjing government has been established. Sun Yat-sen is powerless to solve the current situation in China."
The two of them found a seat facing the street and had just ordered their food when they heard someone talking loudly next to them.
"Look at this bastard. He has no money when he wants money, and his subordinates are torn apart when he wants people. How can he help Gongbao Yuan to take his pulse?"
"That's right, that's right. Don't look at the revolutionaries who are making trouble and fighting head-on. The people in the market are nervous and obedient. The foreigners have not expressed their support. Huang Xing, the red man, was defeated in Wuchang. The Beiyang Army is gaining momentum. It seems that the revolutionaries are still not going to make a difference. Although the Qing Dynasty will definitely not come back, it will take Yuan Shikai to be the president to solve China's problems."
In a city like Shanghai with a strong KMT atmosphere, it is conceivable that hearing such discussions was a great stimulation to Gu Changqing. He almost stood up to argue with others, but Dai Jiliang reached out to stop him.
"Don't be impulsive. Look carefully. This is the concession. If there is any trouble, the police will come immediately."
Gu Changqing sat down awkwardly, ate a few mouthfuls in a hurry, and said angrily, "I'm full, I don't want to eat anymore, my elder brother is gone, this place is so smoky and dirty, I don't want to stay here for a moment!"
“Okay, okay!”
Dai Jiliang looked at his impulsive second brother and shook his head.
Although there is almost no difference in age, Dai Jiliang, who has lived two lives, is originally very calm and steady. In addition, he has experienced the trials and tribulations of two powerful militarist machines, which makes him stand out among the others.
"That will take the account away."
The two of them walked through the street dragging their luggage. Fortunately, their heaviest items, such as books, had already been checked in, and a few clothes were packed in the suitcase, so they didn't seem too heavy.
But even so, as they walked on the road, the patrolling red-headed Ah San still looked at the two men again and again. If it weren't for the fact that they had extraordinary demeanor, he would have rushed up to them and questioned them as if they were thieves.
"arrive."
Uncle Gu Changqing's house is just behind the Fire Department on North Sichuan Road. A small river runs in front of the door. The few houses that occasionally appear in the uneven shantytown are very conspicuous.
“That’s the one.”
Gu Changqing introduced to Dai Jiliang.
"My uncle is an assistant manager in an American company, earning two thousand dollars a month, plus commissions. This house is big, and Zhisheng could live there. What a pity ."
"What a pity?"
Dai Jiliang smiled, these two guys are really natural brothers, they quarrel a lot when they are together, but they still think about each other when they are apart, this kind of relationship is really rare.
"Why don't you knock and invite me in? Are you dissatisfied with your lack of food and want to eat something else?"
Dai Jiliang laughed and teased in fluent Shanghainese, which made Gu Changqing stare in amazement.
However, even though he glared, Gu still followed Dai Jiliang's instructions and knocked on the door.
Along with the knocking sounds, footsteps were heard in the courtyard.
"What's going on outside?"
A middle-aged female voice sounded, obviously a servant.
"Auntie Wu, I'm Changqing. Are you tired of being my uncle or aunt?"
Gu Changqing answered in Shanghainese.
"My cousin! Master and Madam, my cousin has returned from his overseas studies!"
Soon the door was opened, and a middle-aged maid with a solemn look appeared in front of Dai Jiliang and Gu Changqing, and at the same time, a surprised voice was heard inside the house.
"Come in quickly, it's cold outside! Master, Madam, my cousin has brought his friends with him."
"This is my uncle Xie Zhigeng, and this is my aunt."
Soon two people appeared in the house. Although there was no heating from the stove in the villa, the room was still much warmer than outside.
"This is my new eldest brother, Dai Jiliang."
"Greetings, Mr. Xie and Mrs. Xie."
Looking at the old-looking Xie Zhigeng, it is hard to imagine that he is not yet fifty. This is obviously the result of working hard day and night. However, Mrs. Xie, who is just in her early forties, still has charm and looks like a middle-aged woman.
"It is fate that I met Changqing on the ship on my way back home. I am really sorry to be bothered by Changqing's invitation."
Dai Jiliang's words were very appropriate. He knew that these compradors were all fake foreigners who probably spoke foreign languages at home. If he did not adapt to the local customs, he would be looked down upon, so he spoke in English just now.
Fortunately, he taught himself three other languages, including English, French and Russian, when he studied in Japan and Germany, otherwise he would have to greet people in Chinese.
"Since he is Changqing's eldest brother, he is also one of our family members. Why are you being so polite? Have you eaten yet? Auntie Wu should go to Lao Zhengxing to buy some food to entertain the guests."
Sure enough, as soon as he heard the authentic London accent, Comprador Xie's attitude became very good.
"Come on, come on, sit down and talk."
After the guests and hosts sat down, they started chatting. Dai Jiliang didn't say much, but Gu Changqing chattered non-stop. He not only explained in detail how he had studied abroad for several years, but also publicized how Dai Jiliang convinced the French on the ship.
Dai Jiliang felt guilty after hearing this, and thought it was a good thing that the boy didn't know about his romantic affair, otherwise his downfall would have spread from abroad to the country.
However, when Manager Xie heard Dai advising Gu Changqing not to act rashly, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.
"Nephew Dai, you advised Changqing not to open a factory now, so when do you think is a good time to open a factory?"
Old fox, Dai Jiliang cursed inwardly, this is just a test.
However, out of respect for Gu Changqing, he still answered patiently.
“The current domestic situation is not stable, but it is not a good time to invest in industry.
As for when the factory can be opened, Ji Liang thinks it is better to wait until the situation stabilizes.
Moreover, we should not limit ourselves to light industries such as cotton spinning. Now that the war in Europe is about to break out, we can actually take advantage of this favorable situation by doing shipbuilding or metal processing or buying up some materials. "
"Swish."
Mr. Xie grinned. He was just asking casually and didn't think that this foreign student who studied martial arts would make any unexpected judgment. But he was wrong. The other party gave an unusual answer that made him look at him in a new light.
"My dear nephew, it's a good idea. Let's go! Eat something first and then we can talk slowly."
The old fox became interested. Apparently, compared with his impulsive nephew, Dai Jiliang was a better person to talk to. So he decided to find out more about Dai Jiliang during the few days he stayed with him. Who knows, he might be able to make a good investment.
"Brother, let's go! Let's eat."
Gu Changqing also stood up.
"By the way, aunt, where's my cousin?"
"Don't worry about her. She doesn't study hard, but goes to the streets to participate in some revolutionary party propaganda. What a crazy girl."
The small words brought a smile to Dai Jiliang's face. It looked like they were a warm family.
