Chapter 164: Visiting Shanghai
After the New Year, the Xie family in Shu was featured in newspapers for over a month.
The cooperation between the Bai and Xie families began to show real progress. This time, it wasn’t just rumors circulating outside; there was an official announcement in the papers.
The two families jointly established a shipping company. Ten new ocean-going vessels on the river attracted attention. They opened new shipping routes, connecting the docks the Bai family had secured in places like Xiangjiang and Wanjiang with the Xie family’s routes in western Sichuan. The new routes were faster, covered longer distances, and improved efficiency. In addition to the existing cargo business, passenger ferries were added for public use. When the new ships sounded their horns along the river, they even made the newspapers, sparking widespread discussion.
The Bai and Xie families capitalized on this momentum. The newly established passenger company sold many cabin tickets. These tickets were divided into three price tiers—high, medium, and low—fair for all, with good service. The ships were clean and hygienic, seats and cabins tidy and bright. It was also the first passenger ferry on the river to include meals, setting a new trend. Many people took trips just to experience it.
Once things were roughly settled, Lord Bai Jiu left two people behind to handle the factory matters and took Xie Jing with him on a trip to Shanghai.
It was Xie Jing’s first time transporting salt, and although Xie Siquan was uneasy, he couldn’t stop it. After all, Xie Jing would take over this business sooner or later. Thinking it through, he sent several trusted aides along the way to smooth the path and keep an eye on things.
This time, sailing on the river felt different from before.
Halfway through the journey, the scenery along the banks changed; the cliffs gradually softened and were no longer rugged.
—
Shanghai.
Xie Jing went to Fuquan Manor to hand over the salt shipment. As the young master, this time Xie Siquan let him take charge, partly so that the senior managers below could get more familiar with him. After all, Xie Jing would handle more business in western Sichuan, and it was good to get some early practice.
Lord Bai Jiu prepared a generous gift and first went to visit He Dongting.
He Dongting had grown thinner, with slightly sunken eyes. A doctor accompanied him. When Lord Bai Jiu arrived, He Dongting didn’t hide it; he politely asked him to wait nearby and only invited him in after receiving an injection.
He Dongting said, “It’s a bit simple, please don’t mind. I haven’t been feeling well these past few days and haven’t slept properly. This room has a large floor-to-ceiling window and better sunlight, which helps me rest.”
When Bai Jiu asked about the illness, He Dongting just said it was an old ailment that had recurred and didn’t elaborate.
Bai Jiu said, “Last year at the wedding banquet in western Sichuan, Jing’er asked about you. I was very worried, but my uncle said it wasn’t serious and didn’t let me come. Had I known, I would have come much sooner.”
He Dongting smiled: “It was I who asked Xie Siquan not to say anything. I was quite ill then, unsure if I would recover. Luckily, I made it through the winter, and now I’m somewhat better, so I can spend more time with Jing’er.”
Bai Jiu asked again, “How long have you had this illness?”
He Dongting: “For a while.”
Bai Jiu: “Have you considered other treatments?”
He Dongting shook his head, smiling: “It’s an old problem. Treatments come and go; it’s always the same advice, and I’ve grown weary of it.” He sighed lightly, his gaze softening as he looked around the room. “I feel more at ease here; it reminds me of the past.”
Bai Jiu looked up and saw some old belongings in the room, likely left by the lady of the house. A woolen hat hung on a coat rack. If it weren’t faded and worn, it seemed as though the lady had just stepped out for tea and would return soon. He surveyed the room and realized these were things left by Xie Yuan in the past; perhaps this room had been specially preserved for Madam He.
Recalling past memories provided some comfort.
The last time the Bai family visited Shu, He Dongting had accompanied them throughout, and Lord Bai Jiu had chatted with him. While they weren’t particularly close, they appreciated each other. This time, however, He Dongting seemed less energetic, speaking with fatigue and zoning out a few times.
It wasn’t until he heard Xie Jing had arrived in Shanghai that he brightened, eager to see him.
He Dongting barely glanced at the gift list brought by the Bai family, showing little reaction, except for one item that caught his attention: a game of Go. Bai Jiu invited him to play.
Bai Jiu knew He Dongting’s temperament well. With just one line—“This is the game Jing’er couldn’t solve last night”—He Dongting took his seat willingly, ready to play.
He Dongting was skilled at Go. He rarely spoke while playing, instead observing the board and his opponent carefully.
He would consider three moves ahead. His movements were slow but deliberate. Soon he noticed that if he moved slowly, the opponent followed suit, and if he moved quickly, the opponent sped up. He looked at the young man across from him and asked, “Have you solved this game?”
Bai Jiu replied calmly, “Not yet. I’ve just thought about it for half a day since last night and have some insight.”
He Dongting could usually ignore such remarks, but this time it felt uncomfortable.
In western Sichuan, he had pondered the game for days but always fell short, often losing due to poor timing. Now, Xie Jing had grown up, and Bai Jiu had been teaching him. He no longer had the right to comment.
He Dongting sighed, casually placed a piece, and said softly: “I can’t solve this game either. Jing’er has played half of it; the rest must follow his strategy.”
After the game, He Dongting’s attitude toward Bai Jiu softened. He asked for wine to drink together.
Bai Jiu stopped him: “Have some tea instead. Jing’er said your health isn’t good; don’t drink alcohol.”
He Dongting felt relieved, nodded, and asked: “By the way, I haven’t seen Jing’er today. Where is he?”
“He went to Fuquan Manor. Uncle now wants him to manage the family affairs and gradually take over,” Bai Jiu explained. “He also accompanied Mr. Huang on a trip. The professors from Beiping found many ancient texts last time; Mr. Huang wrote notes and made river and mountain maps for a travelogue, which need to be organized into volumes. The bookstore will be busy and will take some time before coming here.”
He Dongting nodded. When tea and snacks were served, the two sat by the window, drinking and chatting. Perhaps due to a subtle change in mindset, he had completely let go of the desire to “control” and focused on following his son’s thoughts. While talking to Bai Jiu, he often inquired about his family and northern affairs.
Bai Jiu sat properly, answering all questions.
Meanwhile, at the bookstore, Xie Jing was assisting Mr. Huang Mingyou with delivering manuscripts. At first, the staff didn’t take it seriously, but when Mr. Huang got angry, the chief editor hurriedly came down to attend personally. A young clerk standing nearby turned pale at the mention of “Huang Mingyou.”
Mr. Huang spent the entire morning organizing the books for printing. After finishing, he walked out, rubbing his waist, laughing: “I’m old now. Traveling with the caravan didn’t cause this many problems, but now after just two days on a boat and half a busy day, my old back hurts terribly.”
Xie Jing said: “You rushed too much, sir. Annotating is already tedious, and you collaborated with Professor Zhang on the river and mountain maps. Others might take ten days or more for one sheet. You should take it slower.”
Mr. Huang smiled: “No, there are many students waiting. We need to finish before spring. Not just this volume, but an entire series. Over the years, I’ve traveled extensively and seen many rivers and mountains, so I’m responsible for this volume. Other volumes will be completed with the help of professors from Beiping University. From elementary to high school, students should learn the geography of our vast and beautiful land.”
Mr. Huang had aged; his temples were white, and his forehead had more wrinkles than when Xie Jing first met him. Yet his pride remained. Regardless of age, he walked upright, hands behind his back.
Xie Jing watched him slowly descend the stairs, humming, recalling how he had looked on the boat: hands on the railing, gazing at the green peaks upstream with pride.
That pride came from the rivers and mountains he saw, the land beneath his feet, and the millions of books he had memorized—his homeland, his country.
