Chapter 65 The initial battle is unfavorable (2)

The construction of the Russian fortress was very stable and limited by the terrain. The Qing army had to turn two to three bends during the attack before they could see the Russian fortress. However, such a small purpose became an unattainable luxury for the Qing army. Often, after attacking for a long time, they did not even see the enemy's appearance, and then they blasted down the mountain with more and more fierce artillery fire.

What's worse is that the Russian army is very familiar with the location of the mountain road below the fortress. Cheng Xueqi's troops captured the city of Jieyayiliannesk. The first battalion was suppressed by enemy artillery fire and was reluctant to retreat like this. So they hid in a huge rock on the mountainside and thought about countermeasures. They didn't expect that the Russian artillery fire could actually hit so accurately. It just landed three or five feet in front of them. They killed fifteen or sixteen people, including the management of the battalion, on the spot. They scared everyone so much that they no longer dared to think it was a safe place and retreated to the mountain in a hurry.

Yishan personally led the central army to supervise the battle, but it did not have much effect. The Russian fortress along Heilongjiang was like a hard bone that could not be swallowed or vomited. It was stuck in the throat of the Qing army, but it could not even see the enemy's face. If the war was at this point, it would be better to mention the winner or lose. Don't say that this cowardice and sadness would be.

For five consecutive days, I have not achieved any merit, and I have never seen what the enemy looks like. This is the first time since I led the army in Yishan, several generals have been summoned to discuss countermeasures. "Tell me, who can think of a solution? I personally ask the emperor for his merits. Say, tell me."

Everyone was silent for a moment, and Zhu Hongzhang was the first to say, "I think this is not a solution. The Russian army is waiting for labor and defending the strong city. We have no way to break the enemy. Even if the soldiers use their lives, it will be difficult to resist the power of artillery. If the army is disintegrated for a long time, they will be defeated without fighting." He said, "Sir, can we increase our firepower more to suppress it?"

"How many more? Three artillery battalions and more than 300 large and small artillery fired at the same time, isn't that enough?" Yishan asked, "If you can advance with all your firepower, you can break the enemy's power. It's still considered that you made contributions in one word. What if it's useless? What other methods can you do?"

Zhu Hongzhang was speechless, and Cheng Xueqi next to him said reluctantly, "It would be great if there were ladder soldiers here."

This sentence showed a sharp edge, attracting the attention of several people, "Well? Zhonghe, what do you say?"

"I think that when Emperor Gaozong conquered Jinchuan, there was a ladder soldier. These people were trained for a long time and could do everything they could to climb high and cross the house. If these people were there, at least they could know what the building of the Russian fortress was, the location of the artillery, and the fire of our army were also aimed at launching. Wouldn't it be better than today's waste of artillery shells like blind people?"

"You are so light! Is there anyone enough? I can't even climb the mountain, so how can I observe it?"

"Of course, a group of people cannot do it. If there are only one or two people, secretly climbing the mountain while the night is dark, drawing what you see and bringing it down the mountain, I think that no matter how smart the Russian army is, it is impossible to guard against."

"Yes!" Yishan slapped his hands and stood up. "Zhonghe said, I will write to the emperor now, asking the court to select Yuntai soldiers from Shenji Camp to go north, check the terrain, and then make decisions. In the past few days, let the brothers below accumulate their energy, so that they can make a concerted effort in the future and take down all the passes."

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The war in Heilongjiang was reported every day and teleported to Beijing. The emperor did not expect that the war in Heilongjiang was so difficult. After seeing Yishan propose to use soldiers to go up the mountain to explore and draw maps to fight again, he even sneered at him. Whose foolish idea came up with? Didn’t the Russian fortress have been observed and within the observation range? He didn’t know how to draw a map at that time? Besides, is the firepower of the three artillery battalions still less? But it didn’t work at all. It can be seen that the Russian artillery fire was hidden in hidden places. If you explore it, what should you do? Can you still send special forces to blow him up?

After watching the memorial for a while, the emperor cursed in his heart that Sai Shanga, Yishan and others were all useless. He commanded tens of thousands of troops, but he could not even take down a few small Russian fortresses? Do you not understand the principle that it would be better to cut off one finger than to hurt his ten fingers? I don’t believe that if I concentrate all my troops and attack one place with artillery fire, I can’t get it down? Even if I have to teach this myself?

He cursed in his heart, reached out to pick up the red pen, and wrote in the telegram, "What is wrong with the discussion is not allowed to be implemented." After thinking about it, he wrote, "The enemy's reliance is all in the right place. The superiors bully the lower ones, and artillery fire will overwhelm them. The officer should use the advantage of troops and firepower to gather and annihilate them. Therefore, it is better to cut off one finger than to correct his intentions. In addition, the army has no constant momentum and the water has no constant shape. The way to use troops depends on one's heart. The officer should think deeply about it."

The telegram was sent back to Shengjing and sent to Aihui City. Yishan was stunned: The emperor did not allow him to make a request to send someone to climb the mountain in the dark night to check? Why do you say that you can gather and annihilate them with your troops and firepower advantages? Isn’t all the firepower now strong enough?

Not only did he hesitate, even Sai Shang A and Sushun were a little confused, "What does this mean? The way to use military forces depends on one's heart. What is the explanation for this sentence?

After thinking for a long time, he couldn't solve it, so he had to pass on the emperor's envoy to everyone. Zhu Hongzhang's mind was agile and thought that "I read the sacred edict, thinking that the emperor meant to temporarily release other fortresses, specialize in one place, dispatch all firepower, troops, and attack a place."

If everyone present said that they could understand the emperor's thoughts clearly, Su Shun would clap his hands hard when he heard this, "Brother Huanwen said that this is what is said in the sacred edict. It is better to cut off one finger than to hurt his ten fingers!"

After guessing the inner meaning of the imperial edict, everyone's faces were flying gold, as if the day of defeating the enemy was approaching. But Sushun was puzzled. Why don't the emperor say clearly that he had to let everyone think about riddles and think for a long time? But at this time, it is not advisable to say too much, just listen to Sai Shanga, "Zhu Hongzhang, Cheng Xueqi, Shengbao, Li Shixian? Temporarily transfer his troops from all Russian fortresses, gathered in the Stretiansk Fortress, and transferred all artillery battalions of the various troops to it. I don't believe that I can't take a small Stretiansk Fortress?"

He said, "From tomorrow morning, I will bombard me hard. I don't believe that the arrogance of the Russians cannot be defeated. In addition, no matter which battalion takes the lead in breaking the Russian fortress and the subordinates and subordinates will be promoted to the second level, all the wealth obtained in the city will be owned by the battalion!"

Since ancient times, wealth has moved people's hearts. Such sudden good news has made all the generals in the leadership of the army smile. On the surface, they all smiled and bowed, but they all made up their minds: they must let the troops they belong to seize this first achievement.

One day and one night, the Qing troops lined up under the Russian fortresses retreated without fighting, and all went to the Stretiansk Fortress to gather to prepare for today's general attack. Which unit was the focus of the competition. Even Yishan hesitated and could not decide, and in the end there was no way, he had to take the stupidest but most effective method - to draw lots.

After drawing lots, Cheng Xueqi's fourth battalion was selected and took on the first attack task. The commander in the battalion was named Tang Zhiqiang; and the second battalion under Zhu Hongzhang and led by Hu Damao. When news came from the first mountain, a large number of troops were about to flock to the enemy's nest.

Before the attack, Yishan ordered artillery dispatched from Ulusumudan Karen, Zhanbilakaren, Kulunbilakaren, Sahalian Ulahoto Fortress, Aihui City, Terde, Chikde, Niumanbila River, Songajia Ula to fire at the same time. It is necessary to cover all corners of the Stretiansk Fortress, and even a place as big as a fingernail is not allowed to be spared!

At the right time on August 7th, thousands of cannons fired! The Qing army seemed to be venting all the pickled air that had been plagued over the past few days. The shells like raindrops exploded countless fire points on the hills - the Russian artillery fire was completely suppressed!

Tang Zhiqiang shouted, "Brothers, rush up with me!" The first leader circled up along the mountain road.

Hu Damao led his troops to follow closely behind. The Russian army still had artillery attacks. Qing soldiers were injured by bombs from time to time and fell to the roadside. However, compared to the previous few days, the density was much worse. Obviously, the Qing army's cluster bombing still had an effect. Bypassing the two bends in front, this time, you can finally see the true appearance of the Russian army's Stretiansk Fortress.

The Stretiansk Fortress covers a considerable area, with tall city towers and wide women's walls. Many places have been destroyed by the Qing army's artillery fire, revealing the mottled and ugly granite rocks inside. The walls are full of outwardly shot holes, which are used to prepare for close combat. There is no moat outside the city gate, and the tall city gate is tightly closed. Because the artillery fire on one side is too fierce, regardless of the enemy, the friendly forces are all within the bombing range, and cannot move forward for the time being. Tang Zhiqiang sorted out his team and ordered people to go down the mountain quickly, notify the friendly forces to temporarily stop firing artillery - what is to be carried out next is the bloodiest opponent's kill!

After a while, the artillery fire gradually faded. Taking advantage of the time when the enemy stopped and the enemy had not launched, Tang Zhiqiang turned around and smiled at Hu Damao, "Old Hu, put the formation for me." As he spoke, he raised his rifle and shouted loudly, "Run up!"

Hu Damao was a veteran of the Guangwu Army who was personally taught by American teaching and others. Compared with Tang Zhiqiang's re-passing children, he was naturally better and much calmer than him. He knew that such a moment was the most dangerous moment for his side. There were Russian artillery on the opposite side, and the muskets were about to be exerted. His follow-up personnel had not arrived, and the artillery fire was coming - it was definitely an enemy from both sides. Therefore, before Tang Zhiqiang's people rushed forward, he actually led the people to rush over, "Old Hu, you fucked me..." Before he finished speaking, a bullet flew out from the shooting hole on the wall, hitting Tang Zhiqiang's chest, a bright blood flower splattered, and the body fell on its back!

Immediately afterwards, more gunfire and cannon sounds came from the back of the fortress. More than a dozen Qing troops had not yet woken up from the surprise of the two chief officials snatching their military achievements, and they were knocked to the ground.

Hu Damao led his men to the city, looked up, and it was finally safe for the time being. He waved his hand and signaled the fourth battalion soldiers led by Tang Zhiqiang to move closer to him. Who knew that what he was facing was the other party's cold and hatred eyes? The soldiers belonging to the second battalion did not move for a moment, and did not treat his words as an order at all.

Hu Damao was stunned and immediately understood that the other party was blaming him for robbing the credit and even killing the battalion commander. However, this was not something that could be justified. He turned around with a wry smile and asked, "Who is carrying a grenade on his body?"

Everyone shook their heads, but there was not a single person. Not only that, even the soldiers in the camp they belonged to were not so kind.

Hu Damao complained in his heart. This time he climbed the mountain, he was originally Tang Zhiqiang's support force, but because of the situation, he had to take the lead in attacking. Unexpectedly, he regarded it as a villain who ignored friendly forces and only wanted to make contributions? How can this be explained? At this moment, the artillery fire at the foot of the mountain sounded again - it was his own artillery that began to fire again.

The terrain on the mountain is unknown, and the Qing army artillery is more or less always on the open space in front of the fortress. The soldiers of the two battalions should not only pay attention to the artillery fire from the enemy above their heads, but also beware of shells fired by friendly forces. There is no need to mention this dilemma. What's more, there is no sharp weapon to break the city, so they can only lean against the city wall and persevere. "Let's go down, just lie down."

Hu Damao lay on the ground and shouted loudly, but the fourth battalion on the other side of the city gate ignored it. There was a brave man who raised the rifle in his hand and shot at the top of the city.

Hu Damao jumped up, rushed through the city gate, grabbed one of the soldiers' clothes, raised his hand and mouth, "Damn it, why don't you lie down?"

The soldier twisted hard, "You are not the leader of my fourth battalion. Can you control whether I am dead or alive?"

Hu Damao was furious and pulled out his pistol from his waist - this was a weapon equipped with above the battalion's stewards - holding the soldier's forehead, "Do you dare to disobey the army? Believe it or not, I will kill you now?"

This time, the soldier's arrogance faded. The Green Camp military system attaches great importance to discipline. As the commander, he had the right to enforce military laws on the spot for disobedient soldiers. He rolled his eyes and cursed in a mess, but obediently fell down. In fact, as a soldier, how could he not know that lying down was the only way to avoid artillery fire in such an environment? But he couldn't help but feel a sense of arrogance in his heart, and Fang Shi had the pretentiousness he had just made. This time, he pointed his gun at the forehead and then lay down to survive.

The soldiers of the two battalions lay down beside the city wall, and the Qing army's artillery resounded through the earth like a thunder. From the city wall, the stones falling from the open space not far away hit the body, and the blasted soil hit the body, making people grit their teeth in pain. After finally seeing their follow-up troops rushing through the mountain bend, Hu Damao raised his body and shouted loudly with all his strength, "Transfer the grenade camp, send the grenade camp! Come up, let them come up!"

The one who led the people to attack Yang Zaifu. However, when he saw the scenery in front of the fortress for the first time, he understood what was going on. He took the time to turn around and ordered, and he rushed up with the man, "Old Hu, how about it?"

"It can't be done without the grenade camp!" Hu Damao shook his head vigorously, shook the stones and dust all over his head, coughed a few times, and said with a wry smile.

"Where is the old soup?"

“…………”

Yang Zaifu naturally understood and sighed, "The clay pot must finally be broken at the wellhead, and the general cannot escape and die in the battle."

He didn't bother to sigh a few times, and after a while, the cannons sounded again. The Russian army seemed to have known that the enemy had occupied the fortress city, but there was no way to break the gate. Therefore, the cannons were getting more and more fierce, and the location was getting closer and closer to the city gate. The Qing army also knew the situation on the mountain. Seeing that victory was in sight, how could they let it go? Both sides cast violently and violently, turning the inside and outside of the Stretiansk fortress into a sea of ​​flames and smoke.

After waiting for a while, I finally saw someone turning the mountain bend, crossing the line of fire, and reaching the city gate, "Did you bring it?"

"Yes, sir, yes." The spoken soldier gasped, untied his baggage, and placed four or five fire grenades inside. The fuses had been put down, waiting for ignition. Then he placed the fire grenades carried by the other soldiers in one place and placed them at the city gate, so that everyone could still hide near the wall at the city gate. Hu Damao and Yang Zaifu looked at each other and lit the fuses, then rushed out and fell down!

With an earth-shaking explosion, the gate of Stretiansk Fortress finally exploded!

Hu Damao and Yang Zaifu jumped up and rushed in with thick smoke and flames.
Chapter completed!