boyutpedia Chapter 197 Everyone celebrates
Chapter 197 Everyone celebrates
"Kid! Give me one!"
"Give me one too!"
"And I!"
People who were having breakfast surrounded the newsboy and took out their money to buy newspapers!
These newspaper boys were mostly refugees who had fled from various provinces, and were around twelve or thirteen years old. The newspaper provided them with two meals a day, and they received one coin for every two newspapers sold.
The newsboys cherished their job. On a good day, they could earn several dozen coins, and even on a bad day, they could still earn a dozen or so. This income greatly reduced the financial burden on their families.
Now, every major city in Shandong is very well managed, and the streets are clean and tidy. Refugees who arrive are quickly picked up by the urban management bureau or the local street office, and after a medical check-up, they are given a job to support their families.
With the increasing number of factories and mines across Shandong, the urban population is also growing. There is no shortage of job opportunities in any industry.
As long as you don't slack off, you can always find a job.
This also attracted poor people from neighboring provinces to flock to Shandong, which the provincial government was happy to see, as it greatly alleviated the labor shortage in various industrial and mining enterprises.
"Excellent! Lord Marquis is indeed extraordinary, annihilating tens of thousands of Japanese in the first battle. Truly remarkable!" A businessman-looking man said while reading the newspaper.
"Manager Zhang, what did the newspaper say? Tell us about it," a group of people gathered around him asked expectantly.
A newspaper cost five coins, which ordinary people couldn't afford. Besides, most of them were illiterate, so they wouldn't be able to read it even if they bought it.
"Alright! I'll tell you!" Manager Zhang's family runs a fairly large business, and normally he wouldn't bother talking to these ordinary folks. But he's in a good mood today, so he'll grant their request this time.
"Yesterday, one of my soldiers from the Shandong New Army went missing. I suspect he was captured by the Japanese. One of our second lieutenant platoon leaders went to demand his release, but he was shot and killed by the Japanese without provocation!"
"Those damned Japanese! How dare they arrest our soldiers and even kill our officers!" The people were furious upon hearing this and shouted their curses.
"That's right, they dare to mess with our Shandong New Army, they're asking for death! The Marquis will definitely not let them off the hook."
"Alright, alright! Stop talking. Let's hear what Manager Zhang said in the newspaper! The Marquis has always loved the people like his own children, he certainly won't let them off easily," a young man said loudly.
Shen Lian defeated the Eight-Nation Alliance a few years ago, and the people had great faith in him. In recent years, Shandong has developed better and better, and the people have benefited from it. Who wouldn't be grateful for the Marquis's kindness?
"Manager Zhang, please continue! We're not arguing anymore!" Manager Zhang was already a little annoyed that they had interrupted him, but now he couldn't very well argue with them.
"The newspapers said that the Marquis immediately ordered an attack on the Japanese. After yesterday's battle, more than 40,000 Japanese soldiers were killed. A Japanese lieutenant general division commander and a major general chief of staff were also captured alive."
"Good! Well done! As expected of the Marquis, that was so satisfying!" The onlookers applauded and cheered.
"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!" A series of firecrackers sounded from not far away, attracting everyone's attention.
Immediately, the sound of firecrackers echoed throughout Jinan!
"Ladies and gentlemen! To celebrate the first victory of our Shandong New Army, our teahouse is offering a 20% discount on all items today. Welcome to patronize us!" The head manager of Huibinlou stood at the door, bowing with a broad smile.
"Upstairs, Li Tiezui is about to read the newspaper, analyzing the battle situation commanded by the Marquis. Don't miss it!"
"Okay, okay! Let's go hear what Li Tiezui has to say!"
"That's right, that's right! Mr. Li's storytelling is truly wonderful; it's captivating. Let's hurry, or we might not get a seat!"
A large group of customers poured into Huibinlou, and the happy manager couldn't stop smiling!
Looking at the packed audience below, the gaunt old man on the stage took a sip of tea, then stood up.
This man is none other than Li Tiezui, the famous storyteller of Jinan, known for his humor and extensive knowledge.
With a "smack!" Li Tiezui struck the gavel, and the hall immediately fell silent.
"It is said that 2,500 years ago, King Zhuang of Chu conquered the State of Shen in Henan. He enfeoffed Sun Ao's son in Shen, and his son Gongzi Zhen in Shenlu. They lived at the foot of Dahong Mountain in Zhongxiang, Hubei Province. This is the progenitor of the Mi surname Shen clan."
"Most of the Shen families in Hunan and Hubei originated from this. After more than two thousand years, sixty years ago, a son was born into the Shen family of Fenghuang. He possessed extraordinary strength and was exceptionally powerful. He was named Shen Hu, with the courtesy name Huchen."
"After coming of age, Hu Chen followed Zeng Guofan in suppressing the Taiping rebels. He led from the front, fought valiantly, and repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. He also saved Zeng Guofan from danger on several occasions. He was repeatedly rewarded by the imperial court and was awarded the rank of First-Rank General for his merits. He served as the Acting Guerrilla General of Linqing for thirty years!"
"It is said that Lord Huchen married a woman surnamed Wang, who was a descendant of the Wang family of Taiyuan. One night, Wang dreamed that a Qilin descended from the sky and entered her belly. The next day, she found out that she was pregnant."
"After ten months of pregnancy, Wang gave birth to a baby boy. At the moment of the baby's birth, extraordinary phenomena appeared in the sky, with rosy clouds stretching for miles. Flocks of cranes flew in and lingered for a long time. The world marveled at this!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, who do you think this newborn baby is?"
"Smack!" Li Tiezui slammed the gavel down again.
"This man is none other than Shen Lian, also known as Shen Zhiyuan, the Governor-General of Shandong of the Great Qing Dynasty and the Marquis of Zhenyuan!"
"Bravo!" the tea drinkers below cheered. Many merchants even tossed coins and silver onto the stage.
Li Tiezui nodded slightly in thanks, took a sip of tea, and began speaking again!
"After Lord Shen was born..."
Inside the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, Nie Xiaoqian, dressed in a magnificent gown and adorned with jeweled hairpins, sat high on a chair. Xiao Yue'er and Chen Ruyi stood beside her on either side.
Now that the Marquis is away on campaign and the old man is critically ill, she needs to make decisions on all matters, big and small, in the Marquis's mansion, as well as the mansion's business.
She, who was originally casual in her clothing, had to dress formally every day and put on the airs of a first-rank imperial consort.
"Madam, good news! The Marquis has won his first battle!" Uncle Fu rushed in with a newspaper in hand.
Upon hearing this, the three women, who were discussing something in hushed tones, involuntarily stood up.
"Madam, Second Madam!" Uncle Fu stepped forward and bowed to Nie Xiaoqian and Xiao Yue'er, then nodded slightly to Ruyi.
"Uncle Fu, please rise!" Nie Xiaoqian gestured with her hand.
"Ladies, the Marquis has won his first battle, killing more than 40,000 Japanese soldiers and capturing two Japanese generals." Uncle Fu handed over the newspaper with a face full of excitement.
"Okay! Okay!" Nie Xiaoqian took the newspaper and eagerly began to read it. Xiao Yue'er and Chen Ruyi also leaned over.
"Finally, some good news! That heartless bastard, he's been gone for so many days and hasn't even sent back a battery." Nie Xiaoqian said with a smile through her tears.