Chapter Sixteen: Wen's Hint

  The riverbank had just a hint of dawn, and Yang Qiu, who had been lying in bed for two days nursing his "wounds", accidentally became the "troublemaker" again. He put on his clothes and walked out of the dormitory to clear his mind at the school playground.

  Less than a month after the finger was injured, his arms, buttocks and back were all glorious. What kind of thing is this? Adding to the fate and future are all blurry, like the mist rising from the Han River at this moment, making it hard for him to see the future, so he always feels like something is stuck in his heart and it's hard to bear.

  Of course, it's not all chaos, because as soon as tonight's banquet is over, he will officially take office as the commander of the 42nd Mixed Brigade, with three infantry regiments under his command, each with more than 500 people, equivalent to a division in later generations.

  Can he control this team, it is his greatest test after crossing over.

  If he had just arrived, he would have been full of confidence, but after contacting Zhang Biao twice and roughly understanding the current situation in the army from Xiao Anguo and others, his confidence was rapidly disappearing.

  Currently, the only thing that can be confirmed is that there is a group called Yizhi Society and Gongjin Hui with very deep connections to the 42nd banner. The number of people involved is not large, approximately in the teens, but their influence runs deep. They often use helping soldiers in difficulty and teaching everyone to read and write as an excuse to spread new ideas, so many soldiers have contact with them. In addition to this, there are about 50 flag officers and soldiers within the three battalions who are also involved. These two forces currently view each other as enemies and are their own biggest obstacle.

  After clearing up the internal obstacles, the outside is also chaotic. Zhang Biao and Li Yuanhong are both old foxes. They can't hide the unstable situation in the army from them. Their own rapid promotion with Xiao Anguo seems absurd, but they have a deep connection with them quietly pushing hands.

  The army purge is a double-edged sword in any era, whether it's Zhang Biao or Li Yuanhong, they don't dare to make a move easily now, for fear of triggering a large-scale soldier mutiny, so they need an excuse the most!

  It just so happened that he himself appeared, so he simply stood up in front of the revolutionary party. As long as he and the revolutionary party made a fuss, they could use the name of assassinating government officials to purge him, and finally reap the benefits of the fishermen.

  Good abacus!

  Apart from these two powerful men, that old fellow Rui Cun must also have his own plans. The Zongshang Party is his backing, and in the late Qing dynasty, there was a saying "Bei Yuan Nan Zhang", referring to the actual controllers of the two major new armies in the north and south.

  Yuan Shikai was forced to retire by the Royalist Party, and naturally they wanted to bring down Zhang Bing as well, only in this way could they control the two strongest armed forces at home and eliminate internal threats.

  How annoying.

  Yang Qiuyue's thoughts were getting more and more chaotic, she raised her thumb and rubbed her temples hard. Transmigration, especially transmigrating into a chaotic army with various forces intervening, was indeed a life-and-death business that required one to risk their neck.

  He hadn't walked many steps when he saw a familiar, slender figure hurrying through the camp gate, footsteps quick as if on urgent business. He hastily went over and called out: "Bingwen."

  Bowing his head, with a somewhat flustered expression, Bingwen was startled, and upon seeing Yang Qiu, he became even more flustered, hastily saying: "Big Brother Yang, so early... why aren't you resting in bed for a while?"

  "Can't sleep, just came out for a walk." Yang Qiu said while carefully examining Wenwen, noticing that his clothes were torn by something, and there were mud stains on his knees and elbows, looking very much like he had hastily escaped from a fight. His heart suddenly became suspicious, and he asked:

  "Did you go out last night?"

  When he saw Yang Qiu staring at him, Bingwen hurriedly lowered his head and quietly covered the torn clothes with his right hand, saying: "A fellow villager came to Hankou and ended up drinking a few more cups."

  Yang Qiu slightly furrowed his brow, he knew that Bingwen rarely drank and was very disciplined in the camp, and wouldn't leave without a big deal. Seeing him looking flustered and disheveled, he hastily asked: "Bingwen, is something wrong?"

  "It's nothing, just drank too much and my head hurts a bit. When I came back, I fell on the ground and tore my clothes, which is my last new set of clothes." Bingwen seemed to dare not look into Yang Qiu's eyes, dryly laughed twice before wanting to return to camp, but after walking two steps, he suddenly stopped and turned his head to ask: "I heard Big Brother Ma say that you guys are going to the Governor's place for a banquet tonight?"

  "Ah, what a load of nonsense."

  "Yang, be careful." Bingwen said nervously: "I heard what you, Ma and Xiao said that day. You were right, when the country is in chaos, the people will suffer."

  "But if we don't overthrow... the country will become even more chaotic, and when will the people ever have a chance to rise up? So I've always wanted to ask you something, do you really dislike the Communist Party that much?" Bingwen hesitated for a moment before bravely speaking his mind.

  When he spoke, his face turned bitter. Yang Qiu also knew that it had been tough for this little guy who sympathized with the revolution during this period. At this age, he was confused and easily incited. On one hand, there was himself, who had saved his life but was getting further and further away from the party people. On the other hand, there were the highly provocative revolutionary thoughts. The conflict and confusion in between could be imagined. He could only comfort him by saying: "I don't like the Manchu rulers either. If I have a chance, I'd like to overthrow them myself."

  So I admire those heroes who dare to take the first step, because changing dynasties is a historical inevitability. The Qing court has no virtue and naturally should abdicate and yield to others. But remember one thing, as military men, even if we can't protect the country, we must protect our homes and be worthy of the common people who raise us. So let them make trouble if they want, I won't stop or destroy it, but if they cause the people to suffer, don't blame me for being impolite!

  "Thank you for your advice, Brother Yang." Bingwen nodded and gritted his teeth to say again: "It's chaotic outside now, you... must be careful when attending the banquet yourself."

  "I know." Yang Qiu didn't continue to ask, smiled and nodded, then walked towards the playground. Behind him, Bingwen looked at his back, gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, heading towards the barracks.

  Watching Benwen's back being gradually shrouded in mist, Yang Qiu's face changed slightly. Although this little guy didn't say anything for some reason, his clothes were torn as if he had been beaten, and he reminded himself to be careful twice, making him feel a bit uneasy!

  Although everything seemed calm after returning to Wuchang, the hatred between himself and those people was temporarily irreconcilable, even to the point of life and death. The new army had many radical soldiers, if not for being in the logistics camp at this moment, perhaps someone would have come to kill him already.

  "Hmm."

  The faintly felt danger instead ignited a strong desire to fight in Yang Qiu's heart. In his view, it was not surprising that some improper means were used to expand oneself in this chaotic era, but as a political party, starting to use assassination as a regular means of operation, what is the difference between this and the underworld of later generations? What virtue does such a person have to lead the heroes and revive China?!