Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 526: Luxi falls, vow before death~
In the middle of the night, the sleepless officers stared at the moon in a daze.

Gu Yidao asked quietly:

"Do you think there is really corpse-driving in Xiangxi?"

"I don't know. But I know that in a few days, we will run out of food."

"How many days?"

"8 days."

"No, three days."

"what?"

"The soldiers carried a lot of dry food when they set out. Besides that, how much ammunition could they carry? No more than 40 or 50 rounds."

Second Lieutenant Lu wailed:
"I really don't want to die."

……

Gu Yidao:

"Who wants to die? Good days are just beginning. The Army Department sent me to Xiangxi to die. If anyone leaves Xiangxi alive, remember to do something for the brothers."

"what's up?"

"Hit the Judge Advocate General of the Army Department with a black gun, otherwise our brothers will die with regrets."

After a long silence, Lieutenant Lu asked in a low voice:

"Tell me, was it His Majesty or the Army Department who made the decision to transfer our 38 brothers to Xiangxi to fight?"

Everyone shuddered with fear.

Gu Yidao cut through the iron and nailed it:
"Of course it's those bastards in the Army Department. Your Majesty, you won't do that because you're a man of old friendship."

There was silence for a while,
Gu Yidao gritted his teeth again:

"Whoever returns home alive will be shot by a bullet in the head of the Military Law Court. Damn it, bullying us Jiangnan people for our kindness, courtesy, thrift and modesty."

……

Outsiders may find these complaints confusing, but the officers of the 4th Corps understand them all.

Tea smuggling
In Yangzhou, it is just a small business because we do not directly control the source of goods.

It is different in Hubei. The upstream and downstream chains are directly opened up, and every penny falls into the pocket.

They even used Hubei gentry to actively lure Sichuan tea merchants into captivity, and then captured them red-handed, making a profit from both the merchants and the goods.

Rather than calling it an army, the 4th Legion is more like a trading company where all employees hold shares, and they have guns~
Smuggling dividends,

From Lieutenant Huang Si to ordinary non-commissioned officers, everyone has a share.

Within the legion, even ordinary soldiers who were completely unrelated could get 10 taels of dividends, and the officers made a lot of money.

Those present here,

The poorest one started with a net worth of 2000 taels.

Zhu Hongyun, who died in the counterattack, received 3500 taels of silver.

Gu Yidao's personal property was as high as 8000 taels, which was even more generous than when Your Majesty started his business in Changmen.

……

The next afternoon,

The Xiangxi armed forces repeated their old tricks and pushed over dozens of shield vehicles.

The front is covered with cow hide and earth bags.

Flintlock bullets thumped against it but rarely penetrated.

Zeng Di was so delighted that he even danced with joy at the Phoenix chieftain's gesture.

Under the cover of the shield cart, the archers fired arrows like crazy and rained down.

Ladders were placed on the earthen walls, and sword and shield soldiers climbed up the city walls using the ladders.

"My dear son-in-law, the city has been breached."

Zeng Di looked at the west gate of Luxi, which had never been opened, and had no idea that it was blocked from the inside by a large number of stone slabs and wood.

They just thought that the Wu army in the city was still resisting.

"Add more troops."

"Come on, come on, everyone, come on."

Phoenix chieftain also wields a ghost-head knife:

"Press it all on."

……

The earthen walls were covered with arrows, densely packed.

The Wu army abandoned the city wall and retreated into the city, setting up battle array on all sides. Bullets whizzed and killed the enemies that rushed in front of them.

Among the enemies were Han people and local soldiers of various ethnic groups.

The weapons were varied, from short spears and broadswords to bows and arrows and muskets. Everyone was extremely ferocious, with excitement written all over their faces.

One recruit panicked and fired without being ordered.

Lieutenant Lu walked over and stabbed him to death with a sword, pulled the body back, then picked up his flintlock and joined the line.

"Brothers, let the dogs in and kill them. Killing one pair will cover your losses, and killing two pairs will make you a profit."

"The reinforcements are on the way. When they arrive, each of them will be rewarded with 500 taels of silver. 500 taels, if there is one tael short, I will pay for it out of my own pocket."

……

Humans are very humorous animals.

As long as there is a glimmer of hope, he can automatically beautify the "lies full of loopholes" and convince himself.

For example now,

Tens of thousands of enemies swarmed over the city walls.

The so-called reinforcements and 500 taels were like flowers in the mirror and the moon in the water. However, everyone unanimously regarded them as a life-saving straw.

A boatman holding a short spear asked repeatedly with a trembling voice:

"Is it 500 taels? Is it really 500 taels?"

Lieutenant Lu stared into his eyes:

"You heard me right, that's 500 taels of silver. It's enough for you to buy 30 mu of paddy fields, build 3 large tiled houses, marry the most beautiful woman in the village, and buy 2 oxen. If there's one tael missing, I'll pay it out of my own pocket. My last name is Lu, and the Lu family is a well-known wealthy family in Jiangnan. We have plenty of silver."

"My friend, you won't survive if you surrender. The great wizard will cut open your stomach and fill it with poisonous insects to raise poisonous insects."

"My fellow countryman, hold on to your spears and fight!"

The trackers looked like shrimps fished out of a pot of hot water, their whole bodies red.

The veins were exposed when he roared:

"Come on, come on, come and kill me."

……

The gunshots gradually became sparse, and bloody hand-to-hand combat ensued.

You use a knife and I use a spear. If your weapons fall, I will use my fists and teeth.
Both sides have plenty of reasons to go crazy.

The Wu army had no way to retreat and had to fight a desperate battle.

The armed forces in western Hunan are numerous and powerful, and their ferocity is extremely fierce.

Second Lieutenant Gu Yidao is dead.

He stood on the roof and commanded the gunmen to kill four local soldier leaders in succession. However, he was too conspicuous and was shot through the throat by a simple arrow.

Flip forward and fall to the ground.

His eyes were bloodshot and he died with his eyes open.

Death means liberation, but the living are still struggling in hell.

The soldiers on both sides were so blood-thirsty that they didn't even dodge. They stabbed and shot each other, fighting each other's lives.

Mutual destruction is common.

……

The city was on fire.

The fire gradually spread, and all the thatched houses in Luxi City were burned down.

Black smoke billowed.

Zeng Di's eyelids twitched:
"It's chaos, it's all chaos."

After 2 quarters of an hour, the fire got out of control and the Xiangxi armed forces, who had gradually regained consciousness, withdrew from Luxi one after another.

The red-faced boatman waved his short spear as a club and shouted wildly:
"Come on, let's die together."

……

Almost all the members of the six infantry companies stationed in Luxi, including the trackers who were trapped, were killed.

The whole city was burned into a huge torch.

Phoenix Toastmaster rarely praised:
“There are tough guys among the Han Chinese, too.”

However, after counting the losses, he suddenly became furious.

More than 2000 people were lost today, including more than 800 bandits, more than 1000 local soldiers, and more than 500 Zhengan troops.

Including the losses from the previous day, the losses have reached 3000.

If the fighting continues like this, the blood of the people in Xiangxi will be shed dry.

……

In the Yuan River, several figures were drifting up and down in the water.

The local soldiers on the shore discovered them and chased them along the coast, with arrows falling sporadically.

The river turns red~
"Master Lu, hold on, don't let go."

"what's your name?"

"Ma San."

The boatman and Lieutenant Lu grabbed a piece of wood and held on tightly.

Outside Luxi County is the Yuan River.

But there are not many lucky people like them.

Because there are enemies in the Yuan River rowing small boats and stabbing people with spears~
……

Going down the river, theoretically, you can float all the way out of the mountains of western Hunan and reach the Dongting Lake Plain.

However, the river water in early spring,

If people soak in it for too long, they will freeze to death.

The trackers seized the opportunity and successfully carried Lieutenant Lu to the beach, leaving the icy river water and stepping onto the beach on the south bank of the Yuan River.

On the same day,

Two or three lucky ones joined together, and they supported each other as they hurried into the mountains.

……

Everyone gathered around the fire to dry their clothes.

"Master Lu, aren't we going to Yuanling?"

"No, go to Changde."

The trackers know the road and act as guides.

For myself and for the reward money. Young Master Lu promised it himself, so I can't lie.

In fact, Yuanling County fell yesterday.

Under the siege of 3000 people, the remaining infantry company of Wu’s army was completely wiped out.

The disadvantages of light infantry were exposed.

Wu's army was particularly persistent in carrying light artillery when they entered the mountains. Even if it would slow down the march or tire the mules and horses to death, they would find ways to disassemble and carry the artillery.

……

Zhao Zhuangwen looked solemn, following his brilliant performance in guerrilla warfare.

He discovered that the enemy had adjusted its strategy.

The ambush still works.

From a high vantage point, even rolling rocks, thrown spears, or a rain of arrows can cause casualties.

but,

The Wu army would respond quickly, either forming a battle formation or storming the hilltop depending on the terrain.

When the mortar fired, lead bullets filled the sky.

The difficulty of ambush warfare has increased significantly.

Speaking of cannons, Zhao Zhuangwen was extremely envious.

He studied the firing table at the tail end of the light artillery he had stolen for a long time. After test firing, he was amazed at its amazing accuracy, and it could hit whatever he pointed at.

"Sir, this cannon is really useful. It's as accurate as a gun."

"Yes, so the defeat of the Eight Banners was not unfair at all."

The people below have become accustomed to Zhao Zhuangwen's non-partisan remarks.

The men in the border town have always been like this.

Today, many heroes have emerged and everything depends on strength.

……

"County Magistrate Zhao, the governor has ordered you to go to Yuanling."

"I'm busy with military duties, I'm afraid I can't leave."

"In that case, please take care, County Magistrate Zhao."

The messenger looked at the men around him in surprise, bowed and left.

This trip confirmed Zeng Di's guess.

Zhao Zhuangwen is a complete traitor. This guy is neither clear-headed nor wise.

Just an ambitious man in troubled times.

Zhao Zhuangwen had 2000 soldiers under his command, all of whom were mountain men from Chenzhou and Qianzhou. They had only 400 matchlock rifles, and the rest were cold weapons, so their equipment was not good.

Zeng Di nominally controlled 4 troops, but he could actually only command 1.

The rest are all coalition forces~
……

It is a bit outrageous to support an army of this size given the barren land of western Hunan.

but,

People in Xiangxi have had the habit of joining the army since ancient times.

No matter who arrives in Xiangxi, as long as they have big fists and many guns, they will immediately be responded to by a large number of people as long as they raise a big flag.

If you don't want to be a soldier, you will be a bandit.

If a bandit becomes powerful enough, he can become an official.

Therefore, the people of Xiangxi did not support Zeng Di or the Qing government. If Wu Ting came to recruit soldiers, he would still respond in droves.

In fashionable terms:

Working people, working soul, have neither love nor hate.

You pay the salary, and I work hard.

that is it.

After all, workers have to support their families.

Zeng Di had looted Hunan in advance, and since he had money and food and a strong fist, of course everyone would join Zeng's army.

……

7 days later,

Army Minister Lin Huaisheng rushed down the river from Hengzhou to Changde to deploy a full-scale siege of western Hunan.

"The guerrilla spirit must not be allowed to grow, otherwise the southwestern provinces will take Xiangxi as an example and think that if Xiangxi can do it, they can do it too."

"Lin Shuai is right. Guangxi wants to be the second Xiangxi."

"Humph, in that case, let's use Xiangxi as our target and beat him until a river of blood flows."

The military meeting lasted for two hours.

Then the war machines rumbled into action.

There were no multiple routes of advance, no surprise troops crossing the mountains and hills.

Instead, an army of 2 followed the old route into western Hunan, advancing by land and sea, and capturing cities with absolute force.

……

According to the established plan, Yuanling, Luxi, Chenxi, Mayang and Fenghuang City were captured one by one.

If the Xiangxi armed forces occupy a town, destroy them.

If they hide in the mountains to avoid fighting, we will cut off their food and money, divide them and surround and annihilate them.

The staff agreed that
It would be great if the Xiangxi armed forces chose the first option.

but,

If you choose the second option, that's fine too.

Many local forces in the southwestern provinces are watching the war in western Hunan, wanting to see whether Wu's army can still launch a fierce offensive after leaving the plains.

……

Zhenyuan City in Guizhou is known as the gateway to eastern Guizhou.

Wang Shenglie, the general of Zhenyuan, was stationed here, with 1 Green Camp soldiers under his command.

at this time,

He remained silent in the yamen.

Someone from my hometown came with a message.

Wu Ting's envoy came to persuade him to surrender. The conditions were very humble, but he guaranteed the safety of his family's lives and property and allowed them to engage in the mining industry.

In addition,

The family members’ children can go to Suzhou Prefecture to study and can be granted official positions in the future.

"What did Grandpa say?"

"Grandpa said that troubled times have arrived and the interests of the family come first. It is up to the eldest young master to decide."

The confidant whispered again:
"Zhang Youdao brought a letter."

……

"Who?"

"Tongren Zhang family, Zhang Youdao."

"He passed the imperial examination and became a county magistrate in Suzhou. Later, he joined Wu Ting's Zhang Youdao?"

"Exactly."

"What did he say in the letter?"

"He said that Emperor Wu values ​​his promises, his credibility, and is not bloodthirsty. He is a great ruler who appears only once in 500 years. As a fellow Tongren native, I advise you to take a long-term view."

"Where is he, what position does he hold now?"

"He has just been appointed as the Governor of Hunan and will take up the post soon."

"The governor is a second-rank official. The Emperor Wu treats him well. But I, the king, have been a soldier all my life. Am I going to retire now?"

The family thought about it:
"Master, can I repeat the original text of Zhang Fantai's letter?"

"Come quickly."

……

Wang Shenglie, the general of Zhenyuan, had fought against the Wu army before and knew how powerful it was.

At the beginning, he led 2 Guizhou troops on an expedition to the east.

As a result, the entire army was almost wiped out in the battle in Jiangxi, and a large number of soldiers from the hometown were killed.

Compared with Guangxi Lu Tingsheng's ambition, he was full of fear of Wu's combat effectiveness.

in case,

Wu Ting promised him that after the uprising, his official position would remain unchanged or would be slightly reduced.

He declared an uprising now, immediately, and killed the stubborn civil servants. He was sure to offer the three prefectures of Tongren, Zhenyuan and Sizhou.

Through personal friendship,
He was also very confident that he could persuade his good friend, the current general of Weiyuan Town, to join him in the rebellion, and then attack Guiyang from both the east and the west.

Guizhou changed color overnight.

……

"Master, the master asks, how should we treat the Wu Ting envoy?"

"Eat well, drink well, and treat them well as honored guests. Even if there is nothing to do, the daily expenses must not be less than 50 taels. Tell my father that we have to wait and see. The family inheritance cannot be taken lightly."

"Yes."

Just as the trusted family member was about to leave, Wang Shenglie stopped him.

Remind again:

"It must be kept secret."

"Don't worry, young master. Wangjiabao is relaxed on the outside but tight on the inside. We will strictly enforce everything. If anyone suspicious passes by, we would rather kill the wrong person than let him go."

Wang Shenglie walked out of the government office~
Zhenyuan City is quiet and beautiful.

It is a great honor to be such a water city in the southwest and an important town in eastern Guizhou, but I don’t know if it can avoid the imminent war.

……

"Father-in-law, why don't we go north to attack Hunan? Why do we go south to attack Lianzhou Prefecture?"

"Because we are afraid that Wu Ting will misunderstand~"

As a pioneer, Bai Jianren was stunned. He could not understand the logic here and only felt it was absurd.

Silent for a long time,

He asked again:

"What will happen if we attack Hunan?"

"Wu Tinghui would mistakenly believe that we, the Guangxi people and the Xiangxi people, are in the same boat."

"so what?"

Lu Tingwu sighed:

"The Wu army will be furious and mobilize heavy troops to attack Guangxi. We can't withstand it."

"If that's the case, why should we fight the Wu army stationed in Lianzhou Prefecture?"

"In order to let Wu Ting see our fighting power, pay attention to us, and then offer a higher price."

……

Bai Jianren scratched his scalp in pain and asked:

"Father-in-law, why is it so complicated?"

Lu Tingwu sighed again and lamented:
“This is Shoji.”

(End of this chapter)