Beiyang Dream

Chapter 7 You Are the Future Chief of the General Staff

On the second floor of the Western-style instructor building at the military academy, in Captain Hannagan's office.

Chang Desheng had been sitting in that hard armchair for almost the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Hannagan sat behind the table, his back ramrod straight, holding a piece of paper covered in German writing in his hand, looking at it over and over, his eyebrows furrowing and relaxing intermittently.

Chang Desheng felt a little strange. What was written on that piece of paper? Could it be a letter from his wife back in Germany?

As he was pondering this, Hannagan suddenly handed him the paper in his hand.

"often."

Hannagan spoke in German, his voice a little deep.

"Take a look at this."

Chang Desheng quickly accepted it with both hands, replying, "Yes, Captain."

Then he looked down and saw that the paper was handwritten in German, in fancy script, quite beautiful, but so densely packed that it made his eyes dizzy.

Chang Desheng gritted his teeth and watched.

When he was preparing for graduate school entrance exams in his past life, he did take German as a second foreign language. But that was just for the exam, and he threw it away afterward. He doesn't remember many words now, and most of them are related to architectural engineering.

At this moment, he could only squint and scrutinize each word one by one.

"Navy...Fleet...Japan...purchases...armored ships..."

Chang Desheng has already figured it out!

He looked up at Hannagan and stammered in his broken German, "Captain... this, this is what I wrote... the question?"

Hannagan nodded, a slight smile appearing on his face. He spoke a long passage in German, not quickly, but with words coming out one after another.

Chang Desheng only understood a few fragmented words: "good," "very," "interesting," and "analysis."

The rest was all gibberish.

He felt sweat starting to appear on his back.

This feeling is just like being in a meeting with German clients in a past life. Those Germans spout technical jargon like machine guns, and he just sits there smiling, cursing under his breath, but pretending to be all knowledgeable.

But he can't pretend anymore.

Hannagan was clearly praising him, saying something very important. But he couldn't understand.

If you don't understand, how can you respond? If you can't keep up with the conversation, how can you ask someone to recommend Cao Kun and Wang Zhanyuan?

Chang Desheng was on edge.

No, we can't stay like this.

He took a deep breath, his mind racing.

His German is completely hopeless. Chinese? Hannagan's Chinese is even worse than his German. He can manage simple conversations, but anything more complex will leave him completely lost.

that……

Chang Desheng suddenly raised his head, looked at Hannagan, and spoke in English.

"Captain."

He speaks English much more fluently than German; after all, he has a master's degree from a 211 university, passed the CET-6 (College English Test Band 6), and has studied a lot of the English instructions on the blueprints.

"Can we speak in English? My German... is really limited."

Hannagan was stunned.

He stared at Chang Desheng, his blue eyes filled with surprise. His expression was as if he had just seen his cat suddenly start talking.

I was stunned for a full three seconds.

Then Hannagan smiled. He switched to English, with a slight German accent, but very fluently.

"Of course, Mr. Chang. Your English... is very good."

He paused, then asked with interest, "Who did you learn from?"

Chang Desheng breathed a sigh of relief.

Then a bunch of names flashed through his mind: Zhang Hongmei, his junior high school English teacher; Wang Zhiguo, his high school English teacher; John, his university foreign teacher…

But he couldn't say it.

He lowered his eyes, feigning a nostalgic expression: "I learned from... Reverend Smith of the Anglican Church in the British Concession of Zizhulin. He opened a school next to the church, a church school. Unfortunately, it's gone now."

Hannagan nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. He picked up the German paper again and said in English:

"This is your strategy, which I asked Mr. Yinchang to translate. Your analysis report is very insightful, Mr. Chang. If Governor-General Li can adopt any of these strategies—whether it is a preemptive strike or the purchase of new ships—Japan will have to reconsider its policy toward China."

Chang Desheng smiled bitterly to himself.

Adopt it? Old Li was tempted. But if he really adopted it, my Sino-Japanese War would be over. Thinking of this, Chang Desheng almost cried: My Sino-Japanese War, you can't just leave like this!

But he still had to respond to Hannagan verbally: "Captain, you flatter me. I am but a lowly person, and Your Excellency may not take what I have written seriously."

This is the absolute truth, and it's his heartfelt wish—Old Li, please don't take it seriously! I'm just a nobody, and I speak very softly...

Hannagan shook his head.

"No, Mr. Chang. You underestimate yourself."

He carefully placed the paper on the table, crossed his arms, and leaned forward slightly.

“You know, most graduates from the Berlin Military Academy—the school you’re going to—can’t write such insightful strategic analyses. Their papers are full of dogma and empty talk, while your report,” he pointed to the paper, “is full of… how do you say it in Chinese? Yes, full of ‘substance’.”

Chang Desheng had no idea where Hannagan had learned the term "real ingredients" from. Could it have been from the vegetable market?

However, he still knew that Lord Han was praising him.

But why did he praise me like that?

Chang Desheng's mind immediately began to race: This German instructor is looking at the Chinese students' essays so intently... what is he planning to do?

Hannagan's next words provided him with the answer.

"So, Mr. Chang, I've changed my mind."

Hannagan looked at him with a serious expression.

"You shouldn't go to the Berlin Military Academy—it's just a non-commissioned officer school that teaches basic fortification, surveying, and tactics. It's too basic for you."

Chang Desheng's heart skipped a beat.

"So... what does the Captain mean?"

"You should go to the Prussian War Academy," Hannagan said, emphasizing each word. "It's the highest institution of the German Imperial Army, the place that trains staff officers and future generals. Only there can you truly learn the art of war."

Prussian War College.

Chang Desheng was stunned.

He recognized the name. In his previous life, he had studied the history of World War II, and those famous German generals—Moldi Moltke the Elder, Schlieffen, Ludendorff—all came from there.

"But..." Chang Desheng was a little uncertain, "I'm just a student at the Beiyang Military Academy, can I go directly into the War Academy?"

"Normally, no," Hannagan said. "But the War College holds a special advanced training program each year for outstanding officers from some friendly countries. Places are limited, and competition is fierce. However..."

He paused for a moment, then said, “I can write you a letter of recommendation to my father’s friend, Lieutenant General Bernhard von Brauchitsch, who is now the director of the War College.”

Brauchitsch? Chang Desheng thought to himself: What a familiar surname! It reminds me of "San Dezi"!

Hannagan continued, "My recommendation, combined with your essay, should secure you a chance to take the entrance exam."

"Exam?" Chang Desheng grasped the key word.

"Yes, an exam," Hannagan said. "You need to pass the exam to get in. If you don't pass, you can always go to the Berlin Military Academy."

Chang Desheng is not afraid of exams. In his previous life, he was a test-taker from a small town and knows exams best!

He looked up at Hannagan: "Captain, I'm willing to give it a try. What kind of test will it be?"

Hannagan seemed to have anticipated his question, and took out a handwritten German course from his drawer and handed it to him.

"This is the exam syllabus. For the professional courses, you have to choose one of four options plus tactical scenario planning. I suggest you choose fortification—that's your strength. For the general subjects, you can choose English as your foreign language. East Asian students can apply for exemption from history and philosophy."

Chang Desheng took the regulations and glanced at them. They were all in German, but he could roughly understand the subject names.

He was confident. The general subjects, besides history and philosophy, were mathematics, geography, and physics—he had scored high in all three, plus the city-building, so his tactical plan was that even if he bombed the exams, he should still be able to get in.

"Captain," he said, "I will prepare carefully."

"Very good." Hannagan smiled.

He stood up, walked to the desk, and took out letter paper, a pen, and sealing wax.

"I'll write to General Brauchitsch right now. In the letter, I'll tell him that you are the most promising young officer I've ever seen in China. If you pass the exams and complete your studies at the War College, after returning to China..."

Hannagan put down his pen, looked up at Chang Desheng, and slowly said in English:

"You, Chang Desheng, are very likely to become the future Chief of the Army General Staff of the Qing Dynasty."

Chief of the General Staff of the Qing Army?

Chang Desheng thought to himself: You've got it wrong, Captain Hannagan. I'm going to bury the Qing Dynasty and become president myself. Who the hell is serving as the Chief of Staff for that Tartar court?

But we can't say that now.

He could only manage a forced smile and say in English, "Captain, you flatter me. I... will do my best and not disappoint you."

Hannah nodded, said nothing more, and began to write a letter.

Chang Desheng started scrutinizing the small accounts again.

What exactly is Hannagan after?

He was an active-duty German officer, sent by the government to the Tianjin Military Academy as an instructor... Why would he go to such lengths to recommend a Chinese student to Germany's top military academy? And even write a letter to someone of Brauchitsch's stature?

Is it because they cherish talent?

Or is there another purpose?

For example... training a pro-German future Chinese Chief of the General Staff for Germany?

Chang Desheng didn't actually want the future China to get on Emperor Wilhelm II's pirate ship—Wilhelm II was really unreliable!

However, he also knew that he had to accept this letter of recommendation.

The Prussian War Academy was no longer just gilded; it was pure gold, studded with diamonds. If one could get in, upon graduation and returning to China, one would be a graduate of "Germany's highest military academy," a title that would earn even Li Hongzhang's respect.

By then...

An image flashed through his mind: himself in a crisp military uniform, standing on the reviewing stand, below him a vast, dark mass of the Beiyang Army. In the distance, the Qing Dynasty's yellow dragon flag slowly lowered, while the five-colored flag rose gracefully…

Mr. Chang.

Hannagan's voice pulled him back to reality.

The letters are written. Three letters.

Hannagan picked up the first letter. The envelope was written in beautiful German cursive, and the recipient was "Lieutenant General Bernhard von Brauchitsch, Prussian War Academy".

"This is a letter of recommendation for Lieutenant General Brauchitsch. After you arrive in Berlin, go to the War College and find him; he will arrange for you to take the exam."

Chang Desheng accepted it with both hands; it was heavy.

Hannagan then picked up the second and third letters. The recipient of these two letters was "His Excellency Yuan Shikai, Minister in Charge of Trade and Foreign Affairs in Korea".

"This is a letter of recommendation for Lord Yuan, recommending Cao Kun and Wang Zhanyuan. In the letter, I mentioned that they are outstanding graduates of the Beiyang Military Academy, knowledgeable in military affairs, and capable of being employed."

Chang Desheng felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

This German instructor really knows how to handle things properly.

"On behalf of Cao Kun and Wang Zhanyuan, I thank you, Captain." He stood up and gave a solemn bow.

Hannagan waved his hand, then pulled two more books from the bookshelf and handed them over.

"These two books, 'Henri's German Grammar' and 'Macmillan's German Writing Course,' are English-German translations. Since your English is currently better than your German, using these will make learning much more efficient. Take them with you on the road; once you arrive in Germany, you'll definitely need to overcome the language barrier."

Chang Desheng took the book. It was quite thick, hardcover, and obviously not cheap.

That's a huge favor!

He bowed again: "I will study diligently and live up to the Captain's generous gift."

Hannagan nodded without saying anything more. He picked up the coffee cup on the table and took a sip.

This means to see the guest out.

Chang Desheng tactfully stood up, carefully put the three letters and two books into his pocket, and bowed again.

"Students take their leave."

"Go ahead," Hannagan said in English. "Prepare well. I have faith in you, Chang."

Chang Desheng left the office and gently closed the door behind him.

The corridor was quiet, with only the sound of his own footsteps. He walked to the window at the corner of the stairs and opened it.

The evening breeze in April carried a slight chill.

He took a deep breath and touched the three letters in his pocket.

The hard part was a letter of recommendation for Lieutenant General Brauchitsch.

The two letters were addressed to Yuan Shikai.

And those two books, heavy as they were, pressed down on his chest.

Prussian War College.

Brauchitsch.

chief of staff.

These words swirled in his mind.

He suddenly felt that his "little butterfly" was flapping its wings more and more powerfully.

Hannagan said he "could become Chief of the General Staff in the future"...

He shook his head.

"What's so great about being the Chief of the General Staff?" he muttered under his breath. "If I'm going to be one, I'll be the highest-ranking one."

But it's too early to think about those things now.

Fourteen days later, he was to board a ship to Germany to take the entrance exam for some Prussian War Academy.

Before that...

He looked up and gazed out the window.

He needs to go home.

Go back to the home of the clerk Chang Fuhai, and see your parents from this life.

To be honest, I was a little unsure... After all, it's not even certain whether he's the original Chang Desheng!

"Alright," he patted the letter in his pocket, walked down the stairs, "I'll see you sooner or later! I can only go to Germany with peace of mind after settling things at home..."