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Irkutsk, the capital of the Russian Far East, is still in the hands of the Russian army. The 100,000 newly formed Russian troops in the city are still waiting for the arrival of reinforcements. However, a week has passed and there are no traces of reinforcements, so some rumors have gradually emerged among the Russian army in the city of Irkutsk.

Some people said that the Russian Expeditionary Force had been defeated and would not come to rescue Irkutsk again, and they had become abandoned children. This caused the Russian army in the city to panic. Some people who joined the army even threw away their weapons and fled home because of despair. This situation began to spread in the city, and the morale of the Russian army began to decline.

"General, the situation is not very good now! Today we have captured hundreds of deserters. If we continue like this, we may be defeated if the Chinese do not attack us." Brigadier General Borif, the commander of the Russian Far East 2nd Army, said with some concern.

Major General Neverskoy didn't know how to deal with the current situation. Before the telegraph line was cut off, the Russian army informed that reinforcements were already on the way to Irkutsk. Two Cossack cavalry troops would come to rescue them. In this way, they should be able to persevere until the reinforcements arrived. However, the telegraph line was cut off and the communication with the rear was completely cut off.

"General Borif, we probably have to plan the worst," said Major General Neverskoy.

"General? What do you mean?" Brigadier General Boriff's face suddenly became gloomy.

"Our reinforcements have probably arrived, but they have been defeated by the Chinese cavalry again. The 10th Cossack Cavalry and the 12th Cossack Cavalry Army who came to rescue us have a total strength of only more than 50,000. However, the number of Chinese cavalry around Irkutsk is absolutely more than 50,000. It is very difficult for our two cavalry troops to defeat the Chinese cavalry. The reinforcements have not arrived yet, so this only means that the reinforcements have been defeated. Apart from that, I can never think of any other reason." Major General Neverskoy seemed helpless.

"General, how is this possible? Will our Cossack cavalry not the opponent of the Chinese cavalry?" Brigadier General Boriff widened his eyes. In his opinion, the Cossack cavalry is invincible in the world. Not to mention that the number of the two sides is almost equal, even if the number of the Cossack cavalry is at a disadvantage, the brave Cossack cavalry will definitely be able to defeat the opponent. This has been proven in countless battles in history.

"General Borif. I know this is probably difficult to accept. But the fact is that. As early as March, in northern China, the Cossack cavalry led by Governor Muravyov was attacked by Chinese cavalry. The firepower of the Chinese cavalry is very strong, and they equipped more cannons than our infantry. In addition, they also have a small caliber artillery with a very fast firing rate, plus heavy machine guns, etc., to fight against the Chinese cavalry.

It is just a nightmare. Therefore, it is understandable that the 10th Cossack Cavalry Army and the 12th Cossack Cavalry Army were defeated." Major General Neverskoy still feels frightened when he thinks of the battle in Zhangjiakou. Although the performance of the Chinese cavalry is not like an orthodox cavalry at all, he completely loses all the glory that the cavalry should have. But it has to be admitted that the attack power of the Chinese cavalry is very strong and their tactics are also very effective!

"Hell! General, what should we do? If there are no reinforcements, we will not be able to defend Irkutsk." Brigadier General Borif was a little desperate. After his contact with the country was cut off, Irkutsk had become an isolated island. They could not get supplies for troops and combat materials. This would not last long.

"General Borif, we have no other way. We can only continue to persevere." Major General Neverskoy said. Originally, he placed all his hopes on the Russian Expeditionary Force. But now it seems that the Expeditionary Force can no longer count on it.

"General, something is wrong. The main force of the Chinese army is here, just on the south bank of the Angara River. A large number of infantry and cannons!" A low-level Russian officer reported to Major General Neverskoy in panic.

"What? The main force of the Chinese is here. General, they will definitely launch an attack on Irkutsk. What should we do?" Brigadier General Borif was also panicked. Without reinforcements, they would obviously be unable to withstand the attack of the main force of the Chinese army.

Major General Neverskoy's face was also ugly. This time, the infantry of the Chinese army came. The last time they were able to withstand the attack of the Chinese cavalry was entirely due to the luck. The cavalry was not good at siegeing cities, and the cavalry suffered a lot in street fighting in the city. At the same time, the cavalry was precious, so the Chinese cavalry retreated. However, the Chinese infantry was different. According to the information obtained by Major General Neverskoy, the Chinese infantry had strong firepower and were better at street fighting. In this way, it would be even more impossible for the Russian army to resist the attack of the Chinese army. If it were not done well, Irkutsk would soon be captured by the Chinese army. At that time, it would be their doomsday.

"Order all departments to strengthen their vigilance and prepare to defend. Now, we have no other way, we can only continue to defend. As for whether we can persist until the reinforcements arrive, we can only pray for God's blessing." Major General Neverskoy said.

At this moment, in the front command of the Imperial* Army on the south bank of Angarsk, Major General Liu Zhongming summoned several commanders of the infantry and cavalry army to deploy the next battle.

"Everyone, the troops we have arrived on the front line now include three infantry troops and four cavalry troops. The subsequent nine infantry troops will arrive in the next month. What we need to do now is to conquer Irkutsk, pull out the nail buried by the Russians on the west bank of Lake Baikal, and then the main force advances westward and prepares for the final decisive battle with the Russian Expeditionary Force." Major General Liu Zhongming said. Only after pulling out Irkutsk can the imperial army advance west with confidence and boldness.

Everyone had a solemn expression. Major General Senggelinqin and Major General Qiao Moyan had a slightly unnatural expression. After all, they were defeated in Irkutsk last time and lost two or three thousand people.

"General, the Russian army has a total of 100,000 people in the city of Irkutsk. Although they are all mobs, they use the large and small barricades built in the city and other fixed firepower points, as well as the buildings in the city. Unfamiliar with the environment, the imperial cavalry launched an attack on Irkutsk, but it ended in failure." Major General Senggelinqin said with shame.

"General Senggelinqin, don't blame yourself. Urban street fighting is not the priority of the cavalry. The Imperial Infantry Army has undergone special street fighting training. Although the Russian fortifications are powerful, it is absolutely impossible to resist the attacks of the Imperial Infantry." Major General Liu Zhongming said with a smile. During the long war, the Imperial Infantry had summarized an effective set of street fighting experience. It is absolutely impossible for the Russian army to defend Irkutsk to the death.

Major General Senggelinqin nodded and said nothing more. He also believed that the imperial infantry must have a way to take Irkutsk.

"General, Irkutsk has been besieged for so long, and the morale of the Russian army in the city must have been sluggish. We will not let go and cause a heavy blow to them on morale. In this way, it will be easier for us to conquer Irkutsk." Major General Zhang Wei, commander of the 1st Infantry Army of the Imperial Army, said.

"Oh? General Zhang, do you have any good suggestions?" Major General Liu Zhongming asked.

"General, didn't the imperial cavalry catch thousands of Russian prisoners of war? If the prisoners of Russian Cossack cavalry appeared outside the city of Irkutsk, what would the Russian army in the city think? The reason why they persisted was nothing more than waiting for reinforcements. As long as they knew that reinforcements could not come, the Russian army in the city would definitely collapse. At that time, it would be much easier for us to capture Irkutsk." Major General Zhang Wei said.

"This idea is good. The Russian army in Irkutsk was originally recruited urgently from the civilians. Their will cannot be compared with the regular army. Once they think that reinforcements will not arrive, their morale will definitely continue to decline. This is our opportunity." Major General Dulid, the commander of the 2nd Infantry Army of the Imperial Army, also said.

"Well! Well, let's launch a heart-to-heart attack on the Russians. No matter what, Irkutsk must be taken down within three days." Major General Liu Zhongming ordered.

Afterwards, the Imperial Army deployed hundreds of artillery positions on the south bank of the Angara River and began to fire fierce artillery fire on Irkutsk on the north bank of the Angara River. The fierce artillery fire caused the Russian army in the city to suffer losses, and morale continued to decline.

At the same time, the Imperial First Infantry Army and the 2nd Infantry Army crossed the Angara River from Angarsk and appeared on May 29 at the periphery of Irkutsk. The arrival of the imperial army even panicked the Russian army in the city. Although they had repelled the attack of the Imperial Army last time, this time, no one thought they could resist it when facing the elite infantry of the Imperial Army.

At this time, thousands of Cossack cavalry captured by the imperial cavalry were sent to the Russian defense line on the outskirts of Irkutsk. The appearance of those prisoners of war undoubtedly gave the Russian army the last blow in the city of Irkutsk. (To be continued) r655
Chapter completed!