Chapter 62

  Chen Ke had no horse riding experience, although not to the extent of being crooked on a horseback like in TV dramas. Chen Ke himself even felt that he could "to some extent" master horse riding, but discerning people could see from those subtle actions that Chen Ke was basically a rookie with great potential for cavalry development.

  A few days ago, after intense rehearsals, the military march "The New Northern Army Advances" finally achieved a phased success. "Two Old Tigers" was thoroughly completed. Bo Guanshui led the military band to skillfully perform the adapted "Two Old Tigers", receiving approval from the top leaders. Then Bo Guanshui took the team to participate in the "Hejian Autumn Exercise". Chen Ke requested to go together, and Bo Guanshui boldly took the initiative to bring Chen Ke, as well as Chen Tianhua, Wu Xingchen, and others like Pang Zi along with him.

  Now, everyone has finished observing the Hejian Autumn Maneuvers and is on their way back to Beijing.

  Everyone was walking slowly, with Chen Ke and Bo Guan Shui in the front. The other seven people were far behind. Without turning his head, Chen Ke could imagine the look on Pang Zi's face. According to historical records, it is said that there was a young rascal in the State of Yan named Qin Wuyang. In Sima Qian's "Biographies of Assassins", it is written: "In the state of Yan, there was a brave warrior named Qin Wuyang, who at the age of 12 killed someone and no one dared to offend him." This brave warrior, who could intimidate people with just his gaze, after seeing the majestic Qin court, became pale and fearful, so much so that the other officials were shocked. Jing Ke had to hastily explain: "He is a rustic man from the northern border, never having seen the Son of Heaven before, hence he is trembling with fear."

  According to Sima Qian's records, Qin Wuyang was definitely not able to get close to the King of Qin. If Qin Wuyang could have been of help, although it would not have changed the fate of the State of Yan, the "terrorist act" would have definitely changed the fate of the First Emperor of Qin, Ying Zheng.

  Most of the people in the Hejian drill grounds waited for less than two days, and now it seems that Pang Zi and most of the good men from Shandong are quite close to Qin Wuyang. The military band went to the barracks first, and when Pang Zi saw the continuous rows of houses, he felt uneasy all over. More than 20,000 new troops were stationed several miles away. Patrol scouts appeared from time to time around them, with a somewhat strict and stern atmosphere.

  One of the hosts of this exercise was Wang Shizhen, one of the "Northern Three Heroes". Bo Guanzhong had a high opinion of him, thinking he was an officer who truly understood modern military affairs. Chen Ke felt that at present, Wang Shizhen's military level was definitely above his own. However, since they were going to start a rebellion in 1905, they would inevitably have dealings with this Wang Shizhen later on. He asked Bo Guanzhong to tell him what made Wang Shizhen so formidable. After all, being young and impetuous, Bo Guanzhong didn't praise this "Dragon of the North" too much. He simply said that this man had meticulous thinking, considering both major and minor matters, somewhat like Zhuge Wu Hou.

  After handing over the military band, Chen Kerang asked with interest: "So, Brother Bu, what do you think is lacking in Wang's approach to building the army?"

  "Follow me." Bo Guanzhong had been chatting with Chen Ke for days and knew that Chen Ke was indeed a man of real talent. He led Chen Ke into a large tent, the light inside wasn't too bright, but the military bed was still quite tidy. In the position where a Taishi chair would be placed in a house, there was a memorial tablet. Chen Ke took a closer look and found it to be Yuan Shikai's "Long Life and Good Fortune" tablet.

  "Is this all there is to the barracks?"

  Chen Keming knew the reason and asked.

  "How is it possible that every battalion has one? The Beiyang Army is now the private army of President Yuan, and not a regular army at all. Everyone risks their lives to train hard, but it's just for the sake of promotion and wealth. If the New Army of the Northern Ocean continues like this, how can they defeat foreign troops?"

  "I see the Beiyang Army is quite vigorous." Chen Ke laughed and said.

  "Bohemian is joking again." Bo Guanzhong and Chen Ke had known each other for less than ten days, but he was very clear that Chen Ke's words were not sincere. "My current evaluation of the Beiyang Army can be summed up in two words - decline."

  The Beiyang Army, which was considered to be "out of date" by Bo Guanshui, had already intimidated Pang Ze and other good men. Bo Guanshui secretly took Chen Ke and others to watch the drill. On a small hill, they could vaguely see the distant galloping horses and long military formations. Chen Ke didn't have much feeling, but after using Bo Guanshui's binoculars to take a look, it was much better than the modern "queue for execution". However, he caught sight of several straight trenches that stretched almost to the horizon. Chen Ke was speechless, and he didn't know if this was because the Beiyang Army thought it was too troublesome during exercises and didn't want to dig according to the modern trench pattern, or if the Beiyang Army was simply at this level.

  Hand the telescope to Pang Zi, Chen Ke asked Bu Guan Shui, "The trenches are dug so straight, aren't you afraid that a real war will break out and shells will fall in, blowing up many people at once?"

  "Do you think so too?" Bu Guanzhen asked excitedly.

  "Europe has always attached importance to artillery, and now it seems that the density of artillery will inevitably reach an unprecedented level in the near future. During the Franco-Prussian War, troops still relied on mobility. At that time, the fire coverage density of artillery was not high. Now military equipment is changing with each passing day, and soldiers' charges must be made under several times, dozens of times, or even hundreds of times the density of artillery fire coverage. Digging trenches like this is simply child's play."

  "It's not just artillery, there are many changes." Hearing Chen Ke talk about military affairs all night, Bu Guan felt like he had found a kindred spirit.

  "Are you referring to the Maxim heavy machine gun?" Chen Ke asked with a smile.

  "It's no wonder that you've studied in both Europe and the US." Bo Guanshui praised, "I once told Wen Qing, when I was in the Beiyang Army, I wasn't given any important tasks, just translating foreign military works. So, with nothing to do, I designed some tactics myself. The rear had long-range artillery, the front line had artillery units. With the firepower of the numerous Vickers machine guns on the trenches, no matter how many infantry charge forward, they'll all be killed. Even cavalry charges won't have an advantage."

  "Cavalry group charge?" Chen Ke couldn't help but laugh when he heard this phrase.

  "What? Did I say something wrong?" asked Bo Guanshui.

  Chen Ke knew that during World War I, Russia had once tried a cavalry charge against the German and Austrian armies. It ended up being a huge joke. He laughed and said: "I just think what Brother Bo said is very right. I don't even need infantry to defend, as long as I set up a large depth formation, with layers of heavy machine gun firepower points. Let the cavalry charge in, and use artillery to block the follow-up infantry. Heavy machine guns against cavalry, that's just a massacre."

  "Brother Wenqing, you really haven't attended a military school?"

  "Some of my friends are from military academies and when we drink together, everyone also discusses these things. Listening to them tell me about these things, I think it's very true."

  "Are they Chinese?" Bo Guanshui asked excitedly.

  "Foreigner."

  After hearing Chen Ke's words, Bu Guan let out a disappointed sigh.

  Listening to Chen Ke and others talking about military affairs, Pang Zi's face turned iron-green as he watched the Beiyang Army's exercises below. At this time, the binoculars had been snatched away by Wu Xingchen. He muttered in a low voice, "Enemy advances, I retreat...", but after muttering just a few words, he felt a severe pain in his lower back and turned to see Wu Xingchen glaring at him angrily. The punch was from Wu Xingchen. Before coming to watch the exercise, Chen Ke had talked about the essence of guerrilla warfare - "Sixteen-character formula".

  Pang Zi had fought against the Beiyang Army before, and he was well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. He thought back to the days when thousands or even tens of thousands of people were killed by the Beiyang Army, leaving only a few scattered survivors. Now, as he gazed through his binoculars at the armed and disciplined troops, he felt his entire body stiffen with fear. In the distance, he could see the faint outlines of artillery positions, and Pang Zi's heart sank. He knew that back then, even with so many people, they had been unable to defeat the Beiyang Army. Now, without even having a chance to assemble his troops, he was no match for them at all. Just seeing these scenes made him feel an icy chill in his chest, and his breathing became labored.

  But Pang Zi was such a person, knowing that he couldn't win the fight, but refusing to admit defeat. When he heard Bo Guanshui talking about military affairs, he couldn't help but bring up Chen Ke's lessons, trying to boost his own confidence. Fortunately, Wu Xingchen had been keeping an eye on Pang Zi and others under Chen Ke's instructions. As soon as he saw Pang Zi start spouting nonsense, Wu Xingchen immediately stepped in to stop him.

  Perhaps after seeing so many people, Pang Zi looked at Wu Xingchen again and didn't think he was that scary. He glared and pouted, wanting to argue. Wu Xingchen didn't say much, but continued to observe the Beiyang Army with his binoculars. Pang Zi had some basic sanity after all, and didn't continue speaking.

  "So, Brother Bo arrived in Anhui, but how do you plan to train the new army of Anhui? It's not like here, the Beiyang Army is equipped with new equipment, and the new army of Anhui may not even have Hanyang-made guns, let alone artillery." Chen Ke asked. Bo Guanshui had told Chen Ke that he was about to be transferred to the new army of Anhui as an officer. The documents had already been issued, and this military parade task was his last mission in the Beiyang Army.

  "It's got to rely on infantry tactics then. I've been thinking, facing such firepower, how should the infantry launch a flexible attack? If it's a head-on battle, there's definitely no future." Bu Guanshui sighed.

  "The technique of Qi cannot be used to meet the bravery of Wei's soldiers; the bravery of Wei's soldiers cannot be used to meet the sharpness of Qin's soldiers; the sharpness of Qin's soldiers cannot be used to withstand the discipline of Huan Wen; the discipline of Huan Wen cannot be used to contend with the benevolence and righteousness of Tang and Wu." Chen Ke replied. This was not a boastful remark from Chen Ke, for when he was very young, he had also fantasized about possessing unparalleled martial arts skills, using special forces equipment to slaughter invaders. At that time, Chen Ke had even seriously calculated how long it would take him alone to kill an enemy infantry regiment. Later on, he had also fantasized about being a top sniper, displaying his prowess on the battlefield and killing people as easily as taking things out of his pocket.

  But with age and knowledge, Chen Ke knew that was just his own beautiful fantasy. An individual's power is nothing compared to the power of an organization. After all, the political system is the most important thing.

  This is the content of Xunzi's "Discussion on Military Affairs". Bo Guan read it. He saw Chen Ke's serious expression and couldn't help but laugh. "Wen Qing, I'm not someone who uses Western learning to deceive people."

  "Now those so-called Western studies, this 'middle way', is nothing but loyalty to the existing imperial system. That won't do. But our great Chinese civilization isn't just a trivial matter like that of the Manchu Qing dynasty. Brother Bo, don't make a mistake."

  Although Bo Guanshui is also considered a government official, he has witnessed many humiliating events during the Qing dynasty and studied at a military academy abroad. After returning to China, he thought of himself as not being muddled and refused to pledge allegiance to Yuan Shikai personally, making him very uncomfortable in the Beiyang Army. He didn't have any personal grudges against the Qing dynasty, but his loyalty was basically non-existent. Upon hearing Chen Ke's words, Bo Guanshui nodded in agreement. "I wonder if the ancient sages could rise from the ground and save China."

  Chen Tianhua listened to the two discussing military affairs, but couldn't chime in. He didn't want to compete with other heroes for the telescope. At this moment, he remembered Chen Ke's suggestion to build a glass factory at school. If the glass factory was built, it would be possible to produce telescopes. Marching and fighting without a telescope would be too inconvenient. Although Chen Tianhua had his own ideas about military affairs, Bo Guan Shui, as a German military academy student, and Chen Ke, as a 21st-century messenger, had far more knowledge than him. Their conversation was brief and to the point because they could both understand each other. To Chen Tianhua, it sounded like clouds and fog, completely incomprehensible. When the two talked about politics, Chen Tianhua couldn't help but interrupt, "Brother Bo, since today's world is not the prosperous era that our predecessors hoped for, why don't we build one ourselves? You are both literary and martial, why be so pessimistic?"

  Upon hearing this, Bo Guan turned his head around. Although he had become increasingly close to Chen Ke, he hadn't really interacted with Chen Tianhua and the others. At least they had all exchanged names, so he smiled and said: "Xing Tai has spoken correctly. I've only stayed overseas, I know the difference between Europe and China. Seeing that the imperial court is not thinking of advancing, I let out this sigh."

  "Has Brother Bu read the book of Wen Qing?" Chen Tianhua asked.

  "Are there still books on literary youth?" Bo Guan Shui was very interested.

  "A humble opinion of mine. When we return to Beijing, I'll give Brother Bo a set." Chen Ke replied.

  "Then wait and see when we return to Beijing."

  Just as they were talking, two horses rushed up from the mountain, and it was two scouts. The two men quickly arrived in front of everyone, and after seeing the military uniform of Bo Guan Shui, the scouts didn't dare to speak either.

  Bo Guan knew that this group of people watching here must have been noticed. He shouted to the two scouts: "We'll be down soon, you go back first."

  "What should we call the commander-in-chief? We'd better go back and report." The scout asked somewhat timidly, but since he had come up himself, there was no way to explain if he didn't ask clearly.

  "Bohemian brother, you go down the mountain first and wait for me. I'll go with them for a while and come back." After finishing speaking, Bu Guanshui got on his horse and rushed towards the foot of the mountain. The two scouts followed Bu Guanshui.

  Pang Zi and others also wanted to ride horses. Chen Ke shouted: "Lead the horse down the mountain." After finishing speaking, he himself took the lead in implementing this order.

  "Wen Qing, are you ready to pull this Bo brother into the party?" Chen Tianhua asked as he followed over.

  "I have this intention. But such things can't be too hasty."

  Just as they were talking, Wu Xingchen also came over and asked, "Wen Qing, since we are going to Anhui, this Brother Bu is also going to Anhui. Could it be fate?"

  "Heaven's will is good, but it depends on human effort. Listen to heaven's orders and do your best." Chen Ke said, glancing at the distant Pang Zi and others behind him, he whispered: "Wu brother, take care of Pang brother and the others. I brought them here to broaden their horizons. If they just get scared and don't learn anything, then this trip would be a waste."

  "Wen Qing, don't you trust me?" Wu Xingchen asked directly.

  "You're doubting I don't believe in comrades."

  "That's right. Wén qīng, I also know that my performance hasn't been very reliable. But after coming back and spending some time with Páng zǐ and the others, as for Wén qīng you, I'm convinced now. I want to convene a party meeting."

  According to the discipline of the People's Party, wherever there are three party members in a place, a party meeting must be held. Wu Xingchen made such a request, and Chen Ke was very happy. "Then let's take some time today and find a safe place."

  Everyone got off the mountain and waited for a while. Bo Guan Shui finally came back. He was somewhat excited, "Wen Qing brother, tonight we will perform the military review song in public. Hurry up and rehearse."

  By evening, Chen Ke and the others, being outsiders, would naturally not be able to participate in the Beiyang Army's affairs. Bo Guanshui arranged for them to stay in a corner of the camp tent. It seemed that this party was not going to happen after all. But unexpectedly, Wu Xingchen went out to take a look around and saw that there were no people nearby, then he came back with a serious expression and said to Pang Di: "Old Three, have you surrendered now?"

  Pang Zi didn't say a word. Wu Xingchen, however, wouldn't let go of the implication, "Old Three, I said it back then, Wen Qing isn't an ordinary person. Now that you've seen Beiyang's military formation, are you convinced?"

  Before coming here, Chen Ke told everyone about the basic concept of people's war and some basic tactics. Faced with a situation where the enemy's military strength, equipment, and training far exceeded that of the insurgent army. The insurgents must transform themselves into the people's army and develop and grow in the place where the enemy is weakest. At that time, Pang Zi was very unconvinced, thinking that he was a local snake and not afraid of the powerful dragon from the north. Wu Xingchen had not scolded him before, but at that time Pang Zi still had a hard mouth. However, today, after just a short observation, his arrogance completely disappeared.

  "You big old man, speak up." Wu Xingchen pressed him for an answer.

  Pang Zi gritted his teeth and said with a gloomy face: "Mr. Chen, I, Pang Zi, was wrong. For the past injustices I have done to you, I am apologizing here."

  "Bastard!" Wu Xingchen's face turned red with rage, "Wen Qing said you, aren't you convinced yet? Do you think Wen Qing has any other motives? Hmm! He does have other motives, just like the Manchu dynasty deceived us back then. They only flattered you for being capable and useful. If it wasn't for your own good, why would Wen Qing say so many things that you don't want to hear? How many times did you scold Wen Qing, has he ever held a grudge?"

  Pang Zi was scolded by Wu Xingchen until his face turned red and white, but he stubbornly refused to make another sound, putting on a tough expression. Wu Xingchen was so angry that he raised his fist, wanting to hit him. The Shandong brothers next to them immediately held back Wu Xingchen. That man named Chai Qingguo, a good fellow from Shandong, complained: "Old Three, you should speak up. Big Brother Wu is also doing this for your own good. If there's something you want to say, just say it straight out. What can't be said among brothers?"

  Pang Zi hesitated for a moment, and under everyone's gaze, he finally spoke up: "Mr. Chen is not one of us. What he said may be correct, but I just can't acknowledge him as our leader."

  Wu Xingchen was stunned by these words, Chen Tianhua had a slightly disappointed expression. The other Shandong heroes seemed to agree with this meaning. But then Chen Ke laughed and said: "Brother Pang is right, indeed I shouldn't be the leader."

  Article 62