Chapter 7: Everyone's Thoughts

  "Factories everywhere, machines roaring, workers busy, high-rise buildings standing tall, trains and ships shuttling back and forth across the plains and seas."

  This is a touching scene.

  Whenever Sun Yat-sen depicted this future scene of China to the public, he would be excited. Previously, as the interim president was too busy, now that he has resigned, he volunteered to take on the role of railway supervisor and personally oversee the construction of 100,000 miles of railways.

  Three days after yielding to Yuan Shikai, Sun Yat-sen embarked on a large-scale nationwide tour of lectures, promoting his grand blueprint for construction. He traveled across multiple provinces and cities, leaving behind footprints of his investigations, visits, and inspections in urban and rural areas, factories, ports, and railway lines.

  This long-term overseas Chinese revolutionary forerunner, known as the "Hawaiian Chinese", has never been so close to his ancestral country and people. In the south of the Yangtze River, he gave speeches on "Rebuilding our nation with industry and commerce", which always stirred up the emotions of the people.

  In Wuchang, facing the crowds in the open-air meeting place, Sun Yat-sen looked at the rolling Yangtze River not far away and proposed to build a Yangtze River Bridge and dig a Yangtze River tunnel. He also proposed to build the world's largest and highest dam on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

  As soon as the words fell, the cheers of "Long live the great president" shook Wuchang City.

  Just when people thought Sun Yat-sen's next stop would be Hunan or Guangdong, unexpectedly, Sun Yat-sen suddenly left Wuchang by boat and headed to Shanghai, as if his inspection had come to an end.

  After waking up, Sun Yat-sen pulled open the silk floor-to-ceiling curtains, facing the spring sun with a southern flavor, breathing in the fresh and humid air. Although in his heart he was still reluctant to give up the position of Grand President, and was somewhat heartbroken about handing over the position of Grand President to Yuan Shikai. Moreover, he wanted to do everything possible to undermine and restrict Yuan Shikai who would succeed him.

  But what Sun Yat-sen did not expect was that almost on the same day when he was forced to resign as the provisional president, he slept soundly for the first time since becoming the provisional president.

  After that, there was no need to worry about the financial difficulties of the provisional government, no need to be at a loss for the internal and external troubles of the provisional government, and no need to worry about the soldiers who were owed wages gathering in groups and shouting in Nanjing.

  "It's great to be free from official duties!"

  Looking out of the window at the beautiful scenery in Hartono Garden, Sun Zhongwen couldn't help but let out a long sigh. Since stepping down from the temporary presidency, if there's any feeling to be had, it's probably this sense of relaxation and comfort that comes with it.

  People only have the mood to travel and play when they are relaxed and happy. After resigning as the temporary president, Sun Yat-sen, on the third day after his resignation, took Hu Hanmin, Wang Jingwei and several others on a tour of various provinces in southern China. Along the way, he inspected local conditions and promoted his "Principle of People's Livelihood", receiving warm welcomes from officials and people in each province.

  Of course, doing so is to appreciate the good mountains and rivers of our motherland on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is also a preparation for future elections. Now Yuan Shikai is only an interim president, and in the future when parliamentary politics are implemented, who will win or lose is still unknown.

  In the past month, Sun Yat-sen led a group including Hu Hanmin to travel extensively throughout Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei provinces, covering almost half of southern China. It was not until this time that Sun Yat-sen truly gained a deep understanding of his country's magnificent rivers and mountains.

  Sun Yat-sen had such a physique and sentiment because, due to the revolution, most of them were exiled abroad for a long time and did not understand China's specific situation. They didn't even have the opportunity or mood to visit their hometown's mountains and rivers.

  During the month of touring mountains and rivers, Sun Yat-sen developed a great interest in transportation. The reason why Sun Yat-sen was so interested in transportation is that during his inspection tour of various provinces over the past few months, he discovered an astonishing phenomenon: wherever transportation was convenient and unobstructed, the economy was extremely prosperous and local finances were relatively abundant compared to other places.

  He had originally planned to return to Shanghai after another two months of investigation, but he suddenly returned to Shanghai three days ago and even deliberately drew a map to plan the construction of a national railway trunk line.

  "Zhan Tang, look at this map!"

  Before breakfast was served, Sun Yat-sen spread out on the dining table the "China Railway Grand Line Planning Map" which he had drawn up overnight. To him, what mattered most was the idea of building railways on Chinese soil.

  "If this plan is carried out in ten years, China will be strong and prosperous with the construction of 100,000 to 200,000 miles of railways!"

  Facing this rough plan, Sun Yat-sen seemed to be full of ideas and ambitions. This was the result of his research on railway engineering materials over the past month, and he had personally drawn up a draft plan for railway construction. In his view, this map still had another purpose.

  "Zhan Tang, look at this report!"

  As he spoke, he took out the newspaper he had seen in Wuchang again.

  When Sun Yat-sen put forward the national strength formula, his face was full of appreciation. Now who among our countrymen does not know this national strength formula? In Europe and America, how many people have used this national strength formula to calculate the national strength of various countries in the world? The accuracy of the national strength formula is beyond everyone's imagination.

  "Li Zhiyuan, although a technical expert, is also well-versed in economics. Otherwise, it would be difficult to balance this national power equation. He intends to return home and invest in industry, with steel as the main focus. Building railways cannot be separated from steel, and railways and steel are a match made in heaven. This plan will surely gain Li Zhiyuan's support. If we can get his approval, building 100,000 miles of railway in ten years is also within sight!"

  Sun Yat-sen, full of confidence, pointed to a sentence in the newspaper and said.

  "In today's world of steel, to establish a country on this earth, it is necessary to emphasize manufacturing, and emphasizing manufacturing cannot be done without emphasizing steel! This really gets my point! What a pity, at that time in New York, he and I were only one evening apart! Otherwise..."

  He let out a sigh, but his face showed joy once again.

  "But anyway, now he's back in the country, this ship must be coming to Shanghai. When Li Zhiyuan arrives in Shanghai, I'll definitely go visit him personally..."

  "Sir, according to Japanese newspapers, Li Zhiyuan has already disembarked from Xia Wei's ship, it seems..."

  The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Hu Hanmin swallowed them back. Whether in the south or north, everything is now about "Li" and the winds of change in both regions have been stirred up by this "Li Da Caishen". It's all for the silver coins in Li Zhiyuan's pocket.

  "Oh?"

  Sun Yat-sen, who seemed to have forgotten this news, was taken aback for a moment before speaking up.

  "It doesn't matter, it's not a big deal. He delayed his return to China, which is also correct. In this case, I will send a telegram to Comrade Xia Weiyu, ask for his address, and then mail him the railway planning map and my ideas in the form of a proposal. He wants to build a steel factory, and I want to repair the railroad, isn't this a match made in heaven?"

  "I'm afraid Li Zichen is a greedy and corrupt official..."

  Just then a voice interrupted Sun Yat-sen's words. Hu Hanmin followed the sound and saw a young man with a handsome appearance walking in.

  As soon as Wang Jingwei entered the house, he spoke directly. His words made Sun Yat-sen and Hu Hanmin look at him, which made him quite satisfied. Two months ago, this young man had said to Sun Yat-sen, "You won't be infatuated with the position of President, will you?" implying that he was greedy for power and forcing him to resign. When mentioning Li Zicheng, his face was full of contempt.

  "If he goes directly to the capital, I'm afraid he will be used by the Yuan family!"

  "Zhao Ming, don't be rash in all things!"

  "Mr. Zhan Tang, isn't this a hasty conclusion? The Li family are merchants, and merchants value profit; if the Yuan family offers them substantial benefits..."

  Just as Wang Jingwei was about to speak, a maid came in with a thick stack of newspapers. When she put the papers on the dining table, Hu Hanmin habitually glanced at them and suddenly stood up, holding the newspaper in his hand, muttering to himself for half a day without saying a word.

  "Look... sir! Li Zhiyuan has gone to the capital!"

  Go to Beijing!

  The train spewed thick smoke as it galloped along the Jiaoji Railway, and Li Zichen sat on the sofa by the window in the luxurious carriage, with the window half open, letting the wind blow over him, looking at the fields outside the train, he felt his heart surging with excitement.

  When leaving Qingdao, Yang Du had quietly spread the news that he would return to China and head to Beijing, creating momentum for himself, or rather, for "himself", this Tang Monk, who unknowingly bewildered many people's minds.

  "Monk's meat!"

  Clearly understanding the situation he is about to face, Li Zichen becomes more clear-headed and deeply aware of what lies ahead. He also clearly knows which path he should choose, even though he knows that the road ahead will not be as smooth as he imagined. Yet, breathing in the air of China, he is excited at the prospect of being able to make a name for himself one day.

  Want to eat my flesh? First take a look at your teeth! If you want the meat, then at least spit out a few buckets of blood for me!

  Facing the vastness beside the railway, Li Zichen silently muttered to himself in his heart.

  No matter how big the setbacks are in the future, no matter how many people oppose it, one must stick to their own decisions and walk all the way down this road.

  Alas, worrying about money when there's no money, and when there is money, this person can't even... how can doing things be so difficult? The protagonist is either a Tang Monk or a... Haha, thank you!