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Monday, June 10, 1630.

In a valley about a few kilometers southwest of West Point, more than 500 heavily armed Army soldiers are sweating through the pristine mountain jungle. The commander of this contingent was Major Scott, who had only one of his last years of service as an officer of the Foreign Legion.

At this time, Scott, with the 4th Light Infantry Battalion of the Wehrmacht stationed at the military base in West Point, and a Foreign Legion infantry company transported to the mainland, conducted a small-scale field training and military exercise in this mountainous area, and by the way, underwent a military test of a batch of new weapons.

Due to the drastic reduction in the defense budget, the procurement of equipment for the new Type 30A rifle has been delayed. Although the allocation of military spending was strictly controlled, the army command still did not give up its wish, and purchased a batch of the latest Type 30A rifles from the North Industries Corporation on the pretext of "testing new equipment."

Although only 200 of them were put in hand, they were the most elite infantry equipment of the U.S. Army in China, and according to the arrangements of the Army Command, these rifles would be tested by troops for a year and a half, and some improvements would be proposed before they were officially installed in 1632.

The Type 30A single-shot rifle is based on the historic Mauser 1871 rifle, but with an 11 mm brass coil straight rifle cartridge with a round-tipped cylindrical buckshot and still only one round at a time. But in terms of safety, range, power and accuracy, it surpasses the Type 22A cartridge firing pin rifle in service. What's more, it will say goodbye to the unbearable damp scrap rate of paper bullets.

The length of the new rifle was also finally "humanized", taking into account the height of ordinary people of this era, and in the absence of a bayonet, it was a little shorter than the Type 22A rifle, only 1100 mm, and the weight was also reduced to less than 4 kg. Due to the current "state-of-the-art" metal cutting process used in the core bolt components, it takes hundreds of operations and a lot of man-hours to complete the production of a set of bolt components. This complex and time-consuming production process is very costly.

Driven by the mature large-scale manufacturing process, the domestic procurement price of a 21B export-type flintlock rifle from the assembly line is only 12 US dollars, and the domestic procurement price of the 22A type rifle currently in service is only 35 US dollars. However, according to the previous quotation of NORINCO, even if it is purchased on a large scale, the unit price of the new rifle will not be less than 70 dollars. Bullet production is also not cheap compared to semi-manual paper shells, which cost $2,500 per 10,000 rounds.

Compared with the cost of a navy warship, which is often hundreds of thousands of dollars each, no matter how expensive a good thing is for the army, it must grit its teeth and go up. How much exactly do arms dealers make. Army Commander Major General Chen Liwen is difficult to guess, but the thought of military spending on large-scale refitting makes even Defense Minister Zheng Quan feel a headache. Not to mention the Army's ambitious and long-awaited 32A six-barreled revolver project, which is a crude imitation of the historical Gatling six-barrel machine gun, which is almost the battlefield harvester and bullet eater for decades to come.

……

The new gun just fired. Even Colonel Feng Bin, the current commander-in-chief of the Foreign Legion, raised the question of whether to extend the scope of trial of new weapons to the Foreign Legion, on the grounds that the Foreign Legion has a higher combat frequency and is easier to test the performance of weapons.

Eventually, the 200 new rifles were divided equally between the Wehrmacht and the Foreign Legion, and then rotated among their respective units. The former will test the combat performance of the gun in the cold winter. And the latter will test the combat performance of the guns on tropical islands with high salinity and humidity. Now, for example, an infantry company of the 4th Light Infantry Battalion stationed at West Point is first using a precious new rifle and then simulating confrontation with other units in this exercise.

"The table is good, even if the bolt is flooded. The firing rate is still above 95%. The problem of barrel overheating is also somewhat lower than that of the 22A rifle. ”

In the telescope, an infantry company armed with a new rifle waded through a knee-high stream and began firing a series of shots at a hypothetical target. Both the accuracy and the rate of fire were very satisfactory to Lieutenant Colonel Deng Jian, commander-in-chief of the West Point garrison, who was observing the field exercises.

"But this reloading shoots faster rifles. Karma makes it easy for soldiers to waste more unnecessary bullets, especially for new recruits. It doesn't kill more enemies. Scott put down his binoculars and offered his opinion.

"It's good to be able to use it in advance, it's an adaptation to the equipment, anyway, there won't be a big war in the next few years. Even if there is, the existing equipment is sufficient. Deng Jian replied with a smile, and the smoke from the mortar explosion appeared in the distance of his vision, and Deng Jian quickly raised the telescope again.

……

Hundreds of army soldiers conducted a week-long field training in the mountains, and the many exercises that changed the target of confrontation reflected the distinctive styles of the Foreign Legion and the Wehrmacht Army.

Perhaps because of their years of fighting the natives in the rainforests of the Caribbean islands, the officers and men of the Foreign Legion Infantry Company were far more proficient in physical fitness, jungle melee and bayonet hand-to-hand combat than the Wehrmacht, and were significantly superior in long-range gunfire from guns, positional defense, and the construction of field fortifications.

Subsequently, taking advantage of the "loophole in the rules" that outstanding officers and soldiers of the Foreign Legion could be transferred to the Wehrmacht and obtain citizenship in advance, the Army Command directly absorbed more than half of the soldiers from the infantry companies of the Foreign Legion participating in the exercise into the Wehrmacht, and the shortfall of the company continued to be recruited and replenished in the Azores, thus achieving the purpose of increasing the total strength of the Army in disguise.

On Tuesday, June 18, early in the morning, Scott returned to West Point with his troops to recuperate. After a brief handover, Scott began his month-long sabbatical.

Although he had only experienced a tiring field drill, Scott still changed into a military uniform, and walked towards West Point Kindergarten with a wreath of flowers picked from the mountains, ready to take his 5-year-old daughter Alice out to visit his wife Brenda at the cemetery.

In the summer, West Point has expanded its urban area to the limit of its current environment, surrounded on three sides by mountains and forests, and the climate is humid and cool. Rolling steps and paths, beautiful houses surrounded by greenery, orchards built on hillside terraces. And the long urban aqueduct that runs through the hillside and the horse-drawn wagons that come and go on the road make West Point look particularly beautiful and vibrant.

Shuttling between the city, many passing West Point townspeople took the initiative to greet Scott. This ruthless officer with an eyepatch on the surface is one of the most respected characters in West Point today, and even Scott's daughter Alice has become a little star in the kindergarten in West Point, and she can dance cute dances at a young age, which is deeply liked by teachers.

As soon as they entered the kindergarten, the children shouted "Alice's daddy" over and over again in a uniform children's voice. As a result, Alice rushed out of an unknown corner and threw herself into Scott's arms.

A wild fruit in the mountains, and a beautiful stone found by the river, became a small gift from Scott, who was not good at words, to his daughter. Alice, biting the wild fruit and pinching the stone, was held in her father's arms. also babbled and sang nursery rhymes to his father, which made every adult who saw it smile.

……

Probably because of the working hours, the cemetery is very deserted today. Hundreds of tombstones are neatly arranged around the turquoise lawn area, and an elderly grave keeper is still slowly arranging the flowers and plants. In a corner with a better environment, under a snow-white tombstone, flowers are already placed. A young woman wearing a sunhat and lifting her veil is standing quietly in front of a tombstone, clasping her hands together. He bowed his head slightly and prayed.

"Daddy...... It's Aunt Jenny! Far away, the daughter in her arms called out the name of the back, and it seems that over the years, Alice has met the big singer in the cemetery.

Put down her daughter and hold her in her hands. Slowly walking behind the woman, a smile appeared on Scott's face.

"Ahh Mr. Scott. Oh, and Alice! Jenny noticed someone behind her, and when she looked back in surprise, she smiled. After a few steps, he walked up to Alice and squatted down, kissing the pretty little girl and giggling.

"You're still so radiant, not at all, Miss Jenny." In the face of the national mouth of "Miss Jenny forever", Scott also humorously made a moderate joke, "If Jessica is a few years older, she will probably be embarrassed to ask you how to maintain it." ”

Jessica, the niece that Scott said, is the niece left by Brenda, who is now 12 years old and will attend West Point Middle School in the second half of this year.

"Alice is beautiful too!" The little girl's heart is so simple, she doesn't understand the politeness of adults at all, and she actually begins to brag about her usual teacher's words.

"You haven't changed, Mr. Scott. And Alice, you're so cute, what a gift from God to West Point! ”

Jenny is only 25 years old this year, and with her popularity, she is naturally accustomed to this kind of compliment. Seeing the image of the father and daughter in front of him who are dependent on each other and loving each other, I can't help but show a look of envy.

"I heard Mrs. Santos say you come here several times a year...... I'm sorry, I've rarely been home all these years, and it's God's preference that Alice doesn't get rusty with me. Scott offered the wreath to his deceased wife, and after praying, invited Jenny, "How about having lunch together if we don't delay you?" ”

……

It's at least an hour away from the usual lunchtime, so this lunch looks more like a reminiscence among friends. At West Point's "oldest" hotel, Scott sat facing each other with his daughters, Alice and Jenny, both of whom calmly sorted out their dishes and didn't talk much.

Except for Alice, who wants to ensure nutrition, holding a cheesecake and eating it like a big flowery face, Scott and Jenny only have a simple small plate of ornate sauce roast steak and a plate of fruit in front of them.

“…… I'll be transferred from the Foreign Legion next year, and thank God I'll be able to attend your concert in person in person. Scott politely pointed in the direction of Manchester City as he wiped the cream from his daughter's mouth.

"Now that the station is training new talents, I have more time to do my own thing, and I accepted the invitation of the Ivy League school last month to work part-time as a music teacher there next year. I was nervous, I was actually scared to get so close to other people, and I didn't play the piano very well. As the topic unfolded, Jenny seemed to regain the relaxed and simple and slightly cautious girlish feeling she had long ago.

"I've heard other people's songs, but ...... Did you know that soldiers are usually anxious when there is a night a week when the sound is no longer familiar. Seeing that the other party hadn't moved his steak yet, Scott smiled and picked up the spice bottle and sprinkled pepper on the other party's plate.

"Thank you. Mr. Scott! Seeing that the other party was praising himself in a different way, Jenny felt happy in her heart. Then casually pick up a steak and put it in your mouth.

The meat steak cooked in the special oriental sauce is tender and delicious, with the spicy aroma of pepper, and it is a plate of food that you can't wait to sweep away in front of ordinary people. But just as Jenny brought the fork close to her mouth, she felt an indescribable nausea rise from her stomach.

"Are you uncomfortable?! Miss Jenny?! ”

Scott quickly dropped the cutlery and stood up. The woman on the other side of the table had already bent down in constant retching, and even looked very ugly because of her lack of breath.

"No...... I'm fine. ......It took a long time for Jenny to recover, but she had just sat up straight, and she was retching again, and this time her whole stomach didn't even feel like her own. I even felt a little dizzy.

"It's rude, I'll take you to the hospital!" Scott walked around the dining table and straightened Jenny's body gently, nodding apologetically to the hotel waiter, "I'm very sorry, please call a carriage right away, we need to go to the hospital!" ”

……

In the emergency room of West Point Hospital. Jiang Yan, the dean who heard the news, carefully used a stethoscope to conduct a detailed examination of Jenny, and after asking a few more questions, she finally showed a smile.

"Jenny, don't worry. You're pregnant, about two months, and you're a little bit more pregnant. Jiang Yan is a fan of Jenny and one of the investment shareholders of Manchester City Entertainment. Naturally, he cares about Cheng Daxiong and his wife, and now Jenny, who has not seen any movement for many years, is pregnant. It also made Jiang Yan very happy.

"Madame...... Are you telling the truth?! Jenny was stunned for a moment, her eyes gradually reddened, and her tears fell without control, "Thank you, thank you......"

"Hehe, thank me for what? Do you want me to send a telegram to Mr. Cheng and ask him to come and pick you up? Jiang Yan summoned the nurse and arranged Jenny's dress, squeezing her eyes.

"Thanks, no. I want to go home and tell him personally! Jenny was already smiling and squinting, and her thoughts had flown to Manchester City.

It was indeed not easy, in order to get pregnant, Jenny herself couldn't remember how many times she secretly went to the Taoist temple in Silver Valley Town, nor how many oriental potions she took. No matter how bitter the medicine is, she can endure it, and now the bitterness has finally come.

"Mr. Scott, I'm fine. I'm sorry though, I want to go back to Manchester City right away! Back in the hospital lobby outside, Jenny couldn't wait to put on her sun hat and lowered her head embarrassedly, "I...... I'm pregnant, and maybe Cheng wants me to be in front of him right now. ”

"Thank God, this is the best news I've heard today." Scott nodded unchanged and walked towards the gate himself, intending to hail the carriage to the port docks.

"Aunt Jenny taught me to sing." Alice stuck to it again without accident, tugging at Jenny's dress.

"Yes, dear Alice! The next time you go to Manchester City with Mr. Scott, I'll take you to the radio to sing! "People are in good spirits on happy occasions, and Jenny is already full of splendor.

Walking to the gate and looking at the river wharf in the distance, Scott also breathed a sigh of relief.

……

At this moment, in the reception hall of Manchester City Radio, a couple of men and women in new and gorgeous long clothes (Hanfu) are holding an erhu and pipa in their arms, carefully sitting on a bench, bowing their heads, and constantly carefully looking at the men and women walking by.

“…… Sir, I can assure you, that young lady's voice is wonderful! I overheard it at the Pin Spoon Hotel. A young European accompanied Cheng Daxiong down the hallway, while splattering his findings to the current director and general manager of Manchester City Entertainment.

"They didn't accept the arrangement of the Ministry of Civil Affairs? Why is it still singing in a restaurant when you get to the mainland? Cheng Daxiong walked to the bench and looked at the old and young with nervous expressions, showing a puzzled expression.

"No, on the contrary, they were hired by the Yipinspoon Hotel. But I think they should be the new force in the company. The young European man triumphantly pointed to the men and women in front of him and raised his voice.

"Old man, you are ......" Although Cheng Daxiong does not know erhu and pipa, he has also collected many oriental artists over the years, adding a lot of new things to the band's timbre. When you see the finger joints of this pair of grandparents and grandchildren, you know that it is a skill that has been in place for many years.

"Little old Tao is all rich. This is the granddaughter Xinmei, who has seen the eldest master. We can only play music and sing to make ends meet. Along the way, the old man had already heard the young Europeans who led the way talk about the wonderful future countless times, and when he saw a young man who was obviously a big man standing in front of him, he hurriedly pulled his granddaughter and was about to kneel.

"Well, you're welcome. Then follow me to the audition room and listen. ”

The girl Tao Xinmei is only sixteen or seventeen years old at most, and she looks very handsome and delicate, and it can be said that the external conditions meet Cheng Daxiong's requirements for music artists. However, it seems to be a newcomer to North America. I don't know the place well, but I seem too nervous and timid.

Secretly looked up at Cheng Daxiong, and saw that the other party was looking at herself, Tao Xinmei was so frightened that she quickly lowered her head again, and her face turned red.

in the soundroom. The old man and his granddaughter played the slow-singing Kunqu opera, which made Cheng Daxiong, who was not very familiar with this kind of traditional music, shine. With many years of work experience, Cheng Daxiong immediately judged that the other party's unique long voice was excellent, as long as he focused on training and guiding, over time, his achievements would definitely be no less than Jenny.

"Hmm. Talk to them, Romus, this kid has very good qualifications. Cheng Daxiong seemed to have something to do, and left the audition room after a brief explanation.

Looking at the back that is gradually moving away. Tao Xinmei was still secretly nervous about the wrong words she had just sung because of her timidity. However, Cheng Daxiong's serious attitude of watching her playing and singing from beginning to end made her seem to remember something.

“…… Yes, Mr. Cheng thinks that Miss Tao has a lot of potential to sing. Especially musical instruments. Sir, your playing ability is also outstanding, and the company can sign a long-term contract with both of you. To provide you with the best stage to perform. ”

Cheng Daxiong left, and the European young man who stayed behind didn't know where to get a contract, and pushed it in front of the grandparents and grandchildren with a smile: "After the contract is signed, the company will pay off the bank's resettlement housing loan for you in one lump sum." During the probationary period, the salary is $30 per person per month, and other work allowances and living allowances are additional. ”

Thirty large pieces of silver a month, which is equivalent to twenty taels of silver! Although after going ashore, the grandfather and grandson had already received a settlement fee, but when they heard that they could still get so much salary every month, more than the one spoon hotel, they were immediately frightened.

"The little old man is just a lowly person, here ......" The old man's train of thought had not yet turned, and when he looked back at his granddaughter, he always thought that this benefit represented some kind of hint, and his mouth habitually began to refuse.

"Grandpa, it's okay......" Seeing that grandpa seemed to want to refuse, Tao Xinmei hurriedly gently pulled the other party's sleeve, and her voice was like a mosquito.

"Hehe, you can think about it again, if it's okay, come here tomorrow to find me, I will be responsible for your next arrangements, this is my business card." The young Europeans had long been accustomed to the character of these new Oriental immigrants to North America, and without saying much, they handed over a small piece of paper -- a form of communication that Huamei has emerged in society in recent years.

Holding the business card tightly, although most of the simplified Chinese characters are strange, Tao Xinmei, who has read some books since childhood, still understands the identity of the other party.

So come to think of it, the old man who left just now should be more powerful than this "Fan Ren Director", he looks like him...... When she left the radio station, Tao Xinmei looked back at the building in front of her again.

……

At dusk, Jenny's river boat finally arrived in the south of Manchester and rushed to her home. didn't wait for the carriage to be stable, so she hurriedly jumped down, and happened to meet her husband Cheng Daxiong who was sneaking a famous Scottish dog on the lawn in the front yard of the villa manor.

"Jenny, didn't you say you'd go to West Point to see your friends and come back tomorrow?" Cheng Daxiong was surprised, and slowly walked up to his wife, who was flushed with excitement, "What's wrong with you, your face is so red?" ”

"My dear! Good news for you...... Jenny shyly removed the other man's hand touching her face, brought it to the other's ear, and muttered softly.

Listening to this, Cheng Daxiong's eyes widened in disbelief, and then slowly revealed ecstasy.

The door to the vestibule of the villa opened, and a pair of boys and girls, about ten years old, ran out. The two children are Chinese orphans adopted by Cheng Daxiong and Jenny more than four years ago, the elder brother is named Cheng Dong and the younger sister is called Cheng Yuan.

"Are you having fun studying today? Thank God Almighty for going to church together after school tomorrow! Jenny's love was wonderful, kissing her adopted son and daughter passionately on the left and right.

Because both of them were Christians, Jenny was more religiously liberal than other European women who married the Crossing Masses, thinking little about it, and baptized her two children in church a few years earlier.

Jenny was still immersed in happiness, while Cheng Daxiong was like a lost soul in ecstasy, leading a dog and standing on the lawn stupidly.

(To be continued)