In fact, it should be called "Celebrating New Year's Day" now. It was only after the Republic of China that the Gregorian calendar was implemented, and New Year's Day was placed on January 1 of the Gregorian calendar.
Before that, New Year's Day was the Spring Festival in later generations.
However, it has been deeply ingrained in Li Yu that when he talks about the Spring Festival, he means celebrating the New Year, so he will still use the term New Year in the future, otherwise it will be too easy to confuse.
As for the Japanese, they abolished the lunar calendar even earlier. They abolished the lunar calendar as early as the Meiji Restoration period and switched to the Western Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the dates of many festivals are greatly offset from ours.
Anyway, the Qing Dynasty is currently celebrating the New Year, which will not affect the continued quarrel between Japan and Russia.
Although the battlefield is relatively quiet now, everyone knows that this is the calm before the storm, because both sides are working hard to assemble their armies.
In the Russo-Japanese War, decisive army battles basically took place in Liaoning.
However, the Qing court has hastily declared neutrality, and Li Yu has done almost everything he should do.
It can be heard from the words of the Russian Ambassador Resal that the other party has taken it seriously, and Lushun should have increased its guard strength.
If Makarov, the new commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, survives, it is hard to say whether Japan can win.
But he would be struck by a mine and die a month later. He was killed by the large-scale laying of mines strategy proposed by Hirose Takeo, who was known as the "number one military god in the Russo-Japanese War" in Japan.
Makarov had just been appointed commander-in-chief in the face of danger and took many positive actions. For example, he was aware of the danger in the rear, so he decided to lay mines in the coastal areas of the Liaodong Peninsula to prevent Japanese troops from landing and threatening the Lushun base from behind.
In fact, the destination of the Japanese army was here.
He then improved the defense of Port Arthur, stepped up repairs of seriously injured ships, and frequently sent fleets out to sea to strengthen combat readiness training. He also ordered the fleet in Vladivostok to actively harass the Japanese sea lines of communication in the Sea of Japan in order to distract Japan's attack on Port Arthur.
pressure.
But it was a pity that Makarov only served as commander-in-chief for a month before he died in a mine.
Marklov was one of the few sober and capable generals in the Russian army throughout the Russo-Japanese War. After his death, the next commander, Wittehoeft, stopped taking active actions.
But this is enough, otherwise if Makarov survives for a long time, Japan may not really be able to win.
Although Li Yu and Marklov met twice, there was really nothing he could do about his fate.
——
On this day, Li Yu drove a car to Lu Bicheng's residence. When he entered the door, he found that she was immersed in drawing, using a pencil.
Li Yu asked curiously: "You actually have this hobby?"
Lu Bicheng said: "When I was in the United States and Europe, I saw a lot of these interesting illustrations and comic strips, especially the Star Wars series published in the United States. Those illustrations looked very interesting."
Li Yu asked: "Did you learn to draw when you were a child?"
Lu Bicheng said: "I must have learned calligraphy and painting since childhood, but what I learned is traditional calligraphy."
Li Yu said: "It's easy to have a foundation in calligraphy and painting. Pencil drawing can be learned slowly, but comics are indeed a very promising form."
"Comics?" Lu Bicheng said, "It turns out that this is the name used in the West. I thought it was also called comic strips."
The word "manga" has been around in China for a long time, but it means "drawing casually", which is quite consistent with the original meaning of the word "manga".
Li Yu looked at the content of Lu Bicheng's painting and deliberately imitated the Star Wars illustrations of American painters, so he said: "In fact, you can use the form of comics or comic strips to draw the complete story."
Lu Bicheng's eyes lit up, but then he said: "But there are some things that I can't imagine. Maybe my brain is still too slow. The science fiction story is too grand, and it is something I have never seen before."
Li Yu said: "Don't worry about this, I will help you. I can at least draw the sketch. Although I am not good at writing, Chinese studies, and painting, you can just make up for it. With the two swords combined, I am invincible."
Lu Bicheng's face turned slightly red: "What two swords combined?"
Li Yu said to himself: "Don't be too proud. You still need to practice the basic skills of comics, but with the foundation of traditional Chinese painting, it won't be too slow to get started. The key is to be able to create images, so you can read more comics when you have nothing to do."
Lu Bicheng said: "You mean the pictorial?"
During the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, many pictorials were produced. The earliest one was the "Dianshizhai Pictorial" published by Shenbao in 1884.
After that, dozens of pictorials appeared, so it is not something new.
Li Yu said: "Most of the pictorials are single illustrations. You can use a longer illustration and it will definitely be very popular."
Lu Bicheng said: "It sounds like the workload will be huge and the price will be high."
Li Yu said: "It is indeed not a very light thing. Just paint slowly. As for the price, don't worry, there will always be sales."
In total, Lu Bicheng has a lot of tasks now. Not only does she have to create poetry herself, but she also has to translate Grimm's fairy tales and Andersen's fairy tales, polishing them for Li Yurun at every turn, and now she also adds comics.
Lu Bicheng said: "I never imagined that going out to work would be so fulfilling."
Li Yu must have watched a lot of anime, and he gave her a general explanation, but it was very simple. After all, he was not an art major, and most of what he said was superficial.
In the end, he became more and more enthusiastic as he talked, and even said: "We might even be able to acquire some comic book companies in Japan in the future!"
"Japan? Why are you talking about Japan again?" Lu Bicheng interrupted Li Yu's wild imagination, "I haven't even written a single character, and I haven't even drawn a complete cartoon."
Li Yu smiled and said: "I have confidence in you."
Lu Bicheng now feels that hard-pen writing and drawing are more interesting, and she is happy to learn them, as long as she is interested.
Li Yu then asked: "Are you going back to Tianjin to celebrate the New Year?"
Lu Bicheng shook his head: "I haven't done anything, how can I have the face to go back, and in this situation..."
Li Yu said: "Why don't you come to my place? It would be great if we all celebrate the New Year together."
Lu Bicheng immediately replied: "Okay!"
Immediately I felt that I was a little too straightforward, and kept rubbing my pencil: "I..."
Li Yu smiled and said, "Everyone welcomes you."
Lu Bicheng is usually a straightforward girl, but she is still a little nervous at this time. After all, she grew up under a traditional education. "I will celebrate the New Year at your place during the day and come back at night."
Li Yu said: "That's so troublesome! There are plenty of houses in the house now, so you can live in it as you please."
Lu Bicheng said: "But..."
Li Yu said bluntly: "No but, do as I say!"
Lu Bicheng shook her lips and did not refute.
——
Aoki Hall.
Konoe Akiyuki sneaked in.
Sitting in the room were Uchida Yasuya, the Japanese minister to the Qing Dynasty, and Kawashima Naniwa.
As the Russo-Japanese War has begun, Japan's first-generation spy chief Nobujun Aoki, Mitsuru Toyama and others have gone to the front line.
Konoe Aki reported the recent situation to them: "Mr. Uchida, Mr. Kawashima, there is something I must tell you immediately. Just yesterday, Russian Ambassador Resal and the Qing royal family Beizi Zaizhen met Li Yu.
."
Uchida Yasuya frowned: "Russian Ambassador? Why did he go to see Li Yu?"
This time point is too sensitive.
Konoe Akiyuki said: "The Russian ambassador probably wanted to purchase radio equipment, and the price he offered was extremely high."
Kawashima Naniwa said: "Is it possible that Li Yu is leaning toward Russia?"
Uchida Yasuya said: "I don't think the Russian ambassador went with Zai Zhen. Zai Zhen is the son of Prince Qing. Based on my understanding of Prince Qing, he will never show any partiality. His purpose may be just money."
Prince Qing is able to hold a very popular position as a member of the royal family. He is well versed in the unspoken rules of officialdom and plays them thoroughly.
Kawashima Naniwa also understood these princes and ministers: "The Manchu princes will not choose sides casually. Even if they choose, they will choose us."
Uchida Yasuya said: "So maybe they are just a commercial practice. But in any case, this kind of behavior will cause harm to us and we must guard against it. I will send a telegram to General Aoki today to tell him that the Russian army also has secret weapons
."
They all use radio as their secret weapon now.
Kawashima Naniwa said to Konoe Akiyuki: "You have done a good job in your spy mission. In the future, you must capture Li Yu more firmly and obtain information."
Konoe Akiyuki said: "I understand the humble position."
Uchida Yasuya said: "Both soft and hard measures must be taken. Zhaoxue, you should gain all his trust as soon as possible. It is best to make him your subordinate. In addition, we need to give Li Yu a good beating!"
Konoe Akiyuki said: "The humble job will fulfill its mission. Moreover, I brought back a young man from Japan. He is a native Chinese, but has sworn allegiance to the emperor. He may be useful."
Konoe Aki introduced Xiao Zuo Xiang to Uchida Yasuya and Kawashima Naniwa.
The two of them were relatively satisfied with little Zuo Xiang.
Konoe Akiyuki went on to say: "It will be much more convenient if he is with me in some operations in the future."
Uchida Yasuya praised: "The person recommended by Konoe-sama is really good. You have shown your leadership skills in espionage work, which is very good! Maybe you really have hope of entering the Konoe family."
This was Konoe Akiyuki's lifelong wish. She lowered her head and said: "For the sake of the Emperor, I will do my best to serve you even to the death!"
Kawashima Naniwa asked: "Master Uchida, how do you want to beat Li Yu?"
Uchida Yasuya said: "I haven't thought about it yet, but I have to make him suffer. Only by adding sticks and carrots can the Chinese people completely surrender to us."
Kawashima Naniwa said: "I read in a book that the stick and carrot is the policy of President Theodore Roosevelt in the United States today. Mr. Uchida is really knowledgeable."
Uchida Yasuya was very pleased with Kawashima Naniwa's flattery: "I have to think more. Americans and Europeans have a lot to learn, but they are too rigid in doing things and don't know how to think more. As invaders, we must also
Put on a benevolent and righteous face, but what's the use of being hypocritical? You must do things to the best of your ability. When the time comes, there is no need to show off on the surface, and the other party will naturally be obedient."
Kawashima Naniwa said: "What Mr. Uchida said is so reasonable. Listening to you is worth ten years of reading."
Uchida Yasuya said: "This Li Yu is too out-of-the-box. He always thinks that since he can become famous in the West, he doesn't need to be afraid of us. Hmm, but little does he know that he is in the palm of my hand."
After listening to the two adults talking nonsense, Konoe Akiyuki asked: "Sir, is there any specific task that Akiyuki needs to do?"
Uchida Yasuya said: "I will naturally look for you when I need you. You should go back as soon as possible and be sure to hide your whereabouts. We will tell you through Xiao Zuoxiang as soon as possible when we have the next step."
Konoe Akiyuki bowed and said: "Hi!"
——
Li Yu's house already has a Chinese New Year atmosphere.
Uncle Wang and Fengling bought many annual purchases, as well as many lanterns, which were hung all over the courtyards.
Fengling gave Li Yucai a shopping list: "Sir, I bought 10 pigs, 10 sheep, 100 jins of bacon, 200 jins of rice, 100 jins of noodles..."
Li Yu wondered: "Wait a minute, how come the unit of pig and sheep is both 'head'?"
Fengling said: "Isn't it bad to buy so much raw meat? And the New Year is coming soon, meat is really expensive, one pound costs 100 taels of silver, they might as well rob it! But through an acquaintance of mine, a pig only costs 12 taels of silver.
Don’t be afraid of bad things!”
Li Yu smiled and said: "Then you must take good care of these second senior brothers."
Fengling said: "Don't worry, sir, the pig pen and sheep pen are next to the stable next door, so there won't be any smell."
Li Yu said: "Remember to divide more than half and send it to the workers in the factory."
Zhao Qian agreed: "Master, don't worry."
Lu Bicheng said: "It seems that everyone can eat meat dumplings during the Chinese New Year this year."
Fengling said: "Oh... oh, Miss Bicheng, not only during the Chinese New Year, the master said that we can't stop eating meat during the entire first month, so why don't we buy so many pigs and sheep?"
Li Yu said happily: "What are you waiting for? Let's make dumplings and smash them together!"
Well, when I say this, it suddenly feels like a Spring Festival Gala sketch.
Li Yu mobilized everyone to join in. Uncle Wang said excitedly: "White flour dumplings stuffed with meat, they really look like the Chinese New Year!"
In the past, meat was really not affordable for ordinary people.
On the one hand, the income of ordinary people is low, and on the other hand, the level of breeding is also low. It takes two years for a pig to be raised for slaughter.
In short, ordinary people want to eat white flour and meat dumplings all year round, which is really only possible during the Chinese New Year.
Even lower-level officials in the county are not allowed to eat freely.
Uncle Wang made jujube cake according to tradition. It was not the jujube cake Li Yu had seen before traveling through time, but something cooked with red dates and millet.
To put it simply, it is very thick jujube rice. You cannot eat it immediately after cooking, but let it cool overnight. After it solidifies the next morning, you can cut it with a knife to become pieces of "jujube cake".
It should not be eaten cold, but should be steamed in a basket.
In addition, Li Yu asked Uncle Wang and others to buy fireworks and firecrackers.
It was also an absolute luxury item in the late Qing Dynasty. Ordinary people could only simulate the sound of firecrackers by stepping on straw.
As for fireworks, only wealthy people can afford them.
At night, Li Yu, together with Lu Bicheng, Wang Bo, Zhao Qian, Fengling, Konoe Zhaoxue and Yu Heqin who stayed behind, finished eating meat dumplings and came to the courtyard to watch the gorgeous fireworks shooting into the sky and the endless firecrackers.
With the sound, Li Yu finally felt that a real New Year had passed after traveling through time.
Even though there are many potential risks, I feel a lot more at ease for some reason.