I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 149 Military Education

Chapter 149 Military Education

After distributing the soldiers' pay, Governor Chen gave a speech to the soldiers, emphasizing the importance of honor and discipline.

He then had Lieutenant John Tripp and Henry Stray lead the soldiers' physical and shooting training for the day, while he himself took Henry Reinhardt to the camp's greenhouse to work together on developing infantry tactics for the Western Independent Regiment.

Although Henry Reinhardt is only twenty-seven years old this year, he has good military talent. He studied military science at the Karolinum Academy in Kassel and is very familiar with mainstream European tactics.

If he hadn't been so young, having just finished his training when the Seven-Year War ended, he would definitely be more than a lieutenant now.

Upon hearing Governor Chen inquire about infantry tactics, he immediately explained: "—Your Excellency, there are three main types of infantry tactics currently used by European armies: the traditional linear tactics, the oblique tactics invented by Frederick the Great, and skirmish tactics."

The advantages of linear tactics are strong firepower and stable formation, which can make up for the lack of accuracy of smoothbore guns. However, linear infantry have poor mobility and are limited by terrain, making them unable to deploy in forests and mountains.

The advantage of oblique line tactics is high mobility and the ability to create local firepower superiority. However, it places high demands on the quality and training level of soldiers, as well as the ability of commanders, and requires close coordination between cavalry and artillery.

Skirmish tactics, or light infantry tactics, are suitable for battlefields such as mountains and forests, where they can use the terrain to conceal their shooting, harassment, and reconnaissance. They are suitable for non-professional and low-intensity close combat, and can also be combined with cavalry to take advantage of mobility, such as the French dragoons.

Here in North America, the enemy we face is not a powerful infantry legion, so I recommend that you train your army as light infantry and dragoons; this will be sufficient for you to exercise authority in the West.

Chen Wenbin thought to himself that what he wanted was more than just being the governor of the west for the British.

He nodded slowly: "Light infantry tactics definitely need to be trained, but I also need an elite force that can fight conventional warfare!"

The Spanish territory is to the west, and we must be on guard.

I have an idea to establish a professional light cavalry regiment, also known as dragoons, where each soldier is equipped with multiple muskets and horses. We would use them to deal with uncooperative Native American tribes and various bandit gangs in the West and establish a stable order in the West.

As for the rest of the armed militia, their usual duties are to protect the settlements and plantation farms, and they also need to train in frontal combat tactics—Henry, can you do that?

Upon hearing this, Reinhard removed his peaked cap, looked at his employer with his blue eyes, and tentatively said, "Sir, this would probably require a professional officer corps and staff—you don't seem to need to do that!"

Chen Wenbin thought for a moment, then, without hiding anything, frankly told him: "As you have already seen, the conflict between North America and Britain is growing bigger and bigger because of taxes and interests."

I fear that North America may descend into chaos in the future, and therefore we need more troops to protect ourselves—after all, I am the governor appointed by the King.

Henry Reinhardt nodded slowly, then pressed on, "So if a conflict were to break out between North America and Britain, or even—a war—would you still remain loyal to the King?"

'

Chen Wenbin remained silent. He did not answer, but stared at the blond young lieutenant in front of him.

Seemingly aware that his question might have offended the other party, Reinhardt stood up abruptly, stood at attention in front of Chen Wenbin, and said very seriously, "Your Excellency! You don't need to doubt my loyalty to you. My mother, my sister, my brothers and sisters are all in Robin City now. You can tell me your true thoughts so that I can help you formulate a suitable army training plan."

Chen Wenbin shook his head slightly, picked up his coffee cup, took a sip, and said calmly, "You already have a guess, don't you?"

"I am, after all, a North American—a governor, not a true British nobleman!"

Upon hearing the other party's tacit agreement, Reinhardt's eyes flashed with excitement, but he quickly calmed down and nodded vigorously. "I understand! Your Excellency! I know what to do!"

What you need is not a North American light infantry force that can defeat Native Americans and bandits, but a powerful legion capable of defeating a top-tier European army!

This could require 30,000 people and at least five years, plus hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding —

Money is not a problem!

Chen Wenbin interrupted, "Moreover, I will build a factory in Pittburgh in the west to manufacture muskets and cannons, which will greatly reduce military spending."

I need your help to establish a military school capable of training junior officers and mid-level commanders—the Prussians were right; education can transform the soul of a nation.

Similarly, excellent military education can help us cultivate a continuous stream of officers to support a legion of tens of thousands of people!

And you have the opportunity to become the commander of this legion!

Chen Wenbin knew that with a young and strong soldier like Reinhardt, there was no need to talk to him about what power and benefits he would gain by following him.

All you need to do is tell him that he has the opportunity to become the commander of an army of tens of thousands of people. Everyone's ultimate desires are different. If you want someone to work for you, you must offer them what they desire most to entice them.

Sure enough, he was right. Upon hearing that he could command an army of tens of thousands, Reinhardt became visibly excited.

His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Your Excellency—do you intend to establish an empire in North America?"

"An empire? Of course not! I'm not that stupid!"

Chen Wenbin denied it without hesitation, then looked at the snowflakes falling outside the window and sighed, "North America was de facto independent after the Seven Years' War!"

It's just that due to cultural inertia, North Americans still regard Britain as their mother country.

But Britain’s increasingly aggressive intervention is pushing North America further away—a point that Downing Street politicians don’t understand and will inevitably ignite sooner or later.

I'm betting that North America will successfully break away from the British mother and be born as an independent country!

This country can no longer accept a monarchy, nor can it accept a military tyrant, so I am prepared to be the midwife of this country.

"Henry, you may not become a military noble in this new country, but I assure you, as long as you make sufficient contributions in the process, you will gain enough honor and wealth in this nascent nation, which is actually not much different from being a noble."

"A new country! A new country!"

Henry Reinhardt repeated the sentence twice, his eyes gradually hardening.

"Your Excellency, I will do my utmost!"

"very good!"

Chen Wenbin smiled. "I look forward to the day you become a general!"

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