On the big field of the Right Association of the Praetorian Guard, the neat footsteps stirred up dust in the sky. Groups of soldiers marched in a horizontal formation, first in march, and then in a neat march in front of a group of inspectors. Each soldier was fully equipped, with a new uniform, a new backpack, new boots and blankets, and a German-made rifle of the 88 type with a bayonet on his shoulder, and his eyes did not squint, but he was engrossed in the officer's command.

These officers from different backgrounds in the North and South Seas all stood at the head of the ranks. In front of each company (team), there are chief and deputy officers, and three sentry officers. The appearance of the army is impeccable, and he walks more standard than the soldier according to the command knife.

The Right Association is the unit led by Li Yun, and this deep man is basically a training devil. I absolutely agree with the absolute strict discipline that Xu Yifan deliberately demanded, and the use of discipline and crazy training to cultivate soldiers. In the entire Right Association, among the Praetorian Guards, the military hood is the most handy. Xu Yifan arranged this review in the hope that others could see this. He had only been in the army for a few months, lacked cadres, was alone, and experienced riots in the middle. It is impossible to talk about the tactics of the troops, and the military quality cannot be talked about, and if we want to show others, we can only look at the cultivation of the work style and quality of this soldier.

It is to tell others that his Praetorian Guard, no matter how short it has been established and how flawed it is, is indeed a modernized army that enforces prohibitions!

But that's the end of his power. A modern army, especially a modern one. When you stand and talk, you don't have back pain. But I really faced it with my head, and I did it from scratch with my own hands. Only when you are there is it that you know how hard it is!

How to select and allocate talents, how to rate the establishment, and how to allocate ammunition. How should discipline be established and enforced, how should the commanding body be established, what channels should military orders be transmitted, and how should military and political affairs be managed...... Since it was established as a combat unit capable of field warfare, there is still additional work, such as how to establish the soldier's gazetteer, what kind of database is needed, what is the peacetime and wartime establishment of the troops, what kind of firepower is most suitable for the current situation, what kind of training plan and training means to be adopted, what kind of wartime mobilization plan, and the plan for the mobilization and coordination of resources in the territory under his control, and all kinds of channels must be established, and there must be a plan and means...... The solutions to these problems all point to one term: the modern staff system.

Modern military has developed almost to the point where it is a science that requires precise calculations. And Xu Yifan obviously does not have this kind of literacy, and he does not have so much energy to manage the specific construction of the army. The Beiyang cadets under him are already the best in military literacy, but they were all trained as military leaders at the beginning, and some of the original military courses were quite old. Not to mention the Nanyang scholars, the qualifications of the soldiers under their command are almost the same as the eldest brother and the second brother, and no one can laugh at anyone.

Some of the foreign instructors hired from Beiyang at the beginning still have some experience in the cultivation of military quality, but the commander of the army and the staff officer of the army still shake their heads relatively quickly. These wanderers in the East were very junior officers at the beginning. Assist in queue training, familiarize yourself with weapons, shooting training is still possible, and it is not possible to go to the next level.

In the past eight months of army building work, Xu Yifan and his henchmen are just four words, blindly touching and bumping. Some temporary regulations and management systems were established, and a low-intensity anti-insurgency war was also experienced, and the troops were tempered a little, and the troops were also quenched through the blood. It is precisely the young officers who are full of enthusiasm who lead by example and do everything in the front, coupled with the military discipline that is so harsh that the soldiers develop the habit of conditioned reflex, that the troops are pinched into this way.

In Xu Yifan's mind, there have always been two words Jiawu hanging there, reminding him from time to time and spurring him. It also made him understand that the current Praetorian Guard is still not enough! Koontz, a former lieutenant colonel of the General Staff of the Imperial German Army, and some of his entourage, whom Li Daxiong recruited, were among the talents he was looking for.

These days, Koontz and his companions, accompanied by senior Janissary officers, made a formal pick-up and arranged the best accommodations. Xu Yifan didn't talk to them for a while, and he didn't even talk to Li Daxiong and Tan Si to talk to them deeply, but only arranged for someone to accompany them around the base on the bank of the Datong River, and let them observe it by themselves while eliminating the fatigue of the journey. He also quietly sent himself Goshha, mixed in with their escort team, could not understand their German, and could also see their attitude and reaction...... What he wants is the introduction of talents who can really help him build the army, not foreign diners invited by big salaries!

In these words, he also carefully studied the little material that this Lieutenant Colonel Koontz had. Koontz was born into a small landowning family in East Prussia, not a Junker, not a military aristocracy. The ancestor is said to have been a knight of the Knights of the Germanic Order, and the family has a history of intermarriage with Poles. The surname is Ge Gengzhi Gusuke, who followed the old Moltke very early, and in the process of reforming the Prussian military system, he made countless enemies. In addition, he is not of aristocratic blood, and he does not have the same heavy backers as other noble officers. Many times it is simply used as a shield of the General Staff...... He is also said to have advocated that the reform of the General Staff should be carried out from beginning to end, rather than that the military system of the German Empire had been perfected and had been perfected to the extreme. As a result, a large number of people in the General Staff Headquarters were offended -- as for how to propose what kind of reform methods, Li Daxiong was not familiar with military affairs, and there was no mention of them in the materials.

These are not fatal, but this Lieutenant Colonel Koontz is a big believer in Prime Minister Bismarck's strategic thinking. It is believed that Germany, because of its inherent strategic disadvantage on the internal line, should slowly seek the European hegemony of the German Empire. There should be no sudden challenge to maritime power. Germany's current position in Central Europe is based on a balance in all aspects, and it should not rashly break this balance -- three years ago, the old German captain Bismarck stepped down, a large number of officers close to Kaiser Wilhelm II took charge of the General Staff, and the 52-year-old lieutenant colonel was also disgracefully expelled from active duty. took a little severance and went back to Königsberg to become a squire. The old man was unlucky, his land had been unharvested for several years, and the few stocks and bonds in his hand had lost all their money because of the Moroccan crisis. The only daughter needs a lot of dowry to get married, forcing the old man to be unable to open the pot.

As for the analysis of the economic situation of the old lieutenant colonel, Li Daxiong did a very perfect job. Xu Yifan couldn't help but bow a tear of sympathy for the old man.

All kinds of piles are added together, and the 55-year-old former lieutenant colonel of the Imperial German Army, Konz-Fleischer, was tempted by Li Daxiong's monthly salary of 2,400 guan and silver taels, which was equivalent to 1,200 US dollars and 400 pounds sterling at that time. Lieutenant Colonel Koontz suddenly felt something, collected a little bit of the old department that had been unlucky with him, left Europe in a hurry, and rushed to North Korea, the land of the east of the sea.

The dust stirred up by the soldiers' footsteps drifted around the inspecting crowd. Xu Yifan was wearing an equally brand-new military uniform, with a tight belt, and from time to time he peeked at Koonz and the former German staff elites around him wearing old Prussian military uniforms.

Li Yunzong stood beside him, his face sinking like water, just staring at his team. Paying attention to every tiny detail, whenever there was a slight confusion in his steps, and the posture of the shoulder gun salute was not in place, his complexion sank a little more. I didn't bother to look at Koontz and them.

Koontz was already a fifty-five-year-old fellow, and his waist was still straight. His hair was mostly gray, he wore Prussian monocles with an old-fashioned expression, his face was expressionless, his eyes were blue in his sunken sockets, and he watched the army pass by in front of him, and the light in his eyes brightened every time he passed through the column, and when he heard the earth-shattering slogan. His waist was also a little straighter, and many of the old subordinates behind him who had followed him were wearing old-fashioned military uniforms, but they already looked like squires. Seeing the queue passing neatly like an iron stream in front of him, all of them looked a little emotional, occasionally looked at each other, and then turned their eyes away.

I didn't expect that in a distant country that I had never heard of, those yellow people who were said to be weak, with braids and smoking big cigarettes, would actually train such a neat army with such high morale!

In the sound of the password, Xu Yifan suddenly turned around and said in German: "Mr. Koontz, how do you feel?" For this army that needs you to further refine and build? ”

To Koontz's ears, Xu Yifan's German grammar is strange, but the pronunciation is quite standard. He unexpectedly glanced at this excessively young Qing Dynasty minister, and according to his official rank, Li Daxiong, who hired him, introduced him as equivalent to the second or third minister of the German army. (The difference between the squire of the Qing Dynasty and the second minister of the German Army, the difference in the official powers of the two countries, Li Daxiong did not understand, and Xu Yifan did not bother to explain.) ）

He actually speaks German!

Kong Ci lifted his glasses and glanced at Xu Yifan coldly. The standard officer of the General Staff did not take it easily: "Your Excellency's army has been raised quite well - according to the standards of East Asia. The equipment can even be called excellent, the Mauser 88 rifle produced by the original German factory, I also saw the equipment with the Maxim machine gun. Armstrong's new three-inch rapid-fire gun was unloaded on the dock, and when some of our infantry teams in the German Army were still using bronze mount field guns, you were already equipped with the latest tube guns...... In addition to these, the most important thing I see is an army! The reverence and obedience of discipline among the soldiers was evident, and they were able to receive a large and harsh training ......"

When it comes to the word training, Koontz's tone is slightly raised, which seems to be a bit sarcastic.

“…… Officers are young and energetic, with a sense of identity with them and a conscious understanding of the dignity of officers. I don't know how you did it, but congratulations. ”

When Koontz spoke, Li Yunzong tilted his head slightly and asked in a low voice about the Nanyang translator who had been following these Germans, and listened to his translation as it was. Li Yunzong remained silent, and Yingting's face was still tense, as if he was cooler than these Germans.

Xu Yifan smiled and was about to say something modest. His town is supported by the Nanyang Consortium, half of North Korea's resources, and a large number of other financial resources that have been scavenged by all means. Can the equipment be bad? Timely and good supply, dignified income, and the pride of the officer corps supported by the pride of the merits of pacifying a country. Of course, his own brainwashing and demagogy are indispensable...... Kicking such a new army with one hand, sometimes he also feels that he is really quite capable.

The German veteran's words suddenly changed: "...... It's just that this is far from being a perfect army, which can withstand all kinds of tests and can fight effectively! Without a well-developed system of military orders, who commands this army? You only need the commander to take care of you! The military and political management system is also poor. The officers are managing the army with their enthusiasm and taking it for granted. We have been observing for a few days that there are no reports, no written documents for correspondence, and no system management regulations to follow in your management and command system at all levels. The so-called staff officers are only attachés to the commander of the troops, and they cannot support such a management system......"

Xu Yifan hung this old lieutenant colonel who thought very highly of himself for a few days, and it seemed that he was really resentful. However, the old man was still silent, not even emotional, and just said it in a cold and flat manner.

“…… In addition to perfect management, the army must be well prepared for war. To fight effectively, there must be a plan for the effective use of this army. Mobilization plan, logistics plan, staff plan...... I have not seen any level of command headquarters that has a perfect map, and the modern staff system has been developed entirely on the basis of map surveying and mapping and the geographical mastery of soldiers. The staff officers are completely innumerable about the geography of the soldiers in the place where you are located, and they don't even have the skills to master the geography of these soldiers! Not to mention the mobilization and logistical supply coordination plans at a higher level......

In addition to planning, there is also long and hard training, which is an important source of combat effectiveness for the army. But all I saw was physical training, simple shooting training, marching training. An army must have a perfect training program and training plan, and I don't see any plans and reports for weekly, monthly, and quarterly training! Soldiers need to know how to march, shoot, communicate, be on guard, cooperate with artillery, build cities, reconnoitre, search, ...... It is necessary to understand the cooperation between companies and regiments, and the cooperation between regiments. Officers must also master the content of company command, battalion command, regimental command, and even the command of a combat corps! These are based on a well-developed and step-by-step training program and plan. All I see now is the soldiers constantly undergoing ridiculous and excessive training of all kinds...... This may be good for the obedience of soldiers, but it is definitely not a method of training an army that can fight effectively!

And ......"

Koontz went on and on, and the most remarkable thing was that he was able to maintain his tone without any fluctuations. To sum up, in the end, it is believed that all the officers of Xu Yifan are unqualified, at least imperfect. The system of the army is extremely crude, and a complete set of strict systems is needed, from military orders to military administration. Officers, especially staff officers, need to be rebuilt. Soldiers, too, need to be thoroughly trained!

Li Yunzong's face was already pale, and his right association was regarded as a heavenly soldier in North Korea. This army that has seen blood, he believes that even if it is pulled out, it will be able to compete with the long-trained Huai army. The Left Association pacified Seoul and defeated the legation guards in one fell swoop. He admitted that the troops still needed to be improved, but he didn't expect to be said to be so unbearable!

But the excitement of emotion appeared on his face, and it was only a momentary matter for Li Yunzong, and he calmed down in a blink of an eye. Quietly continue to watch.

Xu Yifan doesn't have Li Yunzong's knot, Li Yunzong is a person of this era, even if he makes a comparison, he compares it with the most familiar Huaijun. Xu Yifan knows what a real modern army looks like. At the moment, he just smiled: "Mr. Koontz, you see very clearly, and this is why I hired Your Excellency and you to come to this place, Your Excellency...... Are you willing to help me train a strong army of modernization? ”

At this moment, Xu Yifan's smile was so sincere that it was 120,000 points.

These former German staff elites really didn't cover it, and after a few days of observation, they found so many problems, and they were so systematically and clearly expounded, maybe they had already had a small meeting in private. Although their expressions were cold and picky, Xu Yifan didn't care at all.

Kong Ci looked at Xu Yifan quietly, and the former officers around him all turned their heads. Koontz gently removed the lenses and slowly took out a silk handkerchief from his front breast pocket to wipe the lenses. After a while, he slowly spoke, and his tone was cold: "Your Excellency, why should we help you?" As I understand it, your army's army is enough to be called elite in your own country, and even on the Asian continent. Equipped with so many rifles and artillery, they can be placed in a row, and many people can be killed. You...... Why do you need a modern army corps that goes beyond Asia? We are not here to be caught up in any political whirlpool, nor to make our name a careerist. ”

Your uncle, your old man can't open the pot for the sake of the family, for the salary of 2,400 taels, plus the group of treasures under your command who were driven to the reserves, it costs Lao Tzu 10,000 taels of silver to get here a month!

Xu Yifan almost couldn't help but turn his face and scold, he wanted to be a bitch, and he wanted to set up an archway, something. The discrimination against Asians in the bones of Europeans, coupled with the rigidity and vanity of the old soldiers, has caused them to have this attitude. These old guys still have to find a reason for them to come out before they are willing to take the money with confidence......

Xu Yifan just smiled faintly. Fortunately, their conversations are in German, otherwise Pu Beizi behind him would have jumped.

"If it is just for me to continue to be promoted in the Great Qing Dynasty, then it is enough to master such an army. Anyway, in the Qing Dynasty, everyone looks at quantity rather than quality...... There are many things that the army cannot solve. In internal affairs, the army is like a man who wants to hunt rats in a porcelain shop, and has too many concerns about its use.

But let's not forget that for us Asian nations, the military is not only an internal tool, but also a force to defend our nation-state! The nationalist movement in Prussia created the great Germany. I want to build such an army, and I also want to defend our nation! As the founders of this army, you will remain in the annals of this nation that has been passed down for 5,000 years. It records your merits in the cause of the revival of a great nation......"

Xu Yifan said leisurely, and Koontz had already put on the lenses again, and listened carefully with a solemn face. Some of the former officers behind him subconsciously changed from taking a short break to a standing posture.

“…… Napoleon once said, let this lion sleep. And what you are involved in is to wake up this lion! You will be as great as He is! I will give you carte blanche as the general adviser to the Praetorian Guard. Any order needs to be countersigned by your advisors at all levels to carry it out, you can recruit as many people as you want, you can build whatever school you want, and I don't even mind if you build a school that preaches the gospel of the Lord! You can carry out whatever kind of revolution you want to carry out in the military system, and you can realize all your unfulfilled ambitions! And most importantly, you have no moral concerns. No matter how strong the Praetorian Guard is, it will not cause any trouble in your home country!

Trust, honor, dignity, unfinished ideals, helping a people's historical position, but also power...... Tell me, what else do you need? ”

Xu Yifan's voice lagged behind, and there was silence around him. Although the Praetorian Guard officers and Goshha around him did not understand German, they were also moved by Xu Yifan's sonorous tone and full of enthusiasm, and stood up silently.

Koontz looked back at his old ministry and suddenly smiled—in fact, it tugged at the corners of his mouth: "Your Excellency, I am willing to serve you." How much trust you give us, how much we will give you in return......"

Xu Yifan secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, German has been useless for so long, and his tongue hurts when he said it just now. As soon as he heard that the foreign devil had sold himself to take refuge, the strings in his mind loosened, and he stretched out his hand and shook Koontz's hand vigorously a few times: "Deal!" Within half a year, can you train the Praetorian Guard to the point of your army's elite corps? ”

Jia Wu was in front of him, and Lao Tzu had to hurry up......

Koontz took off his lenses again, looked at Xu Yifan seriously, and sighed slowly: "Your Excellency, I am a retired veteran, not a ...... of God."

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

"Lafayette, this is the charter agreed upon by Li Hongzhang and himself, and I submit it to ask Lafayette to pass the purpose......"

Li Lianying hung her hands and stood respectfully in the small pavilion in the flower hall outside Leshoutang. Cixi was being supported by two girls, walking in the flower hall, looking out of the window, she saw the rippling blue waves of Kunming Lake, and the autumn mood floated.

The current weather is also the most far-reaching and clear season in Yanjing City.

The two girls who were holding Cixi, one with beautiful eyebrows and handsome eyes, seemed to be weak. It was the clan Xiuning Gege. There is also a handsome one who wears big braids, but he always looks a little rustic. But it is Li Lianying's niece Sister Li.

These two girls are now the most favored junior girls around Cixi.

With the two of them by her side, the old lady smiled. Like a kind grandmother in the country. Leaving Li Hongzhang to stand there for a long time, he walked around enough before turning to the small pavilion in the flower hall. glanced at the yellow box placed on the stone table, and frowned: "Li Hongzhang is really, how can he bother me?" Leaving the emperor there, why don't you send the emperor there? I'm just trying to have a worry-free pleasure now, and he won't stop! ”

Li Lianying hurriedly laughed and said: "Although Lafayette is honored, but the world's major events, isn't Lafayette holding the rudder?" No matter how big the water is, it can't fill the Bodhisattva. Li Zhongtang still understands this truth, Lafayette nodded, and he can present the treasure to the emperor......"

Cixi nodded slowly: "Negotiation is indeed a big deal, I don't have to worry a little bit about it......" As he spoke, he was about to sit down, Xiuning had already carefully spread the handkerchief pinned to the placket on the stone bench, afraid that Cixi would be cold. Sister Li quickly glared at Xiu Ning, who lowered her eyebrows, and bit her lip secretly.

Cixi smiled at Xiuning with kind eyebrows, let her gently pinch her shoulder, Sister Li quickly picked up the yellow box, and took out the fold presented by Li Hongzhang, Cixi looked at it for a while, and only after a while did she hum: "What?" Let Xu Yifan apologize and abandon this Praetorian Guard, does Li Hongzhang have the intention of taking over? ”

Xiuning's hand shook, but he remained silent. Li Lianying was next to her and smiled and didn't answer. This is not right to say no matter what. Lafayette of the Praetorian Guard looked at the blockage, and if Li Hongzhang added another 10,000 strong soldiers, there would be people in the government and the opposition who wanted to speak. Even Cixi herself also beat Li Hongzhang for almost ten years. This time Rong Lu fell, and he came to the front of the stage again.

Cixi glanced back at Xiuning, closed her eyes for a while before opening her eyes and said slowly: "Xu Yifan has made a meritorious service after all, and a minister sent a minister to apologize, this is decent...... Let's hand over the excerpt to the emperor first, and see what the emperor means......"

(To be continued)