Chapter 33: Training Soldiers (Part 1)

Ye Mengyan suddenly realized that the gifts from the Xiliu Camp were nothing compared to the effort required to win over them. On the surface, it seemed too risky—the Xiliu Camp might turn against them at any moment, and winning them over seemed unprofitable. But that was just the surface. If he succeeded, he could enjoy the benefits for life.

Huang Zuo Yan and Zunshi were both royal relatives. In terms of military talent, Zunshi was considered superior to Huang Zuo Yan, yet over the years, Huang Zuo Yan had always held the upper hand—thanks to his ability to win over the powerful Black Flag Army. Any demands the Black Flag Army wanted to make to Vietnam had to go through Huang Zuo Yan, and the Vietnamese authorities also needed his approval to command them. With this advantage, he could oversee military affairs in the northern regions.

The Xiliu Camp, on the other hand, was still in its infancy, with fewer than 300 soldiers, but they had strong firearms and great potential. If he could secure this valuable position, as long as the Southern Kingdom remained and the Xiliu Camp continued to exist, he would benefit for life. While the gifts from the Xiliu Camp might be modest, this position would provide lasting benefits. So, he began planning for them: “Winning over your camp not only won’t conflict with joining Liu’s camp but will also make things easier…”

He remembered a secret discussed by the governor and lowered his voice, saying, “If you win them over, you won’t have to worry about food or pay, and you can station troops in the city…”

Huang Zuo Yan was using a strategy of driving wolves against tigers. The Black Flag Army was currently stationed in Shanxi City under Wu Fengdian’s command, who was highly trusted by Liu Yongfu. He joined the Black Flag Army in the tenth year of the Tongzhi era, and Liu Yongfu even gave him his sister-in-law in marriage. Huang Zuo Yan was skilled in politics and wanted to force the Xiliu Camp and the Black Flag Army into a destructive conflict before stepping in to take control. But Ye Mengyan was too eager and ignored the risks, immediately agreeing: “Great! Great! Let’s discuss it properly. Ningxue, bring two more plates of Eagle Coins.”

“Lord Ye! Thanks to your efforts for our Xiliu Camp, please take care of everything in the city for us. If it’s not enough, just let us know.”

“Sure! Captain Liu, just wait for good news from me!”

After receiving the gifts and seeing Ye Mengyan leave with a full load, Liu Yu and Jiang Ningxue closed the door and enjoyed their cozy life as a couple.

Jiang Ningxue found some pine nuts somewhere, which smelled wonderful. She shelled them one by one and fed them to Liu Yu: “It’s delicious! This is like living in paradise.”

Even unmarried couples can talk freely. While shelling the pine nuts, Jiang Ningxue asked, “Are you really that confident in Ye Mengyan?”

“The pine nuts are so tasty!” Liu Yu leaned back lazily in his chair. “Ningxue, you’re really good at shelling them.”

Jiang Ningxue gently pinched Liu Yu’s earlobes. Their relationship grew stronger. Seeing him still lazy, she pinched his soft earlobes again: “Hurry up and tell me.”

Liu Yu lazily stretched himself and waited for Jiang Ningxue to bring the peeled pine nuts to his mouth before saying, “He wants to win over the Xiliu Camp. I’m not interested. I just need some time.”
“You little rascal!” Jiang Ningxue gently patted Liu Yu’s shoulder. “You’re getting trickier by the day.”
Liu Yu casually stroked his fiancée’s soft, delicate body before squinting and saying, “I’m joining the Black Flag Army just to buy some time. If the Vietnamese can give it to me directly, why not?”
“You may be tricky, but don’t try it on me!”
Jiang Ningxue’s care made Liu Yu’s body feel pleasantly tingling. “Good Ningxue, good Ningxue. I’ll never be tricky with you.”
Jiang Ningxue held Liu Yu’s shoulder, her face glowing with a smile. “That’s better. What are your plans?”
Liu Yu squinted as he discussed his plans. “Of course, it’s training. We need to train the troops well and ensure everyone in the Xiliu Camp learns something.”
This had long been part of Liu Yu’s plan—an army that didn’t like to learn had no future.
As for the current Xiliu Camp, it had nearly three hundred modern rifles, making it one of the strongest forces in North Vietnam. Yet, Liu Yu’s confidence was only enough to withstand an attack from a French infantry company.
As for launching a preemptive attack on the French, he doubted that even a French infantry platoon would stop his entire battalion from breaking through.
The key issue was quality. French infantry were undoubtedly the best in that era—well-trained, equipped with complete gear, under excellent command, brave and determined, with rich combat experience. They couldn’t be defeated just by a few modern rifles in a ragtag army like theirs.
Not to mention, their training ammunition alone was enough for several major battles. The war machines of capitalist imperialist countries were far beyond what the Xiliu Camp could match.
There was only more sweat and effort to make up for it. As long as he could gain enough time, he believed he could train a truly strong army, rather than the current Xiliu Camp, which had few advantages beyond its weapons.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ningxue continued peeling pine nuts while planning for Liu Yu. “How much time do we have? At least until Annam eliminates Li Yangcai, we’ll be safe…”
Liu Yu suddenly said, “About a year.”
“How do you know?” Jiang Ningxue blew softly in his ear. “Tell me.”
She grew more and more convinced of her fiancé, but to her surprise, Liu Yu simply smiled and said, “I guessed it.”
But this was actually historical fact. From entering Vietnam to being defeated by the Qing-Vietnamese allied forces, Li Yangcai held out for about four months. Yet, as an experienced general, he continued to lead his remaining troops through the mountains of North Vietnam for nearly ten more months, defeating the Vietnamese forces several times before finally being captured by the Qing army.
A year? Three hundred soldiers? That was far from enough!
Jiang Ningxue then turned her bright eyes toward Liu Yu and said softly, “Then what exercises should we do? What should we learn?”
Liu Yu replied confidently, “Ningxue, I’ll teach you. We’ve known each other since childhood—innocent and close. Even an emperor couldn’t replace that.”

Jiang Ningxue’s neck turned slightly red: “I’m going to die!”
“As for the training exercises for our Xiliu Camp, I’ve also prepared them! Did you see the box I brought from Haiyang?”