Chapter 394 Surrender

"This is the South Vietnamese Road-Leading Party!" Several people present exchanged glances with each other, and the same thought flashed through their minds.

The war has reached this point. Anyone who is not a fool can basically understand the direction of the situation. Under the fierce attack of the Haihan people's strong ships and artillery, the small court of South Vietnam is already in danger, and even the possibility of suing for peace has long been lost.

. Even if the Haihan people can withstand the double attack between the Haihan people and the North Vietnamese enemy this time, what about next time? The Haihan people will launch a major offensive every half a year on average, and such a short time is simply not enough for South Vietnam to heal its wounds, whether it is military strength or

Financial resources have been running low for a long time, and the reason why they have been able to hold on until now without collapse is actually because most people have no way out and can only fight like a trapped beast.

Ordinary people and soldiers at the bottom do not have the right to make independent choices. They can only obey the orders of those in power at the top. Even if they want to escape from this battlefield, there is no way to escape. And some people in the middle and upper levels of the power pyramid, in their hands

But there are still life-saving cards that can be played. Although it seems a little late to jump out and lead the way, it is not completely hopeless. At least in Ruan Jinggui's view, this matter can still be discussed with the Haihan people.

Discuss the conditions.

Although Ruan Jinggui does not have an official status, he went to Sanya, the base camp of the Haihan people, last year on a peace negotiation mission, and had in-depth contact with the Haihan people. After returning, he was regarded as one of the top "experts on Haihan issues" in South Vietnam. Therefore, his

The views still have considerable influence. Ruan Jinggui believes that the combat power of the Haihan militia is indeed powerful and cannot be matched by today's South Vietnamese army. However, judging from his experience in Sanya, such a powerful combat power is also the result of a huge investment.

What he got in exchange was a heavenly army piled up with silver.

Although the advantages of this force are outstanding, its shortcomings are also obvious. The investment is too great for the Haihan people to expand its scale, and the resources required to maintain cross-sea operations are even greater. This also explains the first two

When the Haihan people crossed the sea to fight in South Vietnam, why did they take the initiative to withdraw their troops when they were victorious? If they did not withdraw their troops and continue fighting, it would be difficult for the Haihan people to use the captured wealth to balance the combat consumption of this army overseas.

Ruan Jinggui believes that the same reason applies to Hai Han's troops to attack Hue this time. Moreover, the scale of Hai Han's troops sent this time is far greater than the previous two, and the cost of the battle must be greater. With the Hai Han people's fighting method, fighting for one more day will probably be enough.

This means an extra cost of tens of thousands of taels of silver, and this does not include the loss of personnel in the war. If the war can be ended earlier in exchange for certain conditions, Ruan Jinggui feels that the Haihan people would also be happy to see it happen.

Before Ruan Jinggui revealed his true intention, he specifically checked whether the Haihan people had any intention of negotiating peace, and Yan Chujie's unsparing answer made him feel relieved. If the Haihan people were willing to negotiate for money, then there was no need for him to take action.

All the cards were revealed.

However, for the Haihan side, whether to choose to cooperate with the Leading Party, the conditions that need to be considered are not only the reduction of material consumption or personnel losses, but more importantly, whether this choice will have an adverse impact on the post-war Annan situation.

Will it interfere with the implementation of Haihan's strategic intentions for the Indochina Peninsula? Yan Chujie pondered for a moment before answering: "When Mr. Ruan talks about the Ruan family, does he mean the whole family or a part of it?"

Since 1558, when Nguyen Hoang, the son of Nguyen Gan, the minister of the Le Dynasty, came out of Hue, the Nguyen family began to operate their own power in the southern region of Annam. From 1593 to 1600, Nguyen Hoang and the "General Marshal Du" who controlled the government at that time

Zheng Song, his father-in-law and King of Ping An, fell out and sent troops to guard Guangnan on his own, and no longer obeyed the orders of the Thang Long Palace court in the north. Although Nguyen Hoang later married his daughter to Zheng Song’s son, Zheng Ji, the actual leader of the current North Vietnamese regime

, the two families were married, but the confrontation between Zheng and Ruan had actually formed at this time.

Nguyen Hoang had passed away in 1613, and the actual rule of the south was now in the hands of his son Nguyen Nguo Nguyen Nguyen. The South Vietnamese envoy Nguyen Chu captured by the Haihan warships off the coast of Hue a while ago was Nguyen Phuyuan's cousin Nguyen Tong

The son of Ruan Jinggui himself is also a collateral descendant of the Ruan family. Although he has not entered the officialdom, he is still considered a member of the privileged class in South Vietnam. From the perspective of Haihan, South Vietnam, which has always been against itself, is dead.

The hard-core faction is of course led by the Ruan family, and the capitulation leader group that Ruan Chinggui currently represents is, not surprisingly, also a member of the Ruan family. The two factions in this family should still need to be treated differently.

After hearing Yan Chujie's question, Ruan Jinggui knew that the matter was settled, but he still asked with the intention of bargaining: "Can General Yan make it clear, what about the whole clan? What about some people?"

"It's very simple. If the whole clan doesn't have to talk, some people can still discuss it." At present, the Haihan side has the upper hand, and Yan Chujie is not afraid to make it clear: "You have been fighting the north for so long, and you will eventually have to fight.

Some people come out to bear the crime. It is impossible to get all pardons. The last chance was given to you five months ago. As for anyone in your family who is willing to surrender and help our army take Hue City, then we will also

Depending on their performance, they will be given certain care after the war."

Ruan Jinggui quickly asked: "Can General Yan be more detailed?"

"Your life and family property can be saved, don't think too much about other things." Yan Chujie was not interested in bargaining slowly with Ruan Jinggui, but only gave a rough solution.

At present, the Nguyen family almost controls all aspects of politics, military, commerce, culture and education in South Vietnam. Even if some people in the Nguyen family escape this disaster, Haihan will never sit back and watch them continue after the war.

Take control of these areas.

"Then, as General Yan said, it's a deal!" Ruan Jinggui was actually worried that Yan Chujie would regret it, so he quickly finalized the matter.

"Okay, let's talk about business first. How can your people lead the way... Oh no, help our army take down Hue City?" Yan Chujie waved his hand, signaling Ruan Jinggui to quickly show his trump card.

Ruan Jinggui turned his hand, took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve, and slowly spread it on the table: "General Yan, please look at this, this is the defense plan of Hue City!"

The few people who had been sitting nearby and watching the negotiations immediately stood up and came over to look at the map that Ruan Jinggui took out. Compared with the military map drawn by Haihan, this map was undoubtedly very rough, with only the general outline of the city, and then

Some places are marked with stems and branches.

Ruan Jinggui pointed to the map and explained: "The places marked by these branches represent different garrison troops. The number A is the Royal Forest Army, with a strength of eight thousand, all deployed around the imperial city. The number B is the army that retreated from Quang Ngai.

, with four thousand troops to defend the west city..."

Like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube, Ruan Jinggui told all the deployment of the garrison in the city one by one. Everyone also listened very carefully. Since Hue City had been closed before the war started, this information in the city could not be collected at all.

Yes, the Haihan militiamen are currently defending the northeast corner and are not in a hurry to launch an offensive into the city. A large part of the reason is that they have not yet figured out the deployment status of the defenders and dare not launch a rash attack.

Hue City is different from the city layout that most people think of. Because it is located in a developed water system area close to the Xiang River, several waterways were introduced during the construction of this city. In addition to the two surrounding moats outside the city, the city

There is also a small moat outside the imperial city. In addition, there is a waterway running from west to east through the entire city, connecting the moat outside the city, and diagonally dividing Hue City into two parts: northwest and southeast. Hai Han Militia

The urban area currently occupied belongs to the northwest plate, while the imperial city is located in the southeast plate.

Ruan Jinggui traced his finger across the river on the map and explained: "There are six bridges on this waterway in the city. If your army wants to attack the imperial city in the south, it must first occupy these key traffic points. The two bridges in the north

This bridge is guarded by our people. By then, your army can pass here to the southern city without attacking. The people who are stubbornly resisting in the DPRK are thinking of relying on these waterways to fight against your army. Once the waterways are blocked,

After a breakthrough, the defenders of Nancheng have only two options, either to retreat into the imperial city and hold on, or to abandon the city and flee! No matter which one you choose, I believe your army can handle it easily."

Yan Chujie did not rush to reply this time, but exchanged a few words in a low voice with Qian Tiandun, Wang Tom, Qiao Zhiya and others before saying to Ruan Jinggui: "This matter is of great importance, please Mr. Ruan to rest outside for a while and let us discuss it."

Please reply again."

After Ruan Chinggui was taken out by the militia, several senior officials in the tent immediately began to study a new combat plan. There were not many doubts about the reliability of the information Ruan Chinggui said, because even if the information was false, the South Vietnamese defenders

With such strength, it is difficult for the Hai Han militia to dig a hole and set up an ambush for the Hai Han militia on such a small battlefield in the city. Of course, the most important thing is that at this stage of the war, South Vietnam has no chance of winning. Everyone thinks that the Ruan family cannot remain monolithic.

Everyone is willing to fight to the death with Haihan. There are always some smart people who will jump out and do things like Ruan Jinggui. If anyone dares to play tricks with Haihan on this kind of thing, he will probably be the first to be pulled after the war.

Someone who came out to execute someone.

As Ruan Jinggui said, if the defenders rely on the waterways in the city to resist, the offensive efficiency of the militia will be greatly affected. If the bridges on the rivers in the city can be controlled, it will undoubtedly greatly speed up the capture of the city.

After everyone discussed for more than an hour, they invited Ruan Jinggui in again, agreed with him on the time of action and contact information, and asked him to be sent out of the camp.

On March 21, the Haihan militia, which had been dormant for two days after breaking the city, suddenly launched an offensive at dawn and launched an attack southward along the eastern city wall.

A musket formation of ten men was responsible for clearing the way in front. The few defenders who dared to come out to block were quickly exhausted by the dense lead bullets. After advancing two miles south, they arrived at the location of the river in the city.

There are dense barricades erected on the bridge over the river, and two artillery pieces are erected on the other side. From a distance, you can see that there are at least nearly a thousand defenders crowding the streets on the other side of the bridge. If you want to capture this place forcefully,

, it is indeed not a battle that can be resolved in a short time. Maybe in the middle of the battle, the defenders will see that the situation is not going well and directly use their cannons to fire at the bridge piers, which will be really troublesome.

"Show the flag!" Qian Tiandun, the leader of the team, ordered: "The Musketeers will suspend the attack!"

A red flag was raised in the militia camp, which was the agreed signal for action. Ruan Xinggui said that when the internal forces saw this signal, they would immediately take corresponding actions.

After waiting for a while, a red flag was also raised in the garrison camp on the other side. Then a group of soldiers ran onto the bridge and began to clear the various obstacles, deer villages and other obstacles on the bridge. The garrison waited until the bridge was cleared.

After exiting the passage, a young officer came out of the camp over there, crossed the bridge alone and came to the Haihan Formation.

"I'm the Black Flag Army Staff General Ruan Wenwen!" This dark-skinned officer announced himself as he arrived in front of the formation.

"I am Qian Tiandun, the commander of the Heitu Port Independent Battalion of the Haihan Militia." Qian Tiandun also stepped forward and cupped his hands in the same manner: "General Ruan, according to the agreement in advance, your army now needs to surrender and accept me.

Army arrangements."

Ruan Wenwen responded: "I will fulfill my agreement, and I also ask your army to treat my men well and not to harm their lives!"

"Don't worry, our army has always kept its word. As long as your men are honest, I guarantee that they will be safe and will be released unconditionally after the war!" Qian Tiandun patiently gave Ruan Wenwen reassurance.

.

Ruan Wenwen nodded, then turned around and waved towards the other side of the river, and then said to Qian Tiandun: "Please cross the river and surrender!"

"Takahashi Minami!"

"arrive!"

"Lead a company across the river, collect weapons, and control the surrender of troops!"

"yes!"

Gao Qiaonan saluted with a military salute, then led a group of militiamen across the river, began to clear the weapons of the defenders, and drove the surrendered people together. This was the first time that South Vietnam took the initiative to surrender since the beginning of the war.

This unit can be regarded as the first of its kind in the history of militia war against foreign countries. Later, these prisoners will be escorted outside the city and held in a temporary prison. Although these surrendered soldiers will inevitably be prisoners for a period of time,

But if nothing unexpected happens, the lives of these prisoners have been saved.

"What do you call General Ruan and Mr. Ruan who came for peace talks two days ago?" Qian Tiandun noticed that the two names seemed to be related, so he asked with interest while taking advantage of the time to clean up the prisoners.

"It's my brother who negotiated peace with your army!" Ruan Wenwen didn't hide it at all, and directly stated his relationship with Ruan Jinggui.

"You two brothers understand the righteousness well... Well, there will be a chance to make a comeback in the future." Qian Tiandun was halfway through his words when he suddenly felt that it seemed a bit sarcastic and quickly stopped.

Ruan Wenwen glanced at Qian Tiandun and responded in a deep voice: "My two brothers are not greedy for life and fear of death, but they just don't want to increase their killings and let these good men lose their lives in vain. After this battle, my two brothers

He will be regarded as a traitor by the local people, and it is impossible to be used by the northern court, and he will probably not even be able to keep a foothold!"

"The world is so big, as long as you have the ability, where can you go?" Qian Tiandun said with a smile: "Your brother is a smart man. Even if he can't stay in Annan, he will find other ways out. If it doesn't work, you can still consider it.

Help us with things."

"You and I are enemies, so why would you use my two brothers? General Qian, don't make fun of me anymore!" Ruan Wenwen clearly didn't think Qian Tiandun's statement was feasible.

"When dynasties change, the successors use the surrendered generals of the previous dynasty. There are countless such things. It is not surprising. Just like after the city of Hue was captured, would the northern court kill all the officials in the south?

?No, after all the killings, how can we find so many people who are familiar with the geography and people's conditions to fill the vacancies? Most of the grassroots officials will still be retained, it's just a change of boss." Qian Tiandun looked at Ruan Wenwen, who sounded confused.
To be continued...