Chapter 6: The City Falls

  After the order to attack was issued, the British Fourth and Fifth Regiments, as vanguards, advanced in formation. The Qing soldiers on the city wall had basically been killed by artillery fire, and the entire Guangzhou became an undefended city. The French commander was more cunning, ordering his troops to enter the city behind the British army in order to minimize losses.

  Ergou looked at the British army advancing into the city without any obstruction, and his arrogant mood could no longer be concealed: "Hmph, how can this trivial Guangzhou City withstand the imperial army? The Gauls are too timid, always only acting behind the imperial army."

  Li Mingfeng saw that this old Scottish man was so arrogant and didn't bother to persuade him anymore.

  Elgin was formerly Governor of Jamaica and then Governor General of Canada, fighting in these two American countries is completely different from China. After all, the Americas were still in a state of extreme backwardness, without a unified country, only loose tribal alliances. They had no large cities, nor large-scale regular armies, nor unified leadership, so the British army was invincible locally.

  Although Guangzhou city was breached, there were still tens of thousands of Qing soldiers and brave warriors inside the city, as well as loyal and patriotic commanders. If street fighting broke out within the city, cannons could not be used, and the advantage of firearms could not be brought into play. The Qing soldiers could completely give the British army a heavy blow with just bows, arrows, long spears and big knives.

  As he watched the sun gradually set in the west, Li Mingfeng revealed a meaningful smile.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, more than an hour later, Elgin received one piece of unsatisfactory news after another while waiting for a quick victory. The 4th Regiment, which was the first to enter the city, encountered strong resistance from the Qing army. Although they eventually annihilated the Qing forces, their own side also lost over a hundred soldiers.

  Governor Ye Mingchen was also shocked when he learned that the city wall had been breached, but as a high-ranking official, he quickly adjusted his deployment and sent his own guards to the front line. It is worth noting that this guard was formed by buying rifles from Western countries at a high price, although the number of people is not large, but the combat effectiveness is astonishing.

  The battle after nightfall was even more brutal, with tens of thousands of Qing soldiers joining the street fighting without hesitation. Many high-ranking generals also personally took to the battlefield to kill the enemy. December 28th was destined to be a bloody day.

  Ergun finally got angry after receiving one bad news after another and led the whole army into the city at around 2 am.

  The all-out attack of the Anglo-French army finally turned the tide of battle, and by the next day, half of Guangzhou had fallen.

  In the subsequent days of street fighting, Du Tongjun and Deng Anbang were killed by the British and French in the street fighting, the Qing army's Green Standard Army was almost annihilated, and Ye Mingchen's personal guard was also defeated under intense artillery fire.

  Guangzhou, General's Mansion Grand Hall.

  "Sir, the foreigners have already reached the front street. If we don't retreat now, it will be too late!" a small school urged.

  An old man wearing a Qing dynasty first-class official uniform sat at the top of the hall, slowly saying: "I, Ye Mingchen, have eaten the imperial salary, received the emperor's grace, and governed the two Guangs. Now the barbarians have broken our great Qing stronghold with just one expeditionary force. Even if I escaped, what face would I have to see the emperor? And after death, what face would I have to see my ancestors?"

  Ye Mingchen became more and more agitated as he spoke, finally letting out a mournful cry: "Now I have only one death to repay the emperor's kindness." Having said this, he got up and rushed straight at the pillar in the hall.

  The little school was urgent and quick-handed, grabbing Ye Mingchen with one hand, and repeatedly advising: "Sir, today the city is broken, it's not a crime of war, but because of the cunning and cruelty of the foreigners, relying on their sharp firearms. Sir, you must take care of yourself, if you escape from the city today, you will lead the army to retake Guangzhou from the foreigners in the future. At that time, you can report to the emperor above and make the people not suffer from foreign bullying below, isn't this better than you sacrificing your life in vain?"

  Yè Míng Chēn thought of committing suicide because he anticipated that even if he didn't die, the imperial court would not pardon him anyway. He might as well commit suicide and exchange it for a commendation from the imperial court, rather than truly not wanting to live. Upon hearing this small school's words, Yè Míng Chēn thought about it and indeed found it reasonable, originally there was still a thread of hope for survival.

  Ye Mingchen, who had rekindled his desire to survive, hastily ordered Xiao Xiao to collect various confidential letters and seals, preparing to escape the city. Just as they finished collecting everything, a loud explosion was heard, and the gates of the General's Mansion were blown open. Dozens of Ye Mingchen's loyal personal soldiers, covered in blood, retreated inside, followed by countless British and French allied soldiers.

  In early January 1858, fighting within the city had largely ceased.

  The Qing army lost more than 20,000 men, countless civilians were killed by the heavy artillery on the warships, and the Anglo-French coalition forces also lost 800 soldiers, mainly British. The Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, Ye Mingchen, was captured, and the citizens of Guangzhou, who had once vowed to live or die with the city, did not put up any resistance, and the Anglo-French coalition forces occupied Guangzhou smoothly.

  Elgin was enraged by the massive casualties and ordered Yehenara to be imprisoned, while the Anglo-French army began looting in the city.

  After the city of Guangzhou was gradually stabilized, Elgin summoned General Gros, commander-in-chief of the French army, and senior generals of the allied forces, British Minister to Guangzhou Harry Parkes and French Minister Auguste Léopold Protet to discuss specific occupation matters and the next attack target for the large army.

  Guangzhou, the grand hall of the Governor's mansion.

  Parland and Andrew, Adams' squad took over here.

  "Gentlemen, it was Governor Ye Mingchen who gave the order to resist your country. As the provincial governor and garrison commander in this city of Guangzhou, I have no power whatsoever. I had previously advised Governor Ye to make friends with all nations and not to provoke trouble. But he was too obstinate and refused to listen to my advice, violating the imperial edict 'to stop fighting is the most important thing'. He is guilty of a crime punishable by death. However, I did try my best to dissuade him, so please do not mistakenly harm innocent people."

  As he spoke, this majestic Guangdong governor, a second-grade official of the Qing dynasty, actually burst into tears.

  No matter how brilliant his performance was on this side, Parand and Andrew couldn't understand a single word.

  "Parandu, go get Li to come over and see what this Qing official is saying. We don't want to be fooled and scolded without even understanding," Andrew said.