1908 Far East Maniac Chapter 159 Bronze Wall Impregnable Wall

When Zhao Bei led the staff officers to rush to chóngqìng in a hurry. Far away, Shanghai has also exploded. Shanghai is not only prosperous for business. The means of communication are also very convenient. Official radio stations, private radio stations in concessions, and cable telegraphs. These advanced means of communication are combined. Soon the news of the explosion spread all over Shanghai:

"The Yangtze River sent a fleet up the Yangtze River. Arrived in Qizhou, Hubei Province in the evening of yesterday evening. Under the pretext of being attacked by the Republican army. Brazenly swept the republican convoy with machine guns. Nearly 100 soldiers and civilians were killed and wounded. ”

The Republican Army-controlled newspaper Xianrì called the incident the "Qizhou Massacre."

State tragedy. The telegram of Zhao Zhenhua, commander-in-chief of the Republican Army, was published in the newspaper:

"It's naked! For the despicable acts of the aggressors. The IRA will take all necessary measures. Fight back! People don't offend me. I don't commit it. If anyone sins against me. I will sin! The safety of the lives and property of the Chinese people can only be guaranteed by artillery! …… The current China is a republican China. The current people are the people of the republic! …… As a military man. Defend the country. It is a sacred duty to defend the nation. …… My life. From that is, rì onwards. The Republican Army troops stationed in Hubei have entered a state of combat readiness. At the same time, an armed blockade and economic blockade were imposed on the Chóngqìng Wangjiatuo Rì Concession and the Hankou Rì Concession. rì本zhèngfǔ一 did not apologize for the Qizhou tragedy and made reasonable compensation. Then our army will not lift the blockade of the concession! This time, the blockade of rì. It is the act of our revolutionary army to protect the people and defend the sacred sovereignty. It is hoped that all countries will abide by their commitment to "external neutrality". Don't be angry with the barbarism. Dusting the image of civilization. ”

This telegram was more shocking than the news that the rì team was sweeping the shè transport fleet. It's almost early in the morning. All the newspapers gave up their eye-catching headline pages to this call. The British newspaper in Shanghai, Zilin Xibao, even reported the news with the sensational headline "The Battle of China is on the verge of breaking out."

The Constituent Assembly, which was being convened in Shanghai, immediately interrupted the meeting. After urgent consultations and repeated confirmation of the information. Tang Shaoyi, acting general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Linfu, and Wu Tingfang jointly issued a statement severely condemning the attack of the Yangtze River Dispatch Fleet. and made representations to rì本zhèngfǔ. At the same time. Representatives of the Constitutionalist faction of the Confederacy also sent their own telegrams. Protest against the gross interference of the army in the revolution.

At the same time as the discussion. The Constituent Assembly also sent a special envoy to Qizhou to offer condolences and appeasement. and asked the Great Powers to come forward through diplomatic channels. Jointly maintain Far Eastern Peace.

But as soon as the powers opened: they all chose silence. Even Yuan Shikai, the provisional president of the republic in Tianjin, did not express any official opinion. Only public opinion is boiling, and those who criticize the republican army for provocation are in the majority, and there are many who make a big fuss about it. This newspaper even jumped up and clamored to "punish the tyrannical".

Things rì afternoon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly worded diplomatic statement. Accusing the Republican Army of being a bandit armed Boxer. The E-province army was controlled by bandits. The Yangtze River Fleet was sent to maintain the order of commerce in the east, and the fleet was only for "self-defense", as long as the province was disbanded, and the Republican Army was disbanded. Effectively protect the interests of Han Ping's creditors. and punish the "bandit leader" Zhao Bei. The Yangtze River will send a fleet to withdraw from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

rì Ben's outer statement as soon as it is issued. The first to be annexed was Tsarist Russia. Foreign Minister Shachanov came forward to make a statement. "Deep understanding" of rìmoto's approach. Urge Yuan Shikai to disband the Hubei Provincial Republican Army as soon as possible and punish the "culprit" Zhao. As soon as Russia spoke, the British Foreign Secretary also issued a statement. It was strongly recommended that the Republican Army be disbanded and formed into a "civil official who could be trusted by the Powers unanimous." Of course. In order to perfunctory public opinion. The United Kingdom also sent a diplomatic note to rì本zhèngfǔ. Expressing serious "concern" over the destruction of "neutrality" by the fleet. "Advise" rì this fleet to withdraw from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as soon as possible.

German Minister to China, Recker, U.S. Minister to China, Johanh Keyi. A joint statement was issued. "Deeply regretted" the conflict in the Yangtze River. and urged the parties to resolve the dispute through negotiations. so as not to spread the flames of war to the treaty ports. Influencing the business order. The United States Minister also suggested the formation of an international investigative team. Go to Qizhou to investigate the truth of the incident. Presiding over "international justice". Maintain the "civilized image of the great powers".

……

No matter what the great powers say. It doesn't matter what the press is talking about. The republican army in Hubei was preparing for war in an orderly manner. As soon as the commander-in-chief's order came. Wu Zhenhan immediately dispatched 5,000 Revolutionary Guards. Encircled the Hankow Concession. An artillery array was set up in the east of the foreign merchants' racecourse. Make a posture that will fire at any time.

However, due to the close proximity of the Rì Concession to the German Concession. The Revolutionary Guards could not completely cut off the external traffic of the Rì Concession. The note could only be sent to the German consul in Han through diplomatic channels. The German consul did not receive the note. However, border patrols have been intensified. Cut off the output of other goods except daily necessities.

As for the chóngqìng Wangjiatuo rì concession, it is even better. On the day Zhao Bei returned to Chóngqìng, he ordered a total blockade of the concession. Not only did it cut off all commercial transportation links. Even daily necessities were forbidden to be transported to the concession. Only grain is allowed to enter the rental sector. Retaliation. The authorities of the Concession expelled the Chinese people in the Concession. Even the puppet Qing officials who were hiding in the concession were also driven out. Some of the fish that slipped through the net in the chóngqìng battle were also caught.

The blockade of the concession certainly boosted morale. But what really needs to be paid attention to is the issue of preparing for war. In order to prevent the rì fleet from going to Wuhan to make trouble. Wu Zhenhan, who stayed in Hubei, set off for the east on the same day he received the military order. The former enemy headquarters was set up in the city of Qizhou. Before Zhao Bei returned, he had full authority to coordinate the preparations for war.

As a necessary precautionary measure. Zhao Bei ordered the cruiser "Hai" to lift anchor. Sail to Qizhou. As a battery to block the main channel. Blocking the rì main fleet. There were also some baggage boats with them. In this way, a large amount of heavy equipment was transported to the city of Qizhou.

Right now. The light-carrying "sea" ship has anchored on the main channel of the Yangtze River outside Qizhou. The bow of the ship is facing downstream. Two 150-mm guns also held their muzzles high. Point downstream to the river. "Sea" was supposed to be a cruiser. Draught. The voyage was at the risk of running aground. Fortunately, now chūn has risen. The water level of the Yangtze River is rising, and there is no danger along the way. Just in case. Most of its shells were transported by baggage boats. After arriving at the destination, it will be transferred to the ammunition compartment for storage.

Originally. Also moored in the Wuhan River was a gunboat "Chuguan". Not long ago, however, it had been ordered to escort the arms to Hangzhou. So. For now. The only large ship that the IRA could use was the Sea. All that remains is armed wooden boats.

Seeing that the "sea" was anchored and stopped, Wu Zhenhan, who had been at the dock for half a day, took his staff officers to the board and approached the "sea." From the boarding ladder to the deck.

The ship "Report Commander-in-Chief Sea" is ready! ”

Lu Ping, the captain of the "Hai", personally greeted General Wu with his adjutant

Come. As the first captain of the "Sea" after joining the revolutionary army. Think of yourself as lucky. He was promoted from Vice-Engineer to Commander-in-Chief to Captain. This in itself is a very fortunate thing. And it was even more fortunate that he caught up with a national war not long after taking office.

As the last graduate of the Beiyang Naval Academy, Lu Ping's previous career can be regarded as very bumpy. Failed to finish his studies and caught up with the defeat of the First Sino-Japanese War. The Sailor School was closed. If it's not for the excellent grades. I'm afraid he has already gone to the China Merchants Bureau to find an errand. Although he got a job in the navy, he was from Shandong. He was not a "descendant" of the navy, so he was squeezed out by Fujian officers, and he had been in the navy for nearly ten years. But doing it back and forth is still just a small engine assistant, if it is not to catch up with the "Shen Revolution". I'm afraid that he Luping will continue to work as his first mate. Where's his captain?

The commander-in-chief's insight and talent made Lu Ping very grateful. Death for a confidant. So. When he received a telegram from the commander-in-chief. Immediately lead the fleet eastward. I intend to prove my ability with practical actions. Zhao Zhenhua is only in his twenties. can create an era. He Luping is almost at the age of no doubt. Can you still be compared to a young man?

"How's your sailor training? Are there enough shells? How is the machine maintained? How's the morale? ”

Wu Zhenhan didn't care about Lu Ping's thoughts. As Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Republican Army, former commander-in-chief of the enemy. Before the commander-in-chief returned to Wuhan. He was the supreme military commander of the district republican army in Hubei. The safety of a province is at stake. Don't dare to be sloppy. "The devil is in the details". This is not only what the commander-in-chief repeatedly told in telegrams. It is also the experience of Wu Baishan leading the troops to fight in various places. And this experience is often bought with the blood and even the lives of soldiers.

"Plenty of shells. Morale rises. The machine has just been overhauled. As for training. Please rest assured, commander-in-chief. In the past few months, our naval officers have been slacking off for a day. The bad habits of the pseudo-Qing era have been eradicated. Even if it can't compare to the quality of the sailors. But at least it can be done with people on board. People save ships! Lu Ping said with his chest straight.

It's not that he's talking. For naval training. Zhao Bei grasped it tighter than the army. Both the intensity of training and the discipline of the troops. are much stricter than the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Not only drove all the civilians stationed on the ship off the warship. Even many of the old officers were dismissed. In addition to a few key technical positions. The sailors were replaced by the intellectual youth of Kiyoi sè. Many of them came from outside to participate. These people may have some technical problems. But revolutionary xìng and discipline xìng are not comparable to those old-style sailors. The appearance of these revolutionary youths made Lu Ping feel as if he had returned to the Beiyang Sailor School. At that time. There is no shortage of such hot-blooded young people in the navy. But helplessly. The First Sino-Japanese Battle not only destroyed the prestige of the Beiyang Naval Division. It also extinguished the desire for victory in the bones of the Chinese people. How many years. This long-lost desire for victory finally appeared in the eyes of the Chinese people. And this time. Will the Navy still fail them?

While. The Navy is a technical service. Combat effectiveness is not something that can be trained in just a few months. Lu Pin is also very clear. But this battle is not fought on the ocean. Rather, it was fought on the Yangtze River. From the doorstep of the house. Familiar with the way. There is army artillery to cooperate. If you can't win again. There is no need for the commander-in-chief to order. He Lu Ping immediately packed up and got out of here.

Wu Zhenhan inspected the warship's service and combat readiness. Then he took Lu Ping to the open bridge and ordered the staff officer to spread out a picture. Pointing to the picture, he said, "The information just came. The fleet is anchored in the Jiujiang area. The total number of ships has increased to five. Now this newspaper is clamoring for a westward march into Wuhan. We can be careless. Such as rì this fleet westward. It is bound to pass through Qizhou. At all costs. We can't let them go! Wuhan's steel factories and arsenals rely on us to protect them. Daye's iron ore also depends on us to protect it. So. rì this fleet either does not come. If it comes. This battle will definitely be fought. The battle began. The ship must bombard the ship with the heaviest firepower. In any case, the ship is not allowed to cross Qizhou for a single step. Even if the cruiser sits on the fairway. Nor can we let the fleet pass! If the rì ship rushes to Wuhan. I'll be the first to kill you. The second one killed myself! ”

"Please rest assured. Land and water flanking. The rì ship is even if it has wings. I can't fly over! If the warship sails to Wuhan. You don't have to do it in chief. I'm going to shoot myself in the head. ”

Lu Ping sighed in his heart. There are many young generals in the Republican Army. Many of them have been promoted from the grassroots level. Blazing. Tempered. There is not much thought of seniority. In terms of age, he is almost Wu Zhenhan's father. But Wu Zhenhan taught him a lesson. But it was as if they were turned upside down.

Even if I put it in the previous will not wait. The young Zhuang faction among the Fujian officers did not teach him such a face-to-face lesson. Maybe. This is one of the temperaments of the revolutionary era. Such young officers are needed.

"Report to the commander-in-chief. The headquarters has been ordered to rush to the station with 20 mines. Mines can be laid now. Just block the main road. The rì ship will not be able to break through the Qizhou defense line! "An officer boarded the ship. Report to Wu Zhenhan.

"You're from the Crowd Society? The surname is Zou. Right, right? Wu Zhenhan glanced at the officer.

"Zou Run. He used to be a cadre of the Qunzhi Society. However, he has now withdrawn from the school. Trusted by the Commander-in-Chief. He is currently the Director of the Electromine Division. Everything that has anything to do with electricity is under the control of the ministry. The officer said in a loud voice.

"Immediately began laying mines. I've found a couple of old boatmen for you. They are familiar with the waterways. Wu Zhenhan nodded.

The Electric Mine Department is a department set up by order of Zhao Bei. Not only in charge of telegraph calls in the army. He is also in charge of all electricity-related work. Mines are detonated by electricity. As such, it is also under the management of the Ministry.

Zou Run led his men to transfer the mines to the Yangtze River. Then the boatmen instructed the laying, which was five miles downstream from the "Sea". Line up in two rows along the main fairway. There are four groups of minefields. All water |- is anchored to the bottom of the river. It is then suspended in the water with a pontoon. Hidden beneath the river. There are no marks to be seen from the water. The wire was sunk to the bottom of the river with a plumb sinker. The lightning officer in charge of detonating the detonator lurked in the grass on the shore. The timing of the detonation is controlled by a wire and a hand-cranked generator. These mines were specially made by the Hanyang Arsenal. Thunder, is a steel cylinder. It was filled with hundreds of catties of gunpowder. The explosion was extremely powerful. Not to mention gunboats. Even a cruiser like the "Sea" could not withstand a bombing. It is no longer suitable to block the Yangtze River waterway. And because it is a visual detonation. It will not hinder the navigation of civilian ships.

In addition to warships and mines. The two artillery formations on the shore were also set up. The concealment of the array is excellent. Almost all of the wards that remained in Wuhan came in handy. The fire striking area on the Yangtze River has also been marked on it for a long time. Enough shells will guarantee the fight to the end.

If the fleet doesn't come, it won't come. If you dare to come. So. What awaits them is a real impregnable wall.