"General Wang, our Heavenly King Long Live and Wing King Eight Thousand Years Old have said that although our East King Nine Thousand Years Old has been demoted to seize power after confessing his guilt, and has voluntarily closed his door to recuperate, the friendly alliance concluded between East King Nine Thousand Years Old and your Hubei rebel army will not be affected, and your fleet and sailors can still freely pass through the Yangtze River waterway, and we will never intercept, search and attack, please rest assured that you will continue to go east. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 infoAfter arriving at the surface of Tianjing, our Heavenly King Banzai and Wing King Eight Thousand Years will definitely send an envoy to the army, and maybe we will meet with General Wang in person. ”

"In addition, we, Long Live the Heavenly King, will also send special envoys to Shanghai with you to visit Elder Wu, Zhou Futai, and General Deng, and discuss with them the matter of further concluding a friendly alliance."

After listening to the polite words of the Taiping army envoy, Wang Fu, whose official title was only the commander of the Huguang Water Division, was actually the commander of the Wu Army Water Division, hesitated, and did not give any reply to the Taiping army envoy for a long time.

It is not to blame Wang Fu for not having the ability to adapt, because Wu Chaoyue gave him the task of protecting the baggage fleet to Shanghai to deliver grain and grass and military supplies, if he could not send the baggage fleet to Shanghai, it would be to resist the order, and it would completely disrupt the overall plan of the Wu army's northern expedition by sea.

However, if he continued to carry out the order, such an earth-shattering change suddenly occurred in the downstream channel, and the navigation safety of the Wu army's fleet had become a huge unknown.

After all, the Wu army's baggage fleet, which consisted of more than 1,200 cargo ships, was not only loaded with 350,000 stone of precious grain and many military supplies, but also carried a large number of more valuable weapons and ammunition, including picric weapons. If there is any mistake in so many military supplies and food weapons, then even if Wu Chaoyue does not hold Wang Fu responsible, Wang Fu can only kill himself to thank the soldiers of the Wu army and the people of Huguang and Sichuan.

"Wang Titai, there's nothing to worry about, just a little sailor in Jiangning, Zhenjiang and Jiangyin, dare to play tricks, within an hour, let's take care of all of them to go down to the bottom of the river to see the Water Dragon King!" We don't need to go all out at all! ”

"What Changmao can pose a slight threat to us downstream is only the forts in Guazhou and Jiangyin, the forts in Guazhou have long been destroyed by themselves, and the forts in Jiangyin do not have enough strength to cover the sailors, or we can still raze them to the ground in half a day!"

Unlike Wang Fu, who was worried, all the generals of the Wu Army's Naval Division, including Xu Lai, who was also a veteran of the Wu Army's Naval Division, were all unimpressed with security issues, and they all believed that the Taiping Army was smart because they did not play tricks, and that daring to play tricks was purely for nothing! And this is also an ironclad fact, the Wu Army's naval division is basically the main force this time, and there are as many as eighteen steam gunboats in the fleet, even the strongest Hukou naval division in the Taiping Army's naval division is only sent to death in vain when it arrives in this Wu Army's naval division, not to mention the weak Taiping naval divisions in Jiangning, Zhenjiang and Jiangyin.

"Of course I'm not afraid to beat me, no matter if the long hair comes to the light or the dark, I am sure to accompany me to the end."

At this moment, Wang Fu, a nobody in history, strongly proved that he was able to beat Bao Chao and Peng Yulin and other famous generals of the late Qingshui Division to serve as the commander of the Wu Army's Water Division, not because of Wu Chaoyue's sparse history, lack of eyes and nepotism. Although his expression was obviously not decisive enough, and his eyes were not firm and sharp enough, Wang Fu hesitated to ask a key question, saying: "But what should we do after we send the food and military supplies to Shanghai?" It is impossible for the main force of our sailors to stay in Shanghai forever to protect these food and military supplies, what will they do after we leave? ”

"Brother Wang, are you worried that even if we successfully send food and military supplies to Shanghai, Changmao may take the opportunity to attack Shanghai after we leave Shanghai?" Xu Lai understood what Wang Fu meant.

"If that's the case, we're too passive."

Wang Fu nodded and said: "Send us news from Shanghai upstream, even if there is no long-haired blockade to stop it, the steamship will go upriver day and night, and it will take about four days at the earliest." If Longhair does it, it will definitely block the waterway, and no one can guarantee when we will receive the alarm from Shanghai, and then when we break through the layers of Longhair's blockade and rush to Shanghai to rescue, no one dares to guarantee whether it will be too late. ”

Speaking of this, Wang Fu paused for a moment, and said: "What's more troublesome is that when the time comes, the king of Zhennan will also fall into passivity in terms of the strategy of all-out war with Changmao, and if he doesn't send the main force of our sailor division to rescue Shanghai, he is not sure to break through the Changmao blockade, and after sending the main force of our sailor division, without water cover, our infantry will not be able to advance fast on land, and there will be no way to ensure the safety of the water grain route." If you don't save Shanghai from danger, you can save Shanghai from being passive, and you are in a dilemma. ”

After listening to Wang Fu's analysis, the generals of the Wu Army and the Navy Division were silent, but someone still asked: "Wang Titai, but what if we don't go to Shanghai?" You can't just turn around and go back now, can you? ”

"Yes, Brother Wang, we will turn around and go back now, it will also be very troublesome." Xu Lai also said: "Now turn around and go back, not to mention wasting countless manpower and material resources, the overall plan of the King of Zhennan to go north through the sea route will also be disrupted by us." ”

Wang Fu was silent, because this was also what Wang Fu was most worried about. At the same time, some of the generals of the Wu Army and the Navymen also said: "Also, Wang Titai, what kind of bullshit is that long-haired Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan Although he has been reinstated, he still took the initiative to send someone to tell us that the covenant continues, doesn't it seem like he is preparing to turn his face?" And the long-haired civil war has just been decided, so it's unlikely that he will turn his face with us now and find death? ”

Wang Fu hesitated even more, Xu came to see his thoughts, and said: "Brother Wang, you have an idea, if you order to turn around and return for the sake of safety, I firmly support it, if the king of Zhennan blames, I will bear it with you." If you decide to continue your trip to Shanghai, we will listen to you. ”

"Yes, Wang Titai, you have an idea, we will all listen to you." The generals of the Wu army and the sailors echoed one after another, because they all knew very well that Wang Fu's greatest advantage was that he never fought for credit, and even if Wang Fu made a wrong choice and caused unforeseen consequences, Wu Chaoyue would not hold them accountable.

"The king has raised the platform, the front has reported that the front team of our army has arrived at the Dasheng Pass, Jiangning Changmao has withdrawn all the ships and returned to the port, and the honor guard is still ready to welcome us at the Xiaguan wharf." There was also a report from outside the cabin from the front team.

Chu Yong was born, he was just a small sentry before joining the Wu army, just because he had fought water bandits on the water several times with the Jiang family brothers, and he chose a tall one in the short group, and was borrowed by Wu Chaoyue, who had no one to use at all, to form the Wu Army Naval Division, which had only one battalion of 500 people at that time, and was able to come to this day step by step, although Wang Fu, whose qualifications were not very outstanding, had also made great progress as hard work as ordinary people could imagine, but suddenly put in front of him the difficult choice related to the next strategic direction of the Wu army and the success or failure of the Northern Expedition, forcing him to make a decision instead of Wu Chaoyue, Wang Fu was still at a loss in the face of pressure heavier than Mount Tai, and he was at a loss at all.

"Wang Titai, the envoy of the Taiping Army hopes to meet you again." The soldier who came in from outside the cabin said cautiously: "He said that if it is convenient for you, I would like to invite you to sit on the dock in Shimonoseki." It doesn't matter if it's inconvenient for you, if you have anything to say, he can bring them to the Heavenly King and the Winged King for you. ”

The most critical reason why Wang Fu was able to gain Wu Chaoyue's trust was loyalty and prudence, and at the most critical moment, Wang Fu's two virtues also played the most crucial role. After gritting his teeth, Wang Fu made up his mind and shouted: "Tell the long-haired envoy, just say that I understand their kindness, let him tell Hong Xiuquan and Shi Dakai for me, the king of Zhennan urgently ordered, I want to lead the fleet to return to Hubei immediately, our fleet must go back immediately, where it is rude, look at Haihan." ”

The soldiers who came to report the letter were stunned, but Wang Fu really waved his hand and asked him to reply to the envoy of the Taiping Army, and then shouted to the generals of the Wu Army who were also stunned: "Raise the banner, stop advancing, turn around on the spot, change the rear team to the front team, and prepare to return!" ”

"Brother Wang, have you made up your mind?" Xu Lai hurriedly asked.

Wang Fu nodded vigorously and said categorically: "At this time, turning around and returning to the sea will only disrupt our Northern Expedition plan at most, but if we send the baggage fleet to Shanghai and then go back, and Changmao suddenly turns his face, then the strategic situation of Zhennan Wang will fall into complete passivity!" I am the Admiral of the Huguang Water Division personally appointed by the King of Zhennan, and I can't take such a big risk for him! ”

"Execute the order immediately, if the king of Zhennan is to blame in the future, the responsibility is mine alone, and it has nothing to do with you!" Wang Fu raised his voice, "Remember, be on guard and be prepared to prevent a sneak attack by long hair!" Besides, arrange a clipper ship to send a letter to Shanghai and tell Mr. Wu about my decision! ”

After the flagship of the Wu army, Zeng Guofan, raised the flag, the main fleet of the Wu army's naval division, which was expanded with the old man of the Wu army's sailors as the core backbone, stopped advancing one after another according to the order, and the baggage fleet, which was closely protected by the Wu army's naval division, also dropped sail and anchored one after another, and turned around one after another under the command of the banner, changing the rear team into the front team to prepare for retreat, and at the same time, the Wu army's sampan fleet also attacked left and right, protecting the two wings of the fleet in battle formation, and preventing the sudden enemy on both sides of the strait.

Fortunately, the Taiping army did not plan to attack the Wu army's fleet, so the Wu army's fleet temporarily turned around on the river that was only about 20 miles away from Nanjing, and did not encounter any danger. Even when he saw the front team of the Wu Army's naval division that had rushed to the vicinity of the Xiaguan Wharf to turn around and retreat, Shi Dakai, who had personally arrived at the Yifeng Gate and was about to go to the wharf to meet the Wu Army's fleet, knew that things were not good, and he suddenly said in surprise: "How can it be?" Why did the fleet that surpassed the little demon suddenly turn around again? ”

After being surprised, Shi Dakai of course hurriedly sent someone to board the ship to contact the Wu army's sailors to understand the reason for the Wu army's sudden U-turn and retreat, when Shi Dakai's envoy returned to the Xiaguan dock with Wang Fu's answer and the envoy sent by Hong Xiuquan before, Shi Dakai also came to his senses and scolded: "Phew! The bullshit surpassing demon ordered to return in a hurry, obviously he couldn't trust us, and he was afraid that we would suddenly attack them! ”

"Wing King, do you want our sailors to be dispatched?" Ye Yunlai and Wu Ruxiao next to him were eager to try, and they both said with greed in their eyes: "Although the sailors who surpass the little demon are powerful, they have more than a thousand baggage boats, and if we really fight, we may not have no chance." ”

"You can't mess around!" Shi Dakai scolded: "What is the situation in the Kingdom of Heaven now, don't you know it yet? Do you want to bring about the destruction of the kingdom of heaven for the sake of a little immediate gain? ”

The eight-thousand-year-old Wing King has been accumulating power for a long time, and Qing King Ye Yunlai and Gu King Wu Ruxiao have obviously not adapted to their current new identity, so they have to obediently shut up and let Shi Dakai make a decision. And after Shi Dakai thought about it for a while, he quickly said: "Let's go, go back to see Long Live the Heavenly King first, tell him about this matter, and then discuss it slowly." ”

Shi Dakai made a decision to save the Taiping Army's Ye Yunlai and Wu Ruxiao's naval division, because the front team of the Wu army that turned around and retreated near the Xiaguan Wharf was ready to fight at any time when it turned around, the artillery had been loaded and loaded, and the lead had been installed, and it could be pushed out and fired as soon as the gun window was opened. At the same time, Wang Fu also dispatched three steam gunboats from the main fleet to stand by, and they could rush over to meet the front team at any time, Wu Ruxiao and Ye Yun dared to make a move, and the two weak Taiping army sailors under their command would definitely not see the sun tomorrow!

Shi Dakai's decision also gave Hong Xiuquan an opportunity to take the opportunity to provoke him and the hawks of the Taiping Army, when Shi Dakai led Wu Ruxiao and Ye Yunlai and others to Hong Xiu's comprehensive prelude to report the situation, Hong Xiuquan, who was very aware of Ye Yunlai and Wu Ruxiao's belligerent and tough character, pretended to be surprised, and hurriedly asked Ye Yunlai and Wu Ruxiao: "Brother Qingwang, Brother Gu Wang, the fleet that surpassed the little demon suddenly retreated for no reason, how did you send your sailors to the upstream to see the situation?" ”

"Even if we don't have any plans to go to war with the Beyond Demon now, we must at least be prepared for prevention, right? What if the sailor who surpassed the little demon protected the baggage fleet to safety, and suddenly killed it alone with a gunboat steamer? Your sailors can't afford to toss right now, huh? ”

"We are planning to dispatch a sailor, but the Wing King is not allowed to be 8,000 years old."

Ye Yun was straightforward, and immediately summoned Shi Dakai, but fortunately, Shi Dakai didn't care, and said calmly: "Long live the Heavenly King, I stopped them, I was afraid that the sailor who surpassed the little demon would misunderstand and accidentally provoke a war, so they were not allowed to dispatch the sailor." ”

Hong Xiuquan sighed, his face was full of desire to speak, and Wu Ruxiao and Ye Yunlai over there gradually came back to their senses and said secretly: "Yes, how did I forget this?" I'm also a king now, and the King of Heaven didn't say that the Winged King would be 8,000 years old to rule me, so why should I listen to him for everything? ”

Before Shi Dakai could react, Hong Xiuquan's new trick came again, and asked: "Brother Wing King, the fleet that surpassed the little demon suddenly turned around near Tianjing, making it clear that he couldn't trust us at all, and he was afraid that we would attack them, how do you plan to deal with this?" ”

"Send an envoy to make contact and clear up misunderstandings." Shi Dakai replied very directly, and said: "Show sincerity to prove that we support them in launching the Northern Expedition to eliminate the Qing Demon Court, so that the Transcendence Demon can rest assured to continue the Northern Expedition and buy time for the revival of our Heavenly Kingdom." ”

"But what if you don't want to surpass the little demon?"

Hong Xiuquan asked more directly, and said: "The sailor who surpassed the little demon suddenly decided to retreat after learning the news that our Heavenly Civil War had ended, which was obviously worried that we would suddenly stab them in the back. What if the Beyond Demon decides that we are a greater threat to them, changes his strategic plan, and decides to attack us first? ”

"It's ......." Shi Dakai hesitated, and only replied after a while: "It shouldn't be, Transcending the little demon is still very resolute in the position of eliminating the Qing demon." ”

Hong Xiuquan deliberately didn't speak, waiting for Wu Ruxiao and Ye Yunlai's reaction, but the result was not what Hong Xiuquan expected, Wu Ruxiao quickly retorted: "The Wing King is eight thousand years old, I'm afraid this may not be, right?" Beyond the little demon is still under the banner of the Qing Demon courtiers, there are quite a lot of Manmeng Tartar demons under his hands, this can also be called the resolute position of eliminating the Qing Demon? ”

Shi Dakai had nothing to say again, and Ye Yunlai, who also had a stinky and hard temper over there, said to Wu Ruxiao: "The Wing King is eight thousand years old, even if the Transcendence Little Demon really wants to destroy the Qing Demon Court first and then deal with us, but if you are the Transcendence Little Demon, you dare to rest assured that you will launch a Northern Expedition through the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River controlled by our Heavenly Army?" Aren't you afraid that our Heavenly Army will suddenly make a move, cut off your Northern Expedition grain route, and starve your Northern Expedition army to death? ”

Shi Dakai was even more speechless, because this question was not Shi Dakai, even Wu Chaoyue himself did not dare to give a positive answer.

Seeing that Shi Dakai was refuted by Ye Yunlai and Wu Ruxiao, Hong Xiuquan opened his mouth and asked: "Brother Gu Wang, Brother Qing Wang, then in your opinion, what should we do now?" ”

Things have come to this point, and it is naturally the turn of Wu Ruxiao, who has fired at British and American warships in history, to show his skills, and after a little calculation, Wu Ruxiao said viciously: "Long live the King of Heaven, we should strike first, take advantage of our river defense, and chase after the sailor fleet that surpasses the little demon, and do our best to eliminate them in the downstream of the lake!" ”

"Great idea!" Ye Yunlai, who had been defending Anqing for more than two years, would rather die than surrender, also agreed: "Even if we can't destroy the main force of their sailors, at least we can severely damage their baggage fleet, so that the food and grass beyond the little demon are insufficient, and the army has no ammunition available, and then calmly meet the beyond the little demon!" ”

"You two are crazy?!"

Shi Dakai was almost frightened and fainted, and roared at Wu Ruxiao and Ye Yunlai: "Are you crazy or stupid? Do you think that if you kill the baggage fleet beyond the little demon, he will have no food to supply his army, and his army will have no ammunition to use? ”

"Don't you know that beyond Hunan and Hubei, which is under the rule of the little demon, now because the price of grain is too low, the fields of the big landlords are almost impossible to find tenant farmers to cultivate? Don't you know that the Daye Iron Factory, which surpasses the little demon, produces so much wrought iron that it is not used to sell or play, and it is already paving roads on the ground (building railways)? ”

"The Winged King is eight thousand years old and forgives sins, we really don't know about this." Wu Ruxiao replied very frankly and said: "We only know that if the Transcendence Little Demon preemptively attacks us, we will only suffer more." ”

"But you don't need to die like you?" Shi Dakai roared angrily: "At this time, there is hope to stabilize and surpass the little demon, why can't you stabilize him first?" Why do you want to completely provoke him in the first place and force him to fight to the death with us? ”

"But we can't sit still, can we?" Ye Yunlai asked rhetorically, and slowly lost his previous respect for Shi Dakai in his tone.

Shi Da was so angry that the green tendons on his forehead began to bloom, and Hong Xiuquan, who had already achieved his goal, accepted it when he saw it, and hurriedly stood up and said: "Brother Yiwang, Brother Qingwang, Brother Gu Wang, if you have something to say, they are all brothers of the heavenly kingdom, and you can't fight in the nest to let others see jokes." All are angry, angry. ”

After a round and first stabilized the gradually tense atmosphere, Hong Xiuquan said: "Brother Yiwang, what do you think of this?" ”

"Let's send another messenger to chase the fleet of the Transcendence Demon by speedboat, just say that we understand their thoughts, and we don't have any intentions, in order not to delay their Northern Expedition, please ask them to anchor and wait at a port far away from our army, and wait until we get in touch with the Transcendence Demon first, discuss the results, and then let them decide to stay?"

"Brother Wing King, in this way, we can not only avoid the further expansion of the misunderstanding conflict, but also try our best to let the Transcendent Demon continue the Northern Expedition according to his plan, and give us time to recuperate. Brother Wing King, don't you say? ”