PS: Today's four watches are completed, ask for subscriptions, ask for monthly passes and recommended tickets!

The Yangtze River Defense Line, originally established after the signing of a peace treaty between the Chinese Empire and the Manchus, was a defense line from Wuchang to Shanghai, on which the Chinese Empire deployed three armies. In addition, within two hundred kilometers of the defensive line, there were three subsequent corps as reserves. This time, all six corps were to be engaged in an attack on the Qing army north of the Yangtze River. In addition to the army, the Yangtze River Fleet, which is subordinate to the navy, will also participate in the offensive. The Yangtze River Fleet is composed of those sail warships that have been decommissioned by the Navy. These sail ships, although they are already in the object of elimination in naval battles. However, in the inland waterways, it still has a very strong combat power. The river fleet has a total of 36 'Shark-class' cruisers, which can be called the largest force on the Yangtze River. It was precisely because of the existence of the Yangtze River Fleet that the Manchu Qing Dynasty had millions of troops and did not dare to cross the Yangtze River south. Otherwise, the Manchu army would have been drowned in the Yangtze River before it had even crossed the Yangtze River.

Wuchang, an important stronghold on the western side of the Yangtze River Defense Line of the Chinese Imperial Army, was also the headquarters of the 5th Army of the Army. Before the declaration of war on the Manchus, the 5th Army, with more than 30,000 troops, had already entered a state of combat readiness. In addition to this, more than 30,000 people of the 3rd Army also entered the attack position, and this time, together with the 5th Army, they will break through the Yangtze River from Wuchang. In addition to these two infantry corps, the heavy artillery unit directly under the General Staff also sent a brigade with a full 120 105mm light howitzers, so that the Imperial army deployed near Wuchang. Attack power is greatly increased!

In addition to the army units, the Yangtze River Fleet, which is part of the Navy, also sent a detachment of 12 'Shark-class' cruisers. It will provide fire support for the entire process of the army's river-crossing operation. From the point of view of artillery superiority, the Chinese Empire has completely occupied the advantage.

Major General Liu Zhongming, deputy director of the Operations Department, was responsible for commanding the battle of crossing the river in Wuchang. Although Zhou Laosi, the commander of the 3rd Army, and Zhao Mingfu, the commander of the 5th Army, are also major generals, they cannot be compared with Major General Liu Zhongming in terms of rank. It is said that after this war. General Niu Meng, chief of the General Staff, retired, and the person who took over as head of the Operations Department at that time was undoubtedly Major General Liu Zhongming. In the future, it is even more likely that he will become the chief of the General Staff. In the Imperial * military system. In addition to the emperor who is high above, the chief of the general staff has the most power. Therefore, no one wants to offend Major General Liu Zhongming, even if he is much older than him. But they are very cooperative with his work. In order to be able to leave a piece of incense.

On the evening of September 25, 1846, the day before the Chinese Empire declared war with the Manchus, Major General Liu Zhongming held a pre-war meeting in the conference room of the military headquarters of the 5th Army in Wuchang. The commanders of the 3rd and 5th armies, the commanders of the brigades below, the commanders of the 2nd heavy artillery brigade, and the commanders of the detachments of the Yangtze River Fleet were all present at the meeting. Everyone knew that the empire's war against the Manchus was about to begin. The time has come for them to make a difference.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I can tell you very clearly. Tomorrow, the empire will declare war on the Manchus, and our war against the Manchus will begin at half past seven tomorrow morning. It's top secret, and I hope you can keep it a secret. Once the news is revealed, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it will be considered treason! Major General Liu Zhongming glanced at the generals in the conference room with stern eyes.

"Yes, General!" Everyone's hearts were tight, but they were very excited. The war was about to begin, and after a few years of silence, it was finally their turn to play again. There is no doubt that the soldiers are eager for war, and it is their greatest sorrow to slowly wear out their vigor in peacetime. Although, they all knew that the Manchus had an army of more than a million, and their weapons and equipment were also replaced with advanced British weapons. However, they believed that, in general, the Qing army simply could not compare with them. The imperial army will definitely be able to defeat the Qing army lightly.

"General Zhao, are all the boats needed to cross the river ready?" Major General Liu Zhongming asked. This section of the Yangtze River in Wuchang is about two kilometers long, and even though the flood season has slowly ended, it is not possible to cross it by manpower.

"General, we've collected thousands of small boats. In addition, the navy has also supported hundreds of landing craft, which is enough for this landing operation! Major General Zhao Mingfu, commander of the 5th Army, said. Because the 5th Army is stationed in Wuchang, the 5th Army is responsible for the preparatory work. This time, the 5th Army will also be the vanguard of the Yangtze River crossing.

Rear Admiral Liu Zhongming nodded, and then looked at Brigadier General Cai Yuanping, commander of the Yangtze River Fleet Detachment. The detachment has 12 'Shark-class' cruisers, which is a total of hundreds of naval guns. The power of naval artillery is much more powerful than that of army artillery. With their support, there would be much less pressure to cross the river. After all, the Qing army in the north has also been strengthening the defense line over the years, and if you cross the river, you will definitely pay a lot of price.

"General Cai, tomorrow's battle across the river will depend on the full support of the navy." Major General Liu Zhongming said.

"General, rest assured, the 2nd Squadron of the Yangtze River Fleet is ready. Tomorrow we will definitely let those guys in the Manchu Qing know that we are awesome! Brigadier General Cai Yuanping said loudly. Although the Yangtze River Fleet is nothing more than a river fleet of the Navy, everyone hopes to be able to return to the sea to fight. However, before the size of the Navy's 1st Fleet and 5th Fleet could not reach so many people, they had to stay honestly in the Yangtze River Fleet. However, there is also news that after the end of this war, the Yangtze River Fleet will be withdrawn. The officers and men of the Yangtze River Fleet will gradually enter service in the 1st Fleet and the 5th Fleet. After all, at that time, China had already been reunified, and the Yangtze River Fleet was useless. As more and more new warships enter service, the Navy also needs a large number of personnel. Compared with re-recruiting new recruits for training, these veterans of the Yangtze River Fleet are undoubtedly more suitable.

"Opposite us is the 9th Army of the Qing Army, with a total of more than 50,000 men. In addition, in Xiangyang to the north, there was also a 12th Army. In other words, in this battle, we will annihilate the two armies of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, with a total of more than 100,000 people. As for the next move, we will wait until we have captured the whole of Hubei before deciding. Major General Liu Zhongming said. After the capture of Hubei, they had a much greater choice, either to go north to the Central Plains, or to go down the river and cooperate with the troops downstream to eliminate the main force of the Qing army. How to do it depends on the development of the war situation and the orders of the headquarters.

"In tomorrow's battle, the 5th Army of the 5th Army will be the first to start, and the whole army is watching you, hoping that you can win!" Major General Liu Zhongming looked at Brigadier General Zheng Benqing, the commander of the 5th Brigade. He was originally the chief of staff of the 5th Brigade, and after Major General Zhao Mingfu became the commander of the 5th Army, he succeeded in order and became the commander of this unit. The 5th Brigade was an old unit of the Imperial Army, and its combat effectiveness was far stronger than that of other units.

"General rest assured, tomorrow our 5th Brigade will definitely cross the Yangtze River!" Brigadier General Zheng Benqing patted his chest and reassured.

Major General Liu Zhongming nodded, and then said, "Then, let's go back and prepare!" Tomorrow, it's time for us to strike the final blow against the Manchus! The time has come to unify China and completely destroy the Manchus! ”

In the early morning of September 26, 1846, the flood waters of the Yangtze River had receded, and the river was slowly returning to its normal state, although the water was still slightly turbid.

The Yangtze River in Wuchang has always been the place where the Chinese Empire confronted the Manchus. Of the three towns of Wuhan, Wuchang was under the control of the Chinese Empire, while Hanyang and Hankou were under the control of the Manchus. It's just that because this is the front line, this central city in the hinterland of Central China has become very depressed. The common people were also worried that if the war resumed, it would become a battlefield, so they basically evacuated from here.

The essence of war is destruction. However, it is not broken or standing. Without destruction, there is no reconstruction. After the complete elimination of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the three towns of Wuhan will undoubtedly return to their former glory.

At 6 o'clock in the morning, the 5th Army of the Imperial Army on the south bank of the Yangtze River was already ready for battle. The soldiers have already begun to eat breakfast in advance, and the three artillery battalions of the 2nd Heavy Artillery Brigade will support the 5th Brigade in this river-crossing operation, and a total of 72 105-mm light howitzers have entered the three artillery positions respectively. In addition, the heavy artillery battalion of the 5th Army also had 24 105-mm light howitzers. Together with the 5th Brigade's 24 75mm field guns, the Army artillery that supported the 5th Brigade reached 120. Not to mention the 12 'Shark-class' cruisers of the 2nd Squadron of the Navy's Yangtze River Fleet have also set sail and begun to cruise on the river.

You must know that the 9th Army of the Qing Army on the opposite side, with a total of more than 50,000 people, has only about 100 cannons. It is far from being comparable to the Chinese Empire. If a war breaks out, one can imagine what the consequences will be.

When the hands on the watch pointed to 7:30 in the morning, Major General Liu Zhongming gave an order, and the 2nd Brigade of the Imperial Army's heavy artillery launched the first attack.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! A sound like thunder sounded on the south bank of the Yangtze River. One after another, the shells flew whistling towards the north of the Yangtze River. At this time, the Qing army on the other side of the Yangtze River did not notice that the war had begun.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! "The artillery shells exploded on the positions of the Qing army on the north bank of the Yangtze River, blowing up the trenches, barbed wire and other fortifications built by the Qing army. As more and more artillery joined it, the Qing army's position on the north bank of the Yangtze River was almost caught in a sea of fire. Many fortifications were destroyed in the artillery fire. (To be continued......)