Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 324 Reorganize and train troops!
Suburbs of Jiujiang.

Commander-in-Chief Huang Si and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Li Xiaowu stood on the top floor of Tengwang Pavilion.

Open the telescope and look down at the fiery military training scene below.

In accordance with His Majesty's latest instructions, the 4th Army Corps was divided into battalions and fully armed to switch formations.

lakeside,

A battalion commander raised his sword high, followed closely by the flag bearer.

"Change of formation, hollow square formation."

The captains were as busy as tops in an instant, directing the soldiers to form a hollow square array of 8 feet by 8 feet, with three layers on each side.

The first row raised their muskets with bayonets pointed outward. The two rows at the back took turns shooting, loading, and providing suppressive firepower.

The entire phalanx looks like a hedgehog!
In the middle are the officers, flag bearers, and artillery pieces (if any).

Flags, drums, messengers, officers' shouts, and finally formation. The soldiers all felt a sense of collective empowerment!
Tan Muguang, Minister of the General Staff Headquarters,
In this first month, we inspected three legions, namely the 3rd legion in northern Zhejiang, the 3th legion in Jiujiang in northern Jiangxi, and the 4th legion that is undergoing training in the plains along the river in Tongling.

In addition to hollow square arrays, there are also line arrays.

……

No shots were fired!
There is only a crisp sound when the hammer falls.

The officer shouted, and the soldiers in the rear row quickly inserted themselves into the first row of soldiers to fill the gap, forming a line formation of three rows of people facing each other. The front width is more than 3 feet.

The General Staff Headquarters has repeatedly recommended that the amount of ammunition used for training be strictly controlled.

Even the most elite Guards Corps had a headache at first. The reason is very simple. Many officers are rough and tough, and it is difficult for them to understand.

Wu State now has 5 legions that have been on the battlefield, plus a newly formed 1th legion. After adding new soldiers, the number is close to 5 guns.

"Theoretically it's possible. But in reality it's quite difficult. You have to be an elite veteran to play it successfully."

After observing their training results, he drafted a report and submitted it to Li Yu.

Following the officers' orders one after another, the soldiers were like tight screws, forming a formation with battlefield aesthetics.

……

The sloppy workers in other factories are nothing more than a waste of raw materials. Once something went wrong in the gunpowder factory, a huge mushroom cloud would rise.

Actually,
He also missed one point and needs some culture.

"I understand. The hollow phalanx has no rear, no flanks, and the soldiers will shrink back out of instinct. The phalanx will become smaller and smaller."

From battalion-level training to the occasional formation of three or five battalions, in the end most of the legion was engaged in it at the same time!

Discipline, discipline, discipline.

"Once you encounter cavalry in the plains, this phalanx can switch skillfully, and one legion can fight independently."

Don't shoot unless necessary!
Gunpowder factories can no longer keep up. Not only are there shortages of raw materials saltpeter and sulfur, but their production capacity cannot keep up.

……

From top to bottom, understanding is at a loss.

In the booklet of the General Staff Headquarters, it is specifically stated:
The hollow square formation is the best way for fusiliers to organize themselves against cavalry, but it cannot deal with enemy infantry and artillery, otherwise they will be defeated.

Dozens of cavalrymen circled around the outside of the phalanx, simulating the Eight Banners cavalry.

Li Xiaowu also answered:

Although Tan Muguang was born as a leader of the Cao Gang, he was very cautious, taciturn, and a bit unusual. This was the key reason why Li Yu took a fancy to him and promoted him to a prominent position.

"Platoon 1, squat down."

The 4th Army Corps is the fastest to get started practicing the hollow square formation. The other legions are slower.

If two or three shots are fired in each training session, the amount of gunpowder consumed is a small mountain.

then,

As for what was written in the report, the commander-in-chief of each legion did not know.

Huang Si nodded and said calmly:

The soldiers joked that they marched with empty guns and switched formations every day.

Six rows of musketeers carried flintlocks on their shoulders and advanced quickly in a loose formation, simulating entering the battlefield.

The training of the Hussars is self-contained.

In the first month,
In addition to the offensive forces, all Wu troops are undergoing large-scale military training.

The theme of the first month military training is:
Discipline and cooperation!
Marching in horizontal groups and setting out in columns, at least 20 miles every day.

……

The Military Industry Administration is already urgently expanding a large-scale gunpowder factory, but it will take time before it is put into operation. In addition to the construction of workshop buildings, reasonable zoning, and worker skills training, safety education is also a major factor.

"2nd Platoon, stand. 3rd Platoon, shoot from 2nd Platoon's shoulder gap."

The newly formed 5th Army Corps was taken over by the Training Administration, while the remaining corps organized training on their own under the guidance of the Staff Headquarters.

Huang Si suddenly said:

Except for some cavalry sent to assist the two infantry regiments in Jiujiang and Fuzhou, the rest were trained at the Raozhou Racecourse on the east bank of Poyang Lake.

The one wearing blue silk clothes is a Torgut prisoner.

Their clothes are very different from Wu Jun's military uniforms and are very eye-catching.

However, these relatively simple-minded men didn't think much about it and just regarded it as a kind of preferential treatment.

After all, silk jackets are quite expensive. They always felt that this was a courtesy from His Majesty King Wu, so they taught equestrian skills silently without any complaints.

The cavalry is a complex military branch.

The technical content is 10 times higher than that of infantry, and much higher than that of artillery.

Moreover, the practice of cavalry tactics is inseparable from the solid riding skills of the cavalry individuals. If the foundation is not strong, the ground will shake.

The novice cavalrymen who had just become familiar with raising horses began their bareback career with trepidation.

As the name suggests, the horse is not saddled. People climb up and run on the naked horse~
……

He fell, kept falling, his nose was bruised and his face was swollen, and he was limping.

Within half a month,

So he urgently sent people to Fucheng to hire a dozen doctors who had suffered injuries from injuries, as well as a cart of ointments.

Wu Laoer was lucky and didn't fall too many times.

He very much suspected that the war horse had feelings for him and understood what he said to it every day, so he showed mercy.

The day's training is over,

He then muttered in the ears of the eating war horse how miserable he had been in his life, how many sins he had suffered, and the woman he almost picked up for free.

"Don't try to throw me down. Your beast eats more refined grain than the three strong laborers in our village before."

The war horse snorted and flicked its tail from time to time.

I guess I understand.

In short, it was quite satisfied with Wu Laoer, its new owner, and gradually forgot about its former owner.

……

The level of consumption of the light cavalry regiment surprised the General Staff Headquarters.

Non-wartime:
A soldier in the Wu Army needs to consume 1 kilograms of staple food, 5 taels of meat, 3 kilograms of vegetables, and 2 taels of salt and fat every day.

War horses need to consume 12 kilograms of concentrated feed mixed with salt, 25 kilograms of fresh grass (halved with hay), and a large amount of fresh water every day.

Wartime:

Human consumption increased by 3%, mainly meat!
The consumption of war horses is increased by at least 5%, or even doubled!
If converted into silver, the rations of a war horse can feed 4 to 5 soldiers.

Hu Xueyu was not surprised by this. He reported two strings of numbers based on his memory:

京师步军统领衙门巡捕5营，每匹战马每月的草料精粮拨银是2两5钱。而直隶绿营的战马则是1两2钱。

As for why the gap is so big.

It proves a truth from the side, even a horse has to be born in the capital.

Zhili is more than a hundred miles away from the capital, and it is not unusual for people to be treated like heaven and earth.

……

Wusimai patrolled the legion every day, full of expectations.

But he also knew that it would take time to form combat effectiveness.

Veterinarians, blacksmiths, grooms, and leatherworkers are all indispensable professions in the cavalry.

The racecourse is also not perfect.

The area for growing pasture needs to be expanded, more sheltered valleys need to be selected, more stables need to be built, and dozens more high observation towers need to be built.

Anyway,

Wu Simai is as busy as a top every day and very active. Reports and documents requesting supplies were filed one after another.

Even Li Yu was shocked. smiled and said:

"How come he lacks everything and wants everything?"

Leather, iron ingots, cavalry flintlocks, cavalry swords, boots, wood, salt, medicine for bruises.

After Li Yu approved it, the General Staff Headquarters coordinated with various departments to allocate them separately.

……

The first month is the season to spend money!
Hu Ling'er had to remind Li Yu to pay attention to moderation. Don't misunderstand, it is to spend money in moderation. All expenses are like a mountain and a tsunami.

"Jiangning City received more than 300 million taels of silver, and last year's autumn grain harvest yielded more than million taels of rice. Are you nervous now?"

Hu Ling'er was embarrassed:
"Your Majesty, can I settle the account for you?"

"After the Battle of Jiujiang, the number of infantry corps ranged from 5000 to 8000. According to your will, each infantry corps will be expanded to 2 people. Then, you also proposed a plan to increase military salary. The minimum monthly salary for soldiers is now 3 taels, generally 4 taels. For technical arms such as artillery, cavalry, and navy, it is 5 taels to taels.”

"A legion needs to spend about 4 taels of salary per month. The entire Wu army needs to spend nearly 40 taels of salary every month. Including the civil service system, directly affiliated industries and mines, and several schools in Dongshan, the total expenditure on personnel under His Majesty's command is approximately 55 taels to 60 taels.”

"The royal palace, official residences of dignitaries, forts at various docks, cement roads, new warehouses, and military factories. The projects currently on the plan are expected to require 220 million taels until they are fully completed."

"It is difficult to accurately calculate various military supplies, ammunition, warships, and government office expenses. I will give you an overview. It is at least 130 million taels a year."

……

Li Yu silently added:
"Also, the total amount of expenses involved in speculating raw silk tea is less than 200 million taels."

Hu Ling'er nodded, the golden hairpin trembling slightly.

She knew that there was still a large amount of expenditure, funds for the Intelligence Agency!

But it's a bit sensitive, so I won't mention it.

The shrewd father once specifically warned himself about this matter. Hu Xueyu's original words were: Don't ask anything about the Intelligence Agency, and don't deliberately mention Concubine Yang's Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The secret service is always controlled by the emperor alone.

Anyone's touch will lead to suspicion and backlash.

As a concubine, Yang Yunjiao can actually control the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a secret service agency that seems to have little presence but is actually very important. This is enough to illustrate the status of her concubine in His Majesty's heart!

Fortunately, she did not give birth to a son.

Otherwise, Hu Ling'er's fear of her would increase beyond measure.

His Majesty's entrustment of the important institution of the Finance and Taxation Administration to himself is also a sign of great trust.

As a descendant of a Shaoxing master, she is very aware that the lifeblood of an empire is money and food, which are the boring numbers on the account book in her hand.

Your Majesty still trusts me the most!
……

Li Yu's eyes suddenly lit up:
"Commercial taxes and war seizures."

"According to the current momentum, commercial taxes can collect 320 million taels to 350 million taels a year. The war seizures, treasury sealing and house raids in the past six months totaled more than 500 million taels."

"Too little."

"Your Majesty, do you mean to increase taxes?"

"No, going back on your word and raising taxes will damage your credibility. When I have time to inspect and study it, I must have overlooked some important link and missed a big fish with a mere 300 million taels."

Hu Ling'er smiled, and kept dialing the abacus with her little hands.

Continue to recite the words:

"Last year, 320 million shi of rice were collected for autumn grain, and 1% was lost during shelling. Based on the calculation that a soldier needs to consume 170 kilograms of grain per month, a legion is 1 shi, plus officials, craftsmen, etc., the monthly grain consumption is 4000 stones.”

Li Yu suddenly interrupted and asked:
"How many people are directly supported by Wu State now, regardless of soldiers or civilian officials?"

Hu Ling'er flipped through the book and calculated in her mind:
"There are approximately 8 people."

Li Yu sighed and added:

"It suddenly occurred to me that we also need to consider disaster relief and opening positions to balance prices when food prices rise."

"Your Majesty is wise."

……

The first month has passed, and the spring harvest season is still half a year away.

People from the Agriculture Department have warned that this year’s harvest may not be very good.

In order to please himself, Liu Jinxin, the manager of Tianchengyuan Bank, submitted a summary report on weather conditions and grain prices collected by the bank in various places.

They all speculated that this year's harvest might be lower than the qualifying line based on experience and simple statistics.

"Food is the human heart."

Li Yu talked to himself, wondering whether he should spend a lot of money to stock up on food.

There is a farmer's proverb:

If you know the wind in February, you will know the rain in June!
This means that if there are many windy days in February of the lunar calendar, June will be rainy. If there is little wind, June is likely to be dry.

……

Li Yu opened the window and saw that the willow trees in the yard had just begun to sprout. The branch was stable and motionless.

This seems to confirm the statement.

"Last winter I was supervising the battle in Jiangxi. Was there ever a decent heavy snowfall in Jiangnan?"

Hu Ling'er recalled,
Shaking his head:

"No, I remember very clearly. There were only two light snowfalls that did not cover the ground last year. It was much warmer than in previous years. Ships can navigate normally between Xishan Island and Fucheng."

The winter is too warm and there is no or little snow. In the coming year, there will be pests and drought, and the crops will be reduced.

In the winter of the late 18th century, such a winter was indeed unusual.

But it is beneficial for large-scale wars. The army has been fighting in Jiangxi for several months, and has not encountered bad weather. The food route and march have been quite smooth.

If it were Blizzard, I am afraid that the strategic concept of encircling and annihilating the main force of the Qing army would not have been completed at that time.

Li Yu thought for a moment and then made up his mind:

"Let the WFP take the lead and purchase 50 stones of grain from the surrounding areas in the name of a businessman."

……

The important town of Jinmen is Dagokou.

The Haihe River flows into the Bohai Bay here, and this place is the most critical link in Gyeonggi's coastal defense. There is a fort in the north and south, a barracks, and a naval dock.

The General Military Office of Jinmen Town is five miles away.

sea ​​surface,

A patrol boat flying the flag of the Green Camp was moving slowly. It's just a routine patrol, no difficulty or danger.

Bohai Bay,
Generally speaking, the weather is calm, more like a Neihu.

Suddenly, the helmsman stared at a black spot a few miles away with wide eyes.

"what is that?"

A group of green soldiers came to the side of the ship and looked over.

Someone climbed up the mast flexibly:
"It seems a ship has hit the rocks."

……

Everyone turned their attention to Mr. Qian, the man with the highest official position on the ship.

Mr. Qian frowned, raised his head and asked:

"Is it a fishing boat or a merchant ship?"

"Merchant ship!"

Mr. Qian was secretly happy and waved his hand:
"Brothers, it's important to save people. Get closer, but not too fast."

"Whoo."

Everyone understood that the water in that area was shallow and there were reefs underneath. Once the ship did not know the danger and sailed in rashly, it hit the rocks and sank, but it would not completely sink.

This is a good opportunity to make a fortune.

When the time comes, the businessman who fell into the water will be rescued to the shore, and then he will send someone with good water skills to drill down half a foot, and he will be able to touch the goods in the cabin. If he is lucky, he can make a fortune.

……

After sailing for 2 miles, the Green Camp sailor looking from the mast suddenly shouted:
"Sir, we are Yi people!"

"What?"

"On the ship that ran aground, there were several yellow-haired and green-eyed barbarians standing waving to us."

Mr. Qian jumped up from his chair excitedly and only took a glance.

He yelled crazily:

"Quick, save people!"

(End of this chapter)