Chapter 25: The Great Rainy Night Surprise Attack by the Generals

  Ye Zhi-chao couldn't believe that Ye Zhikui would suggest a defensive counterattack, and for a moment he was speechless. The people below also started discussing it in whispers. Seeing this, Ye Zhikui hastily added: "Everyone, tonight is rainy, which will cover our military actions. Secondly, the Japanese won't expect us to start counterattacking after just one day of defense, so they must be unprepared. Thirdly, the Japanese army made no progress today and their morale must be low. If we don't launch a surprise attack now, when will we? Such a great achievement can't be left to Ye Zhikui alone!"

  Everyone suddenly remembered that Ye Zhikui had won several battles against the Japanese, and a surge of confidence rose up for no reason. Yes, he Ye Zhikui wasn't three-headed and six-armed either. Even if he was a bit more formidable than themselves, weren't they all entering the imperial court to gain merit? Now that Ye Zhikui had achieved so much merit, while they had none, didn't this clearly show their own incompetence?

  Ma Yu-kun and Zuo Bao-gui were naturally fond of attacking, so after hearing Ye Zhikui's words and considering them for a moment, they first expressed their agreement. As for Ye Zhi-chao, he basically agreed with Ye Zhikui. To say that Ye Zhi-chao was lucky because he had Ye Zhikui, unlike in the past when he led the Korean army to defeat and couldn't convince the crowd. Instead, after several victories, his prestige grew stronger, and it became easier for him to control the Korean army. So generally speaking, as long as he spoke up, things were basically settled.

  If this night raid is successful, the enemy situation between China and Japan in Korea will be changed, and both sides will switch offense and defense. Therefore, it can be said that it is a crucial battle that affects the future battlefield. Ye Zhichao discussed with everyone for a long time before deciding to launch a surprise attack on the enemy at 3 am (Chou) from three gates: Datongmen, Zhuque Gate, and Jinghai Gate.

  Ye Zhiqi's Tiger and Brave Army, led by Ye Zhiqi, set out from the Datong Gate to launch a surprise attack on the Japanese army in Xiaohe. The Left Baoguo Division and the Lü Benyuan Division, led by Left Baoguo, set out from the Zhuque Gate to provide central support. Ma Yukun's division and Wei Rugui's division, led by Ma Yukun, set out from the Jinghai Gate to attack the Japanese army in Shanyang County.

  The three troops launched an attack simultaneously with the sound of gunfire from the vanguard as a signal.

  After Ye Zhiwei returned to the camp, he divided his troops into three echelons for attack: The first echelon was required to quickly break through the enemy's defense line, the second echelon was to expand the results of the battle and prevent the enemy from counterattacking, and the third echelon was basically a reserve force that would be used in pursuit when the situation permitted.

  The Yongzi Army is the strongest attacking force in Ye Zhiwei's hands, placed in the first echelon, led by Song Pinglan, Wu Dashan and others. The Huizi Army and Ye Zhichao's troops serve as the second echelon, led by Jiang Zikang and others. The third echelon is the Korean army. These people can be used to intimidate and pursue the enemy. Ye Zhiwei himself stayed in the second echelon to command the troops.

  Around midnight, Ye Ziku rode out of Pingyang's Datong Gate. At the gate, he let the rain soak his hair and gazed at the turbulent waters of the Datong River in the distance, thinking to himself: "The outcome will be decided with this one move." Although Ye Ziku had previously analyzed everything correctly, war has never lacked unexpected events, so he was also secretly worried, but didn't show it.

  "Brother Ye, Brother Ye!" A slender figure appeared from afar and approached the city gate in no time.

  Ye Zhi Kui turned around to see that it was Xiaoling, but she wasn't carrying an umbrella. There were still mud stains on her clothes, as if she had just fallen over. She was seen tiptoeing through the puddles, hurrying towards him with quick steps.

  Ye Zhi Kui dismounted and scolded as she approached, "Ling Long, your body is weak, why didn't you bring an umbrella, rushing out in the rain like this!"

  Xiao Linglong was drenched from head to toe, her body trembling as she pulled out two amulets from the pocket of her undergarments. She handed them to Ye Zhiwei with both hands and said: "I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up with you, Brother Ye. The larger one is from Mistress Min for you, and the smaller one is from me. We both hope that you will return safely." Since recovering from her illness, Xiao Linglong had often visited the old palace in Pyongyang to chat with Empress Min, and the two women were as close as sisters.

  The leaves were handed over and placed on top of the palm, and there seemed to be a lingering warmth from Ling's body. Nodding slightly, he said, "Alright, you can go back now."

  Xiao Ling seemed hesitant for a moment, then suddenly puffed up her courage and kissed Ye Zhiwei's cheek, before quickly escaping in embarrassment.

  Ye Zhiwei touched the cheek that had been kissed, and only then did he react, realizing that the little girl in his eyes had grown up. Thinking of her words from earlier, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

  In the palace, there is a beauty standing in a high place, looking far into the direction of Datong River, although what she sees is only a piece of darkness.

  Until a palace maid came over with a lantern and helped her put on an outer garment, saying: "Your Majesty, it's time to rest." The beauty then turned around and went back.

  ……

  Around 2:30 in the morning, Ye Zhiwei's first echelon had arrived at the designated location, and the second and third echelons were ready. At this time, Ogawa had just lain down to rest in the temporary command post, and he soon fell into a deep sleep after being busy with post-battle matters for a whole night.

  Ye Zhi Kui took out his pocket watch and glanced at it, the time was almost up, all units were ready, so he ordered Zhao Er Gou to open fire.

  Boom, boom, the sound of cannons shook the air, and suddenly the curtain of the Qing army's counterattack was lifted. At this time, most of the Japanese troops were already asleep, and even if there were night patrols, they were completely unprepared in their minds and had no idea that the Qing army would attack at this time.

  The sudden arrival of the shells completely stunned them, fortunately they still remembered their duties and immediately sounded the alarm. In fact, there was no need for them to sound the alarm, as the Japanese army already knew that the enemy had launched a surprise attack. The Qing army's offensive was like a tide, with a loud noise, first a wave of shells came down without warning, followed by infantry advancing while the enemy was being bombed and scattered, hiding in dark corners and shooting fiercely.

  The shells exploded above the Japanese army's camp, causing a huge fire, which was deadly at night. The soldiers of the Brave Army hid in the dark and fired at the light of the fire, while some Japanese soldiers didn't even have time to put on their clothes, and others couldn't find their guns. Even those who found their guns were like headless flies, firing randomly into the darkness, thinking that everywhere was the enemy, yet nowhere was the enemy.

  Ogawa was awakened again by the sound of gunfire, hastily got up, opened the door and saw that it was a sneak attack by the Qing army. He cursed silently and quickly put on his clothes, picked up his command knife and prepared to direct the Japanese army to hold their ground. Ogawa's idea was good, but unfortunately he encountered Ye Zhikui who had returned from modern times. In Ye Zhikui's time, special warfare tactics were deeply ingrained in people's minds. The Iron Blood Thirteen Hawks were formed entirely according to his intentions, aiming to create the world's first special forces unit. Butcher divided the Thirteen Hawks into five departments: Intelligence Unit, Sniper Unit, Disguise Unit, Demolition Unit and Special Talent Unit, as well as peripheral organizations. Of course, each department was interconnected and mutually supportive.

  For example, to assassinate someone, the intelligence group needs to gather intelligence in advance, the disguise group's disguise (the disguise group is a small group that is proficient in the enemy's language and customs, etc., making it impossible for the enemy to distinguish between friend and foe), as well as the coordination of the sniper group and special talent group. Only then can an entire assassination team be formed.

  The intelligence team had already figured out the Japanese military personnel above the rank of lieutenant colonel, including the number of moles on their faces. The sniper team practiced shooting at these portraits every day, waiting for Ogawa's appearance.

  Kogawa had just shown his face when several gunshots rang out, scaring him so much that he broke out in a cold sweat. If there hadn't been many bodyguards around earlier, he would have already become a corpse lying on the ground. Although they didn't manage to kill Kogawa, they did take down several of the junior captains he had just gathered together. Seeing how dire the situation was, Kogawa couldn't afford to gather his subordinates for a counterattack and could barely hold out defensively. It would be better to retreat first.