Respectfully

The day when Miss Six and Miss Seven of the Lou family got married was finally set.

Mrs. Lou, Mrs. Qian and Mrs. Du specially asked the most famous character tester in Guanbei City to calculate that May 1912, 5 in the Gregorian calendar, the sixth day of April in the Lunar Renzi Year, is a good day for marriage.

"Aren't you in a hurry?" Mrs. Qian looked at the post written by Mr. Cezi, and it was a little too late, it was less than fifteen days.

"Except for this day, we have to wait until next month." Mrs. Lou said: "Yisi month and Wuxu day, it is rare that there is no collision. I have also discussed with the commander-in-chief. If we can do it as soon as possible, we should do it as soon as possible."

"That's right." Madam Du nodded, "The situation is getting more and more chaotic, who knows if there will be a fight tomorrow. It would be great if we can settle the matter earlier."

Seeing that Mrs. Lou and Mrs. Du had the same meaning, Mrs. Qian had no choice but to give up.Thinking of what Mr. Chezi said, indeed, if you miss this day, you will have to move to the next month, and the days of the month are not as good as this day, and there is some conflict with the birth date of the Seventh Miss of the Lou family, so you have to postpone it.If this day drags on, there will be more accidents, and now the north and the south are at war, who knows what will happen?

"Fortunately, everything is almost prepared in advance."

The three wives made up their minds and began to check the preparations for the wedding one by one. Mrs. Lou specially asked the girl to call Li Jinyan, "Go and invite Master Yan."

Madam Qian and Madam Du paused in their movements, and looked at Madam Lou in unison.

"I'm getting old, and there are always times when I don't have enough energy." Mrs. Lou said with a smile: "I think I can relax for a while by asking him to help."

"Madam is so lucky." Madam Qian said, "Young Master Yan is capable. Take a look at the soap factory and Jiahua factory outside the city. Who doesn't give a thumbs up?"

"Isn't it?" Mrs. Du chimed in, "My natal sister-in-law even asked me to bring her soap and cream. As you all know, her family is a big family in the south, and her elder brother is still working in a foreign firm. His eyes are always above the top. , I just feel that domestic products are not as easy to use as foreign ones, but what about now? Why don’t you just wait for me to give her something?”

"Not to mention, my sister also entrusted me to do this." Madam Qian clapped her hands, "The new eyebrow pencil and powder are really easy to use, but it's a pity that I have to wait for them every time I go to buy them." For a long time, sometimes I still can’t buy it. When Master Yan comes, I have to have the cheek to ask for some. My brother has opened two commercial firms in Shanghai. A while ago, I wrote a letter saying that Lou’s creams and lipsticks are used by foreigners. Young Master Yan doesn't dislike him, can you take care of his business?"

"You're a scumbag!" Mrs. Lou scolded with a smile, "My family only earns some pocket money, and you're still thinking about it."

Mrs. Qian couldn't stop talking once she opened it, and Mrs. Du also helped to make fun of it. The two ladies could see from Mrs. Lou's behavior that the Lou family was deliberately flattering Li Jinyan.Thinking of those who secretly planned to send someone to Lou's house, both of them shook their heads.This is really fascinated by wealth and power, only thinking that Li Jinyan is an infertility, if the girl sent to Lou's house can give birth to a son and a half daughter, it will be a phoenix in one step.I don't even think about it, if the Lou family really meant this, would it be their turn?

Qian Boxi and Du Yuzhang fought with Marshal Lou for decades, and the wives also had a lot of contacts. They all knew that there was an arrogant and domineering third concubine in the Marshal's backyard in the early years, so they could guess Mrs. Lou attitude towards such things.

Even if Young Marshal Lou wants to take a concubine in the future, that is the Lou family's own business, and the people around should go and rest where they are cool.

The three wives were talking, the girl reported back that Master Yan was not there and had gone out.

"Going out? When did you leave?" Mrs. Lou asked.

The girl replied: "The serving girl said that Young Master Yan accepted the post from the chamber of commerce and left early this morning."

Chamber of Commerce post?

It was only then that Mrs. Lou remembered that there were indeed several "Chinese Merchants Associations" in Guanbei City, all of which were spontaneously formed by businessmen.After the opening of the Qing Dynasty, foreign goods and foreign merchants poured in, and the north was full of Russian and Japanese merchants. If the local merchants wanted to survive, they had to unite.

Some big businesses take the lead, and almost every industry has similar organizations.It's just that the organization is loose, the scale is not large, and there is no way to do things.Later, with the official permission of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Six Northern Provinces, the situation improved.It is not easy to join such a chamber of commerce, not to mention capital, character is also very important.

Those who oppress their peers for the sake of being rich or unkind or gaining influence from foreigners will definitely not be accepted.

Li Jinyan previously contacted the soap factories in Tianjin and Shanghai to fight against the Japanese soap factories, which is somewhat similar to the purpose of the chamber of commerce, except that this kind of local chamber of commerce mostly pursues "local protectionism."Not only foreigners were excluded, but even businessmen from other provinces were difficult to be accepted.

"Since we're going to do business, let's forget it." Mrs. Lou told the girl to go down, "Let's take a look first, and I'll tell Yan'er when he comes back."

"Alright."

Li Jinyan did not expect that he would receive a post from the chamber of commerce, and it was also the general chamber of commerce of the six northern provinces.His first reaction when he received the post was confusion. After all, he had never known that there was such an organization in the six northern provinces before. His second reaction was still confusion. As far as he knew, the factories he was running now included clothing factories and soap factories. Hejiahua Factory is the only one in the six northern provinces, and it has nothing to do with any business in the chamber of commerce. Even the silver house and pawn shop that the old lady gave him, and the restaurant and teahouse that came from the Li family are also It's not a big business, why did it fall into the eyes of these people?

Can't figure it out, Li Jinyan didn't rush to the appointment, but went to find Master Li San.

Li Qingyun saw the post in Li Jinyan's hand and slapped his thigh, "I'm to blame for this! I'm to blame for not reminding you."

"what?"

After some explanation by Mr. Li San, Li Jinyan realized that it was indeed his negligence.No matter what industry he is in, after the factory starts, he should say hello to the general chamber of commerce and send a greeting card.

"This is the rule in the industry." Li Qingyun said: "At the beginning when the second elder brother took over the family's cloth business, the Li family also insisted on one thing in the general chamber of commerce. Later, the second elder brother went to the south and was replaced by Li Qingchang, not to mention that the business plummeted. , Even the Li family was squeezed out in the Chamber of Commerce. Now they took the initiative to send you a post, no matter what, you are going to the appointment. "

Li Jinyan was stunned, this is the so-called pier worship?

Li Qingyun glanced at him, "What are you talking about, all the people in the chamber of commerce are serious businessmen, it has nothing to do with those gangsters!"

"I see." Li Jinyan hurriedly said: "Third uncle, this post didn't say that only one of me was invited, so you can go with me then. After all, I am young, and there are ten out of ten people in the chamber of commerce. They're all older than me. With you here, you can help put things down."

"Nephew, what you said is wrong." Li Qingyun turned the wrench on his hand, "What is your identity now? What are their identities? To put it bluntly, even if you don't have an official status, you are still an out-and-out official." "Officials and businessmen", just like the red-capped businessmen back then, but standing behind us are the ones from the six northern provinces!" Master Li San raised his thumb, "It doesn't matter how old they are or how much capital they have, I have to give you some points Save face. Otherwise, why would I take the initiative to send you a post?"

Li Jinyan grinned, it was because he thought badly, he also thought that the bigwigs in these chambers of commerce are equivalent to the chairman of the top [-] domestic companies, and he is just a young boy who has just started, so naturally he has some stage fright. Not so!

He is an out-and-out rich N generation, and he is still hugging Marshal Lou's thigh, a standard collusion between government and business... No, a combination of government and business!If these Chamber of Commerce bosses were powered by steam engines, he would have already reached diesel engines!

After figuring this out, Li Jinyan didn't feel guilty anymore, but he still took Li Qingyun to go to the appointment with him, "Third Uncle, I'm not very good at dealing with these people, so I need your help."

Master Li San had nothing to do, so he had to agree.

"By the way, I have something to tell you too."

"what's up?"

"The eldest girl is going to get married at the end of the month. Seeing what the old lady means, I hope you can come back."

"At the end of the month?" Li Jinyan was a little surprised, "Didn't uncle just leave?"

"That's right, it's time to get things done in Rexiao." Li Qingyun said, "Otherwise, you'll have to wait another year or so, and the big girl will be over twenty."

Li Jinyan didn't answer, thinking of the two young ladies of the Lou family who were only about to get married at the age of fifteen or sixteen, compared to them, Li Jinqin was indeed a bit "old".

"Jincheng's errand has also been settled," Li Qingyun continued: "I have been a regiment-level staff officer in the government army. I heard that the Xing family initially found him an errand in the Ministry of Finance, but he pushed him away. He wanted to join the army. Unexpectedly, Xing Changgeng said that he had ambition, and arranged for him to join the army in a blink of an eye. After all, the people around the president have many connections!"

Regimental staff?

Li Jinyan opened his mouth wide. For Li Jincheng, who had just graduated from the military academy and had no actual combat experience, this position was almost a step up to the sky.But will Li Jincheng be willing?If he joined the army because he wanted to make contributions, he might not be as good as a platoon leader as a regiment-level staff officer, right?

After all, strictly speaking, the staff officers do not lead soldiers.

"What are you thinking about?" Li Qingyun patted Li Jinyan's shoulder, "Why are you in a daze?"

"It's nothing." Li Jinyan shook his head and waved the post from the Chamber of Commerce in his hand, "Third Uncle, this matter is settled, and I will pick you up when the time comes."

"You kid, you're sure to eat your third uncle, aren't you?"

"Third Uncle, you said that you would only follow your nephew's lead!"

"You!"

After leaving the Jiahua factory, Li Jinyan returned to the Marshal's Mansion, and was arrested by Mrs. Lou without any accident. Thinking that this was his own responsibility, Li Sanshao could only bite the bullet and sit on the sofa, listening to Lou. Madam arranged the wedding one by one, and asked him about certain details from time to time to see if he remembered it.

Depressed, Li Sanshao thought of the "happy and unrestrained" Marshal Lou who was away from home for a day in the military camp, and couldn't help but mutter in his heart: Why is there such a big difference? !

Young Marshal Lou, who was having a meeting with several regiment leaders in the barracks, suddenly sneezed several times. When he wiped his nose and looked up, the audience was silent, and everyone stared at him with wide eyes.

Young Marshal Lou's face turned cold, "What?"

"no!"

Everyone spoke in unison, and all they had to do was stand up and increase their momentum.

Young Marshal Lou sat upright, waved his hand, "Continue!"

Therefore, those who should speak continued to speak, and those who should watch continued to watch.But I was thinking about one thing in my heart. It turns out that the young marshal can also sneeze...

There are still five days before the wedding at Lou's family. Li Jinyan is so busy that he beats the back of his head, wishing he could grow three heads and six arms. Another big event happened in China. On the day of celebrating his 50th birthday, Han Anshan, the governor of Shandong Province, was assassinated !

Wu Sheng and Lao Dan in the theater troupe were singing on stage, when they suddenly took out two twenty-gun box cannons from their arms, and fired several times at Han Anshan who was sitting at the front and the important officials from Shandong Province next to him. gun.

The guards on the side immediately rushed forward, Marshal Han also reacted very quickly, immediately fell to the ground, rolled to the side, escaped with the skills he had cultivated in his military career for more than 20 years, only suffered minor injuries, and had no time to escape. The chief and other officials who were close to him were not so lucky, and they all died on the spot.

The two people who were assassinated were shot dead on the spot, and all the troupe members were detained. After interrogation, it was found that a Xiaodan was also dropped.

Marshal Han became ruthless, he didn't keep anyone who was close to him, and shot them all, even the steward who invited the theater troupe in his mansion didn't escape.And that Xiaodan couldn't survive the sentence and died in prison.But the jailer could tell from his accent that he should be a southerner.Now it's a hornet's nest.

Han Anshan sent a telegram directly to President Sima, bluntly saying that the south used to call for the thief to catch the thief with Song Zhou's incident, and now it is blatantly assassinating important officials in the north.

Immediately afterwards, something happened in Guanbei City. When the car with the flag of the Marshal's Mansion was driving to the middle of Changning Street, a bomb was suddenly thrown in front of the car. Li Jinyan and Mrs. Lou were sitting in the car. Hearing someone shouting a bomb, Li Jinyan Hurry to protect Mrs. Lou.

Pedestrians on the street were also frightened by the smoking bomb and ran away in panic. Fortunately, the bomb was filled with black powder, which was not very powerful and did not hurt a few people, but Mrs. Lou was still frightened.

Li Jinyan had no choice but to let the car take Mrs. Lou back to the Marshal's Mansion first, then sent someone to invite the doctor, and stayed behind to appease the frightened crowd, and sent the innocent and injured people to the hospital.

"Don't worry, everyone, the Lou family will pay for the medical expenses and all other expenses, just rest in peace and recuperate. Those who dare to commit crimes in the street will be severely punished!"

Before the panicked crowd dispersed, the police chief arrived in person. When he heard that Mrs. Lou and Mrs. Lou were in trouble, he was so frightened that he slid from his chair to the ground.

Is this going to stab the sky? !

It was only after arriving at the scene that they realized that neither of them were injured, Mrs. Lou had been sent back to the Marshal's Mansion, Li Jinyan was comforting the injured people, and several soldiers guarded Li Jinyan.Director Zhao rushed forward, not caring to wipe off the sweat from his brow, and said repeatedly: "Master Yan, ancestor, you can't stay here, what if someone hides in the crowd and shoots?"

"Director Zhao, I can't help it. I can't leave the injured people alone, can I? They are all dragged down." This matter is obviously aimed at the Lou's family. If these injured people are left alone, after the newspaper Once written, even if the Lou family is not at fault, they will be splashed with dirty water.Li Jinyan clearly saw a few reporters holding smoking flashlights standing behind the crowd!These reporters came a little too fast...

"Hey, I'll take care of this." Zhao Huanshan also saw the reporters behind the crowd and had to admire Li Jinyan, but he still couldn't let him stay here.

A dozen or so policemen followed behind him. Hearing the director's words, he immediately stepped forward to evacuate the crowd and take care of the wounded.

Basically, everything that should be done has been done. Li Jinyan knew that it was useless for him to stay here, and he had to make trouble for Director Zhao, so he left very simply under the protection of his soldiers.

When Li Jinyan walked away, Zhao Huanshan's face suddenly fell, and he grabbed the policeman in charge of Changning Street's security investigation by the collar, gritted his teeth: "Even if you dig three feet into the ground, you have to find out this matter for me!"

"Yes!"

When Li Jinyan returned to the Marshal's Mansion, he saw that the doctor with a long beard floating on his chest was prescribing a prescription, so he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "How is it, Doctor?"

Seeing that it was Li Jinyan, the kind-faced old doctor cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Madam was just shocked, it's okay, but I want to congratulate the family."

"Ah?" You were almost blown up by a bomb, what is there to congratulate?

"The Marshal's wife is happy. Calculated by the day, it has been more than two months. Shouldn't I congratulate you?"

"Really?"

"What you said is true?!"

The two questions were almost stacked together. Li Jinyan turned his head and saw Marshal Lou and Marshal Lou walked in one after another. Marshal Lou looked surprised, and while rubbing his big hands, he asked, "Doctor Liu, what are you doing?" You can't lie to me!"

Young Marshal Lou walked up to Li Jinyan in a few steps, didn't say anything, just looked him up and down, making Li Jinyan feel very uncomfortable, always felt that Young Marshal Lou was picking his clothes with his eyes.

"Marshal, how could this old man lie to you?" The doctor smiled and shook his head. After writing the prescription, he put down his pen and blew the ink on the paper. Be careful not to be frightened again."

Li Jinyan wrote down one by one.

Lou Dashuai wanted to see Mrs. Lou, but the girl told her that she had fallen asleep, and the doctor also said that Mrs. Lou was frightened and needed to rest.Marshal Lou couldn't go into the bedroom, so he had to wander around the room twice, and suddenly turned around without warning and punched Marshal Lou on the shoulder, "Damn it, I'm 58, this is going to be an old man kid? Haha..."

Seeing the handsome Lou like this, Li Jinyan was speechless.

Marshal Lou said expressionlessly, "Father is as powerful as a dragon and a tiger, and has the spirit of a dragon and a horse. No one can do it. My son admires it."

Marshal Lou: "..."

Li Jinyan: "..." Said these words with a blank face and a flat tone, does it really mean admiration?

The old doctor shook his head, held back his laughter, and pulled Li Jinyan to give some instructions in a low voice. Although Mrs. Lou is well maintained, she is already in her forties, and she is pregnant at an advanced age.

"I see, doctor." Li Jinyan nodded again and again, 45 years old is also an advanced maternal age in later generations, "Apart from these, is there anything else that needs to be paid attention to?"

"And..."

The old doctor was telling Li Jinyan that Mr. Lou was so angry that Mr. Lou was so angry that someone walked in quickly with a telegram. When he saw Mr. Lou and Mr. Lou, he didn't care about the other people in the room. , Immediately said: "Marshal, Marshal, let's fight! Han Anshan led the army into Jiangsu!"

"what?!"