Chapter 21: Into the Trap

"Brother Yin, count me in for running the newspaper. I don't even want to go to the Jiangnan Naval Academy next year!"

"Such a meaningful thing, how can I, Tao, be absent!"

Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang both recommended themselves.

Yin Qi smiled and said, "Of course, this is our common cause; how could you be absent."

Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang nodded excitedly.

Counting it up, Lu Xun was seventeen, and Tao Chengzhang was only twenty; they were at the age of youth and hot blood.

With the goal and route determined, the three began to discuss.

Although Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang were exceptionally intelligent and capable, they were ultimately limited by the era, and naturally couldn't compare to Yin Qi in terms of vision. Therefore, during the discussion, Yin Qi gradually gained the right to speak.

Slowly, they began to implicitly take Yin Qi as the leader in their hearts.

Because all the routes and plans were formulated by Yin Qi, which were not only comprehensive but also rigorous, and they couldn't find any flaws at all.

After some discussion, the three of Yin Qi determined a series of things.

The first is to run a newspaper, named "Min Bao" (People's Newspaper).

The second is to establish the Revival Society, and the three of them were the earliest members.

For the sake of confidentiality and safety, any new member must undergo rigorous review, otherwise, they were only candidates.

Regarding how to select and review new members, the three had already discussed it.

Of course, it was mainly Yin Qi doing the talking.

According to Yin Qi's plan, after Min Bao was established, it would solicit contributions from society, judge whether they were progressive people through their articles, and then periodically invite them to attend gatherings.

Through gatherings to get to know, test, influence, and review, they would eventually attract them to the Revival Society.

Although the Revival Society only had three people, Yin Qi was still elected as the President, and Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang as Vice Presidents.

Yin Qi said, "Nowadays, the government's power is still very strong, so we shouldn't act openly. Therefore, the articles in the newspaper should mainly focus on opposing foreign powers to inspire the national consciousness of the common people. As for the government, we can insinuate."

Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang both nodded; they also knew that this matter couldn't be done recklessly.

Yin Qi continued, "In order to make Min Bao famous in one shot, and also to make it easier for the common people to accept our thoughts, I propose to launch the Vernacular Movement, and all articles should be written in vernacular."

"This..."

Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang were shocked and couldn't help but frown and ponder.

From a rational point of view, vernacular is indeed easy for the common people to accept.

But it would definitely be attacked by the literati.

Yin Qi said in a deep voice, "Brother Zhou, Brother Tao, the era is progressing, and our culture must also progress. Moreover, what we want to unite are progressive people, and they will definitely be willing to accept it. As for those stubborn, corrupt Confucian scholars, there is no need to pay attention to them."

Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang looked at each other and gritted their teeth, "Alright, just as you said."

Although they would be attacked, for the sake of the great cause, and to improve the reputation and influence of Min Bao, what did these count for?

Yin Qi nodded and continued, "For this newspaper president, let Brother Tao take it, and the editor-in-chief will be Brother Zhou. I will provide the start-up capital for the newspaper, as well as subsequent operating expenses, but I will not participate in management."

Running a newspaper is not an easy thing, especially a large newspaper; buying machines requires a large amount of silver.

And it must be busy; just reviewing manuscripts could tire a person to death.

Tao Chengzhang hurriedly said, "Brother Yin, are you not taking a position?"

Yin Qi shook his head and said, "No. Our cause needs to develop, and we can't do it without funds. You know about my Yin family; we are the richest in Shanyin, and driving away foreign powers and developing people's livelihood cannot be separated from industry and commerce. My focus in the future will be in this area."

Tao Chengzhang and Lu Xun heard this and nodded silently.

The Zhou family had already declined, and the Tao family could only be said to be well-off; neither could compare to the Yin family.

Tao Chengzhang said, "I will contact the machines. I have a good friend in Shanghai. I will write a letter tonight and ask him to help find the machines needed for running the newspaper. As for the location of the newspaper office, I will look for it in these few days."

Although the telegraph had entered China, at present, only the coastal treaty ports were connected.

This was still done sneakily by foreigners, because the Qing government opposed the introduction of the telegraph.

At least until next year, the Zongli Yamen in Beijing would be able to hear the sound of telegraph information being sent and received.

Yin Qi nodded, "Alright, I will prepare the funds as soon as possible."

After discussing business, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

The three talked about the past and the present.

Yin Qi had both the knowledge reserve of later generations and the literary cultivation of Yin Qi from Fengshen, so he talked freely and completely without falling behind, and even because of various unique insights, he drew the admiration of Lu Xun and Tao Chengzhang.

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was evening.

Looking at the sunset outside the window, Yin Qi thought of the business at night, so he bowed his hands and said, "Brother Tao, Brother Zhou, I have some things to do tonight, so I have to go back. If you have anything, you can send someone to the Yin Mansion to find me."

"It's getting late, we should also go home."

"Haha, I originally came out to buy books, now I can only wait until tomorrow."

"Alright, then we will meet again!"

……

When he returned to the Yin family, the sun was just setting.

At this time, a soft sedan chair had already been prepared in front of the mansion, along with more than a dozen guards. Yin Chengtao was just walking out of the mansion, followed by Yin Xuan and Master Chen on his left and right.

Seeing Yin Qi, a look of shock flashed in Yin Chengtao's eyes.

He had been hearing Yin Xuan say that this second son had been reborn and was completely a different person. He had originally thought it was just an exaggeration, but now it seemed he had truly become a different person.

His physique was more robust, and his features were more distinct, but his eyes were very gentle, like a modest gentleman.

"Father, Brother, Master Chen!"

Yin Qi hurriedly stepped forward and greeted the three.

Although Yin Chengtao was happy about his second son's change, he was still unhappy about his timing, so he couldn't help but scold, "You just ended your confinement and you are back to your old ways. You didn't come home all afternoon; did you go and cause trouble again?"

Yin Hai couldn't help but shiver.

He really wanted to say: Master, you guessed it right!

Yin Qi smiled as if nothing had happened, "Father, I met two friends this afternoon and spent the whole afternoon drinking tea at the Xinya Tea House. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to the tea house to ask tomorrow."

Yin Chengtao just asked subconsciously. Seeing this, he didn't say anything more and said, "Let's go. We are the hosts today, we can't let Lv Xianba arrive first."

Saying this, he walked to the soft sedan chair and sat on it.

As for Yin Qi, Yin Xuan, and the others, they naturally could only follow behind.

…………

Li Family Building, one of the top-tier high-end restaurants in Shaoxing.

Third floor, private room.

A table full of wine and dishes had already been served. Yin Chengtao sat in front of the table, closing his eyes to rest, while Yin Xuan and Yin Qi could only stand behind him.

As for Master Chen, he stood further away.

Yin Xuan suddenly spoke, angrily, "Father, Lv Xianba is already half an hour late. This is unreasonable."

Yin Chengtao didn't open his eyes, just said calmly, "Calm your heart."

Over the years, what kind of scenes and what kind of people hadn't he seen?

How could Lv Xianba's "show of force" disturb his state of mind!

Yin Xuan's anger could not be dissipated. He turned his head to look at Yin Qi beside him, only to find that his second brother, who used to have a hot temper, was actually closing his eyes to rest calmly, having learned Yin Chengtao's manner completely.

He couldn't help but be puzzled, and also shocked.

Was this his second brother?

"Hahaha!"

Just then, a hearty laugh came from outside the door, and at the same time, the door was pushed open.

A sturdy middle-aged man walked in with big strides, his face full of flesh.

He was saying words of apology, but there was no sign of apology at all, "Sorry to keep Master Yin waiting for so long, I'm really sorry. The gang affairs are busy, so I came late."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 22 =====