sinovels Chapter 348: Don't Turn Back the Clock of History
Chapter 348: Don't Turn Back the Clock of History
The next day, Huang Xiaochuan and his group picked up Wu Duo and Zhang Gaolei at the airport. To their surprise, Zhang Gaolei had brought Xiao Qianlan with him.
Ding Yi and Chen Zhe looked at Xiao Qianlan in surprise, then at Zhang Gaolei.
Huang Xiaochuan urged, "Old Zhang, hurry up and introduce him to us!"
"My girlfriend, Hsiao Chien-lan, is a compatriot from Taiwan."
"Qianlan, you know Huang Xiaochuan, so I don't need to introduce him to you again. The tall, thin guy with small eyes is Ding Yi, and the scholarly-looking guy next to him is Chen Zhe."
Ding Yi gave him a thumbs-up and said with admiration, "Old Zhang, you're really something, I have to admit it!"
Xiao Qianlan shook hands and greeted everyone one by one, and said to Huang Xiaochuan, "Huang Xiaochuan, we meet again."
Huang Xiaochuan smiled and said, "Welcome to Shanghai."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the group got into their cars and headed to the hotel. Wu Duo and Huang Xiaochuan rode in the same car.
After starting the car, Wu Duo said to Huang Xiaochuan, "Old Xu and the others asked me to pass on their greetings to you."
Huang Xiaochuan smiled and said, "Are they all doing well?"
"Everything's fine. They said they'll definitely come to thank you in person when they get back to China!"
"I welcome them back with open arms. No need for thanks. When you get back, tell them that I'll treat them to a big meal when they return."
"Zhang Sui also asked me to tell you that she wants to thank you properly!"
"Zhang Sui is?" Huang Xiaochuan couldn't remember who Zhang Sui was for a moment.
Seeing that Huang Xiaochuan didn't remember, Wu Duo prompted, "You forgot you paid $200,000 for Zhang Sui's medical expenses?"
Huang Xiaochuan suddenly remembered that he had arranged for Mai Guangde to do these things, so he didn't have a strong impression of the name Zhang Sui.
"How is she now?"
"I'm almost fully recovered. It's so good to be young and healthy!"
"It's good that everyone is alright."
Huang Xiaochuan asked Wu Duo, "How did Lao Zhang manage to win his girlfriend back?"
"I'm really impressed by these two. As long as they don't talk about their relationship, they're inseparable. But as soon as either of them brings it up, it's like a volcanic eruption, with them arguing endlessly. I was lucky enough to witness it once."
"When Lao Zhang couldn't convince anyone, he suggested that Xiao Qianlan come to the mainland for a visit, and Zhang Gaolei go to Taiwan for a visit. Rather than listening to others, it's better to experience it for yourself."
However, the two argued again about whether to go to Taiwan or the mainland first. Later, I suggested that they simply draw lots. Xiao Qianlan drew the lot for coming to the mainland first, so she came with us. After a while, Lao Zhang will go to Taiwan with Xiao Qianlan to take a look.
Huang Xiaochuan couldn't help but smile; these two were truly interesting.
As the ancients said, "Isn't it a pleasure to have friends coming from afar?"
That evening, Ding Yi hosted a banquet for everyone, and he also asked those who had girlfriends to bring them along, otherwise he was afraid that he might not be able to take good care of Xiao Qianlan, who was the only girl there.
The suggestion was naturally approved by everyone, and Huang Xiaochuan even asked Chen Zhe about it.
"What did you say? Should we invite Chen Qiao along too?"
Chen Zhe was a little worried: "Won't this scare her?"
Huang Xiaochuan knew what Chen Zhe was worried about, because Ding Yi had arranged for dinner tonight at the Hilton Hotel. However, this was also because it was Xiao Qianlan's first time visiting the mainland, and it was only right to treat her with great hospitality.
Chen Zhe was very worried that such a high-end and luxurious place might scare Chen Qiao, since the young girl had never been to such a place before, and Chen Zhe had not told Chen Qiao about his background.
"Practice makes perfect. Sooner or later, she'll have to be exposed to these things. I think Chen Qiao is very adaptable, so there shouldn't be any problems."
Seeing Huang Xiaochuan say this, Chen Zhe decided to bring Chen Qiao along that evening, and also to officially announce that he now has a girlfriend.
Chen Qiao was happy to learn that Chen Zhe was going to introduce her to his roommates that evening, but she was a little puzzled about having dinner at the Hilton Hotel that night.
"Chen Zhe, the Hilton Hotel! That's so expensive! Is your roommate that rich?"
"Old Ding made some money in the stock market, and this time Old Zhang brought his Taiwanese girlfriend back. Old Ding has to support Old Zhang, otherwise people from Taiwan will always look at us with prejudice." Chen Zhe explained the reason simply.
"I see!" Chen Qiao said, indicating her understanding.
For this, Chen Qiao even specially found out her most beautiful dress.
Upon arriving at the Hilton, Chen Qiao was dazzled by the luxurious decorations. She held onto Chen Zhe tightly, not daring to let go for a moment.
Perhaps because girls have more in common, Yu Xiang, Qi Huan, Chen Qiao, and Xiao Qianlan quickly became as close as sisters.
Ding Yi said to Wu Duo, "Old Wu, you're the only one who dragged us down tonight. You'll have to drink three cups of wine as punishment later."
"Why are you making me drink? You didn't tell me beforehand. If you had, I definitely would have brought my girlfriend!"
The dinner began amidst the couple's playful banter. Ding Yi, holding a glass, suggested, "Come on, gentlemen, drink white wine, ladies, drink soft drinks. Raise your glasses! Let's welcome Lao Wu and Lao Zhang back to reunite with us, and also give a warm welcome to our compatriot Xiao Qianlan from Taiwan."
Yu Xiang sat down next to Xiao Qianlan and urged her to eat.
"The food here is a bit on the sweeter side; I don't know if you'll like it?"
"It's alright! We have local Shanghai cuisine restaurants where we live, and the taste is pretty much the same."
At this moment, Qi Huan asked, "Qianlan, where is your ancestral home?"
"My grandfather was also from the Central Plains, from Xinyang."
Qi Huan looked at Zhang Gaolei and smiled, "What a coincidence? No wonder you two are so destined to meet in America."
"Yes! That's what I think too."
Later, the conversation naturally turned to some issues, and since no one could convince anyone else, some arguments ensued.
Huang Xiaochuan couldn't help but decide to say a few words himself.
"May I say a few words too?"
Xiao Qianlan said, "Of course!"
Huang Xiaochuan chuckled and said, "Actually, whether it's you or us, we all belong to China. I listened to your conversation just now, and the main point of contention is who can better represent China."
"I have a question. You just said that you are the true successors of Chinese civilization because you were founded earlier, but you failed in the struggle and that's why you've come to this point."
Xiao Qianlan said, "I admit that what you said is true."
"Then I'd like to ask, when you defeated the Qing Dynasty and seized power from them, did you consider the feelings of the Qing people? Did you consider the feelings of those Qing loyalists and descendants?"
"If we follow your viewpoint, then Zhang Xun's restoration was right. So why did you all oppose Zhang Xun's restoration in the first place? Because according to your viewpoint, in Zhang Xun's eyes you were the traitors. Does that mean Zhang Xun was a great and righteous person? Facts have proven that he was not."
Huang Xiaochuan then changed the subject: "Times are changing, and the history of China is constantly moving forward. You have completed your historical mission, and we will not deny your existence in history, just as the Ming Dynasty acknowledged the legitimacy of the Yuan Dynasty after it replaced it."
"We also acknowledge your achievements in Chinese history and your historical value. However, just as the Ming Dynasty recognized the legitimacy of the Yuan Dynasty but did not continue to use the Yuan Dynasty's name, this is also the course of history. Although dynasties have changed, China is still China."
"If you could look at this issue from a historical perspective, you'd realize that you're the remnants of the previous dynasty, aren't you?"
Xiao Qianlan admitted that Huang Xiaochuan's words made sense: "Now that you mention it, it does seem to be true!"
"Since you admit this, aren't you hindering the progress of history? If you cling to the old ways, aren't you obstructing the course of Chinese history?"
Xiao Qianlan thought for a moment, then nodded with difficulty: "If we consider the course of history, what you said makes sense."
Huang Xiaochuan then said with a smile, "Actually, we can change this issue a little. You are a Chinese, a descendant of the Ming Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, or even the Han Dynasty. Would you deny that?"
Xiao Qianlan thought for a moment and replied, "No."
"Right! We speak the same language, share common ancestors, and we are all one family."
"We should all consider this matter from the perspective of the overall interests of the Chinese nation. What we need to do now is compete with other countries. At this time, isn't it more important to see who can make our China stronger and enable our Chinese nation to stand tall among the nations of the world?"
"Whoever can enrich our Great Tang Dynasty, strengthen our Great Han Dynasty, and make our Chinese nation the most powerful nation in the world, we will support him and let him lead our China."
Since I am a Chinese, and you are a Chinese, we are to be loyal to the Chinese nation. Since you cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility, then you should relinquish this position and let us do this, just like the Sui Dynasty was replaced by the Tang Dynasty. Since the Sui Dynasty was no longer viable, then you should step down, relinquish your position, and let a more powerful Tang Dynasty take its place.
"Why can't you follow the trend of history and return to the great family of the Chinese nation? You and I are both highly educated people who understand that the trend of history is unstoppable. If that's the case, why don't you wake up sooner?"
Xiao Qianlan fell silent. Just moments ago, she had been basking in the pride of her eloquence, leaving the men speechless and unable to refute her points. But this man's words left her speechless. Yes! From a historical perspective, her side was wrong; what they had lost was the greater good—the greater good of building a strong Chinese nation.
Zhang Gaolei, completely convinced, poured himself a full glass of wine.
"Xiao Chuan, I salute you! What you said is spot on! I'll drink it!"
Ding Yi, Wu Duo, and Chen Zhe also stood up.
Wu Duo exclaimed, "Damn, Xiao Chuan, you're awesome!"
"Big spender, you're amazing!" Ding Yi gave a thumbs up.
Chen Zhe looked at him with admiration and was the first to drink the wine.
Huang Xiaochuan retorted angrily, "A bunch of uncultured bastards! If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all. You think you can just dismiss me with a 'fuck'?"
However, Huang Xiaochuan also stood up, clinked glasses with the others, and drank it all in one gulp.
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