The choice was to march to the weak point of the Qing army's defensive line, and the cavalry of the Wu army led by Zeng Guoquan and Ding Ruchang naturally advanced very quickly, and it took only more than three days to cross the northeast and west of Shandong, from the Daimyo's Mansion to the east, along the Niwei Erhe River all the way to the city of Dezhou at the junction of Hebei and Shandong, and came to the most famous chicken production area on the North China Plain. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

During this period, the Wu army did not encounter any Qing army to intercept it, but the Wu army also went to attack any city along the way, because this area is not only the Yellow Flood area, but also the Taiping Army's second Northern Expedition The disaster area, even Linqing Prefecture, which was once famous for its wealth in the north, is full of ruins, there are no houses along the way, and the bones are exposed, not to mention other cities along the way. Therefore, the Wu army did not waste precious time and ammunition to attack the city, but while marching eastward in a hurry, it symbolically sent envoys to the city to surrender, and the result was that it really persuaded Kantao County, which bordered the Daimyo's mansion, to surrender - but unfortunately, the food in the city was almost pitiful.

The Qing army in Dezhou City also did not dare to go out of the city to fight with the Wu army, and Zeng Guoquan was too lazy to attack Dezhou City, where the defenders in the city did not even have a cotton jacket, and led the army directly north into the territory of Zhili Hejian Mansion, and temporarily stationed in the area of Liu Zhimiao to rest.

To the great disappointment of Zeng Guoquan and the generals of the Wu army, the Wu army had already advanced eastward to this point, but they came to report one after another, saying that the main force of the Zhili Qing army in Zhengding Mansion did not make any moves, and was not in a hurry to divide the troops to the east to intercept the Wu army. So Zeng Guoquan had no choice but to quickly convene a meeting to discuss the next move with the generals.

"We have two roads to go in the next step, the first is the road of Jizhou Mansion, passing through Wuyi and Wuqiang to Raoyang, and going around to the back of the main force of the chaotic party. The second is to go north along the canal, through Dongguang, Nanpi and Cangzhou to Tianjin, approaching the gateway of the capital. ”

After pointing out the next action choice of the army, Zeng Guoquan and Wu Junzhong discussed which road should be chosen, but the result of the discussion made Zeng Guoquan very contradictory, the advantage of taking the road of Jizhou is that the cities along the way have not been affected by the military disaster before, and they are far away from the Yellow Flood Area, and the grain storage situation in the cities along the way must be slightly better.

The disadvantages and advantages of taking this road in Jizhou are also as obvious, too close to the main defense area of the Qing army, not only is it easy for the Qing army to see through the intention of the self-army to transfer the tiger away from the mountain, but it is also easy to be ambushed, and it is even possible that in the case of the impassable grain road, it is forced to start a decisive battle with the main force of the Qing army.

It is too safe to take the canal road, but because the Yellow River was diverted and the canal was scrapped, the cities along the way that lost the profits of water transportation are now very poor, coupled with the overpopulation, land overdevelopment and repeated military disasters, there is still serious famine along the road, and the Wu army can only attack the cities along the way if it wants to seize food supplies, and even if it successfully takes the city, it will definitely not be able to grab much food, so there will be a danger of running out of food along this road.

Brainwashed too deeply by Zeng Guofan's tactical guiding ideology of fighting in a daze, Zeng Guoquan and Zhu Hongzhang, Zhang Shiri, and other generals from the Hunan Army were once seriously inclined to take the road of Jizhou Mansion, but Ding Ruchang, who was sent by Nie Shicheng to help Zeng Guoquan, raised a different opinion and said: "If we take the road of Jizhou Mansion, then we will take a detour to the northeast of the mountain this time, wouldn't it be a big move to take off our pants and fart?" ”

"If it is to ensure the supply of grain and grass, then when we send troops from the Daimyofu, we should take the flat road of Guangping and Shunde, and then march into Jizhou, along the way not only can we attack the city and seize the grain, but also dredge the grain road for the battalion step by step. So what's the point of our hard work these days? ”

After listening to Ding Ruchang's questioning, Zeng Guoquan was silent, and he really felt that he was now running to Jizhou to fight for grain, and his head was in water - if it was to grab grain for self-sufficiency, wouldn't it be easier and more convenient to go north directly from the Daimyo's Mansion? Why bother to cross the Yellow Plain?

"I also don't think I can take the road of Jizhou Mansion." Zhang Zhidong, who was also sent by Nie Shicheng, also voted against, saying: "The purpose of our crossing the Yellow Flood Area is to divert the tiger from the mountain, create the illusion of preparing to attack the capital by taking advantage of the situation, and go north to Jizhou directly in order to facilitate the seizure of grain. ”

Zeng Guoquan was even more speechless, and said helplessly after a while: "But taking the canal road, it is difficult for us to supply grain and grass along the way, and it is too far away from the rear?" ”

"If we don't take this dangerous road, how can the rebel army believe that we are planning to attack the capital?" Zhang Zhidong asked rhetorically, and said: "Besides, although it is difficult to supply grain and grass along the canal road, there is grain in Tianjin, and the grain transported from Liangguang must be transferred in Tianjin, and there must be a lot of grain in Tianjin, as long as we take Tianjin City, we can get sufficient grain and grass supplies." ”

"Is Tianjin City so easy to take?" Zeng Guoquan shook his head and said: "The long-haired puppet king Shi Dakai has more than 50,000 troops, as well as the help of the steamship fleet, but he has not been able to take Tianjin City, and our infantry and cavalry together can barely have 10,000 people, so can it be said that Tianjin City will be taken?" ”

"Of course, it's best to be able to take Tianjin City, and if we can't take it, we have other ways." Zhang Zhidong didn't think about it and said: "If there is no hope of taking Tianjin quickly, we can immediately turn around and go west, and go straight to Bazhou, there are many densely populated cities in that area, not only is it easier to replenish grain and grass, but also happens to be located between Baoding Mansion and the capital, and it can directly threaten the capital if you go north, and the westward movement is Baoding Mansion, the old fox of Guanwen is treacherous and cunning, and he must return to the division to fight with us." ”

After thinking about it for a long time, and discussing it with a group of old people of the Hunan army for a long time, in order to achieve the goal of diverting the tiger from the mountain to force the Qing army to fight a field battle, Zeng Guoquan finally gritted his teeth and made up his mind, and said viciously: "Okay, just take the canal road and go straight to Tianjin!" Of course, it is best to be able to take Tianjin, and if you are not sure, you will immediately go west to Bazhou! ”

After that, Zeng Guoquan also added, "Act quickly, we only have more than 20 days of food, and today is the fourth day." ”

As a result, under the leadership of Zeng Guoquan and Ding Ruchang, the Henan Wu Army, composed of more than 6,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry, began to continue northward, along the abandoned Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, all the way to Tianjin. As a result, the situation was the same as that reported by Wu Jun in detail, the villages and markets along the way were indeed full of starvation, and the Wu army not only could not find half a grain to supply the army, but also had to face the harassment of thousands of hungry and displaced people......

"Master Jun, it's okay, my family is dying of hunger, and I pity us for the stutterers."

"Master Jun, take me with you, don't be paid, just give me a stutter, you can do whatever you tell me to do."

"Master Jun, do you want to buy a child? Don't need money, I'll sell my daughter to you for a big pie. ”

Unable to resist the bitter begging of countless hungry people who were about to starve to death, as well as the kneeling and pleading of Zhang Zhidong, the recognized number one iron rooster of the Wu Army, Zeng Guoquan plucked his feathers for the first time, and took out some military food in the Nanpi area with tears in his eyes to help the victims, although he was exchanged for the kowtow and cry of countless hungry victims, and sincerely supported him, but he wasted a day's rations in vain.

Probably moved by Zeng Guoquan's benevolence and righteousness, when the Wu army approached the city of Nanpi, the commander of Nanpi County and the defenders in the city took the initiative to open the city gate and surrender, but when the soldiers of the Wu army shouted and rushed to the city of Nanpi, what appeared in front of the soldiers of the Wu army was a dilapidated street crowded with hungry people, as well as empty county warehouses, and soldiers who had not been able to receive military salaries and rice for several months.

"it! Come on! Otherwise, we will have to give food and grass again! This was a decisive order from Zhang Shiri, the vanguard of the Wu army.

…………

At the same time, the Manchu court, Guan Wen and Luo Bingzhang had of course been paying close attention to Zeng Guoquan's every move, and after learning that Zeng Guoquan had chosen to go north along the canal after crossing Dezhou, the Manchu court was of course extremely worried that Zeng Guoquan would really come to the capital. Fortunately, the official document sent an urgent report in time, reporting the intercepted secret letter of Zeng Guoquan to reassure the Manchu court, saying that he had divided an army to return to Baoding to prevent emergencies, and at the same time suggested that the Manchu court strengthen the defense of Tianjin to prevent the Wu army from seizing Tianjin for food.

Luo Bingzhang's reaction was similar, in addition to sending Yuan Baoheng to lead the army north to Wuding Mansion to prevent emergencies, he also sent an expedited fast horse to send a twist, pointing out that Wu's move was just to divert the tiger from the mountain, and strongly advised the Manchu court to respond to all changes unchanged and not give Zeng Guoquan a chance to succeed in his tricks. At the same time, Luo Bingzhang also suggested that the Manchu court should strengthen the defense of Tianjin, and not give Zeng Guoquan the opportunity to seize Tianjin and gain a foothold in grain -- otherwise, if the Wu army sent reinforcements and supplies by sea, then the capital would really be in the general trend.

Although Luo Bingzhang and Guanwen, the two old foxes, both believed that Zeng Guoquan would not dare to really attack the capital, but the stakes were too big, Ci'an and Cixi still did not dare to be completely relieved, so they listened to the advice of the sixth devil and found the monk Lingqin who had been at home for a long time for advice. As a result, the monk replied confidently: "The two queen mothers can rest assured, even if they borrow a hundred guts from him, he will never dare to really come to the capital!" ”

"What kind of place is the capital? The capital of our Qing Dynasty! The city is high and deep, the fortifications are perfect, the troops are sufficient, and there are hundreds of thousands of Manchu and Mongolian banner people in the inner city and our Qing Dynasty are all in one mind, and its profits are gold! As long as Zeng Guoquan rebel thief has a little brain, he will definitely not dare to step within a hundred miles of the capital! Take 10,000 steps back and say, even if Zeng Guoquan really comes to send him to death, the slave will discipline him and never return! There is no place to die! ”

After boasting about himself, the monk and the prince also reached the same opinion with Luo Bingzhang and Guanwen, the two old foxes, and warned: "The two queen mothers, but the situation in Tianjin has to be prevented, if Zeng Guoquan and the rebels take Tianjin by luck, not only can they cut off the supply of grain from the two Guangzhous, but Wu Chaoyue and the Shanghai thieves can also send reinforcements and supplies to Tianjin by sea, then our Qing court will be really dangerous." ”

Seeing that the monk and the prince, who had never been in his eyes, were completely consistent with the judgment of Guanwen and Luo Bingzhang, Ci'an, Cixi and Guizi Liu and others were a little relieved, and they also decided on the spot to send an army from the capital to Tianjin overnight to reinforce them, and to stick to the important land of Tianjin at any cost, and not to give the Wu army a chance to seize a foothold in Tianjin.

…………

On the Wu army's side, it only took more than five days to travel all the way, and in the case of carrying a certain amount of heavy weapons, Zeng Guoquan's army had approached the suburbs of Tianjin, but the Wu army moved quickly, and the Qing army with home advantage moved faster, not only the reinforcements sent from the capital had already entered the city and stationed, but at the same time, the defenders of Tianjin were also fully prepared to defend the city, and they were ready to fight, not giving the Wu army any chance to take Tianjin easily.

From the captured Qing army scouts asked about the situation in Tianjin, knowing that the enemy had already made full preparations, and had already transferred all the grain and grass materials outside the city into the city, Zeng Guoquan, who had only ten days of grain and grass left, did not dare to take risks, and quickly turned around with the army to the west, and continued to gallop all the way to Bazhou with Zhang Shiri as the vanguard.

It's a pity that the Wu army suddenly changed its route to kill the tactical choice of Bazhou, which was also expected by the old fox official text, the Bazhou defenders with local regimental training as the main force not only had already prepared to defend the city, but also did not give the Wu army any chance to break the city quickly. At the same time, the Tong Jian Department of the Zhili Qing Army sent by Guanwen from Zhengding had also rushed to Rongcheng to garrison, and contained and deterred the Wu army in the periphery, so that the Wu army did not dare to attack the city with all its might.

The deterrence and containment of the Qing army failed to have any effect, and Zeng Guoquan, who had only nine days of grain and grass left, had no choice but to let Ding Ruchang be responsible for monitoring and containing the Qing army in Baoding Prefecture, and at the same time invested the main force to attack the city, and in order to take the city as soon as possible and loot the grain, he was also forced to use a small number of heavy weapons with the army.

In the rumbling cannon, the soldiers of the Wu army, who were alone in the depths, launched fierce attacks again and again on the small city of Bazhou with the most orthodox ant-attached attack techniques, and the Qing army of Bazhou, which had experience in facing the Taiping army, was calm to meet the battle, and attacked the soldiers of the Wu army with a sufficient number of various materials to defend the city, and repelled the attacks of the Wu army many times in a row.

After the first day of siege in vain, Zeng Guoquan, who was red-eyed, could only use the tactics of blasting and siege on the second day, using pointed wooden donkeys to protect the soldiers and digging caves directly on the city wall, spending a lot of weapons and ammunition, killing more than 200 soldiers, until it was completely dark, he barely succeeded in digging, and put the precious bitter acid gunpowder into the cave and detonated, and it took a lot of effort to finally blow out a gap in the Bazhou city wall and wave his army into the city.

It's a pity that although the small city of Bazhou was barely taken, because the defenders in the city set fire to the granary when they abandoned the city and fled for their lives, the Wu army only grabbed the grain in Bazhou City that was only enough for half a month at most. Zeng Guoquan was furious, but he had no choice but to be angry at Zhang Zhidong, who offered his advice, and shouted: "This is your bad idea!" Capture Bazhou with food, Bazhou has been taken now, how much grain is there in the city? How much grain is there?! ”

Zhang Zhidong, who has always been resourceful, was also a little depressed, and said: "I didn't expect the chaotic party to be so ruthless, and they would set fire to the grain when it was about to be green and yellow, and continue to use the strong wall Qingye tactics against us against the long hair!" ”

"The chaotic party is now a dog jumping over the wall, what lack of moral ideas can't come up with? Why didn't you think of that beforehand?! Zeng Guoquan roared irresponsibly, completely forgetting that he had not expected this beforehand.

Zhang Zhidong continued to plead guilty in frustration, and said: "Jiu Shuai, if the lower officials expected it is not bad, the old fox of the chaotic party and the official document in the capital has already given an order to the surrounding state capitals and counties, once the city is not protected, we will immediately set fire to the grain, and our plan to rob grain in the hinterland of Zhili for self-sufficiency is probably difficult to succeed, we can only find another way." ”

"What else do we have now?" Zeng Guoquan asked angrily.

"We only have two options." Zhang Zhidong said very helplessly: "The first is to take advantage of the fact that there is still some food and grass with the army, quickly retreat and return to the Daimyo's Mansion, and then start again after supplying grain, grass and ammunition." ”

"Then we didn't work hard in vain this time? Empty fold sharp? Zeng Guoquan was furious, and shouted again: "What is the second way? ”

Zhang Zhidong hesitated a little, but still gritted his teeth and said: "Desperate, go straight to the capital!" Break through the capital before the main force of the chaotic party returns to the capital! ”

"Fart!" Zeng Guoquan scolded and roared angrily: "It's so hard to fight a small city in Bazhou, go directly north to attack the capital, you told us to die in vain?!" ”

"Then you can only withdraw the army and return to the Daimyo's Mansion to start over." Zhang Zhidong replied helplessly: "Although I lose some face, it is better to be safe." ”

"Lao Tzu wants the face of the fart! I just want my brothers not to die in vain! Zeng Guoquan scolded another swear word, only thought about it for less than three minutes, and immediately made a final decision: "Just do it, rest for a day in Bazhou, withdraw the army south tomorrow, and return to the Daimyo's mansion!" ”

As the so-called gathering of things by like, after Zeng Guoquan's decision to be safe and not lose face was announced, except for Ding Ruchang's objections, Zhang Shiri and Zhu Hongzhang and other old people of the Hunan army did not raise their hands and feet to support, and they all thought that they should first withdraw to the Daimyo's Mansion and start again, step by step, and not risk going straight to the capital. Zeng Guoquan also immediately ordered the whole army to prepare for retreat, announcing that he would leave for the south to return to the Daimyo's Mansion the next day, when Ding Ruchang insisted on opposition, he was also reprimanded by Zeng Guoquan, "You are not afraid of cavalry running fast, my brothers are all infantry, dare to compare with your cavalry?" ”

The lone army went deep into the hinterland of Zhili, and Wu Jun's side was naturally full of the Manchu court's eyeliner, so Zeng Guoquan's retreat decision had just been announced, and it didn't take long for him to be detected by the Qing army, and he was soon sent to Beijing City, more than 200 miles away, by a fast horse, and only in the early morning of the next day, he was sent to the devil who had publicly retaken charge of the military aircraft.

"Guan Xiufeng and Luo Ruzhai are really like gods, and Zeng Guoquan is a rebel who really doesn't have the guts."

Hearing this news, of course, the devil six laughed as much as he could, but the monk and the prince, who had been reappointed as the former minister to assist Mianyu in commanding the defenders of the capital, was extremely regretful, and said: "Zeng Guoquan dog thief, why didn't you come to send him to death?" This king has been looking forward to you leading the army north and giving this king a chance to be ashamed! ”