Chapter 55

The spring of the fourth year of the Tongzhi era passed quickly. In the eyes of the common people, the Great Qing Dynasty had not changed much. The Manchu nobles still frequented teahouses, smoked opium, and patronized actors. The officials in the imperial court still governed the vast empire based on past experiences. The common people struggled to survive in the bitter waters, living day by day, content with just having enough to eat.

The only noticeable change was the gradual increase in foreign goods in daily life. Kerosene, foreign cloth, soap, Western cigarettes, and even nails were commonplace. There were even foreign-made lanterns, mining lamps, crystal ornaments, and even foreign guns available on the black market.

In the major cities of the empire, especially near the ports, the number of foreigners in Western suits gradually increased. They often took out cameras, which would cause a crowd of adults and children to scatter in a hurry.

The old carriage of the Great Qing Dynasty continued to stubbornly move along its own track, but the power outside the country's borders was growing stronger, a fact that the people in the coastal areas felt particularly acutely.

Especially in Tanggu, the earliest port opened in northern China, the powerful force of change was even more evident. In just over four years, Tanggu, a small town with a population of more than ten thousand, had expanded by more than double due to the influx of domestic and foreign capital.

The port was filled with anchored ships, and foreigners with large noses spoke Chinese with strange accents, entering the Qing territory without any diplomatic formalities. Port laborers continuously moved goods on and off the ships, while in the dark corners, ruffians watched those who had just received their wages, controlling brothels, casinos, and opium dens with half-open doors.

New houses were being built everywhere in the city. Trading stations for foreign goods sprang up, and spacious warehouses stored goods from all over the world. Various foreign currencies flowed like seawater in the hands of merchants.

The humiliating Treaty of Beijing had resulted in a畸形的繁荣, a kind of prosperity that the Qing court could not provide. Relying on this distorted prosperity, a small group of people had already begun to benefit.

Among them, the most benefited was Huang Juren, a local landowner with a reputation for owning thousands of acres of land and dozens of shops. Thanks to the foreign trade, Huang Juren's rental income alone was more than 100,000 a year, and his name was a golden brand in Tanggu.

"Thank you, Master Juren, for your kindness. We are offering this drink to you as a token of our gratitude..." In the private room of the restaurant, everyone raised their glasses to toast Huang Juren.

"You are too kind, all of you are too kind. I, Huang Juren, could not have prospered without your support. As long as you prosper, I can earn some loose silver to spend. Come, come, let's drink to this..."

Today, Master Juren was hosting a banquet for the most influential merchants in Tanggu and the local ruffians. Being a local power, he had connections in both the black and gray markets. Today, he had invited all the influential figures except for officials and foreigners.

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation turned to more serious matters. Huang Juren suddenly looked out the window at the harbor, gazing at the endless fleet of ships and said mournfully, "We have made some money, but look at the state of the Great Qing. If this continues, the country will cease to exist! Sob, sob, sob..."

Oh, the old Juren actually started crying? This left everyone in the room stunned. They wondered what was going on. Why was he suddenly concerned about the court when he never cried over money?

"Oh, Master Huang is truly concerned about the country and the people, a role model for us all..."

"Unfortunately, the situation is such that even the Emperor must endure. The foreigners are too powerful, and we are powerless..."

"Exactly, exactly. The battle at Dagu four years ago still haunts me. We must not cause trouble for the court..."

The crowd chattered aimlessly, and finally, Huang Juren coldly snorted, "Foreigners? I know they are powerful, but compared to the foreigners, the traitors are even more despicable. Four years ago, Gong Banlun, and now Xiao Letian, are both traitors who have forgotten their roots..."

Huang Juren tapped on the window and pointed to a newly renovated trading station nearby, "Do you know who owns that new trading station?"

Now everyone understood the purpose of Huang Juren's banquet. The usually frugal Huang Juren, who could get drunk on half a duck, had actually splurged on a banquet today, clearly planning something underhanded.

"It's Xiao Letian, that arrogant foreigner..." Huang Juren was furious at how slow these people were to catch on.

When the name Xiao Letian was mentioned, the room buzzed with whispers. Everyone was familiar with Xiao Letian's story, especially in Tianjin, which was so close to Beijing.

"Heaven! Xiao Letian, the author of 'Journey to the West'? My son is almost obsessed with his books..."

"Indeed, have you noticed that the storytellers in teahouses have started adapting 'Journey to the West'? Every performance is packed..."

"Do you know that Xiao Letian is the most favored by Prince Gong? It's said he was offered a position as a Minister of Works, but he refused..."

The table buzzed with discussions about Xiao Letian's legendary story, and Huang Juren's face turned blue with anger. At this moment, his lackeys had to step in to save the situation.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean? Did you not hear Master Huang? Or are you pretending to be confused? I, Sun Xiaobian, am putting this out there: anyone who goes against Master Huang will not be treated kindly..." Sun Xiaobian stood up, one foot on the chair, exuding the air of a local ruffian.

Sun Xiaobian was a well-known figure in Tanggu, claiming to be a minor leader of the Canal Gang, though no one had ever seen the Canal Gang acknowledge him. Regardless, Sun Xiaobian was a man of influence in the lower echelons of Tanggu, and none of the merchants present wanted to offend him.

"Ha ha ha, Master Sun, what are you saying? We are old friends of Master Juren, of course, we will stand with Master Huang." Niu Zong, the wealthiest merchant among them, quickly tried to smooth things over. The other merchants, who had not seen the danger, also nodded and agreed.

Huang Juren smiled and said, "We are all loyal