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

Shen Lian had a very pleasant New Year in the Qing Dynasty. Compared with the increasingly faint New Year's atmosphere in modern times, the New Year celebrations in this era were obviously much more grand and lively.

Especially with two women who deeply love him and a large group of children around him, Shen Lian felt much less lonely in this strange world.

The old man lay back in his chair, watching the children running around the yard with a broad smile. It would be even better if they were all his own grandchildren!

Shen Lian bought a huge amount of fireworks and had several bonfires lit in the courtyard, so that Shen Xiaohu and the others could lead the children in playing. His younger sister, Shen Lian'er, also joined in, shouting and yelling. The courtyard was instantly bustling with activity.

"Husband, is something on your mind?" Nie Xiaoqian gently took Shen Lian's hand.

This woman is really perceptive. I was just thinking about my parents and family in the modern world and I was momentarily distracted when she noticed.

"Yes! Look how happy Dad is. He really wants to have his own grandson! He was urging me about it yesterday!"

"Hmm!" Nie Xiaoqian hummed, her face instantly turning red. How was she supposed to answer that?!

"It seems we haven't worked hard enough. We need to work twice as hard in the future!" Shen Lian whispered with a smile in Nie Xiaoqian's ear.

"You, you're as strong as an ox, even people can't stand it. How can you possibly study hard?" Nie Xiaoqian lowered her head in embarrassment and whispered.

"Didn't you find a helper? How about we team up tonight? Hehe!" Shen Lian grinned crookedly.

"Ah! You, you are too... too shameless." Nie Xiaoqian didn't understand what he meant at first, but when she looked up and saw Shen Lian gesturing to Xiao Yue'er beside him, she instantly understood.

She didn't know what to say about her husband. How could he even think of such a lewd thing! She felt ashamed just thinking about it.

"I've already told you the solution. If you don't agree, you can't beg for mercy later! Hehe!"

"Didn't you say that Yue'er isn't close to you? Let me tell you, this is the best way to get closer. I guarantee you'll be as close as sisters from now on," Shen Lian said patiently.

How could they do this together? It's too embarrassing! Nie Xiaoqian almost buried her head in her chest. But she was really afraid of Shen Lian's fierceness. For a moment, her mind was in turmoil.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes! Hehe!" Shen Lian said smugly.

Xiao Yue'er sat upright to one side; it was her first time attending such an occasion. She dared not be careless at all, afraid that she might do something wrong and displease the master.

Shen Hu was not feeling well, so he went back to rest after watching for a while. His aunt went with him to take care of him.

After the two of them left, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Shen Lian then pulled the two girls down to play together. At first, they were a little reserved, but gradually their natural instincts were brought out by Shen Lian.

After all, they were only eighteen or nineteen years old, still just kids! Soon they were playing wildly with some of the girls.

After the clock struck twelve, Shen Lian'er was the first to be taken away by her mother. Shen Lian also pulled the two girls along to go rest.

As for the children who were still playing wildly, Shen Lian ignored them. He only instructed Shen Xiaohu and the others to be careful of fire and injury.

Nie Xiaoqian, who had just been playing happily, now bury her head in the sand like an ostrich, following silently with her head down. Xiao Yue'er, oblivious to everything, followed Shen Lian to the backyard.

"Everyone's all a bit hot from playing, let's take a shower first!" They entered the east wing where Shen Lian and Nie Xiaoqian were staying, and Shen Lian led the two women to the adjacent bathroom. He had already instructed Ruyi to prepare hot water.

"Husband, I'm going back to my room now!" Xiao Yue'er curtsied.

"Where are you going? Your sister Xiaoqian said you can sleep together tonight!" Shen Lian grabbed her.

"Ah!" Xiao Yue'er had spent more time with Shen Lian and instantly understood his meaning. Her pretty face flushed red with embarrassment. She glanced down at Nie Xiaoqian, and seeing that she didn't say anything, she had no choice but to follow him inside.

In the middle of the room was a huge wooden tub, steaming hot.

"Two beautiful ladies, please! Hehe."

(I've already watched this part of the story for you since you didn't like it. It's really good, and I've summarized six points about it...)

. . . . . .

The next day, Shen Lian was busy; there were simply too many people coming to offer New Year's greetings. He managed to meet only a select few. If he met with them all, he wouldn't be able to do anything else all day!

After three busy days, I've finally managed to receive almost all the people who came to pay their New Year's visits!

Both factories have fully resumed operations, and Shen Lian took the opportunity to personally visit them and offer some encouragement.

Starting on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, all soldiers returned to their posts. Normal training resumed.

"My lord, what you requested has arrived!" Nie Yuanshan reported as he entered.

"Mr. Nie, you've worked so hard! You didn't even get to enjoy the New Year properly!" Shen Lian said apologetically.

"Hehe! Following the adults and having things to do every day, I'm so energetic. Before, working in the Ministry of Revenue's granary almost ruined me," Nie Yuanshan said happily. After he arrived, Shen Lian only assigned him the position of a staff officer.

However, after arriving in Linqing, he realized just how wealthy Shen Lian truly was. Over the past few months, he had also come to understand Shen Lian's ambition. Despite his young age, this Lord Shen was incredibly shrewd and capable.

With tens of thousands of troops at his command and a steady stream of wealth, his future prospects are absolutely limitless. Following such a person will naturally lead to personal advancement. Therefore, he works extremely hard.

He was in charge of recruiting the mechanical technicians and gunpowder experts this time. He finally managed to bring them all over today.

"How many people are there in total? Have their families been brought here? Let's talk as we walk!" Shen Lian grabbed his hat and headed outside.

"Sir, the Tianjin Machinery Manufacturing Bureau. We've recruited three master craftsmen, each with several apprentices. Including their families, there are a total of twenty-one people."

"We only managed to find one gunpowder master in Tianjin, but we recruited five more from the Jiangnan Arsenal. Including their family members and apprentices, we have a total of thirty-two people."

"Actually, they arrived the day before yesterday, but I saw that you were quite busy these past few days, so I only came to report today!" Nie Yuanshan said as he quickly followed Shen Lian.

"Mr. Nie, please let me know as soon as possible regarding matters concerning these experts." Shen Lian nodded. They were only looking out for him, so he couldn't very well blame them.

"Understood, sir!" Nie Yuanshan secretly wiped the sweat from his forehead, surprised that his lord valued these people so much.

Ten miles outside Linqing Prefecture, there lies a secluded valley. A winding road leads into it. This area has been designated a military restricted zone, and soldiers guard the outside of the valley.

This is the weapons manufacturing plant that Shen Lian prepared.