Chapter 277 Too advanced to be displayed
Chapter 277 Too advanced to be displayed
When the Huai Army appeared, it was completely different from the previous four troops. Leading the way were not soldiers, but a military band.
The members of the military band have beautiful uniforms, are tall and of average height.
The leader held a baton with the rank of major, and the team members all wore ribbons across their shoulders.
There were beating sounds of foreign drums and trumpets decorated with red silk, and the song they were playing was said to be "Kaiser Wilhelm's Training Song."
However, the Prussian envoy did not respond at all. Germany had not yet been established, and William could only be called the King of Prussia. The "Emperor's Training Song" was actually a false rumor. This song was restored by Shao Quanzhong based on his memory, and its origin is no longer traceable.
The little emperor watched the military parade for too long and almost fell asleep. He wanted to take two pills of Yishou Ruyi Paste to refresh himself, but he was afraid of being discovered by his mother, the Empress Dowager.
As soon as the military band came on stage, the little emperor perked up all of a sudden. This was great, this was great. "Mother, can you let the Huai Army keep this military band in the palace? Having music for big and small events is much more impressive than the bands arranged by the Ministry of Rites."
Ci'an looked at Shao Quanzhong, who bowed humbly and said, "I obey your order."
Shao Quanzhong, who led his troops to Luoyang, did not look domineering at all, and Ci'an nodded with satisfaction.
Behind the military band were the infantry. Shao Hengzhong, with three gold stars on his shoulders, rode in the front, and behind him was the 1st Infantry Division of the Huai Army.
The soldiers’ uniforms and firearms are the same as those of the Self-Strengthening Army.
However, after the test of the Northwest battlefield, they were very similar to the veterans of the Hunan Army, but their steps were much more orderly.
The bayonets formed a line horizontally, vertically and diagonally, and the military boots made a sound. The soldiers looked indifferent, and every step seemed to be stepping on everyone's heart. The little emperor took a look and couldn't help feeling a little scared.
According to the arrangement, it was time to shout "Long live the emperor". Shao Hengzhong immediately raised his command knife, put one hand on his wide-brimmed hat and saluted, looking sideways at a forty-five degree angle.
And then - there was no movement, Shao Quanzhong felt a little embarrassed.
What happened to Shao Hengzhong and Grant? They failed me at the critical moment? He took a half step forward and revealed his figure from the top of the city wall.
As soon as Shao Quanzhong appeared, all the soldiers immediately squinted at a 45-degree angle and saluted the reviewing stand. Suddenly, they cheered together, "Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The sound was deafening and so uniform that it seemed as if there was only one voice.
Shao Quanzhong put his hand on the brim of his hat to return the greeting and stepped back.
Watching secretly, the little emperor was frightened by the sudden shouting, Zhang Zhidong gave Shao Quanzhong a thumbs up, Zeng Guofan twirled his beard and smiled, Li Hongzhang had a blank expression, and Zuo Zongtang raised his beard and looked angry.
Ci'an, who was standing behind the little emperor, was pale, gasping for breath with her hands on her chest. She was not frightened, but was thinking of Empress Dowager He and the young emperor.
With his other hand, he gently patted the little emperor's back to comfort him. Don't be afraid, don't be afraid - where is Ding Yuan who can fight against Dong the thief? Looking at the princes around Shao Quanzhong, he felt relieved.
Shao Quanzhong felt so wronged, this really wasn't arranged by me!
Judging from Shao Hengzhong's performance, it is impossible for him and Grant to arrange it this way. This is definitely a spontaneous action by the soldiers. They will not shout "Long live the Marshal" until they see him. You, you have caused me so much trouble.
The infantry consisted of three divisions and one brigade. Shao Quanzhong was afraid that this situation would happen again, so when Lin Bozai's division arrived, he had to take the initiative to move forward, and later he just stood there.
No one else reacted, only Zuo Zongtang snorted, "How arrogant!"
After the infantry came Ma Yukun's cavalry, and then the artillery led by Zhou Shengchuan.
It would have been fine if it was just a light field artillery brigade carried by camels, but when the steam tractors towed twenty-one heavy artillery companies appeared, everyone except the British Minister was frightened.
The black muzzle of the huge cannon pointed proudly towards the sky, and it was towed by a steam tractor that looked like a giant steel beast. To be honest, it would be shocking enough even in modern times, let alone in the 19th century.
The French minister remained silent, then suddenly turned around and nodded to the Russian minister, "You deserved to lose." The Russian minister, Wolianggali, had no awareness of being a defeated country, and his expression was mysterious.
Little did you know that the Huai Army actually held back. The latest steam armored vehicles were left in Central Asia because they were "too advanced and inconvenient to display."
Only our Lucia knows this secret, and everything depends on General Kaufman.
But he still had to save face, so Woliang Gali pointed at Shao Quanzhong and said, "See, Marshal Shao's uniform is very similar to our Russian general's uniform. Shao is the Duke of Almaty of Russia and the son-in-law of the Tsar. This great army is also our Russian army."
Tsk, just brag all you want. The British envoy ignored him. Shao is still the Earl of Jersey in our British Empire. Who cares about the Duke of that snowy place of yours, Russians?
You were beaten so hard that you gave up your princess. What's there to be proud of? Shao Quanzhong sent his son to London as a hostage. This is what our British Empire is really awesome for.
After the artillery came the machine gun units and rapid-fire artillery units. Pu Anchen shook his head and sighed after seeing them. They were all federally produced weapons. The Federation did not have many of them, but they shined in the Huai Army.
He had read "The Question of the Body" in Mark Twain's serialized essays, and he could not help but feel quite dissatisfied with the long tradition of corruption in the federal arms industry.
The infantry, cavalry and artillery have all passed, and there is still a long way to go.
The engineering and logistics troops were reviewed separately this time. All of them were riding steam tractors, and the combat supplies such as hot air balloons, field tents, and pontoon bridges pulled by them were all the latest equipment.
Behind them were the headquarters personnel and staff led by Grant and Emery.
The Prussian envoy was very excited. "These are all top students who graduated from our Berlin Military Academy."
Pu Anchen next to him choked him and said, "The leader is from the Federation."
The Prussian envoy was choked and rolled his eyes. He swore to report to His Majesty when he returned and increase cooperation with the Huai Army.
When the first four armies passed by, the envoys from various countries were amazed. But when the Huai Army continued to pass by, the envoys were silent and dumbfounded.
We have never seen such an army before. We are all so unsophisticated. In front of this army, only the British envoy can talk and laugh calmly. Their confidence comes from their navy...
It seemed that the Huai Army had finished its march, but the review was not over yet. Jin Shun also participated in the review with the soldiers of the Bordered Blue Banner who were on the Western Expedition.
With the Huai Army as a shining example, the Bordered Blue Banner looked much inferior. But Ci'an was finally able to comfort herself a little, as there were still capable warriors in the Eight Banners.
If the Eight Banners can reach this level after the new army is formed, I will feel more at ease.
After returning from the inspection, Ci'an was uneasy and went to the West Warm Pavilion to visit Cixi.
"Sister, you didn't see that the Huai Army was so powerful that it intimidated the envoys from all countries. After this review, no country in the world dares to touch our tiger whiskers. We have become a great power. However, the Huai Army is only loyal to Shao Quanzhong, which is a huge hidden danger. If we order him to disband the Huai Army, what if he doesn't obey the order? Sister, you have to think of an idea."
The Manchu imperial family has always had a saying that "Ci'an has the virtue and Cixi has the talent." Ci'an can make big decisions, but the specific implementation really depends on Cixi.
Cixi lowered her head and said, "Sister, I don't have any other ideas. If it doesn't work, I'll meet Shao Quanzhong again and test his attitude."
"I'll leave everything to you, sister."
After the inspection, the soldiers left Dongzhimen and planned to go to Dagukou to board the ship. However, the weather was getting colder, and if they delayed for too long, the Bohai Sea would freeze over, which would be difficult to deal with.
Shao Quanzhong wanted to see him off, but before he could leave, An Dehai arrived urgently and said, "The Western Buddha has an imperial decree, ordering Shao Quanzhong to meet him in the Western Warm Pavilion of the Yangxin Palace."
Hmm? Empress Cixi wants to see me alone? Great, I haven't given her the gift yet, so I can ask her to bring Apple over.
Shao Quanzhong looked relaxed as he followed An Dehai into the West Warm Pavilion.
(End of this chapter)