The mage in the late Qing Dynasty

Back in Japan, Li Shutong and Zhao Chuanxin described this girl as: "She has plump face and long temples, as round as the moon. She is the top female actress in Tianjin."

It can be said responsibly that she was one of the major inducements for Li Shutong to become a monk.

This public case involving an infatuated man and a woman happened last year.

Li Shutong was an introverted dandy who loved listening to and singing operas.

I often go to the theater and listen to it all day long.

Then if he is not happy, he will ask the troupe to let him appear on the stage as a guest role.

At this point, Li Shutong really knows how to play.

One day, Yang Cuixi appeared.

It's like a vast library filled with decent protagonists made of clay and wood sculptures, who dedicated their lives to civilization and the great rivers and mountains before dying. Suddenly, I opened a book. The protagonist is idle all day long and does not do anything serious, but it is very interesting.

Even if you want to curse a few words, it can make you happy.

Of course, to Li Shutong, Yang Cuixi is the bright one with more positive energy.

Therefore, from then on, whenever there was a scene where Yang Cuixi appeared, he would definitely go to support it, just like a die-hard fan.

Because of their common hobbies and the fact that Li Shutong was really talented, knowledgeable about dramas and studied history, the two became obsessed with each other very quickly.

But contrary to expectations, the beautiful marriage was interrupted because Li Shu and his mother asked him to go to Shanghai.

At this time, the carriage and horse are slow, and a lifetime is not even enough to love one person.

By the time Li Shutong returned to Tianjin, my dear, Yang Cuixi had already successfully held hands with someone.

There is another person to mention here - Duan Zhigui.

Duan Zhigui is a lackey of Yuan Datou.

From the very beginning, Yuan Datou got into Yuan Datou's lap by relying on a beauty trap.

Yuan Datou is also famous for being greedy and lustful.

After tasting the sweetness, Duan Zhigui was out of control, and his beauty trap was used all over the world.

Just last year, 12,000 taels of silver were spent to redeem Yang Cuixi's life in the Tianxian Garden in Tianjin City and gave her to Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen as a concubine.

Because governors of three provinces were to be established outside the customs, Duan Zhigui successfully won the first place and took over the post of acting governor of HLJ by currying favor with Aisin Gioro and Zai Zhen.

But to say that Yang Cuixi is some kind of infatuated person is to think too much.

This girl looks ordinary, but her eyes are lingering, and there is a lot of love in her eyes. At first glance, she is not a worry-free person.

When he learned that Yang Cuixi had been bought, Li Shutong knew that the man holding hands had a powerful background and was immediately discouraged. Coupled with the sad news of his mother's death, he became depressed and went to study in Japan to escape reality.

But when Zhao Chuanxin saw his true appearance, he was puzzled.

A thousand words can be summed up in one sentence: That’s it?

Zhao Chuanxin moved his butt uncomfortably and said, "Hey, maybe I really have prosopagnosia now? Can't tell the difference between beauty and ugliness?"

We can't say she is ugly, but Zhao Chuanxin's evaluation is that she looks like a middle-aged girl.

It is much worse than Miao Cuihua, Takano Mariko, Zena Keith, and even Li Zining.

Not even Naoko Yuka can compare.

Lao Li, Lao Li, Zhao must advise you not to become a monk. Do you know that it’s not worth it?

Yang Cuixi didn't understand what Zhao Chuanxin's "face blindness" meant, and asked nervously: "What?"

"Oh, it's okay, Miss Yang, hello!"

"Um, hello."

Zhao Chuanxin's eyes wandered back and forth between Aixinjueluo Zaizhen and Yang Cuixi.

Suddenly, Zhao Chuanxin said: "Miss Yang, I have a friend who seems to recognize you in Japan now. His name is Li Shutong."

Yang Cuixi, who was originally frightened, trembled and stopped talking. Looking at the indignant Aixinjueluo Zaizhen sitting opposite, he still couldn't say anything in the end.

"Hmph!" Aixinjueluo Zaizhen couldn't help but say. "Lucian, that's enough! This is my concubine. How dare you mention it to others in front of me?"

Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen knew about Li Shutong and was furious when Zhao Chuanxin mentioned it.

"Look, are you anxious? We are just chatting. By the way, are you the prince?"

"Huh, not now, but sooner or later I will inherit the title."

"Then let me ask you, is your position as minister a very big official?"

"Hmph, not big, barely a first-grade one!"

Zhao Chuanxin had no reaction, but the people around him took a breath!

This person is actually a first-class official?

"I heard that your father sold his official position and got 7 million pounds back. Is this true?"

Zhao Chuanxin's expression was sincere and full of curiosity.

After all, building Lugang Town, cultivating an insurance team, doing charity, fighting wars, investing in Hong Kong Island, doing real estate in the United States, plus the soon-to-be-formed rebel army...all these things added up, the money in the pocket is like a deflated ball. It deflated quickly.

Zhao Chuanxin is now interested in money.

The eyes of the people watching the excitement were all wide-eyed. Their scalps were numb when they heard about 7 million pounds.

1 pound is exchanged for about 10 silver dollars, so 7 million pounds is 70 million silver dollars!

Is this not going to sell out half of the Qing court?

This news is very popular and very exciting.

Aisin Gioro Zai Zhen's hands and feet were not only shaking, but his eyes were also bloodshot.

Because what Zhao Chuanxian said is true.

Even though the numbers are slightly different, they are pretty much the same.

"You're talking nonsense!"

He couldn't care about anything, stood up, pointed at Zhao Chuanxin and roared.

Zhao Chuanxin seemed to be frightened by his actions and said at a loss: "Okay, okay, okay, I won't say anything anymore. Sit down quickly. If you are so excited, everyone will mistakenly think this is true!"

"..."

His words made Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen realize that he had done a stupid thing!

Yes, why are you so excited?

It wasn't Lucian who was causing the trouble, he was just a loser!

So he hurriedly sat down, but his pale face and red eyes could not be concealed.

Zhao Chuanxin stopped talking to him.

He shook his legs and raised his neck and hummed: "Explode thunder, explode thunder, Aixinjueluo Yikuang's heart is so dark..."

Yikuang is Zai Zhen’s father.

"..." Aixinjueluo Zaizhen: "What did you say?"

"Didn't you hear? Then I'll say it again." Zhao Chuanxin said: "Explode thunder, explode thunder, swing the sledgehammer in the spring breeze of the Reform Movement!"

"..."

Aixinjueluo Zaizhen and Yang Cuixi just felt very tortured.

One was thinking about revenge, and the other felt uncomfortable.

Seeing that Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen had stopped, Zhao Chuanxin smiled and stood up: "Here, look at how arrogant you are, how petty you are! I'll give it to you, and let's move a seat."

Then he looked at the two beaten and obedient followers: "What are you two doing? Find a place to sit. Are you practicing standing up?"

Aixinjueluo Zaizhen, who had changed seats, waved to his entourage: "You guys should sit down too."

Seeing Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen's angry look, Zhao Chuanxin said with a smile: "Zai Zhen, don't think about revenge, the consequences will be serious."

Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen glared at him and said nothing.

This is obviously a sign of dissatisfaction.

Zhao Chuanxin asked him: "Zai Zhen, where does your father keep all his money? In the cellar at home, or in the bank?"

"What does it have to do with you?"

Zhao Chuanxin took out a cigar and lit it: "Look at what you said, it must have something to do with me. Your father's money is all collected from the people, and I am just the one who governs the common people. I can't even ask? And Wang Is there a law? Is there a law?"

Aixinjueluo Zaizhen became excited again. Looking at the eager eyes of the people around him, he shouted loudly: "I would like to declare that this person is purely framed and slandered. They are all fabricated out of thin air."

Zhao Chuanxin puffed out a puff of cigarette: "Don't worry, you don't have to emphasize it, we all understand it, everyone, don't you think so?"

"Yes, we understand."

"Sir, don't worry, you don't dare to go out and talk nonsense."

There was a sweetness in his throat, and Aixinjueluo Zaizhen felt that his chest was clogged.

It was only because his father was too greedy, not to mention that it was true. Later, even Puyi complained that the Qing Dynasty was buried in the hands of Aisin Gioro Zai Zhen's father.

Even if he wasn't so ruthless, Zhao Chuanxin would never accuse someone unjustly.

When he got off the train, Zhao Chuanxin thought Aixinjueluo Zaizhen would cause trouble for him.

He has already made preparations to materialize the name "Little Black Dragon with Two Guns and Fast Legs".

However, another train backed up despite the calm.

What a coincidence, Aixinjueluo Zaizhen and Yang Cuixi were in the same carriage as him again.

It's just that this time the distance between the two sides is far.

When Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen noticed that Zhao Chuanxin got on the bus, he quickly turned his head and let his entourage occupy the remaining seats around him.

Naturally, Zhao Chuanxian also saw them.

Originally he didn't plan to go over and join in the fun, but seeing that the other party was so stingy, he couldn't let it go.

He walked over casually, stretched out his hand to pick up the attendant: "I want to sit here, you go next to me."

The entourage cannot let it go, otherwise Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen will surely pay the consequences when he returns.

Therefore, he began to struggle with a look of embarrassment and confusion.

Even if you know you are not an opponent, you still have to go up.

Zhao Chuanxin, like Guan Yunchang in ancient times, had a temperament that bullied superiors and flattered subordinates.

Probably wanting to understand the reason, he let go of his entourage.

At this time, a foreigner next to me said: "My friend, why don't you sit across from me? There is a seat here. Can you understand English?"

The trains of this era were more advanced than the airplanes of later generations.

The ticket cost of just a few yuan is not within the reach of ordinary families.

For example, if you want to travel more than a hundred miles, many people rely on their legs to measure.

On the train, you can often see foreigners and domestic dignitaries, but you can hardly see passengers with patched clothes.

This is a first-class carriage, and the tickets are more expensive.

This white man looks rich and should be middle class.

Seeing that he was quite friendly, Zhao Chuanxin smiled and sat opposite him.

"Friend, have you had any conflicts with them?"

Zhao Chuanxin shook his head and denied: "How could it be? We have a very good relationship. We chatted all the way before, and they were very happy."

Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen knew a little English, and in 1902 he represented the Qing court in England to attend the coronation ceremony of King Edward VII.

These few sentences were simple, and he roughly understood the meaning of Zhao Chuanxin.

I was so angry again.

Who is so happy talking to you?

The foreigner shrugged: "It's best not to offend him. He should be a noble of the Qing Dynasty, a powerful one. You can tell that by looking at his hat."

Zhao Chuanxin gave a thumbs up: "It's pretty good! Don't worry, my friend, he was just angry for a moment and will figure it out."

"My name is Herbert Ponting. I come from England. I am a photographer and I am also very interested in making movies. I think you are suitable to be an actor because you are the most elegant Chinese I have ever seen."

"Haha." Zhao Chuanxin said happily: "Herbert, my friend. If you can speak, just speak more. Please continue!"

"Haha, you are very interesting. I don't know what to call you?"

"Ethan, just call me Ethan. Are you the director? Why don't we make a movie? I've already thought of the name, so it's called - "The Chinese Beat Up the British, Japanese, American and Russians", and I'll be the star. !”

"..."

Damn it, is it really okay for you to say in front of me that you want to beat up my country?

Herbert Ponting laughed dryly.

He said: "I'm sorry, although I am very interested, I haven't set foot in the film industry yet. Moreover, what I want to shoot is not the kind of movie you mentioned. You know, our country's scientific expedition team is planning to go to the polar regions. Conduct scientific research. What I want to photograph is the polar ecological environment."

In the past, Zhao Chuanxin fantasized about making a lot of money and traveling around the world, including Antarctica.

Suddenly he remembered that when he was checking Antarctic information before, he seemed to have seen the name Herbert Ponting.

This old guy seems to have really gone to Antarctica and taken a lot of photos and video materials.

He has always been interested in things like leaving his name in history, and asked: "So when do you plan to go filming? Also, where are you going? Antarctica?"

"Do you know Antarctica?" Herbert Ponting said in surprise: "I thought that people in your country only care about national affairs at the moment."

"Haha, you know, ever since the Qing Dynasty was dragged alive and forced to open the country's gate, when I opened my eyes to look at the world, the first thing I saw was the robber coming to the door with a knife. In this case, it is impossible to look too far away."

Herbert Ponting was slightly embarrassed. Among the robbers who came to the door with knives, they were British.

He argued: "This is a good thing. In fact, it is also for the Qing people to develop the economy..."

"Develop some skills!" Zhao Chuanxin interrupted forcefully. "You wait, wait until one day I am willing to move, and I will go to your UK to develop its economy. I will let you have an empire where the sun never sets, and see the enthusiasm of us outsiders!"

"Well..."

They were chatting in full swing.

The other side.

Yang Cuixi whispered in Aixinjueluo Zaizhen's ear: "He can speak foreign languages!"

"Hmph, this person is despicable, arrogant and disrespectful. He despises the court. So what if he can speak foreign languages?"

At first he could understand one or two words, but later Aixinjueluo Zaizhen was completely blind.

"Don't you find it strange? He is not afraid of your identity, sir, and he can speak foreign languages. This person must have a great background!"

Aixinjueluo Zai Zhen's heart tightened and he narrowed his eyes.

He lowered his voice and squeezed out a sentence through his teeth: "When we get to Yuan Weiting, no matter what his background is, I will definitely make him look good!"

The train arrived in Tianjin.

Herbert Ponting enthusiastically left his contact information for Zhao Chuanxin.

He said that if Zhao Chuanxin wanted to work in the film industry, he could introduce him to him.

"Ethan, maybe you can't be the protagonist, but there is still hope for the supporting role."

"That's nonsense. If I play a supporting role for others, is he worthy of the protagonist? On the contrary, if you decide to make a movie in the future, you can contact Xuantian Sect in Hong Kong Island and I will tell you the address. If you are outside the customs, you can contact Du Lizi in Liaoxi. Come to I'll buy the equipment and you'll shoot it. I've already thought of a movie title. It's called "The Great Stallion, The Sun Never Sets," or "The Affair of the British Empire," or "The Beautiful Legend of Sheffield." ", "Lust·Britain·Caution"."

Herbert Ponting sounded red-faced and breathing heavily.

Good guy, the sun never sets on our feelings, we are sluts, right?

"Ethan, your idea of ​​a movie title is good, but don't think about it again. This joke is not funny."

"Who are you kidding me? As long as you say you can and want to make a movie, come to me anytime."

Herbert Ponting was stunned. Could it be that this man had considerable financial resources?

But as far as he was concerned, among the Qing people, those with certain statuses would be accompanied by an entourage when they went out.

For example, the senior official of the Qing court next to him had two guards.

But this person works alone and sometimes seems very rude when he speaks. He really doesn't look like the top figure in the Qing court.

He hesitated and said, "Okay, Ethan, I will consider your proposal."

Immediately, the two said goodbye.

Because Zhang Zhankui was not notified, there was no one to pick him up.

After Zhao Chuanxin left the station, he looked at it carefully.

It was confirmed that no one was watching or rounding up this time. Even if Aixinjueluo Zaizhen wanted to find trouble, he would not be able to shake people off so quickly.

Only then did he get on a rickshaw.

In the past, his unwillingness to take a rickshaw was not because of his diligence. At that time, he felt that pulling a rickshaw was very hard, and he refused out of pity.

But then I figured it out: If people rely on this to make a living, if you don’t sit down, they will lose an income, which is not beautiful!

"Master, take me to the model prison."

The coachman didn't rush away and said tentatively: "Model Prison, that's not close!"

"Let's go."

The driver rolled his eyes: "Okay!"

He put the rag on his shoulders and walked away.

Sure enough, it wasn't close. After running for a long time, the driver looked almost exhausted before he got there.

"It's your turn!"

"How much?"

The driver coughed: "Chenghui, 2 yuan and 4 jiao!"

"How much?" Zhao Chuanxin couldn't believe his ears. "Two yuan and four cents?"

His temperament has always been like this: he is stingy with the rich and generous with the poor.

If the driver pays the bill honestly, he will not only pay the fare, but also tip.

I've sat there several times before and it was always like this.

But the driver actually thought he was being taken advantage of and quoted a rip-off price.

This was also because Zhao Chuanxin was neatly dressed, the fabrics looked valuable, and he had a foreign accent, so the coachman quoted an arbitrary price.

Seeing Zhao Chuanxin's reaction, the coachman was not surprised.

This is true for every guest who gets ripped off.

"Yes, for such a long distance, it's 2 yuan and 4 jiao."

Rickshaw prices are roughly based on distance.

The distance in later generations is about 1,200 meters, which is roughly less than 1 jiao xiaoyang.

Anyway, it's not that accurate. If the money is almost the same, neither party will care.

After all, anyone who can afford to ride a rickshaw must be worth a lot of money. When you meet foreigners, there is usually a little tip.

But according to this standard, Zhao Chuanxin's salary is as high as 1 yuan and 30 cents.

Seeing that the coachman was exhausted and sweating profusely and was about to lose his strength, Zhao Chuanxin casually rewarded him with a piece of gold as a tip.

But the premise is that he gives it instead of being ripped off.

So, he took back half of his foot that was on the ground: "You take me back to where you were, and I'll count your steps one meter at a time. Give me a fucking dime more, and I'll interrupt you." leg……"