1890 King of Southeast Asia

"Zhengfang, you have been training for half a month. What do you think of them? Can they become qualified soldiers?" Sun Zaizhi looked at the young man who had just entered the door nervously.

"Comrade Commander, they can become qualified infantrymen! But it takes some time, some time to train." Huang Zhengfang saluted Sun Zaizhi.

Sun Zaizhi went to Liu Yiming and asked for a staff department to build a staff system.

The staff system can make the most reasonable and maximize use of limited forces, and can also effectively avoid low-level mistakes caused by insufficient commanders.

As an excellent combat staff, Huang Zhengfang was selected to come to Hunan Province and was responsible for the training of soldiers recruited by Sun Zaizhi.

"It's good if it's OK." Sun Zairen breathed a sigh of relief.

"The personal combat skills of these soldiers are basically up to standard, but there are some defects in the coordination of team tactics, coordination of multi-functional arms, and on-site handling of weapon failures."

"The person who was responsible for training them before may be an excellent soldier, and these contents have been engraved in his bones, so these problems were not considered."

"After two to three months, these problems can be basically solved." Huang Zhengfang explained.

Over the past half month, weapons have been piling up more and more, and professional soldiers have arrived from time to time. Huang Zhengfang is not stupid and can probably guess something.

"Okay, the New Year is coming soon, and there are more and more officers. I want to take this opportunity to let the soldiers and officers get to know each other. What do you think?" Sun Zairen nodded.

"Okay, after all, they are the future commanders of these soldiers. Officers should be in place after the New Year. It's okay to get in touch with them in advance." Huang Zhengfang agreed without thinking.

Originally, this matter was in the plan of the General Staff, but it has never been said.

After all, these officers are equivalent to airborne, which is not much different from seizing power.

The idea of ​​the General Staff is to rectify the organization after the short-term training, and then insert officers at all levels according to the organization under the pretext of training, and then conduct running-in training.

In this way, it is also a matter of course, but it doesn't look good.

Now Sun Zairen can directly bring it up, which is the best.

"Okay, then we'll hold a party on New Year's Day, and everyone will attend. You guys should also prepare." Sun Zairen nodded decisively.

As the most basic logic to ensure the operation of society, the army must be the most sensitive place, and Sun Zairen will not hold on to it.

First, Nanhua is a constitutional monarchy, not an absolute monarchy. There are deep waters here, and it will not pass if it is issued once.

Second, even if he does not let it go, he will not be able to compete with Nanhua after losing Nanhua's support, and he may not even be able to complete the set tasks.

…………

The Chinese New Year passed in a flash, and time entered the fourth month of 1910.

On this day, Lin Anmin asked Francesco to come to the coast again, fishing and picnicking.

"Recent days are really as peaceful as water!" Francesco lay comfortably on the lounge chair, basking in the sun and drinking rum with juice.

"Peaceful days are really comfortable... It would be great if such days could continue." Lin Anmin said sincerely.

"Oh! What a great dream, Lin." Francesco smiled.

"Well... but it's beautiful, isn't it?" Lin Anmin shrugged, not caring about Francesco's teasing.

"Yes, but with all due respect, this is impossible, as long as there are differences in the world: Britain and Germany, advanced countries and backward countries, Anglo-Saxons and Germans or other races,"

"As long as these differences exist, there will be disputes over territory, trade, politics, hegemony, etc., and with disputes, there will naturally be competition."

"So, as long as the theory of race and state does not disappear, peace will never come."

Francesco shrugged again.

"That's true, and if the world really enters peace, then we diplomats will be out of work." Lin Anmin smiled, picked up the wine glass, and drank it all.

"Yes, then I can only return to my manor, leisurely looking at the golden wheat fields and herds of cattle and sheep, and playing games with my granddaughter... To be honest, I am tempted." Francesco quickly drank a glass of wine to suppress his restless heart.

"Let's not talk about this, I'm afraid I will resign tonight." Lin Anmin waved his hand and his expression became serious.

"The machine guns and ammunition have been delivered, and the field cannons have been loaded on the ship. They will arrive in Italy in 20 days.

I heard that the Italian Kingdom Army is already mobilizing. Are you ready to act?" Lin Anmin's expression became serious and his voice became cold.

"Where did you hear it from?" Francesco was surprised, but after thinking about it, he nodded again,

"Yes, the Kingdom Army is mobilizing, we are preparing to dispatch 150,000 people. It will take a lot of time to assemble and transport so many people and equipment."

"Don't get me wrong, this matter should not only be known to us, but also to Britain and France. I heard the news from the French ambassador." Lin Anmin nodded.

"What?! Damn it!" Francesco punched the air.

"Don't worry, at least for now, the French don't understand the reason for your mobilization. They may have some guesses, but they are just guesses at most." Lin Anmin comforted.

Italy is in Europe, with an important geographical location and close to France. Large-scale military mobilization cannot be hidden from the French.

The Kingdom of Italy not only has territorial disputes with France, but also competes with France for hegemony in the Mediterranean.

Originally, the British and the French were competing for hegemony, so the French created a green-water navy.

However, later, the British had to deal with the pressure from the Germans, and Britain and France signed a sincere agreement, so they gave up the Mediterranean.

In theory, after Britain gave up the Mediterranean, it should transfer the benefits to its ally, the French, but considering that this is the British who are called the stirrers, nothing they do will surprise people.

Therefore, the development momentum of the Italian Navy is unprecedentedly good!

"We can't wait any longer. The recent rampant pirates in the Mediterranean have seriously affected the international order. As a big country, Nanhua should assume its responsibilities." Francesco looked at Lin Anmin.

Lin Anmin nodded in understanding.

"In the near future, the Nanhua Navy will go on a long voyage to eliminate pirates. The Chang'an battleship will be sent to accompany it. It will take about 28 days from Nanhua to the Mediterranean."

Francesco just nodded.

Later, it depends on the day the Kingdom of Italy plans to take action.

…

"Your Majesty, have you read the telegram sent back by Francesco?" Luigi Lusati, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy, walked into the Italian Royal Palace holding a piece of paper.

"Luigi, have the French really noticed it?" The answer of Emanuele III showed that he was unwilling to believe it.

After all, this matter should be carried out in secret, which is a matter of etiquette.

If the French did not notice Italy's actions, then after Italy sent troops, the French would definitely not be able to react immediately and play a time difference.

After the Italian King's Army rushed to Libya and took the place Italy wanted, even if France intervened again, it would be useless.

Unless war breaks out, France can only negotiate to make Italy spit out some interests, and then recognize Italy's special interests.

With the support of South China and the support of the German-Austrian alliance, no matter what, it will not suffer.

But if it is stopped before the soldiers rush ashore, then even with the support of others, Italy can't do anything.

"Many French warships wandering outside have been withdrawn." Luigi did not answer directly, because he did not know whether it was true or not.

"Then let's take it as true." Emanuele III had a sour face and thought about a solution.

"Let's claim it as a change of guard!" Luigi thought about it.

"Can this fool the French?" Emanuele III did not think anyone would believe it.

"Mobilizing some of the troops deployed on the border and the inland troops can confuse them. We just need to buy some time."

"When the warships of Nanhua arrive, their eyes will be on Nanhua, and our pressure will be much less."

"In this range, launch a full-scale raid. If everything goes well, we can get the established interests. Even if the British and French react violently, we can at least get Tripoli."

After Luigi finished speaking, he looked at Emanuele III.

Emanuele III is 41 years old this year. He is in his prime and tends to explore. Italy has completed its domestic accumulation and can't wait to become an imperialist country.

"Then get ready! When the South China warships enter the high seas, the army will launch a full-scale attack." Emanuele III pondered for a while, raised his head and said firmly.

"Then I will notify the army to get ready, and the South China Empire, their warships should set off." Luigi nodded and said in a deep voice.

...

On April 20th, the battleship Chang'an, accompanied by two supply ships, two cruisers, and six destroyers, passed through the Strait of Malacca and headed west.

Qing Empire, southern Hunan.

"Zhengfang, how is the training going?" Sun Zaizhi walked to the training ground with a suitcase.

"Very good, the officers and soldiers have already had a preliminary run-in. After training, the soldiers have basically mastered the ability to cooperate in combat. Their enthusiasm is average, but their obedience is very good." Huang Zhengfang saluted.

Enthusiasm is compared with the South China soldiers. Soldiers recruited in the Qing Empire basically do what they are told, while South China soldiers are more subjective and proactive.

There is no way. After hundreds of years of slave education, people have become numb. It takes time, blood, and honor to reawaken something.

"If we want them to enter actual combat, is it feasible now?" Sun Zairen asked.

"Well... if the opponent is a soldier of the Qing Empire, we can fight." Huang Zhengfang thought about it and said.

"Hu~ Get ready, at the earliest one month, at the latest two months." Sun Zairen patted Huang Zhengfang on the shoulder and turned away.

He was going to the three towns to instigate the rebellion of the 21st Mixed Army.

.