At the headquarters of the Northern Expeditionary Army in Wuhan, Pei Gejin said with great interest: "Commander-in-chief, Li Tianxiang has taken the French position in Baiyun Mountain, and the French army's defense line has begun to waver, and we have opened a passive situation. "I want to know their combat jihua?" Deng Zixuan asked. Pei Ge replied: "At present, the French army has deployed heavy troops behind Baiyun Mountain, and it is estimated that reinforcements will also come up, so they decided to launch an attack from Baiyun Mountain to the old Heiling on the east side. ”

Deng Zixuan nodded and said: "There is no problem in fighting, but breaking through the defense line of Tongbai Mountain like this is bound to delay time." How about we take Heights 155 on the right side of Old Black Ridge? Deng Zixuan asked heuristically. 155 Heights is not important for the old black-collar position! Pei Gejin was confused, but he didn't know that Deng Zixuan suddenly became interested in 155 Heights. Deng Zixuan continued: "This highland doesn't seem to be important, but to occupy this highland, you can send troops to make a detour to Tongbai County." Pei Ge looked at the sand table and clapped his hands fiercely: "If the attack on Tongbai County is successful, we will tear a bigger hole in the central defense line, and the French army's Tongbai Mountain defense line will collapse, which is too wonderful This risk is worth taking." ”

This kung fu Chen Jintang walked in with a happy face and said, "Good news commander-in-chief! "The situation of the West Route Corps and the capital has been reported?" Deng Zixuan pricked up his ears and stared wide-eyed. "He Meng, deputy commander of the Western Route Corps, led the grassland column and completely annihilated the three cavalry divisions of the Russian army in Ulanqab. Leng Yifei led the Taihang Corps and successfully broke through the defense line of the Qing army's Taihang Mountain, and most of the four divisions of the Qing army were annihilated. At present, Leng Yifei is leading the department to encircle Shijiazhuang. "Leng Yifei played beautifully!" Pei Gejin couldn't help but applaud loudly.

Deng Zixuan didn't squeak, he was waiting for the following, because the capital was related to the entire battle situation. Chen Jintang naturally knew what Deng Zixuan needed most and continued: "The seizure of the capital is very smooth, the Empress Dowager Cixi, Emperor Guangxu, including the princes and ministers have all been captured, and they are currently under house arrest in the Forbidden City. The 20,000 people of the Eight Banners Army in the outer and inner cities were wiped out. Just one day before the operation, the commander of the coalition forces, McMahon, led the main generals of the headquarters to Tianjin, and as for his sudden visit to Tianjin, it had already been clarified that he had made a secret appointment with the Japanese prime minister. McMahon was lucky to escape. It is a pity that McMahon ran away. ”

Deng Zixuan stood up and said excitedly when he heard this: "It's a beautiful job, although we didn't capture McMahon alive, but we knocked out the coalition headquarters." The most important thing is that the coalition forces in various places do not know the situation in the capital, and the coalition forces have lost effective command in a short period of time, and our goal has been achieved. The success of the operation in Beijing created the conditions for our coalition forces to encircle and annihilate Henan. I see that the plan we have just studied can be implemented. Immediately telegraphed Li Tianxiang to quickly take the 155 heights of Laoheiling, and quickly divided his troops to penetrate Tongbai County. ”

After a day of fierce fighting, the provisional 3rd Division bravely took the 155th Heights of Laoheiling, and the defending French troops were partially wiped out, partially retreated, and fled. In the evening, a detachment marched quickly in the darkness of night. Li Tianxiang stood on the side of the road and said to the commander of the 6th Division: "In order to speed up the breakthrough of the defense line of Tongbai Mountain, you must arrive at Tongbai County tomorrow morning. Then take Tongbai County to create conditions for me to comprehensively break through the defense line of Tongbai Mountain. "Please rest assured that the deputy commander will resolutely complete the task!" Li Tianxiang returned the military salute and watched the army leave.

In the headquarters of the French army in the Tang River, an officer reported in a panic: "Report to the general, the 155 heights of Laoheiling have been lost!" Bergany did not appear to be alarmed when he heard this. The chief of staff said: "Your Excellency, the 155 heights are not the main points, and the Northern Expeditionary Army does not launch an attack on the 152, 153, and 171 heights of Laoheiling, which is very abnormal." Bergni said: "The Northern Expeditionary Army is not a fool, and naturally chooses mountains that are easy to capture. Order the main position of Lao Heiling to defend stubbornly, as long as we survive this time, the offensive of the Northern Expeditionary Army will be exhausted, and we must hold on,"

Bergeny, including his generals, did not think about the safety of Tongbai County at all. Because it is impossible to go straight to Tongbai County from the 155 heights, because the front of the 155 heights is a cliff and cannot be passed through. If the troops were interspersed with detours, they had to go around to the east and pass through the junction of the French and Japanese forces. As the saying goes: soldiers are impermanent, water is impermanent, and there are also masters within the coalition army. At this time, the commander of the Watanabe Division of the Japanese Army, who served as the commander of the Eastern Defense Assistance, was looking at the map and pondering.

"The Northern Expeditionary Army launched a fierce attack on the 155 heights of Laoheiling, which was easy to attack and difficult to defend. However, the Northern Expeditionary Army took the 155th Heights, which did not pose much threat to the main position of Laoheiling. The commander of the Northern Expeditionary Army could not have made such a low-level mistake. The chief of staff of the Japanese army analyzed with a solemn face. Watanabe didn't say anything, his eyes were on the 155 heights, and he thought in his heart that the Northern Expeditionary Army was by no means targeted, and there must be a bigger attempt.

Watanabe's eyes followed the winding valley on the northeast side of the 155 Heights, and suddenly saw Tongbai County, and his heart couldn't help but be shocked: "It's not good, the Northern Expeditionary Army must have adopted the usual methods, and the target is Tongbai County in a roundabout way." The Northern Expeditionary Army took the 155 Heights for exactly this purpose. If the Northern Expeditionary Army takes Tongbai County, the central defense line will tear open, and then the entire defense line will collapse. There is no doubt that the target of the Northern Expeditionary Army must be Tongbai County. ”

Watanabe said decisively: "Immediately send someone to inform the French army headquarters, order the reserve brigade to be dispatched urgently, and intercept the Northern Expeditionary Army at Rabbit Ridge!" "The Japanese army immediately mobilized reserves and went to the rabbit to intercept it. In the dark night, the 6th Division of the Northern Expeditionary Army marched rapidly in the valley, and the peaks on both sides were ghostly and hideous. Before midnight, the Japanese troops were the first to rush to Rabbit Ridge and began to build field fortifications. The Japanese soldiers waited for work, and the officers and men of the 6th Division were unaware.

"What's up ahead?" The commander of the 6th Division sent out an inquiry. "Report to the division commander, the guide said that there is Rabbit Ridge ahead. Climb over the rabbit collar and still 20 kilometers away from Tongbai County. An operations staff officer replied. Order the troops to speed up, cross the Rabbit Ridge, and reach Tongbai County tomorrow morning. "The forward unit of the 6th Division is about a company of spearheads, and they reach the foot of the rabbit leader." Attention all, seize Rabbit Ridge! "The company commander gave the order, and the soldiers dispersed their lines and advanced.

Suddenly, gunshots rang out on the mountain, and a dense rain of bullets swept in front of you. The spearhead company received a sudden blow and reacted quickly. However, the fire on the opposite side was too dense, and more than half of the casualties were inflicted within a few minutes. The spearhead retreated in embarrassment. The advancing troops suddenly stopped, "What's the matter, weishenme shooting in front?" The commander of the 6th division was taken aback. Soon an officer came running from the front, "Report to the division commander, the forward troops are being blocked in the rabbit territory!" ”

"Order the Forward Brigade to quickly take Rabbit Ridge!" The commander of the 6th division heard that his head was big. "Division commander, apparently the French have discovered our attempt! Listen to the sound of gunfire at least one regiment of blocking troops! "The chief of staff is equally anxious. The commander of the 6th division did not squeak, the gunfire in front was more intensive, in which the continuous fire of heavy machine guns was very striking. Soon the explosion of grenades was heard, apparently thrown by the enemy.

An hour later, the forward brigade commander ran back angrily and reported: "Division commander, it's a Japanese army, about the strength of a brigade. Both of our attacks were repulsed, and it was difficult to achieve an attack without artillery support. The commander of the 6th Division felt that Jihua, who was rushing to Tongbai County, was disappointed and said: "Send someone to notify the headquarters immediately!" Your forward brigade continues to attack. ”

The East is gradually turning white. Headquarters of the Watanabe Division of the Japanese Army. "Report to the division commander, the blocking force really found the attack force of the Northern Expeditionary Army in Rabbit Ridge, and the strength is about one division!" "Your Excellency, your judgment is very accurate, and the commander of the French army is afraid that you will be awarded a cross." Watanabe sneered: "The fighters are coming, this division of the Northern Expeditionary Army has entered the dead ground, and the terrain is too favorable for us." I want to eat this Northern Expeditionary Army, order the reserve brigade to contact the French army on the west side, stick to Rabbit Ridge, and order the Kawashima Division to transfer troops to block the Northern Expeditionary Army at the first-line peak. ”

"The Kawashima Brigade is responsible for defending the Kameyama position, and the Kameyama position will be empty if most of the troops are deployed." The chief of staff said with some concern. Watanabe sneered: "By the time the Northern Expeditionary Army comes to its senses, we will have ended the battle." The Laigu Division in the east was notified to send troops to assist in the defense. "At this moment, Watanabe is very ambitious, and it is such a glory to be able to eat a reorganized division of the Northern Expeditionary Army, and he wants to take the lead in the coalition army, so that Western countries can see the majesty of the soldiers of the Great Japanese Empire.

The sun had risen high, and the attack on Rabbit Ridge was still fruitless. At this time, gunfire suddenly broke out on the southwest side of the valley, and the commander of the 6th Division, including the generals, was taken aback. Soon an officer in the rear ran up panting, "Report to the division commander, the follow-up troops exchanged fire with the Japanese troops on the first line, and the strength of the Japanese troops is unknown." The chief of staff panicked and said: "The Japanese army is blocked in the first line, our retreat is blocked, it seems that the enemy is completely prepared, and we are in a desperate situation." ”

"Division commander, we must take the first line of heaven, otherwise we will be wiped out." One of the operational staff officers lost his voice. "The terrain is even more dangerous, and it is impossible to capture at all." The commander of the 6th Division decisively issued an order: "Immediately seize the hills on both sides and wait for reinforcements." He knew very well in his heart that at this moment, he could only stick to and wait for reinforcements, because the entire army had entered a dead state, not to mention the troops of more than 10,000 people, but the troops had not developed at all, and they could only wait for reinforcements.

The French army headquarters in the Don River was overjoyed, and Commander Bergoni swept away the gloom of the past few days and said: "Our ally, the commander of the Watanabe Division, is a real soldier, and his keen eyes shame us, and I will give him a cross badge." The soldiers were quick and ordered the 8th Guards Division to press from the west, telling Watanabe not to attack in a hurry, and that I would let the artillery fire blow up this daring Northern Expeditionary Army to powder. ”

The chief of staff also said excitedly: "Thank God, if we can eat a reorganized division of the Northern Expeditionary Army, it will definitely be a big shock to morale." But we must also be careful to prevent the onslaught of the Northern Expeditionary Army, and at the same time to prevent reinforcements from the Northern Expeditionary Army. Bergoni smiled: "You can look at the terrain anywhere, the art of war says that it is a dead place, a dead place with wings and difficult to fly." No matter how strong the Northern Expeditionary Army was, it could not escape. It was impossible for the Northern Expeditionary Army to come to the rescue. The first line of heaven is only a few tens of meters wide, and if the Northern Expeditionary Army wants to escape, it can only use the dead corpse Pulu. ”

Bergoni was right, the 6th Division was indeed in a desperate situation. What's even more terrifying is that at noon that day, Li Tianxiang received a report from the commander of the 6th Division, but he thought that the sneak attack on Tongbai County had failed. He didn't realize that the 6th Division was encircled because the coalition forces were not strong enough, but he thought about how terrible the terrain was.

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