Chapter 945 (Third update, please subscribe)
February 3, 1877.
The Imperial Staff issued an order—invade Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the New Year!
This year refers to the Chinese New Year, which is February 13th.
In other words, when the order was issued, there were still 10 days before the Chinese New Year!
To conquer a defense line with a depth of 50 kilometers and defended by hundreds of thousands of troops in 10 days - this is simply a wishful thinking!
From that day on, all the troops were massing on the front line in Rio de Janeiro. This massing lasted for three days. In the past three days, there was no fighting on the front line.
In the early morning of February 6th, although it had not rained all day and night, the heavy rain the night before made the air still seem a little moist.
On the long front, there was not much silence.
Above the silent trenches, fluttering military flags and national flags were blown by the breeze, pointing to the enemy's trenches in the distance.
After measuring the wind speed using an anemometer, the officer picked up the phone and reported the meteorological conditions on the front line to the headquarters.
"The wind is 2 to 3 meters per second, the wind is eastward, 15 degrees north..."
This is the good weather we have been waiting for for three days!
Only ten minutes later, the order for the general offensive was sent to the waiting frontline troops via telegram and telephone. As soon as they received the order, the gunners took off their gun jackets and unscrewed the steel plugs from the shells.
, screwed on the fuse for the artillery shell, and the artillery shell was placed flatly only one meter away from the gun position. On the forward mortar position, the artillery shells were taken out of the box one by one and placed flatly.
On the canvas spread, the safety bolt of the fuse has been pulled out. The artillery and the others will use the most intensive firepower to cover the infantry attack as soon as they receive the order.
At the same time, in the trenches at the front, although the battle was about to begin, the officers did not urge the soldiers to check their weapons. Instead, they distributed insurance policies and letterheads to them, and loudly reminded the soldiers of the importance of military life insurance policies.
As early as 14 years ago, after the establishment of Nanhua Insurance Company, Emperor Zhu Da, who was still the big boss, purchased life insurance for the officers and soldiers of the company's security team. In the past ten years, this policy has been continued, and the insurance
The compensation is also constantly increasing, and the pension is enough for their families to live the rest of their lives without worries after they are killed in action. It is the officer's responsibility to remind the soldiers to fill in the insurance form carefully before the battle.
"Everyone must fill out the insurance form carefully. If there is a sacrifice, the beneficiary will receive an insurance compensation of 600 yuan. If there are no relatives, you can choose to donate it to a foundation, such as the Imperial Military Survivors Foundation, which is dedicated to caring for those who died in battle.
The foundation for the bereaved families of soldiers..."
"Everyone must fill out the will carefully and hand it over to the squad leader..."
The insurance and pensions provided by the Ming Empire's army to soldiers are extremely generous. Now it has exceeded one thousand yuan, which is almost equivalent to 7 years of ordinary people's income. Adding in the allowance for survivors, the Ming Empire has given the most generous compensation to the fallen soldiers based on its own financial resources.
pension. In addition, the Imperial Invalides was built as early as seven years ago. Disabled soldiers can live directly in the Invalides. Any disabled officers and soldiers who have fought for the empire can be taken care of there, and all expenses are covered.
Beared by the royal family.
Soldiers are loyal to the country, and the country fulfills their filial piety on their behalf.
It has never been a word in Ming Dynasty, this is something everyone knows very well.
"Well, my father, I wish you well, my unfilial son. Today, the troops have received the order for the general attack. Although the troops have not yet marched, they are still alive. If my father sees this letter, then the unfilial son will definitely have entered the Chung Martyrs' Shrine to fight with the Chung Martyrs.
Together, enjoy the glory of the four festivals a year!
As an imperial soldier, an unfilial son should be loyal. It is truly an honor for our soldiers to see each other again at the Martyr's Shrine! My son can repay His Majesty and the country with his own flesh and blood, which is what he should do. Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety cannot be both fulfilled, and they cannot be fulfilled in life.
He is filial, but his father is still in his 60s, and this happens again. I hope that my father will stand behind my son and reprimand him for being unfilial. If this can alleviate my father's sorrow, my son will also smile in Jiuquan..."
While writing the suicide note, tears flowed from Wang Qingshan's eyes from time to time. His father was Wang Jianyun, the prefect of Bingzhou, and his grandfather was Wang Youling, the Minister of Household Affairs.
Your Majesty is extremely kind to the Wang family. First, he was kind to his grandfather for saving his life, and later he was kind to his father.
Unlike the Qing Dynasty, which emphasized imperial examinations, the Ming Dynasty emphasized military merit. Children of high-ranking officials and dignitaries would be looked down upon if they did not join the army. Like many children of prominent officials, Wang Qingshan was admitted to the military academy after graduating from high school. A year after graduating from the military academy, he had just
After being promoted to company commander, after the war broke out, he imagined dying to serve His Majesty and the country more than once. But now that he is really facing such a war, he will inevitably feel a little worried in his heart. However, at the age of 20, his life has just begun.
It is natural to be concerned and even regretful.
When the tears came down, he wiped them away while no one was paying attention. Then he regained his previous confidence.
It was quiet in the trenches. Both officers and soldiers were lying there, writing their own wills or filling out insurance forms. Perhaps this is the most proud thing about the Ming Dynasty's army - this is an army with great
A cultured army. Whether it is the compulsory literacy for new immigrants or the cultural classes in the army, this army has become the only army in the world where all have elementary school education or above.
Elementary school, which is almost the fourth grade of elementary school, seems to have very low academic qualifications, but in this era when compulsory education has just been popularized in various countries, this army is already considered a "knowledgeable" army.
The atmosphere in the trenches seemed a bit depressing. No one spoke. Everyone wrote their letters quietly. The last wills were put into envelopes and then into tarpaulin envelopes. Then they looked at the order.
The soldier took the letter bag to the rear.
Soon, many of the letters inside will be sent out. No one knows how many there are. However, they know that once the war begins, what they need is to attack the enemy without hesitation and with determination to the death.
Life or death is a choice for everyone.
"Bros!"
Wang Qingshan looked at the brothers in the company and said.
"Finally, I only remind you of one thing - as a soldier of the empire, you fight bravely to kill the enemy, your soul returns to the Martyrs' Shrine, you are respected by the world, and you bring glory to your family! Still living like a coward, you are ashamed of the world and bring shame to your family.
It’s up to you brothers to decide for yourself, Wang hopes to meet you brothers again at the Martyrs’ Shrine, and use our flesh and blood to glorify the imperial Suzaku flag!”
After saying these words, Wang Qingshan gave a military salute to his comrades.
"Goodbye at the Martyrs' Shrine!"
The soldiers replied solemnly in neat but low voices.
My head is confused...anxious...
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!