On the Lanshui River.

A guest boat was drifting downstream.

Zhong Shenxiu was wearing a white suit, sporting a crew cut, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, looking every bit like a student returning from overseas.

Beside him, Qin Weiyin was dressed like a maidservant, following closely behind her young master.

"The Jiangnan scenery is truly delightful."

Zhong Shenxiu sighed as he stood on the deck, gazing at the beautiful scenery with lush mountains and clear waters on both sides of the river.

"Though the scenery is good, the world is full of suffering."

At this moment, a young man with a progressive look approached.

He had slicked back his shiny hair, wore a black suit, and a tie—currently the trendiest style.

Continuing the previous sentence, he said, "Ever since the trade routes opened, foreign matches, cloth, and rice have flooded in at extremely low prices, making life unbearable for the people of Jiangnan. Countless weavers have gone bankrupt, and many farming families have sold their sons and daughters... only for the benefit of that Ten Miles of Foreign Market. Nowadays, enlightened people should unite, engage in foreign affairs, establish factories, and resist the invasion of Taixi commerce!"

"My brother, you have great insight. My name is Fang Lang, and I greatly admire your views."

Zhong Shenxiu showed a moved expression.

The youths of this era, for the sake of shared aspirations, are often willing to sacrifice completely.

It seemed the man saw his attire and thought him a progressive youth as well, assuming they had common topics.

"I am Hu Wei, courtesy name Jinxin, pleased to meet Brother Fang!"

Hu Wei cupped his fists and asked, "Where is Brother Fang headed?"

"I heard that Jinling is one of the finest large cities in the world, the most prosperous and wealthy, with a hundred miles of Qinhuai, known for its pleasures, and with a Ten Miles of Foreign Market full of exotic items from Taixi, it is also the world's capital. I want to take a stroll and broaden my knowledge."

Zhong Shenxiu responded leisurely.

Hu Wei immediately felt he had misjudged the man.

He thought Zhong Shenxiu's progressive attire meant open-minded thinking, but it turned out he was only thinking about debauchery!

'Alas, indeed, there are few like my teacher who can see three hundred years into the future. For those who are not comrades, they must be enticed with profit.'

Hu Wei changed the subject and began discussing the immense profits of tenfold to a hundredfold from establishing factories, hoping to pique Zhong Shenxiu's interest.

"Establishing factories is naturally excellent, but not easy. For example, in Jinling, despite convenient transportation, gangs run rampant, and the Jiangnan region is prone to forming secret societies. Laborers, factories, all trades and professions... they're within the other side's spheres of influence. Without immense connections, even a business genius can hardly avoid extortion and plundering, unable to showcase their talents. Some even have people planted inside your factories, ultimately seizing control..."

Zhong Shenxiu shook his head.

These associations are essentially underworld forces, always rigorously suppressed but still persist.

In this world, these gang forces often collude with esoteric magicians, possessing a few mystifying spells, making them even harder to deal with.

"Brother Fang speaks accurately."

Hu Wei sighed, "I have an elder who invested hundreds of thousands to establish a spinning mill in Jinling. Initially, he made money hand over fist, but unfortunately, after offending the 'Tai Sui Society,' it tragically went bankrupt, and he was hounded by banks for debts, ultimately choosing only to end his life..."

"The Tai Sui Society?"

Zhong Shenxiu became interested; the name had an air of grandeur.

If simply explained from the literal meaning, it might mean a 'land-mass Tai Sui,' making it an appropriate name for a gang.

But upon deeper thought, among the 'earth lineage' worship of the 'Mysterious Lord,' there exists a type of monster named—Tai Sui!

This kind of monster looks like a giant white mass of flesh, some with multiple eyes and tentacles, and prefers hiding underground, emerging to devour people whenever there's a change in earth energy!

'Therefore, if the Tai Sui Society is assisted by esoteric cultivators, their art must be inclined towards the earth lineage... flesh and blood spells? Hmm, and zombies... Corpse Dao is also in the Mysterious Lord's domain...'

This is the advantage of reading many books.

The leaders of the Tai Sui Society could have never imagined that just from the name, they had exposed much of their secrets.

'However... in this world, mystical knowledge represents danger... so very few know so much, with such wide knowledge...'

"Indeed, this society dominates the Jinling labor industry and has a hand in flesh trade, secretly abducting and trafficking people, engaging in all sorts of evils!"

Hu Wei said, filled with righteous indignation, "The leader of this society is elusive, and it is divided into left and right protectors, Four Directions Altar Masters, Eight Flag Bearers... the society has thousands of official members, with its tentacles sprawling across Jinling and surrounding villages and towns..."

"I see, Brother Hu knows much about this society?"

Zhong Shenxiu cupped his hands, "Admirable!"

"Not at all, my father has always served in the court, I've just overheard a bit..."

Hu Wei said with a slightly proud look.

At this time, cheers erupted from the guest boat—it had reached the dock.

Jinling City had arrived!

...

Jinling was the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the most bustling and lively place.

"Young master, where shall we go?"

Qin Weiyin held a suitcase in one hand and an umbrella in the other, following behind Zhong Shenxiu.

She had a kind of delicate and lovely demeanor, causing numerous men to grit their teeth secretly at the sight.

"Let's not rush to find lodging, but stroll around first!"

Zhong Shenxiu adjusted his glasses, and saw that it was dusk, with a layer of sunset glow falling on the great river, the shimmering waves appeared as though a golden dragon was swimming beneath the river.

Jinling was an Imperial City, later visited by a Western mission to pay homage to the Emperor. The then-Emperor Zhou Xing was delighted, granting ten miles of land for the Taixi Mission to build an embassy, allowing them to sell goods and earn a living, even granting a tax exemption and extraterritorial rights with a brush stroke.

Little did he know that such concessions and powers were easy to give but very troublesome to take back.

Now, relying on the advantages of the Ten Miles of Foreign Market, foreigners eagerly established commerce here, just like a country within a country.

"I've heard that the hundred miles of Qinhuai are stunning at night... Doesn't the young master want to see it? It's said that on the painted boats, there are beauties aplenty, and even Western big mares..."

Qin Weiyin softly spoke.

"Would I, the young master, be such a lustful person?" Zhong Shenxiu earnestly said, "Let's go have a look then."

"Alright!"

Qin Weiyin responded shyly and followed Zhong Shenxiu toward Qinhuai.

The road was paved with asphalt, the streets sparse with pedestrians, and the shops on both sides had few customers.

Toot! Toot!

Suddenly, a time-reporting whistle sounded.

The factory gate clattered open, and numerous people surged out, mostly male and female workers who'd been busy all day, all appearing utterly drained, with ashen faces, shuffling forward like the walking dead.

Gray, black, and blue waves instantly engulfed the two masters and servants...

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