Chapter 44 of Part One

  The warriors, with respect for the commander-in-chief, and with Yue Yulong, Wu Shuang, Wang Hu and other comrades who had fought alongside Zhu Xiao before, fanning the flames, the soldiers' emotions became even more agitated. They completely forgot about the threats of long spears and big knives in front of them. All bravely charged forward, launching a frenzied attack on the Qing army. Regardless of whether they were Manchu or Han bannermen, as long as there was resistance, they would shoot an arrow or stab with a knife.

  Yue Yulong and Wu Shuang only realized they had fanned the flames when they saw the aftermath of the River Interval Prefecture. The city walls, moat, streets, and alleys were all littered with the severed limbs of Qing soldiers. Some bodies had been burned beyond recognition, while others had frozen into ice blocks due to the winter weather. The intestines and organs of soldiers killed by bayonets had also frozen in place. There was no more blood flowing from the wounds, as it too had frozen solid. The water in the moat had dried up, blocked by the collapsed city walls. The bodies of Qing soldiers who had fallen from great heights lay scattered in various shapes and forms within the moat.

  The people of the entire river area no longer dare to go out. They don't know when they will be walking on the street and a arm or leg will fall from the side. This battle was called the Hejian Campaign by later historians of the Chinese Empire, and it was considered a crucial battle for the empire. Later historians also made such an evaluation: "If at that time, Yue Yulong and other marshals had not fought this battle, then Shunzhi's expedition would have brought great benefits and unpredictable consequences to the Qing army in terms of morale and logistics in Baoding, Hejian, and Tianjin. Whether our people's army could have overthrown the Qing dynasty in such a short period of time is still a question. However, it was precisely because of the cruelty of the Hejian Campaign that the Qing army completely lost its will to fight. This is the key point of this battle.

  This campaign, the Qing army had a total of 74,522 troops stationed. At the end of the campaign, except for the 3,740 Han Chinese who were captured by the Eight Banners, all the rest of the Qing army died. Not one person survived. Our Third Army Group, plus part of the artillery, totaled 42,576 people. The number of dead soldiers was over 1,800. Thirty-two officers above the rank of company commander and two above the rank of battalion commander were killed. Twenty red cannons were captured. Five hundred thousand bushels of grain and over three thousand taels of silver (the rest was all transferred to Beijing). Our own ammunition consumption was over three thousand rounds.

  The best house in Hejian is the government office inside the Hejian Prefecture. Yue Yulong and his party, along with several representatives selected from Hejian and personnel from government organizations dispatched from Changsha, were discussing matters. Wu Shuang stood up, nodding to both sides as a greeting, and said: "This battle, although extremely brutal, was the time when our People's Army killed the most war prisoners. However, this is also understandable, since Shunzhi used improper means to dispatch assassins to kill our commander-in-chief, which is unforgivable behavior. Therefore, it is normal for our soldiers to be overly agitated and excessive in their actions." After finishing speaking, he nodded again and sat back down.

  Several people's representatives were invited. One of them stood up and said, "I'm just a peasant, I won't say anything nice, I'll just tell you the truth. We ordinary people only recognize one principle: whoever can give us land to farm, whoever can let us have food to eat and clothes to wear, we don't care who is the emperor." After finishing speaking, he looked at everyone without any expression and continued, "We were occupied by the Qing army early on, almost ten years ago. There are some things that we can't do like the southerners, so when the Qing army came here, we could only endure it. The Manchu people are superior to us Han people, there's nothing we can do about it. In recent years, when Kangxi and Shunzhi were in power, our land was all taken away, this is also something we couldn't help. Now that you've come, we don't have any other requests, as long as you give us land, that's enough."

  A merchant-like man stood up and bowed to the people on both sides, saying: "We merchants have nothing good to say. Now we also know a little about the situation of our Chinese Empire. I heard that in our Chinese Empire, the status of merchants is the same as others, which is what we merchants want most. And business is very good for us, so I'll make it short and sweet. After returning, I guarantee to contact the merchants in Hejian to start business immediately. Support the Chinese Empire."

  Yue Yulong also stood up and said, "Alright, since you representatives have expressed your views. We can now rest assured that government affairs are not something we military personnel can interfere with, as stipulated by our imperial constitution. Now that the Changsha faction has sent you over here, it is hoped that you will manage this place well. I hope you and the local representatives do a good job of governing. Our troops will begin to head out to Beijing tomorrow. The Qing dynasty's luck has run out. Therefore, our empire's capital must be in Beijing. These Manchu people will eventually be driven out." After finishing speaking, he paused for a moment before continuing, "Alright, from tomorrow on, the Third Army Group will leave one battalion here to take charge of organizing local armed police forces, and all others will depart tomorrow." Having said that, he led several military personnel in walking out, leaving behind those who were setting up the government and several representatives.

  Tianjin, Zeng Qing and Li Dingguo were discussing in the army department of the First Army Group, while Shi Lang and Zhang Zhitao, Xiao Rang, and military-level cadres from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armies were arguing in front of the sand table.

  "General Shi Yousan's face turned red with rage as he said, 'Now the Marine Corps has landed and completed its preliminary preparations. You suddenly want us to withdraw the Marine Corps from Jinzhou Wei and re-land in Tianjin to attack the old home of the Qing Dynasty, I do not object, but you should also let us finish this battle of Tianjin first.'"

  Zhang Zhitao smiled calmly and said to Shi Lang, "Commander Shi, this is what you can't see clearly. Now that the air force can work with the Eagle Special Forces to occupy Shanhai Pass, we will cooperate with you from Jinzhouwei to land, in response to their relief of pressure. The Qing army outside the pass is now fiercely attacking Shanhai Pass. To open up the passage for Shunzhi to retreat back outside the pass, the rear is empty. This is a great opportunity for your attack! This is a great opportunity given by our First Army!"

  Zeng Qing walked over at this time and said to Deng Zhijiang, "Little Deng, I think we'll have you lead a branch fleet, take some land army from Zhang Zhitao and land on Jinzhou Island."

  Shi Lang gazed out at the departing fleet. He and Zeng Qing exchanged a glance, saying "Old Zeng, now that the army and air force are blooming everywhere, our navy only has some merit in driving out the Japanese pirates with Zheng Chenggong. The Indian Ocean Fleet and our First Fleet have no achievements yet." Zeng Qing also smiled and said "Soon, once the country is unified, the main achievements will be ours. And even if we don't have any achievements, the Empire's emphasis on each branch of the military is still the same."

  Li Dingguo said to the people behind him, "Pass on my order. The cavalry units of each department will stay in place and not move. Other troops begin preparations to cooperate with artillery and naval gunboats. We must rush to climb over the Tianjin city wall before the navy."

  In this era, tactics and strategies no longer hold any significance under the advantage of weapons. Like a textbook example from the Imperial Army, the artillery troops began a fierce bombardment. Unlike before, the infantry started a covering attack under the cover of artillery and sniper troops. Due to Tianjin's importance, it was impossible to blast Tianjin like a rural area. Therefore, under the strong firepower cover, a small explosive team cooperated with engineering troops to focus on the city gate. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, two loud noises were heard from the city gate, and red flags were raised. The artillery fire gradually subsided. The drawbridge had also been blown down into the moat. The sniper troops' firepower became increasingly fierce. As more soldiers entered the city, the Qing army's willpower was quickly destroyed. Most of the Qing army had fled through the north gate. Only sporadic resistance and gunfire remained within the city.

  Inside the temporary military command post in Tianjin, Li Dingguo said to the telegraph operator: "Immediately send a telegram to Changsha, Tianjin has been captured. Hope to dispatch government construction personnel as soon as possible, and immediately dispatch various professional talents to Tianjin for preparation of construction. We will leave behind one regiment's members to prepare for local troop construction, please dispatch armed police troops from Changsha to take charge. Our army will join forces with the Second Army Group to surround Beijing. It is estimated that the battle between the Third Army Group and the Second Army Group is also nearing completion. Commander-in-Chief of the First Army Group Li Dingguo 58th year, month 27th day."

  "In the Navy, Shi Lang also said to the telegrapher: 'Telegram, His Majesty the Emperor, I, Admiral Shi Lang, have cooperated with the First Army Group to capture Tianjin Wei. Now leading the naval landing force preparing to cross Bohai Bay and land at Jinzhou Wei. Please instruct the General Command. Also, how is the situation of the General Commander? Please ask for my well-being on behalf of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.'"

  Changsha, everyone including ordinary people is immersed in a sad atmosphere. Even the continuous victories cannot bring them any joy, because their commander-in-chief has been unconscious for 12 days until today. The crown princess who used to chat with them frequently and almost always wore a smile on her face has not appeared before everyone again, it is said that she also lost her smile, leaving only tears and endless sorrow on her face.

  Through the winding corridors, next to a small pool, the house is a combination of Western and Chinese styles, with plaster flowers on the milky white walls. A young girl like a maid walks into a room, holding a bowl of soup in her hand. A woman sits on the edge of the bed, staring blankly ahead, her face pale and thin. Anyone who sees her can't help but feel pity for her. This is Li Min, except when she's sleeping, Li Min has lost all her former playfulness, completely consumed by deep self-blame. She often says one sentence: "Xiao Ge, I should have taught you martial arts earlier. I came out too late."

  The maid walked quietly to Li Min's side, shook her gently and called out softly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's Consort, it's time for you to eat."

  Li Min subconsciously let out an "oh" and said to Zhu Xiao on the bed, "Xiao Ge, are you eating? Why don't we eat together?" A teardrop fell from his eye socket and landed on Zhu Xiao's face.

  The doctors from the Royal Hospital have come to check on him. They all say that he should be able to detoxify by now. But Zhu Xiao still has no reaction at all. Apart from not being dead, there is no difference between him and death. Except for Western medicine maintaining his life.

  Li Min let out a sigh and stood up, her long black hair now cut short. She was no longer wearing elegant clothes, but a military uniform. She vowed to herself that if Zhu Xiao really left, she would be left with a long military career. Li Min slowly sat down at the edge of the table and mechanically started eating. At this time, the maid beside her said "Your Highness, Your Highness."

  Li Min heard the two words "Taizi" and immediately raised her head, saying "What's wrong with Taizi? Why are you calling out to Taizi? Can't you see that Taizi is resting?" Her face had already turned slightly displeased.

  The maid was still stuttering and said "You see, you see, the prince's hand moved, the prince's hand is moving."

  To be honest, this chapter of Blood Sea is really a bit exhausting to write. Even I feel that the description of myself is not very good, happy new year to everyone.