The mage in the late Qing Dynasty

There are five major palaces in Seoul. The current emperor Li Xi lives in Qingyun Palace.

There are embassies everywhere around Qingyun Palace.

Its scale is incomparable to the majestic Forbidden City.

This will actually save Zhao Chuanxin a lot of effort.

Jin Wuzhi took Zhao Chuanxin through the Dahan Gate and said: "Xiaohan Yunhan, Dahan Gate is named after it. However, there is an allusion among the people that the Japanese spy Pei Zhenzi often wears foreign clothes and hats to go in and out of this gate, so it is called Dahan Gate. , but that is nonsense, just folk conjecture..."

Zhao Chuanxin looked at the low palace gates and city walls. They were much easier to navigate than the Forbidden City.

Because there were soldiers guarding the door, they couldn't get in.

Therefore, Jin Wuzhi took Zhao Chuanxin through Dahanmen and walked south.

While walking, he introduced the layout of Qingyun Palace to Zhao Chuanxin.

"There are three important buildings here.

One is the Stone Hall in the northwest corner, which is a Western stone building and is the emperor's office. There are many files in it.

The second is the Xianning Hall, the emperor's bedroom, located in the northeast corner.

The third one is Jingguan Pavilion, which is a leisure and entertainment place where the emperor drinks coffee and sometimes holds banquets here, most in the north..."

Because the wall is low, Zhao Chuanxin can even see the slightly taller buildings inside. With Jin Wuzhi's explanation, he can easily understand the layout.

He immediately showed a confident smile.

He could get lost in the Forbidden City, but it was easy to figure out the small Qingyun Palace.

But Jin Wuzhi only knew that Zhao Chuanxin was here to do something, but he didn't know exactly what to do or how to do it.

He thought that Zhao Chuanxin just wanted to see the scenery of Seoul before getting down to business.

If he knew that Zhao Chuanxin was actually here to check the spot, I don't know how he would feel.

After going around in a circle, Zhao Chuanxin said: "It's almost done. Let's find a hotel to stay."

The largest Western-style hotel in Seoul is the Seoul Grand Hotel.

Not far from the palace and the embassy area, Zhao Chuanxin and Jin Wuzhi lived here.

Although it is a Western-style hotel, the layout of the room has many oriental elements, such as a painting of a Bodhisattva hanging on the wall.

After traveling hundreds of kilometers, Zhao Chuanxin was really tired. He went to the hotel and locked the door, blocked the door with a table and went to sleep.

…

Saito Kijiro and Shinoda Haruse arrived in Seoul.

When you come to Seoul in spring, you have to take a look at the flowers on Nanshan Mountain.

The mole on the corner of Naoko Yuka's eye matches well with the cherry blossoms on the roadside.

Naoko Yuka's plaid striped shirt and knee-length skirt are more beautiful than Jindalai on the slope.

Naoko Yuka's innocent smile made Shinoda Haruse forget about the spring flowers blowing in the wind.

But Shinoda Haruse didn't want his intoxication to appear too straightforward, so he changed the atmosphere with the topic: "Yuka, are you tired? I see that your face is a little pale. Why don't you go back to the Seoul Grand Hotel to have a rest? The banquet in the evening It’s held right there.”

Nanshan is not high, only more than 200 meters. The terrain is gentle and it is not tiring to climb up.

But being around and being liked are two different things. Like makes people feel happy and forget about fatigue, but being around is boring.

Naoko Yuka nodded: "Okay, Shinoda-kun, let's go back and take a rest. After the banquet, if you have time, come back to enjoy the beautiful scenery."

Shinoda Haruse was worried about gain and loss in his heart. He wanted to hang out with his sweetheart for a while longer, but he was worried that Naoko Yuka would be disgusted, so he nodded and could only walk back with her.

On the way, Shinoda Haruse pointed to the cornices of the palace and said with great pride: "This place will belong to our Empire of Japan from now on."

When it comes to this, Naoko Yuka is not sleepy.

A look of exhaustion washed over her face: "Shinoda-kun, how do you say this?"

Shinoda Haruse said enthusiastically: "Last time I chatted with Commander Ito, he revealed that there are several major things to be done this year. First, to sign the Japan-Korea treaty again this year, we must take control of South Korea's legislative power. Li Xi is a If there is any obstacle, we still need to find a way to make him abdicate and let Li Wei, who is easier to control, take over. At the same time, we must disband the South Korean army, otherwise they will cause us more or less trouble."

Normally Shinoda Haruse and Naoko Yuka chat, if they just talk about love, Naoko Yuka gives some feedback, but not much.

However, when Shinoda was discussing current affairs, Naoko Yuka would praise him repeatedly.

This unknowingly encouraged Shinoda to talk more about current affairs.

Naoko Yuka's face was full of admiration: "Shinoda-kun, you are amazing. Commander Ito, he doesn't even hide such important things from you. I guess he has great trust in you."

This is why Shinoda Haruse prefers Naoko Yuka.

Japanese women are mostly housewives, who abide by the rules and are pitiful caregivers to their husbands and children.

They are good at falling in love, or making daily necessities after marriage.

But Naoko Yuka can understand Shinoda's policy in career, and she is also very stylish in life.

Always encourage him.

Hearing the praise, Shinoda Haruse was very happy, but then he thought of something and sighed: "Hey, it's a pity that damn Zhao Chuanxin ruined my rhythm of action. I'm afraid I won't be able to give a perfect answer to Commander Ito this time." .”

"Don't be discouraged, Mr. Shinoda. Zhao Chuanxin is just a warrior, nothing special. Our Japanese Empire is the general trend. Zhao Chuanxin is nothing more than a mantis' arm."

After hearing this, Shinoda Haruse was really excited: "Yuka, you are right, these are just small details and have nothing to do with the overall situation."

…

In the morning, Jin Wuzhi waited around, but before Zhao Chuanxin got up, he couldn't help but knock on the door.

Zhao Chuanxin moved the chairs and tables away and unlocked the door.

The door creaked open.

He was wiping his wet hair with a towel and looked at Jin Wuzhi: "What are you doing?"

"Mr. Zhao, are you okay during the day?"

Jin Wuzhi thought Zhao Chuanxin wanted to work during the day.

Zhao Chuanxin threw the wet towel on the table casually: "It's always dark and windy, and they kill people and set fires. Who do you think is so full of sex in broad daylight?"

What do you mean?

Why did they kill people and set fires?

Jin Wuzhi was full of worries about his personal safety during this trip.

"Ha, Mr. Zhao, don't be joking."

"No kidding, you should go back and rest, and recharge your batteries. Try to go out as little as possible if you have nothing to do, so as not to spill blood on yourself."

The more you talk about it, the scarier it gets.

Jin Wuzhi smiled bitterly: "I've had enough rest, there's no need to recharge my batteries."

"Believe me, it's necessary. Go and order a meal for me to be delivered to the room. Let's have a good meal in the hotel restaurant in the evening, and then it's time to take action."

When Jin Wuzhi saw that Zhao Chuanxin was really not joking, he became increasingly unsure: "Mr. Zhao, what on earth are we going to do?"

"The first priority is to exchange paintings. The second priority is to study military affairs. If possible, we will also visit some royal treasure exhibitions."

Jin Wuzhi couldn't turn his head.

It all sounds normal.

Feeling slightly relieved, he exited Zhao Chuanxin's room.

When he went to the front desk, he saw a wretched Japanese man and a pretty woman.

The woman wore a plaid shirt and a knee-length skirt, with stockings that flattered her legs, and a pair of suede boots underneath.

The woman held the Japanese's arm, but not particularly intimately.

Jin Wuzhi was still a bachelor. Seeing that the woman was so beautiful, he couldn't help but feel sad and spat: "The pigs have lost all the good cabbage."

After he ordered his meal and went upstairs, he saw the man and woman following him and living in a room not far from him and Zhao Chuanxin.

I was surprised to find that this couple actually lived in separate rooms.

So he shook his head and went back to his room.

Zhao Chuanxin took out the chamber pot of the old god and started playing with it in the room.

Chamber pot, chamber pot, sounds dirty.

But in fact, the surface of the old god's chamber pot was smooth and delicate, with no stains at all, and no weird smell at all.

Zhao Chuanxin held the Old God chamber pot in front of him, with confusion on his face: Since it is called a chamber pot, what is its function related to the chamber pot?

He tried tipping it to the left, tipping it to the right, or placing the chamber pot sideways and shaking it from side to side.

No response.

So he took it in his hand and walked around the room.

When holding the Chamber Pot of the Old God, his body cannot swing, and his wrists need to be steady.

Gradually, he began to get used to this walking rhythm.

Faintly, Zhao Chuanxin felt that this thing actually had the effect of training the stability of his lower body.

A man is a boy until he dies.

Zhao Chuanxin seemed to regard the chamber pot of the old god as a toy.

At this time, the waiter who delivered the food came.

Zhao Chuanxin put away the old god's chamber pot, went to wash his hands, finished his meal, stayed bored for a while, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep again.

The sun sets in the west and the street lights turn on.

Zhao Chuanxin woke up, got up and washed his face and brushed his teeth for the second time that day.

Look at the clock, it's still early.

He lay on the window sill and looked out, seeing the street lights flickering occasionally due to quality problems, the number of people gradually becoming scarce, and the tired birds returning to their nests.

Downstairs of the hotel, horse-drawn carriages and rickshaws began to stop.

The well-dressed man and his gorgeous female companion got out of the car arm in arm and walked into the hotel.

A top-notch hotel like the Seoul Grand Hotel naturally has no shortage of guests at night.

Zhao Chuanxin didn't take it seriously either.

The clouds in the sky are drifting across the sky, and the evening breeze is cool.

Below, more people entered the hotel.

Time didn't know where it came and ended. When Zhao Chuanxin felt that the time was almost up, Jin Wuzhi also came and knocked on the door.

"Mr. Zhao, are you awake?"

Zhao Chuanxin changed into a dark gray woolen suit with wide lapels, a specialty of Lugang Town.

Why is it said to be a specialty of Lugang Town?

Because suits at this time were more elegant and luxurious, the suits were longer and usually had swallowtails.

But the suit design, which is a specialty of Lugang Town, abandons elegance and luxury and chooses a simple and light style. The cut of the suit becomes shorter, visually extending the leg line, compressing the waist and highlighting the shoulders.

In this way, when the weather is cold, paired with a woolen coat, it will look very stylish when layered.

This was of course a change made due to the influence of Zhao Chuanxin.

Then, this kind of suit entered the market through Chen Daguang's clothing store and became very popular as soon as it came out.

Zhao Chuanxin opened the door, and Jin Wuzhi's eyes were almost blinded by Zhao Chuanxin's outfit.

Zhao Chuanxin always wore casual clothes before.

Seeing him in a daze, Zhao Chuanxin said happily: "Is it true that you have never seen such a handsome man before?"

People in this era are restrained in their words and deeds.

There are few people as thick-skinned as Zhao Chuanxin.

Jin Wuzhi didn't know what to say, so he could only laugh.

At the same time, in Restaurant No. 1 of the Seoul Hotel.

Saito Kijiro and Shinoda Haruse bravely came to Ito Hirobumi's side.

They thought that Ito Hirobumi would not look down upon them, but unexpectedly, the commander-in-chief gave them a spring-like smile.

Before they could speak, Ito Hirobumi said: "I heard that you are in trouble at work?"

As a subordinate, Shinoda has the responsibility to top up the cylinder for his superiors when necessary.

He stood up and bowed: "Sorry, Commander Ito, it was my mistake that caused Saito-kun's plan to go awry."

Saito Kijiro felt moved in his heart.

This is the harmony between generals and ministers.

Ito Hirobumi smiled and nodded: "Young people, it is good to experience some setbacks. However, I am very dissatisfied with the way you respond."

The two of them felt anxious, were they really going to be punished?

We can't always let Shinoda Haruse take the blame. Saito Kijiro bowed forward: "Please give me a clear explanation from Commander Ito."

Ito Hirobumi put his hands behind his back: "You came here this time to ask me to send a note to the Qing court, declaring that the rebels are bandits, so that you can find an excuse to station troops on Jiandao, right?"

It has to be said that as the Unified Supervisor of the Korean Unification Supervisory Office, Ito Hirobumi still has two skills.

One word revealed the secret.

The two were surprised. Unexpectedly, Commander Ito had already seen through their trick.

This is also a kind of knock.

Each superior has a different way of beating his subordinates. Directly reprimanding them with anger is the lowest level.

"Commander Ito Hideaki, this is exactly what I think."

Saito Kijiro admitted honestly.

Ito Hirobumi straightened his back and said: "Since the Korean farmers in the Jiandao area have misunderstood that we killed their people, why don't you take advantage of their fear? Sometimes, fear is also a weapon."

Shinoda Haruse and Saito Kijiro looked at each other, not understanding what it meant.

Shinoda Haruse asked: "Commander Ito, what do you mean, we will follow the plan?"

"No!" Hirobumi Ito's face showed a trace of sternness: "I will send a note to the Qing court, and when you go back, you will boldly station troops. But if there is resistance, whether it is the common people of the Qing Dynasty or the Korean farmers, they will be killed without mercy! Since they think we are cruel, let us show our cruelty to them. These Koreans are all cheap, killing chickens to scare monkeys, then they will become as obedient as sheep."

The two of them trembled when they heard it.

"This...is inappropriate." Shinoda Harice's first reaction was to object: "If we kill people at will, it will arouse fierce resistance from them."

Ito Hirobumi sneered and said: "You can't control the direction of public opinion in the Jiandao area, so don't we still have control over the newspapers in South Korea? If you put the blame for massacre of people on the back-water army, and then flatten the back-water army, you will die without any evidence. In addition, because of the things we are about to do in South Korea, even if they don’t kill people, they will still resist. It would be better to be cruel. "

On the contrary, Saito Kijiro was very much in agreement with this strategy.

After all, he was born in the military and had cruelty in his blood.

He immediately said: "Commander Ito, I know what to do."

Ito Hirobumi said to Shinoda Haruce again: "I heard that you are collecting evidence of Jiandao everywhere and want to prove that it belongs to South Korea. It just so happened that Li Wanyong knew about our deployment on Jiandao, so he took the initiative to take a few paintings from the palace treasury. Maybe you can use a map from the Joseon era."

Hearing that Li Wan was using this person, Shinoda Harice laughed happily.

"Commander Ito, this person is really a good friend of my Imperial Japanese Empire."

The Korean traitor Li Wanyong has become known to the whole world.

Not far away, Naoko Yuka, who was holding a wine glass, frowned.

She had previously given Zhao Chuanxin a piece of information, saying that the "Dadongyu Map" was in the study room of the Seokjeon Palace in Qingyun Palace.

Hearing what Ito Hirobumi said, Li Wanyong took out some maps, Naoko Yuka's teeth were itching: Korean traitor, national thief, ruining my life!

If one of the maps taken out by Li Wanyong included the "Dadongyu Map", Zhao Chuanxin would probably make the trip in vain.

But she was helpless because she didn't know when Zhao Chuanxin would come, and she couldn't pass the news on now.

After Shinoda Haruse and Ito Hirobumi finished talking, they came to Naoko Yuka excitedly and impatiently.

I saw Shinoda Haruse looking like he wanted to get closer, but he was worried that he would be angry.

Naoko Yuka smiled sweetly, reached out and took Shinoda Haruse's hand.

Sweetness should still be given.

The muscles in Shinoda Haruse's palms trembled, feeling warm and soft, and he suddenly said: "Yuka, earlier, I called my home and told her that I would divorce her when I returned to Japan."

Naoko Yuka was surprised and knew that the "she" Shinoda Haruse was talking about was his wife.

Naoko Yuka never mentioned that she wanted Shinoda Haruse and his wife to divorce.

After all, the two of them even held hands for the first time today, and there had been no substantial development before. He was actually going to divorce his wife?

Not only was Naoko Yuxi not moved, but there was a cold glint in her eyes.

This kind of man can be said to be dazzled by love, or he can be said to be cold-blooded and ruthless.

Would he be a good man if he abandoned his wife and children? Obviously not.

Naoko Yuka sneered inwardly, remembering what Zhao Chuanxin once taught her about how to make a man collapse.

It seems that the network is almost closed!

However, there was a touched look on her face: "Shinoda-kun, you have given too much. I, I, I don't even know what to say..."

Seeing this, Shinoda Haruse forgot about his guilt towards his wife and children, and said firmly: "I just want you to live happily..."

…

The old god's chamber pot was bouncing up and down unconsciously in Zhao Chuanxin's hand.

He and Jin Wuzhi strolled towards the restaurant.

When the two of them were about to enter the restaurant, they saw a waiter stopping them at the door and saying, "Sorry, gentlemen, Hall 1 has been reserved today. Please move to Hall 2 to dine."

Jin Wuzhi muttered dissatisfiedly: "Have a meal and go around in circles?"

Zhao Chuanxin said in English with a smile: "I am the invited guest, shouldn't I be allowed in?"

The waiter was stunned for a moment when he heard his American-accented English.

Koreans have been licking here and there so much over the years that they worship foreigners and do not even know who to worship.

Russia, the Qing Dynasty, the United States, and Japan.

When he was licking the Qing Dynasty, Yuan Datou had an affair with the beautiful Empress Mingcheng, who was the original Concubine Min.

This shows how much effort and effort was put into this lick.

Later, when South Korea wanted to be pro-American, the Japanese were furious and killed Concubine Min.

For this reason, Yuan Datou also hated the Japanese.

Now that he heard Zhao Chuanxin's American-accented English, the waiter was stunned and looked carefully, confirming that Zhao Chuanxin's face was an Oriental face.

Therefore, he still stretched out his hand and said: "Sir, please take out the invitation and show it to me."

Zhao Chuanxin had an invitation. He raised his hand and nodded at the waiter with a half-smile.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to persuade him with his sharp tongue, the chamber pot of the old god in his hand suddenly emitted a very strong odor.

The waiter who was the first to bear the brunt bent over and said: "Ugh..."