Just when the Qing and Qing navies clashed, the Yue troops on the shore of Lushun were also shocked by the artillery fire on the sea, but more people paid attention to the fallen generals at the banquet site.

Someone was poisoned.

Eventually, Oyama Iwa and Nogi Noshinori were rescued, but more officers were not saved. The next day, on August 25, the Lushun Massacre, which shocked the world, began, and more than 20,000 Lushun people who were unwilling to leave with the transfer fleet were slaughtered, leaving only 36 people to carry the corpses. Of course, in the end, these 36 did not escape.

Heavy rain poured in the sky, on Chang'an Street in Yanjing City. More than 4,000 students from the Beijing Juzi and Jingshi University Halls knelt outside the Jinshui Bridge, holding high the banners of unremitting self-improvement, rejuvenating China, and fighting a decisive battle against the Japanese invaders, kneeling silently in the wind and rain. For a whole day, not a single person made a noise, and no one got up, let the wind and rain blow, and stood still.

Even the embassies and ministers of various countries under the roots of the imperial city were moved, and they brought rain gear to protect the students from the wind and rain, but none of them took it. Before the Qing Dynasty started the war, all countries were not optimistic about it, but who would have thought that the Qing State would collapse at the touch of a button, and it would collapse for thousands of miles. The Qing Dynasty, a country rich in resources, and a market with a population of 40,000 people, have all raised their knives and forks, just waiting for the Qing Dynasty to divide the victory and defeat and fall. But this sight in front of him made the ministers of various countries hesitate, the Qing Dynasty, with a population of 40,000, is more than the population of the whole of Europe combined. If the Qing people are really determined to fight with Yueben, can Yueben still win?

"Go back, go back, the court will find a way to save the situation. You have to believe that the imperial court ...... "Outside the noon gate, the imperial historians of the Inspectorate didn't care about their identities, and persuaded those lifters and students one by one.

The rain in the sky, like my own saber, still falls mercilessly. Three days after the fall of Lushun, within one day, Cixi successively asked the Military Aircraft Department to issue three decrees,

"Under the palace savings. Three million taels of silver were issued and handed over to the household department for appropriation one after another, so as to collect the effect of full horses. ”

"All celebration ceremonies are still held in the palace, and the congratulatory matters of the Summer Palace will be suspended immediately."

"Everything will be closed immediately."

However, at this time, the situation has been eroded to the point that it cannot be cleaned up, and the Liaohe River has become the last line of defense of the Qing Dynasty. Zhili is in danger, and the Qing Dynasty is in danger. I just want to rely on these wills, and I can no longer muster up the morale of the government and the opposition inside and outside.

The wind and rain are shaking, and the hearts of the people in the world have reached the verge of collapse...... Guangxu understands, Liaohe, the last battle.

The wind and rain still did not stop, and the imperial historians of the Inspectorate were still struggling to comfort them at noon. The noon gate of the Forbidden City suddenly opened, and Guangxu sat on a pure white horse in a bright yellow dragon robe and walked out slowly. There was no Royal Forest Army to open the way, only two guards on the left and right.

Guangxu rode up to everyone, stretched out his hand to take the telegram handed by Qi Yide, and read aloud: "Three days ago, on the night of July 24, the twentieth year of Guangxu, our Qing Imperial Beiyang Fleet and the Yueben Combined Fleet fought in the waters off Lushun. At the cost of only 6 killed and 87 wounded, and the Ding, Zhen, and Ping ships, the Imperial Beiyang Fleet of the Qing Dynasty sank three warships, including Itsukushima, Fuso, and Saikyo Maru, the flagships of the Combined Fleet, and severely damaged the Sholang, Akitsuzu, and Hiei, and confirmed that more than 500 people under Vice Admiral Shikiri, the founder of the Combined Fleet, were killed, and the wounded were incalculable. Last night, the 1st Regiment of the 1st Division of the Imperial Army of the Qing Dynasty successfully repelled the attack of the Oshima Yichang Mixed Brigade at Liujiahe, killing 455 of the Yue Army at the cost of 27 deaths. For the first time, the advance of the army was stopped. The Qing Dynasty has not yet been defeated. ”

Win? Won. It's a win! The students who were distracted for a moment reacted, and then burst into cheers that shook the sky, and the cheers in front of the noon gate alarmed Cixi in Cining Palace. The "Shi Wu Bao" in Shanghai, which was urgently published, also spread the news all over Jiangnan. From Asan to Lushun, a rout along the way. From the shocked to the disappointed erupted into pent-up resentment, the victory instantly captured people's hearts like a shot in the arm. The Qing Dynasty still has the strength to fight.

Guangxu waved his hands to silence the crowd: "Defeat is because of greed for life and fear of death, so countless soldiers died from Asan to Lushun." Because he was fearless, he killed five warships and a lieutenant general. Remember, as long as we are not afraid of death, as long as we are united......" Guangxu suddenly roared: "What is it?" ”

Under the guidance of the guards, the students moved out of the way to both sides. Guangxu rode a high-headed white horse and waved his right hand to pass slowly, and then walked away.

Inside the Fengtai camp

At this moment, it was already a completely busy scene, all the departments of the Second Division were making preparations before the exit, one after another orders were issued from the division's staff headquarters, and the material preparation and personnel arrangements and deployments had been fully launched, although the emperor did not have a clear specific date for the opening, but on the night of the fall of Lushun, the emperor had already issued an order for the second division to prepare for the near opening.

In the operational headquarters, Wang Shizhen was commanding the staff officers every day according to the telegrams sent back some time ago. On the map, the movements of the various armies and localities were marked, and a marching battle plan was drawn up. After Ouyang Zhenhua took the first division away, the commanders of the three infantry regiments discussed with each other. The commander of the fifth regiment was the son of the late Jilin general Fu Ming'a, the 27-year-old guard Shoushan, and the commander of the sixth regiment was his younger brother Yongshan. And Tie Liang, the commander of the Seventh Regiment, has always had a hard time, because there is a special battalion under his command, which is full of people who claim to be masters, have backgrounds and qualifications, and are all characters who cannot afford to offend. The other two battalions never spoke to the people of this battalion, as if they were doomed. At this moment, the two brothers of Shoushan and Yongshan sat silently on the side, looking at the pouring rain outside in a daze.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and the group hurried in with the sound of wind and rain. "The emperor's ......" All the people were stunned, and then saluted one after another.

"Immediately send all the officers above the regimental and battalion level here." Guangxu walked straight to the map.

The two brothers hurriedly agreed, rushed to the door, and gave a loud order, asking the soldiers waiting outside the door to give orders to all parts of the camp......

Guangxu stood alone in front of the map, frowning, and didn't say a word. All the officers rushed over and stood in the room with solemn expressions. The big battle is imminent, and the emperor suddenly summoned him at this time, and it must be that the second division is about to start. The young officers had an impatient look in their eyes at the moment, and the first regiment had successfully ambushed the Yue army in Saimaji. How could this keep the young officers of the 2nd Division in a hurry. Now they are straight, waiting for the emperor's decree.

"You all know that the defense line of the Yalu River has collapsed, and now Jinzhou and Lushun have also fallen, the situation in eastern and southern Liaoning has been eroded, and the Qing Dynasty is in danger at the moment. Why did the battle go like this, I don't want to say anything more. Don't look at the navy and the army, they have won a battle, but can this tactical victory change the strategic defeat? I'm here to ask you, can this battle continue? Can you still win? Is there any hope? Guangxu's gaze swept over everyone's face.

"Weichen implores the emperor to send the second division to the front line of eastern and southern Liaoning, and fight to the death with the army!" Looking at the emperor's gaze, Shoushan put away the confusion in his heart and said in a deep voice.

"The only army that the Qing Dynasty can fight with the Yue Army now is the New Army. But the two divisions of the New Army add up to only 20,000 people, but at this time Beiyang has collapsed, with the strength of the New Army, what kind of battle can be fought, have you ever thought about it. ”

"Please decree the emperor to transfer the second division of the new army to the front line of Liaodong and fight to the death with the army! The sword is unsheathed, invincible. Almost at the same time, all the officers puffed out their chests and said in unison.

Guangxu glanced around at everyone and showed a somewhat miserable smile: "What I ask is whether this battle can still be fought?" What if two divisions of the New Army were also defeated? ”

All the people were slightly stunned, in the barracks, it has always been taboo to say defeat before the war starts.

Wang Shizhen took a step forward: "Returning to the emperor, with the existing weapons and equipment and combat capability of the Second Division, as long as there is not too much disparity between the enemy and our forces, and it does not launch a strong attack under the favorable terrain of the enemy, it is fully capable of fighting with the army." Victory or defeat is a common thing in soldiers, so please don't worry about the emperor. ”

"The whole of the Second Division must fight hard. Fight to the end. The three regiment commanders said in unison.

"Looks like you still don't quite understand what I mean." Guangxu pointed to the map and said: "The army now has nearly four divisions and regiments, which have been pressed from the two fronts of eastern and southern Liaoning, and compared with the new army, there is indeed a huge disparity in strength. The hope of victory is already very slim, and if you are transferred to face the ground, it will definitely be a bloody battle. It's a battle to the death, it's a death to the death. If you are faced with the total annihilation of the army, the death of all of you. I want to ask you, do you still have the courage to fight to the end? ”

"Even if you are defeated, you will only die. I am willing to die for the emperor! "There was an uproar, and everyone knelt down.

Perhaps it was the fiasco in Liaodong and Liaonan that had not shaken the spirit of these officers in front of them, or perhaps it was the victory of the navy and army that had just been reported that gave them confidence. Guangxu slapped on the map with one hand: "If you haven't given up, there is still hope." If even you become timid, then this battle is really over. The specific tactical arrangements below are explained by Chief of Staff Wang Shizhen. ”

"The 2nd Division has no tactics to speak of. Two words - stubborn defense. Wang Shizhen pointed to the Tianzhuang Terrace: "The Tianzhuang Terrace is the last position of the Liaohe River, and behind it is the flat Liaoxi Corridor. The entire Zhili Plain and the entire Gyeonggi are under the command of the army. Therefore, if you can't hold it, there will be only one result - the total annihilation of the army. Moreover, according to the pre-war strategic arrangement, the 1st Division was to strike at the enemy on the periphery. They will not be present in the Grange defensive position. ”

Guangxu looked around, but he didn't find a single officer with a worried and scared expression on his face: "Go and notify every soldier, including the special battalion." This expedition will either win and return with honors; Either defeat and bury the bones of the grange. Let them choose for themselves, and it will never be strong. But if you go, what I tell you clearly is that even if the whole army is destroyed, even if you fight to the death of a single soldier, you must defend the Grange and not take half a step back, and whoever violates this will will kill his whole family......"

The young officers went out, and after a while, the three regiment commanders returned: "Report, all the officers and soldiers of the Second Division of the Qing Dynasty have been assembled. Please give the order to go on the expedition. ”

"Boom" thunder rolled, and a violent storm swept across the land......

Guangxu stood on the review stand again, and his body had changed into a new army uniform. Another five-star dragon flag was raised high, like more than 8,000 soldiers in the audience, regardless of the wind and rain. And in the end, the special battalion did not come, and now that Beiyang is completely defeated, he wants to turn the tide of the war with the 20,000 people of the new army, not to mention that the special battalion does not believe it, and even Guangxu himself has no confidence. The people in the special battalion have a careful thought, just like the two divisions of the new army were wiped out in this battle, then their special battalion will definitely be reused by the queen mother in the future. On the one hand, there is no life in the battle, and on the other hand, there is the glory and wealth in the future, so they stay to guard the Fengtai camp.

"This time, life and death are boundless. Think of your parents, think of your wives and children. Are you really not afraid of death? Guangxu doesn't remember where he heard the saying that the mourning soldiers will win, but what he wants to do at this moment is to make every soldier lose their minds, and there are only two options, either victory or death.

The shouts that were not afraid shook the sky.

Wang Shizhen took two steps forward and said: "If you say that the big one is called protecting the family and defending the country, and if you say that the small one is called being a soldier and resisting the gun and eating the emperor's food, this is fate." As the saying goes: raising soldiers for a thousand years is said to be used for a while. The emperor has nourished us for so long with good food and drink, and it's time to use it. The emperor doesn't have to worry too much, just give an order. ”

Guangxu nodded and ordered loudly: "The second division has not had a division commander, and today I announce it here." In this battle of the Qing Dynasty, I personally served as the commander of the Second Division. You are my own soldiers, follow me, and set out for Grange Terrace. With that, he walked out of the gate.

It is naturally a hundred times more glorious to be able to become the emperor's personal soldier, but this time he is facing a desperate battle. After the shock, everyone knelt down.

"Your Majesty......" Wang Shizhen hurriedly stepped forward to stop Guangxu, but his words were interrupted by Guangxu.

"I have made up my mind, so I don't need to say more."

"Although the emperor's personal expedition can inspire the courage of the three armies to serve the dead, but the military is dangerous, and the army is menacing, this battle is outnumbered by the enemy, the enemy is strong and I am weak, and it is not just courage that can be won." Wang Shizhen knelt down in front of Guangxu and said: "The emperor is concerned about the safety of the world, and he must not make such a desperate move...... The minister is willing to lead the entire second division to Tianzhuang Terrace to fight with the Yue army to the end, and swear not to let the Yue army cross Tianzhuang Terrace for half a step! ”

"I know what you are saying, and I know this battle...... I'm afraid I won't be able to come back. Guangxu looked around at everyone and said with an extremely bitter expression, "But there is one thing you must keep in mind, saying that the national strength is far weaker than that of the Qing Dynasty, and they can't afford to drag on this battle." At this moment, in the court, the voice of surrender and peace is already rising. From ancient times to the present, all the alliances under the city are land reparations, so the Qing Dynasty must not make peace with the original words. Even if I die, I will not be a surrendering king, and even if I die, I will let the Qing Dynasty and the capital be consumed......"

As he spoke, there was a hurried sound of horses' hooves, and when he turned his head, a figure rushed crookedly on his horse in the wind and rain.

Tang Shaoyi? What is he here for? Guangxu couldn't help frowning, Tang Shaoyi didn't understand military affairs, and it didn't make sense to pull to the front line, if he was defeated, it would really be called death. Therefore, Guangxu arranged for Tang Shaoyi to stay in the capital, and by the way, he also kept abreast of the dynamics of the court situation for himself. Now that he came in a hurry, could it be that something happened in the capital? Guangxu's heart suddenly became nervous.

"There is nothing in the capital, please rest assured that the emperor......" rushed over all the way against the wind and rain, Tang Shaoyi, who was already disheveled, only smiled slightly at the moment: "The affairs in the capital have been arranged by the micro ministers, and the emperor should take the micro ministers with him." In this battle, everyone in the world is watching, so let Weichen follow the emperor's vigorous life and death, live up to the emperor's righteousness, and leave a reputation of loyalty for his descendants......"

Guangxu looked at Tang Shaoyi silently for a moment and nodded.

"Lord Tang, the emperor wants to conquer the Tianzhuang Terrace in person. Why don't you persuade the emperor? Wang Shizhen then asked anxiously from Tang Shaoyi.

"The debacle of Beiyang has shown that fighting separately can only be broken by the army, and the entire Liaodong and the entire Jiawu must have the confidence to stand up and turn the tide for the world's manpower at this moment. And this person can only be the emperor. Tang Shaoyi said helplessly: "You have the determination to fight to the death, but you don't have the qualifications to subdue the various ministries, and the departments that retreat to Tianzhuangtai will never listen to your command, and Song Qing and others are already the generals of the defeated army, not to mention, the current Qing Dynasty, only the emperor is alone." ”

After thousands of years, the righteousness of the name, the morality and ethics of the world's scholars, and even the tablets of the heavens and earth's princes and teachers enshrined in the homes of illiterate ordinary people, this is the righteousness that has been deeply rooted in the hearts of everyone in this country for thousands of years. As long as everyone in the world sees the emperor of this country fighting a bloody battle with the Yue army in Tianzhuangtai, the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, and the whole country, no one dares to easily negotiate peace with Yue himself, so Li Hongzhang, Liu Kunyi, Zhang Zhidong, these people will do their best to mobilize troops and raise salaries to support the front line of Tianzhuangtai. This is the last and only hope for this war. In the First Sino-Japanese War, as long as the country did not make peace with him, he would have been defeated.

"Remember what I said when I asked you to draw up a battle plan for Grange? I will lay down a bait for myself that they will surely eat. No one is better suited to this bait than me. Only in this way can the First Division find a fighter that will inflict heavy damage on the Yue army, and as long as the first part of the Yue army is defeated, the battle situation will change, and the Qing Dynasty will have the capital to fight to the death with Yue himself. Guangxu said decisively: "I am ready to bury the bones of Grange with the second division, after I arrive at Grange Terrace, I will be able to open the world, if I die in battle, the court can set up a new monarch." I have carried my will with me, after my death, when I pour the strength of the country into a bloody battle with the earth, if anyone dares to speak of peace and surrender, he will be the traitor of the country, and everyone in the world will be punished. I will also curse the Son of Heaven, and those who dare to speak out and surrender peace, I will curse him to cut off his children and grandchildren, and I will curse him to exterminate his race......"

Guangxu ordered with an unquestionable expression, "Wang Shizhen, from now on, I will supervise all battalions, and the news of my relatives' land acquisition is strictly forbidden for anyone to leak out." ”

After that, Guangxu Fu walked to the review stand and said loudly: "Those who are afraid of death stay." If you are not afraid of death, then follow me - to die. (To be continued.) )