1905: Beer Hall Speaker

Page 68

This figure is almost equivalent to the tax revenue of a village, and at least a thousand rounds are fired every day at the front lines. The daily consumption of artillery shells alone is equivalent to the fiscal revenue of a county, not to mention bullets, rations, medicine, and clothing.

Every day requires a massive military expenditure, and every moment requires the loss of countless lives. Such a war is extremely draining on the nation's strength.

Zhao Yan's relenting finally put Zhang Mingqi's mind at ease. The generals at the front were only concerned with fighting, while he had to worry about the whole country from the rear.

Zhao Yan had previously won a series of victories, demonstrating the nation's prestige and putting Zhang Mingqi in a very difficult position. Given this string of victories, anyone who dared to call for a ceasefire would be a modern-day Qin Hui, a blatant traitor to the nation.

When Yue Fei launched his Northern Expedition, the emperor dared to issue twelve imperial edicts in succession. When Zhao Yan personally led the expedition, Zhang Mingqi did not dare to issue even a single petition to express his grievances.

Zhang Mingqi's biggest fear was that Zhao Yan would become completely arrogant, thinking that he could achieve his goal in one battle and defeat the great powers in one fell swoop.

Fortunately, Zhao Yan himself was also aware that one cannot become fat in one bite. It was unrealistic to think that he could get back the humiliation of more than half a century in just one year.

While the great powers are still unsure of the situation and are struggling, let's strike while the iron is hot and start preparing for negotiations.

The newly formed republic must take advantage of the chaos before the tide recedes. Otherwise, if they find you swimming naked when the tide goes out, the consequences will be dire.

It's not that such a large country can't fight a war, but that at this critical juncture, it needs to strengthen its internal capabilities first.

Putting everything else aside, if the Republic were given ten years to recuperate and develop, then after ten years, it would be able to fight wars involving millions of people with ease, if not casually, rather than the current high-wire tactics.

The national leader personally led the expedition, going out with his life on the line and returning with half his life on the line. Losing any battle would have had catastrophic consequences. It was Zhao Yan's god-like performance that kept the country afloat.

But it's unrealistic to expect miracles to continue. The current situation is the most ideal and perfect state. It's much better to start talking now than to talk after the opponent has discovered that you're swimming naked.

Chapter 122: Sitting Up in Shock from the Dying Sickness

February 4, 1908, the third day of the Lunar New Year.

After seven or eight months of intense fighting, things finally became clearer.

The only places where fighting is still taking place are the Korean Peninsula and Burma. The Japanese forces on the Korean Peninsula are also in a stalemate and have not dared to continue their offensive.

Along the nearly 300-kilometer-long peninsula defense line, Wang Chongshan's defenses were as solid as an iron barrel, without the slightest flaw. Every hill, every gentle slope, and even every flat piece of land was covered with densely packed fortifications.

Wang Chongshan allocated troops to the entire defense line according to local conditions, considering the terrain and logistical difficulties, and then personally supervised the construction of the defense line and the reserve system on the front line.

Furthermore, they carried on the bayonet tradition of the National Defense Army, and after reducing logistical support, they began to lure people in for hand-to-hand combat.

The Japanese army was exhausted and almost lost their temper. They were even more afraid that the missing Zhao Yan would suddenly appear in front of them. Now the Japanese army also started to use defensive line confrontation tactics.

The Korean Peninsula has gradually evolved into a World War I exercise, with the National Defense Forces unable to launch an attack and the Japanese army unwilling to attack.

No one expected that Wang Chongshan would be so difficult to deal with!

Zhao Yan's relentless series of battles not only defeated the enemy on the battlefield, but also cultivated a group of generals within the country. Before, they didn't understand how to fight these battles, but after Zhao Yan led them through the process, they saw it clearly and realized, "Oh, so that's how it's fought!"

Some generals favored Zhao Yan's line-filling tactics, constantly building defensive lines and even starting to consider deep-penetration strategies; while others preferred mobile warfare, constantly maneuvering the enemy and finding weaknesses in dynamic situations to defeat them; and still others preferred lightning offensives, such as raiding the enemy thousands of kilometers away, defeating the unprepared enemy with lightning speed.

The best military academy is the battlefield. Explaining something a hundred times in class is not as effective as leading them in a battle once. As long as they survive the battle, they'll have learned how to copy the homework.

The only pity is that the central government has decided to take a conservative approach to the war and will no longer launch any offensives. Maintaining the existing front line is the biggest task. Without resources, other generals can only watch helplessly as Wang Chongshan stands out from the crowd.

However, the enemy forces had nowhere to attack the tortoise-shell-like Korean defense line. The Japanese were also on the verge of collapse. Their country had experienced several riots due to soaring food prices, and there were also uprisings and revolutions launched by the ever-present communists!

The price of rice in Japan has now risen to 0.27 yen per liter! This price is already unbearable for ordinary people. Coupled with the continuous exploitation of the people by the higher-ups, the anger of the lower classes is about to be uncontrollable.

You've made it so hard for me to afford rice and I'm starving, who the hell cares about your imperial ambitions?

At that time, the working hours of the domestic working class were generally as long as 12 to 14 hours, and some factories and enterprises even reached more than 15 hours of working time.

However, the wages of these working-class groups are extremely meager. The daily income of an adult laborer, even after working himself to the bone, can only buy one and a half liters of rice. Who can accept that?

Even such meager wages can be confiscated. Many companies and factories find various reasons to deduct workers' wages, and in the most serious cases, the fines can even deduct up to 20% of a worker's income.

The suffering of farmers was even greater! The wealthy farmers in Japan bore the brunt of the agricultural tax collection. Various exorbitant taxes and levies were levied continuously, eventually turning the wealthy farmers into poor farmers. The poor farmers fared even worse, as they had to endure double exploitation from the government and landlords. With no other option, they were forced to lose all their land and move to the cities.

But once you get to the city, you'll fall into the exploitation of factory owners and capitalists, which creates a closed loop where you can't escape no matter how hard you try!

This situation was unbearable not only for cattle and horses in another country decades later, but even for the Japanese. As a result, with the export of revolution from China, the revolutionary situation in Japan also intensified.

The great republic was almost exhausted, with even the elderly and children being conscripted. How much more so would Japan after the Russo-Japanese War?

Besides Japan, the British also realized that this war was unsustainable. They were already losing money, and continuing would only result in further losses.

Myanmar is almost completely communist; there are Burmese Red Guards waving red flags everywhere, as well as the ferocious Chinese National Defense Army.

Despite the fact that Chinese people have been continuously transporting wealth and food from Myanmar after its "nationalization" back to China, even scraping off the gold paint from temples and Buddhist halls.

But the Burmese people didn't care. Those Burmese who rose up in revolution didn't care how much they had changed. They only cared that the once high-ranking rich and powerful officials were now as poor as they were. That was enough. Everyone was poor together, and that was enough for them!

Wu Zifu, who was on a southern expedition, was eyeing India with predatory intent, making the British extremely uneasy.

Zhao Yan, however, forced Wu Zifu to stop, so that the sword of Damocles could only remain suspended and could not fall.

Hanging over the British's heads, this was their bargaining chip, but if it were to fall, it would mean a complete breakdown in relations and a fight to the death.

The Republic cannot afford the cost of a life-or-death struggle with the British. Don't be fooled by the fact that countries like France, Germany, and the United States are secretly supporting China on the international stage. If China and Britain were to fight to the death and drag the world's hegemon into war, these countries would absolutely not offer any help in your time of need!

The British did not completely blockade trade along the Chinese coast, partly due to pressure from the interests of various powers, and partly to leave some room for compromise; no one wanted to push the road to its absolute limit.

After realizing that they could not win, both Britain and Japan began to consider resolving the issue through negotiations, as the international situation was also changing.

First, Russia backed down and withdrew from the war, which dealt a huge blow to the war resolve of Britain and Japan. Even such a formidable and ruthless force as the Russians dared not continue fighting, so they felt they should also consider their options.

Meanwhile, the German Emperor in Europe was also spurred on by the situation in the Far East. He believed that if an agricultural country like China could fight against three opponents and even gain a clear advantage, then Germany could do even better.

Kaiser Wilhelm II initiated a European arms race, causing severe turmoil in Europe. The Americans, not to be outdone, began to intervene extensively in South America, constantly driving out European influence, especially British influence.

As for the French, they made the most money. Among the forces that sold arms to China, the French sold the most and at the lowest prices, took out the most loans, and received higher interest rates!

Neither Britain nor Japan really want to fight anymore. There's no need to risk everything for such a regional conflict. Even Japan, which loves to gamble on its national destiny, isn't doing it this time.

Negotiation has become the default solution for both parties, but neither side is willing to take the initiative to approach the other, since they both still care about saving face!

The Imperial Study, inside the Forbidden City, Beijing.

Zhao Yan, feeling weak and feverish, lay on the hospital bed, listening to Zhao Hao reading documents. Zhao Yan lay pale on the bed with a white towel on his forehead.

"Alright, stop reading. My brain is completely muddled right now. Reading it to me won't help. Just tell Zhang Mingqi to make his own decision!"

Zhao Yan weakly waved his hand, then turned to ask about the situation of the Presidential Guard: "How many brothers from the Presidential Guard returned this time?"

Zhao Hao's face darkened: "Master, when we went to war, the Presidential Guard consisted of 577 men, but only 325 have returned."

Zhao Yan felt extremely distressed after hearing this. The Presidential Guard was not some ordinary force of cats and dogs. It was a top-notch force composed entirely of party members and core members. It was the best of the best, the most loyal of the loyal!

All members of the head of state's guard are literate young people with progressive ideas and strong qualities. Every one of them is a member of the revival party and is also the sharpest blade of the revival party.

This time, he followed Zhao Yan on the expedition and fought many tough battles. In the final battle, he even followed Zhao Yan on a long march of thousands of miles, fighting a bloody and life-or-death battle with real swords and spears.

This group of people were no longer ordinary soldiers, but true officers who had followed Zhao Yan all the way and witnessed firsthand how he fought, and had even participated in battles themselves.

"The great waves wash away the sand, and those who return are all heroes!" Zhao Yan lay on the bed, pointing at Zhao Hao and giving the order.

"Issue my order: the 1st SS Division shall be established immediately. You, Zhao Hao, shall serve as the commander of the 1st SS Division. All members of the Führer's Guard shall be promoted at least three ranks on the spot, and the 1st SS Division shall be built with them as the backbone."

"I'll give you 15,000 people. How to recruit them, how to assign positions—you, Zhao Hao, can decide all of that with a single word."

Zhao Hao was surprised rather than pleased by Zhao Yan's words, and asked, "Why is Master like this? It's not too late to make arrangements after you recover!"

The People's Liberation Army has never allowed its commanding officers to arrange all positions and expansions themselves; this was tantamount to blatantly giving Zhao Hao an opportunity to do so.

Moreover, the SS is a core guard unit; how could it be a matter for one person to decide on a single decision?

Zhao Yan lay on the bed without offering much explanation: "Ah Hao, I'm afraid it won't work!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao immediately knelt down.

Zhao Yan continued, "Go down and make arrangements quickly. Call your fellow disciples back. Let's see if they can hold out. After all, some things are better said face to face!"

Zhao Hao burst into tears, quickly sat on the edge of the bed, and hugged Zhao Yan: "Master, why did it have to come to this!"

Just as the two masters and disciples were embracing and crying on the bed, a graceful woman swayed her hips and walked in carrying medicine!

She had a charming face, with a seductive aura about her, and her big, watery eyes were like a swamp, making it impossible for anyone to resist.

Her figure is simply the epitome of voluptuousness, with a pair of enormous breasts, a waist that sways as if it has no bones, and most attractive of all are her large, millstone-like buttocks, which sway like a millstone every time she twists her hips.

"This is..." As soon as the woman entered the door, Zhao Yan's eyes immediately widened!

He flung his unworthy disciple away: "You wretched child! How dare you, a man of your stature, act like a woman! I, Zhao Yan, am a renowned figure, renowned throughout the world, a hero of our time. How could I have such a worthless disciple?"

The woman seemed to be frightened by Zhao Yan's reprimand and stopped in her tracks, not daring to move forward.

Zhao Hao was dumbfounded, not knowing why his master had suddenly changed. When he turned around, he realized that there were outsiders.

Zhao Yan shouted, "What is this?"

Zhao Hao quickly introduced, "This is Aunt Bai. She is the mother of Senior Brother Wu Zifu. Senior Brother Wu Zifu brought his mother and younger brother to the capital."

Zhao Yan couldn't take it anymore and said impatiently, "Alright, this is none of your business. Go and get back to work!"

Zhao Hao looked puzzled, scratched his head, and prepared to go downstairs.

Zhao Yan stopped him, saying, "Wait a minute. Let me think about the matter of the 1st SS Division. Don't rush to call your fellow disciples back."

Zhao Hao was dumbfounded. "I've already wiped away my tears, and you've changed your mind before I even left the house. Are you testing me?"

Zhao Hao asked, "Master, didn't you say it wouldn't work? Why?"

Suddenly, Zhao Yan, who was on his deathbed, sat up in shock and jumped off the bed: "Nonsense! Who said I'm no good? I'm perfectly fine!"

"You wretched creature, how dare you spread such heresy and mislead the masses! Be careful, or I'll kill you! Now get out of here!"

Zhao Hao left in a sorry state, not understanding why his master had suddenly become so energetic. Just a moment ago, he looked like he was about to die and was shouting that he was going to issue a will.

In the imperial study, Zhao Yan felt his blood rushing to his head, his spirits soaring, and his eyes practically glowing green.

"This must be Miss Bai, right? Nice to meet you. I am Zhao Yan, single, thirty-three years old, and live in Beijing's First Ring Road."

Wu Bai was somewhat at a loss. Standing there with the medicine in her hands, she felt that Zhao Yan looked like a lecherous man and was too afraid to approach him. She could only lower her head and say fearfully, "Your Majesty, should we take the medicine first?"

Zhao Yan, with a burst of energy he didn't know where he got from, patted his chest and said, "I'm not like Dalang, why would I take medicine? I'm perfectly healthy."

“Zifu calls me Master, and a teacher for a day is a father for life. He trusts me so much that he entrusted his own mother and younger brother to my care. How can I, as his master, neglect them?”

"Please sit down first. Serving tea and water is a job for servants. How can we let you, Sister Bai, do it?"

Zhao Yan personally ordered that no one was allowed to approach the Imperial Study. Apart from Zhang Mingqi, Zhao Hao, and the doctor, no one else was allowed to enter.

Normally, Zhang Mingqi, the Premier, has to be served tea and meals when he comes to the Imperial Study, and when he leaves, he has to carry a chamber pot full of excrement with him. What kind of behavior is this?

Finally, Zhang Mingqi met Wu Zifu’s mother, Wu Baishi. He felt that Wu Baishi should not be considered an outsider, as she was the biological mother of Zhao Yan’s eldest disciple. Just today, he entrusted Wu Baishi to serve tea and medicine. He thought it would be more attentive to have a woman take care of him. However, the old man never expected that this would startle Zhao Yan awake from his deathbed!

In the past, Zhao Yan always appeared indifferent to women. His subordinates had recommended all sorts of young women, but none of them caught his eye. He had even visited the harem of Emperor Guangxu and was almost blinded by his own beauty.

Since then, Zhao Yan has rarely been in contact with women. Everyone almost thought that Zhao Yan wanted to be childless, and they were very anxious.

This time, Wu Baishi was sent to live in the Forbidden City by Wu Zifu. Zhang Mingqi didn't care much and arranged for her to stay next to the Imperial Study. He was very at ease and not afraid of anything happening.

Zhao Yan wouldn't even look down on a young woman with bound feet from a wealthy family, let alone a widow with large feet like Wu Baishi who had already been married. Besides, Zhao Yan was her teacher; it shouldn't be that he would even consider her.

Chapter 123 Another Year of Leisurely Chatting

On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, inside the Imperial Study.

"You have no idea, I led only a few thousand cavalrymen, braving the bitter cold of winter and heavy snow, galloping thousands of miles from Liaodong to the northern desert."

"That night I observed the celestial phenomena and calculated with my fingers, and I knew that the enemy was completely unprepared. So at dawn the next day I led my iron cavalry out."

"When the enemy saw that I, a god, had descended to earth, they were utterly terrified and ran away in panic. The traitorous general Umonov even dared to lead his army to charge at me."

"I was immediately enraged and charged alone towards the enemy general's hundreds of cavalry. I killed the enemy general with a single move, and then charged into the enemy ranks, using the long-lost Cloak Chaos Blade Technique. The enemy army was slaughtered, and blood flowed like a river. If Li An hadn't advised me to stop killing, I would have at least beheaded a thousand in that battle."

Zhao Yan sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and bragged to Wu Baishi across from him at the small desk, almost turning the Battle of Mobei into a Romance of the Three Kingdoms. But Wu Baishi was completely won over by it.

Wu Baishi knew nothing about battle formations, and she believed whatever Zhao Yan said. At this moment, Wu Baishi's mouth was agape in astonishment, and her eyes were filled with admiration for Zhao Yan.

Only Zhao Hao, standing to the side, had a strange expression. It was the first time he had heard Zhao Yan boast like this. He had also witnessed that battle firsthand. What the hell was this "one move to kill Umonov"? You clearly emptied an entire submachine gun magazine and still killed your own men.

As for Ang Lee dissuading you? It's obvious that you couldn't take it anymore and cried for help, and then someone came to your rescue.

Zhao Hao's lips twitched, his expression conflicted, clearly he was about to burst out laughing.

Zhao Yan glanced at it and quickly instructed, "Little Zhao, go check the kitchen. Why hasn't lunch arrived yet?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhao Hao quickly went out.

Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. This simpleton was really unforgiving and would burst into laughter at crucial moments. Moreover, he always liked to follow around as a third wheel and had terrible taste.

"Oh dear, I almost forgot the important matter. I also made chicken soup!" Wu Baishi suddenly remembered the important matter and was about to get up.

When Zhao Yan saw the large millstone being lifted from the kang and turned in front of him, his eyes almost blazed with anger. He quickly reached out and grabbed it, saying, "Hey, let Zhao Hao handle those small matters. Let's continue chatting!"