The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 103 Warm Thoughts

"Guns have no eyes. The sound of artillery fire is so frequent. How can I not be worried?"

In the darkness, Liu Shijiu's frowning face flickered. This was caused by the light of flares that kept lighting up above the floating bridge leading to the concession two miles away from them.

The small artillery of the Second Battalion of the Vanguard Army Artillery Regiment started firing flares over the pontoon bridge ten minutes ago, and the height of the flares was getting lower and lower. Wu Peifu knew that the artillery battalion was adjusting the trajectory and calculating the delay time of the flares.

After Liu Shijiu finished speaking, he even sighed softly.

Seeing that Liu Shijiu really cared about his teacher, Wu Peifu hurriedly explained, "Uncle Master, the sound of the cannon is not from the foreign devils. It is from our vanguard army's cannons. We are the ones bombing those foreign devils."

"Is it our cannon?" Liu Shijiu asked back with some disbelief.

Wu Peifu laughed softly and said, "Uncle Master, the sound of the cannons is so dense, I estimate that there must be more than a dozen cannons firing. Just imagine how many cannons the foreign devils in the concession have. Right now, in the west of the concession, General Nie and Zhang Decheng's No. 1 Regiment are fighting the foreign devils in the concession. The foreign devils inside are busy with their own affairs, and how many cannons can the foreign devils bring out?"

"So, Master, just be at ease. Let's just wait here for the foreign devils to escape. I just don't know how many of them can escape after our bombing."

Liu Shijiu thought for a moment and nodded, "That makes sense. It's no wonder people say that a scholar knows everything about the world without leaving home. You didn't read this book in vain."

A sturdy young man in his early twenties from the Qian group who was sitting behind Liu Shijiu had been observing Wu Peifu secretly with curiosity. He was the second senior brother of the Qian group and seemed to have finally been unable to hold back and asked Wu Peifu in a low voice.

"Captain Wu, the weather is so hot and we are hiding in this airtight tent, why don't you unbutton your clothes to cool down?"

Knowing that this man was the second senior brother in the Qian Group whose status was second only to Liu Shijiu, Wu Peifu turned around and smiled and whispered.

"Second Brother, I am a soldier. Soldiers must pay attention to discipline and appearance, especially in our vanguard army. Our commander has stricter requirements on discipline and appearance."

Wu Peifu grinned and said, "It's better now. I only have a sweatshirt under my military uniform, but our commander-in-chief said that after a while, officers will also be issued white shirts. I have sent people to Tianjin to order them. In the future, officers will have to wear white shirts under their uniforms, and it will be even hotter then."

The Marshal that Wu Peifu referred to was naturally Teng Yuzhao.

In the Qing Dynasty, the title of "Da Marshal" was a respectful title for senior generals, including generals who commanded troops, and even local civil officials, such as governors and provincial governors of the first and second ranks. Military officials such as generals-in-chief and admirals could also be called Da Marshal. There was no specific official requirement for the title of Da Marshal.

Teng Yuzhao's vanguard army commander-in-chief, compared with local military officials, generally holds the title of governor of a province. It is not an exaggeration to call him the marshal.

The second brother asked curiously, "So you officers, can't you unbutton your military uniforms as long as you wear them for a day?"

Wu Peifu shook his head and said, "That's not the case. Generally speaking, as long as our superiors are not present, we will be fine in the barracks."

Wu Peifu glanced at the two platoon leaders who were leading the vanguard of the sixty-odd men in the death squad in the darkness behind him, and said again.

"Moreover, military appearance and discipline are entirely up to the individual. I have only been in the Vanguard Army for a short time. In fact, it has only been one day since I was favored by our commander-in-chief and accepted as his disciple. So of course I have to be careful."

As for Wu Peifu being Teng Yuzao's disciple, Liu Shijiu had already said when introducing them that in those days, the students of private school teachers were also his disciples, which was very common, and the Boxers did not think much of it. The second senior brother looked at Wu Peifu's impressive and beautiful military uniform and said enviously, "Your vanguard uniform is already very impressive. If you wear a white shirt inside, then..."

As if he couldn't find the right words to express what he meant, the second brother smacked his lips a few times and swallowed his saliva.

A leader of the Qian group standing nearby also said enviously, "Second Brother, the impressive military uniforms are nothing, the pay of the vanguard army is really what makes people jealous!"

In the darkness, someone from the Qian Group said, "I heard that the vanguard soldiers get higher compensation for those killed in battle. Not only will they give their families a compensation first, but their parents will also receive a sum of money every year. If they start a family, not only will their wives and children receive money, but they will also be provided for until the children grow up!"

As if the topic was aroused, another person in the darkness said with envy, "Also, even if they are injured, they can still get a lot of money. That amount is enough to open a small shop and support a family!"

Someone else in the darkness said, "Also, the vanguard troops have meat to eat every day, which is something that even the landlords in the village may not be able to compare to!"

"Damn it, you bastards, do you all want to join the Vanguard Army?"

The flares that had been constantly lighting up above the floating bridge had stopped burning at some point, plunging the green tent where the suicide squad was located into complete darkness.

In the darkness, Liu Shijiu wiped the sweat that kept oozing out of his head and cursed with a smile.

Liu Nineteen's words did not silence the leaders who were already thinking hard. Someone suddenly said in the darkness, "Big Brother, why don't you just take us to join the vanguard army?"

The sudden words from this person immediately silenced all the members of the Qian Group in the death squad hiding in the dark green tent.

"Why don't you say anything? Are you all mute?" Liu Shijiu said unhappily.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Liu Nineteen said disdainfully, "My brother's vanguard army has strict military discipline and many rules. The only rule is that they are not allowed to kill foreigners and Christians who do not resist. You are all making a fuss."

At this point, Liu Shijiu remembered and turned around to curse, "Er Gouzi, you were the one who yelled the loudest just now. Didn't you ask me to take the Qianzi Group away from here? Why do you want to join the vanguard army now?"

Liu Shijiu said with disdain, "You still want to join the Vanguard Army. Don't say that my brother may not agree. Even if he agrees, I will kick you out."

"hey-hey"

A few awkward laughs came from the darkness. "Big Brother, I was just anxious at that time and my brain didn't obey me. Besides, I just complained a few words. How could I dare to encourage Big Brother?"

Liu Shijiu and Er Gouzi's words made Wu Peifu feel moved.

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(End of this chapter)