Chapter 182 Liu Songshan’s Death in Ma Wuzhai (3)
In early December 1869, Governor Liu Songshan led Laoxiang Camp and Zhuosheng Camp to attack Wuzhong Fort again. After a month of bloody fighting, they defeated more than a hundred forts and reached Yongning Cave.
On the south road, Lei Zhengwan and Zhou Lanting's two troops attacked the Qingtongxiakou; on the north road, Zhang Yaosong's military army also swam across the Yellow River to attack Wang Jiameng.
Ma Hualong was alone in Jinji Castle and was in panic all day long.
Ma Zhankui has repeatedly said that harmony is the most important thing.
Ma Hualong did not comment, but said: Although Lingzhou is lost, the power is not exhausted, so there is no need to kneel down. Jinji Fort stands between the Yellow River, Qin Canal and Han Canal. The river never dries up and the fort is never broken. The Qingtong Gorge in the west of the fort and the Yongning Cave in the east of the fort, with one entrance and two entrances, are all important passes and must be guarded and defended. Immediately pass on my order, Bai Yanhu, Cui Wei, Ma Zheng and other Shaanxi tribes must strictly guard the defensive position and prevent Lei Zhengwan and Zhou Lanting's demon army from advancing northward.
Ma Yuandao: Tell the leader, instead of guarding the fort and waiting for the enemy, it is better to send more elite cavalry to attack in a roundabout way and cut off the food route of the demon army. The demon army will have nothing to eat and will collapse without a fight.
Ma Hualong said: This strategy is very good! Ma Chaoyuan and Ma Zhenggang each selected a thousand elite troops to enter Shaanxi and raid the grain roads of Liu Songshan, Jin Yunchang, Lei Zhengwan and Zhou Lanting. I have sent letters to Mazhan'ao in Hezhou, Magashan in Xining, and other departments in Hezhou, Didao and Milagou many times, and they will surely come to help at that time.
Ma Yuandao: Tell the leader, Liu Songshan's army can be controlled so that Jinji Fort can be safe. I will go to Yongning Cave to supervise the battle in front of the formation.
Ma Hualong said: Near Yongning Cave, the success or failure of Mawu, Maqi, Mabatiao and Shijiazhuang Four Forts is crucial to the overall situation; Lintao and Jingyuan reinforcements have arrived, and you will lead the two troops to respond quickly.
Ma Yuan rushed to Yongning Cave, but saw that the Shijiazhuang Fortress had been lost, and Ma Wuzhai was also bombarded by heavy artillery. Liu Jintang and Dong Fuxiang attacked the city from the main staircase. Ma Qi and Ma Ba Tiao were unable to rescue and were in danger.
Ma Yuan did not dare to neglect and quickly ordered the reinforcements to charge.
Liu Songshan didn't have enough soldiers, so he had to personally hold foreign guns, supervise the barracks, and intercept head-on. While the fierce battle was in full swing, the named admiral Tan Diacui arrived with his cavalry. Songshan immediately ordered Tan's troops to attack from left and right.
Ma Yuan was defeated and retreated to Maba Tiao Village.
The leader of the village, Ma Ba Tiao said: Within half a day, Ma Wuzhai will be lost; the situation is over, it is better to surrender.
Ma Yuandao: The leader also has this idea. I will take a thousand catties of rice and some cattle and sheep to inquire in front of the formation.
Ma Yuan issued eight letters of surrender, imploring his surrender.
Liu Songshan was very happy and privately called Liu Jintang and Dong Fuxiang: "When Huini is at the end of his road, he must think of a change, just like Ma Zhankui in Lingzhou; the three villages in Yongningdong are within easy reach!"
Liu Jintang said: According to the report, many fennel bandits have fled into Shaanxi and harassed my retreat. Ma Hualong is capricious and cannot be trusted easily.
Liu Songshan said: Before March, Ma Hualong offered one hundred thousand grains and more than a thousand cattle and sheep. This was not only a show of goodwill, but also a real intention of surrender. Guan Ma's eight letters of surrender are also sincere and sincere.
Dong Fuxiang also admonished: Ma Batiao's words are absolutely unbelievable. Those who watch the show are high-minded and arrogant. I wish I could wait a little longer, and Fuxiang would go and check it out personally, even if I am willing to be harmed.
Liu Songshan said: I comfort you, others welcome me but I reject you, others believe me but I am suspicious of you. Jinji Fort is close at hand, and when Ma Hualong hears about it, he is afraid that it will hinder his good intentions.
After Liu Songshan finished speaking, he personally led more than a hundred soldiers and rushed to Mawuzhai to accept the surrender. As soon as he approached the stronghold, a cannon flew in. Songshan was caught off guard and suddenly fell to the ground.
Liu Jintang and Dong Fuxiang hurriedly came forward to protect him, but it was too late. Liu Songshan was shot in the chest, and blood surged out.
Songshan endured the severe pain and said to Dong Fuxiang: "I regret not listening to you, which led to this disaster." I am dead. Among the disciples of Sanxiang, Liu Jintang is very familiar with military affairs and still has experience. If he can assist me, I will assist him. Otherwise, you can do it yourself.
Dong Fuxiang cried and said: "Dong Mo doesn't dare to have two minds."
Liu Songshan was seriously injured, and all the generals came to take care of him. Songshan ordered the whole team to attack quickly and not to disorder the formation. Er, Ma Wuzhai was broken.
Songshan looked around at the generals and said, "I will die without repaying the kindness I received from my country. If you don't return to my body, I will become a fierce ghost and kill thieves."
After Liu Songshan passed away, all the generals were not convinced because Liu Jintang was young.
Dong Fuxiang said: Xiao He's promotion of Han Xin is not due to old age; Zhang Dan's recommendation of Xie Ai is not due to old virtue; Sun Quan's use of Lu Xun is not due to the great public status; a tiger can eat meat by itself in three days and does not need teaching. Use your talents to resist the enemy; you must be a veteran general and then the commander-in-chief!
Huang Wanyou, the named admiral, also said: The military sect's gaze is like a torch. Liu Yizhai takes the lead in all battles, and he is worthy of a great responsibility.
That night, Liu Jintang knelt down to Dong Fuxiang and Huang Wanyou, expressed his father's rites, and said: I will defeat the two strongholds of Ma Qi and Ma Ba, personally gouge out the liver and heart of the rebellious head, and sacrifice the soul of my uncle who has not yet passed away.
When the news of Songshan's death reached Pingliang, Zuo Zongtang lamented: Last year Gao Liansheng passed away, and now Liu Songshan passed away again. Could it be that God didn't lend me some help?
While Zongtang was grieving, Chi Zha expressed his condolences: On the 15th day of his life, there was a tragic accident, and the grief of death broke his heart! After comparing the sutras and reporting the truth according to the facts, I was greatly blessed by the Holy Grace, so I sent another letter to learn more about it. The army without a general will surely collapse over time. In accordance with Liu Gong's legacy, Liu Jintang is hereby ordered to take over the leadership of the old Hunan Army, and the named admiral Huang Wanyou will help handle military affairs.
Not long after, Zuo Zongtang wrote to Huang Wanyou again: Liu Gong passed away suddenly, and Brother Huang took over as usual; however, Liu Gong's legacy had to be followed carefully, and he hoped that Brother Huang would support him.
That night, Zongtang thought about it again and again, and gave Liu Jintang another message: Liu Gong died suddenly, and the morale of the army was unstable. They should not attack by force. You must choose to hold on or retreat. If you really cannot support it and have to retreat, you must make an overall plan and divide it. One after another, one should go and stay one after another. Don't get together and argue with each other, which will lead to big mistakes.
After Zongtang gave the order, he went back to Shu and said: The old Hunan army left by Liu Songshan will be replaced by Dao Dao, Fafuling Abatulu and Liu Jintang with the title of envoy of the Prime Minister's Camp Affairs Office, and he will be rewarded by the capital. He was given the title of minister; and the named admiral, Husong'ebatulu and Huang Wanyou were sent as assistants.
Liu Jintang received the order and immediately summoned the generals, saying: "Our army is deep in the army and lacks food and cannot fight effectively. The thieves will take advantage of us. Lingzhou will be lost at dusk and the overall situation will be unstoppable!" I thought that I would kill him with force, and then the whole army would be safe.
Everyone was silent.
Dong Fuxiang stood up angrily and said: The survival of the country depends on the army, and the victory or defeat of the army depends on the generals. If we are sluggish, we will surely enter a state of eternal disaster.
Huang Wanyou also said: Mr. Zuo came to give me gentle advice, but he didn't expect Wanyou to be dissatisfied and not try his best. Although Wanyou is a martial artist and well-known to the public, how can he be so swayed by power? We work together to defeat the fortress of Jinji, carve out the liver and heart of the horse and transform it into a dragon, and pay homage to the spirit of Lord Liu Song in heaven.
Dong Fuxiang and Huang Wanyou strongly supported Liu Jintang, and the old Hunan army moved up and down to fight against each other, and the army regained its reputation.
