Chapter 1: First Arrival in Britain (New book, please support)
The pockmarked road, covered in bomb craters, resembled a scarred face. Houses along the entire street had been reduced to ruins, and lingering smoke hung over the city. Wreckage of destroyed buses and cars lay scattered haphazardly on the streets. In the massive craters, broken water and sewage pipes gushed clean water and waste, pooling together and turning the streets into places as foul as cesspits.
The piercing air raid siren had stopped.
Li Yian walked aimlessly through the streets, looking at the apocalyptic scene before him. He wished that everything he saw was just a dream.
However, it was all real.
Just a moment ago, he was carrying a bag of goods, preparing to take them to his roommate who had a street stall. As usual, she set up her stall by the street after getting off work, and he would occasionally go over to help out.
But in the blink of an eye, he found himself on a strange street.
Red double-decker buses, red telephone booths, and policemen wearing black helmets and blowing whistles – it looked like old London straight out of a classic film.
After all, in 21st-century London, it was impossible to hear air raid sirens, see pedestrians running around in panic, and certainly not see propeller fighter planes roaring overhead.
Although a bit bewildered, Li Yian followed the fleeing crowd into a nearby subway station to save his life.
Then came the deafening explosions. Feeling the shock of the blasts, he remained in a state of prolonged confusion.
After an unknown amount of time, the air raid ended. As the surging crowd left the subway station, Li Yian walked through the streets of London like a headless fly, not knowing how many streets he had walked.
Finally, tired from walking, Li Yian sat on a roadside bench to catch his breath.
Face reality!
Lowering his head, he saw half of an old newspaper floating in a puddle at his feet. The headline read: 'From one victory to another! German forces in North Africa surrender to Allied Forces!'
German forces in North Africa surrender?
Looking at the date on the newspaper again, it was May 13, '43.
He really transmigrated!
After transmigrating, he had to face an unavoidable reality – he was penniless and had nowhere to stay.
Wandering around the streets of London like this was not a long-term solution.
What should he do next?
It was indeed a bit troublesome.
Having read plenty of web novels, he naturally knew that physical transmigration was the most tragic of all transmigration methods, bar none.
Physical transmigration meant he had no legal identity in this world, let alone a plotline where his father was a rich man and he only had to squander the family fortune.
Right now, the chance to find a rich father was gone, but the possibility of ending up on the gallows was increasing.
During wartime, a foreigner with no identity, wandering the streets... Add the three together, and you've got a definite spy!
If you don't go to the gallows, who will!
He didn't know how long he had been walking, but the thirsty and hungry Li Yian felt increasingly unsure the further he went.
Fortunately, the city of London, having just suffered bombing, was full of rushing fire engines and ambulances. No one paid him any attention, and even the police couldn't be bothered to deal with him.
After all, an Asian person still "wandering" the streets of London at this time certainly wouldn't be Japanese. Japanese residents in Britain had all been imprisoned years ago, experiencing the passionate embrace of Britain.
What to do?
Alas, he would take it one step at a time. Having worked hard in first-tier cities with his classmates after graduating from university, Li Yian had long since learned to be content with his circumstances.
Actually, worrying about this was useless. In these chaotic times of war, transmigrating so rashly and not being arrested as a spy was already a blessing from God.
However, it didn't seem far off.
By this time, dusk had fallen. After dark, the police who had no time to bother with him would certainly have time to deal with him.
Taking out a cigarette from his satchel, Li Yian sighed helplessly.
He would smoke a cigarette first and calm down before thinking further.
Just then, a British man came towards him. When Li Yian took out the cigarette, seeing the camel on the cigarette pack, his eyes lit up instantly.
Before Li Yian could light the cigarette, the man stepped forward and asked ingratiatingly:
"Mr., are you smoking camel cigarettes?"
Did he smell it?
Li Yian was indeed smoking American camel cigarettes, the kind without a filter. According to his tomboy roommate, these cigarettes were strong, and one could last for two hours.
Someone actually called out the brand name directly. Even a dog's nose might not be that sensitive.
Li Yian nodded. Seeing this, the British man's face lit up with joy, and he said happily.
"Is it really camel cigarettes? Haha, I knew it the moment I smelled it, haha..."
Actually, he had seen the camel on the cigarette pack earlier. Staring at the cigarette in Li Yian's hand, the man asked tentatively.
"Mr., do you have any more camel cigarettes?"
"What?"
The man said directly.
"If you have any more, I can offer one penny per cigarette! What do you think, Mr.?"
"One penny?"
Although the British man's actions were puzzling, for Li Yian, who was penniless, hungry, and thirsty, this was definitely a godsend.
"One penny..."
After a moment's thought, seeing the longing in the British man's eyes, Li Yian flicked open the lighter lid.
The moment the lighter lid opened, there was a 'ding' sound. The crisp sound made the British man's eyes go wide.
That sound must be from a ZIPPO lighter.
camel cigarettes, ZIPPO lighter, these are all genuine American goods!
The kind you can't even buy with money!
"Mr., if you sell me this ZIPPO lighter along with them, no matter how many cigarettes you have left, I can offer 4 British pounds and 6 pence. What do you think?"
The man gritted his teeth and offered a high price.
Having camel cigarettes and a ZIPPO lighter in hand was a symbol of status.
With these two things, I'll be the coolest guy in the whole village!
"Hmm..."
Seeing the longing written on the British man's face, Li Yian thought for a moment and said.
"I have 17 cigarettes left in my pack... How about I keep five cigarettes and sell you the rest for 5 British pounds? What do you think?"
He had to keep some for himself, right?
Those who know, know. This was the last bit of stubbornness as a smoker.
Hearing this, the British man was immediately overjoyed.
"Of course."
It must be said, when men encounter something they like, just like women, they have absolutely no resistance.
Twelve cigarettes, one ZIPPO lighter.
They actually sold for 5 British pounds!
Taking a few banknotes from the man's hand, looking at the money in his hand, which was roughly half the size of an A4 paper, Li Yian felt a little excited.
Finally, he had money!
He finally hadn't disgraced the name of a transmigrator, earning his first pot of gold on the day of transmigration.
The era chosen for this new book is a time of major reshuffling. The old hegemon has abdicated, and a new hegemon is rising. In this period of major reshuffling, much more can actually be done!
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During the new book period, I humbly request support from all esteemed readers! Please recommend, collect, and follow the reading! Thank you!!!
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