The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Reports from various military locations poured in, putting Shen Lian in high spirits. Although the losses were considerable, the ammunition was well spent. After more than a month of bandit suppression, each company had produced some exceptionally talented individuals.

Shen Lian was generous with his rewards, approving almost all the reports of meritorious individuals.

By mid-February, Jason had finally returned. He not only delivered the weapons he needed, but also the gunpowder-making machinery.

"Lord Shen, I've come to Linqing again and found it much more prosperous than ever before. You are truly young and capable, bringing blessings to this region!" Jason immediately launched into a flattering remark; the kid had gone astray.

“Jason, we’re old acquaintances. Don’t be so polite!” Shen Lian patted Jason on the shoulder, much more relaxed with this foreigner.

"How was your trip? Did it go smoothly?"

"Not bad! It's just that the situation in your country is getting more and more chaotic. I heard that various countries are discussing sending troops to protect their citizens! Has your old hag in power gone mad? Not only does she want to depose the emperor, but now she's condoning these rioters attacking us." Jason said, shaking his head.

Shen Lian remained silent. This is nothing! You'll see how crazy she really is in two months. Heh!

Shen Lian instructed his men to take possession of the weapons and machinery. With this batch of weapons and ammunition, Shen Lian was relieved. He knew he had enough weapons for the war three or four months from now.

"Jason, where's the surgeon I asked you to find? Did you find him?" Shen Lian asked, handing Jason a cigarette.

"We found it, but there was a little mishap. Hehe!" Jason smiled sheepishly.

"Is he unwilling to come? Or are there some conditions?" Shen Lian frowned.

"I've brought the person, and he's absolutely the best surgeon. He's also a renowned scientist, but I promised him one condition before he'd come!"

"What conditions?"

"Hans was a very good surgeon, but besides performing surgery, he preferred to research new things and was always working on drugs to kill bacteria. I lied to him and said that the adults were willing to support his research, and that's how he agreed to come and work here."

"Oh, is that all? No problem. As long as he's willing to work hard for me, I'm happy to support his research." Shen Lian was secretly pleased. He had been looking for these Western scientists, and now they were practically handing it over to him.

"Great! Thank you, sir. I'll call him in right away!" Jason was worried that Shen Lian would be angry, but seeing that he didn't seem to mind, he quickly ran to the door and pulled in a disheveled old man.

"Hans, this is Lord Shen Lian, the highest-ranking official here. He not only hires you, but is also willing to support your research!"

"Thank God! Hans greets you, sir!" said Hans, a tall man with a full beard, bowing deeply. He was almost bankrupt because of his research on this new drug, which forced him to accept Jason's invitation and travel all the way to China.

"Mr. Hans, you're too kind. May I ask how far your research has progressed?"

"Oh! Lord Shen also knows about chemistry?" Hans asked in surprise.

"Hehe! I also studied in the United States, and I have some classmates who are engaged in this kind of research. I've occasionally heard them talk about it." Shen Lian then mentioned some unimportant information he had found, which surprised Hans.

"The first reason I invited Mr. Hans here is to help me train some doctors. Another reason is to see if we can mass-produce sulfonamides!" This was something Shen Lian mentioned when he saw Hans earlier. Although sulfonamides have been invented for a long time, the West hasn't yet recognized their value and hasn't used them on a large scale.

"Does the adults know that sulfonamides have bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects? But those foolish officials actually said that this stuff is poisonous and cannot be used." Hans shook his head.

“Yes! Although sulfonamide powder has certain side effects, it is definitely the best anti-inflammatory drug at present!” Shen Lian smiled faintly.

Having foresight is great; before penicillin was invented, sulfonamides were the best anti-inflammatory drugs. Their widespread use didn't begin until World War II; even in World War I, Western countries didn't use them extensively.

Shen Lian doesn't mind producing it ahead of schedule, so that in addition to using it for his own army, he can also sell it to Western countries.

"Mr. Hans, please settle in comfortably. We'll discuss your research later. I guarantee you the best conditions and treatment." Shen Lian had someone take Hans away first.

"Sir, could you please take me to visit your cigarette and lighter factories first?" Jason asked impatiently. Heaven knows how popular cigarettes and lighters are in the West; he bought some last time, which made him quite the celebrity in Berlin's high society.

If Shen Lian hadn't needed so many things this time, and he hadn't needed time to purchase them, he would have come long ago.

"I'm sorry Jason, I don't have time to show you around right now. I'll have to send someone else with you." Shen Lian asked Lu Da to send someone to accompany Jason on the tour, and then returned to the backyard.

"My lady, are your soldiers almost finished training? The doctor I found for them has arrived."

Although they were to be used as medics, Nie Xiaoqian still trained them according to the army's requirements and had a good time!

"Don't worry! At least they won't scream in terror at the sight of the enemy, nor will they faint at the sight of blood! And everyone has even learned how to shoot!" Nie Xiaoqian said proudly.

"My wife is truly amazing!" Shen Lian stepped forward, hugged his wife, and kissed her. Nie Xiaoqian was already used to Shen Lian's little gestures, so she didn't resist too much now.

The next day, Jason came running over excitedly, carrying a note from Shen Lian and several boatloads of cigarettes and lighters. Shen Lian then asked him to help purchase some machinery and raw materials for producing sulfonamides.

Time flew by, and three months passed in a flash. May arrived, and all the troops that had gone out to suppress the bandits returned. The former greenhorns, after months of being tested in battle, now had determined eyes and finally looked like elite soldiers.

Shen Lian held a victory celebration and personally awarded medals to those who had distinguished themselves in the military. After two days of rest, Shen Lian summoned all officers of battalion level and above.

"This is the current situation. What are your thoughts?" Shen Lian first reported on the chaos in the capital.

"The situation is now out of control. Large numbers of Boxer Rebellion members have flooded into Beijing and are attacking all foreigners. Various countries have already deployed their guards to Beijing. It looks like a chaotic war is about to break out."

"The imperial court wants to use the Boxers to strike at the Western powers, and at the same time, it wants to use the Western powers to suppress the Boxers. Ha! It's amazing that they could come up with such a thing!" Shen Lian sneered.

"I can say with certainty that the foreign army will definitely send troops. The Boxers, that rabble, and the imperial army are absolutely no match for them. The story of the Anglo-French allied forces storming Beijing will be repeated!"