Chapter Thirty-Three: The Third Route?

  In the early morning, standing in the schoolyard adjacent to the Yangtze River, Yang Qiu faintly felt a chill.

  Yesterday, after visiting the arsenal, he was indeed a bit disappointed, so before leaving, he had such a feeling. With the Yangxia battle looming ahead, even if they took out the advanced equipment from the data machine now, with the current technology and equipment in Hanyang, even making guns is purely a handicraft, I'm afraid that even if it's made, the quality and quantity are unlikely to meet the needs.

  Without these things, what can we use to deal with the Northern Government led by Yuan Shikai and Feng Guozhang? Are we really going to sit back and watch as the Yangxia Battle destroys everything here, and then have Yuan come up with another "Rolling Package" plan, taking away most of our skilled workers and machinery? If that's how it ends up, what was the point of putting in so much hard work? We might as well go to America now and become a foolish old man.

  The more Yang Qiu thought about it, the more confused he became. Subconsciously, he pulled out his pistol and wondered if he should just go alone to kill Yuan Shikai once and for all.

  "Wow, a 1911 model! It looks like it was just made this year. You're really lucky, mister." Just as he pulled out the gun, a faint sound of footsteps echoed from behind him.

  Yang Qiu's heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head to see that Yue Peng had already put on the training uniform and came to his side: "Not bad, it was given to my uncle by an American businessman for self-defense, and when my uncle heard that I was going to join the army, he gave it to me." While speaking, he also sized up this guy, could it be that he was also a time-traveler?

  "Yesterday, the adults at the gun factory said something that was indeed astonishing. Xiao Hu said that Su Hongsheng didn't sleep all night after returning home. It's laughable that nowadays many people, whenever they mention Han Yang, first praise him as if it's nothing special. But the adults were the first to sing a different tune." Yue Peng chuckled and said, "Yesterday, Zhang Wenjing came back and told me about what happened when Yang Qiu borrowed a gun at the gun factory. It made me feel very surprised. You know that in recent years, no matter who it is, after seeing Han Yang, they all admire him. But this young general's words seemed to be disdainful."

  "It's okay, not a time-traveler." Yang Qiu put the gun back in its holster and smiled: "Hanyang is worthy of praise. No matter what, he pioneered industry. What I lament is that since Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong, their successors have all forgotten the essence of the Westernization Movement. They began to use the movement as an excuse for infighting, completely forgetting the original intention."

  "Well said!"

  "What? Think you've figured it out and are ready to flatter me? I'm not buying that."

  First, the soldiers were in a dispute, and then with a single shot, they pierced the halo surrounding Hanyang. Yue Peng had already looked at this new commander with disdain, his face sternly saying: "Yue Peng thanks you, sir."

  The thoughts just now have not passed, so seeing Yang Peng becoming serious, Yang Qiu thought of the disappointing Hanyang again, and with some disappointment, waved his hand: "Thank me for what? I'm also just talking, nothing can be changed."

  Seeing Yang Qiu seemingly downhearted, Yue Peng said: "A soldier should fight, as long as he goes to fight, whether he wins or loses, he will have no regrets."

  "Yes, soldiers should fight, should fight!"

  Yang Qiu's shoulders trembled slightly, and after silently reciting a few lines, the corners of his mouth gradually softened. What he said was right, if he had fought hard but still failed, then he would have no regrets, let alone with this army in front of him, and Shen Shu-kai waiting for him on the other side, it's not necessarily a complete defeat!

  Yang Qiu's face returned to its usual calm demeanor, and Yue Peng thought of something and suddenly took a step forward: "Sir, is it proper for Yue Peng to ask this question?"

  "What's up?"

  "Are you... a Communist Party member?"

  "Me? A party member?" Yang Qiu pointed to his own nose, and seeing Yue Peng's tension, suddenly understood. Probably it was Lei Meng's words yesterday at the factory that made them think of something, so he quickly laughed and said: "If I were a party member, I'd probably be a traitor."

  Yue Peng thought about it and felt that Yang Qiu was indeed a great hero of the imperial court, having killed the leader of the Chengdu party people and himself being repeatedly assassinated. Judging from his military training methods during this period, if he were a party person, they would have become powerful long ago. But... why did Yang Qiu want to maintain Lei Meng?

  Seeing Yang Peng's hesitation, Yang Qiu patted his shoulder and said: "No one likes the current situation, but not liking it doesn't necessarily mean being a party person. Maybe... there is still a third way?"

  "Third Road? Could it be Constitutionalism? But aren't constitutionalists even more unreliable?"

  "Fall in!" Just as Yue Peng was looking at Yang Qiu in shock, a loud shout suddenly came from beside his ear, and he reflexively turned around and ran back. Only then did he discover that Zhang Wenjing and others had also arrived, and the school field was already packed with soldiers.

  "Attention!"

  The neat and tidy standing voice was much more organized than yesterday, but the eyes were still half wild and unruly. Yang Qiu pretended not to see it, because he found that only He Xi among the three battalion commanders showed up, while the other two were absent.

  "Alright then, you know how to play it cool." Yang Qiu snorted and turned her head, saying: "He Yingchang, Chen Guandai and Guo Guandai..."

  "Reporting to General Tag, the two gentlemen in charge of the troops were caught in the rain yesterday and suddenly felt unwell, so they couldn't make it to the exercise on time. I hope you can forgive them." He Xi still had a smile on his face, as if he had completely forgotten about what happened yesterday. Even those officers and soldiers perked up their ears, seemingly wanting to see how General Tag would get angry.

  "No big deal, who doesn't have a headache or fever when eating five grains and miscellaneous grains?" Yang Qiu unexpectedly waved his hand, not angry or annoyed, as if he had known it all along, and said with concern: "I didn't expect... Ah! Brother, I was just appointed yesterday and was in a hurry, causing several leaders to suffer."

  What a scoundrel! How can he be so shameless?! Unfortunately, it's us who are suffering! Qiu Wenbin stood in the front row, listening clearly and wishing he could go up and slap him twice. Yesterday he bullied soldiers, today he comes to show off, this running dog is really... despicable to the extreme!

  The soldiers had not yet finished grumbling when even He Xi felt that Yang Qiu's tone was sincere and he should flatter him a few sentences, just as he heard a shout from beside his ear: "Zhang Wenjing."

  Arrived.

  Seeing Zhang Wenjing rush over in a hurry, He Xi suddenly felt that something was wrong. Yang Qiu deliberately raised his voice: "Chen and Guo, the two of you are working hard for the people, practicing new troops and unfortunately getting sick. As the banner holder, this matter also arose because of me. I am really sad at heart, but unfortunately, I have to follow the orders of Director and Lieutenant General Li to train soldiers and have no time to leave. So, after you finish your training, go buy some good supplements and represent me and all the officers to visit the two seniors."

  "Right."

  Yang Qiu turned around and deliberately looked at He Xi: "Tell the two officers that although I hope they can return to lead the troops as soon as possible, for their health, I am granting them a one-month leave! Take good care of themselves, no mistakes are allowed! Also tell the two gentlemen that their health is related to the overall situation of the 42nd battalion, it's a big deal in the military! If they can't take care of their bodies... military law will be enforced!

  In addition, considering that the two adults need to rest, the daily affairs of the two battalions also need to be taken care of. So, you will temporarily take over the second battalion, and Yue Peng will temporarily take over the third battalion. Lei Meng and Bingwen will be promoted to banner lieutenant, Hu Lao San will take over as the captain of the law enforcement team, and He Xi, who is in charge of the first battalion, will temporarily take over the position of deputy officer! Yang Qiu finished speaking and deliberately walked in front of He Xi and asked: "Officer He, do you think this arrangement is appropriate?"

  He Xi was left speechless, his mouth agape. He hadn't expected Yang Qiu to not only remain calm but also take advantage of the situation and grant them a month's leave. Before he could even react, he had become the new deputy officer, which meant he had been placed on the opposing side of the other two battalion commanders!

  "This is lifting a stone to hit one's own foot!"

  Yue Peng and others did not expect that Yang Qiu had just said he wanted to give himself a chance, and today he took the opportunity to quickly promote himself as the battalion commander, although it was only temporary. But... could he surpass himself?! When he comes back, the Third Battalion will probably no longer be the original Third Battalion!

  "By the way, there's something else I'd like to trouble you with, General He. Yesterday, when I went to the arsenal, I saw that Ma Dabiao's security team was completely undisciplined. How can such a unit bear the responsibility of protecting and defending? So would you please tell him that starting tomorrow, the security team will have to do morning exercises together before going to work?"

  He Xi's face turned black, this guy's means are too vicious. The 42nd marker hasn't been settled yet, and he has already pulled over Ma Dabiao's security team. Although he wanted to refute, he couldn't find any words to say. Guo and Chen "fell ill", according to the military order, the marker can indeed arrange temporary personnel to take over. As for the security team, it was originally under the control of the 42nd marker. With a sentence of lax discipline, they were pulled over for training, and even Commander Dabiao couldn't find any reason to refute.

  Just as He Xi was thinking about how to respond, a sudden urgent horseshoe sound came from behind: "The 42nd banner commander Yang Qiu received the order."

  Arrived.

  "Yang Biao Tung, the Commander-in-Chief orders you to immediately go to the Commander's Mansion for a meeting."

  Yang Qiu took the order, somewhat surprised, and quietly pulled out a large sum of money to give to the soldier who delivered the message, asking: "Brother, what's going on?"

  "Without deceiving General Yang, the telegram office just sent out a message that Sichuan has erupted into chaos." The orderly soldier tucked the silver dollar into his sleeve and whispered in his ear: "Yesterday, when Zhao Erfeng arrested the railway protection party rioters, it triggered a disturbance. On the spot, he ordered the shooting of dozens of rioting civilians. Now the entire Sichuan is on strike and boycotts classes. Those people have gathered together and are besieging Chengdu day and night. The imperial court has already issued an order for us to dispatch troops to enter Sichuan immediately."

  Yang Qiu's head was about to explode, he had previously thought that the Ba Lu movement wouldn't collapse so easily just because Wang Tianjie was exposed, but should have delayed giving himself a little more time to prepare, but now it seems that history is probably not so easy to change after all.