Chapter 82

New book uploaded, seeking favorites, recommendations, and Three Rivers votes.

In the dead silence of the room, Liu Peng's mind was in chaos, and Liu Jiong was equally anxious. The two of them instinctively avoided Han Si's eager gaze.

The situation was clear: this Zhu Jishi, a member of the Hanlin Academies of both England and France, turned out to be the top rebel of the Qing Dynasty! He was the overseas emperor that the Heaven and Earth Society had been eagerly awaiting! Moreover, this conspirator, who aimed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty, had colluded with the British and French, and had even established a thriving Jishi Bank. Now, he was planning to set up a military academy in Hong Kong under the guise of a university, to secretly train a private army and elite troops, possibly with the help of foreign soldiers and generals. In a few years, the Qing Dynasty would surely be in turmoil...

In the suffocating silence, Han Si suddenly smiled.

"Since the two of you are good brothers of the Heaven and Earth Society, you must understand the great cause of overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming. I won't elaborate. I just have one question: do you remember the oath you took that day?"

"Of course we remember," the two Lius said in unison.

"But..." Liu Jiong gritted his teeth, "But the Ming Dynasty has been gone for 200 years, and the Qing Dynasty is now peaceful and prosperous. Although there are external threats, they do not undermine the foundation. After all, the Qing Dynasty has a million strong troops. As long as we learn the Western methods of casting cannons and making guns, the Qing Dynasty will be as solid as iron and steel. How can the Heaven and Earth Society, a mere rabble, shake it?"

"Ha ha ha..." Hearing Liu Jiong's words, Han Si did not get angry but burst into laughter. "A million strong troops of the Qing Dynasty? Just learning the Western methods of casting cannons and making guns? Little Liu, you are a businessman who doesn't understand military affairs. Don't talk to me about these things. I have fought many battles in the French Foreign Legion and even lost a leg. The essence of Western military strategy is not just about casting cannons and making guns! Once you study at the Royal Military College in England for two years, you will see what the Qing Dynasty's million-strong army is really like!"

He spoke confidently, but the two Lius' faces turned ashen. They had come to Europe for two reasons: to collect debts for the Jishi Bank and to gather information on the Western methods of casting cannons, making guns, and building sailing ships, as instructed by the imperial envoy Qiying... Of course, it was not an official mission but a secret instruction from the Jishi Bank. The Qing Dynasty had suffered greatly in the Opium War, and not all the high officials were like ostriches. Historically, Qiying had proposed importing military equipment from France and asked the French to help cast cannons and build fortifications. Xu Jiyu, the Guangdong Censor, had also gathered extensive information about the Western countries through various channels.

"Can Duke Zhu get me into the Royal Military College?" Liu Jiong's brows furrowed. The Royal Military College sounded impressive, with the word "royal" in its name, suggesting it was the best military academy in England. In the Qing Dynasty, it would be equivalent to the official schools of the Imperial Garden, the Foreign Artillery Camp, and the Sharpshooter Camp. These official schools of the Manchu Eight Banners required recommendations from the Eight Banners' subordinates to enter.

"It's a small matter," Han Si grinned and waved his hand. "Duke and Prince Albert of England are sworn brothers (he sure can brag!). You know the English queen is a woman, right? The queen listens most to her husband. With a word from Prince Albert, getting into the Royal Military College is no problem. If I hadn't lost my leg, I would have been in already. By the way, Prince Albert has allocated 2,000 acres of land in Hong Kong, equivalent to about 12,000 acres in our terms, for Duke to set up a military academy to train elite troops! As for weapons and ammunition, they are not a problem. Duke's Jishi Bank has its own armory, producing Jason bombs that are popular in Europe and America. We are about to set up branches in France, Prussia, Russia, and Austria, and we already have orders worth over a million pounds!"

So impressive! Liu Peng and Liu Jiong looked skeptical.

Han Si continued to persuade them, "The essence of Western military strategy is not just about sharp guns and cannons, but in selecting and training officers. Training officers is even more important than training troops! Therefore, officers are the backbone of Western armies. With just 500 officers trained in Western methods, it is possible to quickly raise an army of tens of thousands! Such an army, though not as strong as the elite troops of France and England, is still capable of defeating the Manchu Eight Banners and the Green Standard Army ten to one. In Guangdong alone, there are over 100,000 Eight Banners and Green Standard troops ready for battle."

The Qing government had always stationed a large number of troops in Guangdong. Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou each had the governor's troops, the provincial governor's troops, and the general's troops. Guangzhou also had the Eight Banners troops under the command of the Guangzhou General. Additionally, there were seven border garrisons: Humen, Chaozhou, Nan'ao, Qiongzhou, Gaolian, Yingde, and Huizhou Jieshi. The total number of troops on paper definitely exceeded 100,000!

As for their combat effectiveness, the two Lius, being outsiders, could not say much. However, they knew that many of the Green Standard troops in Guangdong were part-time soldiers. Their main occupations were business, farming, or various crafts. The Jishi Bank had employed many Green Standard troops, and many of them were also good brothers of the Heaven and Earth Society, who were quite capable in fights and brawls!

The Green Standard officers also treated their positions as a side job. They had their own businesses to manage and sometimes even hired their subordinates to help. They did not mind if the soldiers went out to do business and did not participate in drills, as they could use this to embezzle military pay. This had long become a common practice, and military drills were often just a formality, with hired people standing in for the real soldiers.

However, the troops under the Guangdong Governor, the Guangdong Provincial Governor, the Guangdong Water and Land General, and the Guangzhou General were more professional. These troops numbered around 20,000 to 30,000. If Zhu Jishi could raise an army of 10,000 troops as strong as the British elite troops who invaded, he would have a good chance of sweeping through Guangdong.

Seeing the two Lius silent, Han Si smiled and said, "As the saying goes, hearing is believing, but seeing is understanding. How about this: you two stay in England for now. Liu Jiong can go to the Royal Military College, and Liu Peng can work as an accountant for Duke. Duke's wealth is growing too fast, and he really needs an accountant."

"Lao Han, my brother still has an elderly mother," Liu Peng said solemnly.

"Bring her to Hong Kong," Han Si smiled. "Duke has the support of the British and French powers. Even if things don't go well, we can always flee to the West. What do you have to worry about?"

Yes, our Duke Zhu has a rock-solid backing! Following him in rebellion not only promises a bright future but also ensures safety. Success means high ranks and honors, and failure means fleeing to the West, with no fear of execution. Missing such an opportunity would be a lifelong regret!

The two Lius looked at each other and bowed simultaneously, "We will follow Duke Han's instructions."

...

"Duke, the two Lius have agreed to stay and assist Duke in achieving great things."

Zhu Jishi and Maria Clementina had just finished dinner and were chatting when Han Si knocked and entered, bowing deeply to Zhu Jishi, leaving both Zhu Jishi and Maria stunned.

"What are you doing, Han Si?"

Han Si straightened up and looked at Zhu Jishi with bright eyes, "Duke, the two Lius have agreed to serve you and are waiting outside."

Zhu Jishi was taken aback, "Why do they need you to report this?"

Han Si bowed again and said loudly, "China is on the verge of chaos, with the Tartar rulers being corrupt and incapable of resisting the Western powers. They only know how to exploit the people, and the people have lost all faith. Now, all the heroes of the land are looking for a wise leader. You, Duke, are a noble of the Ming Dynasty, with high aspirations and great talent, and have the support of the British and French powers. When you raise the banner, how can you fail? Han Si of the Heaven and Earth Society's Guishan Hall is willing to follow you, drive out the Tartars, and restore the Ming Dynasty!"