Chapter 54 I took out several Russian bandits!

  Right up my alley

  On the afternoon of July 16, after several small-scale looting and robbing actions against Qing dynasty immigrants, the Russian authorities in Harbin launched a large-scale persecution campaign. A large number of Russian thugs armed with guns, axes, bayonets, and whips broke into the homes or shops of Qing dynasty immigrants, looted all their property, and took away men, women, and children indiscriminately, driving them to the banks of the Heilongjiang River, whipping, chopping, slashing, and even shooting at them, forcing these unarmed Qing dynasty immigrants to jump into the rolling waters of the Heilongjiang River, witnessing a massacre about to happen. Several impatient guards shouted in hushed tones.

  "Principal, why haven't you started fighting yet?!"

  Kang Fan was waiting for the signal. If this signal didn't come, he couldn't fire at will here, otherwise he wouldn't be able to wipe out these Russian bandits completely. As long as one of them was left alive, it would leave a pretext for the Russian government, and then things would become difficult to handle afterwards.

  "Principal, Zhong Kui!" The wireless operator suddenly excitedly reported loudly.

  Kang Fan suddenly jumped up from his hiding place and shouted loudly at the crowd dozens of meters away: "All Qing immigrants, get down! Get down!" Before he finished speaking, the 88-style sniper rifle in his hand fired its first 5.8mm heavy bullet. A Russian thug who was about to raise his gun to shoot in the crowd was instantly shot and his brain burst, his tall body fell to the ground with a loud noise, and the rifle in his hand flew far away. In an instant, several other Type 96 sniper rifles of the guard battalion almost fired at the same time, and with the crisp sound of gunfire, one by one, the Russian thugs holding guns were shot down to the ground.

  As soon as they heard the familiar Chinese, a few of the Qing dynasty immigrants who had already touched the icy arm of death reacted quickly and fell to the ground. The others also followed suit immediately, and for a moment, the dense crowd fell to the ground in pieces. As a result, the figures of those Russian bandits who did not understand Chinese and were mixed among the Qing dynasty immigrants suddenly became as conspicuous as rocks on the beach after the tide had receded.

  The 6 Type 96 machine guns took advantage of the opportunity to open fire fiercely, and the intense bullet curtain swept past the bodies of the Qing Dynasty overseas Chinese. The Russian bandits were confused by this sudden blow, staring at their own bodies being penetrated by 7.62mm bullets. Those who came to their senses could not escape either, and were shot one by one with sniper rifles, their heads shattered. Suddenly, blood flowed like a river on the riverbank!

  Captain Li and his special forces cleared out the Russian bandits who had fallen behind, then launched a surprise attack outside Hailanpao City to cover the evacuation of the Qing Dynasty residents on the other side. Meanwhile, security bureau agents disguised as ordinary civilians and hiding in various locations within the city were causing even more chaos throughout Hailanpao City, creating the illusion of fierce resistance from the Qing Dynasty residents to deceive the Russian authorities. For a time, this Russian border town, which had quickly become desolate due to the departure of many Qing Dynasty residents, suddenly became lively and extraordinary, with chickens flying and dogs jumping everywhere, ghosts crying and wolves howling, gunshots and explosions ringing out continuously, and thick smoke and fierce fires rising up all around. It would be hard to find a more apt description than "hell on earth". This was a scene that local Russian government officials were delighted to see, but they had no idea that the ones creating this chaos were not their own country's thugs, but rather a group of special agents from the Qing Dynasty!

  Hui Feng's timely command of the speedboat fleet arrived at the shore in time, and several speedboats competed to rescue those who had fallen into the Heilongjiang River and assisted the injured on the shore. The remaining speedboats opened their cabin doors wide, busily picking up large numbers of overseas Chinese who were rushing forward. These foolish Qing dynasty overseas Chinese, who had originally given up the opportunity to return home, now only had one thought in mind: escape with their lives. Even the scattered goods on the riverbank, within arm's reach, were ignored by everyone.

  "Help them take all these away, after all, it's their years of hard work." Kang Fan said to Hui Feng.

  Huifeng ordered the soldiers to pick up things on the ground, load them onto boats and transport them away. He instructed: "Be sure to clean up thoroughly, don't leave anything for the Russians."

  At this time, gunfire and explosions were still ringing out in Hailanpo City. Kang Fan anxiously looked around with binoculars.

  "Tell them to stop when they see fit." Kang Fan said to the wireless operator, then turned his head towards the officers and soldiers of the guard battalion: "Withdraw from the battlefield, destroy all evidence on the spot, and prepare to withdraw."

  At dusk, after figuring out the truth of the event, the Russian regular army, which was ordered to rush to reinforce, was blocked by the special forces with favorable terrain, and the fierce battle lasted until midnight. The special forces teams that undertook this blocking mission were equipped with a large number of machine guns, hand grenades, 82 recoilless guns, and 82 mortars, and prepared sufficient ammunition. With the help of pre-constructed defensive fortifications, they used their advantageous firepower to inflict heavy casualties on the Russian regular army. Later, following Kang Fan's order, they covered each other and withdrew back to Hunchun, bringing back the bodies of their fallen comrades as well. The pursuing Russian army got nothing, and on the riverbank, except for the corpses of the Russian bandits and large patches of bloodstains, there was nothing valuable left. Looking across the river, in the dark night, the warm and magnificent Hunchun City shone brightly with lights.

  A Russian military officer muttered something and started firing randomly in the direction of Hunchun City.

  Kang Fan clearly aimed at the troublemaker through the night vision scope of his Type 88 sniper rifle, shooting at night, over 250 meters away, approaching the limit of the night vision distance. Although he didn't have a full grasp on hitting the target, when the opportunity to shoot came, Kang Fan still didn't hesitate and pulled the trigger decisively.

  The Russian military officer fell to the ground with a gunshot and didn't move anymore.

  "Good. Not bad." Kang Fan muttered to himself.

  The gunfire caused confusion among the Russian troops, and in the dark night where one could not see their fingers, these panicked Russian officers and soldiers blindly and almost frantically opened fire, even a Maxim water-cooled heavy machine gun also fired fiercely. However, apart from wasting ammunition and creating some commotion, it would not have any other effect.

  Kang Fanjin approached within 200 meters, constantly changing his shooting position, and fired the remaining 9 rounds in the magazine.

  The combat will of this batch of Russian troops was completely crushed. Hundreds of people, in a short time, as long as they were alive, ran away without leaving anyone behind.

  Kang Fan lay down on the soft grass, breathing in the cool summer night breeze, relaxing his tense muscles.

  "Captain Li pulled him and whispered: "Principal, there's nothing here. Let's cross the river."

  Kang Fan didn't move, and replied: "I know."

  "Thanks for covering our retreat, Principal," Captain Li said with a mouthful of donkey dung egg.

  Kang Fan pointed his gun at him and looked clearly at the expression on his face through the scope, couldn't help but laugh, "Old Li, you don't need to use this kind of expression when talking to me."

  Li asked, puzzled: "What expression?"

  "It's just like what you said earlier." Kang Fan replied.

  "What expression was I just making?"

  Kang Fan really wanted to laugh, but he restrained himself, "Saying thank you with the expression you had just now is not as good as not saying it at all... If you can't say thank you, then don't say it, it's awkward for both of us."

  Captain Li said nothing.

  After Dai Kang and Captain Li returned across the river, a large crowd had already gathered at the Huwan Wharf to welcome them. Suddenly, the entire Huwan Wharf was boiling over with excitement, cheers and laughter filled the air, gongs and drums shook the sky, people sang and danced, and firecrackers exploded in unison, what a lively scene!

  This rescue of overseas Chinese has caused a huge sensation locally, and the people have felt for the first time that they are valued by their country, and that their existence is meaningful to the country. This has evolved into a strong cohesive force and centripetal force, bursting forth with high patriotic enthusiasm. As soon as this matter was made public, it didn't take long for the people of mainland China to know about it, and their reaction was just as fervent as that of the people in the Miaohua administrative district. The first telegram Kang Fan received was from Zhu Di, followed closely by Mei Xiang's, and then Empress Dowager Cixi's.

  Judy wrote: You are not only willing to die for me, but also willing to die for your people. But how many lives do you have?

  Mei Xiang wrote: My only hope now is to beg Heaven to let us return to our own era immediately.

  You are too reckless in what you do. Although I do not agree, if the Russians want to start a war, I will gladly respond to it, mobilize the country's strength and fight with them until the end, never compromise or retreat, and never repeat the mistake of 1895!

  "What did the Empress Dowager say?" Shou Shan asked anxiously.

  Kang Fan handed him the telegram, "Brother, take a look yourself."

  Shoushan watched it and was overjoyed, "This is great, just great!"

  Kang Fan smiled and said, "The old lady's backbone has hardened."

  Thereafter, Shou Shan ordered the Heilongjiang garrison to enter a state of full combat readiness, greatly increasing the number of patrols along the border, extending patrol times and expanding patrol areas. Various combat resources were continuously transported into Heilongjiang from Shanxi, and Commander Zhou's mechanized brigade quickly moved in, becoming the first fully-formed Jin army unit to arrive, demonstrating its powerful rapid mobility capabilities.

  Kang Fan was delighted and said to Zhou Team Leader, "You take a plane to reconnaissance in the border area, familiarize yourself with the terrain, and incidentally understand the deployment of the Russian army."

  Taiyuan Aircraft Factory has accumulated valuable experience in producing agricultural aircraft. After continuous improvement and refinement of the basic model, the later mass-produced models have become very mature, and production quantities have gradually increased. Based on this type of aircraft, modifications were made to remove the pesticide box behind the driver's seat, add an observer's seat and wireless telegraph machine, preparing for military tasks such as reconnaissance, artillery calibration, communication relay, and command. The first two modified aircraft were flown by pilots from Ningwu Aviation Base, while the observers were selected from professional soldiers in the Jin Army, who are now available to perform military reconnaissance missions along the long Heilongjiang River.

  "Principal, I can finally go up to heaven and take a look this time." Zhou Tuanzhang said excitedly.

  Kang Fan smiled and said: "Don't get too excited and forget your duties. I want your intelligence."

  "Understood." Captain Zhou led his men away.

  A few days later, Duonao also arrived in Hailar.

  "Isn't this a bit rash? The conflict with the Japanese has just subsided, and now you're going to provoke the Russians again?" Donovan's face was full of anxiety.

  Kang Fan smiled and said, "It's the Russians who are provoking us."

  Duonowan shook his head helplessly and asked: "What attitude is Cixi?"

  "Agreed." Kong Fan replied.

  Dunowan was taken aback, "This defies common sense."

  Kang Fan said: "I think so too. But that's a fact."

  "What's your plan then? Are you going to fight it out?"

  "It depends on the attitude of the Russians," Kang Fan said: "The Empress Dowager has already notified the Russian ambassador, and Russia's Amur authorities have ignored international justice, arbitrarily persecuting the Qing dynasty's compatriots living in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, causing huge losses to our personnel and property. The Russian side should take full responsibility for this incident. Before the Russian side makes a reasonable explanation and takes active remedial measures, the Qing government will withdraw all privileges that Russia has obtained within the Qing Empire, restrict the actions of Russian personnel within the Qing Empire, freeze all Russian assets in the Qing Empire, and sever diplomatic relations."

  Duonowan laughed and pointed at Kang Fan, "You little guy is 'having it both ways'!"

  Kang Fan smiled and said: "It was the Russians who were unreasonable first."

  "The people from the American Embassy told me: Nie Shicheng's Wuwei Army has already taken action in Tianjin, and all the Russians staying in your country are now in a state of panic," said Donovan.

  Kang Fan said: "As soon as Nie's army comes out, the Russians will be in trouble." After finishing speaking, he secretly rejoiced in his heart: With Nie Shicheng assisting in the battle in Tianjin, I can rest assured. Then there would be no worries about the rear in Heilongjiang. At this time, he sent a telegram to Nie Shicheng: My garrison in Tianjin looks up to General Nie's horse head, and we will join forces to fight. Nie Shicheng replied: This is very good. Lord Kang does not need to worry about the affairs of Tianjin, and work with General Shoushan to take care of the border defense of Heilongjiang, waiting for good news.

  Duonowan said: "The Russian side is unreasonable and has no support internationally. Moreover, your country's determination to fight from top to bottom this time is firm, and mobilization is sufficient. I think they dare not act rashly this time."

  "That's for the best," said Kang Fan.

  The Empress Dowager Cixi personally ordered General Shoushan to be the commander-in-chief of the garrison in Northeast China, and he could deploy all the Qing troops stationed in Northeast China. She also issued a special edict to strictly order Generals Changshun and Xingji to obey his orders and not to have any second thoughts. Changshun and Xingji did not dare to slack off, they made extensive mobilization efforts, deployed troops, and gathered at Hulunbuir to discuss the war situation. At that time, tens of thousands of Qing troops in Northeast China were sharpening their knives and eager for battle, with an atmosphere of a major war about to break out.

  Under Judy's lobbying, the US government initiated a strong condemnation of Russia's barbaric behavior this time, with the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Austria and other Western countries standing on the side of the Qing Empire in terms of morality. Japan was worried that Russia would take advantage of this opportunity to launch a war and exclusively occupy the northeastern region of the Qing Empire, directly threatening its long-term plan to dominate this region, and also publicly responded to the US and UK for the purpose of curbing Russia. In this way, the Qing government gained widespread international support.

  The Russian government weighed the pros and cons, took the initiative to show goodwill to the Qing Empire, in order to calm down the situation as soon as possible and restore the original relationship between the two countries. Empress Dowager Cixi also accepted it readily. A few weeks later, border trade activities along the Heilongjiang River resumed normally.

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