The Empire will continue to win

"Shen Qing, I have been tossing and turning every night lately, do you know why?" The Empress Dowager was languid and her hair was disheveled, making it difficult for anyone to look directly at her.

"This humble servant dares to speculate that the Empress Dowager is worried about the war in Liaodong?"

"Sigh~ I don't know why, there haven't been any telegrams from Fengtian for several days in a row. I can't sleep at night, what if~"

"Your Majesty, there is something I wish to say, but I am unsure whether I should."

"Please feel free to speak."

"If there's no news, it must be bad news. But if we insist it's good news, then bad news will turn into good news."

"Could you please explain it more clearly?"

"I believe it is time to create a great deal of momentum. Let all the major newspapers report that the Empire, riding the wave of its great victory in Goryeo, intends to send troops to conquer Dong Sang Kingdom. Let the southeastern provinces contribute money and the northwestern provinces contribute troops. This is a matter of national righteousness, and the local areas will not dare to openly resist. I believe that for the central government, with this war, we can simultaneously pacify the internal and external strife, and win on both fronts."

The professor has a knack for winning!

Empress Dowager Cixi was quite tempted, but still couldn't make up her mind.

Fearing defeat, the Empress Dowager dared not win.

Shen Moqing had no choice; the enemy leader's bayonet would force him to make the decision to go to war.

.........

"Minister Shen, recently some people in the court have expressed reservations about the regency from behind the curtain."

"This humble servant believes that ruling from behind the curtain is wise and necessary. The two empress dowagers helped the emperor get on his horse, and they should continue to support him and keep an eye on him for a while longer so that the country can be stable."

The words have been spoken quite bluntly.

But that is precisely where Shen Moqing's brilliance lies.

Politics is everywhere.

In reality, many people avoid office politics, believing that as long as they do their job well, they will be promoted as long as they achieve results. They never take the initiative to contact their leaders or express their loyalty to them.

Little did you know that such behavior was seen as "uncontrollable" by your superiors. They didn't know whose side you would stand on in critical moments, or whether you would be on the same side as them after you were promoted.

Therefore, we need to speak clearly and stand firmly on our side.

Actively participating in office politics is actually letting your superiors know whose side you are on, which side you're on, who you're willing to stand up for, and whose interests are tied to yours.

This is called "controllable".

These problems cannot be identified without struggle.

The neutral faction, which never participates in the struggle, is essentially saying: I don't take sides, I don't choose sides, and I don't want to get involved in your feuds.

Okay then, if you don't choose a side, the side won't choose you either.

No matter how much the neutrals do, they will always be marginalized and excluded from the table.

Only through struggle can one get a seat on the table.

Only after the cake is served can one participate in the discussion about cutting it.

The office is a game of power and interests; unless you avoid the office altogether, you can't escape it. You either manipulate others or get manipulated.

Without struggle, one cannot sit at the table.

If you can't sit at the table, you'll always be eating what others leave behind.

.........

This heartfelt conversation had a remarkable effect.

Like a knife piercing butter, like a hot iron being poured into butter, even through a layer of bright yellow gauze curtain, one could glimpse the Empress Dowager's delighted expression, and her words became even more gentle.

The psychological distance between the emperor and his subjects has been further narrowed.

"At last night's banquet, my sister, the Emperor, Prince Gong, and I discussed your appointment. Prince Gong had a good impression of you, but felt you were still inexperienced and suggested sending you to lead a seasoned and capable leader. My sister, the Crown Prince, said you were crude and arrogant, and more suitable to be a military officer on the front lines. When did you offend her?"

"I don't know, perhaps it's just a clash of personalities?"

"What do you mean?"

"Empress Dowager An is fond of comfort and ease, while Your Majesty is ambitious and enterprising. Therefore, Your Majesty appreciates me, understands me, and gives me important positions."

"How dare you! I must remind you, do not speak such nonsense outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation. If my sister hears this, even I cannot save you," the Empress Dowager said sternly.

"Your subordinate is mistaken."

It's just a matter of how to manage subordinates.

In the next sentence, the Empress Dowager's tone softened again.

"Shen Qing, Yanshan Heavy Industry has long been plagued by problems, and I know this perfectly well. After you go there, pick a few easy targets and make some achievements, and I will promote you vigorously. The military industry is not the best career path, so just use it as a transition."

"Thank you for your kindness, Empress Dowager."

The Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The emperor and his ministers had a deep and harmonious relationship, which brought them great joy.

.........

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, we went to the Liuqing Palace.

It was nearly noon when Shen Moqing left the Forbidden City.

The sun was scorching.

The wheels keep turning.

Sitting in the carriage, he carefully reviewed the content of today's audience with the emperor, lamenting that the emperor was ultimately young, immature in his methods, straightforward in his thinking, and shallow in his cunning; his only redeeming quality was his sharpness!

Emperor Xuanwu was eager to deliver a crushing blow to the Eastern Sang Empire and demonstrate his martial prowess.

But is it really that easy?

Having personally experienced the Battle of Busan, Shen Moqing would never think that way.

He vividly remembers that when the battle reached a stalemate, the bugle sounded and the Dongsang soldiers shouted "Banzai!" in unison, charging towards the barbed wire with their bayonets at the ready.

They were killed by rifles, by artillery shells, and by barbed wire, one after another.

One company was wiped out, and a second company immediately followed.

The infantry of Dongsang were even willing to risk being accidentally bombed by their own warships to rush to the foot of the city wall, plant explosives, and destroy the outer fortifications. Their fierce fighting spirit was unparalleled in the world.

Unfortunately, no one in the capital knew about it.

To kill the Japanese beasts, one must first have a long spear in hand.

For Shen Moqing, Yanshan Heavy Industry was not only the starting point of his official career, but also a fulcrum in the war.

Labeling, infighting, and following the right people.

Machine guns, mortars, and dreadnoughts.

He is skilled in both literary and martial arts.

The professor's ultimate goal was to lead an unprecedented social transformation, to make the Han people proud, and to make the empire stand at the top of the world.

.........

1,500 li away.

Liaodong, outside Jiuliancheng.

The Sixth Division of the Fengtian Army was ordered to garrison this area, with a force consisting of one infantry brigade, one artillery battalion, and one supply battalion.

The defending forces had repelled three enemy attacks. Although their casualties were not high, their ammunition was being depleted rapidly. To make matters worse, the railway had not yet reached Jiuliancheng, so ammunition transport relied entirely on mules and horses.

outside the city.

The Second Division of the Eastern Empire, also known as the Sendai Division.

The suicide squad is assembling!

Unlike other soldiers, those who signed up for the suicide squad wore white crossbands over their black uniforms, making them particularly conspicuous from a distance.

"The Division Commander has arrived!"

"Salute!"

Division Commander Nogi Maresuke, who treated his soldiers like his own children, walked to the front of the suicide squad and began his pre-battle speech:

"Brothers of the suicide squad, you must capture the enemy's artillery positions on the high ground west of Jiuliancheng, and if possible, try to seize their artillery as well. Fengtian Military Governor Ronglu boasted that Jiuliancheng was invincible. For this reason, my Second Division organized many attacks and sacrificed many comrades."

"Now, I am pleased to see that you are still full of fighting spirit. I know you are all prepared to shed blood on the battlefield. Now, let us head towards the Imperial Palace."

"Salute!"

At the end of August, a chilly wind was blowing in Liaodong.

The suicide squad members were filled with fervor, raising their rifles high, their eyes wide with anger, and filled with a desire to die a heroic death.

The officers surrounded Division Commander Nogi Maresuke as he saluted in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

The military band played a military song—"The Mongol Invaders."

There are more than 400 states and more than 100,000 cavalry enemies.

The national calamity is revealed in the summer of the fourth year of Hong'an

~