The clouds of war are getting thicker with the passage of time. The border between western Sichuan and the Qing court-controlled areas has already been covered with war clouds. At the junction of Sichuan and Hubei, hundreds of thousands of people on both sides are facing each other. Shaanxi to the north and Yunnan and Guizhou to the south.
There is also no peace. Both Western Sichuan and the Qing court are accumulating strength. A large number of soldiers and various combat materials are quickly sent to the front line.
Compared with western Sichuan, the Qing court's military advantage is undoubtedly much greater. On the Hubei front line, Huguang Governor Zhang Zhidong personally came to command the front line. Hubei's 100,000 new troops and Zhili's 100,000 new troops are already in place, and there are another 200,000
The green battalions were used as supplements. However, even so, Zhang Zhidong was not sure at all. Before this, there was only one Second Division guarding the border in western Sichuan, plus a Seventh Brigade stationed in Bazhong, two troops.
The total number was only more than 20,000, which forced his Hubei New Army to not dare to take a step westward.
"Sir, all the five towns of the Zhili New Army are here and are at your disposal!" A soldier in his thirties, wearing a new army uniform, reported to Zhang Zhidong. He was the first town of the Zhili New Army.
Controlled Xu Shichang. The Zhili New Army was adapted from Li Hongzhang's Huai Army. It was later joined by young men from Zhili, Shandong and other places. It was equipped with Western weapons and trained by Western teachers. Each town included four alliances, plus artillery.
"Xu Tongzhi has worked hard all the way. At present, all five towns of our Hubei New Army have entered the front line to guard against the attack of the Western Sichuan Army. The 200,000 green battalions from the eastern provinces have also been deployed on the second line of defense. Zhili
I will use the five towns of the New Army as reserves. Once the front line fails to withstand the attack of the Western Sichuan Army, it will be up to you!" Zhang Zhidong said.
"Everything is arranged by your Excellency!" Xu Shichang didn't say much. Zhang Zhidong was now named the General of the Central Army, and all the Qing troops in the Central Army obeyed his command.
Opposite to Hubei, the Western Sichuan Army in Chongqing has also entered the defense line. The 2nd Division and 7th Brigade have already made preparations, and the newly formed 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Divisions have also entered the defense line.
All have arrived at the front line and are ready to launch an attack at any time. In addition, the two destroyers and ten gunboats of Chongqing's inland river fleet have also completed combat preparations. If necessary, they will provide artillery support for the Western Sichuan Army, and even go directly along the river
Then attack Wuhan. Of course, this all depends on how the commander arranges it.
General Xiong Wu, Chief of Staff of the Western Sichuan Army, has set up his headquarters in Wanxian County to command various ministries nearby. At this moment, the Western Sichuan Army has gathered more than 120,000 troops in Chongqing. Although the Qing army opposite has 400,000 troops, there are still 200,000 troops.
The New Army, known as the strongest and most elite, was still not noticed by Xiong Wu. In his eyes, the Western Sichuan Army and the New Army of the Qing Army were not at the same level at all. A brigade of the Western Sichuan Army defeated the Qing Dynasty.
The New Army has the strength of a town. Calculated in this way, the Western Sichuan Army still occupies a decisive advantage.
However, the order to attack has not yet been sent, and all departments of the Western Sichuan Army are still waiting for the final order.
Not only the Eastern Front, the Southern and Northern Fronts, the Western Sichuan Army and the Qing Army have also entered a state of confrontation. The atmosphere is very tense. It only takes one spark to completely detonate and cause the war to break out. However, right now
Both sides seemed to have some restraint. Although the Qing government had begun to implement the plan to annihilate western Sichuan, it had not actually issued an order to attack.
In Tianshui, Gansu, the First Cavalry Army and the Second Cavalry Army of the Western Sichuan Army that have completed their reorganization have gathered here. They are also making final preparations. Compared with the Western Sichuan Army in the other two directions, their operations are undoubtedly longer.
It is more difficult. After all, both the eastern and southern fronts can get logistical support from Western Sichuan. But their logistics is very fragile. To supply them in Western Sichuan, they need to cross the plateau and walk two to three thousand miles. This
As a result, although the two cavalry corps have changed their equipment, they do not have much ammunition reserves.
"Young Marshal, Chief of Staff. The attack order from the General Staff Headquarters has been sent, ordering us to launch an attack on Xi'an on June 18, the day after tomorrow. The General Staff Headquarters requires us to send at least two brigades of troops south to attack Hanzhong.
Then cooperate with the First Brigade and the newly formed Third Division from Guangyuan to capture Hanzhong and open up our logistics supply line." Wu Huiyao handed the order to Wang Yuze.
Wang Yuze finished reading the command and then handed it over to Cai Yun.
"There should be no problem! Although the Qing army has concentrated 200,000 troops in Shaanxi, there are almost no real threats to us. Whether it is Shaanxi Green Camp or Shanxi Green Camp, although they have more troops, they are simply vulnerable. Even if
The 50,000 Mongolian cavalry led by Prince Boyanamohu of Horqin, but those cavalry who are only equipped with sabers and do not even have a cannon, will they be our opponents?" Wang Yuze seemed very relaxed. Although the Qing court had strong troops,
However, in terms of weapons, equipment and training, they cannot be compared with those in western Sichuan. Many green battalions still use old-fashioned shotguns, which is pitiful. As for the Mongolian cavalry, which played a major role in quelling the Taiping Rebellion, it is even more important.
Only cold weapons such as bows and arrows and sabers can be used. Only the 300,000 troops of the Zhili New Army, the Hubei New Army and the Imperial Guard New Army are equipped with Western-style weapons and have a certain degree of combat effectiveness.
"Order officers of the brigade level and above from the two cavalry corps to come to a meeting and issue combat orders!" Cai Yun said to Wu Huiyao.
"Yes, Chief of Staff!" Wu Huiyao turned around and informed the generals at all levels.
"What? Uncle Cai, are you still worried? Although there are many Qing troops on the opposite side, they are definitely not our opponents!" Wang Yuze said.
"Young Marshal, I have no doubt about this. But I don't know whether this time it will be the same as it was more than ten years ago and fall short again." Cai Yun said, his eyes were a little lonely. As a soldier, the most unlucky thing is that
There is nothing more you would like to see than an easy victory slipping away in vain.
Wang Yuze didn't say much, he also knew that. More than ten years ago, in the battle between Western Sichuan and the Qing Dynasty, Western Sichuan had achieved a decisive victory. The Western Sichuan Army was even preparing to attack Beijing, but the intervention of the great powers
, forced by force, Western Sichuan had to give up these easy victories and instead entered dormancy. It was at that time that the Qing court began to train new troops.
"Uncle Cai, although I don't know if the attitude of the great powers this time will be any different from that of more than ten years ago. However, today's Western Sichuan Army is no longer the Western Sichuan Army more than ten years ago. Even if the great powers interfere, we can still
Fully guarantee our interests. Unless they are really willing to send a large number of armies to China for the Qing court. In that case, with the strength of Western Sichuan, they will at least be prepared to sacrifice millions of people." A gleam flashed in Wang Yuze's eyes.
With the current industrial strength of western Sichuan, it is not difficult to arm millions of troops. But can the great powers sacrifice millions of troops for the sake of the Qing Dynasty? This is almost impossible. Take the "sunset never sets" empire Britain, for example, their navy
Although they are number one in the world, Western Sichuan is not close to the sea now, so their navy is completely useless. And their army is no match for the Western Sichuan Army.
"Yu Ze, your words put me at ease. As a soldier, the most painful thing is to see things like the Sino-French War where soldiers signed a treaty that humiliated the country even though they clearly won the battle!" Cai Yunpai said.
He patted Wang Yuze on the shoulder.
"Uncle Cai, I promise you, nothing like this will ever happen. Even if we can't completely wipe out the Qing Dynasty this time, we will definitely be able to gain great benefits. We will never let the interests of Western Sichuan be affected.
No damage." Wang Yuze assured.
Soon, under the auspices of Cai Yun, the First Cavalry Army and the Second Cavalry Army held a military meeting. Among them, the commander of the First Cavalry Army Liu Zhiye led the troops directly under the army and the 4th and 12th brigades to attack southward.
Hanzhong, cooperate with the 1st Brigade and the newly formed 3rd Division to capture Hanzhong and open up the supply line. The 15th and 16th Brigades of the 1st Cavalry Army cooperate with the 2nd Cavalry Army to attack Baoji and advance eastward, preparing to attack Xi'an and
The decisive battle of the Qing army.
After the meeting, the First Cavalry Corps and the Second Cavalry Corps immediately took action, rolling towards the east with horse hooves.
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