"Feel the flow of vital energy within your body, feel its shape, its nature, feel everything about it. Try to communicate with it, mobilize it."
Lu Xuan's voice rang in the ears of the three. They immediately focused their minds and tried to mobilize the vital energy Lu Xuan had injected into their bodies. But it wasn't that simple. Vital energy that didn't belong to them couldn't be mobilized so easily.
Half an hour later, the three opened their eyes. Partridge Whistle and the old foreigner both looked disappointed, because they hadn't managed to mobilize even a single trace of their vital energy from beginning to end. However, at this moment, Hua Ling suddenly spoke up timidly.
"Um, is this how it's done?" She gently pushed forward with her right hand. Lu Xuan felt a slight breeze on his face. Although it was weak, it was definitely the force of a palm strike.
"Hahaha, you two grown men have been left behind."
"So I succeeded?" Hua Ling exclaimed excitedly.
"Don't be too happy yet. This is just the first time, and it might just be a coincidence. When you can mobilize the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) and guide it into your body, that will be true success. Alright, that's all for today's Qi cultivation. Next, let's learn pharmacology."
Qi cultivation, medicine, and martial arts are their three compulsory courses. However, this is only temporary. Currently, Lu Xuan is compiling entirely new teaching materials. He plans to add foreign languages, mathematics, and some political science to the curriculum... He doesn't need martial arts experience. After all, Partridge Whistle is a big shot. Although he doesn't talk much, his experience is extremely rich. Lu Xuan doesn't need to worry about him.
Hong Gu was naturally also under Lu Xuan's tutelage. However, Hong Gu's teaching was naturally one-on-one, with private instruction. Not only did he use his vital energy all night to cleanse her body, but he also infused her with vital energy daily, allowing her to experience the sensation of qi for an extended period. During the day, the three of them could only experience it for half an hour, but Hong Gu alone could experience it for two hours.
Furthermore, having graduated from the Moon Gate, Hong Gu's talent was naturally among the best of the ordinary. Therefore, she and Hua Ling were the first to grasp the feeling of Qi and attempt to guide it into their bodies. As for the old foreigner and Partridge Whistle, they were still hovering on the edge of grasping the feeling of Qi.
However, Partridge Whistle's martial arts skills were truly impressive. Lu Xuan felt that he was roughly on par with Miyamoto Musashi, whom he had encountered in his previous life. If he could calm down, he would definitely be a grandmaster. It was just a pity that his mind was entangled in too many trivial matters, preventing him from fully utilizing his abilities.
The old foreigner had a somewhat eccentric personality and a penchant for various miscellaneous skills. Lu Xuan had taken the time to compile some of the martial arts and miscellaneous skills from his previous life, which the foreigner borrowed and studied. Each of the three had their own strengths, which greatly pleased Lu Xuan. Aside from transmigrators like him who could inherit memories from their past lives, most people didn't have enough energy or time to become proficient in one area. Having their own strengths was already the best outcome.
This went on for about a year. The three of them were basically on track with their studies and were able to practice independently.
During that year, significant changes occurred in western Hunan. With the Chen family at its core, Commander Luo expanded to six or seven surrounding towns, amassing a force of two thousand men. In this era, this was a formidable power, one that even the central government needed to treat with caution.
Crucially, Commander Luo ultimately heeded Lu Xuan's advice and began pursuing a leaner, elite-force strategy. He controlled the size of his army, but equipped his men entirely with Western weaponry. The number of light and heavy machine guns and mortars even surpassed that of the government's elite troops.
Lu Xuan was well aware that the Chinese side would suffer greatly from insufficient firepower in the upcoming battle. Therefore, he gave Luo Laowai a heads-up. Although Luo Laowai wasn't highly educated, those who could conquer the world from scratch were naturally shrewd. He trusted Lu Xuan, knowing he was being advised. Following Lu Xuan's suggestions, he redeployed and retrained his troops.
Although Lu Xuan lacked experience in modern warfare, some fundamental military rules remained unchanged. A group of disciplined soldiers who obeyed orders was far superior to a large group of thugs who only knew how to fight when things went their way.
Luo Laowai spent a year reinforcing military discipline, purging a large number of lazy bums, and standardizing the army's structure, ultimately creating an army that Lu Xuan could barely tolerate.
Don't underestimate this army just because it only has two thousand men, which is about the size of a reinforced regiment in this era. Its combat effectiveness is absolutely no weaker than the central government's elite troops. Moreover, if Luo Laowai were to loosen the restrictions and unleash all his firepower, it would likely intimidate those so-called elite troops. However, this guy is very stingy, and he's already spent almost all of his previous gains. He's afraid of running out of supplies, so he's always keeping them hidden.
These days, people keep stirring things up, telling Chen Yulou he's up to something big. But Chen Yulou is hesitant. After the last time, the Chen family also received a considerable amount of money. He used it for disaster relief, helping many refugees survive the previous year.
This year, Commander Luo rectified military discipline. The entire surrounding area experienced a year-long period of peace and stability. Many of the refugees who had fled have even found work locally, or have simply cleared wasteland, preparing to settle down here. Centered on the Chen family, the surrounding five or six counties have formed a small Republican-era paradise.
The refugees began to have food. Chen Yulou couldn't help but recall Lu Xuan's words: tomb raiding is ultimately a lowly profession. Once the country is peaceful and prosperous, it will inevitably be purged. To avoid this, they must prepare for a change in profession in advance.
Chen Yulou was clever; he understood Lu Xuan's meaning. Although the so-called peace and prosperity of the nation seemed far off, he was determined to make preparations in advance. Unexpectedly, the Chen family patriarch wholeheartedly approved of his actions, even saying with satisfaction, "That brat has grown up." He then completely relinquished power, handing over all the reins of the Chen family to Chen Yulou.
Encouraged, Chen Yulou, following Lu Xuan's instructions, organized and stored away the various antiques and artifacts accumulated by the Chen family, no longer willing to sell them easily. At the same time, he also carefully preserved the murals, chariots, weapons, and other items that tomb raiders had previously rejected. According to Lu Xuan, these items would become the Chen family's pledge of allegiance in the future.
While General Luo and Chen Yulou were busy with their own affairs, Lu Xuan came to say goodbye.
"Mr. Lu, are you leaving like this?"
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Chapter 202 Trip to Europe (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Lu Xuan's departure was planned long ago. He stayed a little longer to see if the Chen family and Luo Laowai were worth paying attention to. Since they had both done well, Lu Xuan didn't mind giving them some benefits.
Lu Xuan took out some prescriptions and gave them to Chen Yulou and Luo Laowai.
"These are some practical prescriptions I've compiled over the past year. They target symptoms related to pain relief, inflammation reduction, fever reduction, and promoting wound healing. The details are all listed above. I'm sending them to you now."
"This...this...this is too precious." In this era, such a secret recipe is the lifeblood of a family. No one would give away their secret recipe to someone else. Let alone Lu Xuan producing four at once.
"Don't worry about those outdated rules; they mean nothing to me. These are just some ancient prescriptions that Hua Ling and I simplified these past few days. Listen, whether you believe it or not, war is coming. At that time, these medicines will become necessities in huge demand. So, while you still have time, set up a pharmaceutical factory; it will bring you unimaginable profits."
"War is brewing? You mean a larger conflict will erupt between the Nationalist government and local armies. But as far as I know, most local armies have already begun to nominally align themselves with the Nationalist government. Conflict..."
"That's not what I mean. I mean foreigners, specifically the Japanese."
"Japanese, don't underestimate me just because I'm not well-educated. I know this: how dare Japan, such a tiny place, invade China?"
"Heh, they've been dreaming of this for over a thousand years. Now, the Central Plains are in turmoil. The nation's strength has declined to its lowest point. The Japanese will definitely not let this opportunity pass. War will inevitably break out; you just need to be prepared. There's still some time, so prepare early. Stockpile as much food, ammunition, and medicine as possible. Take as much as you can. Also, pay attention to air defense preparations..."
Lu Xuan spoke at length, mainly addressing the various forms of suppression the National Revolutionary Army faced against the Japanese army and proposing various preventative measures. In reality, if history had proceeded as planned, there were still eleven years until the Japanese invasion of China. Whether these measures could be implemented remains to be seen, and their ultimate effectiveness is yet to be verified. However, Lu Xuan still had to say what needed to be said.
After all, this era is no longer one where he can unleash his full power and lead troops into battle. Back in the day, he could single-handedly lead a cavalry unit to take down an enemy general. But now, his strength is barely enough to stop pistol bullets; even rifle bullets, with their greater penetrating power, are extremely difficult to withstand. Let alone heavy weapons like machine guns, infantry cannons, or even naval guns.
His individual strength was no longer sufficient to dominate the battlefield. Ideologically, far more powerful ideas had already emerged in this era, leaving him with no role to play in spreading them. Therefore, there was little more he could do in this regard. Lu Xuan's departure was to prepare for something more meaningful.
The prescription has been handed over. In the future, countless soldiers will die on the battlefield from non-fatal injuries caused by infection and pain. Lu Xuan's prescription may not be as potent as Western medicines like sulfonamides, penicillin, or penicillin, but it is certainly effective. His prescription was compiled with the collective efforts of the nation, combining traditional Chinese medicine principles with various folk remedies.
After further improvements made in collaboration with Hua Ling, what they ultimately obtained was the essence of thousands of years of traditional Chinese medicine principles. The true essence, not the fragmented and pieced-together versions found in later generations.
After arranging a series of trivial matters, he took Hong Gu and his three disciples and left Xiangxi together.
"Master, where are we going?"
"Hehe, since we're going to leave, let's go somewhere far away. Let's go abroad, to Europe."
"Europe, those countries with real Westerners?"
“That’s right. The situation in Europe isn’t much better either. It’s a chaotic time. So, we should go there and see if we can get anything out of it. And more importantly, medicine is more advanced in Europe at this time. Many instruments can only be obtained from Europe. We have to go there no matter what.”
In the winter of 1927, Lu Xuan and his group of five set foot on German soil in Europe.
At this time, Germany appeared prosperous on the surface. However, Lu Xuan knew that in two years, the economic crisis would officially erupt. Germany would suffer a huge shock. The entire government would collapse completely under this shock and crumble within a few years. Ultimately, amidst the infighting among a group of politicians, a figure who would influence the history of human civilization would step into the limelight.