Chapter 6: Vanguard Officer

  The main agenda of this military meeting are two: First, the plan to clear out the Qing army outside the city; Second, the direction of the next attack.

  The first agenda was quickly reached a consensus, if the Qing army stationed outside the city is not cleared as soon as possible, Anqing City may be attacked by land and water at any time. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate or drive those Qing troops across the Yangtze River as soon as possible. However, the second agenda caused serious divisions. One faction led by Zhao Bei believed that there was a lack of ships at present, and the plan to rush to Jiangning had become impossible. They advocated going north, expanding the revolutionary influence, and immediately establishing the "Great Han Military Government" to strive for the early recovery of the province. On the other hand, another group led by the Huizhou Party believed that they should cross the Yangtze River, develop southward, respond to the Huizhou armed forces in Jiangxi, Hunan, and Jiangsu, expand their strength, and then conquer Jiangning in one fell swoop.

  Xiong Chengji agreed with Zhao Bei's opinion, although he did not agree with the suggestion of "drilling into the mountain", at least he no longer insisted on rushing to Nanjing, and Zhao Bei's previous worries were finally put down.

  In Zhao Bei's view, whether it is northbound or southbound, a consensus must be reached as soon as possible. Otherwise, once the Qing army's reinforcements arrive, with just this small number of people in the city, they will not be able to hold on for long. Only by taking advantage of the fact that the enemy's encirclement has not yet formed can they decisively break out and engage in exterior line operations, thus preserving their revolutionary strength.

  In the initial stage of the revolution, faced with the enemy's strong and our weak situation, we absolutely cannot be confined to a solitary city. Only by engaging in mobile warfare can we possibly find opportunities to annihilate the enemy's living forces and develop and expand ourselves.

  Unfortunately, Zhao Bei's opinion was not accepted by anyone, neither the Northern Expedition faction nor the Southern Expedition faction believed that taking a strong city was the best revolutionary tactic.

  The Northern Expeditionary Army wanted to occupy Luzhou, because the recruitment principle of the Qing Dynasty's new army was "local defense", many soldiers and officers in Anhui's new army were recruited from the fiercely folkloric northern Anhui, with a strong sense of localism, they eagerly hoped to return home as soon as possible, to show off their achievements and bring glory to their ancestors; The Southern Expeditionary Army, on the other hand, had its eyes on the wealth of Jiangnan, Hunan's rice, Jiangxi's porcelain, and Jiangsu's factories were all coveted targets, whether for personal gain or for revolutionary fundraising, going south was undoubtedly the best choice. In the cities of Jiangnan, there were countless gold, silver, and treasures, as well as gentle and beautiful women, but if they didn't occupy the city, all this would be just a daydream.

  Apart from these reasons, there is another point that everyone cannot help but consider, which is the morale of the soldiers. If they abandon the city without a fierce battle and flee to the mountains, it will have a severe impact on their morale. Zhao Bei also couldn't help but consider this, so he didn't insist on his own views.

  However, the differences between the Northern and Southern factions could not be reconciled. Commander-in-Chief Xiong Chengji was also helpless. Fearing that the revolutionary camp would split, he had to put this proposal on hold for the time being and first deal with the Qing army outside the city.

  According to the deployment of the headquarters, the insurgent army will be divided into two divisions. The left wing detachment led by Zhao Bei will stay behind to defend the city, while Xiong Chengji will lead the right and central detachments out of the city to fight, first eliminating the enemy entrenched in the west of the city, then turning northward, taking down the strategic Jianxian Pass, controlling the traffic routes between east and west, and sending a small number of officers from Hubei and Jiangsu provinces secretly to Taohu County to contact the new armies of Jiangsu and Hubei who were holding autumn maneuvers there, inciting them to respond to the uprising. Once successful, they would immediately return to Anqing, where the three armies would converge to plan their next move.

  After careful consideration, Zhao Bei volunteered to take on the task of contacting the new armies in Hubei and Jiangsu, pushing aside the task of defending the city. In his opinion, holding out in a solitary city was too dangerous, and if things went wrong, it could lead to the destruction of the entire army. Therefore, rather than being trapped in Anqing, he would rather take a small team to Taihu County to mobilize the autumn maneuver troops to respond to the uprising. Even if they couldn't be mobilized, they could still retreat safely. Whether it was guerrilla warfare or escape, both options were more convenient. As a traverser, he didn't have high hopes for the prospects of the Anqing Uprising, but he didn't express this idea out loud.

  The plan was set, and immediately that night, they began to expand the army. At this time, they couldn't afford to scrutinize the background of those who joined the military, and the recruitment office welcomed anyone who came. As long as someone was willing to be a soldier and eat rations, as long as they could run and jump, they were recruited into the army. Because the military pay was the same as that of the new army, which was four taels and five mace of official silver per month, and half a month's military pay was paid in advance, many people enthusiastically signed up to join the military. Peddlers, vagrants, sailors, and even street urchins all changed into military uniforms, put on white armbands, and suddenly became revolutionary warriors. Before dawn broke, the 20,000 foreign rifles taken from the armory had already been distributed, but there were still over 10,000 people who were empty-handed and didn't even have military uniforms. These people couldn't possibly have any combat effectiveness, so they could only be left in the city to join the Left Wing Brigade to boost morale, with Deputy Brigade Commander Duan Zhixian responsible for training them to assist in defending the city.

  At dawn, the Yangtze River transmitted a loud cannon sound. The two Qing army gunboats that were anchored on the river to tow the autumn exercise troops had begun to fire warning shots. Although the shells had not yet fallen into the city, the panic of the residents inside the city had intensified. As the rebel army had sealed off the city, the people could not escape the artillery fire either.

  The insurgent troops in the city immediately mobilized to set up field guns and mountain guns under the south wall, fiercely counterattacking and forcing the Qing naval vessels to retreat to the southern bank.

  In the midst of intense gunfire, colorful flags fluttered in front of the Dudoong's mansion gate, drums and music filled the sky, new military leaders wearing military uniforms, with swords hanging from their waists and dark circles under their eyes, surrounded Commander-in-Chief Xiong Chengji as he walked onto a makeshift platform.

  Xiong Chengji, dressed in a suit of armor and wearing boots, stood spiritedly on the platform, holding a document that denounced the Qing dynasty's evil ways, before hundreds of military officers and civilian representatives.

  "The Revolutionary Government of the Chinese Restoration Army, Commander-in-Chief Xiong, by order of the Military Government! It is known that the Tartars were originally an alien tribe from the East, and have been a hereditary enemy of our Central Plains since the Han and Tang dynasties. At the end of the Ming dynasty, they took advantage of the chaos to rise up, indulging in their cruel, brutal, and evil nature, occupying our China, usurping our sacred vessels, and enslaving our compatriots! ... All my compatriots should fulfill their duties, strive with all their might, and wipe out the Tartars within a specified period, restoring China! To proclaim this great righteousness, to inform our compatriots, urgent as a law!"

  In Zhao Bei's view, this denunciation is eloquent and stirring, but somewhat narrow-minded, and there are also many errors in the history of the Manchu Eight Banners. However, this is unavoidable. After the Eight Banner nobles entered the pass, they extensively tampered with historical records, and even scholars may not understand the true history of the Eight Banners rising outside the pass.

  "Right wing, pass the ball to left wing, Zhang Lin!" Xiong Chengji shouted loudly.

  "Reporting for duty!" A young officer stepped forward, took a few steps ahead and stood in front of Xiong Chengji, standing at attention. As Zhao Bei had resigned from the position of Left Wing Commander, this officer was temporarily acting as his proxy.

  "The people's army unites under the golden light of Kun!"

  "Present!" A middle-aged robust man stood beside the officer, he was a member of the Hongmen, a native of Anhui Province, and one of the organizers of this Anqing uprising. Most of the militia who entered the city were brought by him.

  "Duan Zixun is the commander of the city defense, and Jin Zhaojun is the deputy commander. You two must unite sincerely and defend Anqing together!"

  Under the gaze of the crowd, Xiong Chengji handed over a official seal to the military officer and formally appointed Guan Fuxing, the deputy commander of the Right Wing of the Restoration Army, as the Commander of Anqing City Defense, and Jin Zhaokun, the leader of the Hui Party, as the Deputy Commander of City Defense, with full responsibility for the defense of Anqing City.

  "Vanguard Officer Zhao Bei!" Xiong Chengji picked up another token, hastily carved and not even painted, just a wooden lump whittled into a stepped shape.

  "The Minister has arrived!" Zhao Bei responded loudly and came out, standing at attention and saluting.

  "This is your password, take it. Your mission is very dangerous, be careful." Xiong Chengji handed the password to Zhao Bei and reminded him that since Zhao Bei's task of contacting the new armies in Hubei and Jiangsu was top secret, it was not convenient to discuss it in front of everyone.

  "Please rest assured, General, I will spare no effort to complete the task!" Zhao Beizhan said resolutely.

  Xiong Cheng nodded, glanced at the officers standing beside him, and with a "clang" drew out the command knife from his waist. He took a few steps forward, and with a loud voice addressed the crowd:

  "Expel the Tartars, restore China, it's now or never! I wish you all to unite as one and defeat the stubborn enemy!"

  "United in heart and mind, conquer the stubborn enemy! United in heart and mind, conquer the stubborn enemy!"

  Inspired by the great commander, everyone shouted in unison. Soon, this shouting spread throughout the city. The rebel army's morale was boosted, and the shiny bayonets reflected the vibrant red of the dawn sky, exuding a powerful killing intent.

  Xiong Chengji led the troops out of the North Gate, and after breakfast, the military horn sounded, and the revolutionary army raised the Guangfu Hui flag, launching a fierce attack on the remaining Qing troops entrenched in the west of the city.

  Standing on the city wall, watching the troops leaving the city, Zhao Bei's mind was fluctuating. History had already changed due to his arrival, and what would happen next, he had no bottom line in his heart. However, since he had already thrown himself into this era, perhaps there was no turning back.