Chapter 547: Observation

"My lord, Wu Sangui is waiting outside. He has requested to go observe at the frontline combat battalion, but the Training and Guidance Department did not approve. He first went to see Lord Huang Side, and Lord Huang also refused him. Now he has come to seek an audience with you."

Chen Xin set down his brush and asked the adjutant before him, "What reason did the Training and Guidance Department give for not approving?"

"First, frontline combat could easily result in injury to Wu Sangui. Although they were told of the danger, if anything were to happen, it would be difficult to explain to Liaozhen. Second, Lord Huang believes the tactics would be learned and taken back by Liaozhen."

Chen Xin thought for a moment and said, "Have him come in."

A moment later, Wu Sangui entered Chen Xin's main tent. His fair face carried a trace of pride, and the knife scar across his nose added to his masculinity. "Lord Chen, ever since this subordinate arrived in Liaonan, I have been accompanied by officers designated by the Training and Guidance Department, only observing the marching and drills of the Dengzhou army from a distance. This subordinate wishes to go see inside the combat battalions. At the time, Lord Chen also said this subordinate could observe the tactical drills, but the Training and Guidance Department has never arranged it."

Chen Xin looked at Wu Sangui and smiled. "Changbo, it would perhaps be somewhat inappropriate for you to go to the front lines."

Wu Sangui raised a hand, about to speak, but Chen Xin raised his own hand to cut him off. "Changbo, a young hero, is naturally unafraid. But your journey here is not to go into battle and kill the enemy. Moreover, both Lord Wu and Lord Zu hold you in very high regard. Therefore, it is only reasonable that the Training and Guidance Department has this concern."

A look of disappointment appeared on Wu Sangui's face. He had come to Liaonan precisely to see how the real Dengzhou combat troops trained and fought. Having worked his way up the chain, Chen Xin was now the highest decision-maker in Dengzhou Garrison. If he still refused, Wu Sangui would have no choice but to follow the Training and Guidance Department's requirements.

Chen Xin smiled faintly and continued, "However, you may go observe the combat troop training on the ground. But there are certain requirements you must follow according to what the accompanying Training and Guidance Department officer says. First, you must obey orders while in the army. Second, you must not interfere with the command of our garrison's officers. Third, when battle is joined, you must return to the main army. Are you willing?"

The youthful expression resurfaced on Wu Sangui's face. He cupped his hands in salute, excited, and said, "This subordinate is willing in all respects. I thank Lord Chen."

Chen Xin took up his brush and swiftly wrote out a handwritten order, then handed it to Wu Sangui. "Give this to the adjutant outside the door. He will take you to find Huang Side to make the arrangements."

Wu Sangui accepted it, bowed once more in salute, and after stepping outside, unfolded the order and glanced at it. "Have Wu Sangui go to the Second Guards Battalion to observe. All other matters shall still be strictly enforced according to the rules for observers."...

"Observer Wu Sangui. Today you are to enter the battalion to observe. You are the first observer to enter a battalion and accompany the troops for observation. Per the Training and Guidance Department's requirements, no other military uniforms are permitted within the army. Starting today, you must change into the Dengzhou army uniform. Under the accompaniment of Lord Zhang, the Mobile Corps Commander serving as Advisor in the Training and Guidance Department, you will move with the Second Guards Battalion until the conclusion of this observation period."

Wu Sangui clasped his hands behind his back and nodded. The Guards training officer opposite him barked loudly, "Stand at attention. Answer 'Yes, sir!'"

A surge of anger rose in Wu Sangui's heart, but remembering how hard-won this opportunity was, he suppressed his temper, stood straight, and answered, "Yes, sir."

"Your answer must be loud, brief, and forceful. Don't be like a woman."

The officer turned to an accompanying Garrison Provost soldier. "Zhang Yougui!"

The soldier hoarsely howled at the top of his lungs, "Here!"

The officer said to Wu Sangui, "Just like that!"

Wu Sangui was startled by the soldier's howl. He found this kind of rule utterly ridiculous, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Wu Sangui had no choice but to patiently practice it several times, finally meeting the training officer's standard. Then he accepted a Dengzhou army uniform. After putting on the short jacket, he felt it looked much sharper than the long-style battle coat.

"Starting today, you will be accompanied by Garrison Provost soldier Zhang Yougui and enter the Second Company Command of the Second Guards Battalion to observe. The Second Guards Battalion once repelled a five-thousand-strong army personally led by the Jianzhou Chieftain at Caohebao with only four hundred men. It has three recipients of Dengzhou's highest medal. Battalion Commander Zhong Caisheng killed one of the three Great Beile of the Jianzhou Bandits, Manggultai, at Zhubokou. Deputy Battalion Commander and Commander of the Second Company Command, Zhu Feng, was the commanding officer at the Battle of Caohebao. The other officers have also campaigned for many years. Eighty percent of the soldiers hold literacy certificates. All are warriors of our Dengzhou Garrison. Today, you wear the uniform of Dengzhou Garrison and bear the armband of the Second Guards Battalion. You are a member of the Second Battalion. I hope you will not bring shame upon the Second Battalion."

After the officer finished speaking, he left. Hearing this, Wu Sangui actually felt a bit daunted in his heart, for the battles of Caohebao and Zhubokou were renowned. He had not heard much of Zhu Feng, but the name Zhong Caisheng was like thunder in his ears. Although he was extremely self-assured, upon hearing the name Zhong Lao Si, he still felt a sense of admiration.

Wu Sangui touched the large lapel of his military uniform. After buckling the leather belt, he looked very imposing, and a strange feeling arose in his heart.

The accompanying Zhang Yougui came over and said loudly, "Observer Wu, today there is combat troop battle training. If you hurry, you can see it."

"Then let's go quickly!"...

On the west side of Wo'erpu, the Second Guards Battalion had just completed an oblique formation drill. Each company was separately conducting post-training summaries and evaluations. The Dengzhou army already followed a modern army training model. The combat troops maintained daily training, just like the standing armies of Europe at this time. Even during gaps in combat, they seized the time for intensive training to maintain the army's discipline and condition.

"Everyone remember today's process. When our company command serves as a strong flank, we should use company line formations as the front. Our command's four companies will engage the enemy first in column formation, while the other two company commands engage in line formation. After our command routs the enemy directly before us, we will continue to maneuver in column. If the enemy has a strong reserve force behind their battle line, then we will conduct flanking attacks along the enemy line. If we encounter a large enemy reserve force, the column will deploy into line formation for battle, fully utilizing firepower... The most important thing is the first volley. No one fires before the officer gives the order. If I haven't called to fire, even if some bastard next to you misfires, you cannot fire. Otherwise, my military law shows no mercy..."

The company Tang Wei belonged to sat on the ground in a circle, listening to the company commander's lecture. Tang Wei felt somewhat bored and was randomly drawing shapes on the ground with small stones. He thought that these command matters only needed to be understood by officers above the squad leader level and had little to do with soldiers. He only needed to carry out the officer's verbal commands or signals. Beside the company commander stood an unfamiliar young officer, seemingly with a guard. Tang Wei had never seen him before, but he didn't mind; he didn't recognize many of the battalion headquarters staff officers.

"Private First Class Tang Wei!" A sudden shout rang out.

Tang Wei reflexively jumped up and stood at attention. "Here!"

Guan Dadi walked over cheerfully. "At ease."

Tang Wei let out a breath, switched to a smiling face, and said, "Sergeant Major Guan, what's got you so happy?"

Guan Dadi lowered his voice. "Zhong Lao Si told me. He's already submitted the list to the Military Affairs Department. Li Donghua said that after this battle, they'll expand the troops again. By then, I'll at least be a squad leader."

Tang Wei's face was full of joy. "Then congratulations, Brother Dadi."

"You must earn merit this time. Your literacy and arithmetic are both good. You're bound to become an officer in the future."

Tang Wei scratched his head. "Me, I won't be an officer. I'm the only child in my family. If I die, there'll be no one to support my parents."

Guan Dadi looked at Tang Wei with regret. "That's a shame. But you can get land in central Liao. You can bring your parents over then."

"I'm not taking land either. My parents definitely won't want to come to Liaodong. My family has been in Aoshan Guard for generations. I'll just go home and run some small business."

Guan Dadi patted Tang Wei on the shoulder. "Then after the war, you'll be going back to Aoshan Guard. My family might be in Liaodong in the future. Who knows how long before we see each other again. Thanks for helping me pass the literacy exam."

Tang Wei heard this and asked in surprise, "Your whole family is coming to Liaodong?"

"That's right. My little brother says Liaodong has a large population. Later, many settler households will be moved here. He's planning to bring our mother along to Liaodong. With my mother here, I'll have to follow. After I'm discharged in the future, I'll farm the land and see my mother to her final rest."

"Maybe my little sister will have to come along too."

"This, this, um. Actually, I could come to Liaodong too. Brother Dadi, look. We hit it off the moment we met. I've been alone since I was little. I had an older brother and an older sister above me, but neither survived. When I see you, Brother Dadi, I feel especially close. From now on, you're my big brother."

Guan Dadi burst out laughing and clapped Tang Wei heavily on the shoulder. "I feel close to you too. From now on, I'll recognize you as my little brother. Sworn brotherhood is forbidden in the army. We'll perform the ceremony after we're both discharged."

Tang Wei agreed repeatedly. After chatting and smiling for a while, he probed, "Didn't you say Little Sister Guan was being transferred to Liaodong? I wonder if she's arrived yet. During wartime like this, she should stay in Dengzhou where it's safer. I don't know what the Military Affairs Department was thinking."

"She's here. I saw her at the camp gate just now. This afternoon we're even watching their drama troupe perform."

"Ah! That's wonderful!"...

"Father, don't die!"

On the stage, Little Sister Guan threw herself beside a white-haired old man, wailing bitterly. Several Tatars dressed as Later Jin soldiers approached. One of them laughed heartily and said, "What right does a Nikan have to eat the grain of our Great Jin? Dying is just right. Today we shall eat his flesh."

A Tatar soldier beside him said loudly, "Master, this old one doesn't taste good. The young girl's flesh is more tender."

"I'll fuck your mother!" A burly man leaped up from among the soldiers sitting in rows below and was about to charge onto the stage. Two Garrison Provost soldiers maintaining order swiftly grabbed him, loudly reprimanded him, and made him sit back down.

There was a slight commotion below the stage. Tang Wei acted as if he heard nothing, staring intently at Little Sister Guan on the stage without blinking.

Xie Fei's voice said beside him, "Fatty, the Provosts are way more effective now than before. If it had been like this earlier, the two of us wouldn't have taken so many beatings."

"Too beautiful!" Tang Wei murmured.

Xie Fei tilted his head to glance at Tang Wei, then shook his head. "Love-struck fool."

Curses continuously rang out from below the stage, with the young soldiers being the most agitated. Various slogans were shouted incessantly. The play on stage was about the common people abducted in Beizhili. Due to the necessary exaggeration in propaganda, the Jianzhou Bandits were particularly vilified. Tang Wei, having come from the propaganda team, was very familiar with these methods. His attention was not on watching the play at all.

The play soon finished. The abducted commoners met miserable fates. The soldiers on the scene were seething with righteous indignation. The training officers led the soldiers in shouting slogans. Tang Wei raised his fist a few times along with them, his eyes still searching for Little Sister Guan on the stage.

After the agitation finally concluded, each company prepared to march back to their encampment. Their camp was on the west side of the official road, about three li from Wo'erpu. The drama troupe's performance had taken place inside the camp, so the soldiers did not have to walk far.

As Liu Liu ordered the formation to fall in, Tang Wei saw Guan Dadi walking toward the back of the stage and immediately shouted loudly, "Reporting!"

"Speak."

"I'd like to request half a shichen of leave."

"Reason."

Tang Wei raised his head and said, "There's an old comrade of mine in the troupe. I want to go see him."

Liu Liu thought for a moment, then agreed. Liu Liu knew Tang Wei very well — this squad leader from the Dongjiang army valued comradeship above all else, and using this reason was the easiest way to get leave.

Tang Wei immediately stepped out of formation and sprinted to the backstage of the troupe. When he reached the outside of the actors' tent, he heard Guan Dadi's voice coming from inside: "Little Sister, just before we set out from Jinzhou, Mother wrote to say the Xu family came to propose marriage." (To be continued...)