In the late July of the twentieth year of Guangxu, it was within the time of early August.

The Great Qing Dynasty sent out telegrams one by one, Zhili, the generals in the northeast, Shandong, and the coastal provinces in the south of the Yangtze River prepared for defense, the Nanyang naval division was transferred to the north, and the provinces assisted in Beiyang. Every telegram is a great edict of Huanghuang, a small book, like a rat's negative acupoint, and should not be swept by one of the Qing Heavenly Soldiers. Di Bao is copied, full of such optimistic words, the government and the opposition are clear, like crazy.

In the last days of the Qing Dynasty, people of insight were looking for a way out in the midst of depression, and this trend of thought was like the Yangtze River, which flowed mightily in the great changes that had not been encountered in 3,000 years!

The small words that have been handed down for thousands of years have proved unsuitable for this jungle era in the face of the leading position of the entire Western system. Then there is the self-improvement and Westernization movement, which after decades of dismal management, is now showing an embarrassing state, which makes people feel that this alone does not seem to be able to save the country.

In the midst of despair and impetuousness, there are already small voices that believe that only by creating a modern nation-state can we participate in the competition of the world. However, this kind of rebellious argument is only floating underground. The voice that occupies the mainstream of this world still wants to revitalize the monarchy! thought that the emperor would rise to power and cheer up, and there may not be no chance to refresh. Isn't there a ready-made example of Prussia and the book here? The whole of China does not have a backbone, and it feeds itself everywhere, which further disperses and wastes the already meager national strength...... Maybe power is a way out?

Now the situation has become obvious, Cixi is completely incompetent in foreign affairs, she is just a woman who is good at subtle power, how open the strategic pattern she is, that is, to require the sow to be able to climb trees. Facing the blood and fire of real knives and guns...... She had to take a step back.

The Holy Lord of Guangxu has come to the front of the stage for the first time, and there are a large number of optimistic telegrams, I don't know if there are any measures after the Sacred Heart has made a decision, to support this war! How can all this not make these people who are worried about state affairs cheer, thinking that the strength of the country is in one place, and the holy monarch is at the helm, how can it be invincible?

It is said that this is just a small trouble, and the Holy Monarch is in charge, which is the general trend of paying attention to the country's fortune!

Inside and outside Yanjing, the imperial party was crazy.

Of course, under a series of telegrams from Guangxu, the response was as unsatisfactory as expected. The minister of Nanyang first replied, saying that there were already four ships in Nanyang to cooperate with the Beiyang Naval Division, and their strength was already more than that, and the other ships of the Nanyang Division were old or slow, and there was no effect of cooperation. If the imperial court must send a division ship to the South Seas, please send a ship to the South Sea to meet the north.

The provinces are doing the preparation of the defense matters, and they use this as an excuse to reimburse them on a large scale, and the aftermath bureaus set up by the provinces to spend money on the expenses have been spent like a stream of money. And used this as an excuse to say that the province was heavy and could not afford to pay Beiyang, and Li Zhongtang didn't care about their little money, and asked for exemption.

However, even Sichuan Province has to raise for coastal defense, and it has spent more than 5 million cents of gold, which is really a bit of a joke.

Guangxu and the imperial party didn't care, and they were still immersed in the excitement of taking power for the first time. When this war is won, Guangxu's position is stable, such as Zhongtian, and then clean up these disobedient governors one by one! Anyway, now the biggest powerful faction Li Hongzhang has been put in front, for the sake of his own forces, it is impossible for him not to fight hard, and now North Korea is also coming with good news. It is said that the army is extremely arrogant, although it has suffered heavy casualties, it is still advancing steadily, and it is estimated that it is also returning to the light, although the wind and rain are crazy, it cannot last. The Huai army first fought in Ashan, and then in Hancheng, killing and wounding the army in danger, and there were no less than tens of thousands of people in the front and back, and there were famous generals in the army. If the situation is so good, what is there to worry about?

Guangxu sent a telegram to praise the meritorious generals, and even Li Hongzhang won the lottery -- but a few people who didn't open their eyes went to the fold, saying that the more they fought, the more they fought, the more south? Since it was such a great victory, it was necessary to sweep the cave to the north and drive the Yue army into the sea in Busan...... Why do you want to retreat step by step? Guangxu, who has always acted recklessly, did not even wait for the ministry to discuss this time, these few officials who are not big or small, those who have taken their posts, those who have been exiled, and even one who is particularly blind, in order to suppress the plan, has pulled a little other charges of corruption and bending the law, and immediately abandoned the city!

Guangxu has never held so much power, he can be so arbitrary, and there are fewer more prudent means in the use of power, his purpose in doing this is very simple, that is, to kill chickens and show monkeys, so that the whole country knows his strength, so that Li Hongzhang can be more intimidated and fight hard, he only wants good news, not bad news, he doesn't want this difficult power to fly out again!

Since the end of the Qing Dynasty, it has been a long time since anyone has been convicted of his words, and the top of the sky is to exile the military platform -- even the military station does not actually need to go, and there are thousands of reasons to stay after handing over some money, waiting for the future to be restored. At this time, the Qing Dynasty relied more on balance than on deterrence, and as soon as Guangxu's move came out, the world was shocked! In the face of a group of frenzied imperial parties, no one wants to touch their brows at this time - except for Li Hongzhang, who has no way to retreat on the front line, other powerful figures have become negative, and it is not their merit to win the war, but the imperial party has taken power, and they are even more offended...... The emperor is not here, and they are enjoying their rare drunken time......

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Datong Riverside, A.D. 1**4 August 2nd.

The southern part of Korea is already full of smoke, and the Taedong River still seems to be in the quiet of Xiayu. In addition to the often mobilized military resources and the fortifications and weapons that soldiers had everywhere, the peasants also worked in the fields. For them, changing anyone is also paying for food, and things hundreds of miles away are already another world for them. It was only when the sporadic refugees from the north came to join their relatives and friends that they knew what a terrible war was going on in the south.

Refugees? The family business is here, where to flee? Didn't I call yet? Everyone knows that the lord of the kingdom in Seoul is no longer good, and he will be defeated when he sees the battle. They don't know if Seoul can be protected or not, but they have all seen the thunderous methods of the Praetorian Guard in front of them! These gang of fierce gods are now in full array, maybe they can keep this place quiet? With this expectation in mind, the Praetorian Guards demanded the requisition of the people and the mobilization of the errand materials, but the Korean people enthusiastically supported it, as long as they could not flee, it would be a good thing!

Therefore, in addition to the mobilization of these soldiers, the roads are also slowly carried on their heads and shoulders, and the Korean people dressed in white are organized, digging fortifications and transporting materials. It's a different story.

In the summer, the water of the Datong River soared, and there was a mighty and rushing posture. At this time last year, the riverside was still full of the corpses of mobs shot dead by the Praetorian Guards, and almost half of the river was dyed red. At this time, there is no trace of that time, only the water and green mountains. It makes people forget that hundreds of miles away, it is the sky full of blood and fire, and the people are on the road.

Xu Yifan and Tang Shaoyi sat by the river fishing, he used his brain too much and was too nervous. Tang Shaoyi studied in the United States for a year and studied medicine for a year, so he persuaded him to dissipate and dissipate, don't be too tight. Anyway, now that all civil activities have stopped, all non-combatants have been evacuated, and he, the chief steward of the Taoist rank, is also very idle. Every afternoon, I will accompany Xu Yifan to fish here and raise it. Xu Yifan has no choice but to obey, anyway, he should be recuperating, and when the time comes, he doesn't know how long he will be nervous! Seize the time to take a break now, also to go further.

A gust of river wind blew, which made Xu Yifan's chest, which only felt bored.

Seeing his compatriots fighting so badly, the princes in charge who were far away in Yanjing didn't know that they were heading for the abyss, even if he always had bad intentions, that is, he felt unhappy!

Shame, shame. A small country that has been prostrate for 2,000 years can beat its own country so badly, and there are a group of people jumping up and down there proudly, unaware of the impending catastrophe!

Listening to Xu Yifan spit out a mouthful of turbid breath, Tang Shaoyi looked at the fishing rod without looking back: "My lord, what's wrong?" Still can't put it down? ”

Xu Yifan smiled bitterly: "If you don't want to watch it, you have to watch it!" Sooner or later, we will have to hand over the troops and open fire, and the Huai army is still a friendly army, and it is so embarrassing to fight, and the above still feels good about themselves...... Have you seen the telegram, and you sent me to be controlled by Ye Zhichao! Now that the surroundings of Seoul are in danger of being lost, Ye Zhichao has already led the main force of the Sheng army, far away more than 200 miles north of Seoul, claiming to be the stamina of Zuo Guigui, who is defending Seoul...... See the fucking ghosts! But the court just believes! said that I couldn't take care of him for the time being, and I wanted to take Seoul first, and I wanted to take the Korean royal family in my hands. What I hate is Ye Zhichao's incompetence, you fucking want to run away and control King Li and the princess! Even Park Yonghyo can't do it, and he doesn't have the courage to force the palace, so let Park Yongxiao and others prepare to set up a new monarch in Seoul! Wait, wait a few more days, when you can't hide anything, just look at those people's faces! ”

Tang Shaoyi didn't want to recruit Xu Yifan to say this, but when he heard him, he only had a wry smile: "My lord, I still count on you to be the mainstay of North Korea...... The subordinates just don't understand, the saint ...... It's just that the saint is blinded by the bottom, what kind of character is Li Zhongtang, how can he also be deceived by people like Ye Zhichao? ”

After Xu Yifan vented, he was already much better. Since his position of power has become higher and higher, he has rarely had such a gaffe. However, at this time, before the army and the battle, it did not prevent him from recovering his true colors of resentment - and his best true colors in his previous life.

Li Zhongtang ...... Li Hongzhang has no way out...... How could he not see Ye Zhichao's big words? At first, it may have been deceived, but now it is understood. Now it is his Beiyang reading ability that picks up this burden, and the imperial party regards him as a thorn in his side, as long as he is defeated, he may be divided into Beiyang power at any time, and he can only hold on to the enemy...... This important minister deserves to be bitter! ”

Xu Yifan's face was lonely, he was now a budding warlord, and he naturally had a sense of sympathy for such a senior and the first warlord leader of the Qing Dynasty. He stood up and looked at Jiang Shui: "Since Li Hongzhang can't retreat, he can only hold on, he can't expose Ye Zhichao's lies, but will increase the intensity of help, maybe he will ask for my door, only through me can Ye Zhichao be effectively supplied...... He will gamble on the Beiyang Naval Division to ensure that from Lushun Yantai and other bases to the waterway at the mouth of the Datong River that we are guarding to cover the shipping ...... The Beiyang Navy Division is about to attack! When the time comes, it's going to be a sea disaster......"

Tang Shaoyi listened blankly, and her heart only sank. couldn't help but stand up: "My lord, is there room for salvation?" ”

Xu Yifan smiled faintly: "...... I've been preparing for so long, Shaochuan, just accompany me to play like this! When the time comes, we will either shock the world, or we will also disappear! It may be a big word, I want to save the fortunes of this country! …… The general trend of the times, the mighty and mighty, since the first noon, people will probably understand that this holy monarch may not be reliable, right? There may be repetitions, but when every road is cut off, Shaochuan, what will you choose to do? And what choice will the entire Qing Dynasty make in this rushing era? ”

"Great rebellion, great rebellion......" In Tang Shaoyi's heart, he just repeated such words. But I don't know why, he just has a hot heart.

The two of them stood quietly by the river, and they didn't have the heart to speak, only the river was churning and flowing.

A few fast horses one after the other, the first one was Pu Yang, when the war, he had a few more drapes on his body, the bullet belt was wrapped around one by one, and the short gun he carried became two. From afar, he shouted loudly to Xu Yifan: "My lord...... My lord! Li Zhongtang came with an urgent call! ”

Xu Yifan wanted to laugh at Tang Shaoyi, and wanted to boast that he was like a god, but he didn't know why, but he couldn't laugh, and his heart was heavy. He strode over, Pu Yang had already turned over and dismounted, handed the message with both hands, and then stood beside him with a straight back. This kid also once asked Xu Yifan to get out of the troops: "This world belongs to our flag people, how can there not be a few flag people who shed some blood?" Those gentlemen in Yanjing City are all fools, and a few yellow belts may be able to cheer them up a little! ”

Xu Yifan naturally rejected his request, Pu Yang is out of breath, it's like a different person, but he doesn't need to erect a banner model to come out......

Li Hongzhang's telegram was as expected, and his tone was cordial, saying that according to Emperor Guangxu's strict order, the Beiyang Naval Division must go forward to cover the sea supply route at the mouth of the Datong River, and asked Xu Yifan to provide convenience and assist in replenishing the supplies and soldiers to Ye Zhichao. Although Li Hongzhang wanted to try his best to turn around, in the end, he had already pulled down his old face - the meaning was that as long as Xu Yifan could help them Beiyang to hold up a plausible scene, not only would the previous things be written off, but Li Mou would definitely repay him in the future!

The words of politicians are just to be heard.

Pu Yang peeked at it, and Xu Yifan had a look on his face, but only desolation remained.

As soon as his hand shook, the message was already blown high by the river wind, churning in the air and not falling.

“…… The Beiyang Naval Division dispatched...... A general's lie, Li Hongzhang's status, Guangxu's irritable ...... It is necessary to protect the ship and control the enemy, and the Beiyang Naval Division, whose strategy has been decided, will be dispatched! Everyone understood, and Li Hongzhang also knew very well, that with the current strength of the Beiyang Naval Division, it could only serve as a deterrent to the existing fleet, and as long as they were still in the sky, the Yue army would not dare to attack the base group in Bohai Bay on a large scale. However, with the fall of the Bohai Bay base group, the entire Qing Dynasty Zhili Center will be wide open, and the army will be able to end this war in the most favorable way, and they will not be able to fight this war of attrition. At this time, the politicians of this time knew better than the politicians of later generations that the beginning of the war was the result of the end......

But because of the political struggle, because of the lies of this cowardly general, the so-called decency of the Qing Dynasty...... Just let the only viable strategy go bankrupt! ”

He muttered to himself in a daze, no one fully hearing what he was saying. But everyone's hearts became heavy because of Xu Yifan's face.

Jiawu, Jiawu, Dadonggou, Dadonggou...... Every Chinese who has read modern history, as long as there is still a little blood surname, this shame seems to be seared into the depths of a Chinese's spirit! People dare not touch, dare not recall!

And now I'm in the middle of it!

It seems that the scenery of the Datong River is no longer in front of you, but the dark black waves, the steel bow decorated with a golden dragon, the giant cannon slowly spitting out tongues of fire, and the whole ship is on fire, and Zhiyuan is still resisting unyieldingly!

There are some things that are too heavy, and the wind from his Xu Yifan's butterfly wings is too weak to change. Maybe heaven wants to imprint these things in the depths of the blood of the Chinese, so that every time you face it, you will burst into tears!

Xu Yifan let out a long breath, collected his emotions, and said to Pu Yang: "Go and pass my order to Chu Wanli, temporarily clear the mines at the mouth of the Datong River, and cooperate with Li Zhongtang's actions in everything, and the defense situation in other places will remain unchanged...... Fuck, the Beiyang Navy Division sank a boat, and Lao Tzu asked for 10,000 devils' lives in exchange! ”

Seeing Xu Yifan suddenly go crazy, Pu Yang only dared to stand straight. Xu Yifan glared at him: "Don't leave yet?" What are you waiting for? ”

Pu Yang snapped and stood up: "Lord Chu also has a report, I want my subordinates to report to my lord, saying that Nie Shicheng is the rest of the army of Nie Junmen's department, and they have already contacted our Praetorian Guard, they are only more than 100 miles south of Pyongyang, and they are already on the defense line of our army, and Lord Chu wants to ask your lord for instructions!" ”

Xu Yifan was taken aback, and immediately kicked Pu Yang: "What the fuck, why do you put this in the back!" ”

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Weihai, the home port base of the Beiyang Naval Division.

In the harbor, there are busy sailors and servants replenishing coal and water on the North Korean warships, and warships, large and small, are lighting fires to test their machines. The Dingyuan was already in the dock, hastily scraped the bottom of the ship, repaired the machine, and was now flooding into the dock, ready to sail out of the warship.

Flammable wood products have been continuously unloaded from the ship, large and small guns, have opened the brass muzzles, and the sailors hold the breeches of the guns and wipe them vigorously.

More than a dozen triangular yellow dragon flags are hunting and fluttering on these steel floating cities.

Everyone, from the official to the official, had a serious look on their faces, and their brows were tightly locked. glanced at each other, and quickly turned their eyes away.

In the yamen of the admiral commander on the shore, the general soldiers of each wing and the pipe belt of each ship gathered together, all dressed in military attache uniforms, Wuyun gowns, and swords on their waists, and sat upright on the horse. Inside the Admiral's Yamen, there was no longer any commotion in the past, and everyone's faces seemed to be covered with a layer of dark clouds. At the back of these military attachés of the Navy Division, there was also an officer wearing a Western-style Praetorian Guard uniform, which was the temporary presidential belt of the Sixth Battalion Praetorian Guard lent by Xu Yifan, and it turned out that the Zhiyuan was driving the second officer Zhou Zhanjie.

He defected to Xu Yifan with Chen Jinping, the first mate of the Zhiyuan, and for the rest of the year, he turned out to be just a military attache with the rank of commander, and now he has been promoted to become a deputy general, Chen Jinping has long been the chief soldier, and now he is the assistant commander of the Right Association of the Praetorian Guard. He is also the standard commander of the four standards of the Right Association, and now he has brought six battalions of soldiers, three battalions in Lushun, three battalions in Weihai, Xu Yifan asked him to arrange the two backbone battalions in Weihai, and he is also stationed in Weihai.

As a rebel general in Beiyang, sitting among the old chiefs in the past, although Ding Ruchang begged him, no one was willing to deal with him. Zhou Zhanjie is really a bit like sitting on pins and needles here. Secretly glanced at his former direct boss Deng Shichang, and found that the old chief had cleaned up neatly, sitting there straight, with his hands on his knees, his chin also cleanly shaved, with a calm look of no concern, looking at his gaze, and nodding and smiling at him.

I don't know why, looking at Deng Shichang's smile, Zhou Zhanjie felt a little relieved, and sat there quietly waiting.

After a short pause, I heard the sound of footsteps behind the screen, and then I saw that Ding Ruchang, the commander of the Beiyang Naval Division, was also dressed in a five-cloud coat military attache outfit, and strode out. His face couldn't see anywhere, and he stood still in front of the public desk, and glanced at his subordinates with blazing eyes.

Everyone bounced up, and a thousand hits went down, Zhou Zhanjie subconsciously wanted to perform the Praetorian Guard military salute, but he was busy and hurriedly changed it.

"See Ding Junmen under the mark!"

Ding Ruchang's eyes flashed, and he arched his hand towards the north: "I am hereby ordered, and I am about to attack the Beiyang Naval Division!" ”

His voice echoed in the court, and everyone's faces were pale, and everyone had known the news for a long time. Ding Ruchang also fought with Li Hongzhang on the basis of reason, but it was useless, for the Qing Dynasty, the practical considerations in strategy were no match for the political game!

"My sailor 'Dingyuan', 'Zhenyuan', 'Zhiyuan', 'Jingyuan'...... A total of 14 large and small warships, Ming said to light a fire and anchor, rushed to Dalian Bay, together with China Merchants "Xinyu", "Tunan", "Zhendong", "Liyun" and "Haiding" five rounds, loaded with the rest of the Sheng army to aid North Korea 4,000 people, Liu Shengxiu took the lead, went straight to the mouth of the Datong River, covered the barge of personnel and materials, and then returned to Lushun, after overhauling there, and then returned to Yantai, the military order has been issued, the generals should be sincere! ”

The generals still didn't say a word, Zhongtang was willing to cut off his Beiyang Naval Division, what else could he do? Even if they don't bump into the Yuben Fleet this time, as long as Ye Zhichao is still in North Korea and has not been investigated, their escort mission will continue to continue. Until the final battle at sea breaks out!

"Obey the edict, obey the constitutional decree of the Central Hall, and obey the military gate order!" The people below shouted in unison again.

Ding Ruchang beckoned everyone to sit down at this time, and after a glance, a faint smile appeared on his face: "Everyone, let's work together, if I Ding Ruchang has offended before, I'll count it later." This time it's not for me Ding Ruchang, it's for Lord Zhongtang! If I can come back, I will kowtow to everyone...... There is still some balance in the water master public middle school, let's go and divide it, and settle down, there is a list in the account room......"

He blinked his eyes and saw Zhou Zhanjie, and said with a smile: "Yutang, there is no missing thing to meet, this time Xu Junmen vigorously helped, my brother is very grateful, your army is up and down, there is also a reward number, and I also ask my brother to have a collar word, and the sailor is up and down, so I have a little heart...... The brother is out with the boat, and this is not safe at all, so it is all up to the brother. ”

Before Zhou Zhanjie could speak, Deng Shichang had already stood up and arched his hand towards Ding Ruchang: "Junmen, we are not fighting for money, nor for the middle hall, but for the blood sincerity in the bones!" I won't say much else, the military gate general Zhiyuan returned it to me, so that I Deng Shichang has a place to die, which is already a blessing from heaven to earth! Please rest assured, I, Deng Shichang, will die in front of you! ”

As soon as this statement came out, it was categorical.

The hall was quiet for a while, and someone then stood up slowly, passing through the Yuan Pipe with Lin Yongsheng, the Zhenyuan Pipe with Lin Taizeng, the Chaoyong Pipe with Huang Jianxun, and the Yangwei Pipe with Lin Luzhong...... One by one, the generals of the Beiyang Naval Division stood up. No matter how many battles of will they had before, and what they had done for the ups and downs of this world, at this time, these backbone generals of the sailors looked at each other and smiled.

"What's the use of money at this time? The only thing I regret is that we sailors don't have more boats...... Junmen, see you in the next life! ”

Ding Ruchang sat on it, with old tears. Of the generals in the hall, there were very few who did not stand up, and they were already stunned when they sat there. The general who was standing shook solemnly at Ding Ruchang, turned around and strode out.

Zhou Zhanjie had already stood up, and when Deng Shichang passed by him, he didn't know why, his heart suddenly swelled with blood: "Lord Deng, take me on the boat!" Life is the person of Zhiyuan, and death is the ghost of Zhiyuan! ”

Deng Shichang stood up and smiled lightly: "Nonsense! ”

He patted Zhou Zhanjie on the shoulder: "Guard our hometown for us, keep some seeds!" Tell me Brother Xu, in the future, I will build a more powerful warship, and I will call it Zhiyuan! When the time comes, you will take her again! ”

The sailor generals beside him had long since lost their estrangement with Deng Shichang at this time, and they laughed one after another: "Don't forget Jingyuan!" ”

"The current Yangwei is old, small and slow, Lao Tzu has long been dissatisfied, tell you Lord Xu, the new Yangwei will be at least 8,000 tons, can run 20 knots, the cannon should be at least 12 inches, and the rapid-fire fast cannon will be loaded like a hedgehog for Lao Tzu!"

"Lord Deng......" Zhou Zhanjie wanted to cry, but he didn't dare. It would be too embarrassing for a soldier to pee at this time.

Deng Shichang had already turned around and walked away, and finally only said one sentence: "We are going to die, just to tell the world that the old road is at the end!" ”

Behind these people who strode out to die, Ding Ruchang had already closed his eyes to the sky.

"Zhongtang, I'm Beiyang Sailor, I'm Ding Ruchang, I'm already worthy of you!"

On August 3, the fourth year of A.D., the 14th ship of the main force of the Beiyang Naval Division pulled anchor and set sail from Weihai. The difference is that they attacked a month and thirteen days earlier than in history. And it is not just that the cover convoy of troop carriers only reaches the mouth of the Yalu River on the border with China and North Korea, but goes straight to the Datong River.

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A.D. 1**4 August 4, Seoul.

The sound of gunfire has already enveloped the entire Seoul, and thick black smoke columns have risen all around, and the mournful shouts of the Japanese army are swept in the wind.

Guanyue Mountain, Sansheng Mountain, and Niumian Mountain in the south of the city all fell. The two detachments of the army merged, under the command of General Youpeng of Shanxian County, bombarded with field artillery and attacked with infantry, and the Yi army of the left precious army had tried its best to resist, waiting for reinforcements from the main force of the so-called Yicheng field battle on the outskirts of the city.

However, after four days of fighting to the death in the city, several city walls collapsed, and several city gate towers, which were the key points of defense, were beaten into volcanic eruptions, but the Sheng army was still nowhere to be seen.

Before the war, Zuo Guigui had already scattered all his wealth to reward the soldiers, and the only son could leave the team. Almost no one in the whole army left the team, and they were willing to follow Zuo Guigui to fight to the death. They did their best to resist, but they were defeated tactically, in training, in terms of the system.

The army has frantically rushed into the city, and the defenders are still relying on several highlands in the city, such as Beiyue Mountain, Renwang Mountain, and Anshan Mountain, to make the last resistance, to buy time for their commander to retreat. It's not that the Yi Army of Zuo Guigui's subordinate is really resistant to fighting to this point, and the Huai Army camp system is a soldier for the general. If Zuo Guigui, as the president of the Yijun, is still there, the post-war pension, the support of his family, and the posthumous gift of the imperial court will be settled. If Zuo Guigui dies, all their hard work will be in vain, and others will not bother too much about the head of the camp that does not belong to them.

In any case, for a feudal army, moreover, fighting in a vassal country, they are already blameless and impeccable!

Zuo Guigui sat in his office in a daze, covered in gunsmoke, covered in blood, and holding a waist knife. He supervised the battle on the front line for several days, sleeplessly, until he was wounded, and was robbed by his own soldiers. After the bandage, I wanted him to rest less, but he couldn't lie down. There was a thought in my head.

I have already exerted my lethal strength, and the officers and soldiers are also fighting hard at a super level, why can't I be the enemy? Such a bitter battle cannot be won, and Seoul cannot be saved. After he and Nie Shicheng, the two most daring elites of the department, go, the entire Huai army, even if they don't escape, can they still win? As soon as Seoul is lost, the Yue army will be even more arrogant, but the Huai army will be even more bold!

How did this army become stronger? How did this country become so powerful and dare to bite the Qing country, which was far bigger than them?

Said that Ye Zhichao misled the country? Say it's a poor dispatch in the middle hall? If not these, then what?

The sound of shouting and killing, the sound of gunfire came one after another, the smoke of gunpowder had filled everywhere, the houses were already on fire everywhere, and the sound of crying was everywhere. Once it reaches the point of street fighting, then the death of the people is the most tragic.

Zuo Guigui still couldn't figure it out, but several pro-soldiers had already rushed in and grabbed him. The captain of the army shouted: "The military gate, the road to the north is still open, and the city gate is still in our hands, and the brothers are about to lose it!" Military Gate, you must go immediately! The dead brothers are still counting on the military gate! ”

Zuo Guigui was suddenly awakened by them, waved his arms violently, and the personal soldiers holding him staggered away: "Soft egg! ”

After scolding, he took a closer look, his pro-soldiers were also covered in blood, and they were all following him on the front line, and there were not many of these most trusted children left. Everyone was blackened with smoke, staring at him with blood-red eyes.

"Junmen, brothers can't die in vain! They still have old people to send to their deaths, and orphans to raise, all of which are counting on the military gate! ”

Zuo Guigui let out a breath of air and waved his hand: "Gather your own soldiers, there is still a big thing to do!" When we're done, let's go! ”

This major event was handed over to him by Ye Zhichao, and Li Hongzhang's strict order, no matter what the situation in Seoul is, the Korean royal family must grasp it, regardless of the peace and war, this signboard must be kept. When Ye Zhichao led the team to set off, he also negotiated with North Korea to take the royal family away, but Park Yonghyo was perfunctory, and said that it would take a few days to pack up his things. Ye Zhichao's escape was important, and he couldn't care about it, so he simply threw this burden to Zuo Guigui, a thousand please, please. Zuo Guigui is determined to defend Seoul, and at this time, he doesn't care about this thing, the burden is already heavy enough, he doesn't care about carrying a little more, it's just a death if he can't do it.

The soldiers below hurriedly ordered, originally a small team of two hundred people, but now there are only forty or fifty left. Zuo Guigui saw a burst of bitterness, didn't say more, and with a wave of his hand, he took them straight to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

In the streets and alleys, bullets whizzed through the air, and the North Korean people were scurrying around like flies. Some houses are on fire, and there are people fighting the fire, holding wooden buckets to fetch water and pouring a little smoke on it, and the fire is getting bigger and bigger, and the crying is shaking the sky. There were dead people and dead horses everywhere, lying in all directions, and no one looked at them. The whole of Seoul has been plagued by many disasters this year, and one disaster is better than one!

Dozens of pro-soldiers covered in gunpowder smoke arched and guarded Zuo Guigui hurried through, and the people watched these heavily armed Huai soldiers also stumble away, and soon a group of people arrived at the gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, but they were greeted by a row of palace guards in white clothes and green hats!

Everyone with guns in their hands was lying on the door of the wall, waiting as if they were facing a great enemy. After the Huai army of the Gyeongbokgung Palace Guards came, they also deliberately controlled the scale, but the appearance of a hundred people now seems to have almost been pulled out. A guard officer who led the team shouted in Mandarin with a transfigured voice: "Stop!" By order of Minister Park, no one is allowed to enter Gyeongbokgung Palace! ”

Zuo Guigui's heart sank, and he said loudly: "I am Zuo Guigui, the chief soldier of the Qing Dynasty!" If you want to go out on patrol with the king, who dares to stop it! ”

There was no conversation on the other side, and there was a pull of the bolt, and several pro-soldiers immediately dragged Zuo Guigui and hid behind a pillar. Zuo Guigui was still shouting loudly: "I want Master Park to come out and talk!" ”

There was still no sound on the other side, and it was estimated that it was so nervous that it was about to explode. At this time, Zuo Guigui could only ignore it, and ordered loudly: "Go quickly, see how many people can be drawn out of the place!" Come to Gyeongbokgung Palace! Others, get ready to open the palace gates! If someone blocks it, you will be killed! ”

His roar was so loud that the soldiers below made a violent promise, and they began to pull the bolts, and several people got up and ran out to give orders. The guards on the opposite side twitched, and suddenly someone shouted: "Zuojunmen, don't misunderstand!" We're also here to keep the palace safe! Please get off your gun, don't disturb the king, we welcome you into the palace! ”

"Shoot? Fuck off! Give you a moment's time, or I'll get in! Zuo Guigui yelled back, saying that I am struggling, and it is not like a fun thing to clean up these North Korean guards!

The soldiers stretched out their guns, and just as they were about to fire, they heard a loud shout: "Stop! Lose all your guns! ”

The opposite side suddenly sounded the sound of throwing guns, the soldiers looked over, and saw the palace wall, the guards who were hiding at the gate, all threw out their guns in an uproar, and walked out with a slap, where the palace gate was, it was King Li in front, Park Yongxiao in the back, and it was Park Yongxiao who ordered the guards to lose their guns just now!

The forty-two-year-old King of Gojong Li of North Korea stood at the door with an embarrassed look on his round face. As soon as he heard the sound of the cannon, he subconsciously shrank his head, and when he saw Zuo Guigui come out, he showed a smile that was more ugly than crying. Park Yong-hyo hid behind him, bowed his head and sleeved his hands, and couldn't see his face clearly.

Zuo Guigui saluted from afar, and there was no etiquette at this time: "King, the Japanese are coming, we must leave immediately!" The Qing Dynasty will uphold justice for the king! The situation is urgent, and only the king and His Royal Highness Concubine Min will be accepted...... The king, the Qing Dynasty and the Korean clan for more than 200 years will never abandon North Korea, and it is said that people are wolf ambitions! ”

King Li just smiled bitterly, glanced back at Park Yongxiao, and didn't take a step outside. Park Yongxiao took a step forward and said with a smile: "The king has already taken care of it, but Her Royal Highness Concubine Min is sick and refuses to move, and we are anxious as courtiers!" Zuo Junmen, you are the minister of the kingdom, and you also know that the military situation is urgent, so you can persuade Her Royal Highness Concubine Min with the king...... The situation is so urgent, we have to go, if we don't go, we have to go! ”

The gunshots outside were like a burst of gunfire, and Zuo Guigui couldn't think about it anymore. The guards are so numerous, all the guns are lost, like a small mountain, King Li is here in person, what is the conspiracy of the Koreans, and by the way, did they hurt King Li? Immediately, he made a move, and took his own soldiers to meet him, and there was no movement until he walked to the gate of the palace. Immediately, he saluted again: "King, let's go and ask Her Royal Highness Concubine Min to move immediately!" ”

King Lee smiled bitterly and glanced at Park Yong-hyo again. Park Yongxiao smiled bitterly: "With so many people going in, Her Royal Highness Concubine Min is sick, don't be disturbed, let's bring ten personal soldiers from the military gate, the king is on the side, what else can happen?" It is said that the people are already close, please hurry up and ask His Highness to move! ”

Zuo Guigui glanced around, didn't say more, and walked into the gate with ten personal soldiers with a wave of his hand, Park Yongxiao helped King Li to walk in front, entered the palace gate, crossed the double bridge square, and then entered the gate of the inner palace. As soon as I entered, I saw dozens of people in white clothes and green hats, holding rifles made by the original to Zuo Guigui and ten personal soldiers!

Park Yongxiao had already pulled Li Wang and ran forward, but before Zuo Guigui could react, the gun had already gone off! Several pro-soldiers fell soft in front of Zuo Guigui, and Zuo Guigui didn't dodge, and reached out to find a six-wheeled pistol from inside the boots!

A few times, Park Yongxiao was throwing himself on the ground, his body shook, and he fell straight to the ground, blood slowly flowed out from under him, this place was the place where he and Yue killed Jin Yujun together! King Li's arm was also grazed by a bullet, and he rolled aside and cried: "My family is in the hands of Master Park...... I can't leave the people of Seoul behind...... As long as the Qing Dynasty can fight back, I will still be a vassal of the Qing Dynasty......"

It's a pity that Zuo Guigui can't hear it anymore, and more than a dozen bullets in the second row hit the fifty-seven-year-old old general. He held the empty pistol and looked slowly north, as if he didn't feel a bullet in his body.

Looking at the clouds in the distance, there are the mountains, rivers and seas of the homeland...... It is the place where your soul finally returns after being killed in battle!

"Zhongtang, Daqing, ancestors...... I'm worthy of you! ”

On August 4, 94 A.D., Zuo was martyred.

Seoul fell.

In the midst of blood and fire, only the water of the Han River is still rolling and rushing!

(To be continued)