On the Eastern Front, after the Northern Army took Shuangchengzi, the Eastern Front Command had already begun to plan an advance on Vladivostok, the last stronghold of the Russian army in the Far Eastern Governorate.

Of the 10 infantry divisions and five heavy artillery brigades under the command of the Eastern Front Command, except for 3 infantry divisions that continued to clear the remaining small groups of Russian troops, the rest of the army was concentrated in Vladivostok and launched a final offensive here.

The newly formed 6th Heavy Artillery Brigade has also been put in place, and the addition of 60 large-caliber heavy guns has made the Northern Army more confident in capturing Vladivostok. Of course, the Russian army has painstakingly operated an important town for decades, and it is not so easy to take it easily.

Lieutenant General Shi Deshan, commander of the Eastern Front Command, Major General Shi Tianchuan, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Major General Ji Jinchun, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, and Major General Xu Lanzhou, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, under the protection of the guards, came to a place only six or seven kilometers away from the Russian defense line to check the enemy's situation.

The positions of the Russian army in the distance, built against the mountains. Large forts and forts were built halfway up the mountain and at the foot of the mountain. The continuous fortifications made the whole city seem to be a fortress. Again, this made it much more difficult for the Northern Army to capture Vladivostok.

"Guys, what do you think? These fortresses of Lao Maozi are extremely impressive in terms of defensive power. If we want to conquer it, I'm afraid it will be quite difficult. Shi Deshan's brows were tightly furrowed, and his face was serious.

"Commander, there is no way, only to use heavy artillery to open the way like we fought in Shuangchengzi, destroy their fortress first, and then attack step by step." Major General Shi Tianchuan, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said.

"Yes, the 6th Heavy Artillery Brigade has entered the battlefield, and we have one hundred and twenty large-caliber heavy guns. There are also three battalions of 155-mm heavy howitzers. In the number of heavy artillery, it was no less than the Russians. Major General Ji Jinchun also said.

Vladivostok fortress, the last stronghold of the Russian army in the Far East, is also the strongest. If the Northern Army can take Vladivostok, the Russian army will have no foothold in the Far East. But again, we want to achieve this strategic purpose. It's very difficult.

Vladivostok Fortress is located at the southern tip of the Muravyov-Amur Peninsula on the Pacific coast, facing the Sea of Japan. The city is built on the mountain. Vladivostok is a highland to the north, bordering the Gulf of Ussuri to the east, the Great Peter Bay and the Amur Bay to the east, south and west, respectively. The city and port area are located on the shores of the Golden Horn at the tip of the Amur Peninsula. The Golden Horn Bay stretches from southwest to northeast into the interior and is about 7 km long. The southern side of the Golden Horn is separated by the East Bosphorus Strait, and there is Russian Island as a natural barrier. Surrounded by low mountains and hills, Vladivostok has been one of the five strongest coastal fortresses in the world since 1895.

In 1877, the commander of the engineering forces of the Eastern Siberian Military District, Colonel-General P.F. Winterberg, began to plan the construction of fortifications in this important port in the Far East, and his design was entrusted to Colonel V.P. Shirokov for implementation. A year later. The initial coastal defense works were completed. After that, the first commander of the engineering forces of the fortress, K.S. Chernoknizhnikov, strengthened the coastal artillery positions and built the first littoral permanent fortifications in the early 80s of the XIX century. Around the time of the Sino-Japanese War, Engineer Colonel K.I. Wilicko devised a systematic scheme of land fortifications, on the basis of which V.I. Zhgalkovsky and S.F. Chizh began to build several main fortresses of the fortress: Fortresses No. 1, 2, and 3, Fortresses No. 4 and 5, and three Spectacle Fortresses. The forts were connected by moats protected by breastwork. In addition, the "Russian Fortress" and the Slogan Fortress were built in the Sikhote Mountains and on the Agathrid Peninsula, respectively. These fortifications are similar to those built at the same time.

In 1896, the plan for upgrading the fortress proposed by the engineering general A.P. Shoshin was approved by the commander of the engineering forces of the Vladivostok fortress, Major General A.P. Shosin. It includes a fortified Coastal Battery No. 223 constructed on Russky Island, armed with five 280mm and 10 240mm coastal guns, collectively known as Russky Island Fortress.

On the opposite shore of the Russky Island fortress Ussuri Bay, the fortress of the Tyuryjin Peninsula was also built, including 240-mm and 152-mm railway guns, as a coastal defense system to cover the possibility of the enemy capturing Vladivostok from the sea. To defend the city center. Governor Alekseev allocated special funds for the construction of the Lujiawa Fortress on the northeastern hill of the Golden Horn, and the first river fortress was repaired in depth behind the second river, near the city center, so that the entire Vladivostok fortress was united from the outside to the inside.

After the rest of the Russian Far Eastern Governorate fell under the control of the Northern Army. Vladivostok has become the last line of defense for the Russians. However, even so, Aleksayev, the Russian governor of the Far East, did not give up hope.

Although now there are only more than 80,000 people left in Vladivostok. However, with his strong fortifications, Governor Aleksayev was confident that he would still be able to easily withstand the attack of the Northern Army. If you are lucky, you can even make the Northern Army break the blood and pay a heavy price here. This is very helpful for the Russian army's future counterattack.

"Gentlemen, the situation we are facing now is very dangerous. Those hateful yellow-skinned monkeys have captured the entire Far Eastern Governorate except Vladivostok. However, I can assure you that they do not want to take Vladivostok. The fortresses and fortresses that we have painstakingly managed for decades will cost them dearly! Governor Aleksayev had a smile on his face.

"Yes, His Excellency the Governor is absolutely right, the Vladivostok fortress is the strongest fortress in the world. Even if those yellow-skinned monkeys have a lot of heavy artillery, they don't want to take Vladivostok. Said the commander of the fortress guard, Lieutenant General Shirokov.

The other Russian generals were also optimistic about holding the fortress of Vladivostok. However, among these generals, there was also a middle-aged man in a suit who did not have a smile on his face. This person is the mayor of Vladivostok, Viktor.

"Your Excellency the Governor, I have to tell you that we are running out of grain in Vladivostok. There were more than 100,000 civilians in the city, plus more than 80,000 troops, a total of more than 200,000 people. Our grain can last for up to half a year. Mayor Victor said. In the same way, he did not believe that the Northern Army would be able to conquer the fortress of Vladivostok. However, he was worried that the northern army would adopt the method of besiegement, in which case, all their more than 200,000 soldiers and civilians would starve to death.

The generals' rhetoric suddenly came to an abrupt end. Everyone also thought of this problem, even if the northern army could not get in. But if they don't get supplies, they'll starve to death.

"In addition, the industrial base of Vladivostok is almost equal to a blank slate, there is no decent industry at all, except for shipyards. The supply of our weapons and ammunition is probably also a big problem. Mayor Victor continued.

Suddenly, the faces of the generals were not very good-looking. They certainly have the strongest fortress in the world. But if there is no supply of weapons and ammunition, and there is not enough food, then they will not last long.

Governor Aleksayev's face was indifferent, and he said with a smile: "Gentlemen, don't worry, I have already thought about this problem. Our enemies are strong though. However, they do not have a navy. We can resupply by sea. His Majesty the Tsar will give us his full support. The first ships to replenish have already left port. It is expected to arrive in Vladivostok in a little more than two months. When the time comes, we will get soldiers, weapons and ammunition, as well as food and medicine, etc. As long as the fortress can withstand the attack of the Northern Army, we will be able to hold on until we finally defeat the yellow-skinned monkeys. ”

After listening to the words of Governor Aleksayev, the generals looked relieved. As long as they can get supplies, they have nothing to fear. Without a navy, the Northern Army would not be able to completely blockade Vladivostok. So, they still have a chance.

However, the apprehension on Mayor Victor's face did not dissipate much. Although the Northern Army did not have a navy, they could receive supplies from the sea. However, Russia is too far from the Far East. For nearly three months a month, ships simply could not reach Vladivostok. Even after arriving, it is estimated that not too many supplies will be delivered. In addition, Vladivostok has a long freezing period. The supply time they can get is only half a year at most.

It's just that when Mayor Viktor wanted to say something, he was stopped by Governor Aleksayev with a stern look. Now, when Vladivostok is in crisis, he will never let Mayor Victor say these morale-damaging words.

Mayor Victor also thought of this, so he kept silent. However, the worry in his heart has intensified a lot.

On June 10, the Northern Army, having completed its preparations, began an offensive against Vladivostok. The 2nd Heavy Artillery Brigade and the 6th Heavy Artillery Brigade of 72 heavy rapid-fire cannons, 36 heavy 240-mm heavy cannons and 12 280-mm heavy howitzers began to pour artillery fire on the fortress in Vladivostok. More than 400 heavy howitzers of the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade, the 4th Heavy Artillery Brigade and the 5th Heavy Artillery Brigade were also joined. As for those 105-mm light howitzers and 75-mm field guns, no fire was fired. After all, the power of these two guns was too small to make little difference for a fort made of reinforced concrete. (To be continued......)

PS: The first update arrives, asking for subscriptions, monthly passes and recommended tickets! Thank you for the tips from backpackers, wang3213, Gao Shu, and happy parties along the way! Thank you for the monthly tickets of the book friends Scarlet Prodigal, Longkwok, Mao Eighteen, Liu Lijin of Dongshan Village, Ningxiang County, Invincible Du Fatzi, and Lavigny!