Respectfully

In the seventh year of the Republic of China, on January 1916, 1 in the Gregorian calendar, the German Zeppelin airship flew over Paris for the first time. Like Britain at this time, France's air defense force was also weak.The bomb dropped from the airship caused a fire in the city of Paris. Although the casualties were minimal, the Zeppelin panic spread from the British Isles to the European continent, and the whole of Paris became panicked.

The leaders of the Allied Powers have not yet reached an agreement on the specific attack time, and in the end they can only postpone the date of making the decision until March. However, the Germans have already begun to assemble troops and artillery on a large scale, including six armies, ten divisions, nearly A huge offensive sequence of 28 people arrived at the front one after another, and the cannon mobilized from the European Eastern and Southern Fronts, as well as all the artillery in the German military factories, were transported to the European Western Front.

With more than 1000 cannons and nearly 28 soldiers, Italy and Russia obviously failed to achieve the intention of attracting German firepower.The German ambitions are clearly revealed, and the offensive plan formulated by Falkenhausen has entered the countdown. Verdun, the only French town that broke into the German defense line, will soon be shrouded in flames of war and gunpowder, and the war on the European continent will enter a more cruel stage. stage.

The Chinese military observation group in Europe also noticed the tense atmosphere on the battlefield. Before the Battle of Verdun began, some members of the observation group realized the unusual atmosphere between the Allies and the Entente, and the confrontation lasted for a year. , will be broken soon.

The Allies have sharpened their knives, but the heads of the Entente are still bickering.The Allies' artillery had opened their guns, but the Allies had not yet realized that the Germans would attack before them.

"I think the Germans will choose Verdun as the attack point." A member of the China Military Observer Group wrote in a secret telegram sent back to China: "Unfortunately, in August last year, Verdun Part of the strong fortress was dismantled, and the artillery was dismantled to less than [-]. The number of troops stationed here is pitifully small compared with Germany. Once attacked by German artillery, I don’t think the French can defend it.”

It was the French Marshal Joffre, who ordered the demolition of the strong fortresses of Verdun, the military commander of the Allied Powers, known as the French nerve tranquilizer.

After the battles in [-] and [-], under the bombardment of German heavy artillery, a large number of bunkers and fortresses regarded as indestructible were instantly breached in both France and Russia. The most impressive , It was the battle that took place in the Liege Fortress in Belgium. In front of the German cannon Dabaisha, no matter how strong the fortress was, it would be reduced to powder in an instant.

Similarly, the battles between the Chinese army and the Russian army in Khabarovsk and Vladivostok also proved that this defensive method is not as "reliable" as imagined.Although the ugly news has not been leaked, the tactics used by the Chinese army when attacking the Russian fortress group have been learned by some European countries.

Due to various reasons, the fortresses that the Russians are proud of are vulnerable to the Chinese.The soldiers hiding in the fort were either killed by shells or roasted to death.

The Germans improved the technology of the Huaxia flamethrower, extending the range and time of the flamethrower. They also improved the protective clothing. As long as the commando formed from this can pass through the no man's land on the battlefield, It can always exert great power in the attack on the trench.This attack method, which only appeared in the late period of World War I, came out more than a year in advance, and it also added a lot of confidence to Falkenhausen's ambitious plan.

Joffre believed that the Germans' heavy artillery and new weapons could easily destroy the fort defenses, so he ordered the demolition of the "outdated" forts in Verdun, abandoning the ring fortifications built before World War I, and changing all of them to "suitable" for today's battlefields. field fortifications.

Overkill is what is used to describe this situation.

Trenches, barbed wire, bunkers and hastily built fortifications replaced the reinforced concrete fortresses, and the hedgehog-like artillery groups were also dismantled.The defending French army was also reduced to four divisions with fewer than 10 men.Compared with the German army that was about to launch an attack, the defensive forces placed by the Allied Powers in Verdun were indeed pitifully small.

French soldiers took over as demolition workers and builders, and no one complained.On the battlefield, soldiers from both the Allied Powers and the Allied Powers carried out the orders of their superiors very well.Throughout the First World War, even though the offensive and defensive methods of both sides were "suicide" and "massacre" in the eyes of later generations, it is undeniable that European soldiers in this period were indeed the "best", and the French army also Well-deserved of their title of second in Europe.

It is a pity that the four-year-long battle not only drained the blood of Europe, but also caused the loss of the most elite forces of Britain, France and other countries, and they did not recover until more than ten years later.At that time, the defeated Germany, under the leadership of a mustache "Führer", ignited the flames of war in Europe again.

The members of the Huaxia Military Observer Group have been rotated through three batches, and their attention to the European War confuses the members of the American Military Observer Group who are traveling with them.They think that the Huaxia people are too serious, as if they are ready to participate in this war at any time.

As US President Wilson said: "This war has nothing to do with us."

This is also the common thinking of most Americans. It is precisely because it fits the public opinion that Wilson was able to defeat his opponent again in the presidential election.

At this time, the Americans were thinking more about making money and occupying more markets while Europe was united. They would not have imagined that when 1916 passed and both European warring parties found themselves somewhat powerless, they would use the Turning to the neutral countries, at that time, even if the United States wants to continue to stay out of the matter, it is no longer possible.

Huaxia is the same.

A new batch of members of the military observation team is about to leave, including experienced veterans and recruits who have just graduated from military academies. In view of the principle of "fairness and justice", members of the military observation team going to Europe can get places in each province. Of course, due to the limited number of places, it is also necessary to sort out the priority and the number of personnel according to "strength".

In the past few times, most of the six northern provinces sent officers and staff officers. This time, Young Marshal Lou unexpectedly gave the places to graduates of the military academy.

After the final list was confirmed, Li Jinyan discovered that there was a name he was very familiar with. It was none other than the son of Li Bing, the director of the clothing factory.At the beginning, this young man almost failed to be admitted to the military academy because of his unqualified height. Li Bing even sent a message to Li Jinyan, asking him for help.

Unexpectedly, it was this young man who didn't look like a big man in the north, who graduated from the military academy with an excellent grade of No. 3. At the graduation ceremony of the Army Military Academy, Marshal Lou personally gave him a sword.

"I didn't expect that." Li Jinyan sorted out the documents that Young Marshal Lou had read, and sighed. Sure enough, the ancients were right, people should not be judged by their appearance. Maybe ten years later, this is the Napoleon of China.

The list will be announced in a week. After thinking about it, Li Jinyan suppressed the idea of ​​telling Li Bing the good news in advance. He will know sooner or later.

After sorting out the documents and checking the time, Li Jinyan got up and left the study.

European and domestic orders have been coming in continuously. Although the factory is busy, it is also busy in an orderly manner. While Li Jinyan is busy with the factory, he can also spare his hands to prepare for the New Year.

Mrs. Bai will celebrate the New Year in Guanbei, and Mrs. Lou, who heard the news, sent a telegram to Li Jinyan, saying that they will all go back to Guanbei for the New Year.

Of course, they are not only President Lou Da and Mrs. Lou, but also Bai Baoqi's family, and perhaps Minister Zhan's family will also join in the fun.When they came back, the juniors naturally couldn't be left behind. The seven golden flowers of Lou's family were determined to come back to visit their grandfather, and Bai Baoqi's children would also come. One can imagine how lively this year's party was.

What Li Jinyan noticed was that Lou Wu is still with Mrs. Lou, and Dai Jiansheng is still in the capital. There has been no news from Dai Guorao, but the young marshal Lou told him that after the new year, the governor of Rehe will be replaced. Dai Guorao will be "promoted" to Beijing. His brother Dai Xiaozhong's [-]th Division will continue to garrison Rehe. This also shows the attitude of President Lou Da. He will continue to use the Dai family. The long hat must be taken off,

In terms of national affairs and family affairs, the Dai family has no reason to retreat.

Regarding this result, Dai Guorao had nothing to say, it was much better than what he had imagined before.He also expressed his gratitude to President Lou Da. Although he took off his governor's hat, he did show him dignity.

Not to mention Dai Xiaozhong, according to his style, if Dai Jiansheng was his son, let alone trying to save his life, he might be killed with a gun.Therefore, it is even more impossible to be separated from the Lou family.

The candidate for the new Governor of Rehe Province has not yet been decided. President Lou Da and Young Marshal Lou originally wanted to invite Meng Lao to come out of the mountain, but was rejected by Meng Lao. His two sons were reused in the military government, so he resigned from the Transportation Bureau As the director of the bureau, he only wants to be unofficial and light, waiting at home for his children and grandchildren to respect him.Shen Zeping and Mr. Shen are also suitable, but he shakes his head more resolutely than Mr. Meng.

However, the military governments of the six northern provinces are not short of talents. Although their prestige is not as high as that of Meng Lao and Shen Lao, they can also be promoted or transferred from within the government.Before Dai Guorao went to Beijing, Xiao Youde would stay in Rehe.

"Father will transfer Xiao Youde to Beijing."

Li Jinyan was taken aback by what Marshal Lou said, but he just nodded and didn't ask any more questions.Some things, it's good to know after hearing it. It doesn't make much sense to ask, let alone something that is beneficial to him.

As soon as Li Jinyan walked out of the study, he was "invited" by Bai Lao.Li Sanshao looked up at the sky, saying that the old man did it on purpose, right?For several days in a row, every day I calculated the time to call him.It's not good if you don't go, but you can go... Thinking of Bai Lao's subtle expression when he saw his handwriting for the first time, Li Jinyan only felt that his face was hot.

Forget it, anyway, it's nothing to be ashamed in front of the elders, just treat it as a colorful dress to entertain relatives.

"Grandfather."

Old man Bai was standing in front of the spread out rice paper, splashing ink with his brush, and when Li Jinyan walked into the room, he just finished the last stroke.

Strategize.

The four big characters are thick and majestic. Even people who don't know calligraphy can't help but clap their hands and say hello.

Bai Lao has practiced facial expressions for more than [-] years, and it is not easy to get a copy of his calligraphy. Even President Lou Da did not have this honor, but since he arrived in Guanbei, the words he wrote to Li Jinyan are enough to make everyone want nothing. The eyes of those who are envious are red.

"I told Xiao'er that you should act with your body and be virtuous with your actions." Bai Lao put down the brush in his hand, picked up the handkerchief that was put aside and wiped his hands, "Xiao'er will continue to kill in this life, and the crime is too heavy Not a good thing, luckily..."

Bai Lao didn't finish his words, looked at Li Jinyan who didn't quite understand, "Your heart and character are very good, would you like to learn from me?"

"It is a blessing to be taught by my grandfather."

"Since that's the case," Bai Lao twirled his beard and smiled, "write ten sheets of big characters every day and hand them to me."

As soon as Mr. Bai finished speaking, Li Jinyan's jaw dropped to the ground.

He thought that old man Bai would let him read the Analects of Confucius poetry, or Chunqiu Zuozhuan, or Sun Tzu's Art of War, and occasionally tell him about officialdom. It is said that this is the elementary course that Young Marshal Lou learned back then... How could he just let him To write capital letters?

Could it be because his calligraphy is too inconspicuous?But his pen writing is obviously not bad... Thinking about it carefully, he probably had a problem with the brush. He had practiced it before, but no matter how hard he practiced, the characters he wrote were only "readable".He had seen Master Lou's pen writing, and he had seen him write with a brush, and now looking at Bai Lao's handwriting, Li Sanshao really had the urge to buy a piece of tofu.

"Practice calligraphy, its original intention is to practice feelings and hone the mind." Bai Lao picked up the pen again, dipped it in ink, and swayed it down. This time, the pen is no longer the thick and thick face, but the thin gold body that Li Jinyan is most familiar with, and the font is refined. , The pen force hides the front.

Li Jinyan's eyes were almost glued to the paper, and the same four characters were strategizing, but they were completely different from the four big characters that Bai Lao used to write with a brushstroke.

"Can you see the difference between these two pictures?"

"The font is different."

Li Jinyan answered quickly, and Bai Lao wrote a pause. If Bai Baoqi were here, he would probably hit Li Sanshao on the head with the wolf hair in his hand.

"Practice calligraphy, stand upright, and increase the number of big characters to twenty pieces every day."

"... Grandfather..."

"kindness?"

"I still have business to attend to."

"kindness."

"Can we have a discussion?"

"Say."

"Don't say twenty articles, will it work?"

Li Sanshao has no shame in going all out, writing twenty big characters every day will kill him.

In the end, the number of big characters per day was reduced to five, which was lower than the number set before. Li Jinyan didn't dare to smile too obviously, for fear that the old man would change his mind.

After Li Jinyan left, Bai Lao spread out the paper again and hung his wrist on it, but it never fell down. After a while, he put down the pen and shook his head and laughed. Such a temperament is not bad.

Li Sanshao who walked out of the room wiped the cold sweat on his forehead, thankful that old master Bai was merciful, but after a while, his nose felt a little sore.The teachings of the elders, he had never been able to ask for it, but now... isn't it just five big characters?He didn't believe that he couldn't practice good calligraphy!

Throughout the afternoon, Li Jinyan locked himself in the room and wrote five big characters conscientiously. From the initial impetuosity to calmness, every time he wrote, his heart seemed to gradually settle down.

Black ink, white paper, a young man in long gown standing in front of the table.

The black forehead hair hangs down, the frown is gradually stretched, and the temperament is serene and quiet.

The girls looked at Li Jinyan like this, and couldn't come back to their senses for a long time. They always felt that today's Young Master Yan has become very different, making people unable to take their eyes off, even walking subconsciously.

Li Jinyan can gradually understand Bai Lao's intention of letting him write. Is this meditation?

When he wrote the last stroke, before he had time to dry the ink, the written word was picked up by someone standing at the table at some time.To be able to appear in the room without a sound, and to stand there for so long, except for Young Marshal Lou.

Li Jinyan didn't speak, but Young Marshal Lou spoke first: "Grandfather's order?"

"kindness."

"How much per day?"

"Five articles." Li Jinyan raised his head and said, "Grandfather asked me to write five large-character articles every day and hand them to him."

"Rewrite it."

Seeing that Li Jinyan was puzzled, Lou Xiao spread the writing on the table again, "Are you sure you want to show it to your grandfather?"

Only then did Li Jinyan realize that the entire page was filled with the name of Young Marshal Lou... Was it really written by him?

"It's a coincidence."

"kindness."

"What a coincidence!"

"kindness."

"..."

Clearly, explanations are useless.

Young Marshal Lou carefully dried the ink, put the paper away, spread the rice paper again, motioned Li Jinyan to pick up the pen, then walked behind him, held his hand holding the pen, and the ink slowly smeared on the paper.

"Young commander?"

Li Jinyan was wrapped in Marshal Lou's arms. The two of them had done something a hundred times more intimate than this, but Li Jinyan still felt very awkward at this moment.He moved uncomfortably, and was immediately grabbed by the waist.

"I should have taken your words." The deep voice brushed over Li Jinyan's hair and flowed into his ears.

Li Jinyan looked at the words on the paper, and for some reason, he could see a different emotion from the blade-like strokes.The hand on the waist became tighter and tighter, Li Jinyan said nothing, clasped Lou Xiao's shoulder with his backhand, raised his head, the warm breath brushed the neck of the person behind him, Lou Xiao's big hand rested on the edge of the table, Lowering your head, the moment your breath merged, there was an unpleasant knock on the door.

Feeling the temperature drop all over his body, Adjutant Ji was also very helpless, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say: "Young Marshal, the President is calling urgently."

At the same time, changes have also taken place on the Eastern Front in Europe. As the German army transferred most of the artillery, the pressure on the Russian army suddenly eased. Tsar Nicholas II made one of the few wise actions before he abdicated. Decided to withstand the pressure of many parties and approved Brusilov's offensive plan.