Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

After the treaties were signed, Emperor Jiaqing had Prince Zhi, Mianning, host a banquet at the Yuanmingyuan Garden on his behalf.
Although this emperor wasn't as generous as Emperor Qianlong, he still gave out quite a few good things.

In particular, some imperial porcelain pieces were made for the palace's own use, rather than the lower-grade versions commissioned by official kilns.

Even because Solovyov had some knowledge of porcelain, he received a fine piece that had been used in the palace many years ago.

The value of these treasures is immeasurable, demonstrating that Emperor Jiaqing reciprocated the kindness and generous tributes of foreign envoys.

Although Emperor Jiaqing himself did not say it directly, it was clear from Mianning's words that these porcelain pieces were very precious.

There are even two very special sky-blue porcelain pieces, which are imitations of Southern Song Dynasty official kiln porcelain made in the Jiaqing Palace. This color is brighter than the legendary Ru kiln porcelain.

Ru ware is too expensive. There are only a few dozen pieces of Ru ware in the entire world in the 21st century. Apart from those that are registered, privately collected, and exhibited in museums, they are all fake.

The first month of the lunar calendar passed quickly. After eating pig's head meat on the second day of the second month, Qing Dynasty officials generally shaved their heads in large numbers during this period. Spring had arrived, and it was the season for all things to grow. They also had to attend court and handle government affairs.

However, Jiaqing has managed to squeeze out some time these days.

Solovyov was also about to take his leave, but before that, he wanted to demonstrate the power of Western weapons to the Qing emperor and his officials.

So the Russian Guards, some of the naval infantry accompanying the ship, and the sailors who had been diligently training at Dagu Port all lined up at Junliang City.

Emperor Jiaqing actually quite enjoyed hunting, so he wore the standard armor of the Qing Dynasty emperors, the same style as his father, Emperor Qianlong, who loved to stamp his seals.

However, Emperor Jiaqing was actually a large, fat man, so the armor he wore was also larger.

Just by seeing the three rows of Russian troops, he could tell that they were elite.

The horse that Jiaqing is currently riding is one of the Orlov white horses that Russia contributed this time.

This was a large mare with a very gentle temperament. Emperor Jiaqing had been looking at the two Arabian horses presented to him, which were extremely magnificent and whose eyes were practically glowing green like Solovyov's, but he did not ride them at this time.

After all, this horse is more adaptable and doesn't run slow.

As for the Russian soldiers, they naturally need to put on a good show of spirit and energy for today's military exercise; they can't afford to lose face at this time.

As for the commander of the Guards accompanying the troops, General Karl Bystrom, the commander of the Guards Jäger Regiment, he was also an old acquaintance of Solovyov.

When Solovyov is placed next to him, he is 11 years older than Bstrom, but Solovyov's face makes him look younger, so the contrast is very large.

However, the Bystrom brothers and Solovyov had known each other for a long time and were old partners.

As for the Russian troops, after they lined up, Byström reported according to Russian military practice, and then saluted as the commander-in-chief of the parade.

Solovyov returned the salute and then rode his white horse to inspect the army.

It must be said that the sight of hundreds of Russian soldiers shouting "Hurrah" on the parade ground was truly awe-inspiring.

Moreover, the Russian military parade must include a military band, and Solovyov must keep saluting like that.

This also raised questions among some civil officials in the Qing Dynasty.

General Suo, doesn't your hand get tired from holding it up like that?
It seems this will become a stereotype about Russians.

After the review, when Solovyov rode back to the reviewing stand, the band continued to play, just as it had in Red Square or Champ de Mars.

The version of Solovyov that Jiaqing usually saw was that of a diplomatic envoy, and sometimes he even had a bit of a joking and laughing face.

When they arrived at the parade ground, their expressions became noticeably more serious.

There are always some differences between work patterns and business patterns.

"Your Majesty, the Russian delegation's guards have assembled and are ready for your inspection."

Later, the Eight Banners soldiers and the Mongol cavalry also came to Junliangcheng to join in the fun. Naturally, it was a comparison of the two armies.

This was the first time Emperor Jiaqing had encountered such a situation, but he responded very quickly.

"Suo Qing, let's begin."

As for the Russian inspection, in accordance with the drill and inspection manual established by Paul, there would naturally be pacesetters.

Byström also issued an order here, making the Qing military officers realize that these Russians were also very methodical.

As for the start of the review, the Imperial Guard, naval infantry, and sailors passed the reviewing stand in company-sized units.

As for each unit that passed through, Solovyov would also give Jiaqing a briefing.

Leading the way was the cavalry, which also included a small number of hussars and Cossacks. Solovyov also introduced the situation of these troops.

Following them were the various companies of the 1st Battalion of the Guards Jäger, who passed in front of the reviewing stand in square formation, bayonets fixed to their rifles, and marched forward with their bayonets held level.

As for the naval infantry, their rifles were all on their shoulders, and their uniforms were a navy blue color chosen for this departure, somewhat matching the color of the guards javelin soldiers in front.

However, the sailors in the back are more noticeable.

Sailors typically wore striped inner garments and overcoats, and also carried rifles while traveling.

Finally, the artillery, carrying 6-pounder cannons, 12-pounder cannons, and half-putt unicorn cannons, each with an artillery battery, quickly passed the reviewing stand.

"Suo Qing, although there are only a little over a thousand people, they still have some influence."

"Your Majesty, we will now watch the drill."

In such situations, cavalry are only responsible for providing training for infantry in forming ranks.

The Russian hollow square formations did not have the front row kneeling like the British, leaving space for the second row to fire from above.

Generally, everyone should stand up for the formation to be effective.

When the cavalry demonstrated, they always passed by the sides of the square formation.

"Your Majesty, in battle, if the horses are unarmored, even skilled warriors with archery and horsemanship will find it difficult to get close."

At this moment, Jiaqing wanted to find a few military officers to ask questions, and it just so happened that the veteran general Yang Yuchun, as well as his unlucky subordinate Yang Fang who had lived too long and encountered the British, were both there.

They had no objection to the infantry formation.

It's quite remarkable how brave the Russian cavalry were. Horses are usually terrified of such a scene with swords and spears, yet they were able to get so close during drills, as if they were one with their horses.

Yang Fang, who had previously served as the Governor of Gansu and was now summoned to the capital, was looking at the troops, but his main focus was on the cannons behind them.

Although the Qing army's infantry was in poor condition, its cavalry and firearms were still relatively usable.

When Solovyov saw this fellow arrive, he couldn't help but want to play a trick on him.

"General Yang, you can give it a try and see if this method is a foreigner's 'demonic magic'."

"General, what are you saying? I'd like to see for myself how powerful these foreign guns and cannons really are."

In truth, the generals of the Qing Dynasty were simply lacking in professional skills; they were incompetent, not mentally challenged.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the foreigners' cannons were not as heavy as the Qing army's cannons, although the projectiles were somewhat different.

Solovyov knew that there was no translator who could explain it to them, so he took matters into his own hands.

"Although I come from the infantry, I am quite knowledgeable in artillery warfare. These are solid shot, used to bombard fortifications; these are grapeshot, used to strike personnel at close range; these are explosive shells, which detonate on the heads of soldiers or within the ranks, causing massive casualties." "But what will the commander-in-chief use as a standard?"

Yang Fang pointed to the open space that the cannon was currently pointing at, indicating that Solovyov had not yet placed the target.

"That's easy. If you can bring some pigs and sheep, you'll know. But when you're about to eat the meat, be careful that there might be shrapnel in it."

Solovyov offered a friendly reminder, but Yang Fang simply didn't believe him.

Of course, he's only 47 years old this year, not old Deng yet, so he wouldn't talk about sorcery; he just doesn't believe in it.

Yang Yuchun remained silent, but he recalled the scene of fighting against the Gurkha soldiers when he accompanied Fukang'an, Hailancha and others on their expedition to the Gurkha.

In fact, he had been following Fukang'an ever since he went to Taiwan to fight against Lin Shuangwen, so he had more experience than others.

However, when he went to Gurkha, he didn't see how the British fought, but he did see their weapons.

The reason why Fukang'an was not concerned at the time was that the weapons sold by the British East India Company to the Gurkhas were not very good.

But when it came to the Russian army, you could tell at a glance that they were using high-quality equipment.

As soon as the cannon fired, the grape-shaped bullets caused the pigs and sheep to squeal in agony.

However, it's also clear that its destructive power is quite significant.

To demonstrate the power of the shot, Solovyov even had two rows of pigs brought out before firing a 6-pound cannon.

As for its power, the Qing Dynasty had witnessed it firsthand, but they still had to admit that it was incredibly accurate.

From handling the cannon and firing to aiming, it can be said to be done in one go.

As for the pigs and sheep that were executed by cannon fire, they were naturally used to improve the meals of the Russian troops and Eight Banner soldiers who participated in the review in Junliang City.

"Now, you will see the formation firing."

Solovyov said he came from the infantry, and that's what Qing Dynasty generals like Yang Yuchun knew.

If an infantry commander can't train properly, he should go home and take care of his children.

Once the infantrymen were in formation, their formation remained intact.

Both the Imperial Guard and the naval infantry used breech-loading rifles, which allowed for a very high rate of fire when firing in formation.

Soon, the two rows of soldiers had completed five rounds of firing.

Even Emperor Jiaqing, riding on horseback, couldn't help but applaud.

Previously, when Mianning used a gun alone, all I saw was that he was very accurate.

But this time, the foreign guns were fired by hundreds of people lined up in formation.

The Green Standard Army and the Eight Banners soldiers who used firearms were far less efficient at firing.

As for the sailors who came aboard last, although they were still using muzzle-loading rifles, their rate of fire was already quite fast.

Indeed, it is on the shooting range that one can truly witness a person's skills.

After firing, the Russian troops withdrew.

Once they had lined up again on the training ground, the martial arts exercise was over.

As for the later inspection of the Eight Banners troops, it wasn't as exaggerated as carrying birdcages; sometimes it was just pure black.

From the thirteenth year of the Shunzhi reign onwards, the Qing army always had grand military reviews, and during the Qianlong reign, it was further developed by Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining).

A large-scale review is conducted every three years, but this one is considered a small-scale review.

The Eight Banners soldiers were divided into the Upper Three Banners and the Five Banners, which can be seen from the color and style of their armor.

There was a Mongolian cavalry unit ahead of them, but their firearms were somewhat outdated.

Moreover, the training of the Qing army had already begun to deteriorate by the end of the Jiaqing era.

However, the marching formation was fairly orderly, at least better than when Solovyov first took command of the Serbian troops.

Solovyov couldn't help but think that if he had time, he could train tens of thousands of troops from the Eight Banners elite and Shandong men, and place them in key locations to give the British a run for their money.

As for the generals of the various Qing garrisons, they were too far apart to provide mutual assistance, so they had no numerical advantage whatsoever.

The training level of the Green Standard Army was so bad that even Emperor Qianlong was furious. It might have been even more infuriating by the time of Emperor Daoguang.

Otherwise, Emperor Xianfeng wouldn't have been forced to resort to militia training when he was desperate.

After seeing the well-organized Russian army in front of him, Emperor Jiaqing suddenly found his own Eight Banners army less appealing.

It was originally like Wang Zhihe's stinky tofu—it was usable, but the quality had visibly declined.

Although there are still veterans left over from the Qianlong era, they are not used in this way.

Speaking of which, among the Han generals below, Yang Yuchun and Yang Fang were relatively well-educated.

The former was a military officer who had made many contributions under Fukang'an. Later, he was also very capable of leading his own troops and quelled several rebellions. The latter was a scholar who joined the army and was promoted after being discovered by Yang Yuchun. Except for the Ningxia mutiny, he had an exaggerated win rate and casualty ratio before encountering the British.

They are also very amazed by what they have seen so far.

At least in front of Jiaqing, there was no problem with updating the weapons, using the best cannons, and updating the muskets.

The decline in the quality of horses during the Qing Dynasty is another matter entirely.

We need to consider the current situation before importing horses.

Emperor Jiaqing always granted his requests, which made things much easier.

Solovyov achieved his goal; he personally hoped that these Qing generals and commanders would have a deep understanding of the level of their own troops.

Anyway, we won't be able to beat them in the future, but we won't lose as badly.

Emperor Jiaqing had no objection to Solovyov's idea of ​​bringing in Russians to supplement the banners and also bringing in Irishmen to join the Eight Banners.

He had been listening to Solovyov's lectures for so many days, and he remembered them all.

He was also well aware of things like the deep-seated hatred between the Irish and the British.

The Russian soldiers, by all accounts, seemed to be of good quality.

The idea was to bring in some Cossacks so that they could continue to serve a different emperor.

In this way, the matter was resolved satisfactorily.

Solovyov's arms plans, manpower plans, and training strategies were no longer hindered.

All that's left is to send the money. (End of Chapter)