Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Going to the East to learn gunsmithing

Lushun, located at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula and on the verge of Dalian Bay, is an important port in China.All previous invaders have regarded this place as the gateway to invade China. The Qing Dynasty was often angered by foreigners, and felt very uncomfortable, so it decided to strengthen national defense in Lushun - build a large fort.Duan Qirui studied gunnery in the Armed Forces Academy, so it was a matter of course that he was sent to Lushun to build forts. Lushunkou is an important military location. The Qing army decided to build 12 coastal forts and 9 land forts here. There are 80 cannons.

Duan Qirui entered into a tense spinner. Duan Qirui's life was full of ups and downs. When he was away with his grandfather, his grandfather died suddenly;One after another, sad and sad, only relying on my own diligence in the Armed Forces Academy to have that excellent grade.Before coming to Lushun, fortunately, I got married and accomplished a major event in my life.Mrs. Wu is also considered a virtuous woman. Speaking of this marriage, Duan Qirui was really grateful to his grandfather, he felt that this grandfather had some foresight and far-reaching considerations—— The Wu family is a well-known lady in Suqian. Her father, Maowei, is a literary scholar and a famous scholar.When Duan Kun was the commander, he was stationed in Suqian and had close contacts.

One day, Wu Maowei came to Duan Kun's office in a long gown and jacket.Duan Kun welcomed him into the living room, someone offered fragrant tea, thanked him, and the two chatted. Wu Maowei is nearly sixty years old, with a thin body, pale and yellowish skin, and a short mustache. He smiles when talking. "The general is stationed in the prime minister, and the people are safe and healthy. I really should give you the umbrella of the people." "The emperor's grace is mighty! I am a little warrior, how useful is it?" Duan Li said: "Let the people of the Li people repay the emperor Well!"

"That's right, that's right!" Wu Maowei said: "General Duan has followed the holy order and managed the army well, which is also indispensable." He also said: "I heard that he made his grandson study with the camp and made rapid progress. It must be extremely important for the general to teach his descendants. Well done." "The family has a lot of preference for the child. I was afraid that he would miss his future, so I took him by my side. Duan Li said: "Suqian is a treasured land with outstanding people. When children come here, they must be inspired to grow. "

"I heard that Lingsun is extremely intelligent, and he will be successful in the future." Wu Maowei said, "How old is Lingsun this year?" "Born in the year of Yi Chou, just 15 years old." Wu Maowei nodded and smiled.He said to himself: "Yichou - Wuchen, one is born in the year of the Ox, the other is born in the year of the Dragon, good match, good match. Good, good." "Ju Rengong is so interested, what did you think of?" Duan Ju asked inadvertently. "General Duan," Wu Maowei arched his hands, stood up, and said with a smile, "Ms. Wu is delusional. I wonder if the general will understand?"

"We have not been friends for a day," Duan Li said: "Duan is stationed in your hometown, take care of me, you and I have long been invincible, what is the big deal, whether you are considerate or not. If you have something to say, just say it !" "General," Wu Maowei said, "Wu is a high climber. Lingsun is 15 years old this year, and my daughter is 12 years old. I think..." Duan Li understood.He hurriedly said: "Jurengong, this is your over-modestness. I heard that Ling Ai is not only very smart, but also outstanding in appearance, and is also a good woman who reads and understands. I am afraid that the dog grandson will not have such a blessing; besides, you and I were originally Brothers treat each other, so, wouldn't it be..."

Wu Maowei hurriedly shook his head. "Why do you mind, the general, there is a saying in the folk that 'the relatives are not equal', you and I are loyal to the imperial court, so there is no need to go too far." Duan Gong said: "So, Ju Rengong is very happy about this marriage. Well, I will invite someone to come to the door to apply for employment as soon as possible!" The two laughed at each other. Duan Kun wrote a letter to his son Congwen about this in time, and Congwen was very happy, and sent someone to Suqian to express "obedience to his father's order".Duan Gong then asked a matchmaker to go to Juren Wu's family to ask for marriage with generous gifts.As a result, the two dolls settled down.

The sky is unpredictable.Duan Li died of illness within a few months after getting engaged to his grandson.Qirui had no choice but to return to Dadaogang Village.Duan Qirui's family was troubled again. Only three years after returning to his hometown, Duan Qirui's father died suddenly, and his mother also died of illness the following year; and he himself, from Jinan to Tianjin, became a high-achieving student in the Military Academy from an ordinary student.When he was 22 years old, his father-in-law Wu Maowei brought his daughter to Tianjin, married Duan Qirui and became husband and wife.Just when Duan Qirui was ordered to build a fort in Lushun, they gave birth to another son.Duan Qirui finally has a stable and beautiful home.

The Armed Forces Academy was established at the request of Li Hongzhang. Li Hongzhang admired Germany very much. The instructors in the school were also invited from Germany by Li Hongzhang and others; In the year Lushun built the fort, Li Hongzhang was already 64 years old. He wanted to establish his political career with his Westernization.Li Hongzhang is a Jinshi of Daoguang, but he made his fortune by running a regiment and training against the Taiping Army.Based on this, he voted under Zeng Guofan's command. In 1861, he compiled and trained the Huai Army, and was sent to Shanghai by the imperial court the following year. With the support of imperialist invaders such as Britain, France, and the United States, he fought against the Taiping Army and was promoted to governor of Jiangsu; The Nian army fought, and a year later he took over Zeng Guofan's post as imperial envoy; in 1870, he replaced Zeng Guofan as governor of Zhili and minister of Beiyang.Since then, he has taken charge of the diplomatic, military and economic power of the Qing court, and started his "self-improvement and seeking wealth" Westernization cause centered on modern military industry.He successively set up Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, Shipping Merchants Bureau, Kaiping Coal Mine, Tianjin Telegraph Bureau, Jinyu Railway and Shanghai Machine Weaving Layout and other enterprises.Use customs revenue to purchase arms and warships, expand the power of the Huai army, and establish a Beiyang navy.Now, Li Hongzhang is in the midst of the spring breeze, and the construction of the fort in Lushun has naturally become one of the achievements of his Beiyang Army.

Li Hongzhang came to Lushun Port, and he wanted to check the first seaport with forts in China.The big officers mobilized, shouting in front and embracing in the back, their crowns and belts wavering, and their braids swaying.A group of officials walked from the seaside to the mountainside, and from the mountainside to the top of the mountain.Li Hongzhang, holding a handgun, walked slowly to a fort that had just been repaired, stopped to look at it, and was probably satisfied, nodding and smiling frequently. "Well, well!" he said, "the battery is well repaired." An attendant said to him: "My lord, do you know who supervised the repair of this fort?" "Who is it?" Li Hongzhang asked.

"It's Duan Qirui, your high-achieving student from the Armed Forces Academy." "Duan Qirui?" Li Hongzhang stroked his short beard with his left hand, and frowned slightly. "My lord, don't you remember?" The person replied, "It's Duan Qirui, who got the best grade in the graduation exam. After graduation, he was ordered to come here to supervise the fort." "I remembered, I remembered." Li Hongzhang nodded. "This Duan Qirui is probably still from my hometown?" As he said that, he looked up at his entourage and smiled "haha" for a while, and said, "I have to be honest, the reason why he was sent to supervise the repair of the fort is definitely not because he is from the same town. Because he has this talent." Everyone laughed. Li Hongzhang said again: "It's a pity to say that I have no impression of this Duan Qirui. I'm afraid I won't recognize him or call him by name if I meet him." "Do you want to send it, and meet with the adults?" "Of course I want it!" Li Hongzhang said, "He's my student, with such excellent grades, and built such a good fort, how can I miss you. See you!" Someone passed on Duan Qirui. That day, the sky was clear and the blue sky reflected the sea.The beaches on the coast are very bright, and the mountains on the coast are very green; the newly built forts on the coast are majestic and look up to the sky; there are a few seagulls flying on the sea, and two goshawks flying on the hills.Lushun Port looks peaceful! Duan Qirui was dressed as a soldier, and when he came to Li Hongzhang, he was so cautious that he didn't know whether he should make a military salute or kneel down? He called out "My lord" in panic, and stood aside with his head bowed.Li Hongzhang smiled when he saw that he was a tall, fair-skinned, gentle-mannered scholar. "Your name is Duan Qirui?" Duan Qirui hurriedly bowed, "Student Duan Qirui." "You are no longer a student, but a soldier." Li Hongzhang laughed again. "Soldiers have to salute." "Yes, yes..." Duan Qirui hurriedly saluted. "Don't be cautious." Li Hongzhang said: "You are indeed my student, Tianjin Wubei Academy. But, you should know that I advocate enlightened running of the school. Teachers need to be taught, but more importantly, teachers and students should be taught about fraternity. Do you understand?" "I know, I know." Duan Qirui replied. "Besides, we are still from the same hometown. The fellow villagers are even closer." Li Hongzhang said, "You are from Hefei, right?" "Yes, the villain is from Dataogang, Hefei." "Da Tao Gang... I am also from Hefei, but I am not very familiar with Da Tao Gang. Is it outside the city?" "It's on the outskirts of the city, about seven or eight miles away." "When fellow villagers meet, it is natural to be three-thirds close. Let me just say a few words of intimacy. Let me ask you, do you know what the purpose of building a fort here is?" "Consolidate coastal defense and resist foreign humiliation!" Duan Qirui stood at attention and held out his chest. "Can foreigners break in and resist it?" "can!" "why?" "The fort is strong, and foreigners dare not invade." "anything else?" "Also..." Duan Qirui pondered for a while, and quickly said: "United as one, united as one!" "Good! What a 'united as one'!" Li Hongzhang was still sober. The Qing Dynasty was humiliated and failed repeatedly. If there is no city of unity, there is no solid fort. "However, many people do not recognize this fact, but succumb to the favor of foreigners. Why can't we learn from foreigners to strengthen our country and defend ourselves?" He felt that Duan Qirui was an unusual young man with some ambitions.He asked again: "In your opinion, what should I do if I want to enrich the people and strengthen the country?" When Duan Qirui left Dataogang, Mr. Shen Qingzhu taught him the "Official Career Manual" which was imprinted in his mind. Although he was dubious about it, he still wanted to try whether it was useful or not.However, he didn't dare to imagine that there was such a huge official in front of him. "A senior official and a high level. Is it okay to flirt with such a person? If he sees it through and gets bored, wouldn't it be counterproductive." Duan Qirui's head was churning violently—after all, he had never experienced the occasion." "Chicken", he has not yet grasped the temperature in the officialdom, he is "stealing", and he has not had the guts to rob the "imperial bar" as soon as he gets off the horse.The matter is already on the verge of breaking out, if you can't shrink back, let's show your heart.Duan Qirui said timidly: "Responding to the words of your lord, I think your idea is correct: self-improvement before you can seek wealth, and self-improvement must start with a strong army and a large-scale modern military industry. The military is strong, the country is strong, and the country is strong. It is the guarantee of people's wealth. The most urgent thing is to learn from Western experience, that is, the so-called learning Westernization and making great progress in martial arts! The students have only a simple view, and I don't know what the adults think?" du8.com copyright When Li Hongzhang heard it, it was as if he had eaten cold watermelon on a mid-autumn day, and he felt comfortable all over his body.He never imagined that his idea of ​​doing foreign affairs and striving for wealth by self-improvement would be so perfectly accepted by a fledgling young man! And in the court, there are still many people who claim to be the pillars of the country to criticize.You said he could not be happy! Li Hongzhang got carried away when he was happy.Walking towards Duan Qirui, throwing off the horseshoe sleeves, went to pat him on the shoulder, shook his hand, and said repeatedly: "Young and promising, young and promising!" Duan Qirui didn't even dare to think about this situation.Such a big celebrity in the imperial court, how many prominent people can't reach his beard; a few half-baked words can make him stretch out his big hand to an unknown person! Duan Qirui was very flustered, so flustered that he didn't know what to do. How to socialize? A 23-year-old pawn is standing in front of a 64-year-old marshal. Depending on how brave you are, you will feel flustered! Duan Qirui met Li Hongzhang, and Li Hongzhang had such a good impression of him again, which was really an overjoyed event in his life.He seemed to see a kind of hope.Back to the residence, I was so excited that I couldn't extricate myself for a long time.He picked up the pen, spread out the paper, and wanted to describe the meeting—what to write down? He couldn't tell.But he felt that this meeting must be the most glorious and memorable event in his life; maybe it will become an opportunity, and he will take advantage of the opportunity to have smooth sailing and rise to the top! However, he did not write anything.He pondered for a long time under the light, but still couldn't write.He really didn't know where to start writing, and what to write? In the eyes of Hefei people, Li Hongzhang is a very remarkable figure, almost comparable to the Long Live Lord! When Grandpa was alive, he often praised him in front of his family, saying "Li Shaoquan (Li Hongzhang's word Shaoquan) is the glory of Hefei people. Hefei has only produced such a big man in hundreds of years." He also said: "The imperial court has entrusted Li Shaoquan with all the major plans of governing the country, which shows that he is the pillar of the country!" Duan Qirui was received by the state Dongliang favored him, what an honor it is! Duan Qirui had a dream, and it was a beautiful dream. Whether the dream can come true is still uncertain.However, good news came from Hefei: Mrs. Wu gave birth to a son for him! When the good news came, Duan Qirui was surprised and happy—he didn’t believe that he was a father, but he was excited for the arrival of his son. Excited.He looked at God and worshiped, thanking God for sending another generation to the Duan family; he looked up the books, and wanted to give his son an auspicious and famous name! He opened a page of "Kangxi Dictionary" and saw the first The first character is the word "macro", and the comments below are full of developed words such as "extracting essence and using macro", "macro talent and rough plan", "broad and broad".Duan Qirui thought for a while and said: "Okay, okay, let's use the character Hong, to promote the great cause, to promote the ancestral heritage, to make this child loud and powerful! Let's call him 'Hongye'!" Duan Qirui wrote a letter to his family and decided on his son's name. The supervision and repair work of the fort in Lushun Port went smoothly, and it was basically completed in one year.After Li Hongzhang received the report that the fort had been repaired, he was extremely happy, but he suddenly thought: "The fort is repaired, and the cannon can be bought. Who will use it?" He felt worried. When Lushun Port was built as a fort, the Chinese army changed from spears to rifles, and some soldiers did not know how to use rifles.What is a cannon? What is the power of a cannon? How to use it? The army still doesn't know anything about these things.It is also a miracle that China can manufacture guns in recent years.Li Hongzhang was in a hurry! He made a report to the imperial court and decided to send a few students to study abroad to learn gunsmithing.After the imperial court approved the performance, Li Hongzhang held a public examination and selection among the students of his military training school. Sending students to study abroad in the 1880s is considered an anecdote in China. Under the closed-door feudal rule, people hardly knew how big the world was, and what was going on in the outside world. They were even dark-eyed. Sending students abroad to learn new games Art, the imperial court can grant it, which is already a big progress.Therefore, all the students of the Armed Forces Academy were rejoiced and actively participated in the election. Duan Qirui didn't care to go back to Dataogang to see his son, so he hurried from Lushun to Tianjin to take the exam. Duan Qirui got excellent grades and got the first place in the exam.The students selected together with him were Wu Dingyuan (Zibiao), Shang Dequan (Zichun), Kong Qingtang (Wenchi), and Teng Yuzao (Xingfu).Before these five people went abroad, they were received by Li Hongzhang together. Li Hongzhang was very impressed with Duan Qirui, and he said to him as soon as they met: "Little fellow, this opportunity is rare! I heard that you got the first place in the exam, which is very good. After going abroad, you must study hard and don't miss home. You go abroad, this is a special favor to you. Germany is the most advanced country in the world, and most of the foreign things are taken by others. You should learn from them. The main purpose of you going out this time is to learn artillery technology. You are in Lushun Port Will the built fort be able to play a role in the future? It depends on whether you can learn the real skills this time." Then he said: "Duan Qirui! You are the first generation of artillery in our dynasty, and also the first generation of artillery in China. , The safety of the country depends entirely on you. The future war will be mechanical warfare, ships, planes, and cannons. It is impossible to know these things. Your burden is not light!" Duan Qirui said: "Lord Li, please rest assured, we will live up to the love and respect of the imperial court and your lord, and we must learn our skills well." "Okay, you are very smart and can learn well." Li Hongzhang said again: "Before going abroad, go to meet your German teachers and ask them about life, study, and various relationships after you come to Germany. I think they will understand you. Help you." Duan Qirui nodded again and again, and said: "Thank you for your guidance, the students will go to see the German teacher." Duan Qirui hurried to Tianjin, ran into the Armed Forces School and saw his German teacher named Dixili, and fell to his knees. "Student Duan Qirui pays a visit to the teacher." du8.com copyright Li Hongzhang and Yuan Shikai hired six Germans as instructors at the Tianjin Armed Forces Academy. Li Yuan believed that the German army was the best in the world, and they would certainly be able to train a first-class army for China.These six German instructors are headed by Dixili.Dixili, on the surface, is very friendly, willing to mingle with the students, smiling and making out with the students all day long; but his heart is very sinister, not only treats the Chinese students as slaves, but also treats the Chinese officers as slaves, which is not what he wants, so he keeps silent When the students disagreed with him, he called him "stupid pig", "bastard" and "unbelievable thing" in German that the students could not understand.However, he has a different view on Duan Qirui. He thinks Duan Qirui is studious, clever, but very obedient, and he is his ideal Chinese student; and made him uneasy.He felt that he was an unconquerable Chinese.Dixili looked at Duan Qirui and said, "Get up quickly, get up quickly. Why do you want to do this big gift?" Duan Qirui got up and said, "I was selected by Lord Li to send me to study in your country... "I congratulate you!" "Teacher, please take care of the students." "No-question-question." The German was very righteous, and immediately said, "You must learn artillery when you go to Germany. Most of the military schools are my colleagues and students. I can tell them that they will take care of you." "Thank you, teacher." you are welcome.Disiri said: "You are my student, of course I hope you learn well." He also said: "When it comes to learning guns in Germany, of course we should talk about a famous gun factory, that is the Krupp gun factory. I will give you Write a letter, and you give it to the principal of the military academy, and he will arrange for you to go to the Krupp gun factory for an internship. There, you can learn real gun skills.” "Thank you teacher, thank you teacher!" you are welcome.Disiri said: "As long as you don't forget that artillery technology was learned in our Germany." "Students will not forget, students will remember." In the spring of the 15th year of Guangxu (1889), Duan Qirui traveled across the ocean to Germany, entered a military academy, and served as a trainee; in the autumn, he entered the Krupp artillery factory to practice artillery. When the Chinese closed their doors, they were arrogant, thinking that everything was good for themselves; when they saw the good things made by foreign countries, they felt that they were not good at anything, and even the moon was a foreign light. Duan Qirui studied in Germany for two years, and returned to China in a golden light. He was worth a lot! When he returned to China, he was appointed as a member of the Beiyang Ordnance Bureau.The following year, at the age of 27, Duan Qirui became an instructor at the Weihai Military Academy, presided over the training of artillery techniques, became a budding officer of the Qing army, and began his years of considerable status.