"Nickname outside. The emperor personally broke off the ...... for the three armies" The voice of the newsboy alarmed all the passers-by, and they surrounded them one after another.

The Times newspaper published three photographs in large numbers. One is the emperor standing on the dirt slope facing the wind. The angle of the person who took the photo is very good, and the photo is taken from the bottom up. In the photo, the emperor stands with his sword in his hand, and a kind of momentum of dominating the world arises spontaneously. The second is a photo of Guangxu and Nozu Michiguan, Guangxu is smiling in the photo, but Nozu Michikan is a face that doesn't know whether to cry or laugh, and the army behind the emperor is sluggish. The third picture is just the back of the emperor, the emperor is standing on the other side of the bridge, alone in front of the army with guns, waving his right hand as if he is still saying something.

"Look at it, this is the emperor of our Qing Dynasty." The Shanghai Sihai Hotel was full of people, and everyone had a newspaper. There is a lot of discussion about the photo above.

"It's just that, look at the faces of these Oriental devils, they are all like dead parents." There was a lot of laughter.

"This is another victory...... an old man stroked his beard and smiled: "This emperor's personal expedition is different, the emperor has only come to the front line of Tianzhuangtai, but he has won many battles." ”

"But isn't this withdrawn again? And burned the bridge? ”

"Confused!" The old man stood up angrily: "If it weren't for the defeat of Beiyang from North Korea, how could the emperor retreat." This is called the debt owed by the predecessors and the repayment by the descendants. But it doesn't matter, the emperor only needs to collect small victories from variable big victories. I have won this battle. ”

Not only Shanghai, but also all parts of the Yangtze River and Zhili are optimistic about the prospects of this war between China and China because of these three photos. But there were divisions within the book.

The official residence of Prime Minister Hirobumi Ito in Tokyo

Hirobumi Ito, who had just finished presiding over a cabinet meeting, was lying in his chair with a tired face. The foreign minister on the opposite side, Mutsu Munemitsu, also had a sad face.

At the just-concluded session, members of the Diet opposed the Cabinet's proposal to increase public debt. However, he asked the emperor [***] team to rush across the Liao River to capture the Qing emperor. It is possible to end the war against the Qing as soon as possible, and to turn the outcome of the war into tangible benefits that the empire can see.

"A bunch of politicians who only know what to say." Hirobumi Ito couldn't help but curse the members of the Diet. Capture the Qing Emperor to end the war? If it weren't for the Qing State taking the initiative to give up Niuzhuang, maybe the imperial army would be fighting in Niuzhuang now!

"However, if the war against the Qing cannot be ended as soon as possible, the financial support of the empire will be declared bankrupt by January at most." Mutsu Munemitsu was also helpless, as the huge military expenditure had accounted for more than 70% of the empire's fiscal revenue. And this situation will be further exacerbated until the end of this war. If a decisive victory on the battlefield is achieved within two months, then the imperial economy will collapse.

"Your Excellency Ito, I just received a telegram from General Daishanyan of Liaodong." Youpeng of Shan County walked in from the outside and bowed deeply: "Now, at present, the Liaodong horse bandits have begun to attack the imperial logistics and transportation troops on a large scale from Phoenix City to the Liaodong Peninsula, and the losses are very heavy. The Qing army gathered all its forces to deploy defenses in the Liaohe River, but it was difficult for the emperor's [***] team, which had little ammunition and cotton clothes, to end the war in a short time. And the emperor [***] team can't guarantee anything. ”

"No, there must be a definite guarantee." Hirobumi Ito suddenly stared at Mutsu Munemitsu and said, "Mutsu-kun." We must convince the members of Congress to pass a bill to issue at least 30 million yuan of additional bonds. Otherwise, the Empire will not be able to win this war, and if this opportunity is missed, it may never be able to change the fate of the Empire. ”

Mutsu Munemitsu shook his head with difficulty: "Your Excellency Ito." With all due respect, we don't have a good reason to convince the MPs. Diplomacy is no longer possible. ”

Yes, the situation in the foreign affairs of the empire is even worse, and the envoys of Britain, France, Germany and other countries have already passed official channels, and they have sent a note saying that they must not harm the emperor of the Qing State in any form in this war. Once the Qing emperor was injured and cut off, which caused civil strife in the Qing State and damaged the interests of various countries in the Qing State, it would be the sole responsibility of the Qing Dynasty. The U.S. minister even directly explained that the current Empress Dowager of the Qing State is unwilling to open up the Northeast, and if the previous agreement of the Qing State cannot be fulfilled, then all losses will be compensated by Yuben. And Russia has already stated the possibility of armed intervention.

"The diplomatic situation is not optimistic, and I am now more worried about the army's operation in Liaodong. If something happens to the Qing emperor, the empire will cause a diplomatic disaster. By that time, not only would the Empire not be able to continue the war, but the Empire would not have received any reparations, fearing that it would have to compensate the Great Powers. Mutsu Munemitsu frowned and said bitterly.

"Your Excellency Ito, it's not impossible." Shan County Youpeng said: "The emperor of the Qing State is unwilling to surrender, but the Qing State also has a queen mother. The Third Army of the Qing Dynasty has been on the road, as long as the Liaodong troops can surround the Qing Emperor, and the Third Army will make a strong attack on Zhili. and then borrowed the hands of the great powers to force the Qing Empress Dowager to the negotiating table. Isn't that okay? ”

The words of a friend in Shan County reminded everyone present like a cloud.

"The cabinet will concentrate all its financial resources to support the materials needed by the Third Army, and ask the Third Army to attack Shandong within a month and make a gesture of attacking Yanjing. Let the Qing Minister Komura Shoutaro immediately contact the ministers of various countries in China. At the same time, the important surnames of the Liaodong ministries to ensure the safety of the Qing emperor were strictly ordered to abide by them. Hirobumi Ito stood up: "Mutsu-kun, the action to persuade the members of the Diet to agree to the bill to increase the public debt must also be carried out. No one knows how long the Third Army will have to fight. Now all our hopes are pinned on the conquest of the Third Army. ”

And at this moment, in the headquarters of the Liaohe Army Niuzhuang, Dashanyan's anger almost set the tent on fire: "Baga, what is the Heichuan track for?" Since a group of horse bandits occupied Dalian Lushun. The 4th Division of the Kurokawa Rail Crossing was ordered to recapture Lushun within three days. ”

Lushun lost? Now for the army in Niuzhuang Yingkou, it can be said that it is like a year. The logistics supply on the front line of Phoenix City is interrupted from time to time, and only that little bit of poor material can be sent, which cannot be counted on. The Combined Fleet also lost its usefulness in protecting the shipping route because it was damaged by the attack on Lushun, and the troops that captured Niuzhuang Yingkou not only lacked ammunition, but now only had two rice balls a day, so they had no choice but to first mobilize the ammunition and supplies of the Fourth Division, which was originally stationed on the Liaodong Peninsula. It was not easy to repair and restore the strength of the combined fleet, and indeed because it was necessary to blockade and destroy the Qing Beiyang Fleet first, more supplies were transferred to the Shandong Peninsula. The entire First and Second Expeditions of the Qing Dynasty have not received the slightest supply recently, how can this make Dashanyan feel at ease. The Shandong Peninsula strategy has begun, the Beiyang Fleet has been blocked, and the Yellow Sea route has been restored. This made the Liaodong army, who was looking forward to waiting for supplies, feel embarrassed. At present, the logistics grain and grass on the front line of Niuzhuang Yingkou can only ensure the supply of 10 days at most.

"Report, telegram from the 4th Division." The staff officer of the army handed over a telegram to Dashan Yan.

In the telegram of the Kurokawa railway, he insisted that the other party was not a horse bandit, but should be a main force of the Qing army in disguise, and repeatedly emphasized that the combat effectiveness of this Qing army was not under the emperor's [***] team. Moreover, the Liaodong front transferred too much material, which led to a too much decline in the combat effectiveness of the Fourth Division. When this Qing army attacked Lushun, there was only one brigade of 1,000 people stationed in Dalian and Lushun, which could not compete with the main force of the Qing army, which was more than 5,000 people. The Kurokawa Rail Clearance demanded that the troops and materials of the Fourth Division of the front line be transferred back to strengthen the impact on Dalian Lushun.

"Baga, if the Qing Kingdom really has such an army, why don't you attack us from the rear of our army, but go on an expedition to Lushun." Oyama Yan angrily slapped the telegram on the table: "This is Kurokawa's deliberate exaggeration of the enemy's energy in order to get rid of responsibility. ”

Nozu Michikan looked at the map on the wall and asked, "Where is the Oshima Yoshimasa Department now?" ”

"We have arrived at Tongyuan Fort and are attacking Tongyuan Fort." The staff officer of the headquarters of the 5th Division replied loudly.

"Nozu-kun thinks this is the unit of the first division of the Qing army?" Oyama asked rhetorically, though he didn't think it was possible.

"Is there any news on the location of the main force of the first division of the Qing army?" Nozu Michikan didn't answer, and Oyama Iwa asked again.

"Nope." The staff officer replied: "We have so far found no sign of a large force moving south in the direction of Lianshan Pass. ”

After thinking carefully, Nozu Michikan said, "Your Excellency, I can say it responsibly. The troops that attacked Lushun must have been bandits in the Gushan area. Your Excellency, please think about it carefully, when our army first arrived in Haicheng, when the supply line of Yuyan Road was attacked, even the transport vehicles were often towed, and recently they were only burned. It can be seen that the bandits in the Gushan area are no longer as powerful as before, so I am sure that the bandits in the Gushan area have wandered to the Liaodong area. But this bandit was really tough, and they almost defeated the bandits in the northeast of the Qing Dynasty. As for why did they attack Lushun? What is the purpose? I don't know. ”

"This group of damned bandits, after receiving gifts from the empire, not only did not contribute to the empire, but instead beat them upside down. Let the supply of the Emperor [***] team be in a difficult situation. After the surrender of the Qing State, they must be completely eradicated. Dashan Yanqi's teeth itched: "Let Oshima Yoshimasa resolutely hold back the main force of the first division of the Qing army and take a more favorable situation for the Imperial Tianzhuang Tai War." ”

"How's the commando team preparing?" Nozu Michikan is more focused on the frontal battlefield.

"Report to Your Excellency, our troops have arrived in Shifo Town and are ready to attack, just wait for the order to launch an attack." Nogi Noshinori said firmly.

"Don't be in a hurry, launch a tentative attack first, and then break through when you determine the enemy's strength." Da Shanyan said resolutely: "At that time, the entire front launched an attack, so that the Qing army could not figure out the focus of our army's attack. ”

"Gentlemen, the difficulty of the battle of Niuzhuang has made the base camp no longer optimistic about the Liaodong strategy. The base camp has decided to form a third army to conquer the Qing and attack the Shandong Peninsula of the Qing Kingdom, and the Liaodong side will not get more supplies. And the current difficult supply of the Emperor [***] team has made us lose the ability to fight for a long time. So this operation will be the last chance for the Liaodong tribes to capture the Qing emperor. Da Shanyan bowed deeply to everyone present and said, "I hope that the monarchs will fight bravely to kill the enemy, conquer the Qing country, and capture the glory of the Qing emperor should be obtained by us." ”

"Didi, Didi, Didi, Di......" The incessant telegraph made the incessant telegraph sound resounding throughout the staff room. At night, the Grange Terrace is still brightly lit, and people come and stay in the combat staff room. The emperor's refusal to leave naturally boosted the morale of the army, but he was also worried about the emperor, after all, this gun had no eyes. The west of the Liao River has been completely lost, and it can only be defended by the river. Orders were given and sent out by telegraph.

From Niuzhuang to Yingkou, the Qing army still had more than 60,000 troops, but the four divisions of the army on the other side of the river had less than 40,000 troops. It seems that the Qing army is more numerous, but in terms of combat effectiveness, it is not as good as the Yue army. It is impossible to take the initiative to attack, but the passive defense is a lack of troops. The Chinese army, which occupies the strategic initiative, can concentrate its relatively superior forces to launch a strong attack at any point on the long Liao River, so the deployment of troops can only evenly distribute all the key points, and the setting of strategic reserves is particularly important at this time. Wang Shizhen carefully looked at the red and blue flags on the sand table, and analyzed the possible loopholes in the entire Liaohe defense line.

At Yingkou on the southern front, the 20,000 Qing troops under the command of Zuo Guigui had already established a defensive line on the west bank of the Liao River, and although they faced more than 13,000 people in the first division of the Yue Army, they were not afraid. The battle of Yingkou was fought steadily and steadily, and the tactics of step-by-step were faithfully implemented. It's not outstanding, but it's reassuring. On the central line, the Second Division of the New Army is stationed, and all the troops sent to the various departments for coordination have been transferred back. Tianzhuangtai was garrisoned by 2,600 men of the Sixth Regiment, and 1,800 men of the Seventh Regiment were transferred to Ping'an Town. The 5th Regiment, which suffered the largest casualties in Niuzhuang, now has only 2,000 troops that can be put into battle. Stationed in Zhangjiatun as a reserve for the middle line. Wang Shizhen believes that although the middle line has the least number of people, its combat effectiveness is the strongest, and even a reorganized division of the army may not be able to eat it. The northern front was led by Song Qing with nearly 30,000 troops, but the defense line was the longest and the composition of the troops was the most complex. The decisive battle of Tianzhuangtai is in sight, and Wang Shizhen has just transferred all the fifth regiment back. Here Wang Shizhen kept an eye on no one and didn't say anything, this is to tell the army that the northern front is easy to attack, so let's go and fight the northern front.

As long as the army crosses the Liao River from the northern front, all units on the northern front will not dare to retreat without authorization, and can only fight to the death on the front line, and the army will fall into the quagmire of the northern front. Reinforcements, still can't get rid of the entangled situation. Without reinforcements, the army that crossed the Liao River was in danger of being completely annihilated. If the 1st Division could rush back to Haicheng to attack the Yue Army from the flank and rear at this time, then it would be possible to completely annihilate the 1st Army of the Yue Army. That's a lot of credit.

Wang Shizhen originally wanted to sacrifice the Niuzhuang Huai army in order to weaken the frontal enemy of the Yue army. I didn't think that the emperor was benevolent and personally cut off the queen for the army. So this time, Wang Shizhen didn't dare to explain to the emperor again, because he still regarded the Huai Army as a pawn to consume the Yue Army.

"Who's defending this side of Xi'an Town?" After analyzing the current situation, Wang Shizhen was a little worried about this two-line junction.

"Back to the chief of staff, the Liaohe front line in Xi'an Town was defended by Wei Guangtao's Wuwei Army, with a total of more than 2,300 people. The 3,000 Hunan troops under Li Guangjiu's command were made reserves in Xi'an Town. ”

The staff officer's words put Wang Shizhen at ease, and it should be no problem to have more than 5,000 people to defend.

"I think the Fifth Regiment should be sent out one or two companies to move closer to the village of Gaokanwan." Michael pointed to the only straight place on the Liao River and said, "Once this place is breached, our army will be divided into two sections." This is the point that will bring the entire line of defense. ”

"But the army that breaks through and crosses the river will be attacked by our army from both sides, and there will be a danger of annihilation. I think the army will only launch a diversion attack here. Zhang Zuolin retorted.

Wang Shizhen obviously supported Zhang Zuolin: "I agree. On the northern front, all units of the Huai Army have a large number of people but their combat power is not strong. I think the army should attack from the northern front. ”

……

Guangxu did not participate in the debate of the generals' staff officers. In the memory of the First Sino-Japanese War, the Yue army seems to have broken through from the upper reaches and finally defeated the Qing army. It seems that Wang Shizhen, the chief of staff, is still very qualified. Guangxu just sat on the sidelines, looking at everything in front of him. As everyone knows, now Jiawu has changed beyond recognition because of the outlier of Guangxu. (To be continued.) )