The mage in the late Qing Dynasty

Just after Philander Knox thought he had misjudged Zhao Chuanxin and thought he was a principled person, Zhao Chuanxin said this again.

"..."

People who are moody and uncertain are the most difficult to control.

Obviously, Zhao Chuanxin is.

Philander Knox had already planned: "When we achieve our goal, in addition to the share of each country, you will also have your share in the international condominium."

It is equivalent to asking Zhao Chuanxin to be a traitor in disguise and using the interests of traitor to buy him off.

Zhao Chuanxin put away his legs, leaned forward, shook his finger and said: "No, my friend. I always have to get my reward first."

In the world of "Code of the Old Gods", Zhao Chuanxin always completes tasks first and gets paid later.

On Earth, Zhao Chuanxin always gets paid first and then cheats people.

"But, Zhao, we haven't mastered the South Manchuria Railway and the Dongqing Railway yet."

"I want something else." Zhao Chuanxin said: "I ask you to immediately use your resources and connections to deliver trams to Lubin Prefecture and Lugang Town, and send engineers to lay the trams. You will pay for the engineers to lay the tracks. We have to pay for it ourselves.”

"This..." Philander Knox's heart skipped a beat. "It's very difficult for me to do."

"Is it difficult to do? If it's difficult to do, then don't do it." Zhao Chuanxin suddenly turned his face and put his hands on the table, as if he wanted to overturn it.

"Uh... Zhao, don't worry, you have a really hot temper." Philander Knox originally wanted to bargain a little bit, but it didn't seem to work. He could only say: "Actually, Zhao, I They have always had close ties with major financial groups. In many cases, they play a crucial role in who gets the upper hand. They are all reasonable people, and when there are enough chips on the gambling table, I think they are willing to put some pressure on them. It’s a small chip. But, Zhao, you need to know that there need to be enough chips on the gambling table.”

"What do you mean, just tell me."

Philander Knox said bluntly: "Your country's Minister of Military and Aircraft Zhang Zhidong was appointed to concurrently supervise the Guangdong-Han Railway and the Sichuan-Han Railway in Hubei. He wants to nationalize the Hu-Guang Railway controlled by private capitalists. We want To participate in the competition, I need your permission. In addition, I have an alternative plan in the overseas plan. If Japan and Russia do not agree, I want the United States to fully fund the construction of a railway from Jinzhou to Aihui. You don’t want to see Japan and Russia dominate, right?”

Zhao Chuanxin's heartbeat quickened.

He was willing to quarrel with Philander Knox, not because he was a traitor, but because he wanted to take advantage of the United States.

Zhao Chuanxin knew that it was simply impossible for the United States to reduce the Dongqing Railway and the South Manchuria Railway to international condominium management, even if he participated in it.

Japan and Russia have already signed a secret treaty. If the United States does this, they will only let them put aside their past differences and join forces to resist Zhao Chuanxin's signing of a second secret treaty with the United States.

By the way, the British will also be brought over. France is ambiguous with the British at this time due to the international situation and will not agree. Germany will support the United States, but don't forget that it is not the United States but Germany that is in Europe. Supporting the United States will only isolate itself from European countries, so it can only give up.

Japan and Russia already hate Zhao Chuanxin, so what if Zhao Chuanxin makes them more hostile by putting on a show?

But the matter of international condominium is purely a wishful thinking of Philander Knox, and Zhao Chuanxin can just cooperate with him in the performance.

But if he wants to build another railway outside the customs, that is another matter.

Zhao Chuanxin had his own way and had to build it. Neither Tsarist Russia nor the Japanese could stop it.

The United States is different from Japan and Russia. They are on the other side of the ocean and beyond their reach.

Zhao Chuanxin was not a Qing court with a fierce appearance but a soft heart, nor was he a soft persimmon who could be manipulated by others.

The railway was built on his territory. Even if the United States funded it and even if they had the right to build the road, they had no idea of ​​controlling the railway management.

You build the railway and you can divide the money you earn, but you don't want to get involved in management.

If you don't accept it, just give it a try. They can't send a large number of soldiers to fight in China. Gunboats threaten the ports outside the customs, which is equivalent to directly going to war with Japan and Russia, because that is not Zhao Chuanxin's territory.

Moreover, once Zhao Chuanxin competes for the management rights of the new railway, Japan and Russia will definitely be happy to see the result. This is better than the Americans taking control. After all, Zhao Chuanxin is not the same country.

Once Zhao Chuanxin masters an entire railway line running through the north and south of the Pass, he will really be able to compete with Tsarist Russia and Japan.

He was surprised and happy in his heart, but there was a look of embarrassment on his face: "The Hu-Guangzhou railway is easy to talk about, so it doesn't matter if I promise you. However, if you want to build a new railway outside the customs, I am afraid that Japan and Russia will not be able to sit idly by."

The Hu-Guang Railway and Zhang Zhidong's borrowing money from the great powers was already a certainty. Zhao Chuanxin did not understand why the Japanese and Americans valued his attitude so much.

He didn't even know that he was already a very important factor influencing the interests of the great powers in China. After all, Zhao Chuanxin was really good at plundering. He had already robbed many coal and iron mines, and even drove away Belgium. Everyone was Worried about him causing trouble, especially Hankou is considered Zhao Chuanxin's territory.

Philander Knox sneered inwardly.

Of course he knows that Japan and Russia will not let them build a new railway. If it was simple, why would he still ask you to pass the salary?

Zhao Chuanxin regarded him as the enemy, and he also wanted to use Zhao Chuanxin as his weapon.

So he smiled and said: "It is indeed difficult, but, Zhao, this makes you more important. You are the one who made them change their minds, right?"

Zhao Chuanxin's face was no longer embarrassed, but even tangled and twisted, as if he was struggling fiercely in his heart.

Philander Knox quietly waited for him to express his position.

After a while, Zhao Chuanxin gritted his teeth: "If we have to do this, the railway line has to be changed. It starts from KLQQ, crosses to Lugang Town, and passes through Fengtian on the way. However, the station cannot be located in the city, it must be outside the city. After that Go north from Lugang Town, pass by Changchun Prefecture, arrive at Guoer-Rusqian Banner, then Longjiang Prefecture, Zhalantun, and end at the Dauria area north of our Lubin Prefecture. A new one can be established. Town. In this way, the railway will mostly pass through my territory, which will ensure safety and Japan and Russia will not be able to control it. "

Philander Knox only knew the route roughly, but he didn't know the names of so many places.

He even didn't know that KLQQ, Fengtian, Lugang Town, Changchun Mansion, Guoer Ross Banner, Longjiang Mansion, Zhalantun, Lubin Mansion, these places were either directly controlled by Zhao Chuanxin, or Zhao Chuanxin has a great say.

He listened with confusion on his face: "I'm afraid it's inappropriate to change the plan rashly."

He instinctively felt something was wrong. As Zhao Chuanxin said, many routes were within his territory.

Zhao Chuanxin did not answer him, and continued with a look of greed on his face: "Moreover, I also need to invest money to own part of the road construction rights, otherwise the Qing court will not agree, and Japan and Russia will be even more afraid."

Philander Knox was relieved to see his greedy look.

It's just that Zhao Chuanxin wanted the right to build roads, which made him disdainful. He always believed that even though Zhao Chuanxin had strong military power and a few bad money in his hands, he still couldn't get on the stage.

Who do you think you are, you actually want to get the right to build roads?

But then I thought, Zhao Chuanxin had the right to build roads, which was better than the Qing government.

Between the two, one party must have some rights to build roads.

He felt that Zhao Chuanxin was easier to control than the Qing court, and individuals always considered their own interests. However, even though the Qing court had many corrupt officials, after all, it was still limited by the voices of the people and had to consider the interests of the country to some extent.

Philander Knox said: "Zhao, I need to go back and think about it and discuss it with people. These contents are too advanced. After all, I have not yet reached that position at this time."

Having said that, Philander Knox was very excited.

Once he goes back and has negotiated with those financial groups, he will have another layer of security when he becomes Secretary of State, because only he can control all these processes.

Philander Knox even considered running for Big Boss in the United States.

But that's just a thought. After all, his reputation among the people is not enough, but the position of Secretary of State will be a springboard for him to jump to the next level.

Philander Knox suggested: "Zhao, please give me a detailed plan. I will stay in North Tarrytown for two more days. Before that, just give me the plan."

He had time, but Zhao Chuanxin was very busy.

He bared his teeth and smiled: "Because I have a good memory and strong hands-on skills, I never like to be sloppy in my work. Why don't you sit down for a while and I will write you a plan."

After that, he got up and walked towards the nearest study.

Release the black puppet craftsman, with six hands holding pens and writing at the same time.

After a while, the book was completed, Zhao Chuanxin blew the ink and walked out.

When the plan was handed over to Philander Knox, Philander Knox saw that some of the ink had not yet completely dried, so it must have been written freshly.

The handwriting is neat and beautiful, using the copperplate printed script that was popular in the mid-18th century.

"Zhao, a typewriter can't be so fast..."

"You just have to get used to it, otherwise everyone wouldn't call me a genius."

"..."

Philander Knox waited until the writing was completely dry before he put away the plan and stood up to leave.

Li Shutong and Liu Yuanshan in the living room watched in astonishment as Zhao Chuanxin and Frandy Pavitt sent Philander Knox away.

Liu Yuanshan whispered: "It's strange. The official is really weird. He came in tremblingly and left like a spring breeze. Brother Xishuang, do you know why this is? Don't officials get angry?"

Li Shutong shook his head: "Politicians are the most shameless. Who knows why?"

Yes, Philander Knox's fear of the "bloodthirsty butcher" can be completely offset by his thirst for power.

This is the same as the fact that capitalists can sacrifice their lives for their industrial interests to a certain extent.

When Philander Knox left, Freddy Pavitt and Zhao Chuanxuan returned to the living room.

Freddy Pavitt said, "Sir, I have two things to tell you."

"But there's no harm in talking."

"The first thing is that there was an earthquake in Italy. I am afraid that hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people were killed. This should stimulate the stock market. The second thing is that the Parker pen is not going well..."

He repeated the words of George Pike's son Russell Pike to Zhao Chuanxin.

Zhao Chuanxin immediately picked up the landline and dialed.

"Hello, this is Abraham Cohen, manager of Xinghui Catering Company."

Zhao Chuanxin could imagine Abraham Cohen sitting in the office with a dog-like attitude, pretending to be serious.

He said: "I am Zhao Chuanxin."

Sure enough, on the other side, Abraham Cohen, who was sitting in the office of Xinghui Catering Company in New York, was leaning on the back of his chair with his legs crossed, but now he was sitting upright with a serious look on his face: "Boss, you have come to the United States? What are your orders?"

The sound leakage from the phone at this time was serious, and both Freddie Pavitt, who was close, and Li Shutong and Liu Yuanshan, who were sitting further away, could hear it.

Zhao Chuanxin said: "Gather the manpower and go to Wisconsin to find Russell Parker of Parker Company and let him know why the flowers are so red."

"Boss, how far are you going to go? Are you going to kill him?"

When Abraham Cohen asked this sentence, Liu Yuanshan and Li Shutong widened their eyes.

It turns out that in this foreign land, Zhao Chuanxin can decide the life and death of others with just one word.

Yet both of them are still suffering from discrimination.

Zhao Chuanxin bared his teeth: "No need, after all, we still need to buy goods. Let's see if he raises horses. If he raises horses, cut off his beloved horse's head and put it next to his bed at night so that he can wake up. You can see the horse's head at the first sight. If he doesn't like horses, let's see if there is another lawyer. Let's go to the lawyer first and then the courtesy. Called—Franklin.”

Looking for Ronaldinho, the future big boss in the United States, to run errands, Zhao Chuanxin was quite satisfied.

"Okay, boss, I know what to do. Are you coming to New York?"

"Don't go, do your best."

Abraham Cohen breathed a sigh of relief.

He was really worried that if Zhao Chuanxin told him to go to New York and then stopped leaving, there would be another curse on his head in the future.

Who wants to have an emperor squatting on his head?

Now, although the Smith brothers are dissatisfied with him, they still want to listen to him.

How majestic.

Zhao Chuanxin hung up the phone, stretched, and said to everyone: "I'm leaving for The Hague. Xi Shuang, you can take a boat back to China by yourself. Take care of things and rush back to Lubin Mansion as soon as possible."

Having said this, Liu Yuanshan couldn't help but show a sad look on his face.

"Brother Yuanshan, when I return to China, I will send a group of international students over. You have to be responsible."

The sadness on Liu Yuanshan's face disappeared, and he nervously doubted himself: "Can this be done?"

As expected, the attention was successfully diverted.

"If you keep eating, the pigs will get fat; if you believe in yourself, the sparrow will become a phoenix." Zhao Chuanxin raised his fist at her: "Come on."

Jiwa, he understands.

Liu Yuanshan: "..."

Zhao Chuanxin went out without looking back.

Li Shutong was speechless: "The charcoal worker wiped out all the gangsters around Lugang Town in China, but he came to the United States to establish a gang. He is so kind-hearted and never harms his own people..."

Isn't the dining car gang just a bureau? It is also done to commit evil, it is also done to kill people and set fires, it is also done to intimidate and induce...

Liu Yuanshan: "..."

…

In Port Chester, the strong wind was blowing by the sea. Zhao Chuanxin's coat was blown up and his hat could no longer be worn. His thick black hair was flying upwards diagonally, highlighting his health. hairline.

This hairline made several pretty girls wandering nearby couldn't help but take a few more glances.

What is the standard of handsomeness?

A symmetrical face, thick black eyebrows, a healthy hairline, and a well-proportioned figure. If a man has these, even if he is not handsome, he will attract girls.

If coupled with a tall and straight posture and a dignified expression, it would be even more extraordinary.

A man with these characteristics will not be left behind in a group of handsome guys.

Lao Zhao is very good at temperament.

However, the wind at the beach was too strong, and the few lingering girls could not resist the bone-chilling chill and left with a smile from a distance.

Zhao Chuanxin waited for the gust of wind to blow away everyone nearby, then took off his coat, took out the soft gold armor and put it in.

The soft gold armor is closed, the sound of the wind suddenly disappears, and the warmth surges up.

Zhao Chuanxin stood on the pier, jumped into the sea with a forward somersault, and rode steadily on the Misty Traveler.

The North Atlantic is rough in winter.

The northeasterly and easterly winds from high latitudes, and the southwesterly and strong westerly winds from the northern edge of the subtropics merge here to form a vortex.

This stormy "belt" moves north to south in winter.

Zhao Chuanxin set out at this time, and by chance he was moving forward on this "belt".

Fortunately, the soft gold armor seals it, so when a huge wave hits, he usually passes through it.

The huge waves lengthened Zhao's journey in disguise.

This was Zhao Chuanxin's first time traveling in such a harsh ocean environment, and he was much more tired than on the rugged road.

Not far away, on a cargo ship transporting ore on the North Atlantic route, an 18-year-old crew member shouted to his master: "Look, there is something in the wind and waves, look quickly, my God, it can't be the devil, right?" "

"Shut up, Ernest, shut up your crow's mouth, you can't talk nonsense at sea."

"But look, there's clearly something there."

Ernest's master looked around and saw a figure walking through the wind and waves.

A wave that would have made even a freighter tremble crashed over, and the master and apprentice let out a cry of surprise.

But the figure seemed to be surfing, first gliding along the tube wave, and when the tube wave closed, the figure rode the wind and broke through the waves and flew several meters high.

Whether it's a forehand wave or a backhand wave, the figure can control it easily as if walking on flat ground.

However, one wave after another broke out, and the clearing waves rolled further, causing the figure to deviate from its original track. The man violated common sense and traveled against the waves...

"This is impossible!" the apprentice murmured.

The master looked serious: "Don't look at it. Many weird things always happen on the sea. This must not be a surfer. Even the natives of Hawaii would not dare to do this. What's more, this is already an ocean zone, so it must not be a human being." , whether it’s a god or a devil or Poseidon.”

"Master, look, it's gone."

Sure enough, the figure disappeared, leaving only waves on the sea.

It turned out that Zhao Chuanxin could not withstand the wind and waves and decided to dive under the sea for this section of the road.

But there are also treacherous ocean currents under the sea, which makes it difficult for Zhao to pass the news quickly.

After traveling for more than three miles, he was even swept more than ten meters under the sea by a sudden vortex.

This is called sea squid among fishermen in coastal areas.

"Blank!" Zhao Chuanxin broke out in a cold sweat.

Xingyue acts as a driving force outside and cannot make a big sound, so she can only type on the devil's foresight goggles: You'd better pray that the energy fluctuations and convergence runes don't locate the holy light channel into this rough sea.

Regarding the use of energy fluctuation convergence rune fragments, Zhao Chuanxin was both worried and looking forward to it.

He said: "Open the world map."

The map appeared on the goggles, and Zhao Chuanxin looked at every corner of the world.

Central Asia? not good.

Australia? I’ve never been there, and I don’t really want to go.

New Zealand seems to be a good place, but he has never been there and cannot locate it.

Third brother’s lair?

Zhao Chuanxin felt uncomfortable thinking about the vibrant Ganges water.

Africa?

He doesn't want to go to the desert anymore, but Tanzania and Madagascar are nice. Do you want to take a stroll?

But seeing how hard it was for him to travel now, he might as well forget it.

Finally, Zhao Chuanxian decided to cross the North Atlantic and reach the coastal areas of Portugal and Spain heading north, passing through France and Belgium. The environment in these places was acceptable.

Sometimes underwater, sometimes on the water, Zhao Chuanxin walked for nearly eight hours and was exhausted.

Xingyue reminded him: "There is an ocean liner at your ten o'clock direction. You can go aboard to rest and have a meal."

If a person is wandering alone in this vast sea, his days will really feel like years.

Fortunately, this is a route with many ships.

As long as I can see the boat, I will feel comforted.

Zhao Chuanxin hurriedly ran towards the passenger ship.

This ship is called the Lusitania, and it is a giant passenger ship with a length of 240 meters. Zhao Chuanxuan believes that its luxury is not much worse than the Titanic behind it.

It should be equipped with a large steam turbine that is the most cutting-edge technology in the world. The Lusitania is extremely fast.

But no matter how fast he was, he was not as fast as Zhao Chuanxin. The wind and waves were much lighter at this time. He stepped on the Misty Traveler and headed towards the Lusitania like a cannonball.

Whoosh...

Nearing the rear wing of the passenger ship, Zhao Chuanxin flew out of the water on the waves. While he was in the air, his soft gold armor split from behind.

When he landed, he was no longer wearing armor, but was wearing a decent double palace silk suit.

Patting the wrinkles on his suit, Zhao Chuanxin took out his Humboldt hat and put it on his head. He walked on the deck as if nothing had happened. He stopped outside the first-class dining room and looked in through the glass. He said to Xingyue: " Give me a chance and I'll flash in."

In the first-class dining room, it was past meal time, and there were only a few passengers and waiters.

Just when their eyes avoided the corner of the bar side of the restaurant,

Xingyue said: "That's it now."

Zhao Chuanxin appeared in an instant.

Why be so careful?

Because the ticket includes meals, the restaurant menus in first class, second class and third class are different. If you want to eat in, the waiter guarding the door will check the ticket.

Zhao Chuanxin walked to the dining table and sat down, snapping his fingers.

At first the waiter came over enthusiastically, but when Zhao Chuanxin took off his hat and revealed a face unique to Asians, he was stunned.

There are no Asian faces in first or second class, and Asians are not even allowed to enter.

So the waiter dropped his smile and handed over the menu expressionlessly.

"Give me a portion of farmer's consommé, Maryland chicken, halibut fillet, Argenteuil eggs, salmon egg yolk rolls, Norwegian anchovies, bologna sausage, roast beef, and lettuce, and a glass of ice-cold Munich beer." Zhao Chuanxin doesn't care about that. A lot, he said loudly: "Oh, by the way, the beef is preferably fatter, the breast is best, and it is better roasted."

The waiter was stunned.

Next to him, a man with typical Mediterranean olive skin frowned and asked Zhao Chuanxin from across the table: "Are you Chinese?"