After receiving the news of the British army's attack on Jiading, Yi Zhicontent, who was waiting in Shanghai, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, since the British army had shifted the direction of the attack, the possibility of attacking Shanghai again was almost minimal, and it could save Shanghai from being poisoned by the British army, and recruiting and forming 2,000 volunteers could be regarded as being able to give a satisfactory explanation to the gentry and merchants in Shanghai. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

In fact, in the past two days, as the news of the righteous courage repelled the invading British army spread, a large number of people returned to the county one after another, and the prestige of Yi Zhizhi was greatly improved.

After instructing someone to ask Liu Guangdou of Zhixian County and Yan Shikuan, the shopkeeper of Yuanqi Branch, Yi Zhishu lowered his head to review the list of meritorious people reported by Yuanqi Tuanlian and Yiyong, the battle the day before yesterday, he knew very well in his heart that there was a great fluke, if it weren't for Xiao Mingliang and Song Dachun's quick response, I don't know how big the casualties would be, and the result is difficult to say.

According to the report that came back after the fact, these 2,000 volunteers are still available, although the training time is short, and the live-fire training is also insufficient, but for the first time on the battlefield, they can obey the order and do not blow up the nest, this alone makes Yi Zhixiang quite satisfied, he believes that if the volunteers are given the treatment of Yuanqi group training, and then experience one or two actual battles, it will definitely be of great use.

Liu Guangdou and Yan Shikuan came quickly, Yi Zhishu met the two in the study, and after the two of them saw the ceremony, he looked at Liu Guangdou and said directly: "Two things, one is to post a notice to restore the original order as soon as possible." The second is to prepare to accept and accommodate the displaced people, just received the news that the British army is attacking Jiading on a large scale, and I am afraid that many displaced people have come to Shanghai for refuge. ”

The British army attacked Jiading in a big way? The joy on Liu Guangdou's face flashed, and then he frowned and said, "My lord, the amount of money and food spent to accommodate the displaced people is not a small amount. ”

"It's a political achievement." Yi Zhisuff glanced at him and said, "If the county government is unwilling to come forward, the county government will not push back." ”

Of course, Liu Guangdou knew that this was a political achievement, and he didn't want to push it out, seeing that Yi Zhixin didn't mean to allocate money, he couldn't help but look at Yan Shikuan, and said with a wry smile: "It seems that it's troublesome Yan Shopkeeper again." ”

This is something that Yi Zhishu assigned, how could Yan Shikuan slap his face, and immediately smiled: "Don't worry, my lord, the Yuanqi branch will not shirk." ”

Hearing his statement like this, Liu Guangdou felt relieved, and hurriedly got up and arched his hand: "Your Majesty respects your life." Seeing it, Yi Zhizhi was content to bow his head, and he said: "The lower official has retired, and this is the place to post a notice to reassure the people." ”

Liu Guangdou left, Yi Zhixiang casually threw a cigar over, Yan Shikuan said while cutting the corner: "Now the businesses inside and outside the county are all looking forward to the Yuanqi branch, can the branch be open for business?" ”

"Let's open tomorrow, the British army should not come to Shanghai." Yi Zhishu turned his head around as he spoke, "It's been some time, how is the matter of purchasing the land?" ”

Hearing him ask about this, Yan Shikuan smiled and said, "How dare you not care about the things assigned by the big shopkeeper?" From the northern suburbs of the county along the river, ten miles of land, almost all of which were acquired, totaling about 20,000 acres, most of which were wasteland, not worth a few silver. ”

"It's only ten miles?" Yi Zhizhi glanced at him and said, "It's not enough, at least twenty miles, thirty miles is better, in addition, the wasteland along the river in Baoshan can also be eaten in large quantities." ”

After a slight sigh, Yan Shikuan said with some embarrassment: "With such a big spending, I'm afraid that the silver won't be able to turn over." ”

"It's okay, I'll raise the money." Yi Zhizhi said: "This matter has to be grasped quickly, this time the Yellow River burst, Henan and Anhui provinces have suffered a lot of counties, I have arranged to recruit a large number of victims to come to Shanghai, at that time will take the way of work for relief, organize the victims to repair embankments, roads, along the river bank two miles deep, will be a prosperous place in the future, clear?" ”

Yan Shikuan blinked his eyes and said, "With such a large area, how young does it take to develop?" ”

"Don't be afraid to tie up funds." Yi Zhizhi said with a smile: "Once the road and embankment are repaired, the price will increase several times immediately." Before the words fell, Li Wang reported outside: "Young master, Chen Junmen is here." ”

Chen Huacheng walked into the courtyard quickly, didn't even glance at Yan Shikuan, who saluted him, and hurriedly went up the steps, Yi Zhizhi smiled and arched his hand: "The military gate came just in time, and the list of meritorious people is ......." ”

Chen Huacheng glanced at him and said, "Four thousand British troops are attacking Jiading, have you heard of it?" With that, he strode into the room, and Yi Zhishu followed slowly and said, "The military gate doesn't want to reinforce Jiading, right?" ”

Chen Huacheng said angrily: "Yufutai is worried that after the British army captures Jiading, it will take Suzhou directly through Kunshan. ”

"So, Yufutai is Chen Junmen leading the army to reinforce Kunshan?" Yi Zhizu said tentatively: "Yufutai doesn't know the battle plan of Jiangning? ”

"Yes." Chen Huacheng said: "Otherwise, Wu Song would not have only had so many troops to defend. ”

Yi Zhizu said in a deep voice: "Since he knows, he is not afraid of losing big because of small things?" ”

"Contentment to ensure that the British army does not invade Suzhou? There are canals in Suzhou. ”

"Yufutai is out of proportion, is the military gate also out of proportion?" Yi Zhishu said slowly: "Suzhou is two hundred miles from Jiading, and there is no waterway, if the British army has the intention to attack Suzhou, it will not only send 4,000 people, but at least 10,000 people." ”

"Do you know that these 4,000 troops are not forwards?"

Yi Zhi was content to waste his words with him, "If you're worried that it's a striker, you might as well take a look." ”

"When the British army sends to Kunshan, it will be too late to rescue." Speaking of this, Chen Huacheng didn't go around in circles, and said straightforwardly: "Yufutai took the old man from Shanghai to rush to Kunshan, and Kunshan cannot afford to lose." ”

"I don't have any soldiers here." Yi Zhizhi said hardly: "The two thousand volunteers were recruited by the Shanghai gentry and merchants, and it is impossible to rescue Jiading." ”

"Yufutai didn't have the idea of fighting righteousness......."

Yi Zhizu sneered and said, "Yuanqi group training is even more impossible!" ”

Seeing that his attitude was not ordinarily tough, Chen Huacheng said with a wry smile: "Yufutai is also for the sake of Suzhou's safety, and it is also a matter of contentment to be Su Songtai's soldiers, and it is also within his duty to reinforce Kunshan." ”

"The military gate must have forgotten that he is now the counselor of the Lin Department of the Lord of the Qincha."

Seeing that the more he spoke, the more stiff he became, Chen Huacheng said angrily: "Why are you so tough? You are a Shanghai Taoist, even if you have Lin Butang to support you, but if you offend the governor of Jiangsu, you will inevitably be restrained everywhere, why bother to stiffen the relationship for this little thing? ”

For Yi Zhifen, this is really not a trivial matter, Yuan Qi will not be handed over to others to command him, it is too dangerous, even if he is asked to personally lead the reinforcements to Kunshan, he will not do it, God knows how many soldiers and horses there are in Kunshan, he neither wants to be eaten by others and there is not even scum left, nor does he want to clash head-on with the Eight Banners Green Battalion at this time.

After a slight hesitation, he said: "Shanghai has 2,000 volunteers, 500 regimental training, and the military gate also knows that these 500 regimental training is the backbone of righteousness and bravery, and the British warships may attack along the river at any time, and I can't ignore the safety of Shanghai."

As for Suzhou, the 4,000 British troops and the British army will definitely not dare to attack, and the military gate can only let Yufutai relax his mind and take 10,000 steps back, even if the British army sends troops to attack Suzhou, Hangzhou and Zhenjiang can also be quickly reinforced through the canal, and there is nothing to worry about. ”

What he said was quite tactful, where can't he transfer troops, why should he be transferred from a small county town in Shanghai? Moreover, this bit of strength in Shanghai does not belong to the Eight Banners Green Battalion system.

Chen Huacheng has also been rolling in the barracks for most of his life, how can this mean that he can't hear the truth, after a little hesitation, he smiled and said: "As the so-called sick and rushed to the doctor, Yufutai estimated that he also heard of the first battle in Shanghai, and the Yuanqi regiment practiced with strong combat power, so there was the intention of calling the Yuanqi regiment to practice nearby, and it was worthwhile, and the old man in the ring went to fight with Yufutai." ”

It is naturally better not to offend Yuqian, the governor of Jiangsu, Yi Zhizhi arched his hand and said: "In front of Yujunmen, there are good words from Lao Junmen. ”

"It's not polite to be content with the old man." Chen Huacheng said heartily, in the battle of Liangjiang, there are many places to practice with the Chongyuan Qi group, and he is not willing to stiffen with Yi Zhixiang because of a little thing, and through this period of contact, he also knows that this kid is very assertive and not easy to influence.

After a pause, he turned the conversation back around, "Wusong to Jiangning waterway five hundred miles, twists and turns, there are shoals and passes, and the land of Susong is a flat river, neither passes, nor heavy troops, Suzhou is not only rich, but also can control the canal, contentment is really not worried about Yingyi changing his plan and taking Suzhou directly?" ”

After being silent for a long time, Yi Zhizhi said: "According to reliable information, after the British army captured Wusong, it immediately sent ships up the river to survey the channel, and the goal was very clear, unless the fleet could not go up the river, it would not easily change the plan." Suzhou is prosperous and wealthy, close to the canal, but in terms of the importance of status, it is not as important as Hangzhou, and the military gate should not be confused by the British army. ”

In the early morning of the next day, the British army launched an attack on Jiading County, captured Jiading in just one hour, and then the British army again increased 5,000 troops from Baoshan to Jiading, the news spread, Kunshan, Suzhou people were panicked, Jiangsu Governor Yu Yuqian at this time where can still take care of the overall situation, directly ordered, Songjiang, Langshan, Xuzhou, Huaiyang several towns of soldiers and horses galloped to Suzhou.

After receiving the military report, Yi Zhixiang was speechless for a while, and he dared to conclude that the British army would then attack Kunshan, put on a posture of attacking Suzhou, forcing the entire Jiangsu army to gather in Suzhou, and also let the Liangjiang and Jiangsu officials focus on Suzhou.

The British army did not seem to be in a hurry to attack Kunshan, stayed in Jiading for five days, and then dispatched 6,000 people to Kunshan, June 28, the Kunshan War broke out, the terrain on the periphery of Kunshan was flat, there was no danger to defend, the 10,000 Qing soldiers gathered in Kunshan could only defend the city, under the intensive attack of British artillery and Congreve rockets, 10,000 Qing troops only supported half a day before abandoning Kunshan County and retreating to Suzhou.

Shanghai Provincial Office, Signing Room.

Bao Shichen handed over the battle report he had just sent, and said in a heavy tone: "Dong Weng, although Suzhou is not a place where soldiers must fight, but its prosperity and wealth are second only to Jiangning, if Suzhou is captured by the British army, the government and the opposition will inevitably be shocked ......." ”

Yi Zhixiang glanced at him and said nonchalantly: "Sir, don't worry, the British army is at the end of its crossbow and will not attack Suzhou." ”

"The end of the crossbow?" Bao Shichen was a little surprised and said: "The British army is in full swing, why does Dong Weng assert that it is the end of the strong crossbow?" ”

Yi Zhixiang smiled, stretched out his hand to give up his seat, and waited for him to sit down, then said slowly: "The British army and Yuanqi regimental training are both firearms troops, and the consumption of ammunition is extraordinary.

To put it simply, almost all the ammunition consumed in the attack on Jiading and Kunshan was carried by the first batch of 4,000 British troops, and after the two battles, the consumption was already not small, and it was impossible to launch another attack on Suzhou. ”

"Is Dong Wong saying that the British army is running out of ammunition?" Bao Shichen said suspiciously: "The British fleet is accompanied by as many as fifty-two transport ships, how can there be no ammunition?" ”

Glancing at him, Yi Zhizhi said: "The British army has enough ammunition, but they dare not continue to waste ammunition in Suzhou, the reason is very simple, the target of the British army is not Suzhou. ”

Bao Shichen didn't know the plan for the battle of Jiangning, and was quite surprised when he heard this, and was about to ask again, when a personal guard led a messenger to report outside: "My lord, Hangzhou is eight hundred miles in an emergency." ”

Hangzhou's 800-mile expedited was naturally sent by Lin Zexu, hurriedly opened it to see, Yi Zhizhi was speechless, Lin Zexu actually asked him to lead more than 2,000 troops in Shanghai to attack Jiading, in order to relieve the siege of Suzhou, this is simply a joke, the British army is based on the city, both artillery, and Congreve rockets, nearly 1,000 more troops than him, 2,000 Baoshan Wusong's British troops can be reinforced at any time, this is simply to let Shanghai volunteers to die!

Bao Shichen read it carefully, and hesitated: "Do you want to lead the troops to Jiading for a turn?" ”

With a slight groan, Yi Zhishu slowly shook his head and said, "Our men and horses must be under the close attention of the British army, and once they are dispatched, they will inevitably be detected by the British army, and it is not appropriate to act rashly." After a pause, he said: "Reply directly to Lin Butang, just say that the British army will not attack Suzhou, and there is no need to make trouble." ”

Hangzhou, Qincha Xingyuan.

Receiving Yi Zhi's reply, Lin Zexu smiled bitterly and shook his head, this kid even dared to ignore the orders of him, the minister of the Qincha and the governor of Liangjiang, and it was no wonder that Yuqian, the governor of Jiangsu, complained that the command could not move, however, I have to say that this kid's analysis was reasonable, and he groaned slightly, so he handed the letter to Wei Yuan and ordered: "Transfer it directly to Yuqian." ”

After Wei Yuan finished reading it, he hesitated and said: "Dong Weng, although Yi Zhi's analysis is not unreasonable, but in case there is any change ......., Yu Futai is afraid that he will take advantage of the topic." ”

"It doesn't matter." Lin Zexu waved his hand and said: "If you want to say that you are familiar with Yingyi, no one can be satisfied with it, and if you transfer it to Yuqian, it will also frustrate his spirit." (To be continued.) )