Chapter 33: The Legendary Lu

Returning to China?

Gu Hongming sighed silently.

"No, I don't want to go back for the time being. I plan to make a trip to Edinburgh first, and then travel around Europe."

Lu Shi worriedly asked, "Does Mr. Gu have enough funds?"

Gu Hongming replied, "Didn't I tell you, you young ones don't know the capabilities of us old-timers. When I was in Leipzig, how many foreigners took pride in obtaining a copy of my translated version of 'Analects'? Do you think I would be short on funds?"

With that, Gu Hongming patted Lu Shi's shoulder.

"You, you will surely make a name for yourself in Britain in the future. If there's anything you need from me, don't hesitate to ask, and I'll do my best."

Lu Shi looked at Gu Hongming in surprise.

"Mr. Gu, are you not planning to go back again?"

Gu Hongming smiled.

"Leaving."

Though it was the same two words as before, this time they lacked the desolation of earlier and instead carried a sense of openness.

Though Lu Shi wasn't a history major, he had watched TV dramas like "Towards the Republic" and "The Age of Awakening", so he remembered Gu Hongming's significant positions in both the Qing and Beiyang governments. Now, seeing Gu Hongming with thoughts of retirement surprised him.

Lu Shi hesitated to say, "Mr. Gu..."

But before he could finish, Gu Hongming interrupted.

"Mr. Lu, you've made up your mind to stay in London, so please don't try to persuade me again, alright?"

Lu Shi indeed had no standing to persuade him, feeling a little embarrassed.

After a while, he managed to say, "Mr. Gu, you have to consider your concubines. Are you really leaving them behind?"

Gu Hongming's mouth twitched, pretending not to hear, indicating that his mind was made up.

With things having reached this point, Lu Shi didn't dwell on it any longer, helping Gu Hongming pack his luggage, with Natsume Soseki also lending a hand.

The three quickly finished packing and then went to the train station together.

The preferred mode of transportation from London to Edinburgh was by train. By 1900, Britain had a relatively well-developed railway network covering the whole country. There were daily train services between London and Edinburgh, and tickets could even be purchased at the station without prior booking.

Gu Hongming bought a ticket and bid farewell to Lu Shi.

"Lu Shi, I've told the porter to call you directly by your name. Don't mind."

Lu Shi, of course, didn't mind being called "Mr. Lu". Gu Hongming then continued, "I had wanted to give you a courtesy name, but on second thought, I decided against it. One, you won't need it in the UK; two, you probably won't like those old-fashioned things. Maybe you'll need it when you return to China someday."

Lu Shi nodded.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Mr. Gu."

Gu Hongming smiled.

"You focus on your studies in the UK and don't slack off."

With these encouraging words, Gu Hongming didn't linger any longer and headed straight to the waiting hall, soon disappearing into the crowd.

Lu Shi breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, he had seen off this old friend.

He nodded to Natsume Soseki, ready to leave.

But then, two Englishmen hurriedly approached, engaged in conversation.

As they passed by Lu Shi, one of them suddenly stopped, turned back with a hint of surprise in his eyes, and looked at Lu Shi.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Excuse me... Are you Mr. Lu?"

Lu Shi looked at the man, finding him somewhat familiar but unable to recall who he was.

The man extended his hand.

"I'm George Bernard Shaw, a playwright."

George Bernard Shaw!

Lu Shi immediately remembered this globally renowned name.

No wonder the man seemed so familiar; it turned out Lu Shi had seen his photos. However, the photos circulated nowadays mostly depicted Shaw in his later years, while in 1900, Shaw was in his prime, so Lu Shi could only recognize some features.

Shaw introduced the person beside him.

"Mr. Lu, this is the Earl of Kimberley, Mr. John Wodehouse."

Wodehouse, curious, asked Shaw, "Shaw, is this the legendary Lu?"

Shaw chuckled. "Indeed, he is the legendary Lu, whose real name is Lu Shi. I've only seen his photo in The Manchester Guardian, so I wasn't entirely sure. But just now, when I asked, it turns out it really is him."

Wodehouse nodded and looked at Lu Shi with some scrutiny.

After a while, he smiled at Shaw and said, "Indeed, a young talent. Shaw, no wonder you're willing to give way for him."

Lu Shi listened with a blank expression.

"Excuse me, gentlemen..."

Shaw was about to speak, but Wodehouse cut in, "Shaw, it's better to tell the truth."

Shaw looked at Wodehouse curiously.

Wodehouse then turned to Lu Shi.

"Mr. Lu, Shaw promised to write us a satirical... um... realistic play in exchange for the opportunity for you to be a guest lecturer at our school."

This was clearly a form of exchange of interests.

But then, who were the "us" that Wodehouse mentioned?

Lu Shi pondered for a moment and asked, "Sir Wodehouse, do you have a seat in the House of Lords?"

Wodehouse's gaze showed some appreciation.

"Smart! No wonder even Winston Churchill has a very high opinion of you. It seems his ideas are not just fantasies."

Lu Shi felt immense pressure.

First the Queen, now Churchill.

Having crossed over for just over a month, why were so many big shots already eyeing him?

Could it be a perk of being a transmigrator?