Chapter 158 Chen Decai defeated Heishidu
After the death of King Youtian, King Fu Chen Decai lost all hope. He led an army of 200,000 to garrison Changshan Chong, Taoist Chong, Heishidu, Manshui River, and Diaoyutai in western Anhui and said nothing further.
The king of Zun, Lai Wenguang, said: "I would like to ask your highness to help the king to leave the green hills without fear of running out of firewood. This area is short of food and capital, so it is not suitable to stay for a long time."
Tianjiang Ma Ronghe also said: The mountains here are extremely dangerous, surrounded by powerful enemies, so you cannot stay here for a long time.
Liang Wang Zhang Zongyu also attached.
Chen Decai hesitated for a long time and then said: "The news from the King is coming soon. The army will rest where it is. When the news from the Palace arrives, we can find a way out."
While Chen Decai was hesitating, Governor Seng Gelinqin led Anhui's Si Yinghan, Admiral Zhang Desheng, General Zhang Yao, Guo Baochang, and Chen Guorui to quietly attack.
Seng Gelinqin looked at Chen Decai's troops and laughed dumbly.
Yinghan asked why.
Seng Gelinqin said: "The chief Fu led 200,000 people in vain. Huoshan and Yingshan were small cities, but not a single one was captured." The fighting power of the chieftain is poor! This chieftain's marching formation is even worse! Huoshan Left Road spreads from northwest to southeast, including Taoist Chong, Heishidu and Diaoyutai. It is a long snake, thin and thin, stretching for more than fifty miles. Changshan Chong and Manshui River span both sides, always in the shape of a cross. We pinned down the east and west wings, pinched off the head and tail, and chopped down the waist. The thieves rebelled and collapsed. After passing on my military order, all the troops immediately set up forts and camps, took a short rest, and then launched the siege.
Yinghan said: Guo Baochang reported that Chen Guorui's Chu Shengjun wanted to rebel.
Seng Gelinqin said: Seriously?
Yinghan said: Report to Commander-in-Chief, Chen was demoted to the third level because he delayed the military flight, and his department has been handed over to Guo Baochang. Chen is not convinced, maybe.
Seng Gelinqin said: Last month, the Nian bandits gathered in Macheng, and I ordered Chen Guorui to lead his troops to intercept them. Their delay of more than a month delayed the military aircraft, so they should be killed according to the law. However, he is brave and good at fighting and manages the army in a strict manner, so he can stand alone. I cherished his talent, so I kept accommodating him. There are only three things to do. If Chen is stubborn and refuses to understand, I will not be able to save his life.
After Chen Guorui heard the news, he rushed to the monk camp and fell to the ground, mourning.
Seng Gelinqin said: "The flood has disappeared, and this stock is twisting and turning, which is also the end of the road. You must not fall into the trap."
Chen Guorui said: "I have informed you, Commander-in-Chief, that I am willing to go forward and kill the enemy until death."
On October 6, 1864, Chen Guorui took the lead and rushed directly to Chen Decai's camp. The two armies fought in melee for a whole day, causing bloodshed and numerous casualties.
Seng Gelinqin sighed and said: Kill a thousand enemies and injure yourself eight hundred. Pass on my military order, all the troops should use defense as attack, and surround them on all sides. Within three to five days, the thieves' resources will be exhausted and they will collapse.
Si Yinghan of Anhui Province was worried that his troops would never be extinguished.
The commander-in-chief, Guo Baochang, said: Sir, there is no great virtue in subduing the enemy's troops without fighting. The rebel leader Ma Ronghe has already expressed his intention to surrender, and at the end of the day the general is willing to go to the bandit camp to facilitate this matter.
Yinghan said: Only by pressing down the territory with a large army and applying kindness and power at the same time can good things be accomplished. Is General Guo Zhuo Sheng's camp single? I will immediately ask the Mongolian cavalry of the monk commander to help you.
Guo Baochang said: "There is no need for a monk or commander to ride on an iron horse. It is enough for me to ride on a horse alone."
At the third watch of the night, Guo Baochang broke into the Taiping army camp and faced Ma Ronghe directly.
Ma Ronghe said: "I think back then, my little Zuo team was the elite of King Ying's command. It was so fast to follow Yingdian and fight in the south and north."
Guo Baochang said: "I heard that at that time, the general had already had a rift with the King of England."
Ma Ronghe said angrily: "The Ying Palace knows no one. How can Chen Decai command an army of 200,000 with the formation he has set up today?" We are confined here, with nothing to eat or drink. After three to five days, if you don't attack, we will collapse!
Guo Baochang said: The Heavenly King, the Young King, the British King, and the Zhongwang have all turned into gods and ghosts, and the Kingdom of Heaven has been destroyed. May I ask General Ma, who will you fight for again?
Ma Ronghe closed his eyes and sighed, but said nothing.
Guo Baochang continued: As the saying goes, you can become a Buddha immediately by putting down the butcher's knife. General Ma only needs to put down the sword in his hand and lead his troops to surrender; Commander Monk promised that the general will still gallop on the battlefield and all the troops under his command will be treated well. Furthermore, Wang Shidi's troops have surrendered, and the general's way back has been blocked.
Ma Ronghe sighed and said: If I had known that I would regret it today, that's all. From today on, Ma is willing to serve under the commander-in-chief.
Guo Baochang said, "It's not too late. We'll leave tomorrow."
Ma Ronghe said: "The night has been long and there have been many dreams. Today we have changed our banners and surrendered to the Qing Dynasty together with more than 70,000 people under our command."
Guo Baochang said: The Black Stone Crossing is less than a hundred miles away from the Manshui River. Can the general persuade King Hu Lan to join the Chun tribe?
Ma Ronghe said: There have been temptations before, Lan Chengchun can't get enough oil and salt, he is not like me!
Ma Ronghe rebelled and surrendered, Blackstone Crossing was lost without a fight, and the Taiping Army at Manshui River was in great panic. Heavenly General Gan Huaide was not willing to be behind the horse, so he designed to trap King Hu and escorted him to Seng Gelinqin's camp.
When Liang Wang Zhang Zongyu saw this, he did not dare to fight anymore. He quickly rushed Taoist priests from Diaoyutai, joined Zun Wang Lai Wenguang's troops, and broke out.
Fu Wang Chen Decai was stationed alone in Changshan Chong. He would rather die than surrender and died by taking poison.
