Chapter forty-ninth fight a dull war, build a strong fortress
Dong Shuheng sent a soldier from the military committee, named Zhang Dongxu, nicknamed "Little Zhang Yi". According to Yan Shikun, this man is good at the art of manipulation. I don't know if it is true or not, but these people in the world like to put it on their faces.
Jin. Each nickname is more awesome than the last.
Zhang Xudong will return to Tianjing with Yang Ximei. I believe that with Yang Ximei here, Yang Xiuqing will not kill him directly. He will bring generous gifts during this trip, establish a relationship with Yang Xiuqing, and strive to establish an agency in Jiangning City
, as a force in the open, cooperating with the secret force of the Intelligence Department. His main goal is to intensify the conflict between Hong Xiuquan and Yang Xiuqing, and to find a way to find an agent in Tianjing City.
In Jiangbei Camp, Qi Shan started to listen to operas again. Because of the previous assassination, Qi Shan was ready to quit this hobby. However, Dong Shuheng sent him another opera troupe. In Qi Shan's opinion, Dong Shuheng acted steadily and this opera
The team must have reviewed it in advance, so he felt free to enjoy it, but the number of security guards increased a lot.
In addition, Dong Shuheng also entrusted Master Kang Ping to come and take a look at his body. After Master Kang Ping's conditioning, Qishan felt that his body was much better. This made him have a stronger impression of Dong Shuheng.
This time Dong Shuheng marched into Yangzhou, and the only thing he was asked to do was to restrain the Jiangbei camp and not enter Yangzhou City. Qi Shan knew what he meant. These ruffian soldiers were not good at fighting and were good at harming the people. He just thought this was
Because Dong Shuheng is a local and wants to protect the local elders, no doubt he is there. Anyway, the final victory will be on his side. As long as he can get the credit, what if he doesn't enter Yangzhou? Besides, Yangzhou City has been plundered by the Taiping Army, and there is not much oil left.
.
What he didn't know was that Dong Shuheng had already thought about the location of the new Jiangbei camp for him. Yangzhou and the others would never be able to enter. Dong Shuheng asked Zhou Hongying, deputy director of the Intelligence Department, to select this troupe.
All of them are from the Intelligence Department. These female team members come from a wealthy background and are best at lurking around officials. As for sending doctors to treat him, it was because Dong Shuheng wanted him to live a few more years and help him in this position.
In the evening, Dong Shuheng finally took time to visit Wei Yuan in the state government office. The two met and talked about some things in Xuzhou. By the way, he asked Wei Yuan about the enrollment situation of the academy.
A total of more than 5,000 students have signed up to take the exam this time. The reason why so many students have signed up is because the large number of books published by the bookstore have already made Huaihai Academy famous, and Wei Yuan is also a leading figure in the academic world.
He is a character who vaguely seems to be the founder of a sect;
Second, the Yangtze River Delta region is originally a place where humanities gather, and there are many people studying. In other words, the base of scholars is very large. In addition, the Taiping Army occupied Jiangning City, the education center in the south, so many students lost their way to study.
Third, the Yangtze River Delta region is close to Shanghai, has a strong business atmosphere, and has a high degree of openness to the outside world. Many young students are eager to learn how to manage the world and apply it, giving Western learning and practical learning their own market.
The two discussed some details about the construction of the academy. Dong Shuheng suggested that Wei Yuan select a group of teachers from the candidates who were not admitted and organize a crash course for teachers, mainly to train them on primary and secondary school textbooks and the teaching model of new schools.
These people were then sent to serve as teachers in schools that were established in various places.
Wei Yuan naturally agreed. He knew that most scholars were not from very good families, so they would be happy to have a living like teaching.
After saying that, Wei Yuan hurriedly sent Dong Shuheng away. He knew that Dong Shuheng was not specifically looking for this bad old man like him. Wei Yuan has now handed over all government affairs to Zeng Xianfeng's General Administration Department. Zeng Xianfeng now has a team under him, all of whom are aides, to handle
He has rich experience in government affairs, is not constrained by superior officials, and his work efficiency is extremely high.
The main problem for the General Administration is that several reform suggestions put forward by Dong Shuheng before, especially those on encouraging business, have been passively resisted by some local wealthy families. In this regard, Dong Shuheng is not in a hurry. Everyone is profit-seeking.
Those who set up factories have made a lot of money, and those who originally watched with a cold eye will naturally come in.
When he came to Wei Mansion before, Dong Shuheng had already winked at Wei Yuzhen, so now he went directly to the garden.
In the pavilion of the garden, there was indeed a beautiful figure standing there.
"Shu Heng, you are finally back. I have not seen you take a break since I have known you for so long. During your absence, our bookstore purchased 20 more sets of printing equipment. There are also three more typesetters and bookbinders than before.
Four times..."
Dong Shuheng gently held her hand and gave her a slight pause. Her pretty face was stained with red.
"You also said that I was busy, but you also started talking about work as soon as you saw me. Bookstores belong to the cultural front. You publish more good books and let more people arm themselves with knowledge. You are also doing our best.
Contribute to the nation.”
"The gap between us and the Western powers is not only in warships and guns, but more importantly in culture. Most of the Chinese people have not yet broken the shackles of culture, and we build schools and print books to give everyone a key.
, to open the shackles of your own thoughts."
Wei Yuzhen looked at Dong Shuheng infatuatedly. The most attractive time for a man is not when he holds a rose in his hand and talks sweet words to you. It is when he talks to you in a serious manner about his ideals and ambitions and the justice of the nation.
…
Next to the pier on the shore of Gaoyou Lake, there are many sails and flags blocking out the sun. At this time, the Huai Navy is announcing a crusade and preparing to send troops to Yangzhou.
Wei Yuan led a group of Gaoyou representatives to bid farewell to the army, and several big families in Gaoyou were among them.
He Zhangcheng stepped forward to speak on behalf of the gentry: "Huai Haijun is my soldier from Yangzhou. Today the army sets out to recover Yangzhou, which is to recover our own homeland. We wish the army a victory!"
"Wish the army a victory!" Everyone shouted together.
At this time, the lakeside was densely packed with people seeing off the army.
A long whistle sounded. Troops began to board the ship one after another. Huai Navy soldiers wearing camouflage combat uniforms lined up in four neat columns and walked towards the side of the ship. The people consciously gave way to a path. After the soldiers passed
At that time, from time to time, people would stuff prepared eggs, cakes and other food into the hands of the soldiers.
There are even bold girls who give the sachet in their hands to the handsome young man they like. The sachet is embroidered with the girl's maiden name, which is a token of love.
Although the enthusiasm of the people slowed down the troops' boarding speed, Dong Shuheng did not send anyone to stop him. He has been working hard to enhance the status of the troops, improve the image of soldiers, and break people's prejudice that good men should not be soldiers. This is good
This opportunity can bring the military closer to the people and create a sense of honor in the hearts of soldiers.
The long fleet went all the way south along Gaoyou Lake, with the Yangzhou and Huai'an leading the formation. Several slender multi-oared yachts explored the road ahead from a distance, paying attention to the slightest disturbance on both sides of the waterway.
Yangzhou government office, a flying horse galloped from outside the city. After a while, they arrived at the government office.
"Report! General, a troop from Gaoyou is heading towards Yangzhou." The scout reported breathlessly.
"Don't be anxious, drink some water and talk slowly." Zeng Lichang said, and a guard was already beside him to help the man get a cup of tea.
"Sir, according to our scouting, Jiangbei Admiral Dong Shuheng led an army to attack Yangzhou along the canal. It was said to be an army of 50,000 people. They made great fanfare all the way and did not hide their whereabouts. They even published a statement in Gaoyou, which was extremely arrogant."
"Is there any movement over at Jiangbei Camp?" Zeng Lichang asked.
A guard took a step forward and replied: "Someone just reported that the Jiangbei camp has closed the gate tightly. As usual, there is no movement."
"Issue a mobilization order for the whole city, all strong men go up the wall, and the troops enter their respective defensive positions. Send sentries to the Jiangbei camp and the direction of the canal. All movements will be reported half an hour. Call all officers for discussion." Then he quietly ordered his relatives.
The soldiers called for an officer.
"Ma Wanchong, have all the supplies in the city been collected?"
"General, all the public property collected in the city has been gathered in the Nancheng warehouse. It can be shipped at any time."
"Tonight, transport all the supplies to Baguazhou, and send someone to contact General Luo Guangdao to ask the warships in Zhenjiang to assist in the transfer."
As early as more than a month ago, Yang Xiuqing had ordered Zeng Lichang to prepare to abandon Yangzhou. Due to the tight schedule of the Northern Expedition and the Western Expedition, Jiangning's defense was tense, and the Taiping Army's top brass decided to implement a shrinking defense strategy eastward. Even Luo Lian, who was about to capture Changzhou,
The generals called for a halt and had to stop the attack so that Governor Yang could breathe again.
Soon all the officers felt the presence of the prefect's Yamen.
"Everyone knows that the Qing army Jiangbei Admiral Dong Shuheng's army is attacking. How have we dealt with this person before? But it is said that the escort team we sent to Tianjing last time was killed by this person. And this person was killed before
There was a battle with the Gaoyou water bandits. It is said that the smaller the number, the greater the number. I must have some ability."
"General, the Qing army is basically a coward. Like the Beida camp, they are all the elites of the Qing army. They are still hiding in their turtle shells and dare not come out. I have never heard of this Dong Shuheng before. I guess it is just a newly established
If the regiment trains its armed forces, if you ask me, we will go directly out of the city and kill him."
Zeng Lichang sat in his seat and shook his head. Last time, the team he sent to escort had more than a thousand people, most of them were from the old camp, but they were wiped out silently. Not even a single person escaped.
Dong Wang's sister has been lost. If this is really what Dong Shuheng said, then the opponent's combat power must not be underestimated.
"Don't underestimate the heroes of the world. Our focus now is to defend Yangzhou. If Yangzhou defends for one more day, we can reduce the pressure on Tianjing City."
"Now, shrink all the strongholds outside the city back into the city. The outermost defenses are in the trenches outside the city, leaving only the defensive strongholds in the south of the city."
…
Gaoyou is not very far from Yangzhou East. Take a boat from Gaoyou Lake Pier to the south to Wantou Town and then turn into the Yangzhou section of the canal. The total distance is only about 40 kilometers. It only takes two or three hours to arrive by boat. The army is preparing to attack Yangzhou East.
We landed at Guan Pier. We originally thought there would be a battle, but we didn't expect the Taiping Army to decisively abandon all their strongholds outside the city. Only the stronghold outside the south gate was heavily guarded.
Since the main force of the Northern Expedition, the Taiping Army began to shrink its defense in Yangzhou. The focus of defense was placed around the city wall. Zeng Lichang knew very well that he was now a nail, and a nail did not need to occupy much space.
After all, the changes in the south of Yangzhou City were not hidden from the eyes of Huai Haijun's spies. The situation soon spread through the bribed Taiping Army. The news was sent to Dong Shuheng through secret channels before dark.
The canal dock in Dongguan, Yangzhou, was a bustling scene, and the imagined battle did not happen. Zeng Lichang was indeed a very decisive general. After determining the focus of the battle, he decisively evacuated the outer strongholds, leaving only the outside of the south wall
The stronghold was not evacuated.
Therefore, Huai Haijun directly took over the dock after arriving. Although it was not dark yet, Dong Shuheng was not in a hurry to start a war.
He ordered the soldiers to dig a semicircular trench with the dock as the center, and built a low wall with earth outside the trench. Then he used the materials on the dock to make a large number of horses and fences. A strong camp was built before dark.
It's almost done.
Dong Shuheng believed that he had no military talent. He felt that the outcome of the battle was basically a competition of strength. Before fighting, he must first make himself invincible. At present, the Taiping Army does not have much naval power in the canal, and Huaihai
The army concentrated all its naval forces on the canal, which gave it an absolute advantage on the water. Therefore, Dong Shuheng set up camp at the dock, which was very safe. In addition, the riverside was also convenient for the army's material supplies.
The soldiers were repairing the camp, while others were carrying all the supplies from the ship. The army field hospital also selected a place in the camp, and the medical staff were really setting up various medical facilities.
However, the scouts were still dispersed far away. Huaihai Navy's scouts are generally organized into squads, with a group of more than a dozen people, with a lookout, a monocular telescope, and a recorder, who are responsible for recording the situation.
A correspondent is responsible for delivering messages. There are also 5 riflemen responsible for fire support, and 2 snipers.