The midwinter nights in the Corrales mines were so cold that a thin layer of frost had condensed on the brims of the soldiers' hats, shoulders and even their eyebrows. The private, who had been standing for two hours, even felt that his whole body was about to freeze, but he did not dare to move, because a patrol of mobile sentinels was passing by, and the platoon commander who led the team was patrolling the private's body with his cold gaze, which made him subconsciously straighten his back.

Rhythmic footsteps sounded behind him. The private didn't have to look back to know that it was the person who picked him up, and the guy must have been walking slowly with a rifle on his shoulder, and as long as he was done handing him over, he would be able to go back to the warm bed and sleep well. The weather was so cold, and there was a cold wind blowing, which made it even more unbearable.

Fortunately, this qiē was about to end, and the private thought happily.

Sure enough, a soldier in a dark blue uniform and a large cap walked over with a sonorous step. The private was about to follow the rules to finish the process with him, when a noise suddenly sounded not far away. There was panic, surprise, and fear in the voice, and soon there were more stray footsteps.

There is a case! The private took his rifle off his shoulder at once. At this time, as the whirring west wind blew, some flames burst up under the help of the wind, which made everyone immediately aware of what was going on there.

"Everyone is not allowed to walk around and shout, stick to their posts, and strictly prevent the enemy from attacking! If anyone disobeys the order, they will be shot on the spot! The platoon commander who led the patrol showed the suzhì of a veteran at this time, and he first sent someone to report to the company headquarters. Then he ordered the posts to hold their posts. and assigned some of his men to what he thought were vulnerable to enemy attacks. Finally, after blowing the brass whistle to warn, he led a handful of soldiers to the place where the fire was started.

The site of the fire was a small warehouse, which originally stored some military supplies of the 6th Company of the Army, including cotton clothing, food, and some gunpowder. Fortunately, during the day, the superior had already distributed the cotton clothes to the hands of every officer and soldier, and the gunpowder had also been pulled to the barracks for storage, and now there were only some cured meat, flour, vegetables, and other foods left in this small wooden warehouse.

"What a blessing!" The platoon commander who rushed over secretly wiped his sweat and secretly thanked Taishang Laojun for his blessing. However, he still did not dare to slack off, and the warehouse was burned. This must have been the work of hostile elements, most likely the Spaniards not far away. It's so arrogant! Is it true that our East Coast soldiers are muddy? When the matter is clarified, you must call the Spaniard to ask for an explanation, otherwise it is not enough to breathe this breath!

Soon, more and more people rushed to the scene of the fire. In fact, there is nothing strange about it, the camp set up by the 6th Company of the Army is not very big, and the so-called warehouse is just a few wooden houses, so as soon as the brass whistle sounded, everyone rushed to the scene as fast as possible.

By this time, the fire had spread to the rooftop, and the entire warehouse was in flames. The firelight was so dazzling in the darkness of the night. The supplies in the warehouse are finished, but fortunately, important warm cotton clothes have been distributed. The gunpowder was also temporarily moved into the barracks during the day today, and all that was left was some food.

And there were supposed to be two soldiers guarding the place, both of whom were new recruits, but just a few hours earlier they had been called by the company to take a written exam for the soldier's drill with many people, which should not have been over yet. But fortunately, they went to the exam, and if they were still on duty, they might be attacked by the enemy who came in, causing casualties.

Company commander Xiao Baitu and other officers quickly arrived at the scene, and then organized people to quickly join the firefighting operation. With the efforts of everyone, the fire was quickly stopped, but at this time, the warehouse had also been burned to the bottom, and the loss of materials seemed to be very serious.

After the last open flame was extinguished, Xiao Baitu, who had a gloomy face, ignored everyone's persuasion and walked into the ruins of the warehouse, which had become a pile of ashes. As far as the eye can see, there are cured meats that have been charred by the high temperature, and there are also some half-melted metal utensils, which look miserable.

Xiao Baitu walked around the inside twice, and then used tongs to pick up a metal object from the ashes. Although the object has been partially melted down, it is still clear from its remaining appearance that it was a Spanish bayonet sword, the standard equipment of Spanish soldiers. The officers who followed Xiao Baitu into the warehouse let out a low exclamation, and then ignored Xiao Baitu's presence and immediately exchanged heads with each other.

"Go to the barracket and ask Second Lieutenant Frey of the gendarmerie to come over, and give him this bayonet sword. The incident of the fire in the barracks was handed over to the gendarmerie for investigation. Xiao Baitu turned around and said lightly.

Second Lieutenant Frey of the gendarmerie soon rushed over, and after silently looking at Xiao Baitu with his eyes, he took the Spanish bayonet sword, looked at it "carefully", and said with certainty: "It's the equipment of the Spaniards!" That's right! Sir Xiao, the murderer may not have gone far yet, and I will immediately conduct a search. ”

"What about the scope of the search? It would be troublesome to know that these Spaniards had most likely fled back to their camp. Han Zhen, deputy head of the Mei Agency's action group, who arrived at the scene with the gendarmerie, interjected appropriately. Originally, this place should have nothing to do with the Mei Agency, but they still came here under the banner of strict investigation of internal spies.

Sure enough, the question is tricky. I saw Xiao Baitu frowning and thinking for a while, and then resolutely said: "Since the Spaniards dare to come and burn our barracks, they have already tarnished the honor of our great East Coast soldiers. At this time, we need no more scruples, they must hand over the murderer, otherwise we will not give up. Deputy Company Commander Li, you go and contact the cavalry company stationed at the station, and ask them to immediately go to the side of the Spanish military outpost, intercept the Spaniards they encounter, and not let any of them go. If it is not convenient to ride a horse at night, lead the horse forward, in short, the speed should be fast. ”

The deputy commander of the 6th company is named Li Shen, graduated from the 39th infantry department of the Dingyuan Army Military Academy, has served in South Africa for many years, and has participated in many battles with the Xhosa people with Marshal Mo Mingmo, and has very rich experience. At this time, he did not hesitate at all, as if he had expected this, and immediately went to contact the cavalry.

After sending away his adjutant, Xiao Baitu immediately ordered the whole company to assemble, and then the heavily armed 240 soldiers with 4 light guns drove out of the camp gate in a menacing manner, all the way to the Spanish post to "search".

The Spanish post was very close to the camp of the 6th Company of the Army on the East Bank, about four or five kilometers away. Although they were well acquainted with the land, the 6th Company's evening march was not smooth, and it took them several hours to reach the Spaniards' outpost.

Naturally, the movement of hundreds of people could not hide the Spaniards, especially when there were a few horses pulling artillery wagons who were neighing. The Spaniards were soon sent to intervene, but when they heard that the easterners had asked them to open the gates of the camp and let them search for some "arsonist", they were at first astonished and then furious. They did not hesitate to refuse the request of the Easterners, believing that they had come up with such a clumsy and ridiculous excuse to force them to evacuate the post and, incidentally, to humiliate the Spaniards.

The rest is simple. After contacting the cavalry on the outskirts and confirming that they were safe, Xiao Baitu resolutely ordered the attack on the Spanish outpost.

Naturally, the Spaniards put up a desperate resistance, and four Spanish officers and 25 Guarani natives armed with muskets fired a volley at the shadowy east bank positions outside the camp. At this time, they were convinced that the people of the East Coast would never let them go, so even the priest in the camp took up his rifle and joined the battle.

The resistance of the Spaniards came to an abrupt end when artillery joined the battle. The soldiers on the east bank cleared the corners of the Spaniards one by one with artillery, and then attacked the outpost, and the battle came to an abrupt end.

It is not known whether it was intentional or unintentional, but the Spaniards in the camp failed to leave a single living mouth. All 30 bodies were found one by one, and Xiao Baitu, the commander of the 6th Company of the Army, who commanded the battle, even breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that all the Spaniards had been wiped out. After all, for him, the dead can't speak, they can't justify themselves, and this is the best substitute for the dead.

"The Spaniards were exposed because of the burning of our barracks, so they resisted stubbornly, and were finally wiped out by our army." Xiao Baitu stood beside the bloodstained corpses of the Spaniards, and said with a hideous expression: "Adjutant Li, you immediately take someone back to the capital and report what happened here to the Military Department and the Executive Committee, so that they can know about the bad incident committed by the Spaniards." Let me just say that the whole army of our army is now in great spirits, and I ask the Executive Committee to summon at once the special envoy of the Kingdom of Spain to Port Oriente, Baron Bravo, and ask the other party to respond immediately and positively on this matter. If the Spaniards deliberately delay or give no reasonable explanation, our troops have the right to take a liberty of action. ”

After hearing this, Li Shen took a deep breath, and after returning a military salute vigorously, he hurried away with a few heralds. He had a premonition that the outbreak of a total war with the Spaniards, perhaps just a few days away, was not subject to anyone's will. Some may be ecstatic, some may be furious, some may be stunned, some may be sad and hopeless, but war is inevitable. (To be continued......)