Chapter 6: The Era of Boiling Blood

  In the following month, Wang Yuezhe began a secret tour of various cities in Sichuan Province after consulting with Wang Xiao. Along the way, Wang Yuezhe only observed and did not interfere with local work, which also gave him a profound understanding of the overall strength of western Sichuan.

  Chongqing Qijiang Industrial Base is the first comprehensive production base in western Sichuan, covering steel smelting, petrochemicals and weapons manufacturing. Although its output value is relatively small, it played a significant role in the early development of western Sichuan.

  In 1890, the Qijianguan industrial base produced a total of 10,000 tons of pig iron and 2,000 tons of steel. The total production of pig iron in Sichuan, Xikang and Yunnan provinces reached 50,000 tons, and the production of steel was 20,000 tons. At the same time, Japan's production of pig iron was 100,000 tons, and its production of steel was less than 10,000 tons. The Yahata Iron Works in Japan had not yet been built and put into production. The production of pig iron in Sichuan, Xikang and Yunnan provinces almost reached half of that of Japan, and the production of steel exceeded that of Japan. The Qijianguan Arsenal produced 20,000 rifles, 100 imitation Maxim machine guns, and more than 200 various artillery pieces, providing favorable weapon support for the Sichuan Army in the later period.

  As a comprehensive production base for various types of weapons, the Qijiang Arsenal can produce everything from bullets to 155mm howitzers. Before the Chengdu Arsenal was built and put into operation, it was considered the largest arsenal in the country.

  At the beginning, when facing the Qing army's large-scale attack, the Western Sichuan Army was able to hold on only because of the large number of weapons and equipment produced by the Qijiang Arsenal. It can be said that the Qijiang industrial base made great contributions to the establishment and development of the Western Sichuan regime.

  Panzhihua Industrial Base is the largest steel production base in western Sichuan. In 1890, pig iron output reached 400,000 tons and steel output was nearly 200,000 tons, providing sufficient steel resources for various constructions in western Sichuan.

  The Chengdu Industrial Base was the last industrial base to be established, and by 1890, only the first phase of the project had been completed. The area is densely packed with arsenals, various light and heavy machinery factories, heavy industry, as well as textile mills, flour mills, and daily chemical plants. It is expected that by 1900, the entire industrial base will be fully constructed. At that time, it will achieve an annual production of 100,000 rifles, over a thousand machine guns, and over a thousand artillery pieces. In addition, there is also a zeppelin factory here, which can produce advanced airships at world-class levels. As early as when facing the Qing army's attack, the Sichuan Army had already begun using airships. At that time, the airships were very simple, mainly used for high-altitude reconnaissance and providing guidance for artillery. Now, the airships have begun to perform transport and bombing missions.

  Apart from visiting industrial bases, Wang Yuezhe also went deep into the grassroots to understand the people's feelings. The three provinces under Sichuan and Xikang, except for a few ethnic minority areas with poor regional conditions, have basically solved the problem of food and clothing, and the people's living standards are leading the country. At the same time, commerce is particularly prosperous, and commercial taxes account for almost half of the financial revenue of the three provinces in Sichuan and Xikang. This is probably related to Wang Yuezhe being a businessman himself. After the establishment of the Sichuan-Xikang regime, the policy of promoting commerce has been implemented all along, making the commerce of the three provinces very prosperous. The merchants of Sichuan and Xikang are all over the country. With the strong Sichuan army as a backing, the Qing court and local governments of other provinces usually do not make things difficult for the merchants of Sichuan and Xikang.

  The army was the most important place that Wang Yuezhe visited. After all, in this chaotic world, only those with guns could survive. The powerful Western Sichuan Army was also the reason why the Western Sichuan government could exist semi-independently.

  The Kansai Army has three divisions and ten brigades, with each division having over 18,000 people. Each division includes three regiments, as well as artillery battalions, reconnaissance battalions, engineer battalions, guard battalions, logistics battalions, and field hospitals. Each regiment includes three battalions, as well as artillery companies, reconnaissance companies, guard companies, engineer companies, logistics companies, and field hospitals, with a total of over 4,000 people. Each battalion includes four companies, as well as artillery platoons, reconnaissance platoons, guard platoons, medical teams, etc., with a total of over 1,000 people. Each company has three platoons, plus a firepower group consisting of two 60mm mortars and two heavy machine guns, as well as communication personnel, guards, and medical personnel, totaling over 200 people. Each platoon includes three squads, plus a firepower group consisting of one 37mm mortar and one heavy machine gun, with a total of 50 people. Each squad has 12 people, including one sniper rifle and 11 Model 1888 rifles. Among them, the mortars were originally invented during the Russo-Japanese War, but under Wang Xiao's orders, this weapon had already been invented ahead of time and was equipped to the Kansai Army, greatly increasing its firepower. The mortars used by the Kansai Army are mainly divided into two types: 60mm caliber and 37mm caliber. The sniper rifle is a Model 1888 rifle with a simple aiming device, which, although not as powerful as later sniper rifles, was already leading the era at that time.

  Each division consists of 5 regiments, plus two battalion artillery regiments, reconnaissance regiments, engineer regiments, guard regiments, logistics regiments and field hospitals. The whole division has more than 8,000 people.

  The deployment of the Western Sichuan Army, the teaching brigade is stationed in Chengdu, the first division is stationed in Panzhihua, and the second division is stationed in Chongqing. The first brigade is stationed in Guangyuan, the second brigade is stationed in Luzhou, the third brigade is stationed in Qijiang, the fourth brigade is stationed in Kangding, the fifth brigade is stationed in Mianyang, the sixth brigade is stationed in Liangshan, the seventh brigade is stationed in Bazhong, the eighth brigade is stationed in Lhasa, the ninth brigade is stationed in Shigatse Prefecture, and the tenth brigade is stationed in Changdu Prefecture. Among them, the 6th Brigade and the 9th Brigade are mountain infantry brigades, while the 4th Brigade and the 10th Brigade are cavalry brigades.

  In addition, the Western Sichuan Army also has an army academy to cultivate various talents for the Western Sichuan Army. The current president of the army academy is General Jiang Xingguo, who returned from studying in Germany and participated in the Franco-Prussian War, and is one of the few lieutenant generals of the Western Sichuan Army.

  The three provinces of Sichuan are not adjacent to the sea, so the Sichuan Army has no navy, only a river fleet with more than ten inland gunboats and two thousand-ton destroyers. This is not worth mentioning in front of many powers. Especially compared to the main enemy, the Japanese Combined Fleet, it's not even comparable to one of their zeros.

  In terms of air force, the Sichuan Army has three squadrons with more than 100 aircraft. Among them, the vast majority are small aircraft, and only 20 medium-sized aircraft have a load capacity of two tons. In addition, the Chengdu Aircraft Manufacturing Company has begun to develop a new generation of large aircraft with the help of German experts. In terms of aircraft performance, the Sichuan Army's air force is now among the world's top. Currently, no country in the world attaches as much importance to the development of its air force as the Sichuan Army does. Although the current aircraft are not yet capable of playing a decisive role in warfare, Wang Xiao, the ruler of the three provinces of Sichuan, attaches great importance to the development of the air force, which has also led to the attention of the Sichuan military. In addition, another epoch-making flying machine is being researched at the Chengdu Industrial Base. However, due to limitations in materials and power, it will take a long time for results to be achieved.

  Through this nearly month-long journey, Wang Yuezhe had a more comprehensive understanding of the strength of the three provinces in western Sichuan. With the financial resources of western Sichuan, it is enough to expand the army by more than three times. Moreover, the arsenal has already stored enough light and heavy weapons. More importantly, the three provinces of western Sichuan have established a perfect system of compulsory military service. Once the war breaks out, the army will be expanded by one fold within a month and reach 500,000 people in three months. With such combat effectiveness, it is enough to sweep across the country.

  After returning to Chengdu, Wang Yuezhe was enthusiastic. The current Sichuan-Shaanxi-Gansu region is undoubtedly a good platform. As long as he can smoothly take over power from Wang Xiao, he will surely be able to defeat the Qing court with the powerful Sichuan army. Of course, when it comes to specific implementation, there are still many factors to consider. For example, the powers! In today's China, except for Sichuan, almost all have become colonies of the powers and fallen into their sphere of influence. Britain, France, and Russia in the north will all become obstacles to Sichuan's unification of the country.

  Just as he was assassinated before, the Japanese saw Kawanishi's threat and wanted to assassinate him at all costs, causing turmoil in Kawanishi, making it impossible for Kawanishi to continue expanding and naturally unable to threaten Japan.

  But even with more difficulties, Wang Yuze will not give up. With great difficulty, he has finally got this opportunity, and of course, he hopes to make a difference in this era and create a future for China!

  (New book during the period, seeking collection!)