It is necessary to attack the Qing coalition forces, but not too much.
This will undoubtedly test the operational level of Xia Jun's top management.
However, Xia Jun's opponent is not a piece of wood, but a living person, and he is the top army of this era.
Many things do not depend on Xia Jun's will.
On April 18, the vanguard of the Fourth Division finally arrived at Chungju, where they encountered Jin Zidian's troops.
The poor Koreans were obviously left behind by the Qing army.
The entire battle was lackluster. In just two hours, the Fourth Division defeated Jin Zidian and officially occupied Chungju.
"These Koreans are vulnerable and are just cannon fodder. We should move forward. If we can capture Wonju within three days, we will surely be able to bite the tail of the Qing coalition forces."
Sui Zhizhong thought the fight was not enough and wanted to move forward and speed up the pursuit. However, his proposal was opposed by Xie Qian.
"The 15th Regiment is still in Danyang, and the division headquarters is still in Wenqing, which is more than a hundred miles away from us. In fact, we are already alone, and there is a river blocking our back. It is easy to fall into a desperate situation. To be on the safe side, we can't go any further.
Let’s go ahead.”
Sui Zhizhong was very dissatisfied with the political commissar's caution.
"You are just too careful. We have a group of over 5,000 people, and we can still handle it even if we encounter ten times the number of enemies."
Xie Qian's face turned serious.
"Have you forgotten His Highness's teachings? On the battlefield, there is no big mistake. Not to mention the combat effectiveness of the Qing army. It's not like you haven't seen it before. There are endless mountains and mountains in this ghost place. Once you are ambushed, you can afford the consequences.
?"
The two chief officers had a real quarrel.
However, people in the regiment are used to their arguments.
This is very common in the military and does not affect the overall battle.
The two chief officers had different opinions, so naturally they had no choice but to report the situation to the division headquarters.
Three days later, Bai Xiaoqi's order came back.
He strictly ordered the 13th Regiment to garrison Chungju on the spot and reinforce the city defenses. It was not allowed to take a step forward until the rest of the troops arrived.
This order frightened Sui Zhizhong into a cold sweat, and at the same time he was extremely grateful to Xie Qian.
The division headquarters' order was not just out of caution, but because they had noticed anomalies on the battlefield.
"Although the combat effectiveness of the North Korean army is quite insufficient, Jin Zidian's troops were defeated too quickly and did not suffer much damage. We highly suspect that this is a ploy by the Qing Dynasty coalition forces to lure the enemy."
After studying and judging the battle process, the division staff gave a reminder.
Liu Yiyuan's east finger followed the movement of the Fourth Division headquarters. After hearing the report, he immediately asked: "Is there any information coming back from the front?"
Bai Xiaoqi looked serious and frowned.
"It has been about five days and I have not received any information from the front. I am afraid that the Qing coalition forces have blocked all the passages and our reconnaissance personnel cannot get through."
After the Fourth Division launched its pursuit, the scouts and special forces were sent out to continuously report back the movements of the Qing coalition forces.
It can be said that the Fourth Division has always been in control of the situation on the entire battlefield.
But since five days ago, the Fourth Division has been unable to receive any intelligence.
The only possibility for this situation to occur is that the Qing Dynasty coalition forces strengthened the road blockade, causing the infiltrating scouts and special forces to lose contact with the large forces in the rear.
Why did the Qing coalition forces carry out such a blockade?
This had to arouse Xia Jun's vigilance.
In any case, the strength of the Qing coalition forces was a full 200,000, which was five times as many as the Fourth Division.
Although the Fifth Division is already in the process of reinforcements, it will still take some time for the two units to complete coordinated operations.
This time difference is the most dangerous time.
Since it was impossible to judge the intentions of the Qing coalition forces, and out of caution, Liu Yiyuan immediately ordered the troops of the Fourth Division to stop their advance and build fortifications on the spot.
The current regiments of the Fourth Division are scattered on the battlefield of hundreds of kilometers. Although they are very far away from each other, if they rely on fortifications to hold on, the Qing coalition forces will have absolutely no chance to attack.
"What did the Northern Line say?"
Fog appeared on the battlefield, and Liu Yiyuan, the commander-in-chief, was a little irritable.
He must synthesize more information.
"The Third and Fourth Marine Regiments have moved eastward and are approaching Chunchuan. The northern front hopes that we can cooperate in the battle, complete the capture of Chunchuan, and intercept part of the Qing coalition forces."
Liu Yiyuan lay on the map, looking at the situation between the enemy and ourselves, trying hard to see where the problem was.
But it's a pity that the map is dead and cannot let him realize the truth.
He only knew that the Fourth Division must not advance rashly until it could not see through the intentions of the Qing coalition forces.
Perhaps there is another way to change the current situation.
"Send an order to the Fifth Division to ask their follow-up troops to speed up their advance and join the forwards. Lichuan must be captured within three days."
Just as he placed his hand on Lichuan, his eyes suddenly discovered something.
To the northeast of Icheon is Yeoju, and to the north of Yeoju is Yangpyeong.
Starting from Yangpyeong, there are several roads that can reach Guangzhou, Hanyang and Gapyeong respectively.
Now the Fourth Regiment of the 1st Marine Division is in Gapyeong, attacking in the direction of Chuncheon.
But Yangping was in the hands of the Qing army.
In an instant, Liu Yiyuan broke out in a cold sweat.
"Immediately send an order to the 4th Marine Regiment to stop the attack. If we cannot hold on to Gapyeong, we will retreat to Nanyangju to consolidate the security of Hanyang. Where is the 17th Regiment of the 5th Division?"
A combat staff officer made a report.
"In Anseong."
Liu Yiyuan's attitude is very determined.
"Give them an order to attack Guangzhou and occupy it within three days."
Liu Yiyuan thought of a possibility.
The Qing coalition's purpose of blocking the road may not be to target the Fourth Division.
Their target is likely Hanyang.
Although the current situation seems that the units of the Fourth Division are extremely dispersed and seem to be able to defeat them individually. But if the Qing coalition forces turn their heads and attack south, their logistics supply line will definitely be extended. If they cannot keep up, they will be immediately defeated by the Xia Dynasty.
The army drives away the ducks.
The most important thing is that the Fifth Division is on its way and may send reinforcements at any time.
Once the two divisions join forces, although their strength is still far inferior to that of the Qing coalition, the improvement in combat effectiveness is by no means as simple as one plus one equals two.
As long as the commander of the Qing coalition was not stupid, he would never adopt this strategy.
Compared with the southern front, the northern front only has one main force, the 1st Marine Division.
Moreover, the 1st Marine Division was even more dispersed.
The Third and Fourth Marine Regiments are preparing to attack Chuncheon, while the Second Marine Regiment is still on the Incheon and Suwon lines.
The 1st Marine Regiment is in Paju and Yeoncheon in the north.
It can be said that the 3rd and 4th Marine Regiments were truly isolated and helpless.
If the Qing coalition forces concentrate their forces, these two regiments will be in great danger. If something happens to them, Hanyang will open the door.