In the nineteenth year of Guangxu, March 1. The weather is still fine.

Xu Yifan sat in the carriage, holding his forehead, and he didn't know what he was thinking. In the carriage, there was only one Consul Cao Tianen Cao, who was in a strong spirit, and Xu Yifan was jumping up and down here, and Consul Cao was worried that he could only smoke more opium. Double the night without sleeping, and the morning without waking up. Today, Xu Yifan is going to visit the Li family in Youmutang. He had no choice but to follow, sitting opposite Xu Yifan, just yawning for a while. Pinch yourself from time to time to pinch your thigh meat to cheer up.

Outside the window, Zhang Yu controlled the carriage. This housekeeper, in addition to being gloomy and vague in origin, is unpredictable. He is really an all-round steward. There's really nothing to fault with him.

The honor guard of the eighteen members of the Cadet Soldier Command Committee was around the carriage. They all rode horses rented by chariots and horses. Under the big sun, he still maintained his military appearance. In Nanyang, these cadets have also become the center of attention of tens of millions of overseas Chinese, and this sense of honor and pride, and even the sense of responsibility for protecting their compatriots as a national armed force, are unusually high.

They are becoming more and more strict with themselves, and they also boast of each other as Lord Xu's new-style officer corps. The tempering of these basic teams is also one of the important reasons why Xu Yifan insists on persevering in the Nanyang trend.

But where will this trend end?

In Xu Yifan's memory, there is no record in history that there was a huge outbreak of turmoil in the Nanyang Java area. Small riots, that's the norm. If that's all there is to it, then he is confident that he can calm down. After all, he also has a title that can be used as a negotiation, with the full support of two ironclad ships.

If everything is as he expected, and he tries his best to perform in such a trend, then he will be able to take advantage of his constant efforts to preach and even negotiate with each other. To win the hearts and minds of the people of Nanyang, even these huge families may be able to change their attitudes and fully support him as a member of the Imperial Mission who can help protect their overall interests.

It's just that history has changed...... He came to this era. It has swept up the fate of many people. It has changed a lot of historical facts. At least in 1893, Tan Sitong should have continued his career as a scholar and a curtain. The Qing Dynasty will not appoint a 25-way platform to proclaim the Nanyang, and it should already be on the sea route to Singapore!

Will this trend in the South Seas change because of itself?

This is the only thing he worries about after thinking about it, and the only thing he feels is not in full control!

It's just that it's useless to think about it. He deliberately shook his head and looked out the window. The car had already left the city of Surabaya and went straight to the suburbs. Rice paddy fields are full of rolling rice waves, and farmers wearing hats are shuttling through the fields like small round boats slowly passing by on the golden sea. In the distance, there is a dense rubber forest, and everywhere you look, there are all kinds of colors that are full to the extreme. Looking to the other side, there is the blue sea of Surabaya, seagulls hovering up and down, and the shadows of small boats have changed from small to large, and the smoke dragged out dotted the clear blue sky. These ships transport the abundant natural resources and produce from here to other parts of the world. Rubber, Copper, Silver, Rice, Tropical Seafood...... Thousands of merchant ships passed by here, and hundreds of thousands of hard-working Chinese made their fortunes here. It's a place that's too rich. Here was supposed to be, according to geopolitics, the sphere of influence of the huge empire of the continent. But in later generations, it has become an island group that chokes the throat of mainland countries!

These should be things that need to change. At least let the Chinese in Nanyang and the mainland be more closely connected in one place and become a community of destiny. That's what he's doing now, and he must do well!

The chariot and horse team has seen the far-reaching mansion with the wooden hall Li Mansion from a distance. The crescent-shaped beach is almost completely occupied. Outside the beach, two side-crossed private breakwaters were also cast with cement. This Chinese-style mansion is so deep and wide that you can't see the whole picture clearly, but you just feel that it is black and oppressive. The most striking feature of the courtyard is a tall bell tower. At night, it is estimated that it can also play the role of a vigilance and lookout. A wide walkway winds its way to the door of the house. There are also three arches in the road, the first archway on a few gilded characters "Nanyang filial piety" is actually the former Huai Army minister, Li Hongzhang's confidant, has been deceased to do the governor of Liangjiang, Liu Mingchuan of the Minister of Nanyang!

The Li family is rich and noble, just looking at this archway, you already know a thing or two. At the entrance of the archway, there have long been a bunch of people waiting in neat clothes. Looking at these figures, everyone is wearing mending clothes, and the top of the cool hat is either red or blue. They all donated official titles in the imperial court. A lion dance team, dressed in white, with a lion's head also waiting. The gongs and drums are varnished, and the sun shines brightly. Large strings of firecrackers hung on the fork poles. The thick head of incense was held in the hands of the subordinates, waiting to be lit.

Xu Yifan's team of carriages and horses appeared in front of them, and he suddenly gave an order. Gongs and drums rang out, and firecrackers crackled. The lion danced violently, and the people waiting at the door. They all laughed and arched their hands.

When I arrived at a place like Li's house, the people who greeted me just looked at the top and the class of the platform. Xu Yifan didn't take it big at all. He got out of the carriage from afar, and greeted him all the way with a smile. I saw a middle-aged man walking out of the crowd quickly, and a long man reached the ground: "Li Daren, the son of the Li family, on behalf of his father and tens of thousands of fathers and elders of the Four Sects, greets Lord Xu, a member of the Qincha Committee!" ”

Xu Yifan hurriedly picked him up and looked at this Li Daren, the top was red. The face is also very honest, and there is a hint of shrewdness in his eyes. It's like the bearing of the eldest son of a family. I didn't expect that I would not invite that old man Li to greet him...... He just smiled quietly: "Brother, we are in the same class, what are you doing with this ceremony?" I'm a junior who came to worship Men'er, do I deserve this ceremony? Let's go, talk inside! ”

Xu Yifan's unexpected kindness made Li Daren feel good immediately, but although he donated the Dao platform of the Qing Dynasty. These children of Nanyang families are really not proficient in officialdom. These children of Nanyang families are all sent to the store for exercise when they are children, and some of them have to go to rubber tapping and farming. Studying while working, there is no glitz and glamour of the children of domestic families. At the moment, he just smiled and solemnly smiled.

In the midst of the firecrackers, several men in short shirts were lifted over their shoulders early. Please Xu Yifan and Cao Tianen were carried on the two of them and walked all the way.

The wealth of the Nanyang family is difficult to catch up with the domestic eunuchs! This is the psychology that Xu Yifan has seen all the way. There are three generations of domestic families. Because of the turmoil in the eunuch field, it is often a family that falls. Moreover, cultivating children is also to want to be a scholarly heirloom, at least farming and reading will not be wasted. Even if the official has accumulated some money to create evil. If the descendants are not good at management, they will quickly fail. And the Nanyang family, mostly seven or eight generations, hundreds of years of accumulation! Cultivating children, there is rarely a plan to let them enter the officialdom, and they are all doing business and accumulating industries in a down-to-earth manner. In this way, this Li family's weather is absolutely amazing!

Along the way, Xu Yifan was a little confused, with buildings of various styles and styles, one in another in different courtyards. The lawn is dotted with all kinds of exotic flowers and plants, and workers in white tropical clothes and hats are everywhere, and I don't know how many. The heads of people in the houses everywhere are flashing, and they are all servants of the service. In addition to these, at that time, all the foreign gadgets that could be thought of were also everywhere. Even the garden paths are illuminated by special cast-iron gas lampposts.

A century-old family, worthy of its name.

All the way to the lobby, all around the lobby, there are white blinds. A few girls are wiping the window lattice. The two of them got off their shoulders, and they saw two women helping an old man out. It is Li Yuanfu, the head of the Li family. He is also dressed as a Qing Dynasty officialdom today, with a red top and a green eyelid behind him. It's like a big official. Watching Xu Yifan and them land, they were suddenly at the door. The old man probably hasn't smiled so politely in his life.

"Greetings to the envoy of the mother country!"

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Just when Xu Yifan visited the Li family, a group of overseas Chinese young people also gathered in Peizhi School. The windows of the school's lecture hall were closed, and it was stuffy and hot inside. A few lanterns were hung, adding to the warmth of the room.

Even higher than the temperature is the enthusiasm of the overseas Chinese young people gathered here.

One by one, young people stepped up to the podium and made generous speeches. Among them, there are well-educated children of the family, there are also children of the Qing Han who are studying while tapping rubber and farming, there are small shop assistants, and there are young sailors who are adults at sea. There are also some young people who have not moved to Nanyang with their families for a long time, and their speech and demeanor are different from those of the native Chinese here.

Everyone turns over and over again, and that's it. There is Lord Xu and two large military ships to support them. Do you want to do something to vent the grievances they have been bullied in the past! Demonstrations are all ways to consider. Some of them are more radical and bold, and they even propose to arm themselves and establish self-defense groups!

At all times, the enthusiasm of young people is surging, and sometimes they are significantly blind.

But it's also because for too long, there hasn't been such a figure who has gone deep into them, supported them, comforted them, and showed them a way.

The road to self-improvement of the Nanyang Chinese must rely on the strength of the motherland!

In the boiling voice, Li Xing's face flushed and he walked up to the podium, and his voice was very loud: "We just want to unite and organize." As Master Xu said, let's do our best. Maintain the situation in Nanyang, do your best to support the country, and make the country stronger! ”

There was a bang at the bottom, and it was all a lively clapping. Li Xing's sister, Li Xuan, also sneaked out and sat in the back with a few female companions. Although the eyes of many young people can't help but cast their eyes here. looked at Li Xuan's sweaty little face. But for such a radiant angel, these Chinese young people seem to have a tacit understanding. Since you don't have the confidence to pursue it, no one should blaspheme this angel. It's good for everyone to see.

So Li Xuan and a few female companions sat here, but they were also very quiet. It's a lot farther away from the smell of sweat. She wiped her sweat with a handkerchief, and watched her step-brother clench his fists excitedly. He pondered with a small mouth: "That young official, why is he so capable?" But after running a few places, my brother and they seemed to be going crazy. I see, it's not surprising? ”

Li Xingcai didn't know his sister-in-law's thoughts, and said word by word with a serious expression on it: "I've decided, Master Xu goes." I followed. Go for something big! During Mr. Xu's time here, we will unite the entire Chinese community in Java, and from now on, we will all work together and work together! We can no longer be school nurses scattered across various Chinese schools. We young people, first of all, we must pinch in one place! To protect the school, to strengthen the country. We have to be like one person! The future of Nanyang Chinese Society is not to look at our young people? I propose, let's bow down! Make a vow, and your life can be freed! Those who are willing to do it are brothers from now on, and those who are not willing to do it, please go! ”

There was a cheering voice below, and some people opened their voices dissatisfied: "Let's talk about what we should do now!" They bowed up and set up the hall of our youth. As a result, he is still waiting for someone to bully him like a mouse, so what's the use! ”

Li Xing also yelled back at the voice that shouted: "Of course we have to do it!" Chinese youth unite. Demonstrations, pleading to the Governor of Java Province, handing over a petition to open the ban on Chinese schools. Punish former thug killers. Organize in the next few days! I have thought of the name of our Chinese Youth Group, and it is called the Nanyang Brotherhood! Everyone slammed their heads on the ground, and from today onwards, immediately prepared for this parade. Demonstrations, presentations, and fundraising, all together, do you have the courage to do this? ”

All of you here are young people, how can you not have the courage to do this? The applause was almost lifted from the roof of the lecture hall. It's all a stack of sounds, just do it right away!

In the midst of the chaos, I heard a girl's beautiful voice sound: "Why are you called a brotherhood?" Brother, you look down on women! Why can't we participate? ”

Everyone's eyes turned to see Li Xuan standing up angrily. Such a fun thing, without her, it will be repaid!

As soon as the girl Yingying stood there, she heard the sound of many people gasping for air. Many young people attending today's meeting have never seen this Miss Li family. When I came in, I was busy with a lively discussion, and I didn't look behind me. Right now, I saw this beautiful woman with a face as clear as snow standing there, pouting with three points of grievance and complaining like Li Xing's coquettishness. Is there a young man with strong blood and strength, and his bones are half crispy?

Li Xing's face flushed in embarrassment, and Li Daxiong opened up reasonably. In the case that the Li family bosses did not support it, let their juniors participate in this school nursing movement. But there is also an explanation, don't let this girl participate too much, after all, it's a girl's house. But this girl is eccentric, what is she going to do, Li Xing is far from her opponent.

Only this time, the hot-blooded young people are ready to make a big fuss with their heads full of blood and dedication. How can this girl be involved?

Before he could speak, many young people who wished that Li Xuan was in their team and could look at them more often echoed one after another: "It's called the Nanyang Youth Association!" And the YMCA is a reason, of course, there are girls who participate! ”

Li Xing looked left and right, and saw that no one supported him. I want to show my brother's majesty and roar back. Just looking at the eyes of those girls and admirers, it's a little unkind.

He waved his hand depressedly: "Those who agree to set up the Nanyang Youth Association, participate in the parade of the school to present their feelings, and are ready to devote themselves to the cause of returning to the country and strengthening the country, all raise their hands!" ”

Li Xuan squeezed his eyes at his brother, and laughed so much that small dimples flew on his cheeks. Gently pulled a smooth hair, pursed his lips and sat down, watching the beauty smile for the first time. The hundreds of people were stunned, this kind of ubiquitous and naturally revealed beauty was really the most moving.

For a while, Li Xing's call, everyone forgot to raise their hands. It wasn't until Li Xing coughed that everyone came to their senses, and everyone was enthusiastic.

The fierce parade, the combination of young people, the dream of a strong country, and the great cause, and even more beautiful girls like Li Xuan in the ranks, what can surpass these who can most impress these innocent and enthusiastic Nanyang youths?

Suddenly, his arms were raised like a forest: "I join the Nanyang YMCA!" ”

Li Xing was so excited that his eyes were moist: "Let's get ready, take to the streets, let those white natives see the power of our Chinese community!" This time, the motherland is on our side! ”

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"My lord, for fund-raising matters, the old man has always sponsored to the end. How much do adults have to raise? Three hundred thousand? Half a million? As long as a number is given, the four united sects will definitely be covered. As for the rest, it is not for the old man, who is in this deserted country, to hear about it. ”

Li Yuanfu's expression was indifferent, and he also smoked a hookah.

Xu Yifan was unspeakably depressed. I thought that I had worked hard to preach comfort, and so many words were spoken. It can make these families understand as clearly as the young people of Nanyang. The only one who can support them and help them is the motherland in the distance. Specific to the head, it is him, Xu Yifan, and Master Xu!

From the history of Nanyang anti-Chinese to the current trend. Speaking of his own visit with ironclad warships, the situation was relaxed and eased, and the indigenous and foreign colonial authorities did not dare to force it too much. But Li Yuanfu just didn't eat oil and salt, he just planned to send him away with hundreds of thousands of silver!

If you change someone else, hundreds of thousands of taels will be safe, don't be crazy with joy. But what he wants is more than that, what he wants is the entire Nanyang society, and in the future, a steady stream of help will become the support of the great plan in his heart!

Cao Tianen's eyes drifted away, and it was estimated that his words to the old man were deeply heartfelt. This trouble, the sooner you go, the better the fuck......

Xu Yifan held his head and fooled these families, it was really not so easy. Still, he wanted to try.

"Mr. Li, ask yourself in your heart, or are you not Chinese? I have told you all the hardships of the Chinese in Nanyang, and you have personally experienced so many years. Don't you understand? Everyone is fighting hard for the status of the Chinese. But foreigners don't even give a Chinese school to inherit the roots of our civilization! This time, I am not only for raising money, but also to unite the Chinese community and compete with foreigners on this matter. As you can see, when the motherland's envoy comes, the foreigners have to deal with it politely. After all, we represent a country! And you are connected to this country by blood! You have to think about it yourself, who am I taking such a big risk to deal with it! ”

After saying a few words, Li Yuanfu suddenly stood up. He sat down again. The sons who were waiting around them all changed their faces when they saw the old man's color, and they looked at the tense scene between the two with a sigh of relief.

"The country? Country? How many people came, just under the guise of the money in our hands. I can't wait to scrape our little net worth clean. The Chinese community has insisted until now, when has the country heard about it again? When you really arrive at Jing'er, you are a member of the Qincha Committee, and the foreigners still have to politely send you on the warship. But we still have to win here! If you have the ability, you will always let the warship stay here! I'm afraid that in the entire Qing Dynasty, no one has this burden! It's us who live here, not the Qing Dynasty! ”

The old man said everything in the Nanyang Chinese Society, and Xu Yifan's questioning really angered him. Regarding Xu Yifan's consolation, the old man only felt that he was intensifying the contradictions. Originally, I wanted to use the money to send this visiting commissioner, and the price was not negotiable. Who knew that Xu Yifan didn't talk to him about money at all, but he just kept saying that he wanted to unite the Chinese community!

Isn't this ignoring his old man's authority in Nanyang and priing his corner? For Xu Yifan's actions of comforting and stirring people's hearts all the way, the old man also felt extremely unhappy. didn't agree with each other, and the case was struck.

"Sending off!"

In the current situation, Xu Yifan only smiled bitterly. To do the work of these families, it is really not just by flickering. It takes a long time to communicate. It's just that he is swaggering like this in Nanyang, how long will the Prime Minister's Yamen and the Beiyang Yamen give him?

The old man simply brushed his sleeves away, and Xu Yifan had no choice but to say goodbye. In Li Daren's apologetic smile, Xu Yifan's face was very ugly. Cao Tianen obediently didn't say a word, pretending not to see Xu Yifan's face.

This is the first time I feel that the development of things is not under my control...... All kinds of piles, I have to act against the sky, change this era, how many helplessness do I have to experience?

Xu Yifan just clenched his teeth in the carriage. In any case, if you embark on this path, you must stick to it, there must be a way, there must be a way!

The team suddenly stopped and stopped. Xu Yifan broke free from his thoughts and pushed the car to look out. I saw a man dressed in a foreign dress and carrying a civilized stick. Anbu was in the car, smiling and walking here.

It was Li Daxiong.

This person, according to the information, is just the son of the Li family, who is only responsible for communicating with foreigners. What is the purpose of this meeting between the left and the Dao?

(To be continued)