August 12, 1916, Bangkok.
Bangkok was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, as well as the country's largest city and one of the most prosperous cities in the Nanyang region.
Since the nineteenth century, faced with Western invasion and expansion, Siam, the most typical ancient nation in Nanyang, had also embarked on a series of reforms, including the end of its policy of "closing the country to the outside world."
Yes, Siam had also implemented such a policy. After all, for most backward countries threatened by Western powers, shutting the doors to the outside world was the most effective short-term means of ensuring stable rule and protecting their traditional domestic markets.
But closing the country off was clearly no long-term solution, especially for a backward nation like Siam. The West's ironclad ships and heavy guns were no joke.
Thus, after the nineteenth century, Siam had ultimately been unable to withstand the pressure and adopted a series of measures that kept pace with the times, with opening up being an important one.
As the royal capital, Bangkok had also entered an era of great development in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Steam engines, factories, modern roads, and more had been introduced, giving the city an unprecedented prosperity.
And on a street southeast of Bangkok, things were especially lively today.
This was one of Bangkok's Chinatowns, and the entire street bore a strong cultural flavor of the Far East Empire.
"Crackle, crackle, crackle..." Amid a burst of firecrackers, Lin Jiawen pulled away the red cloth covering the sign hanging above the building.
Written upon it in bold, sweeping strokes were six large characters: "Jiawen Chinese School."
He walked before the crowd that had come to watch the excitement and said, "Welcome, everyone, and thank you for coming to show