This year's Northeast New Army will certainly be able to have a very good cold winter and Spring Festival, because preparations have been made since July, and in the idle wasteland in various places, Song Biao mobilized the soldiers to do it themselves, have enough food and clothing, and planted more than 600 acres of radishes, carrots, and Chinese cabbage, all of which are vegetables that can survive the winter and are easy to store.

With soybean paste, chili sauce, hot and sour dishes, dried radish and all kinds of cured meats, sausages, and salted duck eggs, there is sure to be a good meal this winter.

There is no shortage of vegetables, and there is no shortage of grain; 800,000 catties of flour have been hoarded according to the scale of 40 catties per person, and the scale of sorghum rice is 4 million catties, plus the stocks of rice, corn, and potatoes, and the grain can be held up until April next year.

From April to July, Song Biao had to buy a batch of American grain, and then buy another year's Huguang grain and Zhili wheat, and then the Northeast New Army only needed to buy grain locally, saying that the impact of the Russian War would subside next year, and there would still be a large surplus of grain.

Song Biao went to the logistics office to check it, it should be said that the reserves in all aspects are good, at least compared with the new troops in the Guannai, he is very prosperous here, after all, he has money.

In order to save expenses, the logistics department plans to set up a textile factory in the Tanglin Military Department on vacant land, which is used to modify the Russian military uniforms, quilts, bed sheets and other trophies, as well as second-hand goods that Russia does not want.

Jiang Fangzhen calculated that it only costs 400,000 silver yuan to run a military textile factory, and it is almost enough to hire hundreds of workers and buy 20 pieces of equipment, and the money saved is a lot, and basically the original reserve materials can be used reasonably.

Song Biao arranged for Pan Sichi, who had previously served as the head of the Shanghai government-run textile factory, to take charge of this matter temporarily, and promised to give Pan Sichi a contract management clause; if this matter is really done, I dare not say that the Northeast New Army will not have to waste much money on cotton, cloth, and military uniforms within three years.

If there is ism, you can make him loyal to the faith, and if there is the imperial court, you can make him loyal to the imperial court, and if there is nothing, you can only make him loyal to the market economy.

After inspecting the logistics department, Song Biao went to the Far Eastern Army Non-commissioned Officer School to check on the translation and printing of teaching materials, and the school's teaching materials department was in charge of these tasks, and bought three old-fashioned printing equipment, which were old machines from a printing factory in Shanghai, and they could barely make ends meet and still be used.

At the Far Eastern Army Non-commissioned Officer School, Song Biao advocated that five books should be read by students, namely "Xunzi", "The Art of War", "Suvorov's Military Essays", "On War", and "Introduction to the Art of War".

Song Biao's bizarre request made the Far Eastern Army Non-commissioned Officer School have a very unique aspect from the first day of its establishment.

The Far Eastern Army Non-commissioned Officer School has a special national politics course, which tells about Chinese classical philosophy, Western philosophy, Western modern enlightenment thought, Chinese history, general history of the world, and the history of the development of modern nationalism.

Because more than half of the textbooks are directly translated from the Chinese textbooks, the school has also hired more than a dozen professional Chinese translators to ensure accurate translation, in addition to direct translation from the textbooks of the Russian School of Affairs.

The progress of the first refresher course and the school system was too tight, and many times the textbooks to be used tomorrow were temporarily reprinted today, and sometimes there were no textbooks at all, so they could only be handwritten on the blackboard, or the translators and instructors could temporarily interpret according to the requirements of the Russian instructors, and the students copied them on the spot.

In this tense and difficult environment, the teaching situation of the first refresher class and the academic system class is quite acceptable, although the general problem of the students is that the basic level is too poor, but at least more than half of the students can still adapt to this intense pace of learning.

At this stage, Song Biao recruited more than 45 graduated non-commissioned officers from the Zhenwu School and the Army Non-commissioned Officer School, accounting for almost 1/3 of the total graduates, and even Chen Qicai and Fu Liangzuo, who are well-known non-commissioned officers and students, have also arrived in the Northeast New Army to serve under the invitation one after another.

In addition, there are 27 part-time instructors, more than 120 other instructors and translators, and it has set up four major departments of infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineering, and seven small departments of reconnaissance, intelligence, drawing, communications, military industry, logistics, and military medicine.

With Alekseevich . In the words of Deputy Rector Brusilov, the level of teaching of the Far Eastern Army School of non-commissioned officers is actually better than that of the best Moscow infantry non-commissioned officer school in Russia, and the difference lies only in the basic quality of the cadets themselves.

In the Far Eastern Lushi, Song Biao checked the textbooks and the recent examinations, as well as the instructor's scores on the small examinations of each class, and his heart was generally relatively stable, although many problems were exposed, but at least he could continue the cycle of good surnames, and on the problem of the lack of quality of the students themselves, he considered that it was necessary to set up a preparatory school first, and make up for the quality courses in advance, especially the basic parts such as mathematics, physics and chemistry, foreign languages, philosophy, and history.

It happened that Chen Qicai was in charge of the work of the textbook department in the school, so Song Biao talked to him and asked Chen Qicai to prepare for the establishment of a Far Eastern non-commissioned officer preparatory school, recruit students as soon as possible, arrange enough teachers, and select the non-commissioned officer students of the Far Eastern Non-commissioned Officer School with the promotion probability of choosing one of the two.

This made Chen Qicai very surprised, although he was the first batch of non-commissioned officers, he had served as an instructor for a long time like Jiang Yanxing, and he had only joined the Northeast New Army for a month and a half, and he only took over Jiang Fangzhen to manage the affairs of the textbook department alone, and he really didn't expect to be reused so soon.

In fact, there is nothing surprising that Chen Qicai did not continue to work in the army later, he is also the kind of person who is stronger in theory than practice, and finally went to work as a banker, and his brother Chen Qimei, and his two nephews Chen Lifu and Chen Guofu are really famous.

At least during his study at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Chen Qicai's military school grades have always been outstanding, far exceeding the more than 40 people in the same batch.

After inspecting the progress of the work at the Far Eastern Army Noncommissioned Officer School and Logistics Department, Song Biao returned to the guest house to entertain Tang Shaoyi and Yin Chang, and also talked about the railways of the three eastern provinces.

The railway of the three eastern provinces was basically decided by Song Biao alone, but Yinchang and the other two governors absolutely did not dare to oppose it, and the Qing political axe did not have the courage to rashly oppose it, although everyone knew that the Far East Commercial Bank was Song Biao's private industry, and since the Far Eastern Railway Corporation was founded by the Far Eastern Commercial Bank, it was obvious that Song Biao wanted to continue to control the railway management privileges outside the coal and iron franchise, and held the most profitable business in the Northeast.

Hold on to it.

Now Qing Zhengaxe is not afraid that Song Biao loves money, but he is afraid that he does not love money.

Although he had only talked a few words occasionally, Song Biao went to the Liaodong Peninsula and suddenly expanded the matter without giving any notice, and Yin Chang did not dare to complain, but even claimed that it was good and willing to cooperate with Song Biao to handle this matter well and open more railways in the three eastern provinces.

After sending Yinchang and Tang Shaoyi out of the military department, taking advantage of some time at noon, Song Biao went to the faculty dormitory area of the Far East Army Non-commissioned Officer School to find Shu Gaoli, with the rise of every strong man, there are always some special families who rise in the process, for Song Biao, the Ningbo Shu family is like this.

In the 30th year of Daoguang, Shu Gaoli's father Shu Kaifu went to Shanghai with his fellow villagers to make a living, and worked in a foreign company, and his three sons were all studying in a church school in the United States, the eldest son Shu Gaoquan served as a comprador in the United States Qichang Foreign Company, Shu Gaoli and his younger brother Shu Gaoyou were brought back to the United States by American teachers for further study because of their excellent grades, both of them studied medicine, and then continued to study at the seminary, and returned to China as a doctor of theology in 1873.

After returning to China, Shu Gaoyou taught at the Theological Seminary and Medical School of St. John's University in Shanghai, and Shu Gaoli was hired as a technician and physician by Li Hongzhang's Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, and then joined the Shanghai Tongwen Museum as a teacher and translator because he was proficient in English and natural sciences, and worked in the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau Translation Hall (Shanghai Tongwenguan) for 30 years.

Shu Gaoli married three wives, a total of 12 sons and two daughters, the eldest son Shu Fangren is a doctor of medicine from the University of Abuddine in the United Kingdom, who previously opened a private hospital in Hong Kong, and now serves as the director of the military medical department of the Far Eastern Non-commissioned Officers School and the director of the Northeast New Army Affiliated Hospital.

The second son Shu Fangxin and the third son Shu Fangjin graduated from the Western Department of Peiya College, the predecessor of Shanghai St. John's University, the latter went to study abroad with Shu Fangde, and after Shu Fangde was reused by Song Biao, Shu Fangxin was invited to work in the Far East Commercial Bank, and Shu Fangjin continued to study in the United States under the sponsorship of the Far East Commercial Bank.

Because Shu Fangren and Shu Fangde both worked in the Far East Non-commissioned Officer School, Song Biao specially arranged a large courtyard in the school's faculty dormitory area to house their family, which was also Shu Gaoli's office for preparing for the Far East Printing Office.

After the weather warmed up, Song Biao planned to rebuild a Far East Printing Office factory in the Bajiazi area.

The iron gate of the Shu family's compound was open, and while it was still outside, Song Biao heard a young woman melodiously humming the melody of an English song, and several women next to him were muttering gossip.

The young woman's voice was pleasant, and the song carried a touch of sadness and endless longing, but also a slight kindness and call.

Song Biao listened attentively for a moment, very wonderfully interested, and had some strange fantasies about the young girl who sang, and when he walked in from the iron gate, he looked up, only to find that it was Shu Gaoli's eldest wife, Mrs. Sheng, and the two daughters-in-law were talking in the yard, and a ten-year-old black-haired girl was standing in the yard drying her freshly washed clothes, wearing a very warm gray-blue tweed military coat lined with cotton clothes, humming by herself, looking quite intoxicated.

When Shu Gaoli came here with his wife, Song Biao personally went to pick up the car, Mrs. Sheng naturally recognized him, and suddenly saw Song Biao walking in so silently, she was stunned for a moment before she woke up, and hurriedly shouted in those Ningbo dialects that Song Biao didn't understand at all: "Oh, his father, Governor Song is here, come out, come out." ”

After shouting this, Mrs. Sheng hurriedly took her little feet and two daughters-in-law to bend down to meet Song Biao, the governor of the three eastern provinces, and when they all squatted down to greet her, the young and beautiful girl in military uniform turned her face to look at Song Biao, looked at Song Biao curiously for a while, and then turned around to pay respects.

Song Biao has always been a rigorous military uniform, wearing a black and blue high-ranking general's coat, inlaid with diamonds, symbolizing power and nobility, St. George's saber is shining with gold, flowing with the brilliant brilliance of frosted gold, and the black deerskin high military boots are spotless and shiny.

A month ago, Song Biao had just seen a very special mixed-race beauty with the charm of Jiangnan, but at this time he saw a real Suzhou and Hangzhou beauty, as graceful and moving as Xi Shi, with ruddy and delicate cheeks, and black eyes flashing with a moving luster, slim and elegant, as if it was a quiet and elegant beauty like Xizi Lake, and there was a more special charm against the background of the military uniform.

There are always countless kinds of beauties in this world, and everyone prefers different ones, and Song Biao just likes the one in front of him, which is not only a beauty of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with the graceful and pure water towns of the south of the Yangtze River, but also with the elegant and quiet of the scholarly family, and wearing military uniforms, and can sing a faint English song full of nostalgia and sentimentality.

The graceful and innocent Jiangnan girl wears a new army's military uniform and coat, singing a nourishing and cheerful English song, which has a strange feeling of combining things and integrating the military and the people.

Song Biao liked this feeling very much, which made him think of the art troupe he wanted, and it would have been more perfect if she had just hummed a familiar folk song.

At this time, Shu Gaoli had already walked out of the room in a hurry accompanied by his eldest son Shu Fangren, and when he saw Song Biao, the two stepped forward to make a look, Shu Gaoli was already an old man over sixty years old, wearing a robe and cotton coat with black satin embroidered silk brocade, gray hair, some old age spots on his face, and his body was thin.

Song Biao replied with a solemn expression, squeezed out a slight smile on his cold face, and said, "Mr. Shu, are you still used to living here these days?" ”

Shu Gaoli clenched his fists and smiled: "Although the three eastern provinces are much colder than Shanghai, thanks to the love and care of the governor, the old man has arranged a place to live with heating and a big kang, but he also lives comfortably." ”

Song Biao said: "That's good, you are always a distinguished guest invited by me, enlightening the wisdom of the people of the three provinces, and the opening of a new policy depends on the Far East Printing Company and the Northeast News hosted by you, if you can't take care of you, I will be sorry for the people of the three provinces." I should have come to talk to you about the printing office and the newspaper, but I was busy with official business, and I have been circling with ministers from various countries on the Liaodong Peninsula a few days ago, and as soon as I come back this morning, I have more things to do here, so we can only talk a few words at noon! ”

Shu Gaoli sighed: "As the governor of the three provinces, General Song is deeply relied on by the imperial court, and his official duties are naturally heavy. As soon as the Governor had returned to Mukden, he eagerly took time out to visit the Humble House, and the old man naturally knew how much his attention was to the affairs of the Printing House, and he should do his best to serve the Governor and the people of the three provinces. It's just that it's cold outside, but it's warm inside, so please come into the cold house and sit down! ”

Song Biao bowed his head again, but he deliberately glanced at the girl in military uniform, smiled with her meaningfully, and then entered the main house with Shu Gaoli.

There was heating in the room, which was warm like spring, very different from the outside.

After entering the main room and sitting down on the high seat in the main hall, Song Biao immediately asked Shu Fangren, who was the director of the military medical department of the Far Eastern Non-commissioned Officer School: "Who is the girl in military uniform outside, your sister?" ”

Shu Fangren was pouring tea for Song Biao, nodded and said: "It is the eldest sister Shu Xuan in the family, among the brothers and sisters, she ranks sixth, and there is also a younger sister, who ranks the ninth." ”

Song Biao casually praised: "The song is sung well, and the people are also very beautiful, studying in the United States?" ”

Shu Fangren hummed and said, "I have studied in the American Girls' Church School for four years, and I just came back this year, and I originally wanted to go to the girls' school as an English teacher, but now I will come with my father first." ”

Shu Gaoli listened to their questions and answers, and originally wanted to immediately talk about some of his recent new ideas about the Far East Printing Company, so he had to pour tea for Song Biao first and invite him to drink it first.

It is basic etiquette to invite guests to drink tea first, so Song Biao took a sip, put down the teacup, and asked Shu Gaoli: "Old Shu, why did your daughter wear a military uniform, did she not bring enough cotton clothes, and let Shu Fangde find one casually in the logistics office?" ”

Shu Gaoli didn't know how to answer for a while, and Shu Fangren said: "She is wearing a spare winter coat issued to me by the logistics department, she came in time, and she just came back from the southern United States, I didn't expect the northeast to be so cold." ”

Song Biao sighed and said with a smile: "It's beautiful to wear a military uniform, I listen to her sing very well, and she has a new education, so it's better to let her go to the art troupe." ”

Shu Fangren hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'm afraid this has to listen to her own will!" ”

Song Biao didn't force it, and said to the Shu family's father and son: "I just mentioned it in passing, mainly because the art troupe has been organized for so long, although I have also found some artists in the Fengtian area, saying that there are all kinds of playing, playing and singing, but no one can write some scripts and make up a lyric, the art troupe I want to run should be able to boost the morale of the army in theatrical performances, and play a role in the propaganda and education of modern nationalism and patriotism in the performances." So, it's not enough to just sing the old tune and dance Yangge. This matter is very important to the Northeast New Army, but unfortunately I have not been able to handle it well. ”

Shu Gaoli said: "This matter is not difficult, I know a few new literati in Shanghai who can write new books, so I might as well write to invite them." As for whether my daughter wants to join the army or not, it depends on her own wishes, and I, as a father, have always been liberal, following their own preferences and not asking them to do anything specifically. ”

Song Biao bowed slightly, no matter whether what the Shu family father and son said was true or false, whether it was a prevarication or not, it was inconvenient for him to continue talking about this issue, he actually just jumped out of the idea, and always felt that if such a girl was in his army, it would be enjoyable.

He just thought about it, and didn't take it too seriously.

After thinking about it, he said to Shu Gaoli: "Shu Lao, I came this time to try to negotiate the matter of the Far East Printing Company as soon as possible, we also talked about it for a long time last time, and it is definitely not a problem in terms of funding, and only one of the requirements is the most important, that is, books and newspapers must be compiled in the vernacular, and more Chinese people must be able to understand them." For example, the books on medicine and mineralogy that you wrote before, I am a person who has read Western studies in Russia, and I often read scriptures and history, and it is still a little difficult to understand these Western books translated by you, I would rather read the Russian version than read the version you translated, which is indeed a big problem! ”

(To be continued)