Chapter 12: Kowtowing to the Great General?

  "This reason... is really disgusting."

  Yang Qiu continued to be ruthless, his expression unchanged: "Sir, what you said is not proper. Du Liu set up a card and blocked me from entering Shu, and even fired at my comrades first. Chen Hua capturing him was just doing his duty as a soldier. As for Wang Tianjie, hiding behind the wall and ambushing us is the behavior of a petty person. This kind of person should be killed, even if he's not a rebel!"

  "So you're saying I'm not wrong and it's actually a good thing?"

  "No, I don't dare take credit for it, if you say there's a mistake, then indeed I made a big mistake!"

  Zhang Biao's curiosity was piqued by the sudden turn of phrase, and even Li Yuanhong, who had been listening to Xiao Ankou's detailed account beside him, walked over with his ears perked up and asked, "Oh? What great mistake have you made?"

  Seeing that both of them had become curious, Yang Qiu knew that his tough military man's response had taken effect, and he continued to pretend to be serious, saying: "The mistake was too rash, without considering the brothers who followed me into Sichuan. I killed people recklessly, putting them in danger with me. If it weren't for General Zhao's timely capture, which scared them away, perhaps... my brothers would all have been killed by me on our way back."

  "So......" Yang Qiu paused for a moment and deliberately said: "Today I have come specially to ask the adult to punish me."

  "Are you asking for punishment?" Upon hearing this, even Li Yuanhong couldn't help but slightly raise the corner of his mouth, thinking that this kid was indeed cunning. Punishment? It's clear that the imperial court has already bestowed the title of "Zhongyong Batulu", how can there be punishment? Is it going to make Zhang Gongzi offend the imperial court?

  "Hey, this kid!"

  Zhang Biao was also amused in his heart, knowing that this kid was doing it on purpose, but these words sounded quite pleasant to hear, and he couldn't help but feel a little pleased, instead of being annoyed. He narrowed his eyes and asked deliberately: "Since you're so clear about it, then tell me how I should punish him."

  "Your Excellency, according to military regulations, if one's armor gets stuck in a dangerous place, even if they manage to escape, they will still be punished with twenty lashes." Yang said succinctly.

  Yang Qiu's expression didn't seem fake, so Zhang Biao nodded and thought for a moment before suddenly turning his head to Xiang Ankou: "Ankou, you will personally deal with this matter later."

  "Adult... Yang Qiu he."

  "It's settled then." Zhang Biao waved his hand, stopping Xiao Anguo from pleading, but Yang Qiu had already figured it out. This old guy wouldn't let others come and fight, but he would let Xiao Anguo enforce the law - wasn't that just a clear attempt to protect himself?

  Zhang Biao finished speaking and glanced at Li Yuanhong, who nodded slightly and pulled out a memorial from his sleeve, reading: "The eight towns of the Hubei army have heavy loads, Yang Qiu has entered Sichuan with only his body, captured the leader of the bandits, and brought peace to the local area. The killing of the rioters in the streets is a great achievement that will be remembered for generations. He is specially awarded the title of Zhongyong Batulu, and rewarded with a yellow horse cloak and 5,000 taels of silver, to inform the whole world."

  Furthermore, Li Yuanhong, the commander of the 21st Mixed Brigade in Hubei, recommended him. Yang Qiu's patriotic heart can be seen, and he is also well-versed in military tactics. He was specially appointed as the commander of the 42nd Regiment of the Hubei Army Mixed Brigade.

  "Let it be so!"

  After listening to Li Yuanhong's reading of the memorial, let alone Yang Qiu, even Xiao Anguo was directly stunned.

  It's not surprising that Batu and Yin Qian were rewarded, but perhaps Batu was slightly over-rewarded. Five thousand taels is still a bit paltry, but suddenly being promoted to the position of Mixed Corps 42nd Banner Commander is truly beyond expectations!

  He watched Yang Qiu join the army, and it had only been half a year since he put on his uniform. Adding the previous four months of training, he had actually been carrying a gun for less than two months. If you say he has talent, he believes it, but if you say that overnight he became a mixed brigade 42 division commander, this is like asking him to become an admiral overnight, which is absurd.

  Yang Qiu was also stunned by Zhang's words, and the memories left by Old Yang Qiu told him that the Hubei New Army had a total of one town and one cooperation, with the town equivalent to the division in later generations, and the cooperation equivalent to the brigade. The following were divided into flags and battalions, with the flag equivalent to the regiment, and the battalion below was roughly the same as in later generations.

  The 42nd Division belonged to Li Yuanhong's 21st Mixed Brigade, which had a total of two infantry divisions, the 41st and 42nd, plus an artillery regiment, an engineering battalion (equivalent to a company) and a logistics battalion, with a total strength of over 4,600 men.

  From a small soldier to the target of the unified band, there are still three levels in between: platoon leader, company commander and battalion commander. Even if written, it's only promoted by three levels at most, but himself directly promoted four levels...and more.

  What's going on here?!

  Moreover, the 42nd Division looked worse than the 41st Division, but it was originally part of the New Army's 11th Brigade, which means it should have been a division-level unit, so there shouldn't be much difference. Furthermore, the 42nd Division's main camp was even located next to the Hanyang Arsenal! And from a historical perspective, because they were deployed far away from Wuchang's core area, the revolutionary party's infiltration wasn't that severe, with less than seven hundred people directly participating in the uprising within the Mixed Brigade, many of whom only did so out of dissatisfaction with being coerced. On the other hand, Zhang Biao's trusted 8th Brigade had over three thousand people directly participate.

  If it weren't for the 41st Division's commander, Jiang Yiwu, perhaps history wouldn't have written about these two divisions. Of course, that guy fled before the uprising because he was afraid of being caught and became a deserter, and was ridiculed by history, so the 42nd Division also declared acceptance of military government leadership the latest.

  Although the three battalions are currently stationed in Hankou, Yichang and other places, due to the ongoing Sichuan Railway Protection Movement evolving into armed conflict, after 4 battalions of Hubei New Army were dispatched to Sichuan, the 42nd Regiment will be directly deployed to Hankou, Hanyang and Beijing-Hankou Railway!!

  The three towns along the Han River, which have been coveted by domestic adventurers and even foreigners, have all fallen into his hands in a muddled way. What is going on here? If Xiao Anguo is added to this, it's equivalent to having the key to Chu Wangtai as well. Although having the key doesn't mean owning the arsenal, at least he won't have to seize it by force like the rebel troops did.

  The most important thing is, after having these bases, does it mean that the data machine in my arms has finally found a glimmer of use? Or... should I kowtow to General Zhang and General Li, thanking them for their great kindness?!

  Yang Qiu carefully accepted the command knife and badge, his mind buzzing with excitement. This promotion was really too sudden and confusing, but it also made him feel a sense of unease deep down. As a military man from a later generation, he wasn't someone who didn't understand anything. In that era's army, what mattered most were ability and seniority. The former could help you gain the trust of your soldiers, while the latter...he was currently severely lacking in this regard.

  Yang Qiu didn't know that when he took out the 42nd Division's commander position, Li Yuanhong and Zhang Biao also gritted their teeth to speak up. If Rui Cun hadn't come to ask for someone and tried to take advantage of the situation to interfere with military affairs, Yang Qiu wouldn't have gotten this good position even if he had more ability.

  But to say, Zhang Biao and Li Yuanhong are not afraid of Yang Qiu's betrayal. Firstly, Yang Qiu has already offended the party people in Sichuan and become sworn enemies, so it is impossible for them to collude with each other. Secondly, the 21 mixed brigades were all brought out by Li Yuanhong himself, and with Yang Qiu's current qualifications and connections, he cannot shake this mountain.

  In the end, there were more than 4,600 people in the mixed corps, and Yang Qiu's control was less than half of that. The real elite of the new army were all under Zhang Biao's personal command in the eighth town. Under the eyes of a large army of over 10,000, a small banner was trapped in the Han Yang area on the other side of the river from Wuchang City, and any movement would not escape their attention.

  But for Yang Qiu, it was different. He couldn't just sit back and watch as the Wuchang Uprising led to another Yangxia Battle that would destroy the three towns. Especially in Hanyang, where he could make the most of his resources. What should he do?

  Is it possible to destroy the capital? This is impossible, the great righteousness of the nation must still be upheld, but if we don't destroy the capital, when the Beiyang army comes over, can we just sit back and watch as General Feng uses a single fire and a barrage of artillery to destroy Hankou and Hanyang? And then go find another place to slowly farm?!

  "Alas... I don't know if Hanyang can produce T-34s now."

  Yang Qi sighed and left the Governor's Mansion with a difficult expression. At that time, Yang Da was promoted to a high-ranking official and suddenly became the commander of the 42nd Mixed Brigade, and the news began to spread.

  This news may not be as well-known nationwide like Zhongyong Batu, but it has caused a stir in the three towns of Hanjiang. Some people have even analyzed from subtle hints that Yang Qiu is actually the "little seed" of Director Zhang's youthful romance back then, which is why he rose to power so suddenly and rapidly.

  In the Huguang Governor's Office, Rui Ceng fiercely threw down the document and was so angry that he couldn't speak.

  "General, calm down." Rui Fang hastily said: "I heard that Zhang Biao was also unhappy in his heart and ordered Yang Qiu to be beaten with twenty whips for violating military discipline. It seems that he has lost the melon and picked up the sesame seeds this time."

  "Hmph, what's twenty lashes, it's just a scratch. Rui Xuan is not as muddle-headed as Rui Fang, the Huguang Governor's Mansion and the Provincial Military Commander's Mansion are just separated by a few streets, how can anything be hidden from him? So he coldly smiled: "This young master, I'd like to see if you dare come beg me!"

  After finishing speaking, he grabbed the name card on the document and handed it to Rui Fang: "Go, my card is visiting Yang Qiu, and also gather the three town gentry. Say that the governor wants to host a grand celebration for the great hero of the imperial court. I want to see what Zhang Piao can use to block me this time!"

  "Sir, doing this at such a time is probably..."

  "Go and settle it yourself, I have nothing to do with it."

  When Rui Cheng saw that he had made up his mind to resist Zhang Biao, Rui Fang could only pick up the nameplate and walk out of the governor's mansion. As soon as he left the door, Rui Cheng came to the backyard again, calling his trusted advisor Zhang Meisheng: "Go to the warehouse and exchange the silver for the second half of the year to maintain the gun factory in my name into silver tickets. Also, put the salary that should be allocated to Zhang Biao together, from next month on, all tax items will be temporarily stored in the warehouse, and no one is allowed to move it arbitrarily without my order!"

  Zhang Mei Sheng is Rui Cheng's trusted advisor, knowing the difficulties Rui Cheng and Zhang Biao have faced in the new army over the years. He reminded: "Sir, why not store it in a foreign bank? This way, even if Zhang Biao wants to investigate, he won't be able to find anything."

  "State affairs are difficult, this money will be allocated sooner or later. Although it is safe to store it with foreigners, it is inconvenient to retrieve and easy for others to leave a handle for colluding with foreigners." Rui Ceng waved his hand and said hatefully: "Besides, I want him to know where the money is, waiting for him to come and beg me!"