Chapter 63: The Fallen Son

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  In Fang Zidao's view, the military institutions of the Republic of China have been simplified to an extreme degree. Although after Yuan Shikai took office as interim president, he established the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Navy, and carried out reforms on the Beiyang Army, changing their flags, garrisons, and ranks. On the surface, it seems that the national army (actually just the Beiyang Army) has transformed from an old-fashioned military force to a modern Western-style military force. However, in reality, they have only learned superficially and are still essentially the same as before.

  In Fang Zhi's mind, the two countries that China's national army should learn from are Germany, a land power in Europe, and the United States, the future overlord across the ocean.

  A hundred years later, the world police's splendor was witnessed by Fang Zidao himself. The strength of American soldiers is also a wonder to behold. However, at present, America is still an emerging nation, and its military power is far from what it will be in the future. Its greatest advantage lies only in its strong industrial foundation and perfect political structure. Given the limitations of military equipment and technology, learning from the future America is not timely for now. Therefore, Fang Zidao proposed taking Germany as a learning goal, referring to the current German and future defense institutions of various powerful countries, suggesting canceling the Ministry of Land Warfare, Ministry of Naval Warfare, establishing a new Ministry of National Defense (Ministry of War), General Staff Headquarters, and increasing the transformation of old-style armies.

  In Fang Zidong's view, the General Staff Department is even more important. It will play a major role in the country's future military structure, and its military function is even higher than that of the Ministry of National Defense. The Ministry of National Defense should also change its current practice of being led by military personnel and be managed by civilians, using it as an institution to restrain the General Staff Department, forming a mutually restrictive approach.

  "Like the Secretariat of the Song Dynasty?" Yuan Shikai murmured thoughtfully.

  "Father-in-law, you are absolutely right!" Fang Zidao nodded repeatedly. The example given by Yuan Shikai was not different at all. In fact, the Privy Council of the Song Dynasty was the prototype of the modern Ministry of National Defense or Ministry of War. Compared with the Ministry of War in the later six ministries, the composition of the Privy Council was more similar in many aspects.

  Nodding, Yuan Shikai indicated that Fang Zidao should continue to speak. Fang Zidao also didn't stand on ceremony and directly poured out everything he thought in his heart.

  Strengthen the building of the army, thoroughly reform the existing military structure, especially accelerate the training of basic officers, with the original Baoding Military Academy and now the Army University as the foundation, re-establish a new Central Military Academy, recruit excellent military instructors from various countries, especially Germany, and cultivate a large number of middle and lower-level officers with advanced military ideas to replace the old-fashioned officers in the army.

  "Isn't the Army University being run? Is this necessary?" Yuan Keding was somewhat skeptical.

  "Of course it's necessary!" Fang Zidadi said resolutely: "I've done some research, and the number of graduates from the Army University next year is only around 500. At first glance, this number seems to be quite a few, but in reality, it's far from enough. In the past, the military academy mainly trained students for the Beiyang system, if we only talk about the Beiyang system, these people would be sufficient, but don't forget that now we're talking about the construction of the entire country's army, and 500 people nationwide is simply a drop in the bucket!"

  Yuan Shikai furrowed his brow and nodded slightly. In the past, when he was training troops at a small station, he relied on the officers he had cultivated himself to control the entire Beiyang Army, and only later did he have his current position. He deeply believed in the importance of cultivating basic military officers, or else he would not have placed such great emphasis on the Baoding Military Academy, which is now the Army University. However, it was not until Fang Zidao spoke these words that Yuan Shikai suddenly realized he had previously entered a state of confusion, because he was no longer just the commander-in-chief of the Beiyang Army, but the leader of the entire country.

  "Besides the shortage of students in military schools, the subjects taught in these schools are also a big problem." Fang Zida continued: "I have also investigated this matter. At present, there are only five subjects in military schools: infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering and logistics. The curriculum is outdated, the quality of instructors is low, and the teaching methods are old-fashioned, which cannot keep up with the rapid development of modern military affairs. In my opinion, not only do we need to recruit a large number of capable instructors to strengthen the military schools, but also to set up new subjects such as command, staff, mechanics, explosives, engineering, logistics management and equipment, in order to meet the various needs of the military."

  After finishing the military academy, Fang Zidao turned to the aspect of army reorganization, which was also one of Yuan Shikai's most important points. In Fang Zidao's view, after having a large number of qualified middle and lower-level officers in hand, it is possible to comprehensively reorganize the national army, readjust the military structure, gradually improve the quality of the army, and achieve the goal of transforming from a warlord army to a national defense army.

  Of course, most of what Fang Zidao talked about was just his own ideas. After all, Fang Zidao wasn't a formal military man by origin, and in many ways he was only basing things on his own experiences, so it's inevitable that some parts were overly imaginative. But for Yuan Shikai, this was enough. Old Yuan had spent most of his life in the saddle, and his military vision was among the best in China. After Fang Zidao spoke, many places suddenly became clear to him, and he broke into a smile.

  "What if some troops refuse to accept reorganization by the Central Government?"

  Look at Yuan Shikai, Fang Zidao smiled and said: "The army is the country's army, not accepting reorganization, are they going to rebel? Hehe, Father-in-law, how to deal with rebellion, I'm afraid you have countless ways?"

  Yuan Shikai burst out laughing and nodded, then asked: "In your opinion, apart from the Beiyang Army, which of the other armies that need to be reorganized would be more suitable to start with?"

  "This...". Fang Zida thought for a moment and said: "The Eighth Army!"

  "What! The Eighth Division?" Yuan Shikai and Yuan Keding were both stunned, especially the old Yuan who was even more shocked. In his heart, he had originally thought that since Fang Zidao proposed this suggestion, once the central government took action to resolve local forces and complete national military reorganization, Fang Zidao would definitely make Zhang Xun the first target. This was because no matter what reason, Zhang Xun's queue army was always the first to be dealt with. Moreover, Fang Zidao had also fought a battle with Zhang Xun in Nanjing, and both sides had almost fought to the point of mutual destruction.

  Who would have thought that Fang Zidao's proposal was not Zhang Xun, but the KMT's elite troops, and even more surprisingly, the Eighth Army, which was Fang Zidao's trump card. This result left Yuan Shikai stunned and hesitant for a moment.

  "My father-in-law, I also considered the 8th Division. Seeing Yuan Shikai's uncertain expression, as if pondering whether his proposal to use the 8th Division had any other intentions, Fang Zidao said very seriously: 'Although the 8th Division was formed from the new army controlled by the KMT in those years, after all, it is a national army. I have always supported constitutionalism and believed that party, military, and politics should be separated. The current provincial governor system must be changed, so local troops absolutely cannot become a breeding ground for warlords. Moreover, the 8th Division is now under my control, with mid-to-low-level officers being my people, making it easy to accomplish things. As the initial stage of national army construction, we must set an example for all provinces and factions across the country. Therefore, using the 8th Division as a pioneer in reorganization is most appropriate!'"

  "Aren't you afraid that after the reorganization, you'll lose control of the Eighth Division? You should know that without a gun in your hand, you can't even stand up straight!" Yuan Shikai asked with narrowed eyes.

  "I'm worried about what this will do?" Fang Zidao asked strangely: "In the future, all armies belong to the country, and individuals simply cannot own an army. As the head of state and your father-in-law, you are the commander-in-chief without any legal question. I just need to focus on my own affairs and help you with economic construction. The Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff will take care of military matters naturally. Why should I worry about it?"

  "Good! Good! Brother Ming Ah! It's still our own people who are considerate!" Old Yuan had not spoken yet, but next to him, Yuan Keding became excited and held Fang Zida's hand warmly.

  "Hehe, my father-in-law once said that at our level, family matters are also state matters, and state matters are also family matters. Moreover, if we don't quickly complete the separation of military and political powers, reorganize the entire army, and complete the transformation of the national defense forces, these warlords will inevitably become uncontrollable in the future. My father-in-law is indeed at the height of his power and has unparalleled prestige in the military, but after all, human hearts are difficult to fathom! What if one day... your successor takes over, and the people holding guns below start doing their own thing, fighting for power and splitting apart, even engaging in a big fight? Won't this country be thrown into chaos?"

  "Exactly! Father, Yuan Ming said not a single word wrong!" Yuan Keding was so excited that his face turned red, in his opinion, the "heir" mentioned by Fang Zidao could only be him, Yuan Dabig. Although Old Yuan was the president, Young Yuan couldn't surpass those big shots from Beiyang in terms of seniority or ability, let alone those military leaders from other provinces who didn't even take orders from Old Yuan. If he were to succeed as president or emperor in the future, what would happen? Would he just become a puppet?

  "Haha! He can't wait to jump out and try, haha......" Fang Zidao secretly smiled at Yuan Keding's impatient look.

  "Yuan Shikai smiled quietly, and then the two sides chatted for a while longer, until after dinner Fang Zidao finally took Yuan Sizhen away. As they left, Yuan Sizhen couldn't help but curiously ask: "Zidao, I saw Father and Big Brother looking very happy today, what did you guys talk about?"

  "Hehe, didn't you ask about last night's events? Did Mother-in-law not ask you?" Fang Zida smiled slyly at Yuan Siqi, watching as her small face turned bright red, and she pinched his arm in annoyance.

  The chess piece has already been dropped, and now it's up to Yuan Shikai to make his move. Fang Zidao didn't have the confidence that the cunning Yuan Shikai would follow his train of thought, but he was absolutely confident that he could get the arrogant and incompetent big brother-in-law to fall into his trap. As for whether Yuan Keding could really persuade Yuan Shikai, Fang Zidao still didn't know, but at least he had already gotten what he needed, and now it's up to the great prince Yuan to show off his skills.