Preparations for dispatching troops were being carried out nervously. Zhang Xunjian sent several urging documents, but several other salt merchants were not ready yet. Dong Shuheng's place was already fast, and even the Qing court did not say that he would pull up the troops.
A team can pull it together.
Before the troops and horses are moved, food and grass go first. With an eye on the future, Dong Shuheng's regiment's logistics work is fully handed over to the Logistics Department. A world-class army must have a first-class staff department and logistics department.
Dong Shuheng also set up a food processing factory and a clothing factory in Taipei. He gave the food factory a method for making compressed biscuits. It was actually not complicated. It was to fry cooked semolina, add lard, salt and other seasonings.
Mix evenly, shape it with a wooden mold, and compact it with a tool similar to oil extraction. This creates a compressed biscuit that is easy to store and carry. When eating this biscuit, just take a small bite and fill it with water.
When you put some water in your mouth, the biscuits will slowly melt, and you will feel very full. Dong Shuheng didn't think about the taste, after all, the current Tuanding's mouths are not yet accustomed to eating.
In terms of individual soldier equipment, Dong Shuheng has really put a lot of effort into it. Each regiment member wears a wooden hat covered with camouflage cloth. Yes, it is the kind worn by the neighbors to the south, but this hat is not exclusive to them. Our country
The officers and soldiers guarding the islands in the South China Sea also wear it. In addition, this kind of hat is also popular among explorers from all over the world and has become a standard accessory for gentlemen. It can not only protect against sun and rain, but also block attacks from earth and rocks to a certain extent. Because it is made of hardwood, it is weak
It can also block one or two arrows.
Continuing with the introduction, each regiment is equipped with a cowhide belt. On the left side of the belt is a bayonet holster and a water bottle hanging point. On the right side is an ammunition bag. Soldiers equipped with muzzleloaders now use oil paper fixed powder and Minie bullets. These ammunition
The gunpowder factory in Taipei is already able to produce it.
Each regiment member is equipped with a marching quilt, which is packed and carried behind the back during the march. There is also a cylindrical cloth bag for storing the marching rations and spare clothes. During the march, this backpack is placed across the quilt, and a wide cloth bag is passed under the armpits.
It is tied across the chest. There is an engineer shovel across the back of the quilt. Of course, it is just an ordinary engineer shovel imported by Dong Shuheng. Dong Shuheng knows the style of the later generations, but the current steel conditions are not up to it. Really, traveling through farming requires steelmaking.
ah!
In addition, each regiment has four gaiters, two of which are spare. A grenade bag is slung on the right side, and five grenades can be hung on it. A water bottle is slung on the left side, and the intersection point can be fixed on the belt to prevent it from sliding left and right.
The regiment's march relies entirely on foot strength, and each operation requires three days of logistics supplies. The logistics department sets up a mule and horse transport team and a fleet to be responsible for following up on supplies. During the usual training, Dong Shuheng pays special attention to the regiment's marching training. Every morning, the regiment's troops
They all had to do a five-kilometer cross-country trip in full gear. They had to do a fifty-kilometer rush march once a week. Fortunately, the regiment members were used to hard work. As long as they had a full stomach, every regiment member could persevere.
In the military camp, Ding Li looked at his fully armed comrades and himself. Somehow, he naturally puffed up his chest when walking. He now felt that he was more elegant than Zhang Xiucai in the town. At this time, what he wanted to do most was
Put on this outfit and go back to show it to Xiaohua. It is said that this outfit was made by the owner. To say that this owner is really not an ordinary person.
In the courtyard of the Dong Mansion, Dong Shuheng arranged for people to build watchtowers around the wall and on both sides of the gate, and sent a platoon of regiments to garrison. I believe that no one in Dongtai can threaten the Dong family.
"Master, there is no need to send people to guard, as long as I am here," Huier said, patting Colt on her waist.
"As great as you are, I'm afraid that my Hui'er will be snatched away by bandits to become Mrs. Yazhai."
"Then young master, please take Hui'er with you. Hui'er can protect you." Hui'er said to Dong Shuheng expectantly. In other words, Hui'er had been following Dong Shuheng and basically never separated. This time Dong Shuheng traveled far away, her heart
I can't help but chatter in vain.
In the magistrate's office of Gaoyou City, an old man was sitting behind his desk wearing an old seventh-grade official uniform. The old man's brows were furrowed. Governor Yang Wending was now unable to protect himself and was biting people everywhere. Every three days, he asked himself to organize a team to practice defense. He
It's just a magistrate of a small state. He wants power but no authority, and he wants money but no money. Where can he go to recruit a team?
The big salt merchants in the city all have Tuan Ding, but each of them has a richer background than himself, so who would take advantage of him?
At this time, a slim figure flashed in. "Dad, my daughter has brought you good news."
Seeing his most beloved daughter coming in, Wei Zhizhou managed a rare smile. This daughter of his was smart and studious, and she also did a lot of research on the Western learning he advocated, and she was deeply loved by him.
"Oh, Jane, what other good news is there? Could it be that you got a new book?"
"Oh, no, dad, do you still remember the boy I told you about before?"
Hearing this, Wei Zhizhou said seriously: "Zhen'er, although my father is not that kind of antique, but it is not in line with the restraint of your daughter's family to always mention a young man. If you like that young man, he will
If you come here to propose marriage, dad will not have any family background, so he will naturally agree to it."
Wei Yuzhen suddenly blushed with embarrassment, stamped her feet and said, "That's what you're saying, huh... I won't tell you this good news."
"Okay, good daughter, why don't you stop talking to me?"
"That's right, Dad, what's bothering you the most lately?"
Wei Zhizhou sighed: "It's not a matter of sending troops to Yangzhou. Although my father, the Zhizhou, is in charge of Gaoyou, no one can control it. We can't let the people under our control go to serve as cannon fodder for others with nothing."
Wei Yuzhen laughed and said: "Dad, Dong Shuheng wrote to me saying that he organized a thousand regiment training and was about to leave for Yangzhou. He would pass by Gaoyou then. I was thinking that you would let him hold the title of inspection director of Gaoyou then, wouldn't it be possible?
Has it been handed over to the top?"
"Do you think that titles can be awarded casually?" Wei Zhizhou pretended to be angry.
"Oh, dad, don't think about what time it is now. Are there any soldiers available in Jiangnan now? The huge city of Nanjing was lost in a few days. If dad wants to teach a ninth-level inspection, he still has it at his fingertips.
"
"Hmm..." Wei Zhizhou muttered: "Last time you said that young man was proficient in Western learning, had a broad vision, and was quite insightful. I don't know if it is true. This time I can just meet him and see what his apprenticeship is.
who?"
In the Dong Family Courtyard, Dong Shuheng was worrying about money. Liu Mingyuan was sitting at the table in the study room. Next to him sat Zhang Mingfang, the Minister of Finance. This was a energetic old man, only a few years younger than Liu Mingyuan. He used to be the chief accountant of the family.
. Just listen to Liu Mingfang say: "Chairman, you spent a total of 75,000 taels of silver to purchase arms, and nearly 10,000 taels of silver were spent to recruit regiments, settle down, and increase monthly wages. You spent 100,000 taels to prepare several factories.
, mainly because the imported machines are too expensive. In addition, more than 5,000 refugees have been recruited now, and every farm has infrastructure that requires investment, and the money is flowing like water! I have been following the master for more than 30 years, and I have never failed.
Spend so much money!”
Dong Shuheng also frowned after hearing this. He had actually slowed down. He had known that if he wanted to develop in northern Jiangsu, the most important thing was to control water, not only the river but also the sea. The Fanggong Embankment has been in disrepair for a long time, and seawater is pouring in.
The land is seriously salinized. The problem of the Huaihe River is also not small. These two projects are gold-eating monsters. Alas, we can't think so long-term, let's solve the immediate problems first.
"Let's see. I will inject 500,000 taels of capital into the company recently. Uncle Liu will go to Shanghai recently to purchase a batch of reeling machines and textile machines. He can go to the Prussians to buy them. I will ask Karl to accompany the External Relations Department.
Let me help you communicate well before going to Shanghai. In addition, the Americans have a shipyard in Shanghai that can build steam steamers of less than 500 tons. People from the Ministry of Information say that it is going to close down now. The Americans are ready to take action. Go and talk about it.
Try to buy it."
"While I'm away, you can choose a place in Taipei and build a silk reeling factory and a textile factory, all using Prussian machinery. I suggest planning together with our previous factory. Move the ammunition factory out and find a separate one.
Put other factories together for easy management in the future. We will plan an industrial zone for the Huaihai Group there in the future." As soon as the machine rang, there would be thousands of taels of gold, Dong Shuheng couldn't help but think about it in his heart. The small coins quickly ran into his pocket.
Come.
At this time, the Westernization Movement had not yet begun, Dong Shuheng took the lead, and no one in the entire Qing Dynasty could compete with him. All he lacked now was the force to protect himself. Because in the Qing Dynasty, it was useless no matter how much money you had.
They are just fat sheep in the eyes of landlords and officials. Only when the fat sheep grows horns and tusks can it control its own destiny.
In Dong Shuheng's plan, Northern Jiangsu will focus on a population-intensive economy in the future, mainly developing agriculture, textiles, medicine, mechanical deep processing and other industries. The water network here is dense, and the transportation of raw materials and finished products is very convenient. As a basic industry, the smelting industry
, the most important thing is steelmaking, he plans to wait for the forces to reach Xuzhou before developing it. You must know that Xuzhou is an old heavy industry city in later generations, and it has certain reserves of coal and iron resources.
After sending Liu Mingyuan and the others away, he found his uncle Chen Dongsheng, who is now the group's Minister of Agriculture.
"Uncle, how much wasteland have we enclosed now?"
Chen Dongsheng scratched his head and said with an embarrassed expression: "To be honest, I can't figure it out now. Magistrate Sun took the money and let us occupy it ourselves. In the entire Taipei area alone, there are more than 500,000 acres of unowned wasteland.
But these lands lack water conservancy measures, and it will take at least two to three years to transform them into fertile farmland. We are now following your instructions, digging ditches, flushing the land with rainwater, and using steam pumps to drain low-lying areas. Now we have water pumps
There is still a lot missing, and I hope I can add some.”
"I think we can plant some soybean and alfalfa fertilizer fields in the first two years. In order to improve utilization, our Ministry of Agriculture is planning to build a cattle and sheep farm. Of course, this requires upfront funds."
"Okay, I approve!" Thinking of the Xinghua beef and Dongtai goats of later generations, Dong Shuheng's stomach unconsciously took over his brain.
"In addition, my uncle remembered to recruit some veterans who grow mulberry, raise silkworms, and grow cotton. We will plant large quantities of cotton and mulberry trees in northern Jiangsu in the future, and develop the cotton textile industry and silk reeling industry." Dong Shuheng added.
After seeing off the Minister of Agriculture Chen Dongsheng, Dong Shuheng brought in Liu Dahai, the manager of the shipping company.
"Uncle Liu, during this expedition, the fleet will be accompanying us to transport the baggage. You may also face some dangers. There are navy troops who are responsible for launching bandits."
"Chairman, there is no danger in running a ship on the surface of the Qing Dynasty. There are often no villages or shops on the water, and many fleets are both merchants and bandits. So there will be guys on board."
"No, no, no, it turns out that these are not enough for you. This time I asked General Manager Liu to go to Shanghai and contact an American ship repair yard to modify your ship and install a five-pound cannon. In addition, the sides of the ship will be reinforced with iron plates.
Wait. When you are ready, go directly to Gaoyou to meet me. Remember to go from Jingjiang to Shanghai and not take the canal, as bandits are active there."