Chapter Eighteen: Li Yaoting

  "Shun Qing, Uncle's age is not small either. That position of his isn't an easy one to sit in, it's exhausting. I'm busy with investment company matters now and my head is spinning. You can't treat Uncle like a cow!"

  Bai Kuan had been somewhat complacent since the completion of Lixin Textile Mill, wanting to enjoy a life of ease and comfort. He was not enthusiastic about the position of Chamber of Commerce president. However, Qiao Yu knew that if he wanted to use the Chamber as a cover to control the community in Chongqing, he absolutely needed a president who shared his vision. Bai Kuan was the best candidate, so he persuaded his uncle.

  "Uncle, what are you talking about? You're still vigorous and energetic at your age, and in the past six months, your wrinkles have decreased significantly. If you continue like this for another 20 years, there won't be any problem at all! And would you willingly let Huang Baiwan take over from you? I've already learned from Tony that it was he who instigated Tony to go to the county government office to cause trouble for us. If we let him become the president, wouldn't that be even more disadvantageous for us?"

  Bai Kuan was furious when he heard what had happened earlier, and he blurted out: "Is that Huang fellow willing to be a traitor? He's even instigating foreigners to harm our own people?"

  Qiao Chengye and his third brother came together to persuade Bai Kuan. Seeing that his uncle had shown some flexibility, he quickly said: "Uncle, what Shunqiang said is right. Huang Baiwan has long regarded himself as a foreigner and has even joined the foreign church. You can't let this scourge become the president of the Chamber of Commerce, can you? Our industry has just started, and we've invested a lot. Only Lixin Textile Factory can really make a profit, while others will have to wait for some time. It looks like our momentum is great, but our foundation is not yet solid. If you become the president of the Chamber of Commerce, you can integrate the entire business community in Chongqing, and then we won't have to worry about anyone!"

  "You two brothers are really something, both of you are full of big talk. Can't an old man like me listen to you and be satisfied? But let me tell you straight out, there are some major things that Shunqing, you have to decide for yourself. Your uncle is just a figurehead, occupying the position for you!"

  After completing the task of Bai Kuan, Qiao Yu's mind was put at ease by more than half. No matter how you calculate it, Huang Baiwan's advantage is not great. Therefore, Qiao Yu once again focused his thoughts on training the Young Guard. Qiao Cheng had already recruited 1,000 young people with a clean family background from rural areas. Although the requirements were not as strict as those for the Young Guard, they were all good young men with no difference in quality.

  Qiao Yu has been training the young men for over a month, and some results have already emerged. Several excellent young men have stood out, including Wang Huai, who comes from a hunting family and has a natural talent for shooting. Since receiving his Mauser rifle, he has quickly become proficient in marksmanship, with nearly every shot hitting its target. Li Jingyuan and Zhang Zili are also literate and have strong learning abilities, quickly distinguishing themselves. Another young man named Liu Yundong is from a martial arts family, physically robust, agile, and outstanding among his peers. After observing them, Qiao Yu selected 40 of the young men to form four elite squads, with Wang Huai and the other three becoming squad leaders. The remaining young men continued to be trained by Han Yong, while those selected were trained by Qiao Yu himself, resulting in significant improvements in both training depth and intensity.

  Qiao Yu did not expect to train these young men into special soldiers, but he also hoped that they would become excellent officers in the future. Not only did he provide them with rigorous training, but he also often had heart-to-hearts with them, subtly imparting his views on various matters. He told them about the corruption of the Qing court, the greed of local officials, the disunity of the revolutionary parties, and the strength of Western countries, giving them a broad perspective.

  There are only three days left until the Chamber of Commerce election, and Qiao Yu is training on the school field when Wang Tianhe rushes to his side in a hurry.

  "Master, there's been a change in the Chamber of Commerce!"

  Qiao Yu was very concerned about the Chamber of Commerce. If it was well-managed, it would be able to have another armed force and also get economic support. He wouldn't allow any accidents to happen, so he hurriedly went with Wang Tianhe to the outside of the school field.

  "What's going on?"

  "Young master, last time you asked me to send someone to infiltrate the gang and gather information. I sent two young men to sneak in, and today they brought me a message saying that Gu Jinhu, the leader of the Chongqing Ge Lao Hui, suddenly ordered his people to gather together, seemingly for some big action. He also discovered that Huang Baiwan had gone to visit Gu Jinhu, and several Japanese people had also come to see him. Gu Jinhu even said he would support Huang Baiwan! He thought it was a big deal, so he reported back to me. I suspect that Huang Baiwan is trying to use the Ge Lao Hui to help him seize the position of leader of the Chamber of Commerce!"

  Qiao Yu's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this, Wang Tianhe's analysis made a lot of sense. Although the Ge Lao Hui was just a motley crew, with a few Easterners involved, it was even more worthy of attention!

  "Tianhe, you continue to dispatch more personnel, and have them investigate their plans thoroughly for me, so that we know each other inside out!"

  Qiao Yu thought the Chamber of Commerce election would be an easy matter, but unexpectedly something unexpected happened. This is good! It will test the caliber of people in this era and see what level they are at!

  Three days passed quickly, and the day chosen by the Chamber of Commerce had arrived. All the big and small businessmen in Chongqing went to the mansion of President Li Yaoting. Although Li Yaoting no longer lived in the mansion but in a villa in Luyu Garden, today was the day of the Chamber of Commerce election, so he personally returned to the mansion to preside over the event. The Li Mansion had a solemn and extraordinary atmosphere, covering a large area, which could fully accommodate these businessmen.

  Mr. Li Yaotang is already 75 years old, a rare longevity in this era. He has handed over the task of receiving guests to his second son, Li Heyang. At around 9 o'clock, Qiao Yu accompanied Bai Kuan to the Li Mansion. The merchants who came and went saw Qiao Yu and Bai Kuan arrive and hurriedly came over to greet them.

  "Lao Bai, Shun Qing, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you two for half a day!"

  "Boss Wang is so polite! Your complexion is getting more and more spirited!" It was none other than Wang Dongcheng, who could be considered the businessman who cooperated with Qiao Yu most thoroughly. Originally, relying on his worth, he would have been able to compete for the position of Chamber of Commerce president, but instead he voluntarily stepped down, leaving the opportunity to Bai Kuan.

  "Shun Qing, you're now like a phoenix in the ninth heaven, while I'm just a sparrow. I'm merely clinging to your feathers and taking a sip of soup. Isn't this bit of vitality all thanks to Mr. Qiao?"

  "Boss Wang, aren't you being too cold to me? After the election is over, there are still some things I'd like to discuss with you. Would you please grant me an audience?"

  Wang Dongcheng was overjoyed, he actively supported Qiao Yu, wasn't it all for business interests? Now, whether it's Limin Textile Mill or garment factories, printing and dyeing factories have all started to make profits, and the profit value is far beyond Wang Dongcheng's imagination. In his heart, Wang Dongcheng was extremely grateful to have formed an alliance with the Qiao family.

  The rest of the merchants also nodded secretly when they saw this scene. Although Li Yaoting's family was wealthy, in terms of strength, Bai Kuan and Wang Dongcheng were not weaker than Li Yaoting. Now that they are so close, it seems that the president of the Chamber of Commerce has already been decided. Why not hurry up to curry favor? At this time, Wang Gui, Xue Shan, Zhang Fuxiang, Yang Xuechen and other shareholders of Sichuan Investment Company gathered together one after another. Everyone had a simple exchange, and it was clear that these people had thoroughly formed an alliance. This emerging force is showing its unity and strength to the Chongqing business community.

  Just then, a sound came from the gate, and it turned out that Old Master Li had come out to greet them in person. Although he was somewhat hunched over, he was still very tall and imposing, with deep wrinkles on his face, snow-white eyebrows, and eyes that still shone brightly despite his advanced age.

  "Mr. Li, how dare we trouble you to come out and greet us in person? We're deeply sorry for our offense!"

  Bai Kuan and Wang Dongcheng both rushed over to support the old man, who was beaming with joy: "Xu Ren, you've accomplished so much in just half a year by setting up factories and developing industries, far surpassing my efforts of over a decade. You're truly impressive, young one! I'm not just here to welcome you, but also to thank you for bringing prosperity to our commerce, which is a great blessing to the people of Sichuan. How could I not come to welcome you?"