Jingshi, Old Summer Palace, Qinzheng Palace. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

Daoguang put down Lin Zexu's 800 miles of expedited excerpts, and was mixed with joy and sorrow for a while, happy that the Yingyi fleet finally entered the Yangtze River waterway, and the deployment of nearly half a year finally did not fail, worrying that the Yingyi fleet was huge, and the Jiangning battle, I am afraid that it may not be able to get what it wants, if it cannot be defeated in the end, the consequences will be unimaginable.

The war with Yingyi is related to the century-old national fortune of the Qing Dynasty. He unconsciously remembered what Yi Zhixiang said, if he had been skeptical of this before, but now he is convinced, without him, since the Yingyi fleet dares to go deep into the Yangtze River waterway, it is not only the southeast coast that will be in trouble! It's the entire hinterland of the Southeast! Or even the entire Qing Dynasty! Once Yingyi captures Zhenjiang and controls the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, it is equivalent to choking the life of the Qing Dynasty!

A hundred years of national fortune, how many hundred years can the Qing Dynasty have? In this battle, even if the national strength is exhausted, the Yingyi fleet will be severely damaged, so that it will not dare to enter the inland river lightly in the future!

The main fleet of the British army went up the river along the river, and the officials, gentry, merchants, and common people of the prefectures and counties along the river were suddenly frightened, and they were panicked all day, and the news spread, the government and the opposition were shocked, and the world was concerned, and no one expected that the British fleet that was crisscrossing the sea would dare to enter the Yangtze River.

Guangzhou, Humen, wharf.

In the night, the five fast cruisers slowly sailed away from the dock, Mai Tingzhang stood on the dock with unwillingness, seeing his face of loss, Guan Tianpei smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "Don't be greedy, once Jiangning wins, maybe we will have a chance to clean up these guys blocking the door." ”

Guangzhou Railway Station, the atmosphere is solemn, each entrance and exit are guarded by the Yuanqi regiment with loaded guns, boxes of ammunition are continuously carried into the station for loading, on the station platform, six battalions, 3,000 yuan odd regiment training neatly standing, waiting to get on the train.

In the waiting hall, Wu Changqing glanced at the eight regimental and battalion-level officers in front of him, and said in a deep voice: "Let me repeat to you again, within 20 days, all the baggage must be escorted to Jiangning, otherwise the military law will not allow it, have you heard it clearly?" ”

"Wait for understanding." Feng Renxuan, the acting head of the group, took the lead in saluting.

"Okay, let's go!"

The eight people who were waiting for neatly saluted and left, Wu Changqing couldn't help but sigh lightly, this time it's big enough, a Jiangning battle, just the Yuanqi regiment on the surface of the surface will throw in 8,000 people, plus eight cruisers, the total strength is at least more than 10,000, if this battle is defeated, the loss will be big!

Wu Yundong watched Feng Renxuan and his party leave with a depressed face, this time the Jiangning battle failed to participate, he couldn't tell the grievances in his heart, Wu Changqing glanced at him, and said, "The group exercises in Shunde and Xiangshan have been arranged?" ”

Wu Yundong nodded and said, "Four thousand people are stationed in Huadi and Henan. ”

Nodding, Wu Changqing said, "Let's go back." As he walked, he said slowly: "The big shopkeeper arranged for you to stay in Guangzhou to preside over the group training affairs, this burden is not ......light, you have to mess up, and you will really have no chance in the future." ”

Wu Yundong hurriedly said: "Brother Changqing, don't worry, I know the severity of the matter, and I will train quickly during this time." ”

Qiongzhou, Basho Port.

The humble harbor was full of Western-style sailing ships, the docks were busy, the tall cranes were busy hoisting the guns onto the ships, and on the other side, groups of people began to board the ships in an orderly manner, all with expressions of nervousness and excitement on their faces.

Shanghai Daoya, study.

At ten o'clock in the evening, in the courtyard, a table, a pot of tea, Bao Shichen and Yi Zhizhi sat opposite each other.

“...... At the beginning of the founding of this dynasty, Zheng Chenggong led 100,000 sailors and 3,000 large and small warships to attack Jiangning, and returned defeated, and it has been nearly 200 years....... Bao Shichen said and looked at Yi Zhicontent, and said: "As expected, there must be a large number of traitors in the Yingyi fleet who are familiar with the situation along the river. ”

Yi Zhishu put down the big pu fan in his hand, refilled a cup of tea for him, and then said: "Sir, don't worry, the ministers and others have a trick in their hearts." As he spoke, he said tentatively: "Did Zheng Chenggong attack Jiangyin back then?" ”

"Nope." Bao Shichen shook his head slowly and said: "Back then, Jiangyin held out behind closed doors, and Zheng Chenggong never attacked the city, but crossed the river. After a slight pause, he continued: "Jiangyin can not be attacked, but Zhenjiang and Yingyi must be attacked." ”

The gentleman continued. Yi Zhizhi said and took out a cigar and lit it.

"Zhenjiang City stands on the south bank of the Yangtze River, located at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the canal, and is the key point of north-south traffic. Since ancient times, it has been a battleground for soldiers. Bao Shichen took a sip of tea as he spoke, and then said slowly: "Occupy Zhenjiang, advance can be attacked, retreat can be defended, and can control the canal, how can Yingyi not capture it?" ”

Yi Zhizhi nodded, the first Opium War, the Battle of Zhenjiang was the last battle, and it was also the most fierce and tragic battle, although Jiangning was the place where the treaty was signed, but the British army did not seem to attack Jiangning.

He also expected that Zhenjiang might be the first battlefield for the British army to go up the river, and he didn't know if Yang Fang could delay more time when he sat in Zhenjiang, as for winning, he didn't dare to think about it, for the battle of Zhenjiang, he didn't plan to let Yuanqi Tuanlian participate in it, firstly, he didn't want to lose the strength of Yuanqituanlian, and secondly, he didn't want the British army to find out that Yuanqituanlian arrived in Jiangning prematurely.

Again, he also wants the imperial court to experience the real combat power of the British fleet, this battle, whether won or lost, must finally sign a treaty to open to the outside world, so that the British army will not beat the Qing soldiers, the imperial court is only afraid that it will not obediently open a few treaty ports along the coast, besides, he is also distracted that the court is not interested, this war becomes a protracted war, then it will really become a sinner.

Seeing that Yi Zhizhi was content and silent, Bao Shichen pondered and said: "The Lord of the Ministry of Education mobilized the local gentry to form a regiment in Guangdong, offered a reward for killing, and cleared the wilderness, will it be the same in Liangjiang?" ”

"I think it will." Yi Zhizu glanced at him as he spoke, and said, "Sir, are you a little worried?" ”

After a slight sigh, Bao Shichen said: "The local gentry form a group training, once they taste the sweetness, I am afraid that they may not be willing to disband the group training easily, and there will be many hidden dangers in the future." ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled, and before he could speak, Li Wang walked in with Ren An, and after bowing down, Ren Anyu reported: "Young Master, Wu Song has two more Western warships.... Look at the flag, it's not England, it's the tricolor ....... ”

Yi Zhishu asked, "Red, white and blue?" ”

"Exactly." Ren An said: "Please also ask the young master for advice." ”

"You should have seen it, it's the flag of France." As he spoke, he frowned, the French battleship appeared in Wusong, what does France mean by this? After a slight groan, he said, "Only two?" ”

"Yes." Ren An said: "And they have not contacted the British warships, the two sides are quite far away, and they seem to be very wary of each other." ”

Is this a spectator? Yi Zhifu thought for a moment before he said, "I want to send a small boat to contact them under the banner of Yuanqi. ”

After the two of them retreated, Bao Shichen said: "Didn't Dong Weng say that France and England are life and death rivals?" ”

"Between countries, it is more practical than businessmen, everything is based on interests, there are no eternal enemies, and there are no eternal friends."

"Is it possible to win over these two French warships?"

Yi Zhixiang smiled: "Impossible, it would be nice to be able to keep them neutral." After saying that, he commanded again: "Mr. Lao Fu, who is still there, should report this matter to the lord of the ministry quickly." ”

Changzhou Mansion, Yixing, County Ya.

Under the candlelight, Wei Yuan finished writing the "Notice on the Self-Defense of the People of Yanjiangfu County, Jiangsu" and put down his pen and blew it, and then looked at Lin Zexu and said: "Dong Weng, the two rivers are not compared to Guangdong, is this matter of forming a group training to be considered again?" ”

"No, you don't." Lin Zexu said simply: "This is a national war, and Yi Zhixiang has even put forward the scorched earth policy, not to mention the formation of a regimental training." Otherwise, it is difficult to receive the effect of clearing the wilderness. As he spoke, he pointed to the desk and said, "Write another copy of the "Notice of Rewarding the Head of Yingyi" and "Notice of Severely Punishing Traitors". ”

After Wei Yuan wrote two notices, he wrote letters to Yishan, the minister of the Qin Mission, and Yang Fang, the minister of counsellors, respectively, blocking the Yangtze River waterway and canal, strictly investigating the spies, and severely punishing the traitors.

Early the next morning, the "Notice to the People of Yanjiangfu County in Jiangsu Province to Practice Self-Defense," "Notice on the Reward for the Arrest of Yingyi's Head," and "Notice on Severely Punishing Traitors," which were stamped with the bright red seal of the Qinchaguan and the seal of the Liangjiang Governor, were quickly sent to various places at an expedited speed of 800 miles.

Jiangyin County, North Gate Tower.

Chen Huacheng sat on the Taishi chair, shaking the folding fan, looking leisurely, but he was a little bored in his heart, without him, the speed of the British fleet was too slow! He rushed to Jiangyin from Suzhou, waited for two days, and did not see the shadow of the British fleet's forward, if it were not for the report that the British fleet had passed Wolf Mountain, he really couldn't sit still.

"Junmen, here!" Wang Zhiwen, a counselor general in Xuzhou, pointed to the river and said happily: "The British ship is here." ”

As soon as he heard this, Chen Huacheng hurriedly stood up and walked quickly to the city wall and raised his binoculars to watch, and sure enough, a Western warship with a rice flag fluttering on the mast slowly appeared on the river. "It's coming." Chen Huacheng snorted coldly, and then ordered in a deep voice: "Close the city gate." ”

"The Last General's Order."

Chen Huacheng continued: "The order is that the defenders of the Shipai Fort, the Huangshantai Fort, and the Huangtian Port Fort can resist a little, and in the event of a fierce shelling by the Yingyi, they can evacuate by themselves. ”

"Yes."

When the five warships, two steamers, and one survey ship of the British vanguard fleet all appeared on the river, Chen Huacheng counted them, and secretly thought in his heart that the information that was easy to be satisfied with was accurate, and it was not bad at all, but the general Wang Zhiwen said with some surprise: "Didn't you say that the main force of the British fleet?" How come there are only eight of them? ”

"The British fleet was divided into a forward and five columns, separated by five to ten miles." Chen Huacheng said slowly: "Wait slowly, at their speed, it is expected that today may not be over." ”

Hearing this, Wang Zhiwen said worriedly: "Junmen, the river in the area of the goose nose mouth is quite fast, and the British ships are very slow, if it is not early, will the follow-up column anchor at the shore and attack the county seat by the way?" ”

Chen Huacheng nodded slightly: "I am very worried, I am going to evacuate the people of the county seat in Jiangyin Zhixian County, and go out of the city to hide for the time being, in case the Yingyi shelling causes unnecessary damage." After a pause, he commanded again: "In addition, quickly inform the upstream that the British forward fleet has arrived in Jiangyin." ”

"Boom!" Without waiting for the British vanguard fleet to enter the firing range, the defenders of the Shipai battery could not wait to open fire, and the shells fell on the river far away from the British army, as if to remind the British ships that there was a battery.

On the light cruiser "Ningrod", which was dragged forward by the steamer, Captain Barlow glanced at the water column on the river, and a contemptuous smile appeared on his face, he had already seen the battery, the battery was not big, only four guns were installed, he didn't pay attention to it at all, and immediately smiled: "Gentlemen, let them see the accuracy of our battleship's artillery." ”

Slowly moored down the "Ning Rod" two rounds of salvo will be the Shipai Fort to fight the chaotic times, the defenders of the fort scattered and fled, seeing this scene, the British troops on the battleship laughed loudly, all the way, the weather is hot and sultry, and it is very boring, these soldiers also hope to be able to fire a few cannons from time to time to find some fun, but, along the way, almost no interesting things, the fort cities along the river, almost never carried out decent resistance, which makes them feel bored to the extreme.

After noon, the "Kang Huali", which was hoisting the large pennant of the commander of the Navy, slowly sailed to the river near Jiangyin County, Pu Dingcha looked at it with a telescope for a while, turned around and glanced at Huang Dianyuan, and said: "Mr. Huang, this is Jiangyin?" ”

Huang Dianyuan nodded and said: "Yes, Jiangyin County, according to intelligence, there are three batteries near Jiangyin, but there are not many artillery. ”

After a slight groan, Pu Ding Chacai said: "Jiangyin should be a strategic place, right?" ”

"Sort of." Huang Dianyuan said: "The river here is the narrowest place in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the narrowest place. He stretched out his finger and pointed to the goose-nosed mouth in front of him, and said: "That is, the place in front of it, only more than two miles, but this section of the river is the best channel in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River." ”

Pu Dingcha raised his binoculars and looked at it, and said, "Indeed, this section of more than 20 miles of river can be called a golden waterway. As he spoke, he turned his head, "Since yesterday, we haven't seen a single boat on the river, Mr. Huang thinks it's strange?" ”

"It's normal." Huang Dianyuan smiled slightly: "The discipline of our Chinese army is very poor, and it is not uncommon for the army to rob the people. ”

Pu Ding Cha was also clear about these situations, and immediately smiled disapprovingly, and said: "This is really a bad empire, and the army of our British Empire is to protect the people of our country." As he spoke, he turned to look at Huang Dianyuan and said, "In this case, we won't be able to receive information, right?" ”

Huang Dianyuan nodded and said, "Yes, in this case, it is very risky to pass on information. (To be continued.) )