Although Zhu Yourong's speech exaggerated the danger, the war seemed to have quickly entered a stalemate stage. Most people secretly breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that this Ming and Qing war would end like the previous ones.
Many people praise the Yangtze River Defense Line in their hearts. The Qing army has been attacking every day these days, but the fortifications on the defense line can easily repel them every day.
The train gun of the Qing army fired for a while every day, but probably because the distance was too far, the bullet drop was quite inaccurate. In the past few days, only a small machine gun fort was demolished, and three people were killed.
The Ming army officers who came to inspect the scene were stunned and marveled at the power of this train gun. The crater was like a meteorite crater, big and deep, and it was filled with water, like a small fishing pond. The small machine gun fort was still
Instead of being concentrated directly on the top, which was still more than one meter away from the impact point, this cement box of several hundred tons was lifted to the side by its roots. A large skylight was opened in the traffic tunnel below, and broken cement blocks and soil were
Almost half of the tunnel is blocked, and thick steel bars are turned over on the outside.
This was the first damage to the Yangtze River defense line. However, the consequences were not serious, and everyone was nervous for two days. Similar things did not happen in the next few days, and they were relieved again. The Ming army generals analyzed that,
Because of the lifespan of the artillery, the Qing army's train guns only fired one to twenty rounds a day. In addition, they were afraid of air strikes and exposing their positions, so they did not dare to fire the guns close. This was tantamount to a display.
…
There are long queues every day at various recruiting points in Nanjing. Registration, review, physical examination... there are military cards parked next to them. Once a carload has been recruited, a carload will be driven away and taken to the recruit training camp in the eastern suburbs.
A banner hangs on the military card: Ming Dynasty is proud of you!
The truck was filled with young men waiting to go to the recruit camp. Their mothers, wives and sisters were standing next to them, grabbing their outstretched hands and telling them in tears to be careful, take care and do everything on their own.
Okay, don’t catch a cold when you sleep at night...
The young men wore huge red flowers on their chests, and they all looked proud and excited. They said impatiently: Okay, okay, I understand, we are all such big people now...
Next to every major recruitment point, there is a newly formed Political Work Platoon of the People's Guard. Each political work platoon is equipped with a brass band class and a chorus class, both male and female.
This political platoon is mainly made up of female soldiers. Under the command of the squad leader, they are singing a very emotional song to these young men and their families:
"Goodbye, mother,
Goodbye, mother.
The bugle has sounded,
The steel gun has been polished,
The luggage is packed,
The troops are about to set off,
Don't cry quietly,
Don't worry about me,
When I return triumphant from the battlefield,
Come visit my dear mother again..."
…
In another place, a political platoon composed mainly of male soldiers was singing a chorus amidst neat drums and bugles:
"If the motherland is invaded
Hot-blooded men should strengthen themselves
Drink up this bowl of hometown wine
A strong man will never return
The roaring Yellow River and the roaring Yangtze River
give me life give me strength
Let the blood dye the most beautiful flower red
Sprinkle on my chest
The battle flag flutters and the bugle sounds
The sword is unsheathed, thunder and lightning
When we meet on a narrow road, the brave one wins.
There are mountains of swords and seas of fire that dare not go forward
go ahead
go ahead
The battle flag flutters and the bugle sounds
The sword is unsheathed, thunder and lightning
Since ancient times, even though three households of Chu could defeat Qin,
How can China be deserted?
go ahead
go ahead……"
…
After the establishment of the Political Work Corps of the People's Guard, which was directly under the jurisdiction of the People's Guard, it took over the entire propaganda work for the conscription.
In the past few days, Xiang Xiaoqiang has "composed" some propaganda songs. He almost sang one song at a time. These days, in various military camps, recruitment points, and fortifications on the Yangtze River defense line, "The Great Wall Forever" is echoing.
"Don't Fall", "A River's Waves Are Wide", "Hymn to Heroes", "Defeat the Ambitious Wolf of the Qing Dynasty", "Defend the Yangtze River (Defend the Yellow River)", "Bright Sword" and other passionate songs from decades later. Major factories
There are already three shifts of production, and in the roaring workshop, workers are working enthusiastically to the majestic song "We Workers Have Power".
Originally, it was enough to play these songs through the radio speakers, but Xiang Xiaoqiang felt that was not enough, and his intuition told him that live performances with real people would be better. He arranged for the newly established political work team to be organized in platoons, with brass instruments, and went down to
I went to major recruitment points in Nanjing and there were live performances right next to them.
Facts have proved that the effect is extremely good. These high-spirited military bands sang generously around them, and the number of people signing up to join the army almost doubled in length immediately. There were many college students who came to join the army. Some time ago, they were the main force in the anti-war demonstrations. Now these passionate young people
They were all excited. They lined up one by one, with throats rolling and chests heaving. Listening to the majestic military music and iron-blooded lyrics, they all looked longingly at the front of the team, standing close to the people in front for fear of fear.
Someone else has taken your place.
Many young people had sneaked out from home because their parents did not agree. There were also many hot-headed boys who sneaked away to serve as soldiers. A group of them had to be persuaded to go back every day.
All young people are eager to join the People's Guard. Because the People's Guard is known as His Majesty's guard outside the palace and is the most elite force in the entire Ming Dynasty. Many people join the army just because they hope to join the People's Guard. Because during the recruitment, they were told that all new recruits would be recruited by the People's Guard.
Priority selection, if you are good enough, there is hope to join.
By the seventh day of the war, the Ming Empire's army had expanded to 2.2 million men. Within seven days, it had expanded to nearly 1 million men. This was simply a miracle.
People around Xiang Xiaoqiang have long admired his talent. Qiu Qiu has been showing off to others all day long that his daughter has found a capable, powerful, and versatile uncle. Qiu Qiu can't stop talking about it. Although Qiu Qiu spends all day
Following Xiang Xiaoqiang, I was busy every meal, but my heart felt like it was soaked in a honey pot. Elder Zheng Gongyin told his niece that he had picked up a treasure for the Ming Dynasty. Even Zhu Yourong thought that Xiang Xiaoqiang could do whatever he wanted.
How correct my original vision was.
The People's Guard has expanded to 10,000 people. During this period, it has absorbed a large number of recruits, all of whom are the best in the recruit camp. Proportionally speaking, they are absolutely one in a hundred. These young men are strong and about the same height, all 1.78 meters.
They are between 1.8 and 1.8 meters tall and look very good when lined up neatly. They are between 18-22 years old. Xiang Xiaoqiang deliberately set the age at a lower level. This age group generally has simple thoughts and little social experience, and is very easy to be brainwashed.
Accompany him to develop a loyal and fanatical army.
Since he had the Fourteenth Gege at hand, Xiang Xiaoqiang originally thought about building the People's Guard based on the structure of the Sticking Division. But the Sticking Division is an organization spread across the country, which is very scattered and requires high liaison capabilities and central control.
And although the sticky pole is an army establishment, it is not an independent army after all.
The characteristics of the People's Guard are, first, that it is an independent army, and second, that it was established not long ago and expanded too quickly. Once it was dispersed across the country, its control was too poor. Although the number of people has greatly exceeded that of Nianganchu and Dongchang, those are
Soldiers, not special agents.
Therefore, referring to the suggestions of the Fourteenth Gege and his own personal preferences, Xiang Xiaoqiang prepared to initially refer to the structure of the SS. He divided the People's Guard into several departments.
The highest authority is the headquarters, which is headed by Xiang Xiaoqiang himself.
The Security Team of the People's Guard is responsible for investigating and investigating matters, which is equivalent to the Gestapo. Tumache is in charge. Because Tumache used to be from Dongchang, he is a little worried, and this guy is not very stable in character, so Xiang Xiaoqiang puts the cautious and prudent snail in charge.
Go be his deputy and watch him. Snail is Xiang Xiaoqiang's "die-hard servant" and he trusts him completely.
The People's Guard Mobile Team, this is the combat force, the main force, equivalent to the armed SS. This is under the charge of Li Gensheng, and his deputy is Li Changgui. During the operations in the Beiqing Dynasty, Li Gensheng showed excellent combat experience and command quality. But that
It is a small unit. Whether it is competent to command a large force of several thousand people still depends on practice.
The Political Work Team of the People's Guard is responsible for political propaganda work. According to Xiang Xiaoqiang's plan, in future battles, the Political Work Team will cooperate with the Mobile Team and launch a political and literary propaganda offensive.
In addition, the political work team also has a name, called the Political Work Department of the High Command, which is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Supreme High Command. This ensures that it is above the Cabinet Propaganda Department and can call on national publicity resources at any time. But the highest commander in the country is the Queen herself.
Therefore, although this department is called the "Political Work Division" in the headquarters and the "Political Work Team" in the People's Guard, they are both the same thing and are all under the command of Xiaoqiang.
Xiang Xiaoqiang of the political work team has already thought of a candidate and is going to let Xiu Xiu take charge. Xiu Xiu is smart, calm, and thoughtful, so she is the best candidate. But now that she is still in the hospital, Xiang Xiaoqiang has to let his adjutant Qiu Qiu concurrently take charge.
This arrangement is standard nepotism. However, when the People's Guard was established, it was the foundation for Xiang Xiaoqiang to settle down and live a life. It was the only force in his hands, and the demand for loyalty overriding all else. In fact, this team was also the only force directly controlled by the royal family.
fundamental.
Why let him take charge of the People's Guard, Xiang Xiaoqiang? For the same reason, loyalty trumps everything. It's not that there are people who are more capable and better at leading troops than Xiang Xiaoqiang. There are many in the regular army. But Xiang Xiaoqiang has gone through several life and death tests.
"Diehard loyalist", and later proved to be very capable. So why not use it? In the past, the royal family did not have troops, and everything had to go through the cabinet. It was okay for the cabinet to obey, but if the cabinet did not obey, the emperor would be a "virtual king". What did he want to do?
The matter still requires recruiting gangsters from the streets to stage a coup. Now that we directly control an army, we can ensure that the cabinet is obedient and the regular army is obedient.
Xiang Xiaoqiang firmly remembers the advice given to him by Shi Shigege:
"Sir Xiang, please don't forget that there is a Dongchang over there, as well as the chief assistant Shen Rongxuan. I know Shen Rongxuan very well. Although he is quite ambitious and even a bit arrogant, his mind is absolutely clear and he will never tolerate the ever-threatening growth of power.
Yes. Sir Xiang, during this period, we must let the mobile team and the political team show up more, and let the security team show up less. We must highlight the military attributes of the People's Guard, so that everyone feels that the People's Guard is a die-hard army of His Majesty.
Rather than an intelligence agency decentralized with Dongchang.”
This sentence is very correct. It can be said that Shi Shigege stood on Xiang Xiaoqiang's side and said it sincerely.
Xiang Xiaoqiang sends the mobile team and the political team to the streets every day, beating military drums and blowing bugles, slapping black leather military boots neatly on the street, singing mighty patriotic songs, carrying patriotic slogans and banners, and recruiting soldiers.
Marching on the streets with the most people was inspiring. After every march of the People's Guard, the queue at the recruitment point got much longer. Young people all wanted to join the People's Guard.
Of course, this well highlights the "military attributes" of the People's Guard.
…
Xiang Xiaoqiang is having breakfast in the office. McDonald's chicken nuggets, burgers and fries, and Coca-Cola.
Yes, that's all. Xiang Xiaoqiang went to the kitchen to make a distorted "Spicy Chicken Leg Burger", ate French fries of different lengths made from local potatoes, and drank Coca-Cola from the 1930s, which was bottled in a glass bottle and was like potion.
He stared at the newspaper and ate with relish.
The Mexican chicken tacos and New Orleans grilled wings couldn't be made in the kitchen, so we had to give them up.
The only thing I couldn't tolerate was that the kitchen actually made the ketchup salty and there was tomato skin in it, which was too bad. I had to eat the fries dry.
Qiu Qiu stood aside and looked at the pile of things on the table with a strange expression. He couldn't understand that he had put soup dumplings, crab roe dumplings, tofu dumplings, sugar lotus root porridge... He didn't eat them, but he pounced on these weird-tasting things.
He was so hungry that he felt like he hadn't eaten in days.
"Come." Xiang Xiaoqiang patted his thigh with a smile, and Qiu Qiu sat down obediently. Xiang Xiaoqiang held a piece of French fries and fed it to her. Qiu Qiu snorted and shook her head:
"It tastes so bad, it has no taste at all. Look, this is the summary of today's foreign language newspaper, it has been translated."
Xiang Xiaoqiang asked people to buy major newspapers every day, pick out the news they thought were valuable, and show them to him. Several foreign newspapers in Nanjing were also bought and translated as soon as possible for him to read.
"Well," he put down the domestic newspaper he was reading, opened a piece of "The Times", his eyes immediately stared out, "Huh? Prince Edward has returned to China?"
The headline on the second page is that the British Crown Prince, Prince of Wales, and Prince Edward left Singapore this morning on the HMS Hood and returned to the UK.
Throwing the newspaper to Xiaoqiang, he immediately fell into thinking about the impact this incident would have on Daming. In addition, his hands also subconsciously became dishonest.
…
Qiu Qiu: "Xiaoqiang, please be more honest..."
When Prince Edward returned to China, it was obviously not just because George V was seriously ill. This was a signal that Britain was ready to stand by and watch the war between the Ming Dynasty and the Northern Qing Dynasty.
Qiu Qiu: "We haven't gotten married yet..."
Of course, there was no need to think about expecting Britain to provide any actual assistance. Ming Dynasty had always hoped to sign a military alliance treaty with Britain, similar to the one widely concluded in Europe before World War I. It was to guarantee each other that once one party was attacked by the third
An attack by three countries would be regarded as a simultaneous attack on two countries, and the other country would have the obligation to help the Allies fight the war. However, after World War I, the entire West was war-weary, and it would be too difficult to sign such a treaty.
Qiu Qiu: "No, it doesn't work there..."
Xiaoqiang: "Don't run, I'm thinking about a problem and my hands can't be idle."
Qiu Qiu: "Someone will come if you do this..."
Originally, the Ming Dynasty paid so much attention to Prince Edward's visit on New Year's Eve because he knew that even if a military alliance could not be signed, it would also be a signal of political support. But now it seems that even this kind of political support is difficult to obtain.
Qiu Qiu: "Huhu..."
"Report! Commander..."
With a stomachache, I pushed the door open and saw the erotic scene. I immediately turned back in a standard manner and said loudly:
"Report, my subordinate saw nothing..."
Qiu Qiu jumped up, her face as ashamed as a soldering iron, she quickly buttoned up her bra and ran away.
I had a stomachache and was so frightened that I broke into a cold sweat. I thought it was over now and I had seen something I shouldn’t have seen.
Xiang Xiaoqiang coughed dryly and said carelessly:
"Oh, there's nothing I can do. It's so busy in the early morning. No one can do it... Oh, what's the matter with you?"
Seeing that the commander's expression was normal, I sighed secretly, wiped my cold sweat, and said carefully:
"Commander, the German you asked to investigate last time went to the hospital to find Miss Shang again this morning."
Huh? Xiang Xiaoqiang has almost forgotten about this incident these days. He didn't expect that he was so busy with the war these days. Even if he had a stomachache, he still remembered to check this person.
My stomach hurts and I lean closer and say:
"We followed him today. What do you think he does?...Oh, you don't have to guess, I'm here to report to you. He turned out to be from the Nanjing Nazi Party branch, and he himself is an SS!...
You know the Nazi Party, right?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang nodded:
"Go on."
At this time, the Nazi Party had branches in some major foreign cities, which were open and legal. Rabe, who was known as "China's Schindler", was the head of the Nanjing Nazi Party.
Stomachache continued:
"Our people followed them outside their party headquarters. When the guy went in, our people simply followed in, pretending to be very interested in the Nazi Party and asking questions. The Germans inside enthusiastically introduced the Nazi Party.
How good is it? If you want to develop, let's join. The guy was sitting on the sofa next to him, chatting with his colleagues in German. We specially selected people who knew German to follow him this time, and we listened to everything they said."
"what did they say?"
"They seem to be saying that they have some retired soldiers from Germany who volunteered to come to our Ming Dynasty to help us resist the Qing invaders, but our Ming Dynasty is so close to the United Kingdom, and I don't know if we are willing to accept them. How many people are sent by their head of state now?
Come here personally, stand in front of us, and have some contact with our senior management in a private capacity."
Xiang Xiaoqiang bit into his fries, squinted his eyes, and carefully analyzed the meaning.
"Retired soldier", "Volunteer to come to Ming Dynasty"? Why does it sound so familiar? It seems that this group of people went to Germany during the Spanish Civil War, right?
What is the name of this military organization? By the way, it's called the "Condor Legion".
Hitler, Hitler, he is indeed Lao Xi, his vision is really vicious, he really knows how to seize opportunities. Who told Germany to be so isolated now?
It seems that the British Prince is gone and the Vulture Legion is coming.