Six thousand meters away, the Beiyang warship with larger caliber naval guns took the lead in firing.

The first round of shells fell into the water in front of the enemy ship, at least a hundred meters away from the Japanese ship, and even the waves did not splash.

"Correction of the cannon position, load it quickly!"

Liu Guanxiong was the first mate of the gun and cannon of the "Super Yong". When he saw the first shell deviating from a long distance, he immediately ordered the gun position to be adjusted in time. At this time, there were still a few minutes before the Japanese ship entered the best range of their artillery. If he was rushing, the "Super Yong" could fire two more shells.

The second round of shells was deviated again, and the "Super Yong" who was basically in a static state had a last chance. After that, he would also face the six Japanese artillery guns at the same time. At that time, the "Super Yong" with a smaller number of artillery guns will be at a disadvantage.

After the third round of artillery bombing, Lin Tai had not had time to check the results of the battle, and the "Shaoyong" quickly started to escape again. A few seconds later, the shells fired from the Japanese ship landed on the water behind the "Shaoyong". You should know that "Shaoyong" is not an iron-clad ship. If it is hit, it is likely to lose its combat capability.

It is impossible not to say that Lin Taizeng's luck was really good, and he hit the third round of artillery bombardment.

At this time, the Japanese ship was only more than 4,000 meters away from the "Super Yong". The 254-mm Krupp breech gun equipped on the "Super Yong" ship could easily penetrate the armor on the Japanese ship. The shells penetrated from the side deck and exploded quickly, blowing a large hole in the port side of the ship, and the sea water poured in.

Now the Japanese ship has fired a round of main guns. The Krupp gun on the "Kingang" is not as fast as the Armstrong main gun of the "Super Bold". Now Liu Guanxiong has time again.

The same tactics used by "Yangwei" and "Choyong" were similar. In this way, the two ships ran away after firing a few shots and ran away after firing a few shots. With better mobility and a longer range, they always led the Japanese army's nose, and Renli Jingfan was so angry that he screamed.

A few rounds later, "King Kong" was shot again. This time the bridge building was hit. The engine smoke exhaust pipe was blown up and the flying debris were scattered. Arima Xinyi, who was commanding the battle on the deck, was injured. Moreover, because of the two shots, the power of the "King Kong" was seriously damaged and the speed dropped greatly, and the situation became more and more unfavorable to the Japanese army.

But the first thing that achieved the results was another battlefield.

The Weiyuan is not as fast as the speed, nor is it as good as the armor and the artillery of the Japanese ships, but it still has an advantage against the Rijin.

As a wooden warship equipped with the navy ten years ago, the "Rijin" can almost be ignored in such modern naval battles. The side side of the "Weiyuan" can provide firepower of three 120mm rapid-fire guns at the same time, and can also have a 190mm main gun support. Whether it is a 120mm gun or a 190mm gun, it is something that the "Rijin" cannot bear.

Seeing the gradually sinking of "Hirei" and the troubled "King Kong" from afar, the "Hirei" knew that if he did not withdraw from the battle now, with the high speed of the Qing warships, the entire army would probably be wiped out today. So he decisively gave up the "King Kong" that could not be withdrawn and fled alone.

A few dozen minutes later, the "King Kong" sank, and more than 300 officers and soldiers on the ship and Rear General Ren Li Jingfan were buried at the bottom of the sea.

After fleeing back to Incheon Port, the Hiei almost stopped. After adding Tamsui and coal, it gave up the army that was still confronting the Qing army outside Seoul and the Qinghui that went against the Han River to support it. After only receiving dozens of people from the Han Dynasty and its guards, it fled from North Korea in a hurry and returned to Japan.

On the night of the 28th, after a day of fierce fighting, Wu Changqing still couldn't rest. He needed to take stock of the damage on that day and arrange the next phase of combat plan.

At this time, Wu Changqing's temporary residence was brightly lit, and several generals from the Qing army were there, as if they were discussing something.

"Report," said a soldier in, "Sir, Lord Ma asks for a visit."

"Oh? It's so late. He doesn't rest in the palace. What are he going to do here?" While he was chanting, he ordered: "I am in love."

As the personal soldiers left, Ma Daozhong soon walked in, and he also led two North Koreans to visit Wu Changqing.

The two sides met and gave in to each other. Ma Daozhong introduced the two Koreans he brought to Wu Changqing.

The two of them knelt on the ground since entering the hall, not daring to look up. At this time, they heard Ma Daozhong's introduction and hurriedly said: "Sinners Jin Changsun, Zheng Yiji met with the Lord ****. The sinners and others were impulsive and caused a huge disaster. They worked the heavenly soldiers and deserved to die, but the sinners risked their lives to ask the angels to go to battle and allow the sinners to kill the enemy. Although the sinners and others died unpardoned, they hoped that they could die on the battlefield. I hope the angels would beg for mercy!"

After the two of them finished speaking, they kowtowed continuously.

Wu Changqing looked at Ma Daozhong in surprise: "What's going on?"

Ma Daozhong said: "These two are the representatives of the soldiers of this mutiny. They found me during the day, hoping to have the opportunity to go to battle and kill the enemy, make meritorious deeds, and do not ask for forgiveness, but ask for a more heroic death. The military strategy says 'Mr. The soldiers will win'. I saw that these people are morale, so I thought of a plan. They just need the help of local soldiers familiar with the terrain, so they bring it to the military."

When Wu Changqing heard that Ma Daozhong had a plan, he smiled and looked around, then asked, "I wonder if Lord Ma's plan is coming out?"

**** Tadashi said: "When the Japanese army attacked very fiercely during the day, they must have been exhausted, so they suggested that the army attack at night!"

Wu Changqing laughed loudly when he heard this, and the other Qing generals on the side also agreed. Ma Daozhong was stunned by the laughter, but then he woke up and laughed: "It turns out that the military sect was prepared for a long time, but the officials were too worried."

Wu Changqing said: "Where are the heroes, we have similar views. Moreover, we are having a headache about the unfavorable attack in the dark. We originally planned to use the soldiers guarding the city, but Lord Ma just happened to send timely rain. I wonder how many of these Korean local soldiers are? What equipment?"

When Ma Daozhong saw the question, he kicked the two of them, "Reply to the words of sir!"

One of them, Jin Changsun, said quickly: "Go back to the angels, the sinners gathered ten miles away from the eastern suburbs of the capital. There were a total of 1,700 people, equipped with swords and guns, and only a small number of firearms."

Wu Changqing thought for a while and said, "If you don't have any training at night, the firearm will be unbearable, which is not as convenient as swords and guns. If you are really willing to wait for the crime, I will give you a chance to make meritorious service. Go back and summon people to gather in the camp."

The two were overjoyed and kowtowed immediately and said, "Thank you for your kindness in the angel. We will move forward bravely and die without hesitation!" After that, they took the order to gather the team.

With the help of more than a thousand local soldiers, Wu Changqing quickly settled the night attack: "Yuan Shikai, I ordered you to lead two camps of firearms. When the North Korean local soldiers arrived, you should have a meal and rest first. When the time comes, go to the camp to rob him!"

Yuan Shikai received the order and was overjoyed and hurried out to arrange the matter.

That night, the army rushed to the Japanese position. The Qing army musketeers fired guns and shot them in the central army. The two wings were North Korean soldiers wielding big swords and spears to cover them. The Japanese army was caught off guard, and there was no idea how many enemy troops were coming from all directions in the darkness. They hurriedly resisted for a while, left behind the bodies on the ground, and fled to Incheon in a panic.

Hefei, the Li family mansion.

Li Hongzhang was writing big words in the study, and a hurried footsteps came. Xue Fucheng lifted the curtain and walked in.

"Zhongtang..."

Li Hongzhang didn't raise his head, "Is there any letter?"

Xue Fucheng took a step forward and handed over a secret letter: "From the waterline from Tianjin to Shanghai, then rushed over for 400 miles."

Li Hongzhang took the letter casually, but he didn't look at it. He put it aside and continued to write his words. At the same time, he smiled and said, "I can't blame Xingsun for promoting the need to build copper wires. This foreigner's thing is fast. If you just run a horse, you probably will have all the people out of the capital. I haven't received the letter yet."

Xue Fucheng rushed to report the news, but he didn't expect that Li Hongzhang was calm and calm. Compared to being in a solid state, he randomly forced himself to relieve his emotions. He smiled and said, "I'm afraid the news in the central hall would be known earlier than some officials in the capital."

Li Hongzhang shook his head, "No, I leave Zhili, no matter how fast I am, I will be faster than those in Tianjin. Those who are in the capital, if they knew it, they would be the same later. Those who really should know are now in Tianjin."

Xue Fucheng knew that Li Hongzhang was not talking about Zhang Shusheng. Although Zhang Shusheng signed the position of governor of Zhili and wanted to become the new leader of the Huai clan while Li Hongzhang's mother was worried, he even did not hesitate to unite Weng Tonghe and Prince Gong for this reason. However, a few days ago, news came from Beijing that the emperor issued an order to seize the love and let Li Hongzhang take over the two rivers in Hefei. This shows that the holy family has not yet declined, and Li Hongzhang is still in the emperor's heart. Sooner or later, Zhang Shusheng is not worth worrying about.

"What Zhongtang is talking about King Gong?"

"Who else?" Li Hongzhang put down his pen, picked up a square towel and wiped his hands, put down his sleeves, walked slowly to the table and drank a sip of tea, then said: "The Queen Mother Bintian, the Emperor Shengming, immediately appointed three auxiliary ministers of Manchu and Han, among them, the Western Affairs Office, but our Beiyang Trade Office and the Prime Minister's Affairs Office. Now that I am in Hefei, Zhang Shusheng is shallow. If the Sixth Prince doesn't take the opportunity to take over the Western Affairs Office, is he still 'Divine Six'?"

Xue Fucheng thought for a while: "Then is the Zhongtang connected with King Chun?"

Li Hongzhang smiled and said, "Shuyun, Shuyun, your medical skills are indeed very good, but when it comes to politics, it's really a big deal."

Xue Fucheng quickly said, "Please give advice from the central hall."

Li Hongzhang said: "The most important task in the government is the Westernization, and the most important task in the Westernization is diplomacy. In the Qing Dynasty, the one who can handle diplomacy is just me and the Six Kings. Although King Chun is noble, he cannot interfere in this matter even if he wants to do a good job. If the emperor wants to do a good job, he must use the Six Kings. So even if he doesn't fight, the emperor must rely on him for diplomacy, so the Six Kings have always led the Zongli Yamen. Because of this, the Emperor will never let him get involved in the Beiyang Commercial Yamen again. This time, the matter of Korea is big or small, but since the Six Kings have been thinking, the Emperor will naturally see it. So whether we move or not, this time the errand will not fall on the Zongli Yamen. Instead of making enemies anxiously, it is better to be honest with my worries at home."

Before Xue Fucheng went to Beijing to see Cixi, he was a local official in Shandong. After Cixi died, Xue Fucheng was protected by Li Hongzhang, but he was also taken to the end and happened to go back to his hometown in Hefei with Li Hongzhang. During Xue Fucheng's political career, he had never done anything foreign, but he was smart. He could understand many things with just a click of it.

Just like last year he was ordered to go to Beijing to treat Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Hongzhang gave him a picture of his hand and made a hint. The reason why Xue Fucheng was able to save his life after Guangxu took power was precisely because he cleverly understood Li Hongzhang's hint.

Since the Xinyou coup, in order to compete with the Six Kings, the two empress dowagers separated the three trade ministers from the Zongli Yamen and established the Beiyang Trade Office. Now it seems that the chess emperor has to continue to do this move.

"The Zhongtang means that the imperial court will send people from Beiyang to negotiate this time? If this is the case, I wonder if there is someone in my heart who will choose it?"

Li Hongzhang said: "It's not the court, but the emperor will send his errands to Beiyang. The Beiyang ministers manage the business of Zhili, Shandong and Fengtian provinces, Westernization and related diplomacy, coastal defense, tariffs and other matters. No one can say anything about North Korea's affairs. However, Zhang Shusheng had just taken office and was fighting with the Six Kings again. I guess the emperor would not pass by him and should directly issue an order to appoint the Prime Minister's negotiating envoy. As for the candidate, Ma Jianzhong was already in North Korea, and this person had some skills, so he should be his."

After talking for a long time, Li Hongzhang did not ask about the content of the letter, but went around it three times and two times, directly touching the diplomatic negotiations with the Japanese. It seemed that his heart was already firmly fixed, and those who came from Tianjin must be good news.

But Xue Fucheng was not as confident as Li Hongzhang. "Zhongtang believes that the Japanese will not continue to use troops?"

Li Hongzhang smiled and said, "The Japanese are brave and ruthless, and they are arrogant and perverse by nature. They want to fight us to the death, but they are not stupid and know how much they are now. Want to fight? What are they going to fight?"

As he said that, Li Hongzhang stood up: "Japan is an island country. No matter how the army is built, if you want to use troops from North Korea, you must first have a navy. But now our Beiyang Navy has guarded the important sea routes of North Korea. With the Japanese naval power, it is impossible to transport troops to North Korea. Since they can't fight, they can only negotiate."

"But I heard that the French are supporting the Japanese. If the Japanese can buy warships from France, or rely on the French to transport troops directly, then..."

Li Hongzhang understood what Xue Fucheng meant. He was worried that Japan would fight with the support of the French.

"What the French want is Vietnam. They support the Japanese, but they hope that the Japanese can restrain the imperial court in the Northeast so that they can annex Tonkin unscrupulously. But the Japanese may not be willing to be the front pawns of the French. I think there must be variables in the middle. It is estimated that the Sixth Prince should be in contact with the Russians now."

The Japanese wanted to use the power of France to suppress the Qing Dynasty, and the Qing Dynasty naturally wanted to use the power of the Russians to suppress the Japanese. Zaitian could think of this, but Li Hongzhang would not have imagined it.

Speaking of this, Li Hongzhang seemed to have lost his personality. He picked up the big words he had just written and handed them to Xue Fucheng: "Come on, Shuyun, take this character to the servants and frame them."

Xue Fucheng hurried forward to take it, and saw four big words written on it: The world is rising!
Chapter completed!