As an intelligence officer who has been active in China for a long time, Daisaku Kawamoto had seen these terrible chariots for the first time, and he now knew that his intelligence work in China was far from as perfect as the report said.

At this time, Daisaku Kawamoto looked at these rumbling steel monsters, and couldn't help but feel a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart.

The tanks that Kawamoto saw were heavy tanks belonging to the ironclad convoy of the Chinese Imperial Army, a multi-turret heavy tank named "Land Cruiser 1", and the design was of course from Yang Shuoming's creativity.

The "Land Patrol 1" tank is 7.86 meters long, 3.5 meters wide, 3.12 meters high, weighs 35 tons, has a crew of 8 people, and the engine is a water-cooled gasoline engine specially made in the United States, with a power of 320 horsepower, and a maximum road speed of 32 kilometers per hour. The biggest feature of this heavy tank is the multi-turret design, it has 5 turrets with reading power rotation, a main turret equipped with a 57 mm gun and an American "Browning" 12.7 mm heavy machine gun is located in the center of the hull, and around the main turret are four auxiliary turrets (machine gun towers), each equipped with an American "Browning" 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, which can be said to be very powerful. The tank has armor up to 30 mm thick, making it look extremely sturdy and stocky. Despite its heavy weight, it is still fast due to its horsepower and can easily navigate over trenches and obstacles.

Military observers around the world are amazed that China, which has always been known for its industrial backwardness, can possess such advanced and sophisticated new weapons in a very short period of time.

And the most shocking thing is, of course, the book that has been eyeing China.

Like many of the intelligence officers in China, Daisaku Kawamoto was ignorant of the fact that the squadron had tracked ironclad tanks (tanks), and it was only after these tanks were the first to appear on the battlefield in Shandong and caused huge casualties to the Japanese army that the intelligence department of the Chinese army began to realize the threat posed by these vehicles. After these intelligence materials were sent back to China, they attracted the attention of some high-ranking generals of the army, but because of the deep-rooted backwardness and prejudice that had been formed by the Chinese for a long time, until the end of the war, the military still did not have a clear understanding of Chinese tanks and did not design countermeasures.

Based on the information gathered by the Spy, Daisaku Kawamoto learned that the ironclad chariot made by the Chinese was very different from the rudimentary tanks used by the British in the Battle of the Somme. Compared to the British tanks with two turrets, the Chinese tanks had only one turret, which had a twin gun and two heavy machine guns, but the turret could rotate 360 degrees and shoot at all sides. On the battlefield, these tanks often accompanied the infantry, causing great losses to the Japanese army.

After the end of the war, Daisaku Kawamoto learned about Chinese tanks through various means, and finally saw the true face of this new weapon, but at that time, all he saw were tanks with only one turret, and it was the first time he had seen such a powerful multi-turret tank as the one that appeared in front of him.

Like Daisaku Kawamoto, in fact, for many Chinese, it is the first time they have seen these "multi-turret shrines". Therefore, when the "Land Patrol 1" tank made its debut at the military parade for the establishment of the "Hongxian Empire", the Chinese people were no less surprised than the intelligence officers of the Chinese people.

The debut of the "Land Patrol 1" tank at the military parade of the Chinese Empire proved to the world the amazing achievements of China's rapid industrial development (in fact, many of the main components of these tanks were ordered in the United States, built by American factories and shipped back to China for assembly), showing that the Chinese have the same ingenuity as the Westerners in creating new weapons.

Daisaku Kawamoto stared at the steel monster closely, carefully observing its detailed features, keeping this information firmly in mind, preparing to draw them out and study them carefully when he returned.

After these tanks rumbled through the Xinhua Gate, followed by them, was a phalanx of infantry troops, when the phalanx passed through the Xinhua Gate tower in a uniform movement, accompanied by the commander's shouting orders, the soldiers who were read broke off in unison, shouted long live, and saluted the emperor Yuan Shikai on the city tower, and when they saw the weapons they held in their hands, the blood of Kawamoto Daisaku's whole body suddenly filled his eyes.

What these people were holding in their hands turned out to be a strange spear with a long magazine on the snow, a triangular steel thorn!

He could immediately conclude that the gun in the opponent's hand was the kind of terrifying weapon that could be fired continuously.

Watching this troop of about 2,000 people pass through the castle tower in high spirits, Kawamoto's face turned pale.

Anyone with a little military knowledge can see that this is a unit with extremely strong combat effectiveness.

Daisaku Kawamoto listened to the introduction of a Chinese official not far away, and he realized that what he had just seen was the Imperial Guard of the Chinese Imperial Guard (formerly known as the Special Guard of the Presidential Palace).

"This is one of the best troops in China." U.S. Minister Reinsch said to British Minister Juerdian with emotion, "It's a pity that not all local squadrons can meet such standards." ”

"The troops formed by His Majesty the Emperor of China to prepare for the war in Europe have completed their training, and their combat capability is basically close to the level of the Emperor's [***] team." Zhu Erdian nodded and said, "The Imperial Axe is looking forward to the fact that the [***] team can make due contributions to the cause of the Entente. ”

After Zhu Erdian finished speaking, he seemed to inadvertently glance at Minister Xiaohan who was standing not far away, and Xiaohan looked expressionlessly at the reading of the [***] team passing in front, taking out a handkerchief from time to time and wiping the corners of his mouth.

"China's sincerity in participating in the cause of the Entente is obvious, and I have heard that the supreme commander of the Chinese troops participating in the war is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Chinese Empire himself." "On the contrary, until now, he has refused to send troops to Europe. ”

"Ben only wants to get the benefits of this war, and does not want to pay the price," Zhu Erdian sneered and said, "They will understand later what the price of doing this will be." ”

Because the British were very dissatisfied with his various performances during the war, some people within the British political axe have already put forward the argument of "dissolving the British alliance at an appropriate time." Of course, I have heard of this.

"With the entry of the United States and China, victory in the war is already guaranteed." "I'm going to regret their stupidity in the future." ”

"Although the total number of the [***] team is large, the number of troops that can be used in the war in Europe is still limited, and what the Imperial Political Axe and the Political Axe of the French Republic are most looking forward to is still the help of the American [***] team." Zhu Erdian said to Rui Enshi.

"What the squadron lacks is not soldiers, but weapons." "The U.S. is producing weapons for China, and I believe that soon more Chinese [***] teams will be fighting." ”

The eyes of the two returned to Yuan Shikai, who was standing in front of the rostrum and waving frequently to the troops under review, at this time Yuan Shikai's chubby face was full of red light, full of smiles, and he looked complacent.

On June 14, 1917, the first American [***] team arrived in France.

On June 15, 1917, the Chinese Imperial Expeditionary Army was renamed the Chinese Imperial Expeditionary Force, and Yuan Shikai appointed the crown prince Yuan Keding as the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force, the army general Wang Shizhen as the deputy commander, and the deputy army minister Chen Yan as the chief of staff. On July 4, the first batch of the [***] squadron landed in France.

"Lao Yuan still sent his own son in the end, hehe."

Duan Qirui, who was lying in a chair, looked at the news of the Chinese Expeditionary Force's expedition to Europe published in the newspaper and the large-scale uniform photo of General Yuan Keding, commander-in-chief of the Expeditionary Force, with a mocking smile on his face.

"This His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not that material at all, I don't dare to imagine what it will be like for him to command." Xu Shuzheng, vice minister of the army, smiled and took a sip of the teacup, "The emperor is not afraid that he will lose his life in Europe." ”

"Aren't there Wang Pingqing and Chen Er'an?" Duan Qirui snorted and said sarcastically, "Wang Pingqing is the Yuansu of Beiyang, Chen Er'an is known as a capable general, the equipment of the participating army is the first in the country, and there are all kinds of aircraft, cannons, ironclad chariots, if this battle cannot be won, it will be unreasonable." ”

After listening to Duan Qirui's sarcasm, a mouthful of tea in Xu Shuzheng's mouth almost didn't squirt out, and Duan Hongye, who was standing beside Duan Qirui, couldn't help laughing.

"It's a blessing that we have a successor to the Chinese Empire." Duan Qirui continued to say the opposite, "We old people should have retired a long time ago. He looked at his son Duan Hongye, and instructed in a matter-of-fact manner, "You will draw up a resignation letter for me in a while and hand it over, and I will let Xian." ”

Listening to Duan Qirui's words, the smiles on Xu Shuzheng and Duan Hongye's faces froze.

"Chief, what are you ...... Not kidding, right? Xu Shuzheng asked cautiously.

"Of course not." Duan Qirui nodded and gave an affirmative expression, "I have made up my mind, you don't need to say more." ”

After listening to Duan Qirui's words, Xu Shuzheng and Duan Hongye were silent.

"He Li Songqing can be willing to let the prince not do it, what else can I be reluctant to?" Seeing the doubts in the eyes of Xu Shuzheng and his son, Duan Qirui smiled quietly, "This official of the Hongxian Dynasty is not so easy to be. ”

"If you leave, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it for long." Xu Shuzheng said a little uncomfortable.

"Don't learn from me, again." Duan Qirui said, "You are different from me, you must sit firmly in the position of this deputy now, so that we can watch a good show." ”

Xu Shuzheng seemed to understand the meaning of Duan Qirui's words, and his face became relaxed.

"Yes, let's go, who will clean up this mess for Emperor Hongxian when the time comes?" Xu Shuzheng said with a smile, "Cai Songpo didn't leave, maybe that's what it means." ”

"Cai Songpo is a deeply hidden person, and like that Yang Hanzhi, his actions are unpredictable." Duan Qirui looked at a shotgun placed on the table in the room and said thoughtfully.

"Yesterday, the emperor has issued an edict to appoint Yang Huizi as the prime minister (prime minister) of the cabinet." Duan Hongye said, "I heard that the Minister of International Trade intends to let that Yang Hanzhi be appointed. ”

"Impossible." Duan Qirui shook his head with a smile, "You don't know Lao Yuan, he won't do such a thing." ”

Listening to Duan Qirui's words, Xu Shuzheng and Duan Hongye's faces showed surprise again.

"How so?" Xu Shuzheng asked.

"His old Yuan is now raising the tiger Yang Hanzhi, and when he needs it, he will let it go, so Lao Yuan will not let him really be a civil servant." Duan Qirui said, "Such a young general, Lao Yuan will not let it go, even if it is to contain us old brothers." In the future, Lao Yuan will still let him return to his military career. ”

"Yes, he appointed Cai Songpo at the beginning, and he wanted Huang Xing to be the chief of the army, just to contain these old brothers in Beiyang." Xu Shuzheng sighed.

"So this is also where he Yang Hanzhi and Cai Songpo are clever." Duan Qirui said, "Both of them understand Lao Yuan's thoughts, so they are not in a hurry, they are all waiting there." ”

"The two of them are not in a hurry, but there are still people who will be in a hurry." Duan Hongye said suddenly.

Listening to Duan Hongye's words, Xu Shuzheng couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

"Oh? Tell me about it? Who is in a hurry? Duan Qirui seemed to have guessed his son's answer and asked with a smile.

"Former Justice Minister Liang Rengong." Duan Hongye said confidently, "Yang Huizi is the prime minister, so it is not easy for him to arrange." ”

"The show has actually begun." Duan Qirui nodded and said with a smile.

Yanjing, Xinhua Palace.

"It's rare that he Zhang Yuting has this filial piety."

Yuan Shikai stroked the jasper dragon bed in front of him, his face full of joy.

"This is a rare treasure, the bed that the Dragon King of the East China Sea sleeps in, I'm afraid it's just that." Yuan Shikai's favorite Hong Guifei said with a smile on the side.

The jasper dragon bed placed in front of Yuan Shikai is 305 cm long, 165 cm wide and 280 cm high, all made of jade jade of jade in turquoise, a total of more than 20 large jade carvings and hundreds of small pieces of jade pieces, its shape is a typical small door style bed for late Qing Dynasty furniture, and the dragon pattern on the golden throne of the Qing Palace is decorated, all the flower plates are carved into the dragon pattern of the palace board, and the carved patterns cover various traditional patterns such as dragon and phoenix Chengxiang, Fu (bat) Shou (Shou Tao) Shuangquan, etc., with the dragon as the main pattern. In front of the bed, there are palace lamps, ornaments such as Yingluo, etc., which are also carved from jasper. The jade bed components are connected by fine copper screws, which is very strong.

The whole jade bed is made of pure jade jade, and the net weight of the whole bed is 1.5 tons. Nearly 5 tons of shared materials, not only the materials are exquisite, but also the related furnishings are magnificent, the eaves of the hall are hung high with white porcelain inlaid couplets, a pair of jade incense burners are placed in front of the jade bed, a pair of Western table clocks are set on both sides of the bed, a carved bookcase is placed on the right side of the hall, and a pair of palace-style dragon chairs are placed next to the hall pillars. The overall design is completely palace style, and even the Qianlong Emperor, who called himself "Jade Idiot", did not have such a jade bed.

After Yuan Shikai became emperor, various local officials presented various treasures to the new emperor, among these treasures, the jasper dragon bed sent by several Zuolin was the most valuable.

Of course, Yuan Shikai also understood in his heart what Zhang Zuolin's intention was to give him such a valuable gift. But now Yuan Shikai doesn't plan to let Zhang Zuolin fulfill his wish so quickly.

One of the most important contents of the emperor's mastery of people is checks and balances, and for Yuan Shikai, who has just become the emperor, he can now be said to have played it perfectly.

"Your Majesty, Chief Duan has submitted his resignation." Liang Shiyi hurriedly walked in, bowed to Yuan Shikai, took out a document from his wallet, and handed it to Yuan Shikai.

Yuan Shikai took Duan Qirui's resignation and only glanced at it, then threw it on the table.

Seeing that Yuan Shikai's face changed, Yuan Shikai's concubines retired together.

"He's expressing his displeasure with me." Yuan Shikai sneered, "He thought that I wouldn't be able to play without them, and I really don't believe in this evil." ”

"Chief Duan has been sick at home for a while, so the emperor might as well visit him in person and make a decision." Liang Shiyi suggested.

"I don't need it." Yuan Shikai sneered and waved his hand, "The last time I went, he gave me a bedridden, and threw away all the things I sent, for fear that I would poison him inside, it is really a gentleman's belly with the heart of a villain." He doesn't know how to lift, and I don't bother to bother with him, he Duan Zhiquan is not the chief of the army, and some people want to do it. ”

Listening to Yuan Shikai's words, Liang Shiyi was silent.

"Did you disclose the news that I plan to let Liang Zhuoru re-serve as the head of the Ministry of Justice?" Yuan Shikai asked.

"Back to the emperor, I have already told him." Liang Shiyi replied.

"What's his reaction?"

"He didn't say anything, and I think he doesn't seem to be willing to be the attorney general."

"I know he wants to be prime minister." Yuan Shikai nodded, and sighed helplessly, "Zhuo Ru has followed me for many years, and his writing skills are very good, and he is still a little worse in politics than Yang Huizi, if he is made the prime minister, I am afraid that there will be more people who are not convinced." ”

"Justice is not Liang Zhuoru's forte, so I think it would be better to hand over the post of Minister of Education to him." Liang Caishen came up with a big bad idea next to him.

"Okay, you go talk to him again." Yuan Shikai said, "I hope he can be satisfied." ”

"Okay, I'll go." Liang Shiyi replied.

After Liang Shiyi left, Yuan Shikai sat on the jasper dragon bed and rested for a while, then got up and came to his office and began to review the day's documents.

Not long after, there was a faint thunder outside the window, Yuan Shikai raised his head a little strangely, and saw that the originally clear sky was suddenly overcast, and a round of red was quickly covered in a large area of rain clouds, indicating that a storm was coming.

Seeing that the rainstorm was coming, two palace maids (the eunuch system was abolished by Yuan Shikai, and the service staff of Xinhua Palace were all women) came in and began to close the windows in turn, and then bowed to Yuan Shikai and exited.

"It's getting fast enough." Yuan Shikai muttered in a low voice and continued to review the documents at hand.

(To be continued)