The Empire will continue to win

"Miao Peilin, Gong Zhaoyu, you two are not only comrades in the army but also fellow Anhui natives. How can you undermine each other?"

Shen Moqing was exasperated:

"Get out! Both of you get outside and run 10 laps. From now on, anyone who dares to do this again will be shot."

"Yes."

The two did not argue and went downstairs one after the other.

.........

"Wang Wu, what have you done this time?"

Shen Moqing was very familiar with the resumes of the previous four officers; they were all historical figures. However, he knew little about Wang Wu's background. Could he be the legendary swordsman, Wang Wu?

There are too many people with the same name.

"This humble servant, Wang Wu, while on leave, intervened and injured some yamen runners who were collecting taxes in the countryside. The Baoding Prefectural Government intervened and negotiated with the school, demanding that this humble servant be severely punished. Therefore, this humble servant was given a low evaluation."

"Some yamen runners? Or just a few?"

"Eight."

"A brawl?"

"No. Both sides were quite restrained; it was just a physical exchange."

"What did the constables do?"

"They chopped up the ancestral tablets of those who owed money, filled in their wells, and even broke through their roofs. They were utterly depraved."

Shen Moqing observed closely and saw that this Wang Wusheng had broad shoulders and a thick back, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, regular features, and a square face, exuding a strong sense of justice.

"Wang Wu, from a human perspective, what you did was not wrong. But from a rule-based perspective, you were terribly wrong. As an army officer, publicly assaulting a police officer is, to put it bluntly, challenging the entire system."

"I accept the punishment, but I believe that helping the weak and punishing the strong is the duty of every human being."

Yuan Weiting shook his head inwardly.

Shen Moqing waved his hand and deliberately skipped over the matter.

.........

About half an hour later.

Two people from Anhui have returned.

Although Miao Peilin was sweating a lot, he remained calm and composed.

Gong Zhaoyu was in a much worse state, covered in sweat, panting heavily, and so exhausted that he couldn't even straighten his back.

Shen Moqing stood with his hands behind his back, his tone arrogant:

"Commander Li looks down on you, considering you troublemakers and the bottom five in the Baoding Army Academy, so he sent you to Yanshan Heavy Industry. But I, Shen Moqing, don't care about your past; all that has happened is forgotten. There are many ways to get ahead; the army isn't the only one."

Yuan Weiting, being extremely shrewd, immediately knelt on one knee: "From this day forward, I, Yuan, am willing to fight on the front lines for supervision!"

Shen Moqing waved his hand: "It's not that serious. I want you to organize militia training for the factory's employees. Be strict, strict, and even stricter."

Everyone looked at each other.

What's going on in this?

.........

Dorona: "Does Your Excellency intend to train a militia comparable to a regular army?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

The capital region is located under the emperor's nose.

Why are you conducting unauthorized military training? What are you trying to do?

Shen Moqing glanced at the impetuous Duolonga and waved his hands repeatedly:

"No, no, you misunderstood. This is a military factory, not an army. When I said 'as strict as possible,' I meant to set rules for the factory workers, not to improve their combat skills."

The crowd laughed.

Yes, who is Commander Li? How could he possibly get involved in such muddy waters?

"Yanshan Heavy Industry has long suffered from problems: undisciplined employees and chaotic management. Therefore, I intend to improve their work attitude through military training. Do you understand?"

"clear!"

energetic.

"Alright, from now on, we'll all be working together from the same pot. Gu Hongming, tell Shen Lian to make sure you get proper accommodations. Tonight, I'll host a welcome dinner for everyone."

Between men, there's nothing a drink can't solve.

If so, then let's have another round of drinking with courtesans.

If that still doesn't work, the only option is to kill them on the spot.

Everyone beamed with joy.

Miao Peilin, Duolonga, and Yuan Weiting exchanged glances repeatedly, their meaning clear: tonight, they would take turns pouring wine down the navy.

That night.

Even with Zhang Zongcang, Gu Hongming, and Shen Lian helping to fend off the drinks, Shen Moqing still got completely drunk. When he woke up the next day, he repeatedly marveled at the incredible stamina of those guys, including Lao Lu.

.........

one day.

Two days.

Three days.

After taking control of personnel, finance, and security, Shen Moqing implemented sweeping reforms at the gun factory, with remarkable results.

The gun factory, like an old clock that has been carefully calibrated and re-lubricated, is gradually regaining its vitality and keeping time.

At eight o'clock sharp, I went to work.

I leave work promptly at 5 PM.

They can rest for ten minutes every hour, where the workers can sit down to smoke and drink tea. There is also an hour for lunch.

.........

Every day, each workshop holds a 10-minute morning meeting to review the previous day's output and yield rate of each employee in the workshop, and write it on a small blackboard.

A factory-level production meeting is held every week.

During the lunch meeting, the workshop supervisors can report their progress to Shen Moqing at any time and raise any questions.

The person with the highest yield rate on the blackboard will receive a silver dollar as a reward.

The cumulative statistics cover one month.

The person with the lowest yield rate must temporarily leave the workshop, but retains their basic salary and attends a (technical) training course to listen to lectures from experienced workers.

Three months later, there will be another assessment.

Those who pass the assessment can return to the workshop to continue working; those who fail will be dismissed.

In addition, many punitive measures have been formulated:

If you are late once, half a silver dollar will be deducted from your monthly salary.

Three unexcused absences (including failure to meet production targets) will result in immediate dismissal.

One act of theft results in immediate dismissal.

day.

Armed militiamen guarded the factory gate, intercepting latecomers during work hours and searching for thieves after get off work.

night.

Armed militia patrol the factory area.

To avoid discouraging honest people, Shen Moqing specifically required all 1500 people in the General Affairs Department to participate in military training every day, otherwise it would be considered absenteeism.

.........

For seven consecutive days, Shen Moqing ate and slept in his office until someone from the Forbidden City suddenly summoned him to the palace for an audience. Only then did he carefully wash and change his clothes, and then ride in a carriage through Zhengyang Gate.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Yanxi Hall.

The Queen Mother of the West.

They were very familiar with the process.

As Shen Moqing passed by the telegraph office, he did not see the telegraph operator who loved wearing tall riding boots, and felt a little disappointed.

"This humble servant greets the Empress Dowager and wishes her eternal youth."

"Please take a seat."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

"Xiao Anzi, get out."

"Yes, sir."

An Dehai left Yanxi Hall with his tail between his legs, feeling wronged, but he didn't go far. Instead, he squatted outside and eavesdropped.

.........

Without the bright yellow gauze curtain, there is no barrier between the emperor and his subjects.

Shen Moqing raised his head and stared at the Empress Dowager sitting cross-legged on the kang. He recalled the decadent state of the country and the gloomy empire. His eyes instantly reddened and his throat became hoarse.

"The Empress Dowager has lost a lot of weight in the past two weeks."

"Yeah?"

Empress Dowager Cixi's heart raced, and she even reached out to touch her smooth face.

"Yes. Every time I have an audience with Your Majesty, I remember your face. It has only been half a month since I last saw you, and you have become so thin. Your Majesty, although state affairs are important, your health is even more important."

outside the house.

An Dehai's fists hardened upon hearing this.

My lord, why haven't you ordered this traitor to be chopped into pieces yet?! If this continues, he'll be dragging his pants down on the bed!