Dagou (Kaohsiung) is a city 40 miles south of Taiwan. There is a large number of Japanese troops here to contain Liu Mingchuan's "Mingwu Army".
Originally, the Japanese army discovered that the defense of Dagou was lax. There were several cannons on it, but no gun mounts. There were only fixed cannons (old-fashioned Hongyi cannons). The Japanese army could build several forts in suitable places outside the city. No fierce fighting was required. .The Qing army can be easily surrendered and defeated.
Dagou is surrounded by a thirty-foot-high wall made of granite. Even though Dagou's city wall is strong, it cannot withstand the Japanese artillery.
In early May, Lieutenant General Xixiang Congdao led two brigades of Japanese troops. More than 2,000 Japanese troops and more than 4,000 Beidong rebels jointly attacked Dagou. However, at this time, the garrison of Dagou had become the "Mingwu Army" ".Liu Mingchuan sent his most trusted lieutenant colonel Nie Shicheng to Dagou. The Mingwu Army's artillery was fierce and the defense was tight. Nie Shicheng led two thousand Mingwu Army to engage in fierce battles with several times the number of enemies. The Mingwu Army defended the entrance to Taiwan. .beating dogs made the Japanese afraid to invade the central plains.
The Japanese army suffered heavy casualties under Dagou City and finally returned in defeat. The Japanese army's attack on Dagou ended in failure. This cut off the Japanese army's initial idea of developing into the central and western regions. This is also the fundamental reason why the Japanese army opened up colonies in the Shengfan area of eastern Taiwan. " "Mingwu Army" became famous in the defensive dog fighting battle. Nie Shicheng became famous in the first battle.
At this time, the Japanese army discovered that the weapons and equipment of the Qing army in Taiwan had been brand new. The Japanese army's intelligence work was lagging behind and they misjudged the Qing army's combat effectiveness. "God of Death" Liu Mingchuan was stationed in Taiwan, which put great pressure on the Japanese army. Lieutenant General Xi Xiang Congdao reviewed the moderation and changed the strategic deployment. He no longer took the initiative to attack the fortresses of the Qing army. In order to occupy a place in "barbaric Taiwan", the Japanese army did not retreat from the Dagou area. Instead, they stayed in the rural areas and continued to fight with the Qing army. Fighting. Wanting to defeat the Qing army in the wild.
Later, Liu Mingdeng, the commander-in-chief of the Taiwanese government, failed to recognize the situation clearly. He thought that the Japanese army was vulnerable. He did not formulate correct strategic goals. Instead, he took the initiative to lead 3,000 "Jianwu troops" to attack. He was lured by the Japanese army to Papaya Creek in the Pingtung Plain. .Three thousand Jianwu troops suffered more than a thousand casualties. Liu Mingdeng led less than 2,000 defeated troops and fled back to Keelung Port.
After this battle, the morale of the Japanese army was greatly boosted. On the one hand, it sent more troops to Taiwan, and on the other hand, it eliminated the Paiwan people in Guishan and vigorously expanded its colonies in eastern Taiwan.
The Battle of Wangyue Township became a turning point in the battle on the Pingtung Plain. The Qing army took the initiative in terms of strength and psychology. Li Guolou implemented a step-by-step political strategy tactically and implemented a policy of national reconciliation politically. Initial results were achieved. Beidong There was disunity among the tribesmen. The leaders of each tribe surrendered to the new military army one after another.
In the small-scale battles on the Pingtung Plain, the New Armed Forces and the Ever-Victorious Army carried forward their spirit of dedication and charged forward. They fought with the Japanese army one after another at the cost of blood. The price of blood was exchanged for one battle after another. A victory. More than 1,000 Japanese troops and more than 3,000 rebels were annihilated. The Qing army won the initiative on the battlefield and restored the Qing army's disadvantage. The morale of the Qing army was high and they began to actively attack the Japanese army.
The Qing army began a strategic counterattack. In order to regain the Pingtung Plain in one fell swoop, the Qing army launched a joint operation. Li Guolou's 4,000 New Military Army (expanded), Bai Langning's 3,000 Victory Army (expanded), and Liu Mingdeng's 8,000 The Jianwu Army, Liu Mingchuan's 8,000 Mingwu Army, and the armies of various ethnic minorities. A total of more than 30,000 Qing troops launched an oppressive attack on the Japanese army along the southern end of the Yushan Mountains. They were known to the outside world as a hundred thousand Qing troops.
The Taiwan Mountain System runs parallel to the northeast to southwest direction of Taiwan Island. It runs through the central part, forming a terrain that is high in the middle and low on both sides. High mountains are mostly concentrated in the east and east of the central part, forming a mountainous area in the east. The terrain in the central and western parts decreases, and finally forms in the western coast area. Vast coastal plain.
The Central Mountain Range starts from near Suao in the north and reaches Eluanbi at the southern tip of Taiwan in the south. It runs through the north and south centers of the main island of Taiwan. It becomes the backbone and watershed of the entire island. It is known as the "Roof of Taiwan". It divides the entire island of Taiwan into the small east and the small west. Large asymmetrical two parts.
The Yushan Mountains run southwest. The northern end is separated from the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River and is close to the Xueshan Mountains. The southern end reaches the northern part of the Pingtung Plain. The total length is about 240 miles. The main peak of Yushan has an altitude of 4,000 meters. It is the highest peak on the island and in the eastern part of the mainland. The top of Yushan is available year-round. It is covered with snow and is as white as jade, so it is called "Jade Mountain".
In fact, most of the time in fighting is marching. If you want to win the initiative on the battlefield, the first thing is to expand your military strength and gain geographical advantage. Only then can you have the upper hand on the battlefield. This is what everyone calls the Art of War. "Forsighted". This time Liu Mingdeng learned from the failure of his last expedition to the Pingtung Plain. He did not directly enter the hinterland of the Pingtung Plain. Instead, he personally led 4,000 Jianwu troops to prepare to cross the snow-capped mountains.
The four thousand Jianwu Army must go through the Lumen Mountain area to collect food and fodder. The area has been depopulated by the Japanese army. It is deserted and there is nowhere to raise food and grass. The Jianwu Army needs to carry two months of food and fodder with the army. There are many difficulties. Liu Mingdeng and Taiwan The conflicts among ethnic minorities came to the fore. At this time, coercion could not be used against ethnic minorities. Fortunately, the Taiwan Strait was open. Shen Baozhen shipped a large amount of grain and grass to support the Jianwu Army. Shen Baozhen led the fleet to Keelung Port, which solved Liu Mingdeng's urgent need.
As soon as Liu Mingdeng saw Shen Baozhen's arrival, he complained full of complaints: "General Manager Shen, why did you come here? Taiwan should be managed by you. How can you unload a heavy burden and hand it over to a young child instead?"
Shen Baozhen laughed. He had no interface. He turned to look at the dock. There were some things that everyone complained about. He didn't want to be the commander-in-chief of Taiwan. Unfortunately, there were many difficulties that he could not solve. Fighting a war means providing logistical support. Li Guolou lent The Qing government spent five million silver dollars out of its own pocket in the early stage. This allowed Li Hongzhang to buy a large amount of military supplies from the British Empire and Prussia. Li Guolou wanted to be the commander-in-chief of Taiwan. Who dares to mess with Li Guolou. After all, Li Guolou The power of Guolou was bought with money.
Who is not jealous of Li Guolou's luck? Shen Baozhen and Liu Mingdeng both envied Li Guolou's military exploits. They also thought that if they commanded the war against Japan, the war in Taiwan could end as soon as possible.
The docks were full of long-term men carrying goods. They were carrying various strategic materials. They saw traces of small steel cannons and split-mountain cannons. Liu Mingdeng was as excited as a child. The Jianwu Army finally looked like a modern army.
Shen Baozhen asked: "Liu Zhentai, how is the war going now? The newspaper said that 10,000 Japanese troops were wiped out. Is it true?"
Liu Mingdeng smiled and said: "Our army has begun a strategic counterattack. The battle in the Pingtung Plain. Although our army suffered heavy casualties, we have a strong rear area. The losses will be made up for soon. The rebels are getting weaker and weaker." It will be over soon. The Japanese army no longer dares to move out. As for the nonsense in the newspapers, go and see what it does."
"How many troops are there in the Japanese army? Can you give a real number?" Shen Baozhen was most concerned about the strength of the Japanese army. He wanted to hear the truth from Liu Mingdeng's mouth.
Liu Mingdeng said sternly: "The Japanese army lost the battle over the Diaoyu Islands. The Japanese navy has become more and more cautious. Logistics and transportation are often attacked by our army. Supply is becoming more and more difficult. The main force of the Japanese army is huddled in the Guishan area. It should not exceed Twenty thousand soldiers and horses. In my opinion, the maximum number is 10,000 soldiers and horses. If the fight lasts until next spring, I think the Japanese army will suffer from famine. It's a pity that Li Guolou doesn't use my strategy. He has a too weak character and is not a commander-in-chief."
Shen Baozhen didn't know what the conflict was between Liu Mingdeng and Li Guolou. He asked: "Liu Zhentai, what plan do you propose to Li Guolou."
"During war, war must be used. Kindness cannot lead the army. I proposed to Li Guolou to burn down all the crops and villages in the Pingtung Plain so that the Japanese army could not harvest autumn crops in Pingtung. As long as the winter was over, the Japanese army would be defeated. Unexpectedly, I was scolded by Li Guolou. He said that I would push the Beidong and Paiwan people to a dead end. He also said that I was an eternal sinner. He put the blame of the Beidong people for betraying the motherland on my head. Are you angry?" Liu Mingdeng was so angry that he kicked a piece of gravel on the ground three feet away.
Shen Baozhen still understood the general situation and consoled him: "Liu Zhentai, don't be angry. Li Guolou has his own reasons. This kind of tactical disagreement is harmless. Li Guolou is quite generous. It's not that he is jealous of others. As long as we recover the lost territory of Taiwan, you will be indispensable for the credit."
"He is the commander-in-chief. Whatever he says, I will do it. You also know that I am a person who can't hide his words. I just want to express a few complaints. I don't need my strategy. It's just that Li Guolou's strategy is too conservative. He claims to have obtained the true biography of Marshal Zuo. I think he is a tiger rather than a dog. He is less courageous than a mouse. If I were a follower of Xixiang, I would definitely kill him to death. Let me tell you?????? "Liu Mingdeng dragged Shen Baozhen to the command room together. Liu Mingdeng looked down on Li Guolou's strategic deployment from the bottom of his heart. There was nothing new. After all, he just advanced slowly and attacked quickly. Li Guolou was not as good as one of his counselors. This kind of person can still be the commander-in-chief of Taiwan and win a few small victories. It is really unreasonable. It is only his own fault that he lost the first battle. The Jianwu Army still cannot hold its head up. It does not even have a say in the military. It wants to listen. A military order from a young boy.
Liu Mingdeng trained 8,000 soldiers and horses. In addition, he supplied a large number of weapons and ammunition. He became more courageous and wanted to go straight to the Japanese army's home base, Guishan, to fight the Japanese army to the death. However, Li Guolou had already formulated the tactical plan. He could only obey military orders and fight step by step. Many tactical constraints made Liu Mingdeng full of complaints.
Shen Baozhen continued to comfort Liu Mingdeng, asking Liu Mingdeng to focus on the overall situation and never violate Li Guolou's military orders.
Liu Mingdeng expressed his feelings, displayed his ambitions in the war room, pointed out the mountains and rivers of Taiwan, and made tactical arrangements. The biggest difference was where to attack first.
Liu Mingdeng wanted the main force of the 30,000 Qing army to take the Pingtung Plain directly and recover a large area of lost territory first. However, the tactical deployment formulated by Li Guolou was to recover strategically important areas as the primary goal. There was no decision to attack the Pingtung Plain on a large scale. Two decisions were made: People's ideas are different.
As for who is right or wrong, heroes have their own opinions. The benevolent see benevolence and the wise see wisdom.
How could Liu Mingdeng dare to disobey military orders and vent his complaints? He then arranged his troops according to the tactics formulated by Li Guolou.
Liu Mingdeng's meticulous demeanor reassured Shen Baozhen. Being able to allow so many officers to carry out military orders showed that there were not many flaws in the tactics formulated by Li Guolou. At least he would not cut off his retreat.
When he entered the army, Liu Mingdeng sent troops to transport the troops. He ordered the Jianwu Army rear troops to store grain and grass for three months in Lumen Mountain and other places. The autumn grain in the Pingtung Plain was harvested at the end of September. Liu Mingdeng then chose the time to advance during the harvest season. .In order to obtain food locally.
At the end of July, Liu Mingdeng thought that everything was ready. He believed that he was one step ahead of Li Guolou and was invulnerable. He ordered more than 20 battalions of Qing troops to advance in three groups.
On the middle route, Fu Xianchu led his troops to cross the river thirty miles north of Didao. On the left route, Yang Shidai led his troops via Nanping, south of Didao, and entered Xiacheng. On the right route, Liu Mingdeng led his troops from Maying to Datuo River via Hongtu Kiln. In order to prevent the Japanese army Attack. It was stipulated that half of the troops of the middle route should be stationed on the north bank, and half of the troops should cross the Datuo River to build forts. The left and right routes should wait for the middle route to establish a firm foothold in Henan before crossing the river.
Every time the Qing army entered a place, various branches of troops were sent to sweep forward in an attempt to drive the Beidong Army, which was dispersed on the south bank of the Datuo River, to Paijiaya, forcing them to fight with their backs, and achieve the goal of "gathering and annihilating them". .
In order to shorten the front line, the Beidong Army conducted harassment and blocking on the north bank of the Datuo River. After inflicting casualties on the Qing army, it withdrew to Henan and stationed in the Armor Collection area ten miles away from the south bank of the Datuo River. They wanted to use the dense jungle to block the Qing army. .
Liu Mingdeng was actually full of complaints about the strategy formulated by Li Guolou. Let the strong "Jianwu Army" pass through the jungle and climb the snow-capped mountains, and then advance quickly to defeat the Beidong Army who betrayed the Qing Dynasty. This is not overkill. But Now Li Guolou is the highest military officer in Taiwan. Liu Mingdeng failed to persuade Li Guolou. Instead, he was persuaded by Li Guolou. He personally led four thousand Jianwu troops to take the lead in a decisive battle with the main force of Beidong Army.
In addition, Li Guolou ordered Admiral Browning to lead the victorious army to assist Liu Mingdeng in crossing the Datuo River. At the same time, he sent Li Yunqi to lead the fifth battalion of the new armed forces to be stationed in Pinglin and Pingxi towns. He also mobilized the chieftains of the Heishan tribe. Yu Ronggu led "Fan Yong" to station at various passes. They were all controlled by Browning on the left. He also transferred the second battalion of Nie Shicheng's troops, the third battalion of the cavalry, and the first battalion of the artillery team. They advanced from Dagou to the Baiji Mountain area to prevent it. A large number of Japanese troops marched north, taking care of Liu Mingdeng's army. Li Guolou himself also visited the Xindian area in the Pingtung Plain to directly command the battle.
The Beidong Army stepped up its preparations to defend against the Qing army's attack. After the Beidong Army retreated to the south bank of the Datuo River, it worked with the Japanese army to build some forts on the south bank of the Datuo River. It began to rely on the forts to block the Qing army step by step. Tactics. I want to rely on fortress tactics to kill a large number of Qing troops.
Armor Collection and Didao on the south bank of the Datuo River are the two entrances and exits for the Beidong Army. If they retreat further, there will be no danger to defend. After Liu Mingdeng crossed the Datuo River, three armies attacked Didao fiercely. With powerful Firepower. Recapture Didao in one fell swoop. Eliminate more than a thousand Beidong troops and more than 200 Japanese troops.
After the Jianwu Army occupied Didao, the armor collection became the Beidong Army's and the only way for the Japanese army to enter and leave Yushan. Therefore, the Beidong Army focused on strengthening the defense in the Armor Collection area. "King of Beidong" Luo Xingyi did not want to return to the Jianwu Army. The battle was in the Pingtung Plains. The Beidong Army fought in the plains and was no match for the Qing Army.
The military weaknesses of plain warfare are well understood by both the enemy and us. Under normal circumstances, plain warfare is a war of attrition. Both the enemy and us know clearly who can expend the troops. The Japanese army, which is not afraid of death, is not willing to compete with the Qing army for attrition.
What's more, the Beidong Army's numbers are getting smaller and smaller as they fight.
The strategy formulated by the Japanese Army Operations Department was to let 4,000 Beidong troops defend the Armor Collection and rely on natural dangers to block the Qing army. In order to boost the morale of the Beidong Army, Lieutenant General Xixiang Congdao stationed 2,000 Japanese troops in Paijiaya. A total of
More than 6,000 people gathered on the armor line. The Japanese army no longer believed in Taiwan's ethnic minorities. In order to prevent the 4,000 Beidong troops from "uprising" on the battlefield, "Beidong Prince" and "Prime Minister" Luo Shijie personally led the 4,000 troops.