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

"In the blink of an eye, I raised my gun and with a snap, killed one of the charging Mongol cavalrymen! That guy was still raising his saber high as he died. If I hadn't reacted quickly, I might not be sitting here today!"

Zhou Shunda was speaking animatedly in the restaurant, leaving the surrounding merchants stunned.

"Ah! If I weren't so old, I would really like to lead an army across the grasslands. I have a proper regiment under my command, with over a thousand fully armed soldiers. Sweeping away several tribes would be a piece of cake!" Zhou Shunda sighed, sat down, and took a sip of tea.

"Your Excellency, you have worked hard! Your Excellency is truly a role model for us all! I admire heroes who fight for our country the most in my life. I would like to offer you a toast." A shopkeeper raised his wine cup and said loudly.

"Hey! This is nothing! As a baron of the court, how can I not do my part for the court at this critical moment? How can I live up to His Majesty's great favor?" Zhou Shunda waved his hand smugly and raised his cup in a gesture.

"Yes, yes! Your Excellency has led from the front and worked hard for the country."

"It's a pity we arrived too late and can't fight alongside the Lord!"

A group of businessmen stood up to offer toasts, and Zhou Shunda's chubby face flushed with excitement as he accepted all the toasts.

He had been on the grassland for more than half a year, while the other merchants who had come with him had long since returned, but he had stayed.

These later businessmen had heard of him to some extent, and they liked to listen to him talk about things on the battlefield when they had nothing to do.

He was treated to meals every day, and had a group of people fawning over him. Zhou Shunda lived a very happy life every day.

The reason he stayed in Kulun was to keep an eye on several mines in the suburbs. Not only did he stay there himself, but he also sent a telegram back to Lord Xiao, urging him to bring money over as soon as possible.

Zhou Shunda knows his own limitations. Although he is quite famous, his wealth is still far behind that of the truly wealthy families.

He brought Xiao Lin along again this time because he wanted to leverage Xiao Lin's influence once more. After all, Xiao Lin was the elder brother of the Imperial Concubine, and the businessmen still had to give him some face.

The two had worked together very well on honeycomb briquettes before, and I believe it will be the same this time.

A few days later, Xiao Lin arrived, looking travel-worn!

Xiao Lin is a completely different person now. He looks incredibly domineering in a deep red stand-up collar men's suit embroidered with gold python patterns.

He brought seven or eight carriages with him, along with servants and maids. He also had a full fifty guards, all mounted on large horses and armed with muskets.

"Greetings, Lord Marquis! You must be tired from your journey!" Zhou Shunda hurriedly led his men to greet him.

"Brother Zhou, please get up! We're brothers, why are you being so polite!" Xiao Lin quickly stepped forward to help Zhou Shunda, who was bowing deeply, to his feet.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis!" Zhou Shunda straightened up as he took the opportunity. Xiao Lin was now a Marquis and also the Emperor's brother-in-law. Zhou Shunda felt very pleased that he was still so polite to him.

"Is your journey, Lord Marquis, smooth? I've already arranged a place for you. This place is not like the capital, so please bear with me." Zhou Shunda led Xiao Lin to the inn.

This is already the best inn in Kulun, and Zhou Shunda has booked a small courtyard.

"It's alright! We're here to work, not to enjoy ourselves!" Xiao Lin waved his hand. His sister had repeatedly told him to keep a low profile, and Xiao Lin was quite self-aware. He knew his own background well.

"How did things go, Brother Zhou? Tell me!" After washing up, Xiao Lin came to the lobby.

"Your Excellency must be tired from your journey. Why don't you rest for the night first?"

"It's nothing! I've been lying down the whole way. I've been traveling around with caravans before. This little bit of hardship is nothing!" Xiao Lin waved his hand.

“That’s how it is, Lord Marquis!” Zhou Shunda stood up and took out a sketch, spreading it on the table.

"My lord, please look, this is a gold mine. It used to be the property of the lamas in the city, but it has now been confiscated by the imperial court. It used to produce more than four thousand taels of gold a year."

Upon seeing it was a gold mine, Xiao Lin's eyes lit up. He already had a considerable amount of money thanks to his honeycomb briquettes. But who complains about having too much money, especially not gold?

“I went to see it for myself! This is a rich mine, those lamas know nothing. They just hired some locals to pan for gold by hand.”

"If we take over and purchase some machinery and equipment, I'm confident we can increase production several times over. We could mine this mine for at least ten years! Hehe!"

"It must cost quite a bit to acquire this gold mine, right?" Xiao Lin nodded, took out a premium Peony cigarette, and offered one to Zhou Shunda.

"The contract price is certainly not low, but that's not important. The main thing is that there are quite a few people eyeing it, which is why I asked Lord Marquis to personally handle it! Hehe!" Zhou Shunda said with a fawning smile.

Xiao Lin shook his head and didn't say anything.