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

Over the next few days, Shen Lian thoroughly explored the capital city. He had visited it once before in his later life, but the changes were immense. Apart from a few place names, it was completely different.

He also bought a small courtyard for Tan Ya and his men. He also got them some new clothes, making them look quite like head managers. He sent them to familiarize themselves with the layout of the capital.

The Ministry of Personnel's "license" has been issued, and now we're just waiting for news from Nie Shuping and Li Lianying.

At the Prince Qing's Mansion on Dingfu Street in the western part of the city, Prince De Beile was leading Nie Shuping inside. He carefully explained the precautions to him along the way.

After several days of Nie Shuping treating De Beile to drinks, plays, and even gifting him a lighter, De Beile finally agreed to introduce him to Zai Zhen, the Prince of Qing's son.

"Oh! Your Highness has arrived! Please have a seat." A young man sitting in a grand chair in the backyard stood up to greet them as they entered.

"Thank you, Prince!" De Beile also bowed respectfully. Although he was a Beile, a rank higher than Zai Zhen's Beizi title, he dared not be presumptuous. After all, he was only a title he inherited, while Zai Zhen's father held the rightful authority!

"Nie San pays respects to Prince Beizi!" Nie Shuping knew Zai Zhen, though they weren't very familiar with each other before.

"Hmm! Third Master Nie from the Governor's Mansion! What a rare guest! What brings you to my residence today?" Zai Zhen fiddled with the wrench in his hand, not giving Nie Shuping a second glance.

“I’ve wanted to come and pay my respects to Prince Bei for a long time, but I haven’t had the chance. My brother-in-law just brought back some rare toys from America, so I’m here to present them to Prince Bei right away.”

As Nie Shuping spoke, she handed over several packs of cigarettes.

"Is this what they call Western cigarettes?" Nie Shuping had been showing off everywhere these days, and Zai Zhen had naturally heard about it as well.

“That’s right, it’s tobacco that my brother-in-law brought back from the West. It’s cigarettes made using Western methods. Your Highness, please have a taste!” Nie Shuping took out his cigarette case from his pocket, gave one to each of Zai Zhen and De Beile, and lit them for them.

"Hmm! Not bad. Much better to inhale than our welding fumes." Zai Zhen exhaled a puff of smoke and squinted to savor it.

“Yes! I’ve smoked a few these past few days, and the aroma and taste are definitely much better than welding fumes. It doesn’t burn your mouth after smoking!” Debele chimed in from the side.

"Hmm! What are you still standing for? Sit down!" Zai Zhen nodded and gestured for Nie Shuping to sit down. Soon, a maid brought tea.

"Nie San, you must have come to my residence for some reason, right?" After everyone had smoked half a cigarette, Zai Zhen took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly.

"Hehe! Firstly, I am here to pay my respects to Prince Bei. Secondly, my brother-in-law just returned from America. He is eager to serve his country and donated money to become a Daotai. I was hoping that Prince Bei could pull some strings and give him a real post as soon as possible."

"Heh! You've got a good idea! There are at least two or three hundred candidates for the position in the world. How can there be so many vacancies? Some people have been waiting for decades and still haven't been appointed!" Zai Zhen sneered, raising the corners of his mouth.

“We know things won’t be easy, that’s why we came to see Prince Bei! Who in the capital doesn’t know the Prince’s might these days? Hehe! Here are a few beads for Prince Bei to play with. Also, my brother-in-law said that he will give an additional 100,000 taels of silver after the matter is settled.” Nie Shuping said as he handed over a box.

Zai Zhen took the box and placed it on the table without opening it. He simply tapped the box lightly with his finger, remaining noncommittal.

Nie Shuping gritted her teeth; "Also, Your Highness, my uncle is currently serving as the guerrilla commander of Linqing. Recently, his old injury has flared up, and he is bedridden. My brother-in-law is naturally filial and cannot bear to leave. It would be best if he could be assigned to their Taiwu Lindao. In that case, he is willing to add another 100,000 taels."

Upon hearing this number, Zai Zhen raised an eyebrow.

“Alas! Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Prince holds great power now; there are quite a few people in the court keeping an eye on him! It’s not easy! Since you’re so sincere, I’ll ask around for you! Whether it will succeed or not is hard to say.” Zai Zhen said, shaking his head.

"Then we'll have to trouble you, Your Highness. Whether we succeed or not, we will be grateful for your kindness," Nie Shuping said, rising and bowing.

"Alright! Go back and wait for news! Remember, whether this succeeds or fails, do not spread this message." Zai Zhen said sternly.

“We understand!” Nie Shuping and De Beile nodded in unison.

"Alright! I'll go see if the Prince has returned yet. I won't keep you any longer! Fuquan, see the Prince out."

Seeing the two leave, Zai Zhen gently opened the box and his eyes widened instantly when he saw the twenty pearls inside. He reached out and took one out to play with it.

"Fuquan, has the Prince returned from court?"

"Your Highness, you're back!"

"Okay!" Zai Zhen then got up and went into the house, took out a smaller box and put ten pearls in it. He hid the remaining ten pearls in the cabinet, and then walked towards the front yard with the box.

In a side hall of the Prince's Mansion, a thin old man dressed in a blue python robe was reviewing memorials. This man was none other than Prince Qing, Yikuang, who wielded considerable power. He himself was not particularly capable; he was simply entrusted with the reins of power by Empress Dowager Cixi after the death of Prince Gong, when she needed someone to help her control the court. Yikuang, being adept at flattery, had won Cixi's favor, and thus, she entrusted him with most of the affairs of state.

A servant came to report that the Prince had arrived, and Yikuang smiled and said, "Let him in!"

"Greetings, Father!" Zai Zhen stepped forward and bowed.

"Zhen'er, get up quickly. What do you need your father for?" Of his three sons, Yikuang loved this eldest son the most.

“Father, Admiral Nie’s son-in-law has just returned from overseas. He is wholeheartedly devoted to serving the country and has donated money to obtain a reserve post. He wants you to arrange a substantive post for him.” Zai Zhen said, gently placing the box on his father’s table.

Yi Kuang then opened it and saw ten bright pearls inside, which made his eyes light up, but he immediately closed the lid.

“Zhen’er, although I am favored by the Empress Dowager and assist in managing the government, Weng Tonghe and his gang of old fogies are watching me all day long. There are so many candidates for the position, and it’s not easy to find a suitable candidate!” Yi Kuang said, stroking his beard.

"Father, the Nie family said they are willing to offer 100,000 taels of silver if we can fill the vacancy!"

Upon hearing this, Yikuang's eyes gleamed. He wasn't particularly ambitious, nor did he want to control the court. He simply enjoyed material possessions; for him, high office and generous salary were already the pinnacle. He had no other pursuits but to accumulate more wealth for his three sons.

He never let any money slip through his fingers. Before, he had the Sixth Prince to keep him in check, but now that the Sixth Prince was dead, who in the court dared to disobey him? Yi Kuang stroked his beard, starting to think about where to find a suitable position for the Nie family!

“Father, Shen Lian is a filial son. His father is currently bedridden and he doesn’t want to leave. If he could be assigned to their Taiwu Lindao, he would be willing to add another 50,000 taels.”

Zai Zhen, thinking his father was unwilling, quickly said, "This is two hundred thousand taels of silver; it's a big deal that doesn't come around every day. How can we let this easy money slip away!"