Beiyang Dream

Chapter 13: In order to ensure the Qing Dynasty departs peacefully, I'm determined to attend th

August 11, 1889. A train traveling from Essen to Berlin is rattling across German soil.

There are now 27 days left until the autumn entrance exams for the Prussian War Academy.

The private compartment was packed like sardines. Chang Desheng, Duan Qirui, Shang Dequan, Wu Dingyuan, Kong Qingtang, and a German instructor named Reiner—six men crammed inside, legs touching legs, shoulders bumping shoulders. The weather was hot, and the smell of sweat mixed with coal ash was enough to give anyone a headache.

Duan Qirui and three others were lining up, each reciting vocabulary words to Reiner.

They all recited them fluently. Reiner ticked them off in his notebook, but in his heart he was thinking: These Chinese students have really good memories! Why don't they study hard at the Beiyang Military Academy?

He glanced up at Chang Desheng, who was huddled in the corner.

When I looked at it, my eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Chang Desheng was flipping through a thick book, his left hand holding down the pages, his right hand holding up a pencil, and he started scribbling calculations on a piece of scrap paper. Halfway through, he stopped, nodded at the illustrations in the book, and muttered, "What the hell? This is just Bernoulli's equation, why make it sound so complicated..."

Reiner was stunned for a long time.

He remembered the contents of the book. It was probably a physics textbook for upper-grade students at a vocational high school; even in Germany, that would be something only top students could handle. Chang Desheng, a graduate of a Chinese military academy, could he really learn it by himself on a train?

This is just too genius!

Also, where did he get this book? Did he borrow it from Schneider when he changed cars in Essen? Schneider lives in Essen, and I think his son got into the University of Berlin last year; they probably have textbooks they don't need...

Reiner glanced at his pocket watch—it had been just five hours since he departed from Essen station.

The physics textbook was already turned to the last chapter. The draft paper was densely covered with formulas and simplified diagrams.

Reiner swallowed hard, leaned closer, and whispered in German, "Zhenbang, can you really understand it?"

Chang Desheng didn't even look up: "I can understand it."

He only said half the story.

The other half is "quite simple"—classical mechanics, thermodynamics, acoustics, optics, statics, and fluid mechanics were all things he was quite good at in his previous life. Mechanics, in particular, structural mechanics, materials mechanics, and soil mechanics were his bread and butter.

Looking at these 19th-century secondary school textbooks now is like a college student looking at elementary school arithmetic.

The only trouble was having to familiarize myself with the terminology, units, and theoretical models that hadn't been simplified yet.

We need to "re-label" it.

Reiner stared at the few lines of derivation on his draft paper, which seemed quite like the standard answer... Could he really be a genius, like Newton, Maxwell, or Faraday? If so, it would be a bit of a waste for him to go to the Prussian War Academy; he should be studying physics at the University of Berlin!

"You..." Renell's Adam's apple bobbed. "Are you really going to apply to the War Academy?"

Chang Desheng finally raised his head, grinned, and said, "Of course!"

He said this with such certainty, like a true genius!

Reiner stared at him for three seconds, then gritted her teeth and said, "Fine! I'll send Captain Hannagan's letter of recommendation to the Prussian War Academy for you!"

When he mentioned the words "War Academy," a look of envy, jealousy, and hatred flashed in his eyes.

He himself had never been able to get into that place.

"But I must warn you," Renell lowered his voice, "the entrance exam for the War Academy is not on the same level as the Military Academy. Not only are there subjects you might be good at, such as mathematics, physics, fortification, and English, but there is also tactical planning... that's the hardest part. After all, you've only received basic non-commissioned officer education and have never been in the army. You have no idea how to formulate combat plans at the regimental, brigade, or even division level."

"No problem, I can learn!" Chang Desheng chimed in, tapping his pencil on the paper. "I've calculated it. Twenty-seven days, eight hours a day, minus meals, sleep, and travel time, I can accumulate two hundred effective study hours. Could you help me find some relevant textbooks and reference materials?"

Reiner opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

You can't possibly learn this on the spot?

While the two were whispering amongst themselves, Duan Qirui's ears perked up. He was best at German, and those words drifted into his ears—war academy, exam, letter of recommendation.

He turned his head sharply: "Zhenbang, what did you just say, 'War Academy'? Isn't it the Berlin Military Academy?"

Chang Desheng turned his head and smiled at him: "Zhiquan, Han Daren saw that I did well in the last exam, so he recommended that I try out for the Prussian War Academy. That place..." He paused, then found an easy way to put it, "...trains officers for the German General Staff, which is equivalent to our... um, the Grand Council?"

Duan Qirui was stunned.

Although he had never heard of the "War Academy," the words "Military Affairs Office" stuck in his ears like needles.

What kind of academy is this? It's a place that trains German military strategists!

He immediately looked at Reiner: "Mr. Reiner, may I take the exam?"

Reiner looked troubled.

He rubbed his hands together, his German stammering: "Duan, well... the War Academy usually only accepts its own citizens, very few foreigners. Zhenbang's situation this time is due to Captain Hannagan's special recommendation, plus his performance in Tianjin was really... really outstanding."

Duan Qirui stared at him: "Mr. Rui, could you please ask around? I don't expect to get the job, I just want an opportunity."

Reiner smiled bitterly to himself.

Question: I also want to ask myself if I'm even qualified to take the exam!

You're a Chinese student studying abroad, and you can't even speak German fluently yet, but you want to get into the War College?

But looking into Duan Qirui's burning eyes, he swallowed his words and could only mumble, "I...I'll try. But don't get your hopes up too high."

Duan Qirui was about to say something more when suddenly...

Ugh!!

The train whistled loudly, jolted, and slowed noticeably. Outside the window, a dense array of tracks, signal lights, and red-brick station buildings surged into view like a tide. On the platform, station staff in black uniforms blew whistles and waved signal flags.

Reiner, as if granted a pardon, jumped to his feet: "We've arrived! We've arrived! Berlin Zoo Station! Quick, grab your luggage!"

The private room erupted into chaos. Boxes, bundles, hats, and books clattered and rattled. Chang Desheng closed his textbooks, stuffed them into his canvas satchel, folded up his draft paper and tucked it into his coat, then picked up the two heavy leather suitcases.

Duan Qirui glanced at him, said nothing, and then lowered his head to pick up his own suitcase.

The car door opened, and Reiner led the way, followed by Chang Desheng carrying two large boxes, and then Duan, Shang, Wu, and Kong filed out.

The platform was packed with people. Gentlemen in top hats, women carrying baskets, students in uniforms, and vendors hawking their wares—the sounds of people mingled with the roar of steam engines, making one's eardrums buzz.

But everything here is still in good order, very German indeed.

Chang Desheng moved out with the crowd, but in his mind he was thinking about the physics textbook he had just read: he needed to focus on optics and introductory electromagnetism for eighth grade, and review the thermodynamics section for ninth grade... There were still 27 days left, time was tight.

Once outside the ticket gate, the view suddenly opened up before me.

We've arrived at the square outside the Berlin Zoo.

Chang Desheng narrowed his eyes, about to look for the person from the embassy to pick him up, when his gaze suddenly froze.

On the west side of the square, twenty or thirty short men in gray-blue uniforms stood in neat rows. They were all short, averaging just over 1.5 meters, and stood ramrod straight, like a row of javelins planted in the ground. Beneath their military caps, their faces were yellow-skinned, with narrow eyes and tightly pursed lips, their expressions unchanging.

That "recruiting" vibe tells you at a glance—he's a Japanese exchange student.

Chang Desheng was taken aback.

Wow, so many?

He had only met four others before: Hideaki Tojo, Shogo Iguchi, Keizo Yamaguchi, and Shigeta Fujii. He thought that there were only a dozen or so Japanese military students sent to Germany at most. But there were twenty or thirty Japanese soldiers right here.

Studying in Germany is not cheap!

Those little devils are really going all out!

As he was thinking, he heard footsteps behind him.

Tojo Hideaki and his three companions emerged carrying their luggage. Upon seeing Chang Desheng, Tojo paused briefly, then nodded in greeting. He puffed out his chest, picked up his suitcase, and swaggered towards the group of Japanese exchange students.

Someone in the line spotted him, and a short command rang out:

"salute!!!"

Snapped!

Twenty or thirty people stood with their legs together, raised their hands, and moved as if they were one person. Their eyes, hidden under the brim of their hats, all turned to Tojo.

Tojo walked to the front of the line, put down his box, and returned the greeting. Then he turned around, glanced at Chang Desheng again, and seemed to twitch his lips before facing his compatriots again and starting to speak rapidly in Japanese.

Chang Desheng looked at the gray-blue expanse and quickly calculated in his mind:

Twenty or thirty people, let's say twenty-five. These should be students at the Berlin Military Academy, which is a two-year program, averaging a dozen or so students per year!

And this is just for those studying army. What about the navy? What about those studying engineering? What about those studying defense engineering?

Just as he was feeling a chill run down his spine, Wu Dingyuan suddenly shouted, "Zhenbang! Look over there! Our men!"

Chang Desheng turned his head.

On the east side of the square, a short, stout man with a dark face, dressed in the official robes of a fifth-rank civil official of the Qing Dynasty, was standing on tiptoe, peering in this direction. Behind him were two attendants in short shirts, one of whom held a wooden sign with seven large characters written in calligraphy:

He received Chang Desheng and other students.

The calligraphy was elegant and powerful. However, the attendant holding the sign was a bit short, and the sign was crooked, making it look somewhat comical.

The fat man's eyes lit up when he saw Chang Desheng and his group. He jogged over and blurted out in Tianjin dialect, "Oh my! We've been waiting for you! Chang Zhenbang, Chang Sheng? Duan Zhiquan, Duan Sheng?... "

He rattled off all five names in one breath.

Chang Desheng sized him up: he was in his forties, with a dark, chubby face, small eyes, and a smile that made him look like a Maitreya Buddha. However, his official robe was a bit tight, and he was panting heavily when he ran.

"And you are?" Chang Desheng asked, bowing respectfully.

"Guo Shigui! Counselor of the Embassy, ​​here to welcome you all on the orders of Minister Hong!" The fat man wiped his sweat, his Tianjin accent impeccable. "The car is waiting outside; let's go back to the Embassy and settle in first. You've had a long journey!"

As he spoke, he gestured to his attendants to take the luggage. The two attendants quickly and efficiently carried all the suitcases from Reiner and Chang Desheng. Guo Shigui led the group out, but as they passed the line of Japanese students, he paused, turned his head, glanced at them, gave a wry smile, and shook his head.

.......

When the four-wheeled carriage rolled through the cobblestone streets of Berlin, Chang Desheng was finally able to catch his breath.

Inside the carriage, Guo Shigui sat opposite him. As soon as the fat man boarded the train, he took off his official hat, revealing a shaved forehead. He took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, muttering, "This weather, it's August and it's still so stuffy."

Chang Desheng didn't respond to that question, but instead asked, "Lord Guo, are you familiar with all those Japanese students who were in the square just now?"

Guo Shigui paused in wiping his sweat, a wry smile returning to his face: "Familiar? Not really. But we've seen each other a lot."

He sighed, "There are quite a few of those Japanese. Just the ones studying at the Berlin Military Academy alone, I estimate there are at least thirty. And that's only from the last two years. There were more in earlier years, and they've been coming in steadily, without stopping."

Chang Desheng mentally weighed the question again: "Thirty? Fifteen every year?"

"About ten." Guo Shigui counted on his fingers. "At least ten or so each year. More than seventeen or eighteen. When did it start? Let me think... It's been about ten years. I came to Germany in the eleventh year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, and there was already a group of them here then. Were there any earlier? I don't know, I was still studying German at the Tongwen Guan in Beijing back then."

Ten years. About ten each year. Chang Desheng did some mental calculations with his eyes closed: at least a hundred people, and that's just those who went to Germany; there should be some in Britain and France too, right?

He opened his eyes and asked, "Is this all German army?"

"Most of them are from the army," Guo Shigui nodded. "There are also a few who studied the navy, in Kiel. There are also those who studied artillery manufacturing, engineering... They learn systematically, coming in batches and returning in batches. When they go back, they are promoted and lead troops, and then new ones are sent over."

Chang Desheng remained silent.

The Japanese Army Officer School was established earlier and was more rigorous than the Beiyang Military Academy. They also had an Army University specifically for training high-ranking officers. Now, even the best graduates from the Army Officer School and Army University are being sent to Germany in batches. Just the system, determination, and continuity of their talent cultivation alone leave the Qing Dynasty, which was still engaged in the Self-Strengthening Movement, far behind.

The Qing Dynasty was truly unacceptable!

To ensure the Qing Dynasty departs peacefully, I'm determined to attend this Prussian War Academy!

It's just a tactical scenario, right? I may have never led troops or fought in a war, but I've played Verdun and Isonzo... Hehe, maybe I can let those Germans who will be fighting in World War I sooner or later experience what trench warfare is like!

Thinking about this, Chang Desheng was already eager to try, and he turned to look at Reiner.

"Mr. Ray, when is the earliest you can submit Captain Hannagan's letter of recommendation? When can I go to the War College to take the entrance exam?"

Reiner was gazing out the window, lost in thought, when asked the question. She paused for a moment before realizing what he meant: "I'll deliver the recommendation letter first thing tomorrow morning."

Chang Desheng nodded and didn't ask any further questions. He leaned back in his seat and squinted at the view outside the window.

My mind is filled with that gray-blue expanse of the zoo plaza. Twenty or thirty people, over a hundred in ten years. Twenty-seven days left.

He suddenly opened his eyes again.

"Mr. Rui."

"Um?"

"Can I buy barbed wire here in Germany?"

Renell paused for a moment: "You mean... the kind with fenced-off ranches?"

"No," Chang Desheng shook his finger, "military ones. They can hook barbs. To stop people, horses, infantry—were they even useful to the German army? And what about those Gatling guns or Maxim guns? Did your German army even have them?"

Renell frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "I heard they've been tested in colonial troops in Africa, but haven't been officially issued to the mainland yet. What? Are you testing tactical scenarios and want to use barbed wire, Gatling guns, and Maxim guns?"

Chang Desheng smiled and said, "Could you ask around for me?"