"On second thought, I know that you are well-informed. You say, will Japan and Russia really fight? In the reception room of the main house in the backyard where Long Qian lived, Tang Shaoyi did not sit in the guest seat, but sat on a lower chair next to him, stretching out his hand to roast his hands in front of the charcoal brazier in front of him. After a heavy snowfall, the temperature in Jinan plummeted, and the water dripping into ice outside, but the inside of the house was as warm as spring.

"Yes, there will be a fight." Long Qian sat opposite Tang Shaoyi, looking a little absent-minded. Of course, Tang Shaoyi didn't know what to do, Long Qian's mind drifted to Lu Shan and the others, and since he saw the last side of the most Lu in Beijing, there was no news of those comrades-in-arms who were born and died. The weather in the Northeast should be colder than here, right?

"As far as you can see, where will the battlefield be, and how should I deal with it?"

"The Russians' military deployment in South Manchuria is not very detailed, and the information in this area is not easy to obtain. However, the Russians will not give up Port Arthur, because they occupy the northeast, and one of the most important factors is Port Arthur. Vladivostok does not grow, and there is a freezing period of four or five months throughout the year. Therefore, the battlefield is in South Manchuria, from Lushunkou to Shenyang, I am afraid it will become a battlefield. ”

"Oh my God!" Tang Shaoyi couldn't help but exclaim. Since he learned that he would be appointed as Fengtian, he has been collecting relevant information, and this judgment of Long Qian is basically consistent with his own conclusions.

"Don't doubt it. Once the Japanese make their moves, they will pour out the strength of the whole country, and needless to say, the navy will naturally go all out. Even if the army is transferred, it will not be enough to transfer all the divisions and regiments on active duty, and reserve forces will have to be mobilized. For Russia, the Far East is not its roots, its center of gravity is Europe. If you lose. It's a big deal to return to China. But for Japan, it was another war of annihilation, and there was no way back at all. Therefore, it can be said that the Japanese are fighting this war with the strength of the whole country, and the Russians will contribute half of their strength at most. ”

"Who do you think will win?"

"It's hard to say." Long Qian fiddled with the charcoal and looked at the Guan Gong painting on the north wall, "And." Who wins and who loses. For us, it's pretty much a result. ”

Tang Shaoyi sighed, "What do you think the imperial court should do?" ”

"This time the adults entered Beijing, the queen mother and the emperor must have an explanation. Long didn't dare to talk about the great affairs of the court. Long Qian smiled slightly.

"Retreat! You and I have been friends for years. I've always considered you a good friend. To the people I know. Awareness of the situation in the world. There is no one above you. Why bother to see this? ”

Long Qian smiled, "Brother Shaochuan, it's not in his position. Not seeking politics is actually a wise saying. The people in the opposition are barking, thinking that the general trend of the world is under their control, but they are just scholars who talk about the Tao and mislead the country and the people. When I was in it, it wasn't like that at all. Since this summer, there have been many trifles, where is the time to study the situation in Japan and Russia? The reason why it was judged that there would be a war between Japan and Russia was that since the intervention of the three countries returned to Liao, Japan held its breath. Brother Minggao has been in Japan for many years, which also confirms my judgment. Japan is different from Russia in that Russia has a vast land and a lot of room for manoeuvre. Japan is isolated on the sea, lacks resources, and does not plan to gain a foothold on the mainland, and in any case, it will not really become a world-class power. The occupation of Korea was only the first step, and the second step was Manchuria. If the Russians are expelled and monopolize Manchuria, Japan will have obtained a resource supply base, and when it gains a firm foothold, it will inevitably try to enter the customs and destroy China. ”

Tang Shaoyi was taken aback, "Retreat!" In the past, I hoped to use the power of the Japanese to regain sovereignty over the northeast. Isn't Japan, as you say, more dangerous? ”

"Originally. This world is the law of the jungle, the land of the northeast, but we are powerless to protect it, and naturally attract the covetousness of evil neighbors, what is there to make a fuss about? ”

"Retreat! According to you, if war breaks out and Fengtian is a battlefield, what should I do? ”

"Brother Shaochuan, there is no doubt that our DPRK is unable to intervene in the dispute between Japan and Russia. It's just a matter of preventing in advance, demarcating the war zone, and minimizing the losses of the people, what else can be done? Brother Shaochuan is talented, and these original brothers don't need to rap their younger brothers. Long Qian really wanted to pull Tang Shaoyi into his camp, but the current situation naturally couldn't fit this great god. If Lu Shan really creates a situation in the Northeast, Tang Shaoyi still has a lot to borrow. Therefore, Long Qian changed his tone, "Brother Shaochuan, according to the younger brother's one-hole management, the importance of the Northeast is really incomparable, if the Northeast is owned by me, the North rejects Russia, and the East peeps into North Korea, the national defense situation will look much better." I heard that Mongolia is unstable, and there is gradually a tendency to centrifuge, and if the northeast is in my hands, those separatists will be much more honest. In other words, if the Northeast is no longer owned by me, the Beijing division will be shaken, and North China will be unstable. Therefore, Brother Shaochuan's appointment as Fengtian is really a great task from heaven, and there are many things that can be done. In today's world, if you use a simple description, the world is like a big cake, which is being divided by a few strong men, and our country is weak, so it is naturally the object of carving up. However, we should not forget that in addition to Japan and Russia, there are also great powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, which, out of consideration of their own interests, will never allow Japan or Russia to dominate Manchuria. Therefore, the war between Japan and Russia is the biggest lose-lose situation. It is difficult for anyone to swallow Manchuria. So don't worry too much. ”

"Fabulous! I'm relieved to hear you say that. ”

"On my side, the more the two evil neighbors bleed, the greater the loss, and the better it was for me. Standing on our side's standpoint, it is natural to gain time and build up national strength. Therefore, I hope that after Brother Shaochuan arrives in Fengtian, he will absorb the displaced people in Guannai, vigorously recruit talents, develop the economy, and make long-term plans, so as to truly serve the country and the people. ”

"The great talent of retreat, the foolish brother has long known. Now that the foolish brother is in the tiger's den, everything is complicated, it is difficult to rub his hands, and he hopes to think back and try his best to help. ”

"Brother Shaochuan looks down on the younger brother. Where does the little brother have the ability to help you? It was this Jinan riot, and I don't know how many people wanted to see my jokes. No need to ask, the excerpt to impeach me is already on the way. ”

"Reorganizing the patrol battalion is long overdue. Raising a group of old soldiers who are not in battle and consume food and salary is the disaster for the country and the people. When I entered Beijing this time, I will definitely defend my brother. Tang Shaoyi stood up.

"Thank you, Brother Shaochuan, for your righteousness." Long Qian thanked him.

On the second day, Tang Shaoyi said goodbye to Long Qian and others and entered Beijing with his family.

With Zhou Fu's consent, Long Qian studied with several deputies. The patrol battalion under the jurisdiction of Jinan Prefecture was immediately rectified.

According to the name of the establishment, the Jinan patrol battalion has more than 1,500 people and is organized into three battalions, but the actual number is less than 1,200. Not all of them took part in the riots, and a third of the officers and men did not participate in the riots on the night of the 11th for various reasons. But on the second day, they were surrounded by the 17th Standard Army, disarmed, and imprisoned on the spot.

After waiting in panic for two days, the gang was gathered in the school yard and formed several small phalanxes. In the face of the hundreds of soldiers of the Fifth Town who were eyeing the school yard with loaded guns and live ammunition, the officers and men of the patrol battalion did not dare to resist. Waiting for the verdict of fate.

Long Qian took Situ Jun and several other officers to the review stand.

"Quiet!" Long Qian carried a horsewhip in his hand. He shook a few whips on the table in front of him, and it gradually quieted down below.

"I am Long Qian, the governor of Shandong! You all look at it, I am your commander. Because you did not participate in the riots of the 11th, so. Don't worry. I will not cure your sins! But. Look at the way you look now, you are not dressed and you are not standing. Where is there still a little bit of military look! Well?! If you look at the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Town trained by Lao Tzu, which one is like a bear like you? Disarm you and lock you up for a few days, it's light! Just look like a bear for you now, twenty sticks for each soldier, double for the officers, that's all light! Not convinced, isn't it? Lao Tzu is not underestimating you, you elected three people to practice with Lao Tzu empty-handed, if you can overturn Lao Tzu, Lao Tzu will immediately retract his fame, do you dare? ”

There was a commotion in the phalanx below, but no one dared to come out and argue with the Admiral. After a commotion, the formation was a little neater and quieter.

"Don't you dare, do you? If you don't dare now, you can do it later. But I'll wait until I'm free to teach you a lesson. Okay, now Lao Tzu is down to business, you can listen to me! Some people say that Lao Tzu will take the patrol battalion after taking office, and that's right. Because the vast majority of you don't deserve to wear this uniform at all, and you don't deserve to be a soldier at all! If you don't rectify it, you will be sorry for the court, and you will be sorry for the money that the court gave me! But some people say that Lao Tzu cut out all the patrol battalions indiscriminately, which is a rumor! Sling the bull! Lao Tzu never thought of driving you all home! Tan Shijie, that bastard, was instigated by others to use his brothers as guns, which is simply bad! You people are still sensible, and you don't follow the madman to play with the dirt. Therefore, I will gather you today and tell you how to put the patrol battalion in order, so that you can have a reassurance.

"You don't have weapons, you don't have training, and many people don't get paid on time, you don't get paid in full. This is a dereliction of duty on the part of the former Admiral, and it is none of your business. As the commander of a province, Lao Tzu rectifies the patrol camp is within Lao Tzu's responsibility, and he wants to train an elite army for the imperial court, not to get along with you. Those who are willing to continue to be soldiers and eat food, I welcome them, and those who are not willing to be soldiers, Lao Tzu has also designed several ways out for you. You have listened carefully to me, and now the Acting Chief of Staff of the Fifth Town, Lord Situ Jun, will read out the terms of rectification. ”

Situ Jun has been following Long Qian for a long time, and he has never heard Long Qian's words in such a military manner, and he can't help laughing in his heart, and after thinking about it, I am afraid that these patrol battalion masters are really like this.

The main ones are as follows: 1. In accordance with the principle of survival of the fittest and the principle of voluntariness, the Admiralty's Office should comprehensively reorganize the patrol battalion troops. reorganize military discipline, strengthen training, replace equipment, and improve remuneration, so that it will become an armed force to defend the township and become a reserve army for the main force of the fifth town; 2. Those who are willing to join the fifth town and pass the assessment will be recruited into the fifth town. The treatment of the soldiers was exactly the same as that of the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Town. In accordance with the principle of reciprocity of posts, the officers enjoy the same and similar treatment as those in the Fifth Town, and all of them are not assigned actual posts for the time being, and all of them are enrolled in the Fifth Town Military Academy for half a year. Upon graduation, the responsive position is awarded based on merit and performance.

2. Officers and soldiers who fail to meet the requirements after assessment but are willing to continue to serve in the army, and those who are unwilling to join the Fifth Town but are willing to continue to serve in the patrol battalion, can participate in the reorganized patrol battalion, and the treatment is of course lower than that of the Fifth Town, about seventy percent of the level of the Fifth Town. However, it will be paid in full and on time.

3. Our province will refer to the experience of Zhili and set up a police station throughout the province to be responsible for local security. The police station is subordinate to the local government and will be the first to be established in Jinan and Yizhou. Officers and men of the existing patrol battalion who are willing to sign up to join the police station as local police officers can apply, and those who are innocent and meet the age and physical fitness requirements can enter the police station.

4. I don't want to be a soldier, and most of the Admirals are from poor families. The livelihood is difficult, and will make a request to Huayuan Industrial Company, which is preparing to move to Jinan, to accept a part of the factory to work. Huayuan's salary is no lower than that of being a soldier, and he can turn a soldier into a worker. However, they must meet the employment conditions of Huayuan and abide by the rules of Huayuan.

5. If you don't want to go down the above roads, you can only take off your coat and return to your hometown to fend for yourself, and the Admiral's Office will pay severance pay according to your military age and position.

Situ Jun spoke twice in a row, and saw the officers and soldiers of the hundreds of patrol battalions below turning heads and ears in a mess, looked at Long Qian, and raised his voice. "The above terms. It has been agreed by Lord Futai, and it will be implemented immediately. Since you did not participate in the riots of the 11th, you will be given priority. This is a reward from the Admiral. Brethren. Join the Fifth Town as a soldier. Either stay in the patrol battalion for new training, or go to the police station, there is a limit to the number of places. I'll tell you the truth. There are many children from good families who ask to sign up for the fifth town! However, the fifth town is a national defense force, and there is a strict limit on the number of quotas, and it is not as many as there are. If you sign up late, the opportunity is gone. It's the same with patrol battalions and police stations. Now give you half a day to make your choice. If you have any questions about what I have said, you can elect a representative, and the Admiral and I are here, and you can ask. However, Lord Long is only waiting for you for half an hour, and he will not wait for it to be outdated. After speaking, Situ Jun accompanied Long Qian down the review stand, leaving hundreds of officers and soldiers of the patrol battalion who were noisy to stand on the muddy playground, and went back to the barracks to drink tea and rest.

Li Guitang, one of the three bands of the Jinan Prefecture Patrol Battalion, went home on the night of 11 July and did not participate in the riots instigated by Tan Shijie. Li Guitang is a native of Jinan and is already forty years old. I don't have much ability, but I am old, and I am generous.

Situ Jun announced the dismissal of the meeting, Li Guitang was immediately surrounded by his subordinates, and shouted nonsense, just now Situ Jun talked about the policy twice, and these people heard it clearly, but there are still many questions that need to be asked clearly.

"Li Guandao, when we go to the Fifth Town to serve as soldiers, do we receive the same salary as them? Do you also issue the same military uniforms as them? ”

"Master Li, what are the conditions for going to work in Huayuan Company? I've heard a long time ago that Huayuan Company has a high salary, can I go like this? ”

"Li Tou, if you leave the cadre patrol battalion, can you really pay the full amount on time?"

"What's going on with that police station, you can help me ask ...... clearly"

"Li Tou, Team Officer Qian is our old brother, and now I don't know where he is being held, you have to ask, how is the Admiral going to deal with those brothers?"

Li Guitang was immediately elected by his subordinates, and he summarized more than a dozen questions and negotiated with the Admiral's Mansion on behalf of his subordinates.

Hundreds of officers and soldiers were waiting on the school ground, and after more than half an hour, Li Guitang came back with a happy face, "Brothers, you have asked clearly, Lord Long is kind, and we have thought of everything we should think." Now the whole team, hurry up, Lao Tzu will explain to you one by one, and then think about what you should do. He raised a few pieces of paper in his hand, "Tomorrow at the latest, report your decision to me." ”

Of the more than 400 officers and men of the patrol battalion who did not participate in the riots, only 53 of them signed up for the Fifth Town examination, including only four officers. Most of the people who signed up to stay in the patrol camp were 201 people, 120 people were willing to go to the police station, and about 50 people were willing to take off their uniforms and go back to their villages to work in agriculture or business.

Because Li Guitang revealed that the Admiral would send him to the police station on an errand, there were many people who went to the police station, an agency that did not know what was being investigated.

Li Guitang's guarantee that only the leading officers and not the ordinary soldiers should be held accountable for handling troublesome officers and soldiers also relieved the patrol battalion. On the second day, Li Guitang reported the signed and signed "letter of volunteer" to the Fifth Town Staff Office.

The first batch of people who volunteered to go home left happily after receiving a fairly generous severance pay, and the rest were divided into several parts and went to be assessed separately.

Li Guitang and several officers were temporarily retained by Long Qian and sent to do the work of another part of the patrol battalion. Except for Tan Shijie and other seven officers who were formally arrested, the rest of the officers and soldiers all chose their own paths. However, less than sixty percent of those who passed the assessment of the fifth town were transferred to the new patrol battalion for training. One hundred and 10 reserve officers and men were transferred to the new unit, and the new uniforms that were transported from the Yizhou Garment Factory and were exactly the same as those of the Mengshan Army were issued, giving the officers and men of the patrol battalion who had looked sluggish and sluggish their spirits.

A month later, Zhou Fu was invited by Long Qian to the school yard of the Far Patrol Battalion to review the formation ceremony of the Jinan Patrol Battalion, which was reorganized into two battalions, eight teams, and a total of 927 people. It should be noted that the patrol battalion of the new group is smaller than that of the fifth town.

Zhou Fu was very satisfied, and said to Long Qian, yes, it's a bit of a look. Let's train like this, and spend a year to straighten out the patrol battalions of the whole province, and the old man will definitely ask for credit for you.

The new patrol battalion was under the jurisdiction of Ning Shijun's reserve command, in other words, the reserve command was changed to the Shandong Provincial Patrol Army Command. Long Qian and several assistants studied, in order not to attract the attention of the imperial court, they no longer called the reserve force internally and externally, but called the patrol army set by Zhou Fu. (To be continued......)