Rebirth of the Qing Empire

Japan has become increasingly prosperous and powerful since the Meiji Restoration in 1871. It defeated the Qing Empire in the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1895 and plundered a large amount of money and supplies, greatly increasing its economic and military strength and becoming a dominant Asian power.

.Having tasted the sweetness of war, the whole country has developed a preference for using force to solve problems.

After Ningwu Prefecture's industrial products appeared on the market, although they had a considerable impact on the sales of similar products in Europe and the United States, they were not serious enough to become unsalable, because the industrial products of these countries originally had poor design concepts and technical content.

It far surpasses Japan in terms of market share and cultural influence.

As an emerging capitalist industrial country, Japan has not had economic ties with China for a long time. It cannot compare with these established European and American capitalist countries at all levels, especially in terms of the design concept of industrial products and the superficial cultural status.

It is larger and can be said to be a low-end product with low price and good quality.

Therefore, the Japanese businessmen in Tianjin bore the brunt of the losses and suffered the heaviest losses, which directly led to the occurrence of a deliberate sabotage incident.

When the sabotage incident occurred, in addition to the escorts stationed in Qingdao, Shanghai, Hankou and Guangzhou, there were more than 30 escorts in Tianjin. The team leader was named Zuo Tingdong, who was in his early 30s and was a retired Huai Army soldier.

The veteran instructor was the boxing-savvy Donovan’s partner who was beaten twice by Kang Fan—Matthew.

After receiving the report, the two men led the escort team and beat the Japanese who came to the shop with only wooden sticks and bamboo swords with rifle butts to smash and loot, and the situation was suddenly stabilized. Later, they

A group of Japanese came with guns and first shot and wounded several members of the escort, which turned into a bloody conflict.

Zuo Tingdong is from the same village as Zuo Guogui, the Qing general who stationed in Korea during the Sino-Japanese War. At that time, Zuo Tingdong and other soldiers, under the command of Zuo Baogui, fought bravely against the Japanese army on the Xuanwumen land battle battlefield in Korea.

Later, Zuo Guogui was unfortunately shot and killed by artillery. The whole army collapsed, all casualties were exhausted, and he himself was seriously injured, so he had to follow the remaining troops to evacuate. Now he met the Japanese again, his eyes were red, and he refused to listen to the dissuasion of his subordinates.

Just shoot.

Instructor Matthew hesitated for a moment and then opened fire. The two men's marksmanship was precise and they killed four Japanese on the spot and wounded more than a dozen Japanese. The two sides immediately fell into a melee.

When fighting at close range and in a small space, the Winchester m1894 rifle has a faster firing rate, better operability and firepower continuity than the Japanese Murata single-shot rifle. Therefore, the group of Japanese who participated in the destruction

The man was beaten by the escort and fled before the Qing army and the American minister arrived to mediate.

After this battle, the He family became famous in the country and provided excellent publicity for their own business.

Kang Fan originally planned to go to Tianjin for a visit, but due to the many things that needed to be dealt with, he was unable to make the trip. After seeing He Shuikuo in the county seat, he eagerly inquired about things in Tianjin.

He Shuikuo said happily: "Everything has been taken care of. The people at the US Embassy are very helpful."

Kang Fan understood and said: "It seems that Father Donovan is in trouble again this time. Without his relationship with the American embassy, ​​even if the Japanese shot first, I'm afraid the matter would not end so easily."

"Yes. I can't hide anything from you, Kangdi." He Shuikuo said approvingly.

Kang Fan said: "We must heavily reward the convoy brothers who were injured or killed in this incident. The pensions of the deceased will be given to their families, and the injured will continue to be retained, and they will be assigned suitable errands to support them until they grow old. What does Brother Shui Kuo think?"

He Shuikuo nodded, "Brother, I will handle this matter properly. Don't worry, Brother Kang."

"When will Brother Shui Kuo leave again?" Kang Fan asked.

He Shuikuo said: "The inventory in the Beijing distribution base can still last for a while. But the current sales volume is very large, and the supply of products exceeds demand. We have to consider expanding production capacity. I will wait for the new goods to be installed this time."

Return to Tianjin."

"Okay. I'll go to Tianjin with you this time," Kang Fan said.

He Shuikuan, who had been anxious at the Tianjin base, was finally able to put his worries to rest after meeting Kang Fan, Donovan and He Shuikuo. Donovan had close contacts with people from Tianjin Customs and the US Embassy.

This time, in his absence, the fact that the officials of the US Embassy took the initiative to intervene in the sabotage incident and spared no effort in the subsequent mediation can illustrate the problem. Therefore, a courtesy visit is inevitable.

"If you didn't insist on asking me to deliver medicines to those Ethiopians, things might have been handled better. Because the results will definitely not be the same if I am here or not." Donovan complained to Confan.

Kang Fan smiled and said: "You don't have to go to Ethiopia in person! Just leave the task to Captain Li's ocean-going cargo ships. Are you looking for an excuse to accuse me?"

Donovan couldn't keep nagging anymore, and introduced several important figures from Tianjin Customs and the American Embassy to Kang Fan. Kang Fan handed Donovan a suitcase of gold coins that he had prepared, and he went to distribute them to these people.

, to express their gratitude. After finishing, the two came to the Tianjin base.

The base is still heavily guarded, just like a military camp. After Kang Fan specially brought dozens of cavalry regiment officers and soldiers, the base's defense strength has been greatly enhanced. Kang Fan warned all personnel in the base: The Japanese are vicious and despicable.

They will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. After this bloody incident, people traveling must be more careful and beware of secret revenge by the Japanese. However, if there is an opportunity, they will be severely punished, fight evil with evil, and never be merciful.

"Kill him and his blood will flow like a river!" Zuo Tingdong was still angry.

Kang Fan smiled and asked: "Can Brother Zuo shoot all the bullets in the Winchester barrel in one minute?"

"If you want to be precise, you can't," Zuo Tingdong replied.

Kang Fan shook his head, "This is not enough. It must be fired accurately and quickly to suppress the Japanese Murata rifles in terms of firepower. The Japanese regular army uses manually loaded magazine-type Murata rifles, which have better shooting rate and accuracy."

For our Winchester. Japanese regular soldiers who have undergone strict training can achieve a firing rate of about 10 rounds per minute, and the accuracy is very high. The Japanese we faced last time were not regular soldiers, and they used manual single-machine guns.

The Murata rifles are loaded with Murata rifles, so there is a lot of difference in terms of shooting rate and accuracy. Only the advantages of our guns in close range performance can be fully utilized. If we encounter the Japanese regular army, our escort will definitely suffer. You

His marksmanship is very good, and if he improves his rapid fire ability, it will definitely be more powerful. I guess instructor Matthew should be able to do this."

When Matthew heard Kang Fan mention his name, he came over to find out what was going on. Kang Fan repeated what he meant to him in English.

"I'll prove it to you now." After Matthew finished speaking, he couldn't wait to pull the trigger at a willow tree on the bank of the Haihe River.

With the "bang bang" sound of gunfire, Matthew fired all 13 bullets in the barrel in less than a minute, and the hit rate was amazing! The onlookers clapped and cheered, and there was thunderous applause.

Matthew was very proud and looked at Kang Fan with provocative eyes.

Ever since he was beaten up by Kang Fan, Matthew had always wanted to take revenge, but he was unable to do so because the hospital was guarded by Qing troops. Later, Donovan and Kang Fan became friends, and the matter was dropped. But he still had a grudge in his heart.

Yu Huai: We just want those beauties to drink with us and not do anything else? How could we be beaten and insulted like that?!

Matthew has always regarded himself as a fast shooter in the western United States, so when his boxing and kicking skills are not as good as those of Kang Fan, he always looks for opportunities to show off his gun skills in order to gain some face. Now he has the advantage of competing with Kang Fan face to face.

How could you miss this opportunity?

"Instructor Matthew, please be careful." Before Kang Fan could finish his words, he pulled out the Type 92 pistol and fired quickly. He drew the gun, loaded the gun, aimed, fired, and returned the gun. A series of actions were completed in one go, and it only took more than ten seconds.

Bell time!

The onlookers didn't have time to react. After the intensive gunfire, they looked at Kang Fan again. There was nothing in his hands, as if nothing had happened. The lively scene suddenly became silent. After a while, Dono

Wan Cai walked to the tree that Matthew and Kang Fan had just used as a target, and took a closer look. On the tree trunk, 15 new, smoking bullet holes were clearly visible. I was stunned!

"My God, Kang Fan, are you a human or a ghost?!" Donovan didn't believe his eyes at all.

Matthew also walked over to verify it, but when he looked back, his face was as pale as earth - a feeling of despair that he had lost all his fighting spirit.

Kang Fan smiled and patted Matthew to comfort him, "The m1894 is a lever-action rifle. After each shot, you need to press the lever to load the next round. My pistol is automatically loaded, so I am faster than you."

.You have done quite well."

Everyone has played with guns and knows that he is protecting Matthew. Everyone understands that even if the performance of the guns is different, it is currently beyond everyone's reach to achieve his shooting speed and accuracy. What's more,

Kang Fan used a pistol, but Matthew used a rifle that could be used for shoulder shooting. When shooting the same target, it was more difficult for Kang Fan.

"If we want to defeat the Japanese, we have only one way: practice, practice hard, and practice harder." Kang Fan said to everyone.

Everyone agreed in unison.

This was the first time that Kang Fan showed off his shooting skills in front of Donovan. Donovan was very puzzled. He traveled all over the country and dealt with many weapons, but the pistol that Kang Fan used was unheard of and could shoot 15 bullets continuously.

.It is said that the Colt revolver favored by fast shooters in the American West is fast and accurate. I am afraid it is not as good as Confan's gun, right?

"This is a pistol that uses the energy of gunpowder gas to automatically complete the shooting action. The Mauser m1896 automatic pistols you bought are similar in principle to this gun, except that the ammunition capacity is 5 fewer rounds." Kang Fan said.

Donovan said.

Donovan was surprised, "I didn't believe it when you told me that Mauser Company was going to produce this kind of gun. I didn't know until I went to Mauser Company that this kind of gun had just started to be produced. Even the Mauser Company didn't believe it.

Some people don’t know that this is the case, no wonder I haven’t heard of it! There are also those Winchester m1894 lever-action repeating guns, which are also newly produced guns. You are far away in China, but you have a better understanding of the firearms market in various countries around the world than I do.

Clear. Can you tell me where the pistol you are using is made?”

Kang Fan just smiled and shook his head without answering his question.

Donovan had no choice but to say helplessly: "Okay, I hope you are always right."

Kang Fan changed the topic: "The Japanese are planning to set up a concession in Tianjin, but they are still just an intention. The official implementation time will be in 1898, which is two years later. We only have more than 100 acres of land in Tianjin now.

, it is a bit too small for the development of our future business, and the land that the Japanese are interested in is nearly 3,000 acres! You think of a way to rent this land. If you can't rent it all, then you can rent it.

You can rent as much as you want. Rather than letting these beasts run amok on this land, we should first deny it as our own and develop our business."

Donovan said confidently: "I can give you the results in one month, not two years."

"I didn't give you two years, the Japanese gave it to you." Kang Fan said with a smile.

In fact, Kang Fan originally wanted Donovan to get some of the neighboring German concessions and French concessions back, but considering that Hart had good relations with European countries and it would be difficult to operate, he did not mention it. Only Japan, an Asian country, because

He has conflicts of interest with European countries. Except for his ally Britain, other countries have been ostracizing him. Hurd and Donovan are subjectively willing to help.