Only then did everyone’s doubts gradually fade. Someone recognized her and laughed: “Isn’t this that foreign girl from the other day? You should have said earlier she was Mrs. Su’s friend—don’t come alone!”

The association’s regulations had relevant provisions—during specific periods, non-member merchants could be invited to visit and observe to develop more members, with each person having a certain monthly quota.

Though this Miss Compton today wasn’t a fellow merchant, she was a foreigner, so they could relax the standards a bit—everyone was welcome.

So they all stiffly offered a few welcoming words of “gambling in moderation,” then everyone returned to their seats, though they had no mind to discuss business anymore.

Someone muttered: “This foreign miss isn’t afraid to show her face—there are men in the room and she’s not embarrassed.”

Someone slightly familiar with foreign culture laughed in response: “How would she be? Western women wish all the men would stare at them. Her husband wouldn’t mind either—he’d think it was complimenting his wife’s beauty!”

Everyone made appreciative sounds, then boldly looked in Miss Compton’s direction.

Of course, considering Mrs. Su’s reputation, they didn’t dare look too lecherously, all adopting appreciative gazes.

That foreign miss indeed had a radiant face, returning a sweet smile to the group of gentlemen here.

The fellow merchants felt thoroughly comfortable, thinking today wasn’t wasted.

They also thought Mrs. Su truly had extensive connections, even making friends with foreigners. If every meeting could have a foreign girl as company, that would be a great pleasure.

Lin Yuchan generously introduced Miss Compton: “The association currently has ninety-six merchant members. One chairman, who happens to be this humble person. Three directors, all senior big bosses. One supervisor, currently interim-filled by Minguan from Yixing Shipping. You might remember meeting him…”

“I remember, I remember!” Miss Compton’s face reddened, clutching her heart and laughing: “Handsome, shy, gentle South China gentleman with a very classical English accent… once seen, very hard to forget.”

Lin Yuchan inexplicably felt her heartbeat accelerate, her brain automatically entering combat mode.

The young master appealed to both Chinese and foreigners! This was over half a year ago!

But Miss Compton’s second sentence quickly calmed her down: “I guess he’s one of your suitors, right, Luna?”

Lin Yuchan: “…”

British upper-class ladies knew how to talk. After praising Su Minguan for so long, she was complimenting her.

And “one of your suitors.” Though Lin Yuchan was clear about her worth, she still couldn’t help feeling momentarily elated, as if she’d become a charismatic goddess.

Now she understood how Miss Compton had fooled so many plastic girlfriends.

Whether it was polite talk or not, Lin Yuchan was in an excellent mood.

She mysteriously “shushed” and told Miss Compton in plastic girlfriend tone: “We’re already together. But others don’t know.”

Miss Compton was overjoyed, happier than her, swearing: “I won’t tell, I won’t tell!”

The gossip in her own girlfriend circle had gotten boring—this was the first time witnessing a live Chinese couple!

Miss Compton’s heart itched unbearably, asking repeatedly: “Is Minguan good to you? When you two chat, do you speak Chinese or English? Where do you go on dates? Does he write you love poems? Have you secretly gotten engaged? Have you two… um… progressed to… You know, the not-quite-proper kind…”

“Subscribing to English newspapers in the association’s name,” Lin Yuchan pointed to a stack of “North China Herald” and “Shipping and Commercial Daily” supplements on the bookshelf, skillfully introducing, “interpreting them into Chinese for small and medium merchants to understand the latest information. Reducing barriers when communicating with foreign merchants…”

Miss Compton blushed, remembering the purpose of today’s visit, reluctantly swallowing the remaining nine hundred ninety-five gossip questions in her chest.

She focused, concentrating on listening to Lin Yuchan introduce the association.

When Lin Yuchan mentioned the association had special information channels compiling commercial bulletins from various ports, Miss Compton was extremely excited.

“Luna, can I join your association? How much per year? I can afford it…”

This way, she wouldn’t worry about having no news to write in the future!

The amateur reporter writing under the pseudonym E.C. Bennett had decent writing and logic, with the only shortcoming being long seclusion in her boudoir, unable to frequently go out gathering news.

Everyone knew Chinese people were good at opportunistic schemes, having their methods of doing things. The news they could get would be more abundant and peculiar than Western reporters.

Miss Compton saw a corner of her bright future, as if already seeing the biography cover of “Britain’s Greatest Female Reporter.”

Lin Yuchan was also shocked, not expecting Miss Compton’s brain full of eating, drinking, and afternoon tea to suddenly become so sharp.

She hesitated: “Whether the association can accept foreign members still needs everyone’s discussion. I alone cannot decide.”

What she thought was, even if she proposed it, it would mostly fail now. The association’s purpose was originally to unite Chinese merchants against foreign merchant exploitation and oppression—they couldn’t let “enemies” infiltrate internally.

Though with Miss Compton’s status, she couldn’t pose the slightest threat to any Chinese merchant.

Fortunately, Miss Compton was just having a whim, speaking casually. She suddenly noticed a table hanging not far away.

“This shows daily exchange rates from major banks,” Lin Yuchan introduced. “Many Chinese merchants don’t understand currency exchange, wasting time when doing business with foreigners…”

Spoke grandly, seemingly very considerate of foreigners. It was to avoid foreign trading houses using exchange rates to cheat and deceive.

“…Additionally, association internal members also use this unified exchange rate table for mutual accommodation, exchanging currencies according to their needs. No need to run around to money changers and banks…”

Miss Compton was like a child who’d wandered into Christmas village, looking left and touching right, her smile infinitely satisfied.

How many foreign women coming to China could access such authentic, down-to-earth things created by Chinese people?

She’d have afternoon tea conversation material for the rest of her pre-marriage life!

Lin Yuchan let her observe freely.

Earlier, that silk merchant Old Bai came close and asked quietly: “Mrs. Su, what’s this girl saying? We can’t understand…”

Before Lin Yuchan could answer, she suddenly heard a bang from the main gate.

Immediately followed by the gatekeeper’s panicked voice: “Everyone please show mercy, we’re a legally registered association…”

The dozen fellow merchants in the hall all stood up together.

The courtyard gate burst open, suddenly over a hundred people poured in—all walks of life, old and young, everyone waving fists with angry expressions.

“It’s this immoral association! Stuff learned from foreigners—what good could it be? And women going in and out, shameless!”

“Hah, what association—I saw with my own eyes prostitutes coming and going, openly seducing people! Shameless! Everyone smash it! Don’t let it corrupt Shanghai’s morals!”

Someone shouted especially loudly, face red and neck thick, veins bulging on his forehead as if he had blood feuds with the association people.

Many onlookers gathered.

An elderly man looking like a village gentleman, apparently the crowd’s leader, stood with hands on hips shouting: “I say this isn’t an association at all! Where do women do business in associations—this is a brothel! This is a morality case! If the government won’t handle it, we’ll do it ourselves! Smash it!”

Hoes and shovels waved. The gatekeeper was about to close the door but was pushed open by several large hands.

“Smash it! Smash it!” The angry crowd shouted in waves, “Smash Yixing Business Association!”

Someone had spread rumors saying this newly opened Yixing Business Association frequently had women coming and going—what kind of behavior was this? Of course, merchant organizations inevitably had socializing and some romantic entertainment, but ordinary people’s entertainment would find brothels and restaurants, making trouble behind closed doors. This Yixing Business Association openly kept women, who knew what those merchants did inside!

And boldly claiming to be female merchants. Fooling idiots!

The neighborhood residents couldn’t stand it. If they allowed such an immoral association to run wild at their doorstep, wouldn’t it corrupt children and lead honest people astray, ruining the entire neighborhood’s reputation?

So someone unknown started it, and a mighty crowd planned to eradicate this den of vice.

Such righteous deeds—never mind if the government didn’t care, even if they did, it would just be light criticism. The law doesn’t punish the masses.

The crowd did include some Heaven and Earth Society junior members, weakly advising everyone not to be impulsive. But facing sudden events and being outnumbered, they didn’t dare truly block.

In the guild hall main lobby, Miss Compton listened to the hoarse shouting outside, her face immediately pale.

Her first reaction was—could these people have read her mistaken report and come looking for trouble?

The voices all sounded Chinese. Miss Compton, confident in her status, wasn’t afraid of them.

She lifted her skirt, hurrying outside: “What people dare act so recklessly—I’ll go teach them a lesson!”

“No.” Lin Yuchan grabbed Miss Compton, firmly saying, “Go to my office. Don’t interfere with association matters.”

“But…”

“Dear, remember your identity as a reporter? Reporters need to objectively stay outside events, not get hot-headed and participate in everything.”

Using this twisted logic, Lin Yuchan coaxed Miss Compton into the office and closed the door.

The mob outside was clamoring to settle accounts with women. If they saw a foreign woman in the association, too, that would add fuel to the fire—no amount of explanation would help.

Hearing the outside shouts of “drag out the prostitutes,” Lin Yuchan was also terrified.

She’d thought she already had some reputation at the treaty port wharfs. Never imagining that in ordinary people’s hearts, women engaging in commerce was still a joke.

The curses got worse and worse, unbearable speculations came through the walls like clusters of invisible spit, competing to spray on her face.

Lin Yuchan mentally shouted, “Immune!” “Rebound!”

Her nose disobeyed, getting so angry it stung in waves.

No one cared about her ambitions to “unite against foreigners” and “regain pricing power,” no one cared how much effort she’d invested here. Just the two words “woman” were unforgivable sins.

Tea server Liu Wu panicked, both looking for things to bar the main hall door while advising her: “Mrs. Su—oh no, Miss Lin, you’re an association member, this humble one can’t bear responsibility if something happens. We’ll handle things here, you quickly go out the back door, go hide at the shipping company!”

Lin Yuchan slowly shook her head, quietly instructing: “I’m not leaving. You go out the back door, call the foreign police, call Minguan! Quick!”

But in this era without WeChat or cars, Su Minguan was probably still discussing business in Pudong—who knew when he’d arrive.

She couldn’t run. Running would equal admitting guilt.

The dozen fellow merchants in the association had already rushed to the main hall entrance, facing off against the mob through two not-very-sturdy wooden doors, arguing with reason.

Not that they were particularly brave, daring to hold the pass alone. Their interests were at stake—if this association died before achieving success, their membership fees would be wasted.

“…What you’re talking about is Mrs. Su, a proper lady from a good family, she’s our chairman…”

“…There are no immoral acts whatsoever, otherwise may heaven strike us with lightning…”

The voices were like stubborn stones entering the sea, stirring not a ripple.

“Fooling whom! Ancient rules—hiding women in guild halls is shameless! Improper! Everyone charge in, drag that woman out, and send her to the authorities!”

Crash—the meeting hall door was completely kicked open. A crowd poured into the main hall.

Directly facing them stood a proper little girl.

Called a “girl” only because she was young, with fresh coloring, looking very “tender.” But she wore white flowers in her hair, hastily arranged in a married woman’s bun.

Lin Yuchan straightened her chest, looking at these righteous Qing subjects, coldly saying: “Talking about me?”

The fellow merchants behind were scared nearly to the ground, desperately making eye signals: Mrs. Su, why don’t you go hide for a while!

The angry crowd quieted for a moment.

Some people, hearing wind and believing rain, had just planned to join the excitement and pick up valuables, not believing the association could hide women. Now, suddenly seeing rumors come true, they were startled.

Others were intimidated by her calm attitude. This was the association’s “chairman”? She didn’t run, didn’t beg for mercy, didn’t explain, showing no guilt whatsoever?

Then a weasel-faced small vendor spat, spitting on the ground.

“There is a woman. Everyone came to the right place—does anyone recognize which brothel’s top courtesan this is? Not properly earning money at your place, coming here to attract bees and butterflies, aren’t you afraid of retribution?”

Everyone laughed uproariously.

So-called slut-shaming—regardless of whether you’re virtuous or not, first label you a slut, then anyone can step on you.

Several impatient old women rolled up their sleeves, about to come forward and capture this shameless little woman.

The little woman opposite wasn’t flustered at all, raising her arm with a dark gun barrel already aimed at the nearest person.

The crowd cried out in shock.

“Foreign gun! Foreign gun! She has a foreign gun!”

“This courtyard is property the association bought,” Lin Yuchan shouted, “You’re forcibly entering a private residence—I’m legally justified in shooting in self-defense. Whoever dares come forward dies for nothing!”

Bang!

A puff of blue smoke on the ground, gunpowder smell spreading. A piece of floorboard was blown away by the bullet, wood chips scattering.

Those who’d rolled up their sleeves retreated repeatedly, screaming.

Lin Yuchan raised her head proudly.

Though Yixing Business Association was a legal organization, it was connected to Yixing’s network after all, so this guild hall hid about a dozen foreign guns…

Of course, hidden very secretly, not casually like in teahouses, generally unsearchable by government soldiers.

Lin Yuchan specifically found a thick musket from the secret cabinet instead of using her practiced Derringer 1858. Instinct told her these rabble wouldn’t dare use flesh and blood against bullets. Choosing a big gun was more intimidating.

She not-too-skillfully loaded bullets, working the safety.

Indeed, everyone was terrified.

She knew how to use that gun!

How could the association have guns?

Originally, it was just bullying people by numbers. No one had deep grudges with her—who wanted to be target practice?

The crowd receded like ebbing seawater, reluctantly moving back a step, then another step.

Several small-ranking Heaven and Earth Society members who’d heard the news quietly came over wanting to help. Lin Yuchan signaled them to wait inside.

A weak woman holding a gun counted as self-defense. If several more big men came out with guns, that would be showing off force, making their side unreasonable.

Lin Yuchan declared loudly: “No. 7 Saigon Road, Boya Trading Limited Company, is a legally registered foreign trade merchant house. I am the major shareholder and general manager. All documents are verifiable at the Municipal Council. I’ve been in business for three years, thanks to fellow merchants’ support, serving as a small, insignificant association chairman, not interfering with everyone’s affairs. The association was established hastily, and we failed to inform all neighbors in detail—that was our oversight. In the future, everyone will see each other frequently, let’s all save face—there are many days ahead.”

Under the accompaniment of the dark foreign gun, these words seemed especially reasonable and persuasive.

Rumors about “prostitutes” collapsed without attack. Which courtesan on Fuzhou Road could have such a manner and bearing?

But people were still shocked and uncertain. Some discussed among themselves: “Can women register companies?”

Someone spat: “Of course! The concession follows foreign law—what can’t be done!”

In many traditional Chinese people’s eyes, the bizarre concession was like a malignant tumor corrupting the originally orderly Chinese land. Fashionable women openly entering teahouses and mahjong parlors, socialites making clothes especially tight, women not tending home but running to factories to earn money… all were foreign customs from the concession, over years corrupting Shanghai’s and all Jiangnan’s morals—truly detestable.

But someone bold, hiding in the crowd, questioned: “The concession follows foreign law, letting women register as merchants is one thing, but this is still China, still Qing territory. Miss, you still have black hair and black eyes—why have that foreign-worshipping heart? Just because foreigners allow it, does that make it right? Miss, this old one is elderly and advises: be a Chinese person, don’t do things that shame ancestors. You have property and wealth—that’s good. Find an opportunity to hand it to your family’s men to manage, better than you showing your face outside, causing resentment!”

This person thought himself very earnestly well-meaning, daring to reason with someone holding a gun—truly a pioneer model defending morality.

These words caused widespread agreement.

The earlier vendor also compromised, shrilly calling: “Fine, don’t make it so tense—what does this look like! We won’t report to the authorities, you put down that foreign gun!”

Lin Yuchan sneered inwardly—as if these people smashing doors and cursing didn’t exist, as if she’d started the trouble.

She still gripped the gun, declaring loudly: “Since ancient times, the capable handle world affairs. Countless men lose money in business—has anyone ruled that men can’t do business? I properly and honestly import goods and sign contracts, earning my fortune bit by bit. Compared to women working hard at home spinning and embroidering, who is inferior to whom? You all think women can’t manage shops or control men—don’t lecture me with such talk. Better go to Beijing first and ask those princes and nobles whether the current Empress Dowager is wise and decisive, whether they’re willing to obey her!”

If it were normal times, she’d never dare lecture a crowd of ignorant mobs. But today she held the advantage, the opposition showed fear—if she didn’t take the chance to spread some “truth,” she’d waste the gun in her hands.

When she spoke the first few sentences, some still disagreed. Suddenly, she changed tactics, dragging the current Empress Dowager into it, and everyone’s faces changed together.

“You, you… How dare you…”

“What’s wrong? Did I say anything incorrectly? Then dare I ask this gentleman, which sentence did I get wrong? Do you think the current Empress Dowager isn’t wise and decisive? Or do you think the princes and nobles below shouldn’t obey her commands…”

The Confucian gentleman she’d named clutched his chest, scared, weak in the knees.

“You… comparing yourself to the Empress Dowager, what are your intentions…”

Lin Yuchan’s peripheral vision caught sight—foreign police who had reached the entrance.

The association guild hall’s location wasn’t randomly chosen. It was specifically selected on a plot where the concession had built roads beyond boundaries—legally still belonging to the Qing, with low land prices, but actually administered and taxed by foreigners. In three to five years, this area would mostly be abandoned by Shanghai County, tacitly becoming a new concession district.

So today’s arrivals were foreign police, who wouldn’t arrest her for mentioning the Empress Dowager.

Lin Yuchan quickly lowered her gun, arranging the victim’s expression.

Other fellow merchants in the guild hall had also regrouped, pointing at the leading crowd’s noses and crying injustice: “Forcibly entering private residence, destroying people’s property—watch the police arrest you all! Get out! Get out!”

The rabble mostly heard “the association hides prostitutes” and came righteously indignant to purify morals. Seeing no prostitutes found but being intimidated by a legitimate female merchant, now even alarming police, they felt thoroughly bored, cursing while walking out.

Lin Yuchan kicked aside a fallen brick, half-closed her eyes, wiping sweat from her temples.

Finally, they’d left…

Several voices rang in her ears: “Mrs. Su, we can’t let these troublemakers just leave like this, can we?”

Lin Yuchan’s eyes shot open, shouting: “Right!”

Around her were all battle-tested businessmen who knew how to think one step ahead when encountering problems.

The association was just established and already had troublemakers—without making an example, future authority would be hard to establish.

She carefully identified the foreign policeman’s face, boldly approaching: “Officer William.”

About to greet him, she hesitated again. Concession police had notorious reputations, handling cases arbitrarily, often dragging displeasing people to police stations for private punishment. The concession’s administrative offices were mere decorations, sometimes deciding cases purely by foreign whims, with parties having no chance to speak.

Should she rely on such corrupt forces?

Then she steeled herself. These troublemakers showed no regard for the law when coming to smash things, clearly trying to destroy her completely. If she hadn’t come out with a gun, she’d probably already be paraded through the streets and dragged to court. Why should she still consider whether they’d get fair legal treatment?

“Officer William,” she put on a pitiful little woman’s appearance, complaining in English: “These people caused trouble for no reason, smashed my properly registered association, and slandered my reputation, calling me a prostitute.”

Officer William saw her and first smiled warmly, then tipped his hat.

“Oh, this lady, I remember you.”

About a year ago, Officer William received a report during night duty about gunshots from a residential house in Hongkou. Arriving, three intruding thugs were already shot dead, and the “Chinese couple” living in the house were forced to shoot in self-defense, quite frightened. That young wife wore only a nightgown, wrapped in her husband’s coat, shivering—Officer William still vaguely remembered.

Of course, what he remembered more deeply wasn’t that Chinese wife’s tearful appearance, but that family, to settle matters, had bribed police and detectives with considerable silver, asking them to help dispose of bodies and handle the aftermath.

Though foreign police had generous monthly salaries, Officer William had made a small fortune that day, so he was especially impressed by this wealthy and generous Chinese couple.

Suddenly seeing old acquaintances today, Officer William immediately saw golden filters, knowing there was probably another profitable opportunity. So he smiled warmly at Lin Yuchan, exchanging pleasantries.

He suddenly stopped, noticing the small white flowers in Lin Yuchan’s hair.

“Oh, please allow me to express my sincere condolences,” Officer William recalled that gentle, refined Chinese merchant who understood rules, saying in surprise, “When did your husband…”

“I’m late.” A gentle, clear voice cut in from nowhere. Su Minguan hurried over with large steps. “Looks like it’s already resolved, A’Mei?… Ah, Officer William.”