At about 3 o'clock in the morning, a Northern Expeditionary Army unit quietly appeared about 5 kilometers east of Xianyang. The east had just revealed the whiteness of the fish's belly, and the wilderness was still dark. Due to the rainy season in July, the Wei River in the north swells like a silver belt flowing eastward. "Report to the brigade commander, we arrived at the designated position," said one of the operational staff officers. The brigade commander said decisively: "Order the troops to deploy quickly and send reconnaissance cavalry to guard the direction of Xi'an."

This brigade commander, surnamed Zhang Anhui, was a cadet of the second phase of the Shanghai Military Academy. The headquarters was repeatedly part of the 121st Brigade of the 41st Division of Lu Changlin, and Brigade Commander Zhang accepted Lu Changlin's order to lead the headquarters to return to the east side of Xianyang, with the purpose of preventing the Qing army from escaping in the direction of Xi'an. After the troops were deployed, it was already dawn, and suddenly several war horses came running from the east side. Several war horses came to the front quickly, and the first platoon commander rolled the saddle and dismounted. "Report to the brigade commander, Russian troops have been found 5 kilometers ahead!"

"Russian troops? How many troops are there? The brigade commander asked in surprise. It is estimated that it is a large group of people, and there is no edge in sight. The reconnaissance platoon commander affirmed. Brigade commander, could it be that the Russian army discovered our intentions and sent reinforcements? The combat staff officer was surprised. Impossible, it seems that Commander Leng has occupied Chang'an County, and the Russian army is fleeing when he hears the news, but the Russian army's escape to the west is surprising. Quickly sent people to report to the division commander and ordered the troops to build fortifications on the spot and prepare for battle. ”

The Northern Expeditionary Army quickly began to build trench fortifications, and this time the troops went out of the Qinling Mountains, and each soldier of the Western Route Corps was equipped with a shovel, which was specially tailored for field warfare. The soldiers sweated profusely, and soon the trenches were dug waist-deep. The figure of the Russian army appeared on this kung fu road. Sure enough, the Russian army brigade really couldn't see the edge at a glance. What's even more strange is that the Russian soldiers have a large bag on their bodies, and they don't look like a fighting unit at all.

"Brigade commander, what's going on with the Russian army, it's not like coming to fight at all, it's like marching. Look at the big bags and small wraps on them, it is obvious that they are retreating. A staff officer muttered with a telescope. Damn, these brutes must have carried out a large-scale robbery in Xi'an before retreating, and the people of Xi'an suffered. Seeing this scene, Brigade Commander Zhang was angry and continued: "Put the Russian army closer, give me a hard beating." ”

When the vanguard of the Russian army entered a distance of seventy or eighty meters, a dense rain of bullets swept away head-on. The Russian army was not prepared at all, and a field of Russian soldiers fell on the main road, and packages were dropped all over the ground. The Russian army was stunned by the sudden blow, and the Russian army on the road retreated back in chaos. At this time, General Alexander was riding a tall horse. The sudden burst of gunfire in front of him startled: "What's going on, what's going on?" Alexander snapped.

After a while, a flying horse arrived in front of him, "Your Excellency, the forward troops have been blocked by the Northern Expeditionary Army. "Impossible, how can there be a Northern Expeditionary Army in this direction, if there is a Northern Expeditionary Army, the governor of the Qing court would have reported it a long time ago." The Chief of Staff of the Russian Army was not convinced. "It must be the interception of a small force of the Northern Expeditionary Army, and the forward troops are ordered to immediately launch an attack to break through the interception of the Northern Expeditionary Army. It seems that the Northern Expeditionary Army already knows that we are retreating westward, and we must speed up the retreat. "If Alexander immediately chose to retreat to Xi'an City and use the tall city walls to resist stubbornly, he might be able to resist ten days and a half months, but he missed the opportunity.

Half an hour later, the Russian army scattered its troops and launched an offensive along both sides of the main road. Due to a mistake in judgment, the Russian army did not commit artillery units, but ordered the forward troops to attack immediately. Although the Russian soldiers were brave and fearless, they had tougher opponents. In the face of the Russian army's group charge, the soldiers of the Northern Expeditionary Army did not miss a bullet, and the Russian soldiers fell on the charging road from time to time.

The Russian soldiers did not care about casualties and went forward one after another. Entering the range of the grenade, the soldiers began to throw grenades, and the violent explosion was difficult for the Russian army to parry, leaving a large number of corpses and retreating. An hour later, "Report to Your Excellency, Your Excellency, that about a brigade of troops of the Northern Expeditionary Army was blocked head-on, and the charge of two regiments of our army was repulsed. When Alexander heard this, he was furious and said: "Order the artillery troops into battle, send a brigade to launch a series of attacks!" Soon the Russian artillery began to bombard, and repeated attacks began.

After the blockade began, a strange scene appeared. Hearing the sound of gunfire on the east side, the Qing army in Xianyang was taken aback. On the east gate tower, the governor Wang Shiqi climbed the city tower. "Your Excellency the Governor, it seems that a fierce battle broke out between the Northern Expeditionary Army and the Russian army in front, it seems that the Russian army is here to reinforce, do we send troops!" One of his subordinates said happily. "Stupid, the Northern Expeditionary Army must have been divided into two routes, indicating that a large army came from the Meridian Road, and the Russian army could not retreat to the east, so it fled to the west. The Russians did not expect to encounter the Northern Expeditionary Army on my doorstep, and this is retribution. Pass my orders, whoever dares to send troops without authorization, military law will be engaged. ”

After Wang Shiqi finished speaking, he picked up the binoculars to check, and the Russian artillery began to bombard, and the dust from the explosion in front of him covered the sky. "My lord, the artillery fire of the Russian army is so fierce, I'm afraid the Northern Expeditionary Army can't resist it." Wang Shiqi didn't squeak, this opportunity is too rare, you can witness how the two sides fight, and who is stronger. At the moment, no matter which side wins, he can choose, Wang Shiqi has to wait and see. Frankly speaking, out of hatred for the Russian army, for some reason, his heart was more inclined to the victory of the Northern Expeditionary Army. After all, they are the same descendants of Yan and Huang, soaked in their bones.

The Russian artillery fire stopped, and the fierce attack began again, and the dense gunfire began to burst again. Wang Shiqi put down the binoculars and sighed: "Have you seen it, they all say that the Northern Expeditionary Army is strong, and seeing is believing, this is strong." If you were faced with such terrible artillery fire, I am afraid that you would have collapsed long ago. When the subordinates heard this, they had to admit that this was the truth. The fierce battle continued, and the Russian army's offensive was wave after wave, and Wang Shiqi, including all the people on the city wall, couldn't help but start worrying about the Northern Expeditionary Army. They don't understand in their hearts, is it difficult for the Northern Expeditionary Army to have such a small number of troops?

Division commander Lu Changlin received a report in the east of the city, and immediately sent someone to report to the deputy commander He Meng, and then informed the 122nd Brigade in the north of Xianyang to quickly send reinforcements to the east of the city. And Lu Changlin himself led the 123rd Brigade from the south of the city to the east of the city to reinforce the city. At this time, the fierce fighting of the 121 Brigade became more intense, and the Russian army seemed to be playing with its life. It has been a fierce battle for nearly two hours, and the Russian army has continuously thrown troops into the attack, and the battle situation is even more dangerous.

By noon, the 121 Brigade had lost more than half. Another round of offensive of the Russian army was launched. Hand-to-hand fighting broke out in many positions, and the situation was critical. Brigade Commander Zhang threw in all the reserves, and even the lightly wounded went into battle. I don't know how long it took, but Brigade Commander Zhang looked up from the dust and found that the guards beside him had been killed. The fierce battle was still going on, and suddenly two Russian soldiers jumped into the trench, Brigade Commander Zhang raised two guns, knocked down the Russian soldiers, and then picked up a rifle and shouted: "Brothers, the time has come to test us, follow me and never let the Russian army cross the position one step." At this moment of crisis, the sound of military trumpets came from behind, and a large number of Northern Expeditionary Army figures appeared. When the reinforcements arrived, Brigade Commander Zhang sat weakly on the ground.

On the tower of the Xianyang City Gate, everyone almost looked stupid. Such a fierce battle is almost unheard of and unseen. They knew in their hearts that the fierce battle had broken out in the morning, and the Northern Expeditionary Army might not be able to hold on. When everyone was nervous, there was a loud military trumpet, and I don't know who shouted: "Look! Reinforcements from the Northern Expeditionary Army! I saw a large number of Northern Expeditionary troops appear in the south of the city, and suddenly the Qing soldiers on the city wall let out a cheer. Wang Shiqi let out a long breath, he knew in his heart what he was going to do next.

He Meng was overjoyed to receive Lu Changlin's report in Meixian County: "Order the 48th Division to follow up quickly, support the 41st Division as quickly as possible, order the 49th Division to outflank it in the south, and order the artillery units to speed up their advance." The operational staff officer was a little worried: "Deputy commander, there is no room for optimism, if Wang Shiqi sends troops, it will be troublesome." "Even if Wang Shiqi sent troops and Lu Changlin suffered heavy losses, the Russian army would not be able to escape. The Russian army fled westward, indicating that Commander Leng had occupied Chang'an County and divided his forces to capture Weinan. The Russians misjudged and did not expect to hit the muzzle of my gun. ”

He Meng continued: "Lu Changlin's blocking of the Russian army shows that Wang Shiqi, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, has already expressed his attitude, and this person is a doctor with a conscience, we can rest assured." Now the only option for the Russian army is to retreat to Xi'an and hold on to the city. We're going to leave right away, and I'm going to meet Wang Shiqi in person. Immediately send someone to send a letter to Wang Shiqi. In fact, He Meng also miscalculated, and it is impossible for the Russian army to return to Xi'an. The situation simply changed too fast, and in an instant, the Russian army was in a desperate situation. But He Meng didn't know.

At night, the Russian army stopped the offensive, and in the face of the Northern Expeditionary Army, Alexander reluctantly stopped the attack. "Your Excellency General, we have made a mistake in judgment, it is obvious that the Northern Expeditionary Army is sending troops from two directions and retreating westward. At present, the only route of our retreat is in the north, but the Wei River is blocking it in the north, and it is now the rainy season when the river is swollen, and it is very difficult to cross the river. The chief of staff said with a pale face.

"Your Excellency, I think that if you immediately withdraw to Xi'an to hold on to the city and wait for reinforcements, Marshal McMahon will definitely be able to rescue us if he knows our situation." A subordinate advised. Alexander smiled bitterly and said: "It is the best policy to retreat to Xi'an, you may have forgotten that we have lived happily in Xi'an for three days, and the people in the city hate us to the core." If we retreat into the city and hold on, do you know what will happen if the Northern Expeditionary Army comes to attack the city? "The subordinates don't squeak anymore.

Alexander calmly continued: "The situation is very critical, we will make preparations with both hands, and send a brigade to cross the Wei River north tonight, control the crossing point and create conditions for our army to cross the Wei River north." Another regiment was sent back to defend Xi'an, and if the north crossing of the Wei River was unsuccessful, we would withdraw to Xi'an and hold on, of course, this would be the worst outcome. Alexander did not expect that the worst outcome would be more terrible than that.

It was late at night, and in Xianyang City, Governor Wang Shiqi was still trapped in the atmosphere of the day, and it was difficult to sleep. Through the atrocities of the Russian army and the strength of the Northern Expeditionary Army, he completely lost confidence in the Qing court, and thus strengthened his idea of defecting to the Northern Expeditionary Army. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door: "The governor has beaten someone, there is an emergency report!" The door opened, and a subordinate hurried in.

"What emergency?" "Report to your lord, the deputy commander of the Western Route Corps of the Northern Expeditionary Army calls himself He Meng and gives you a letter." Wang Shiqi was shocked, and hurriedly took the letter to check it. "Gather everyone right now, I'm going to announce a big decision!" Wang Shiqi quickly changed his clothes and hurriedly walked outside.