Chapter Twenty-Three: Control

  The head of the second battalion, Battalion Commander Zhang Shusen and Deputy Battalion Commander Gong Zhiqiang, did not expect Wang Yuezhe to be so overbearing. On his first day in office, he dismissed two platoon leaders. However, regarding Wang Yuezhe's decision, Zhang Shusen expressed unconditional support, and Gong Zhiqiang also chose not to raise any objections. Although some others were very dissatisfied with this, thinking that Wang Yuezhe was too arrogant and overbearing, but since the battalion commander and deputy battalion commander had already acknowledged it, they naturally could not turn back the tide.

  The two battalion commanders, who were not convinced at first, thought of making a comeback. After all, they had some connections in the regimental headquarters. However, after being sent to the regimental headquarters, they found that the regiment commander and deputy regiment commander did not even see them once, directly agreeing with Wang Yuzhe's handling method. Moreover, what was even more ruthless was that not only were their duties removed, but they were also transferred to the reserve forces. The future of the two can be said to have been ruined from then on. Reserve forces are generally where retired soldiers continue to contribute their remaining energy. Unless there is an emergency war situation requiring large-scale conscription, otherwise, the reserve forces do not have the opportunity to rejoin the army.

  The two battalion commanders were disheartened. They had just realized that Wang Yuezhe was not someone they could shake off. They had thought of giving Wang Yuezhe a warning, even squeezing him out, but in the end, Wang Yuezhe came out unscathed and thoroughly took control of the third company. The two battalion commanders regretted it, but now it's too late, there is no medicine for regret in this world. With reluctance, they could only leave and retire.

  The news spread back to the third company, and everyone was shocked beyond measure. They had never thought that Wang Yuze could so easily take down the first and second company commanders. Everyone realized that Wang Yuze was indeed a person who couldn't be offended. The third company commander, Shi Defu, after seeing this, made up his mind to follow Wang Yuze wholeheartedly. The two deputy company commanders, Shen Ming and Lei Jiaping, who were temporarily supported by Wang Yuze, also naturally wouldn't have any second thoughts after witnessing Wang Yuze's abilities. Moreover, the two of them had also gained a lot from this incident. Emotionally and rationally, they should both lean towards Wang Yuze.

  With the help of three platoon leaders, Wang Yuezhe quickly took control of the third company and became the real company commander, with a reputation that was unmatched at the time. At the same time, in order to promote communication with everyone, both Wang Yuezhe and Wang Wei led by example and participated in every day's training. Although the training tasks were heavy, they also trained like this every day when they were in military academy, so it wasn't a problem.

  Wang Yuze's action instantly narrowed the distance between him and the soldiers. After all, for officers who can share hardships with them, the soldiers still have a lot of affection. This made those soldiers who originally had some complaints also not dissatisfied with Wang Yuze anymore.

  A week had passed, and Wang Yuezhe and Wang Wei had fully integrated into the third company. The various tasks of the third company were also carried out normally. In addition to daily training, the third company mainly needed to defend against the northern bandits and the Ma family army's infiltration. Apart from the third company's barracks, there was a sentry post twenty miles north, with a squad stationed there. Once an enemy approached, they would serve as a warning. Additionally, the third company would regularly dispatch troops to patrol the territory north of the barracks. If any bandits were found entering the western Sichuan control zone, they would be eliminated. If a large group of enemies appeared, such as the Ma family army, they would hold their ground and wait for reinforcements from higher-level units.

  "Bang! Bang! Bang!" On a grassland not far north of the barracks, dozens of targets were set up. The soldiers of the third company began their live ammunition training, which was held every three days. For cavalrymen, apart from being proficient in using sabers, they also had high requirements for marksmanship, after all, they were shooting while riding war horses at full gallop, a requirement much higher than that of infantrymen.

  The third row of soldiers, riding on war horses, galloped past, their 1889-style cavalry rifles firing one shot after another, hitting targets fifty meters away with a loud bang, creating hole after hole.

  Wang Yuezhe rode on a black war horse, watching the soldiers' training with great satisfaction, and at the same time, a heroic spirit ignited in his heart. With such soldiers, it's no wonder that the Sichuan Army can defeat the Qing court, although they only have three provinces, but they make the Qing court dare not to act rashly against Sichuan.

  "Commander, want to show off your skills and let everyone see?" At this time, the third row of soldiers, Shi De You, rode his horse to Wang Yu Ze's side and said with a smile. Instantly, all the soldiers looked at Wang Yu Ze. For the soldiers, the only thing that could convince them was strong military power. Especially for these lowest-level soldiers, it was even more so.

  Wang Yuezhe knew that if he couldn't show off his powerful military strength, it would be impossible to convince these guys. If we say that for high-ranking generals, the commanding ability of battalion or brigade commanders is extremely important, then for company and platoon-level officers, in addition to the necessary commanding ability, individual combat effectiveness is also very important.

  Fortunately, Wang Yuezhe was slightly weak in character, but he was not weak at all in individual combat power. During his time at the Army Academy, his shooting scores were also excellent every time. Although he was an artillery staff officer in his previous life, he was equally strong in shooting.

  "Alright, hand me the gun!" Wang Yuze said.

  "Here it is, Commander!" Three rows of soldiers immediately handed over a rifle from the lower ranks and handed it to Wang Yuze.

  The 1889 cavalry rifle is a new-style cavalry rifle that was finalized by the Kansai army last year, and like the infantry's 1889 rifle, it has become the standard equipment of the Kansai army. The 1889 cavalry rifle and infantry rifle were both developed based on the German 1888 Commission Rifle. Due to the good relationship between the Kansai government and the German Empire, the Kansai army obtained the design drawings for the 1888 rifle. After research by Kansai military experts, improvements were quickly made, and mass production was finalized last year. Now, the main forces of the Kansai army have begun to replace their old rifles with new ones. After the replacement, the combat effectiveness of the Kansai army will inevitably be further enhanced.

  1889 model carbine, overall length 1020mm, caliber 7.62mm, barrel length 520mm, total weight 4.2kg, effective range 200m, feeding method is 5-round internal magazine. Although this distance is a bit close, it's already enough for cavalrymen. After quickly firing the 5 rounds of ammunition, they should launch a charge and slash at the enemy with their sabers.

  With the reins in hand, Wang Yuezhe found a feeling and then galloped out on horseback. The warhorse started from a low speed and accelerated faster and faster, finally bursting into a mad dash. At this time, Wang Yuezhe clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly, let go of the reins in his hands, raised both hands to hold the riding gun, aimed at the target 50 meters away, and pulled the trigger.

  "Bang!" After a crisp gunshot, the bullet flew towards the target. Wang Yuezhe pulled the bolt, ejected the shell, reloaded, aimed at the target, and fired again. The entire action was extremely swift, as smooth as flowing clouds and water. Within 1 minute, he had shot out all the bullets in the magazine. This was already a very high firing rate for cavalry. To know that the infantry's firing rate wasn't much faster than this either. In the cavalry, those who could achieve such a firing rate were even rarer. Moreover, what was even more remarkable was that Wang Yuezhe's five shots were all on target, with no misses.

  "Bravo!" The soldiers all applauded enthusiastically at Wang Yuze's performance. Originally, everyone thought that Wang Yuze was just a figurehead. But now it seems that the military qualities of this new company commander are not weak either!

  "Commander Wang is indeed formidable! He's a role model for all of us in the three regiments to learn from!" Shi De-you, the third company commander, immediately began to flatter him. He wanted to see Wang Yuze show off his skills, and it was nothing more than trying to probe Wang Yuze's abilities. Now it seems that Wang Yuze is indeed a very powerful person!

  "This is nothing, as soldiers of the Sichuan Army, we should do this. The people of Sichuan have fed us, and it's our duty to protect them. Without skilled military skills, how can we do this? Everyone must strengthen their training!" Wang Yuezhe said loudly.

  PS: The first update is here, and there's another one tonight!