The last day of October in the lunar calendar.
When it was getting dark, dozens of large and small open boats appeared on the river near the pier of Xiayi Town on the north bank of the Xiangjiang River, approaching the pier one after another.
Saishang'a had just disembarked, and new open boats arrived behind him one after another, filling the berths along the river. The leader of the gentry in Xiawen Town, Mr. Niu, had already put on the official uniform of a seventh-grade sesame official and was commanding One to two hundred women set up dozens of large pots next to the pier, and bursts of meaty aroma rose from the pots.
The shops near Xiawen Port have been closed. This small town on the bank of the Xiangjiang River has been surrounded by the Taiping Army for the past few months. Fortunately, Mr. Niu in the town is someone who understands military affairs and has taken him in. A group of gentry who had fled from Zhuzhou, Muyun City, Huilongtang and other places had finally gained some ability to protect themselves.
Of course, the preservation of the small town of Xiayi is also related to the slackness of the Taiping Army after they conquered Changsha and the tendency of the kings (angels) to become disloyal.
After the capture of Changsha, the angel Luo Yaoguo moved into the original Hunan governor's office and lived a life like a prince. He was also preparing to marry Su Sanniang, the first female general of the Kingdom of Heaven. Not caring. However, the Western King Xiao Chaogui was defeated by Zeng Guofan, Huang Shijie, Zhang Guoliang, Zhu Sunyi and others in Xiangxiang. After losing three thousand old Guangxi elites, he lost his former vigor, and a small town of Lukou was defeated quickly. It's been a month and I haven't eaten it yet.
A group of admirals, generals, deputy generals and staff generals of the Qing army were already waiting at the head of Xiayi Port. When they saw Sai Shang'a, they came over immediately.
Xiang Rong, who was deeply trusted by Sai Shang'a, reported: "In the middle hall, it is confirmed that Lukou Town was captured by the Cantonese bandits. The Guangdong bandits and the pseudo-Western King Xiao Chaogui's troops attacked the city continuously for more than 20 days. They suffered heavy losses and are currently undergoing repairs. In addition, there are The news is that Xiao Chaogui has gone to Changsha to drink the wedding wine of the pseudo-angel Luo Yaoguo."
Sai Shang'a's eyes were looking north. Lukou was none of his business. Seng Gelinqin had told him that his mission was Yisuhe City, Xiayi, Xinzhen, and now Yisuhe City and Xiayi Already captured, the only thing left is a new town across the Xiangjiang River from Xiangtan County.
As long as Xiangtan County and Xinshi Town are in hand, the Qing army can control a big bend in the Xiangjiang River between Xiangtan, Xinshi, Xiayi, and Yisuhe City, and then use this "big bend" as a stronghold. It was time to cut the land transportation line between Changsha and Zhuzhou. Thinking of this, Sai Shanga asked: "Who will occupy the new town?"
"I will go there eventually!"
The one who stepped forward was Bao Qibao, the admiral of Hunan. The Hunan Green Camp under his command was almost wiped out. Life for him as the admiral of the army was certainly not easy, so he couldn’t be more proactive! "Okay!" Sai Shanga nodded lightly, "Then There is Lao Bao Junmen." He paused and then said: "Cheng Zhijun in Xiangtan has sent out sentries to patrol north along the Xiangjiang River?" "I don't know..." Xiang Rong said, "Cheng Zhijun hasn't sent anyone yet. contact."
"Then send someone over immediately to talk to him." Saishang'a ordered. "Cha." Xiang Rong responded.
Sai Shang'a said again: "I'm glad that on the east bank of the Xiangjiang River, I, Bao Junmen, and General Qin will be left, and the west bank will be left to you, General Liu, and General Sun... In addition, the pontoon bridge on the Xiangjiang River must be built as soon as possible. Get up, otherwise the armies will be blocked by the Xiangjiang River and unable to respond, and they may be defeated by the Cantonese bandits one by one."
"Don't worry, Zhongtang. I will arrange for my subordinates to build the pontoon tomorrow. It will be completed in three days at most." Xiang Rong assured, patting his chest.
Saishang'a nodded, a worried look appeared on his old face, and whispered: "As fast as possible! Two military gates, three general soldiers, a governor, and an imperial minister... plus Xiangtan, Yi There are more than 20,000 people in the group training in Suhe, Xiayi and other places. They are separated on both sides of the Xiangjiang River and cannot respond in time. I am always worried!"
South of Changsha, east bank of Xiangjiang River, Muyun City.
A pontoon bridge has come to an end. Busy Taiping Army soldiers and local militiamen from Muyun City are concentrating on the bridge ends on both sides of the pontoon bridge, desperately tying and tying them, clanking and banging. Here is Luo Yaoguo and The First Army of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom led by Su Sanniang and the two men went to the ferry of the Second Army to "cross the Xiangjiang River".
According to the battle plan prepared by Luo Yaoguo and Su Sanniang for Seng Gelinqin, Seng Gelinqin's 20,000 to 30,000 troops will be deployed at four strongholds on both sides of the Xiangjiang River, connecting Xiangtan-Xinzhen and Xiayi-Yisuhe City Before the pontoon bridge was built, these four strongholds were easily defeated individually.
As long as Luo Yaoguo, Su Sanniang's army and Xiao Chaogui's army can build the pontoon bridge before Seng Gelinqin, then the initiative lies with the Taiping Army! And the Taiping Army must be the fastest to build this pontoon bridge!
There is no other reason for this. The Muyun City area has already implemented land division, and has also established branches of the God Worshipers Association, farmers' associations, and chambers of commerce. There are also a group of Taiping Army diehards and the militia controlled by them. So Luo Yaoguo gave the order and they began to prepare for building the floating bridge!
When Luo Yaoguo and Su Sanniang led the First Army and the 16,000 elites of the Second Army, they quietly withdrew from Changsha at night and marched urgently to Muyun City. The pontoon was already worshiping the leader of the Hunan-Jiangxi Border Hall of God. Under the leadership of Yan, the construction was almost completed. Not only was the pontoon bridge almost completed, but the Xiangjiang Border General Hall also helped prepare the dry food needed by the first and second armies and various equipment for attacking Xiangtan County.
I have to say that it is very comfortable to fight this kind of battle with the support of the working people!
When Luo Yaoguo was sighing in his heart, a burst of cheers suddenly came from in front of the pontoon bridge, and then he heard Wang Yan's voice: "Teacher, the bridge is ready!"
Luo Yaoguo looked back at his fiancée Su Sanniang. This heroic female general seemed to have been waiting for this voice for a long time. She immediately hugged Luo Yaoguo and said with a smile: "Your Highness, let Sanniang clear the way for you!" Seeing Luo Yaoguo, After nodding her head, she gave the horse a strong whip and, escorted by several female soldiers, took the lead on the pontoon.
Luo Yaoguo looked at her strong back rising and falling on the horse, smiled with satisfaction, and then rode his horse onto the pontoon bridge under the protection of Yu Miaqing, Xiang Xun and others.
Following the orders of Li Shoucheng, Zeng Tianyang, He Damei and other generals of the army, the soldiers of the brigade swarmed onto the bridge, crossed the roaring Xiangjiang River, and headed straight for the Xiangtan city wall under the warm afternoon sun! The Kingdom of Heaven The army, sixteen thousand male and female holy soldiers, will cross the Xiangjiang River today!
To the west of Lukou Town, a bridge spans the Xiangjiang River!
"Arrogant and arrogant, laughing at thousands of waves, hot-blooded and hot as the red sun, as courageous as iron and strong as steel, with a vast mind and a far-reaching vision, vowing to work hard to become a good man... At the same moment, countless Taiping soldiers were singing loudly Exciting lyrics, striding from the pontoon bridge across the Xiangjiang River.
And in the middle of this large army crossing the river, a royal flag that reads "The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has returned to its former military division, General Xi Wang Xiao", is fluttering in the wind!
Riding under the king's flag was none other than the Western King Xiao Chaogui himself! Ever since Luo Tiantian, who was planning to "calculate the ultimate strategy", predicted that Changsha would be his death place, he learned to keep a low profile. He no longer sat in his carriage with sixteen people The big sedan he was carrying went into battle and marched, but he rode on horseback instead. And he no longer wore the dazzling yellow dragon robe, but wore the same red robe and red scarf as the surrounding soldiers, so that it would be difficult for the enemy to find him.
At this time, he had already stood on the north bank of the Xiangjiang River under the escort of thousands of personal guards. On a high slope, he watched the first and second troops with strong soldiers and horses marching all the way north, and he felt proud in his heart. ah!
Several Qingqi passed by the pontoon bridge on the Xiangjiang River, looking for Xiao Chaogui's royal flag. When they got close, they exchanged commands with one of Xiao Chaogui's soldiers, then dismounted, walked forward, knelt on one knee, and took out a Immortal Feng raised it with both hands and said: "I report that the King of the West is eight thousand years old, and the Prince of Lukou has transferred the document to the Prince of Nan in Hengyang!"
Zeng Shuiyuan, the guard beside Xiao Chaogui, dismounted and stepped forward. He took the letter from the Southern King Feng Yunshan from the cavalry, tore open the seal, took out the letter paper inside, unfolded it, and said to Xiao Chaogui with a smile: "The Western King , the King of Heaven, the King of the East, the King of the North, and the King of the Wings led 60,000 male and female holy soldiers, coming all the way north along the Xiangjiang River, and the vanguard has already passed Hengyang County!"
Chapter completed!