Chapter 44: The Gift Delivered in Advance

Government House, 1960

The Victoria Crown Room on the second floor of the west wing of Government House blended Gothic pointed arches with Eastern upturned eaves, fully embodying Hong Kong’s character.

Lin Ran entered the banquet hall at the Governor’s invitation, gazing at the oil portraits on the walls.

The Governor smiled and introduced: “Professor Lin, this portrait of King George VI’s coronation was presented to Government House by the Prince of Wales in 1911; the frame is crafted from Chaozhou gold-lacquered wood carving.”

His Mandarin was imperfect, but his vocabulary was surprisingly complete—Lin Ran thought, though the man had hosted countless guests here; these phrases were merely basic to him.

“King George VI was indeed a distinguished man,” Lin Ran complimented.

He didn’t know much history, but he remembered Louis XIV.

Lin Ran feared the man might say, “King George VI was beheaded,” that uniquely future-Chinese black humor.

“King George VI was the father of the reigning Queen and served in the Royal Air Force.”

White marble from Jharkhand, India, formed rose patterns underfoot, with pure tin lines—extracted from Malaysian tin mines—embedded along the seams.

Suspended from the ceiling was a late-Victorian brass-gilt chandelier; before its 1948 conversion to electric light, it had been gas-powered, the glass shades still bearing the etched inscription “Lancashire Gas Co. 1889.”

In the corner stood a cloisonné Western-style palace lantern, a gift from Empress Dowager Cixi to Governor Henry Arthur Blake in 1902.

(These specific details are drawn from “Government House Reception Records.”)

Even if Lin Ran didn’t know where these items originated, he still felt the vast colonial accumulation of England’s past.

Turning his thoughts to 2020, he realized America was the same—so he felt compelled to find some truth inside himself.

Fortunately, what he intended to do this time was a major undertaking—a truly significant one.

The major undertaking he planned was truly significant; it would completely reshape all future structures.

The entire timeline would be rendered unrecognizable by his actions.

In the 2020 timeline, countless sci-fi works had shown the immense power of the butterfly effect—any casual action could profoundly alter the future timeline.

Meanwhile, in Chinese web novels, there was the theory of karmic convergence: no matter how much a time-traveler or reincarnator changed things, the outcome would always be pulled back into a reasonable range.

Lin Ran didn’t know which theory was right, nor could he judge.

But whether or not it caused a butterfly effect, Lin Ran knew deeply that he couldn’t come to 1960 without acting; since he had to act, had to influence this timeline, why not act bigger, make the impact more drastic?

Before coming to Xiangjiang, Lin Ran had held this purpose firmly.

The main goal of establishing contact with Huaguo was to leave behind a spark of Western science for Huaguo.

The purpose of coming to Xiangjiang was to deliver a groundbreaking gift to the Xiangjiang shipping magnates of this era.

Xu Aizhou and Dong Haoyun, mentioned earlier, were shipping kings of this era.

Xu Aizhou’s grandson was Xu Jinheng, who married Li Jiaxin.

Dong Haoyun’s son was even more famous: the renowned Mr. Dong.

In the future, the world’s shipping king, Yu Kwok-kaung, was then just a minor player with a few ships, unable to enter Government House.

Lin Ran intended to deliver them a gift that would establish sea power as superior to land power.

The emergence of this gift would transform the global order.

The Rust Belt would emerge at least twenty years early; economic globalization within the American system officially began today.

He could strengthen America’s power at NASA, but drastically lowering shipping costs would cause Wall Street’s big sharks to actively drain America dry.

This was a truly earth-shattering change.

“...

Snow stains ten thousand lights; bell chimes shape Buddha niches

Departing, I drink feasts beneath dust

How can my youthful face change without seeing the shrine’s former brilliance?

Yet I awaken, watching from the sidelines.”

After the specially invited Gu Zhengqiu performed a song, the guests erupted in applause; Lin Ran joined in with light clapping.

“Next, let us invite Sir Robert Brown to represent Queen Victoria in awarding Professor Lin the Order of the British Empire, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in mathematics.”

Applause thundered; guests in tailored suits and refined makeup smiled.

Li Huiling sat beside her father, Li Fushu, clapping vigorously until her hands turned red.

Li Fushu’s status was unquestionably high enough to attend this event—he was a triple member of Xiangjiang’s Municipal, Legislative, and Executive Councils, unprecedented in Xiangjiang’s history.

He clapped gently, wondering internally if the rumors might hold some truth.

At Li Fushu’s level, he could receive news from London; his “rumors” weren’t street gossip.

He instantly recognized Lin Ran’s suit as custom-tailored by Savile Row’s master tailors—the favorite of J.P. Morgan Sr.

To Li Fushu, this was proof of deep ties to the Morgan family; Dongyayinhang was famous, but compared to Morgan, it was like Xiangjiang compared to America.

“Remember to behave well—if you earn Professor Lin’s favor, I won’t arrange your marriage for you,” Li Fushu whispered to his daughter.

After the award ceremony, the banquet officially began, and guests and hosts alike enjoyed themselves.

“Professor Lin, I am Li Fushu, Chairman of Dongyayinhang; this is my daughter, Li Huiling—she’s your fan, and insisted I bring her to meet you.”

Among the guests, Li Fushu was among the first to meet Lin Ran.

Lin Ran studied the man, recalling Dongyayinhang’s information; the fact that he remained unshaken in Xiangjiang suggested real ability—building goodwill was always wise, and Li Huiling did possess some beauty.

“Mr. Li, hello. Miss Li, hello,” Lin Ran shook hands with both.

When shaking Li Huiling’s hand, Lin Ran felt her grip tighten noticeably.

“Professor Lin, the Governor clearly holds you in high regard,” Li Guofu said.

Lin Ran pulled out the Order of the British Empire from his pocket and gestured: “Of course.”

Li Guofu, eager to display his local authority, added: “It’s not just the medal.”

He tapped the table lightly:

“The removable rosewood inlaid mother-of-pearl banquet table in the Victoria Crown Room was custom-made by Jardine Matheson in 1860; it can be assembled into a U-shape for 36 guests or an E-shape for 72.”

Today, to welcome Professor Lin and considering your appreciation for traditional Chinese culture, it has been arranged into a Taiji Bagua pattern for the first time.”

Lin Ran ran his hand over the rosewood table, saying: “Thank you, Governor. Coming to Xiangjiang, I’ve deeply felt the warmth of its people. Xiangjiang is a fine place—I hope to visit often in the future.”

But Lin Ran knew well—he probably wouldn’t be able to come next year, so he had to get everything done in this one visit.

Unfortunately, Lin Ran knew very well that he probably wouldn’t be able to come next year, so he had to get everything done in this one trip.