There were sounds of honking amidst the shouts of people and horses neighing. As the two of them watched, pedestrians and convoys on the road began to move toward both sides of the road, and soon they made way for a road.
The two of them squeezed into the pile of goods in a tacit understanding, with the straw hats on their heads pulled even lower.
Looking sideways, a simple four-wheeled car rumbled past amid the awed eyes of the crowd and the flying dust.
The dirt road in the late Qing Dynasty was a real dirt road, not to mention extremely bumpy. When cars and horses passed by, it was like a simple sandstorm, flying towards you.
In the flying dust, Hu Tianjiu recognized that it was an American-made Oldsmobile car that was extremely rare in this era.
In the late Qing Dynasty, even in the capital, the most common vehicles were driven by animal power, such as horse-drawn carriages, donkey carts, mule carts, ox carts, etc.
When officials from wealthy households travel, they usually choose horse-drawn carriages or rickshaws.
These days, bicycles are imported and extremely rare gadgets, while cars are only purchased by wealthy families in Guangzhou, a trading center that has been most heavily baptized by the West.
"What is this iron lump? How can it still scream and run?"
There are people who have not seen the car, looking at the passing cars and whispering to each other.
"I heard people say that this is called a seven-car. It is said to be a Western thing, but it is very expensive. Most people who don't eat or drink can't afford one in their lifetime."
"It's so expensive. Whose family does this belong to?"
"I've seen the person sitting on it. He belongs to the Wang family. The Wang family, the richest man in Guangzhou, came to our village to collect rent last time. This is the Wang family's car."
Hearing the name of the Wang family, Song Xing could feel the awe from the people around him.
When the car drove past, both the people, horses and goods were all covered with a layer of khaki. However, facing the powerful Wang family, everyone could only mutter a few words in a low voice and continue to pack up and go on their way.
The road soon returned to its original crowded appearance. After patting the dust off his body, Song Xing turned his head and saw Hu Tianjue staring thoughtfully at the car driving away.
Song Xing asked warily: "Is there anything wrong?"
Hu Tianchu came to his senses and shook his head: "No, mentioning the Wang family reminds me of an old friend. Maybe we can find another way to enter the city."
The Wang family, the richest man in Guangzhou, is not just an ordinary wealthy businessman's family.
In the mid-19th century, due to the Qing Dynasty's isolation policy, Guangzhou became the only foreign trade port on the southeast coast.
Since then, Guangzhou has become the center of overseas import and export trade.
Such huge business opportunities gave birth to a group of the most capable businessmen in the Qing Dynasty. They were not only the leaders of domestic trade, but also the window for China's external exchanges.
Only through them can trading ships from Europe and the United States enter Guangzhou, connect with China's huge market network, and transport high-profit Chinese manufactured products back to China for sale.
Under the link of interests, businessmen from Guangzhou Prefecture united together and established the Guangzhou Thirteenth Merchant Bank, whose businesses covered all industries in Guangzhou Prefecture.
Among them, the five major families headed by Wang, Pan, Lu, Wu and Ye were the leaders of all trading houses and had huge influence in Guangzhou at that time.
Wealth can lead to the gods. When foreign warships sailed into Chinese ports and the Qing court's dominance was on the verge of collapse, these five families relied on their huge financial resources to make friends with foreigners and prospered in Guangzhou.
Their industries are no longer limited to owning real estate, real estate, tea gardens, shops, etc. in China, but also have a large number of industries in Western and Southeast Asian places.
Compared with the other four major families, the Wang family has been in Guangzhou for thousands of years. It is truly a millennium family that has gone through several dynasties and generations. Its influence among the major families is intricate. Even the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi sometimes hesitates when faced with the strength of the Wang family. Nothing can be done.
The greatest confidence that allows the Wang family to stand firm in troubled times is that the Wang family never puts their chips in one basket.
The ancestors of the Wang family knew very well that without the protection of the court, no matter how great the wealth was, they could not be passed down. Therefore, education was the first priority for the children of the Wang family. Since the Kangxi period, every generation has been awarded a Jinshi. Anyone who is an official will receive full support from the family and a position. The highest officials even reached the rank of general of Jingzhou, governor of Huguang, bachelor of Wenhua Palace and minister of the Ministry of Punishment.
Thanks to this, the Wang family's foundation has grown stronger and stronger, becoming the largest family in Guangzhou.
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Wang family decisively made friends with foreigners. In Guangzhou Prefecture, a place where good and bad people were mixed, even the governor had to look at their expressions. They could be described as veritable local emperors.
Hu Tianchun told Song Xing the details of the Wang family, but did not notice the surprised look in Song Xing's eyes under the brim of his hat.
Because this Wang family happened to be the descendants of Wang Du, and the Wang family who hid the ancient mirror in the Jade Seal mission.
Hu Tianchun continued: "When I was studying, I had a classmate named Wang Yigu. Although he was born into a noble family, he had long been dissatisfied with the corrupt rule of the Qing court. Later, when I joined the Fuxing Society, I was even more grateful to him. Funding.”
Song Xing had already guessed: "Is this Wang Yigu a member of the Wang family?"
If the Wang family had such power in Guangzhou, all Hu Tianchou wanted was to use Wang Yigu's power to enter Guangzhou city.
"That's right," Hu Tianpo nodded, "but he is not a direct descendant of the Wang family, but just a branch of the Wang family. I don't know if it will work if he comes to the door rashly."
The secrets surrounding Hu Tianju were too great, and he would not be exposed to the eyes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs unless it was absolutely necessary.
In Guangzhou Prefecture, if the green battalion soldiers intervene again, it will undoubtedly be extremely difficult to leave Guangzhou and go to Hong Kong without anyone noticing.
Song Xing pondered for a moment and said: "If we can borrow the power of the Wang family, it would be best not to alarm the Qing court, but is this person reliable?"
In this era, Song Xing saw many businessmen who were unjust for profit, and he had some doubts about whether the Wang family would betray them.
Hu Tianchou saw that a box of goods next to him was tilted, stepped forward to straighten it, and then said: "These families that can be passed down for hundreds of years, when the wind direction is uncertain, what they are best at is hedging their bets."
"Although we failed several times in revolt, it also made these aristocratic families see clearly that the Qing court's control over Guangdong and Guangxi has become less and less."
"Coupled with the fact that the Eight Banners' fighting power in Green Camp is eroded and they have foreigners as their backers, the Wang family will not completely fall to the Qing court."
Looking back at the long crowd behind him, Hu Tianchou said with certainty: "Besides, I believe that Wang Yigu will not betray us even if he will not help us."
Seeing what Hu Tianchou said, Song Xing nodded and said, "Okay, let's go to Wangjiachong first."
