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

The next morning, Shen Lian and his group set off with several cartloads of gifts. Xiao Yue'er was left alone at home.

After turning a few streets, a tall and imposing governor's mansion came into view. The three-bay gatehouse had fist-sized copper studs gleaming on its red doors, and the stone lions on either side of the gate were taller than a person, glaring fiercely at passersby.

After the gatekeeper went in to report, Shen Lian sized up the soldiers standing guard at the entrance. Each one stood ramrod straight, holding a new Mauser rifle, looking sharp and spirited. They exuded an undeniable air of menace.

These are clearly veteran soldiers who have fought alongside their father-in-law through countless battles, unlike the other lowly soldiers. If they were all soldiers like these, how could the foreigners have possibly managed to invade!

Just as Shen Lian was sighing to himself, a middle-aged man in his thirties, dressed in a modern military uniform, came out.

Uncle Lin whispered to Shen Lian, "This is Nie Xianfan, the second son of Admiral Nie."

Shen Lian knew that his father-in-law had three sons. The eldest son, Nie Rukui, was mediocre and mainly stayed home to help with household chores. The third son, Nie Shuping, was a playboy who spent his days gallivanting, drinking, and having fun with a group of aristocratic young men.

Only the second son was truly capable; he had studied at a military academy in Japan. After returning to China, he worked at the Zhili Military Affairs Office, assisting his father-in-law in leading troops.

"Shen Lian greets Second Brother!" Shen Lian stepped forward first and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Haha, Brother Zhiyuan. It's been over ten years since we last met! You've gotten even more energetic, you look quite like a soldier. How about it? What's the difference between America and China? Tell your brother about it." Nie Xianfan stepped forward and patted Shen Lian's shoulder affectionately. Having studied abroad himself, he naturally felt a sense of closeness to someone like Shen Lian who had returned from overseas.

"Second brother, let's go inside and take care of business first! We can talk about the rest privately!" Shen Lian said with a wry smile.

"Indeed! I'd forgotten you came here to propose marriage, haha! This old man has been waiting for this day for ages. Hahaha! Please!" Nie Xianfan pulled Shen Lian's arm and led him inside. Uncle Lin and the others quickly carried the gifts and followed.

His fiancée is only a year younger than him, and is currently nineteen years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning). In this day and age, she is indeed considered a young woman, so it's no wonder her father-in-law is anxious. It was Shen Lian's studies abroad that delayed her.

Passing through the main gate into the hall, one sees a tall, imposing old man with a full beard sitting in a grand chair, staring intently at Shen Lian as he enters. Below him sit two young men, one in his forties, with a stern, expressionless face.

Another man in his early twenties sat crookedly in his chair, observing Shen Lian with great interest. He tried to get up when he saw Shen Lian enter, but after glancing at his father at the head of the table, he quickly sat back down.

"This humble one greets Uncle! I wish you good health and continued esteemed seniority!" Shen Lian strode forward and bowed deeply.

"Haha, my dear nephew, please rise. How is your father?" The old man's words immediately put Shen Lian at ease. The aura of this veteran general was so strong that it almost suffocated him.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle. My father is much better now. He asked me to apologize to you, Uncle, because he is unable to travel far and therefore cannot come to the capital to pay his respects in person."

"Ah! It's been over ten years since I last saw Brother Huchen. I remember how fierce and invincible he was on the battlefield. He's not even sixty yet and his health has already deteriorated." Nie Gongting shook his head with a sigh.

"These are your two good-for-nothing elder brothers," the old man casually introduced.

"Shen Lian greets his two elder brothers!"

"Hmm! Hello!" The eldest brother, Nie Rukui, simply nodded.

The third brother was different. He stood up and grabbed Shen Lian, saying, "Haha, Shen Lian, you're my brother-in-law now. We're not outsiders. Tell me, what's America like? I heard they have trains smoking everywhere and the streets are full of four-wheeled cars, is that true?"

"Ahem! What kind of behavior is this? Please invite Zhiyuan to sit down!" Nie Gongting, who was at the head of the table, shouted in dissatisfaction. Nie Shuping hurriedly invited Shen Lian to sit down.

"Zhiyuan" seems to be his own courtesy name; Shen Lian had almost forgotten it.

A maid quickly brought Shen Lian a cup of fragrant tea. After sitting down, Shen Lian habitually took out a box and began distributing cigarettes to everyone. The Nie family father and sons looked at him with curiosity.

"Ahem, Uncle! This is a counterfeit cigarette I made. I saw people smoking it in America, so I learned the technique. I brought some tobacco back and made a batch of these counterfeits. I also plan to sell them in China."

Shen Lian took out a lighter, lit it with a "snap," and handed it over. Cigarettes are obviously easy to smoke; Nie Gongting put one in his mouth, leaned in, and lit it. He took a puff and nodded in satisfaction.

“I know this cigarette. I heard those foreigners smoke this stuff. Brother Zhiyuan, hurry up and light it for me.” Nie Shuping said impatiently after his father finished lighting it.

Everyone lit cigarettes, and the room was soon filled with smoke, which made the maids want to stay away.

"Zhiyuan, brother. What is this thing you lit? Let me see it." Nie Shuping had long had his eye on Shen Lian's lighter, and as soon as everyone lit their cigarettes, he immediately asked for it.

"Uncle, my three elder brothers. This thing is called a lighter. It lights instantly. It works regardless of whether it's sunny or rainy, and it's not afraid of the sun or moisture. It's a recent Western invention, and I'm currently replicating it. When it's successful, I plan to sell it in the capital." Shen Lian said as he handed the lighter to Nie Shuping.

"Baby, absolutely a treasure! Brother, if you can make it, it will definitely sell like hotcakes. This cigarette is also good, much more comfortable to smoke than welding fumes." Nie Shuping played with the lighter in his hand, unable to put it down.

“My dear nephew! Leave these fancy skills to the servants. You should focus your mind on military matters. Our Wu Yi Army has also been taught by Western instructors. You can exchange ideas with the second brother more often.”

"I will heed your teachings, Uncle. I studied military affairs in America for several years, and I have returned this time to put what I have learned into practice. I want to train a fine army," Shen Lian said, bowing respectfully.

"Good! Good!" Nie Gongting nodded in satisfaction, increasingly pleased with his son-in-law. "Qiuxia, go and invite Madam, Miss, and the concubines to come and meet the new son-in-law!"

A short while later, several beautiful women emerged. The elderly woman at the head of the group had a prosperous appearance, while the woman supporting her arm, dressed in a pink cheongsam, was secretly admiring her young and beautiful fiancée. This was probably her fiancée, Nie Xiaoqian.

"Shen Lian greets Aunt, Miss, and all the concubines!"

"Yes! Good!" The old lady nodded.

"Qian'er greets her elder brother!" Nie Xiaoqian blushed and curtsied.

"Shen Lian, you've really grown up. You've become such a handsome young man. It's a pity your mother passed away so early and couldn't see you and Qian'er get married. Back then, we were all discussing your marriage together, sigh!" The old lady's eyes reddened as she spoke, and she wiped them with her handkerchief.