Chapter 46

After a long journey by boat and carriage, especially the boat ride, which was not as tiring, Yang Yuanzhao and Yang Yue, being young, quickly recovered their vigor with just a brief rest. The time spent on the journey was not insignificant, especially for Yang Yue, who hardly took a break. After a series of phone calls, he excitedly ran to find Yang Yuanzhao and said, "Yuanzhao, I've contacted the旗Chang Trading Company. Do you want to go over there?"

"No, I have other plans!" Yang Yuanzhao declined Yang Yue's offer.

Yang Yue did not think much of it. They had come to Shanghai for different reasons, and it was fine for them to act independently. Without saying much, he hurriedly left. Not long after Yang Yue left, Yang Yuanzhao also went out.

Shanghai was a bustling metropolis, but Yang Yuanzhao was completely unfamiliar with this era's Shanghai. He had visited a few times in the future, but over a hundred years ago, everything was strange to him.

Zheng Daniu followed Yang Yuanzhao. After walking around for a bit, they found two rickshaws. Yang Yuanzhao instructed, "To the headquarters of Citibank!"

"Sure thing!" The rickshaw drivers ran off briskly. The two rickshaws weaved through the alleys of Shanghai and soon arrived at the Bund.

The scene at the Bund already had a feel of the future, except for the absence of a few large modern landmarks. Many large buildings were already taking shape. It made sense, as Citibank was a major bank, and if it were to set up its headquarters, it would definitely be on the Bund.

The United States followed Britain and France into China, leveraging shared interests. Due to isolationism and late entry, it did not have much territory. Its presence was mainly in commerce. As one of the largest banks in old Shanghai, Citibank was located in a massive building on the Bund. At this time, the Bund did not have the beautiful scenery of the future, but it was still bustling.

Shanghai was a strange amalgamation, a paradise for adventurers filled with bizarre and exotic elements. Yet, in this city of lights and wine, countless adventurers had met their end. Evil was not confined to the night; it lurked in the daylight as well.

Yang Yuanzhao carried a suitcase containing all the gold he had withdrawn. The silver had already been converted into silver coins, left in Wuhan, and used to pay Blackstone. To achieve his goal of reaching Shanghai, he needed funds, and the more, the better. Unfortunately, he only had so much.

Citibank became the top bank in Shanghai due to its first-class service. Yang Yuanzhao, clearly a wealthy young master, accompanied by Zheng Daniu, a bodyguard, exuded an air of authority. A manager-like figure approached and greeted him warmly.

"Sir, hello. I am Hu Yue. Is there anything I can assist you with?"

Hu Yue was very polite, and Yang Yuanzhao nodded. "I'm here to exchange some currency!"

"Our Citibank can accept the exchange of most world currencies, gold, silver, antiques, and more. May I ask what you would like to exchange?"

"Gold!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Yue's face lit up. Gold was more favored by Citibank compared to silver and other non-mainstream currencies. Hu Yue hurriedly led Zheng Daniu and Yang Yuanzhao into a small reception room and then asked, "May I ask how much gold you would like to exchange?"

"It's all here!" Yang Yuanzhao opened the small suitcase, revealing several large gold bars lying flat inside, their golden luster dazzling. Hu Yue carefully inspected them. As a seasoned gold and silver appraiser, he was certain that the quality was top-notch, likely official gold from the Qing Dynasty's Ministry of Revenue.

"Our current rate is..."

Before Hu Yue could finish, Yang Yuanzhao interrupted coldly, "I don't care about the price. Just tell me how much I can get for it!"

Yang Yuanzhao's straightforwardness slightly surprised Hu Yue. Indeed, he was a wealthy young master, exuding confidence. Hu Yue did not say much more, did a quick calculation, and confidently said, "A little over 5,000 pounds!"

Before coming, Yang Yuanzhao had slightly researched the exchange rate between pounds and gold. This price was fair, even slightly more. Yang Yuanzhao nodded, and Hu Yue immediately started the procedures. It took only about 20 minutes to deposit all the gold into Citibank, and in return, he received a 5,000-pound check and some loose dollars. After completing everything, he left the bank.

Exchanging gold for pounds was a necessary step. Gold could be used as money in most places, but it needed to be converted into currency before use. For example, in Baotou, gold could not be used directly to buy things; it had to be exchanged for silver dollars at a silver shop or money house.

Pounds were different. They were the current international currency, and any bank or trading company could use them directly. Most importantly, a 5,000-pound check was a heart-stopping amount in this era.

After leaving the bank, Yang Yuanzhao walked around with a clear purpose, always looking at the signs. Finally, he saw a row of bars and smiled, stopping and turning back to say, "Zheng Daniu, I'll wander around on my own. Why don't you go back first?"

"Master Yang, my task is to ensure your safety!" Zheng Daniu said solemnly.

Yang Yuanzhao smiled bitterly. The next matters were not suitable for Zheng Daniu, or rather, the Yang family, to know. Having understood Zheng Daniu's temperament from their journey from Baotou, he thought for a moment and said, "Alright, let's go back."

Back at the inn, Yang Yuanzhao met Yang Yue, who had just returned. Yang Yue excitedly said, "Yang Yuanzhao, I've taken care of everything. The fertilizer and seeds are ready, and they can be shipped in three days at most!"

Yang Yuanzhao frowned. "I haven't finished yet. By the way, Yang Yue, I don't need Zheng Daniu to follow me for the next few days!"

"But Yuanzhao, Shanghai is not safe!" Yang Yue hesitated.

"I know Shanghai is not safe, but I'm not going deep into the alleys. Besides, I'm not a pushover!" Yang Yuanzhao flexed his fists and patted his waist. "I won't leave the concession area, and I have this!"

Yang Yue knew that Yang Yuanzhao carried a pistol, and his physical condition was excellent. In terms of strength, even Zheng Daniu might not be his match. Shanghai was chaotic, but the concession areas were relatively safe. The powers had to maintain a facade, and as a newcomer to Shanghai, Yang Yuanzhao had no enemies. He would be safe unless he was targeted.

Yang Yue agreed to Yang Yuanzhao's request, and Yang Yuanzhao was very pleased. That afternoon, he left the inn and headed to the area he had scouted.

Yang Yuanzhao's target was the bars in the concessions, not the upscale bars and Western restaurants, but the numerous bars scattered throughout the concessions, catering to sailors and vagrants. In 1908, during the late Qing Dynasty, many things could be bypassed, but others could not. The existence of a trading company was inevitable. Yang Yuanzhao's purpose in coming to Shanghai was to leverage the privileges that foreigners enjoyed, which were unparalleled in any other place, except perhaps in Shanghai.

Shanghai was a paradise for Eastern adventurers. Many foreigners from Europe or America rushed to China, and while some indeed achieved great success and amassed vast wealth in the East, many more failed to adapt to the differences between the two countries. They either lost all their capital and returned home in disgrace or were stranded in Shanghai, living off odd jobs, speculation, and crime.

These people often frequented the bars in the concessions. Many impoverished farmers, artisans, and bankrupt individuals from Europe were common sights.

They would get drunk in the bars or wait for opportunities. In short, it was a chaotic and mixed environment.