Admiral Zhan Tie and Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan boarded the battleship Taishan again late at night.
They found the military doctor commanding and the soldiers were busy spraying alcohol for disinfection in every corner of the ship.
People who disembark from the ship must change their original clothes and disinfect their bodies when they come back.
Officers from the Logistics Department were urging the entire dormitory of officers and soldiers to hang mosquito nets in the darkness.
When they returned to the warship, Su Shu and others did not immediately ask them about the situation at Hongyan Hill.
The warship looked like it was facing a powerful enemy, as if a plague was about to break out.
Admiral Zhan Tie and Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan were shocked and frightened. Under the supervision of military doctors, they completed the disinfection procedure.
They put on masks and wanted to find out the situation from His Highness Su Shu.
However, the two of them were stopped outside the door by Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi.
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi described in detail what he learned from his friend Gou Qiuju.
In particular, it is explained that King Su Li of Xiang is seriously ill, and plagues occur frequently in Xiang State.
After listening to what Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi said, they immediately understood why His Highness Su Shu did not meet the two of them.
His Highness Su Shu was panicking about the plague and would not see them until military doctors confirmed it was safe.
After Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan heard this, he immediately wiped the sweat from his forehead.
This situation is too dangerous. Once the plague in Xiangguo really spreads to the fleet.
He couldn't even imagine what kind of tragedy would happen to the fleet.
The space for movement on a warship is very small, and it is impossible to isolate a safe zone.
In order to prevent the spread of the plague, he had to transfer the sick soldiers directly to the shore, which meant leaving them to fend for themselves.
Admiral Zhan Tie lamented: "The person we met has a higher status, but he dare not spread such gossip in private.
The king of Xiang, Su Li, was seriously ill due to the plague, and the development of the country of Xiang was bound to be restricted.
The strength displayed by the Imperial Royal Navy in Red Rock Port is already very powerful.
Now there are variables again, and there is no need for us to stay in Xiangguo longer. "
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan agreed: “A poor and weak country will definitely be bullied.
Even if they are both Chinese Miao descendants, they cannot stop the war between the two countries due to their interests.
There is no need to stay here in Xiangguo. We must focus on this war between vassal states. "
Staff officer Lu Yuanqi asked with a confused expression: "Two adults, has something happened here in Xiangguo?"
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan nodded and said: "We went to Hongyan Port and heard that an important news was being discussed at Hongyan Port.
Xiang's army and Cao's army faced off at Benniu Road, and the front line was very tense.
Businessmen who heard the exchanges said that there had been a small-scale exchange of fire between the two armies.
Given the situation there, it is likely that the war is over by now.
This is the first war between vassal states, and it is of great significance. If we can watch the battle, we will get first-hand information. "
Su Shu was listening to the discussion of several people outside the door through the door.
When he heard the news, he couldn't help but said: "We must rush to the battlefield as soon as possible. It would be better if we could see the strength of the two armies.
After several years of development, the military strength of the major vassal states must be different. We can get a glimpse of it based on this war. "
Su Shu was very happy to hear the news, and the vassal states went to war because of their own interests.
This shows that these vassal states are not monolithic.
The empire can use various methods to make these vassal states check and balance each other.
By protecting the core territory of a weak vassal state, generations of hatred between vassal states were created.
Once hatred arises, even those with great talent and great strategy will not be able to unify the American continent and form a huge country.
Because of the close relationship between the first generation and the second generation, the vassal parliament maintained close ties with the Dahua Empire.
Afterwards, the empire had to rely on internal fighting among the major vassal states to maintain the relationship between vassal states.
The fleet quickly completed supplies at Hongyan Port, and they immediately headed south to the Bull Run Road, the battlefield between the two armies.
…………………………
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi took a look at the chart. He searched for a long time but could not find the Bull Run Road on the map.
He asked in confusion: "Where is the Bull Run? Why is it not marked on the chart?"
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan clicks directly on the map.
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi looked at the slender connection point between North and South America.
Near the narrowest point in South America, there is the Bull Run.
"So this is where it is. Why is it called the Bull Run Road?"
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan said: "I only heard about the reason from Hongyan Port not long ago.
King Cao Li Dazhuang said that this place is so narrow that a cow can run from east to west in one day.
This place was named Bull Running Road by the world.
Benniu Road was originally occupied by Xiang's army, but Cao Jun suddenly named it after King Cao of Benniu Road. They had already erected boundary markers and sent troops to attack Benniu Road. "
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi nodded and asked strangely: "I heard in the military that the relationship between the monarchs of these vassal countries is very good.
The major vassal states also have vast space for expansion.
I used to think that there would be no war between vassal states in a short period of time.
I didn't expect that a war between vassal states would happen so early.
Once a war breaks out between two vassal states, it will send a completely different signal. "
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan did not answer this question. Instead, he turned to look at Su Shu and asked: "Xiao Su, please try to answer this question."
Su Shu drew a few circles on the chart and said confidently: "Everyone, look at the location of Cao State.
The leader of Cao State was named Li Dazhuang, and the leaders of other vassal states around him were all named Su.
The Cao Kingdom was surrounded by other vassal states, and he was the only one among them with a foreign surname.
King Cao Li Dazhuang looks simple and honest, but he is actually an extremely shrewd person.
He would never let Cao Guo be surrounded and must find a way to break the situation.
Of course, the persimmons are weak, Xiangguo's strength has fallen behind, and internal strife in the country is frequent.
He will inevitably become Cao Guo's first choice for a breakthrough. "
After hearing this, Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan immediately applauded.
"Xiao Su's analysis is very good, you already have a preliminary strategic vision.
But there is another reason for Cao's northward expansion, and that is that there is a powerful Wei State in his neighboring country.
King Su Hu of Wei was not someone to be trifled with. He and King Su Shan of Qi kept watch and helped each other.
King Cao Li Dazhuang wanted to develop southward, but there was no chance at all.
King Xiang Su Li is weak and far away from Zhao.
Even if King Zhao Su Xiong wanted to help, he was powerless.
What's more, King Zhao Su Xiong may not come to his aid. "
Su Shu immediately reacted and said anxiously: "We must notify the Third Fleet on Sandalwood Island to patrol the surrounding areas of Xiangguo at all times.
Once it is discovered that something is happening in Xiangguo, the empire will mediate.
We have such a close relationship with Xiangguo, and we must not sit back and watch him be annexed. "
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan laughed loudly after hearing this and said: "Xiao Su is very far-sighted. After we visit the war between the two vassal states, we will report the situation to the empire.
It is also recommended that the Third Fleet strengthen patrols in the Americas.
Xiao Su's suggestion will also be seen by His Majesty, and His Majesty will definitely make corresponding arrangements by then. "
After Su Shu heard this, a happy smile that could not be concealed appeared on his face.
He saw thick black smoke rising from the smokestack of the battleship Tarzan.
In order to rush to the battlefield as soon as possible, the battleships rushed to the battlefield at extremely fast speeds at the cost of damage.
Su Shu was awakened by the violent sound of gunfire. He immediately walked out of the dormitory and stood on the deck of the battleship Taishan.
He listened to the roar of cannons coming from the road ahead.
The Bull Run Road is very narrow. If it is daytime, standing on the battleship, you can have a clear view of the battlefield.
It is dawn now, the sky is very dark, only the morning star hangs high in the sky.
From the telescope, Su Shu saw the battlefield on the road ahead, which was constantly flashing with flames.
He could see clearly through the firelight that Cao Jun had the upper hand and was continuously attacking a small city with cannons.
The city walls of this small city are not traditional rammed earth, but solid reinforced concrete walls.
This kind of solid wall, even the main gun of the battleship Tarzan, will take some time to break.
The power of Cao Jun's artillery was obviously insufficient. This led to the fact that it had been more than a month since the war started, and Cao Jun had not yet captured a small city defended by less than a thousand people.
Su Shu lamented: "Both armies are obviously over-defended and under-attacked.
But Cao Jun had the advantage, as can be seen from the range of the artillery, and Cao Jun also paid more attention to the development of firearms.
It is said that Cao Guo treated his craftsmen very well, which can be seen from this detail. "
…………………………
General Ye Fenglin of Cao State couldn't believe it when he heard the report from his subordinates.
"What did you say? Say it again."
"General, a huge naval fleet has arrived from the waters west of Bull Run Road.
This naval fleet flies under the flag of the Great China Empire.
The Imperial Navy fleet seemed to be watching the battle and had no intention of participating in the war. "
General Ye Fenglin walked out of the tent in a panic. He immediately took out his telescope and looked at the situation on the sea to the west.
A huge fleet that had never appeared before was now docked on the shore.
This is indeed the navy of the Great China Empire. Apart from the Great China Empire, no country in the world can produce such a powerful navy.
The metallic luster of the armored ship is so dazzling under the sunlight.
Ye Fenglin had heard about the ironclad ship before. When he saw the ironclad ship for the first time, he was still shocked.
Especially the huge artillery equipped on the armored ship made Ye Fenglin extremely envious.
If their Cao army had such artillery, they would have completely destroyed the turtle shell in front of them.
Ye Fenglin could see from the telescope that many people were holding telescopes and looking towards the battlefield.
General Ye Fenglin also saw someone waving to him.
These people looked relaxed and did not seem to want to participate in this war.
But Ye Fenglin didn't dare to bet. The Imperial Navy of Dahua was indeed watching the battle, but they might also be thinking about whether to intervene in this war.
Without external intervention, Ye Fenglin was sure of victory.
Once the Dahua Empire wants to intervene in this war, he can only retreat in despair with his army.
Ye Fenglin must quickly solve the small town ahead before the Imperial Navy intervenes in this war.
He immediately called a meeting with his subordinates.
Ye Fenglin's face was livid at the meeting. He pointed to the west and said: "The battle situation has changed dramatically, and you all know what changes have occurred.
We must fight quickly and win the Xiangjun city at all costs.
We are preparing to launch a general offensive today. If anyone slacks off, I will kill him without mercy. "
The generals present shouted in unison: "Respect the general's order."
Cao Guo's military orders are extremely strict, and different opinions can be raised during discussions.
Once a general reaches a decision, it must be implemented unconditionally.
Huge drums sounded, and Cao Jun launched a general attack on the small city ahead.
On the deck of the battleship Taishan, Su Shu saw a real battlefield for the first time.
He said nothing and listened to the discussions of the others.
Staff officer Lu Yuanqi said disdainfully: "This must be someone who was eliminated by the Imperial Royal Army.
Attack well-defended cities at all costs.
Relying only on grenades and artillery in the city, Cao Jun would definitely pay a heavy price if he wanted to capture the city.
If I were to direct the war, I would definitely plan for it slowly.
As long as Xiangguo's reinforcements are blocked, the supplies in this small city will not last long.
In this situation, encircling the point and calling for reinforcements is the best tactic. "
When Su Shu heard what Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi said, he couldn't help but nod.
In doing so, Cao Jun completely treated the lower-level soldiers as human beings and prepared to fill the city in front with human lives.
The Cao State's foundation is not strong. With this style of fighting, it only takes a few large-scale wars to completely wipe out the population of the Cao State.
Su Shu wanted Cao Guo to be a catfish and deter other surrounding forces.
He didn't want Cao Guo to be too powerful. This was his second brother's biggest support.
If the Cao State is too powerful, it will really affect the status of Su and Shu.
When Admiral Zhan Tie heard what Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi said, he snorted and said: "Staff Staff Lu, fortunately you are a naval staff officer and don't understand the situation in the army.
Commander Cao Jun is a steady and steady man, which can be seen from the layout on the battlefield.
He planned to gradually block the space in the city where Xiangjun was located.
Prepare to trap the enemy and force the Xiang army in the city to leave the city and surrender.
Just halfway through this tactic, we approached the battlefield.
Commander-in-Chief Cao did not know whether we had any intention of intervening in the war.
In order to avoid the worst-case scenario, he chose to launch a general attack on the enemy.
Even if a certain price is paid, this city must be captured. "
After Su Shu listened to Admiral Zhan Tie's analysis, he understood what General Cao was thinking.
He watched Cao's army attack the city with a telescope.
The military discipline of Cao's army was excellent, and the siege tactics were arranged in an orderly manner.
Su Shu had seen many war games and military exercises, and this was the first time he had seen actual combat between the two armies.
What can be shown in actual combat cannot be seen in exercises.
Su Shu saw that the most influential factor in actual combat was the morale of the army.
The morale of Cao's army was very high. Even at the cost of some casualties, Cao's army continued to attack the city.
The morale of the Xiang army defending the city was very low. They were only using firearms to carry out passive counterattacks.
Some early results were achieved, but as casualties increased, the army fell into decadence and was unable to counterattack.
As a layman, Su Shu could understand that the situation of Xiangjun was over.
There were no miracles on the battlefield. Cao Jun's army scaled the city wall just after noon.
After Xiang's army saw Cao's army ascending the city wall, their morale completely collapsed, and a large number of people chose to surrender.
When Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan saw that the war was over, he ordered: "The fleet set off for Cao's port.
We are going to stay in Cao State for a while and focus on observing this country. "
Su Shu was a little puzzled. Why did the fleet set off just after the war?
But he didn't bring it up. Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan would definitely explain the reason to him. (End of chapter)
