1848 Great Qing Charcoal Burners

Chapter 377 Becoming a Father

bang~
Another burst of dense and deadly fire!

The lead bullet burst from the barrel, piercing through the smoke and striking precisely into the chaotic ranks of the town's personal guards, thrown into disarray by the artillery barrage.

Puff puff……

The dull thuds of bullets piercing flesh were incessant.

Qiu Lian'en felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder and right leg at the same time, as if he had been scalded by a red-hot iron, or as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer. He lost his balance and fell backward uncontrollably.

His vision blurred rapidly, and his consciousness faded like the receding tide. Before plunging into complete darkness, the last thing he saw was his personal guards lying in pools of blood and fleeing in disarray.
The smoke gradually dissipated.

Wang Yinan, holding a Colt revolver, cautiously stepped forward to examine the Qing soldiers' corpses and wounded on the ground.

His gaze was drawn to the general, dressed in high-ranking military officer boots, trousers, and robes, whose body was half-covered by the corpses of several of his personal guards.

"Drag this official out here and let us see!" Wang Yinan ordered.

Ding Yi led two soldiers forward and laboriously moved the body off Qiu Lian'en, pulling him out.

Qiu Lian'en's face was deathly pale, with a clear bullet hole in each of his left shoulder and right leg, from which blood was gushing out, staining the city bricks beneath him.

One of the prisoners recognized him at a glance as Qiu Lian'en, the general of Nanyang Town.

After returning to defend Nanyang City, Qiu Lian'en was active on the front line for a long time. Not only did the Green Standard Army soldiers of the Zhenbiao Battalion recognize Qiu Lian'en, but soldiers from other battalions were also familiar with his face.

Wang Yinan crouched down and checked Qiu Lian'en's breath. Although it was weak, he was still breathing.

He carefully examined the man's armor and belongings, then stood up and said to his personal guards, "He's not quite dead yet. Take him away and send him to the medical ward. Tell the medic to do everything he can to save him. Tell the medic that this man is very important and that you must find a way to keep him alive."

"Yes!"

Several soldiers found a door panel and carefully carried the unconscious Qiu Lian'en onto it, quickly heading to the makeshift medical station for the wounded set up below the city.

Wang Yinan watched Qiu Lian'en being carried away, then looked at the increasing number of blue figures on the city wall, and the increasingly sparse Qing soldiers on the city wall, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

The outcome for the main city of Nanyang is no longer in doubt.

With the defeat of Qiu Lian'en's Zhenbiao Battalion, the garrison in the main city of Nanyang was no longer able to organize any resistance.

Seeing that all was lost and there was no hope left, Gu Jiaheng, the prefect of Nanyang Prefecture, hanged himself with his entire family.

After the vanguard cleared the Yuyang Gate and opened the city gate, the main force of Yuyang Village gradually entered the main city of Nanyang and completely took control of the main city.

Seeing that the main city of Nanyang had fallen, the other villages near the main city gradually gave up resistance and surrendered.

Following the precedent set in Xiangyang, Xie Bin took control of the treasury within the main city of Nanyang, issued proclamations to reassure the people and stabilize public sentiment, and simultaneously offered rewards for the capture of Green Standard Army soldiers and local militia members throughout the city. At the same time, he did not forget to send messengers to Wuchang to report the victory.

The following day, Peng Yong met with Ding Yi, who had made a meritorious contribution by being the first to scale the walls, and six other soldiers under his command who had performed outstandingly in the previous day's siege, at the General's Office in Nanyang.

"Oh it's you."

Peng Yong had a good memory and immediately recognized the young team leader who had made the first move to climb the wall. He recognized him as the team leader who had been scolded for being a blockhead yesterday for shoveling up the wall.

"Your subordinate greets Your Majesty." Ding Yi hurriedly bowed to Peng Yong.

"You guys pack your things and take my letters of recommendation to the military academy in Wuchang to report for duty." Peng Yong picked up the letters of recommendation he had already written and handed them to the seven soldiers who had performed brilliantly during yesterday's siege.

Peng Yong saw a resemblance to himself when he attacked Hengyang City in these people, and he intended to cultivate them as a key talent.

"Huh?" Ding Yi's hands trembled as he accepted the letter of recommendation from Peng Yong, somewhat surprised.

"What are you 'huh' about? With your blockhead, being a deputy company commander is already an honor for you. Instead of going to the military academy for further training, how will you lead troops in the future?" Peng Yong rolled his eyes at Ding Yi and said.

Ding Yi was originally the group leader, but he was promoted three ranks after making a meritorious contribution by being the first to scale the walls, and became the deputy company commander.

Peng Yong had actual vacancies for company commander and deputy commander, but Ding Yi's situation was different from that of Feng Zicai, who had made outstanding contributions in Xiangyang.

Feng Zicai had served as a brigade commander in the Green Standard Army, led troops, and fought in battles. Let alone a deputy battalion commander, he could easily serve as the commander of a battalion.

Given Ding Yi's situation, it wouldn't be a good thing to directly appoint him as deputy company commander right now.

It would be better to retain his military post and send him to the military academy for further studies.

"We were just a little surprised. Thank you for your guidance, Emperor Guozong." After realizing what had happened, Ding Yi and the others repeatedly thanked Peng Yong.

Most of the mid- to high-ranking officers in the North Palace, especially the mid- to high-ranking officers, are graduates of the Military Academy.

Although Ding Yi and the others were ordinary farmers who hadn't received much education, they were still reasonable and could distinguish right from wrong. They knew that Peng Yong was giving them a chance and giving them special training.

The principal of the Military Academy is the Northern King himself. Being able to study at the Military Academy is equivalent to being the Northern King's disciple, and one's future potential will be much higher.

Not everyone is qualified or has the opportunity to study at the Military Academy.

Furthermore, the military academy not only had students without military experience, but also many junior and mid-level officers who lacked education and practical combat experience.

Even Chen Ajiu, the former commander of the Sixth Regiment, studied at the Military Academy. It was easier to expand one's network of contacts at the Military Academy than in the army.

“You are all young men of eighteen or nineteen. Eighteen or nineteen is the age to study hard. After you enter the military academy, you must all work hard and not bring shame to me,” Peng Yong said sternly.

"We will certainly live up to the Emperor's high expectations," Ding Yi and the others replied.

After meeting with Ding Yi and the others, Peng Yong left the Nanyang General's Office and went to the Nanyang Prefectural Government Office to see Xie Bin.

Nanyang Prefecture governs two prefectures and eleven counties, with numerous subordinate prefectures and counties.

Including Nanyang County, which is attached to the capital, they have now captured five counties in Dengzhou, Xinye, Tangxian, and Biyang. More than half of the counties and prefectures have yet to be conquered.

Peng Yong wanted to discuss with Xie Bin the next steps in attacking other prefectures and counties in Nanyang.

In early September, the crisp autumn air filled the inner courtyard of the Northern Prince's Mansion in Wuchang.

Peng Gang, unusually, shed his usual composure and paced back and forth in the corridor. Every time a faint groan or busy sound came from the delivery room, he would pause and furrow his brow even more.

Although he didn't utter a word, his tightly pursed lips and unconsciously clenched hands betrayed his inner anxiety.

Peng Gang was not the only person in the corridor outside the delivery room.

Wang Yunheng's grandfather, Wang Quan, was also restless. He would stand up and look up at the closed door, then sit down again, clasping his hands together and muttering prayers for his ancestors to protect the mother and child.

Peng Gang's younger brother Peng Yi and younger sister Peng Min, along with key civil officials from the Northern Palace such as Zuo Zongtang, Liu Rong, and Guo Kuntao, also gathered here.

Zuo Zongtang stroked his short beard, his gaze frequently drifting towards the delivery room. Liu Rong and Guo Kuntao exchanged whispered glances; they both knew that this birth concerned the bloodline of the Northern King and the succession.

If the princess gives birth to a son, that son will be the undisputed eldest son.

Although Peng Gang has brothers, neither of them are incompetent or mediocre.

However, the vertical succession of father to son has a natural advantage in legitimacy compared to the horizontal succession of brother to brother.

The bond of brotherhood between brothers is far less binding and stable than the filial piety between father and son in the face of the temptation of power like the throne.

Time passed slowly, and every minute and every second seemed to last exceptionally long.

The encouraging voices of the midwife and Wang Yunheng's cries of pain echoed from inside the delivery room, tugging at the hearts of everyone outside.

Peng Gang paced faster and faster, and Wang Quan's forehead was even beaded with sweat. Finally, a clear cry of a newborn baby pierced through the doors and windows, breaking the tension.

"gave birth!"

Wang Quan suddenly stood up, so excited that he almost tripped over the waves, but fortunately Peng Yi reacted quickly and caught him in time.

Peng Gang stopped abruptly, his tense body instantly relaxed, he let out a long sigh of relief, and a relieved smile finally appeared on his face.

Zuo Zongtang, Liu Rong, and the others exchanged smiles and nodded slightly, instantly dispelling the tense atmosphere that had enveloped the corridor.

A moment later, the delivery room door opened gently, and the midwife came out carrying the swaddled baby. Her face showed joy, but also a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

The midwife bowed to Peng Gang and Wang Quan and said softly, "Congratulations, Your Highness, and congratulations, Mr. Wang! The Princess Consort has given birth to Bei Changjin, and both mother and daughter are safe and sound!"

"Mother and daughter are safe and well!" Wang Quan said first, still overjoyed at the birth of his great-granddaughter.

However, the mention of "Beichangjin" caused the smiles on the faces of Zuo Zongtang, Liu Rong, and others to freeze slightly, and a hint of disappointment flashed across their eyes.

However, they quickly regained their composure and congratulated Peng Gang, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness, on the birth of your daughter!"

However, the tone lacked the joy and excitement that had been expected.

Peng Gang saw everyone's reactions and understood them.

In this era, the significance of a male heir is far greater than that of a daughter.

After all, Peng Gang truly has a throne to inherit, and a Northern Heir apparent would be more likely to stabilize the hearts and minds of the people within the Northern Changjin than a Northern Heir apparent.

Peng Gang maintained his smile and personally took the small, wrinkled baby from the female official's hands. His skillful movements surprised the midwife.

The way the Northern King held the infant was so skillful that it didn't seem like he was a first-time father.

The midwife couldn't help but glance at Peng Yi and Peng Min behind Peng Gang out of the corner of her eye, imagining that the Northern King must have held his younger siblings a lot when he was a child.

Peng Gang looked his daughter over carefully, his eyes full of affection, and smiled, "Good, good, good!"

Peng Gang carried his daughter into the delivery room.

Having just given birth, Wang Yunheng was completely exhausted. She lay limply on the soft silk mattress, her face pale and her sweaty hair plastered to her forehead.

When Wang Yunheng saw Peng Gang happily walking in carrying the swaddled baby, her eyes initially lit up with joy, but the light in them quickly dimmed, replaced by deep guilt and self-reproach.

Wang Yunheng said weakly, her voice choked with sobs, "I...I am useless, I have failed to bear an heir, and I have disappointed Your Highness..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

She knew that as the Princess Consort of the North, her greatest responsibility was to give birth to an heir for Peng Gang as soon as possible. The immense pressure even made Wang Yunheng ignore the pain of childbirth.

Seeing this, Peng Gang sat down on the edge of the bed, holding his daughter in one arm and tightly grasping Wang Yunheng's soft hand with the other, and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Mother and daughter are safe and sound, which is the greatest joy! I love this daughter very much. They say that daughters resemble their fathers, and this child looks just like me."

Peng Gang gently swayed his arm so that Wang Yunheng could see the child more clearly.

Peng Gang is only 23 years old this year (by Chinese reckoning), in good health, and the Wuchang regime is thriving.

With Peng Gang in control, Peng Yong and Peng Yi both obeyed him. Wang Yunheng giving birth to the Northern Heir was naturally a bonus, and even if she hadn't given birth, nothing would have gone wrong for a while.

"But...Your Majesty...I humbly request that Your Highness take a few concubines."

Peng Gang's thoughtfulness brought Wang Yunheng some comfort, but she still couldn't let it go and advised Peng Gang to take a concubine.

Although Peng Gang did not take any concubines, Wang Yunheng was served by Cheng Lingnan and French teacher Laura during her pregnancy, or both of them.

Although they served each other in bed, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Peng Gang did not grant them the title of concubines.

Cheng Lingnan came from the Cheng family of Nanchang, Jiangxi. The Cheng family was one of the biggest financial backers of the Ganyong people, so it would be inappropriate to take her as a concubine.

As for Luo Er, needless to say, she can learn some French, but if she were to be taken as a concubine, not only the Wuchang court, but the entire Hunan province would be shaken.

Peng Gang interrupted Wang Yunheng: "We are still young, and we have a long future ahead of us! You should take good care of your health."

As he spoke, Peng Gang leaned down and whispered in her ear with a smile, "Once you've recovered, we'll work even harder, and maybe next year we can give this little girl a little brother!"

Upon hearing this, a blush finally appeared on Wang Yunheng's pale face, a mixture of embarrassment and emotion.

Peng Gang gently wiped away her tears and said tenderly, "Rest well and don't worry too much. You have already done a great service by giving birth to my child."

"His Highness has also decided to name our daughter," Wang Yunheng reminded him.

"Look at my memory," Peng Gang said slowly after pondering for a long time, rubbing his forehead.

Qu Yuan wrote in "Li Sao": "I sent Wang Shu ahead as a vanguard, but what if I called Wang Shu to go ahead?"

"Gao Huazhong has a touch of ethereal beauty to it, a fine name," Wang Yunheng said, smoothing her hair and nodding.

Outside the palace, Zuo Zongtang, Liu Rong, and others heard the commotion inside and knew that the Northern King was not displeased by the birth of his daughter, but instead comforted the princess, which calmed them down.

Although it's a bit of a regret, the Northern King is young and vigorous, and the Queen is also young; perhaps the next child will be the heir apparent.

They tacitly stopped talking about it, temporarily burying their hopes for an heir deep in their hearts.

The most important thing right now is to celebrate the birth of the daughter of the Northern King. The Northern King is overjoyed to have a daughter, so there is no need to be gloomy.

He gently comforted the tired and self-reproachful Wang Yunheng, watching her finally fall into a deep sleep with a hint of weariness and relief, and then carefully examined the peaceful sleeping face of his daughter in his arms.

Peng Gang then carefully handed the baby to the wet nurse beside him. He tucked the blanket around Wang Yunheng and quietly walked out of the delivery room.

Wang Quan, Zuo Zongtang, and others had not left the corridor outside the delivery room; they were clearly still waiting for him.

When Peng Gang came out, everyone once again cupped their hands in congratulations.

Peng Gang waved his hand, his face showing the joy of becoming a father for the first time, but his tone had returned to its usual calm and decisiveness: "Mother and daughter are safe and sound, which is indeed a happy event. This daughter is my eldest daughter, and I am extremely happy about her birth."

As he spoke, Peng Gang changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Wang Quan, Zuo Zongtang, and Liu Rong, and said in a deep voice, "Grandfather Yue, Mr. Zuo, Mr. Liu, while I was guarding Yunheng just now, I was also pondering this."

This year, our territory has expanded, with vast newly liberated areas in central and northern Hubei, and many things await our attention. There are numerous vacancies for officials at the prefectural and county levels, and the existing staff is already stretched thin. If this continues, it will be extremely detrimental to local stability and the implementation of government policies.

Liu Rong nodded in agreement: "Your Highness's concerns are very valid. In the newly liberated areas, people are needed everywhere, including registering households, redistributing land, building water conservancy projects, and maintaining public order. Not to mention the newly liberated areas this year, the land redistribution in the areas liberated by the western expedition last year has not yet been completed, and there are still three county official vacancies that have not been filled."

Zuo Zongtang immediately understood Peng Gang's intention: "Your Highness means... to hold another imperial examination for selecting officials?"

Previously, the Northern Palace had already held a special imperial examination to select a group of talented individuals, but given the rapidly expanding territory, it was clearly insufficient to meet their needs, and there was indeed a need to hold another special imperial examination.

Zuo Zongtang originally wanted to directly advise Peng Gang to open a regular course this year, but since Bei Changjin was born, it would be appropriate to open a special course on this basis.

The position of section chief can be reserved for next year.

“Excellent!” Peng Gang nodded. “The birth of our eldest daughter is an auspicious sign from heaven, a time for universal celebration and bestowing blessings. On this auspicious occasion, we should hold another imperial examination!”

A public notice was issued to all prefectures and counties under its jurisdiction, stating that all scholars, whether of traditional or modern learning, who were willing to serve the country and possessed practical knowledge, were welcome to take the examinations. Of course, the notice also extended to neighboring Qing-controlled areas, informing them that scholars from those areas who wished to come to Wuchang to participate in the imperial examinations would be treated the same as local scholars.

At this point, Peng Gang looked at Wang Quan and said, "Grandfather Yue, you are Shu'er's great-grandfather and have always been insightful in selecting and appointing talents. You will be in charge of this matter for this special imperial examination."

(End of this chapter)