Chapter 55: All-Out Attack (Part 1)

  Wu Zhaolin finally agreed to take up the post of 'Commander-in-Chief of the Insurrection', which made Xiong Bingkun, who knew his abilities, breathe a sigh of relief.

  Even if they were the elite who had been trained for many years, the total number of new army soldiers participating in the uprising in the city was only around 3,000 to 4,000, and possibly even fewer. Moreover, due to the chaotic command, some battalions did not have a commander, resulting in them wandering around the city like the group Li Han encountered earlier, because they had not received any contact from the rest of the insurgent army and did not know where to gather at Chu Wang Tai. On the other hand, the Qing government's stubborn resistance included the Governor's Guard, the Constabulary Regiment, the Eight Banners Army, the remnants of the 30th Banner's Flag Battalion, which had been defeated, as well as over 2,000 police and militia inside and outside the city, and Zhang Biao and Li Yuanhong's new army soldiers. In total, there were around 5,000 to 6,000 people. Judging solely by military strength and command ability, the Qing army still had a significant advantage.

  Especially whether Zhang Biao, the eighth town general, or Li Yuanhong, the 21st mixed brigade, were not ordinary people. They were quite familiar with the tactics of commanding troops in battle arrays and had fought against bandits hundreds of times, making them formidable opponents.

  This is also why Xiong Bingkun insisted on recommending Wu Zhaolin, who was equally skilled in commanding the fleet, as the commander-in-chief of the uprising. Although many people in the camp were dissatisfied with him, after his analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, these voices finally disappeared.

  "Let's get the ugly words out of the way first, Wu is not a person who seeks power and influence. He took on this heavy responsibility because you said that there was no suitable person in the city. As a Han Chinese, I shouldn't be a slave to those Manchu Tartars anyway. However, although Wu agreed to take on the position of commander-in-chief of the rebel army, he also asks you to agree to three things."

  Xiong Bingkun frowned, "Sir, please speak, as long as it doesn't go against my revolutionary will, I can take charge and respond accordingly!"

  "Alright, first of all, I should ask you, sir, if there is no one suitable in the city, as you have said. If a more suitable person is found, will Wu Xiang certainly step down to make way for Ying Jie?"

  Xiong Bingkun let out a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

  "Secondly, I ask you to agree with me that the new army's uprising is aimed at overthrowing the corrupt rule of the Qing court. Therefore, our military discipline must not disturb the civilians in the city. If I find anyone violating this rule, I will impose severe punishment. Will you do so?"

  "This..."

  Xiong Bingkun was somewhat embarrassed, to be honest, although he also hated those who took advantage of the chaos and were despicable, but there were thousands of new revolutionary troops in the city, and over a thousand brothers from the Huo Gang and Hongmen responded. It was inevitable that some people among them were not good quality, but after all, they were all revolutionaries. If he hadn't discovered these petty people, it would have been fine, but once he did, how could he explain himself to those Red Gang and Hongmen big shots who had risked their lives to respond to the call for justice? If he really agreed to this, wouldn't he be offending people to death in the end?

  However, after a slight delay, Wu Zhaolin's face turned cold and smiled. Xiong Bingkun remembered that the situation in the city could not be delayed any longer, so he suddenly made a decision in his heart and nodded, "Alright, I'll take charge of this matter too..."

  But in his heart, he felt extremely bitter, and he knew he might have offended someone!

  With an expressionless face, Wu Zhaolin nodded and continued to say "You can agree with me on this one, it's clear that you are truly committed to the revolutionary cause, that's all... I was going to make things difficult for you, but some private matters are not convenient to use as leverage. I hope you will remember in your heart, after the revolution succeeds, I will definitely find the person who killed my brother and reason with them. It's just that I hope you won't participate in it, so as to avoid difficulties in meeting again in the future..."

  His face suddenly changed, and he was about to speak when Wu Zhaolun waved his hand to interrupt him. "Please rest assured, I have a personal grudge against him, but I am also a man of principle. From the way he gave orders earlier, I can tell that his abilities are probably above mine. In the revolution, if there are orders or arrangements, they must be followed fairly and will not involve personal grievances... isn't that right?"

  Xiong Bingkun intended to persuade Li Han a few more words, but at this time, the time could not be delayed any longer. He hesitated for a moment and nodded, thinking that he would help persuade him again if he had time in the future.

  "Alright then, I'll temporarily take on the role of commander-in-chief of this uprising. My first order is to gather all available artillery and bombard the headquarters of the 8th Garrison..."

  Wuchang Old City, with a perimeter of 3430 zhang, is five li east-west and six li south-north. The Governor's Office where Rui Cun is located is at the southwest corner of the city, while Zhang Biao's Eighth Town Command Department is on one side of the Governor's Office, separated only by two streets.

  After the gunfire started within the city, especially after it had been going on for a while, not only did it not stop, but it became even more intense. Later on, there were even sounds of cannons firing. Not to mention the Governor's Office next door, which was in a state of panic, even the Eighth Town Command Center where Zhang Biao was located was no exception.

  It's okay to say that he was a scholar who didn't know about military affairs. First, there were gunshots in the city, and later the rebels and new army even attacked near the governor's office, causing some panic, which is normal. However, when his own territory also became chaotic, it was unbearable for Zhang Biao, who had always been strict in governing the army.

  "Haven't contacted the supervisor's office yet?"

  With a sword in hand, standing in the courtyard, directing the battle himself, Zhang Biao frowned and asked.

  "Sir, since the cannon fire started, those rioters who were previously surrounded by us have received reinforcements, especially one unit equipped with a large number of machine guns. Although the soldiers in my battalion are brave, no one can break through their new defense line set up on the street in front of the government office..."

  "Any news from the governor's office?"

  "Regarding what you said... there is... however..."

  Look at the subordinate's face, he was so anxious that he couldn't speak, and after hesitating for a long time, he still didn't open his mouth. Zhang Biao originally had some impatience, but although he looked rough, he was actually a meticulous person. After a slight turn of his mind, he already understood the reason for his hesitation... His face also turned extremely angry...

  "Sir, the Governor may have... may have abandoned the city and fled... My subordinate sent someone to observe from a distance and saw that the guards at the governor's office were in disarray and fleeing without orders, even abandoning their guns... Furthermore, I heard that the cannon fire from the direction of the governor's office has ceased, and the rebel army's cannons have turned their muzzles towards us... The casualties among our brothers in front are suddenly increasing, and for now, we can still hold out for a while. However, we only have ordinary rifles in the mansion, and the bullets are not abundant, I fear we won't be able to hold on for much longer..."

  "Hum, Old Rui Cheng deceived me... Old Rui Cheng deceived me..."

  Zhang Biao's face was already filled with rage, and he also knew that the Chu Yu fleet and several other ships were currently docked at the pier for replenishment of supplies and would not set sail until tomorrow. He also thought about how Rui Cheng had always been timid by nature, and was probably frightened when he heard the sound of cannons attacking the governor's office, so he took his family with him, escaped through Wenchang Gate, boarded the Chu Yu warship, and fled up the Yangtze River.

  Zhang Biao knew that this was the time when the new army in the city was panicked, so he couldn't leave the mansion. He had previously sent someone to explain the pros and cons of the situation, and he himself had taken a stand, although it was within the defensive line, but also greatly boosted the morale of his soldiers, making the military spirit stable. However, Rui Cheng was the governor of Huguang, if the news of his escape leaked out, it would also affect the morale of his own army, and when that happened, it would be a lost cause, not only for Rui Cheng but also for himself, who would inevitably be implicated and questioned by the imperial court afterwards.

  "It's all over... it's all over..."

  With a "clang", Zhang Biao's baton fell to the ground, but he didn't even intend to bend down and pick it up. His eyes gazed at the darkened sky, muttering to himself incessantly.

  "Adult... adult..."

  Look at the expressionless face of our own superior, and several subordinates next to him were suddenly scared into silence.

  "Alright, let your outside men get ready. We don't have cannons in our hands, and once Chu Wang Tai falls into the rebels' hands, Wu Chang will be lost for sure... Moreover, I'll station troops in Hankou and Hanyang, humph! That old scoundrel has made a wrong move this time, and it's inevitable that I'll submit a memorial to the imperial court. I'd like to see how many more days that old thief Rui Ceng has left... Let's go!"

  "It's... sir..."

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