In the army, the order is an order, and there are not so many reasons. Although many soldiers were unwilling to do so, they obediently removed the grenade hanging around their waists and handed it over, and then followed the trench in an orderly manner into the designated position.

Lin Mazi waved and called platoon leader Gu Changyou aside, "It's normal to be nervous before the war, but the atmosphere is too depressing and dull. I have to find a way to relieve their tension. You are also a veteran, don't you need to teach me, right?"

"I understand. Company Commander." Gu Changyou hurriedly said.

"Let the squad leaders of each squad to comfort them, especially the new recruits..." Before Lin Mazi finished speaking, he looked up and saw the battalion commander Zhang Xiaohong coming over quickly and hurriedly greet him, "Battery Commander--."

Zhang Xiaohong said with concern: "I'll come and see, how about it? Is the morale okay?"

Lin Mazi quickly saluted and said loudly: "Report to the battalion commander, morale is like rainbow!"

Nodded slightly, Zhang Xiaohong said: "This is one of the rare big battles, and it is also the first battle between us and the Four-Nation Alliance. We must show our might!"

"Don't worry, battalion commander!" Lin Mazi quickly said loudly: "I will guarantee that I will not lose my face in our second battalion!"

Soon, Lin Mazi understood why the battalion commander said it was a rare big formation. Looking through the grass, he could not help but gasp. He was afraid there would be a fierce battle today.

On the river surface, on the deck of the flagship "Provie", Erjin looked at the Humen Fort in front and was speechless. The commander of the fleet stationed in East India and China, Xima Gelli, led the fleet to bombard Humen. He knew very well that although it was only tentative, no auxiliary ship stepped forward and was sunk without touching it, which forced him to pay great attention to the Humen Fortress, which is known as the "No. 1 fortress in the Far East".

However, even though he knew that the Humen Fort was a tough guy, he had to bite the bullet and fight. Without breaking the Humen Fort, the huge fleet could not go up the river. Without the support of the fleet, attacking Guangzhou was just a joke.

On the river surface, the huge fleet has been slowly divided into three parts according to the plan. Jiangxin is the main battleship preparing to attack the Humen Fort, and the river banks on both sides are covering the landing of the troops. For attacking the Humen Fort, they have been deduced countless times. The best way is to log in and encircle and attack on the water and land!

At Jingyuan Fortress, Maitingzhang slowly put down the telescope in his hand, and he was a little suspicious and contented in his heart. The coalition was landing from the abandoned Shajiao Fortress and the Dajiao Fortress respectively. Not only were there many troops, but there were also a large number of artillery. No matter how you look at it, it didn't seem like a tentative attack. This was completely a stance to capture Humen in one go.

"Military Gate." General Jin Jingrong pointed at the Humen Waterway Entrance, "They are cleaning up the Jiaomen Waterway Entrance."

"This battle is probably a bit mysterious." Deputy General Tang Shengzhi said softly: "There are too many warships on the other side. Once you go up the Jiaomen Waterway and attack it from land and water, the Yuanqi New Army on the west bank may not be able to defend it. If the West Bank's turret is not guaranteed... the cross-bar turret cannot be defended, where has the Nanyang Navy fleet gone?"

Maitingzhang slowly lit a cigar and said slowly: "Hundreds of fire ships are prepared on the waterways on both sides, so there is no need to worry."

Sand Cape, from Sand Cape, the French and Spanish Army were landing, and the commander was French Army Major General Montauban. Because of the artillery suppression and support of warships, Montauban did not care about the landing at all. Facts have proved that the Qing army had no intention of blocking their landing.

Although he did not encounter any obstacles, Montauban remained vigilant enough and ordered his troops to search and advance in a fan shape after landing. He knew very well that it was impossible for the Qing army to be without defense on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

On the hillside position on the east side of Ya Niangsai Island, the company commander Lin Mazi unconsciously wiped the sweat from his hands on his pants. Looking at a team of more than a dozen cavalry searching for the advancing foreign soldiers, he knew that he could not hide it anymore. Seeing that the other party was getting closer and closer, less than 100 meters, he could no longer hold back and shouted: "Battle!"

"Bang bang bang" Amid the sound of gunfire, more than a dozen patrol cavalrymen didn't even have the chance to react, and they were beaten down immediately.

Hearing gunshots came from the northwest direction, Montauban, standing on the abandoned turret, quickly raised his telescope. At this moment, sporadic gunshots came from the direction of the Bighorn turret on the opposite shore.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Erkin, who was on the flagship "Provie", received a report that the Qing army built a large defensive position on both the east and west sides to defend the Humen Fort. The fortifications were complete and the defense was strictly prepared. The troops of the defensive positions on both sides were about 6,700 to 10,000.

The Qing army was prepared for their roundabout encirclement and land attack tactics, and they were very prepared for it. They would not fight this battle? He immediately hesitated and glanced at Bao Ling. He said in a deep voice: "Is there a 50,000 yuan new army in Guangzhou?"

"It's at least 50,000, which is unquestionable." Bao Ling said with a firm tone. There are many merchants in Guangzhou and smugglers who maintain very close ties with Hong Kong. It is really not difficult for him to understand the number of Yuan Qi's troops in Guangzhou.

Seeing Erjin's attitude seemed a little shaken, Rear Admiral Hebu said, "Your Excellency, the Humen Fort is not unbreakable. We have nearly 300 warships..."

"I understand." Erjin said: "The loss of thirty or fifty warships is enough to break through the Humen Fort, and then what? The fleet dares to go up the river to attack Guangzhou? Do you know where the main fleet of the Qing Navy is?"

He Bu quickly shut up after hearing this. God knows where the main force of the Qing Navy is. If the main force of their fleet dares to go to Guangzhou and is attacked by the Qing Dynasty on land and water to retake the Humen Fort, then the entire fleet is in danger of being wiped out!

After hesitating for a while, Bao Ling tentatively said, "Isn't it necessary to withdraw the troops?"

"Order Montauban to build a position in the corner of Sand and pose for a long-term attack." Erkin said slowly.

Bao Ling didn't say anything. He knew that this might be the best choice. If you put forward such a big battle and withdraw your troops, you may be unstable in the morale of the army. After all, they are the four-nation coalition forces, and it is not possible to attack strongly. The Qing army has a complete defensive position. If you attack strongly, there will definitely be heavy casualties. Building a position and posing for a long-term attack should be the most advantageous.

After hesitating for a while, He Bu said, "The area of ​​Dajiao is too narrow to deploy more troops, but Shajiao can deploy more troops..."

"Deploy more troops? How much? Yuanqi has at least 50,000 troops in Guangzhou." Erjin glanced at him, "I don't want to fight a battle in Guangzhou that is inconclusive and has heavy casualties, it's not worth it!"

He Bu said with confusion: "Then why not just withdraw to Hong Kong?"

"Two purposes." Erjin said: "First, take this opportunity to integrate the army. The Qing army is very powerful. Our army cannot fight on their own, and must integrate it. Second, it creates tension in Guangzhou, and induces the Qing Dynasty to draw more troops from Shanghai to reinforce Guangzhou."

On the top of the mountain, from the telescope, the coalition forces were evacuated from the Dajiao Fort and started to build positions in the sand corner. Yi Zhizu's mouth smiled. As expected, he found that they had a strong defense and even saved tentative attacks.

Zhao Wenlie said in confusion: "Is the enemy adjusting the attack direction?"

"This is to find a way out by yourself." Yi Zhizu said and looked at Yan Yangtian. "During this period, the two armies confront each other, and small-scale firefighting will occur. We must avoid exposing new equipment, otherwise we will be afraid that they will not even dare to attack Tianjin!"

Yan Yangtian hurriedly said, "I understand."

On the way down the mountain, Zhao Wenlie took the time to ask: "Hong Kong's cable telegram has been cut off. The coalition forces cannot obtain external information. Will it destroy the plan?"

After hearing this, Yi Zhizu slowed down, "Hong Kong's cable telegram must be cut off, otherwise it will cause the other party to suspicion. Moreover, they should have obtained the information they should have been issued during the period when the telegram is opened. In addition, they can also obtain the information they want... It should be said that it is the information we want them to obtain."

In the twelfth month, the Four-Nation Alliance and the New Yuan Qi Army in the Humen area seemed to be conducting positional war confrontation exercises. Both sides continued to increase their troops, but they could build and expand their respective positional defense fortifications from time to time. From time to time, they also fired several shots and fired several guns. Tens of thousands of troops fought against each other. In a month, the casualties of both sides did not exceed three digits, which was really strange.

In fact, Yuan Qi had no intention of attacking the coalition forces, and the coalition forces had no intention of launching a large-scale attack. Both sides had no tacit understanding to kill time, waiting for the northern waters to thaw after the beginning of spring.

However, the information collected from various channels learned that Yuan Qi was gathering more and more troops in Guangzhou, and the coalition generals such as Erjin were all over the place. For them, this was undoubtedly the best news. They tried every means to draw troops from Shanghai to reinforce Guangzhou.

Guangzhou only has railways to Changsha, and tens of thousands of troops travel from Changsha to Jiangning. Even if there are enough ships, it will take at least one month. And half a month to travel from Guangzhou to Tianjin. The more troops Guangzhou gathers, the more beneficial it will be for them to attack Tianjin!

After the Spring Festival and the fourth day of the lunar month, Yi Zhizu left Guangzhou to take a train to Changsha. This was a railway line that was only opened last year. Even when the Taiping Army occupied Hunan, the construction of this railway was not greatly affected. After all, Yuan Qi and the Taiping Army also had business dealings secretly, and the Taiping Army did not refuse the completion of this railway.

When he arrived at Liling County, Changsha Prefecture, Yi Zhizu got off the car. The guards accompanied him were carrying war horses. He rushed straight to Pingxiang. Originally, he was a little confused. He heard that the destination was Pingxiang, so he realized and smiled and said, "Is the big shopkeeper so worried, and you want to come and have a look in person?"

Yi Zhizu did not deny it, and said, "This is not a trivial matter. Come and see it yourself, and you will have a clear idea."

From Liling to Nanchang, then take a boat from Nanchang along the Gan River and go down the river through Poyang Lake and into Jiangning, the Yangtze River. This is the best path that Yi Zhizu thought of. From Liling to Nanchang, the way through Pingxiang, Yichun and Xinyu is 700 miles long. The prosperous road along the way is easy to supply. The army can reach it in seven days.

Since this idea came up last year, he ordered the prefectures and counties along the way to organize the people's power to urgently widen the post road, requiring the width to reach 12 meters. Because it was Yuan Qi's allocated silver and Yi Qun's order to satisfy the order of the Southeast King. No local officials in the prefectures and counties dared to neglect, and they all worked hard to get appreciated.

After leaving Liling City and embarking on the post road, Zhao Wenlie was deeply moved. Although it was still a dirt road, it was very flat. He couldn't help but smile and said, "It seems a bit too wasteful just for a march, right?"

"Where is a waste? This post road will be a highway afterwards!" Yi Zhizu said: "Hui Fu cannot only see the English railway, but also the English highway..."

"Highway?" Zhao Wenlie was stunned and said, "What is the significance of this highway?"

Yi Zhizu smiled, "Of course it is to promote commerce and put on asphalt in the future..."

"Put the oil?" Zhao Wenlie said in shock: "How much money does this cost? It's not like this to spend money if you have money."

"You will know from now on." Yi Zhizu said, and he grabbed the horse's belly, waved his whip, and rushed out in an instant.

Hong Kong, Governor's Office, Reception Hall.

Erjin slowly glanced at everyone present and said, "It's February now, and there is another month. To be precise, the waters near Tianjin will thaw in about twenty-five days. Do you have any objections to attack Tianjin and Beijing from the north?"

French envoy Gross pondered: "But we now know nothing about the situation in Tianjin and Beijing."

"The defenders in Tianjin are mainly the Beiyang Navy, with less than 20,000 troops." Erjin said: "The defenders in Beijing are the New Eight Banners Army, with 50,000 troops, but in fact only 30,000 people are equipped with Minnie guns... As for Shanghai, there are still 20,000 new troops."

Grant asked without hesitation: "Is this information accurate?"

"This information was provided by the Russian Orthodox missionary in Beijing." Bao Ling explained: "It was a telegram sent by the Russian special envoy Putiyant in Shanghai when the telegram was opened some time ago. I think everyone should be very clear about the relationship between Russia and the Qing Dynasty. Taking advantage of Russia's defeat in the Crimean War, the Qing Dynasty not only occupied the Kamchatka Peninsula, but also sent troops to Central and East Asia... The Russians are the most happy to see the Qing Dynasty defeated."

Ge Luo asked directly: "Your country agrees to attack Tianjin and Beijing?"

Erkin said: "My country allows us to act freely."

After hesitating, Montubang said: "Attacking Tianjin and Beijing, we are still facing a new army equipped with 60,000 Minnie guns."

"We can leave a fleet to restrain the troops in Shanghai." Erjin said: "Yuanqi will never go to support Tianjin regardless of the safety of Shanghai. As long as a fleet of 30 or 40 warships is left, it will be able to restrain Yuanqi's 20,000 troops in Shanghai. In this way, what we need to deal with is more than 40,000 new troops from the Qing court, and more than 10,000 of them are the navy."

There is no doubt that the situation of this naval squadron that remains as a restraint is the most dangerous, and it is possible to face the encirclement and suppression of the main fleet of the Qing naval forces. French Rear Admiral Shane said with concern: "How to arrange the squadron?"

Erkin said cheerfully: "General He Bu is the commander of the squadron, and the warship is selected by him." After a pause, he continued: "There is also good news that the Americans have prepared sufficient supplies for us at Kaohsiung Port, including the coal we urgently need."
Chapter completed!