Chapter 8: Cutting the Braid

  What Zhou Xuzhang said was the most basic new soldier subject in the 21st century. However, in the late Qing Dynasty of the 19th century, these modern infantry tactics were fresh things. Feng Guozhang had been in the Huai Army for several years and had never heard of it, but only later entered the Tianjin Military Academy to master these things.

  In the Qing dynasty, modern army training subjects only existed in higher military academies like Tianjin Military Academy. In the active military forces of the Qing dynasty, whether it was the old Eight Banners Army, Green Standard Army, or later the Xiang Army and Huai Army, from officers to soldiers, none had received such training.

  The Qing dynasty spared no expense in purchasing large quantities of modernized guns and cannons from Western countries to equip its military, the technical level of these guns and cannons was in no way inferior to that of the regular army equipment of the Western powers. However, the tactical thinking and training level of the Qing army still remained at the stage of "coming over to fight with three hundred men on horseback", completely lagging behind the times.

  The Qing army's so-called military reform, which is just old wine in a new bottle, has long been seen through by Feng Guozhang. He knows that without improving tactical literacy, simply updating equipment cannot enhance the combat effectiveness of the army. Such an army will still be defeated if it encounters foreign troops.

  But he was only a small instructor, and had no qualifications to command the generals who controlled the army. What's worse, those who were qualified to command the generals sneered at Feng Guozhang's suggestion.

  Feng Guozhang let out a sigh: "Soldiers wearing such clothes, once they come into contact with gunpowder, will turn into live roasted chickens."

  Zhou Xuanzhang nodded: "The soldiers in front of their chest and back are carrying two large circular targets, exactly like two bullseyes, waiting for the opponent to aim and shoot."

  Feng Guozhang nodded in approval: "That's well said, and what's worse is that these two targets are on their backs, no matter how you look at it, they're just a bunch of house-protecting dog legs, making people look down on them! Wearing such clothes, there's not even a bit of spirit, how can they boost the morale of the soldiers? An army without morale can't fight!"

  "What's even more troublesome is that when a soldier has a big braid hanging from the back of his head, it's really inconvenient. On the battlefield, if the enemy grabs hold of the braid, it would be extremely bad!"

  "It's well said, if the enemy grabs our weak point, it's not just a matter of being captured, we'll be hanging from the tree branches as captives!" Feng Guozhang highly approved of Zhou Xuanzhang's opinion.

  "So, Master Feng, as a superior, you should order the Qing army to thoroughly change their uniforms and appearance. First of all, they must cut off their queues..."

  "Shut up!" Feng Guozhang shouted loudly, scaring him pale.

  That Zhou Xuanzhang actually instigated him to cut his queue, which was a capital offense. The Qing dynasty's rules were: "Keep your hair and lose your head, or keep your head and lose your hair!" According to the Qing law, not only would the person who initiated the queue-cutting be beheaded, but also those who listened would be beheaded!

  "You, Zhou Xuan Zhang, you dare to utter such treasonous words in broad daylight! I, Feng Guozhang, will not let you off today. I must take you to the Governor's office and request that the Governor sentence you to death! Let everyone see the fate of a 'rebel'!"

  Feng Guozhang stopped arguing with Zhou Xuanzhang and continued on his way, prodding Zhou Xuanzhang with his gun.

  Zhou Xuanzhang was disheartened. He inexplicably traveled through time and space to the Qing Dynasty, where he encountered a moody Feng Jiao Shi. One moment hot, one moment cold, they were just chatting happily, both sides appreciating each other, originally thinking that Feng Guozhang would turn enemies into friends. But in an instant, Feng Guozhang turned his face and refused to recognize him. Looking at the situation, Feng Guozhang was determined that he was a rebel and had him taken to the Provincial Governor's Yamen, fearing that there would be no return.

  Although Zhou Xuan Zhang had not seen much of the world, he also knew that the governor was a big official who could not be messed with. If he fell into the governor's hands, coupled with the testimony of this big official "teaching", he would definitely not escape a death sentence!

  Others who traveled through time and space were all lucky and successful, but Zhou Xuan Zhang was different. He traveled to the Qing Dynasty only to experience the taste of being beheaded, this guy is really unlucky!

  Zhou Xuan Zhang wanted to run, but he had experienced Feng Guozhang's marksmanship. Although in theory, Zhou Xuan Zhang was a better shooter than Feng Guozhang, being so close, even a club could have made Zhou Xuan Zhang cool as a cucumber.

  After walking for three or four miles, a square earthen castle appeared in front of Zhou Xuan Zhang. In the center of the earthen castle was a city gate that faced west and had a female wall. There were two artillery platforms, one to the south and one to the north. Outside the city walls was a moat with a drawbridge connecting it to the city gate. The willows along the riverbank swayed gently.

  Two soldiers stood guard at the city gate, holding guns. The soldiers' attire was completely different from that of the soldiers on the street, but similar to that of Mr. Feng. They wore straw hats with a shiny copper hat badge on top, yellow jackets, black trousers, leather belts around their waists, and high-top leather boots. Their clothes were neat and tidy, sleeves narrow, spirits high, and military posture upright, giving off an air of grandeur.

  "Good soldier!" Zhou Xuanzhang blurted out.

  "Your head will be moved soon, and you're still worrying about being poor!" Feng Guozhang said coldly.