So why is there no one in this big market town?
Could it be a scam?
Does Wang Datou want to attack with fire?
Gerstad was also familiar with "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". When he saw the situation in Fuliji, he immediately thought of setting fire to the new country, so he immediately ordered: "Each battalion (counselor) will be careful to restrain the team and beware of rebels." Fire attack!"
His reading of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" really wasn't in vain. Not long after this order was issued, a fire suddenly broke out near the east and west gates of Fuliji!
The fire came very quickly, and you could tell at a glance that flammable ignition materials had been prepared!
Geste hurriedly ordered: "Order the first two battalions on the left and the first right to send two soldiers each to put out the fire! The remaining commanders of the first and right battalions dispersed and controlled the entire Fuliji to ambush carefully, and carefully searched for those who started the fire. Things!
The battalions were ordered not to panic or make any noise, but to strictly observe the queue and wait for orders! "
In fact, Gerstad and his Eight Banners soldiers were not too panicked. They were different from Cao Bing who was set on fire and barbecued by Zhuge Liang in Xinye. Cao Bing had never read "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" or heard of it.
The Heavenly Soldiers of the Qing Dynasty are all familiar with or listened to "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" (those who are illiterate can only listen to the commentary "Three Kingdoms"). They all know Zhuge Liang's tricks. Isn't it just setting fire to the house? How could it be possible to burn down the Eight Banners soldiers?
In fact, the Eight Banners soldiers who entered the gathering earlier than Gestei saw that there was no one in Fuliji, and they already thought that someone was going to set a fire. So before Gestei gave the order, the clever Eight Banners soldiers started to follow the path on their own. Searches began on the north-south streets in Fuliji, from the north gate to the south gate. All the houses along the street were broken into and searched. Are there any fire starters inside? For example, silk, cloth, silver, copper coins, wine and meat, chickens and ducks, etc., must be confiscated quickly to avoid causing fires.
Perhaps these Eight Banners soldiers searching for flammable and explosive items along the street scared away the ambush "arsonists" (and ran away through the secret passage), so the north gate, south gate of Fuliji, and the two main streets between the north and south gates None of the sides were on fire.
After Gestei's order to restrain the troops was issued, the Eight Banners soldiers who rushed into Fuliji quickly restored order. The unhurried Eight Banners soldiers were united by the leader, one team next to the other, starting from the south gate. The line at the door extends all the way to the north gate.
The vanguard under Gestei's command had already left the south gate and rushed outside the south gate to the north bank of the Suishui Nan River, four or five miles away from Fuliji - the Suishui river was on the Fuliji side. It is divided into three sections: north, middle and south. Fuliji is located between the middle river channel and the south river channel. Compared with the northern river channel where the water depth is shallow and the river surface is narrow, it is easy to find the shoals to cross. The middle and southern river channels in Fuliji are much wider and deeper, and are the main waterways leading to the Huaihe River from Suzhou.
Once the pontoon bridges on the middle and south rivers of Suishui are controlled by Geste's men, his passage south to Suzhou will be completely opened!
According to reliable information, Suzhou is Wang Datou's base in Huaibei! Military rations, equipment, gunpowder, and family members were all placed in Suzhou City. Once Suzhou is defeated by the Qing army, Wang Datou's foundation in Huaibei will not only collapse, but also his vitality will be seriously damaged!
But the current situation doesn't seem quite right. There is obviously an ambush in Fuliji! So should we continue to fight south?
Gerstad hesitated!
There is obviously a fire attack bureau in this Fuliji, but this fire attack bureau does not seem to be used to deal with strong enemies. Unless Wang Datou is really an idiot who can only read "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". But this is obviously impossible! Although Wang Datou is not very old, he has followed his father Wang Fuchen in Yunnan since he was a child, and later followed An Wang in Sichuan and Wu Sangui, and later in Guangdong to fight against the Portuguese and the Shang family. He can be considered a leader in every way. Are you a veteran?
How is it possible to believe that setting a few fires on a large town can defeat tens of thousands of elite soldiers of the Qing Dynasty?
When he was really confused, the 1st Forward Battalion, which had already rushed outside the south gate of Fuliji, had sent a messenger to report the latest military situation.
"Capital, the north bank of Suishui South Road has been cleared, and no rebel ambush has been found!"
"Capital, the rebel king Datou led more than a thousand cavalry to block the south side of the pontoon bridge on Suishui South Road!"
"Reporting to the capital, smoke and dust are rising behind the south bank of Suishui South Road. It seems that a large group of people is approaching."
what's the situation?
The ambush troops lay so far back? Or...bluffing?
Thinking of this, Gestei pulled the reins, spurred his horse forward, and led his own soldier Geshiha to fly out of Fuliji. When he arrived at the north bank of Suishui South Road outside Fuliji, he found a high place to stand on his horse. , then raised the telescope and looked south.
Looking around, he saw Wang Datou with a red horse and a spear leading a group of armored cavalry on the south bank of a pontoon bridge. Behind them, there were more than a thousand cavalry who had already deployed a square formation. A camp flag with the word "山" in black on a red background is fluttering in the wind.
And in a more distant place, smoke and dust were flying in the sky, as if a large army was approaching. How could it be a bit like the famous scene of "Zhang Fei shouted angrily at Changbanpo, scaring away millions of Cao family's soldiers"?
"Du Tong, Wang Datou must be bluffing, right?"
A military officer who followed Gestei also saw that something was wrong.
"Capital Commander, I will lead the troops to rush to see if we can seize the pontoon bridge. Wang Datou has done so many tricks, Suzhou must be very weak. If we can seize the pontoon bridge, then we can enter Suzhou tonight Got it!"
"Don't underestimate the enemy and rush in!"
Gestei, who had traveled more than a hundred miles from Xuzhou, suddenly became cautious at this time. He thought for a moment and ordered: "The first battalion and the second battalion are ordered to firmly guard the North Floating Bridge of Fuliji City without any mistakes. !
Send an order to the left battalion and the right battalion to extinguish the fire in Fuliji City as soon as possible and control the entire city of Fuliji!
Order the rest of the battalions to line up along the bank of Suishui South Road! The sequence is from left to right, in order."
As orders were issued, the more than 10,000 Manchurian cavalry led by Gestei quickly deployed with Fuliji as the center, and quickly put out the fire that had just started burning in Fuliji City, but the burning was not too violent. Fire.
At the same time, in the upper reaches of Fuliji, in the area of Xuxikou, a large town on the bank of Suishui Road, countless soldiers were gathering here!
At Suishui Wharf outside Xuxikou Town, a fleet of three to four hundred boats has gathered. These boats have been reinforced, loaded with crossbows, sideboards, and muskets. They are also operated by selected boatmen who often ply the Huaihe River, Suishui River, and Huihe River. Preparing for shipment, the Huai army soldiers took advantage of the rainy summer and high water to move down the river and penetrate directly to the north of Fuliji, cutting off the retreat of the Qing army that broke into Fuliji.
Zhou Chang and Luo Dawei were leading their soldiers along the Suishui River embankment to review the fleet, which was loaded with Huai army soldiers and various water and land warfare equipment.
The fire that had just been extinguished by the Qing army was the signal for them to board the ship and march in!
Whether the Huaixi soldiers gathered here in Xuxikou can counterattack in life and regain the glory of their ancestors depends on the battle in front of them. Once this battle is won, they will have a share in the future of the new Ming Dynasty. They are the "original soldiers" of the new Ming Dynasty - the soldiers holding the "original stocks" of the new Ming Dynasty!
After the new Daming is officially "launched", they will release it!
If this battle is not fought well, everything will be like a dream and smoke, and you will regret it for several lifetimes!
The difference between a good fight and a bad fight. The leaders of the "group army" (a certain group training army) have made it clear to their subordinates. What kind of life they and their descendants can live in the rest of their lives depends on this battle. !
Whether it's glory and wealth or life worse than death, it all depends on whether they are willing to risk their lives to fight for it!
Of course, they all got the "down payment" they worked hard for, and it's all white and heavy money. Once it's settled, there will be plenty in the future!
And when these Huaixi Tuan Yong left the "market town" where they settled down and embarked on the journey, their parents, wives and children all had the most ardent expectations for them. If they won, the hard life of the family would be over!
Thinking of the benefits after winning the battle, each of these Huaixi warriors felt like they were drunk!
When he saw Zhou Chang and Luo Dawei passing by the shore, he shouted loudest: "Drive out the Tartars and restore the Ming Dynasty!"
Well, this Ming Dynasty has the shares of their Huaixi people. It must be restored!
Feeling the high morale of the Huaixi soldiers in front of him, Zhou Chang was very satisfied. He turned to Luo Dawei and said, "Brother Youcheng, the Huaixi men are the pillars of the Ming Dynasty. This battle is all thanks to the Huai soldiers fighting hard!"
Luo Dawei nodded solemnly: "Military advisor, don't worry. As long as the Huai people fall, the Ming Dynasty will not perish! The Ming Dynasty treated my children in Huaixi very well. Today, the children of Huaixi should die to serve the country. Moreover, I have many handsome men in Huaixi. In order to restore the Ming Dynasty, They are all brave and fearless of death!"
In fact, the Huaishang men did not perform well when the Ming Dynasty was about to finish last time, but when they lost the Ming Dynasty, the country conquered by the Huaixi predecessors, they realized that without the Ming Dynasty, they would suffer even more!
And when another new Ming Dynasty was placed in front of them and they were asked to "buy shares", the wealth effect of the previous wave of Huaixi nobles and heroes immediately made their blood boil.
Zhou Chang nodded with satisfaction: "Brother Youcheng, it's almost done. It's time for us to set off!"
"Okay!" Luo Dawei immediately opened his throat and shouted loudly: "Send troops to kill the Tatars!"
"Send troops! Kill the Tatars"
"Kill the Tatars and make great achievements!"
"Kill the enemy and achieve meritorious service!"
Carnival-like shouts suddenly broke out on the river near Xuxikou!
"Work harder, hurry up and kill the Tatars, be the hero!"
"Hurry up, don't let the Tatars escape!"
"Quick, quick, make sure to get to Suishui tonight!"
"The whole army is lightly equipped. Except for armor, weapons, and dry food, nothing else is needed. Meritorious service is the most important thing!"
"Make meritorious service! Make meritorious service! Make meritorious service."
Similar cheers also sounded one after another on the road between the south bank of Suishui River and Suzhou.
Tens of thousands of Huaixi warriors wearing only commoners and wearing only red scarves on their heads are also rushing to the battlefield with the greatest enthusiasm!
The smoke and dust that Gestei and the others saw were actually caused by them - Wang Datou was not bluffing at all, he was not at all vain!
Although he did not bring many troops this time, he brought a full one million taels of silver to the north. This is one million taels of sincerity!
A regiment is given three taels for training, and a commander is given ten taels. That’s real!
After giving it away, we will draw a big picture and issue "options"!
Even if the Ming Dynasty "failed to go on the market" in the end, the Huaixi regiment heroes would have received twice as much money as the Green Camp soldiers on the opposite side.
Moreover, the purchasing power of silver in the countryside of Huaixi is very strong. Three taels of silver a month is enough to feed and drink the whole family. If any young man has this kind of income, the matchmaker will be able to cross the threshold.
As for regaining the glory of our ancestors after making meritorious deeds, that is real!
Although Zhu Yuanzhang slaughtered many Huaixi nobles back then, it was a struggle for power and profit at the top level and had little impact on the small heroes of Huaixi at the middle and lower levels. For the middle and lower classes, it would be great to have a commanding officer, a thousand households, a hundred households, etc., and be able to pass it on to children and grandchildren. Compared with the descendants of Huaixi who are now in decline, that is simply heaven.
So they really believed it after they got the money. This was not the first time. There was no reason not to believe it!
This is an army that has faith and knows who it is fighting for!
Although the equipment of this army is really not very good, except for the "old regiment drill" who serves as the backbone, the others only have long guns, crossbows, red scarves, cloth clothes, and straw sandals, but their morale is higher than anyone else.
When rushing to the battlefield, there was no need to rush or mobilize, they all ran away as fast as they could!
And there are still a lot of them. Not only the "group army" in Huaibei, but also the newly established battalion heads south of the Huaihe River, and even the "Wei, Yong, and Meng battalions" from Tianchang County near Yangzhou also followed them The bosses Chang Wei, Chang Yong, and Chang Meng arrived.
In the evening of that day, on the north bank of Suishui South Road, a tentative battle between the two sides had already begun.
Gerstad knew about Wu Yingqi's success in blocking the bridgehead with a phalanx during the Battle of Southern Sichuan, so he did not let his men forcefully charge the pontoon bridge. Instead, he sent horse shotgunners to dismount and shoot at the Ming army on the other side to attract their attention. At the same time, they sent out cavalry to the west along the Suishui River to look for shoals that could be forded.
Suishui is not a big river in the south. The water depth is limited and there are many places that can be forded. As long as you find one place, Wang Datou's situation of holding on to the river can be broken.
When the time comes, tens of thousands of Eight Banners cavalry will cross the river and attack Suzhou. Can the big head named Wang still be undefeated?
While he was planning how to attack Suzhou, he suddenly heard the rapid sound of horse hooves. When he turned around, he saw several horse-armored soldiers running toward him like crazy!
What accident happened again?
There was an ominous feeling in Geste's heart. At this moment, the vests had already rushed nearby and were blocked by his personal soldier Goshiha. As soon as the leader rode on horseback, he announced loudly: "Hundreds of rebel warships have been spotted on the upper reaches of the Suishui River!"
"What?"
Gerstad was startled.
Suishui is not the Yangtze River or the Huaihe River. How can there be navy troops?
Where did these sailors come from? Could it be that Wang Datou arranged an ambush in advance?
He was a little scared at the thought of an ambush.
There was an ambush, indicating that this battle was not about him attacking Wang Datou, but Wang Datou setting up an ambush for him. He is not the hunter at all, but the prey.
If you are prey, you should run away quickly!
But running is probably not that easy, right?
The enemy will definitely pursue him, and may also set up an ambush on his retreat. In addition, the pontoon bridge north of Fuliji may also be quickly broken by the enemy's warships, so that a considerable part of the army may be lost in Fuliji.
These are the best Eight Banners vests!
And if the Eight Banners vests suffer a disastrous defeat in front of the Huaixi people, will all the Huaixi people defect to Wang Datou? And will Xuzhou’s Shang Kejiao and Nian Xialing defect?
As soon as these thoughts gathered in his mind, he made a decision - he couldn't run! Although he is a prey now, he is not an ordinary prey, but a very ferocious prey of the Eight Banners. The enemy may not, no, definitely not be able to capture him.
Therefore, he should wait for reinforcements, then blossom in the middle, cooperate with the follow-up Mu Zhan Brigade, and together give Wang Datou a glimpse of his power.
Thinking of this, he loudly issued an order: "Withdraw the withdrawal from Fuliji!"
"Zhongtang, the old guy Gestei has withdrawn! It seems that Fu Liji has been withdrawn."
On the south bank of Suishui River, Li Zhongshan, who was riding a horse with a spear and pretending to be flying, suddenly heard the shouts of Wang Quan, the general of the Shanzi Camp who was standing on a lookout car next to him. His heart, which had been holding up, finally felt at ease.
What he wants now is to bring Gestei close to Fuliji. As long as Gestei goes in, he will not be far from death.
Because the Huai army owned by Li Zhongshan at this time was not a strong force that could really be put into a fight.
It is very difficult to arrange an army into a large formation. Without long-term training and running-in, the team will not be able to form an array at all. Even if it is forced to do so, it will be stupid and inflexible, and it is easy to be stunned by the opponent.
In comparison, it is much simpler to build forts, siege a city, and engage in positional warfare. It's nothing more than the number of casualties. Anyway, Li Zhongshan now has many people, so he can spare no expense in casualties and the consumption of the Qing army!
(End of chapter)
