The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

So, we promote these things not only because we must abide by them and because we hope to achieve them, but also to gain the goodwill and support of the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the future. We believe that history is created by the people. If we can awaken, then the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, deeply oppressed by colonialism, will inevitably awaken. Where there is oppression, there is resistance. Therefore, in fact, the main target of our propaganda for the five points above is not the current powers, but the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the future world...

Zhang Yinghao was giving his comrades a heads-up now, but whether they would remember his lecture in the future was hard to say. Of course, Zhang Yinghao wouldn't yet claim that China would lead the liberation of Asia, Africa, and Latin America; that would be far too unrealistic. Furthermore, Zhang Yinghao knew that if he didn't choose the path of colonial exploitation, China's future would require the vast markets of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The future dynamics of China's development would also be inseparable from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

In his previous life, Taizu was a brilliant strategist. Just as the natural division between "I am Chinese, you are foreign" is a stark contrast, Taizu proposed the strategic concept of the Three Worlds: the United States and the Soviet Union as the First World; centrists Japan, Europe, and Canada as the Second World; and the vast majority of Asia, Africa, and Latin America as the Third World. While no particular bloc was formed, the division of the Three Worlds naturally created a broad bloc. After all, we are all "insiders" of the Third World. This single tactic won China many friends without creating any new enemies—nothing short of a miracle.

However, the comrades today cannot think of things that far ahead. Everyone is still trying their best to liberate China. How can they have the leisure to think about trivial matters in other places? As for the affairs of Black Africa and Latin America, they are really too far away for the comrades.

Zhang Yinghao knew he had gone too far, so he quickly retracted his question and said, "Who are our friends and who are our enemies? This is the primary question of the revolution. All the great powers now have special interests in China. Moreover, it does not mean that the great powers are necessarily our mortal enemies and will definitely fight us. But at least in the next hundred years, the great powers will definitely be rivals who compete more than cooperate on the road to industrialization.

As for the question I just mentioned: What if we didn't initiate the war? Then how would we recover the lost territory? Haha, is there any contradiction between mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, and recovering territory? We do not recognize any unequal treaties signed by the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, these territories belong to our country. It was the foreign powers who forcibly seized our territory and violated our principles. Therefore, for the sake of these territories, we will recover them whenever we have the ability and at our discretion.

Waging war? That's because the enemy invaded our territory and refused to withdraw. We didn't want to start a war, but rather, the enemy occupied our territory and continued to wage war. Or perhaps the war between the Qing Dynasty and them ended, but what does that have to do with us? We marched our troops into our own land, and the enemy tried to stop us. Did we start a war? This was a war the enemy had already started.

We say that things should be done from beginning to end. For the great powers, the matter was over after they signed a treaty with the Qing court. But for our country and people, the matter was over from the moment the great powers invaded until they withdrew. As for the treaties signed by the Qing court in the middle, if our country and people disagreed with them, the matter was not over.

Therefore, the question of whether we want to take back these lands does not exist, but only the question of whether we have the ability to take them back. Even if we agree to give up these lands now, later generations can still take them back. Why should we be restricted by a treaty that was signed without the consent of the people? When we do not have the ability to do so, we naturally abide by the signed treaty. When we have the ability, we still stick to an old treaty, which is conservative. If all the countries had abided by the treaties during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, how could Qin Shihuang have unified China? If the Han Dynasty had abided by the treaties, could Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, have defeated the Huns and washed away the shame of the Siege of Baideng? If the Tang Dynasty had abided by the treaties, could it have washed away the shame of the Weishui Alliance? If all the powers had abided by the treaties, why did they fight with the Qing Dynasty again and again?"

Zhang Yinghao almost shouted out the words of the mustache: "Treaties are meant to be torn up." However, the Chinese generally suspect that breaking a treaty is treasonous, so Zhang Yinghao's explanation was more euphemistic and different. However, Zhang Yinghao also stated a fact. He said that someone signed a treaty on behalf of the country. Although he was only represented, if he had the ability, he could naturally tear up the treaty on behalf of the country.

Zhang Yinghao raised his hand and glanced at the mechanical watches currently being manufactured in the liberated areas. Class was about to end, so he quickly continued, "Some people say that we diplomats are, to a large extent, open spies. This statement is not wrong. After all, whether you are receiving foreigners in China or serving as a diplomat in other countries, you must first understand the foreigners and the local conditions. There is a saying that goes, 'When traveling abroad, ask about prohibitions; when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' If you don't thoroughly investigate the local situation, how can you do diplomacy well? Since you have to investigate thoroughly, then it's not wrong to say that you are an open spy!"

Finally, whether you are working in China or abroad, your primary concern should be safeguarding the interests of our country and protecting the safety of our citizens. Maintain frequent contact with leaders of other countries, report any problems promptly, and communicate with them as well.

Time waits for no one. Soon, the bell rang! get out of class is over! The class is over for now!

Chapter 420:

When Zhang Yinghao articulated these specific demands, he honestly wasn't sure if his words were entirely correct. But he still had to say what needed to be said. As for the international law of this era, it wasn't for him to learn it himself, but for these comrades to learn and apply it themselves. Zhang Yinghao only needed to establish the key principles of diplomacy.

However, Zhang Yinghao did read some of the contents of "International Law". If all the great powers are equal, then many of the laws therein are indeed good. The distribution of interests is explained very clearly, which can avoid to the greatest extent the intensification of conflicts or even wars caused by disputes over interests among the great powers.

However, for colonies and semi-colonies, it was basically a pipe dream to hope that they could fight for their own interests according to the provisions of "international law". The so-called "national law" was formulated by the great powers and observed by the colonies because it protected their vested interests or minimized the loss of further interests. However, all this was backed by force.

If the great powers had all abided by the so-called "international law" and been united, Britain would not have lost its colony of the United States, would not have fought against France and Russia, and would not have condoned Germany's attack on France; and they would not have fought openly and secretly for the interests of the colonies to the point of being crazy. It would even be uncertain whether the country of Siam could exist.

…….-

As Zhang Yinghao was training his comrades, PLA comrades entering Hubei via the Yangtze River were already marching toward Zhongxiang, located in the middle reaches of the Han River. The Han River, also known as the Han River and, in ancient times, the Mian River, originates in Micang Mountain north of Ningqiang County, Hanzhong City, in southwestern Shaanxi Province. It flows southeast through Hanzhong and Ankang, Shaanxi Province, and through western and central Hubei. After entering western Hubei, it passes north through Shiyan and flows into Danjiangkou. It then continues southeast, passing through Xiangyang, Yicheng, Zhongxiang, Shayang, Tianmen, Xiantao, and Hanchuan counties before merging into the Yangtze River at Wuchangkou. With a total length of over 1770 kilometers and a drainage area of ​​17.81 square kilometers, it is the largest of all the Yangtze River basins. Zhongxiang, situated in the middle reaches of the river, holds a crucial strategic position. Liberation of this area would sever this major artery of Hubei's water transportation, conferring a significant strategic advantage.

Although the People's Liberation Army will not use the Han River to transport troops and supplies in the lower reaches of the Han River for the time being, what about in the upper reaches? There will be no concerns at all. It is entirely possible to requisition ships and take advantage of the advantages of water transportation to provide great convenience to the comrades who are liberating Xiangyang Prefecture.

Hubei has a northern subtropical monsoon (humid) climate, characterized by abundant rainfall all year round, sufficient heat, rain and heat in the same season, light and heat in the same season, cold winters and hot summers, and four distinct seasons.

Every year, summer begins in May across Hubei, bringing frequent rainfall, high temperatures, and few sunny days. Zhou Baogui wiped the sweat from his face and looked up at the sun at its zenith. If it weren't for the rain, Hubei would indeed be a good time for marching and fighting. But Zhou Baogui glanced at the heavy artillery unit, at the sweat-drenched comrades carrying and dragging the cannons, and he couldn't help but sigh, knowing that rest time would soon be approaching.

Hubei experienced many rainy days in early May, though the weather was sometimes pleasant, much like today. However, the conditions during this era were not particularly favorable for military operations. The roads were largely dirt roads, and after a rainstorm, they became sluggish and muddy. The poor conditions meant that artillery weighing several thousand pounds had to be pulled by oxen and horses, and sometimes by humans. Once stuck in a mud pit, it was impossible to pull it out, even with every effort. This severely hampered the advance of the troops, resulting in heavy artillery units being unable to move forward.

The PLA emphasizes scientific marching techniques, so they provide ample amounts of lightly salted water to replenish salt consumption, and even some sugary water to replenish energy. However, many comrades still suffered from heatstroke. Fortunately, the troops' food is good, and the comrades are in good nutritional condition. So far, there have been no major problems.

In response to this non-combat attrition, and in order to save time for the march, Zhou Baogui finally decided to extend the troops' rest time at noon and extend the marching time at night. Zhou Baogui's arrangement was not without purpose. First, the combat effectiveness of the Qing army patrol battalion and other officers and soldiers was too poor, and the Hubei New Army was not deployed in Wuhan, so there was basically no danger in marching at night. Second, the PLA specially provided relevant treatment for comrades with night blindness. Now the PLA soldiers with complete night blindness are very few, and after rigorous training, marching at night is not a big problem.

So, although the comrades were not required to march all night, they still marched until midnight. Zhou Baogui remembered that during the night march, the soldiers one by one pulled the ring on the back of the backpack of the soldier in front of them, and suddenly realized that the game of "Eagle Catches Chicken" played in the barracks was not really for fun, but for training soldiers.

"Inform everyone to take the time to rest and recuperate immediately. Order the scouts ahead to report back immediately and determine whether they have fully understood the situation in Hanjiang and Zhongxiang."

"Yes."

The messenger saluted and ran away immediately.

Not long after, a scout soldier came running over, saluted, and said, "Captain, we have now arrived in the Zhongxiang area. It is only an hour's journey to the Han River. After crossing the Han River, we can go straight to Zhongxiang City."

Zhou Baogui immediately took out a map and examined it. Map reading was a must-have skill for officers, and training in this area began right after they entered the barracks. Comrades who couldn't even read a map were bound to have trouble commanding a battle. They could only serve as soldiers charging into battle, and without any special skills, they would quickly retire.

Zhou Baogui's map showed Yichang, Jingmen, Jingzhou, Xiangyang, Danjiang, Wushengguan, and other places marked with key points. These places were strategically important and were the priority areas for the People's Liberation Army to liberate. These key areas also had to be captured as quickly as possible. Troops and weapons were being transported continuously from Sichuan and Chongqing to Yichang, and multiple armies were heading straight for Wuhan, liberating various towns along the way. Zhou Baogui was naturally unwilling to lag behind and hoped to reach Wuhan as quickly as possible. As long as Zhongxiang was liberated, the straight-line distance to Wuhan would be less than 200 kilometers.

The Qing troops along the route were now reduced in number due to the reorganization of the Manchu patrol battalions, with many of the old and weak being laid off. However, their combat effectiveness had indeed increased significantly, so there were still Qing troops blocking the way. Of course, there were now countless militia groups, with almost every village and village having a group. However, for now, these militia groups were not in Zhou Baogui's sight. If the army encountered any ignorant militia groups during the march, the vanguard group would easily wipe out countless of them.

How can we march quickly? He was so engrossed in this thought that he didn't make any movement for a long time. When the scout woke him up, he asked, "Have you prepared all the tools to cross the river?"

"The boats have been collected, and the pontoon bridge will be built soon." "Hasn't the Qing army in Zhongxiang been dispatched?"

The scout comrade immediately replied: "Our artillery comrades used small cannons to bombard them, and the Qing troops dispatched from Zhongxiang immediately fled."

"Orders, immediately send troops into Zhongxiang to investigate the situation of the Qing troops inside and their fighting spirit. Hurry! Our army will cross the river as quickly as possible."

"Yes."

Seeing the scouts leave, Zhou Baogui said, "Send the order, set off immediately. After taking Zhongxiang, the troops will rest in the city."

This is how the military marches. Sometimes, a leisurely pace is fine. However, in an emergency, even if someone dies running, they'd rather die on the way to the artillery. There's a saying in the military: scientific training, unscientific tempering. Soldiers naturally need tempering, so while the PLA emphasizes scientific training, there are also many unscientific training programs designed to torment soldiers. Emergency assemblies in the middle of the night are child's play; sometimes, a forced march is issued, or the troops are ordered to run all day, not even stopping for meals, but eating on the go. Sometimes, comrades are asked to lie still in one place for at least a day and a night. If this is simple, then what about not being able to sleep for a day and a night? Therefore, the PLA barracks are full of tricks. Of course, all of this is also for actual combat considerations.

Zhou Baogui led his troops to the Han River. Looking at the surging Han River, he finally received a report: "The Qing troops in Zhongxiang have not yet completed their assembly. The morale of the defenders is low and they have no intention of fighting. I heard that after Jingmen was liberated by our army, more than half of the Qing troops fled. After our army bombarded the Qing troops, many more chose to flee, leaving Zhongxiang with a lack of troops."

After hearing the good news, Zhou Baogui was shocked. A plan came to his mind. He said loudly: "Very good. Pass the order and cross the river. Order the light artillery unit to move to the second echelon after crossing the river, untie all the gun covers, and then advance."

"Yes."

Zhou Baogui had brought only mortars and forty-eight light artillery pieces, muzzles facing backward. The rubber-wheeled carts, pulled by horses, sped forward. Soon, they crossed the Han River and saw a city looming in the distance. As for the heavy artillery, they couldn't cross the pontoon bridge. They had to unload the guns and transport them across the river by boat, a huge waste of time. Zhou Baogui naturally didn't want to wait any longer for the heavy artillery.

Moreover, so far, the heavy artillery unit has only fired two shots when liberating Huyaguan Pass in Jingmen City. As a result, the heavy artillery unit now has a nickname called "the holding force". Privately, PLA comrades call the heavy artillery unit "the rushing force" because now, in many cases, they are really on the road, and when they arrive, the battle is already over.

As soon as they crossed the river, Zhou Baogui immediately said to the officers: "Order, deploy into battle formation, everyone enter combat mode, and all guns are loaded."

The soldiers who received the order acted quickly. Zhou Baogui ordered all the cannons to be pushed forward. The muzzles of the cannons, emitting a faint cold light, pointed directly at Zhongxiang City and advanced forward step by step. When the Qing army on the city wall saw this situation, they were immediately frightened and turned pale.

Zhou Baogui immediately sent people to call on the people in the city to surrender.

Soon, the comrade in charge of shouting came to the front along the trenches dug by his comrades and began his work. Trenches are something that the PLA must dig, because trenches can not only protect themselves, but most importantly, they can also be used as a precaution. The army cannot take any chances. It is better to be prepared for the worst. If the army is in trouble, people will die.

Zhou Baogui didn't know whether there were cannons on the city wall, and he didn't dare to get too close for the time being, so he didn't hear clearly what was being shouted. However, the comrades who were shouting were all professionally trained, so Zhou Baogui was not worried that they would do something wrong.

Soon a comrade came running back and said to him: "Captain, the Qing army insulted us and called us bandits, and they are determined not to surrender."

Zhou Baogui knew that the comrade's words about the Qing Dynasty calling the People's Liberation Army bandits were processed, and in fact the insult was definitely much more harsh than that.

Zhou Baogui didn't care. He just smiled coldly and said, "Haha, it seems that the closer we get to the core areas of the Qing Dynasty, the more diehard Qing Dynasty members there are."

Zhou Baogui didn't even consider the fact that those who hadn't fled, and even dared to fight, were all Qing diehards? They were diehards. It could be said that the Qing maintained its rule thanks to these diehards; they were the backbone of the Qing. Naturally, they wouldn't surrender their cities simply because of a few words from their comrades. If the Qing didn't have these diehards, it would have been overthrown long ago.

However, Zhou Baogui still said: "Tell them that even if the Beiyang Army surrendered unconditionally, we would still release them. The People's Liberation Army treats prisoners well. Give them a quarter of an hour to consider. After a quarter of an hour, we will immediately launch an attack."

The quarter of an hour Zhou Baogui mentioned wasn't really a quarter of an hour to give the enemy, leaving him to wait. Rather, the PLA also needed to prepare for the attack, and the artillery needed time to prepare. Therefore, war was all about self-reliance, and adjusting oneself to optimal condition. On the battlefield, where seconds determined life and death, Zhou Baogui was no pedant. Giving the enemy more time to prepare would have been playing with the lives of his comrades.

"Yes."

Seeing that the city gate still showed no signs of opening, Zhou Baogui stood there for a while. Then he waved his hand and the troops slowly advanced towards Zhongxiang. They stopped only when the artillery in front could hit the city wall.

Under such pressure, the Qing troops on the wall also became seriously divided, but the Qing officers and prefects did not issue orders to retreat or surrender. At this point, the soldiers naturally could no longer control their own fate. They could only hold on, hoping that the god of fate would favor them.

When the time arrived, Zhou Baogui snorted coldly and immediately shouted, "Fire." The artillerymen had already adjusted their guns and loaded their shells while waiting. Upon receiving the order to fire, they immediately pulled the trigger. The first test shot sent shells scattering across the city walls. Even so, because the walls were unprotected and unprotected, they instantly killed a large number of Qing soldiers. Many body parts were thrown directly from the walls by the blast, a scene of exceptional cruelty and bloodshed.

The artillerymen do not look at the effects of the shells after they explode. They just adjust the parameters immediately according to the landing point of the shells they fire. They must cherish every artillery experience and treat every firing as a learning experience. They must become elite artillerymen as soon as possible.

In the second round of shelling, more than 30 of the 48 shells fell directly on the city wall and exploded, and several shells fell inside the city.

At this time, a cannon arrived at the front. Many comrades called it the "siege cannon." Its armor-piercing rounds could not only easily penetrate city gates but even collapse city walls, a terrifying feat. Before this cannon, explosive charges had to be used to blow up city walls and gates, a time-consuming and labor-intensive task, and extremely dangerous for the soldiers. However, with this cannon, the city wall's woes were easily overcome, and the PLA soldiers were naturally overjoyed.

Sure enough, in the third round of bombardment, the cannonballs also joined in, and one shell directly blew a large hole in the city gate. Because time was too hasty, perhaps the Qing officials did not know how to defend the city at all, and the gate of Zhongxiang was not blocked from the inside. Also, Zhongxiang had been peaceful for a long time, so how could the officials understand war?

Zhou Baogui saw this situation through the telescope and saw three rounds of artillery fire. The Qing army on the city wall was almost wiped out. He didn't want to waste precious artillery shells anymore and shouted directly: "Blow the horn, attack, and extend the artillery fire."

The charge blared, and the infantry immediately deployed and charged toward the Zhongxiang city walls. After firing their cannons, the artillerymen began firing behind the walls. To cover the infantry's attack, artillerymen within mortar range also fired behind the city gate tower, protecting their comrades from potential ambush and casualties from Qing troops hiding beneath the walls.

The movement flowed like flowing clouds, sleek and artistically beautiful. This coordinated infantry and artillery attack on the city was a technique the PLA had long honed. The PLA comrades paid no heed, not to the Qing troops stationed on the city walls, nor to the barricades erected in the streets. After all, how could flesh and blood withstand steel? The PLA's greatest concern was the possibility that a few diehard Qing troops would hide in civilian homes and launch surprise attacks. Such attacks were difficult to defend against, and even if they were ultimately defeated, the PLA comrades would inevitably suffer numerous casualties.

"Report, our army has taken control of the city gate."

"Report, our troops are extending to both sides of the city wall."

"Report, our troops are extending deep into the country."

"Report, our army has taken control of the government office, and the prefect has hanged himself."

Chapter 421:

In Zhang Yinghao's opinion, only some of the educated and Manchu people are truly loyal to the Qing Dynasty. Some are the survivors of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom era, the Hunan Army, the Huai Army, etc. After all, they are really loyal to the Qing Dynasty.

Sweat, blood, naturally have a special feeling, more than 100 million old memories are dull, just rely on prestige, can not make any big waves. Even if it is vested interests

People like compradors would never be loyal to the Qing court.

As for the rest of the common people, the silent majority, they simply didn't understand the principle that the state was a tool of class rule until they were awakened. Expecting them to actively maintain the rule of the Qing Dynasty was simply wishful thinking. As for the landlord class, if the policies of the Forward Party were not unacceptable to them, they wouldn't care who ruled China. Most of them simply wanted to keep their land.

"Report, our army has taken control of the treasury."

"Report, our army has taken control of the powder depot."

Upon hearing the news of the prefect's suicide, Zhou Baogui showed no reaction. However, upon learning that he had taken control of the government treasury and the gunpowder depot, he breathed a sigh of relief. Zhongxiang, as the political center of Anlu Prefecture and situated along the Han River, was undoubtedly wealthy. With control of these two areas, the others could follow. Zhou Baogui knew that without money, Qing officials would be ignored, their words would be meaningless, and they would be powerless.

After taking over the entire city of Zhongxiang, Zhou Baogui conducted an inventory of the garrison. For such a large prefecture, the garrison consisted of newly retired, aged and infirm Green Camp soldiers and patrol battalions, with no new troops. This left Zhou Baogui speechless. However, he understood that this was also the current state of the Qing Dynasty. A few hundred or even a thousand men maintained the Qing's rule, with a few more soldiers stationed in key locations to maintain security. Furthermore, these Qing soldiers had not received modern military training, being mostly hereditary warriors. It was wishful thinking to expect them to have much combat effectiveness.

However, the Qing army in Hubei did have one advantage: thanks to the Hanyang Arsenal, most soldiers had a Hanyang rifle in their arsenal. While it wasn't enough to deal with regular troops, it was more than enough to intimidate the civilian population. There were rumors of a replacement in the liberated areas, but nothing had been officially confirmed. Therefore, these captured Hanyang rifles could be directly equipped by the PLA troops, as they could be used with the same ammunition, making them very convenient.

The current method used by the Forward Party in the newly liberated areas, in addition to stabilizing the situation, is to temporarily postpone land reform and ease the contradictions with the landlord class. Then, once a region is liberated, conscription begins immediately—yes, immediately—and enlists both men and women in large numbers.

While recruiting soldiers in the newly liberated areas, the Forward Party discovered a problem: these soldiers were largely children from poor families. Good men don't join the military, and good iron doesn't get used to grind nails. Why would wealthy families be willing to send their children to the barracks? "Little boy, eat me to death!" was no joke in those days. In an era without contraception and entertainment, people would have children at night, but many families couldn't afford to raise too many children. They were also willing to send their children to the army, believing that soldiers would inevitably have to eat, and in an era where just having enough to eat was enough, serving in the army was indeed a good option.

This is also the simplest and most brutal, yet very effective, method currently being used by the liberated areas to integrate local communities into the new liberated area system. Without sufficient "own people," how can one effectively govern the local area? By directly conscripting a group of young people from the local area, they effectively remove a large number of idle laborers and large grain-consuming households, instantly improving the lives of the local population. Moreover, within a few months, the vast majority of these soldiers will have become "own people." This directly allows more people to join the new system of the liberated areas, directly expanding the power of the liberated areas.

Regardless of whether the people are the silent majority or not, when their children join the People's Liberation Army, they have already taken sides in disguise. They must begin to defend the People's Liberation Army, defend the liberated areas, and defend the leadership of the Progressive Party, because only the victory of the Progressive Party and the People's Liberation Army can guarantee their interests.

Therefore, even if the PLA suffered some casualties in the war, and even if the Qing army that rebelled was not included, the overall number of the PLA would still increase rather than decrease.

Zhang Yinghao was very satisfied with this. As long as the Party's leadership was upheld and the army could afford it, he really didn't care how many soldiers the PLA had. As for the PLA today, they need to shoulder more social responsibilities. It can be said that the PLA is essentially a force that values ​​dedication. If, during this revolutionary war era, during the period of reform and opening up, anyone wanted good treatment or wanted to improve their treatment, they were not revolutionary. This single statement could determine a person's future and fate, and such a person would have no chance of surviving in the military.

Zhang Yinghao's current plan is that when the country is liberated, in order to completely cut off the great powers' covetousness of China, the field army must reach at least three million people on the surface. As for the comrades with the PLA organization, such as the railway troops, infrastructure engineering troops, etc., the total number must reach at least five million or even eight million.

Zhang Yinghao hadn't actually considered sending these men to the battlefield; he would simply select the best comrades to work in military, scientific research, and other fields. But how would he arrange for the remaining men? And how would he feed them? Zhang Yinghao knew that China's future industrialization, with its massive influx of people into cities, would inevitably require vast quantities of agricultural and animal husbandry products. Furthermore, the liberated areas' currency was tied to food and other necessities. To stabilize the currency and maintain price stability, the liberated area government had to have sufficient supplies of food, salt, and other materials.

How to solve this problem?

Zhang Yinghao is now also considering the impending war in Northeast China, and the fact that Northeast China, Mongolia, Gansu, Xinjiang, XZ and other places are now vast and sparsely populated, and there is a huge demand for construction across the country. Therefore, Zhang Yinghao is ready to start forming production and construction corps in various places to provide strong raw material support and stamina for the country's industrialization.

Zhang Yinghao believed that the Production and Construction Corps, with its integrated military-based border settlement model combining national defense, construction, and production, with its unified training and management, and its integration of military personnel with agriculture, was perfectly suited to a backward country in dire need of massive infrastructure development. How did the Great Northern Wilderness of the past become the Great Northern Granary? How did the desolate Nanniwan become the "flat plains with fragrant rice, fat ducks roaming the ponds, crops everywhere, cattle and sheep everywhere"? These all demonstrate the superiority of military settlement. In fact, military settlement also embodies the concentration of resources to accomplish great things. Thousands of young people working together – what a tremendous force! Enough to transform the world and accomplish great things.

Migrating to these frontier provinces and regions is a good idea, but, not to mention the Chinese people's attachment to their homeland, the actual cost of migrating agricultural populations is far too high. While there are many benefits, the benefits are completely disproportionate to the returns. Forming a Production and Construction Corps is the fastest and most convenient option.

Except for a few special units, the field army naturally does not need female comrades, but why are they now actively recruiting female soldiers? This is naturally a crazy idea that Zhang Yinghao came up with.

In this era, relationships between men and women were still largely determined by parental consent and matchmaker agreement. So, it's understandable that a group of men and women engaged in production and construction would work together to build a strong revolutionary friendship. Let them work together for a few years, establish a special matchmaking department, and organize more matchmaking events. Wouldn't these people take root in the local area?

Of course, there will inevitably be some couples who haven't found a partner. This is perfectly normal, after all, as there aren't many opportunities for free love and marriage. For these older people, other options will be offered, such as matchmaking. Hey, don't be fooled. The organization will introduce these unmarried older comrades to potential partners. They're all revolutionary comrades, working together for the revolution, so no one can bully the other. With the organization's backing, they can still live a healthy life together. Furthermore, since both parties are members of the organization, their lives are clearly arranged by it, and their financial circumstances are similar. As long as there's no domestic violence, life can continue.

As for the personal question of happiness, in this era, the organization requires you to get married and have children. It's that simple. Just live together. If things don't work out, divorce. It's really not that complicated. But the organization still has to fulfill its obligations. The organization brought them here, so their personal issues naturally have to be considered. Divorce after marriage is no longer the organization's problem. It may seem cold and heartless, but it's the best solution. Revolutionary couples, what a glorious thing!

As for something as luxurious as love, if you can't find it for years, then why not just give up? Moreover, after a man and a woman have been together for a few years, something as luxurious as love will essentially turn into familial affection. Furthermore, for thousands of years in Chinese history, even arranged marriages were common. Most couples married without ever meeting each other, and the bride's beauty was entirely determined by the matchmaker's words. Yet, didn't they still manage to get married and live together? Hasn't this continued in China to this day?

Is Zhang Yinghao familiar with Xue'er? Does Xue'er understand herself? So, between people, as long as there's nothing they particularly dislike or can't tolerate in each other, they can manage to live together. Just like the heroine in "People": ...At three years old, I've been a wife, free from all housework. I rise early and sleep late, never having to wake up. And when the words are fulfilled, it's violence... The heroine wasn't unable to tolerate the fatigue; what ultimately broke her husband's side was domestic violence! Therefore, as long as the organization ensures these female comrades are protected from domestic violence, it's fulfilling its basic obligations.

It's human nature to despise the poor and favor the rich, but within an organization, this problem is naturally minimized because they rarely have to worry about their future. In fact, marriage, in its simplest terms, is simply the acquisition of the legitimate right to mate, with the man expressing his willingness to assume responsibility. That's all. In areas where monogamy is practiced, this is the only legitimate right to mate.

Of course, if they cannot find a partner and do not want the organization to arrange for them, another way is to let them return to their hometown to solve personal problems and choose to leave the Production and Construction Corps. This is naturally a free choice.

Of course, there are other solutions for gay men. After the lost territories were reclaimed, there were still many Tsarist Russian women and local girls from liberated areas in these places, and they naturally couldn't be wasted. The state could act as a matchmaker, and for a small fee, they could introduce single gay men to women and arrange for them to solve their personal problems. This was naturally no problem at all.

This is definitely not human trafficking, but rather finding a place for these homeless girls to stay and be cared for. As for why they accept red envelopes from matchmakers, it's obviously to help them find strong in-laws. The state has stated that it will take full responsibility for this matter.

For the happiness of these girls, red envelopes are essential. After all, most people won't cherish something they get for free without paying for it. On the contrary, the more precious something is, the more people cherish it. For example, an antique or a painting is often kept in the safest place.

In fact, the original meaning of the betrothal gift was this: if the girl paid for it, the man's family might not value her as much. Therefore, many parents of the girl will even try to prevent the girl from marrying into the man's family, deliberately giving him a bad face, just to see if the man is sincere about their girl. In the end, the man's family will naturally cherish the girl even more after "working hard" to marry her. So if you meet a girl you like and her family tries to stop you, now you know what to do!

Of course, when Zhang Yinghao traveled through time and was reborn, many places had already objectified the idea of ​​betrothal gifts, losing their original meaning. Some even turned their daughters into tools to exchange for money, with prices clearly marked, turning it into an act of selling their daughters... However, if the daughter is marrying far away, asking for a higher betrothal gift is reasonable. After all, it will be difficult for the girl to take care of her biological parents in the future!

In fact, even now, Zhang Yinghao strongly agrees with the saying: "I am a brick of socialism, moving wherever I am needed." What is a revolutionary? It means that when the revolutionary cause requires a person to do something, that person will do it. For example, a chemist, but the revolution requires him to study physics. In a place where capital is operated, such a career change is naturally a waste of money that is not worth the cost. But a true revolutionary would not care about such things. When he really needs to give up chemistry, he will give it up and turn to learning physics again, no matter what. If the revolution requires him to carry a gun to the battlefield, then he will carry a gun to the battlefield. When the revolution needs weapons, he will research and manufacture weapons...

In the past, after the liberation of New China, we were able to achieve the great achievements of the two bombs and one satellite. Many people abandoned their original professional knowledge and turned to research in fields they had never touched before. Many of them also achieved remarkable achievements. Therefore, revolutionaries are actually learners and should never stop moving forward until the end of their lives...

Zhang Yinghao now sees these PLA comrades as no longer merely their parents' children; they are the nation's children. The country needs them to garrison and cultivate the frontiers, and they should go there. Zhang Yinghao believes that once the initial hardships of a year or two have passed and these settlements have yielded harvests, they will no longer be a burden but a source of immense wealth, providing the nation with a vast supply of agricultural and sideline products.

Border regions are currently vast and sparsely populated, but the Production and Construction Corps will possess so much reclaimed land in the future. Naturally, they will be the first group of people to achieve the highest standard of living in China. Perhaps, in the future, they will be the first to realize agricultural mechanization, or perhaps they will be the first to enter socialist society.

Chapter 422:

Zhang Yinghao knew that the organization's matchmaking of older gay men would inevitably lead to a few tragedies in the future, and even face criticism in the future, when women's rights are finally realized. However, this was also the organization's responsibility, and it was a responsible attitude towards gays.

Moreover, let these young men and women form production and construction corps to go to the frontier areas to garrison and cultivate the land, although these places now seem to be so-called "bitter and cold lands",

But Zhang Yinghao knew that these places were also some real treasures. Therefore, Zhang Yinghao really did not feel that he owed them anything. On the contrary, Zhang Yinghao felt that he had given them a new life and allowed them to completely break free from all the shackles of the old society.

Stumbling, setting off on a new journey, and starting a new life, isn't this what a savior should do? Perhaps this is what a savior feels like!

After Zhou Baogui entered Zhongxiang, he originally intended to stabilize the situation and immediately recruit soldiers, establish a police force and grassroots government, and wait for the arrival of the follow-up large force before continuing the attack. However, as he passed the interrogation room, he heard a faint voice. He took a few steps and the voice of the captured Qing army officer reached his ears.