That night, Li Yuanhong organized a military meeting to study and make arrangements for tomorrow's "battle situation."

The situation is obvious, the Southern Army, as the attacker, must tear through the defenses of the Northern Army on the left flank, otherwise the exercise will be considered a loss. However, the course of today's exercise proved that the main force of the 15th Association of the Eighth Town had nothing to do with Cao Kun's 1st Mixed Association, which relied on the villages to build trenches in the Liangshuijing area. Both attacks were judged to have failed, with the loss of more than 400 men. According to the rules, these 400 people will not be able to participate in tomorrow's exercise.

Zhang Biao's advocacy of turning the attack back to the right flank (east flank) was obviously a bad idea. Not to mention that it is very difficult to change the deployment, the most important thing is that the right flank is facing the elite soldiers of Duan Qirui's Third Town and Fifth Association! Even if you turn back one more standard, you may not be able to break the fifth association!

After consideration, Li Yuanhong decided to transfer back the two infantry battalions of the 21st Association allocated to the left flank overnight to strengthen the strength of the right flank and ensure that the right flank would not collapse. Then the Shandong Army, which was used as a reserve, was transferred to the step mark, and replaced the 30th standard, which had suffered serious "casualties" during the attack on Cao Kun's position at noon today, and even if Cao Kun's position could not be opened, it could still attract the main force of Cao Kun's 1st Mixed Association, and free up 30 bids to replace the 29th standard, and use the 29th standard as a roundabout detachment to make a more far-reaching detour, and strive to defeat Cao Kun's department by flanking the method.

Li Yuanhong's decision was supported by Zhang Biao, so the order for the Shandong Army was issued. At the same time, the plan was reported to Feng Guozhang, the chief judge of the Southern Army.

Ye Yanbing didn't say anything after accepting the task, and immediately organized the officers to go to the front to see the terrain.

At the same time that the Southern Army adjusted its deployment overnight, Liangshui Well. Cao Kun ushered in Wang Shizhen, the commander of the Military Orders Department of the Military Training Department.

Wang Shizhen is a Beiyang senior citizen, and he was Yuan Shikai's main assistant when he was training at a small station, and he won the reputation of the first of the three heroes of the new army. But later, he obviously suffered some kind of setback, and he lagged behind Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang in his career. Duan and Feng took up the position of commander when the six towns of Beiyang were formed, and in Cao Kun's opinion, being in charge of a town's male soldiers was better than managing a military commander who was not in charge of the training office! Moreover, the official reform brewing by the imperial court is about to become clear, and it is known that the military department of Ludao will definitely be abolished, and the Central Military Training Department, which is subordinate to the military department and has undertaken the reorganization of the new army, has completed its mission. No one can tell.

Cao Kun Zhilu said. The reason why Wang Pingqing "fell out of favor" with Yuan Shikai was mainly because he fell into the hands of thieves when he entered the Mengshan army a few years ago, of course, Wang Shizhen has always had a good impression of Long Qian's subordinates later. Otherwise, how can you explain that you have repeatedly failed to Long Qian, but you are still trusted and reused by Lord Yuan?

Cao Kun welcomed Wang Shizhen's arrival. The situation of the day's "fighting" is described in detail. There is confidence in the victory of tomorrow's "battle".

"Zhong Shan, the Shandong soldiers didn't show up today, and they may have to face it tomorrow." Wang Shizhen got straight to the point. "I really want to see the strength of the fifth town, but I'm a little worried."

"Maybe not on my side. Even if they come up tomorrow, it's not a big deal, isn't it just a standard? "Cao Kun has always been broad-minded and fat, and he has long forgotten about the defeat of six years ago.

"It's not that simple." Wang Shizhen took a sip of tea, the tea leaves were very poor, there was a musty smell, Wang Shizhen, who has always been particular about eating and not getting tired of eating, swallowed the tea in his mouth hard, but refused to drink it anymore, "Zhong Shan, do you see the mystery of Zhangde's this time?" ”

"Isn't it just that those people don't like Lord Yuan? Want to talk about it? Not so easy, right? The parade decides life and death, and you can't talk nonsense with your eyes open. Cao Kun immediately thought that the two-day drill really can't be said to be biased in the military parade, and the judgment of victory or defeat is basically realistic.

That's pretty much what it means. However, Tie Liang's intention to hope for the victory of the Southern Army was undisguised, and he did not have the words to praise Zhang Xiangshuai's good military training. Although he received a cold reception from Yuan Shikai, Wang Shizhen thought that he was still in the Beiyang lineage, and there were no eggs under the nest, and Yuan Shikai was the backbone of Beiyang, "This battle cannot be lost." I'm not worried about Li Yuanhong, in terms of the ability to lead troops, he is not as good as Duan Zhiquan, but it is different for Shandong soldiers to join the Southern Army. It is said that Long Qian did not come this time, but sent his general Zhou Yi, I have seen this person, and I can't say what special impression I have. But since Long Qian is relaxed and lying high in Jinan, he will have a chance of winning. Zhong Shan should not be taken lightly. ”

"Don't think about them too much, today's Beiyang is not the original." Cao Kun said in a loud voice.

"If it was the elite of the soldiers, I would have thought that Beiyang six years ago was the elite soldiers of the United States, but Long Qian's subordinates were a rabble! Now that the twilight of Beiyang has been born, Long Qian is fierce in Shandong, which is not comparable to the past, and it is said that he will not fall behind in the competition with the German army! I'm worried. Zhong Shan, in my opinion, Long Qian's talent is by no means under Lord Yuan, if you talk about the fierce rival of Beiyang, it is not in the court, nor in the two lakes, but in Shandong! But Weiting always stared at the court situation, obsessed with political improvement and presided over the cabinet, which is false! Remembering that he had made a statement to Yuan Shikai more than once, hoping that he would try to transfer Long Qian from Shandong to the center for a vacant post, Yuan Shikai always didn't care, and he didn't feel at a loss.

These words aroused Cao Kun's ambition, "Why do you need to grow the ambition of others? Let's see Cao San frustrate the arrogance of the Shandong army tomorrow! ”

"Okay, I'll see." Wang Shizhen nodded, the general should not be in battle, it is a good thing that Cao Kun has this confidence.

The next day, Wang Shizhen had breakfast in Cao Kun's army, and did not go to the command post of the Northern Army, but stayed in Cao Kun's department, he was a member of the military parade led by Xu Shichang, because of his old qualifications and respectful status, and no one gave him a formal task, and there was a large group of young staff officers who acted as magistrates to determine the victory.

The exercise officially started at 8 o'clock, and it was still the main attack of the Southern Army and the main defense of the Northern Army.

Wang Shizhen found the inquisition office on a high ground in the south of Liangshuijing Village, and several staff officers with armbands wrapped around their arms had already spread out the map, and according to the data of the relevant troops and firepower reported by the Southern Army, they made a judgment on the effect of attack and defense. Several of the magistrates were all graduates of the Martial Arts Academy, and they looked familiar but couldn't name them, but those staff officers knew Wang Shizhen, the head of the three heroes of the New Army, and hurriedly found a chair for Wang Shizhen. Binoculars were handed so that the old chief could observe the battle.

"Has the deployment of the Southern Army arrived?" Wang Shizhen didn't sit down and asked.

"Here." Someone took the map, which was already marked with the number of the attacking force of the Southern Army, "The 19th Standard of the Fifth Town of Shandong took over the main attack, and they transferred ten mountain artillery pieces as a cover for the attack." ”

Wang Shizhen looked at the map, "It's not that enemies don't get together." He felt that it was still a little far away, so he called a staff officer to continue south, found an open spot a mile away, and held a telescope to observe the battle.

The offensive of the Southern Army has already begun.

"Oh. Their formation is strange. The staff officer shouted. They formed two battalions in the first echelon...... Oh, so fast! They aimed at the wings of the First Mixed Association, and no, it was a temptation! They're looking for weaknesses in the defenses! Oh. Is this about to break through? The young staff officer exclaimed.

The 19th Standard Army, which was attacking on both flanks, approached the position. Soldiers crawling forward jumped up and threw grenades.

Cao Kun urgently adjusted his deployment. Troops were transferred from the central defense line of Liangshuijing to counterattack the precarious flanks.

"Idiot!" Wang Shizhen scolded.

Sure enough, the attacker moved from the middle after the opponent's strength was adjusted, and Ye Yanbing suddenly released the two battalions in his hands. Straight to the middle of the first mixed standard.

"Aren't there any reserves?" The staff officer muttered.

In the telescope, Wang Shizhen was amazed by the scattered but orderly offensive formation of the Southern Army, and began to build a fire cover position 200 meters away from the main position of the Northern Army, and set up heavy machine guns. A large number of infantry adopted the tactics of crawling forward and rushed up to the main position with skillful tactical movements.

In the process, the artillery firing of both sides was reported to the Inquisition, which determined the casualties of the attacking troops. After all, it was a drill, and it was impossible to fire real shells.

"Oops! The fire reaction of the Northern Army was slow...... Ah, they're throwing grenades, ah, up! ”

The yellow figure flooded Cao Kun's position like a tide, and the Liangshui Well was breached.

Ye Yanbing decisively invested all the troops of the 19th standard, adopted the tactics of containing the two wings and breaking through the middle, and broke through Cao Kun's first mixed target position with a brave and fast attack.

"Oh, it's real." The staff officer exclaimed. In the telescope, it was clearly seen that the Southern Army had defeated the Northern Army with the butt of its rifle, and the Northern Army was being driven out and a large number of prisoners were out of control.

"Map." Wang Shizhen drank the order.

"After they capture Liangshuijing, they will definitely attack Guocunji, and after they occupy Guocunji, they will let the artillery follow, and the infantry will continue to attack Shilipu, Xiaoying'er and Majiazhuang, so that Cao Kun's defense line will be broken through. The Shandong soldiers would attack Cao Kun's artillery first, and after eliminating the threat of artillery fire, they calmly turned westward and flanked the second mixed target, so as to join the 15th Association of the Southern Army, so that the Northern Army would lose...... Fast! Kuaima informed Cao Kun that he would immediately abandon Guocunji and shrink his troops to a line of twenty miles! Wang Shizhen forgot his identity and shouted at the young staff officer who followed him.

"My lord, this is not in accordance with the rules......" the staff officer muttered.

Yes, that's not in order. They are magistrates who are only responsible for determining the outcome of the battle, and cannot take sides.

"Go!" Wang Shizhen was furious.

The staff officer saluted and ran to the back.

Wang Shizhen returned to the inquisition just now and found that Tie Liang was already there, he was the chief referee of the Northern Army, but his face was light, and he was not at all concerned about the unfavorable battle situation of the First Mixed Association, "Ah, Mr. Pingqing, I didn't expect that the Shandong soldiers would defeat Cao Zhongshan in one attack." What was the loss of the Shandong Army just now? ”

"One hundred and fifty." A middle-aged officer reports.

"Very good, that is to say, the strength of the Shandong army is still there. Let's continue to see how Cao Kun saves the situation. ”

Cao Kun's reaction was not slow, he abandoned Liangshuijing, quickly concentrated his troops in Guocunji, and artillery fire began to block the open area between Liangshuijing and Guocunji.

"That's pretty much it." Tie Liang saw the adjustment of the Northern Army, "Mr. Pingqing, you are a senior citizen in the army, do you think the Shandong soldiers will attack Guocunji next?" ”

"I only know that if Zhou Yi's troops continue to attack, the loss will not be one or two hundred." Wang Shizhen put his mind at ease.

In this direction, the artillery of the Northern Army is absolutely superior, and as long as the infantry artillery is effectively coordinated, it will be difficult for the 19th Standard to continue to succeed.

The next battle was beyond Wang Shizhen's expectations, the 19th standard did not continue to attack Guocunji after occupying Liangshuijing, but left a battalion to start digging trenches to hold on, the main force turned to the northeast, and a large number of infantry marched quickly from not far in front of their observation post, and rushed towards the east flank of Guocunji.

"What are they doing here?" Tie Liang asked in surprise.

Ye Yanbing flashed out of the queue that ran in, "I've seen Lord Shilang in my humble position. "Two years ago, the Fifth Town was formed, and Ye Yanbing saw Tie Liang who tested the Fifth Town.

"You are?" Wang Shizhen couldn't remember the name of this handsome officer all of a sudden.

"The nineteenth standard of the fifth town of the inferior post is Ye Yanbing."

"It turned out to be Ye Biaotong! This official Tieliang, let's talk about it, let Guo Cunji not fight, what does this mean? ”

"Humbly judged that the general headquarters of the Northern Army was in Tieshuzhuang, fifteen miles northeast. Map! A staff officer had already handed over the map, and Ye Yanbing took a breath, "The lowly plan is to use the strength of one battalion to contain Cao Kun's headquarters, and the three battalions of the main force of this standard plus the directly subordinate detachment will directly attack Tieshuzhuang and paralyze its headquarters. ”

"Ah, how do you know the location of the Northern Army Headquarters?" Tie Liang asked in surprise.

Ye Yanbing smiled, "Will you find out right away?" The military situation is urgent, and I can't stay longer. Saying that, he saluted Tieliang and Wang Shizhen, and ran quickly towards the north.

"Ha Luha, Duan Zhiquan is going to suffer. Don't be a prisoner of the Southern Army, right? That's a big joke. Tie Liang gloated a little.

Tieshuzhuang is indeed the location of the headquarters of the Northern Army. From Guocunji to Tieshuzhuang, there was no obstruction by the strong troops of the Northern Army along the way......

"My lord, this is not in accordance with the rules." Wang Shizhen said urgently.

"How is it out of order? Who said that the Southern Army couldn't fight Tieshuzhuang? Who made Cao Kun and Duan Qirui set up like this? Tie Liang said coldly, "Follow up and see what they do next." ”

"My lord, this move of the Southern Army is a good move. But Cao Kun would not sit idly by and watch the Southern Army cross his line. The middle-aged officer said calmly.

"It's kind of interesting, it's what it looks like." Tie Liang seemed to be satisfied with the progress of the battle.

"The cool water well should not be lost all at once, otherwise there would be no current situation." The middle-aged officer continued to analyze.

The next situation surprised Wang Shizhen and Tie Liang.

After Ye Yanbing's main force was intercepted by the flank fire of the Northern Army, he left two battalions and all the heavy firepower to build fortifications on the spot to counterattack Cao Kun's main force gathered near Guocunji, and led a battalion to attack Tieshuzhuang directly. In a hurry, Cao Kun waved his army to attack the temporary blocking position set up by the 19th Standard, but more than a dozen heavy machine guns and quickly constructed skirmish trenches stopped Cao Kun, and Tie Liang personally judged that Cao Kun's two consecutive attacks were invalid, and the situation of the battle took a sharp turn. Two hours later, Tieshuzhuang was occupied by Ye Yanbing, Duan Qirui and the officers of the command post fled from Zhuangzi in a hurry, and the northern army lost its unified command...... Li Yuanhong commanded the 15th Association to attack from Cao Kun's flank, taking advantage of Cao Kun's focus on the Shandong Army to achieve a breakthrough in the center, and successfully broke through the defense of the 2nd Mixed Formation and captured Majiazhuang......

Tie Liang decisively terminated the exercise. (To be continued......)