As negotiations broke down, the Qing defense of the cities of Bac Ninh and Shanxi was not leaky. The French army suddenly changed its offensive route, bypassing Shanxi from Zhennan Pass and heading straight to Daqing, in the delusional attempt to return to the two cities and then attack back and forth. The commander-in-chief of the in-depth unit this time is an outstanding officer named Nigel, who has just graduated from the Army Academy.

At this time, Lu Yiwei's troops had also entered Vietnam one after another, and there were not many troops left in Kunming and Guangxi provinces. If the enemy is allowed to return to Guangxi, it will directly cut off the grain, grass, and armaments of the two men and horses in Vietnam. On the one hand, it was too late to transfer troops from neighboring provinces, and by the time reinforcements arrived, 100,000 Vietnamese horses had already starved to death. If the Vietnamese troops returned to Guangxi, then it would undoubtedly give the frontal French army a chance to attack.

Zhennanguan is only seen in the two mountains, and the big green mountain in the east is more than 800 meters high, inclined to the south. Further south is Ma'anshan, which extends to the east of Zhennan Pass. The Fengwei Mountain in the west is more than 600 meters high, and it also slopes to the south until Longmen Pass. Then it extends to the west of Zhennanguan through a big stone mountain, the valley in the south of the pass is more than two miles wide, there are several small stone mountains at the south end of the valley, and the hills are undulating to the south of Zhennanguan.

Since it was not clear how many enemies had penetrated in, and Zhennan Pass was so foggy that the thick fog could not penetrate even sunlight. The visibility on the mountain was only about five meters, and Lu Yiwei did not dare to let the troops advance too fast. For fear of encountering a large French army, this kind of encounter is the most difficult to fight in an unprepared situation. In particular, the in-depth information that has been obtained from the French army is moving forward cautiously step by step.

At this time, a veteran in military uniform said to Lu Yiwei: "Army Gate, the mountain is full of fog. It is not clear how many French troops came and whether they had heavy weapons. I think the military gate still leads the main force to be distributed on the Daqing Mountain, which is the only way for the French army. I took this specimen and horses to Zhennanguan and continued to advance. ”

It was the veteran Feng Zicai who spoke, and it was originally Zuo Zongtang who recommended the general candidate of the Qing Army. However, Guan Xuqing suspected that Feng Zicai was too old and had not received a formal military school education. In addition, Feng Zicai is Zuo Zongtang's descendant. Although history proves that Zuo Zongtang has no intention of rebellion, Guan Xuqing is changing history. How is it possible to put all the military power in the hands of one person?

Lu Yiwei frowned and looked at Daqing Mountain, and looked west at the white expanse. You can't see anything but fog! He turned his head to Feng Zicai and said, "Feng Biaotong, you take this standard man and horse to move forward." In the event of a French army, you can feign defeat and retreat into this mountain. General Ben is here to meet you! ”

"Command." Feng Zicai gave a standard military salute.

According to the terrain conditions, Lu Yiwei selected the favorable terrain near Daqingshan to build a defensive position, and ordered the troops to build a long wall of earth and stone near Daqingshan, spanning between the east and west ridges, and digging a deep trench four feet wide outside the wall to facilitate the defense. And build a number of fortresses on the east and west ridges, forming a relatively perfect mountain defense position system.

Due to the heavy fog, the construction of positions proceeded rather slowly. Lu Yiwei watched Feng Zicai's troops slowly advance towards Zhennan Pass, and he was faintly worried in his heart. Although Feng Zicai is older, he is still as impulsive as a young man. In the case of the French army, it is as difficult to get him back as it is for a pervert to get him out of a brothel with enough money on him. Therefore, Lu Yiwei still decided to focus on stability and build a more stable defense system first.

Towards noon, the fog finally lifted away. The French army had already sneaked to the foot of Zhennan Pass, and Nigel said to Tony, the adjutant next to him: "Man, look at the Qing ** team is all waste." I really don't know how General Lone Ba commanded and couldn't break through their last line of defense. Zhennan Pass is the hub of the entire mountain, and we occupy this place, which can be advanced or retreated, attacked and defended. ”

Tony frowned slightly, "Colonel, don't you think it's too quiet here?" I suspect they have discovered our plans. After all, we entered the mountains from the side of the mountain that they controlled, and it was impossible for them not to know about such a large troop transfer. ”

Nigel laughed and said, "Tony, what if they find out?" Now Zhennanguan is under our feet, this is an indisputable fact. In addition, the Qing forces would only deal with their unarmed civilians. Against the elite infantry of the republic, they have only the share of surrender. ”

Tony wanted to say something, but when he saw that Nigel was so confident and that he had indeed occupied Zhennan Pass, he didn't speak.

Nigel observed the terrain and saw a large amount of dust floating in the areas of Dongling, Daqing Mountain, Peak Dabao, etc. It is estimated that a large number of Qing troops were ambushed there and defensive positions were built, otherwise such a large amount of dust would not have been raised for no reason.

He decided to attack in two directions, with the main force advancing along the eastern ridge. The other road advanced along the valley in front of the pass, trying to go directly around the rear of Shanxi City after the main force captured the main peak of Daqingshan. Surrounded the Qing army behind Shanxi City, divided and annihilated. In addition, a force of 1,000 troops was sent to the southeast highlands of Zhennan Pass to keep abreast of the situation in Shanxi City.

The French forces that penetrated this time consisted of an integrated brigade and a mixed brigade composed of Vietnamese. There were 15,000 men in all, and the main force of the east, a brigade in France, was formed.

At this time, Feng Zicai had already received a report from the spies in front of him that the French army had occupied Zhennan Pass. The main soldiers divided into two ways to Shanxi City and made a detour, and all the way to the peak of Daqing Mountain. Another group of people came towards him. There were about 7,000 people in number, and some were heavily armed.

Due to the fog, Feng Zicai did not take this strategic place before the French army, and he was already angry. At this time, he knew that more than 7,000 French troops were running towards him, where was there anyone who didn't fight?

He immediately ordered: "Hua'er, you take the men and horses of the camp around the back of the devils and take their heavy weapons." ”

Feng Xianghua is Feng Zicai's second son and a battalion commander under Feng Zicai. At this time, he ordered his son to cut off the back road of the French army, and he also wanted to give his son a chance to make contributions.

"Got it. But father, the Army Gate allowed us to meet the French army. A little contact led him to Daqingshan, where an ambush had already been set up. ”

Feng Xianghua said.

"Let you go, you know a fart. The Army Gate is worried about our safety before ordering this, look at this mountain. Even if you are an immortal, you can't know how the French army will go, if you want to defend it all. Not to mention 50,000 people, even if you give 200,000 people, you can't prevent it from leaking. Now that the devil has broken into our arms, we won't fight yet. Isn't that too sorry God gave us this opportunity. Feng Zicai said excitedly.

"Yes, father. I'll go right away."

"Be careful, the foreign devil must be very thoughtful about the protection of the cannon. If you kid didn't bring the devil's cannon, then you would be bombarded by them here. Don't come back and call me Daddy. Feng Zicai said angrily.