latelenovela Chapter 166 Deception
Chapter 166 Deception
"Are we just supposed to watch China decline like this, and be bullied by the great powers?" Kang Youwei slumped into his chair, his face pale and his lips trembling as he spoke.
"Of course not!" Shen Lian replied decisively.
"My lord, is there any other way?" Kang Youwei stared intently at Shen Lian.
"What are we doing right now! As long as I work hard to build more factories, more schools, and train more troops, once we have the strength to dominate the world, everything will be fine!" Shen Lian said confidently.
"How long will that take?"
"Ten years, at most ten years!" Shen Lian held up one finger.
"However, achieving this goal requires the joint efforts of all of us. I hope Mr. Nanhai can also contribute his share." Shen Lian smiled slightly.
“I understand! I raised several million dollars overseas, and I am willing to hand it over to you, Lord Marquis,” Kang Youwei nodded.
“Although we are short of money, I cannot accept this money. Mr. Nanhai, why don’t you use it to do something more meaningful!” Shen Lian shook his head and said.
Although it was a considerable sum of money, Shen Lian didn't want it. He didn't want to cause trouble later!
“Mr. Nanhai can use this money to build the best university, which will not only enlighten the people, but also cultivate outstanding talents for the country in a continuous stream.”
"Your Excellency's magnanimity and vision make me feel ashamed and I dare not disobey you!" Kang Youwei said with heartfelt admiration.
"Furthermore, Mr. Kang has a great influence abroad. Could you recruit all those outstanding talents back? Shandong is currently facing a severe shortage of talent!"
"Furthermore, Shandong's industry and commerce are booming right now, but with more investment, our development will be even faster. Mr. Nanhai could also write to those wealthy compatriots abroad and invite them to come back and invest!"
"You can check out our investment environment. I guarantee their lives and property safety, and I guarantee that no official will dare to deliberately make things difficult or extort money or property!" Shen Lian assured them with a smile.
"I've heard about Shandong's business environment, and I will definitely assist you, Lord Hou, in inviting compatriots from all over the world to return and serve us!"
The two had a pleasant conversation, which lasted for more than an hour before Shen Lian saw Kang Youwei off.
"Mr. Nanhai's current status is very sensitive. It's best to keep a low profile at this time to avoid attracting the attention of the imperial court!" Shen Lian advised before leaving.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency! I will certainly remember it!"
Watching Kang Youwei's departing figure, Shen Lian and Wang Kaiyun exchanged a smile. Let him do whatever he wants; after all, they hadn't promised him anything, made any commitments, or even asked for any money.
When he realizes something's wrong next year, he'll just mutter a few curses under his breath, but there'll be nothing he can do about it! Hehe!
. . . . . .
A truck drove into Zhangjiaba Village, attracting a group of children who chased after it to see what was happening.
The truck stopped outside Zhang Tieniu's house. The Zhang family's house is now completely different from what it used to be; the few thatched huts have been transformed into a sizable courtyard house. With its blue bricks and black tiles, it stands out prominently in the village.
Several soldiers quickly got out of the car and stood guard with their guns. Zhang Tieniu opened the car door and got out. At that moment, he was wearing a light yellow woolen overcoat, with two gold stripes and three silver stars shining brightly on the shoulders.
After graduating from military academy, Zhang Tieniu was promoted very quickly. With his numerous military achievements and military academy background, he had a promising future in the army.
He was promoted to battalion commander immediately after graduation, and after two expansions of the army, he was promoted to colonel and regimental commander. This speed surpassed that of many of his colleagues and classmates.
"Don't be so tense, this is my home, relax!" Zhang Tieniu nodded and wiped the dust off his leather boots with his white gloves.
"Yes, Commander!" The guards relaxed a little, put away their guns, and stood behind him.
"Ah! Dad's back!" A little girl ran out first. Then the whole family rushed out.
"She's all grown up now, yet she's still jumping around like this!" Zhang Tieniu affectionately patted his daughter's head.
"Husband, you're back!" The young woman greeted him, carrying a chubby little boy in her arms.
“Cowboy, call him Daddy! Didn’t you say you missed your dad?” The young woman quickly turned her son around so he was facing Zhang Tieniu.
The little brat was very disrespectful; he glanced at Zhang Tieniu twice and then hurriedly hid his head in his mother's arms in fear.
"Look at you, you haven't been back for so long, your son doesn't even recognize you anymore!" The young mother slapped her son's bottom and complained.
"It'll be better from now on! I came back this time to take you into the city," Zhang Tieniu said with a smile and a nod.
"Going to the prefectural city! That's wonderful!" the young woman exclaimed happily.
"Big Brother!" Zhang Xiaowan called out happily, but her eyes were looking behind her.
"You're not even married yet! And all you think about is him, you don't even care about your older brother anymore!" Zhang Tieniu shook his head helplessly. Zhang Xiaowan blushed immediately upon hearing this.
"I brought him back to you. He's moving things in the car!"
After Qiu Xiaojun visited Zhang Tieniu once, Zhang Tieniu sent him home to visit several more times. Somehow, he and Zhang Xiaowan took a liking to each other.
Zhang Tieniu also quite liked this clever guard who had received a few years of schooling. With his approval, Qiu Xiaojun and Zhang Xiaowan's relationship was settled, and they were just waiting to get married at the end of the year.
His former bodyguard is now a second lieutenant platoon leader, and he's been taken in by Zhang Tieniu's unit.
"I'm not talking to you anymore!" Zhang Xiaowan turned and ran to the back of the truck.
"Big brother! Big brother!" Zhang Erniu led a young woman and a little boy forward.
"Hmm! How are you? Little Sanzi, come here, Uncle will hold you!" Zhang Tieniu squatted down and picked up his one-year-old nephew. The little brat screamed in fright, making Zhang Tieniu a little embarrassed.
"You good-for-nothing! Your uncle likes you, and you're still crying!" Erniu's wife hurriedly took the child and raised her hand, ready to beat him.
"Sister-in-law, don't hit him! The child is still young, why bother with him!" Zhang Tieniu shook his head.
As his official rank rose higher and higher, he naturally developed an imposing aura. Forget about having children; even lower-ranking officers dared not utter a sound in his presence.
"Let's go! Everyone, come inside." Seeing that Qiu Xiaojun and his guards had already unloaded the luggage from the car, Zhang Tieniu invited everyone to come inside.
"Husband, what rank have you been promoted to?" The young woman was overjoyed to see her husband return with such fanfare, and to see that his epaulets had gone from one stripe to two!
“Colonel, Regiment Commander!” Zhang Tieniu nodded.
The two little brats struggled to get a look at the truck, so Zhang Tieniu had no choice but to have his guards watch over them.
Let alone children, even most adults these days have never seen one. These trucks are produced in very limited quantities; Zhang Tieniu's regiment hasn't received any yet. This one was borrowed from an artillery regiment.