The mage in the late Qing Dynasty

It is said that in the late Tang Dynasty, the Chinese began to use gunpowder weapons of various shapes in warfare, but most of them served to deter cavalry.

In the 17th century, grenadiers appeared in Europe for a while, and they were all the rage.

In the 19th century, with the rise of long-range guns, grenades were given a cold reception.

When Li Zhitao was "studying" outside the customs, he fought with the Japanese with the rebels, and was accidentally hit by a thrown bomb.

In the Russo-Japanese War, relatively primitive grenades were used. After the war, grenades received certain attention from countries around the world.

But Zhao Chuanxin has never encountered him before.

The real rise of grenades will be their large-scale use in the trench warfare that emerged in World War I.

After hearing what Benjamin Goldberg said, Zhao Chuanxin flipped the wrench in his palm, and more pictures came to his mind.

He is already very strong, and with the bonus of Furious Armor, the distance he can throw with his arms may be further than an ordinary grenade launcher.

He unconsciously touched the old sacred altar hanging around his neck. So what if flash + grenade?

Seeing that it was getting late, he threw away the wrench and directed the students around him: "Move the things into the house, don't leave the parts behind, and continue tomorrow."

A student said: "Dean, tomorrow night is New Year's Eve..."

Zhao Chuanxin patted his forehead: "Damn it, I didn't prepare new year's goods!"

The people around who had time to watch were mostly wealthy gentry and merchants. When they heard this, they immediately started to make a fuss.

"Mr. Zhao, our Renyam Medicine Store will give you two old wild ginseng roots to replenish your health..."

"Mr. Zhao, our Xiaojiang Garden is willing to donate a pound of good tea..."

"Mr. Zhao, our Lantian Room will give you two fans..."

Yuluzhai's roasted meats, Luo Tianyuan's hat, He Yujin's shoes, Niu Tongxing's scissors, Luo Mingde's ox candles, Wang Yuxia's pastries... Zhao Chuanxin was so noisy that his head got big for a while.

Nikola Tesla was dumbfounded. He didn't expect that this murderous boss would have such great appeal in Hankou. With just a word, people would give him gifts willingly.

The enthusiasm was unheard of.

In the United States, I'm afraid no one would give him such enthusiastic gifts during Christmas, right?

The prosperity of Hankou at this time is really not inferior to that of Shanghai. The so-called five directions are mixed, merchants are in poverty, merchant ships are gathered in four groups, and goods are abundant, and all kinds of foreign and foreign goods are available.

Someone else yelled: "Mr. Zhao, the Japanese concession was hit by lightning several times today, killing and injuring more than ten people. Are you always casting spells?"

Did Zhao Chuanxin hear it?

What? So many thunders, only about ten of them were killed?

This time, he rarely went to the "crime scene" to observe the "masterpiece" and did not know the specific situation.

I was immediately disappointed.

But he said: "Hey, you man, don't talk nonsense, or I will sue you for slander. The Japanese are friends of the Qing Dynasty, how could I harm their people? The Japanese are all good at giving money. I want to bring two pounds of oranges to express my condolences during the Chinese New Year. These Japanese people who were struck by lightning are really pitiful, hehehe..."

Everyone burst into laughter.

But they still suspected that it was Zhao Chuanxin's handiwork. Someone continued to ask: "Mr. Zhao, do you think why the Japanese were struck by lightning?"

"Harm!" Zhao Chuanxin said mysteriously: "I told you, please don't spread it randomly!"

Nikola Tesla heard Benjamin Goldberg mutter under his breath: "Aren't you just asking them to spread the word?"

The simple-minded Nikola Tesla: "..."

Zhao Chuanxin said sarcastically: "I heard that Japanese women run around carrying pillows on their backs. Why do you think that is?"

"Why?"

"Because it's convenient to sleep. Think about it, today I'll sleep at my brother-in-law's house, and tomorrow I'll sleep at my uncle's house. I'll still be at my father-in-law's place in the morning, and maybe I'll go to my eldest nephew at night..."

"Oh..."

The voices of the people around suddenly rose, and their eyes were bright.

Zhao Chuanxin straightened up and lit a cigarette. His voice was as mysterious as the smoke: "Tell me, who is a good person running around with a pillow on his back every day? Moreover, the Japanese Concession is full of brothels, who will go there? So, who is a good person? Say, God loves to strike down these hybrid grasses with lightning!"

"Oh I got it!"

"The Japanese are seriously, seriously...disgusting!"

Seeing that Zhao Chuanxin had aroused their interest, after finishing the rumor, he pushed the crowd away: "Okay, okay, everyone, please stop blocking me and I'm going home."

"Mr. Zhao, it would be disrespectful to give me a small gift tomorrow..."

"Okay, okay..." Zhao Chuanxin said perfunctorily: "Shuan Q, Shuan Q, if you don't get out of the way, I'll cut you..."

Don't mention Zhao Chuanxin and go back.

Let’s just say that in Hankou, there are countless rumors spreading.

The incident of lightning falling from the sky during the day and killing a dozen people in the Japanese Concession was already a hot topic.

And many people swear that they got the truth from Mr. Zhao.

"It's true! On the day he resigned from Zao, the people of Hankou had so many bamboo horses that the Zao Prince couldn't ride them. Mr. Zhao chose a white horse with a silver saddle and a red flag covered with soap, and went to heaven to meet the gods. Eight gods. Rare articles were recommended, hundreds of guis were displayed, and Mr. Zhao was entertained. While they were drinking wine, Mr. Zhao reported the scandal of the Japanese to the gods. The gods were furious and sent down thunder..."

In the evening, the story was spread by storytellers in restaurants and teahouses led by Xiao Jiangyuan and Jin Gu.

After polishing, it looks like it has a nose and eyes.

There are many rich people in Hankou, and they were fascinated by it.

It seems that Zhao Chuanxin's request to the great powers to cede territory and pay compensation has not given them enough pleasure, so they must add fuel and jealousy to make it more exciting.

The next day came, which was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month in the 33rd year of Guangxu's reign.

Because the twelfth lunar month is a small month this year, there is no thirty, so the night of the 29th is New Year's Eve.

In the streets and alleys, there are three things that people in Hankou talk about the most.

First, Zhao Chuanxin forced the concessions in Hankou to cede land and pay compensation.

Second, the Japanese Concession was struck by lightning.

Third, celebrate the New Year.

The Chinese New Year is a big event for Chinese people.

At the same time, each concession also attaches great importance to it.

Today, no matter whether you are British, French, German, Russian, Belgian or American, you can't help but look at Japanese people strangely when you see them.

Either whispering, or covering their mouths and laughing.

The news soon reached Asabuki Eiji's ears.

Yesterday, the Japanese concession was struck by lightning, and Asabuki Eiji suspected that it was Zhao Chuanxin who did it.

Today, rumors have reached the Japanese Concession.

Eiji Asabuki was furious.

"Damn Zhao Chuanxin, even if he didn't do it, he still deserves death!"

He did not dare to go out of the Japanese Concession to meet people, because at this time the Japanese had become a joke in Hankou.

People at this time attach great importance to reputation, both at home and abroad.

Not only that, but newspapers also reported this matter on the last day of the 33rd year of Guangxu's reign.

It is said that rumors stop only with the wise. In fact, rumors cannot be stopped unless they are forcibly controlled...

…

Zhao Chuanxin spread the rumor yesterday and has forgotten it today.

He asked Liu Huaqiang to block outside Bagong Tongzi Tower to deal with the gentry and merchants who came to give gifts during the New Year.

Liu Huaqiang's wife and mother have already arrived at Tongzilou.

His wife has a fierce temper, and his mother's hands are covered with calluses and she was born with a hard life.

Someone was busy with work, so Zhao Chuanxin was sitting on the deck chair. Hearing the noise downstairs, he said, "Qiangzi's wife, why don't you go down and see what's going on outside? It doesn't stop even during the Chinese New Year. It's true."

"Hey, Mr. Zhao, let's go right away."

Liu Huaqiang's wife is happy.

This year has been really solid. Not only did they not have to waste the family's money, but they also had all the new year's goods. Most importantly, Zhao Chuanxin gave their family a room on the third floor to live in.

This is a Western-style building, with chandeliers on the floor, large translucent glass windows, and brand-new furniture... Although it doesn't belong to them, it's worth it if they can live there for a few years.

After a while, Qiangzi's wife ran up the stairs panting and said: "Mr. Zhao, there are many people down here. They are bringing pickles, cabbage, and potatoes to give to you. They say they want to worship the Living Bodhisattva and beg you next year." May they have good weather and have a fat boy. Some people burn paper and incense..."

Zhao Chuanxin was calm at first, but later he became furious: "Zhuo, I'm so anxious to burn the paper before I'm dead. How can I put it down and save it first? Tell Qiangzi that all the things belonging to the poor are given away. Whoever burns paper and incense in front of my house again will be beaten to death!"

Qiangzi's mother hurriedly babbled: "Mr. Zhao, you can't say 'die' during the New Year. It's unlucky..."

It was noisy and noisy, and it was the New Year's Eve dinner in the evening.