Beiyang Dream

Chapter 8 Wow, my family used to be "Brahmins" in Tianjin!

Chang Desheng, wearing his new, stiffly starched uniform and carrying a blue cloth bundle, swayed as he walked down the secondhand clothing street.

The bundle contained all his belongings: two changes of clothes, a pair of cloth shoes, and the German grammar and writing tutorial given to him by Hannagan. It was all he had; it felt incredibly light in his hands.

But I felt a little panicked.

He was mentally recounting a financial debt that was making him feel a little "numb".

This morning, Lord Yinchang summoned the group of students who had studied abroad to his duty room and gave them eighty taels of silver as "clothing allowance".

"You've all heard this," Yin Chang said earnestly. "When you get to Germany, the winters are freezing. Wearing a thick cotton robe isn't presentable; you'll need a fur coat. Fur coats are cheap in Tianjin, but they're ridiculously expensive there—thirty pounds will only buy you the hem."

Chang Desheng was quite pleased at the time: Eighty taels! That's a lot!

Yesterday, he spent one tael of silver at "Tianyifang" to hold a "Gathering of the Beiyang Clique," which cost eighty taels!

But after leaving the Beiyang Minister's office, he turned into "Longchang," the largest fur shop on Guyi Street, and his heart sank when he asked about the prices.

The waiter brought over three leather items.

The lowest quality sheepskin cloak, with its mixed fur colors and stiff leather, was priced at twenty-five taels.

Medium-quality mink fur, glossy and soft to the touch—priced at fifty taels.

A top-quality fox fur coat, silvery-white, with bluish tips on the fur under the light—priced at one hundred and twenty taels.

Chang Desheng touched the mink coat; it did feel wonderful. Then he glanced at the price tag, and his heart sank!

Why are nice clothes so expensive these days?

How much money does he have in total?

The twenty taels sponsored by Yin Chang (one tael was spent on treating Cao Kun and the others to dinner yesterday, leaving nineteen taels), plus the eighty taels for clothing expenses, totaled ninety-nine taels. There were also a few taels of loose silver in his pocket.

One hundred taels of silver.

Buy this mid-range mink coat, and use half of it. The rest is needed to buy a long gown, a mandarin jacket, official boots, a shirt, socks... and I still need to set aside some pocket money for my stay in Germany.

The Beiyang government did provide "clothing allowance for Germany"—thirty pounds, equivalent to ninety taels of silver. However, that money could only be collected in Berlin, and it had to be used to buy military academy uniforms, leather shoes, swords, and ceremonial accessories.

"Shopkeeper," Chang Desheng said, pointing to the mink coat, "could you give me a discount?"

The shopkeeper's eyelids drooped again: "Sir, this price is fair. Go ask around elsewhere; for the same goods, I'll give them away for free if it's less than fifty-five taels."

Chang Desheng stood at the entrance of Longchanghao and sighed.

"Just like in my past life," he thought to himself, "I have a lot of money in hand, but when I calculate my expenses, I'm broke."

In his previous life, his monthly salary seemed decent, but even after ten years of saving, he still couldn't afford the down payment for a dilapidated apartment in downtown Tianjin.

One hundred taels of silver in this lifetime seems like a lot. But a coat costs fifty taels, a set of clothes costs thirty taels, and pocket money costs twenty taels—that's it.

"Alright," he shook his head, "we'll have to be careful with our money. After all, we're not rich kids."

He carried his bundle and walked towards the direction of his family home, which he remembered.

Chang Desheng searched through the original owner's memories: his family lived in an alley near Guyi Street, and his father was a clerk in the Tianjin Prefecture's Lifang Office—a low-ranking official.

His family must not be wealthy; sending him to military academy and bribing officials must have emptied their pockets.

So when he went home this time, he didn't expect his family to give him much money.

"I'll go home and visit first," he thought. "I'll tell my parents I'm going to Germany and pack some things. As for the money... I'll figure that out later."

......

When Chang Desheng turned into the alley called "Renyi Lane", he froze after taking only two steps.

The alley is blocked.

It's not a traffic jam—there aren't any cars these days. It's a jam of sedan chairs.

Seventeen or eighteen sedan chairs, some made of blue wool, some of cyan cloth, and some of green silk, lined up one after another from the entrance of the alley to its depths. The sedan chair bearers squatted in the corners of the walls, smoking pipes and chatting idly. Dozens of attendants and servants stood around, completely blocking the already narrow alley.

Neighbors gathered on both sides to watch the spectacle, pointing and whispering among themselves.

"Wow, what a grand display..."

"The Chang family is really lively today."

"Eighteen sedan chairs, I counted them three times."

Chang Desheng had lived two lives, and this was the first time he had ever seen such a scene.

"What's going on?" he muttered. "Who's getting married? How lavish must the dowry be to warrant so many sedan chairs?"

He tiptoed and peered into the alley, trying to see if the bride was pretty.

Just then, someone saw him.

"Young Master Chang! Young Master Chang is back!"

A crisp, clear shout rang out.

Chang Desheng turned his head and saw Manager Wang of the "Qianxiangyi" silk shop on Guyi Street. The old manager's face was beaming like a chrysanthemum as he jogged over and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Congratulations, Young Master Chang! Congratulations, Young Master Chang! Studying abroad in Germany has brought honor to your family!"

Chang Desheng was taken aback.

Immediately afterwards, Manager Li of Baochang Jewelry Store, Manager Sun of Yipinzhai Tea Shop, Zhao Chaofeng of Yucheng Pawnshop... all the shopkeepers of half of Guyi Street gathered around.

They all bowed with their hands clasped in greeting, their faces beaming with smiles.

"Young Master Chang is a prodigy!"

"Congratulations to Young Master Chang!"

"Young Master Chang is destined for greatness!"

Chang Desheng was surrounded and a little confused.

That's not right.

My family is just a minor official, and my father is just a clerk. They're not even ninth-rank officials, yet these shopkeepers don't even show this much respect to the county magistrate.

Are they... coming for me?

Because I got first place in the exam? I'm going to study abroad?

Chang Desheng returned the greeting with clasped hands while mentally calculating.

Just then, a group of people walked out of the alley.

The leader was a young man, about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, wearing a royal blue silk robe with a black satin jacket over it, and a jade pendant hanging from his waist. He looked about six or seven parts like Chang Desheng, but was fairer and more "respectable".

I remember now, this is Chang Dequan, his older brother.

Changde was followed by seven or eight people: a merchant in a long robe and mandarin jacket, a man in short clothes but with sharp eyes, and two men in prison uniforms with knives at their waists—judging from their attire, they seemed to be constables from the county government.

As soon as the group emerged from the alley, the onlookers automatically made way for them.

Chang Dequan's eyes lit up when he saw his younger brother. He strode over, speaking loudly in a Tianjin accent, deliberately making sure everyone around could hear him:

"Second brother! You're finally back! I've been waiting for you for ages!"

He grabbed Chang Desheng's hand and turned to the group behind him, saying:

"Gentlemen, this is my second brother, Chang Desheng, courtesy name Zhenbang. He came in first place in the recent Beiyang Military Academy entrance examination! He was personally received by Li Hongzhang! He's about to go to Germany to study at the Berlin Military Academy!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the group of people swarmed around him.

Chang Dequan pulled his younger brother along and introduced them one by one... each one of them was a prominent figure!

Chang Desheng returned the greetings while accepting red envelopes and gifts, his mind racing.

Grain merchants, salt merchants, pawnshop clerks, gang leaders, constables...

These people are all important figures, big and small, yet they were so polite to me, a young man in his early twenties, even giving me silver notes and gold bars.

Just because I got first place?

Because I met with Li Hongzhang?

That can't be, could it be...?

Chang Desheng suddenly remembered the thought that had just flashed through his mind: My father is a clerk in the Tianjin Prefecture.

What exactly does a clerk do?

He then carefully searched through the original owner's memories: In the Qing Dynasty, local government offices had "three classes and six departments." The three classes were the Zhuang class, the Zai class, and the Kuai class, who were in charge of maintaining order and arresting people. The six departments were the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Works, corresponding to the six ministries of the central government.

The Personnel Office was responsible for managing officials' files, performance evaluations, and personnel appointments and removals...

and many more.

The Clerk of the Personnel Office was in charge of personnel matters for all officials in the prefecture...

In later generations, wouldn't that be equivalent to the director of the municipal personnel bureau?! And it's a hereditary position, passed down from father to son, brother to brother, where several generations could hold the post!

He suddenly looked at Chang Dequan.

His brother will take over their father's job.

His father took over the job from his grandfather.

His grandfather took over the business from his great-grandfather...

The Chang family had been the "Personnel Bureau Chiefs" of Tianjin Prefecture for generations.

I rely on...

......

"Second brother, what are you daydreaming about?" Chang Dequan said from the side. "Father is waiting for you inside."

He pointed to the main room.

Chang Desheng looked up and saw a dozen people sitting in the main room—no, it was more like a lively gathering.

The door to the main room was open, and smoke filled the room. There was also a buzzing sound of talking coming from inside, making it look a bit like a teahouse.

Chang Desheng followed his brother into the main room.

The main room was spacious, with a row of armchairs, but no one was sitting properly.

Sitting in the center was Chang Fuhai—Chang Desheng's father. He was in his fifties, with a round face and slightly plump, wearing a dark blue robe and a black mandarin jacket. He held a covered teacup in his hand and had a smile on his face, looking just like a teahouse owner.

On both sides, a dozen or so old men, some sitting and some standing, surrounded each other. They were all over forty or fifty years old, dressed in long robes and mandarin jackets. Some had their legs crossed, some were leaning against the back of their chairs, and some were leaning over and whispering something to the person next to them, with smoke rising from their pipes.

As Chang Desheng stepped into the main room, the previously buzzing conversation immediately subsided.

Immediately afterwards, a dark-faced man who was closest to the door, leaning back in his armchair and puffing out smoke, suddenly stood up with a loud, booming voice:

"Oh my! Our foreign top scholar is back!"

That shout was like a pebble thrown into a pond.

Everyone in the room suddenly started moving.

A dozen or so people quickly surrounded Chang Desheng in the center of the main room.

"Nephew Zhenbang! You're remarkable!" The dark-faced man—Liu, the clerk of the Household Department—slapped Chang Desheng's arm loudly. "Lord Li praised you personally! When you get a post, you'll at least be a Circuit Intendant! We'll be counting on you from now on!"

Before Chang Desheng could reply, a tall, thin, and stern-faced old man beside him—Li, the clerk of the criminal division—stroked his goatee and nodded slowly: "Hmm, your policy essay has caught the eye of the Grand Secretary, which is no small matter. Nephew, if there is anything I can do for you in military or criminal matters in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Second Brother!" A man in his thirties with a wiry face put his arm around Chang Desheng's shoulder—it was Zhang, the workshop clerk, of the same generation as the Chang brothers. "You've really made a name for yourself for the 'Sixth Branch'! You'd better tell the brothers about those foreign steamships and cannons later!"

In the corner stood an elderly man in a gray cloth robe who had remained silent until now. He simply smiled and bowed to Chang Fuhai, who was seated at the head of the table, saying, "Uncle Chang, like father, like son. Your son has already shown his talent. Congratulations!"

This is the legal advisor, whose status is more refined and whose speech is more polite.

Chang Desheng was surrounded by people praising him, patting his shoulder, and holding his hand. He was getting a little dizzy.

But in his previous life, he was a draftsman who was often surrounded by clients giving him feedback, which honed his skills—he would smile politely on the surface while secretly racking his brains.

This group of people... is so enthusiastic.

This scene makes it seem like I'm about to become a high-ranking official... Everyone's rushing to curry favor with me!

Chang Dequan interjected at just the right moment; his voice was quite loud and could be heard from afar:

"Uncles and elders, you may not know this, but Li Zhongtang not only met with Zhenbang, but also kept him behind for a full quarter of an hour! He was asking about Zhenbang's strategy of 'preemptive strike' in his policy proposals!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room erupted in an "Oh!" of astonishment.

The clerk of the military office—a burly man with a face full of scars—immediately chimed in: "Look! This is Jian Zai the Emperor's heart! Nephew Zhenbang, your insight far surpasses ours."

Chang Desheng understood.

Brother, you're raising the price!

Sure enough, as soon as he said that, everyone's eyes burned even hotter.

At this moment, Chang Fuhai, who was in the main seat, slowly spoke. His voice was not loud, but it instantly silenced the entire room:

"As a young person, I have only achieved a little. It is both an opportunity and a pressure to receive your inquiry, Your Excellency. I have a long road ahead of me, and I will need the continued support and guidance of my fellow elders."

After saying that, he glanced around the room.

Liu, the clerk of the household registration office, was the first to react. Laughing, he pulled a bulging red envelope from his sleeve—not respectfully "offering" it, but almost "stuffing" it into Chang Desheng's hand:

"We'll definitely help! Zhenbang is going abroad, a long and arduous journey. This is just a small token of our appreciation from his uncles. Please don't refuse our help with his travel arrangements!"

The others also smiled and took out the red envelopes they had prepared beforehand, one handing one to Chang Desheng and another to Chang Dequan. The scene was as lively as giving out lucky money during the Chinese New Year, but the red envelopes were thick and heavy in the hand, clearly not ordinary.

Wang, the clerk of the Ministry of Rites, smiled and said, "My dear nephew Zhenbang, my son is not very talented, but he has learned a few words of foreign languages ​​in the county school. When you return after completing your studies, if you establish your own government or military headquarters, it would be a great honor for him to run errands for you and learn some skills!"

"I also have a nephew who's very quick and efficient..."

"My third child..."

In an instant, people were entrusting their children and nephews, promising to help, and pledging their loyalty... The main room was bustling with activity, and human relationships and interests were nakedly intertwined. It was quite a lively scene.

Chang Desheng stood in the middle, holding five or six red envelopes in his hand, and he already understood everything.

This is the "Brahman Circle" of Tianjin!

More than a dozen hereditary clerks, intermarried and deeply entrenched, controlled local criminal law, finances, projects, and personnel... They were not officials, but clerks, yet without them, officials could do nothing.

Now, these local thugs are surrounding him, giving him money, entrusting him with their children and nephews, and saying nice things to him.

Why?

Because of him, Chang Desheng, he was no longer "the second son of the Chang family clerks," but Chang Zhenbang, who was "favored by Li Hongzhang, was to study in Germany, and might become a high-ranking official in the future."

They were optimistic about his future... and he certainly needed the help of these fellow villagers in the future.

Thinking of this, Chang Desheng took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply.

"I will always remember the kindness and support of my uncles and elders. I will study diligently in Germany and live up to their expectations. If I achieve something in the future, I will never forget the friendship I have built with them today."

......

In the afternoon, the people who came to offer their congratulations took their leave one after another.

Chang Fuhai asked Chang Dequan to see the guest off, and then took his youngest son into the study.

The study was small, containing a bookshelf, a table, and a chair. The bookshelf had few books, mostly account books and files.

When the customs officer from Changfu arrived, he sat down first and then pointed to the chair opposite him.

Chang Desheng sat down, smiling as he looked at his "Brahman father," whom he had only recently met.

Chang Fuhai didn't say anything, but took a wooden box out of the drawer and pushed it over.

I opened it and took a look.

Inside were banknotes. One by one, neatly stacked.

Chang Desheng glanced at it; the denominations were all fifty or one hundred taels. It was a thick stack, at least twenty bills.

More than one thousand taels.

Chang Fuhai spoke, his voice calm:

"This is 1,200 taels. The shopkeepers at the alley entrance contributed 500 taels. The uncles and elders inside just gave you 700 taels, all of which are for you."

Chang Desheng was incredibly excited!

One thousand two hundred taels.

He was just worried that one hundred taels wouldn't be enough to spend!

Chang Fuhai then took out a small brocade pouch from his pocket and handed it to his son:

"This is what your family scraped together for you, a total of three hundred taels. Add that to the one thousand two, and it's a total of one thousand five hundred taels. In Germany, spend what you need to spend, and remember to make more friends. More friends mean more opportunities, fewer enemies mean fewer obstacles."

"My son knows!"

.......

Chang Desheng walked out of the study with 1500 taels of silver notes in his pocket, and stood in the courtyard, looking at the three-section courtyard house with its blue bricks and gray tiles.

The mental ledger was churning, sparks flying everywhere.

1,500 taels of silver is certainly enough to live on in Germany.

The connections of those dozen or so "Director-General" uncles will definitely come in handy after returning to China. This is the ready-made prototype of a "direct-line civil service team"...

But he also understood that although the Chang family was a "hereditary Brahmin" in Tianjin, in the eyes of the Manchu and Mongol nobles in Beijing, they were still slaves! A clerk is a clerk, no matter how powerful they are, they still serve the officials.

What Chang Desheng wanted to do was to transform his background as a "clerk" into that of an "official," then into a "high-ranking official," and finally into someone whose word was law.

Therefore, the exams for the Prussian War Academy must be passed.

That letter to Wilhelm II must be used wisely.

He said to himself:

"Chang Desheng, Chang Desheng, your hand is so much better than that one in your previous life!"

"Their family is wealthy, influential, and owns land."

"Li Hongzhang was watching from above, Yin Chang was delivering messages in the middle, and more than a dozen bureau chiefs and uncles were supporting him from below."

"If he can't even get a clean sweep with this, he might as well become president..."

"Then all that time travel was for nothing."

Thirteen days later, board the ship and let's go!