Chapter Five Uncle and Nephew

  Xu Shichang was slightly startled by the latter half of Xu Shaowen's sentence, and couldn't help but raise his voice to rebuke: "Xu Xiaoge, your words about the Republic being no different from the Qing dynasty are a bit too much."

  "Mr. Xu can recall that during the Qing dynasty, foreign powers called us Chinese people the 'Sick Man of East Asia', and relied on their powerful military to trample our national sovereignty at will. Now that the Republic of China has been established, these trampled sovereignties have not been restored, but instead warlords in various parts of the country are not thinking about serving the country, each only plotting for their own interests. How sad, how heart-wrenching!" Xu Shao-wen's voice choked with emotion as he spoke, his feelings fully invested.

  Xu Shichang seemed to have understood why Xu Shaowen said those words, and was also moved by the other's sincere emotions. If there were more young talents like this in China, how could the country not be revived? He picked up his teacup, took a meaningful sip, nodded slowly, and said: "Xu Xiaoge is indeed a young genius! Yes, my China has been bullied and manipulated by foreigners for a long time, and now domestically we are also not united. It's really hateful and infuriating!"

  Xu Shao-wen knew that Xu Shi-chang was a man of insight, and Mr. Xu had been by Yuan Shi-kai's side for so long, also knowing that Yuan Shi-kai's current situation was due to the help of foreign powers. However, it is well-known that foreign powers have ulterior motives towards China, and they cannot be expected to further solidify and expand their interests in China.

  "This is also why I hope that the Chinese people can unite and work together to revitalize their national strength, and then jointly defend against foreign aggression." Xu Shaowen let out a slow sigh, shook his head, and smiled self-deprecatingly, "Of course, these are just my own wishful thinking. Looking at the current situation in China, it's unlikely that we can achieve unity and stability in a short period of time."

  Xu Shichang naturally knew that what Xu Shaowen said was impossible to achieve, the national situation of China has been going on for a long time, and it always needs a slow and difficult transition. He shook his head, not wanting to continue discussing these tedious issues for the time being, took a light sip of tea, and asked again: "Listening to Xu Xiaoge's accent, it seems like he is from Henan."

  "The old man is right, I am from Anyang, Henan." Xu Shaowen answered truthfully after crossing over, his memories of the past still very clear.

  "Oh, so Xu Xiaoge is from Anyang, my ancestors were from Weicheng, Henan, just a dozen or so miles away," Xu Shichang's interest was piqued, his tone teasing, but with an inquiring look in his eyes. "In my youth, I heard that the Xus of Anyang and Weicheng are of the same lineage. May I ask, what is your honorable father's name? Perhaps we might even be relatives."

  Xu Shao-wen was very willing to establish a relationship with Xu Shi-chang, an important elder of the Beiyang warlord, so he immediately replied: "My father, Xu Ting-zhi, was once the county magistrate of Linying County. However, due to the changes before and after the Xinhai Revolution, my father unfortunately passed away, and our family's fortunes declined. Fortunately, thanks to the recommendation of a teacher at the county school, I was able to enter the Nanjing Army Middle School, and with some savings from home, I can still make a living."

  Xu Shichang pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at Xu Shaowen with a serious expression and said in a tone of surprise: "Is your father Xu Tingzhi?"

  Xu Shao Wen's father, Xu Tingzhi, was hardly mentioned in history, at most only appearing in the records of county magistrates during the late Qing dynasty. Seeing Xu Shi Chang's expression, he couldn't help but feel tense as well. Since crossing over to the Republic of China, he had encountered so many unexpected coincidences today, meeting Xu Shi Chang was one thing, and it was even possible that they might be related by marriage.

  "What's this, Mr. Xu knows my father?" Xu Shaowen asked somewhat impatiently.

  Xu Shichang smiled and said, "I know him, but we haven't met in person. In the past when I passed the imperial examination, according to our family's custom, all the Xus would come to congratulate me and give gifts. There are many of my Xu surname relatives in Henan Anyang, your father is among them. At that time, both the Xus from Anyang and Weicheng came to visit and congratulate me, but your father only sent a letter."

  Xu Shichang couldn't help but burst out laughing and said, "At that time, I heard from the older generation of our clan that your father Xu Tingzhi had a bad reputation among his neighbors in the countryside, saying he was a stingy person. Sure enough, to save on gift money, he didn't even come to pay respects to me, the new jinshi."

  Xu Shaowen felt somewhat embarrassed after hearing Xu Shichang's words. In his memory, his father Xu Tingzhi was indeed a stingy person. Although people in Anyang County knew that Xu Tingzhi was well-read and talented, he was too frugal in his dealings and ultimately only managed to become a minor county magistrate.

  "This is really making you laugh, Father. My father has been used to being frugal all his life, so he might have done some things that are not quite right. Please forgive him, Mr. Xu." Xu Shaowen looked embarrassed and smiled awkwardly.

  "I didn't mean to be surprised, it's just that the matter with your father made me remember you vividly, otherwise I might not have recognized you, my good nephew." Xu Shichang explained kindly and nodded meaningfully at Xu Shaowen. "I didn't expect that after several decades, I would still meet an old acquaintance in Beijing."

  Xu Shaowen knew that Xu Shichang had acknowledged him as a relative, and he felt some excitement in his heart. After all, in this chaotic world of China, people with power and background would always live better than others.

  In the following casual conversation, Xu Shichang asked about Xu Shaowen's life in recent years, showing concern for a younger generation. Of course, Xu Shaowen had not been doing well in recent years. Since his father's death, the family had declined, and his father's concubines had divided up the family property. His birth mother had remarried into another wealthy family, and in order to avoid being looked down upon by that family, she had given Xu Shaowen some money to travel abroad for study.

  However, since entering the Nanjing Army Middle School, Xu Shaowen has always been diligent and serious, so whether it is academic performance or military training, he can be considered an excellent talent.

  When Xu Shao Wen was telling Xu Shi Chang about his teenage years, he still paid attention to his words and tone, without being overly dramatic or pitiful. On the contrary, it showed a spirit of youthful ambition that didn't know sorrow.

  Xu Shichang had actually already shown appreciation in his heart when discussing national policy and trends with this nephew who he happened to meet. Whether it was the nephew's analysis of the Chinese situation or his intentions for national policy, they were able to share a common viewpoint. For a politician, having similar ideals and principles is a foundation for social interactions.

  When saying goodbye, Xu Shichang did not reveal Xu Shaowen's identity as a literary officer, but instead told him with deep meaning that they would meet again soon. Finally, Xu Shichang left his address in Beijing to Xu Shaowen, and since the uncle and nephew had become relatives, it was natural for them to be more intimate in their future interactions.

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