When the news of the rebellion in Dengzhou came, Yang Chengying had already returned to Quang Ninh.

He was inspecting the Guards Division with Wu Sangui, Hu Yousheng, Zu Kefa, and Bahana.

The predecessor of the Guards Division was the Pro-Military Battalion and the Ruijian Battalion, that is, the four-man trained army.

One followed Yang Chengying's side, and the other was far away in Kashima.

In accordance with Yang Chengying's principle of "streamlining the administration of the army and fighting a big battle," they merged together as early as the beginning of the year, and also incorporated the recruits trained by the new barracks into the army.

Wu Sangui served as the division commander, Hu You was promoted to deputy division commander, Zu Kefa was appointed as the supervising army, and Jueluo Bahana was appointed chief of the general staff.

The Guards Division has three infantry regiments, one baggage regiment, cavalry battalion, artillery battalion, engineer battalion, training battalion, special service battalion, communications battalion, staff headquarters, and military medical office directly under its command, with a total of 12,000 men.

It was not equipped with a bird gun or flintlock pistol, but a more powerful piece of artillery.

Firepower companies or fire platoons were assigned to each battalion of each regiment.

That was the predecessor of the mortar - the mortar gun.

Made of copper, 69 centimeters long, 22 centimeters in caliber, weighing 560 catties, thick in front and thin in the back like a large bell on its back, carried by a wooden gun carriage with four wheels, firing solid bullets.

This artillery was jointly developed by Sun Yuanhua and Tang Ruowang, and used copper ore obtained by Zuo Yingxuan's supervision.

At the foot of Rooster Mountain, the wide Guards Division is stationed.

Yang Chengying led the generals of the Guards Division to stand on the easternmost point of the general's platform and watched the drills of the infantry regiment, the cavalry battalion, and the artillery battalion with binoculars.

"In the end, there are too many recruits, so the formation drill is not proficient, and it is a little slower."

Yang Chengying saw the way out and said to Wu Sangui and the others: "The big war is coming, we must come up with twelve points of spiritual training. ”

Wu Sangui hugged his fists and said: "If you are handsome, I will remember it, and I will definitely redouble my training efforts, and definitely familiarize myself with various formation drills before the battle." ”

Bahana was a little distracted, and the thought of meeting his relatives and soldiers made him feel a little uneasy.

"General Jueluo, we must pay close attention to the training of personnel for intelligence gathering and counter-collection."

Yang Chengying pretended not to see it, and explained to him normally.

"Yes, my subordinates remember."

Bahana nodded slightly.

The General Staff Department has set up an intelligence collection section and a pre-war planning section, which directly lead the intelligence collection and sorting work of the whole division, and are the eyes of the Guards Division.

Such a heavy responsibility is a great trust to be entrusted to a Jurchen like him, who was born in the Jue Luo clan.

Bahana also knew in his heart that Yang Shuai had clear rewards and punishments, and as long as he worked hard, he would not hurt his family.

After figuring out this joint, the burden on his heart was reduced a lot.

"In addition to normal marches, there must also be drills in case of emergencies." Yang Chengying advised, "This is a soldier from different regions with different living habits. ”

"For the firearms drill, I have to ask the commander to help, and transfer some soldiers to the coach."

Wu Sangui thought for a moment and pleaded.

"I'll have the women's barracks come and be instructors for you."

Yang Chengying nodded: "They are already proficient in all kinds of firearms and artillery, and they are definitely a good instructor." ”

"That's great!"

Wu Sangui smiled happily.

This women's battalion is very diligent and loves to read, and has almost become an instructor for firearms training in all armies.

Some of the soldiers who were not convinced by them at first, under their superb shooting skills, also had to admire.

Another point is that most of these female soldiers have married one after another.

The objects they marry are all soldiers of other battalions, and if they don't look at the faces of monks and Buddhas, who will be embarrassed by their families.

At this time, five beacon soldiers arrived on fast horses.

The more troops there are, the more important the intelligence.

After arriving, the post soldiers dismounted and took out the letters in the wooden cylinder and handed them to Zu Zeyuan, who greeted them.

Zu Zeyuan got the letter and translated it with a codebook with the accompanying documents.

In the end, Zu Zeyuan took the translated content and sent it to Yang Chengying.

After reading it, Yang Chengying smiled and said, "Okay! The first division did a good job, quelling the rebellion neatly, also sheltering the Liao, and getting tens of thousands of fresh troops for our army. ”

The new 1st Division was specially set up by Yang Chengying for the rebels of the Dengzhou Rebellion, with the purpose of centralizing their management and restraining their indulgent nature.

"Who is the most suitable person to lead this army?"

Zu Dashou, who was accompanying him, asked.

The generals of each division and battalion already have their own positions, and they cannot spare manpower.

Sudden promotion, unable to subdue these soldiers who had participated in the rebellion.

Reuse the old rebel generals, Chen Yongfu is not talented, and the other generals are dead, and the guan is closed.

Most of those who stayed behind could not succeed.

"You forget, there is another talent in Gaizhou who can take on the heavy responsibility."

Yang Chengying said with a smile.

Commander Zhang made ...... "Zu Dashou was stunned.

Zhang Cunren served as the commander of Gaizhou, and Shang Kexi, the commander of Haizhou, was connected from end to end, echoing each other to ensure the safety of Haizhou.

Coupled with their strict blockade, many of Houjin's spies were arrested, making it difficult for Houjin's intelligence to infiltrate.

"Commander Zhang has led the Leopard Tao Battalion before, and there is a standard battalion under his command, so he is indeed a suitable talent, but ......"

Zu Dashou frowned slightly, "Who will replace Commander Zhang and serve as the commander of Gaizhou?" ”

"Inseparable, General Zu, who do you think is suitable?"

Yang Chengying asked rhetorically.

The handsome man said "inseparable relatives", and Zu Dashou realized that this had to be chosen from the ancestral family.

The brothers of the ancestral family, Zu Dashou, Zu Dabi, Zu Dachun, Zu Dale, and brother-in-law Wu Xiang are all in charge of a battalion independently.

In terms of talent, Zu Dabi and Wu Xiang are the best. Zu Dabi commanded the forward battalion, which was a heavy infantry, and ordinary people were not competent.

Then only Wu Xiang is more suitable, he leads the Yongjian Battalion, has been stationed in the Port Arthur area for a long time, and has rich local experience.

"Marshal, Wu Xiang is indeed more suitable." Zu Dashou nodded in agreement.

"The new 1st Division is not as weak as imagined, they have been trained, they have grown up in half a year of fighting, and they still understand the Hongyi cannon."

Yang Chengying said with a smile: "In addition to Zhang Cunren as the division commander, Zu Kuan as the deputy division commander, and Chen Guangfu as the supervisor of the army, I haven't thought about the candidate for the chief of the general staff." ”

Zu Kuan was originally the family of Zu Dashou, brave and good at fighting.

Chen Guangfu is a bit wasted, and it is okay to be a supervisor to appease the soldiers.

Moreover, Wang Chengyin was beheaded by the imperial court, and Chen Guangfu probably didn't dare to have other thoughts.

"There is a person who is suitable to be the chief of the general staff, and it is estimated that the marshal didn't think of him for a while."

Zu Dashou said with a smile.

"Who?" Yang Chengying became curious.

I searched my stomach and stomach, and I didn't think of a suitable chief of the General Staff.

The chief of the general staff demanded that both civilian and military forces command the entire army in the absence of both the chief and deputy commanders of the military. There is also collecting information and giving suggestions after analysis and judgment, which is really not something that ordinary people can do.

"Marshal, you forgot, purple-haired general Zhou Wenyu."

Zu Dashou reminded.

"He's a good fit!"

Yang Chengying suddenly realized.

Zhou Wenyu has been engaged in military security and logistics work for a long time, and has worked with Fan Wencheng, Shang Kexi and Zhang Cunren, so he is indeed a suitable candidate.