Chapter 20

After Yang Shitang finished speaking, he stared intently at Yang Yuanzhao, who felt a tightening in his heart. To a certain extent, his background was an unexplainable issue. If it weren't for the fact that China's relations with foreign countries were not as close in the early 20th century and there was no way to verify his background, his anomalies would have been discovered long ago. Calming his mind, Yang Yuanzhao smiled and said, "Of course, it's overseas!"

"Overseas?" Yang Shitang was taken aback and asked, "England?"

Yang Yuanzhao's file was on the table in front of him. For a powerful family like the Yangs, it was very easy to investigate someone's background. However, Yang Yuanzhao seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, looking like a fraudster. Yet, he had invested a significant amount, nearly 10,000 silver dollars, into the new company, which was deposited in the We family's bank. He held a draft, which to a considerable extent, constrained him. A fraudster was impossible. Could Yang Yuanzhao really be planning to build a career in Baotou?

"Exactly, England!"

"I didn't ask where you studied. I want to know where your family is from."

"My family?" Yang Yuanzhao smiled bitterly, his mind racing, and asked, "Can I not answer this question?"

"Family trial?"

Yang Shitang, who controlled the Yang family's business, was well-informed. He knew that in China, some secretive families had specific trials for their adult heirs to gain inheritance rights. In such cases, the family members could not rely on their family's power and had to create a new world in an unfamiliar place. However, Yang Yuanzhao's situation seemed unusual. Few families would provide someone with more than 10,000 silver dollars as startup capital. Perhaps, Yang Yuanzhao had saved this money while abroad.

"Alright, my virtuous nephew, I won't ask you where your family is from. Can you tell me what you plan to do in Baotou?"

"If I say I'm here to achieve China's rise, would you believe me, Uncle Yang?"

Yang Shitang's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared intently at Yang Yuanzhao, trying to read his face. Yang Yuanzhao remained calm, and Yang Shitang felt a deep sense of emotion. To be honest, he had been young once. Sending Yang Yue abroad was based on this very point. In China, he had seen various forms of backwardness and decadence. To a certain extent, China had fallen far behind. However, years of experience had shown that for China to catch up, it would be extremely difficult. With his power, solving Yang Yue's current crisis would be easy. The Yang family's trade caravans often involved millions, and 3,000 silver dollars were nothing. But he held back to teach Yang Yue a lesson. Agriculture had no future in China, but with the emperor far away, Yang Yue had switched to an agricultural major. It was time to give him a lesson.

To his surprise, after going to Baotou, Yang Yue not only didn't give up but became even more determined. He was about to call it off, but the appearance of Liu Shu and the We family made it impossible for him to interfere. Yang Yue had just returned from studying abroad, but Liu Shu and the We family, one working in the trade caravans and the other managing the draft business in Baotou, were very knowledgeable about business and human relations. They were willing to believe in him, so he decided to give Yang Yue a chance.

But at this moment, Yang Yuanzhao's serious expression made him wonder if this person could really change everything. Could agriculture really have a bright future?

What was Baotou? A barren land outside the pass. Apart from some fur trade, there was little support in Baotou. But if large-scale farming could be achieved in Baotou, it would be a significant boost for the Yang family, who controlled most of the land in Southern Zhao.

Yang Yuanzhao was puzzled. Yang Shitang only asked him a few simple questions and didn't press further, which left Yang Yuanzhao very curious. But as a junior, he could only answer step by step and couldn't ask more.

After Yang Yuanzhao left, Yang Shitang was silent for a long time before he said, "Brother Dezhao, what do you think of him?"

"Strong-willed, with his own thoughts. We should pay more attention to him in the future!"

"Brother Dezhao, with your extensive knowledge, can you guess which family he comes from?"

"Difficult. China is vast, and there are many wealthy families. Besides, in recent years, wealthy people from Nanyang and America have started to focus on the domestic market."

"Do you mean he might be from an overseas Chinese family?"

"This is very likely. Does he seem to have a strong traditional aura? Instead, his way of dealing with people and matters is very Western."

Yang Yuanzhao wouldn't have thought that his ambiguous answers would mislead Yang Shitang and others, reducing their suspicion about his identity.

"By the way, Brother Dezhao, if he really comes from overseas, could the Baotou Reclamation Company really take off?"

"Just 210 hectares. Let him try. If he can manage it well, we might deepen our cooperation with him!"

Yang Shitang was taken aback. Deepening cooperation meant the power of the entire Shanxi merchants. His old friend's influence was even greater than his own. He knew that he valued Yang Yuanzhao, but he didn't expect it to be to this extent.

Yang Yue, who was waiting anxiously outside, was puzzled when he saw Yang Yuanzhao come out. He blurted out, "Yuanzhao, you're out. What did my father ask you?"

"Nothing much, just some simple questions!" Yang Yuanzhao suppressed his doubts but noticed that Yang Yue's expression was strange. After a long pause, Yang Yue said, "I chose agriculture, not because of my father. He wanted me to study law, but what use is law in China? China is vast and rich in resources, with farmland everywhere. Only by increasing farmers' income can we change everything."

"You're right, but not entirely. Agriculture is the foundation. Without a stable supply of basic resources and food from agriculture, a country cannot be stable." Yang Yuanzhao deliberately paused before continuing, "Agriculture is important, but industry is what truly boosts a country's strength. Only a complete and advanced industrial system can support a country's backbone. Look at the development of Europe and America. Without a strong industry, they couldn't produce various machines, whether trains, cars, ships, or war weapons. These are all produced by industry."

"Brother Yuanzhao, am I wrong then?" Yang Yue's face changed as he asked.

"No, you're not wrong. China's weakest point is agriculture. Without enough food to support its population, China will be unstable and prone to unrest. For China to develop, it needs a stable foundation. Then, a large amount of capital must be invested in industry. You know, I studied mechanics. Agriculture is just one aspect."

Yang Yue noticed that Yang Yuanzhao's eyes were very bright. He made a decision in his heart to follow Yang Yuanzhao's lead. Yang Yuanzhao was younger, but his heart was full of determination. A backward China was like a blank canvas, ready for them to paint a beautiful picture.

The two stood at the study door, and a gentle breeze blew. A young girl appeared behind them, surprised, and asked, "Brother, Cousin Yuanzhao, what are you doing here?"

Yang Qian, Yang Yue's sister, a girl in her prime, inherited her parents' genes and was very beautiful, radiating a sunny aura. Having attended a Western school, she had learned Western knowledge and etiquette. Yang Qian was very smart and excelled in all her studies, but her rebellious nature was the most challenging. Yang Yue, who had studied abroad, didn't want his sister to do the same. Studying abroad meant being alone and lonely, which he, as a man, could endure, but his beloved sister might not. It seemed he needed to consider her marriage.

As if thinking of something, Yang Yuanzhao felt Yang Yue's gaze, which was intense and a bit frightening. He quickly lowered his head and bid farewell.

After Yang Yuanzhao left, the two siblings were left puzzled, especially Yang Qian, whose young mind couldn't understand what had happened. Yang Yue patted her head and said, "Qian'er, you've grown up?"

Yang Qian pouted and said, "Brother, don't touch my head!"

"Alright, I won't. What gift do you want from Shanghai?"

"A doll!" Yang Qian almost blurted out.

Yang Yue's face froze, and he smiled bitterly, agreeing to her request.

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