Guangzhou Prefecture, Li Residence.
In feudal times, the residences of princes and nobles were called mansions, those of officials were called residences, and those of ordinary people were called homes.
As one of the wealthiest families in Guangzhou, the Li Family could originally only be considered "ordinary people."
But the family patriarch, Old Master Li Tingzhao, had simply paid to buy himself an official title, all for the sake of convenience—and to make his residence more imposing.
In truth, given the old master's ties to Minister Li, a high-ranking official at court, no one would have dared say a word even if he had put "Mansion" on the gate.
But Li Tingzhao had never acted arrogantly on that account. He kept a low profile, observed the rules, and never flaunted his relationship with Minister Li.
At that moment, he was receiving guests in the main hall of his residence. His visitors were a young woman and an old man.
"Brother Wang, what brings you to my humble home today? I should have been the one to call on you."
Wang Shiyuan smiled. "Brother Li, there's no need for formalities between us. I've come today because I have a favor to ask."
Li Tingzhao was puzzled. Though the Wang Family in Guangzhou Prefecture wasn't as wealthy as the Li Family, they ran their affairs honestly and shouldn't have faced any problems they couldn't resolve.
So he smiled and said, "You're too kind, Brother Wang. I'm past fifty, but I'm neither a high-ranking official nor a great magnate. I wouldn't presume to put on airs with you. Please, tell me what's on your mind."
Wang Shiyuan sighed inwardly. Everyone said Li Tingzhao was humble and modest, and the reputation was well deserved.
His eldest son now held a mid-level post in the New Army. This army was Minister Li's personal force, Yuan Shikai's troops, and every last soldier was equipped with German arms.
His second son was an official in the Registrar's Office under the Guangdong Provincial Administration Office, assisting the provincial administration commissioner with paperwork and administrative affairs. Though low in rank, he held considerable power.
His third son was said to be studying in England, thousands of miles away. He was an exceptional talent, too. The Li Family was full of gifted people.
Despite the family's prominence, they never flaunted their status or threw their weight around before outsiders. As a result, Li Tingzhao was well liked, had a wide circle of friends, and maintained close ties with many foreigners.
And Wang Shiyuan had come today because of the third son, Li Qiwei. "Brother Li, to be frank, I've come today about my daughter."
Then he turned to the young woman behind him. "Yao'er, come and greet your Uncle Li."
The young woman, about five feet three inches tall and dressed in a pale moon-white skirt, was bright-eyed and mischievous. Beaming, she said, "Uncle Li, do you still remember me?"
Li Tingzhao gave her a careful look, then asked uncertainly, "Are you... Lu Yao?"
Wang Luyao smiled sweetly. "Yes, Uncle Li."
Li Tingzhao suddenly realized. He cried out, "My, how a girl changes as she grows! You've become more and more beautiful!"
It turned out that the Li and Wang families had known each other for years. They had once lived together for several years, so their children had grown up knowing one another.
Li Qiwei and Wang Luyao had played together since childhood. They had been childhood sweethearts, so Li Tingzhao naturally remembered her.
Later, the Li Family moved away, and when Li Qiwei was fifteen, he and Wang Luyao parted ways.
After that, the Li and Wang families lost touch for the most part.
The little girl he remembered had blossomed into a graceful young woman, though she was still as mischievous as ever.
Li Tingzhao wondered to himself what Wang Shiyuan intended by bringing his daughter here.
Wang Shiyuan was at his wits' end. He truly had no other choice.
Back when Wang Luyao and Li Qiwei had spent so much time together, the girl had already been precocious. Guangzhou had also long been known for its open-minded atmosphere, where Western ideas were widely circulated.
The women's liberation movement was now sweeping through the West, calling on women to rise up, and its influence had reached the Qing Dynasty as well.
Wang Luyao had fallen for Li Qiwei when she was young. His face had been etched deeply in her mind, and now that she was grown, she made no secret of her feelings. She was always pleading with her parents to let her be with him.
Wang Shiyuan had fathered a daughter late in life and treasured her like a jewel, afraid she might melt if he held her too tightly. He had indulged her in everything, big or small.
At first, he'd thought there was no harm in it. He could put his pride aside and sound out the Li Family. After all, if his daughter married into the Li Family, that would be a great boon to the Wang Family.
Besides, he had met Li Qiwei before. The young man was handsome and well-mannered, and a perfect match for Wang Luyao.
Then came the matter that had given him such a headache. "Brother Li, I heard recently that you've been widely advertising for promising young people interested in Western studies, offering to send them to England at public expense. Is that true?"
Li Tingzhao replied, "It is. My third son is studying at Cambridge University in England, and he's already made a name for himself among the Westerners."
"He wants to learn Western science and bring it back to Huaxia, to reshape the world. But he can't do it alone, so he hopes to find a few promising young people and take them with him to train."
"Once they return with their studies complete, he'll establish new schools, teach scientific knowledge, and follow the Westerners' example by ushering in an industrial revolution and strengthening Huaxia."
Wang Shiyuan listened, instantly filled with respect. Whether or not the plan would succeed, the ambition behind it was beyond the reach of an ordinary man.
He thought even more highly of Li Qiwei, then asked, "How many promising young people from across the country have you recruited so far?"
Li Tingzhao said, "My third son told me not to take too many in the first group. So far, there are only three."
"Oh." Wang Shiyuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly grew awkward. He fidgeted as he spoke. "Well... Brother Li, would you consider taking a young woman?"
Li Tingzhao froze slightly, unsure what he meant.
Wang Luyao had run out of patience. "Oh, Uncle Li! I want to go to England too, and study by Brother Qiwei's side. Would that be all right?"
"What?" Even Li Tingzhao, seasoned and steady as he was, was taken aback. After a long pause, he said, "My dear niece, England is far away, across the seas. It's nothing like Huaxia. Are you sure?"
Wang Luyao answered brightly, "It's all right, Uncle Li. I won't be traveling alone, and once we get there, I'll be with Brother Qiwei. Nothing will go wrong."
Li Tingzhao was dumbfounded. My girl, do you really have to throw yourself at him like this? Helpless, he looked toward Wang Shiyuan, hoping to hear what he thought.
Wang Shiyuan could only sigh. "Brother Li, if it's not too much trouble, I hope you'll agree to her request."
Seeing this, Li Tingzhao had no choice but to agree. "Don't worry, Brother Wang. Your daughter will have people to look after and protect her. I won't let her suffer at all."
"They'll be traveling to England aboard one of the latest British steamships. It'll be fast and comfortable, and the journey won't be rough, even over thousands of miles."
"Besides, my third son wrote to me that their group will return in two years at the earliest, three at the latest."
Wang Shiyuan felt much better hearing this, though he still couldn't bear to part with her.
He was torn. He hoped Li Qiwei and his daughter might end up together, but he also hated the thought of his daughter going so far away.
From what he'd heard in recent days and from their conversation just now, he suspected Li Qiwei was a man of great ambition, no ordinary person. And the two families knew each other inside and out.
The Li Family was in need of people right now. Offering timely help was far better than adding flowers to brocade later.
And seeing how thoroughly the Li Family had prepared for everything, leaving no detail unattended, he finally set his mind at ease.
On December 1, 1900, a British steamship carrying four young people set sail from Guangzhou.
Wang Luyao and the other three would travel along the South China Sea, cross the Strait of Malacca, and enter the Indian Ocean. They would pass Sri Lanka, enter the Red Sea, cross the Suez Canal, and finally reach the Mediterranean Sea.
After a stop to rest in Port Said, they would cross the Mediterranean once more, pass through the Strait of Gibraltar, sail along Portugal and France, and enter the English Channel from the Atlantic Ocean.
At last, they would disembark at a London dock. The whole journey took twenty-nine days.
Truly: Lu Yao journeyed ten thousand miles for Qiwei.
Thanks to [A Million Readers] for the monthly ticket, and thanks to all my old and new readers for your recommendation votes. The female lead has finally appeared! Some readers thought these two chapters were a little slow, but the characters introduced here will be important later, so I spent a bit more time bringing them to life. Don't worry—the plot will start moving along soon.
Before you continue