Chapter 002, The Perilous Military Camp

Xiao Qibin often expressed his sentiments in words. The Tenth Brigade, located in Fujian, had long been lacking in funding since its early days of formation. Over the years, although it had successfully trained ten battalions of infantry, the artillery and cavalry units remained understrength. The cavalry unit, which was supposed to consist of a thousand horsemen, had only managed to train a single squad of fifty riders, while the artillery unit had only formed one battalion with two companies, totaling twelve cannons. Half of these were domestically produced 57mm mountain guns, and the other half were Krupp 75mm mountain guns. After the outbreak of unrest in Guangzhou earlier this year, the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Song Shousheng, fearing that Fujian would be invaded by the chaotic troops from Guangdong, urgently ordered six 75mm field guns from a foreign trading company, intending to fully equip one battalion of artillery. Originally, these ordered cannons would have to wait for shipment from abroad, but upon learning that the Jardine Matheson trading company had six field guns in stock, Xiao Qibin, along with Chen Jingyun and others, persuaded Sun Daoren, arguing that ordering from abroad would take too long. Subsequently, Sun Daoren reported this matter to Song Shousheng, which resulted in a price increase of twenty percent, allowing them to reclaim the six cannons originally ordered by other provinces.

This news has not yet spread, but it will eventually circulate. By tonight, it is likely that the entire city of Fuzhou will be aware of it. At this critical moment, regardless of what happens outside, I only demand one thing here at the South Parade Ground, and that is 'stability'!" As Chen Jingyun spoke, his expression gradually turned cold: "In recent days, all departments have issued strict orders to the soldiers, prohibiting them from leaving the camp and causing disturbances. Those who violate this will be severely punished!"

The man dressed in civilian clothes, approximately in his forties, is Feng Qin, the instructor of the 38th Battalion, holding the rank of Deputy Commander. He is not particularly tall and even appears somewhat frail; however, despite this appearance, when it comes to a fight, three or five strong men would find it difficult to approach him. Feng Qin is considered the successor to Chen Jingyun. When Chen Jingyun was transferred from the instructor of the 38th Battalion to the commander of the Second Company, it was Feng Qin who took over his position. Over the past two years, his work has been meticulous and thorough, neither biased nor partial, leaving no room for criticism.

Clearly, like Feng Qin and the others, these individuals are still somewhat unclear about why Chen Jingyun has summoned everyone to discuss matters, and naturally, they display expressions of confusion.

Chen Jingyun, along with Ma Guandai and Lin Chengkun, rode towards the southern parade ground. Chen Jingyun was dressed in a new-style blue military uniform, wearing black knee-high riding boots. His shoulder insignia featured a yellow and red cross as the base color, adorned with three dragon-patterned gold buttons, while his collar insignia displayed three gold borders partially encircling a golden dragon spitting out a blue pearl. According to the military rank system of the late Qing Dynasty, this placed him at the first level of the middle rank, equivalent to a regular deputy commander, holding the third rank. This would be comparable to a colonel in Western military ranks. The late Qing Dynasty maintained strict control over the ranks of the new army, implementing a one position, one rank policy. In all of Fujian, only a few held ranks higher than Chen Jingyun. This situation was in stark contrast to the subsequent decades of the Republic of China, where generals were abundant.

In addition to these two individuals, there are several clerks and other staff officers in the command headquarters

Without waiting for the clerk to call for the people, Chen Jingyun turned to Feng Qin, Ma Cheng, Xiao Qibin, Lin Chengkun, and others, saying: "Let us all go into the conference hall!"

Lin Chengkun said: "Indeed!" He then stood up and looked around before continuing: "According to the telegram, there was a military disturbance among the new army in Wuchang last night. The chaotic troops have now occupied Wuchang City. Wu Zhaolin, Xiong Bingkun, and other officers have supported Li Yuanhong as the commander and have issued a nationwide announcement!"

Xiao Qibin is evidently much more generous than Feng Qinhong: "Thanks to the promotion from Commander Chen Biao in front of the commanding officer, we have finally managed to bring back these six cannons! My subordinates are currently intensively training, and it won't be long before they are ready to form a unit!"

Lin Chengkun is a relative of Chen Jingyun, as Chen Jingyun's elder sister married Lin Chengkun's elder brother. With this relationship established, Lin Chengkun, who just graduated from the Beiyang Military Academy this year, was recruited by Chen Jingyun upon his return to Fuzhou. He is currently serving as the supervising officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 38th Brigade, and additionally holds the position of officer in charge of Chen Jingyun's personal guard.

After everyone settled down at www.hetushu.com, Chen Jingyun did not waste any time: "Lin Chengkun, please tell us about what happened last night!"

As Chen Jingyun looked over each individual, he simultaneously sifted through the memories in his mind, attempting to identify the so-called revolutionaries among them

The first to enter were the four squad leaders of the Second Battalion, all of whom had been personally promoted by Chen Jingyun from the ranks below. Although it cannot be definitively said whether they are revolutionaries, the relationship between them and myself is naturally good, as they, like Ma Cheng, are my trusted confidants. Following them was the cavalry squad leader Huang Anyuan, along with Lin Wenying from the Engineering Battalion and his two subordinate squad leaders. Subsequently, officers from the Supply Battalion, the Military Band, and others continued to enter.

Immediately, Feng Qin set down the teacup, his expression respectful: "My lord, rest assured, in the past few days, I have been managing the camp affairs according to your previous instructions, and there has not been a single mishap"

These two individuals can be said to have been personally promoted and recruited by Chen Jingyun, and naturally, they are the most trusted among his confidants, both entrusted with significant responsibilities

Feng Qin's seemingly respectful demeanor, combined with his meticulous approach to work, is precisely the means by which he has maintained his position as a coach for many years. Of course, this is merely a superficial matter; beneath the surface, there are naturally many underhanded tactics at play.

In this brief moment, Chen Jingyun observed the reactions of the crowd and even slightly guessed their identities. However, Chen Jingyun did not find it strange or feel angered that so many officers were inclined towards revolution; after all, even Chen Jingyun himself was planning to contact the revolutionary party.

Chen Jingyun nodded. The South Parade Ground was not only the headquarters of the 38th Brigade, but also housed other subordinate troops. The entire new army within Fuzhou City was stationed here, and such a critical location could not be in disarray given the current situation.

Although Nanxiaochang and Liuhexiang are somewhat distant, one can arrive after a brief trot on horseback. Upon entering Nanxiaochang, someone came forward to take the horse. After dismounting, Chen Jingyun followed the memories in his mind towards the headquarters of the 38th Division. Upon entering, Chen Jingyun took a quick glance at the command office of the 38th Division and found it to be quite similar to his recollections.

This officer, whose surname is Ma and given name is Cheng, claims that his name signifies "achieving success swiftly." He was previously a sentry officer in the old army. Later, when the new army was formed by drawing elite soldiers from various old army regiments in Fujian, Ma Cheng, relying on his exceptional bravery, managed to secure a position in the new army. He was assigned as a regular officer in the Second Battalion of the Thirty-Eighth Regiment. Subsequently, when Chen Jingyun took command of the Second Battalion, he gradually promoted Ma Cheng to the position of squad leader, thus becoming Chen Jingyun's trusted confidant. At the beginning of the year, when Chen Jingyun temporarily assumed command of the Thirty-Eighth Regiment, he naturally promoted Ma Cheng again to serve as the commander of the Second Battalion.

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone below changed dramatically! Meanwhile, Chen Jingyun, seated at the head, carefully observed the reactions of the officers below and silently categorized them: this one can be won over, that one cannot be won over, this one is loyal to the Qing Dynasty, and that one is inclined towards revolution.

Chen Jingyun nodded and said: "Hmm!"

Fuzhou in October is typically a time of clear skies and refreshing air, but recently it has experienced several heavy rainfalls, and one can still sense the lingering scent of rain in the air. Riding swiftly against the wind, one can even feel a subtle chill!

Perhaps sensing Chen Jingyun's gaze, Ma Guandai smiled at Chen Jingyun with a grin

Subsequently, Chen Jingyun turned his gaze towards Xiao Qibin: "Last time I heard from the commanding officer that six new Krupp 75mm field guns had been purchased for the artillery battalion, I assume they should have arrived in the past few days!" In the southern parade ground, aside from the Second Battalion, although the other units were not directly under Chen Jingyun's command, this southern parade ground only had the command of the Thirty-eighth Regiment, and Chen Jingyun was the only regimental commander. According to custom, he could also oversee some military affairs of the other artillery units, supply battalions, cavalry, and so on from the other towns.

It is precisely because of this relationship that the two of them immediately informed Chen Jingyun upon receiving the news of the Wuchang Uprising

It is only right, after all, that in the event of a war, with the support of the artillery brothers, we infantry can achieve twice the result with half the effort! Chen Jingyun has already begun to consider winning over Xiao Qibin, not for any other reason, but for the eighteen cannons in his possession

After responding, Chen Jingyun turned to the secretary and said, "Quickly invite all the commanders above the team level to come for a meeting"

In contrast to Ma Cheng and Lin Chengkun, who were aware of the outbreak of the revolution in Wuchang, Feng Qin and Xiao Qibin were completely in the dark; they were still unaware of the news of the Wuchang revolution. After all, there was no direct telegraph line from this side of the southern parade ground, so the news was unlikely to reach them anytime soon

He then instructed Feng Qin, "Later, issue a command to tightly close the camp gates and do not allow anyone to enter or exit!"

Not long after this was said, the door of the conference hall was pushed open, and a group of officers began to enter one after another. These officers were naturally the commanding officers of various departments within the Southern Parade Ground

The four squad leaders of the Second Battalion reacted even better than Chen Jingyun had imagined. After showing their surprise, they all turned to look at Chen Jingyun, clearly regarding him as the backbone, the one to follow in critical moments. Meanwhile, Feng Qin remained expressionless as usual, squinting his eyes as if he hadn't heard anything. Huang Anyuan, the squad leader of the cavalry, showed a hint of joy amidst his surprise, while Lin Wenying, the engineer battalion commander, and his two subordinate squad leaders also displayed signs of happiness. Although their expressions were subtle, Chen Jingyun was still able to notice them.

Before long, all the officers above the rank of squad leader at the southern parade ground had arrived

Opposite Feng Qin was an officer in his thirties, holding the rank of deputy commander. This individual, named Xiao Qibin, was the commander of the artillery battalion. Although he was acquainted with Chen Jingyun, the artillery battalion was directly under the jurisdiction of the town commander's office, which made it a different system from the infantry battalion. Therefore, the relationship was naturally not as close as that with Ma Cheng.

As for the artillery battalion commander Xiao Qibin, whom Chen Jingyun valued, he fell into deep thought after his initial surprise, which somewhat puzzled Chen Jingyun; his lack of anger or joy was rather unusual. Meanwhile, the two squad leaders under him simultaneously turned their gazes towards Xiao Qibin

In a moment of exclamation, I glanced over and suddenly remembered the horses ridden by Ma Guandai and Lin Chengkun. There were not many warhorses in the new army, with only about fifty warhorses forming a unit, and the horses ridden by Ma Guandai and Lin Chengkun should have been borrowed from the cavalry.

As soon as Chen Jingyun and the others entered, everyone in the room promptly stood up to greet them. Feng Qin even stepped forward, saying, "Lord Chen, you have arrived!"

At this moment, there were several people in the command center. Chen Jingyun focused his gaze and, upon a slight comparison with the memories in his mind, immediately recognized the identities of these individuals

However, as soon as he finished speaking, a gunshot rang out from outside the door

After these few individuals took their seats, without any instructions, the duty soldier from the command brought in tea. Not everyone had arrived yet, and Chen Jingyun naturally would not be in a hurry to discuss the news of the Wuchang Uprising. Instead, he spoke to everyone based on the memories in his mind: "Master Feng, how have the affairs of the military camp been during my absence?"

At the beginning of the year, when Chen Jingyun took charge of the 38th unit, he originally intended to win over the coach to his side. However, he was unable to find any faults with Feng Qin for the time being, so he had no choice but to let it be. After all, in this era, the new army is primarily led by those in official positions with significant power, while the deputy positions are quite awkward. Although they hold a high status, they possess little real authority, merely offering suggestions during ordinary times.

Riding a horse down the street, observing the buildings imbued with a distinct historical charm, and then looking at the pedestrians, Chen Jingyun felt a sense of both strangeness and familiarity. These elements, which should have felt foreign to him, were rendered familiar by the memories that belonged to Chen Jingyun. He even found himself somewhat confused about whether he had usurped Chen Jingyun's body or if Chen Jingyun had consumed his soul

The crisp gunshots surged like a tsunami, stirring up the overwhelming waves of shock in everyone's hearts: "Could something have happened?"