Chapter 55: The Day of Rise (10)

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  When Song Zi Qing arrived at the riverbank, it was already a situation of preparing for a major enemy attack. The newly captured Hotchkiss machine guns were carried to high positions by soldiers, and 10 Jiangnan-made Krupp 75mm field guns were deployed behind warehouses and fences. All the shells had been loaded, and the infantrymen were all hiding in place waiting for the fierce bombardment of the warship's cannons.

  In a warehouse along the river, Yue Peng was assigning tasks to the officers beside him while scolding: "What are you saying Chen De Long is doing? Not going to fight Wu Chang, but coming here to do what?"

  "Could it be that they've discovered our movements and are rushing over to suppress us?"

  "It's definitely a discovery." At this time, Song Ziqing had already walked to the side and took over Zhang Wenjing's words, analyzing: "But he abandoned Wuchang and came to Hankou. In my opinion, there are only two possibilities."

  "Wuchang is already finished." Yue Peng nodded and said: "Relying on three gunboats can't continue to support, so it's better to come to Hankou to fire a few shots, also to avoid being blamed by the superiors for not resisting strongly. Secondly, it may be..."

  Song Ziqing and Yue Peng went to study at the German Army Academy together, and after returning home, they served in a unit, so they were very compatible. After glancing at the mast light of the warship on the river, he continued: "Rui Cheng or Zhang Biao is on the ship, seeing that Wuchang cannot be defended, preparing to come to Hankou to continue defending."

  "You two are indeed on the same wavelength." Zhang Wenjing blinked his eyes and smiled mischievously: "If it's the second one, I suggest we don't fight for now, pretend to welcome them and then take control of them in one move, that way our soldiers won't get hurt."

  "It's a good idea," said Yue Peng, taking the binoculars from the officer. As soon as he adjusted the lenses to focus on the frontmost Chu Yu ship, his mouth suddenly dropped open and his eyes widened in shock, staring at the familiar figure whose brain had already gone numb.

  Seeing his strange appearance, Zhang Wenjing was also startled and raised the telescope to take a closer look. After that, he was stiff all over and couldn't describe it. It was as if what was in front of him wasn't a dangerous warship, but rather Guishan had transformed back into the old turtle from myth, standing up and swinging its tail at him.

  Song Ziqing was even more confused and hastily pulled Yue Peng to ask: "What's wrong?"

  Yue Peng finally reacted, his mouth suddenly drooping as he pointed at the warship outside the window and said: "You see for yourself." After finishing speaking, he stuffed the telescope into Song Ziqing's arms. Song Ziqing didn't dare to delay, but after seeing clearly, he was also stunned, and only stuttered after a long while: "Th...this, your commander is actually which immortal?"

  General Zhang led a fleet to Wuchang and captured Rui Cheng, also seizing the three warships that posed the greatest threat to Hankou.

  The news spread like a whirlwind in the Second and Third Camps, and soon even Hanyang on the opposite side knew about it. Everyone was both excited and incredulous that with just over a dozen guns, they had charged into the chaotic battlefield of Wuchang City, where cannon fire was flying everywhere, and caught Rui Ceng without firing a single shot! They also brought back Chen Delong and three naval gunboats, eliminating the greatest threat to Hankou and Hanyang!

  Is this possible? Rui Cheng may be a bit naive, but Chen De Long is not a simpleton! Let's not mention how difficult it would be to catch him in the chaos without alarming outsiders, just finding him would probably worry everyone to death! But look at General Biao Tong, he came and went in less than two hours and solved the problem that the party had been struggling with for years and still hadn't resolved! The soldiers have been spreading rumors, exaggerating to the point where Yang Qiu has become a god, able to capture people from thin air!

  At this moment, Yang Qiu was already seated inside the Second Battalion Command Center. Besides Yue Peng and Zhang Wenjing, Hang Zhi and Song Ziqing also sat down. Hang Zhi was a defected military officer, while Song Ziqing was finally persuaded to stay by Yue Peng and Zhang Wenjing. As for this young lieutenant who had similar experiences with Yue Peng, Yang Qiu also valued him highly and immediately appointed him as the first lieutenant of the 42nd Regiment.

  Rui Cheng and Chen De Long were temporarily detained in Hanyang, while the command of the three gunboats was temporarily handed over to Wang Guangxiong, the captain of the Chuqian ship who had defected. However, since he was new, Bi Wen led dozens of soldiers to temporarily take up residence, which Wang Guangxiong did not object to. In the end, due to a lack of supplies in Hankou, it was decided that the three ships would return to Hanyang first to replenish their supplies, as there were armories and other facilities available there.

  "Sir, this is the list that General Xiao has initially compiled." Zhang Wenjing handed a list to Yang Qiu, who knew exactly what it was and immediately unfolded it to take a look.

  According to Xiao Anguo's statistics, a total of 35 million was dug up on this side of Hankou. Among them, the Jin Liangui- controlled General Chamber of Commerce had 15 million in cash, other types of silver tickets and paper currency were 20 million, Hanyang was 6 million, and he had 24 million in his pocket. Adding to that, Shen Shukai's side had nearly 80 million, which temporarily relieved him from worrying about being financially strangled after the event.

  Not to mention equipment, just maintaining a town (regiment) every month including training military expenses and so on would roughly need 200,000. If all the money in hand is converted into pounds, it's not even enough to build a dreadnought battleship. Alas, still poor!

  "The independent regiment has taken control of the arsenal, and also made a probe at the steel plant, but the Japanese have more influence there, so Su Xiaohu only took control of a batch of finished materials in the name of military control. Hanyang and Hankou are now basically under control, and the ammunition supply you've been worried about has been temporarily resolved."

  "Found the arsenal?" As soon as he heard this news, Yang Qiu immediately perked up his ears. He had been worried about the military supplies for a long time. Yue Peng saw him and smiled: "Actually, it's right under our noses at the Guishan Battery. That place was originally the Jiangfang Camp's arsenal. We thought there were only cannonballs stored by the Jiangfang Camp, but it turns out that Rui Cheng and Zhang Biao secretly hid the output of the gun factory inside."

  "Ji Fu-cheng has already led people to count, roughly statistics show that there are 7,000 Han Yang-made guns, more than 10,000 rounds of various types of shells, and about 5,000 boxes of bullets. In addition, eight Type 75 field artillery pieces, 36 Type 57 mountain artillery pieces were also found inside. Adding the ones here, we have a total of 18 75mm mountain artillery pieces, 36 57mm mountain artillery pieces, and 4 Hotchkiss machine guns." Zhang Wen-jing handed over the list of military equipment he had made to Yang Qiu.

  "18 Krupp field guns can form a specialized artillery battalion according to the Beiyang system, 36 57mm mountain guns are not as good as assigning them to the Guishan battery, it's best to set up another temporary battery on the west side, so that the two batteries can completely protect Hankou and cover more than half of the Hanyang and Wuchang areas. In addition, we currently have 5 battalions and 3 companies, after dawn, send all prisoners to Hanyang for reorganization, plus the surrendered soldiers, it is estimated that 2 more battalions can be formed, so with the artillery battalion and logistics battalion, there will be 8 battalions. The current guns and ammunition are sufficient, but lacking in heavy firepower, especially machine guns......"

  "What about Shen Shukai?" As soon as he thought of the machine gun, Yang Qiu felt a surge of hatred. Zhang Wenjing immediately said: "I was afraid of trouble before, so I temporarily brought those things back to Hanyang together."

  Yue Peng's expansion plan was roughly what he had thought of, and after some thought, he immediately said: "The expansion will follow Yue Peng's plan, the logistics camp will be independent, and the newly established artillery camp and independent camp will all be reorganized into two regiments......"

  "Regiment? Sir, you are... thinking of changing the military system!" Before he could finish speaking, Yue Peng immediately caught a glimpse of his words, and Yang Qiu did not hide it: "Since you studied at the German Army Academy, you should know that this is an inevitable thing. For some things, we should put down our mentality and keep pace with Europe and America."

  "What the adults said is not bad, the German army's organization is the most perfect, and Beiyang has been imitating it all along. I think it's time for us to change too." Song Ziqing, who also studied abroad, agreed with the reform.

  "The battalion was reorganized into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, companies, platoons and squads. The division and brigade were initially equal, with the regiment starting first. Each regiment had three infantry battalions and one artillery battalion, plus a logistics company and an instructional company composed of officers and excellent soldiers. Each battalion was further divided into three companies and nine squads. Also, the machine guns that Shen Shu-kai bought for me must still be in his hands, otherwise he wouldn't dare to return to Hanyang. After getting this batch of machine guns, each infantry company will be equipped with one heavy machine gun and two light machine guns."

  Yang Qiu roughly said how to change it, and the four of them also thought it could be implemented. The only problem was that they were still short of an artillery battalion, but this matter couldn't be rushed. Instead, another thing made him headache: "The current problem is that our 42nd Division and Hang Zhi's troops are all infantry, and the army originally lacked qualified artillerymen... just a few guns."

  These words also furrowed the brows of the four, surrendering soldiers can be reorganized as long as they have a military foundation, and after being dispersed and integrated into various camps, their combat effectiveness can basically be guaranteed. However, officers cannot be trained in a short period of time, and since the main force of the new army is all in Wuchang, Hanyang and Hankou are basically blank points, it's very difficult to pull together enough officers to support two regiments at once.

  If there are no suitable officers, the larger the troops expand, the more cumbersome they become. Yue Peng and Zhang Wenjing also understand this point very well, but currently, they don't have many methods either. It was Song Ziqing who thought for a moment and said: "Sir, at present, Wuchang is in chaos, I had already understood some things before crossing the river, most of those involved are soldiers, and the actual number of military officers participating is not many. I think we can think of ways to recruit them. At this time of chaotic situation, sir has raised the flag on this side, I think some people will still be willing to come over."

  After finishing speaking, he volunteered: "No one knows about my coming here, and going back won't arouse suspicion. If the master believes me, Ziqing is willing to go back once."

  "This method is good, but will they come? I'm here......" Yang Qiu smiled and said: "The temple gate is not as bright as the party people."

  "The adults are joking, you've invited Hu Rui-lin, not to invite him to dinner, with his reputation, the gentry from both sides will definitely follow. Once those notices are posted, you'll be the hero who overthrew the Qing and killed the Tartars. If the newspapers can publicize it a bit, won't the temporary military government of the two towns be established? Zhang Wenjing saw the pre-printed notices and knew that Yang Qiu had already made preparations, continuing to laugh: "At that time, unless they come to surrender, the Guangzhao fleet will make them headache."

  "Great, I see you write well and made a detailed list. Next time, let's make you the logistics chief." Yang Qiu picked up Zhang Wenjing's list and joked, causing the other three to burst out laughing.

  Zhang Wenjing himself was not so embarrassed, he was not very enthusiastic about fighting, nor did he have the talent of Yue Peng and Song Ziqing, and since he had always been a secretary officer, he was indeed the most suitable candidate for logistics chief, smiling: "Sir, are you going to keep your promise?"

  "Of course, but... you first think of a way to get the steel plant and Han Ye Ping into my pocket before we talk."

  "Ah!"

  Haha......

  After a few jokes, Zhang Wenjing, Yue Peng and Song Ziqing immediately took action, drafting a list of military officers who needed to be persuaded, and even Lian Hangzhi submitted several candidates. As the three were all young and promising in the army, they had great prestige among young officers and knew that Yang Qiu's set was more acceptable to young people, so they mainly targeted those idealistic and pragmatic young grassroots officers, with Song Ziqing as the persuader, and for safety, a few soldiers were also assigned to protect them.

  After finishing all the busy things, a stubborn golden red had already appeared on the horizon.

  Yang Qiu slowly walked to the window, with several gazes closely following behind him. It was only at this moment that everyone realized what they had done in the past day! From the early morning of October 9th when the guns were inspected until now, in Yangxia... a figure was rising quietly amidst the dazzling sunlight, avoiding the most chaotic Wuchang!