Volume 1: The Battleship Yitian Changes into the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 Chapter 100: Going abroad?
Soon, a new portable version of the Gatling machine gun was "freshly released" . Its caliber was a lighter 11.43 mm instead of the larger 12.7 mm. The improved weight was also reduced a lot, and the firing rate could reach 350 rounds per minute. It was equipped with a simple bracket, which could be placed on the ground for horizontal shooting, or held up by soldiers with both hands and standing for strafing. When firing, just install the mainspring barrel and turn on the mechanism. If the mainspring has not reached the end, it can be closed midway so that shooting can be stopped at any time. In order to prevent the mainspring barrel from running out and being unable to shoot, it is also equipped with a detachable crank. Once the mainspring runs out but the battle is not over, you can find a place to insert the crank and continue fighting. Due to the limited amount of ammunition that one person could carry, the German instructor Mackensen proposed to form a combat team of five people to help the machine gunner carry some of the ammunition. This combat team included a machine gunner, a sniper and three grenade throwers with guns. The main weapons they were equipped with included a portable Gatling gun, four 13-round magazine rifles (one for each person except the machine gunner), five revolvers (one for each person), a number of "Coke" type grenades, and "cold weapons" such as daggers and throwing knives. Sun Gang watched the live-fire drill of this combat team and was secretly surprised. He had never led any soldiers and most of his so-called war experience came from books, movies and the Internet. When these fierce soldiers like beasts performed a real scene in front of him, he was still deeply shocked.
Ma Yue kept looking at him with a very gratified look.
"You have to be prepared. You have already learned the basics of naval affairs, and you should also master the knowledge of the army." His beloved wife said to him with a teasing tone: "Maybe one day the court will give an order, and you will have to lead your men to charge forward."
"Come on, I'm not good enough to lead troops to the battlefield?" Sun Gang laughed at himself, "The Qing Dynasty has millions of soldiers and thousands of generals, how can it be my turn? It's a big joke."
"What about 'millions of soldiers'? I've read the military intelligence department's analysis of the Qing Dynasty's national military strength. It's said that a lot of it is Japanese data." Ma Yue said, "The Eight Banners and the Green Camp have basically become decorations and can be ignored. The local military can mobilize about 300,000 people in wartime, but they are all scattered all over the place. Once a war breaks out, they can't work together. I think you can guess what their combat effectiveness is. Besides, China has always valued civil officials over military officials and has a tradition of letting civil officials lead the army. I'm telling you this first, don't take it to heart."
Sun Gang nodded . What she said made sense. This was how Li Hongzhang started his career, and he was following a similar path now.
These days, ever since Lin Taizeng led the Beiyang Fleet to set off, he has been paying close attention to the news from North Korea. At present, the "Long Yang" battleship is still under intensive construction and the training of the army has just begun. If a war breaks out with Japan and Russia at this time, it would be quite disadvantageous for China.
A few days later, the Beiyang Fleet had not returned yet, but unexpectedly, Lord Zhongtang actually came to Lushun.
"You built this place so beautifully. Did you spend all the money for shipbuilding on it?" Li Hongzhang teased him and said as he looked at the elegant and quiet French villa.
"Master Zhongtang, you are joking." Sun Gang said somewhat awkwardly. If he had known he would say that, he would not have arranged the old man to live in a French "residential area". "Until the ironclad giant ship is completed , I will not be able to eat or sleep well."
"You are just as honest as Ruchang." He sat down comfortably, took the coffee handed over by the servant, and said with a smile: "I know what you mean. If we don't let the French live comfortably, will they be at ease to build ships for us?"
"Since Lord Zhongtang said so, I feel relieved, haha." Sun Gang said with a smile: "Lord Zhongtang is very busy, how come he has time to come to Lushun? Is it because of the higher-ups..."
"It's too boring in Beijing. The emperor wants to know how the new ship is going, so I'll take this opportunity to come to your place and get some fresh air." Li Hongzhang took a sip of coffee and said leisurely.
"For the sake of confidentiality, I did not report the details to His Majesty. I am sorry to have caused His Majesty to worry." Sun Gang said helplessly, "Thank you, Lord Zhongtang..."
"The emperor is actually not interested in the new ship project now. Those ignorant old men in the court have already annoyed the empress dowager and the emperor. Let's see how they end it, hehe." The old fox smiled wickedly, "I don't want to get involved in this mess, so I'm hiding here for a few days."
Sun Gang understood that the "political storm" he had created regarding Confucius and Jesus Christ was not over yet. He certainly did not dare to tell Li Hongzhang that he was the "black hand behind the scenes", so he naturally changed the subject.
"The new ship is now under construction. I will arrange for our shipbuilders to build it together with the French so that they can learn the skills. When the new ship is completed, the art of shipbuilding will also be mastered." Sun Gang said as he handed the blueprint to Li Hongzhang.
"It has 32cm double-barreled cannons at the front and back, and its firepower is stronger than that of Ding and Zhen." Li Hongzhang nodded approvingly and said , "Once this ship is completed, our Beiyang Fleet will be able to dominate everything and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Western countries."
"If the army can improve and the navy can build two giant ships, our Qing Dynasty can advance both by land and sea, first destroy Japan, then drive out Russia and recover our homeland." Sun Gang looked at Li Hongzhang and said. This was the first time he told the old man about his "grand" plan for the future.
I thought the old man would be shocked, but he just looked at him with satisfaction, nodded and said: "Among all the civil and military officials in the court, except Liu Shengsan (Liu Mingchuan), you are the only one with such aspirations. You can say this, which is not in vain for my efforts."
"Master Zhongtang, you won't blame me for speaking recklessly, right?" Sun Gang asked carefully.
"Young people are full of ambition, how can they be like us old people, depressed and depressed?" Li Hongzhang said with a smile: "While I am still in power, I will clear more obstacles for you young people so that you can show your talents in the future." He looked at Sun Gang and said: "The Beiyang Shipbuilding Administration has been almost done. Are you interested in accompanying me to travel overseas?"
What? Study abroad? At public expense, right?
I didn't expect that after traveling here, I would have the opportunity to go abroad for a study tour at public expense! It was really unexpected!
"This is exactly what I wanted. Thank you, Lord Zhongtang." Sun Gang said, trying his best not to laugh.
Yes, in his original era, public-funded overseas "inspections" (in the eyes of some people, it is the same concept as public-funded travel) has actually become a "welfare benefit" for certain special personnel in some departments. The president of their head office had gone out for an "inspection" that year, but as for what he came back with after the "inspection", he, a low-level clerk, had no idea.
"I'll inform you first and give you a chance to 'ask for instructions'." Li Hongzhang laughed. Sun Gang knew that the old fox was laughing at his henpecked self and couldn't help but smile bitterly. People of their generation might not understand the mutual respect and deep attachment between him and his beloved wife.
"The situation in Korea is about to break out. The court is sending Lord Zhongtang on a long journey abroad at this time. Is there something..." Sun Gang seemed to remember something and asked worriedly. After the lesson of almost losing his head last time, he has realized the complexity and cruelty of the "political struggle" in the court. If he and the old fox leave now, no unexpected things will happen.
The old fox nodded, seeming satisfied with his speed of response. "The Beiyang Navy and Army are the best in the country, so it is understandable that the court is worried." Li Hongzhang said, "There was an earthquake in Tianjin a few days ago. The court considered Ruchang's failure to take precautions and neglected his duties, so he planned to transfer him to the post of Governor of Taiwan and Ronglu to take over as Governor-General of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang. The decree will be issued in a few days."
"Ah?!" Sun Gang was shocked and shouted, "How can this be possible? Who knows when the earthquake will come? What's Guan Dinggong's business? What kind of bullshit excuse is this?"
"Young man, don't be so impatient." Li Hongzhang said with a barely perceptible smile in his eyes.
Sun Gang looked at the old fox with some disappointment. Ever since Ding Ruchang took office as the Governor-General of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, whenever he needed something, Ding Ruchang always supported him unconditionally like an old father treats his children, so that his work could be carried out smoothly. But now that Ronglu has taken over, it is very likely that he would not be able to do anything so happily in the future.
"Ronglu has done you a favor after all, he won't do anything to you." Li Hongzhang comforted him with a smile, seeming very satisfied with his reaction.
Sun Gang sighed. This news was like a blow to him.
"I have requested Liu Shengsan to be appointed as the governor of Fengtian. Aren't you worried about the land defense of Lushun and Dalian? With my best general in the Huai Army guarding your home, you can go with me without any worries, right?" Li Hongzhang smiled and said to him as if to comfort him, "He wants to see you very much. When we come back, you two can get close to each other and discuss anything with each other."
Liu Mingchuan? Liu Mingchuan is coming?
Sun Gang understood what the old fox meant and met his gaze. The old man and the young man couldn't help but smile knowingly.
