Just when Yulu was writing the document of the imperial court's great victory in Xigu overnight, in the Tianjin concession, the coalition forces were holding a military meeting, and the host was Russian Lieutenant General Alekseev.

The atmosphere of the meeting was very depressing, because they knew about the war in Xigu. The officers and men of the coalition who escaped from the ambush circle of the Mengshan Army fled back to the Tianjin Concession one after another, bringing back the news that shocked them.

British Colonel Rudy and German Major Borke, who had fled, both attended the extremely oppressive military meeting. As for Seymour's capture, Bork is unclear, and Rudy is also speculating that it should be listed as missing. Those present, including the British consul, preferred that Lieutenant General Seymour had been killed rather than captured.

A coalition army of nearly 2,000 people was wiped out by the Qing army at once? As for the process of the battle in Xigu, because there are surviving coalition soldiers, it is generally clear. The only thing that was exaggerated was the number of Qing troops who participated in the war, and the Westerners were not spared from the "common practice" of exaggerating the strength of their opponents by the vanquished.

What can be confirmed is that this is an armed force that is different from the coalition forces that have already fought each other, not Nie Shicheng's department, let alone Ma Yukun's department, and of course, it can't be Dong Fuxiang's department. Because the opponent controlled the battlefield, they did not have a single prisoner in their hands. As for where the opponent came from, the top of the coalition can only speculate.

The coalition forces guessed the Wuwei Right Army in Shandong, because that force was closest to the Beijing Division. Therefore, before the meeting, the German consul and the British consul sent telegrams to Jiaoao and Weihai respectively, asking whether the right army of Shandong Wuwei had been dispatched? Previously, it was confirmed that Shandong supported the "Southeast Mutual Insurance", and now it seems. The despicable Chinese are simply two-faced.

The defeat of the coalition forces in Xigu deduced another tragic fact, that is, the end of the embassy in Beijing. With such a strong armament in the hands of the Qing court, where could the embassy survive? This, combined with the fact that diplomats from the participating countries were figuring out how to explain the losses that had now been recognized, made the atmosphere extremely depressing.

General Alekseev looked at the table, "Gentlemen, the battle for Xigu is over. Only God can bless General Seymour and his poor men. And the situation in Beijing is even more out of reach. What we need to discuss now is how to reverse the crisis in the Tianjin Concession. ”

The words of the Russian lieutenant general struck a chord with the participants. Indeed, if the situation in Tianjin is not opened, rescue Beijing, rescue Seymour. It's all unrealistic empty words.

So the conversation returned to the situation at hand.

The situation in the concession has not improved. Even if they took advantage of the previous battle with the Qing army, those who should attack were captured, and those who should be defended were held. However, it is still surrounded on three sides, and only the south side is still open. The artillery erected by the Qing army in the racecourse, canal bridge and other places continuously bombarded the concession. Where can the small concession withstand the constant bombardment of artillery? Coalition officers and soldiers. Especially middle and lower-ranking officers and soldiers. There was a strong demand to break the blockade by offensive means, at least to clear those artillery.

At this time, the news of General Seymour's defeat and capture was brought to the news made the high-ranking coalition forces who were worried about the situation panic. Immediately convene a meeting to discuss countermeasures. Because Alekseev had the highest military rank, he was elected as the moderator of the meeting.

The British Major Bruce, who fought desperately against Nie Shicheng's troops and won the respect of the coalition forces the day before yesterday, broke the silence, "We must attack, attack westward, and sweep away those cannons." Then send a force," Bruce looked at his compatriot Colonel Rudy sitting in the corner with disdain, "send a force to rescue General Seymour and the Coalition officers and men who have fallen into the hands of the enemy!" I'm willing to play as a striker again! ”

A lot of people are nodding. Not to agree with all of Major Bruce's advice, but to agree with the first half, attacking and breaking the blockade is the only way to survive. As for rescuing Seymour? God, since it has fallen into the hands of the barbarian Chinese, I am afraid that there will be no life and death.

"Since you are not talking, let me say a few words," the Russian lieutenant general presiding over the meeting stood up, "and the misfortune of General Seymour is our misfortune." We must unite and defeat the Chinese once and for all, otherwise we may have to follow in the footsteps of General Seymour. Breaking the blockade is the first step, however, without taking Tianjin and completely removing the threat behind us, the coalition forces are unable to attack north. This is the minimum of military common sense. He walked to the middle of the local area, "The Chinese have an old saying, called 'capture the thief first captures the king', and among the Qing troops besieging the concession, the most effective one is Nie Shicheng!" We're going to cut him down! ”

After chaotic discussions, the coalition forces unified their understanding and set the time for the attack in the early morning of the 8th.

Tang Shaoyi left Tianjin on the morning of the 7th with Yu Qianzhu with Yu Lu's order, and Nie Shicheng sent twenty cavalry to escort him back to Xigu.

Tang Shaoyi didn't sleep all night last night, staggering on a horse, her mind was a mess and she couldn't tear it out.

For his mission, it is now largely accomplished. The Shandong army made a great success on the battlefield of Jinmen. Just look at the former officers who accompanied him to eat and rest last night, they were very shocked by the strong combat effectiveness of the Shandong Army.

This great achievement must first be recorded in the name of Yuan Shikai. As for the actions of the Mengshan Army in the future, in a sense, it has nothing to do with Yuan Shikai. Whether they fight or not, how they fight, the court will not look for Yuan Shikai again. Unless the Mengshan army rebels.

The Mengshan army will not rebel. Tang Shaoyi firmly believes this. If they want to rebel, why should they go to Tianjin to fight the foreigners? If he had doubts about the way he and the Mengshan Army propagandized the soldiers, now, Tang Shaoyi is convinced that Long Qian really thinks and does that.

That is, for the sake of this suffering country, for the suffering of the nation.

Only by leaving the motherland and setting foot on a foreign land can we truly understand the meaning of the country and the nation. Tang Shaoyi went abroad as a young child, lived abroad for many years, returned to China after completing his studies, and his understanding of the nation and the country is really deeper than that of the vast majority of Chinese.

Long Qian voluntarily returned to China to serve, and Tang Shaoyi fully understood. Tang Shaoyi had no doubt that Long Qian was a returned overseas Chinese from the United States. His English, his knowledge of American society, that is a story that cannot be made up. Regarding Long Qian's pre-war mobilization, Tang Shaoyi's words are still in his ears. He fully understood the meaning of Long Qian's speech, and fully understood the significance of Long Qian's repeated emphasis on catching more prisoners of the coalition forces. Only those who can fight can make peace. Long Qian, like himself, had no hope of winning this absurd war at all. What he hoped for was for the imperial court to end this doomed war with dignity. He captured the prisoners of the coalition forces in order to give the imperial court more leverage in the aftermath. That's why he attaches so much importance to Seymour and repeatedly emphasizes that he is optimistic about this person.

Yulu was also particularly interested in the Allied captives, especially Seymour. But Tang Shaoyi believes that Yulu's interest comes from inviting credit to the imperial court, and Long Qian's purpose is completely different!

Even Yuan Shikai did not talk about the country and the nation so thoroughly like Long Qian! Tang Shaoyi recalled the bits and pieces of his relationship with Long Qian. The scope of the conversation between the two was wide. The degree is very deep, which makes Tang Shaoyi feel like a confidant. When negotiating in Zhangqian Village, it may be because of this that he agreed to be the supervisor.

Does the Mengshan army, which has experienced a bloody battle, still have the ability to fight again? If transferred to Tianjin. It will undoubtedly be put into the most critical battlefield by Yulu. Long Qian shouldn't be able to hide. But. If there is another bloody battle like Xigu, even if Long Qian defeats the coalition army again, how much will the Mengshan army be left? Tang Shaoyi remembered the team officer who wanted to see Long Qian before he died, but he was speechless. The officers and soldiers of the Mengshan Army were different from any army he had ever seen, and Tang Shaoyi was deeply moved by the affection between Long Qian and his subordinates like brothers. If he fights again, how many brothers will Long Qian lose who respect and love him?

Unconsciously, Tang Shaoyi stood in the position of Mengshan Army, although he didn't realize it at all.

The cavalry sent by Nie Shicheng was very familiar with the road, and he didn't need his guidance at all. The leader of the team was a standard battalion staff officer, named Jiang Yiliu, who did not go directly to the stronghold, but asked Tang Shaoyi, where did you fight that battle?

Tang Shaoyi pointed to the southeast, "It's at least twenty miles away from here." ”

"Then it's a good thing that Senator Tang will take us to see it." Jiang Yiliu's eyes flashed with cunning, "The military gate said that your army's earth-shattering achievements are admired. Senator Tang can give us this opportunity. ”

"It's fine." Tang Shaoyi said lightly. He turned his horse's head and headed southeast.

An hour later, Tang Shaoyi finally found the battlefield the day before yesterday, "This is it." Look at it. ”

The cavalry reined in their horses, their faces became solemn, and then, Jiang Yiliu took the lead, everyone jumped off their horses, only Tang Shaoyi was still sitting on the horse, "Not far from there, there is a small river, the Mengshan army blocked the coalition army on the other side of the river, and their main strength rushed up from this side." ”

"Mengshan Army?" Jiang Yiliu asked suspiciously.

"Oh, it's our Qinwang detachment."

"The battlefield is cleaned up enough." A cavalryman looked at the black blood on the ground.

The position where Tang Shaoyi is standing now is almost the same place where Seymour was captured. Fenning was here, too. But everything was gone, except for the trampled crops, the blood-stained bandages that fluttered in the wind from the treetops, and the occasional bullet casing, including the dead bodies lying on the ground at the time.

"The bodies are all buried over there, I saw it with my own eyes. As for the things, there were a lot of them at that time, and it is estimated that they were taken by the nearby farmers. ”

This is an area of seven or eight miles longitudinally, and Jiang Yiliu confirmed the authenticity of the incident at first sight. No one could fake such a battlefield, and he walked along the bloodstained dirt road, from the middle to the river, and then turned back__

"That area, Commander Long said, is the place of a bloody battle with the Germans. After they broke off, they were very powerful. In this area, many people died in the Mengshan army, all of whom were stabbed to death with bayonets__"

The cavalry looked at Tang Shaoyi's gaze, all respectful, "Senator Tang, let's go to Xigu." led us to meet Long Biaotong, he took revenge for us. We want to thank you in person. ”

Outside the Xigu stronghold, they encountered the mobile sentry of the cavalry company of the Mengshan Army, and after Tang Shaoyi appeared, the cavalry sentry brought Tang Shaoyi, Yu Qianzhu and Jiang Yiliu into the stronghold.

"Mr. Tang's legs are so fast." Jiang Cunxian, the commander of the guard company, said politely to Tang Shaoyi, "These brothers? Xu Gongzhi was promoted to deputy battalion commander in the reorganization before the expedition, and when he arrived at the combat unit, Jiang Cunxian took over as the commander of the guard company.

"They are the military standard battalion in the military gate of Nie Shicheng, escorting me over. Brought the warrant of the Governor of Yuroku. Is the commander there? Take me to him. Tang Shaoyi pondered how to tell Long Qian, and after thinking about it all the way, she still didn't have a score in her heart.

"The commander is in a meeting, you can wait. It just so happens that we are having dinner, everyone come with me, let's pad our stomachs first. ”

Jiang Yiliu clenched his fists and arched his hands, "Thank you." Don't know what to call it? ”

"Oh, his name is Jiang Cunxian, the officer of the guard." Tang Shaoyi was already very familiar with the officers of the Mengshan Army.

Twenty cavalrymen came from the battlefield, and without the slightest arrogance, they followed Jiang Cun to the other side to eat first.

Tang Shaoyi didn't leave, he stayed alone, there is no doubt that the house opposite should be Long Qian's headquarters, two sentries with guns stood straight in front of the door, motionless.

What should I tell him?

"Mr. Tang, why don't I go and inform the commander?" Jiang Cunxian had already folded back.

"No, I'll just wait here. Company Commander Jiang, why don't you go to the meeting? ”

"Oh, the Commander is having a meeting at the highest level. I am not eligible to participate. Jiang Cunxian smiled, revealing a mouthful of snow-white and neat teeth, "Or else?" I'll get you some food. Today's noon is a flatbread stew, even Shubin's kid line, bought a fat pig, and just slaughtered it in the morning. ”

"It's fine." Tang Shaoyi found a place to sit down, feeling hungry.

"Hmm, why didn't Mr. Tang report when he came back?" Ning Shijun came out to take over and saw Tang Shaoyi, who was sitting and eating with Jiang Cunxian.

"It doesn't matter. I won't let him disturb you. Tang Shaoyi put down the bowl and wiped her mouth with her hand.

"The meeting is over, please come in, the commander mentioned you just now. Worried about your safety, the news we inquired about, Tianjin is very chaotic. Come on, go in and eat and have some drinks. Ning Shijun pulled Tang Shaoyi up.

"Thank you, Commander, for your concern." Tang Shaoyi bent down and picked up his big hand, and there was half a bowl of stewed vegetables in it.

Ning Shijun doesn't hate Tang Shaoyi, the prison army. has a status and knowledge that is difficult for ordinary people to reach, but he has no shelf, and he can talk with soldiers.

"Oh, say Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives. Have you had a safe journey, right? Those boys, I slapped you halfway back, and I beat them up. Seeing Tang Shaoyi, Long Qian seemed very happy.

"Thanks to the commander, it's going well." Tang Shaoyi was also very happy.

"Come, sit down. On the wine, let's drink and talk at the same time. Have you seen the Governor? ”

"See." Tang Shaoyi took out Yulu's warrant from his arms.

Long Qian was not in a hurry to take it apart and see, "How is the battle situation in Tianjin?" Hmm, how did you get back? And what about the staff officer? ”

"Nie Shicheng's army sent twenty cavalrymen to escort me back. Yu Qianzhu had dinner with them. ”

"Hey. When the guests came, they didn't let me know. Sit down first, and I'll go and see the brethren of the right army. Long Qian strode out of the room.

Tang Shaoyi saw that there were several senior officers of the Mengshan Army sitting in the room, Lu Shan, Wang Mingyuan, Feng Lun, and Shi Dashou, but he didn't see the most handsome Ye Yanbing battalion commander.

"What about Camp Commander Ye? It doesn't matter if he's hurt, right? ”

"It doesn't matter," Lu Shan said slowly, "the commander sent him to transfer with the wounded and the prisoners in advance. ”

"Transferred the captives? Where did it go? The Tientsinians want you to send Seymour and the allied prisoners there quickly. ”

Lu Shan and Wang Mingyuan glanced at each other, "It's late, the people have already been sent away." (To be continued......)