Chapter Fifteen: Unifying the Army

  In busy days, time always passes quickly. Huo Shan's plan is being implemented step by step according to the script written at the beginning.

  The heavy industry that occupies the most important position in Huo Shan's mind is moving forward step by step, taking root and sprouting on the land of Taiwan.

  Taiwan in March and April is at its best time of the year, with lush green trees dotting the rolling hills, creating a picturesque landscape that draws people in irresistibly.

  At this moment, Chen Feng's mood was like this beautiful spring, full of hope and longing. Standing in front of the large floor mirror, wearing a brand new deep green military uniform, he repeatedly smoothed his shoulders with his hands, on which were four-star epaulets of a senior lieutenant. This young man from Fujian deeply felt grateful for the good fortune in his life, if it weren't for the coincidence that led him to join the Ho family's recruitment team at the beginning, he wouldn't have come to this military base, let alone become one of the first batch of officers of the Ho family army.

  "Old Chen, look at your mouth, it's like a lotus flower! A captain battalion commander can make you so happy!"

  He took a glance and this stupid big black Fujian fellow, Chen Feng silently shook his head.

  "Somebody must be jealous that I was assigned to a combat unit, sigh, forgive him for now!"

  "Alas!"

  Yang Chengguang sighed, and also lost the mood to bicker with his comrades. He had been training hard for more than three months from dawn till dusk every day, but unexpectedly he was assigned to the General Staff Headquarters in the end!

  ————

  According to the needs of modern warfare, we will implement a new division of military functions. The Army Headquarters in Taiwan will be divided into four parts: the General Staff Department, the General Political Department, the General Logistics Department, and the General Equipment Department, which will comprehensively lead our army's modernization construction. The heads of the four departments are Heo Shi, Heo Rongguang, Wang Zhengqing, and Li Yunfeng. After the decision of the Military Commission, the four were awarded the rank of lieutenant general! As soon as Ho Shan finished speaking, a loud military song (refer to the People's Liberation Army Song) rose on the vast parade ground, and under the gaze of more than 600,000 people, the four men wearing new-style army uniforms walked solemnly onto the rostrum.

  Watching Huo Shi wearing the 07-style military uniform he designed for the Huo family army, walking solemnly in front of him, saluting seriously after a dignified ceremony, Huo Shan took the golden epaulets and collar badges representing Major General from Lei Zi's tray behind him and handed them over to his hands!

  Fortunately, in these few months, his height has grown rapidly. In front of the tall and majestic Hu Shi, he doesn't look so out of place!

  After a standard military salute, Hu Jintao turned and walked down from the rostrum.

  Looking at the other three headquarters chiefs walking towards him, Huo Shan's heart was truly delighted. Huo Rongguang, Wang Zhengqing and Li Yunfeng had all been members of the Huo family militia since childhood, adopted by the Huo family, although they did not have the same high status as the eighteen Huo Dragons, but also counted as direct descendants of the Huo family. Moreover, after being exposed to Huo Shan's new military theory, they all showed outstanding military talent! In the end, they were also entrusted with important tasks by Huo Shan and became one of the only four lieutenant generals in the first batch of troops!

  This army, called the 'Chinese People's Army' by Huo Shan, also followed the modern military organizational form, dividing the ranks into five categories and sixteen levels: general officer, field officer, company officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier. From lowest to highest, they were: private second class, private first class, lance corporal, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, warrant officer, junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant, junior captain, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, senior colonel, brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general and general.

  To save time, Huo Shan, as the chief instructor, only promoted officers above the regimental level. The remaining soldiers' ranks were directly distributed and awarded by their direct superiors in their respective units.

  So the ceremony went very quickly, and within an hour, more than 20,000 soldiers were dressed in brand new uniforms, sitting neatly below the stage, looking solemnly at the young man who had instructed them for three months and molded them into qualified soldiers.

  "Soldiers, from the day you arrived at this training ground to today's formal establishment of our army, three months have passed! During these three months, you have worked hard, rising early and retiring late, through continuous rigorous training. Today, you have finally become a qualified soldier. From now on, you will no longer be farmers, beggars, or servants, but revolutionaries who take up arms to overthrow the Qing government and liberate the people of our nation! We are living in an era of great turmoil, with the guns and warships of Western powers pressing against the throat of our nation. The fate of our country depends on every son and daughter of the Chinese people! Today's arduous training is for a better life for our families tomorrow, for the free growth of our children, for our nation to be free from oppression, and for our overseas Chinese compatriots to gain true equality, rather than being slaughtered like pigs and dogs! Soldiers, please raise your right hand with me and take an oath: 'I pledge to be a glorious soldier of the Chinese People's Army, to fight for the great cause of overthrowing the Qing government and liberating the people of our nation for life!' At this moment, the passionate and determined cries of 60,000 people merged into a mighty torrent, echoing through the mountains and valleys, resounding throughout China's skies. This moment will also mark a great turning point in world history!"

  "Madam, young master has grown up!" Fu Bo said with a smile as he looked at the figure holding his right hand high and shouting loudly.

  "Yes, ma'am, I didn't expect the young master to be so outstanding. Now even we feel our blood boiling with excitement! It's really regrettable that we didn't come back to participate in the young master's training!" said Huo Long, his face full of admiration and envy, his robust physique evident.

  "Yes indeed, madam! The young master is really too impressive!"

  "It's really enviable! When can I, Huo Tian, be so majestic too!"

  Listening to the whispers behind her, the woman's pride was beyond words. At this moment, she finally felt at ease, handing over the family business entirely to her son, because he was truly excellent!

  Because today's matter is too important, so except for the two brothers He Yu and He Zhuo who are supervising the manufacturing of mechanical equipment ordered in Europe, the remaining eighteen Iron Guards have all returned to the He family mansion in Taipei. In addition to letting them witness the inauguration ceremony of the He Family Army, He Shan also has a new task for them.

  Time flies when you're having fun, and before I knew it, it was already evening. Because of today's special occasion, all the soldiers in the military camp were allowed to take a day off.

  Watching the seniors wearing crisp military uniforms, looking majestic and dignified! Can't help but make those new recruits who are still in training drool with envy. The novel design of the military uniform from later generations makes the big-headed soldiers who are used to wearing long gowns and horse jackets wish they could put on a set immediately!

  ——————

  "I have gathered you all here today to assign new combat tasks. Although our troops have been trained for three months, our soldiers have not really fought in a war and seen blood! They have no experience of war at all, so they are not truly elite land forces yet. Therefore, we must temper our army through war! Of course, it is not the time for us to engage in direct combat with the Qing government now, as our current strength is still too weak. So, we need to adopt a new way of fighting."

  After a pause, he swept his eyes over the crowd and continued: "Enemy rear infiltration, also known as guerrilla warfare! We will enter the enemy's rear, avoid the large cities where the enemy is stationed, occupy towns and villages, overthrow local tyrants and distribute land, win the support of the local people! Spread our revolutionary slogans and through the 'speak bitterness movement' stir up the courage and enthusiasm of the local masses to defend their homes, expand our army! Continuously expand our occupied areas, lay the foundation for the final revolutionary victory.

  "Sir, may I ask a question?"

  "What's going on?"

  "The Qing government's army doesn't need me to say it, everyone knows what they are like. Embezzling military pay, smoking opium and other bad habits have already corrupted the current Qing army! Even if we only equip our land army with rifles now, we can easily defeat them, why do we still need to adopt guerrilla warfare?"

  Looking at the stubborn young man in front of him, Huo Shan smiled and said: "If I remember correctly, your name is Wei Qiyun, right?"

  "Yes, sir! Cadet Wei Qiyun is a soldier you personally recruited!"

  "Alright, sit down!" He scanned the over a hundred high-ranking military officers sitting below the stage. Huo Shan smiled and said: "You are all personally trained by me, even if you haven't been on the battlefield, I have no doubt about your combat effectiveness! However, as a true high-ranking officer, what you should consider is not just how to fight, but also comprehensive factors such as military, politics, technology, etc. to consider how to conduct a war! How to fight? How many troops to mobilize? How to achieve victory with the smallest cost? These are the problems that you high-ranking officers should think about! War is not child's play, it's deadly! Take our war with the Qing dynasty for example! Their army is indeed as Wei Qiyun said, very clumsy, we can easily defeat them. But have you considered how we can occupy over a thousand square kilometers of vast territory with only 20,000 land troops? How to defend against those Western wolves eyeing China?! Maybe you'll say we can expand our military, but an untrained army is no different from a group of farmers! Moreover, war requires money: rifles, bullets, hand grenades, and the artillery and soldiers' salaries we're going to equip. Where will all this money come from? A single Huo family cannot support the national defense needs of a vast country! I know you've been in the military for too short a time, and you've only received three months of training on new military theories. It's understandable that you haven't thought about these strategic-level things. I can give you time to grow, but I hope this time won't be too long."