Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

This time, Senggelinqin was really impressed by Liu Ye's ability. It took him less than two months to train his fifty new recruits so well. It was really not easy. If he was given more time, wouldn't his combat effectiveness be even stronger?

Liu Ye said to Senggelinqin, "Your Highness, these fifty men are the foundation for my firearms battalion. We should follow the previous plan. This is essential if we want to train elite soldiers!"

Senggelinqin nodded and replied, "Okay, I will fulfill your request. In the capital area, no matter who you like, you can use them at will! I fully support you. Also, although He Qimou acted recklessly this time, he is still my capable general and has great potential. I will place him in your firearms camp to learn and train with you. Remember, a single tree cannot make a forest. If you want to achieve something, you need others to help you. He Qimou is a good candidate!"

Liu Ye's heart was shocked. Senggelinqin's tone at this time was completely like an elder instructing him. It is difficult to stand alone. Now in the court, various forces are intertwined and it is definitely not possible to dominate the situation by relying on one person. Zeng Guofan in the south is now rising strongly, the Hunan faction is powerful for a time, the liberal faction is a faction in the court and the conservative faction is a faction in itself, and there are also princes of the royal family who are independent of the various factions and aloof from the world. Even Senggelinqin, with the dignity of a prince, can hardly get the upper hand in front of major factions, let alone a small and inexperienced boy like himself!

Liu Ye bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I will keep your teachings in mind."

The next day, Senggelinqin came to He Qimou's room.

Seeing Senggelinqin approaching, He Qimou quickly struggled to his feet and shouted, "Your Highness, although I have suffered some physical pain, I dare not trouble you to come in person. If you have anything to say, please just let me know."

Senggelinqin snorted coldly and shouted, "You kid, you still think I'm here to pay you my respects? Dream on! You're not qualified!"

He Qimou smiled awkwardly. As the prince's confidant, which of these generals had not been scolded by the prince? Everyone had long been accustomed to it. The prince was a man with a cold face but a warm heart.

Senggelinqin continued, "You've completely disgraced me this time. Win is win, lose is lose. Doing things in secret, how can you be considered a hero? Fortunately, Liu Ye is a reasonable man. If he had persisted in this matter, what would I have done?"

He Qimou said in a hoarse voice, "Yes, Your Highness, I was confused about this matter."

Senggelinqin replied, "Well, since things have come to this, let's just leave it at that. However, yesterday's duel also proved that the Imperial Guard Battalion is not truly invincible. We were defeated by fifty new recruits. I cannot afford to lose face. Starting tomorrow, you will be assigned to the newly formed Firearms Battalion as Liu Ye's deputy. You will obey Guo Ye in all matters and see how they train their troops. In the past, you were all arrogant and looked down on others. Now you know there are people who are better than you, right?"

"What? Your Highness, you want me to be Liu Ye's deputy? You might as well kill me!"

He Qimou suddenly became anxious. As a lieutenant commander, how could he face people in the future if he became the deputy of a captain?

"Confused!"

Senggelinqin shouted, "You're still unwilling? If I hadn't considered you smart and capable, and had the potential to be cultivated, would you have been given the position? Who do you think you are? Liu Ye is absolutely a dragon among men. Not to mention a thousand-man commander, it's not impossible for him to become a first-rank frontier governor in ten years! You should learn well from him. If you can train fifty new recruits to his level within two months, I will make you a general!"

He Qimou couldn't bring himself to lose face and muttered, "Your Highness, I admit that our brothers have lost. From now on, I will be very careful. Serving as deputy to a mere captain is too humiliating, isn't it?"

He Qimou was really reluctant, but just as he finished speaking, a personal guard ran in and said urgently, "Your Highness, the imperial envoy from the capital has arrived!"

Senggelinqin's heart trembled, and he slowly said to He Qimou, "Look, Qimou, if you thought Liu Ye was just a small captain before, now I'm afraid he has transformed into a phoenix. Captain, I'm afraid the court will give him more than just a Dusi this time? Why don't you get up, dress neatly, and go to welcome the imperial envoy?"

Having said this, Senggelinqin shook his sleeves and walked out.

He Qimou hurriedly changed his clothes and walked out with a grin on his face.

At this time, the hall was already filled with generals of all levels, including lieutenants, deputy generals, and generals. All the generals at all levels had gathered in the hall. The imperial envoy had arrived, and Senggelinqin was arranging people to set up the incense table.

The one who came to reward the troops was none other than Prince Ruixi Renshou. The fact that a prince was directly sent to announce the decree of rewarding the troops was a very high standard. This great victory was too important to Emperor Xianfeng, so he personally ordered his own prince to do it.

"By the Providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: When the Liao people raised an army and ravaged Dagukou, Khorchin Prince Senggelinqin and Zhili Governor Shi Rongchun led their troops to fight, braved the arrows and stones, and won the battle on the battlefield. The British and French invaders were killed in one battle, and they seized a lot of spoils. They also killed the enemy chief Hebu. This truly promoted the prestige of China and deterred the ambitions of the villains. This extraordinary feat was achieved. All the officials, from top to bottom, have died for the court. How could I be stingy with fame and fortune and chill the hearts of the officers and soldiers? I hereby reward Senggelinqin with a yellow riding jacket, a thousand taels of gold, and a jade ruyi; posthumously confer the title of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War on Shi Rongchun, bestow the hereditary title of Cavalry Commander and Cloud Cavalry Commander, and posthumously give him the title of "Zhongzhuang"; Deputy General Long Ruyuan I bestow upon you the rank of Commandant of Chariots and Cavalry, and posthumously grant you the title of General of Tianjin Town, as a token of my favor. Lieutenant General He Zhengqing, who led the soldiers of the Northern Fort in a crushing defeat against the foreigners, may be promoted to Lieutenant General, with the rank of General, and the rank of Second Rank, and be granted the title of Wuyong Baturu. Dong Cheng, who defended the Southern Fort, is also meritorious, and shall be promoted to Lieutenant General. Liu Ye, a Third Rank Lieutenant General and Yiyong Baturu, shall be granted the title of Imperial Guard and a Yellow Riding Jacket. The others shall receive their respective honors and awards. I order Prince Rui Renshou to reward the troops on my behalf. I also order that Prince Khorchin, for his hard work and great contributions, travel abroad for the safety of the country, leaving me uneasy, and I shall specially summon him back to the capital. Lieutenant General Liu Ye shall accompany him to see the Emperor. This order was issued on the day I received it."

hiss……

Not only the people below, but even Senggelinqin had never expected that Liu Ye was so lucky. He had thought that giving him a guerrilla general was a promotion, but he didn't expect the court to reward him with a third-rank lieutenant colonel in one go. That wasn't enough, he was also given the title of Baturu, the title of Imperial Guard, and a yellow jacket! Is this a yellow jacket something that ordinary people can get?

He Qimou on the side chuckled and almost fainted. Damn, I have been through so many battles for so many years and finally became a lieutenant, but this kid turned out to be a phoenix and jumped over my head!