The Bund Chronicles: Chapter 26 - Literary Talent in Libin, Martial Prowess in Lichuan

"Mr. Libin, studying Western learning can also help one cultivate oneself, bring order to one's family, and govern the nation."

Chen Lin’s gaze rested on the cover of *The Wealth of Nations* as his tone deepened. "The Gengzi Incident has already proven that the knowledge we scholars once obsessed over can no longer address the realities of this world."

At the mention of the "Gengzi Incident," a fire ignited in both their eyes. The humiliation of the foreign powers' sturdy ships and powerful guns breaching the gates of the Great Qing Empire was a pain carved into the bones of every patriotic soul.

Libin stood up abruptly, his fists clenched tight, his voice trembling with agitation. "Brother Chen, you are right! When the foreigners' gunboats sailed into the Yangtze, and their rifles and cannons decimated the Green Standard Army, the value of the eight-legged essay examinations vanished into thin air!"

Chen Lin picked up *The Wealth of Nations* from the table and handed it to Libin. "Mr. Libin, if you read this alone, you can only change yourself. So many scholars in the Great Qing want to open their eyes to the world, but not everyone understands foreign languages. Why don't you translate these books? Let more people read them, merge the practicality of Western learning with the benevolence and righteousness of Confucianism, and create a new school of thought!"

These words were like a spark, instantly igniting the blood in Libin’s veins.

What scholar could refuse the temptation of "writing books and establishing a legacy that lasts for eternity"? His eyes shone with startling intensity, and his breathing grew shallow.

But the excitement did not last long before he let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping. "Alas..."

"Brother Libin, why the sigh?" Chen Lin asked.

"Brother Chen, you are right," Libin said with a bitter smile, his fingertips tracing the spine of the book. "But opening a bookstore costs a fortune. My family is poor; I have to scrimp and save just to stay in an inn. How could I possibly afford it?"

"I will handle the money," Chen Lin said, suddenly smiling with a tone of certainty. "I happen to know someone who can help us source a vast quantity of foreign books. However, this bookstore project needs to be led by you, Brother Libin."

"Time to eat!" Liu Lihua’s voice drifted in from the courtyard, carrying a plate of sliced ham.

Seeing Chen Lin holding Wang Libin’s hand, she froze in her tracks—they had only been apart for a moment, so how had these two become as thick as old friends?

Chen Lin quickly let go, his earlobes flushing as he explained awkwardly, "Mr. Libin is a kindred spirit. We were just discussing Western learning and found we had much in common."

"You two?" Liu Lihua pointed at them, her eyes full of confusion.

"Yes, we want to cooperate to open a bookstore in the Concession to introduce Western learning to scholars," Chen Lin said, unable to hide the smile on his face—he had been fumbling in the dark alone, but now that he had met someone who shared his vision, he no longer felt so isolated.

"I'm back," Liu Lichuan’s voice came from the doorway, a cloth bag in his hand.

"Good day, Brother Chuan!" Chen Lin and Libin greeted him almost simultaneously.

Liu Lichuan, however, squinted at Chen Lin, his tone tinged with impatience. "Why are you here again?"

Chen Lin was stunned—the last time they met, he had been quite warm. Why the sudden cold shoulder? Had he offended him somehow?

"Brother Chuan, I came to see Miaomiao and, while I was at it, to pay Lihua for her stay at the inn," Chen Lin quickly explained, pulling a few silver dollars from his robe.

Liu Lichuan snorted inwardly—seeing Miaomiao was just an excuse; his real intention was to see his sister!

"Brother, let's eat together. Chen Lin brought a lot of foreign food," Liu Lihua said, sensing the tension and quickly smoothing things over as she pulled Liu Lichuan into the room.

When they entered, the table was already set: slices of ham glistening with oil, buttered bread arranged neatly in a bamboo basket, and a dish of creamy condensed milk on the side.

Miaomiao was already seated, her small hands resting on her knees, her large eyes blinking as she stared at the food like a kitten waiting to be fed.

Liu Lichuan followed Chen Lin’s lead, picking up a slice of ham, dipping it in the condensed milk, tucking it into the bread, and taking a large bite. After chewing twice, he frowned and shook his head. "This foreign steamed bun is too dry and hard; it’s not as good as our own white flour buns."

Chen Lin and Libin were eating with refinement, and seeing him speak with a mouthful of food, looking all muddled, they couldn't help but laugh.

"Brother Chuan, thank you for your trouble regarding my second brother," Chen Lin set down his food, his tone sincere. "If the Small Sword Society ever needs anything in the future, just come to me."

He had learned from Liu Lihua that the gang led by Liu Lichuan was the Small Sword Society.

"What help could you possibly offer?" Liu Lichuan cast him a sidelong glance, his tone still cold.

Chen Lin was even more puzzled—they had been calling each other brothers last time, so why did it feel like he had eaten gunpowder now? He thought for a moment and decided to offer a suggestion: "Brother Chuan, I can provide financial support. In the coming years, the docks in the Concession will develop rapidly, and many strong young men will gather there. If the Small Sword Society wants to expand its influence in Shanghai, you might want to focus on the docks."

He knew these areas would eventually be controlled by the Green Gang; rather than letting others take them, it was better for Liu Lichuan to lay the groundwork early.

At these words, Liu Lichuan stopped chewing, his brow furrowing as he fell into deep thought. He had long anticipated the growth of trade in Shanghai, which was why he had traveled north to establish his gang; Chen Lin’s words had struck a chord.

"Chen Lin, here is a gift for you." Liu Lichuan suddenly pulled a small knife from his tunic—it was less than a foot long including the handle, the blade wrapped in a leather sheath, with a striking red handle.

When Liu Lihua saw the knife, her pupils constricted, and she hurriedly tugged on Liu Lichuan’s sleeve. "Brother, what are you doing..."

"Don't speak!" Liu Lichuan interrupted her, staring seriously at Chen Lin.

Chen Lin acted as if he saw nothing unusual, taking the knife with both hands and speaking with respect. "Thank you for this generous gift, Brother Chuan. I accept."

"When you have time, come visit the headquarters. I will introduce a few people to you." Liu Lichuan’s tone softened—he knew he couldn't stop Chen Lin from seeing his sister, so, in light of Chen Lin’s capabilities, he decided to make an exception and let him into the Small Sword Society.

Had Chen Lin refused just now, they would have become strangers from that point on.

Libin, oblivious to the ways of the underworld, kept his head down and focused on eating. He had nearly run out of travel funds, and to save on rent, he had been eating nothing but thin porridge twice a day; he was famished. If not for Liu Lihua’s occasional help, he might not have even had that.

"I will send a few men to follow you later," Liu Lichuan said suddenly, his eyes carrying a hint of warning. "You are different now; you’ve become a wealthy man. The word in the Concession is that you sold technology to the foreigners and made one hundred thousand silver dollars. People are watching you."

"Ah? Brother Chuan, you know about that?" Chen Lin looked shocked. "Actually, it wasn't that much—only fifty thousand silver dollars."

It had only been a few days since his deal with Dent; how had the news spread so quickly?

"Fifty thousand silver dollars? That much!" Liu Lihua was stunned as well—she worked at a clothing shop by day and helped watch the inn at night, earning only a few silver dollars a month; fifty thousand was an astronomical figure to her.

"It is not much," Chen Lin shook his head, his tone calm. "The technology I gave Dent can help them earn millions of taels every year."

"So Brother Chen is this wealthy. No wonder you can afford to sponsor my bookstore." Wang Libin, who had been listening, set down his knife and fork, his eyes wide with astonishment as he looked at Chen Lin.

Among them, Liu Lichuan was the eldest, Libin the next, and Chen Lin the youngest. Yet in terms of composure, Chen Lin seemed more like a mature man than both of them.

Chen Lin observed their reactions and felt secretly satisfied—now that he had the "literary" Wang Libin and the "martial" Liu Lichuan by his side, he was finally no longer fighting alone. Of course, they were not his subordinates, but kindred spirits.

"Brother Chuan, Brother Bin," Chen Lin’s tone turned solemn. "The foreigners opened this Concession not to help us get rich. They are here to plunder our wealth and suck our blood. Once they have taken their fill, they will swallow our Great Qing just as they swallowed India."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over them both. "Brother Bin studies Western learning to save the nation through knowledge; Brother Chuan built the Small Sword Society to gather people through force; as for me, Chen Lin, though I lack talent, I can at least earn the foreigners' money to help you two brothers achieve what you desire."

"Chen Lin, I was wrong about you before." Liu Lichuan looked at him, his tone finally softening, his eyes showing a touch of approval.

Liu Lihua watched Chen Lin intently, her eyes filled with admiration—this boy, even younger than herself, harbored such grand ambitions in his heart.

Wang Libin clenched his fists, his mind already beginning to envision it—fusing Western and Chinese learning to create a new school of thought and becoming a grandmaster of his generation.

Only Miaomiao kept her head down, gnawing on her bread, her small face smeared with a bit of condensed milk. In her heart, her big brother was the most remarkable person; whatever he said or did was right.

The night outside the window grew deeper, the candlelight in the room flickering, reflecting on their faces. In every pair of eyes shone a light—it was the hope for the future, and the determination to change their destiny.