Chapter 41: Prepare for Battle! Go!

The Spring Festival of 1879 was remembered in Xiliu Camp as their first especially festive year.
Before the New Year, Liu Yongfu visited with the leaders of the Black Flag Army; they had a pleasant conversation. After Liu Yongfu left, Xiliu Camp officially hung up the distinctive seven-star black flag of the Black Flag Army, marking their formal joining of the force.
Later, there were rumors that Wu Fengdian’s left camp would be under Xiliu Camp’s command, and this news was soon confirmed. For the elders of Xiliu Camp, they never imagined such a day would come.
Just a few months earlier, they had been nothing but a group of displaced people wandering in Haiyang, with little more than the sunlight they saw every day. Now, they had become one of the top military forces in Northern Vietnam, with a bright future ahead—even the famous Wu Fengdian accepted Liu Yu’s command.
This news sparked an explosion of joy. Liu Yu also wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone relax a bit, but he soon realized that Xiliu Camp, no matter when, remained a military camp.
The number of sentries was reduced by half compared to usual, and many people volunteered for long-distance patrols. Now they were qualified soldiers, and with time, they would become even better.
The festive atmosphere persisted—firecrackers were set off in the camp, ten pigs, six sheep, and countless chickens and ducks were slaughtered. The dishes were rich and flavorful, and there was plenty of rice, all provided as tribute by the Vietnamese people. In return, Xiliu Camp would protect these villages.
Spring couplets were posted everywhere. Jiang Ningxue even cooked a whole pot of dumplings for Liu Yu. She was so kind to him that she forced him to eat two large bowls of dumplings, making his belly almost round.
“Are you full?” Jiang Ningxue held the chopsticks in one hand, picking up dumplings from the bowl, while holding Liu Yu’s hand with the other. “There’s more if you need it.”
“Ningxue, I’m really full,” Liu Yu said, burping again. “I really can’t eat any more.”
“You’re my husband—eat a few more.” Jiang Ningxue loved these moments together.
She was so kind to Liu Yu that he had no choice but to eat two more. But seeing her smiling face, he felt happy too.
“It’s great!” Jiang Ningxue wiped the food from Liu Yu’s mouth. “I have something to tell you—our marriage has been approved by my father.”
Liu Yu was overjoyed. He hugged Jiang Ningxue tightly. “Really? Have we picked a date?”
Jiang Ningxue sighed softly. “It will have to be next year. My father said the timing isn’t right this year; it has to wait until next year.”
After the New Year, she would be seventeen, and Liu Yu would be fourteen. Yet they still had to wait another year—by then she would be eighteen, and her young husband fifteen.
Liu Yu’s face, still smelling of dumplings, grew excited. She struggled a bit but gently accepted his kiss.
The future looked bright—just one more year to go.
After a long while, she leaned in his arms, sharing her dreamy thoughts.
Liu Yu held her, feeling her delicate scent, looking at the fine hairs on her neck, and recalling the days they had spent together as his hand slid over her smooth skin.
But she refused to let him go any further: “Ayu, wait until our wedding day.”

The prospects were truly beautiful; she could guard Liu Yu for a lifetime. After the Spring Festival, the entire Xiliu Camp became bustling. Every day, there were field drills at the company level, live combat exercises, and infantry training such as formation drills, which were routine. Liu Suiyun’s platoon even conducted rifle practice. Nighttime military lectures increased significantly. Liu Yu’s lectures on Napoleon’s military history were excellent, even Jiang Ningxue enjoyed listening to them. Liu Yu also prepared many new training subjects, but still taught them on a small scale, with only a few veterans and officers allowed to participate in these practical training sessions. The soldiers’ training intensity was high; their daily physical exertion was astonishing. They could eat two to three pounds of rice per meal. Fortunately, there was an abundance of staple and non-staple foods provided, ensuring sufficient energy to replenish what the soldiers consumed. However, compared to the Black Flag Army, Xiliu Camp’s actions were considered minor. According to Liu Yongfu’s plan, the Black Flag Army mobilized four battalions and all its elite troops, even drawing over a hundred men from the forces guarding their stronghold, forming an army of more than two thousand men to retake Heyang, which was held by thousands of enemy troops. As agreed, Liu Yu sent Liu Suiyun’s platoon, which had the highest military standards in Xiliu Camp: “Suiyun, this time you must represent our Xiliu Camp well.” The platoon consisted of 43 soldiers, all fully equipped and full of fighting spirit—this was indeed a formidable infantry platoon that Liu Yu could be proud of. To prepare, they even exchanged rifles from the inventory in advance and conducted one first rifle practice and two additional rifle exercises. The first exercise required firing five bullets, while the second exercise saw Liu Suiyun’s platoon complete it first in the entire battalion, twice over, using nine bullets each time—23 bullets per person in total. The second exercise was much more difficult than the first, which was done in a prone position from 200 meters away. It involved firing three bullets in a prone position, then advancing 50 meters to fire three bullets in a kneeling position from 150 meters, then advancing another 50 meters to fire three bullets in an upright position from 100 meters. Five hits counted as passing, six as good, and seven as excellent. Not only was it physically demanding, but it also closely resembled actual combat. Yet Liu Suiyun led his platoon to achieve excellent results—80% passing, 20% good, with a few achieving excellent. Along with Liu Suiyun to Heyang was Jing Shiyi, who quickly spoke on his behalf: “Commander, rest assured. This time in Heyang, we will definitely not disgrace our Xiliu Camp.” Liu Suiyun was much calmer than him. Clenching his fist, he said, “Please rest assured, Commander. We will bring good news back from Heyang. Please take care of my mother back home.” Wu Fengdian, who was responsible for support, also said, “Commander Liu, don’t worry. With us providing support, Suiyun and his men are like our core force. We won’t let them engage recklessly; we’ll only let them show their skills at critical moments.” According to the military terminology he had just learned from Xiliu Camp, Liu Suiyun’s platoon should be called the “Reserve Force.”

Currently, both the Xiliu Camp and the Black Flag Army are still in the process of adapting to each other. He plans to follow Liu Yu’s commands in the future, so thanks to this relationship, he is particularly close to the Xiliu Camp and has reaped some benefits. In this instance, Liu Suiyun was temporarily assigned to the left camp, with a group of elite soldiers guarding him. He found that the firepower of his camp had more than doubled compared to before; in a confrontation with forces of equal size, no one could match them. However, Liu Yu is more concerned about the defense of Shanxi after the main force of the Black Flag Army sets out.