Chapter 414: Encounter at the foot of Hunchun Ridge (1)
The official security officer who received the urgent report from Na Qitai did not dare to delay, and immediately sent an urgent message of 600 miles to Qinggui, who was in Jilin.
After the Ninggu Pagoda was lost last year, the post road from Hunchun to Wula in Jilin was cut off by the Northern Navy. Afterwards, Qinggui petitioned the court to open a new post road from Hunchun to the west via the Burhatu River and to Jilin via Odoli.
While Hunchun's military report was still on the way, Qinggui first received a flight report from Aung Bang Duohong Station, 235 miles northeast of Jilin. The Northern Navy's sentinels have been retreating to Jiaohe River in recent days.
He appeared nearby, seeming to be surveying the water level of Tuijiao River.
Subsequently, the Qing army stationed outside Ningguta City also sent back a secret report. The news was sent out ten days ago. It said that about 4,000 to 5,000 Northern Navy troops arrived from Fuldan City and arrived five miles south of Ningguta City.
The military camps inside and outside were followed by a large number of supply vehicles, and it was so dark that one could not see the end of it. In order to prevent anyone in Ningguta City from tipping off the Manchu and Qing Dynasties, the inspections in and out of Ningguta City were very strict.
People inside can't get out without a pass issued by the Beihai Town government, and those outside the city are in trouble once they get in!
Qinggui frowned immediately after receiving the news, thinking that he was really afraid of what would happen. He was now afraid that Zhao Xin would do something before Fukangan arrived, and Qianlong's troops dispatched from the northwest were still on the way.
At present, most of Jilin's peripheral defense forces are deployed along the line from Xiaobai Mountain to Fosiheng Mountain, with nearly 30,000 troops. Their purpose is to prevent the Northern Navy from launching an attack from Ninggu Pagoda. As for the southern line, Hunchun Camp is responsible for it.
.
Since the fall of Ninggu Pagoda in May last year, Qinggui ordered people to build hundreds of checkpoints and more than 20 forts around various passes and post roads in Xiaobai Mountain and Fosiheng Mountain, and deployed a large number of forts in these forts.
Artillery and musketeers. In the mountainous forest areas between the forts, battalions of Eight Banners musketeers and archers were stationed.
Once a certain fortress was attacked, nearby Qing troops could quickly provide support through newly opened roads behind each fort, or attack from other passes and use the cover of mountains and forests to outflank the invading enemy from the sides.
Although Qinggui is just staying behind and temporarily taking charge of the military and political power, as long as he can hold on for a while and wait until Fukang'an comes to complete the handover, he can return to Beijing safely.
However, there were unforeseen circumstances, and bad luck happened one after another. Two days later in the evening, just after he had just arranged to send out sentries in the direction of Ninggu Pagoda, an urgent report came from Hunchun.
In the signing room of the general's office, Qinggui sat on the kang and read the report from the official security and Na Qitai's secret letter. He couldn't help but fell into deep thought. Several staff members did not dare to speak out for fear of disturbing the master's speech.
decision.
Qinggui looked up at the wooden plan in the signing room, and then stood up and walked closer. The two Goshiha each held a whale oil horse lantern produced in Beihai Town to help him illuminate it. The wooden plan occupied three thirds of the signing room.
An area of 1, it is covered with flags of various colors, and the situation between the enemy and ourselves is clear at a glance.
How many troops did the Northern Navy dispatch? How many troops did Zhao Xin deploy on the front lines of Ningguta and Fuldan City? Did he really want to send troops in two directions and attack Jilin and Hunchun at the same time?
At present, the intelligence obtained by the Qing government's secret agents from Beihai Town is fragmented. There is a hammer in the east and a stick in the west, especially the North Navy training base located on the east bank of the Xila River. It is completely impossible to penetrate with a needle or with water.
.Even Qinggui found it incredible. He really couldn't understand how the Beihai Navy could guard a large camp so tightly all year round.
Qianlong, Fukang'an, and even Qinggui have all estimated the military strength of Beihai Town before. They all believe that the total strength of the Beihai Navy is about 20,000 people, mainly based on the ratio of soldiers to peasants in this era. Now
Tsarist Russia had made it clear that it would go to war with Beihai Town, so Zhao Xin had to deploy 10,000 troops in Irkutsk no matter what.
In addition, the Northern Navy also has 5,000 troops stationed in the east and west of the island country. Heilongjiang City, Sanxing, and Boli also have hundreds of troops each. Qinggui previously estimated that Fuldan City has a maximum of 5,000 people, and Beihai Town
There were only a few hundred people there at most.
After listening to Qinggui's analysis, several Zanhua staff members also looked at each other in astonishment. One of them said: "Then Zhao Xin wants to go militarily? If he recruits soldiers like this in Beihai Town, how many people can he still grow food for him?"
Another person said: "What Brother He said is really on point. The Zhao thieves don't care about the people's power so much that their destruction is just around the corner."
Qinggui listened to the discussion of his staff and suddenly remembered the intelligence sent by the spies a few days ago. It said that not many manpower was used for spring plowing in various places in Beihai Town this year. Except for some mountainous flats in the corners, no matter in the plain south of Xingkai Lake,
Still north of Beihai Town, you can often see some huge steel machinery helping to farm, which can plow and sow at least several hundred acres a day. As for the mechanical principle, it has not yet been discovered.
After reading the secret report, Qinggui thought it was really shocking that Beihai Town's strange skills could reach such an extent. It would be great if the imperial court also had such plowing machinery, at least it would save a lot of effort. But then he thought about it,
If farming becomes like this in the future, then what is the use of "farmer" in "scholars, farmers, industry and commerce"? At present, whether it is Zhili, Henan, or Shandong, the number of refugees caused by various natural disasters has reached hundreds of thousands. It is really
If machines were used to replace manpower, wouldn't those ordinary people have no way to survive?
Thinking of this, Qinggui showed a trace of disdain on his lips. He thought that Zhao Xin was indeed a monster. Not only did he want to destroy the orthodoxy respected by scholars, he would even cut off the livelihood of ordinary people. If he really conquered the world, he would probably
All life is in ruins, and the world is sinking into darkness like a long night.
Turning around, Qinggui thought that it would be fine if Zhao Xin only attacked Hunchun, but at worst he could shrink all his troops to the line from Changbai Mountain to Fosiheng Mountain; but if the other party just spread suspicion on the south bank of the Suifen River, it would be a false shot, and the real target is
It would be troublesome to capture Jilin Wula.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Judging from the marching speed of the Northern Navy during the Battle of Fuldan City, once Jilin is lost, they will definitely quickly cut off the retreat of the Hunchun Camp to the east. Tens of thousands of Qing troops
It became a lonely army. Although the Qing army could use the northern part of the Li Dynasty to withdraw southward from the Tumen River, the court would lose all face.
Could it be that Zhao Xin planned to take action on both sides? Qinggui thought about Zhao Xin's past battles and found that it was really possible.
Qinggui stayed up all night, thinking hard about Zhao Xin's purpose in this battle. However, he never thought that Zhao Xin actually wanted to capture prisoners this time, regain the lost land at the southern foot of Jiangyuan, and get back the large iron mine!
Two days later, the official security received Qinggui's handwritten letter.
In this letter, Qinggui first ordered the official security to send troops to the north of the Mongolian River to find out the mobilization of the Northern Navy so that the response plan could be adjusted in a timely manner; secondly, he requested that the Hunchun Camp and surrounding fortresses and mountain cities be on full alert
, check and replenish grain, grass and military supplies, and be prepared to go to war with the Northern Navy at any time; third, Qinggui warned the officers and guards that once the Northern Navy attacks Jilin and launches an attack on the north bank of the Mongolian River at the same time, the Hunchun camp must resist resolutely.
It can rely on various mountain fortresses and mountain forest terrain to force the Northern Navy to be unable to concentrate its superior forces. If necessary, it can even divide its forces across the Hunchun Ridge to attack Fuldan City, forcing the Northern Navy to return reinforcements.
After reading Qinggui's handwriting, Guan Bao felt that Lord Jinglue was thinking of him and that he also had plans to divide his forces and attack.
So in order to explore the route in the Hunchun Ridge area and find out the movements of the Northern Navy, the official security team, after discussing with the deputy commander Wen Dai, decided to transfer a hundred-man Sauron collared armored force from the Hunchun camp, and another one to the Tongken Mountain
Ten Kurkhaqi hunters living nearby formed a sentinel cavalry and entered the eastern foot of Hunchun Ridge along the Hunchun River Valley. They bypassed the defense line of the Northern Navy and arrived at the south bank of the Suifen River for reconnaissance.
The people responsible for leading the team are Xizhi Madai, the leader of Da'urzuo of Xianghuang Banner, and Zarzhan, the leader of Da'urzuo of Zhenghuang Banner. These lower-level officers of Sauron led by them are all elites who have experienced hundreds of battles in the northwest. Each of them is good at using 120 pounds.
Xizhi Madai and Zarzan both used 140-pound walking bows. If they fought within 20 meters, they could nail their opponents to the ground with one arrow.
In order to withstand the powerful crossbows and muskets of the Northern Navy reconnaissance team, all the officers and soldiers of Guan Bao Ming wore two sets of cotton armor inlaid with iron leaves and copper nails. In addition to bows and arrows, they also carried two flint-haired muskets and selected black beads.
Mu Qin's horse has two hundred and twenty fat horses, and each man rides two.
The order given by the official security officer to the two men was to explore the road from Tongken Mountain to Hunchunling East Road, and also to find out the gathering and troop deployment of the Northern Navy on the south bank of the Suifen River, and report back immediately. If they encounter the Northern Navy, they should try to avoid exchanges of fire.
.
Two days later, the Qing army's reconnaissance team set out from the Hunchun Camp. It took three days for the group to follow the Hunchun River Valley and arrive at the Tongken Mountain Fortress. It is said that this mountain city has existed since the Goguryeo era, and it continued to be used in the Ming Dynasty and belonged to Nuer.
The Tongken Mountain Guard under the jurisdiction of the Gandu Division. Since the rise of the Jin Dynasty at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Tongken Mountain Guard has been gradually abandoned.
Although this road is all on the inside of the Qing defense line, due to the recent frequent activities of the Northern Navy's reconnaissance team, for the sake of safety, Xizhi Madai, the commander of the Yellow Flag, sent five two-person teams out to scout after setting off.
Each team is equipped with a Kurkhaqi hunter, and the five teams alternate in order to send back early warnings in time. The remaining personnel are divided into two teams, led by Xizhi Madai and Zarzan respectively.
The Tongken Mountain Fortress was built after Qinggui took office. After the Northern Navy defeated the Qing army in Fuldan City, Wang Yuanfang attacked Mongolian Karen on the southern front and passed through the southern foot of Tongken Mountain very easily.
Quickly occupied the wharf on the Hunchun River. In view of this, Qinggui, after ordering people to inspect the old site of Tongken Mountain City, decided to expand the place and restore its original military functions, making it an important fort guarding the northern section of the Hunchun River Valley.
Military fortress.
In fact, Qinggui built more than one military fortress in Hunchun. They included Shuishuiufeng Mountain City and Shitouhezi Ancient City in the south of Hunchun City, Tingyan Mountain City in the northwest of Hunchun, Saqi City, Gangouzi City, Yingchengzi City in the northeast, and so on.
Including Tongken Mountain, there are a total of seven mountain cities, all of which guard the chokepoints and the terrain is dangerous.
For example, the Tongken Mountain Fortress in front of you has only a low wall built on its east and south sides because it is adjacent to the cliff, while the walls on its west and north sides are built with stones, and there are sacks of earth behind it.
The Qing army built five barracks and two wells here; equipped with 500 musketeers and 200 archers, and equipped with many sky cannons and mountain-splitting cannons.
Over the past few years, the gunners of the Qing Army have fought against Beihai Town several times. Now they have learned their lesson and replaced more than half of the artillery shells used with explosive bombs that are fired after being ignited. Once the Beihai Navy attacks, the Qing Army can rely on the dangerous situation to dominate.
launched an artillery bombardment.
Xizhi Madai and Zarzhan rested one night at the Tongken Mountain Fortress and continued their journey north at dawn the next day. Unexpectedly, they found traces of the Northern Navy just ten miles away from the mountain city.
"Sir, there are footprints thirty steps ahead. They are not ours."
Xizhi Madai heard the report from his subordinates, and immediately said to Zarzhan who was walking over: "You stay here and stare, I will go over and take a look."
At this time, more than thirty Sauron soldiers were already on guard around the area where the footprints were found.
You can tell whether you are male or female, old or young by looking at the footprints.
The leader in charge of exploring the road nearby urged: "Sir, judging from the footprints, there are five of these guys, no horses, and they are heading west."
Xizhi Madai looked solemn and snorted coldly: "These rebels are so unscrupulous, they don't even bother to hide their footprints."
The reason why he made this judgment was that after the Northern Navy occupied Ningguta, Hunchun prohibited border residents from the Four Townships from crossing the Lat River and the Khajimi River to hunt in order to prevent contact with Beihai Town.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The leader urged: "Looking at the distance and depth between the footprints, he must be very anxious."
Xizhi Madai nodded, so he went back to discuss with Zarzan and asked his men to expand the search scope on the way forward.
It is said that although the reconnaissance team of the Northern Navy's southern line is powerful, the problem is that there are only about thirty people in total. From the Tongken Mountain Fortress to the south bank of the Suifen River, it covers an area of more than 100,000 square kilometers, densely covered with virgin forests and canyons. Even Zhao Xin can
Even if the two regiments in Fuldan City are spread out and the few drones on hand fly around 24 hours a day, it will be impossible to monitor every corner.
It happened that this Qing army came out from Hunchun with ten local guides. These Kurkaqi hunters were very familiar with the Hunchun Ridge area. They surveyed the road terrain and arrived at the western foot of the Hunchun Ridge in four days.
At the foot of the mountain, a Kurkhaqi guide pointed to the peak not far away and said to Xizhi Madai and Zhargu: "My lords, as long as you climb over this mountain, enter the ravine and walk for two days, the south bank of Suifen River will be reached.
I can see everything closely."
Xizhi Madai was a serious guy. He nodded solemnly and said to his subordinates: "Brothers, take a breath first and go over the mountain to camp and rest."
The armored soldiers had been traveling for a long time, and now they were tired and exhausted. After listening to Lord Zuoling's words, they unloaded the things on the horses, fed and watered the horses, and took some time to eat something themselves.
At this time, a guard leader wearing armor held a bow and arrow and looked around. When he turned around, he suddenly felt a thorn in his back. He felt alert and immediately raised his bow and arrow to aim in one direction.
This feeling is not innate, but gradually formed after repeated battles and life-and-death battles.
When the others saw his posture, they immediately stopped what they were doing and took off their bows and arrows from their horses to be on guard. As long as Master Zuoling made a gesture, dozens of plum needle arrows would immediately be shot in that direction.
"Hollatu, what happened?"
"Someone is watching us."
As soon as he said this, Zargu, the leader, immediately made a gesture. A dozen Sauron soldiers saw it and did not say a word. They ducked behind the tree and took advantage of the cover of the terrain to move toward the place pointed by Horlatu's bow and arrow.