The mage in the late Qing Dynasty

"Zhao, Mr. Zhao, why are you hitting me?"

"Do I need a reason to hit you? I got angry and even hit myself."

"ah?"

"I'm just kidding, I'm just trying to make you sober. It's not worth getting discouraged if you push yourself too hard. The lives of your generation are destined to be like donkey pancakes." Zhao Chuanxin smiled, shaking his legs and returning to his old ways: "And I, Zhao Chuanxin, , but you have to stand and earn the money."

This posture is completely different from the posture where he just took out a string of numbers to talk about the past and the present.

It gives people a sense of déjà vu as if they were walking on somersault clouds while wearing slippers.

It’s awesome and it’s a disgrace.

At this time, the police arrived late.

The Beijing-Fenghuang Railway is a purely state-owned railway and does not involve shares from major powers. The train police are all Chinese.

After coming in, the policeman was shocked when he saw Bodubunet who was as strong as a gorilla and as dead as a gorilla on the ground: "Who did this?"

Zhao Chuanxin crossed his legs, leaned forward and raised his hands: "I did it."

Policeman: "..."

It's really hard for me to admit it so quickly.

"You are so brave, how dare you kill foreigners?"

Zhao Chuanxin said cheerfully: "Oh, this is a regular risk in first-class carriages on the Beijing-Fenghuang Railway. It's rare but strange."

Policeman: "..."

No one knew that this sentence would become a rage after it was spread.

The policeman's scalp was numb: "Come with me!"

"Where are you going? Go to the front of the car to carry coal?"

"..." The police officer was furious: "What nonsense are you talking about? Get up quickly, otherwise I won't be polite."

I’ve never seen such a murderer, do you know?

Bai Wenwei suddenly wanted to laugh, but was too embarrassed to laugh, so he could only hold it back.

It turns out you are like this Zhao Chuanxin.

Zhao Chuanxin took out a bag of fried pine nuts, crushed them and stuffed them into his mouth: "Yes, you're welcome, coming to our place is just like your own home."

The reason why the policeman did not have an attack was because the carriage was full of foreigners.

Foreign adults are not easy to take care of. Even if they catch the criminal, they will make trouble if they bump into him.

Bai Wenwei saw that the policeman was about to jump into a rage, so he stood up and walked away, whispering a few words.

The policeman's eyes widened.

The policemen on the Beijing-Fenghuang Railway are very familiar with the name "Zhao Chuanxin".

Take this carriage as an example, it has the soul ring from Zhao Chuanxin’s last murder, and this time the good guy...

The two groups of policemen fought, but could not leave. They and their companions dragged Podubuny's body away, leaving a trail of blood in the corridor. They had to use a mop to wash the floor.

After doing this, the policeman went to the official office, found a wooden sign, and found a book written by someone who could read and write: It is forbidden to insult the Chinese at your own risk.

It was nailed to the entrance of the first-class carriage so that everyone who got on could see it clearly.

When they arrived at the next stop, the foreign passengers got off the bus all at once. Almost everyone pretended to be as if they had really arrived at the terminal. Some even had to perform a stretch to express their gratitude for the fatigue of the journey.

But as soon as he jumped out of the carriage, he helped the old and the young, took the men and women by the arms, and ran away. Several shoes ran away, and he didn't even bother to pick them up.

Bai Wenwei saw it and felt that nothing in the world was more funny than this.

When being beaten, you must not only stand at attention, but also act natural.

Then he gritted his teeth - Cixi also pretended to be natural, otherwise she would not have said that she would rather give gifts to friends than domestic slaves.

Do you think Zhao Chuanxin has lost his bottom? Because Zhao Chuanxin taught him the method of statistical data, this was considered a "stunt skill" that was kept secret at this time.

After thinking about it, he asked.

Zhao Chuanxin looked at the chaotic running of foreigners outside the car window. The woman who helped him get clothes before turned back and smiled at him.

He smiled back and said, don't say it, don't say it, I'm still a little itchy in my heart.

Those who hate Zhao Chuanxin accuse him of being incompetent, but who knows that Zhao Chuanxin is actually a sick man.

After Bai Wenwei asked a few questions, Zhao Chuanxin came back to his senses: "Oh, what are you talking about? I hope everyone in the country understands economics. You can go out and promote it. If one person can get rich by doing this, it can be considered a success. It’s a great achievement.”

Zhao Chuanxin never takes care of himself.

But even if the new laws and new ideas are preached all over the world, how many people want to change?

For example, Niu Zihou, a wealthy businessman of this level, did not understand the new ledgers, and had to rely on his son Niu Hanzhang to help dismantle and read them.

Bai Wenwei gave a thumbs up: "Mr. Zhao, you really have the world in mind!"

"Hey, Liewu is so famous that he can't cover the whole world." Zhao Chuanxin waved his hand modestly: "At most, it is 100 million square kilometers of land."

Bai Wenwei: "..."

In the whole world, the land area is less than 150 million square kilometers, and two-thirds of it is filled with emotions?

When the train started to move, the policeman sneaked over and took a look.

It happened that Zhao Chuanxin looked towards the connection between the carriages and saw the policeman.

As a result, the policeman could only smile and push the door in: "Mr. Zhao, do you need some tea for you?"

"No, I'm busy with you." Zhao Chuanxin opened his eyes.

Who knows which group of policemen are involved and whether they are poisoned?

The police officer hesitated: "Is Mr. Zhao going to the capital?"

Zhao Chuanxin flicked his fingers on the table: "No, just take the car directly to Tianjin Wei."

Beijing-Fenghuang Railway was built in 1881. At that time, it was also called the Tangxu Railway, which ran from Tangshan to Xugezhuang.

The back is expanded year by year, extending to Huanggutun in the north and Tianjin Wei in the south. It was completely completed last year, and Zhao Chuanxin can ride all the way to Tianjin Wei.

The police officer walked out awkwardly but politely.

Dark sunlight floated through the windows, and the furnishings and decorations of the first-class carriage exuded a Gothic calmness because of the narrow windows.

Zhang Henshui said that dreams on the train are divided into three categories according to sweetness and bitterness, while Guo Moruo said that he could not afford to sit in the first class compartment.

Bai Wenwei looked at Zhao Chuanxin's face through the smoke sinking slowly in the sun.

He felt that Zhao Chuanxin seemed to have deliberately leaked his whereabouts.

At the beginning of this year, the Japanese placed a new type of explosive on the railway specifically for Zhao Chuanxin, which could control the explosion from a distance.

Isn't he afraid?

Just in time, Zhao Chuanxin turned around.

Bai Wenwei said hurriedly: "Mr. Zhao, I was originally going to the capital, but now I can't make it back and forth. I have to get off the bus halfway. We need to report it to the chief. Maybe the court will learn about this and ask Mr. Zhao to take care of it in advance."

He couldn't get off the bus with Zhao Chuanxin and had to report it.

Who made him one of the parties involved?

Zhao Chuanxin smiled: "Really? Just like you, I also have to get off the bus halfway."

"ah?"

Knowing that Japan and Tsarist Russia had ulterior motives and were poking at the back, how could Zhao Chuanxin be unprepared?

But it was not at this time that he got off the car. Even if the little devil was prepared, he would not have time to act after receiving the news.

So he took out the straw paper, fountain pen and ink, and laid them out on the marble table.

Bai Wenwei wondered what Zhao Chuanxin wanted to do.

But he saw Zhao Chuanxin lighting up a new cigarette and tilting his head to prevent the smoke in his mouth from getting into his eyes.

The wrist is shaking violently and the pen is moving like flying.

Lines, long or short, appear one after another. The straight lines are very straight, comparable to the measurement of a ruler. The circle is very regular, comparable to a compass.

Zhao Chuanxin's ability to control the pen has reached an advanced level, and he writes boldly, leaving only the rustling sound of the tip of the pen scraping against the paper, as if ten thousand silkworms are eating mulberry leaves.

In the painting, lotus pillar foundations, moiré water tanks, and many stone components obviously in the Ming and Qing style were quickly formed, making it look like a dilapidated temple.

In front of the temple, there is a stone lion stepping on a stone ball, staring straight ahead with dull eyes; while the other one collapsed and lay on its side.

Lying on the side of the stone lion, a burly man in armor is sitting on the stone lion. One foot is stepping on the stone lion's head, and the other foot is hanging down to the ground. He is supporting his body and lazily leaning back, carrying A strangely shaped giant axe.

There was a cigar in his mouth.

Only one-half of the man's face is left in profile, and it is impossible to tell from the canvas whether the direction he is looking at is sunrise or sunset. The reader can only guess.

It seems that the more he paints, the more rough and irritable he becomes. The speed of dipping in ink is extremely fast, and the lines become blurred due to the broken ink at the tip of the pen, which makes the painting more vivid.

Bai Wenwei was stunned for a moment.

He had seen people painting, he had seen Chinese people painting landscapes, he had seen foreigners sketching from life, but he had never seen Zhao Chuanxin write like this without thinking, painting as fast as the wind and as aggressive as fire.

Painting with a fountain pen, luckily he could figure it out.

In fact, it didn't take long for Zhao Chuanxin to complete the sketch. He inserted the fountain pen into the ink bottle at will, dried the ink, leaned back and looked at it, and frowned: "I'll just use it."

In the past, he always used markers and stylus pens to sketch, and sometimes also used a digital tablet. After drawing, he fed it to the AI, and used it as a background image for his videos, or used it to show off, pretending to be a carefully designed style by himself. All of a sudden, those handmade jewelry with a literary and playful orientation were praised to the sky.

Netizens who have never eaten any good pork are really willing to spend money on useless things.

"Mr. Zhao, this is..."

Bai Wenwei is really convinced.

This Zhao Chuanxin was completely different from what he imagined.

He thought he was a reckless martial artist, but in fact he was a civilized and martial artist.

Zhao Chuanxin flicked his wrist: "This is the cover image of the latest issue of the comic "The Mage in the Late Qing Dynasty"."

"Late Qing Dynasty?" Bai Wenwei said a little bit.

"Haha." Zhao Chuanxin did not explain.

The Qing government had no control over the distribution of comics in the United States. Zhao Chuanxin could do whatever he wanted with the publishing house in which he had a stake.

What? Is it not allowed by the local state government in the United States?

The publisher's surname is Zhao, who dares to stop me from trying?

The late 19th century and the early 20th century were the period of the rise of European comics. France's Georges Severan and Belgium's Hergé were both outstanding cartoonists of this era.

If nothing else, "The Adventures of Tintin" will be famous even in later generations.

The writing is witty and humorous, and the story is fascinating.

And Zhao Chuanxin's "The Master in the Late Qing Dynasty" is a mudslide.

Before this mudslide, a large number of trees on the hillside were cut down. And the next plot outlined by Zhao Chuanxin directly left half of the hillside bald, waiting for heavy rains and landslides to destroy the world.

Zhao Chuanxin took a short rest and continued painting.

Bai Wenwei's body trembled when he saw it.

"Ci... This woman is very old, but she can't hide her cunning looks. In which winter did she die?"

Haoxuan blurted out the word "Cixi".

The key is that the person drawn in the cartoon is clearly Cixi, and Cixi died in a winter.

And that emperor was clearly Guangxu, who died the day before Cixi died.

This made Bai Wenwei stunned.

Why am I watching this?

The third cigarette held by Zhao Chuanxin was about to burn out. He raised his head and said happily: "This year."

"..." Bai Wenwei looked out the window and wondered why he hadn't stopped yet?

He smiled bitterly: "Mr. Zhao, isn't he afraid..."

"I'm not afraid." Zhao Chuanxin stepped on his polished leather shoes and put out his cigarette butt: "Not only are I not afraid, do you believe that Cixi will give me an official title soon?"

"Why?"

Bai Wenwei really doesn’t understand.

"Zhao likes it when enemies can't stand it and treat me like they are helpless. I think Cixi felt this deeply. Before people die, they have some premonitions. I guess she has already begun to plan what will happen after her death."

Since there was no one else in the first-class carriage except the two of them.

Bai Wenwei became bolder: "Death is like a lamp going out. She loves power, but what is there to worry about after she dies?"

"Guess who she will make her heir?"

"Zaifeng!" Bai Wenwei completely let himself go and dared to say anything.

Strictly speaking, his current status is the same as Wu Luzhen's, they are both undercover agents sent by Sun Gongwu.

In essence, there is nothing to be afraid of, and the person opposite is the daring Zhao Chuanxin.

"Fart!" Zhao Chuanxin sneered. "Cixi has been in power for many years. The heir must not only have the blood of their Yehenala family, but also have to be close to their Yehenala family, so it must be Puyi."

Why is this?

Because Puyi's mother was Ronglu's young daughter.

Ronglu's young daughter is Cixi's adopted daughter.

After Gengzi returned to Luang, Cixi married her adopted daughter to Prince Chun, Aixinjueluo Zaifeng, and gave birth to Puyi.

Bai Wenwei was doubtful.

In any case, the world has understood that Li Si is either Zaifeng or Zaifeng's child.

Puyi was young, and Zaifeng's rise was inevitable.

Zhao Chuanxin continued: "Since she has identified it as Pu Yi, she will pave the way for him, and she cannot let Ye Henara break the blood inheritance. Who is the person he is most afraid of?"

Bai Wenwei scratched his head: "Yuan Xiangcheng, and Mr. Zhao?"

Zhang Zhidong no longer poses a threat.

Now Cixi is most worried about Yuan Datou, and it turns out that her worries are right.

Zhao Chuanxin said: "Yi Kuang has been domineering under Cixi for a long time. Because of old friendship, he may not do anything to him, but because he has too much power, he will definitely be sent out of the capital on an errand.

Not to mention Yuan Xiangcheng, there is a high probability that Cixi will pull out all the stops and transfer Duan Qirui's new army from the sixth town out of the capital and replace it with Tieliang's first town. Even if Yuan Xiangcheng had an idea, he would be helpless.

These two people are the ones she fears the most, and I am at best an uncertain factor.

The bombardment of the Forbidden City must have left a deep impression on the old guy. If she couldn't kill me before blowing out the lamp and pulling out the wax, she would definitely have to find a way to appease me and keep me far away to prevent chaos in the capital at the critical moment. "

"..." There is reason and evidence, and Bai Wenwei cannot refute: "But how can we confirm that she will die in winter? If she doesn't die, everything is empty talk."

At the same time, he felt that Zhao Chuanxin still deliberately told him this, just like he deliberately told the policeman that he was going to Tianjin Wei.

What is Zhao Chuanxin worried about?

Zhao Chuanxin smiled and said nothing.

…

Zhu Erdian knew what Zhao Chuanxin's intentions were when he went to Tianjin Wei.

Because Zhao Chuanxin said that Zhu Erdian died on September 18th in the Western calendar.

It’s not that September 18th is just around the corner.

Because all the foreigners in the first-class carriage got off the train early, the news soon reached his ears.

The Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China, who was so awesome at coaxing and later even threatening Yuan Datou, immediately felt his scalp numb.

He stroked his beard and thought - the British had the largest number of troops stationed in Tianjin Guard, as high as 1,000.

In order to protect the interests of the concession, the great powers seemed to be united in maintaining public security. They responded to each other when necessary, and there must be about 3,000 people in total.

But this cannot bring Zhu Erdian a sense of security.

Because obviously Yuan Datou's attitude towards Zhao Chuanxin has always been ambiguous.

No one can figure out whether he can be relied on at critical moments.

Zhu Erdian rubbed his bald head and thought again and again. Suddenly his eyes lit up: It would be better to go to the capital.

In fact, in the capital, the great powers did not have as many troops stationed in the embassy area as Tianjin Wei.

But don't forget that the capital is guarded by Duan Qirui's Sixth Town. Today's New Army is not what it used to be, and the embassy area is next to the Forbidden City. It is expected that Zhao Chuanxin would not dare to risk the world's disapproval to assassinate him.

Just do it, Zhu Erdian set off immediately.

When Zhu Erdian arrived at the embassy district in the capital, he found some old friends and told them his worries.

The old friend immediately said mysteriously: "I know a person who claims that he and Zhao Chuanxin are close friends, and he even knows Zhao Chuanxin's lover. He and Zhao Chuanxin did arms business, because Zhao Chuanxin Zhao Chuanxin needs a batch of guns and ammunition. During the Russo-Japanese War, Tsarist Russia left a large number of weapons outside the customs. That is exactly what Zhao Chuanxin needs. I can introduce him to you, which may be helpful to you. "

Zhu Erdian was doubtful, but he was very worried about Zhao Chuanxin. At this time, he had to grasp any life-saving straw.

So, I met this mysterious Zhao Chuanxin’s best friend, Bacchus, at a bar outside Dongjiaomin Lane.

This is a well-dressed young man with oily hair and pink face, who looks unsteady.

Zhu Erdian's first impression of him was distrust.

But Bacchus's other identity added a little more credibility to him - Morrison's assistant.

Morrison, the chief correspondent of The Times in Beijing, is well-known in the capital.

This identity can be verified, and Zhu Erdian has no choice but to believe it.

Bacchus said proudly: "Mr. Zhu Erdian, I have a very close relationship with Zhao Chuanxin. I even recognize his lover, a tall and beautiful American woman named Rebecca Levi, who now lives in the capital. No way. To exaggerate, Zhao Chuanxin respects me very much. He often asks me about some international issues and wants to hire me as a consultant, but I refuse. Because at present, it is not practical for him, a Chinese, to be a consultant. It's a bit disgraceful, after all, he has no official status and is not a noble."

Zhu Erdian was stunned by him: "Then do you influence his thoughts?"

"Of course, sir. Zhao Chuanxin trusts me very much. When he talks to me, he is polite and does not dare to offend me at all. Let me tell you this, he actually respects me..."

Zhu Erdian was stunned: "Are you sure we are talking about the same person?"

Even Yuan Xiangcheng didn't dare to say that, but you actually said that Zhao Chuanxin was in awe of you?

Bacchus smiled mysteriously: "Sir, this is not a bragging. I have a unique temperament that makes both men and women attracted to me. You should know that our British writer Wilde and the French poet Verlaine have all worked with each other. We spent a good night together. As for Ms. Cixi in the Forbidden City behind me, we have been friends for many years. That night still makes me miss it. At that time, the great eunuch Li Lianying was serving beside me..."

Zhu Erdian's head was buzzing.

I'm sorry... is what you said true or false?

Cixi is now over seventy years old, and you are only in your fucking early thirties, you bastard...

But he suddenly remembered the rumors from outside that Zhao Chuanxin was unable to recruit people.

Ordinarily, in this era where having three wives and four concubines is normal, how could a legendary figure not have any romance?

Beautiful women love heroes, and traitors betray loyal ministers. These things have always been talked about.

But Zhao Chuanxin's body is full of killing...

There seems to be nothing else to do except stir up trouble and rain.

Could it be that……

Zhu Erdian's mouth was dry and he stammered: "Ahem... If Mr. Bacchus can help me 'sleep' and serve Zhao Chuanxin, I will give you a good reward."

A hint of slyness flashed in Bacchus's eyes: "There is no need for remuneration. I want to switch to business recently, and I may need the convenience of Mr. Minister."

"It's easy to talk!" Zhu Erdian was relieved now. It would be suspicious if this person opened his mouth to ask for money now.

After Bacchus said goodbye, he came to the U.S. Embassy District and found a restaurant.

Here he met Rebecca Levy.

Rebecca Levi is still graceful, plump and tall, and has not become accustomed to the local environment.

She asked earnestly: "Mr. Backus, what's going on? Is there any news about Zhao?"

Bacchus looked at Rebecca Levy with a squinting look: "Rebecca, don't worry, our British Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China, Zhu Erdian, is a good friend of mine. He promised me to help find Zhao Chuanxin. They are old acquaintances." .”

Rebecca Levy is looking forward to it.

After traveling thousands of miles from south to north, he couldn't even see the shadow of Zhao Chuanxin.

"Thank you, Bacchus, I don't know what I would do if it weren't for you."

"Since you want to thank me, how about inviting me to the bar for a drink?"

"this……"

I recommend a book, recommended by the operating officer, "Hanging the Pot to Help the World, I Just Want to Live Immortally" - a classical fairy tale that talks about Mohism, Confucianism, and Legalism. It is said to be a metaphor for current events, you know.

I have to be honest, I haven't read it, but the Operations Officer has good taste and I think it's worth reading.

I won’t recommend books that are too famous, because everyone can see them without looking at the list. Wild boars like me can't taste chaff that's too fine. There are special ones that some friends, operations officers or I've seen that are interesting will recommend.