British writer

Dirty dirty——

The cruise ship's whistle sounded, piercing the morning fog.

The distant coast begins to become clearer, dividing the sky and the sea into two worlds.

Seagulls soared in the sea breeze, making crisp calls, and their figures looked particularly light in the morning light.

According to common sense, early mornings at sea should be particularly peaceful, but the club hall of the cruise ship was full of noise, with shouts of "Win!", "You're bankrupt!", "Give me the train station deal~".

There was a faint smell of alcohol in the air, mixed with the salty smell of the sea breeze from the open windows.

It was another all-nighter at the club.

In a corner of the hall, Lu Shi and Wodehouse sat opposite each other.

In half an hour, they will arrive in London.

Wodehouse was eating an orange, making a splashing sound as he chewed it.

He asked Lu Shi: "Does it taste good?"

Lu Shi: "..."

"Jazz, swallow it first. You've already squirted."

Wodehouse didn't care and threw an orange over.

This time he was on a business trip with Lu Shi. He really felt that the two of them had a "stronger love than gold", so he didn't avoid certain things and didn't act like a count.

Lu Shi asked curiously: "Don't you drink anymore?"

Wodehouse spread his hands,

"If you don't drink, what's the point of me 'ton ton ton' all by myself?"

As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper he had with him and began to study it carefully.

Lu Shi glanced at it and couldn't help but feel helpless.

"You haven't watched it a hundred times."

It was a transcript of the telegram.

Two weeks ago, the cruise ship stopped at Port Blanca and received a telegram from Washington D.C.,

——

Dear Lu,

Seeing words is like meeting.

I overheard a discussion among several Members. It seems that there is a new compromise approach regarding trusts, and I think it is feasible.

Also, I'm not surprised that your name is involved.

So I decided to send you a telegram to discuss the details.

Yours faithfully T·R.

Other:

Standard Oil's fate was sealed.

——

T. R. Theodore Roosevelt,

Theodore Roosevelt.

Wodehouse muttered: "Kill the chicken to scare the monkey."

Lu Shi nodded,

"Yeah, that's what I thought too."

Even if you have a Bodhisattva heart, you still need to have the angry eyes of Vajra.

This is why Theodore remains determined to break up Standard Oil—

Establish authority.

As the saying goes, "A big stick in hand, gentle words in mouth." How can we not practice such a motto?

Wodehouse put the paper away and took out a second one.

The above is the revision plan of the U.S. Federal Internal Revenue Code,

Theodore believes that

Income from charitable organizations is tax-deductible.

In addition, charitable donations are encouraged by giving tax deductions to organizations and individuals who donate to charities.

Only the percentage of tax deduction has not yet been determined.

Wodehouse frowned;

Judging from the way he is thinking, it is obvious that he really wants to "cross the river by feeling the eagle's sauce" and try to launch similar tax law reforms in the UK to increase the UK's global influence.

What about the United States?

Who is not a beacon?

After a while, Wodehouse said: "I have to admit that Mr. President is indeed forging ahead. In addition to charitable organizations, there are also literary organizations, scientific organizations, and public safety organizations that enjoy tax exemptions... The most terrible thing is that there are Religious organizations.”

This is not outrageous at all,

Because no one can tax God.

But it’s also outrageous,

Because religious organizations make a lot of money,

Giving them tax exemption means giving up a large part of their income.

Lu Shi understood what Wodehouse was thinking, winked subtly, and said, "Sir, let me tell you a joke~"

Wodehouse wondered,

"you say."

Lu Shi said: "An Anglican priest bought stocks and lost 30%. So, he went to the exchange and yelled, 'How dare you lose God's money?'"

"..."

"..."

"..."

There was an eerie silence.

Suddenly Wodehouse burst out laughing,

"Pfft haha! Lu... you... you are so awesome!"

Lu Shi waved his hand,

"The joke is not over yet. As a result, the exchange employee said, 'Actually, only your half lost money, but God made 50%.'"

Wodehouse smiled wider, and broke out into a series of coughs,

"Cough cough cough cough..."

He understood what Lu Shi meant,

Finance doesn’t care whether you are God or Buddha.

What's more, the tax law guaranteed by the state's compulsory power,

What happened to tax exemption?

If religious organizations disobey, there are ways to punish you.

When Wodehouse patted Lu,

"You're right. The pastors in that part of the United States might be able to find some perverts. It's too easy to torment them."

Lu Shi chuckled,

"A big stick in hand, gentle words in mouth."

For a man like Theodore and a prosperous America, nothing is out of balance.

As for the future of America…

Theodore didn't expect it to stretch his crotch so much.

Wodehouse pondered for a moment and said: "I think the UK should take a step-by-step approach now and not be as drastic as the United States. If it takes too big a step, it is easy to lose track of the situation."

Lu Shi asked, "What do you mean?"

Wodehouse said: "I think we should implement a list system. It is to draw up a tax-free white list, and then list some specific organizations on it as a trial first. For example, the British Red Cross, which sounds good. "

Lu Shi: "..."

The British are going to war everywhere, but they exempt the Red Cross from taxes. No matter how you look at it, it feels a bit black humor.

But it is indeed a good move.

In another ten years, World War I will begin, and the Red Cross Societies of various countries will provide first aid team volunteers and more support to the rear on an unimaginable scale.

Relieving them of worries in advance can reflect the British government's foresight.

However, this kind of foresight is like a joke from hell.

Wodehouse on the other side was getting more and more excited as he thought about it, eating oranges and adding and deleting items to his list.

He looked like a loyal old minister.

Lu Shi didn't bother him and got up to walk around.

Most people in the club are playing Monopoly.

This game is more interesting than bridge and has more of a "play against people and have fun" atmosphere, so it is very popular.

The Parker brothers sent a telegram to Lu Shi saying that they had decided to spread the war throughout the east and strive to drive chess and cards off the desks of all urban residents so that every household could enjoy the addiction of being a capitalist.

Lu Shi could only laugh it off.

"Monopoly" is a hit, it's a sure thing.

But want to replace Solitaire?

Stop having that big spring and autumn dream.

But seeing how popular it is in the eastern United States, Lu Shi is not worried about its sales in Europe.

Lu Shi stood at a table for a while,

suddenly,

Dirty dirty——

The whistle sounded again.

Lu Shi stretched himself and went back to find Wodehouse.

"Jazz, it's time to go home."

Wodehouse finally came to his senses.

"Yes, go home."

He carefully folded the list and put it in his inner pocket, then ordered the sailor to help carry the luggage.

The two walked onto the deck.

The scenery of London Harbor is like a beautiful picture,

There are various ships moored on the sea, including large cargo ships and exquisite yachts. The masts and chimneys of the ships are particularly eye-catching in the sun.

It's autumn, and the breeze seems to carry a kind of calmness and elegance.

"I still like London," Wodehouse said.

After saying that, he looked at Lu Shi,

"And you?"

When I asked this question, my eyes were full of expectation.

Lu Shi was speechless for a while and could only say: "Yes, I also prefer London."

Wodehouse was satisfied;

That look was like a girl in love getting approval from her lover.

Lu Shi couldn't help feeling aversion to the cold, and quietly moved away from the other party.

The rotten country is really terrible.

The two disembarked.

Wodehouse said: "We are tired from traveling, so there is no need to rush back to work. Let's take a good rest first, and then report to His Majesty... Oops..."

He suddenly shouted.

Just now, a small black shadow came out from the right side, bumped his leg and then ran away quickly.

Immediately afterwards, a little girl less than ten years old ran over,

"Yes...I'm sorry..."

She looked breathless.

Wodehouse gestured to the other person's head to measure his height, then bent down and touched his calf, feeling very confused.

The little girl has black lines all over her head,

￣□￣｜｜

"Sir, it wasn't me who hit you, it was my cat."

Wodehouse was suddenly embarrassed;

"Oh...oh...I'm sorry. Ah...no, no, I accept your apology, it's okay."

The little girl was amused and saluted Wodehouse.

"Thank you!"

After saying that, he jumped up and ran away.

Her cat was squatting on a wall and waiting. When it saw its little master coming, it immediately screamed for joy, jumped off the wall and ran away, as if playing a chasing game with its little master.

Wodehouse chuckled;

"very nice."

Lu Shi nodded,

"Um."

Interrupted by the interlude, Wodehouse continued the topic: "I have already told His Majesty in the telegram about the global university rankings, so there is no need to report it in a hurry. When the details are sorted out tomorrow, I will drive there. Braya Road, I will take you in..."

Before the words fell,

"Meow~"

A cute cat meows.

The two subconsciously followed the sound and found a little black cat looking at them curiously.

Its eyes are blue, like two sparkling sapphires, round and round, and its hair is very shiny, as if it has been oiled.

It's so neatly groomed that it doesn't look like a wild cat at first glance.

Lu Shi: "..."

Wodehouse: "..."

The two looked at each other in silence.

After a few seconds, a lady holding an umbrella came from a distance and softly called "Blackberry~Blackberry~", which seemed to be the name of the little black cat.

The little black cat's erect ears twitched and quickly got into the lady's fluffy skirt.

The lady saluted Lu Shi and Wodehouse,

"Feel sorry."

Wodehouse immediately returned the gentleman's greeting,

"It's okay, ma'am."

The lady smiled and nodded, walking towards a yacht with the little black cat, her back getting smaller and smaller.

After watching her leave, Lu Shi and Wodehouse looked at each other in confusion.

"What's going on?"×2

The two said in unison.

"I don't know."×2

Once again they all spoke in unison, staring at each other with big eyes.

Suddenly, Lu Shi slapped his forehead as if he thought of something,

""I am a cat"!"

Wodehouse was startled;

"What? What are you?"

Lu Shi's face darkened and he said: "I didn't mean 'I am a cat', I meant 'I am a cat'! Have you forgotten the new serialization of "Mirror"? In the second week of our trip to the United States, "I am a cat" The novel and comic adaptation of "It's a Cat" will be serialized together!"

Wodehouse:! ! !

He also thought of the works of Lu Shi's Japanese roommate,

"So, those were all the masterpieces of "I Am Cat"?"

Lu Shi nodded seriously,

He couldn't think of any other reason than this.

Wodehouse was stunned for a long time and said: "Today's date is... um... today is Thursday, right?"

Lu Shi scratched his head,

"Why don't I think so?"

He didn't dare to say anything to death.

There is no sun or moon on the sea,

Both of them were a little confused and couldn't figure out the specific date.

Fortunately, a newsboy came quickly and shouted: "Friday's "Mirror"! The "I Am Cat" comic series is hot!"

Lu Shi was surprised,

Shouldn't the comic version be on Thursday?

He immediately stopped the newsboy,

"Give me a copy of today's Mirror!"

The newsboy was tired of reading Lu Shi. As he took out the newspaper, he said: "Sir, have you just arrived in London? Let me tell you, this "Mirror" is the best-selling, most avant-garde, and most accurate news in London..."

"stop!"

Lu Shi called to the other party,

"I have not 'just arrived' in London, I have 'just returned' to London. The Mirror may be the best-selling and most avant-garde newspaper, but can I not know whether its news is accurate?"

The newsboy couldn't help but laugh,

Those who make a living on the street have long developed a thick skin.

He said: "The news in the Mirror may not be accurate, but it is quite exciting!"

Lu Shi couldn't refute this.

He took out five coins and handed them to the other party, using the extra two pence as a tip, and then asked: "Isn't the comic version of the Mirror on Thursday?"

The newsboy smiled,

"Sir, you don't know something. The comics of "I Am Cat" were so popular that the comic version was only available on Thursdays for the first two weeks. As a result, it aroused strong dissatisfaction from readers, and the editorial department of "Mirror"... um... …Who are you……"

Speaking of the editor of "Mirror", the newsboy's eyes became surprised.

He stared at Lu Shi as if he were looking at a Martian.

After a while,

"You are Lu!"

Lu Shi nodded,

"I just came back from the United States and I don't know the operating status of the Mirror during this period."

The newsboy said excitedly: "I didn't expect to see you! Oh my god..."

Lu Shi smiled and said, "Don't get excited."

The newsboy finally calmed down and continued the topic.

"In short, because the comics of "I Am Cat" were so successful, the editors changed their strategy and serialized the comics for three consecutive days on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday every week. You don't know, these three days, The Mirror can sell at least 120,000 copies!"

Lu Shi: "..."

Wodehouse: "..."

Both of them were confused.

Unexpectedly, Lu Shi's "The Fellowship of the Ring" couldn't do it, but "I Am Cat" could easily do it.

Sure enough, joining the Cat Cult of Earth is the destination for all humans.

Lu Shi turned to the comics section of the newspaper,

Because each chapter of "I Am a Cat" has a lot of content, each chapter is divided into upper and lower parts and is serialized for two weeks. Therefore, when reading, it will feel like an online writer breaking out of chapters, just like the "British Writers" written by Yu Zai. 》.

But there are advantages to having more content, and it can be used as material for comics.

Currently serialized to the first half of Chapter 7,

Beginning of the novel:

"Recently, I started exercising."

This "I", of course, refers to the protagonist cat,

And its favorite sports include catching mantises,

"At this time, facing a powerful incoming enemy, the mantis will raise its two front feet into a posture. Its two feet are almost like sickles."

Such a description shows Natsume Soseki's careful observation of life.

Later he wrote about catching cicadas,

"You know, there's a big difference between a cicada and a praying mantis. It's a flying insect. So if it flies away, then I'm really unlucky. It's not interesting if I can't climb a tree. Besides, Another danger I might face is being peed on by cicadas."

Such an interesting description will of course be turned into a cartoon.

Lu Shi and Wodehouse watched together, and couldn't help laughing at the same time.

Wodehouse asked in a low voice: "This cat... um... looks like the one you have at home."

Lu Shi nodded,

"certainly."

He's pretty sure it's me.

Natsume Soseki used me as the prototype when he created his works.

Come to think of it, Picasso should be doing the same thing when he was drawing cartoons.

Wodehouse said: "I can understand why there are so many people keeping cats in London. After reading this cartoon, I want to keep one too."