The Jade of the Republic of China

Shen Yutong was originally curious that he appeared alone in the wilderness early in the morning, but seeing the restraint of the other party, he seemed unwilling to say more, so he stopped asking, and just looked him up and down calmly.

The clothes were still the same thin cotton short jacket from last time, which was stained with a lot of mud.

He has never had the opportunity to really come into contact with such poor people in the market, but he has always felt that all living beings are equal. After the [-] revolution, the imperial power collapsed, and there was no natural distinction between high and low.

Although this young man was dressed in shabby clothes, his face was unexpectedly beautiful, especially his pair of eyes, the black pupils had the purity of a child, and the thick and long eyelashes made him look even more innocent.

It is said that love is born from the heart, this must be a kind-hearted child, not to mention that he has indeed helped himself twice.

Shen Yutong couldn't help feeling pity for life, and he noticed that the young man's face was pale, his eyes were blue, as if he was sleepy, and he suddenly remembered something, and asked, "By the way, have you had breakfast yet? "

Meng Liansheng hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

Before Shen Yutong gave orders, the driver had already picked up the water bottle and a bag of snacks, and handed them to the back row: "Little brother, it's still early to enter the city, drink some water and eat something to pad your stomach."

Meng Liansheng hesitated again before reaching out to take it.

It wasn't until this time that he felt both hunger and thirst. The water in the kettle was still hot. After two mouthfuls, he felt much more comfortable. The dessert was sweet-scented osmanthus cake, sweet osmanthus honey and soft glutinous rice. It made him feel the hunger thoroughly. He was slow at first, but after two bites, he immediately became devoured.

After eating two yuan in a row, I realized that the person next to me was looking at me.Turning her head to meet Shen Yutong's smiling eyes, her ears felt hot, and her face, which was originally pale due to fatigue, was stained with a hint of embarrassment.

Shen Yutong smiled: "Eat slowly, don't worry."

Meng Liansheng nodded and slowed down.

Although he came from the countryside in southern Anhui, and these days he hangs out with traffickers and pawns, but he has read books, can write well, and even learned the outdated style of a scholar from a private school, is he the same as those people?

After eating a few pieces of pastries, and taking a few mouthfuls of warm water, the cold and empty stomach was finally filled.

After a night of sleepless nights, Meng Liansheng naturally fell asleep after eating and drinking.

He felt that it was impolite to sleep in someone else's car. His upper and lower eyelids were distinct and he couldn't help but start fighting, but he still held on, but in the slight bumps of the car, the drowsiness became more and more intense, unconsciously two His eyes were closed, and then his head tilted and hit the car window. The slight pain woke him up again. He immediately reacted and sat up straight.

Seeing this, Shen Yutong said: "If you are sleepy, sleep for a while, and I will call you after entering the city."

Meng Liansheng shook his head. At the same time, his calm body felt the coolness of the morning and couldn't help sneezing.

Only then did Shen Yutong realize that the thin padded jacket on his body was probably not keeping warm. After thinking about it, he took off the khaki cashmere scarf on his shoulders and handed it to him: "I don't think you look well, wear this to sleep for a while , don’t really catch a cold.”

Meng Liansheng hurriedly waved his hands: "No need."

Shen Yutong simply stuffed the scarf into his hands: "You are welcome, little brother, put it on and sleep well, and I will call you later." Then, he curled the corners of his mouth and said jokingly, "Don't worry, we won't sell you out. Understand."

His relaxed and gentle tone made Meng Liansheng relax. He lowered his head and looked at the scarf in his hand. He rubbed his rough fingers, which were still covered with dirt, as if tentatively rubbing them. It was soft and warm, and carried the body temperature of another person. .

His body was indeed getting colder and colder. Thinking of his cousin dying in a hurry due to a cold, he finally put on the scarf.

With the blessing of warmth, he didn't resist the drowsiness after all. After persisting for a while, he leaned against the back of the chair and fell into a deep sleep unconsciously.

Because he was so sleepy, Meng Liansheng slept very deeply this time. Even though the car passed by a broken road and bumped violently for a while, he was almost shaken and his head was still knocked on the window, he just babbled a few words in a daze , automatically adjusted the posture in the dream, and entered the dreamland again.

Seeing it in his eyes, Shen Yutong couldn't help but chuckled.

The car entered the city an hour and a half later.

The driver of the car looked at the young man who was sleeping in the back seat from the rearview mirror, and said in a low voice: "Second son, I don't know where this little brother lives, and he is about to enter the barracks. Wake him up? Don't drive past his house."

Shen Yutong had also dozed off, but now she just woke up, and turned her head to look at Meng Liansheng who was leaning against the window. Seeing that he was fast asleep, he must be very sleepy, so she raised her hand and looked at the wrist. After thinking for a while, he said, "No need, it's still early, and I don't have any plans for today. Let him sleep more. You stop the car ahead, and we'll wait for him to wake up."

The driver of the car drove the car to the side of the road and turned off the engine like a good man, thinking in his heart that the second son of theirs is kind-hearted.

The small movement of parking still didn't wake Meng Liansheng up.

After nine o'clock, there were more and more cars and horses on the road. After all, Meng Liansheng opened his eyes after not sleeping for a long time.

Because this sleep was so deep that he didn't even have a dream, so that for a moment he didn't know where he was and where he was.

He turned his head in a daze, looking at the people beside him with hazy eyes.

Seeing his bleary-eyed face, Shen Yutong's originally dark eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, showing a more innocent and childlike look, which made people feel a little affection, and asked with a chuckle, "Are you awake?"

Meng Liansheng blinked, then turned his head to look out of the car window, saw the busy streets of the city, finally came back to his senses, and hurriedly said: "Are you here? Did I sleep for a long time? My son, why didn't you wake me up?"

Shen Yutong only said softly: "I just entered the city, and you woke up just as I was about to call you. By the way, where do you live, we will take you there."

Meng Liansheng heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the words, and replied, "I don't live far away, just get off here, and I won't bother you any more."

Shen Yutong knew that he was probably lying, but thinking that he had already entered the concession area, there were rickshaws everywhere, and there were trams not far away, even if he didn't live nearby, it would be convenient to go back, so he nodded: "Okay, then we will take you here .”

Meng Liansheng said, "Thank you, my lord, for taking me back to the city."

Shen Yutong smiled: "If it wasn't for your help pushing the cart, I wouldn't be able to go back to the city now, so I have to thank you."

Meng Liansheng pursed his lips: "Then I'll get out of the car, and we'll meet later."

"There will be a period later."

Meng Liansheng opened the car door and got out of the car. When he walked to the side of the road, he suddenly realized that he was still wearing a plush scarf around his neck. He turned around and knocked on the car window.

Shen Yutong rolled down the window, raised his head and asked, "What's wrong?"

Meng Liansheng pulled the scarf off his neck, and a chill suddenly poured into his neckline.

He handed the scarf to the window: "Master, your scarf."

Shen Yutong said: "Take it and wear it. You don't need to be rewarded for helping me twice. This scarf is my small thank you for helping you twice." Afraid he might misunderstand, he paused and added with a smile , "I've only worn the scarf this time, and it's still new, just don't dislike it."

Meng Liansheng shook his head again and again, hesitated for a moment, then withdrew his hand, thanked him, and retreated to the side of the road.

Shen Yutong smiled and raised her hand to wave to him. Just as she was about to close the window, she suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, what's your name?"

Meng Liansheng was slightly taken aback, and replied, "Liansheng...Meng Liansheng."

Shen Yutong nodded: "My surname is Shen, and my name is Yutong."

Meng Liansheng said, "See you again, Mr. Shen."

"Goodbye."

After standing on the side of the road and watching the car leave, Meng Liansheng took another step.

He looked at the cashmere scarf in his hand. He hadn't used any good things since he was 17 years old, but he could also tell that this scarf was very valuable, and it was a good thing that only a rich man like Shen Yutong could use.

He put the scarf on carefully, touched his pocket, took out a few copper coins from it, walked to the place where the rickshaw was parked in front, and got into a car.

While the rickshaw driver was running, the cold winter wind whizzed towards his face, which hurt his cheeks, but the warm cashmere scarf around his neck blocked most of the cold for him.

Back at the work shed, it was almost noon, and there were only a few workers in the shed who had come back to take a nap. Xiao Dacheng was sitting by the bed, playing with his small clay stove. Seeing Meng Liansheng coming back, he immediately showed a bright smile: "Liansheng, You're back? I bought beef and I'm waiting for you to come back and cook it."

Meng Liansheng smiled lightly: "Thank you."

He walked to the bed and sat down, silently watching Xiao Dacheng busy.

Xiao Dacheng added a piece of charcoal to the stove, put the beef into the pot, turned his head and asked in a low voice, "Is everything going well?"

Meng Liansheng nodded.

"That's good. Life and death are destiny. Don't be too sad. Uncle Zaitian's spirit must also wish you a good life."

"Ah."

Xiao Dacheng tilted his head and looked at his face, seeing that his expression was as dull as always, and he really didn't look very sad. He felt relieved and was about to speak when his gaze fell on the scarf on his shoulder inadvertently, and he let out a sigh: "You Did you buy a new scarf?"

Because seeing it was a good thing, I reached out to touch it after I finished speaking.

Unexpectedly, Meng Liansheng suddenly backed away, causing his outstretched hand to miss.

Xiao Dacheng froze slightly, seeing that he didn't want to be touched by him, he had to back away with a smirk.

Meng Liansheng also realized that his reaction was a bit abrupt, and said in a low voice, "Someone gave it to me."

"Oh." Xiao Dacheng nodded. Although he talked a lot, he had an advantage. If others didn't want to say more, he didn't have to ask more.

Shen Yutong returned to Shen's garden, had lunch, and was about to rest when his elder brother Shen Yuan called him to the study.

Shen Yutong's father, Shen Xingzhi, was about to be seventy years old. Before his youngest son went abroad, he had been a hands-off shopkeeper for several years, and handed over the full power of the Shen family business to the eldest son.

Shen Yuan is a very qualified eldest son of a family. The family business has been under his hands in recent years, not to mention skyrocketing, it is also thriving.It's just that the family business is huge, and as he gets older, he is always a little bit powerless by himself, and outsiders are always worried, so he wholeheartedly hopes that his younger brother can help when he returns home.

But in the past few months since Shen Yutong came back, he only went to the salt field, and he didn't pay attention to business entertainment and family accounts.He originally thought that it wouldn't be a problem to play for a while after going out for a few years, but seeing him always hang out with Long Jialin these days, the alarm bells would inevitably ring.

He had never liked Long Jialin very much. He used to think that the boy was cowardly and cowardly, and his brain didn't seem to work well. He was always clinging to his younger brother, and even made a joke about picking roses and breaking his leg.If it wasn't for watching him grow up, knowing that he was a thirteen or fourteen-year-old who liked to sneak peeks at the breasts and buttocks of the little maid at home, and who went to brothels and slept with women when he was fifteen or sixteen. Disapprovingly showing disgust, he had already prevented the two from interacting.

In addition, Long Jialin was indeed a poor little wretch when he was young, so the two of them became friends and became brothers.

It's just that in the past few years, his father Long Zhenfei has gradually gained power, and every time Long Jialin returns to Shanghai, he will visit Shen's house.He witnessed little changes in Long Jialin with his own eyes.

In his opinion, this change is not a good thing.

"Xiaolong is gone?" Shen Yuan glanced at his handsome younger brother and pretended to ask casually.

Shen Yutong nodded: "Well, I left Songjiang this morning."

Shen Yuan pretended to ponder for a moment, and put on a serious look: "Brother understands that you and Xiaolong are friends, but the Long family is different now. Long Zhenfei came from a family, and he would not be willing to be an emperor in a remote village. Shanghai. Jiangsu and Zhejiang have been competing for Shanghai, and no one knows who will win in the end. We are a family of merchants, and we should be wise and protect ourselves, so don’t get involved.”

Shen Yutong obviously understood what his brother said, so he nodded: "Xiaolong and I are just personal friends and will not interfere with each other's family affairs."

Shen Yuan said: "You haven't seen Xiaolong for a few years, maybe you don't know much about him. Xiaolong is not the Xiaolong he used to be. The blue is better than the blue. I think in time, he will be more ruthless than his father."

Shen Yutong naturally heard about Long Jialin's deeds, but in the past few days of getting along, although the other party has a more Qiuba style, overall, it didn't make him feel too uncomfortable, so he didn't take the rumors seriously.

At this moment, after listening to the elder brother say this, he was silent for a moment, and said: "Elder brother, I have a sense of propriety, if Xiaolong really becomes a ruthless villain, I will distance myself from him."

Shen Yuan also knew that although his younger brother had a relatively simple personality, he never discerned right from wrong, so he nodded, changed the subject, and said, "By the way, I see that you have been to the salt farm several times recently, are you interested in the salt farm? I will transfer some of the salt business to you."

Shen Yutong said: "Brother, I wrote to my family earlier that I only studied business in England for one year, and then transferred to the chemical engineering department. Do you know why?"

Shen Yuan was naturally clear about his younger brother's studies, but he didn't know the internal reason. Hearing what he said, she looked at him curiously, waiting for his answer.

Shen Yutong said: "The Qing Dynasty closed the country for many years, and always regarded itself as a celestial dynasty. When foreigners opened the country with artillery fire, they realized that the West had already left us by a large margin. I went to England and witnessed their technology with my own eyes. I understand that we still have a long way to go. The way to go. Studying business cannot save the country, only technology and industry can save the country. Our Shen family made its fortune by relying on salt, and the common people cannot do without salt, but today, we still use traditional crafts to make coarse salt, but foreigners eat it early Refined salt is used, so they ridiculed that China is a nation that eats soil."

The Shen family moved to the Shili foreign farm for decades, and was also a big salt merchant. Shen Yuan naturally knew that foreigners always laughed at the Chinese as "a nation that eats soil".

As a salt merchant, he was also upset when he heard this.

But now domestic salt merchants still can only rely on traditional salt production, and it is difficult to mass-produce refined salt.Take Shen’s family as an example. Whether it’s Ziliujing Well Salt Field in Sichuan or Fengxian Sea Salt, they only produce a few hundred catties of fine white salt for personal use and gifts every year, and the rest is earth salt and coarse salt.

Although the term "dirt-eating nation" is a great shame to the people of the country, it is difficult to make major changes at the moment.

Seeing that the younger brother spoke clearly and logically, he was no longer like the young master who only buried his head in the pile of books and didn't know the sufferings of the world. He felt relieved and asked, "Yutong, what are your plans?"

Shen Yutong replied seriously: "I want to improve the salt-making process and set up a refined salt factory."

Shen Yuan nodded, and asked again: "How to do it specifically?"

Shen Yutong said: "I want a laboratory to do research and development first, and then build a factory for trial production when it's almost done."

In fact, Shen Yuan had thought about doing refined salt a long time ago, but she was powerless and hadn't been able to put it on the agenda. Seeing that her younger brother who had returned from overseas had plans, she was very supportive and said with a smile, "Okay, I'll send someone to do it right away. Tell your brother what you need."

"Thank you bro."

Shen Yuan said boldly: "If we can build a refined salt factory and let ordinary people eat cheap refined salt, then we can completely get rid of the slur of 'soil-eating people'."

Shen Yutong smiled and nodded.

Because his younger brother's plan to run a refined salt factory aroused a sense of pride and ambition, Shen Yuan pulled people to talk carefully about the plan for a refined salt factory for a long time before letting Shen Yutong go to rest.