The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

"No matter what! As soldiers, we absolutely will not allow foreigners to run rampant on our land, burning, killing, and looting!" Shen Lian slammed his fist on the table.

"Given the current situation and the circumstances of this bandit suppression campaign, I have decided to reform the military system, dismantle the various battalions, and emulate the practices of Western countries."

"The entire army will be organized into a division, with the addition of regimental-level units. The division will consist of six regiments, each regiment will have three battalions, each battalion will have three companies, and so on. The staff will complete the personnel and firepower adjustments within a week!"

"After all the troops have been adjusted and put in place, we will hold a grand ceremony to officially announce the formation of the First Division of Shandong."

"Once the formation is complete, immediately recruit 10,000 new soldiers. They will be used as supply troops initially. The General Staff also needs to come up with a plan!" We don't have many soldiers to begin with, so we can't afford to waste them. There are still a month or two left; training the new recruits and transporting weapons and ammunition shouldn't be a problem.

Seven days later, red flags fluttered in the barracks. All the soldiers, dressed in crisp military uniforms with rank insignia on their shoulders, stood tall and proud, gazing at the reviewing stand.

Shen Lian didn't want to attract attention this time, so he didn't announce it to the public. It was only conducted in the military camp.

Shen Lian was also dressed in a crisp military uniform, with two gold stars hanging on his shoulders in a flamboyant manner.

Looking at the resolute faces of the soldiers below, Shen Lian felt a surge of emotion. He had been in this late Qing Dynasty for almost a year, and he had finally managed to build an army. It was time to show his true colors.

Zhang Tieniu stood proudly at the head of the unit. He had been promoted to platoon leader for his bravery in combat and had repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, thus officially entering the ranks of officers.

Their current order of battle is the 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, and his battalion commander is still the former company commander, Mo Biao. However, the political instructor has been replaced; the original political instructor has been transferred to another regiment as a battalion commander.

Zhang Tieniu glanced at the star on his shoulder and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face. Besides the rank, the officers' uniforms were also different.

Their shoes were changed from cloth shoes to shiny leather boots, because a lot of horses had been seized during the bandit suppression. Officers of platoon level and above were each issued a horse, so they no longer had to walk.

After the army was formed, each battalion began to take turns giving soldiers a week's leave to go home and visit their families. It's estimated they won't get any more leave for the next few months.

Once the conscription order was issued to all prefectures and counties, large numbers of young men began rushing to Linqing. Everyone had witnessed the poor treatment of the new army soldiers over the past six months.

For any family with a member in the military, life is completely transformed. Many have been waiting to enlist, and as soon as they receive the news, they rush off, afraid of missing their chance!

On his way home, Zhang Tieniu encountered many young men who were also on their way to join the army. Seeing Zhang Tieniu riding a horse, looking so imposing, the young men couldn't help but show expressions of envy.

This time, his and Shi Tou's leave dates were different, so they didn't go together. Shi Tou's cavalry battalion had already been given leave three days earlier.

Zhang Tieniu rode his horse home at a leisurely pace, and as soon as he dismounted, the children surrounded him.

"Dad's back! Dad's back!" Little Niu shouted as he ran ahead, and Ya Ya quickly followed her little brother.

"Horse, horse! Daddy, I want to ride a big horse!" the calf shouted excitedly.

"Okay, okay, okay." Zhang Tieniu bent down to pick up his son and put him on the horse's back, then lifted his daughter up as well. He pulled on the reins and rode around the yard.

"Mom, look, look! I'm riding Dad's big horse!" the calf shouted happily when he saw his mother come out.

"Oh dear! You two, hurry up and get down! Your father has been riding all day, and the horse is tired! Let her rest!" The young mother rushed forward and helped her son and daughter down. The little calf wanted to be stubborn, but seeing his mother's stern face, he quickly shut up.

"Husband, just spoil them!" The young woman stroked the horse tenderly.

"Hey, what's wrong with riding it for a bit! I wasn't in a hurry at all, I just walked back slowly." Zhang Tieniu led the cow towards the cattle pen on the side.

"Honey, are you buying this right away?"

"No, it was issued by the army. Every officer has one!" Zhang Tieniu tied the reins to the post, loosened the leather strap under the horse's belly, and took off the saddle.

"Honey, you got promoted?" The young woman reached out and gently stroked the silver star on her husband's shoulder, her face full of joy.

"Yes! This time, with the expansion of the army, our company commander became a battalion commander, and he asked me to go over and make me a platoon leader!" Zhang Tieniu nodded.

"That's wonderful! When Shitou came back a few days ago, I couldn't believe it!" The young woman reached out and touched her husband's military uniform again. This uniform looks much better than the one he wore last time he came back.

"By the way, Shi Tou has been back for a few days now. What's he up to?" Zhang Tieniu asked, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

"Him? He's busy going on blind dates! He's in high demand now, girls from all around are waiting for him to choose! I wonder if he's gotten too picky. Haha!"

As the two were talking, Shi Tou walked in; "Brother Tie Niu is back?"

"Hmm!" Zhang Tieniu nodded and handed him a cigarette.

Shi Tou took the cigarette, glancing enviously at the silver star on Zhang Tie Niu's shoulder. Their cavalry battalion hadn't participated in the bandit suppression this time, so he had no opportunity to distinguish himself. He'd only been promoted to sergeant because of his good skills and horsemanship, and was now in charge of leading a squad of soldiers.

"I heard you've been going on blind dates at home every day, you've got your wish this time!" Zhang Tieniu patted Shi Tou on the shoulder.

Shi Tou is nineteen years old this year, well past the marriageable age in the countryside. He used to be poor and couldn't find a wife.

Joining the new army changed everything; now he receives eight taels of silver a month in military pay. Plenty of girls want to marry into his family.

"I came here for this too, it's all settled. It's Qian Xiaohua, the daughter of the Qian family over there! The wedding is tomorrow, and I'm here to invite you to the wedding banquet," Shi Tou said, lighting a cigarette.

"Oh! I know that girl. She's beautiful and comes from a good family. She's got a big bottom too, more than enough for you! You've really struck gold, hahaha."

Old Qian was a small-time medicinal herb dealer, and his family was better off than most.

"Our family gave a dowry of ten taels of silver; what girl couldn't we get!" Stone said smugly, exhaling a puff of smoke.

Although it's unpleasant to hear, it's the truth. In the countryside, a dowry of five taels of silver is considered the best possible price to get a wife.

“It’s good to get married early! It’ll be more reassuring for your grandma to have someone to take care of her. If you try your best, it would be even better if she got pregnant! Hehe!” Zhang Tieniu nodded and said.

"Alright, I have a lot to take care of at home, so I won't chat with you any longer! Remember to bring your whole family to the wedding tomorrow!" Shi Tou shook his head and left.

His little follower has grown up and started a family! Zhang Tieniu breathed a deep sigh of relief!