Republic of China: My great warlord, many children, many blessings.

In Li Yunlong's eyes, this was a sharpshooter.

Hit wherever you point.

On the firing range, seeing only one bullet hole in the bullseye, Li Yunlong exclaimed, "Commander, you're amazing! All the bullets went through just one hole!"

Shen Hao laughed and said, "Good luck, good luck!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei and the others were speechless.

One or two shots might be luck, but how could ten shots be considered luck?

Cheng Shuzhen was most annoyed by Shen Hao's modesty.

For the past two months, I've been practicing my marksmanship like crazy, but my progress has been very slow. However, Shen Hao's marksmanship has improved at an astonishing pace.

Every ten days brings a new hurdle, and you can definitely feel the qualitative improvement, which is somewhat frustrating.

Is there really such a thing as being exceptionally gifted?

Just then, a guard suddenly ran over.

"Reporting to the commander, President Yuan has called."

"read"

"Yes, sir."

"The parliamentary elections have begun, and I have recommended you for parliament, which has been approved."

On April 8th, the first National Assembly of Members officially convened in Beijing. Remember to attend this meeting.

After listening, Shen Hao showed no interest in the identity of the councilor.

This thing is useless.

Shen Hao recalls that the Kuomintang (KMT) had the most councilors.

When the time comes, during the meeting, they will definitely disregard Yuan Shikai's opinion and the meeting will still have to be dissolved.

It's just a formality.

However, since he had already said it, Shen Hao still had to go.

"Alright, continue practicing."

Now, the troops' formations look much more orderly.

They also practiced bayonet fighting quite well.

Having completed the obstacle course, Shen Hao glanced around and was quite satisfied. Although it was still far behind the military discipline of later generations, it was truly impressive for this era.

"Commander, it's lunchtime. Let's have a meal before we go. We've got wild boar meat again today," Li Yunlong said with a smile.

"Yes, Commander, we had quite a bit of game today. We even hunted a tiger. We've saved the tiger penis for you," Chu Yunfei said with a smile.

Shen Hao's face darkened. "Am I the kind of person who needs to eat tiger penis?"

"I won't eat. You can save the tiger penis for making medicinal wine. I'll head back now."

With that, he got into his bulletproof car and drove away.

　Looking at Shen Hao's car, Li Yunlong was truly envious; he was currently only riding a motorcycle tricycle.

"Didn't the division commander say we'd be given cars too? When will that happen?" Li Yunlong asked.

"You're overthinking it. The division commander only has two vehicles himself; there's no way he'd have any extra for you."

You know how expensive this thing is, it costs 40,000 yuan apiece, not including gas. Can you afford to maintain it?

Gasoline is a strategic resource, a rare commodity everywhere, even foreigners are stingy with it.

I believe my teachers wouldn't lie to me.

"Hmph, keep dreaming. I'm going to eat."

"Brother Yunfei, wait for me!"

In the military canteen, tens of thousands of people were getting their meals.

The moment the topic of food came up, these people got incredibly excited.

When they first came, they were all pale, thin, and malnourished, but now they are almost all rosy-cheeked and full of energy.

The food is good and nutritious.

After getting their food, the soldiers didn't even have time to talk; they just ate their steamed buns and worked hard, becoming the little vanguards of the rice-eating army.

Before they joined the army, they ate dark flour and sweet potatoes, but now they eat white rice, white steamed buns, and meat every day.

This is absolutely heavenly! Even the New Year couldn't be better.

The food in the military camp was so good that no one could believe it.

Just for the food, countless people in Guangdong Province would love to join Shen Hao's 18th Division. Unfortunately, there are limited spots available, and those over 35 are not accepted.

We do not accept people with physical disabilities or those who are too young.

Don't go to people who smoke opium either.

It can be said that the current source of recruits is very strong.

Today, all 20,000 people are in excellent physical condition; they are not only young but also obedient.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month has passed.

By February 22, 1913.

Shen Hao received another call from Yuan Datou.

Empress Dowager Longyu passed away ten minutes ago at Changchun Palace at the age of 46.

Upon receiving the telegram, Shen Hao was taken aback, only then realizing that this Empress Dowager Longyu was the eleventh empress of the Qing Dynasty.

Her husband was her cousin, Emperor Guangxu, and her aunt was Empress Dowager Cixi.

He has little presence in history; his only historical trace is probably the edict he issued to abdicate.

Of course, although she didn't have much of a presence, she was still the last empress of the Qing Dynasty, so she still had some influence.

The man had just died when Yuan Datou sent him the news, which shows that he was very devoted to his son-in-law.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Hao passed the message to Jin Ruizhi.

This woman has been bothering him every day for the past few days, wanting the news.

Shen Hao was speechless. Damn it, you run a newspaper, and you come to me for news.

When Jin Ruizhi received the news, she was so excited that she wanted to kiss Shen Hao twice.

He immediately ordered someone to write an article and publish it.

Shen Hao felt nothing about Empress Dowager Longyu's death; instead, he prepared to set off for Fengtian in Northeast China.

Last time, Zhang Zuolin asked him to come and propose marriage, and Shen Hao agreed, but he didn't have time to go.

This time, Zhang Zuolin once again urged Shen Hao to propose marriage as soon as possible in order to arrange a marriage.

155. Meeting Zhang Zuolin

Planning to go to Northeast China, Shen Hao sent a telegram to Zhang Zuolin.

The gist of it is that he will go to Northeast China to propose marriage in early March.

As for the betrothal gifts, Shen Hao felt that giving a Desert Eagle, plus 1 silver dollars, and some tiger-skin antiques would be about right.

A marriage alliance with Zhang Zuolin in Northeast China would benefit everyone.

Zhang Zuolin's primary objective was undoubtedly driven by political motives.

Shen Hao understood this as well.

Zhang Zuolin was willing to marry his daughter to him not only because he was the commander of the 18th Division, but also because of his connection with Yuan Shikai.

At present, Zhang Zuolin is only the commander of the 27th Division, and his status and rank are the same as Shen Hao's. Of course, everyone's next goal is to plan for the position of governor.

If you want this position, you need Yuan Shikai's approval; otherwise, your position is truly illegitimate.

Although Zhang Zuolin had his own motives, Shen Hao wouldn't mind.

Even without the marriage alliance, given Zhang Zuolin's shrewdness and ability, he would have become the governor of Fengtian and eventually gained complete control of the three northeastern provinces.

Moreover, Shen Hao himself married his daughter and received a good reward.

The death of Empress Dowager Longyu caused only a slight ripple in the country before disappearing from public view.

It was like a pebble dropped into a lake, instantly calming the water.

Now that it's the Republic of China, who still recognizes you as the Empress Dowager?

However, Yuan Shikai still gave him face and handled the funeral with the standards of a national mourning, burying him with Emperor Guangxu in the Chongling Mausoleum (Western Qing Tombs).

Because Empress Dowager Longyu, who ruled from behind the curtain, became the de facto supreme ruler and ultimate person responsible for the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Manchu nobles hated her to the core, and not a single Manchu minister, prince, or noble attended her funeral.

Not only did he not attend the funeral, but he also used the phrase "of the highest merit, a female Yao and Shun" in the newspaper to satirize her.

On February 25th, Shen Hao's cement plant was finally completed and began operation.