Chapter 19

Standing in front of Chongning Fort was Yang Shitang, Yang Yue's father. As the second-generation leader of the Yang family, he was responsible for the family's most important trade caravans, which numbered over 100, controlling more than 20 different distribution centers. The annual value generated was not just in the millions but was a crucial figure in the Yang family, a man of great ability and shrewdness.

"Welcome, Nephew Yang, to my humble abode. I am sorry for not greeting you from afar!" Yang Shitang clasped his hands in a salute, but his eyes were scrutinizing, scanning Yang Yuanzhao as if trying to discern something from him.

Yang Yuanzhao stood calmly. Before coming, he knew he would be subjected to such scrutiny. As a stranger, being accepted into the Yang family, even initiating a new chapter, was inevitable.

The name Yang Yuanzhao had appeared on his desk several times in the past half month. His sudden appearance in Baotou seemed to have a purpose, and he had made contact with Yang Yue. As the only son, Yang Yue was his hope, sent to study in America, where he majored in a field that was not entirely satisfactory but had still completed his studies. In Yang Shitang's view, he was the future elite of the family, now somewhat naive but destined to achieve much in time.

Yang Yuanzhao's appearance was not unusual; Yang Shitang smiled it off. The depth of a large family allowed for detours and even setbacks. They had the means to pull them back, a method that large families found effective.

However, subsequent reports about Yang Yuanzhao were surprising. He had deposited 10,000 silver dollars in the Wei family's bank. While 10,000 silver dollars were not much to the Yang family, it was a significant amount in China, making Yang Yuanzhao a notable figure. For such a young man, did his family really have such substantial resources? Yang Shitang had never heard of any Yang with such power, at least not in Shanxi.

What followed was even more unexpected. Yang Yuanzhao did not seek profit for himself; instead, he ceded part of the benefits, bringing together the Yang, Liu, Wei families, as well as Wu Guangren and Zhao Shuming, to form the Baotou Reclamation Company.

The Baotou Reclamation Company was no small venture. With several tens of thousands of silver dollars and 210 acres of land, the massive investment raised the question of whether it could generate returns. Moreover, it involved cotton cultivation, something never done in Baotou. Cotton was a valuable commodity, and Yang Shitang's caravans had the task of purchasing it, with an annual demand of hundreds of thousands of piculs, mostly for the textile mills in the southeastern coastal regions. The demand was high, and the returns were good, but the yield per acre was not proportional to the labor, especially in the harsh environment of the northwest, where cotton yields were much lower than in the southeast.

A series of investigation reports left Yang Shitang skeptical, but Yang Yuanzhao could not be called a fraud. A 10,000 silver dollar investment in agriculture, with only a land lease and not a land transfer, did not seem to have any fraudulent intent. Yang Shitang, with his extensive experience, could not see any possibility of fraud. He felt a slight disappointment at losing the chance to guide Yang Yue, but seeing his son's genuine smile, he wondered if this was better.

Regardless of the many thoughts that crossed Yang Shitang's mind, Yang Yue greeted him, and with a slight nod, he walked to his mother's side. Zhao Cui'e gently brushed the dust off Yang Yue's shoulders and said, "You must be tired from the journey. Go and wash up; you're as dirty as a monkey!"

"Mom!"

"Alright, you're all grown up now. Tonight, your father and I will host a banquet for your friends!"

"Really?" Yang Yue's eyes lit up, then he called for Yang Yuanzhao to leave with him, leaving Zhao Cui'e with a wry smile.

Led by a group of servants, they passed through courtyards that looked identical. Honestly, if no one guided him, Yang Yuanzhao would have certainly gotten lost. The courtyards were almost identical, and the high walls made it easy to lose one's bearings. This was the luxury of a large family, not a secluded palace. A vast family, with tens of thousands living together, experienced countless joys and sorrows, and even the darkest aspects of life. Many lives were perhaps buried within these courtyards.

The tour was simple yet luxurious. From Yang Yuanzhao's modern perspective, the decorations were not very practical, but they were undoubtedly opulent. There were no gold or jade, but everywhere were antiques, a testament to the wealth of the Jin merchants. This was still Yang Shitang's residence; the Red Gate Fort, with its vast area, would be even more luxurious.

In less than a quarter of an hour, they arrived at a small, elegant courtyard named Yue Xiang Yuan. Yang Yue said, "This is where I live. Yang Si, take the young master to the guest room to wash up."

After three days of travel, Yang Yuanzhao finally took a hot bath and changed into comfortable clothes, feeling refreshed. The anticipated romantic scene did not materialize; large families did not always use beautiful maids to warm their beds. Walking out of the room, he found Yang Yue already seated in the living room, having changed from his Western suit into a dark blue robe, looking much more refined. If he still had a queue, he might have been a promising scholar.

"Yuanzhao, this is a small banquet, only my family members are here, so you don't need to be too formal!"

Yang Yuanzhao nodded and followed Yang Yue out. It was just getting dark, and the Yang family compound was illuminated by a dense array of lanterns. In an era without electricity, the cost of light was enormous. Thick red candles in the lanterns cast a warm glow, and there were even servants specifically assigned to tend to the lanterns on both sides.

Led by Yang Yue, they entered a side hall. At a table for eight, a few people were seated. Yang Yue's family was small, consisting of his parents, two younger brothers, and a younger sister. Yang Shitang, treating Yang Yuanzhao as a nephew, did not opt for separate dining, and the family sat together.

Yang Yue's two younger brothers were very young, one 9 and the other 6. Yang Yue did not interact much with them, and they looked at him with unfamiliar eyes. Yang Yuanzhao did not ask many questions; in the late Qing dynasty, having multiple wives was normal. As the eldest son of a wealthy family, Yang Shitang would certainly have concubines. Perhaps these two were his sons from concubines, as they did not interact much with Zhao Cui'e and looked at her timidly. His younger sister, Yang Qian, was close to Yang Yue. As soon as he entered, she came to his side, asking questions, lively and energetic at 13 or 14 years old.

"Brother Yuanzhao, this is my younger sister, Yang Qian, who is currently studying at Fuxing Girls' School in Taiyuan."

Yang Qian stood behind Yang Yue, her eyes wide as she looked at Yang Yuanzhao. Fuxing Girls' School was a Western-style institution, built by American missionaries and local gentry in Taiyuan, and was quite well-known in the region.

Once everyone was seated, dishes began to flow in. Yang Yuanzhao truly enjoyed the experience, reminiscent of a scene from a classic novel. The dishes looked unassuming but were opulent in their simplicity. For example, a simple dish of eggplant was prepared with over 10 chickens and ducks, simmered slowly over a low flame, resulting in an exquisite flavor.

After the meal, no one said much at the table. Yang Yue's younger siblings left one by one, leaving only Yang Shitang, Yang Yue, and Yang Yuanzhao. Yang Shitang glanced at Yang Yuanzhao and said, "Nephew, let's chat in my study."

"Of course, Uncle."

Yang Shitang led the way, and Yang Yue was about to follow but was stopped by a glance from Yang Shitang. He hesitated but said nothing.

The study was filled with the scent of ink and old books. Traditional furnishings were everywhere, with stacks of books giving off a faint smell of decay and ink. Yang Shitang sat down and looked at Yang Yuanzhao, who was seated before him. Honestly, Yang Yuanzhao exuded a special aura. As the leader of the trade caravans, he naturally carried an air of authority, and few could sit so calmly before him. At 30 or 40, with more life experience, it would be understandable, but Yang Yuanzhao was indeed extraordinary.

Truly a talent, Yang Shitang thought, but his face remained stern as he asked, "Nephew, may I ask where you are from?"

The page is about to turn, and the advertisement begins.

The page is about to turn, and the advertisement ends.