Volume 2: The Rise of Shanghai Chapter 2: Li Wanqi's Scheme

  The dinner party that night was very sumptuous, with fresh seafood and game meats, almost everything Xu Shaowen hadn't eaten in the 21st century was served. And after finishing dinner, Li Wanqi repeatedly toasted Xu Shaowen with several cups of wine. Xu Shaowen wasn't a foolish person, he knew that as the nephew of the nominal Premier, he still had some weight, but he also vaguely suspected that Li Wanqi's enthusiastic courtesy would definitely have ulterior motives in the future.

  After dinner, Li Wanqi went to his second-floor study alone and found Li Zhenning. The father and son had not seen each other for half a year, so they naturally started with some small talk and chatter. After the reunion ended, Li Wanqi slowly walked behind his large desk and sat comfortably in the high-backed chair.

  "Zhen Ning, your father's business in South China has been booming for years. You could have lived a comfortable life as a rich young master in Shanghai, but I insisted on you joining the army. To be honest, I still feel some guilt about it." Li Wanqi let out a long sigh, his face revealing his genuine feelings as a father towards his son.

  If it wasn't his own father who mentioned this matter, Li Zhenning wouldn't have suddenly felt puzzled. Although he said that he went to take the entrance exam for the Army Middle School back then because of following his father's wishes, as the eldest son in the family, his father had always been very fond of him since childhood, so he had always listened to his father's words.

  But Li Zhenning now thinks that his father, Li Wanqi, was well-connected in both the military and political circles as well as the underworld in Shanghai and the entire Southern China, so why didn't he let him learn business to inherit the family's enterprise in the future, but instead let him join the army?

  Li Wanqi's main business now is docks and industry, with at least seven or eight companies under his control. Among them, the Nansing Ferry Company, which operates docks, has just taken full control of two large passenger ships and one large cargo ship. With this alone, not to mention in Shanghai, but also nationwide, he is a big shot that can be counted on one's fingers.

  "Dad, since you've brought up the topic of me joining the army, there must be a reason for it. I didn't ask before because you didn't mention it," Li Zhenning said as he sat down on the soft leather sofa in front of his father's desk. "But now that you've mentioned it, I'm actually quite curious."

  "Alas," Li Wanqi sighed heavily, then said in a gradually slower tone, "Looking back at the nearly thirty years of history of my China, this road has been bumpy and rough. Moreover, it's not hard to see that this bumpy and rough journey still has a long way to go before it ends."

  Li Zhenning blinked his eyes, and for a moment he didn't understand why his father wanted to say these words. He didn't ask questions, but instead calmed down and listened carefully.

  "I say that the road ahead for China is still very long and arduous, but you may not be able to see it if you've been in the north for a long time. However, down here in the south, people's confidence in the Beiyang government has been dwindling," Li Wanqi said with a worried expression, continuing, "Apart from the Guangzhou Nationalist Party, there are many warlords in various regions who have ulterior motives. I dare say, Father, that it won't be long before China falls into another era of warring states."

  Li Zhenning was surprised, he had always thought that his father was a businessman since he grew up, and did not expect that in his heart, there was still a subtle observation of the overall situation. He pondered for a moment and asked: "Dad, what does this have to do with me joining the army?"

  "Zhen Ning, your father is asking you, the Warring States period was a chaotic era. Then in this chaotic era, what can make life better?" Li Wanqi looked at his son with a serious expression, his tone carrying a few threads of sternness.

  Li Zhenning didn't think much, and immediately replied: "Only those with power and influence can live a good life in troubled times!"

  "That's right," Li Wanqi nodded in satisfaction, and then continued, "People with power and influence will indeed stand out in a chaotic world, but even so, those with power and influence must also know how to maintain their own power and influence."

  Li Zhenning suddenly realized and said, "So that's it, Dad. I understand now. You let me join the army because you hope I can set foot in the military and political circles, so as to more easily safeguard the interests of our Li family."

  "That's right," Li Wanqi replied seriously, then continued, "Dad is still somewhat respected in the military and political circles of South China, but this respect can only be considered as small-time. Once a real problem arises, these people will definitely take care of themselves first. But you're different, Zhenning - you're my son and the future heir of the Li family. When you have influence in the military and political circles, our Li family will also gain more stability."

  "Dad, I understand. I will definitely not disappoint you and will not bring shame to our Li family." Li Zhenning said with a full sense of determination, his eyes filled with a firm and resolute light.

  "Good," Li Wanqi smiled with relief, "Zhenning, you've always listened to your father since you were young. The Li family's business will be handed over to you sooner or later, so you must work hard. Of course, your father's expectations may be high, but he will support you with all his might in the early stages. You not only need to make a name for yourself in the military and political circles, but also firmly grasp a military force that belongs to the Li family."

  Li Zhenning was shocked by his father's last sentence, and immediately grasped the fact that he would be in command of an army belonging to the Li family - wasn't this equivalent to being a warlord? He looked at his father in dismay and said: "Dad, isn't this going to be too difficult?"

  "Zhen Ning, maybe in a few more years, this matter will indeed be difficult, but as long as I'm still capable, I'll definitely support you with all my might. With the influence I have in South China, it's still possible to achieve this." Li Wanqi said confidently, his demeanor at this moment resembling that of a military strategist, his eyes radiating a far-sighted gaze.

  Li Zhenning's face was still somewhat solemn, but as for his father's words, he had always been obedient. Since his father said it could be done, what was wrong with being a warlord who held real power?

  Li Wanqi calmed down and regained his usual composure, speaking with a serious tone: "Right, Zhenning, since your friend is the nephew of State Councilor Xu Shichang, you must get close to him. Father's influence is mainly in South China, and among the familiar faces in the central government, there's only Hu Mingyu, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of War. So, if we can establish a connection with someone important in the central government now, we must cherish it well. This interpersonal relationship is invaluable and will be very helpful to our Li family in the future."

  "I naturally knew that, I had a very good relationship with Wen Yuan in the past, and at that time I didn't even know he was Mr. Xu's nephew. Alas, this kid has been hiding it from me for so long." Li Zhenning said with a smile.

  Li Wanqi nodded thoughtfully and said, "It seems that Xu Shichang, this nephew of mine, is indeed a self-reliant person. This kind of person has always been admired by your father and me."