At night, a heavy rain came unexpectedly, washing away the dust stained with more than ten days of flowers and trees and buildings in the city, and also brought inconvenience to the vast majority of people.

More than 90% of the streets and alleys in Chengdu are rudimentary dirt roads, with almost no drainage system, and large and small roads quickly become muddy due to water accumulation.

What's even worse is that in addition to the royal street in front of the imperial city, all kinds of garbage, urine, horse dung and cow dung can be seen everywhere on the ground, and when the heavy rain comes, garbage and animal feces are washed everywhere, and the hot air is filled with a pungent rancid smell and urine scratching, and people who are almost physically close may even faint in this stench.

The Governor's Mansion, located on Dull Street, is another fresh and pleasant scene.

The Governor's Residence, which is spacious but not luxurious, is surrounded by towering trees and bamboos, and is beautiful all year round.

At the beginning of the heavy rain, the night breeze is refreshing, on the hexagonal pavilion by the Qingtan in the house, there are two old men with white beards, two people facing the small tea table, leisurely tasting tea, sometimes whispering, sometimes chuckling, very comfortable.

The older and slightly tired old man sitting on the main seat was Zhao Erxun, the famous governor of Sichuan, and the old man sitting opposite him was Zhao Erfeng, the younger brother of Zhao Erxun, the minister of Jingbian and the governor of the dynasty, who had just returned from Kangding to suppress the rebellion.

The waiter standing next to him saw the Governor pick up the newspaper on the side, stepped forward gently, lowered the light bulb hanging above it a little, and then quietly retreated to its original position.

Zhao Erxun handed the newspaper to Zhao Erfeng opposite, and said jokingly: "Third brother, there is news of your life-saving benefactor on it." ”

Zhao Erfeng took the newspaper, adjusted the reading angle and distance sideways, and soon laughed in a low voice:

"I really didn't expect that an ordinary boy in the teahouse would be so promising, why couldn't I see it at the beginning...... More than 1,600 candidates, most of whom are the delicate sons of various public colleges and universities, actually let this kid take the first place in the exam, comparing everyone to the bottom, which is amazing! Tsk......"

Zhao Erxun smiled and nodded:

"A few days ago, Zhou Shanpei came to see me, asked me for money, I specifically asked about this, Zhou Shanpei heard the eyebrows fluttering, full of praise for his new disciple, he said, Xiao Yiming, this kid arithmetic, geometry test the only perfect score, this is nothing, the most rare thing is that this son is not yet eighteen years old, wrote a policy on the police system, although the whole article is vernacular, but can insight into the disadvantages of the times, quite specialized, not only pointed out the flaws in today's police system, but also put forward household registration management, patrol system, Zhou Shanpei said that he was very touched by the three shocking reform plans, including the punishment regulations, and that after obtaining my consent, he was determined to implement them next month. ”

"Oh? Zhou Shanpei is the formulator of the "Police Charter" of this dynasty, if it weren't for his humble background and arrogance, I am afraid that the imperial court would have been exceptionally promoted and entrusted with important tasks! It is surprising that there are not many people who can praise him, a pioneer of the police system of this dynasty, let alone a young man under the age of eighteen who came from a city background. Zhao Erfeng was surprised.

Zhao Erxun echoed:

After listening to Zhou Shanpei's words, the foolish brother was also deeply surprised, but there has never been a shortage of geniuses in this world, and it is not too abrupt for this kid to stand out among more than a thousand candidates, it is not too abrupt for him to have such a performance, we can only say that we don't know this little guy who is in the market. In recent years, Western learning has flourished, and the wisdom of the people has gradually opened, and there are also situations where some people with unique wisdom roots have strong comprehension and open their minds under diligent pursuit. ”

Zhao Erfeng thought so, and showed a trace of doubt: "By the way, how did this kid get involved with the British?" ”

Zhao Erxun picked up the thin porcelain cup and took a sip gently:

"If it weren't for the fact that you asked me to take care of it before leaving last year, I really didn't know that this kid was so able to toss, at present, it seems that he took the initiative to contact the British, and I don't know what method he used, he actually let him say that Luo Baiting's miser, in just a few months, nine out of ten rickshaws running all over the street were owned by him and that Luo Baiting.

"According to reports from all over the country, rickshaws are now popular in the counties around Chengdu, and yesterday another one was opened at the intersection of the back street of the Confucian Temple in the south of the city, which is said to be owned by Wu Dachuan, the leader of the local gang, and is taken care of by his two sons, but Wu Dachuan's third son is Xiao Yiming's sworn brother, interesting, right? In addition, this kid has done the foreign oil business in more than a dozen surrounding counties, this exclusive business can be said to be making money, this kid is not an ordinary toss! ”

Zhao Erfeng was stunned, thought for a moment, and smiled again: "So, this guy is worth my high look, but I don't understand, why did he go to the police academy where his reputation has never been good?" Could it be that he really has high ambitions? ”

Zhao Erxun waved his hand: "Not really!" There is something I almost forgot to tell you, in the middle and late last month, this kid came back from outside the city, and was blackmailed by the guards when he passed through the south gate, he couldn't swallow this breath to be reasonable, and was beaten half to death by a guard surnamed Jiang, the foolish brother remembered your entrustment after hearing the report, and wanted to write a note to help him, but I wanted to see how this kid who was very good at tossing how to deal with it? If he would only be brave and buy the people of the Jianghu Gang to secretly retaliate, this person would not have to worry about him, but he has not moved, lived in a simple place, and quietly recuperated from his injuries, until he was admitted to the police academy with the first place, I didn't think this kid was a little interesting. ”

"Brother is right, it seems that I have been underestimating this young man." Zhao Erfeng thought so.

Zhao Erxun waved his hand: "Don't be in a hurry, just observe for a while to see how he performs in the future, whether it is really worth helping him." ”

Zhao Erfeng twisted his beard lightly and nodded: "That's fine, I originally planned to take the time to see him in the next two days, but since that's the case, forget it for the time being, I have to worry about my brother." ”

"It's just a gesture, I also want you to accept a satisfactory closed disciple."

"Brother, don't say it, the younger brother really has this thought, haha......"

At the same time, in the quiet courtyard study in the west lane of Wenshu Monastery in the north of the city, Xiao Yiming, who had taken off his police uniform and was wearing only a pair of poplin bloomers and a coarse cloth vest, sat under the oil lamp, and eagerly read the thick notebook "Dongying Travels" privately presented by his master Zhou Shanpei, and carefully understood the social situation and the level of industry and commerce.

The record of the police system in this notebook is very detailed, which makes Xiao Yiming learn a lot, and what is even more commendable is that under each record, there are Zhou Shanpei's thoughts and summaries, it can be said that this thick notebook condenses a lot of Zhou Shanpei's hard work.

Ma Gang, who also rarely went home on vacation, walked to the door of the study, thought about it or sent a large pot of tea in, although he studied hard under the influence and supervision of Xiao Yiming, but the progress was limited, and the ordinary newspaper was not complete, so in the face of the small teapot that was reading and taking notes, Ma Gang felt a little inferior.

Xiao Yiming closed the pen cover, turned the wick of the oil lamp to make the light brighter, took the teacup handed by Ma Gang, and drank it dry: "Sit down, I was about to ask you, how is your training?" ”

"Sticks, fighting, grappling training, etc. are very simple, I can deal with the past with my eyes closed, and I will only start learning firearms next month, and it's nothing, it's just that the business study every night is a headache, but fortunately, most of the more than 50 brothers in our team are the same as me, otherwise I really don't have a face to see people." Ma Gang shook his head.

Xiao Yiming disagreed:

"Why don't you have a face? As long as you make the effort to keep studying, you will soon feel relaxed Second, don't be embarrassed, persevere, just master five words a day, what do you do with your face? No one is born with literacy. ”

"Little brother, I think you were born to read." Ma Gang said very seriously.

Xiao Yiming was stunned and said with a wry smile:

"Who says I was born to read? In the past six months or so, you have seen how I have studied, and now I still feel very struggling, and I feel that there is not enough in my stomach, so I have to continue to grit my teeth and study hard. ”

"Little brother, are those scholars in the school want to surpass you, so you are so desperate?" Ma Gang asked curiously.

Xiao Yiming said lightly:

"It's okay, it's not that I'm talking big, the person who can surpass me in the academy hasn't been born yet! By the way, Liu Bingxian and Tang Wulin are people who can make friends, although Tang Wulin is a Manchurian child recruited by the inside, but this guy is very tough, diligent, just ask if you don't understand, don't be a little embarrassed, Liu Bingxian is proud enough, right? Dad used to be the prefect of Yucheng, and his ancestors were all Jinshi Juren for three generations, this time he gave up the opportunity to stay abroad and came to Chengdu, and was admitted to our police academy with the seventh place, but he also had to admire Tang Wulin, a barbarian, with that bullish energy. Speaking of which, Tang Wulin's current level is about the same as you, so I said, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, looking at the entire Chengdu City, you are already stronger than too many people. ”

Ma Gang's face turned into a flower: "Little brother, you can always make me feel comfortable." ”

"Isn't it good to feel comfortable?" Xiao Yiming asked with a smile.

Ma Pole smiled, and then changed the topic:

"You talked about Tang Wulin just now, although he is a man, but this turtle son is very kind, I don't hate him at all in my heart, but I feel very kind, maybe it's really like you said, this turtle son is worth dating."

Xiao Yiming nodded: "I also see it this way, so I try to help him as much as possible, Liu Bingxian is not bad, maybe he is from an official eunuch family, he has no prejudice against the Manchurians, and he gets along very well with Tang Wulin." The whole school, just the two of them and I get close, never fight with me, the progress is very great, I estimate that after graduating at the end of the year, at least one of the two of them will be recommended, and the public will be sent to study abroad in this book to continue their studies. ”

"What about you? Who can be better than you? You see...... You can read almost all of this English-Chinese dictionary, and you are getting more and more comfortable talking to foreigners, who can compare? Also, these military books of the European armies that Roberting gave you are all in foreign languages, and you can understand them, but what about the others? Why didn't I choose you to study abroad? After Ma Gang was surprised, he was very angry.

The small teapot is not by the way:

"It's not that you don't choose me, what about the two Zhou adults and the instructors treat me, you know very well, can such a thing leave me? To tell you the truth, I don't want to go to this place to stay in the ocean, this world is to pay attention to false fame, but pay more attention to strength! Do you think, if I also leave Chengdu to go to Yuben for three years, wouldn't it be a waste of three years of good time? Three years, how much do you think we can earn? ”

Ma Gang still didn't understand: "Staying in the ocean is something that most people can't dream of!" ”

Xiao Yiming explained: "It depends on where to go and what to learn, our Sichuan province began to study abroad ten years ago, among which there are as many as three or four thousand people who study abroad, and even more who pay out of their own pockets to go to the book, and the total of ten years is almost tens of thousands, but you see, how many people have come back to learn the real skills?"

"Only a few non-commissioned officers and students in the New Army and Army primary schools are a little famous, what do the others learn? Those who study railways will say how to press the signal light, those who study agriculture will boast about how to grow mulberry and raise silkworms, and those who study and study world history, law and sociology, accounting for more than ninety percent of the total, is it useful?

"The seven instructors of our police station all came back from studying abroad, what do you think they have learned? Even the language is not good, in addition to emphasizing discipline or discipline, there is no real thing in the lecture, even I am ashamed of them, you still want me to go to the book? ”

Ma Gang nodded thoughtfully: "If you think about it, it's really like this, but little brother, if you don't go, you can go to Europe, didn't Johnson say it to the German embassy secretary he brought last time?" They will be happy to connect you with universities in Europe for as long as you wish. ”

Xiao Yiming shook her head: "There's no need, I can also learn by myself at home, as long as they can continue to help me find relevant books from European countries and the United States, I have the confidence to learn real skills!" Besides, this world is getting more and more unpeaceful, I don't feel at ease without you, and many big events destined to be flaunted in history are coming, how can I miss it......"

"Little brother, what are you talking about? Why do I get more confused the more I listen? ”

"Haha...... It's good to be confused, you can sleep well if you're confused, didn't Zheng Banqiao, who went to paint bamboo all day long when he had nothing to do, said? It's hard to be confused......"

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