The Empire will continue to win

Chapter 106 Sister Nanyang and Miss Tangxing

Der Ling is getting closer and closer to herself.

"Report!"

"Come in."

"This is a copy of the telegram from the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Please check it and then sign here."

"Wait a moment."

Shen Moqing turned his head and said, "Editor-in-Chief Pan, go to the Ministry of Justice now and visit Lord Yuxian in my name. He has all the incriminating materials on Guiliang. I don't need to tell you how to write this article, do I?"

"Lord Shen, may I speak to you in private?"

in the corner.

"May I be so bold as to ask, is the impeachment of Guiliang the Empress Dowager's intention?"

What do you think?

"I think so?"

"The Empress Dowager's meaning is my meaning, and my meaning is the Empress Dowager's meaning. Editor-in-Chief Pan, don't ask such childish questions again, otherwise, I will start to doubt whether your status as a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in Xianning 15 years is genuine." Shen Moqing's expression gradually became fierce.

"Yes, yes."

"After this is done, I'll give you two acres from Guiliang's mansion. Is that enough?"

"That's enough, more than enough."

Pan Zuyin left happily.

He had it all planned out: he would build a garden on one acre and rent out the other. In the inner city, land was incredibly valuable, and he could collect a considerable amount of rent, which would serve as a way to enrich himself.

Intellectuals need money just as beautiful women need dew.

After seeing Lao Pan off.

Shen Moqing slowly flipped through the pages while stealing glances at Der Ling.

Starting today, telegrams sent from the Hall of Mental Cultivation shall be in duplicate, one copy for the Empress Dowager and one copy for the Professor.

Hmm, this girl's facial features aren't obviously mixed-race, but her figure is very clearly mixed-race; it's rare to find Han women this height in this era.

She could reach 170cm, while Der Ling's height including boots is at least 175cm. If she grows a little taller, she will catch up with her.

The Empress Dowager was only about 163 cm tall.

Women who are too tall will be ostracized; the Sky Tree in the Forbidden City is a perfect example.

"Please sit down."

"Yes."

In front of the young senior naval officer, Corporal Der Ling was not shy at all. She sat down without hesitation and even took off her military cap to reveal her hair in a bun.

After a while.

"Will you still go to the front lines?"

"Yes." Shen Moqing thought to himself, this girl has a really good memory, she actually remembered what he tricked her with last time. After thinking for a moment, he frowned and said, "As a naval officer cadet, how can I not personally board the ship to fight? Unfortunately, I have volunteered many times, but the Empress Dowager has rejected my requests each time."

"Ah~ I also want to kill the enemy."

"You? You're not good enough. The Imperial Navy refuses to let women board its ships," Shen Moqing retorted. Kill the enemy? You'd be lucky if you could even kill a chicken properly.

"Um...actually, I want to be a cavalryman."

cavalry?

Professor Shen gasped, his gaze slowly shifting downwards to the long, black riding boots.

"Can you ride a horse?"

"I could ride a horse when I was 5 years old. My mother's family kept several ponies."

"Corporal Der Ling, I must remind you that the battlefield is filled with corpses, severed limbs, and blood; it is not the romantic picnic you imagine."

"I've been to the battlefield."

"Really?" Shen Moqing immediately became interested. "When? Where? What war?"

"My father was once the counselor at the Imperial Embassy in London. When I was seven years old, I accompanied my mother on a steamship and witnessed a war between the Frankish Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire."

"Your mother has some rather unusual hobbies."

"War tourism requires a £50 entrance fee per person."

Oh shit.

Shen Moqing then realized what was happening.

Indeed, it is recorded in history books that in modern Europe, a group of bored noblewomen chartered a ship to the edge of the battlefield, and then sat on the deck to watch the fighting and death with high-powered binoculars.

A war that would determine the future of a nation, fought fiercely by soldiers, became the topic of conversation for high-society ladies during their afternoon tea.

History has always been like this.

"Der Ling, what are your thoughts on war?"

"I want to fight for my country."

"Hmm, commendable courage. But the United Empire has no precedent for sending female soldiers to the battlefield, and the Empress Dowager will not allow you to go to the front-line command post as a telegraph operator." Shen Moqing glanced at her slightly disappointed expression, rolled his eyes, and said in a low voice, "However, perhaps I can let you experience military horses and cavalry swords."

"How can that be the same?"

"When the Kingdom of Dongsang sends envoys to sue for surrender, the Empress Dowager will likely send me to the front lines for inspection. At that time, I can take you there. If you're lucky, you might even get to experience the thrill of cavalry chasing down the remaining enemy forces."

"Really?"

-

A gentleman's word is as good as his bond.

"Yes."

Overjoyed, Der Ling promptly stood up, stood at attention, and saluted, her eyes filled with delight. Because the movement of standing up and saluting was so large, her military uniform appeared even tighter on her chest.

she left.

Boots thump thump thump.

It's clear that this girl's love for wearing hunting boots stems from genuine passion.

Shen Moqing shook his head and continued to flip through the telegrams, soon becoming interested in several of them.

"Due to the repeated sinking of individual transport ships by our forces, the people of Dongsang have changed their maritime strategy. They have concentrated their transport ships into fleets, escorted by a large number of warships. The escort fleets are so large that it is difficult for our forces to launch a surprise attack. These escort routes are relatively fixed, such as Nagasaki-Nicheon and Kobe-Nicheon."

7

"According to a neutral country's merchant, the East Sang navy currently has no determination to engage in a decisive battle with our army."

"In addition to the existing seven standing army divisions, five new army divisions have been formed in Dongsang. After completing three months of training, the new recruits will travel by boat around the Dongsang Sea and land on the east side of the Korean Peninsula."

Refer to the map.

Soon, Shen Moqing made the following conjecture.

First, our cruiser-based tactics of disrupting shipping lanes are starting to work.

Second, the enemy navy remains a supporting force on the battlefield, deliberately avoiding a decisive battle with our navy.

Third, in view of the above, a map of the distribution of maritime forces can be drawn up. Our side actually controls the northern Yellow Sea, the enemy actually controls the East Sanghai Sea, and the waters between the southern Yellow Sea and the Tsushima Strait are the battle zone between the two countries.

Fourth, the enemy's supply convoy was escorted by a large number of warships, with its target being Incheon Port on the west coast of the peninsula, from where it would be transported to Liaodong by land.

Fifth, the enemy's troop transport ships had almost no escort, but they avoided the Yellow Sea, crossed the East Sanghai Sea, and landed at Wonsan Port on the east coast of the peninsula. After that, the soldiers marched to the battlefield on foot.

This arrangement demonstrates that the East Sang headquarters fully considered the dangers and costs of sea transport.

The East Asian headquarters did want to send troops and supplies directly to the Yalu River, but doing so carried two risks: first, the fleet would be bombarded by our cruisers when unloading cargo at the pier; second, it would bring forward the decisive naval battle.

If the domestic-Busan route is chosen, the subsequent land transportation distance is too long, twice as long as Incheon, and the transportation costs are enormous, which the poor imperialists cannot afford.

Ultimately, they compromised by choosing a local route – Incheon (sea transport) and Incheon-Phoenix (land transport).

But~

If Nogi Maresuke were to suffer repeated defeats and retreat from Mortenryong all the way to the Yalu River and even Incheon, the transport distance would become shorter and shorter, and the advantage would gradually shift to the enemy.

Wearing a military overcoat and holding red and blue pencils, Shen Moqing stared into deep thought at the huge military map hanging on the wall.

Damn, commanding large-scale operations is too mentally taxing. I need to get some good food when I get home.

Outside Longzong Gate.

"This humble servant greets Lord Shen."

"It's Weiting. Get up quickly." Shen Moqing put his arm around his shoulder and walked to a corner, whispering, "How are you?"

"Sir, could you transfer some more trustworthy men from the factory? I'm new here and don't quite trust the people under my command."

"Who do you want?"

"Dorona."

"I'll have him report for duty tomorrow, and I'll give you ten more reliable ones." Shen Moqing gazed at the dim light flickering on the roof of the side hall—

"Soundbar, have you changed the deployment?"

"Yes." Yuan Weiting decisively drew his sword and drew a diagram on the snow while explaining, "This subordinate has measured it with his footsteps. The Hall of Mental Cultivation is about 90 meters from north to south and east to west. It is very suitable for defense. Currently, I have only left the main gate open for passage, and all the other small gates have been closed and blocked."

I've added two watchtowers, one on the north side and one on the south side of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, primarily for observing the east and north. Every evening, I personally deploy hidden sentries, ensuring no one can discern my pattern. The 20mm machine gun you assigned me is hidden in the west annex; in case of emergency, the Hall of Mental Cultivation can be sealed off.

The regular army is just different.

"Does the Empress Dowager know?"

"I know, the Empress Dowager also rewarded me with a jade ruyi."

"Weiting, imperial treasures cannot be pawned casually. If you need money, just tell me."

"Thank you, sir. I am short of money right now, and I'm afraid I won't be able to pay it back in a while." Yuan Weiting's small eyes darted around, revealing his cunning, shrewdness, and keen sense of smell.

"I'll lend you 400 at most. If you dare not pay me back, I'll kick you to death!"

Shen Moqing walked into Longzong Gate with a laugh and a scolding tone. They were all smart people, and they understood each other without saying a word. Little Yuan was deliberately trying to curry favor with them.

Pass through Longzong Gate and then enter Yangxin Gate.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs and palace maids along the way quickly stepped aside to pay their respects, and many even knelt down to perform a grand salute or wish their masters good fortune.

Yanxi Hall.

He stepped inside.

This is my inner courtyard.

In the west wing, in front of the embroidered gold-decorated dressing mirror.

The beautiful Empress Dowager Cixi wore a loose-fitting robe made of shimmering brocade. Her face was rosy and her eyes were full of spring. She was drawing her eyebrows in front of the mirror. She saw herself enter through the mirror and continued drawing her eyebrows. She was neither angry nor did she intend to hide her face.

"You're here!"

Her voice had a sweet, languid quality to it.

After doing it once, we became very familiar with each other.

At 26, she possessed more composure and less shyness.

"This humble servant greets the Empress Dowager and wishes her eternal youth." Shen Moqing said solemnly, to the uninitiated, that it was his first time entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

really.

The Empress Dowager turned around, staring at Shen Moqing, feeling both annoyed and amused.

"Come here." She said, pointing to one side of the dressing table, "Help me see which one suits me better."

Shen Moqing looked down and exclaimed, "Holy crap!"

The wooden tray holding the rouge was overflowing with all sorts of colors, with so many shades available. How could a political science professor like me possibly know such things?

"Hurry up and choose!"

"This humble servant is not skilled in makeup."

"Pah, just pick whichever one you think looks better."

"Ah, this one, coral red."

"Coral Red? You named it yourself?" Empress Dowager Cixi's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Yes."

"Coral red? That's a rather unique name." After readily accepting it, she casually remarked while applying powder, "By the way, how's your simple-minded son doing these days?"

"My wife often says that she can never repay the Empress Dowager's kindness in her lifetime. She wears the coral bracelet that the Empress Dowager gave her on her wrist every day, and she doesn't even take it off when she sleeps," Professor Shen said without hesitation.

"Look~"

Empress Dowager Cixi raised her slender hand. The shimmering brocade of her robe was exceptionally smooth, and the sleeves slowly drooped down, revealing a section of her snow-white wrist, which was completely bare.

"That bracelet is indeed one of my favorite things, but thinking that I have a connection with it, I'll give it to you as a wedding gift."

As she spoke, she took out a pair of gilded silver earrings inlaid with jade from the jewelry box, and then picked out a hollow gold hairpin inlaid with cat's eye stones, carefully putting it on in front of the mirror.

"What are you looking at?"

"A hairpin and an earring can accompany one throughout life. These two items must be of the highest quality." Shen Moqing decisively borrowed the original words of the dissolute scholar Li Yu, which were particularly appropriate in the current situation.

Empress Dowager Cixi was stunned for a moment, then adjusted the position of the gold hairpin in front of the mirror and smoothed her hair.

He turned his head and stared straight at Shen Moqing.

-

She sighed softly, "You're too philandering. Sooner or later you'll break that fool's heart. I'm magnanimous, but I want to advise you: if you're so interested, keep it a secret from her. Women, being a little oblivious is often the happiest thing."

"This humble servant will respectfully follow the Empress Dowager's instructions."

He was pondering whether he should follow in the footsteps of Prime Minister Cao.

As if she had guessed his thoughts, she said, "Not today, I am menstruating." The Empress Dowager rose gracefully and added, "Another day, I will have your wife come to the palace to have tea with me."

"Yes, ma'am."

Even so.

But Shen Moqing sniffed at it cheekily, which made Empress Dowager Cixi both angry and ashamed. She swallowed the words "Are you a dog?" that were on the tip of her tongue.

Maturity means greater tolerance.

Afterwards, the emperor and his minister sat face to face and discussed important national affairs, including war predictions, developments in the south, personnel arrangements, and financial difficulties.

.

It was evening, before the palace gates closed.

An Dehai quietly came to urge him on.

"My lord, the palace gates are about to be locked."

As he spoke, he glanced at the clueless Shen Moqing.

"Headquarters, you're in charge when I'm not around, as long as we win," the Empress Dowager Cixi concluded. Perhaps fearing she hadn't delegated enough authority, she added, "I trust you to handle things."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble servant is willing to give my life for you."

After saying that, Shen Moqing was a little surprised. He was now speaking flattering words, auspicious words, and words of loyalty more and more smoothly than before he transmigrated.

A resolute associate professor, and a sycophantic lieutenant.

Hey ~

War is a destroyer of wealth.

Rice prices in eastern Japan have been rising continuously, leading to a general economic downturn. Even Osaka Prefecture, a relatively affluent region, has been affected.

It has a significant impact.

Dozens of miles away, in a mountainous area.

In a small village, on the tatami mat of Takei's house.

Hirata Jiro, dressed in his brand-new sergeant uniform, and Takei Yoshiko, dressed in white mourning clothes, stood facing each other, speechless with emotion.

"Jiro, I want to give myself to you."

"No, Fangzi, I'm going to war. I might not come back alive."

"I'm going to Southeast Asia tomorrow. Rather than letting a stranger from Southeast Asia benefit from this, I'd rather give it to you now. Please."

""

Why?

"Father is dead, my sisters can't survive, the rice jar is empty, and the land tax can't be delayed any longer. The town magistrate has come to urge us several times. If we don't pay it soon, the outcome will be the same."

During the Wenzhi era, farmers were required to pay a land tax equivalent to 30% of the land value. Regardless of whether it was a year of famine or a bumper harvest, the tax could not be delayed and had to be paid in cash.

If land taxes cannot be paid, male members are imprisoned and female members are sold off.

It would be better to go to Southeast Asia on your own initiative.

During the Cultural Revolution, in order to raise enough development funds, the government secretly encouraged a large number of poor women to go overseas to make a living. Those who went to the United Empire were called Miss Tangxing, and those who went to Southeast Asia were called Sister Nanyang.

The number is difficult to count.

It could very well exceed one million.

"I have some allowance here, take it first."

"not enough."

Sergeant's salary is very meager.

"Why don't you write to your sister and ask for some support?" It was clear that Hirata Jiro really wanted to keep his childhood sweetheart.

Yoshiko Takei shook her head and said with a wry smile, "In previous years, my sister would send 20 yen home every year. It wasn't much, but it was enough to buy some rice. But since last year, she hasn't sent a single penny. They say it's because of the war, and the enemy country has cut off remittances."

"Damn the United Empire!" Hirata Jiro turned around in anguish.

Yoshiko Takei wiped away her tears, slowly stood up, took off her mourning clothes one by one, folded them neatly, and placed them on the tatami mat.

-

Inside, the house was so poor that even a mouse would have to leave crying.

Takei Masao's memorial tablet was placed on the rice cabinet. He was a poor but upright old samurai who lived a mediocre life and had four daughters.

His eldest daughter, Motoko Takei, works as a butler at the Wafuro in the capital of the United Empire. Secretly, she is a spy for the Ume Agency of the Navy. She sends 500 silver dollars home every year, but in reality, she receives less than one-tenth of that amount.

But who knows if this former samurai, if he knew this in the afterlife, would rush to Kyoto to punish the traitor?

[A bonus chapter will be posted later: Xiaoxiaosheng's hand-drawn battle map of the main base. It's quite well-done, and I welcome all readers to appreciate and comment on it.]