Boli Front, the first round of rest camp of the 7th Infantry Division of the Chinese Army.

The hazy sky does not contain any sense of warmth, and the thick snow only indicates cruel indifference. The remnants of life rose lazily from the chimneys of the cabins lining the camp, and the sentinels huddled in watchtowers were vaguely watched.

Since the failure of the general offensive on October 12, the Second Field Army's attack on the Boli Fortress has come to a standstill, and the divisions and regiments of the Second Field Army are still closely surrounding the fortress.

Stationed at the first round of rest on this day was the 59th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Brigade, which had lost half of its strength in the general attack on 12 October and had not yet recovered to full strength.

The winter night falls prematurely, and when the faintest glimmer of natural light in the distant sky is swallowed up by the darkness that quietly spreads overhead, the faint light leaking from the thin window grille of the wooden house reflects on the blank snow, emitting a few inexplicable ghostly atmospheres.

Several of the camp's larger wooden huts began to fill with the hustle and bustle, with good food and wine, and good girls—comforting women in cheongsams, Han costumes, kimonos, and Korean skirts.

The music and singing of Peking Opera came from a wooden house with a plaque of "Military Theater" on the door, and from another wooden house opposite, there was a tight Western music and bursts of laughter.

In a sturdy two-story building in the middle of the camp, where the regimental headquarters and officers' club were located, Strauss's waltz swirled and the octagonal horn of the "Chunsheng" clockwork gramophone evaporated into the cold air outside the window at minus 20 degrees Celsius, and through the frost-blurred glass window, red men and women could faintly be seen dancing, and now the best wine and the youngest and most beautiful girls in the camp were gathered.

In the corner of the camp, far away from alcohol and fat powder, several wooden houses with plaques of "Military Study", "Calligraphy Hall", "Martial Arts Hall" and "Chess Hall" stood in the snow deserted, dimly lit and rarely crowded.

People who spend their evenings of leisure time on such serious occasions are hard to find in teams that have just rotated from the front lines, but they are not completely absent.

In the soldier's study, with the doors and windows closed and the curtains closed, several young officers sat around a long, rough table with books scattered, and one of the infantry lieutenants was clenching his fists and making an impassioned speech.

"The Manchu and Han confluence is meaningless, fundamentally change the fact that the current emperor is Manchu, the Manchu people entered China, ravaged hundreds of millions of Han people, Yangzhou ten days, Jiading three massacres, Qi Ke because of a confluence edict and forget! The Han people are hundreds of millions in the world, and the Manchurian people are only hundreds of thousands, and the emperor of the Manchu people can be the emperor of the Great Chinese Empire! The Aixin Jueluo family is not worthy of the throne of the Chinese Empire at all! Even if the edict is told that the Manchu and Han are combined, the full is full, and the Han is the Han, even if you cut off your braids and change your clothes, you can't change it! ”

Another second lieutenant of artillery then shouted: "Since Manchuria invaded the Central Plains, it is known as a Chinese and foreign family, and Manchuria has always been just a barbarian, and is called a dog and sheep, so the so-called people of the Celestial Empire are now all slaves raised by dogs!" ”

One of the older, strong-bodied infantry captains suddenly asked, "Since the Emperor of Manchuria is not worthy of the throne, who is the Emperor?" ”

The infantry lieutenant shouted, "Of course we have to launch a Han family emperor!" ”

Another midshipman warrant officer said: "You can ask the descendants of the Ming royal family to ascend the throne......"

The lieutenant of the first cavalry laughed disdainfully: "What a joke! In the Ming Dynasty, it was rotten, difficult at home and abroad, and the reason of heaven did not exist, so what was the point of restoring sight? Besides, where are you going to find the descendants of the Ming Dynasty royals now? ”

Lieutenant warrant officer said: "If not, who has the right qualifications to ascend the throne?" Or simply abolish the monarchy and replace it with an American republic! ”

The elder infantry captain shook his head and said: "China has a vast territory, a large population, and different customs in various places, and it is not enough to unify the hearts of the people without the Son of Heaven respected by all the people, and if there is no unified Son of Heaven since ancient times, the world will be in chaos, and the people will live in dire straits. ”

The cavalry lieutenant also said: "The United States was originally formed by the voluntary union of thirteen British colonies, and the non-implementation of a republic system is not enough to reflect the principle of voluntariness, which is completely different from our long-standing imperial culture. Although the current Emperor Guangxing follows the trend of the world, takes into account the will of the people, implements a constitutional monarchy, and carries out large-scale reforms, with remarkable results, his heart will be different if he is not of my race......"

The artillery lieutenant interrupted him hurriedly: "Where is this the credit of the emperor!" Everything just depends on the talent and virtue of Wu Weigong! Let's think about it, thirteen years ago, it was the current Wuwei Gong who led a group of people with lofty ideals to help the emperor eliminate the evil of the powerful and the treacherous, widely use the Han people, and then reform the maladministration, follow the example of Europe and Japan and renew, and the country prospered and developed. Eight years ago, it was Wu Weigong who served as the chief of the general staff, strategizing, winning a decisive victory thousands of miles away, defeating the Japanese army, and then landing in Japan and attacking Tokyo, creating the East Asian alliance of China, North Korea, Japan and Liu. Now Wu Wei Gong is the prime minister and the prime minister, presiding over the military affairs of the base camp and the cabinet affairs, and it is rumored that the current emperor has been indulging in wine for many years, not close to state affairs, only caring about draft girls, repairing gardens or novel Western entertainment, extravagant and extravagant, squandering countless times, this kind of emperor, what is the use of staying? It's just a big parasite of society! ”

The cavalry lieutenant wondered, "Is that so?" But didn't the newspapers say that the royal property had been liquidated? He's spending all his own money......"

The infantry lieutenant became emotional: "Where does he have his own money!" All his possessions were taken from us Han Chinese! ”

The elder infantry captain nodded and said, "In my opinion, this emperor will get out of the palace no matter what, and replace him with a son of heaven of the Han family, and the most suitable person for this son of heaven is Lord Liu Yun, Duke of Wuwei." ”

The midshipman hesitated a little: "Isn't that a usurpation of the throne?" ”

The artillery lieutenant retorted: "What about usurpation? Didn't Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang rebel against the Mongol Yuan Dynasty from the body of a subject? It is a great shame for the Han nation to come to dominate China, and anyone who can overthrow the foreign dynasty and revive the Han people's majesty should not be promoted as the emperor! ”

The cavalry lieutenant also spread out a magazine on the table and said: "Speaking of Wuwei Gong, here is an article about Wu Weigong's life experience, his ancestral home is Guilin, Guangxi, most of the whole family was slaughtered in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Rebellion, and he was rescued by his father's close friends, so he went overseas. There is detailed research in it, which proves that his family is a descendant of Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, and it is true that he is an authentic Han person. ”

The infantry lieutenant continued: "I think that Wu Wei Gong has studied both Chinese and foreign studies, has outstanding merits, and has high talents, and is of course a prosperous monarch, but if Wu Wei Gong ascends to the throne of God, he will be limited by the tight constraints of the Constitution, but he will not be able to make great progress, so I think about it, it is better for Wu Wei Gong to stay in the position of prime minister with real power, which is more beneficial to the country!" ”

The artillery lieutenant smiled coldly: "If Wuwei Gong can ascend the throne and become emperor, why is it difficult to change the constitution?" Wu Weigong is a great hero who transforms the country, he is not the emperor, who is still qualified to be? Since he is a great hero and an emperor, he must be a true son of heaven with real power! ”

The elder infantry captain nodded happily and said, "I agree, of course, the Son of Heaven of the Holy Ming must also have the corresponding power, otherwise how can this Holy Ming be manifested?" As for the question of whether their descendants are holy or not, we and other military aspirants who love the country more than their families will naturally make decisions and arrangements, and the military is of course the purest patriotic group, and they will not be swayed by vulgar interests like the chaebol politicians! ”

As he spoke, the captain held a cyan booklet with black borders in his hand, and the title of the book was printed on the cover with a beautiful official script: "Pure Soldier", and four small words on the side: "Blue Sky and Blue".

Everyone was encouraged by the words of the infantry captain, raised their fists and nodded yes.

Suddenly, there was a soothing knock on the door, and the five of them fell silent.

Of course, they knew that topics such as the ones they had just discussed fell into the category of "slandering the emperor" and "conspiracy to cause rebellion," and that they would be deprived of their rank and meritorious service and expelled from the army, or at worst they would be tried by a military court and imprisoned for three or two years.

"Who?"

The older infantry captain asked calmly.

"It's me, Su Dingfang."

The other four, except for the captain of the infantry, were in a commotion when they heard this.

Su Dingfang is the commander of the first battalion of the 59th Regiment, he led his troops to storm the C fortress of Boli Fortress on the night of October 12, and only 6 of the more than 700 people in the battalion survived. His battalion has since been renumbered repeatedly, and has so far reverted to only half of its previous strength.

For the sudden arrival of such a slightly legendary commander, several junior officers involuntarily developed a reflexive sense of vigilance.

"It doesn't matter, he's our comrade, and I crawled back with him from the pile of dead men in front of Fortress C."

The captain calmed the crowd and got up to open the door.

The door opened, and Su Dingfang's low, friendly voice poured into the room along with the cold wind: "Commander Huang, I know that you are here." ”

The elderly infantry captain known as the commander of Huang Company, whose full name was Huang Yongchun, served as the commander of the second company of the first battalion of the 59th Regiment. On the night of October 12, like Su Dingfang, he also became the commander of the light pole company for a time.

Su Dingfang walked to the table, and the young officers hurriedly stood up and saluted.

"Sit down."

Su Dingfang said, pulled over a stool and sat down.

As someone who had greeted death so closely and so profoundly, his face was covered with an irrational element of detachment and persistence, which was enough to make it easy for people in his early thirties to think that he was over forty.

"What are you talking about?"

Su Dingfang lit a cigarette and asked casually.

The young officers bowed their heads and did not answer.

Huang Yongchun sat down beside him and promised: "Regarding the matter of the current emperor, the young people unanimously agree that the Manchus are not worthy of the imperial throne, and they all agree that the Emperor Liu Yun of Wuwei will ascend the throne. ”

"Really? That's a matter of course, but we must not let Wu Weigong be a puppet emperor who is swayed by shameless politicians and despicable chaebols! ”

Huang Yongchun nodded vigorously: "Of course, how can you let those politicians and chaebols continue to fool the people and erode the country!" ”

Su Dingfang let out a cloud of green smoke from his nose, glanced at the four young officers present, and suddenly changed the topic.

"In this study room, there are only three newspapers: "Imperial Daily", "Huawu Express" and "Current Affairs Commentary".

Huang Yongchun paused for a moment, nodded inexplicably, and said, "Yes, I heard that all units of the whole army only distribute these three kinds of newspapers. ”

The Imperial Daily and the Current Affairs Review are both published by the China News Agency, which is controlled by the China People's Party, the core of the current ruling coalition, while the Huawu Express is published by the Army Propaganda Bureau.

"I asked a friend to order a few other newspapers and periodicals, so let's show them now."

As he spoke, Su Dingfang took out a green linen wrap from the inner pocket of his coat, carefully placed it on the table, and after unwrapping it, a stack of newspapers and several magazines were revealed.

"There are many things in this world that we don't know or care little about. Check it out. ”

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what medicine was sold in Su Dingfang's gourd, so they had to take a newspaper and read it.

Huang Yongchun held a copy of "Shiwen Bao", glanced at it a few times, and suddenly stared at a big black headline, and couldn't help but shout: "What, anti-war demonstrations, there is such a thing!" ”

The young officers raised their heads in surprise, their inquiring eyes intertwined on Huang Yongchun's large swarthy face, which remained with several scars of varying scars.

Huang Yongchun lowered his voice and began to read.

The report states the following facts: On December 12, anti-war demonstrations broke out in Shanghai and Guangzhou, with nearly 10,000 people marching in the streets in each place to demand an early end to the war and to protest against Liu Yun's appointment as prime minister as an active-duty soldier. As a result, when the marchers in Shanghai marched to the south exit of the Manufacturing Bureau Road, they clashed with some people with different political views, and the military and police were forced to intervene, using sticks and high-pressure water cannons to disperse the rioters, arresting 317 of them, killing eight people and injuring more than 400 people.

In addition to the above facts, the article also commented in detail on the performance of "the politically different part of the population" and the "military and police who were forced to intervene", who carried sticks and machetes, and brutally beat the unarmed marchers when the procession passed through the intersection and suddenly attacked from three directions, while the police, who maintained order at the scene, retreated to the side and did nothing. When the reinforcements and garrisons arrived, they did not first suppress the rioters with murder weapons, but indiscriminately swept the streets with high-pressure water cannons, and then prioritized the arrest of those who were still holding marching placards, but the real thugs fled from the military and police in full view.

At the end of the article, a sinuous fuse was lit: "Whether there is any incomprehensible relationship between the 'political dissidents' who carried the murder weapon and the military and police who assisted them, and between the above-mentioned people and the acting prime minister Liu Yun, whom the marchers opposed, no one can draw a conclusion." ”

After listening to this sharp article, the young artillery second lieutenant Zhang Zixiang took the case: "Slander! Outright slander! What kind of anti-war demonstrations are simply a farce carefully planned by politicians and chaebols, who want to sensationalize! Those who participated in the march were nothing more than scoundrels lured by money, and it was cheaper for them to be beaten up by the patriotic masses with a loyal spirit! They should all be arrested and sentenced to death for treason! Damn, I'm working hard in front, and those shameless people want to stab us from behind! ”

Su Dingfang raised a hand: "Young man, calm down, let's think about it, who issued this newspaper." ”

Hwang Yong-chun held up the newspaper and replied: "It's the National News Agency, which is known for its opposition to the current government, and is said to be funded by the most active opposition party, the Republic of China Party." ”

Zhang Zixiang, the second lieutenant of the artillery who had just sat down, waved his fist and said indignantly: "It turned out to be Tan Si and the Republic of China Party of that national thief!" The surname Tan must be called democracy, and he despises my Chinese cultural relics in his bones, and everything is based on Western civilization. Nonsense that in order to prevent military personnel from interfering in government affairs, the post of Minister of National Defense should be changed to a purely civilian official, and he also advocates the reduction of the army, the downsizing of the Praetorian Guard, and the concentration of financial resources to cultivate and industrialize the country. Without a strong army, how can we revive our country! Without a strong army, how can you resist the invasion of Yangyi? How to regain lost ground? How to deploy military force in the world and dominate the earth? This person is really the first class thief who should be killed! He was detained in September on suspicion of leaking state secrets and treason, but he was spared by the power of rotten chaebol politicians. ”

Su Dingfang deliberately shook his head and sighed: "Even so, what can we do, let's look at other newspapers and periodicals, corrupt traitorous politicians are demagoguery everywhere, instigating ignorant people, pointing the finger at the army, pointing at Wuweigong, and advocating what 'martial arts interfere in politics, the omen of the country'...... However, those fools in the ruling coalition have done nothing, using 'freedom of speech' as a pretext and allowing their fallacies to confuse the public, which shows that politicians in the world are only interested in fighting for power and profit, and do not know where the country's righteousness lies! ”

Zhang Zixiang's eyes widened angrily: "Even if you fight to the death, you must clean up these scum that has brought disaster to the country and the people!" ”

"That's right! It is necessary to completely wipe out, not only against the leaders of the traitorous parties, but also against those who have ulterior motives in the incompetent ruling coalition! ”

"For the sake of the country, what a pity is this meager life!"

"Even if one person kills one person, one life for another, we can do our best for the country and the people, and we have no regrets in this life!"

Seeing that the young people were so excited, Su Dingfang still shook his head: "Everyone, now that the world is like this, you can only talk about it, and besides, you are still on the battlefield, you can't help yourself, and you don't know when you are about to die." Instead of talking about this kind of ethereal thing, it is better to go to the dance hall and wine hall for a few nights, enjoy the happiness of the world, and then go into battle to kill the enemy, or go to death awe-inspiringly, or happily triumphant, which is the right way to serve the country. ”

The infantry lieutenant said: "If we die in battle for the country, we will have no regrets, if we are happy to triumph and see the politicians and chaebols playing with the country as before, why not do we stand up!" What I just said is all heartfelt words, not just for the sake of the speed of the tongue, please sir! ”

Artillery Second Lieutenant Zhang Zixiang turned his head and said disdainfully: "Forget it, Chief Su has already died for the country once, and now I am afraid that my heart is full of thoughts of retreating and going home to enjoy the joy of family." ”

Huang Yongchun glared at him dissatisfied: "You kid, why do you talk like this!" ”

Su Dingfang raised his hand to stop Huang Yongchun, and his sharp gaze cut under Zhang Zixiang's thick black eyebrows: "Second Lieutenant Zhang Zixiang, the platoon commander of the first mountain artillery platoon, do you think that in addition to dying on the battlefield, it is also a supreme honor for a soldier to die as a criminal in order to eliminate the country's evils?" ”

"As long as you can get rid of the national thieves, even if you become a criminal in the law, you can't hesitate! Do not seek fame and fortune, do not seek vanity, and maintain a noble heart for the country and the people, is a truly pure soldier! ”

Su Dingfang turned to the other three again: "What about you?" What do you think of Lieutenant Lian Zhenyun, deputy company commander of the second company of the division's mounted reconnaissance battalion, second lieutenant Shen Tu, platoon commander of the first platoon of the third company of the first battalion, and warrant officer Wang Da, who was a trainee in the first company of the second battalion? ”

"I agree with Platoon Commander Zhang."

"I think so too."

"Me ...... too"

Su Dingfang's face, which had been disguised as some kind of coated mask, began to reveal a smile with a real texture, and those deliberate vicissitudes of life shattered and peeled off like a mud mold outside the casting, and the sharp, flashing metallic emotion took shape in a dangerous form.

"Actually, recently I got a big guy asking for ......"

Su Dingfang said, observing the reactions of the young people, everyone invariably revealed a strong sense of curiosity and excitement like rodents discovering novel food.

"This big man needs to find a group of young people like you - patriotic, hot-blooded, and willing to sacrifice their lives and even their reputation for the sake of the country."

Zhang Zixiang asked anxiously: "And then?" ”

Even Zhenyun's eyes widened: "That big man—it can't be Wu Weigong himself, right?" ”

"Don't guess! In short, the great man has the same ideals as us, and has a noble, purer and purer military heart than we do, and he needs young people like you...... All I can say for the time being, I hope that you will survive this war and not give up your current beliefs after the war is over, and that you will naturally get the mission you want. ”

After Su Dingfang finished speaking quickly and in a low voice, he stood up, straightened the collar of his coat, and posed as he was ready to leave.

The young people had just been aroused their curiosity, and the Teng vine that led to the truth was cut off so quickly before it could reveal its tender green shoots, of course, everyone was not reconciled.

"Sir, is that all? At least let us know the rank or official position of that great man......"

"Sir, can you really trust that big man?"

"What should this big man have to do with Wu Weigong......

Su Dingfang looked at them coldly, and replied lightly: "You don't want to change careers to become reporters, remember, anything you talk about here today can't be revealed to anyone, if you really want to do big things, keep your mouth shut." ”

Before Su Dingfang opened the door of the study, midshipman Wang Da said timidly: "But...... Sir, what should we do in the future besides keeping it a secret? ”

"Live...... If possible. ”

The door opened, and the cold air of minus 20 degrees Celsius rushed towards the blood-soaked people with pure ice and snow.

December 23, 1903, on the outskirts of Boli, the headquarters of the Second Field Army of the Chinese Army.

The so-called headquarters is nothing more than a two-story small wooden building, which also serves as the residence of the commander of the army, Lieutenant General Xiao Lieri.

In the living room on the first floor, the birch wood in the fireplace burst out with blood-colored firelight, and a green dragon Yunyue knife placed on the unfinished wooden wall fell into the cage of light, and the light and shadow swimming on the blade trembled, as if the soul of the dead under the knife was repeating the endless fear before the body was split in half.

Underneath this awe-inspiring long knife sat its owner, a middle-aged general with a strong face, a tiger's back, and a mustache.

He is Xiao Lieri, a fierce general who is famous for his bravery. The Blue Dragon Moon Knife on his head had accompanied him to the Korean Peninsula, Kyushu Island and Honshu Island, killing no less than 100 enemy officers and soldiers on the battlefield under a rain of bullets, and the white tiger medal of the first class with white gold and diamonds hanging in front of his navy blue military uniform on his left chest proved his honor as the brave of the brave.

However, in Boli, Xiao Lieri's personal martial arts seem to have been ridiculed by reality. His 112,000-strong Second Field Army crossed the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers on 10 September and launched an attack on the 53,000-strong First Army of the Russian Far East, and it took only a month to drive the enemy into the fortress of Boli and surround it to the death. However, in the general offensive of October 12-13, the whole army suffered nearly 10,000 casualties, failed to capture an important stronghold, and was forced to stop the assault due to insufficient supplies, and instead built a large number of fortifications outside the city, gradually tightening the encirclement, and then launching a new round of general offensive after it was replenished. By 15 December, the Second Field Army had only been replenished with 5,000 reservists, and the supplies allocated were only sufficient for daily consumption, and the proposed offensive had no material conditions on which to carry out.

Xiao Lieri spent two months in depression in this way, in addition to military affairs every day, it was to drink and dance with a knife, and the sixty-eight-pound Qinglong Yunyue knife was as light as a straw in his hand, which was jaw-dropping, so "Commander Xiao's Dancing Knife" became one of the favorite pastimes for officers and soldiers near the headquarters.

Today, Xiao Lieri did not drink or dance with a knife.

Today, the generals of the Second Field Army gathered here and are planning the "most rear-end general attack" on the Boli Fortress.

"Everyone also knows that the base camp has recently allocated a large number of supplies and supplemented a group of officers, asking us to speed up the attack on Boli. On our side, the system of forward positions constructed near the fortress has been perfected, and the three 380 heavy guns of the 72nd Special Artillery Battalion have been installed...... In short, the conditions for the second general offensive are ripe, and the purpose of holding a meeting with you today is to discuss the relevant issues of this general offensive. ”

Xiao Lieri said, and raised his chin to the chief of staff beside him, Major General Hu Jingjing, who is known as the "King of Artillery": "Chief of Staff, let's tell everyone about the proposed plan." ”

"Yes. Our army's operational plan is ...... Beginning with a fierce and intensive artillery attack, all artillery above the regimental level will form six artillery groups, equipped to prepare and support fire on the designated attack sector, and artillery below the regimental level will leap forward with the synchronized troops...... The main attack area was between Fortress C and Fortress D through the No. 2 fortifications, and the 90th Brigade of the 7th Division was attached to the main force to carry out the attack...... The date for the launch of the general offensive is tentatively set for December 26. ”

After the plan was announced, Xiao Lieri looked around: "What are your opinions?" ”

Major General Lu Kaiping, commander of the 10th Division, hesitated: "Will you launch an attack in three days?" Is there too little time to prepare? ”

"Is there any difficulty?"

"It will take a lot of time for the division and regiment to plan their operations, as well as to mobilize, reorganize, and deploy the troops, not to mention that the temperature is so low......

Chu Qing, the commander of the Seventh Division, said disdainfully: "Speaking of temperature, it should be much warmer than a few days ago, in fact, Division Commander Lu shouldn't have encountered a problem with ability, right?" ”

Lu Kaiping was annoyed: "What did you say?" Are you saying I'm not worthy of being a teacher? ”

Xiao Lieri patted the table: "Okay, don't be!" Remember, the base camp originally asked us to take the fortress before winter, and now that winter is almost halfway over, it's a shame! This general attack must be taken down for me in one go, and if I can't take it down again, I have to personally carry my big knife up! ”

As he spoke, Xiao Lieri stretched out his big hand covered with calluses and patted the white wax wood blade of the Qinglong Glaive knife on his head.

Lu Kaiping said: "The reason why we haven't been able to organize a general attack again for so long is mainly because the supplies allocated by the base camp are not enough, and the commander doesn't have to blame himself......

"It's again, how can we blame the base camp, if the first general attack completes the task, can we still afford to squat in this ghost place for more than two months? Now is not the time to complain, go back, find the staff officers to do the planning, find the subordinates to do the mobilization, give me a morale boost, go into battle in three days, and smash that glass fortress to a pulp, understand? ”

Chu Qing preemptively responded: "Obey the commander's instructions!" ”

The generals, including Lu Kaiping, had no choice but to be Chu Qing's followers in unison.

Three days later, Xiao Lieri came to an observation post less than two kilometers away from the enemy's forward position, followed by two guards, carrying his long Qinglong Yunyue Knife.

"Put the knife up, I want to see how the enemy can struggle this time, if it doesn't work, Lao Tzu will grab the pole knife and go into battle in person, and cut off the head of the 10,000 cowards with his own hands!"

10,000 cowards, the commander of the defenders of the Russian fortress Ivalov is also.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the clouds and mist were gone, the sun was shining, and more than 500 large and small artillery pieces, including three 380-mm mortars, opened fire fiercely, and shells poured down on the Russian positions like a torrential rain, and within four hours, 160,000 shells fell, and the originally snow-covered ground was soon covered with dense craters.

At 12 o'clock in the afternoon, tens of thousands of Chinese infantry, who had eaten and drunk, jumped out of the starting positions ranging from 200 to 600 yards from the enemy's front line, and launched an assault on the Russian fortresses and bunkers that had swallowed the lives of countless comrades-in-arms.

The 20th Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division was ordered to attack the Russian Army's C Fortress, and the 2nd Battalion of the 59th Regiment of Su Dingfang was among them.

"The time for revenge has come."

Huang Yongchun, the commander of the second company of the second battalion, gritted his teeth and said to Su Dingfang.

"On the premise of completing the task, find a way to survive."

Su Dingfang said, lifting the revolver with red tassels hanging on it with his right hand, grabbed the sentry hanging on his chest with a red cloth strip with his left hand, jumped out of the trench, and led the whole battalion of more than 500 people to charge.

The bullet is coming at you, but no one can see the trajectory of the bullet, and only when the bullet hits the dirt or flesh can the naked eye or the mental end detect it, that is, you can't feel the process, you can only accept the result.

Fear comes and goes.

Thinking that you might be hurt by something you can't see can unconsciously create fear.

As long as you rush to the front, block the source of the bullets, or shoot the enemy with the gun in your hand, then everyone will be safe, and the faster and more accurate the shot, the more difficult it will be for the enemy to aim and shoot...... And then the fear was gone.

This coming and going requires a process, and it needs to be an experience that has really hovered on the line of life and death.

Su Dingfang and Huang Yongchun had undoubtedly completed the process of coming and going in fear, but the young officers and soldiers who had not fought under their command in the past two months clearly lacked relevant experience.

Many people shuddered when the flying bullets and the occasional falling cannonballs showed the blood and cruelty in front of the recruits.

When the company rushed up a steep slope, it was hit by machine-gun fire from the fortress, the leading soldier was killed, the company commander was wounded, and as a result, the whole company of hundreds of men lay on the ground or rolled into the ditch next to it.

When Su Dingfang saw this scene, he became angry, ran to the slope alone, kicked the soldiers lying on the ground with his leather boots, and threw a few people forward, roaring like a mad lion: "Are you here just to lie on the ground and tremble?" Give me up, cowards, garbage, what is there to be afraid of! I'm just standing here, come with me, rush forward with me, look at me, do you want to be shot by your own people? Son of a bitch, get up for me, charge! Follow me! ”

At this time, bullets whizzed past him, and the snow and mud at his feet were splashed by the bullets, but everyone was surprised to see that for two or three minutes the lucky battalion commander stood tall and conspicuous on the slope, and not a single bullet hit him, but a private lying at his feet was shot in the head, and died on the spot.

This astonishment quickly translates into adoration, which in turn transforms into a forward drive that stems from worshipful fear.

The soldiers of the first company jumped up from the ground one after another, and ran forward frantically as if they were being chased by vicious dogs, bullets fluttered on the snow around them, shells exploded behind them in a rushing snow mist, and several people fell, but most of them rushed close to the enemy's bunker with incredible speed, threw grenades to dumb the machine gun, and then flashed their bayonets and rushed into the bunker, killing all the remaining dozen Russian soldiers inside in less than a minute.

At this moment, Su Dingfang had already run to the third company, and almost in the same way, he drove up the third company that was cowering, occupied the enemy bunker, and he was still unharmed!

After the first day of fighting, the 2nd Battalion successfully completed its scheduled mission, occupied several attached bunkers on the east side of Fortress C, destroyed nearly 100 enemies, captured 2 machine guns, and killed only 17 of its own men and wounded 39.

Before the offensive began again the next morning, Su Dingfang's mythical deeds on the battlefield spread to half of the field army.

On December 28, the second general offensive of the 2nd Field Army of the Chinese Army on the fortress of the Russian army in Boli (Khabarovsk) entered the third day.

That night, Lieutenant General Ivalov, commander of the Burley Fortress and commander of the 1st Army in the Far East, came to the basement of the residence, where several people were already sitting around a small square table lit by a dim kerosene lamp, the faint light blurring the faces of the dejected people, so that the atmosphere in the narrow space was not too depressing.

"It's all here, now, let's discuss the future defensive operations of the fortress, Colonel Lebemenkovich, you can summarize today's battle."

Chief of Staff Lebevikomentsi nodded: "Everyone here must have felt the blazing fire of the enemy today, the city has been bombarded, and there is no place to be safe, but today we still hold on." Early this morning, the enemy bombarded Fort C with intensive firepower and launched a surprise attack with heavy troops, and the battalion that had just been replaced last night was almost completely lost by two o'clock in the afternoon, and the five additional companies had also lost more than half of their strength before the sun went down, and now the fortress was almost in ruins, and it was pointless to hold on. In other areas, the enemy also launched a frenzied attack, and the coherent bunker and trench line between Fortress D and Fortification No. 2 were all occupied by the enemy, and contact with Fortification No. 2 had just been lost...... Ten minutes ago, the D-Fortress side also reported that only 177 men were left to fight...... Due to the loss of Fort K and Fort Nerchensk in succession, Fortress B was completely isolated...... Today Petro's Domon Fort and the F battery on the Ivalov Heights have also been lost, and the enemy is already approaching the Old East Gate, that is, the nearest front line is less than two kilometers from here. ”

"How many reserves are left?"

"There are 11 companies left, and all of them are understaffed, with an average of less than 100 personnel per company."

Ivalov frowned: "Order, immediately transfer 4 companies of the reserve to reinforce Fortress D, and send another 3 companies to the old East Gate, as for Fortress B and Fortification 2, send liaison officers to find a way to get in touch with ...... Colonel, have you counted the losses of the past three days? ”

"More than 4,300 people were killed or missing, and nearly 9,000 were wounded. In other words, in addition to the old and new wounded, there were less than 20,000 officers and soldiers left in the fortress who could still fight. ”

"Today's enemy shelling of the city also caused more than 2,000 civilian casualties......"

Wiped tears from his tears in a handkerchief, the mayor of Khabarovsk (Boli) said that a few minutes ago he learned that two of his relatives wounded by the shell had died in the hospital.

The fat head of the Khabarovsk Governor, Lithrgly, lowered his shoulders and made a look of despair: "There can be no future if it goes on like this, the enemy's advantages are too obvious, and we will soon be destroyed!" ”

Ivalov threw him a contemptuous look: "It's your heart that has been destroyed, Your Excellency. ”

Liturg raised his head, and tears seemed to well-appear in the corners of his eyes: "General, don't you want to think about the innocent civilians in the city at all?" The enemy has already begun to shell the city, I have seen the streets that have been bombarded, it is so miserable, the houses are reduced to rubble, the mutilated bodies of women and children are mixed in, do you not have any pity? Have mercy on you, God bless you. ”

Ivalov smiled coldly: "Your Excellency, let me remind you that I have the sacred mission of guarding this fortress for His Majesty the Tsar, and nothing can interfere with this most important mission. Also, don't try to touch anyone with your cheap tears, I know what you're thinking, you're just worried that your ill-gotten gains will be blown to powder by enemy fire, when did you really care about those poor civilians? If you really have a conscience, you should take out the food and dried vegetables you have hidden and give relief to the citizens, instead of pretending to squeeze out a few meaningless tears here. ”

Litrgli's face was red and white, and his heart was burning with ruthlessness, he did not speak, but he had already made up his mind.

He set his hopeful eyes on Major General Varostov, deputy commander of the fortified defense zone and commander of the 2nd Far Eastern Division, a wealthy fanatic who smelled like him.

Recently, Lizrgor has changed the object of tribute, and has begun to pay tribute to Varostov, including gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, and rare furs, which have flowed into Varostov's name under the pretext of birthdays, name days, Christmas, etc., but Varostov is the deputy commander after all, and unless Ivalov is finished, the tribute to Varostov will be as meaningless as if it were in vain.

"Now it's time for the investment to show its results."

Littrigli thought viciously.

Ivalov received a lot of benefits from Lizergli before and after the outbreak of the war, and Lizlgli was full of hope that Ivalov could protect the large amount of property he had looted everywhere at a critical moment, but after the war, Ivalov realized the dignity of his general and rejected Lizergli's proposal for conditional surrender, for which Lizrgli had long held a grudge.

At this time, Ivalov exposed Liturgli's hypocrisy and greed so clearly in front of everyone, which was tantamount to shattering Liturgli's glass container containing the evil heart of the femme fatale.

Litrgli sat there silently, and when the meeting was over, he invited Varostov to his house for dinner.

"It's a great honor to be invited by the district governor."

Varostov said with a smile, and he intuitively felt that fortune had come.

The two of them walked through a messy street to the palatial district mayor's residence, where the main building, though fortunately not hit by a shell, had been damaged in several places.

Liturgli instructed the servant to bring the food and wine to the basement, invited Varostov to sit in the basement, went back to the room and fetched a large suitcase, hurried to the basement, and opened the lid in front of Varostov.

Varostov's eyes lit up - a whole suitcase of gold rubles!

"It's ......"

"Fifty thousand gold rubles, all yours."

Varostov emotionally stroked the gold coin and widened his eyes: "This...... How can I afford it. ”

Litrgli whispered to him: "I have prepared another fifty thousand gold rubles, if you are willing to do me a favor." ”

Varostov didn't take his eyes off the gold coins at all, and shook his neck in response: "Please say it, as long as I can do it." ”

"Negotiate surrender with the Chinese army on the condition of protecting private property."

Varostov shook his head, but still refused to take his eyes off the gold coin: "What? Surrender? This...... It's not something I can decide, I'm just the deputy commander......"

"You'll be able to decide soon."

Varostov turned his head and stared at Litirgli in surprise: "What did you say?" What do you mean......"

Liturgli lowered his face: "General, you have also seen that it is impossible for the fortress to hold on any longer, I still remember that more than two months ago, you proposed to His Excellency the Commander to negotiate a truce with the Chinese army, and the situation now should be much worse than two months ago, the fortress may be breached at any time, and at that time, my property may be lost in the chaos, and you and your family will also be in danger of life, even if it is only for ourselves, you should make the right decision." ”

"Think for yourself...... That's a matter of course, but how do we do it? ”

Liturgli crooked the corners of his mouth and smiled fiercely: "It's very simple, just now the commander said that tomorrow you will go to the front line of the old east gate to inspect, and tomorrow, the unfortunate General Ivalov will be killed by enemy fire, you will replace him as the commander, and then start negotiations with the enemy, that's all." ”

"You mean...... Reveal to the enemy the information of the commander's inspection of the front line......"

"In fact, one of the deserters leaked the news, and then the deserter mysteriously disappeared, so that everything has nothing to do with us."

Varostov took a deep breath, grabbed a handful of gold coins, nodded vigorously, and said, "Anyway, it will definitely be defeated...... So be it. However, General Karem is also a die-hard, so what if he doesn't listen to me then? ”

Major General Karem was the commander of the 1st Division in the Far East, an old man who acted steadily and was quite influential among the officers and men of the 1st Division.

"The old east gate is the defense area of the First Division, if the commander goes there, the dead old man of Karem will definitely accompany him according to etiquette, let them die together...... If Karem doesn't go by chance, then find a way to make a sudden explosion around him, and then blame it on an accident or enemy fire. ”

Varostov grabbed the gold coin and threw it back, smiling a little intoxicated: "Just do it, do it, Your Excellency the District Governor is full of wisdom in his head......"

The next day, the front line of the old east gate of the Russian army was unusually calm, at noon, Lieutenant General Ivalov came to the city wall to observe the enemy situation, the commander of the first division, Major General Karem, heard the news and rushed to accompany him, the two were pointing out the situation under the city behind the sandbag bunker, and suddenly countless shells fell like hail and bombed, the two generals could not dodge, both were killed, the fierce shelling lasted for a whole hour, and after the shelling was over, the bodies of the two were almost turned into pulp, The soldiers who collected the corpses were only identified by the pure wool material of the general's uniform left on their bodies.

Three days later, on New Year's Day 1904, the successor commander of the fortress, Major General Varostov, announced the surrender of all the defenders of the Khabarovsk fortress to the Chinese siege forces.

36,947 Russian officers and soldiers, including nearly 20,000 wounded and sick, were taken prisoner. Although Russian officers and soldiers spontaneously destroyed weapons, ammunition and other supplies after the surrender was announced, the Chinese army finally captured the remaining 107 artillery pieces, 19 machine guns, more than 10,000 shells of various shells, and flour in the munitions warehouse that could be eaten by 40,000 people for eight months.

In the second general attack of the Chinese army, a total of 4,563 people were killed and more than 11,000 wounded.

Three years later, retired General Varostov died of injuries sustained in a fall from his horse while inspecting a newly purchased estate.

Five years later, the former governor of the Khabarovsk district, Lithorgli, committed suicide after the bankruptcy of a textile factory he started.