The Zhennanguan Incident that occurred on December 2 has a tendency to spread. The troops sent by Lu Rongting, the general soldier responsible for the defense of Zhennan Pass, were defeated by the rebel army, and in a hurry, Lu Rongting could not assemble a large army, and the tactics of adding fuel were a military taboo, but Lu Rongting could only send the troops at hand to the accident site one after another under the strict orders of Zhang Mingqi and Zhou Fu, giving the rebels a chance to break through.

The morale of the patrol battalion was not high, and the training equipment was poor, and every defeat contributed to the prestige of the rebels. By December 7, the rebel troops commanded by Huang Xing had been connected to Pingxiang, Ningming, and Longzhou Hall, and the whole territory of Guangxi was shaken. The strength of the rebel army quickly expanded to more than 2,000 people, and the guns brought in from Vietnam and the weapons that were repeatedly captured added up to nearly 1,000 rifles. The rebels are marching towards Taipingfu, and their next target is Nanning.

The Guangzhou and Zhennanguan incidents shook the imperial court. forced the imperial court to shelve the plan that was being studied to transfer Long Qian's fifth town out of Guangdong and even remove Long Qian from his military position!

It was not that the center was without suspicions about Long Qian. Because Fu Qi's death obviously benefited Long Qian. But the review of the Guangzhou security team was Fu Qi's idea, and the location was also chosen by Fu Qi, and the people who attended the school review ceremony were all invited by Fu Qi, so it was difficult to record the planning of the incident on Long Qian's head, not to mention that Long Qian was also injured.

On the other hand, the target of the assassination was even Long Qian and not Fu Qi. Because Long Qian's continuous efforts to extinguish Sun Wen's rebellion against the party were undoubtedly a thorn in the side of the revolutionary party. Fu Qi has already been martyred, and any further "organizational" adjustment to Long Qian will inevitably anger the already unstable Fifth Town, not to mention the deteriorating situation in Guangxi?

The reason why the fifth town is unstable. It was caused by the release of two Japanese Assassins by the imperial court. On the same day that Sekoshi and the others were handed over to the Japanese Consulate in Guangzhou by the Governor's Office, more than 1,000 officers and soldiers of the Fifth Town's direct team stationed in Guangzhou besieged the Governor's Palace, demanding that Zhou Fu come out for dialogue and scolding Zhou Fu for betraying the country. Zhou Fu was scared, and asked Long Qian for help on the phone, Long Qian was angry, sent Cao Minzhong, and finally took the officers and soldiers away.

This matter Zhou Fu of course telegraph center.

The anxious military aircraft department quarreled for a long time, and finally came up with an opinion that did not reach an opinion, and put aside the posthumous title of Fu Qi to show comfort. went to call to comfort the injured Long Qian. At the same time, the troops stationed in western Guangdong in the fifth town were officially ordered to immediately assemble and march west into Guangxi to suppress the rebel army that was already approaching Nanning.

The Military Aircraft Department's opinions on the handling of the situation between the two Guangxi were reported to Cixi. Yuan Shikai asked to play Cixi alone.

Yixuan and the others didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in Yuan Shikai's gourd. But his request could not be refused. The identity and status of the people are there.

Yuan Shikai's suggestion to Cixi was to expand the fifth town into two towns. Zhou Yi's Tenth Association expanded a new town to realize the decentralization of Long Qian.

Yuan Shikai's meaning Cixi immediately understood, but what is Zhou Yi for Lu?

"Back to Galeries Lafayette. Zhou Yi is the oldest general in Long Qian's department. Not to mention the person's origin. The key is that Weichen has a secret connection with him, and his wife has a grudge against Long Qian for killing his father......" Yuan Shikai told the history of Zhou Yi's father-in-law dying at the hands of Long Qian and the bribing of Zhou Yi by Zizhangde Qiucao, "Lafayette, since it is not appropriate to move lightly at this time, it is better to divide power with him in order to reduce his strength." In addition, Guangxi has a tendency to be eroded, and it is urgent for the Fifth Town to send troops and promote Zhou Yi to an official, which will inevitably inspire Zhou Yi's determination to go west to Guangxi to exterminate the chaotic party. ”

Cixi was immediately moved. Immediately convened his cronies and ministers to discuss, and the people who participated in the discussion, Yixuan, Zhang Zhidong, Tie Liang, Zaifeng and others unprecedentedly agreed that it was feasible. If Zhou Yi's Tenth Association fell to the center, Long Qian's threat would be much smaller.

As a result, the center decided to divide the fifth town into two, with Zhou Yi's 10th Association expanding into the 10th town of the new army, with Zhou Yi as the commander. Under the jurisdiction of the 19th and 20th associations. The appointment of the relevant officers was recommended by Zhou Yi and submitted to the War Department for approval.

The center's attitude towards the formation of the tenth town is the same as that of the fifth town, and it is very generous.

The central princes also didn't expect that Yuan Shikai had been staring at Long Qian, and the layout was far-reaching. Although Yuan's proposal was approved and praised by Cixi, it increased the suspicion of the Manchurian magnate. This guy is simply insidious!

"I want to give Long Qian an explanation, at this moment, I still have to put it on the shelf." Tie Liang was in an extremely happy mood. Yuan Shikai's question is again, after all, he is in the center and is very easy to control, but Long Qian is far from the emperor, and if he is not careful, it will be a great chaos no less than the disaster of Hong Yang.

"That's right. Wear a yellow coat, and his wife will also give him a title. Cixi said.

"Galeries Lafayette." The crowd sang in unison.

Someone must be sent to Guangdong! But Tie Liang made a bad move, and he actually sent Zheng Du, who served under Cao Kun, in the ranks of the herald. For this reason, Tie Liang specially called Zheng Du and gave a secret order, naturally asking him to bring a message to Zhou Yi, as long as he is loyal to the court and promoted to the knighthood, the future is limitless.

Before the decree arrived, the telegram for the split of the fifth town arrived in Canton first.

"Oh, I didn't expect the imperial court to come to this hand." Long Qian read the telegram and handed it to Situ Jun.

"Commander, it's not good."

"Transfer it to Zhou Yi." Long Qian waved his hand.

The day is December 9. Eight days after the Guangzhou incident.

"Commander, is there a meeting?" Situ Jun held the telegram in his hand and did not move.

"Turn around, turn around first."

Situ Jun knew that Long Qian wanted to see Zhou Yi's attitude.

Zhou Yi was inspecting the troops' preparations for war at the 20th standard in Suixi. Long Qian's order had arrived, requiring the troops to make all preparations for leaving Guangxi.

Zhou Yi immediately showed Feng Lun the news of the order to form the Tenth Town.

"Congratulations, that's great news." Feng Lun was overjoyed.

"What should I do?"

"What to do?"

"Do you want to go to Guangzhou?"

"Why are you going to Guangzhou?"

"The imperial court wants me to report on the staffing of the officers in the tenth town, should I go and ask the commander for instructions?"

"What do you think Commander Long will arrange?"

"Chief of Staff, it's naturally Lan Xinzhi. There must be one of you in the two co-ordinators, what are you anxious about? ”

"What about the gunners? And what about the battalion commanders? I think you'll have to make your own list. All previous important appointments. Didn't he have the final say that time? It's different now, the Tenth Town has been formed, and you're the commander. You say I'm in a hurry? Wrong! I don't care about the co-unification, don't talk about you, it's him, don't you give me an co-unification this time to expand the army? I'm in a hurry for you! Lao Zhou, our old brothers, I will say a few words today, if all the main officers of your Tenth Town are arranged by him, I am afraid that your orders will not be so easy to use in the Tenth Town in the future. ”

Zhou Yi is Feng Lun's old boss. Since the era of the right wing of the Weisheng Army. Zhou Yi has always been Feng Lun's top boss. Because of the battle of Lingshan, Feng Lun was full of resentment, and Zhou Yi knew the way. But now it sounded like Feng Lun's opinion on Long Qian was more than just a battle in Lingshan.

"The tenth town is also the Mengshan Army. The commander had a plan to expand three divisions in Guangdong, but now it is good. Lao Wang got into trouble by patrolling the army. The old five towns are divided into two. All of a sudden, a town will be expanded......" Zhou Yi said softly.

"But don't forget. He doesn't trust the two of us. Feng Lun said coldly.

"Old Feng, I think it's time for you to talk to the commander. It is not easy for us to get from Mengshanzhai to today. Zhou Yi tapped.

"yes. I often think about the days in Mengshan. But you see. The one who played tricks was a guest, Fang Shengyuan, and now there is another birdman Hong Yuecheng! Where were these birdmen when we followed him to fight the country? One is a high ginseng? Let's leave Shandong, Fang Shengyuan actually served as the leader of the stay-at-home? Don't talk about it, Lao Zhou, you should go to Guangzhou, and discuss with him how to divide the family. If you don't give us artillery sappers, the tenth town can't be successful, relying on the imperial court? Dream! ”

"Okay, let's really control the troops, maybe there will be action soon."

"By the way, the group of people who were transferred to the military academy must come back, otherwise they won't be able to fight!" Feng Lun reminded.

"I know that."

Zhou Yi set off the next day and rushed from Suixi to Guangzhou.

"Ha, I knew you were coming." Seeing Zhou Yi, Long Qian was very happy, and actually stepped forward to hug Zhou Yi, "Ha Luha, I didn't expect to force a tenth town out, it's really good." ”

"Commander, your injuries?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing. My life is great. At the beginning, "Long Qian wanted to say that when he robbed the palace in Beijing, a stray bullet scratched the back of his head, and that time was really dangerous." But robbing the palace has become the core secret of the Mengshan army, without that robbery, the Mengshan army's later economic layout will all fail, and Long Qian must find another way to make money. Zhou Yi did not go to King Qin because he stayed in Lunan, and Long Qian didn't want to talk about the beginning.

"It's okay if there's nothing to do. The news came out and worried us to death. Fortunately, the messenger sent by Situ arrived soon......"

"Ha Luha, since God let me be born in this world, how can I go to see Hades in a daze? Old Zhou, I really didn't expect the imperial court to give us a tenth town! ”

"Commander, the court is not unkind." Zhou Yi whispered.

"Hehe, it's just that I want to separate the hearts of the army. After so many years of birth and death, how can we be separated by one tenth town? Originally, the plan was to expand the army, of course you have to lead a town. Long Qian said with a smile.

"Commander, I came to Guangzhou, first, to visit your injuries, and secondly, to ask for instructions on the officers of the Tenth Town."

"Ah, okay. Anyway, it's a ten-way expansion. You eat first and rest. Situ has gone to the military academy, and when he comes back, let's discuss it together. By the way, I have good news for you, Liu Xiaoqi is back. ”

"Liu Xiaoqi?" Zhou Yi didn't remember who was sacred.

"No wonder. He's in charge of the United States for us. He brought back several precious talents this time, who are engaged in airplanes! You eat first, and let's go see them together. ”

Zhou Yi didn't understand airplanes, let alone Long Qian's mood. He was only concerned with how to flesh out the Tenth Town now.

But Zhou Yi still had to follow Long Qian to visit Liu Xiaoqi and his party, and listened to Long Qian's enthusiastic exchange of English with several overseas Chinese and high-nosed Americans with great interest. It wasn't until he had dinner with those people that Long Qian actually toasted every overseas Chinese youth who had returned to China, promising to raise funds as soon as possible to establish the first aviation base and aviation school, and to buy planes from the United States for experiments and training.

"Can you take care of this now?" Zhou Yi had already received the news of Shandong's emergency from Situ Jun's mouth, and he was very anxious, thinking that he was preparing to send troops to Guangxi to deal with the Alliance. But Long Qian had nothing to do and paid attention to aviation construction. Zhou Yi was puzzled.

"This is the demeanor of a general." Situ Jun smiled, "This time, Liu Xiaoqi also bought back six of the latest naval radio machines, but it took him a lot of effort. If it is easy to use, the news will be delivered immediately across thousands of mountains and rivers in the future. ”

"Really? That's great. Zhou Yi was absent-minded.

Returning to the headquarters, Long Qian finally turned to the topic, "Brother Zhou, tell me, what is the charter of your tenth town?" The court is waiting for you to report it. ”

"You have to take the commander. Is the court an egg? Zhou Yi remembered that he had publicly stated that he was going to rebel, but the imperial court was expanding the Mengshan Army. I couldn't help but laugh. "I think those people in the court are funny."

"It's not funny at all. Don't underestimate them. Long Qian Zhengse said, "Let's start with the basic troops, the tenth town has jurisdiction over the nineteenth and twenty-two associations, and there are four step marks for thirty-seven ~ forty. Let's settle this down first. Old Zhou. Since the establishment of the Ten Associations, you have taken it with you. Heads are more familiar than I am, you say. Long Qian said.

Zhou Yi has been thinking about this matter repeatedly in the past few days, "Two co-ordinators." Feng Lun is counted as one, and the other is said to be Han Ziying. I'm a little unsure, Lao Lan also wants to go down to lead the troops, this is still the commander. ”

"It's easier to settle down the troops first, and then to have officers. Now there are three standards for the Ten Associations, and a new one must be built. What are you going to do? ”

"Officers will be drawn from the 20th and 18th standards, and the soldiers will be recruited on the spot."

"Hmm. However, the situation is tense, and the imperial court has already taken action against Shandong, and the specific situation is still unknown. Maybe we're really going to use force. Therefore, the eighteenth and twenty-two standards cannot hurt the muscles and bones. It is necessary to maintain the combat effectiveness of the main team. In my opinion, the 19th Association was formed with 20 standards and supplementary standards, with Feng Lun as the co-ordinator. Lao Feng was punished for not doing well in Lingshan, and he had some opinions about me, and he always wanted to talk to him, and now the imperial court has done ideological work for me. Ha Lu Ha. The eighteen bids and the new bids to be built are the twenties, and Han Ziying is the co-ordinator. Although Han Ziying was not born in Mengshan, he joined the Mengshan Army in King Gengziqin, and he was conscientious, so there was no reason not to use it. As for the heart rule, he must serve as your chief of staff. Just like Situ, I can't leave it for a moment. Well, now let's talk about the four candidates. This is more important. You say it first, let's work it out. ”

That's true. Long Qian's memory is of an outstanding military commander who died in a brutal political infighting. Before his death, he had a conversation with his deliberately cultivated son about leading troops, and the commander asked, "How can you manage a regiment if you give it well?" "My son couldn't answer." Catch the company commander". The son made it clear. The commander asked again, "What about an army?" "The son drew inferences," grabbed the regimental commander. ”

The current Zhentai can be compared with the army of later generations, because it has an association on top of the standard. But the importance of the target is self-evident, even more than the agreement. Because the target is an entity, there are not only combat units, but also logistics units, which is the largest organization of the Mengshan Army to undertake tactical tasks at present. Long Qian must not lose control of the regimental troops.

"Then I'll say it, Liu Chun would rather take over as the standard commander......" Zhou Yi said in the order of repeated consideration.

"Well, the twenty bids have been changed to thirty-seven bids. This is your number one workhorse, Liu Chunningxing. Long Qian nodded, "But send him a decisive chief of staff." ”

Zhou Yi nodded, "Liu Chunning is relatively fine, but a little indecisive. Well, I think his third battalion commander, Yu Fauci, can be the chief of staff. ”

"Okay." Long Qian nodded immediately.

"Is the eighteenth standard for Cheng Jianguo?" Han Ziying was promoted to co-ordinator, and the old eighteen standards were vacant. Cheng Jianguo is a native of Zhengjiazhuang, and his father Cheng Daniu has a good relationship with Long Qian.

"Eighteen bids should be changed to thirty-nine bids. Not long after Jianguo became a battalion commander, he was promoted to another level faster, which was not good for him. Is there a better fit? Long Qian scratched his head.

"That's Goofy. The commander of the 1st Battalion of the 18th Standard is also a veteran who came down from Mengshan. "Zhou Yi actually prefers Gao Fei, who was once a soldier of his third team.

"I know him. That's him. Long Qian slapped the board.

"The supplementary label is no longer moving. Just run in and make a look. But the officers of the new target need support from your side. Zhou Yi said.

"What's on my side, your side?" Long Qian smiled, "The Nine Associations also need to be expanded, and there is also a shortage of officers." The officers of the new target are basically from the old Ten Association, and at most let Situ give you a chief of staff. The supplementary standard was changed to 38 bids. The officer did not move. The new standard is 40 bids, you say, who will do the standard? ”

"Zhao Weixiu? Commander of the 20th Battalion of the 2nd Standard. Zhengjiazhuang joined the army when it was reorganized. Fought Xigu and was seriously injured. One arm is crippled, but he is a good hand at war. ”

"Done! That's him. Long Qian agreed with Zhou Yi's opinion.

"But in this way, the twenty bids are a bit empty. Do you want Chai Shouye to go? A silent Situ Jun interjected.

Chai Shouye was also a refuge officer of the former army of Wuwei when King Gengziqin, and became a company commander below, was transferred to the Suiying Military Academy as an instructor for two years, and was transferred to the staff office, and is now the chief of the operations section.

"Hehe, Lao Chai is good, I want him to be the chief of staff for Han Ziying. Situ Dagong is selfless and worthy of praise. Long Qian made a joke about Situ Jun.

"Oh. That's fine. Situ Jun didn't insist anymore.

"It's settled. It is still necessary to go through the procedure. Although the situation is tense, after all, it is not on the battlefield, Lao Zhou, I will let Min Zhong go back with you. Follow the procedures in accordance with the regulations of personnel management. "Build an army from Mengshan Mountain. Long Qian has always promoted the "three disclosures", that is, economic openness. Personnel and ideas are open. Major personnel appointments and dismissals must be examined by the Judge Advocate Advocate General (whether there are major violations of discipline) and the opinions of the officers and men of the unit to which they belong are solicited, and opinions are solicited by secret ballot. Personnel appraisal has always been the work of Cao Minzhong's Military Judge Supervision Office. Now, of course, it is the operation of the Political Office, which has formally established the Personnel Section. Except on the battlefield, when a superior officer has the right to designate a deputy for a junior officer who is killed or wounded and cannot command, the rest of the time it is done in accordance with the rules and regulations, but it is inevitably a bit of a formality. Even the officers below are fine, and the appointment and dismissal of officers above the battalion level are all nominated by Long Qian, and they just go through the procedure.

"Okay, this is the first important task of the Minzhong Personnel Department." Situ Jun said with a smile.

"Let's talk about the equipment of the special forces, I know that Lao Zhou, you are staring at them."

"You can't hide anything from the commander. Since they have tasted the sweetness of artillery, the troops are looking forward to more artillery. Zhou Yi said with a smile, "Even engineers and baggage soldiers are also indispensable soldiers."

"I've already consulted with Situ about this. A reinforced artillery battalion was transferred over and expanded into a gun standard. I'll send you the old tribute! Four companies of cavalry, baggage, and engineers were transferred each, and the rest was up to you. It's not that I'm partial to the old five towns, but after the establishment of the tenth town, it is necessary to set up a higher-level headquarters, that is, the general headquarters of the Mengshan Army, otherwise the command will not be smooth. The headquarters must master the artillery and cavalry and other directly subordinate units in order to be put into the key battlefields. Long Qian explained, "There is about to be a war over there, I will transfer Chi Chun to you as the cavalry standard, Tan Shishi is a heavy burden, and Jin Ruigong is a sapper, they are all old men from Mengshan, are you satisfied?" ”

Tan Shishi and Jin Ruigong were both officers and soldiers captured in Maoyang Town, and later volunteered to stay in the Mengshan Army with Shi Dashou, and their qualifications were quite sufficient.

"Ah, that's good." Zhou Yi said perfunctorily. Unexpectedly, Long Qian was going to set up the Mengshan Army General Headquarters immediately, and it seems that one of Wang Mingyuan or Feng Guozhu must be the commander of the fifth town. Zhou Yi wanted to ask, but couldn't help but say.

After studying until late at night, the three of them settled down the main officers of the Tenth Town. The conversation turned to the current situation.

"The reason why we want to buy another year is because now we don't have the strength to go on the Northern Expedition. Especially when the Tenth Town was just formed, I think that for a period of time, the combat effectiveness has not increased, but decreased. It is necessary to vigorously train in order to do so. And logistical problems do not allow it, but in another year or a year and a half, bullets and small-caliber shells can be almost made. Speaking of bullets, a batch of guns and ammunition was recently shipped from Shandong, and I will transfer a batch to you for the equipment of the new standard. As soon as you go back, you start recruiting troops and put together the forty bids. In addition, make good preparations for troops to go out of Guangxi. Now Zhang Mingqi, oh, is the governor of Guangxi, and he sends an urgent report to Governor Zhou Fu every day asking for help, hoping that we will send troops to rescue the emergency. You can use the 19th Association as the troops to send troops to Guangxi, the 18th standard, oh, now it should be called the 39th standard, garrison Qinzhou, don't change the guard, let Feng Lun command the 39th, 38th and some special forces, be ready to advance westward at any time, replace training with battle, and train the troops well. ”

"Commander, if the imperial court does something to us, will you let the alliance go first? Or let them contain part of the power of the imperial court? Situ Jun objected.

"You're right to think so. But I think the speed of the imperial court's use of troops is much slower than we thought! They must first deal with Shandong before they can deal with Guangdong. Relying on the ninth and eighth towns to attack Guangdong? I don't think it's possible! The alliance will turn against us, especially after the Guangzhou incident, there is no need to be polite to them. Let's take them to practice, recruits who have been on the battlefield will suddenly become veterans, and the effect is much better than training. Situ's opinion is reasonable, Lao Zhou, you have to keep your eyes on the side of the imperial court. That's our enemy. ”

Zhou Yi successfully fulfilled his wish, because Long Qian basically agreed to his nomination. This made him satisfied, "Commander, you haven't been to the Tenth Association for a long time, and now that the Tenth Town is formed, did you give a lecture to the officers and soldiers in the past?" ”

"Well, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave these days. Let Min Zhong go back with you first. After all this time, I will definitely visit the tenth town! (To be continued......)