Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 153 Meeting an Old Friend Part

ps: Thanks to Xiao Erbi and Yunhai Shuyou Shi Tongzhou for their support!

Chen Xinggui was just a minor figure in history. The reason why he was able to leave his name in history was because he had a promising son, Chen Youren. Chen Youren was educated abroad since childhood. After the Revolution of 1911, he gave up his job as a lawyer in Britain and returned to China to serve. Later, he met Sun Yat-sen and became a famous diplomat in the Republic of China.

Chen Youren was born in 1875, and his father Chen Xinggui was still wandering in the Caribbean, and it would take him two or three years to marry Liang Xing's daughter.

Chen Xinggui escaped overseas and acted low-key and silent, making a living with the carpentry and barbering skills he had learned in the Heavenly Kingdom Middle School. Therefore, although his right leg was amputated and he could not work as a hard laborer, he still had food to eat thanks to his two skills.

Shortly after arriving in Jamaica, Chen Xinggui met Liang Xing, who had become a plantation owner. After several contacts, the two found that they had a common purpose and became good friends. Therefore, Chen Xinggui often helped Liang Xing deal with some business affairs.

The old friend in heaven was reunited, so Hou Taiyuan and Chen Xinggui set up a table outside the wooden house to have a meal and reminisce about the past.

At the wooden table, after listening to Chen Xinggui's wandering journey overseas, Hou Taiyuan felt the same way and was also glad for him.

Chen Xinggui had a skill and had the help of Liang Xing. Although life was hard, at least he survived safely. Unlike other Chinese workers who worked hard for several years, they ended up with their bodies left uncollected.

"Brother Chen, I heard that the battle that made you famous was the Battle of Wuchang?" After chatting for a while, Chen Sen suddenly asked.

"The Battle of Wuchang was won by the wise command of His Royal Highness the Eastern King, who led his brothers. I was just helping the brothers who were attacking the city, so I can't be considered to have any credit."

Chen Xingui said modestly.

"Brother Chen, you are too modest. I heard that you were the personal guard of the King of the East at that time. Before the attack on Wuchang, you volunteered to go to the front line, and relied on the carpentry skills you had learned since childhood to supervise the construction of a floating bridge. The army then landed on the city wall through the floating bridge and finally captured Wuchang. So Brother Chen played a big role in the capture of Wuchang."

"Building bridges and paving roads is a trivial skill, which cannot compare to our brothers in heaven fighting on the front lines."

"The army needs different branches of the military to win a war. The field troops are the main force, responsible for conquering the enemy's defenses, while the logistics, engineering, and military doctors provide various guarantees for the entire army, so that the entire army can exert efficient combat effectiveness.

Wars nowadays are not fought with swords and guns on the mainland, where we see which army is more fearless and wins. Instead, we fight with muskets, cannons, and ironclad ships. Without good weapons and equipment and complete ammunition supplies, victory cannot be achieved simply by relying on the numerical advantage of the troops. "

The weapons and equipment and soldier combat effectiveness of several South American countries such as Peru and Brazil were not as good as those of European powers, but the weapons they used and the military training their officers received were learned from the West. While fighting against them, the Chinese troops continued to win victories while also learning from their strengths. Then, based on the war concepts of later generations and the actual combat experience of the troops, they organized technical arms suitable for the current situation and improved the overall structure of the troops.

Chen Sen's sermon-like rebuttal was not intended to embarrass Chen Xinggui, but to find a position suitable for him.

The National Defense Army had an engineering corps. Since the establishment of the engineering corps, the position of the corps commander had been vacant. Chen Xinggui was familiar with wood manufacturing and had experience in building pontoon bridges and commanding battles, so it was most appropriate to arrange him as the engineering corps commander.

After Chen Sen finished speaking, he whispered something to Hou Taiyuan, who immediately understood: "Brother Chen, I first heard of your name during the Battle of Wuchang. At that time, many brothers knew that a brave and resourceful man had emerged in the Heavenly Kingdom. He was not only a strong warrior, but also the best at building bridges and paving roads."

"Hou Wu, you want me to continue building bridges and paving roads."

Chen Xinggui understood a little. "Brother Chen, I'm not asking you to do manual labor. The prince has an engineering corps under his command. Its main task is to clear the way for the troops to march, solve problems such as crossing rivers, crossing rugged mountains, and building defenses. You have experience in this area in the Heavenly Kingdom, so it's appropriate for you to be the head of the engineering corps."

"Hou Wu, I heard you say that a regiment has 700 to 800 people (after streamlining), and your current position is only equivalent to that of a regiment commander. If I go to South Rio Grande, will the prince give me a regiment to command?"

The engineering corps is a non-field force. In Chen Xinggui's impression, the military commander of a non-field force cannot compare with the commander of a field force of the same size. However, Hou Taiyuan led seven or eight hundred men to join Li Mingyuan and only got an rank equivalent to that of a regiment commander. How could a disabled person like him be reused as soon as he joined the army?
"Awarding positions based on merit is a military rule set by the Crown Prince for the National Defense Army. Brother Chen has just joined the National Defense Army, and being appointed as the head of a regiment without any military merit will cause dissatisfaction among other brothers." Chen Sen objectively explained the rules of the National Defense Army and continued, "Brother Chen will not immediately take up the position of head of the Engineer Corps when he arrives in Rio Grande do Sul, but His Royal Highness is wise and may arrange a slightly lower position for him, and then let Brother Chen manage the Engineer Corps as an acting officer, and then make him a regular employee after he has made achievements."

Chen Xinggui has agreed to return to Rio Grande do Sul with Hou Taiyuan, and he will not go back on his word. He feels relieved to be able to command an army in Rio Grande do Sul, even if it is not a field army.

Helping the army train soldiers is also a way to continue to use his abilities, but compared to commanding troops, he still prefers the latter.

Regimental-level officers are already high-ranking generals in the National Defense Force and do not have to go to the front line to fight. In addition, the Engineering Corps is a technical unit and seldom performs combat missions, so Chen Sen’s right leg amputation does not affect his command of the Engineering Corps.

The three of them discussed Chen Xinggui's future job arrangements. Liang Xing never said anything. After the three of them finished the discussion, Chen Xinggui felt that he had neglected his good friend.

He apologized, "I was so busy discussing the army's problems that I ignored Brother Liang. It's my fault."

"Brother Guixin, you are too polite. We have known each other for several years. You know my temper. I am not unreasonable. You are talking about military affairs. Even if you tell me, I will not understand."

Chen Xinggui is Hou Taiyuan's elder brother and close friend. He treats Liang Xing with respect, so Hou Taiyuan naturally will not neglect him.

"Brother Chen was stranded overseas and it was thanks to Brother Liang that he took care of him. I respect Brother Liang and would like to offer you a toast."

"General Hou is seriously ill. Brother Gui Xin and I have similar temperaments and interact with each other, so it can't be said that we take care of each other."

Liang Xing waved his hands quickly and did not accept Taiyuan's toast.

"Brother Liang, let's not talk too much between brothers. I will always remember your care for me."

A true man is one who is grateful and affectionate. Chen Xinggui adheres to the traditional loyalty of the Han people and will never forget those who have done him a favor. Otherwise, he would not have carried out the risky mission of protecting the young Heavenly King when the Heavenly Kingdom was about to perish.

"Hou Wu, bring some wine. I'll personally toast to Brother Liang!"

Hou Xinggui took the wine and respectfully poured two cups, handing one bowl to Liang Xing and holding the other bowl with both hands.

He said solemnly: "Brother's kindness is all in the wine, I will drink first as a sign of respect!"

Chen Xingui raised his head and put a large bowl of wine into his mouth, while Liang Xing did not say a word and drank the wine in the bowl.

(End of this chapter)