Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Liu Ye quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I know that Your Majesty still protects me. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, as long as I lead the Firearms Battalion, I will forge the Firearms Battalion into a first-class strong army. As long as I lead Baoding Town, I will train the thousands of soldiers in Baoding Town into a first-class strong army. What's more, the Firearms Battalion is important, and the position of Baoding Town is not easy. Baoding is the closest barrier to the capital. Once Baoding is lost, the capital will be in danger. As a military stronghold, Your Majesty placed me there, which naturally shows that you value me very much. I am grateful and can't wait to see how I can bear any resentment. No matter which position I am in, I will do my best and swear to defend the surrounding Chinese territory to the death!"

"it is good!"

Xianfeng was greatly encouraged by what he said and exclaimed, "Well, Liu Ye, it is your enterprising spirit that I admire. Tell me, when we get to Baoding, what are your requests?"

Liu Ye said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, you know I'm still young. I've only just turned twenty this year, so I'm inevitably rash and quick-tempered. I don't know who this Governor-General of Zhili is, but if I were under his command, it would be easy for me to have a rift. Now that the Monk King is in charge of the military affairs of the capital, why not transfer me to his command? This..."

Xianfeng laughed heartily and said, "You are quite self-aware, boy. Well, since you still want to serve under the Monk King, I will allow you to be under his command temporarily. However, you will eventually return to the post of Governor-General of Zhili. This is the imperial decree! Well, since you want to train Baoding Town into an elite force, I know your ability. You can definitely do it. So, after the American firearms arrive, I will allocate you ten cannons and three hundred rifles. Be sure to train diligently!"

Liu Ye was overjoyed and thanked him quickly. Xianfeng then asked, "Is there anything else I need you to solve?"

Liu Ye replied, "Your Majesty, I am not clear about the true and false aspects of training a whole town of troops in Baoding. If you want to transform the Green Camp of Baoding Town, you need to clean up the entire structure of Baoding Town. I know that Baoding Town now claims to have 4,000 troops, but vacancies have always occupied 700 to 800 people, perhaps even more. Add to that some old, weak, sick and disabled people who are not suitable for combat, and I am afraid that Baoding Town can only use a little over 2,000 troops for combat. It is unknown how capable the commanders of each battalion and the thousand-man captains under them are. If you want me to quickly build a strong army, Your Majesty needs to give me the power of decision. In other words, I can replace the officials of the entire Baoding Town at will. I will ask the Ministry of War to transfer those who are not of great use to other places. I will promote those who are capable, but when it comes to some positions or some people, I am afraid that I am willing but unable to do so..."

Xianfeng nodded. He had also heard what Liu Ye said, but the problem of collecting empty salaries existed in almost all Qing troops. The only problem was the severity. As for the various Baoding towns, it was probably not much better. Baoding was the southern gate of the capital and its location was important. The military pay of Baoding Town had always been given priority. Every position in it was a lucrative job and must have been filled with the bigwigs in the court. It was almost impossible for Liu Ye, a small general, to carry out a large-scale purge of Baoding Town. He definitely did not have that much power. Even an important official like the Monk King would have many constraints.

Xianfeng pondered for a moment before replying, "Alright, I'll meet your conditions. I'll have the Ministry of War make special arrangements for the financial provisions of Baoding Town, giving them priority. As for the generals, you can arrange them as you wish, just report to the Ministry of War. You can also fill the vacancies in the troops from nearby locations. However, you must not disappoint me. I need to see a truly elite division within a year!"

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Your Majesty, no need. One year is indeed too short to train 4,000 elite soldiers. What I want to do is not to reduce the establishment, but to cut down the redundant personnel. I will reduce the entire Baoding Town's military strength to no more than 2,000. Soldiers are more important than quantity. After a year, the combat effectiveness of these 2,000 people will far surpass the current Baoding Town!"

Xianfeng then asked, "Liu Ye, do you have any other requests?"

Liu Ye was a little embarrassed, but still replied: "Your Majesty, I don't need any of the above, but I must have this one!"

Xianfeng was stunned. He was just talking casually, but he didn't expect Liu Ye to have another request. Moreover, he would rather not have any other requests but would satisfy this one. What other request could make Liu Ye so serious?

Liu Ye said solemnly, "Your Majesty, my subordinate, Captain Zhu Hai, joined the army on the same day as me. He was selected by me from the ranks and always charged into battle. In the Battle of Dagukou, he wounded countless enemies and beheaded over ten of them. He was considerate of his subordinates and was well-respected in the army. He is a rare loyal and brave general in the court. Unexpectedly, his family suffered such a tragedy. One family member died and three were seriously injured. It is uncertain whether his parents will recover. If this matter is left unresolved, it will really chill the hearts of the soldiers in the Firearm Battalion. The most terrifying thing for an army is to lose its fighting spirit and motivation. I really don't want the Firearm Battalion to sink. I think Your Majesty should provide him with generous compensation to reassure the hearts of the soldiers in the camp!"

Xianfeng frowned and asked, "Liu Ye, is what you said really that serious?"

Liu Ye replied, "Your Majesty, my training of soldiers is quite different from others. First, I strengthen their hearts and instruct them on the righteousness of their country. Fighting for their country naturally makes them brave and valiant, and they are definitely not the ordinary soldiers who just want to make a living. Second, I discipline them. Military discipline is strict, so that they can be commanded with ease. It is precisely because of this that Prince Yi was stopped at the camp gate. Third, I win them over with virtue, strive to be the first in everything, and work together as brothers. Throughout the firearms battalion, all the officers and soldiers regard each other as brothers in life and death. This strong cohesion is the foundation of their invincibility on the battlefield. Now that their comrades have been wronged and their injustice has been buried in the sea, not only will the soldiers be disheartened, but if things get serious, I'm afraid some will simply withdraw from the army..."

Xianfeng was horrified. What a powerful method of training troops! Just three points can make an army united. Add to that an excellent general, and victory is inevitable! At this time, if the soldiers of the Firearms Battalion really lost their morale, all their efforts would be wasted!

Xianfeng replied, "Since that's the case, then let Zhu Hai stay with you. Give him the rank of battalion commander as a token of favor. His sister, Zhu E, is a chaste woman, so Tong County will allocate funds to build a temple to commemorate her. Also, you'll need some helpers for training in Baoding Town. Go to the Firearms Battalion and select a few candidates. No need to ask for permission. Just draw up a list and have Zaidun release them!"