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On September 26, 1846, the Imperial Daily, the official newspaper of the Empire, published on the front page the news that the Imperial Foreign Minister Lin Zihao had officially declared war on behalf of the Empire against the Manchus. Soon after dawn in the morning, the newsboys who were selling newspapers in the streets shouted loudly: "Sell newspapers, sell newspapers!" The latest news, the empire officially declared war on the Manchus. A million imperial lions, will strike the final blow against the decaying Manchu dynasty! ”

"Declared war? Is the war starting again? Get a newspaper! The pedestrians on the road were alarmed and paid for newspapers.

All of a sudden, hundreds of copies of the newspaper in the hands of the newsboy were sold out in an instant. There are also many people who have not bought a newspaper and have to share a newspaper with other people. Everyone was very concerned about the news of the empire's declaration of war on the Manchus.

"Great, the Empire has finally declared war on the Manchus! In my opinion, a declaration of war on the Manchus is long overdue. What about the fact that they still occupy half of China? The compatriots over there are still enduring their enslavement, and the empire should have destroyed the Manchus a long time ago! A young man dressed as a worker said.

"Yes! When the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, how many of our compatriots were killed! This time, it's time for them to pay for their blood debts! A young student said hatefully. At the request of Long Yufei, schools at all levels of the empire needed to strengthen the education of patriotism. It made the young students hate the Manchu Qing Dynasty very much, so as to cultivate everyone's loyalty and patriotism.

"Alas! Is the 200-year-old Qing Dynasty coming to an end after all? These rebels and thieves. It won't end well! An old man in a long shirt with a pig's tail dragging behind his head scolded loudly. Just by looking at him, you can see that he is a guy who is loyal to the Manchus. Even though it has been some time since the Chinese Empire was established, but. Under the rule of the Chinese Empire, there were still many people who were stupid and loyal to the Manchus, especially those who had received old-style education, and even regarded the Manchus as the orthodoxy of the world, believing that the Chinese Emperor Long Yufei was just a thief. For these people, Long Yufei is also lazy, as long as they don't do anything harmful to the interests of the country. Leave them alone. Of course, if they break the law, then they are out of luck. Law enforcement agencies at all levels against these people. There will definitely be a heavy punishment.

"Humph! is another rotten Confucian, a good Han man doesn't live, he wants to be a slave to the Manchu Qing Dynasty, it's a shame for his ancestors! One student yelled.

Soon. News of the Empire's official declaration of war on the Manchus spread through the reports of the major newspapers. Almost all the people of the empire. They all expressed their support for this war. Except for a very small number of people who still had hope in the Manchus, everyone believed that the empire would win this war. Of course, there are also fears of casualties in the war. After all, where there is war, there will be death. Although the strength of the Chinese Empire is strong, it is unrealistic to fight a war with zero casualties. But. The sound was so small that not even a single wave was raised. It was drowned out by the roar of the population in support of the war. Now Long Yufei has completely mastered the rhetoric of the empire after years of education and control of the mainstream media. While doing so would make the empire more authoritarian, it was inevitable in the early stages of the empire's development.

Countries around the world are also watching this war, and the Chinese Empire officially declared war on the Manchus, which means that the war has begun. As for who will emerge victorious in the end, it's hard to say. If only the Chinese Empire and the Manchu Qing Dynasty were to win, it was certain. However, there was also a Russia behind the Manchus, although it is not known when Russia will join the war, whether it will first declare war and then enter the war, or whether it will take the method of undeclared war, it is difficult to say. However, if Russia goes to war, the situation will be even more confusing.

On the day of the declaration of war, Emperor Long Yufei left the palace early and went to the Imperial General Staff to pay attention to the progress of the war. For this battle, the Imperial Army's attack on the Manchus must first cross the Yangtze River. The Manchus had painstakingly operated north of the Yangtze River for many years, and if the Imperial Army wanted to make a successful breakthrough, it would definitely pay a certain price.

After the start of the war, the General Staff was busy. A large number of telegrams were sent back from the front line, and on the sand table, the signs representing the change in strength of the two sides also began to change. In order not to disturb the work of the officers of the General Staff, Long Yufei went to the office of Niu Meng, the chief of the General Staff. General Niu Meng, chief of the General Staff, personally accompanied him. As for the command of this battle, he has already handed over full authority to Lieutenant General Sun Hao, the head of operations. Compared with Major General Sun Hao, who is busy and does not touch the ground, Major General Niu Meng is much more leisurely.

"Chief of Staff, it seems that you have already decided, are you really not going to work for a few more years? At your age, it's no problem to work for another five years, even if it's ten years! Long Yufei said. Niu Meng is only fifty-three years old now, and for him in a high position, it is the time when he is in the prime of life. Even if he retires after ten years, he will only be sixty-three years old. Among the chiefs of general staff of the countries of the world, this age is definitely not too old. Therefore, regarding General Niu Meng's resignation request, Long Yufei still hopes that he can consider it carefully.

"Forget it, Your Majesty, I won't stand in the way of young people. When I was on Flying Fish Island, I never imagined that there would be such a day! I'm bully, I'm just a small leader among the pirates, and there will be a day when there will be a very human minister, this is completely the green smoke on the ancestral tomb! To be able to be the Chief of the General Staff for so many years, I am already very satisfied. I'm not young now, and although I'm in good health, I plan to spend the rest of my time enjoying my family. I've been so busy these years and have so little time with my family. Niu Meng said with a smile, as soon as people get older, it is easy to remember the past. Niu Meng is no exception. His current life, identity and status often make him feel like he is still in a dream. When I was a pirate on Flying Fish Island, although I lived a leisurely life of eating meat and drinking in large bowls, I was also worried that I might lose my head at some point. After all, going to sea to rob is a job to tie your head to your belt! Almost none of the old people on Flying Fish Island thought that they would have the opportunity to build such a powerful empire. Now they are going to overthrow the court they feared at the beginning. In Niu Meng's view, what is there not to be satisfied with?

Long Yufei nodded, since Niu Meng had already decided, then he would not continue to keep it.

"Chief of Staff, who do you think will take your place?" Long Yufei asked. Although this is already obvious, he still has to ask Admiral Niu Meng's opinion, even if this is just a formality, it also makes Admiral Niu Meng feel better.

"Your Majesty, let Lao Sun take over! I know, you don't like Lao Sun very much. Although Lao Sun is also our old brother on Flying Fish Island, he has a better brain than me, and he learns things quickly, so he is much better than me in this regard. Although it may not meet your requirements, the road is taken step by step, and we have to take our time. Admiral Niu Meng said. He knew that Long Yufei liked Major General Liu Zhongming, deputy director of the Operations Department. However, Major General Liu Zhongming is too young, and although he has received a Western-style education, he is also more capable than Lieutenant General Sun Hao in operational command. However, the qualifications are too shallow, I'm afraid I can't convince the public! Lieutenant General Sun Hao is different, he is a veteran senior general in the Imperial Army and Navy, even when he was on Flying Fish Island, he was also a small leader, and now many military commanders and brigade commanders were just small minions on Flying Fish Island. If Lieutenant General Sun Hao becomes chief of the General Staff, he should be able to hold the position.

Long Yufei nodded, and then said: "Okay, let Lieutenant General Sun Hao be the chief of the General Staff, and wait for him to work for ten years first, and then Liu Zhongming will take over." When the time comes, Liu Zhongming's qualifications will be enough. ”

"Well, Your Majesty is right to think so. The army is the cornerstone of the empire, and it can't be messed up! Admiral Niu Meng said. In the current empire* military system, it is mainly divided into two factions, one is the pirate faction, also known as the meritorious faction, that is, those pirates who followed Long Yufei on Flying Fish Island back then, are the troops that started the empire. Now, they are in high positions in the Empire* military, and they hold most of the power. The shortcoming of these people is that they have too little knowledge, and they are all big and coarse, and it is difficult for them to adapt to the development of modern warfare. On the other hand, the commoners, were the officers who were trained in the later development of the empire. These officers, most of them middle and lower-ranking officers, have talent and knowledge, and are the future of the empire.

"Chief of Staff, let's do it, when the time comes, there will be two new deputy commanders-in-chief of the imperial army and navy, and you and General Zhao Yi will both serve as field marshals as deputy commanders-in-chief. Of course, this is just an idle job. The main thing is to use you to suppress these proud soldiers of the military! Long Yufei said.

After thinking about it for a while, Admiral Niu Meng nodded: "Okay, it's just an idle post anyway, I'll be the deputy commander-in-chief for a few more years!" ”

Of course, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army and Navy, there is only one person, and that is the Emperor. In New China, Long Yufei, who grew up under the red flag, knows very well that only inside the barrel of a gun can power come out, so he must firmly grasp the military power in his hands. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sleep well.

"Your Majesty, the telegram from the front has returned. The 5th, 9th and 11th armies have all successfully crossed the Yangtze River and defeated the enemy in front of them! Li Hu, the chief of the guard, said to Long Yufei.

"Haha, congratulations, the Imperial Army has won the first battle!" Admiral Niu Meng immediately congratulated. (To be continued......)