A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

Li Ruonan, the eldest daughter of the Li family, stood up: "Our four families have stood together this time, thanks to Uncle Chen's mediation. It's just that it will be hard for Brother Che to go to Shanghai alone."

Chen Qichuan waved his hand: "Although the Shanghai market is large, it's like a radish with a hole, and it's already been occupied by various forces."

He stroked his long beard back and forth: "The more we enter new markets, the more we need to consolidate our position in our home base. Therefore, sending Che'er first is the safest compromise."

After saying that, Chen Qichuan looked at Dong Yi with a smile: "Yi girl, you don't blame your uncle for breaking up this loving couple, do you?"

The news of Chen Che and Dong Yi's engagement had already spread among the four major families.

Chen Che's fingers tightened slightly around the wine glass, and his fingertips turned bluish-white.

He looked up at Dong Yi across from him.

She sat with her eyes lowered, the light casting a small shadow under her long eyelashes, making it impossible to discern her emotions.

Only she knew that under the tablecloth, her fingers had secretly clenched the silk of her cheongsam.

When Dong Yi raised her head, a polite smile was on her face, and her voice was clear and pleasant: "Uncle Chen, what are you saying? The bigger picture is what matters."

She paused, her gaze seemingly sweeping over Chen Che. "Besides, Shanghai isn't far; the train takes you there in a day. Compared to the 'trouble' Brother Che dealt with in Nanjing, going to Shanghai to develop business is a much safer job."

The elders at the table all showed their approval upon hearing this.

Chen Qichuan stroked his beard and nodded, quite satisfied with his future daughter-in-law's sense of propriety.

Chen Qichuan laughed and continued, "Yi'er is sensible. Che'er, listen to this." He turned to his son, his tone becoming serious, "When we go to Shanghai, we will certainly rely on the Green Gang, but we must be careful with our words..." He paused for a moment, as if considering his words, "A dragon that has emerged from the underworld can cross the river by borrowing its power, but don't forget, a dragon can also devour people when it is raging."

These words expressed the sentiments of everyone present: cooperation with the Green Gang was a necessary stepping stone, but by no means an ally that could be fully trusted.

"Father, rest assured, I have remembered," Chen Che replied in a deep voice, his gaze calm.

The banquet continued, and the conversation gradually drifted to the recent political situation and the movements of foreign trading companies.

The atmosphere seemed to have warmed up again, but everyone was well aware of the undercurrents surging beneath the surface.

The alliance of the four major families was based on shared interests, as well as deep concern about the future instability in Nanjing and even the entire Jianghuai region.

Sending Chen Che, widely recognized as the most capable and daring among the younger generation, to Shanghai was both an expansion of territory and, in a sense, a risky move to test the waters.

As the banquet drew to a close, everyone rose to exchange pleasantries and bid farewell.

As Chen Che walked to the door and took his coat from the waiter, he felt his sleeve being gently tugged.

It's Dong Yi.

She was looking up at him, the faint smile from the banquet gone, leaving only a clear worry in her eyes. "Shanghai is a melting pot of all sorts of people, unlike back home in Nanjing... You... be careful in everything you do."

Chen Che looked down at her. The light in the corridor was dimmer than in the hall, outlining the beautiful profile of her face.

He felt an urge to say something, but in the end he just nodded: "You too. Jinling won't be peaceful lately either, take care of yourself."

Dong Yi wanted to say something more, but Dong Ruizhang and Dong Li happened to walk by at that moment.

She could only look up at Chen Che again and say, "I'll see you off when you leave." Then she walked down the steps with her father and brother.

After seeing Hong Duhang and Hong Xibang off, Chen Qichuan was the last to leave. Chen Che walked alongside him and got into the car parked at the door. The father and son remained silent the whole way.

The shadows of the plane trees were blurred by the streetlights, forming dim yellow patches. As the headlights swept across, they vaguely illuminated a rickshaw puller curled up and dozing at the entrance of the alley. The tram tracks gleamed coldly on the wet street surface, winding their way into the distant neon-lit hustle and bustle.

They soon arrived at the Chen residence. Chen Qichuan waited for Song Bo to open the car door and said to Chen Che, "Come with me."

Chen Che followed Chen Qichuan to the west wing, went up to the second floor, and arrived at Chen Qichuan's study.

Chen Qichuan gestured for Chen Che to sit at the table. Then he lifted a painting of a journey through Mount Song hanging on the wall and turned it around a few times on the combination lock of the hidden door on the wall behind the painting.

Chen Qichuan reached into the combination lock box embedded in the wall and rummaged around for a while before sitting down next to Chen Che.

He opened his hand, revealing a bluish-green triangular sachet in his palm: "This sachet has been passed down through generations in our Chen family. Now it's for you, so don't lose it!"

Chen Che quickly took it and repeatedly said "thank you".

Curious, he opened the sachet and found a small triangular gold ingot inside.

The gold ingot was about an inch square, with a pitted and uneven triangular base, as if it had broken off from something. It was wet and sticky to the touch.

The object felt warm in Chen Che's hand, like the temperature of human body.

"Father, what is this?" Chen Che asked.

"This is the gold trim that Li Si used to repair the Imperial Seal of the State," Chen Qichuan said in a low voice, his face showing both pride and mystery.

After unifying the six kingdoms, the First Emperor had the He Shi Bi jade carved into an imperial seal and ordered Li Si to inscribe the eight characters "Received the Mandate of Heaven, May it last forever," symbolizing the mandate of heaven.

After the First Emperor's death, Chancellor Li Si and Zhao Gao secretly concealed the news and forged an imperial edict, intending to pass the throne to Huhai. In the chaos, a corner of the imperial seal was chipped. Li Si, in a moment of inspiration, melted down his own gold official seal and used the molten gold to repair the broken corner. This repaired seal later came into the possession of Liu Bang, and the gold-inlaid part was particularly noticeable, becoming the origin of the phrase "gold-inlaid jade."

The gold nugget in front of you is this ancient relic that has been passed down for more than 2000 years.

Chen Che carefully placed the gold ingot back into the sachet, tied the opening tightly, and hung it close to his body around his neck.

Chen Qichuan patted Chen Che on the shoulder and said softly, "Go to sleep, you have to catch the train tomorrow."

Chen Che responded and adjusted the gold ingot hanging around his neck.

Just as he was about to leave the room, Chen Qichuan said again, "Come home and visit your parents often."

Chen Che grunted in agreement and quickly walked out of the study.

Chen Qichuan never showed his tender side in front of Chen Che, so Chen Che really didn't expect this, and his eyes reddened slightly.

The next morning, at Jinling Railway Station.

Chen Che's navy blue suit jacket fit perfectly against his shoulders. The collar of his pure white shirt was crisp, highlighting his defined jawline. When he turned slightly to the side in the morning light, the whole scene looked like a meticulously calibrated camera lens—composed, precise, and unquestionable.

The servants and trusted compradors from the four major families' respective merchant guilds had already set off a few days ago.

Chen Che insisted on traveling light, packing only two large suitcases.

Chen San continued to follow him like a shadow.

Last night, Sun Congzhou had already written a letter of recommendation for Chen Che to the Shanghai Central Martial Arts Academy, and he specifically instructed: "The director of the Shanghai Central Martial Arts Academy is named Ren Zhan, everyone calls him 'Weapon Master.' Listen to everything he says. Remember, listen to everything he says!"

He put his hand on Chen Che's shoulder and they agreed to meet in Shanghai after Sun Congzhou met Li Jinglin in Tianjin.

Dong Yatou has not appeared yet.

The train was about to depart, and Chen Che looked around, but there was still no one there.

He had no choice but to board the car with Chen San.

Once we were seated, the train started moving with a clatter, and the scenery outside the window slowly receded into the distance.

Chen Che then noticed a petite figure on the opposite platform waving at him.

"Chen Che, you still haven't won me over!"