Chapter 111 Spring Sorrow

On March 16, fifteen kilometers northeast of Yabronov, in the steep Yabronov Mountain, an offensive and defensive battle was in full swing.

The defense side was the Second Independent Detachment of the E-E Army, with nearly a thousand troops and five artillery gates. It guarded a dangerous mountain pass called "Nimuran" leading to Yablonov, and arranged three lines of defense from a high place.

The attacking side was the Xuhun Detachment of the Chinese Army. Its troops were about 3,000, equipped with six mountain cannons and several mortars. It was forced to climb the rugged mountain road and attack upwards.

Since the 14th, Xu Hun Detachment has been moving quickly along the mountain road on the northern foot of the Yabulov Mountain, driving the e-arms blocking the road and repelling the guerillas who came to harass the guerillas many times. In order to deter the annoying enemy guerrillas, most of the killed guerrillas were cut off their heads and hung on the trees along the road. The troops marched without stopping during the day, and rushed and attacked them when they were attacked by the guerrillas. They stopped to rest and have dinner late at night, so they ran a mountain road for two hundred miles in two days. Now, Xu Hun's rescue detachment is only a straight line distance of fifteen kilometers from the surrounded 4th Regiment. From the perspective of the road, as long as they run for fifteen miles, they can reach Yabulovo to rescue the 4th Regiment.

However, there is a hard nail in front of it. The number of e-army at the Nimulan Pass is quite large, the location is very superior, and the bunkers built are still quite solid. With the existing firepower of the Xuhun Detachment, the strong offensive will have to pay a heavy price.

The first tentative "sex" attack was repelled. With the support of mountain cannons, the three companies of the Second Battalion of the First Regiment carefully advanced to the enemy's frontier position on the left side of the mountain pass, and were driven back by the enemy's dense firepower of the pneumatic machine gun.

Xu Hun established a command post in the depression behind a large rock at the foot of the mountain. He could clearly see the battlefield by sticking his head out from the rock.

"The frontal attack is too difficult. The hillside is so steep that the enemy's chosen position is also very convenient for the development and transfer of firepower..."

Wen Yu, the chief staff member of the ban brigade, analyzed that his face was full of unsure expressions, and Xu Hun didn't care about this.

"Do you want to wait until night..."

Xu Hun responded to this suggestion very firmly: "No, there is no time. The 4th Regiment of the Rider has been trapped in the encirclement for six days, and he should not have enjoyed such intensive air support in the past two days. If you delay for another two days, it would be strange if they don't use up all their people."

"But like this now, if you fight hard, you will probably lose a lot of people. You will be unable to rescue the 4th Knights."

Xu Hun raised his waist and nodded: "With the existing firepower, it is indeed impossible to pry open the enemy's position. Our ammunition and medicine are limited, and the power of artillery fire is not enough. I think it's time to request air support."

Wen Yu was a little dissatisfied: "I think it's a bit difficult. Before leaving, the division also said hello. During this period, the Air Force will concentrate its efforts to support the First Army. Correspondingly, the support for Yabronovo will be greatly reduced..."

"No matter what, let me ask, I want to tell them that if I don't give me a heavy airship, I will use human flesh to fight!"

"It's not a good thing to threaten your superiors?"

"The superiors should also reflect on the tasks they assigned, right?"

"Where are you going to send a telegram?"

"It's OK to send it directly to the Front Army Command. Anyway, the original mission was distributed directly from there."

"This way the teacher may be angry..."

"No matter how many, it will take too much time to convey it layer by layer!"

Xu Hun did what he said and immediately asked Wen Yu to write a telegram for him.

A quarter of an hour later, the reply from the Front Command was translated: "At 3:15 pm, four medium-sized airships were sent to bomb the enemy positions at the Nimulan Pass. Please make preparations."

Xu Hun immediately raised his hand to look at his watch: "One hour is left, let's prepare for it."

Wen Yu nodded in a daze. He did not expect that the Front Army Command would attach so much importance to this rescue operation, but he received a response as soon as he made a request. Originally, he did not think that this operation had much significance. He did not think that such a small-scale detachment was capable of completing the task of rescuing the 4th Regiment. He always subconsciously felt that the 4th Regiment was trapped in a large boiling pot surrounded by countless enemies. Their 3,000 troops either could not rush in, or they might not be able to save the 4th Regiment after rushing in, but they could not escape. In the end, everyone was finished together.

The combat plan was decided within a few minutes.

One hour later, four "Ziyun" airships arrived on time and accurately dropped ninety-six 250 kilogram heavy bombs. The e-army on the mountain pass was dizzy. Then, the fierce artillery fire like a storm began to wash away the e-army positions.

"go ahead!"

Xu Hun pulled out the saber, which was a commander who imitated Western Europe, which was completely different from the large blade he used when he "harvested" the Japanese army's heads in Seoul. Now, Xu Hun, known as the "Thousand Heads Slash", naturally no longer has the chance to repeat the scene of that year. However, the heroism and ferocity of that year did not seem to have decayed at all.

The troops advanced, and the infantry of the three battalions spread into three waves of skirmurgh lines and climbed hard towards the e-army position on the Nimulan Pass.

Xu Hun personally led the 1st battalion of the banned regiment as the reserve team to press the formation behind him. He was determined that if necessary, he would rush to the front of the 1st battalion and fight against the enemy as an ordinary warrior.

His subordinates did not give him a chance to show off.

The bombshell and the rapid fire of artillery severely reduced the morale of the E-E Army. The bullets of the Chinese army's machine gunners and snipers further reduced the remaining courage. The E-E Army on the first line of defense first retreated without fighting. The Chinese infantry seized the first trench line with clean bayonets, and then launched a charge to the second line of defense with relatively flat terrain. After a fierce and suffocating hand-to-hand combat, the E-E Army retreated.

On the last line of defense, the e-army only carried out sporadic "fire" attacks and quickly retreated with extremely professional spirit, and dropped two blown artillery pieces and a total of 286 corpses on the Yamaguchi position.

The price paid by the Chinese army was: fourteen people were killed and fifty-one was injured - at least three of them were injured while climbing the hillside.

The battle was over, and the "Thousand Heads Kill" did not cut a head with his own hands, nor did he order his subordinates to cut off the enemy's heads. Xu Hun's principle at this time was: the punishment for beheading was only applicable to those guerrillas that suddenly emerged in the forest, and he should still have the necessary respect for the enemy who was fighting in a dignified manner.

Now, the door to Yabronovo is open.

This mission seems to have completed the most difficult journey.

Xu Hun didn't think so.

He had long been aware of facing the most difficult situation, but unlike Wen Yu, he believed that this action was meaningful. Even if he failed to rescue the siege, he was trapped in a siege like the 4th Regiment. However, since he rushed to the hinterland of the enemy's rear, it should have more or less influence on the situation on the front line. In any case, it could be considered to have attracted a group of vital forces from the enemy...

In fact, does completely meaningless action really exist?

Now, Xu Hun is going to Yabronovo, and he really wants to meet the commander of the 4th Knight Regiment, Liu Yangbo. At the same time, he is also quite interested in the soldiers who are following the 1st Clan leader and are crazy.

Because of them, the world can reveal a shadow called "wonderful"...

Shilok.

This is a station on the Ulan-Ude-Chita Railway Line, which is 160 kilometers west to Ulan-Ude and about 200 kilometers east to Chita.

On the station platform, a general with his left arm in plaster and hanging around his neck with a strip of white cloth, walked towards the train car waiting by the platform, accompanied by two or three followers.

He is Kuropatkin, the "former" commander-in-chief of the Far East Army.

Three days ago, he was still in Chita. When he fled from Chita, he encountered attacks from the military and civilians who were dissatisfied with him and the war. After a 'slut' move, his carriage was overturned, an adjutant was killed, his personal bodyguard was injured, and one of his arm was broken. After such a thing happened, he never dared to stay in Chita for a long time. After dealing with his left arm, he immediately jumped onto another carriage and ran here wildly.

However, on that morning, a bolt from the blue came down: the Tsar removed his position as commander-in-chief and replaced him with Lieutenant General Liewicz, the commander-in-chief of the Far East Army.

For Kuropatkin, this may not be a bad thing. At least, you can escape and hide from it. You don’t have to be upset or even frightened for your enemies, subordinates, or for those violent "slutty" movers.

The war of Kuropatkin ended, but he did not think that he had lost the Tsar's favor for him from now on. He had confidence. With his understanding of the Tsar and his perfect tongue, he should be able to recover from this shadow soon.

"General, I say goodbye to you. His Majesty the Tsar still wants me to remain as Chief of Staff of the Far East Army. I will wait for General Lievich here. He will continue to implement your combat plan to withdraw the main force of the entire army to Ulan-Ude to defend."

The Chief of Staff of the Far East Army Sobolev did not immediately change his face because of the resignation of Kuropatkin. His expression was still as respectful as before. He knew very well that Kuropatkin would definitely make a comeback, because what His Majesty the Tsar needed was not just a capable general, but perhaps a "interesting" general who could please His Majesty.

Kuropatkin nodded to Sobolev by the car door: "Goodbye, our cooperation is very pleasant. I am very happy to have you as my chief of staff. I hope the new commander-in-chief can think so too."

The new commander-in-chief General Li Nevich is still in Chita. In Kuropatkin's original combat plan, Li Nevich should lead his army as the back guard of the entire army to resist the Chinese army that was coming like a tide. Even if he risked being cut off and surrounded, he would attract the Chinese army to Chita fortress so that the main force of the e-army can retreat to Ulan-Ude smoothly.

The Tsar's order was like saving Li Nevich's life.

Curropatkin doesn't have any thoughts on this.

Now, he just wanted to leave here quickly and leave this, which made him frustrated to the peak - damn, Siberia...

In the capital of the Russian Empire, St. Petersburg, Petrogov Palace, a group of ministers who had just participated in the imperial meeting came out from the stairs in front of the palace.

The Council of Ministers, Sergei Yulievich Witt was worried and grabbed his close friend. Foreign Minister Ramsford whispered: "What do the Americans say? How deep are they willing to get involved?"

Ramsford looked around and lowered his voice and responded: "They declared that their position was completely neutral and were willing to fairly represent the contact and negotiations between the two sides."

"Send one or two capable people to explore the wind."

Ramsford shook his head hurriedly: "No, no matter what, you must have the approval of His Majesty the Tsar, otherwise the matter will be exposed and we will not have a good ending."

Witt sighed: "Your Majesty is too stubborn. The current situation no longer allows the war to continue..."

"Your Majesty has placed all his hopes on the Second Pacific Fleet. Even if we retreat continuously on land, as long as the Second Pacific Fleet arrives in the Far East, it will force the enemy to sign a treaty that is beneficial to us... Before this hope is shattered, the content of the treaty that Your Majesty can recognize should be to retreat outside the border before the outbreak of the war and compensate our country for all losses..."

"We are no longer able to support this war. Not only are we financially poor and have high debts, but there are also riots everywhere. This country is full of conspirators who are trying to incite the people to rebel! The revolution is approaching, and I have heard the fuse leading to the fire 'pharmaceutical' library hissing..."

Ramsford shrugged: "Your Minister of the House is very familiar with this and has also submitted relevant reports to Your Majesty, but these are not what Your Majesty wants to know. Your Majesty only wants to know that the Army can add several additional divisions to the Far East, whether it is feasible to attack Xinjiang, whether our flying troops can already be used, how our air defense weapons are developed, and where General Rozestvinsky's fleet has been driven... Your Majesty is full of expectations for victory, and we cannot just pour cold water on the side."

Witt lowered his head weakly: "If this continues, it will only lead to more serious losses. Our enemies in Europe and the Near East are laughing. Austro-Hungary and Turkey are proud. Fortunately, Germany's relationship with us has stabilized. The Krupp factory is constantly producing heavy artillery and ammunition for us. The German team also provides us with improved combat airships. But I know what they are thinking. William II hopes that we will put all our attention to the Far East so that he can use all his strength to deal with France... But this is not bad for us. The German-Russian alliance or the Russian-French alliance now seems to be in essence. We urgently need any help from anyone. If the devil can give us strength, we can also form an alliance with the devil with peace of mind..."

"Sergei Yulievich, let's sit down and wait. It's useless to be anxious. No matter what happens, there is always something we need to do. Let's say goodbye, please take care of yourself."

Ramford took off his top hat and agreed, and jumped into his carriage briskly.

The earth is still turning, and Viter does have his own things to be busy with, but his heart is full of uneasiness. He has long realized that he underestimated China. It is no longer a sick man from East Asia who will become a third-rate country when he is put into Europe. It is a lion slowly getting up. It shakes off the lice on its body, dispels the buzzing mosquitoes and flies around it, sharpens its claws, and smacks a fox's head while stretching, and then begins to challenge the black bear deep in the forest... What it wants to go is the path to become the king of beasts. It wakes up, it sleeps for too long, and once it is completely awakened, the majestic lion roar will not only be the beautiful sky on the magical land of East Asia...

"Sergei Yulievich, you are pondering again, what are you going to predict this time?"

House Minister Pobetonossev narrowed his mouse eyes and smiled at Witt.

"Mr. Interior Minister, I solemnly make clear to you that there is no astrologer's blood in my body."

Poppedonostsev put away his bored smile: "Well, then let me tell you some prophecy. The Far East Army is heading for disintegration-not by the Chinese force, but by the tongues of the socialists."

"You mean, socialists are infiltrating the army?"

"It should be said that we recruited socialists into the army and sent them to the front line, and those who conspired to be 'chaotic' will not have labels on their faces."

Witt's throat suddenly became itchy and he couldn't help coughing violently.

"Are you okay?"

Poppedonostsev took out his handkerchief.

"I am fine……"

Witt solved the problem with his own handkerchief.

"Do you know the 'slut' movement in Chita? Kuropatkin was almost beaten to death by the rioters and civilians. Fortunately, this kind of thing is far away from the capital. Except for the unlucky Kuropatkin, other senior officials cannot feel the horror, but if one day something similar happens in St. Petersburg..."

"So far, as the Minister of the House, you should have basic confidence in handling any domestic incidents."

"Who knows that the provinces in the lower reaches of the Volga River have become 'chaotic', the fire is spreading everywhere, and every nerve of my heart is aching."

Poppedonostev said, pressing the sun's acupoint vividly.

"Please take care of yourself. In short, you must not let the flames rush into the corner of His Majesty's eyes."
To be continued...