Chapter Nine, the Qing Dynasty, your Yuan Shikai has arrived

"Your Highness," Wang Zhongxiao spoke eloquently, "the matter of commanding troops in the heat of battle lies in the heart; how can it be clearly articulated with mere empty words? However, I do have some thoughts on how to train a standard soldier."

Wu Sangui observed Wang Zhongxiao's blank expression and explained: "In this context, 'Shi' means eternal. 'Kai' signifies joy and victory, implying the intention of returning after achieving victory. Therefore, the meaning of the term 'Shikai' is that one can eternally achieve victory and return! Zhongxiao, are you satisfied with this?"

Wu Sangui laughed and said: "Shijue, Zhongxiao, your father is a blood brother who has drunk blood wine, and you two have been partners for many years. It is not worth turning against each other over a woman"

This old fellow is not wrong; the style of Wu Sangui and his family is characterized by small righteousness but a lack of great integrity. They indeed uphold loyalty, friendship, and trustworthiness in "minor issues," but when it comes to significant matters of the nation and the family, that is where they falter

What? Using the character "Kai", does that not mean "Shikai"? Wang Zhongxiao was taken aback, thinking to himself: Could it be the will of heaven?

Wang Zhongxiao, who came with him, felt immensely pleased upon seeing him like this. However, he had to maintain the facade of a benevolent person and gently advised, "Brother Wu Er, a true man sheds blood but not tears. Moreover, today is merely a competition, not an actual battlefield. Losing a match is not a big deal; as long as you improve your skills, you will be able to achieve great things on the battlefield in the future."

"Alright." Wu Shijue quickly agreed—between brothers, one must uphold loyalty. Can this gambling debt be postponed for a while?

The younger generation believes that if this military formation is to consider dealing with cavalry on flat ground, then long spears are indispensable. Among the eight battalions of a standard unit, there should be at least four battalions of long spear soldiers, two battalions of firearm soldiers, and one battalion each of cavalry and sword-and-shield soldiers

The younger generation believes that in battle, the arrangement of troops is crucial, and no military formation can be mastered overnight. A formation typically requires at least two to three thousand soldiers to be adequately deployed. These three thousand soldiers are just enough to form a complete formation, so when organizing them, they should be arranged according to the needs of the formation.

Wu Shijue thought: Why am I being so unreasonable... that woman is not even my granddaughter, why am I getting worked up? Since you, as the grandfather, have spoken, I will accept it.

Wu Sangui laughed and said, "Then go ahead and tell me."

At this moment, Wu Sangui spoke up, "Shi Jue is not a man of empty words; he does not accept defeat because he is still unaware of where he has lost."

Wang Zhongxiao turned his gaze upon hearing the sound and saw a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and long beard, possessing an elegant appearance and a tall stature, standing beside Wu Sangui, frowning as he observed Wu Shijue

More importantly, these eight exemplary battalions should not be stationed separately, but rather concentrated together for rigorous training. When it comes time for battle, efforts should be made to avoid breaking up any single battalion. This approach will ensure a seamless coordination among soldiers, between battalions, and among infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Only then can the formations be deployed with ease and become invincible.

Wu Shijue could only yield. Although what Wang Zhongxiao said was merely theoretical, it was indeed well-articulated. His speech was very reasonable, and his voice was quite pleasant. Even Wu Sangui acknowledged it, so how could Wu Shijue dare to disagree

Wu Sangui laughed again and said, "Well, how about I give you a name?"

Wang Zhongxiao quickly responded, "Loyalty and filial piety are sought but cannot be obtained!"

Wu Sangui nodded and said, "Both Shizong and Shijue have the character 'Shi' in their names, you are brothers with them, so why not also include the character 'Shi' in your courtesy name? As for the other character... why not use 'Kai'?"

Furthermore, the younger generation believes that the artillery in field operations should prioritize quality over quantity. Rather than having many pieces that are diverse and weak, which are cumbersome and slow to fire, it is better to have fewer but more refined and powerful pieces that are lightweight, flexible, and capable of rapid firing. Moreover, artillery should not be distributed among the various battalions; instead, a separate artillery commander should be established to manage all the artillery within a brigade.

Wang Zhongxiao naturally did not dare to refuse and quickly replied: "I thank His Highness the Prince for bestowing me with a name."

Therefore, the younger generation would not use all one thousand cavalry as wolf spear cavalry; at most, half of them would be allowed to wield wolf spears in the charge. Organizing a large group of five hundred cavalry is also quite challenging, so they can be divided into teams of one hundred, forming five teams. When each team charges, they can arrange themselves in two rows, with the rear row supporting the front row, thus ensuring an unstoppable advance

Wu Sangui was clearly testing Wang Zhongxiao's military knowledge, but it was difficult to match the theoretical discussions of Wang Zhongxiao, the second son of the Wang family. The new soul within the second son had a penchant for this, and Wang Fucheng had passed on all his lifelong learning and the insights he gained from practical experience to his son

Thinking of this, Wu Sangui stroked his beard and smiled at Wang Zhongxiao, saying: "Zhongxiao, do you have a courtesy name?"

Satisfied, satisfied! Wang Zhongxiao responded loudly as if awakening from a dream, "From now on, the younger generation will be Wang Shikai!"

Hearing this, Wu Shijue beside him nodded repeatedly—he was indeed caught off guard by Wang Zhongxiao's "unconventional tactics." And even though he was taken by surprise, he was the only one who was truly taken down; the remaining six riders all managed to evade. If he were not the "main commander," this contest could have continued, and the outcome would have been uncertain.

The remaining five hundred cavalry will be equipped with sabers, bows and arrows, and short lances to undertake the tasks of reconnaissance, protection, pursuing the enemy, and luring the enemy. If they can also coordinate with an infantry formation composed of pikemen, sword-and-shield soldiers, musketeers, and artillery, the chances of success will be even greater

Then Wu Sangui said: "Simply admitting defeat is not enough; you two must reconcile and return to your original state, as close as brothers. Loyalty and filial piety, what do you think?"

Wu Sangui nodded repeatedly: "If I were to provide you with a general and an additional three thousand soldiers, how would you arrange your troops?"

Wang Zhongxiao was contemplating how to collect the debt from Wu Shijue when he suddenly heard Wu Sangui say this, and quickly responded: "Your Highness is right; Brother Wu Er will still be my brother in the future"

"Count me in as well!" At this moment, Wu Yingshi's son, Wu Shicong, interjected, "Second brother, Brother Wang Er, why don't the three of us form a brotherhood and invite my grandfather to be a witness while we're at it?"

Wu Sangui nodded slightly and asked, "If you had one thousand wolf cavalry at your disposal, how would you face Shi Jue's one thousand cavalry?"

Wu Shijue, who was helped down from the horse and brought before Wu Sangui, suddenly knelt down and loudly expressed his unwillingness to accept the situation, and he even cried out in desperation

Your Highness, if we are to compare individual combat, the bamboo pole cavalry cannot match the cavalry equipped with three lances. Even in skirmishes between small groups of seven or eight riders, as long as the opponent is prepared, the bamboo pole cavalry may not necessarily emerge victorious. If I were to compete with Brother Wu again in a seven against seven match, I would most likely lose.

Your Highness, I believe that Brother Wu Er is well-versed in military strategy and proficient in formations. After suffering losses to the Wolf Spear cavalry, he would surely devise corresponding countermeasures. Although the Wolf Spear cavalry can charge into battle, they are a one-trick pony; they cannot serve as scouts before the charge, nor can they solely rely on them to protect the rear and the formation. Furthermore, after the charge, they find it difficult to take on the task of pursuing and eliminating the remaining enemies to expand the victory.

"Your Highness," Wang Zhongxiao replied, "I have not yet reached the age to don the cap, hence I have not taken a courtesy name."

This man is the father of Wu Shijue and Wu Xiaotu, and the adopted son of Wu Sangui, Wu Guogui. Judging by his current expression, which resembles that of a *picture* book, it is evident that he is still unaware that his good son has wagered his obedient daughter as a bet.

Wu Sangui looked at Wu Shijue again, and Wu Shijue quickly expressed, "Brother Wang Er will also be my brother from now on"

At this point, Wu Sangui was satisfied. Talents must be won over! ... Moreover, this talent also possessed the secret technique to severely beat the Eight Banners Heavenly Soldiers ...

Wang Zhongxiao quickly replied: "Your Highness, please feel free to ask, I will speak without reservation."

Grandfather, I am not convinced! Wuwu ... ...

"Alright, alright, then I can ask," Wu Sangui nodded, "Zhongxiao, your bamboo pole cavalry tactics mainly emphasize fighting in formation, right?"

After Wu Sangui finished listening to Wang Zhongxiao, he turned to Wang Fucheng and said, "Fucheng, you truly have a remarkable way of educating your children!" Then he asked Wu Shijue, "Shijue, do you submit now?"

Upon thinking of this, he sincerely said: "Grandfather's lesson is that the grandson admits defeat"

I am impressed! My grandson is impressive!

Wu Sangui glanced at Wang Zhongxiao again and noticed that this fellow was frowning in deep thought, likely worried that Wu Shijue would seek retribution

"Zhongxiao, may I ask you a few questions?" At this moment, Wu Sangui once again smiled and posed a question to Wang Zhongxiao

Wu Shijue also knew that Wang Zhongxiao, this shameless person, was speaking well. But the problem was that he had put his own sister at stake; this was a bet he could not afford to lose! The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became, and the more anxious he was, the more he cried. Just as he was crying intensely, he heard a cold snort, and Wu Shijue shivered, forcibly swallowing back his cries.