Late at night, Tianjin, Zhili Governor's Palace.

Li Hongzhang hasn't slept yet, in fact, he can't sleep at all.

All the staff members have arrived, both nervous and excited, waiting for the good news from the front to come back.

"What is the reaction of Wu Zhiqiang and Li Weiguo?" Li Hongzhang asked.

Xu Ting came out and said: "Lord Qiqi, Wu Zhiguo used the joint military exercises of the North and South Oceans as an excuse to cooperate with our army to cross the river, but he actually did not fully control the Fourth Army of Nanyang, and planned to use the absolute superiority of our army to help him forcibly control the Fourth Army in the end. ”

Qian Dingming sneered: "This Wu Zhiqiang can really blow, doesn't it mean that he completely controls the Fourth Army?" ”

Xu Ting replied: "According to intelligence, Li Weiguo's influence in the Nanyang Army is unparalleled, and if Wu Zhiqiang openly betrays Li Weiguo, it is estimated that half of the army will mutiny." ”

Li Hongzhang is a shrewd person, if Wu Zhiqiang didn't have any flaws, he wouldn't believe it.

Xu Ting continued: "As for Li Weiguo's side, he just married the concubine given to him by the imperial court, I heard that she is the sister of the Empress Dowager Ci'an, and she wants to come to the Empress Dowager Ci'an's beauty, and her sister must be a great beauty, it is estimated that Li Weiguo is still enjoying the bride at this time." ”

Liu Hanfang said with some jealousy: "I went to Prince Gong's Mansion last time on the order of the prince, and I happened to see the sister of the Empress Dowager Ci'an, I heard that her name is Yilan, and she is indeed a beauty who is one in a million. ”

"Don't listen to Yi Xin, he just deliberately instigated the hatred between this king and Li Weiguo. Li Weiguo has not enjoyed beautiful women, the three women around him are all peerless beauties who have captivated the country and the city, no matter how beautiful Yilan is, she is only a teenage girl, she has not grown up yet, and she can still give Li Weiguo a little freshness in a short time, we have to hurry up. Li Hongzhang said very calmly, but there was still a slight anger between his eyebrows. He also cares about a beautiful girl like Yilan, and no one will be too much.

At this time, Wang Kaitai suddenly asked Xu Ting: "Has King Wu's river defense fleet ever moved?" ”

Xu Ting replied: "Li Weiguo's river defense fleet patrols very strictly, and so far, our army has only quietly passed 20,000 people under the cover of Wu Zhiqiang. ”

When Wang Kaitai heard the news, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

However, his expression quickly fell into Li Hongzhang's eyes.

Li Hongzhang sneered: "Why, listening to what you mean, it seems that you want Li Weiguo's river defense fleet to find out that this king's army has crossed the river?" ”

Wang Kaitai was suddenly excited. Hurriedly said: "The minister doesn't dare, the minister just wants to see if King Wu has cheated, if he does, he will definitely deliberately let the river defense fleet release the water, and wait for the prince's army to cross the river and catch turtles in the urn." Now it seems that the other party not only did not release the water, but strengthened the vigilance, which shows that King Wu has not yet noticed the movement of our army, indicating that Wu Zhiqiang is still reliable at present. ”

"You can say it!" Qian Dingming and the others snorted coldly. Obviously, at this time, they already knew that Wang Kaitai was a spy on Li Weiguo's side, so naturally they would not give him a good face.

Li Hongzhang still had a trace of doubts, but at the moment he was completely relieved.

"Wang Kaitai. This king ordered you to deliver a message to Li Weiguo, telling him that the main army of this king will assemble on the front line of Haimen Hall, prepare to cross the river and raid Chongming County, and then use Chongming County as a springboard to directly attack Shanghai. ”

Wang Kaitai hesitated. Asked rhetorically: "Is the prince trying to attract the attention of King Wu?" ”

Li Hongzhang smiled slightly, nodded and said, "Yes, but this is not enough." Tell them that the Anglo-French combined fleet will raid the mouth of the Yangtze River, and 100,000 Anglo-French troops will land in the area of Chuansha Hall, so that Li Weiguo will inevitably fall into the scheme. ”

Xu Ting interjected: "Lord Wang, I'm afraid it's not appropriate to tell Li Weiguo the real actions and strength of the British and French coalition forces, right?" In case Li Weiguo strengthens his preparations, the Anglo-French army suffers a defeat, which will also be unfavorable to our army's actions. ”

Li Hongzhang waved his hand and snorted coldly: "Although this king cooperates with foreigners, he is only forced to do helplessly, it is best that the 100,000 British and French troops are all wiped out, and the king of the province has done it himself!" ”

"The prince is wise, and the national hero should also increase the name of the prince!" Everyone congratulated.

Wang Kaitai's heart moved, and he immediately ordered someone to bring a pen and paper, write it according to Li Hongzhang's instructions, and then hand it over to Li Hongzhang for a look.

Li Hongzhang glanced at it, and then handed it to Xu Ting, seeing Xu Ting nodding, he knew that he was not tired, so he sent someone to Shanghai secretly.

"The news is sent, and soon Li Weiguo will mobilize the land and water troops to assemble at the mouth of the Yangtze River, and at that time, the river defense fleet will inevitably withdraw most of its troops, and inform Ding Richang to let him take the opportunity to quickly speed the army across the river."

"Ministers, in one fell swoop, Li Weiguo will be leveled, and the cause of the king will be here!"

"The ministers are willing to serve their lives!"

Everyone knelt down together, at this moment, Li Hongzhang was full of spirit, as long as Li Weiguo was destroyed, then the world would be his.

Wang Kaitai's secret report was quickly sent to Shanghai through the China S.H.I.E.L.D. bureau and placed in front of Li Weiguo and a group of aides.

"Haimen Hall did find that the Yan army was secretly assembled, and I am afraid that there are 200,000 people, and the possibility of raiding Chongming Island and using Chongming Island as a springboard to attack Shanghai cannot be ruled out." Lu Wenming speculated.

Li Hongzao smiled: "It's just a plan to attack the west!" ”

Li Weiguo also nodded and said: "It is indeed a sound attack from the east to the west, the purpose is to attract the attention of our army and cover Li Hongzhang's elite army to break through from the direction of Jinling." However, the possibility of Yangmou is not ruled out, and the 200,000 Yan troops in Haimen Hall are not decorations, and it is definitely feasible to attack Shanghai with Chongming County as a springboard. The key is a matter of priority. ”

Li Hongzao thought for a while and said, "The prince is saying that the Yan army in Haimen Hall has attracted the main force of our army and is waiting for a signal in the direction of Jinling. Once a large number of Yan troops arrive in the direction of Jinling, the Yan army in Haimen Hall will also launch an attack on all fronts, flanking Shanghai in front and back? ”

Lu Wenming added: "It's not just a two-way attack on Shanghai, don't forget that there is also a British and French coalition army, 200,000 British and French troops can attack Shanghai from any direction on the sea, Shanghai faces the river on one side and the sea on the other, if Li Hongzhang's army successfully crosses the Yangtze River and kills Shanghai from behind Jinling, then Shanghai will be embattled." ”

Li Weiguo smiled and said: "I have to say, Li Hongzhang is very powerful, his staff is very powerful, and it is admirable to be able to lay down such an unsolvable killing situation." ”

Zhang Xiaoliu snorted coldly: "So what? No matter how powerful the monkey is, he can't pick out the palm of the Buddha's hand. The prince has strategized and has already won before the war. ”

Everyone also admired Li Weiguo, this method is amazing.

"It's nothing, spy warfare always starts before regular warfare, and the victory or defeat of spy warfare is directly related to victory or defeat on the battlefield.

Li Weiguo is also rarely modest, and his image in the hearts of everyone suddenly becomes more lofty and majestic.

How Great Men Are Made!

Lu Wenming read the second half of the intelligence. Suddenly, he said: "It is said that the British and French troops attacked the mouth of the Yangtze River and landed from Chuansha, with a scale of 100,000 people. His subordinates thought that Li Hongzhang still thought that the British and French forces had only come with 100,000 people, which showed that it was impossible for the British and French forces to expose their total strength at the first time, and they could only invest 100,000 at most, otherwise it would arouse Li Hongzhang's suspicions. ”

"You're right!" Li Weiguo nodded appreciatively at Lu Wenming, but after a change of words, he said: "However, even if the British and French troops land in Chuansha, I am afraid they will not use all their strength." ”

Li Hongzao asked: "What does the prince mean, the British and French coalition forces also want to play the tactics of attacking the east and the west?" ”

Zhang Xiaoliu suddenly said: "Foreign devils also understand our art of war?" ”

Li Weiguo immediately taught Zhang Xiaoliu: "Don't despise any enemy. Even if they are barbarians in the primeval forest! The last time Britain and France lost to us, they were too arrogant and did not understand our strength. Britain and France have dominated the world for so many years, which shows that they have enough strength. Despising them will surely suffer a great loss. ”

Zhang Xiaoliu was immediately taught.

Lu Wenming asked: "According to Li Hongzhang's plan of action, they estimate that they will start in the next few days, but the southeast coast has not found any shadow of the British and French fleet. ”

"Yi Xin, Li Hongzhang and the Anglo-French coalition army, although they are allies. However, they are all calculating each other, and the British and French forces will definitely appear at the mouth of the Yangtze River, otherwise Yixin and Li Hongzhang will not act rashly. ”

Li Weiguo made an analysis. Then I came to the big map, centered on Shanghai, and started swiping with the compass, and soon a place was drawn in.

"They're in the Ryukyus!"

Li Weiguo made a judgment, Lu Wenming, Zhang Xiaoliu, Li Hongzao and others all thought in their hearts, and soon nodded their heads and agreed with Li Weiguo's judgment.

"Ryukyu is full of islands, the location is remote, there is no combat effectiveness, and a complete blockade of news can be carried out, and the British and French forces chose there, which is indeed clever, and can raid Shanghai in one day."

"No wonder they can't be found on the southeast coast, it is impossible for 200,000 British and French troops to stay on the ship all the time, and they are hiding in the Ryukyus, this foreigner's IQ is really not low."

Li Weiguo suddenly said: "Let the East China Sea Fleet be ready for battle, although this king has judged that the first wave of the offensive of the British and French coalition forces is just for show, it cannot be ruled out that they are false and true." ”

After a pause, Li Weiguo then ordered: "Let the Jiangfang fleet strengthen patrols along the Yangtze River estuary, and the Jinling side symbolically reduce the number and frequency of patrol boats, and let Li Hongzhang's army cross the river." ”

"The war is about to begin, and all the kings will work together!"

"Yes!"

At night, Jinling, Shimonoseki Wharf.

In a warehouse, Ding Richang and Wu Zhiqiang met secretly.

"General Wu, I would like to propose that Jinling City be jointly managed by our two armies, but I don't know what to do?" Ding Richang was wary of Wu Zhiqiang.

Wu Zhiqiang said indifferently: "No problem, you can do whatever you like, since the commander of this army has taken refuge in His Royal Highness King Yan, he will naturally not obstruct it." It's just that I would like to remind General Ding that if your Yan army takes over the defense of Jinling, then within five minutes, Li Weiguo in Shanghai will get the news. ”

Ding Richang snorted coldly and said, "Impossible, as long as the general blocks the city and is allowed to enter and not leave, how can Li Weiguo know the news?" Unless General Wu tells him! ”

"What do you mean?" The adjutant beside Wu Zhiqiang suddenly said angrily.

"Presumptuous, how can you speak here!" Wu Zhiqiang snorted, but he pointed to Sang and scolded Huai: "General Ding doesn't understand, you can tell him that you can't treat people as turtles." ”

The adjutant was immediately happy, and it was Ding Richang's turn to blacken his face, and several lieutenants around Ding Richang suddenly wanted to draw knives.

"I'm going to see what General Wu has to say?" Ding Richang waved his hand, which also stopped his subordinates from messing around.

Wu Zhiqiang smiled without changing his face: "I don't know if General Ding can understand telegraphs?" ”

Ding Richang frowned suddenly, this telegram only appeared in the north recently, Li Hongzhang had just reached a cooperation with the British, and the Tianjin Machinery Bureau had laid a telegraph line connecting the Beijing Military Aircraft Department, and I heard that the news was transmitted very quickly.

"I've heard a little!"

Wu Zhiqiang said: "Since General Ding knows, then the army commander will tell you that telegraphy is not uncommon in our ten Nanyang provinces at all, and every city has a telegraph line, which is specially used to transmit news, just like a god. You block the city with your front feet, and in a minute the news will appear at Li Weiguo's desk. ”

Ding Richang's heart moved, admitting that what Wu Zhiqiang said was reasonable, but he insisted: "I could have controlled the telegraph office first, and didn't let them send the telegram!" ”

Wu Zhiqiang smiled and shook his head, with the same expression as the adjutant beside him, looking at Ding Richang like a turtle.

"There are fixed regulations within our Nanyang military, whether there is anything or not, the telegraph office will send a report every half an hour, if not, it will send someone to check the wire along the way to contact, you block the city, the other party will soon know."

Ding Richang frowned, but the adjutant general beside him said for him: "Then use a knife to drive the telegraph operator's neck and let him send a report every half an hour." ”

"A turtle is a turtle, what is a telegram, I'm afraid you don't even know, right?"

Similarly, Wu Zhiqiang did not answer, and the adjutant beside him explained-for-tat: "The telegram is not written, it is the telecommunication code, you don't know what the telegraph man is sending at all, coercing the telegraph operator?" It's a laughing death! ”

Slap in the face, Chi Guoguo's slap in the face.

The adjutant general next to Ding Richang was so angry that he wanted to kill someone.

Ding Richang himself has a black face, but he knows that he can't turn his face with Wu Zhiqiang, because it's not the time, and he has to unite now.

"General Wu, your fourth army guarding Jinling City, which is equivalent to cutting off the back road of our army, although King Yan believes in you, but this general will have to be careful, if it is offended, I also hope that General Wu Haihan, after this battle, this general will personally give General Wu the guilt, what do you think?"

Wu Zhiqiang's face was expressionless, but he was surprised in his heart, this Ding Richang is a fierce general on the battlefield, thoughtful, and fortunately well prepared, otherwise he would have been tested by the other party.

Thinking of this, Wu Zhiqiang said with a smile: "My Fourth Army will leave Jinling with you, you can send an army to lurk near Jinling, and when the war starts, you can directly occupy Jinling, so it's always okay." ”

Ding Richang thought about it and felt credible, so he nodded in agreement.

A carrier pigeon flew to Jiangbei, and it was written that there was no abnormality in all parts of Jiangnan Province, so the 200,000 Yan troops lurking on the opposite bank of Jinling City quickly began to cross the river.

A telegram was sent from inside Jinling City, which said that a big fish has taken the bait, so the Shanghai General Staff soon issued more than a dozen telegram orders, and the 250,000 Nanyang troops in Jiangning, Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Suzhou, and Taicang Prefecture secretly boarded the train and headed for the predetermined battlefield.

Tonight is destined to be sleepless, and the prelude to the war is about to begin. (To be continued.) )