Chapter Fifteen: Why Should Men Not Wear Wu Hooks?

  "Hey! Hey! Hey!" The military camp in Guangzhou's Xichengmen was shaken by the loud shouts of the brave soldiers.

  The firearms from Shanghai have arrived in Guangzhou, and although the "Zhenwei", "Zhenwu" and "Zhenhe" three battalions have not yet started live-fire training, everyone can feel the new firearms, which the instructor Peter has demonstrated, with a power that is simply like the small cannons equipped by the Green Camp, how can these soldiers not be excited?

  Fu Liang never set foot in the military camp again. As for the deployment of various brave officers in the military camp, as long as Ye Zhao wrote a chapter, he would allow it.

  In a wooden house on the east side of the barracks, Ye Zhao was flipping through Peter's military training manual, which was actually a training plan book. The wooden house had simple furnishings with only a desk and chair.

  It's not that Ye Zhao is reluctant to spend money, but rather that Wu Jianzhang is meticulous in his calculations. To say that silver is a generous gesture, Wu Jianzhang has indeed been liberal with his donations. After reporting the fire equipment donation, he provided military funds for the three battalions of artillery soldiers, which is usually two million taels of white silver per month. This can be said to be more than enough to support the three battalions of artillery soldiers.

  As Yue Zhao flipped through the infantry training manual, he gradually discovered a problem. Peter's infantry training was still in linear formation, with troops deployed forward, closing in on the enemy, using volley fire or random fire until one side launched a charge and decided the outcome with bayonet combat.

  Why don't you dig a trench? With trenches, can we avoid unnecessary casualties?

  Ye Zhaodidn't know that the powerful rifle had just appeared, but the Western military was still following the old tactical rules, and the application of trenches would not be fully realized until several years later in the American Civil War.

  Ye Zhao didn't understand military affairs, so naturally he also lacked confidence in his speech. After all, Peter was an excellent officer of this era, while most of Ye Zhao's military knowledge came from movies and TV shows.

  "Peter, rifles are getting more and more powerful. With your tactics of charging forward like this, won't the casualties be too great? In a field battle, I don't understand... how about this: dig a trench..." Ye Zhao made gestures to illustrate his point. "The defending soldiers can hide inside the trench, what do you think?"

  Peter was stunned and after a while, he let out a strange cry, "Sir, this is an excellent idea! You, you are a genius!"

  I'd like to give Ye Zhao a hug, but I know that officials in this country are very particular about etiquette, so all I can do is shrug my shoulders and smile wryly: "I'm finding it more and more of an honor to serve you."

  Even if Ye Zhaoming didn't mention it, in the event of a large-scale infantry battle, with the current firepower, trench warfare tactics would have emerged sooner or later, but being prepared ahead of time makes a difference.

  Ye Zhaowen now had confidence, and again discussed with Peter the configuration of the engineering troops, discussing the training of the artillery battalion, such as using straw men as targets during bayonet training.

  Peter increasingly admired Ye Zhaowei, and finally almost worshipped him. Especially when Ye Zhaowei often said "I don't understand, how about this...", followed by a long and profound theory that made Peter's eyes wide with wonder, leaving him speechless. In the end, even Ye Zhaowei felt embarrassed to use his own catchphrase, which seemed like false modesty.

  "Sir, would I have the honor of becoming a member of your infantry squad?" Peter asked suddenly with a serious face, looking like he wasn't joking.

  Ye Zhaoyi was taken aback, and then laughed: "This, let's talk about it later!" After all, he is a foreigner, and the world is unpredictable. Although it seems far-fetched now, if his dreams come true in the future, conflicts with Britain and France on the Chinese seas are inevitable. At that time, whether Peter will still be on the same front line as him is hard to say. After all, he is not a businessman, but an imperial soldier, with a natural sense of honor.

  Peter's face showed disappointment.

  Ye Zhaosmiled and patted his shoulder, saying: "Don't worry, I believe there will be opportunities in the future."

  Peter nodded silently, then straightened up with a crack, and said loudly: "Sir, please review your troops."

  ……

  On the playground, rows of soldiers stood straight, looking like Peter's efforts over the past few days had not been in vain.

  Ye Zhao wore a suit of armor, with a high helmet on his head, looking very majestic. On the other hand, the dense and dark soldiers in front of him were filled with an aura of killing intent that made Ye Zhao's heart surge with excitement.

  "Soldiers, I apologize!" This was Peter's opening line, and the interpreter assigned to him did his job well, with an unusually loud voice.

  The soldiers all looked bewildered, if it weren't for General Dou's presence, they would have been whispering to each other long ago.

  To say that these soldiers are brave, almost all of them have heard about the war ten years ago, either through their parents or veterans, the British army was portrayed as a devil-like opponent.

  This British instructor, facing the brave soldiers, was even more arrogant, and his precise marksmanship when demonstrating firearms, the terrifying lethality, and the magical military knowledge he discussed, made these soldiers unconsciously respectful of him. Who knows what this foreigner is doing today? Apologizing?

  "I once thought that the soldiers of our great British Empire were the best in the world, and that your country was a backward nation, but I was wrong!"

  "Your country is a magical land, I am ashamed of my former arrogance. I think the best soldiers in the future world will be among you, because your commander-in-chief is the best commander in the world!"

  Every time Tong translates a sentence, he stands up straighter with pride. Since Peter used the word "commander-in-chief", Tong translated it as "da shuai" (a more formal term) instead of "du tong". The last sentence was shouted out in a loud voice.

  "Today, just today, I yearn to be a soldier under your great generalship, but was rejected by the general! I hope that one day, I can become one of you!"

  As soon as Tong Yue finished saying this sentence, the soldiers could no longer hold back their emotions and burst into a flurry of discussions.

  Peter gave a military salute and shouted in a foreign language, "Please instruct the commander-in-chief!" The interpreter shouted loudly, and the whole scene became solemn immediately.

  Ye Zhao didn't expect Peter to suddenly come up with such a prelude, and he couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart. Perhaps Peter was trying to boost morale and enhance the confidence of these brave soldiers, but it really felt like an overkill. The best commander? This hat seemed too big for him, and he couldn't wear it himself.

  Looking at the brave and eager eyes of the soldiers below, Ye Zhaowen's playful heart gradually subsided. Ah, these people, standing solemnly under the stage, these young men in their prime, were at the most radiant time of their lives. Only, it seemed that one could imagine their future fate: blood spilled on the battlefield, white bones scattered everywhere, how many would return?

  Do they know why they fight?

  "Tell me," Ye Zha asked calmly, "why did you all join the army?"

  The soldiers all had their mouths tightly pursed, each with a fleeting gaze.

  "Will you get a salary and food? Will you become famous? Will your wife and children be honored?" Ye Zhao asked loudly.

  The crows and sparrows under the platform are silent.

  Ye Zhao's eyes swept across, and he said in a deep voice: "These can all be reasons, but they are not entirely correct. As a soldier, you must remember four words: Protect the Family and Defend the Country!"

  As he spoke, his voice grew louder, "What is protecting the family? The family has a small family and a big family. Protecting your brothers and sisters, parents, and elders from being humiliated! Protecting your hometown, living in peace and prosperity, not being invaded by external enemies! What fear does a man have to die for? The more you fear death, the more you will die, and death is inevitable; Sacrificing one's family, protecting one's family, both the family and the country prosper!"

  "At the time of crisis, I think of repaying my country, drawing my sword to uproot the thistles! I offer my blood to recommend the rivers and mountains! Let us work together with you all!" Ye Zhao stood upright with his head held high, dignified and majestic.

  San Ying Jun Wu Xie Ling Gang An Meng stepped forward with a loud shout: "I recommend the rivers and mountains with my blood!"

  "I will seal this land with my blood!" The soldiers shouted in unison, shaking heaven and earth.

  Not far away, a flock of birds took off, circling and flying towards the sky.

  …………………………….

  Votes...