"Where is Mr. March's hometown? I'll see when I can visit your hometown, and perhaps then I'll have the honor of seeing the beautiful Merrow!"
March said happily:
"Springfield, have you heard of it? In the New England region, Massachusetts. It takes two days by train down to Washington!"
"Oh, I heard of it when I was studying at West Point, it's very close to New York."
"West Point Military Academy?"
"Yes!"
Suddenly, for some reason, March fell silent, then continued to flip through his book.
What happened with West Point Military Academy? Why did March's enthusiasm suddenly disappear when West Point was mentioned?
Philip wanted to ask but was afraid of bringing bad luck, looking like he had something to say but didn't. Unfortunately, March didn't look up at all, so he couldn't see his expression!
Never mind, it was just casual chat anyway. A military chaplain, a characteristic of Western armies, analogous to our ideological work, right? Philip felt it was necessary to understand, so he could better understand the frontline soldiers and the army.
But March had lost steam, so forget it, let's forget it for now.
Philip sat for a while, leaned against the wall for a nap, then Bid farewell to March and left.
He was going to see Brigadier General Hunter.
Fortunately, the General was awake. The nurse also recognized Philip and let him pass. The guard at the door went in to ask for instructions and then also let him pass.
Well, they've increased the guards!
"Hey, kid, I knew you'd be back!"
See, didn't that leave a deep impression on the General?!
"I said I'd show off my card skills to Your Excellency the General, and I can't go back on my word."
Hunter grinned, trying not to laugh heartily, and said:
"I let them play a few rounds in my room. Luck and courage are both indispensable, just like war. You need both luck and courage!
If you have good luck and get a good hand, there's no need to say more, you can dominate.
If luck is bad, and the hand is poor, with courage, you can still break through.
If luck is average and courage is average, that's the most deadly. You don't know whether to call or fold, tormenting.
I think I should recommend it to the officers. Even in a small game of playing cards, there are lessons of war!
Did you invent this game?
It's very good!"
Philip was stunned by General Hunter's unexpected praise. It was just Texas Hold'em for entertainment!
But thinking about it, a small gambling table indeed requires great wisdom and reflects profound principles. It's just like the wisdom of playing Mahjong! Gamblers always have various reasons... or rather, the principles of all things are interconnected.
It's just that gambling refines these principles more vividly!
Since the General praised it, Philip accepted it with a smile and said:
"Your Excellency the General's insight is like a beacon in the night, illuminating the dark places!
Indeed, I think the casino is like a battlefield!
There are face-up and face-down cards between the enemy and us. If we knew the opponent's cards, we could move freely. If we can win, we will pursue relentlessly; if we cannot win, we will temporarily retreat, accumulate strength, like waiting for the next good hand, waiting for the strength reversal between us and the enemy, then strike!
When we don't know the opponent's cards, by observing the opponent's tone of voice, demeanor, betting actions, eyes, etc., and even based on this person's character, we can infer their hand, whether they really have a good hand or are bluffing, what kind of big hand, how big.
Gambling stakes are the soldiers! They are the price we have to pay to win!"
This "Poker Military Law" deeply resonated with the General.
"As expected of the inventor, you understand it profoundly. Are you also a West Point graduate?"
"I am a fourth-year intern."
"Philip, if you are lucky enough, you will be one of America's great generals! At this age, to have such understanding is very good. In this war, opportunities and challenges are both present!
It's just that the battlefield is ultimately not like a casino. You think you drew a K and play it, only to find out it's a 3!"
Hunter said wistfully.
"Your Excellency the General leads from the front, charging into battle with the troops. Even a 10 can have the effect of a K!"
Philip offered a small compliment. After all, at such a high rank, the General dared to lead the charge; Philip, in his place, wouldn't dare.
Hunter smiled and said:
"However, we still lost. That's enough, the newly arrived Major General McClellan is disciplined. It's a pity I couldn't serve under 'Little Napoleon'! Philip, you are much luckier than I am! In war, having such a general is a blessing for the soldiers!"
Philip nodded, becoming even more curious about Major General McClellan, who didn't even have his name left in the history books. This was the 'Little Napoleon' of the Civil War, and so far, he hadn't heard of any other general with such a title.
Either he died halfway or he was a fraud. But judging from everyone's opinions and the changes he'd seen, if this could be called a fraud, it must be aqua regia! Another unfortunate person, like President Lincoln, alas.
"Not in high spirits?" Hunter sensitively perceived Philip's worry and said, "Or do you still feel that a mere Second Lieutenant is beneath your talents?"
Philip quickly shook his head and said:
"I feel it is a great pity that with a commander like General McClellan, there are lacking brave generals like Your Excellency. Napoleon also needed a bunch of Aces, Kings, and Queens to help him achieve victory!"
Hunter was stunned, then covered his abdomen with one hand, laughing heartily. This compliment was very pleasing to him. This kid, not like a soldier, comparable to those smooth-talking politicians. But it sounded pleasant. Truly, unreasonably pleasant!
"Yes, it's a pity my injury is recovering too slowly. I just wish I could recover quickly so I could have a chance to charge under Major General McClellan."
"You will have a chance!"
Broken bones take a hundred days; this civil war will take years, there's no need to worry about not having a chance.
Given that Hunter had set such a high tone from the beginning, Philip felt that playing a few more card tricks for the General would be beneath him. However, he wasn't good at looking after others' health, but giving gifts, yes, he should give gifts directly! How to give? He couldn't just take it out and give it, right? He didn't have it on him now!
38 GIFTS
I was a designer in a renovation company in my past life, and even a small supervisor. I've been wined and dined by building material and furniture suppliers, and I've also schmoozed developers and property management. How could I forget this?
No matter how entertaining small magic tricks are, they can't compare to the joy brought by money! It's not scary to be poor. Didn't Fatty Wilson, the casino owner, say he'd buy my "Guess Three Generals" for 50,000 US Dollars? If I had the General as a backer, wouldn't I have nothing to fear from Fatty Boss's tricks?
With a backer, the price should go up.
In that instant, thoughts flashed by rapidly, and Philip said:
"Your Excellency the General, I have an industry. If the General invests a share and helps out, there will be a good annual income."
Hunter's eyes, which had been slightly narrowed, didn't immediately open wide, but Philip could already see that the light glinting from the gap between his eyelids couldn't be hidden!
As expected, the joy of money surpasses idle chatter!
Hunter didn't stand on ceremony at all and said:
"Is there anything I can help with?"
This directness was likable! Not hiding anything at all.
"If the General can dispatch a squad of soldiers to give me some prestige when needed, that would be enough. After all, you know, I'm just a Second Lieutenant Staff Officer, with no subordinates. Without the support of the brothers, I sometimes lack confidence when doing things."
Hunter's eyes darted around, thinking, this kid is playing underground! Otherwise, why would he need soldiers to back him up? However, with a share of the profits, he couldn't ask too many questions. It wasn't easy for soldiers either. A Brigadier General only earned a meager $125 US Dollars per month! He wasn't in charge of logistics or procurement, so there was very little extra income.
"How about this? I heard Head Nurse Dorothea report your contributions here at the hospital upwards. I'll help you push for it. A Captain should be no problem. That way, the profit share would be around $1000 US Dollars, right?"
Philip's eyes widened immediately! There was such a good thing??? No, he was just looking for a backer to support him, and now he was being promoted from Second Lieutenant to Captain???
Hunter thought Philip was not satisfied with the offer and patiently explained:
"I am not on the front lines now, still recovering from my injury. And although your contributions saved the lives of dozens of soldiers, they can no longer fight on the battlefield. To go any higher, I would have to personally intervene.
Actually, you can also consider this compensation for my injury, although I already have an injury allowance."
"No, no, General, I have no objections. It's just, just, my immediate superior is a Lieutenant..."
"What? Lieutenant?" Hunter frowned. "What kind of staff officer are you? Your superior is at such a low level..."
"Staff Intelligence Department Counter-Intelligence Division. The head of the Intelligence Department is Colonel Pinkerton."
"Pinkerton? That scoundrel who likes to exaggerate dangers and intimidate his own people?"
Philip clearly didn't know that his Colonel had such a bad reputation in the Brigadier General's eyes, considered notorious.
"I might as well tell you.
This guy used to work for the President. On the President's inauguration trip, he detected an assassination attempt on the President by rebels.
As a result, His Excellency the President pretended to evade, but it turned out to be a false alarm!
But everyone then spread the rumor that the President was a coward.
Fortunately, the President was magnanimous about these nicknames and ignored them. But Pinkerton also lost favor with the President.
I just don't know how this guy hooked up with Major General McClellan... I really worry that the Major General will be deceived by this Pinkerton fellow!"
Philip, however, felt that when it came to assassination, it was better to believe it existed than not! Prevention, how can you say the investigation was inadequate just because it didn't happen? It's no wonder, His Excellency the President eventually died by assassination...
But since Brigadier General Hunter had labeled Colonel Pinkerton, Philip didn't argue. A nobody's words carry little weight; it's meaningless.
"Why don't you contribute some capital, and I'll ask Burnside to transfer you to be his adjutant officer. How about it? He performed well in the previous battle and should be promoted soon."
Hunter didn't dislike Philip for being young at all, and discussed it with him bit by bit. Clearly, he didn't want the $1000 US Dollar profit share to decrease! Earning a few hundred dollars profit share wouldn't be prestigious.
Adjutant officer? He probably wouldn't have to charge into battle... As long as the principal officer wasn't a fierce general like Brigadier General Hunter, his safety should be guaranteed.
However, the counter-espionage plan still needed to be submitted, and that was related to his grand plan to get rich. What was the most profitable during wartime? Smuggling! The South lacked everything. The plan Philip drafted was to set up checkpoints to investigate collaborators and contraband. How could goods be smuggled out? If people collaborated, wouldn't the goods they carried be considered collaboration? As for funding the South, Philip had no psychological burden because this position was created out of thin air by him; no one was in charge of it originally!
He created this position, so smuggling could only be reduced further! At least it would be more conducive to the North's victory, right?
He also made a contribution!
"General, how about this: let's not rush to promote me to Captain for now. Let's get the business organized first, and I'll pay the promised share to you without a cent less. Then, when the opportunity is right, I'll ask you for help. How about it? I've only just joined the unit, less than a week ago, and getting promoted so quickly would be a bit much."
Hunter glared and said:
"What does time have to do with it? Besides, you have real merit! Let me tell you, this promotion to Captain is relatively easy. If you want to be promoted to Major or need help at some other time, I can't guarantee this price."
Having laid it all out, Hunter was surprisingly frank. This price was for a warrant officer; if it involved a field officer, he'd have to charge more!
Philip, hearing this, smiled like a flower. If every leader was so straightforward with pricing, how good would that be? He quickly said:
"I understand, I understand. Don't worry, General. Also, in what form should this profit share be transferred? What do you think is more appropriate? For example, should it go through your wife or children, or is it direct cash?"
Hunter's fingers tapped happily on the edge of the bed.
"Cash.
Never mind, keep it with you for now. I'll notify you when I have time, and you can deliver it then."
He doesn't want his family to know? A secret stash? Is it inconvenient because he's in the hospital now? Probably. After all, it's still gold coins, not paper money... He really missed paper currency, it made giving gifts so convenient. Otherwise, $1000 US Dollars in gold coins would be too conspicuous.
Hunter's regard for Philip transformed from admiration to close partnership. They then chatted about the arrangements for supporting Philip.
Hunter led the charge, carrying out Brigadier General McDowell's orders. He was so brave that both of his aides and his orderly were killed. His family wasn't in Washington, so he was alone in the hospital for many days.
Philip once again expressed his admiration for this fierce general's bravery. Regardless, at such a high rank, daring to charge into a hail of bullets, Philip absolutely lacked that kind of nerve.
"However, General McClellan's guard company will arrive tomorrow. Otherwise, I really would have liked to ask you, Second Lieutenant, to be my guard company commander!"
Philip smiled. If there were no plans to seize spies and smugglers, being a Brigadier General's guard company commander would indeed be a good choice. But now, making money was the most important thing, and staying away from the battlefield!
He believed that his plan, openly setting up informants everywhere, with the cautious and meticulous style of Colonel Pinkerton introduced by Brigadier General Hunter, would surely be something he couldn't refuse.
What if he was rejected? Then he'd ask Brigadier General Hunter to promote him to Captain and transfer him! Why would he stay there?
39 REPORT
"Colonel, this is the plan I've rushed out. Please take a look!"
Lieutenant Fiat excitedly handed Philip's hastily prepared counter-espionage plan to Allan Pinkerton.
Picking up the report, Pinkerton flipped through the first two pages and was immediately captivated by the content!
There was a table of contents at the beginning, divided into four parts: Significance, Objectives, Actions, and Budget.
Not to mention anything else, the significance section had already elevated this counter-espionage operation to a level concerning the victory of the army and the survival of the Union. Even Pinkerton felt ashamed. Did his intelligence department have such an important role?
Actually, what Philip wrote were all plain truths. Everyone in China knows that without opening the fog of war, one cannot know the enemy and oneself, so how can you fight a war!?
Pingketon skimmed through it. The entire plan was concise and clear. He himself couldn't have written it, but every word struck a chord with him.
"Oh, do you have a capable person under you?"
Fiat forced an awkward smile. Shouldn't this be praising himself? Praising Philip, this is a bit... But he didn't dare to lie, because he really couldn't write it himself, so he could only pat his chest and say:
"Colonel, the elite troops you assigned me, Vos will do his utmost to lead them out for you!"
He even managed to create a sense of 'rising waves' with a 'bang' sound.
Pingketon glanced at his old subordinate, sat down, took out paper and pen, and began to rewrite the significance and objectives. He wrote several pages, crossing out, revising, tearing up, and rewriting, never satisfied. He said with a half-smile:
"Major, please call the capable person who wrote this report over to me!"
Fiat stood there, exhausted. He watched the Colonel revise and rewrite. When the Colonel spoke, his heart jolted. It took him a long time to realize he was being called. The flesh on his face jiggled. The Colonel hadn't forgotten his contribution!
"Yes, Colonel!"
Pingketon's mind had already raced through several scenarios. He wanted to utilize this capable person, but he needed to keep him in check through someone like Fiat, who was only good at subservience, to prevent him from getting out of control. Originally, he had no expectations for the counter-espionage group; he planned to let those few second lieutenants mature a bit before using them, which would be easier to handle.
But now, this plan showed him a new possibility of power. Ambition, everyone has it, including him.
..."Colonel, this is Second Lieutenant Philip. The report was written by him!"
Lieutenant Fiat brought Philip, who was in the middle of a chat, over.
This was a young man with an imposing demeanor!
This was an exquisite man with a mustache!
Both Pinkerton and Philip left a deep impression on each other.
"Fiat, you go about your business. I'll chat with Philip for a few words."
Fiat had no choice but to retreat, furiously trampling on the weeds by the roadside. The Colonel was crossing the bridge and burning the boats! He kicked Old Vos aside as soon as he saw the plan! Damn it, I hope his promise is valid! Major? At least Captain, Vos would be content...
"Sit!"
Philip obediently sat opposite the Colonel. Indeed, Colonel Pinkerton was a capable fellow, both in his attire, appearance, and mannerisms.
"I remember you are a graduate of West Point, aren't you?"
"Fourth-year student at West Point."
"West Point produces talent! Our Major General McClellan is also from there."
Seeing Philip's slightly surprised expression, Pinkerton didn't stand on ceremony and said:
"I'll introduce you when there's an opportunity." Then he changed the subject and continued, "If your plan is implemented, the Counter-Intelligence Group might have to expand to a Counter-Intelligence Regiment. Such a big operation, I need to report to and get approval from the Major General."
Pingketon spoke slowly, but kept his eyes fixed on Philip.
Philip knew very well the power of this plan. The Colonel would gain informants, he would gain checkpoints, and the Major General, well, the Major General would gain information. It seemed a bit lacking; people didn't attach enough importance to the value of information... A slight miscalculation!
But he still calmly looked at Colonel Pinkerton and said:
"Colonel, you are in intelligence work. I don't need to tell you the importance of intelligence, do I? Intelligence is the eyes and ears! If a leopard goes blind, it not only can't catch prey, but it will fall to its death from a cliff, drown in a river, or even be killed by a tree! While a leopard with eyes is so powerful!"
Philip grumbled inwardly. Without the saying "know the enemy and know yourself, and you will win a hundred battles," it was tiring to talk, and he had to keep using analogies.
Pingketon nodded in agreement. Who would think their work wasn't important? Philip's words just made the role of intelligence more vivid and dynamic.
"Intelligence work is indeed important. Like you said, it's the eyes and ears. But if anyone can use these eyes and ears, it would be too dangerous.\