You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 377 When Allies Are in Trouble, Take It Steadily

Fengtian City, South Gate.

The wind was biting cold, and snowflakes were dancing in the air.

"Drive~"

Four scouts returned from the Liaoxi Corridor. The riders were all dressed in thick clothes, with only their eyes showing, and they were panting heavily.

He looks like a particularly hardworking member of the Eight Banners!
The scouts rushed to the palace.

"Your Excellency, we have learned that the Sichuan Green Standard Army suffered severe frostbite and casualties along the way, and is currently resting in Guangning. They are no longer able to advance."

Jiang Qingyun was secretly delighted.

"Where is Shang Kexi's Tianyou Army?"

"The Tianyou Army has reached Jinzhou, and there are very few cases of frostbite."

Jiang Qingyun was slightly disappointed, but not surprised. The Tianyou Army was an army with rich experience in winter marches, and it had a large number of officers from Liaodong.

"Where is Li Dingguo's army?"

"The Prince of Jin's army took refuge in Daheishan Fort to rest and recuperate, and his soldiers suffered severe frostbite and casualties."

"Is it more serious than the DPP's situation in Sichuan?"

"Yes."

"Order that the Shengjing army return south immediately tomorrow morning to rescue our allies."

"As ordered."

……

Messengers ran throughout the city, conveying the Grand Secretary's order to set off.

The whole city is boiling!

New Army Garrison.

A group of officers from the Zhili Green Standard Army rushed over.

"Listen up, you little rascals! We are here on the orders of Governor-General Chiang to inspect your military uniforms for tomorrow's march."

"Everyone must have two pairs of leather boots, one pair to wear and one pair as a spare."

"Stuff your boots with lots of Ula grass, stuff them thickly. When you camp at night, the first thing you should do is dry your boots."

"Ears, fingers, and toes are the easiest things to lose in Liaodong. When marching, pay more attention to them. If you can't feel them, you have to find a way to keep warm."

"Within fifteen minutes, everyone must be fully dressed. We'll check you. Don't be careless; the snowstorms in Liaodong are more terrifying than the enemy's swords and spears!"

Although the new army did not understand why, they kept it in mind.

Everyone quickly donned their protective gear.

These officers, who came from Liaodong, inspected everything meticulously, from boots and earmuffs to gloves and weapons, leaving no stone unturned.

"Your shoes and socks are too tight, you bastard!"

"How can your ears be sticking out? They'll fall off before we even get to Guangning."

"Your boots are wet inside? Damn it! Go dry them right now, or I'll chop you up with a knife. You won't live more than ten days anyway."

The officers kept roaring.

……

The next day.

The army officially set off.

Everyone was wrapped up from head to toe.

The old guards were the most composed. They were quite comfortable riding their horses. They knew that as long as they didn't encounter a snow disaster, as long as they had sufficient supplies, and as long as they were properly defended, winter marching was not a big deal.

Our ancestors still managed to wage war in this kind of weather.

Nowadays, the daily travel distance is a mere 40 li (approximately 20 kilometers).
When friendly forces are in trouble, we remain calm and composed.

The old Banner Guards led the way, followed by the Zhili Green Standard Army, with the New Army in the middle.

The march proceeded in an orderly manner.

When camping at night, the soldiers would warm themselves by the fire and check each other for frostbite. Frostbite is different from other injuries; it doesn't cause pain, and if it's discovered, amputation may be the only option.

After catching up with their allies, the new army realized just how terrible frostbite could be.

……

Guangning.

lifeless.

After entering the city, the Banner Guard quickly began providing medical treatment, promptly identifying soldiers with frostbite and arranging them separately according to three levels: severe, moderate, and minor.

The wounded soldiers' camp was unprecedented in its size.

There weren't enough military doctors, so veteran soldiers and old Liaodong soldiers all stepped up to fill in.

Li Guoying, the Governor-General of Sichuan, looked disheveled and bewildered.

He stopped an old soldier.

"What do you mean by drawing a circle on his leg with a calligraphy brush?"

"The leg is useless, amputate it from here."

"Are you a doctor?" "No."

"You dare to treat people? He's the most valiant swordsman and shield bearer in the Sichuan military command."

Helpless, the veteran pulled out his food-eating knife and poked the wounded soldier's leg.

"Do you feel it?"

The wounded soldier shook his head, his eyes filled with terror. He couldn't understand how he could feel no pain after being stabbed in the leg.

Li Guoying felt dizzy and leaned against the wall.

Great!
We were careless during the winter march!
The casualties were heavy.
……

"Get out of the way!"

Li Guoying turned around and saw that it was Grand Secretary Jiang Qingyun who had arrived. He was walking hurriedly, taking off his signature black cloak, checking one wounded soldier's leg and staring at another's ear.

"How could this happen? How could this happen?"

"What are your Sichuan Green Standard Army quartermasters doing? Neglecting their duties, drag them out and behead them!"

"When marching in winter, keeping warm is the top priority."

"Li Guoying, as the Governor-General of Sichuan, don't you feel ashamed to see your brothers become disabled?"

Faced with her boss's accusations, Li Guoying was stunned and knelt down, weeping bitterly.

"I am guilty, I have failed my brothers."

Jiang Qingyun's eyes were red-rimmed and her lips were trembling.

"Proclaim to the three armies that they must exert their utmost effort and provide the best resources to treat the Sichuan brothers who have suffered frostbite. Save as many as you can; they are all meritorious subjects of the United Empire."

The wounded soldiers wept bitterly.

The prime minister also cried.

An indescribable sense of sadness enveloped Guangning.

After leaving the wounded soldiers' camp, Jiang Qingyun suddenly stopped and stared at a passing New Army soldier.

"You, stop."

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Grand Secretary."

"Your running movements seem a bit sluggish. Do you have frostbite on your feet?"

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, I am fine."

"Take off your boots."

"Yes."

Chen Fu dared not delay and immediately took off his boots and socks. The slightly pale skin on the soles of his feet said it all.

"Asshole."

Jiang Qingyun roared again, and even grabbed some snow to scrub Chen Fu's feet hard.

Those around were stunned. A doctor from Liaodong, who was accompanying the army, hesitated to speak, looking embarrassed.

After rubbing his hands vigorously for several dozen breaths, the chief minister, who loved his soldiers like his own children, got up with satisfaction.

"Send them for treatment and keep them warm."

"As ordered."

Chen Fu was so moved that tears streamed down his face.

……

3 days later.

The statistics are out.

The Sichuan Green Standard Army suffered frostbite among 1500 soldiers, of whom more than 400 had limbs amputated and as many as 700 lost more than five fingers.

Chiang Kai-shek was shocked!
Tens of thousands of soldiers were shocked!

The governors and viceroys of the provinces were even more shocked!

The next day.

At a military conference attended by officers of guerrilla rank and above from Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, and Shandong provinces, Jiang Qingyun's furious roar made the snow fall from the rooftops.

"Outrageous! Outrageous!"

"This was an extremely serious accident. The warriors of the Empire did not die under the enemy's swords and spears, but fell because of the dereliction of duty by our own people."

Someone must be held accountable for this!

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jiang Qingyun shed tears.

“As the Grand Secretary, I bear the responsibility for failing to properly manage my subordinates. If anyone is to be held accountable, I should first hold myself accountable. I will fine myself 1 taels of silver and write an edict of self-reproach.”

The scene erupted in uproar; the officers were deeply moved, while the governors and viceroys were terrified!
Because~
The next second, Jiang Qingyun changed the subject:
"Li Guoying, you cannot escape the guilt of this matter. Effective immediately, you will temporarily serve as Governor-General with the title of Sichuan Provincial Treasurer, to observe your future conduct. Do you accept this?"

"This humble official accepts."

Li Guoying's back was covered in cold sweat.

Wang Fuchen suddenly looked up and met the chief minister's sinister gaze.

(End of this chapter)