Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

However, Liu Ye didn't have the energy to take care of the troops in Baoding Town. A firearms battalion was enough for him to be busy. Training the firearms battalion into a truly world-class force was definitely not something that could be achieved overnight. Without 100% effort, it was simply impossible! The military quality of the Qing army was far behind the world level. It was an all-round gap, not just limited to one place!

Liu Ye's mind had already flown to Tongzhou. After bidding farewell to Emperor Xianfeng, Liu Ye jumped on his warhorse and ran towards the firearms camp in Tong County. He originally thought he would be away for half a month, but it turned out to be a month. It was really worrying.

Fortunately, when Liu Ye rushed back to the Firearms Battalion, all the training was within Liu Ye's expectations. Zhu Hai and others did not relax at all. In a month, the appearance of the entire Firearms Battalion had undergone a significant change. All the soldiers of the Firearms Battalion were no longer as tired, lazy and undisciplined as when they first arrived. At least each of them had shown high morale and could at least hold their ground in the face of the enemy's foreign guns and artillery.

Liu Ye looked at Zhu Hai and Gao Qi beside him and said with a smile, "Good, very good. You guys have worked hard recently. Training should be done in a proper manner. You must be able to endure the hardship, sweat, and suffer. Only then can you gallop freely on the battlefield and remain invincible!"

Gao Qi smiled and said, "Boss, you're finally back. If you hadn't come back, Haizi would have been furious..."

Liu Ye was stunned and asked, "What's wrong, Xiao Hai? Is there something wrong?"

Zhu Hai smiled awkwardly and said, "Brother Ye, this is the case. I'm originally from the capital, and my home is near Beiyuan in Tong County. It's been more than half a year since I joined the army, and I haven't been back yet. A few days ago, a brother took the opportunity to buy military equipment and came to visit my home. Later, a letter came saying that my old father was not in good health and wanted me to go back..."

Liu Ye was a little surprised and said, "Good boy, I have never heard of you. You are actually from around here. Haha, you will be a living guide when we march and fight in the future. Take some time and bring a few brothers with you to show me the entire area within a hundred miles of Tong County. I want you to draw detailed military maps, just like the ones we taught you some time ago! Well, as for going home, this is easy. We are brothers and sisters, and your parents are just like my parents. With your two brothers, you are now a captain of the seventh rank. Before long, I will promote you to the position of battalion commander. It's like traveling at night in brocade clothes if you don't return home in glory! Go and give my regards to my uncle and aunt. I will visit them in person when I have the chance in the future!"

Zhu Hai was overjoyed and quickly said, "Yes, Brother Ye! No, it's General! I'll go back and prepare now. I will definitely be back to report to you before sunset tomorrow afternoon!"

Liu Ye quickly replied, "Besides, you can't go back like this. I know your family has a little good land and that life is okay, but as a younger generation, I still have to show my filial piety. Here, here are fifty taels of silver. Take it with you. It's my gift to the two elders. Go!"

Zhu Hai was not polite either. After all, he had given his life to Brother Ye. What was right or wrong in taking some money from him?

After packing up, Zhu Hai took a brother from the garrison, rode a warhorse, and galloped towards Tongzhou Beiyuan. It was only a few dozen miles from the garrison to Tongzhou Beiyuan. It would not take long to arrive there on a fast horse. They could return the next afternoon and stay at home for a night and a half.

Liu Ye saw that it was getting dark and there was still some time left. He could take this opportunity to pull the team together to see the real results of a month's training.

Liu Ye said to Gao Qi, "Gao Qi, go and pass on my military order. All the brothers in the battalion must assemble immediately. Within one stick of incense, you must all be fully equipped and arrive at the training ground. Anyone who disobeys this order will be punished by military law!"

Gao Qi shouted, "Yes, General!"

It didn't take long before all 800 Qing soldiers were pulled out. When they heard that their general wanted to test the results of the training, they were naturally excited and wanted to show off all their abilities!

The current lieutenant colonel is no longer a lieutenant colonel. In just one month, he was promoted twice, from lieutenant colonel to military commander! At this rate, I'm afraid that in a few years, he will be able to ascend to the position of governor-general, which is the highest position in the country. Fighting with such a general is really exciting. If he does well in the future, he may not be able to serve in various frontier positions like a military commander, but he can still become a captain, a captain, or even a guerrilla general. The most urgent thing now is to please the military commander!

The entire team was pulled out, and the movements were very fast. Within the time it took to stick of incense, all 800 Qing soldiers were lined up, each holding a steel gun, and full of energy!

Liu Ye looked at them and nodded secretly, but they did not relax at all. It was easy for one group of soldiers to look good, but it was not easy to make all eight groups of soldiers so energetic.

Gao Qi looked at the team and was very satisfied. He and several other captains stood in front of Liu Ye!

Gao Qi ran over and knelt on one leg, "General, the first battalion of the Firearms Battalion is reorganized to 814 people. The expected number is 814, but the actual number is 802. One of them is sick, two are on leave, and nine are out purchasing military supplies. Please give us your instructions, General!"

Liu Ye nodded and said, "Okay, Gao Qi, get up. However, if you have such a capable spirit, immediately organize all the stations to conduct live-fire shooting. I want to see how your shooting skills are doing!"

Gao Qi immediately began to organize the troops of eight stations to conduct shooting training. Although their marksmanship still needed to be improved, they had regained their skills. They were no longer like when they first got the guns and didn't even know how to use them!

Liu Ye was in great joy and praised Gao Qi and other key members like flowers!

However, things in the Firearms Battalion were going on as normal and as planned, but something unexpected happened to Zhu Hai and the others.

Liu Ye waited until dusk the next afternoon, but Zhu Hai and others still had not returned to the team on time. Liu Ye's heart sank slightly. Zhu Hai was lively and intelligent. He was the right-hand man he had chosen. He would never make mistakes when it came to matters like military discipline. But at this time, there was still no sign of him. Could something have happened?

Gao Qi, who was standing by, saw through Liu Ye's thoughts and said, "General, how about I take a few people to search in the direction of Beiyuan to see if they have encountered any troubles..."