The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Nowadays, most industries are monopolized by powerful and wealthy businessmen, and this is the most profitable industry he can think of.

"Also, arrange for the construction of a factory immediately. We can start processing it once our tobacco leaves return. The factory must be large enough to accommodate at least tens of thousands of people!"

"Ah! Tens of thousands of people!" Uncle Fu was stunned by Shen Lian.

“Yes, this is only the first phase of the project. We may expand later! So we must pay close attention to the tobacco leaf procurement.” Shen Lian nodded.

"This is a cigarette rolling machine I got from abroad. You should find someone to make a copy as soon as possible. Be careful to keep it a secret!" Shen Lian handed a cigarette rolling machine to Uncle Fu.

"Oh! Okay! I understand." Uncle Fu carefully took it. Shen Lian demonstrated it to them again, which made Uncle Fu marvel.

"Also, how many of the wooden boxes I ordered have been made?"

"Oh! I told them to work overtime to produce them. There should be two or three hundred by now!"

"Okay! Have them deliver the finished thread tomorrow, and then keep making as many as possible. You'd better find a few large woodworking workshops, or we can build one ourselves. Because we might need more in the future."

"Also, find out who can print these cigarette boxes, and start ordering a large batch immediately." Shen Lian took out a few more cigarette box papers he had brought.

Uncle Fu emerged, utterly bewildered. His young master had suddenly assigned him so many important matters. He was completely confused about what the young master was up to. Wasn't he supposed to be preparing to take over command of the troops from the general? Why was he starting a business now?

"Little Tiger, bring in a few of your most trusted men!"

"Good, young master!" Shen Xiaohu was overjoyed upon hearing this, it seemed that the young master was about to do something big.

Soon, Shen Xiaohu led four people in; it was Lai Fu and his three companions.

“Young Master, the five of us grew up in the General’s Mansion. Without the General’s Mansion, we wouldn’t be where we are today. For your sake, we would not regret even if we were to be torn to pieces,” Lai Fu and the others said in deep voices while kneeling on the ground.

"Okay, okay, okay! It's not that exaggerated, it's just that the matter is somewhat confidential." Shen Lian waved his hand, gesturing for the others to stand up.

“These are cigarettes I brought back from the West. What you need to do now is cut off the tops. Be careful not to break them. Burn all the cigarette butts. Don’t let anyone know about this, understand?” Shen Lian led the group into the room and opened the cardboard box, saying this.

“Understood, young master! We won’t tell anyone even if we get drunk.” Before the other three could react, Laifu spoke first.

"Okay! Find a room and start doing it quietly! Let Laifu lead the way!" Shen Lian nodded. It seemed that Laifu was a bit more clever than the other three.

After giving them his instructions, Shen Lian turned to Shen Xiaohu and asked, "Xiaohu, how are the children?"

"Young Master, it's all under Tan Ya's management. I don't know anything about it," Shen Xiaohu said, scratching his head.

Where is Tan Ya?

"Shouldn't he be with those children?"

"Call him over... Sigh! Never mind! Lead the way, I'll go take a look."

After passing through several courtyards, Shen Lian followed Shen Xiaohu to a secluded courtyard. Before even entering, they could hear the sounds of children laughing and playing inside.

As Shen Lian entered the courtyard, the first thing he saw was a group of children chasing and playing. Tan Ya, sweating profusely, was talking to a woman nearby. Seeing Shen Lian enter, he quickly came over.

When the other children saw Shen Lian and Shen Xiaohu enter, they quickly fell silent, watching cautiously as the room became completely quiet.

"Young Master, you're back!" Tan Ya came over to greet him.

"Hmm! Tan Ya, how are the children?"

"Young master, they are all fine. They have been eating well for several days and are in good spirits! I also had a doctor come to check on them, and they are basically all fine."

"Hmm! Not bad, you've thought of everything." Shen Lian nodded in satisfaction.

“Tan Ya, it doesn’t look good for the children to be dressed like this in such bright and colorful clothes, and these clothes don’t fit them either. Didn’t I tell Uncle Fu to find someone to make new clothes for them?” Shen Lian said, looking at a child in front of him whose sleeves were way too long.

"Young Master, Uncle Fu has given instructions. However, making these hundreds of new clothes will take a lot of time, so they probably aren't finished yet!" Tan Ya quickly explained.

"Yeah, I was too impatient! Haha!" Shen Lian shook his head.

"Also, young master, you said you wanted to find some tutors to teach the children to read, and I've already found some. When would you like to meet with them?"

"Oh! Let's do it now! I happen to be free right now. Xiao Hu, can you arrange for someone to go and inform them?"

Shen Xiaohu nodded in agreement, and Tan Ya quickly told him where to find the person.

"How many women were hired to take care of these children?"

“Young master, there are four in total. Besides cooking, they help the children wash clothes and clean the yard.”

"Can those four people really manage?" Shen Lian asked in surprise. You have to understand, in later generations, kindergartens with dozens of students had far more than four staff members!

"Hehe! Young Master, they can do a good job if they work hard. We provide food and lodging here, and we even pay them. They are so grateful to you!" Tan Ya said proudly.

“Let’s add four more! Young Master isn’t short of money and food. Some of the children here are still too young, so let them take better care of them.” Shen Lian sighed and shook his head as he spoke.

Entering the children's dormitory, Shen Lian found it consisted entirely of makeshift communal sleeping platforms. The place was a mess, with blankets and clothes scattered everywhere.

"When the teacher arrives, we need to set rules for the children. They can't be so messy. Let's make some cabinets! One for each child. It's okay now that it's hot, but this won't do in winter. Remember to arrange for someone to build them a heated brick bed."

Tan Ya carefully memorized the young master's instructions. Just then, Shen Xiaohu came in and said that the teacher had arrived.

When Shen Lian went outside, he saw that there were five teachers in total. Apart from one young man in his twenties, they all looked like poor scholars, like Kong Yiji.

“Young Master, this Mr. Dong is quite a capable man. He studied at the Tongwen Guan in the capital.” Tan Ya leaned closer and whispered as he saw Shen Lian sizing up the young man.

Shen Lian raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. He had seen it in history books in his later life. Tongwen Guan was a very famous modern school, specializing in training translators. Why would someone like that come to teach here?

"Mr. Dong, you are too kind! I never expected that I would meet such a talented person as you in such a small place as mine. It is truly an honor!" Shen Lian clasped his hands in a salute.

"No, no! I admire young talents like you who have studied in the West even more," Dong Shaohua said politely, bowing with his hands clasped.

"Haha, I studied in the West, while Brother Dong studied foreign languages ​​at the Tongren Academy in Beijing. We can be considered colleagues!"

The two were of similar age and got along much better, quickly becoming very talkative.