Among China's many forces, the strength of the Northern Army is undoubtedly the first. It's just that the Northern Army was held back by the Russians and the Japanese. Originally, the local governors in the south hoped that the northern army would also join in the fight against Yuan. Now, the northern government has telegraphed Yuan to ask for it, which has undoubtedly strengthened their confidence.

When Yuan Datou's Beiyang Army launched an attack on Shanhaiguan, it also planned to march south to exterminate the governors in the south, so as to achieve its goal of unifying the whole country and gathering the strength of the whole country to confront the northern army. However, after the northern government announced its crusade against Yuan, the Beiyang Army had to stop this plan and instead concentrate its forces in the north to prepare for the attack of the Northern Army.

Yanjing City, the Forbidden City, has become the palace of Yuan Datou. Originally, the concubines and palace maids of the Manchu Qing Dynasty all moved to live in the Summer Palace. It's just that Yuan Datou hasn't had time to draft a draft girl, so that the huge Forbidden City seems a little deserted. But even so, Yuan Datou was very satisfied. To be able to really live here is already the fulfillment of his lifelong wish.

The imperial study room is the place where Yuan Datou handles political affairs, and the new prime minister Xu Shichang is leading a group of ministers in the cabinet to bow to Yuan Datou. Although they had a good relationship before, and even called each other brothers. But now, Yuan Datou has ascended the throne and become emperor, it is completely different.

"Your Majesty, the government of the north is already determined to oppose us, and we have to guard against it! The plan for now is to stop the southern expedition, gather the main force, and prepare to resist the attack of the northern army. Only by repelling the attack of the Northern Army can His Majesty's country be stabilized. Xu Shichang said.

Yuan Datou nodded, his biggest enemy was undoubtedly the Northern Army. As for the governors in the south, they are just a bunch of wall-to-wall grass. As long as the Northern Army is defeated, they can't help but surrender.

"How is our attack on Shanhaiguan? It's been two days since this was fought, when will Feng Huafu be able to conquer Shanhaiguan? Yuan Datou asked. Originally, he wanted to take Shanhaiguan before the Northern Army could react. Blocking the Northern Army outside the gates. But now it seems that they underestimated the strength of the Northern Army too much, and they overestimated themselves too much.

"Your Majesty, Hua Fu is leading the army to storm Shanhaiguan. However, the firepower of the Northern Army was extremely strong, and they deployed a heavy artillery unit at Shanhaiguan. Let our artillery suffer heavy losses. There was not enough artillery to support the troops, and the brothers were only able to launch an offensive in the face of the hail of bullets from the Northern Army. The losses of the troops were significant. However, we have also caused a lot of casualties to the Northern Army, and it is estimated that we will be able to take Shanhaiguan in a few days. Minister of War Wang Shizhen said. In fact, the situation is far more serious than he said. Although Feng Guozhang led fifteen towns and 180,000 people to attack Shanhaiguan. However, under the fierce fire of the Northern Army, they did not even touch the edge of Shanhaiguan, and were directly blocked by the Northern Army outside the city. Not only were the losses heavy, but the morale of the troops fell to the bottom. If you want to take Shanhaiguan, it is simply impossible.

It's just that Wang Shizhen didn't dare to report the truth at all, otherwise, once Yuan Datou was angry, some of them would suffer.

"Well, urge Feng Huafu. No matter what the price is, it is necessary to take Shanhaiguan under the attack of the main force of the Northern Army. Yuan Datou commanded. Even at this moment. He also still believes that the main forces of the Northern Army are still on the line of Siberia and the Yalu River. Therefore, even if Shanhaiguan cannot be attacked for a long time, he is not very worried.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Zhizhen nodded. Hearing Yuan Datou say this, he was also relieved. I thought that this level had finally passed. If Yuan Datou finds out the roots, he will be exposed.

Yuan Datou's gaze swept over everyone, and then said in a deep voice: "Everyone, our main task next is to defeat the Northern Army. While the main forces of the Northern Army are still in Siberia and the Yalu River, as long as they can be defeated. Then we will win this battle. When the time comes, we can unify the whole of China and develop us with the strength of the whole country. In this case, the gap between us and the Northern Army will grow wider and wider, and they will be left far behind by us. ”

Yuan Datou firmly believed that it would be much easier to gather the strength of the whole of China to develop the Beiyang Army than to rule the Northern Army, which had only tens of millions of men. When the time comes, the strength of the Beiyang Army will become stronger and stronger, and there will be no need to be afraid of the Northern Army anymore.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The ministers answered.

After the northern government announced its campaign against Yuan, a large number of northern troops began to march southward under the stars. The railway from the northeast to the first line of Shanhaiguan has never stopped. Civilian transport has all been stopped and replaced by military trains. These military trains carried a large number of soldiers and their weapons and equipment, as well as various war materials, to the front.

In addition to the railway from Shengjing to Kulun, the railway built by the Northern Army also included the railway from Jinzhou to Zhangjiakou. This railway will be extended all the way to Baotou. It's just that it has just passed through Zhangjiakou. However, this also allowed the Northern Army to transport troops to Zhangjiakou through this railway. According to the plan of the Northern Army, Zhangjiakou will also be an important node in the counterattack against the Beiyang Army.

Although, Lieutenant General Shi Tianhan was appointed commander of the operation against the Beiyang Army. But Wu Haoxuan also came to the front line in person, after all, this battle is related to whether the Northern Army can unify the whole country as soon as possible, and there can be no half-point difference!

Jinzhou, which has become the former enemy headquarters of the Northern Army, was set up here by Lieutenant General Shi Tianhan. Orders for the transfer of twenty infantry divisions, eight cavalry brigades and four heavy artillery brigades of the Northern Army were issued from here. After Wu Haoxuan arrived here, he did not interfere with the command of Lieutenant General Shi Tianhan, but was more of a spectator.

"Young marshal, in three more days we will be able to complete the preparations. When the time comes, we will launch a full-scale counterattack. Lieutenant General Shi Tianhan said excitedly.

After three days, sixteen of the twenty infantry divisions that the Northern Army was preparing to dispatch were able to reach the front. The last four are being mobilized. But even so, the sixteen infantry divisions have nearly 300,000 people, which is enough to fight a large-scale war with the Beiyang Army.

"Well, let's do it according to the battle plan you've drawn up." Wu Haoxuan nodded, and did not interfere with Shi Tianhan's battle plan.

This time, the counterattack of the northern army divided the troops into two routes, all the way from Shanhaiguan, defeated the enemy in front of them, and then advanced to Yanjing City. The other way is from Zhangjiakou and directly attacks Yanjing City. Among them, in order to annihilate the Beiyang Army in 15 towns in Shanhaiguan, the Northern Army deployed 10 infantry divisions, 3 heavy artillery brigades and 3 cavalry brigades here, with a total strength of more than 230,000 people. As for Zhangjiakou, there are only 6 infantry divisions, 1 heavy artillery brigade and 2 cavalry brigades, with a total strength of 130,000 troops.

On the Shanhaiguan front, the attack of the Beiyang Army on the positions of the Northern Army continued. Although, the Beiyang Army had already suffered heavy losses in the face of the sharp firepower of the Northern Army. But Feng Guozhang still refused to admit defeat, and was still urging the Beiyang Army to launch a fierce attack.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Your Majesty's order has been issued, requiring us to take Shanhaiguan within five days. The traitors of the Northern Army have declared war on us, and we have no way out. If you want to be prosperous and rich, and you must win this battle. Feng Guozhang's eyes were red, as if he was a gambler who had lost a bet.

"Chief of Staff, the firepower of the Northern Army is too strong, and everyone is watching the attack of the brothers these days. It's not that we don't work hard, but the gap between the two sides is too big! Wang Zhanyuan, the commander of the second town, said with a cold face. His second town also participated in an attack, but after that attack, he directly lost more than 2,000 people, which made him feel distressed to death.

"Yes, yes! The machine gun fire of the Northern Army is too fierce, and they also have a very fast rate of fire, which I heard from foreigners what to call a mortar. Our artillery has been completely disabled, and it is undoubtedly a fool's dream to take Shanhaiguan without sufficient artillery cover. "It was Yang Shande, the commander of the Fourth Town, who spoke. His Fourth Town, the first unit to attack Shanhaiguan, had been completely crippled. There were more than 12,000 people in the town, and now only half of them remain. This also made Yang Shande dissatisfied with Feng Guozhang.

These generals of the Beiyang Army are completely warlords. The reason why they can have their current status is inseparable from the army under their command. If their strength is damaged, this will also greatly affect their position. Under such circumstances, these generals naturally refused to fight desperately.

"Are you planning to disobey Your Majesty's orders? How many heads do you have? Feng Guozhang said with a dark face.

The generals had no choice but to remain silent and not say a word. As we all know, it is estimated that it will be very difficult to take Shanhaiguan. In such a situation, Feng Guozhang probably also wants to find a scapegoat. If they don't cooperate, aren't they taking the initiative to hand over the handle to the other party?

"Humph! Since everyone has no objections, then, starting tomorrow, a full-scale offensive will begin! I believe that after our offensive these days, the Northern Army has reached the end of its strength, and as long as everyone works harder, the final victory will be ours. "Feng Guozhang wants to cheer everyone on. But he found that it didn't work at all.

The attack of the Beiyang Army on Shanhaiguan was simply futile. Their attack was nothing more than leaving corpses in one place and consuming the ammunition of the Northern Army. This did not pose any threat to the Northern Army at all. (To be continued......)

PS: The third update is here, asking for subscriptions, monthly passes and recommended tickets! Thank you for the reward of Ray in the silence of the book friend! Thank you for the destruction of the book friends, the thunder in the silence, and the occasional confused monthly pass!