At the mouth of the Bohai Sea, at the west corner of Laotieshan and on Beichenghuang Island, many officers and soldiers were busy restoring the forts, and the forts that were covered by grass and trees were also quickly cleared out, and the artillery pieces that were wrapped in oil paper and packed and buried on the spot were excavated and pushed onto the forts for installation, and the trenches were also quickly cleared.

In the bay on the south side of Beichenghuang Island, Xiao Mingliang held a cigar in his mouth, and stood leisurely on the deck of a battleship moored in the nearby sea, watching a group of officers and soldiers busy restoring the forts, for these forts, he actually didn't care at all, after all, the old Tieshan waterway was too wide, and the range of these guns on the forts could not shell the warships on the sea at all, it was nothing more than a deterrent.

The reason why the Nanyang Navy fleet has the confidence to blockade the old Tiekou waterway is to rely on warships equipped with new breech-loading rifled guns.

Report ——。 A communications officer strode up behind him and saluted: "The lookout post has spotted three enemy steam gunboats, approaching us at full speed. ”

"Don't bother." Xiao Mingliang said nonchalantly, this is obviously to investigate the situation, let them go back to report, the other party learned that they intended to block the Bohai Sea, and they would inevitably send the main fleet to test it.

A third-class battleship slowly leaned over, Xiao Mingliang turned around and took a look, and saw that it was the flagship of the Nanyang Navy Fleet - 'Zhenjiang', knowing that Chen Hongming was coming, and sure enough, after the ship stopped, Chen Hongming stepped on the gangplank and crossed the ship, "Old Xiao, the old Tieshan Waterway is known as the throat of the Bohai Sea, the wind is strong, the waves are high, the flow is rapid, the fog is many, the surge is dangerous and dangerous, the flow is complicated, if you want to completely block it, I am afraid it is not ....... difficult." ”

Xiao Mingliang has been in Dalian for the longest time, and he is naturally the most familiar with this sea area, so he couldn't help but smile when he heard this, "Don't look at the wide waterway of this old Tieshan Mountain, but the west corner of Lao Tieshan is ten nautical miles near the shore, and the Beichenghuang Island is seven nautical miles near the shore, all of which are dangerous sea areas, and the actual width of the water area for the fleet to pass through is only 5.5 nautical miles, and more than a hundred warships are completely enough to blockade it." ”

Speaking of this, he smiled, "This time I have to be merciful, I can capture a few third-class battleships, the foundation of our East China Sea Fleet is too thin, there is only one third-class battleship to support the façade, and it is also cold, after this battle is over, North Korea will be conquered, I don't want to borrow a battleship from you when the time comes." ”

Chen Hongming naturally understood what he meant, and immediately said with a smile: "Don't worry, if this battle is captured, your East China Sea Fleet will pick it first." ”

Xiao Mingliang wanted this sentence, and immediately slapped him, "A word is a certainty." ”

"Still worried that my words don't count?" Chen Hongming slapped his hands with him a little speechlessly, "A gentleman's word, the horse is difficult to chase." ”

Military Grain City, Headquarters.

Many forts suddenly appeared on the west corner of the old Tieshan Mountain on both sides of the old iron mountain and the north city god island? Several waterways in the Miaodao archipelago are patrolled by warships. Hearing the report, Ergin, Gro, and Shanai couldn't help but look at each other, what does the main fleet of the Nanyang Navy mean? Blockade of Bohai Haikou? With the size of the Nanyang Fleet, it also wants to blockade the Bohai Sea and block the joint fleet of the four countries in the Bohai Sea? It's not a joke, is it?

Although the three of them couldn't believe it, the posture of the Qing Navy was undoubtedly to blockade the Bohai Sea! This made the three of them suspicious again, and after a while, Ge Luo said: "The Bohai Sea is dozens of kilometers wide, what is the use of erecting forts on both sides of the strait?" ”

The commander of the allied fleet, Rear Admiral Cha Nei of the French Navy, pondered and said: "The navigable sea area of the Lao Tieshan Waterway at the mouth of the Bohai Sea is about fifteen kilometers away from the west corner of the Lao Tieshan Mountain and the Beichenghuang Island, and the artillery range cannot be so far, but the situation of the Lao Tieshan Waterway is complicated, there are many undercurrents, and the water is turbulent, which is not suitable for naval battles, especially large-scale naval battles!" ”

"Can't be blocked in the Bohai Sea by the Qing Navy!" Ergin said in a deep voice: "Even if it is not suitable for large-scale naval battles, it must be fought, I think this is the best opportunity to completely annihilate the main fleet of the Qing Navy!" ”

Report ——。 A communications officer walked quickly to the door and said loudly: "There is a call from Liaohe County, and the Russian minister Putiyatin has sent a telegram that the minister of the Qing Dynasty intends to meet with the British and French ministers in private. ”

Liaohe County is not far from Beitang, but thirty miles, the coalition forces tentatively sent a battalion of troops to attack in order to obtain supplies, but the defenders of Liaohe County abandoned the city and fled, so that the coalition soldiers were bloodless into Liaohe County, and what made them even more pleased was that the Liaohe County Telegraph Office did not cut off the line, which made it easy for them to contact the Russian mission in Beijing.

Hearing that the minister of the Ministry of Rites of the Qing Dynasty met in private, Erjin and Ge Luo were all happy in their hearts, and it seemed that the division of troops to attack Beijing made the Qing court feel extremely uneasy, which was definitely good news, Erjin groaned slightly, and said: "Call back, you can negotiate." ”

The words fell, and there was another "report——。 An officer hurriedly came in and reported: "Tianjin has reported that Yuan Qi has about four brigades of troops to go to Beijing by train. ”

The emperor of the Qing Dynasty actually allowed Yuan Qi's new army to enter Beijing? Ergin's brows furrowed, this was obviously the last thing he wanted to see, but what did it mean that the Qing court sent a minister to ask for a private meeting?

Gro groaned, "Do you want the Russians to arrange a meeting with the Minister of Rites of the Qing Dynasty as soon as possible?" ”

Arrange as soon as possible? Doesn't that mean we're in a hurry to negotiate? In this way, even if he negotiated with the Qing court, it was impossible to obtain a satisfactory result, Ergin felt the pipe and slowly filled the tobacco, and the four brigades of the Yuanqi New Army went to Beijing, even so, he firmly believed that the possibility of the Yuanqi New Army entering the city of Beijing was very small.

It is impossible for the Qing Emperor to allow the Yuanqi New Army to enter Beijing City, and similarly, the Yuanqi New Army will not be stationed in Beijing City, these four brigades should go to Tongzhou to intercept Montauban's troops, however, the strength of the four brigades is too small, and it is not surprising that the Eight Banners New Army will definitely send troops to assist.

After striking a match and lighting a pipe, Erjin smoked silently before he spoke: "Hurry up and reply to Puti Yating, we can negotiate with the Qing court, but we will not talk to the minister of etiquette." ”

It was the French army and the Western army led by Montauban who divided the troops to attack Beijing, and Gro was naturally more worried, so he said slowly: "The four brigades of the Yuanqi New Army are going to Beijing ....... ”

"Don't worry." Erjin comforted him and said: "General Montauban has 50,000 troops, and Yuanqi's new army is only 20,000 troops, since the Qing Emperor intends to negotiate with us, he will not fully assist." As he spoke, he turned his head around, "At present, I think we should pay more attention to the Qing naval fleet at the mouth of Bohaikou. ”

Seeing the mention of this topic, Sha Nei said in a deep voice: "Regardless of whether the Qing Navy fleet wants to blockade the Bohai Sea or not, this is an excellent opportunity for us, and we have never been able to find a chance to fight a decisive battle with the main fleet of the Qing Navy!" ”

Erjin said in a deep voice: "Since you dare to come, you must rely on something, don't underestimate the enemy, and attack with all your might." ”

Tongzhou, Bali Bridge.

Bali Bridge was originally called Yongtong Bridge, because it is only eight miles away from Tongzhou, so the local people are used to calling it Bali Bridge, for a long time, the original Yongtong Bridge is not called anymore, this bridge is the main passage to Beijing, with the opening of the railway from Tianjin to Beijing, the grain is changed to railway transportation, this former busy post road river has gradually become deserted.

However, with the British and French allied forces along the line of Wuqing, Xianghe, and Tongzhou to attack the Beijing Division, this post road became lively again, and the road was full of people who supported the old and the young with burdens, pushed carts, and drove cattle to escape the war.

The dull and rapid sound of horses' hooves like thunder disturbed the fleeing crowd, and soon, two teams of cavalry dressed in new military uniforms and loaded guns galloped like a whirlwind, leading the fleeing crowd to avoid the sideways, there was no lack of knowledgeable in the crowd, the two teams of cavalry who saw had braids in the team, and one team had no braids, and immediately reacted, it was the new army of Yuanqi that did not have braids!

"Yuanqi's new army is here!" As someone shouted out in a loud voice, the fleeing crowd immediately let out a burst of cheers, the Yuanqi New Army has been in the limelight in the Qing Dynasty over the years, not to mention the overseas expedition to the east and the west to fight the south and the north, that is, to pacify the chaos, the expulsion of the Taiping army is enough to shock the north and south of the river.

The displaced people who had to leave their homes because of the war saw the Yuanqi New Army appear at Bali Bridge at this moment, and naturally understood that the Yuanqi New Army must have come to Tongzhou to fight Western soldiers, and the mood was not happy, "Yuanqi New Army!" "Yuanqi New Army!" The cheers rose higher and higher.

Led the team to Bali Bridge were Seng Lingqin and Yan Yangtian, listening to the cheers of the homeless people, both of them were a little surprised, unconsciously pulled the reins, slowed down.

At the head of the Bali Bridge, Seng Lingqin deliberately avoided the post road, and only when he came to the river bank did he throw the stirrup and dismount, and said with a smile: "The new army of Yuanqi has been invincible and invincible over the years, and has laid a great reputation. ”

Yan Yangtian was cautious, unwilling to talk about this topic, and saw both sides of the bridge, green willows and poplars, fragrant grass, picturesque scenery, and couldn't help but praise, "Good place!" As he spoke, he asked knowingly, "What is the name of this river?" ”

"Tonghui River." Monk Greenqin said: "In the past, the grain entered Beijing by this river. Bali Bridge, Lugou Bridge in the southwest of Beijing, and Chaozong Bridge in Changping, north of Beijing, are collectively known as the Three Bridges, and the Three Bridges of Gongwei Jingshi. ”

After a pause, he continued: "If the coalition forces want to attack the Jingshi, this bridge is the only way to go!" At present, the enemy's forward is still a day's journey from Tongzhou, and it will arrive tomorrow at noon. ”

Speaking of this, he said tentatively: "The main force of your department has not arrived yet, why don't you let us garrison the Bali Bridge?" ”

"Good!" Yan Yangtian said without thinking, Bali Bridge can be described as a strategic place, not to let the Eight Banners New Army garrison, I am afraid that the one in the capital will be suspicious again, although he has great vigilance against the Eight Banners New Army, but he is not afraid of the other party stationed at Bali Bridge, to be honest, he really didn't pay attention to the New Army.

"Map!" Yan Yangtian commanded.

The accompanying guards hurriedly took out the map and spread it out in front of the two, Yan Yangtian moved his finger on the map, pointed to the Maju Bridge and said: "The enemy army can't cross the Bali Bridge, it is very likely that it will advance westward from Matou and make a detour to attack the Beijing Division. ”

After a pause, he continued: "My 101st Brigade can reach Zhangjiawan before dark, let's try to ensure that Tongzhou is not lost!" ”

"That's the best." Monk Greenqin said, Montauban's forward advance speed exceeded everyone's expectations, but in four days, the troops had already arrived in Tongzhou, if the Yuanqi New Army did not arrive in time, the Eight Banners New Army would only go to Zhangjiawan to intercept.

Although the news has spread, the 20,000 Qi new army and the 10,000 eight banner new army have advanced to Tongzhou, but the people in the Beijing division are still panicked, after all, it has long been spread, and there are 50,000 Western soldiers who came to attack the Beijing division, 30,000 against 50,000, which is naturally difficult to feel at ease.

However, what is a little reassuring is that none of the Yuanqi branches in Jingshi are closed and open as usual, and Xianfeng, who is the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, has not left Jingshi and is still in the Forbidden City, which is undoubtedly a reassuring pill for many officials and wealthy gentry.

However, no one knew that the palace was also in a panic at this time, eunuchs and palace maids of all sizes were busy preparing things for their own children to go out of the palace to Rehe, Xianfeng was ready to go to Rehe at any time, and he was just waiting and seeing.

Su Shun hurriedly walked into the Qianqing Palace, the military situation was urgent, now he is already with the arrival, no need to hand over the sign, enter the Xinuan Pavilion, after knocking on Sheng'an, he hurried to Xianfeng and knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, the monk Greenqin sent an urgent report from Bali Bridge, and the two brigades of the Eight Banners New Army are stationed at Bali Bridge and Maju Bridge, or Yan Yangtian took the initiative to ...... it." ”

After reading the excerpt, Xianfeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, it seemed that he was suspicious, if the Yuanqi New Army was ill-intentioned, he would definitely not let the Eight Banners New Army garrison such an important place as Bali Bridge, and what was even more rare was that the Yuanqi New Army was stationed in Zhangjiawan, obviously trying his best to protect Tongzhou, he couldn't help but regret it faintly, and he should not let people delay the trip of the 20,000 yuan Qi New Army.

Seeing that Xianfeng was silent, Su Shun cautiously tentatively said: "Yuanqi's new army has good combat power, stationed in Zhangjiawan, it will definitely be able to win the first battle, and now the people of the Beijing division are flustered, whether the emperor will wait for the great victory, and then calmly go to Rehe to escape the summer." ”

If Yuanqi's new army can win a great victory and does not continue to increase its troops, why should I go to Rehe? Xianfeng glanced at him, but he secretly thought in his heart, the Eight Banners New Army led by Seng Lingqin was stationed at Bali Bridge, and it would definitely not move, and it was difficult to say whether the 20,000 Yuan Qi New Army could resist the 50,000 Xiyi Coalition Army.

"Kneel down." Xianfeng said softly, since there is no danger, I don't plan to leave the capital so soon, after all, leaving Beijing at this time will not leave a good reputation.

Su Shuncai withdrew, Peng Yunzhang followed in again, and reported after the ceremony: "Your Majesty, Britain and France have replied to the Russian minister and agreed to negotiate ....... ”

"Perfunctory first." Xianfeng said softly: "First do the wall view, and then make a decision." ”