Republic of China, 1922: Rise from the Post-Zhili-Fengtian War

Two days later, in Jinzhou.

Above the entrance to the former site of the Chamber of Commerce, a brand-new plaque has been installed—"Jinzhou General Chamber of Commerce," with black lacquer and gold lettering that stands out prominently in the sunlight.

The stone lions at the entrance were adorned with new red silk ribbons, and large red couplets were pasted on the pillars on both sides. The first line read, "Commerce flows throughout the world, bringing abundant wealth," and the second line read, "Gathering thousands of families, business prospers." The horizontal inscription read, "Harmony brings wealth."

Firecracker debris covered the ground, a bright red carpet spread across the bluestone path.

Li Mao stood at the door, dressed in a brand-new dark blue robe and mandarin jacket, with a melon-shaped hat on his head and black cloth shoes on his feet, looking exactly like a wealthy merchant.

But the expression on his face didn't look like someone coming to take office at all—fine beads of sweat were seeping from his forehead, his lips were trembling slightly, and his hands were constantly rubbing together, just like a duck being herded onto a shelf.

"President Li, why don't you smile?" Zhou Ran couldn't help but whisper a reminder.

Li Mao forced a smile, which looked more like a grimace.

He was genuinely afraid.

Lu Shoulian's body was barely cold when he took this position. Those old foxes in Jinzhou's business circles might not say it to his face, but they were probably cursing him in their hearts.

But Master Gu asked him to come, so he dared not disobey.

"Here he comes! Master Gu is here!" Yang Song ran over from the street corner and shouted loudly.

Li Mao shuddered and quickly straightened his back, frantically straightening his clothes, trying his best to look like a chairman.

A black sedan slowly pulled up in front of the Chamber of Commerce. The door opened, and Gu Cheng stepped out first.

Today he wasn't wearing a military uniform, but a dark gray Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed, making him look like a young talent who had returned from studying abroad.

Zhang Tingshu followed behind him, also dressed casually, with a smile on his lips, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

Li Mao hurriedly went to greet him and bowed deeply: "Master Gu, you've arrived."

Gu Cheng glanced at him, then patted him on the shoulder: "President Li, you're the star today, don't be nervous."

Li Mao nodded repeatedly, but his heart was still trembling.

Just as I was about to walk in, I heard the sound of a car engine behind me.

A black sedan came to a smooth stop, the door opened, and a man with gray hair but a vigorous spirit, wearing a dark blue long gown, stepped out of the car.

Feng Delin.

Following closely behind him getting off the car was his only son, Feng Yong. Gu Cheng was taken aback upon seeing him, then quickly went to greet him: "Uncle, what brings you here?"

Feng Delin snorted, his eyes shrewdly scanning the surroundings, and said with a sneer, "You little brat, you've made quite a scene! After this, will you still recognize the Feng family?"

Gu Cheng quickly smiled apologetically, "Look at what you're saying! I was just thinking that the Chamber of Commerce's affairs were more important. Once I'm done with this busy period—"

Feng Delin snorted again: "Don't give me that crap! Busy, busy, busy every day. I'm getting bored in Fengtian. Your brother's free too, so we came to Jinzhou together to see what you've managed to do."

Feng Yong was about to greet Gu Cheng when his arrogant father suddenly strode into the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

"Oh, Father, Father!"

Feng Yong looked helpless and called out "Dad" twice, but Feng Delin was already nowhere to be seen. However, his loud voice still rang out: "Dad? What Dad? Are you just standing at the door like a gatekeeper?!"

The group exchanged smiles, and Feng Yong, feeling particularly helpless, walked inside alongside Gu Cheng, saying, "Dad didn't sleep well last night, he kept insisting on coming, saying that with him there, some old foxes and shady businessmen wouldn't dare to cause you any trouble."

Gu Cheng was deeply moved.

After retiring, Feng Delin focused on business and still has a considerable network of connections. The old man may be sharp-tongued, but he knows better than anyone else what's going on—

Today's scene is not only to support Li Mao, but also to show those opportunists in Jinzhou's business community who Gu Cheng has powerful backers.

He smiled and continued, following Feng Yong's words, "Now that my uncle is here, I feel more at ease. Those old foxes aren't afraid of me, but they should be afraid of him."

There was still more than an hour before the inauguration ceremony, and the servants were busy preparing.

Feng Delin ignored all of that, walked straight to the main table after entering, plopped down, and his eyes were already scanning the room. He muttered to himself, "So-so," before asking, "Jingchuan, who did you invite today?"

Gu Cheng gave a brief overview of the list, indicating that all the prominent businessmen from Jinzhou had been invited: "In addition, several merchants who are close to Lu Shoulian but not directly involved have also been invited. It's not to give them face, but to give them an opportunity—to let them see that the wind has changed and to choose sides as soon as possible."

Feng Delin nodded, then asked, "You know there are Japanese merchants in Jinzhou City, right? There are four in total... Where are they?"

Gu Cheng shook his head: "This is a matter for our Northeast region. Why invite these Japanese? If they come and cause trouble, that would be truly bad luck!"

Feng Delin looked at him, nodded meaningfully, and then shook his head slightly: "Something's not quite right... If you and your people want to stabilize the business community in Jinzhou, you can't avoid these little Japanese."

Gu Cheng nodded, but Gao Tianqi said, "Third Master, we feel that these Japanese are all restless, so there's no need to go out of our way to get on their good side."

Feng Delin glanced at Gu Cheng, then turned his gaze to Gao Tianqi.

Although the old man had a very strange temper, he was still polite to scholars at heart: "Young man Gao, you can't say that... Although these Japanese are no good, as the saying goes, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. We have to be polite to them. If something really happens and we fall out in the future, it won't be that we're in the wrong."

Gu Cheng understood Feng Delin's meaning: It's unlikely that even the Marshal would want to turn against them, let alone them.

Rather than that, the superficial work still needs to be done properly.

Thinking of this, Gu Cheng nodded and said, "Yes, Uncle, you are right—all guests are welcome, and we will do our best to show them courtesy."

Feng Delin looked at him and nodded, saying, "But don't be too polite to these Japanese devils. Sometimes you have to teach them a lesson."

As they were talking, a servant trotted in from the doorway and said that Wang Yongjiang had also arrived.

Feng Delin glanced at Gu Cheng and thought to himself that this pedantic scholar was quite accommodating.

He then stood up and straightened the hem of his long robe: "Let's go take a look."

A servant led the group through the gate. Wang Yongjiang looked up and saw Feng Delin at the head of the group. He was slightly taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Oh! Third Master, you've arrived too?"

Feng Delin smiled: "Our family's small business always involves Jinzhou. Thinking about Chairman Li taking office, I had to come and see if there was anything I could do to help."

Moreover, Chairman Li was always diligent and conscientious in managing the accounts during his time in the 11th Mixed Brigade, and there were never any mistakes. Now that he has been elected as the chairman of the Jinzhou Chamber of Commerce, it is a well-deserved honor. My son and I naturally had to come.”

Wang Yongjiang smiled, but everyone present knew perfectly well what was going on:

Li Maoneng was able to get the position entirely because of Gu Cheng's influence... If it weren't for Gu Cheng being the highest-ranking official in Jinzhou, he would never have gotten the chairmanship.