After the exercise, Li Mingyuan personally sent West to Barangka Port.
"Colonel West, I entrust you with the safety of the fleet in five days." Li Mingyuan said solemnly.
After the arms transaction was completed, the time for escorting the Chinese fleet to transfer was also determined, and the time was scheduled for the day after the Peruvian side handed over the supplies.
"Of course, this is my responsibility." West said seriously...
On a merchant ship not far from Li Mingyuan and West, a dozen Chinese-looking men stepped off the ship. Their clothes were shabby, and many of them had wounds on their bodies.
When I got off the ship, the first thing I saw was the Chinese soldiers under martial law in the port. If the large Barangka port was occupied by thousands of Chinese soldiers,
There are dozens of cannons that have not been transported neatly arranged in the open space next to the port, and Li Mingyuan and West are closely guarded by more than 300 soldiers.
These Chinese soldiers are completely different from the Han armies we have seen before. Their solemn and majestic black military uniforms, brand-new and sophisticated rifles, and the solemn and tenacious expressions of the soldiers are eye-catching.
"Brother Li, are they the troops of the Crown Prince?" a Chinese pirate who followed Li Han off the ship said in disbelief.
"It should be so." Li Han just looked at the troops in front of him for a while, and sighed after hearing the questions from his entourage.
Li Han had a total of thirty people when he set out. When he smuggled into Colombia, he was chased by the local militia and lost half of his men. Then he arrived at the Pacific coast of Colombia and took a merchant ship to Barranca.
"Brother, are you the prince's army?" After being surprised, Li Han walked towards a Chinese soldier standing guard next to him and asked politely.
The soldiers on guard looked at Li Han and his party vigilantly, and said sternly: "Tell me, are you deserters?"
When the Chinese Independence Army was tightening discipline in the troops, more than 500 soldiers were afraid of being punished and ran away from the troops. Later, they were hunted down by the military police and nearly 400 deserters were captured, but more than 100 Chinese soldiers escaped.
Before Li Mingyuan ordered the purge of the troops, he realized that doing so would cause shock to the troops for a period of time.
However, if this is not done, the morale of the army may gradually deteriorate, and some officers and soldiers may form an interest group, threatening Li Mingyuan's control of the army.
Therefore, Li Mingyuan decisively purged the troops and removed them from the Chinese Independence Army before they had formed a climate to ensure the purity of the troops.
The operation to improve the discipline of the troops was successful. After the shock in the previous period, the Chinese Independence Army generally returned to calm. The only thing left was to hunt down the escaped Chinese soldiers.
After the soldiers on duty shouted and asked, more than 20 soldiers from the surrounding area approached Li Han and others, pointing their muskets at them.
Li Han didn't expect that his simple question would cause such a big reaction from these soldiers. He glanced at the muskets pointed at him and suppressed the dozen or so Chinese pirates who were about to attack behind him. He calmly said: "I heard that the Prince Shizi is leading
The soldiers revolted, and we came here specially to defect to him. Is this how the prince treats his brothers who defected to us?"
Li Han faced the Chinese soldiers who surrounded him without changing his expression. He did not look nervous or scared like a deserter. The soldiers on duty were also a little unsure of their identities.
However, he did not believe that they came specifically to join the Chinese Independence Army. After the occupation of southern Peru, all the Chinese workers in the southern mines and plantations were rescued.
The number of Chinese workers in northern Peru was small, and the Chinese workers revolted in southern Peru. Therefore, the Peruvians had stricter control over the Chinese workers in the northern region, and it was impossible to escape from there.
The soldiers on duty preconceived the idea that Li Han and the others were Chinese laborers who had escaped from northern Peru, and continued to interrogate: "The Peruvians in the northern region are closely guarded. How did you escape from them?"
"We are not Chinese workers who escaped from northern Peru. As for our true identity, I need to tell your supervisor in person."
Li Han had experienced the scene just now and had some doubts about the rumor that the leader of the Chinese army was the prince Shiwang.
The Crown Prince was less than twenty years old, and the soldiers in front of him were arrogant and well-equipped. He was not sure that the Crown Prince's sixteen or seventeen-year-old age would be able to suppress these arrogant warriors. Therefore, Li Han did not put himself
Tell the soldiers on duty your true identity.
"How dare you, the Crown Prince, you can just meet him on sight?" Li Han's arrogant attitude aroused the dissatisfaction of the soldiers on duty, and he immediately called to the surrounding soldiers to escort Li Han away for interrogation.
Hearing the word "eldest son" spoken by the soldiers on duty, Li Han did not bother to break away from the soldiers holding him hostage, and asked loudly: "Is the prince you are talking about the crown prince of His Royal Highness?"
"Of course he is the prince," the soldier on duty said proudly.
Li Han observed that the expressions of the soldiers on duty did not seem to be fake. He hurriedly broke away from the two soldiers around him and explained: "I am the messenger of Hou Taiyuan, the general under King Mori. I have something important to see the Crown Prince."
Although the soldiers on duty joined the Chinese Independence Army later, they had heard some things about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom from the old Taiping soldiers in the army. They knew that there were many princes in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, so after listening to Li Han's words, he immediately motioned the soldiers to step back and asked
Said: "Which prince in heaven is King Sen?"
"Squad leader, King Sen is the commander-in-chief of our navy in heaven." Before Li Han could reply, a Chinese soldier beside him reminded him in a low voice.
"Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, he is a high-ranking official." The soldier on duty thought for a moment and ruled out that Li Han and others were deserters.
"There's a misunderstanding. We're all brothers. If you don't put down your guns, it's not good for you to accidentally injure one of your own." The soldier on duty said with a smile on his face.
The soldiers around him retreated, and Li Han and others relaxed. After all, it was uncomfortable to be pointed at by someone with a gun.
"I can understand what military responsibilities are." Li Han said a few words to the soldiers on duty, and then said: "Brother, please help inform His Highness the Crown Prince. My general is still waiting for us to report back."...
At the port, West and Li Mingyuan had a good conversation. West smiled and shook hands with Li Mingyuan, and praised: "Your commanding ability is extraordinary. If you were born in Prussia, you will definitely be an excellent general."
"German reunification is a historical trend, and I believe that you will soon have your own use."
"Li, do you think Prussia will face another war soon?" Through his contact with Li Mingyuan, West knew that Li Mingyuan was a far-sighted military commander. Since he thought he had a place to be useful, he was definitely not aimless. Therefore, he asked tentatively.
road.
"Military is a continuation of politics. On the one hand, your country used railways and customs union to tie most of the German states to the Prussian chariot. On the other hand, Austria, the main obstacle to German unification, has been defeated by your country.
Therefore, in order to finally unify Germany, your country will definitely go to war with France, which controls the southern German states, and I estimate that it will not be more than three years before the war breaks out."
In 1870, a war broke out between Prussia and France over the Spanish succession.
Before the war broke out, the Junkers military aristocracy headed by Bismarck advocated uniting the entire Germany through war. Therefore, without the permission of King William I of Prussia, Bismarck issued a telegram without authorization, which angered the French king and led to the outbreak of war.
As a member of the Junker military aristocracy, West had also heard rumors of launching a war, but he was not sure.
Because France, as the European overlord, occupied half of Prussia during the Napoleonic period. Although France is not as powerful as during the Napoleonic period, it also controls the southern German states and the colonies second only to Britain.
Faced with France's existence as a European hegemon, no one from King William I of Prussia to ordinary Prussian citizens was absolutely sure of defeating France. Even Bismarck, who provoked the war, went to the battlefield with poison. So after hearing Li Mingyuan's words, Weiss
Although I think it makes sense, I still don't quite believe it.
"France is very powerful. I don't think Prussia will break out at war with France within a few years." West shook his head.
West was not of high rank and had no chance to come into contact with the core secrets of the Prussian army. Therefore, he did not know that Bismarck had been secretly preparing for military expansion since he came to power, including purchasing mineral materials from Peru, developing railways to facilitate troop mobilization, etc...
"No, you will definitely do this." Li Mingyuan said confidently: "Austria has just been severely damaged by your country. If you wait until Austria's strength recovers, your country will definitely face obstruction from Austria, France and even Russia if it launches a unification war again.
At that time, it was basically impossible to unify Germany.
Moreover, France is not as powerful as it seems on the surface. Since Napoleon III came to power, he has relied on the army and Napoleon's prestige to suppress the increasing domestic conflicts.
Once it suffers a major defeat, the rule will soon fall apart. Therefore, the best time to launch a war is within three years.
Your country’s Prime Minister, Count Bismarck, is a far-sighted politician, and I believe he will understand the situation facing Prussia.”
Bystanders are clear but the authorities are confused. Li Mingyuan's words made West understand the bad situation facing Prussia and the inevitability of Prussia launching a war in the near future.
"Li, I still underestimated you. I didn't expect you to have such a deep understanding of the situation in Europe."
"West, you know that my father was a prince of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. When I was in China, I studied European history with a knowledgeable missionary, and the loyal king Li Xiucheng was my uncle. He had a branch of
Foreign troops, I followed them to understand the customs and customs of various European countries and learned the languages of various countries from them."
Li Mingyuan explained.
Li Mingyuan is proficient in German and has experienced English. He has no doubts about Li Mingyuan's statement about getting along with foreigners since he was a child.
"Li, it is a pleasure to meet you. Before I leave, I will give you this sword."
West ordered his men to take out an exquisitely decorated sword, handed it to Li Mingyuan, and introduced: "This is the sword awarded by my superior when I served in the Prussian Royal Guards. I will transfer it to you today."
The sword is of fine workmanship and the hilt is engraved with the eagle symbol representing Prussia.
Li Mingyuan took the sword neatly and drew it out. The sword reflected a burst of silver light under the reflection of the sun. "What a good sword. I like the sword the colonel gave me very much."
Li Mingyuan praised twice in succession, put away his sword, and said with a smile: "The army is new and lacks supplies. I have the right to give the colonel a short gun as a souvenir." Li Mingyuan took out the short gun he carried with him and handed it to West.
"Thank you," West took the short gun, not dissatisfied because of its simplicity.
"This short gun has accompanied me in many victories since the uprising. Today I give it to the colonel. I also hope that it will bring the same good luck to the colonel."
"Ordinary weapons can also play an important role in the hands of heroes. This short gun of yours has a special significance. I will treasure it well." West played with the short gun in his hand and said thoughtfully.
It was almost time for the Prussian fleet to set off. West and Li Mingyuan said a few more words, and finally said goodbye: "Prussia is about to face a battle that will determine the fate of the country. After completing this transportation mission, I will request the commander
Transfer to the army and personally participate in the war that affects the fate of the country."
"Prussia is a respectable country, and Germany will eventually be unified under the leadership of Prussia." Li Mingyuan said sincerely.
"Goodbye, I look forward to our next meeting." After West said this, he turned around and boarded the warship...
