Chen Ke didn't have much horse riding experience. Although he wasn't swaying on horseback like in TV dramas, and Chen Ke even felt he could control the horse to "some extent," a discerning eye could tell from those subtle handlings that Chen Ke was basically a rookie with great potential for cavalry development.

A few days ago, after intense rehearsals, the parade march "The Beiyang New Army is Advancing" finally achieved a phase of success. "Two Tigers" was completely finished. Pu Guanshui conducted the military band to skillfully play the adapted "Two Tigers," which received the approval of the superiors. Then Pu Guanshui led the team to rush to participate in the "Hejian Autumn Maneuvers." Chen Ke requested to go along, and Pu Guanshui boldly made the decision on his own to bring Chen Ke, as well as Chen Tianhua, Wu Xingchen, Pang Zi, and others along.

Now, everyone had completed the observation of the Hejian Autumn Maneuvers and was on the way back to Beijing.

They were riding slowly side by side, with Chen Ke and Pu Guanshui walking at the very front. The other seven people fell far behind. Without turning back, Chen Ke could imagine the expressions on Pang Zi and the others' faces behind him. According to the *Records of the Grand Historian*, it is said that there was a young hooligan in the State of Yan named Qin Wuyang. The *Grand Scribe's Records* in the "Biographies of Assassins" wrote: "In the State of Yan, there was a warrior Qin Wuyang. At the age of twelve, he killed people, and people dared not look at him directly." This warrior, who could make people afraid to "look directly" just by his gaze, "changed color and trembled in fear" after seeing the majestic Qin court, so much so that "the ministers wondered at him." Jing Ke had to hurriedly explain, "A humble person from the barbarian lands of the Northern Fan, having never seen the Son of Heaven, is therefore trembling in fear."

Judging from the Grand Scribe's records, Qin Wuyang definitely failed to get close to the King of Qin. If Qin Wuyang could help, although it wouldn't change the fate of the State of Yan, the "terrorist act" could definitely change the fate of King Qin, Ying Zheng.

The crowd stayed at the Hejian exercise site for less than two days. From the current look, Pang Zi and most of those Shandong heroes were quite similar to Qin Wuyang. The military band went to the stationing camp first. Pang Zi, who had a cold attitude towards Pu Guanshui, felt uncomfortable all over as soon as he saw the continuous barracks. The joint camp of more than twenty thousand New Army soldiers stretched out for several *li*. Patrol reconnaissance cavalry appeared around from time to time. It did have a flavor of strict vigilance.

One of the hosts of this exercise was Wang Shizhen, known as one of the "Three Heroes of Beiyang." Pu Guanshui evaluated this person very highly, believing he was an officer who could truly understand modern military affairs. Chen Ke felt that at the current stage, Wang Shizhen's military level was definitely above his own. However, since he was going to rebel starting in 1905, he would definitely deal with this Wang Shizhen in the future. He asked Pu Guanshui to tell him where exactly Wang Shizhen was formidable. After all, being young and energetic, Pu Guanshui didn't praise this "Dragon of Beiyang" much. He merely said this person thought meticulously and could consider both big and small matters, having somewhat the meaning of Zhuge Wuhou (Zhuge Liang).

After handing over the military band, Chen Ke asked with interest, "Then what deficiencies does Brother Pu think Lord Wang has in terms of army building?"

"Follow me." Pu Guanshui had been chatting with Chen Ke about everything these days and knew Chen Ke indeed had real stuff. He took Chen Ke into a big tent randomly. The light inside the tent wasn't too bright, and the camp beds were arranged quite orderly. In the tent, at the position equivalent to where the grand armchair would be placed in a room, there was a memorial tablet. Chen Ke looked carefully; it was Yuan Shikai's "Longevity and Prosperity Tablet."

"Does just this one barracks have it?"

Chen Ke asked knowingly.

"How is that possible? Every barracks has it. The Beiyang Army is now Lord Yuan's private army, not a regular army at all. Everyone drills desperately just to get promoted and get rich. If the Beiyang New Army goes on like this, how can it defeat foreign armies?"

"I see the Beiyang Army is full of vigor and vitality," Chen Ke laughed.

"Wenqing is joking again." Pu Guanshui had known Chen Ke for less than ten days, but he knew very well Chen Ke didn't mean this sincerely. "My evaluation of the Beiyang Army now is just two words—twilight air (decay)."

The Beiyang Army, evaluated as having "twilight air" by Pu Guanshui, had already scared Pang Zi and the other heroes. Pu Guanshui privately took Chen Ke and the others to watch the drill. On a small high ground, they could faintly see galloping warhorses and long military formations in the distance. Chen Ke didn't feel much. Using Pu Guanshui's binoculars to look, it looked much better than the modern "line infantry execution." But spotting a few trenches extending straight almost to the horizon, Chen Ke was speechless. He didn't know if the Beiyang Army found it troublesome during the exercise and refused to dig according to the modern trench mode, or if the Beiyang Army was simply at this level.

Handing the binoculars to Pang Zi, Chen Ke asked Pu Guanshui, "Digging the trenches so straight, aren't they afraid that if a real war breaks out and a shell falls in, it will immediately blow up many people?"

"Does Wenqing see it this way too?" Pu Guanshui asked excitedly.

"Europe has always attached importance to artillery. Judging from the present, the density of artillery will inevitably reach an unprecedented density in the near future. During the Franco-Prussian War, the army still relied on mobility. At that time, the artillery fire coverage density wasn't high. Now military equipment changes with each passing day; soldiers' charges must brave artillery fire coverage several times, dozens of times, or even hundreds of times denser than before. Digging trenches like this is simply child's play."

"It's not just artillery; there are many changes." Hearing Chen Ke understand military affairs so well, Pu Guanshui immediately felt he had found a confidant.

"You mean the Maxim heavy machine gun?" Chen Ke laughed.

"Worthy of having studied in both Europe and America." Pu Guanshui praised. "I told Wenqing that I am not reused in the Beiyang Army either, just made responsible for translating foreign military works. So, when I have nothing to do, I also design some tactics myself. With long-range artillery in the rear and artillery troops on the position. Plus firepower points equipped with a large number of Maxim heavy machine guns on the trenches, regarding current infantry charges, as many as come will die. Even cavalry group charges can't gain an advantage."

"Cavalry group charge?" Hearing this statement, Chen Ke couldn't help laughing.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Pu Guanshui asked.

Chen Ke knew that during World War I, Russia once played a cavalry group charge against the German-Austrian coalition forces. Then it became a big joke. He laughed, "I just think Brother Pu is very right. I don't even need infantry defense; as long as I set up a very large depth formation, with various heavy machine gun firepower points arranged in layers. Let the cavalry charge in, and use artillery to block the infantry's follow-up. Heavy machine guns against cavalry, that is a massacre."

"Brother Wenqing, have you really not attended a military academy?"

"I have some friends who are from military academies. We also discuss these things when drinking. Listening to them tell me this, I think it's very correct."

"Are they Chinese?" Pu Guanshui asked somewhat excitedly.

"Foreigners."

Hearing Chen Ke's words, Pu Guanshui sighed in disappointment.

Hearing Chen Ke and the others talk about military affairs, Pang Zi watched the Beiyang Army exercise below with an ashen face. At this time, the binoculars had been snatched away by Wu Xingchen. He muttered in a low voice, "Enemy advances, we retreat..." Just after muttering a few words, he felt a severe pain in his lower back. Turning his head, he saw Wu Xingchen glaring at him; that punch just now was from Wu Xingchen. Before coming to see the exercise, Chen Ke had talked about the essence of guerrilla warfare—the "Sixteen Character Mantra" (Enemy advances, we retreat; enemy camps, we harass; enemy tires, we attack; enemy retreats, we pursue).

Pang Zi had fought with the Beiyang Army. He knew the Beiyang Army's formidability very well. Thinking of the teams of thousands or tens of thousands of people back then being beaten to pieces by the Beiyang Army, and then looking at the fully armed, strictly disciplined troops in the binoculars, as well as the indistinct artillery positions farther away, Pang Zi just felt his whole body stiffen. Back then, so many people couldn't beat the Beiyang Army. Now Pang Zi hadn't raised a team at all and was simply not an opponent for these Beiyang troops. Just seeing these scenes, he felt cold in his heart and even breathing became difficult.

But Pang Zi was just like this; knowing he couldn't win, he refused to admit defeat verbally. Hearing Pu Guanshui talk about military affairs, he couldn't help but say the lessons Chen Ke had taught to embolden himself. Fortunately, under Chen Ke's instruction, Wu Xingchen had been paying close attention to staring at Pang Zi and the others. Finding Pang Zi starting to talk nonsense, Wu Xingchen immediately took action to stop him.

Perhaps after seeing so many people, Pang Zi looked at Wu Xingchen again and didn't find him that scary anymore. He glared and curled his lip, wanting to argue. Wu Xingchen didn't say much, just raised the binoculars to continue watching the Beiyang Army. Pang Zi finally had basic rationality and didn't continue speaking.

"Then after Brother Pu arrives in Anhui, how do you plan to train the Anhui New Army? That place can't compare to here. The Beiyang Army uses new-style equipment; I'm afraid the Anhui New Army isn't even equipped with Hanyang Rifles, let alone artillery," Chen Ke asked. Pu Guanshui had told Chen Ke that he was about to be transferred to serve in the Anhui New Army. The document had already been issued; this parade music errand was his last task in the Beiyang Army.

"Then we have to rely on infantry tactics. I've been thinking about how infantry should attack flexibly in the face of such firepower. If it's a frontal fierce battle, there is definitely no future," Pu Guanshui sighed.

"Therefore, the martial artists of Qi cannot encounter the military soldiers of Wei; the military soldiers of Wei cannot encounter the elite soldiers of Qin; the elite soldiers of Qin cannot withstand the control of Huan and Wen; the control of Huan and Wen cannot oppose the benevolence and righteousness of Tang and Wu," Chen Ke responded. These weren't just pretty words from Chen Ke. When he was very young, Chen Ke also fantasized about possessing supreme martial arts and slaughtering invaders with special forces equipment. At that time, Chen Ke had calculated very seriously how long it would take him alone to kill an infantry division of enemies. Later, he fantasized again about being a supreme sniper, showing great power on the battlefield, killing people as easily as taking things out of a bag.

But with the growth of age and knowledge, Chen Ke knew that was just his beautiful fantasy. The power of one person counts for nothing in the face of the power of an organization. In the final analysis, the political system is the most important.

This was the content of Xunzi's "On Military Affairs"; Pu Guanshui had read it. Seeing Chen Ke's solemn expression, he laughed. "Wenqing, I am not someone who applies Western learning to Chinese substance."

"Now those so-called 'Western learning for practical application,' this 'application,' is merely loyalty to the court's existing system. That naturally won't work. But my magnificent Chinese civilization is not just this little trivial skill of the Manchu Qing. Brother Pu must not be mistaken."

Although Pu Guanshui came from an official background, having seen so many things of the Manchu Qing forfeiting sovereignty and humiliating the nation during his growth, and having studied in a military academy overseas, plus not being ambiguous after returning to China and refusing to be loyal to Yuan Shikai personally, he wasn't doing well in the Beiyang Army. He didn't have any personal hostility towards the Manchu Qing, but regarding loyalty, he basically had none. Hearing Chen Ke's words, Pu Guanshui nodded. "I wonder if the ancient sages could rise from the underground, could they save China?"

Chen Tianhua listened to the two discussing military affairs but couldn't interrupt. He didn't really want to fight for the binoculars with the other heroes. At this moment, he thought of Chen Ke's suggestion to build a glass factory in the school. If the glass factory was built, presumably it could produce binoculars. Marching and fighting without binoculars would be too inconvenient. Regarding military affairs, although Chen Tianhua had his own ideas, Pu Guanshui was a German military academy student, and Chen Ke was a transmigrator from the 21st century; their military knowledge was far higher than his. Because the other party could understand, their conversation was concise and comprehensive. To Chen Tianhua, it was confusing and he didn't understand the inside story at all. When the two talked about politics, Chen Tianhua couldn't help interrupting, "Brother Pu, since the world today is not the flourishing age hoped for by the sages, let's build one with our own hands. You are also versed in both civil and military affairs; why be so depressed?"

Hearing these words, Pu Guanshui turned his head. Although his relationship with Chen Ke was getting better and better, he hadn't dealt much with Chen Tianhua and the others. At any rate, everyone had exchanged names. He smiled, "Brother Xingtai is right. I just stayed overseas and know the gap between Europe and China. Seeing the court not thinking of making progress now, I have this sigh."

"I wonder if Brother Pu has read Wenqing's book?" Chen Tianhua asked.

"Wenqing has also written books?" Pu Guanshui was greatly interested.

"A few humble opinions. When we return to Beijing, I will give Brother Pu a set," Chen Ke replied.

"Then I'll wait to read it upon returning to the capital."

Just as they were speaking, two horses galloped up from the foot of the mountain; they were two scouts. The two quickly arrived in front of everyone. After seeing Pu Guanshui's military uniform clearly, the scouts dared not speak.

Pu Guanshui knew that his group watching here must have been noticed. He shouted to the two scouts, "We are going down immediately; you go back first."

"I wonder how to address the Commander? We can also go back and report." The scout asked somewhat timidly, but since he had come up, going back without asking clearly would make it impossible to explain.

"Brother Wenqing, you go down the mountain and wait for me first. I'll go with them and come back." After speaking, Pu Guanshui mounted his horse and galloped down the mountain. The two scouts followed Pu Guanshui.

Pang Zi and the others also wanted to mount their horses. Chen Ke shouted, "Lead the horses down the mountain." After speaking, he took the lead in implementing this order himself.

"Wenqing, do you plan to bring this Brother Pu into the Party?" Chen Tianhua followed and asked.

"I have this intention. But this kind of thing can't be rushed."

Just as they were speaking, Wu Xingchen also leaned over and asked, "Wenqing, since we are going to Anhui, and this Brother Pu is also going to Anhui. Could it be Heaven's will?"

"No matter how good Heaven's will is, it depends on human effort. Listen to Heaven's mandate, do human effort." Chen Ke finished speaking and glanced at Pang Zi and the others behind who were still far away. He whispered, "Brother Wu, watch Brother Pang and the others. I brought them to gain knowledge. If they are just scared and learn nothing in the end, then this trip would be too pity."

"Wenqing, are you worried about me?" Wu Xingchen asked straightforwardly.

"You are questioning that I don't trust comrades."

"That's right. Wenqing, I also know my performance isn't that reliable. But after getting along with Pang Zi and the others for this period, regarding you, Wenqing, I am now convinced. I want to hold a Party meeting."

According to the People's Party discipline, wherever there are three Party members, a Party meeting must be held. Chen Ke was quite happy that Wu Xingchen raised such a request. "Then find a time today and find a safe place."

Everyone went down the mountain and waited for a good while before Pu Guanshui hurried back. He looked a bit excited. "Brother Wenqing, tonight we are going to play the parade march in public. Let's hurry back and rehearse."

At night, Chen Ke and the others, as outsiders, were naturally inconvenienced to participate in the Beiyang Army's affairs. Pu Guanshui arranged for them in a tent in a corner of the barracks. It seemed this Party meeting couldn't be held. Unexpectedly, Wu Xingchen looked around first to see no one, and after returning, he said solemnly to Pang Zi, "Third Brother, are you convinced now?"

Pang Zi didn't speak. But Wu Xingchen didn't mean to let Pang Zi off. "Third Brother, I said at the time that Wenqing is not an ordinary person. Now you have seen the Beiyang military formation. Are you convinced?"

Before coming here, Chen Ke explained the basic concepts of People's War and some basic tactics to everyone. Facing a situation where military strength, equipment, and training were far superior to the rebel army, the rebels must turn themselves into the people's army and develop and grow where the enemy's strength is weakest. At that time, Pang Zi was very unconvinced, thinking he was a local snake and not afraid of any Beiyang strong dragon. It wasn't that Wu Xingchen hadn't scolded him before; at that time, Pang Zi was still stubborn. But today, after just such a short observation, his arrogance disappeared completely.

"You big man, speak up." Wu Xingchen forced the question.

Pang Zi gritted his teeth and said with a gloomy face, "Mr. Chen, I, Pang Zi, was wrong. Where I wronged you before, I apologize here."

"Bastard!" Wu Xingchen was furious. "Wenqing talks about you, and you are still unconvinced? Do you think Wenqing has other intentions? Hmph! If he had other intentions, it would be like the Manchu Qing cheating us back then, only praising how capable and useful you are. If not for your own good, why would Wenqing say so many things you don't like to hear? You cursed Wenqing several times; has Wenqing ever held it against you?"

Pang Zi's face turned red and white from Wu Xingchen's scolding, but he just stiffened his neck and stopped making a sound, putting on a look of a dead pig not afraid of boiling water. Wu Xingchen was so angry that he raised his fist to hit him. The Shandong brothers beside him immediately held Wu Xingchen back. The Shandong hero named Chai Qingguo complained, "Third Brother, speak up. Big Brother Wu is also doing it for your own good. If you have anything to say, say it straight. Is there anything between brothers that can't be said openly?"

Pang Zi held it in for a while. Under everyone's gaze, he finally opened his mouth and said, "Mr. Chen is not one of our own. Although what he said is correct, I just can't serve him as master."

Hearing this, Wu Xingchen was stunned. Chen Tianhua had a slightly disappointed look. The other few Shandong heroes seemed to agree a bit. But they heard Chen Ke laugh, "Brother Pang is right. Indeed, you shouldn't serve me as master."