"Sir! The sentinel reported that the North Sea pirate speedboat has been discovered. They have just sailed past the mouth of Liuhe River. Because there are many ships on the river, the speed is not very fast. It is estimated that they will enter the shooting range in two moments."
After hearing the report from his subordinates, the Qing general who was responsible for guarding the Puxi fort and had no time to put on his helmet said "Hmm". Then he stood on a high platform, drew his sword and shouted to the gunners under his command: "Brothers! When you serve your country with meritorious service, We’re here! You must obey my general’s orders. With the sound of the drums, we fire thousands of cannons to let the thieves know how powerful our Jiangnan water camp is!”
Under the high platform, a group of Qing soldiers and artillerymen knelt down on one knee, clasped their fists, and said in unison: "I am willing to serve you! Die for the emperor!"
After two sticks of incense, the white shuttle-shaped "Bingfeng" had passed Luodian and entered Wusongkou. When the Qing generals on the Puxi fort saw that the opponent had entered the artillery range, they immediately waved their flags and ordered the drums to be beaten and the artillery fired.
"Tum! Tum! Tum..."
In an instant, "thunder" roared from the fort, smoke billowed, and dozens of "victory general cannons" fired in sequence from west to east. At the same time, the Pudong Fort located on Baoshan Island to the east also opened fire at the same time.
In the middle of the Qing Dynasty, Baoshan was just a sand island. Because there were mountains of earth built on it for ship navigation during the Yongle period, forts were built on it to create a commanding view.
In order to completely intercept this strange ship, the fort defenders in the east and west completely ignored the ships on the Yangtze River estuary, and the entire river suddenly felt like boiling water. Those fishing boats that were lining up to go fishing were immediately hit by a three-pound solid iron ball, which killed everyone and made a big hole in the boat immediately.
There were cries and cries on the river. Some of the fishermen jumped into the water and swam desperately to the shore. Others, reluctant to part with their food and belongings, swung their oars to avoid the shore despite the gunfire.
When the Qing army first opened fire, Zhao Xin and Wang Yuanfang were startled by the overwhelming formation on the shore. Zhao Xin immediately increased his speed, and the "Bingfeng" instantly shot out on the river like an arrow from the bowstring. He didn't care about the fishing boats anymore, and just rammed away those in the way.
The "Bingfeng" was not too big and fast, so the Qing army's gunners underestimated the firing advance, so dozens of shells fired from the two forts fell into the waves rolled up at the stern.
At this time, Wang Yuanfang rushed onto the flybridge, picked up the "AEK-999", held the tripod in one hand, and started shooting continuously at the white smoke-filled place on the shore. However, it was precisely because of the billowing smoke and dust that his shooting sight was disturbed. The rain of bullets not only made the hard earth platform under the fort emit green smoke, but the number of injured Qing troops was almost negligible.
With a "bang", an iron bullet hit the bow deck of the "Ice Wind", then bounced up and fell into the water. A dent was made in the bow deck shell made of fiberglass. Everyone on the boat screamed in surprise, while the Qing troops on the Baoshan Fort cheered thunderously.
However, the artillery positions of the Qing army were only second to none. After the first round, they discovered that the enemy ship was too fast, and they had to adjust the direction of the muzzle if they wanted to shoot again. However, except for a small number of the cannons in the fort, which are wheeled artillery carts, most of the other cannons are fixed on a solid stone platform through the lugs, and are pointed at a certain place on the river. So let alone turning the muzzle, lifting it is very laborious.
In this way, enough time was left for Zhao Xin and the others. The further the "Icewind" rushes forward, the lower the intensity of the shelling becomes. When the smoke on the fort was blown away by the wind and the Qing troops on the fort were revealed, the machine gun in Wang Yuanfang's hand immediately had a clear target. A dense rain of bullets hit the iron cannons, causing sparks to fly, and stray bullets that changed their trajectories flew everywhere on the fort, causing many casualties immediately, and there was a chaos of crying and screaming.
By this time, the Qing generals in command finally understood that it was a fool's errand to use fixed-position cannons of hundreds or thousands of kilograms to hit the Shenbei Navy's clippers. Unless preparations can be made in advance, the opponent's ship speed must be slowed down at the same time.
When the "Bingfeng" rushed out of Wusongkou under gunfire, it immediately returned to the sea like a dragon and headed straight for the Flower and Bird Island in the southeast. More than two hours later, Zhao Xin and his party arrived at the bay in the northern part of Flower and Bird Island. Beihai No. 1, which was anchored here, had already arrived for a long time.
After meeting Captain Haiping, the first thing he said to Zhao Xin was: "Sir, Mr. Yu sent a telegram to Sheyang Lake. Please rush back to Beihai Town as soon as possible. There is a situation in the Beihai Special Zone."
Zhao Xin asked Hai Pingzhi some things about Sheyang Lake, and then wrote a warrant for Hai Pingzhi to bring to Xu Dayong and Wang Changsheng. He asked the two men to start immediately and secretly pick up Duan Yucai, Liu Taigong, Hong Liangji, Jiang Fan and their families.
More than two hours later, after sending Jiao Xun and others to Beihai No. 1 and watching each other go away, Zhao Xin and Wang Yuanfang returned to Beihai Town two days later in the morning after a lot of twists and turns from Flower and Bird Island.
When he saw Yu Deli, the other party told him that Liu Sheng had called and that the envoy from the Russian Empire had arrived in Irkutsk four days ago and submitted an ultimatum to us, requiring us to do so no later than 6 All withdrew from Eastern Siberia on May 15th.
"Let's take a look. This is the condition proposed by Russia." Yu Deli said, handed Zhao Xin a piece of telegram paper, and then added: "Liu Sheng has issued a second-level combat readiness order."
Zhao Xin took it and took a look, and found five items on it. In addition to asking the Northern Navy to withdraw from the Russian-occupied territories, he also demanded the release of Russian prisoners of war, compensation for Russia's losses in the two battles of Heilongjiang City and Yaksa, and compensation for the offensive. damage to civilian lives and property throughout Eastern Siberia. In addition, given that Beihai Town has become the actual ruler of the outer northeast, Russia requires the launch of border trade in Nerchinsk and Yaksa.
Zhao Xin's first reaction after reading it was that his opponent should have been prepared for war, otherwise he would not have sent someone to deliver such an ultimatum. So he went to the Northern Navy Staff Headquarters without stopping and asked about the location of the reinforcements.
"Report, the second regiment arrived in Heilongjiang City this morning and is preparing to set off after two days of rest. The third regiment has just arrived in Khabarovsk."
Zhao Xin walked to the map hanging on the wall and looked at it for a long time. He touched the beard stubble on his chin with his hand and said nothing. At this time, everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and waited for his order.
"Send a report to Heilongjiang City," as soon as Zhao Xin finished speaking, the young adjutant Xu Shounan began to record it on the telegram paper.
"The Second Regiment can rest for a day and must set off tomorrow morning. At the latest...the end of May, they must arrive in Irkutsk. In addition, send a telegram to the military station in Khabarovsk to inform Lu Shoushan not to stop in Khabarovsk Stay, and the troops will immediately move to Heilongjiang City. Well... they can rest in Heilongjiang City for two days, and then continue northward, arriving in Irkutsk no later than June 10th."
After Zhao Xin finished speaking, he thought for a while and continued: "Send a report to the Beihai Special Zone that all parts of Irkutsk will enter a wartime state from the 20th of this month. Once all collaborators are discovered, no matter who they are, Arrest him immediately and hand him over to the North Navy Military Court for trial.”
"Send a report to Liu Sheng and order the troops to enter the first level of combat readiness. First, allow them to send a small group of troops to carry out harassment warfare against the Russian offensive fortress on the Angara River. Second, combine the previous intelligence analysis and send a reconnaissance team into the Sayan Mountains Beilu, find out the enemy's deployment."
At this time, a staff officer in his twenties named Li Rui asked: "Do you doubt that Sayanling is the real direction of attack?"
Since Sheng Haizhou was transferred to Heilongjiang City, this former student from Henan has become the number two person in the Northern Navy Staff Department, helping Zhao Xin coordinate various affairs.
Zhao Xin explained while drawing on the map: "It should be a two-pronged attack, like the two pincers of a crab. Rumyantsev has fought for decades and has always won by being flexible. Containment from the front and assault from the flanks. , it is easy to say, but the front and flanks need to be judged based on the battlefield situation and are not fixed. He has been building the fortress for more than a year, probably because he wants to find loopholes in our army through steady advancement. "
Li Rui smiled and said: "In front of our cannons, any means are useless." After saying that, several other staff officers also smiled relaxedly.
Zhao Xin looked at them seriously, shook his head and said: "What I fear most is your idea! There is no invincible army in the world, and arrogance and complacency will definitely lead to failure! Remember, whether it is Fukang'an of the Manchu Qing Dynasty or Rumyantsev is a man who has been on the battlefield for many years. He eats more salt than you eat rice! Although we defeated the Russian army and the Manchu Qing Dynasty before, it was not only because of weapons, but also because of the Northern Navy’s tactical thinking and opponents. There is an essential difference!”
The North Korean navy has been fighting from scratch until today. It has always relied on its advanced weapons and equipment and extremely difficult training to achieve quick victory through preemptive strikes and surprise attacks. And Zhao Xin has also gained some experience in various feint battlefield deception methods over the years.
Because the North Korean navy has always followed the route of elite troops, this tactical thinking can avoid falling into a war of attrition. By forming an overwhelming advantage over the enemy at a certain point, it can create a fait accompli and force the opponent to admit defeat and return to the negotiation table.
Some people in the Traveling Group have clamored to fight all the way to the Ural Mountains, but even if the Northern Navy attacks there, it will be useless; millions of square kilometers of alpine zone cannot be defended at all. Zhao Xin's purpose was to completely defeat the Tsarist Russian Empire through a strategic decisive battle, thus forming a political fait accompli.
After everyone heard this, they immediately put away their indifferent expressions and stood at attention to salute Zhao Xin.
After reading several telegram drafts and signing and approving them, Zhao Xin asked Li Rui to invite Wang Yuanfang. More than twenty minutes later, Wang Yuanfang arrived.
"Old squad leader, I have thought about it again and again. You are not familiar with the topography or climate in Irkutsk, so I have to ask you to look after the house this time." Zhao Xin said while observing Wang Yuanfang's expression. The other party nodded expressionlessly and continued: "In the second half of the year, take your group of Sauron soldiers to the south."
Wang Yuanfang's eyes lit up and he asked hurriedly: "Who are you going to deal with?"
Zhao Xin smiled slightly, stood up and pointed to two areas on the map: "Xishan Pirates and Dutch."
After he met Hai Ping on Flower and Bird Island, the other party mentioned what happened to Zheng Wenxian and the others. Zhao Xin was a little annoyed at the time. The bullshit Xishan pirates and the Northern Navy didn't show their power. They really thought they could control the southeast coast.
Although the Xishan Dynasty was short-lived, this gang of bastards caused disasters from the end of Qianlong to the Daoguang period in history, bringing heavy disasters to the coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong and Zhejiang. Among them were Zheng Yi, Zheng Qi and Guo Podai who had been taken away by him in advance.
Since the Manchu, Fujian and Guangdong naval forces are too bad, let the special forces composed of the navy and Sauron soldiers deal with these guys early, and at the same time cut off the French claws reaching towards Annan.
As for the Dutch, since they are all in Annan, let’s take a look around Batavia. The "Red Creek Massacre" fifty years ago must be settled with the East India Company. The Manchus don't care, but Beihai Town has to. Although delayed justice is not justice, it is better than no justice at all.
In fact, Zhao Xin had this idea when he was in Dagukou last year. The British had arrived several years earlier than in history and had military cooperation with the Manchus. Then the details beneath the ostentation of this old empire will surely be gradually discovered by the British due to the "Battle of Changxing Island". Furthermore, there is the British shadow behind the upcoming "Qingkong War".
Zhao Xin planned to completely frighten the British East India Company through military operations in Batavia, and by the way, interfere with their tea planting project in Ceylon; of course, it would be best if they could interfere with it.
After listening to Zhao Xin's explanation, Wang Yuanfang said: "Okay! This is what you said. A gentleman's words!"
"Hurry up and whip your horse! Don't worry, I or Wu Siyu will look after your house then."
Hearing that the other party mentioned Wu Siyu, Wang Yuanfang became extremely serious and asked: "What do you think? Let Xiao Wu and his wife go to Yaksa to stay for two years?"
Zhao Xin shook his head and explained: "Where are you thinking! Wu Siyu is still very meticulous in doing things, but he is too lazy and not tough enough. In fact, he is more suitable for spanning military and political affairs, unlike Liu Sheng who is just suitable for Lead troops. Besides, Liu Sheng will lead troops into Outer Mongolia sooner or later, and Wu Siyu, I just want to force him and make him completely busy!"
Wang Yuanfang smiled when he heard Zhao Xin describe it like this. He knew that what Zhao Xin said was absolutely correct. Wu Siyu was capable, but too lazy.
Zhao Xin lit a cigarette for himself, rubbed his somewhat swollen forehead, and continued: "He has been managing Russian prisoners of war in Yaksa for so long, so he must have a better understanding of the character of the Tsarist Russians, and by the way, he can also communicate with the enemy. Rutogorov cultivates his feelings. It is best to go back to Beihai Town to accumulate more experience in government affairs. After all, we are cultivating a Cossack Kingdom on the West Siberian Plain, with the purpose of blocking Tsarist Russia to the west of the Yenisei River, and the political and military You have to have some means. From now on, I want him to be responsible for this."
Wang Yuanfang said: "Where is that young man Zhang Jingxuan?"
"Him? No." Zhao Xin blew out a puff of cigarette and showed a hint of disdain: "If it weren't for Liu Sheng's fooling around, I would have almost been dragged into the ditch by the five families. After all, the allure of blond girls is not low. .”
Wang Yuanfang was stunned for a moment, then laughed.
"He can't even deal with a few Tsarist Russian businessmen, how can we expect him to deal with the Shanxi businessmen in Kyakhta? I don't expect him to do anything else, as long as he can do a good job in immigration."
Speaking of this, Zhao Xinyu said to Wang Yuanfang sincerely: "It is easy for us to occupy a piece of land, but it is too difficult to hold it and make it a territory of Chinese civilization! Not to mention the distant future, the Manchu Qing Dynasty started from Kangxi From the beginning until Daoguang, five generations of ancestors and grandsons fought one after another with the Junggar tribe for nearly two hundred years. After the grandfather beat the grandson, the grandson was beaten and those who took advantage of the opportunity were beaten, and Xinjiang was included in the Chinese territory. But In the late Qing Dynasty, when the country's national strength weakened, a large part of it was immediately divided by Tsarist Russia. Brother Wang, this is not something you and I can solve in one generation, but we must leave a good foundation for future generations. There is a long way to go!"
Wang Yuanfang thought for a while after listening, and then nodded in agreement. He asked curiously: "What about Nanyang? After taking care of the Dutch, what next?"
Zhao Xin shook his head and said: "I haven't thought that far yet."
In fact, he didn't tell the truth, but based on the current delivery capabilities of the Northern Navy, premature intervention in Nanyang will only cause trouble for himself, and Zhao Xin will have to go back and forth alone.
Zhao Xin was very annoyed with those people from Nanyang. You must know that the first people to bring opium into the interior from Goa in the early Qing Dynasty were the people who came back from Nanyang. As for gangs and clan associations such as Lanfang and Kapitan, he is even less interested; they fight back and forth, all because of the gold mine.
With his limited geographical knowledge of the Southeast Asian region, there were only two places that interested him, one was the Tampakan copper-gold complex mine on Mindanao, and the other was Malacca. Rather than letting Britain and the United States cut the leeks later, it is better to let yourself cut the leeks first.
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