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

"I called you over here because I have something important to discuss. I'm planning to get some machinery over there. I need the old-fashioned kind of equipment. Aren't you in this line of work? Perfect timing, I've come to you." Shen Lian said, exhaling a puff of smoke.

"Old equipment? How old?" When it came to serious matters, Wu Chengxiu became serious as well.

"The older the better, preferably from before Liberation. Many places there don't even have electricity, and 99% of the population is illiterate. Even if you bring advanced equipment, they won't know how to operate it!" Shen Lian shook his head and said.

"Second brother, you've given me a real problem! With modern equipment, you can get as much as you want as long as you pay! But these old machines from before Liberation are really hard to find; most of them have already gone into steelmaking furnaces," Wu Chengxiu said with a wry smile.

"That's why I came to you! I can buy modern machinery anywhere!" Shen Lian said matter-of-factly.

"Alright! I'll try to look for it for you. Second brother, are you in a hurry?"

"Try to hurry up! It would be best if I could come back after the New Year and see some progress."

Shen Lian isn't in a hurry right now. He doesn't want to develop the military industry until he truly controls a territory. It's better to play it safe and avoid becoming someone else's dowry.

However, finding these things will definitely take time, so let's put some pressure on Lao Liu first. That way, he won't slack off.

"Alright! I understand, Second Brother!" Wu Chengxiu nodded.

"Bring whatever you find over first! Just contact Li Xiao later. It doesn't matter if the equipment is a bit old, as long as it works. Otherwise, it'll be a hassle for me to find someone to fix it," Shen Lian added.

After finishing their business, the group started chatting idly again.

That evening, Shen Lian naturally invited Wu Chengxiu and Guan Tianming to dinner. He really liked the ambiance and food at the Cantonese restaurant they'd gone to for lunch.

After dinner, Shen Lian asked Li Xiao to accompany the two of them to a bar for some entertainment. He then said that he had to catch a flight the next day and therefore wouldn't be going.

Wu Chengxiu and the other man said with mischievous smiles that they understood!

"You know nothing!" Shen Lian laughed and cursed.

"It's fine to broaden Li Xiao's horizons, but don't let him be led astray!"

"Okay! Second brother, you two go enjoy your time together! Haha!" The three of them ran off shouting.

“Ignore them, that’s just how he is! Let’s go for a walk over there!” Shen Lianyao said to Wang Xiaoyuan.

"It's alright, Brother Shen! I can tell you two have a very good relationship. Men's feelings are just simpler." Wang Xiaoyuan smiled slightly.

"I have a lot to say about what you said, haha!"

The two strolled slowly along the Bund embankment, chatting as they went. Wang Xiaoyuan's clear laughter could be heard from time to time.

"It's getting late, let's go back! It's windy at night, don't catch a cold!" Before we knew it, two or three hours had passed.

"Okay!" Although Wang Xiaoyuan wanted to spend more time with Shen Lian, she obediently agreed.

"Get some rest! I have to get up early to catch my flight tomorrow, so I won't be able to keep you company. If you need anything, just ask Li Xiao. If you like, stay here for a few more days!" After seeing Wang Xiaoyuan to her room, Shen Lian didn't go in.

"Okay! Brother Shen, you should get some rest too!" Wang Xiaoyuan replied, bowing her head.

Seeing Wang Xiaoyuan open the door and go inside, Shen Lian was about to turn around and leave. Suddenly, a soft, fleshy body threw itself into his arms, and Shen Lian immediately felt a cool sensation on his face.

Before Shen Lian could react, Wang Xiaoyuan turned and fled into the room, slamming the door shut.

Shen Lian reached up and touched his face, grinned crookedly, shook his head, and turned to walk towards his room.

Wang Xiaoyuan leaned against the door, her face as red as a monkey's bottom. She inwardly berated herself for being so spineless. What if Brother Shen came knocking? Should she let him in?

What should I do if he comes in and tries to...? Should I refuse him? Oh dear, how embarrassing!

Wang Xiaoyuan's heart was pounding; she was torn between her inner thoughts and her own. She hadn't heard a knock on the door. Naturally, she knew Shen Lian had already left!

"Hmph! You stinky Shen Lian, you big pig's trotter, you big sweet potato!" Wang Xiaoyuan stomped her foot in anger and embarrassment.

Shen Lian had no idea that Wang Xiaoyuan was so dramatic; he was currently surfing the internet in his room, taking advantage of any spare time to look up useful information for when he got back.

The next morning, Shen Lian returned to the Linqing military camp.

"Sir, you're back?" Lu Da scratched his head, wondering where Shen Lian had come from.

"Yes! Is everything alright at the barracks these days? And at home too?" Shen Lian nodded.

"Nothing's wrong! Everything's normal!"

"Okay! Take these things and come home with me!" Shen Lian handed the box in his hand to Lu Da. The group mounted their horses and headed towards the General's Mansion.

It's already December, and preparations for the General's Mansion have begun. Large red lanterns have been hung at the main gate, and the area around the entrance has been thoroughly cleaned.

Upon entering the gate, the servants were cleaning and pruning the flowers and trees. They greeted Shen Lian when he returned.

"Big brother, you're back!" Shen Lian'er was watching the commotion in the courtyard when she saw Shen Lian enter and immediately ran over. Since Shen Lian's arrival, thanks to his doting affection, the little girl's personality has become much more lively.

"Have you been causing any trouble at home these past few days?" Shen Lian reached out and patted the little girl's head.

He was an only child in his previous life and always envied others who had younger sisters. Now that he's here, he naturally adores this adopted younger sister.

"No way! I'm a lady," the little girl said, dissatisfied.

"Oh! It's me, brother. I forgot. Our little sister is a lady. Haha! Here, this is a gift I brought for you." Shen Lian took the box from Lu Da and handed it to Shen Lian'er.

"Ah! I have a gift too! What is it?" Shen Lian'er excitedly took the box. Upon opening it, she found a phoenix-shaped gold hairpin inside. The lifelike phoenix spread its wings as if about to take flight, holding a gold chain in its beak, with a large pearl hanging below.

"Wow! So beautiful!" Shen Lian'er's face flushed with excitement.

"You like it, right? Let me put it on you." Shen Lian picked up the gold hairpin and put it in his sister's hair.

"Hmm! Very beautiful! Go play! This is a gift for your mother, please give it to her for me." Shen Lian took out another box and handed it to his younger sister, as he didn't want to have too much contact with his stepmother.

Watching his younger sister happily run to the backyard, Shen Lian smiled knowingly and walked towards his father's yard.

"Father, I'm back!" I entered the old man's courtyard. The weather was lovely today. The old man was sitting in the courtyard discussing something with Uncle Fu.

"Lian'er, you're back! Come here quickly, I'm discussing your marriage with Uncle Fu!" Shen Hu waved with a smile when he saw his son return.

“Father, I don’t understand these things either. You can decide with Uncle Fu.” Shen Lian pulled up a chair, sat down, and poured himself a cup of tea.