Japan, Hakata Bay, Hakozaki.

Xiao Mingliang rode on a short Japanese horse and looked at the beautiful scenery of Hakata Bay. After a while, he turned around and asked, "Did the Mongolians land from here?"

"Yes." Chief of Staff Guo Zhongmu said confidently: "According to historical records, in the 11th year of Zhiyuan and the 18th year of Zhiyuan, the Mongolian army twice conquered Japanese troops from Hakata Bay. The first time was in Hakosaki, and the second time was in Jiulong Mountain not far away."

Xiao Mingliang stroked the short beard on his chin, "The Mongols were invincible in fighting power back then, but they could not conquer both countries. What happened?"

Guo Zhongmu said without hesitation: "In the opinion of his subordinates, there are three reasons for the Mongols' defeat. One is that the season they chose was wrong. Both times they chose the monsoon season to send troops. This may be because they had to cross the Tsushima Strait with the help of the monsoon, but in the end they encountered a typhoon and suffered heavy losses.

Second, the logistics supply cannot keep up, especially during the second expedition, which was huge in scale and needed strong logistics supply support. However, due to the lack of sufficient fleet, the logistics supply of the expeditionary force was not mainly sea routes but land routes, crossing the Korean Peninsula to reach Hepu on the other side.

Third, Japan was well prepared and strong in resistance at that time. The military quality and weapons and equipment were not inferior to the Mongols. The two sides fought fiercely for more than a month, and the Mongols did not take advantage."

Xiao Mingliang nodded with satisfaction and said, "What should we pay attention to when we conquer Japan this time?"

"No matter whether the naval army or the Japanese army is, the military quality, weapons and equipment, strategies and tactics cannot be compared with our army. Our army has always attached the most importance to logistics supply......" Guo Zhongmou hesitated for a while before saying: "I personally think that the most noteworthy thing is the typhoon. When the Mongolian expeditionary fleet encountered a typhoon that lasted for four days in Hakata Bay, the warships were almost destroyed..."

"You said that the most important point is missing!" Xiao Mingliang said: "Know your enemy and you will be invincible for a hundred battles. The Mongols knew too little about Japan back then." As he said that, he turned his horse's head and raised his whip to the east and raised it. "We are different from the Mongols. From the day we stationed troops in Japan, we have begun to have a comprehensive understanding of Japan. It can be said that in order to conquer Japan, we have made preparations for twenty years, and we know everything about Japan."

A cavalry galloped in front of him. The rider jumped around with his horse head and reported to the report: "Report to the commander-in-chief, the General Staff call to capture the Strait of Maguan." As he said that, he took a few steps and handed the telegram.

After reading the telegram, Xiao Mingliang asked: "Where has Yang Xiuqing's new Sixth Army vanguard arrived?"

Guo Zhongmu hurriedly replied: "The fleet has passed Shanghai a day ago, more than 500 nautical miles from Shanghai to Fukuoka. It is expected to arrive at Hakata Bay within three days."

"Collection of horses and make preparations before the war." Xiao Mingliang ordered that the west coast of the Maguan Strait was the territory of the Changzhou vassal state. Capturing the Maguan Strait was to start a full-scale war against the Changzhou vassal state. He had a plan for this, advancing sea and land, and Yang Xiuqing's New Sixth Army was the main force of the land war.

Yi Zhizu is not familiar with the Strait of Maguan, but he is familiar with the place name Maguan, because the famous Treaty of Maguan was signed in the Chunfan Building in the Strait of Maguan. This is a name that every Chinese should know and impress!

The Qing Dynasty compensated Japan with only one Treaty of Shimonoseki and ceded Taiwan, Penghu and Liaodong Peninsula. It was precisely because of understanding that it was easy to meet the humiliation that it had a deep hatred for Japan!

Yi Zhizu gently knocked on the Maguan Strait on the map with his fingers, "The Maguan Strait has been a place that military strategists have fought for since ancient times, and it is also a strategic location for the Changzhou vassal to work hard. The Changzhou vassal will definitely do its best to defend. In this battle, we must strive to completely annihilate the living power of the Changzhou vassal."

Yan Yangtian pondered for a while before saying, "Would the court issue an order to openly conquer the four southwestern vassals? In this way, it would also be easier to paralyze the shogunate..."

Yi Zhizu nodded and turned to look at Zhao Liewen, "Huifu proposed a memorial to commit a crime, and submitted a request to conquer the Japanese government in the name of the four southwest vassals who committed a ruthless crime, and his crimes were unforgivable."

As the words finished, Lin Meilian reported at the door: "The shopkeeper, Prince Chun Yihuan, and Prince Yi Zaiyuan came to visit."

Prince Chun Yihuan? Yi Zhizu frowned, "Ask for you..." As he said that, he ordered again: "Welcome together, this Yihuan is probably the general who led the imperial army to conquer the Japanese."

At the entrance of the yard, Yi Huan and Zai Yuan and the others greeted Yi Qun and smiled, "Which gust has blown Qi Ye to Shanghai?"

Yi Huan was only twenty-six or seven years old. The beard he deliberately made made him look much more mature. It was not his first time dealing with Yi Zhizu. He quickly bowed and smiled: "The King of Zhennan is asking him knowingly. What else can there be? It is naturally the east wind."

Zaiyuan stepped forward and bowed and smiled, "Fortunately, the railway has been opened now, otherwise I would have half a year on the way to and from Beijing and Shanghai..."

"The second master should set up a separate garden in Shanghai, so it is convenient to stay." Yi Zhizu joked that Zaiyuan has come to Shanghai a lot in recent years. As he said that, he introduced Yan Yangtian to the two of them, and there was another greeting.

When he entered the house and sat down, Zaiyuan knew Yizhizu's conversation style and said directly without going around in circles: "Does Brother Guocheng plan to follow the Korean law?"

"Not bad." Yi Zhizu said simply.

Zaiyuan asked, "Why?"

"Why?" Yi Zhizu curled his lips and sneered: "When the court took over North Korea, it seemed that he didn't ask why?"

Zaiyuan smiled and said, "It's one time and another."

"Is the Empress Dowager worried?" Yi Zhizu glanced at him and said, "If the imperial court has difficulties, Yuan Qi doesn't mind taking over Japan."

"Brother Guocheng, don't get me wrong." Zaiyuan said quickly: "With the example of North Korea, what can the court be worried about? I just asked casually."

"Water is just a useless rib for Yuan Qi." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The court established a province and sent officials to help the long-term incorporation of Japan into the territory of the Qing Dynasty. After all, the court occupied the title of great righteousness. In addition, the court's finances were tight, and the country was considered rich. Giving it to the court can relieve the court's embarrassment and finances."

How could this be believed? Zaiyuan is sure that this is definitely not the real reason, but he dare not ask again. For the court, this is a good thing. Moreover, if the other party is unwilling to say it, it would be useless if he asks again.

Seeing Zaiyuan, he didn't speak, Yihuan said, "The court has agreed to jointly send 20,000 troops to attack the Japanese..."

"Very good." Yi Zhizuji said: "In this way, there is no need for Yuan Qi to draw troops from the northwest. Don't worry, Yuan Qi will take all the expenses of the Japanese troops. However, except for the grain, Yuan Qi also needs the court to provide 400,000 stones of grain."

Four hundred thousand stones of grain are not worth much silver. Compared with Yuan Qi's expenses to attack the Japanese, Zai Yuan was really embarrassed to ask Yuan Qi to spend money to buy it. He really couldn't open the mouth. He immediately said readily: "This is no problem. The court will prepare enough food Yuan Qi needs in Tianjin as soon as possible."

"Okay." Yi Zhizuji said first: "How to coordinate the troops, Qiye can consult with General Manager Yan."

After hearing this, Yan Yangtian stood up and reached out to greet him, "Prince Chun also asked to move to the General Staff."

After waiting for Yihuan, Zaiyuan said goodbye, Zhao Liewen couldn't help but say, "The shopkeeper really plans to hand over the Japanese to the court?"

"What does it mean to give it?" Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Is there any difference? Yuan Qi did not intend to separatist and independent. Besides, how valuable can Japan after the war be?" After a pause, he ordered, "Come out the letter quickly."

Zhao Liewen said: "Can envoys be sent to enthronement be carried out at the same time?"

"Of course." Yi Zhizuji said first: "Send envoys to enthrone and enthronement should not be delayed, otherwise Japan will inevitably be suspicious."

Three days later, the imperial court issued an edict to the world. The four southwestern feudals including Changzhou, Satsuma, Feiqian, Tosa and other southwestern vassals colluded to rebel and murdered the monarch and violated the emperor. The Japanese shogunate failed to suppress the war for a long time and asked for help. Prince Chun Yihuan was appointed as the general of the gang and led his army to Japan to quell the rebellion. Shao Hengyu, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, was sent to the Japanese to enthrone the enthronement.

Hakata Bay, Fukuoka, Tokai Fleet Camp, Command.

Chief of Staff Guo Zhongmu pointed to the large map on the wall and said slowly: "The Strait of Maguan is the western gateway to the Seto Inland Sea. Most of the trade fleets in our country and North Korea enter the Seto Inland Sea through this Strait. Since ancient times, it has been a must-fight place for Japanese military strategists.

The Strait of Maguan is 28 kilometers long, with a central waterway of 15-20 meters deep, and a west of less than 10 meters. The narrowest sea area is only about 600 meters wide, with a rapid current. It is a famous nautical dangerous place in Japan.

The Changzhou Fan attached great importance to the Makun Strait. He built many forts along the line and arranged 120 heavy artillery pieces. The Maeda Fort and Tannoura Fort at the narrowest part of the strait are the largest, with a defensive force of about 2,000. However, I heard that the troops are increasing in recent days..."

Of course, Yang Xiuqing knew that the memorial was specially explained to his new deputy commander-in-chief. After glanced at Xiao Mingliang, he said: "Does the army need to cooperate in attacking the forts along the Maguan Sea Line?"

"No need." Xiao Mingliang said simply: "The shore defense artillery of Japan is still at the level of the last century. The bronze-breeding gun does not pose any threat to our warships. Our warships can completely remove all the artillery at a fixed point outside the range of the opponent's artillery. What the army needs to do is to land under the suppression of the artillery fire of the naval warship artillery."

"With the cooperation of the navy, the battle will be much easier." Yang Xiuqing chuckled and then asked: "Did the Japanese army's army's army equipment also remain in the last century?"

"Not bad." Guo Zhongmu replied: "Because of long-term seclusion, Japan's firearms have not been greatly improved. Not to mention the rear-mounted rifle gun, even Minnie guns are not used, and the front-mounted smoothbore guns are still used."

After hearing this, Yang Xiuqing couldn't help but remember the Taiping Army's hardships in using a smoothbore rifle to fight the Minnie rifle, and couldn't help but smile and said, "This is a war, it's purely a massacre... How many troops are there in the Changzhou vassal?"

"About 15,000 troops." Guo Zhongmu said and looked at Xiao Mingliang. He also heard about the famous Eastern King of the Taiping Army. He knew that he was brave and good at fighting and experienced many battles. After hesitating, he couldn't help but remind him: "Although the Changzhou Army was backward in weapons and equipment, he was also considered elite among the Japanese army, and he was good at close combat. Moreover, this battle was a battle of life and death for the Changzhou vassal, and he would inevitably resist tenaciously..."

"The Sixth Army is also good at close combat, and all officers and soldiers fought in the sea of ​​blood." Yang Xiuqing said with a relaxed look: "Not to mention that the current equipment is not as good as it is, even if it were the fire sticks in the past, we would not take these Changzhou soldiers seriously."

The Yuanqi New Army cannot fight hand-to-hand combat, but it has to be admitted that the Taiping Army is definitely better in hand-to-hand combat. After all, the Yuanqi New Army rarely encounters hand-to-hand combat, and the Taiping Army almost started out through hand-to-hand combat.

Xiao Mingliang smiled and said, "The combat power of the Sixth Army is unquestionable, but we hope to minimize casualties..." After a pause, he thought about it: "I think the Sixth Army may lack infantry and artillery cooperation, and is not very skilled in the use of mortars and grenades. He is also a marine of the East China Sea Fleet to play forward..."

"No..." Yang Xiuqing waved his hand quickly and said, "On the way we came, the staff of our army had already explained various tactics in detail. Moreover, I have seen these new tactics many times. I believe that learning in actual combat will be better. After all, the land war will be dominated by the Sixth Army."

As soon as the words were finished, a consultant quickly stepped in and saluted and reported: "Report———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

After reading the telegram, Xiao Mingliang passed it to Yang Xiuqing, and then asked: "Is there any movement in the new Eight Banners Army of the imperial court?"

Guo Zhongmu hurriedly said: "We are gathering in Tianjin, but we have not received the telegram yet. I think we should have not gone out to sea yet."

"The Eight Banners New Army is also involved in the attack on Japan?" Yang Xiuqing looked at the telegram in his hand, looking depressed. He fought with the Qing army to death since the Jintian start, and now he wants to join forces to conquer Japan. But he feels uncomfortable when he thinks about it.

"You are now the new Yuanqi army, not the Taiping army." Xiao Mingliang smiled and said, "The Liangzi used to be put down long ago."

Yang Xiuqing muttered, "We are not short of military strength, what should we let the court get involved?"

"Let the court cooperate to send troops to attack the Japanese army is both an attitude and a practical need." Xiao Mingliang said slowly: "We are going to completely destroy Japan this time. The current military strength is still insufficient. The court may need to increase its troops in the future."

After hearing this, Yang Xiuqing smiled and said, "I am worried that my brothers below will feel uncomfortable after knowing this. After all, they have fought with Qing Yao... The Qing army has been fighting for so many years, and they have already become deeply in a deep hatred."

"Don't worry." Xiao Mingliang said: "The new Eight Banners Army of the imperial court is fighting independently and will not fight in joint forces with the Sixth Army." As he said that, he raised his wrist and looked at his watch, and said: "Send an order to advance to the Maguan Strait tomorrow morning."
Chapter completed!