In the entire team of the People's Revolutionary Army's attack on the horse artillery battalion, except for the scouts, Chai Qingguo was at the forefront of the team. He knew the power of artillery better than other comrades in the army, and Chai Qingguo managed to escape his life under the cannons of foreign devils and the Beiyang Army. Even after six years, he could still vividly remember the earth-shattering explosion and the bloody sight of the cannonball falling into the charging brothers.

"Lao Pu, are you sure that Anqing's artillery has no shells?" Although he had asked many times, Chai Qingguo still couldn't help but ask Pu Guanshui who was walking beside him again.

"How is it possible to store artillery shells in the barracks? Moreover, this time the artillery battalion was temporarily stationed in the horse camp in the west of the city. Now it's the New Year soon, and there is no boat army in Anqing. They have cannons and shells. We're lucky. "Puguan waterside said let's go.

"But Zhang Yu took the credit for taking the cannon." Chai Qingguo was a little indignant about this.

Both the information provided by Pu Guanshui and the information investigated by the People's Party show that the garrison of the Anhui New Army stationed in Anqing is divided into three parts, the infantry is stationed in the barracks in the city, the artillery battalion and artillery position are in the Yingjiang Temple in the east of the city, and the station of the horse camp is the station of the horse camp in the west of the city. In the original plan, Zhang Yu's detachment was responsible for attacking the artillery camp near Yingjiang Temple, while Chai Qingguo was responsible for attacking the horse camp in the west of the city. Hua Xiongmao was responsible for threatening Anqing City. Once these two camps were taken, the People's Revolutionary Army took on a posture of attacking from east to west.

As a result, when I arrived in Chizhou, I got the latest news that the garrison of the artillery battalion had actually moved to the west of the city. The reason is very special, this year's flood in Anhui, the people died a lot, seeing that the Spring Festival is coming soon, Enming is ready to let the monks of Yingjiang Temple do three days of ritual to surpass the victims who died in the flood. When the time comes, people come and go, and Enming is afraid that the officers and soldiers of the artillery will mix in and cause trouble. In the face of such a lively matter, it is impossible to lock these soldiers in the house and keep them from coming out. Enming simply ordered the artillery to temporarily live on the side of the horse camp in the west of the city, leaving only some soldiers guarding the fort, so that the problem could be solved. At least in the latest news, the ostensible reason for the transfer of the artillery battalion is this.

Hearing that Chai Qingguo was dissatisfied with not being able to attack the artillery positions of the new army in person, Pu Guanshui smiled and said, "Who else in our army can understand cavalry better than your brother?" ”

Hearing this not a flattering remark, Chai Qingguo was not very happy, "I understand that cavalry has a fart use, and a few of our troops have ridden horses." If you take those horses, you can't use them right away. ”

That's all there is to it, and both of them shut up and bury their heads on the road. The troops marched extremely fast, and in less than an hour, they saw a building in front of them. Pu Guanshui pointed in that direction: "The horse camp is there." ”

Chai Qingguo is a veteran of cavalry, and he knows very well that the head horse team is basically unable to carry out a large-scale charge in the dark night. As long as the camp gate is blocked and the cavalry are not allowed to come out, the rest will be easy. At the sound of the order, the troops immediately increased the pace of their march.

The horse battalion of the Anhui New Army was defenseless against the rapidly approaching People's Revolutionary Army, and now the entire camp is showing a situation of loosening on the outside and tightening on the inside. King Yue will be connected everywhere, and because of the high level of education, the artillery battalion has the most people who are inclined to revolution. As a result, he was suddenly transferred to the garrison of the horse battalion, and not only that, but the officers in the horse battalion first invited the officers of the artillery battalion to drink, and then scattered the soldiers of the artillery battalion to live there, so that it was impossible for the artillery battalion to do anything at all.

Xiong Chengji was drinking with the battalion officers of the horse battalion and several other officers at this time. Although alcohol is not allowed in the army, it is only "no one other than officers is allowed to drink alcohol on their own", as long as it is related to officers, the regulations in the barracks can be accommodating and accommodating. Everyone had been drinking for a while, and seeing that the battalion officers in the horse camp were already a little drunk, they began to talk more. The battalion officer of the horse camp raised his glass, "Every time the good family thinks of their relatives, the Spring Festival is coming soon, come and come, everyone drinks this cup." ”

Xiong Chengji doesn't like to drink, and the amount of alcohol is not too large. But in the face of a warm toast from a commander of a higher rank than himself, he also had to drink. After this glass of wine, he only felt that the wine was strong.

"Xiong Guandao, you are a scholar who has studied in a military school. I have something to ask you. The battalion officer put down his wine glass and asked with a smile, "How long do you think this Qing world can sit?" ”

Xiong Chengji was taken aback by these words, the battalion officer of the horse camp was a close confidant of Yu Dahong, and it was impossible for him to be inclined to revolution. For this kind of tentative words, Xiong Chengji could only bow his head and remain silent.

Looking at Xiong Chengji's embarrassed appearance, the battalion officer of the Ma Battalion couldn't help laughing, "Haha, don't be like this." Who doesn't know that everyone is saying now that the world of the Qing Dynasty can't stand it. This artillery battalion had the largest number of revolutionaries. ”

The other party said so bluntly that Xiong Chengji had to say: "What are you talking about, my lord." I ate the food of the court and went to the school of the court. How could it be disloyal to the imperial court? ”

The battalion officer of Ma Ying didn't care about this at all, "Xiong Guan, I don't care what will happen to this court." But our Anhui New Army is the team of Yu Xietong, and we have to be the only one who is well-known from Yu Xietong. You can't be mistaken. ”

"It's nature, it's nature." Xiong Chengji hurriedly nodded again and again with a look of sudden realization.

The battalion officer of the Ma Battalion saw that he had already beaten Xiong Chengji, and laughed heartily again. "Here, pour the wine." The soldiers next to him hurriedly poured wine for several officers, and then stepped aside. Watching the officers of the New Army push the cups and change the lamps, boasting to themselves. This soldier named Li Shipeng felt a kind of disgust in his heart.

Li Shipeng went to the base area with Pu Guanshui, and was also one of the first comrades of the New Army to join the People's Party. Because he was in charge of delivering the letter back, he returned to Anqing two months ago. Because the horse camp needed people, he was left behind and could not return to the base area. Now "promoted" to the follower of the commander of the horse battalion.

Li Shipeng's reason for defecting to the People's Party is very simple, he knows that the People's Party saved his whole family, and this kindness will be repaid. Not to mention that his family is in the base area, and he will follow the People's Party no matter what. But in the two months since he returned to Anqing, he has missed the time in the base area more and more. Life in the base area is indeed very difficult, but who is not living in a difficult life after the flood? However, the base area is completely different from that of the Anhui New Army.

When Li Shipeng was in the base area, he didn't understand what that special feeling was, but after he returned to the Anhui New Army, the comparison between the two boxes became immediately clear. Although the people who take the ideas in the base are also the leaders from above, which of these things is not for the benefit of the people? The construction of water conservancy and the rush to plant and harvest are not all for everyone to live, but also to live better. After breaking the fence, which time was not able to save the lives of thousands of people immediately?

And the leaders who do these things are afraid that everyone will not understand that they have to work so hard, and they must explain everything to everyone. Li Shipeng originally felt that it was too hypocritical to do this. Waiting for Anqing, Li Shipeng is surrounded by such officials who only serve their own interests. If you haven't seen the cadres of the People's Party, Li Shipeng will admit it, this world is full of people who only do their own prestige, where is the difference? It wasn't until Li Shipeng saw Chen Ke and other "big officials" with his own eyes that because they went a little early for dinner, they helped the workers in the canteen carry the table. This is not to buy people's hearts, because of that natural attitude, and the practice of these "big officials" not making a noise afterwards and honestly queuing up. Compared with the group of officers in front of him, who made people pour wine, it was really heaven and earth. Knowing that the People's Party was coming to attack Anqing, the comrades also received orders to act, and Li Shipeng was also eager to see through it. But the news didn't work, and he could only pour wine here.

The officers held a banquet, but the soldiers did not have this condition, let alone the financial resources. One by one, the soldiers at the gate of the horse camp withdrew their hands and hid in the leeward place. He cursed secretly in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it. In these years, if you scold the court, it's okay, but if you scold your boss, everyone looks like brothers on weekdays, and the people who hear it can't tell you when they will poke things out, so just wait to wear small shoes at that time.

The Spring Festival is coming soon, and it is freezing cold, and the soldiers are sheltering from the wind while wiping the money bags hidden in the chest of their underwear from time to time. The new army is known as having a good salary, and it is the new army on the Beiyang side. The Anhui New Army has no financial resources from Beiyang at all, and its income is much less than that of Beiyang. Moreover, there are many kinds of places to spend money in the new army, not to mention honoring their superiors, the ordinary soldiers of the new army invite each other to dinner, and all kinds of hometown gatherings will inevitably cost money. You ate someone else's meal today, don't you want to invite someone next time? Coupled with a big city like Anqing, there are many new things, how can these young people of the new army withstand so many temptations. The salary is paid on a monthly basis, and every time it comes to consumption, I always feel that there will be a surplus next month, and when it comes to the next month, I feel that there will be a surplus next month. When it was the Chinese New Year, I thought of sending some money to my family, only to find that there was not much money left.

In the new army, if you want to make more money, you have to be an official. But if you don't do a good job these days, how can your boss be promoted? Even if you have a good boss, your boss and your boss, those who are big officials will be promoted. It would be nice to be filial to your boss and not be troubled. At least the favored ones won't be scheduled for a vigil in the middle of winter. I am complaining in my heart, where do I still have the heart to keep vigil. When Chai Qingguo's brigade approached the gates of the camps in three teams, they did not encounter the slightest encounter.

"What is this?" Chai Qingguo, who has always been bold and arrogant, couldn't help but worry. If it is the camp of the People's Revolutionary Army, the farthest secret post can even be placed two miles away. If such a thing happened to the camp of the People's Revolutionary Army during ......the war, according to Chai Qingguo's temperament, he would dare to shoot the guards in public.

But at this time, there is no time to think so much, Chai Qingguo will definitely not underestimate the new army. The battle with the Beiyang Army left Chai Qingguo with a deep impression. With a wave of their hand, the assault team had already rushed forward. These were capable fighters, with guns in hand, and they rushed straight to the gate at a trained speed of 100 meters.

"Someone." It wasn't until someone rushed in front of him that the guards in the shelter didn't have time to shout. Before they could figure it out, the muzzle of the black hole was pointed at them, "Don't move! I'll kill you if you move. The fighters of the revolutionary army shouted.

Seeing that the other party was real, the guards of the new army did not dare to make a mistake, but they did not want to put down their guns. As soon as the soldiers who followed him snatched their guns, they pushed the guards to the ground, put their hands around the hemp ropes they had prepared, and tied them up.

But not every gate was so smooth, and there were officers standing guard, and when they saw someone coming, the officers reacted relatively quickly and immediately pulled out their guns and shot. The shootout ensued in an instant. The other units that had already occupied the camp gate immediately began to storm the barracks, and under the leadership of the former soldiers of the new army, the troops swooped down on the horse pens, hay fields, barracks, weapons depots, and other vital places. The battle began.

There was a loud gunfire outside, and the officers of the horse battalion of the Anhui New Army who were drinking were all taken aback. The battalion officer of the horse camp was surprised, Xiong Chengji was stunned, and Li Shipeng couldn't help but show a look of surprise on his face. I heard that there was a mess outside, and then several soldiers had already run in, only to see them with panicked faces, "My lord, I don't know where a large group of people came outside, and they have already seized the camp gate." ”

The battalion officer knew that something big must have happened outside, and he had already drunk a lot, and he was drunk. Hearing this, the battalion officers were already out of proportion. At this time, the gunfire had stopped, and there was a commotion outside, and the battalion officer shouted to his own soldiers: "Quick, you go out and see what is going on." The soldiers in the house immediately left the barracks. Xiong Chengji also got up and was about to leave, but the battalion officer grabbed Xiong Chengji's wrist with a cold face, "Xiong Guandao, you wait for the time being." ”

Xiong Chengji understood after a moment that the battalion officer suspected that he was the devil. He simply didn't resist and sat back on the stool. The battalion officer saw that Xiong Chengji did not resist, and was about to speak, but someone slammed his neck from behind, but the person who did it was Li Shipeng. At the same time, the four men who had just come in to report had already drawn their pistols and started shooting at the officers of the horse battalion who were present. It started in a hurry, and it was another shot at close range. The officers of the horse battalion were killed in the blink of an eye by pistols. Xiong Chengji was taken aback by this sudden change, and he immediately jumped up from the stool and took a few steps back to stand by the wall.

The battalion officer grabbed the arm that strangled his neck with both hands, his eyes were as wide as cowbells, and the soldiers did not stop, one of them had already gone around to the side, and a single shot pierced the temple of the battalion officer. The battalion officer was killed, and the man shouted, "Go! Including Li Shipeng, who let go of the corpse of the battalion officer, several people rushed out of the door. Although Xiong Chengji was frightened, he didn't panic, he saw that those people didn't mean to attack him, he calmed down, and he also rushed out of the door.

The camp of the horse camp has become a mess, and all around is "Shoot or kill!" "Shoot or kill!" shouts. The new army usually fired no bullets, and with the exception of a few officers, the guns of the soldiers were nothing more than empty guns. Not to mention that these guns are also locked in the arsenal. With the new officers and soldiers who defected to the People's Party leading the way, the attacking troops were not in any confusion at all, and the forage fields, horse pens, and weapons depots had already been seized. Many of the new troops were blocked in the barracks and could not get out at all.

Some of the people who were able to come out did not know what was happening, but the battalion officer's personal guards tried to resist, and as soon as they fired two shots, they were hit by a volley of guns from the People's Revolutionary Army on the opposite side, and several people were killed or wounded.

It is not for nothing that there are those who resist stubbornly, and those who have already fallen asleep in the barracks are lucky, but they were directly pulled down by the captive. Many officers were leading the soldiers to gamble, and they saw someone coming in. The officer immediately forced the soldiers to rush out with a gun with a bench, wooden sticks and other objects, and was beaten back by a volley of guns.

The revolutionary army began to hold a loudspeaker and began to persuade to surrender, "Brothers of the new army, you have been surrounded by us, lay down your arms and surrender quickly." We, the People's Revolutionary Army, give preferential treatment to prisoners, and will never kill them or rob you of your property. Don't give your life to those who are in office. When did they care about your lives? ”

"Arrest the official and send him out. We promise you won't be troubled. ”

Hearing the words outside, the officers were angry and angry one by one. An officer stood at the window and scolded, "your grandma! I will never ......"

Without waiting for the word surrender to be shouted, a shot went in and immediately killed the hapless officer. The soldiers in the barracks saw that the officer was dead and did not dare to resist any longer, "We surrender!" We surrender! ”

"Raise your hands and walk out one by one." The revolutionary army shouted.

Although the new army said that it would surrender, God knows who it was outside, and no one dared to come out. Pu Guanshui picked up the loudspeaker, "I am Pu Guanshui, the commander of the Anhui New Army, and I have joined the revolution." Rest assured, we will not kill our own brothers. ”

The new officers and soldiers in the room could hear Pu Guanshui's accent, but they still couldn't believe it. Then the familiar accents reported to their homes one by one, and when they were sure that it was not only Pu Guanshui, but also other brothers who had joined the revolutionary army, most of the new army barracks surrendered.

Only one of the barracks refused to surrender, and they turned off the lights, making it clear that they would resist to the end.

In front of the captives, the troops of the People's Revolutionary Army showed the results of their training, and they unknowingly went around the window, and several ignited grenades broke through the window and threw them in. There were several loud bangs, the windows were blown open from the inside, and thick smoke billowed out of the house. The captives were frightened, and under such a violent explosion, the people in the house didn't want to have anything to do.

Sure enough, the revolutionary soldiers who rushed in dragged the people inside, and most of them were blurred by the blood. Even those who are not dead are screaming low or high. Let those who surrender be afraid and feel a sense of joy at the same time. If you don't surrender, you'll be lying on the ground now.

"Signal!" Chai Qingguozhi triumphantly ordered that the three special iron buckets made in the base area were erected, and with the sound of banging, three huge green fireworks burst out high in the air.

Looking at the agreed signal, the people in the general headquarters invariably breathed a sigh of relief. Not long ago, Zhang Yu had taken the artillery position of Yingjiang Temple lightly and captured all the defenders. Now the capture of Xicheng Horse Camp means that Anqing has lost its largest mobile force. Not only that, but the situation of attacking from the east and west sides of the city will also make it difficult for the Anqing defenders to take care of it.

Tao Chengzhang knew that this was a sign of victory, he was happy on the one hand, but a little strange on the other, "Brother Wen Qing, why don't you enter the city in one go?" If the city gate had just been stormed, it would have been possible to enter the city. ”

"If we just enter, the new army of Anqing in the city will inevitably run around, and we are not familiar with the roads in the city, but it is easy to suffer. Moreover, we are not here to seize Anqing City, our purpose is to completely eliminate several yamen in Anqing Provincial City. If Enming and part of the new army escaped, it would be a return to the mountain. To fight Anqing is to completely destroy all the enemies in Anqing. Now it has alarmed the government and the new army in Anqing City, they will never abandon the city and leave, they feel that defending the city is precisely to give us a chance to annihilate them. ”

"But they occupy the city wall, and the siege casualties are too great." Tao Chengzhang couldn't help but say.

"Such a wall is not too difficult to break." Chen Ke said as he turned his head to Mu Fengxiao, the commander of the engineer battalion and the current leader of the demolition team.

Mu Fengxiao nodded, "I'll go and prepare now." With that, he strode out of the headquarters.

Chen Ke's face was calm, but he was a little disappointed in his heart, it would be nice if there were shells on the artillery position. In that way, the city gates could be opened with artillery, and the Qing army's defense line would be shattered immediately.

Thinking of this, Chen Ke immediately corrected himself in his heart, "I'm starting to think cranky again." As he reflected on himself, he said to the guards, "Get me some dry food." At this point, Chen Ke felt that he finally had a little appetite.