Chapter 781

A single falling leaf drifted in through the study window.

Xiao Ming looked at the sycamore trees outside the window, which were now shedding their leaves. He said, “All in all, attacking the Prince of Chu now brings no benefit to the north. Currently, we still need to utilize this superficial peace to establish the northern industrial system.”

Speaking of this, Xiao Ming looked at the map in the study. In truth, his current position was somewhat similar to that of the Jin Dynasty during the Southern Song period.

At that time, the Jin Dynasty had Mongolia to its north and the Southern Song to its south. Now, he had the Golden Tent Khanate to his north and the Prince of Chu to his south.

Precisely because of this, he did not want to end up being attacked from both north and south. Now he had to find a way to cripple the Golden Tent Khanate.

After he dealt with the Golden Tent Khanate and the northern industry and commerce matured, it would not be too late to deal with the Prince of Chu. After all, France could not possibly help the Prince of Chu reach the same technological level as Europe, as a round trip from France to this region would take a year and a half in this era.

Their main purpose was to obtain wealth from the Prince of Chu; helping the Prince of Chu with the full might of their nation was simply not cost-effective.

Moreover, there were many ways to disrupt the Prince of Chu’s previous cooperation with the French. In the council hall, he had only mentioned one of them.

“Where is Meng Youliang now?” Xiao Ming suddenly asked.

Wang Xuan was stunned for a moment. He said, “According to Your Majesty’s instructions, we have been secretly in contact with Meng Youliang. According to the latest intelligence I have received, Meng Youliang is currently on Jinyin Island in Yian County.”

“Jinyin Island?” Xiao Ming quickly located this place on the map.

The location of Jinyin Island in Yian County was contemporary Nan’ao County in Shantou, which was the only island county in contemporary Guangdong Province.

This Nan’ao County consisted of twenty-two islands near the main island, and Jinyin Island was one of them.

“Yes, Yian County is an island and a transit point for merchant ships on the Great Yu Empire’s shipping lanes. It’s easy to find passing ships there. Now, Meng Youliang has gathered a group of privateering ships in that area,” Wang Xuan said.

Xiao Ming nodded. “If that’s the case, send someone now to tell Meng Youliang to begin plundering merchant ships traveling between France and Lin’an from today. Thirty percent of the spoils from these merchant ships will belong to him, and the rest to the imperial court.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wang Xuan bowed in response.

This Meng Youliang had a very special status. The imperial court did not acknowledge his identity, but he was also the Great Yu Empire’s hidden privateering force.

On normal days, Meng Youliang’s identity was that of a pirate, but upon receiving orders, he would specifically plunder forces targeted by the Great Yu Empire.

His main purpose in having Wang Xuan come over this time was for Meng Youliang’s matter. Having given these instructions, he dismissed Wang Xuan. He then seriously looked at the map in the study, his gaze lingering on Pingzhou City outside Shanhai Pass.

Since the British wanted to support the barbarians, he would not give them that opportunity. This time, he would crush the Golden Tent Khanate in one fell swoop.

However, before that, he had to complete the military reform and the promulgation of decrees to facilitate the northern expedition.

So, over the next three months, he began to focus on overseeing this matter. A grand reform of internal affairs and the army unfolded vigorously throughout the Great Yu Empire.

…

Youzhou. Ever since Lei Ming received the order for military reform, he began to implement it from top to bottom. Unlike the previous designations of the Great Yu Empire army.

Now, the army he commanded was officially named the Great Yu Empire Huben 3rd Army, and he was the Army Commander of the 3rd Army. Below him were four division commanders, twelve brigade commanders, and numerous battalion and company commanders.

After the musket reform, the cavalry and artillery also underwent corresponding changes. Now, he commanded three cavalry divisions, and artillery was distributed among various army levels.

After completing the organizational reform, he ordered military exercises. To his surprise, this exercise greatly astonished him. After changing the organization, he found that commanding the army was much more flexible.

Because each company and each battalion was an independent unit, he could assemble these units together or split them up for individual operations.

“Army Commander, we have discovered that the barbarians are reinforcing Pingzhou City, and at least three hundred cannons have been transported to Pingzhou City.”

Just as military exercises concluded that day, a hunter cavalryman suddenly galloped in from outside the city to report the movements on the grasslands.

Being stationed at Shanhai Pass, he also had the responsibility of monitoring the barbarians.

“Three hundred cannons? Have the barbarians moved all their possessions to Pingzhou City?” Lei Ming frowned.

Gong Ziming, the commander of the 1st Division, said, “Army Commander, it must be our frequent military exercises during this period that have frightened the barbarians.”

“Frightened them? Not necessarily. In my opinion, this was also premeditated. Three hundred cannons cannot be brought out easily,” Gu Fangxiong, the commander of the 2nd Division, said loudly.

The hunter cavalryman who delivered the message was panting. He continued, “Besides cannons, the barbarians have also dug interconnected trenches outside Pingzhou City, and even installed chevaux de frise in the trenches!”

Lei Ming and the generals of the Huben 3rd Army’s faces immediately turned grim. A regimental commander said, “These are all things from our military academy. How did the barbarians learn all of them? Now Pingzhou City will be difficult to attack.”

“The secret guard’s intelligence says there’s a British man training the Golden Tent Khanate’s army, so none of this is surprising,” Lei Ming said. “However, this also indicates that the barbarians are beginning to take us seriously.”

With that, all the generals chuckled simultaneously. Previously, the barbarians had never looked down on them, and they wouldn’t even station troops in the cities on the grasslands.

Because they were confident they could defeat any Great Yu Empire army with their cavalry.

While everyone was speaking, a logistics general walked in and said, “Army Commander, a batch of Conqueror Muskets has just arrived from Qingzhou Province.”

Lei Ming and the others’ eyes lit up upon hearing this. The power of this firearm was well-known during the pacification of Bashu. Now, every army hoped to be equipped with Conqueror Muskets as soon as possible.

He mused, “Since the Conqueror Muskets have arrived, it seems His Majesty is determined to launch the northern expedition. Soldiers, now is your time to achieve great deeds! Anyone who disgraces me, I will flay him!”

“Yes, Army Commander!” The generals collectively saluted, then rushed out in a swarm to receive the new firearms.

…

Jinling Province.

Lu Fei had also completed the army organizational reform in these three months. His army was now officially renamed the Great Yu Empire Huben 1st Army.

When he received this title, he was so excited he didn’t sleep a wink, because it showed the Emperor’s trust in him. Otherwise, the title of 1st Army wouldn’t have been his.

“The Grand Council has an order: the Huben 1st Army’s 1st Division and 2nd Division are to depart for Shanhai Pass within three days.”

Lu Fei read out the newly received order to his subordinate generals.

“What about our 3rd and 4th Divisions?” two division commanders stood up simultaneously and asked.

“You two will remain in Jinling Province to guard against the Prince of Chu,” Lu Fei said seriously.

The two division commanders slumped down dejectedly upon hearing this, while the division commanders who received orders were ecstatic.

Having endured so many years of humiliation, they were finally going to the grasslands to reclaim their lost homeland.