20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 764: The River is Deep
Afternoon, Fengtian Chamber of Commerce Building.

Early this morning, a fundraising shed was set up in front of the building, with a banner hung on the roof that read: Fengtian Shanghai Case Support Association.

There was a constant stream of merchants and citizens coming to donate money, and it was not until lunchtime that the place gradually became deserted.

There are still government officials standing guard and patrolling around to prevent the fundraising event from inexplicably turning into a protest.

Many people responded to the fundraising, but very little money was raised.

The real main contributors to donations are still the local wealthy families and major guilds.

After all, Fengtian’s financial order has not yet been restored and is even continuing to deteriorate.

The latest market price of exchanging Fengpiao for cash has exceeded 5.5 yuan. Compared with the beginning of the year, it can only be described as horrible.

Everyone is having a hard time. We are only lighted by a candle at night and cannot help from afar. We can only do our best to support our compatriots in Shanghai.

……

In the Chamber of Commerce hall, Jiang Lianheng was chatting with many wealthy people and guild presidents.

He was one of the organizers of the "Fengtian Shanghai Case Support Association". Naturally, he had to show up in public during fundraising activities, and thus won praise from all walks of life.

Although it may seem that he is flattering himself by saying this, there are indeed many wealthy people who donated money for his sake, or some of them originally wanted to donate only 20 yuan in cash, but because the Jiang family took the lead, they changed their minds and donated 30 yuan in cash.

At this moment, the first half of the fundraising event has come to an end, and everyone is gathered in the hall to socialize and wait for the second half to begin.

After all, the gentry are gentry. They do big business and are particularly well-informed.

The latest developments of the Shanghai case can be glimpsed from the few words spoken by everyone.

"Have you heard? The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce seems to be ready to compromise."

"I heard that they seem to be preparing to withdraw some of the demands."

"any request?"

"Abolition of consular jurisdiction, withdrawal of British and Japanese troops, and several negotiation conditions regarding labor."

"That's just wishful thinking. The concession was built with foreign guns and cannons. How can we withdraw our troops just because the laborers ask for a break?"

"Alas, the factories have stopped working, Shanghai is running out of electricity, and so much money for goods is stuck at the port. How can we continue to fight like this?"

Everyone expressed their opinions and exchanged the latest news they had heard. Their assessment of the current situation was all pessimistic.

Jiang Lianheng did not participate in it. He walked silently to the corner of the hall, occasionally pulling out a cheat sheet from his sleeve and muttering a few words to himself.

In the morning, many groups including the Provincial Student Union, the YMCA, the Fengtian Farmers' Association, and the Lawyers' Union had already made donations.

Those who will come to donate in the afternoon are representatives from various factories.

The workers spontaneously raised funds, and as they accumulated a little bit, they were worried that the factory boss would embezzle the money, so they gave it to several people for safekeeping and came to the support group in person to donate.

Since Jiang Lianheng is the head of the United Xijia Bank, he should meet him in person and prepare an opening speech.

This fundraising speech was written by Chuang Hu. It was passionate and powerful. Jiang Lianheng felt a little embarrassed when he read it.

Even so, when it is time to be in the spotlight, you still have to be in the spotlight.

To be honest, although he was concerned about the tragedy in Shanghai, if he claimed that he couldn't sleep at night and was extremely worried about it, it would probably be an exaggeration.

In his opinion, donating money is just a way of gaining publicity, and if you don't exaggerate, it will not be worth it.

Just as he was concentrating on preparing his speech, Wang Zhengnan suddenly walked in from the door, walked through the crowd with a smile and came to Jiang Lianheng's side.

"Brother, the workers are almost here, are you ready?"

"Well, let's get started!"

Jiang Lianheng nodded, then turned around, clapped his hands towards the nobles in the hall, and said, "Everyone, it's almost time, shall we go out and take a look?"

After everyone donated money, the reason they stayed was to show their support for the Jiang family. Now when they heard this, they naturally agreed and then walked out of the Chamber of Commerce building one after another.

It was a sunny day outside, the sunlight was scorching and so bright that it made people's eyes go dark.

The donation shed was once again filled with merchants and passers-by, and there were several reporters with cameras standing by the roadside, ready to go.

Under the gaze of the crowd, the wealthy and powerful walked slowly to the front of the stage, politely yielding to each other.

After three refusal and three declines, Jiang Lianheng finally gave the opening speech.

Reporters from various newspapers swarmed forward, some took pictures, some opened their notebooks, and their eyes were focused on the huge donation box.

"Fellow countrymen, compatriots——"

Jiang Lianheng shouted loudly, and then his tone suddenly changed, becoming heavy and hoarse:
"At this time of national crisis and national survival, the tragedy in Shanghai has shocked the world and made us feel deeply saddened! The great powers are still determined to destroy us and have shot our brothers and sisters. This is outrageous to all. How can we tolerate this? If we do not strengthen ourselves and turn shame into determination to work hard, I am afraid that in a hundred years, there will be no China..."

The opening remarks were not very long. After just three or two minutes, he quickly got back to the main topic.

"Our compatriots in Shanghai have been suffering for half a month. Now the whole country has responded and rushed to Shanghai to fight to the death. Fengtian is an important city outside the Great Wall. How can we stand idly by and ignore our compatriots? Jiang, a humble man, is now jointly organizing a support group with other kind-hearted people to raise funds to support Shanghai workers. I hope you will support us!"

There was no applause at the scene, everyone was waiting for the sequel.

Jiang Lianheng knew exactly what he was waiting for, so he immediately pulled out a money order from his pocket, walked to the donation box, and handed it personally to President Chen of the Chamber of Commerce.

"It's just a small contribution, I'm too embarrassed to mention it, just think of it as Jiang's inspiration!"

He said so, President Chen did not dare to neglect it, took the bill of exchange, and announced loudly:

"Fengtian Zongheng Insurance Company, Boss Jiang Lianheng donated: 200 yuan in cash!"

"Ho-"

Accompanied by a burst of exclamations, the onlookers burst into applause and cheers.

Two hundred dollars in cash is already a lot.

There are also rules for donating money. Whether it’s too much or too little, you always have to consider other people’s face and you can’t “overstep your boundaries” at will.

The Young Marshal donated only 2,000 yuan in cash to Shanghai in his personal name, but the wealth of the Zhang family is among the best in the country.

What's more, Jiang Lianheng was recently forced by the provincial government to subscribe to 300,000 government bonds.

Although the Fengpiao is in a hurry at the moment, it is still a heavy blow to the Jiang family. At this juncture, they are really unwilling to pay more.

Moreover, the amount of funds raised by major cities in the Far East was mostly only 18,000 yuan.

Jiang Lianheng had made many donations in the past, but most of them were fraudulent. This time he was serious, so he naturally had a clear conscience.

Reporters were busy taking notes and taking photos. It is conceivable that tomorrow's newspapers would contain a lot of praise for the Jiang family.

But at this moment, Jiang Lianheng still had to put on a ashamed attitude.

"President Chen, please don't shout like that. The strength of one person is not as good as the strength of ten thousand people. No matter how much money we have, we all have the same desire to save the country. I am just taking the lead, and I hope you will help us."

After a few polite words, the workers who came to donate gradually took action.

The crowd formed a long line and walked to the donation box one by one and stuffed the donations they had raised into the box.

As the organizer of the fan club, Jiang Lianheng would naturally bow to express his gratitude whenever someone donated money.

Wang Zhengnan stood behind him, helping to introduce the conditions of each factory from time to time.

"Brother, this is someone from the Fengtian Spinning Mill."

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you!" Jiang Lianheng shook hands with the workers, showing his full gesture, and thanked them with a smile, "Thank you for your generous donation!"

Next came the Fengtian Electric Light Factory, the Ordnance Factory, the Clothing Factory, the Soda Factory...

Wang Zhengnan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurriedly whispered in Jiang Lianheng's ear: "Brother, the people from the printing factory are here."

Jiang Lianheng took a look and saw that the person who came was none other than Lao Meng from the printing factory with whom he had negotiated.

"Mr. Meng, thank you for your support. Is everything okay at home?" "Uh... everything is fine. Thank you Boss Jiang for your care!"

Old Meng felt a little uncomfortable. He shook hands with Jiang Lianheng as if he was guilty, but he didn't dare to look him in the eye.

He has tasted the sweetness of working for the Jiang family, and now he lives a happy life. Although he has not openly joined the family, he is actually half a member of the Jiang family.

After Lao Meng left, another worker came into the shed.

The man looked to be in his late 40s, with a dark complexion, a sturdy physique, and years of frostbite on his hands. He could be easily identified even in the summer.

He lowered his head and walked into the shed, getting closer and closer to Jiang Lianheng, his brows furrowed more and more, and finally he stopped, stunned, and looked a little dazed.

"Hello--"

Jiang Lianheng smiled at him, turned to Nanfeng and asked, "Who is this?"

Unexpectedly, Wang Zhengnan also frowned and asked the worker directly: "Hey, what's your name, which factory are you from?"

"Oh, my name is Li Qun." The worker introduced himself, "I work at the Chengxi Hemp Factory."

"Fengtian Hemp Manufacturing Co., Ltd.?"

"Correct."

"Hiss, isn't your factory forcibly controlled by the Japanese military police?" Wang Zhengnan was slightly surprised.

"But we can't live in the factory, right?" Li Qun said with a wry smile, "We still have to work shifts, otherwise no one can handle it."

“Then your donations…”

"Oh, Xiao Dongyang is too strict. The factory doesn't allow fundraising. I collected all this privately. There are only about ten people in total, and the money is not much."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Lianheng smiled and continued, "The money is not a lot, and the labor is not easy. No matter how much money it is, it is rare to have such a thoughtful attitude!"

As he said this, he extended his right hand towards him.

Li Qun was stunned for a moment, then he remembered and hurried over to shake hands. He looked at Jiang Lianheng again, sizing up his features.

His hands were heavy, calloused, and rough, like the bark of an old tree.

Jiang Lianheng didn't care. Most workers' hands were like this, but Li Qun's situation was more serious.

"Thank you for the support of the workers in the hemp factory. If you have any difficulties in the future, you can go to Lianhe Xijiahang to ask."

"Okay, I've always heard that Boss Jiang is kind and righteous, and today I finally get to meet him in person."

"You've never seen me before?"

“Never been this close.”

Jiang Lianheng smiled and still didn't care.

Li Qun nodded slightly, pretending to be calm, and then left.

"Come back!" Jiang Lianheng suddenly called him.

Li Qun turned around and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.

Jiang Lianheng noticed something, frowned, pointed to the donation box beside him, and said with a smile: "Friend, you haven't donated yet!"

"Oh, look at what this has caused..."

Li Qun hurried back, groping in his arms, and laughed at himself: "I have a brain like this, I have forgotten what I came here for, I am so embarrassed!"

Jiang Lianheng watched him take out a cloth bag from his arms, put it on the donation box, spread it out, and stuff the small copper coins and a few Mao bills into the box through the opening of the box.

However, he still didn't notice anything obviously different, nor did he become wary.

It's not that he is careless, but as the leader of the group for more than a decade, he has long been accustomed to the uneasy feelings of outsiders in his presence.

Li Qun's reaction is by no means an isolated case.

Jiang Lianheng had lost count of how many people were terrified and at a loss in front of him.

To put it another way, if everyone can remain calm in front of him, then what's the point of him being the leader?
Suddenly, the voice of a reporter was heard from the crowd.

"Mr. Jiang, Mr. Jiang, can you take a photo with the workers? We might use it in our pictorial!"

"Okay!"

Jiang Lianheng answered very straightforwardly, and then took the opportunity to keep Li Qun and invite him to take a photo together.

After all, the reason why he took the lead in donating was to gain reputation, so he naturally would not refuse any request from the reporter.

The two men stood separately from each other with the donation box between them, and shook hands again at the request of the reporter.

"Crack!"

A strong light flashed, accompanied by a crisp shutter sound, and the two people left their own light and shadows.

However, the current photo printing technology is really not satisfactory. Although the photos have been preserved, it is still unknown whether they will have the chance to be published in the newspaper.

"alright, alright!"

Wang Zhengnan suddenly came over and whispered, "Brother, we have to hurry up, there are so many people waiting!"

Jiang Lianheng nodded, then turned sideways and smiled as he bid farewell to Li Qun.

"Come on, next one!" Wang Zhengnan then introduced in a low voice, "Brother, this person is from the Fengtian British American Tobacco Company, he is one of our own!"

The fundraising activity lasted until the afternoon.

Jiang Lianheng was very patient. Even when passers-by came to donate money, he would greet them with a smile, thank them, and see them off.

It can be said that today he has fully assumed the roles of both a "national entrepreneur" and a "patriotic philanthropist".

The many spectators at the fundraising site were reluctant to leave, and everyone was whispering about Jiang Lianheng's good deeds.

At this moment, if anyone wants to inquire about the Jiang family's industry or Jiang Lianheng's history of making a fortune, they will naturally not be suspected. Instead, people will still compete to praise them!

After donating the money, Li Qun did not leave, but quietly retreated to a nearby place and silently watched the situation in the donation shed.

Suddenly, a laborer came over, suppressed his excitement, and said in a trembling voice: "Brother, what do you think? I really think that Boss Jiang looks a little familiar!"

"It does look alike, especially the eyebrows. They look a lot like that kid back then..."

Li Qun muttered, "The question is, are you sure?"

"Jiang Chenghai's last name is Jiang, and his last name is also Jiang. Isn't that certain enough?"

"There are many people with the last name Jiang. Don't be so sure. It's been more than 20 years. Tell me honestly, do you still remember what that boy looks like?"

Even so, Li Qun himself was trembling slightly because of the throbbing in his heart.

His words were more like an attempt to force himself to calm down than an effort to be rigorous.

"Go ask again," Li Qun turned to his junior brother and instructed, "Today is the best time to find out about his family's background. Even if you ask a few more questions, it won't make people suspicious. Ask his elders. I don't believe that a rich man like him didn't get help from his elders."

"it is good!"

The fellow apprentice beside him responded and turned to merge into the crowd.

Good fortune and misfortune are all self-inflicted; enemies will always come together.

The world is unpredictable, rivers converge, and in the blink of an eye, twenty-two years have passed.

Jiang Lianheng knew nothing about this, but his enemies did not dare to act rashly...

(End of this chapter)