Insufficient balance

  Fuding County, a county in northeastern Fujian Province, was once as prosperous as other coastal ports in Fujian due to the import and transshipment of foreign cigarettes and the export of ceramics and tea. However, in recent years, with the Qing government's vigorous promotion of domestic tobacco, the market share of Yunnan and other provinces has squeezed out the domestic market, and the decline of ceramic and tea exports has dealt a devastating blow to Fujian's fragile economic system. Not only have the economies of major ports like Fuzhou and Xiamen declined, but even small counties like Fuding have been significantly affected.

  In recent years, Fuding County has gradually declined, and although it is no longer as prosperous as before, its geographical location has not weakened with the decline of the economy. Fuding is not only a coastal county town but also borders Zhejiang Province, making it a crucial battleground for both sides in any conflict between Zhejiang and Fujian. As the northeastern gateway to Fujian, Fuding receives considerable attention, and even the newly formed New Army has stationed a battalion here.

  But in the past few days, people in Fuding County discovered that the new army stationed in the city seemed to be in chaos. The soldiers of the new army began to appear on the streets one after another, and looking at their direction, they were heading out of the city. Some people who didn't know much about the situation thought something had happened: "Is this an accident? Are bandits attacking?"

  "It's not bandits, but the National Army has arrived!"

  "National Army?" Someone asked in confusion: "Is it the National Army from Fuzhou? The Revolutionary Party people?"

  "Ah! It's them!"

  "The other day I still heard they were in Lianjiang, how did they end up in our Fuding?"

  "What news is this? The newspaper said that Lianjiang County was taken by Ma Cheng long ago, and they have been marching north along the coast, and now they are already outside Fuding City!" This person was obviously very concerned about the situation, speaking in a coherent manner.

  "Really fast! But who is Ma Cheng again? Isn't the governor of Fuzhou's military government surnamed Chen, Chen Jingyun?" someone continued to ask.

  Someone immediately showed a look of disdain: "What kind of person is Chen Jingyun, isn't he the commander-in-chief with tens of thousands of strong soldiers and many generals? How could he personally bring people to Fuding! The one leading the troops is called Ma Cheng, who is said to be Chen Jingyun's trusted subordinate, leading tens of thousands of troops!"

  "Tens of thousands? My dear, there are only six or seven hundred new troops in Fuding City, can't hold on!"

  "You're wrong again, the new army was only six or seven hundred people at first, but in recent days I've heard they're all recruiting soldiers, plus other patrol battalions, there are at least two thousand! As he said this, he touched the braid on the back of his head: "But I'm afraid it's no use trying to stop them! All I've heard is that wherever the National Army goes, they cut off everyone's braids, I'm afraid this braid won't be kept!"

  "Should we keep our queue or cut off our head?" Some were frightened: "Our body, skin and hair are all given by our parents, how can we lightly cut them off!"

  "Alright, if your ancestors had dared to say this more than 200 years ago, you probably wouldn't exist!"

  Let's not mention the panic in Fuding City, where prices of grain and other living necessities are skyrocketing. Instead, let's look at a small hill outside the city, where several new army officers wearing dark blue uniforms and round hats with visors are holding binoculars and gazing into the distance. These men are none other than the officers of the 2nd Battalion, 39th Regiment, 10th Brigade!

  After a while, the several people finally put down their binoculars. The leader's face was solemn: "It seems that the National Army has made up its mind to take down Fuding!"

  At this time, a young officer behind him said: "Ling brother, although Ma Cheng has more troops even if he is ill, but we also have nearly two thousand horses now, and it's not necessarily impossible to hold on!"

  Another older officer held a different view: "Block? With what? Although we've recruited many people in the past few days, only about 100 of our second battalion and the patrol battalion can fight. The others are lucky if they can even hold a gun steady. How can we block Ma Cheng's entire division?"

  "And what's more, they have cannons, six 75mm big guns! What can we use to stop them?"

  At this time, Gu Baoyu's psychology was also extremely complex. As the commander of the 2nd battalion of the 39th regiment, he came from the Fujian Military Academy and had some knowledge of the revolutionary parties before. After the Wuchang Uprising, he, like all the leaders of the Southern New Army, were concerned about the development of the situation in various places. When Fuzhou was recovered, facing Chen Jingyun's telegram to surrender, Gu Baoyu was very embarrassed. On the one hand, deep down in his heart, he did not want to surrender to the revolutionary party, but on the other hand, he also knew that the current domestic trend was towards republicanism, and it was impossible for him alone to stop it.

  So he ignored Chen Jingyun's telegram of surrender, neither acknowledging nor opposing the Fuzhou Military Government, while secretly expanding his forces to defend against the National Army from the direction of Fuzhou. Originally, it was thought that Fu Ding was located in northeastern Fujian, with Lianjiang County's 39th Regiment First Battalion in between, but unexpectedly, after Ma Cheng's Nationalist Army First Brigade arrived at Lianjiang County, the commander of the 39th Regiment First Battalion led his troops to surrender, and even captured local officials such as the prefectural magistrate and county magistrate and handed them over to Ma Cheng.

  As a result, the first division of Ma Cheng arrived at Fuding City in just half a month, which made him anxious. Without waiting for the two new battalions to finish their training, he led his troops out of the city to set up defenses and deployed defensive lines outside the city before the arrival of the First Division. As for whether they could hold back or not, he had no confidence in his heart.

  "Hasn't the 21st Division responded yet?" Gu Bao Yu wasn't arrogant, but when he felt that he couldn't withstand the National Army, he sent a telegram to the 21st Division in neighboring Zhejiang Province asking for help. However, after so many days, there was still no response. Not to mention sending new troops to support him, not even one person from the old military's patrol battalion had been seen.

  "No reply yet, but I heard that side is also in a mess. Shanghai has already turned around, and I think Zhejiang doesn't dare to send the 21st town over. As for those old garrison troops, they probably need to stay in their original place to monitor the new army!" Someone immediately reported back to him.

  "Damn it, they won't come to rescue us. After the Nationalist Army takes down Fuding, Zhejiang will be wide open as a southern gate, and the Nationalist Army can kill its way to Wenzhou in no time. Let's see what they'll do then?"

  When Gu Bao Yu and others were worried, Ma Cheng and others were smiling. Since the uprising, Ma Cheng, who was deeply trusted by Chen Jing Yun, had been smooth sailing. He was first a regimental commander and then directly promoted to the commander of the First Brigade. The First Brigade was not only Chen Jing Yun's most trusted unit but also the first fully equipped one. In less than ten days, Ma Cheng grew from a small squad leader to a high-ranking general commanding nearly 5,000 troops.

  A few days ago in Lianjiang County, I was worried that Chen Yi's 39th banner first battalion would also be a hard bone like the 37th banner, which would cause great losses to this newly established department. I was worried for several days, but then I thought that Chen Yi was much easier to deal with than Qin Yuenian. As soon as Ma Cheng's vanguard scouting cavalry arrived outside Lianjiang County, Chen Yi surrendered, which made Ma Cheng feel relieved and delighted.

  The surrendered Qing army, old and new, who were willing to join the National Army, were organized into four companies and assigned to the four regiments. At the same time, one company was drawn from each of the four regiments to form a new infantry regiment stationed in Lianjiang. Ma Cheng led the First Brigade to continue northward and finally arrived at Fuding City after several days.

  This time, however, the 39th Regiment's second battalion commander, Gu Bao-yu, was not as easy-going as Chen Xiang. Not only had he made prior arrangements for defensive lines, but it also seemed that he had expanded his troops by at least three battalions, with nearly two thousand men and horses.

  According to the plan, first send someone to persuade surrender, but Gu Bao Yu avoided and did not see him. Next, Ma Cheng also didn't want to waste any more words, directly letting his subordinates make various preparations, preparing to forcefully attack and take down Fu Ding.

  Inside the temporary command post of the First Division, Division Commander Ma Cheng, Deputy Division Commander Xiao Qibin, Second Regimental Commander Lin Feitai, newly appointed First Regimental Commander Jia Tao and all battalion commanders were seated, while on the table was a military map of the Fuding area.

  "What's on your mind, speak up!" Ma Cheng had been the leader of this trip for so many days and had finally found the kind of momentum that Shangguan had. As soon as he spoke, his words attracted everyone's attention to himself.

  Xiao Qibin spoke up first: "This Fuding is not easy to attack, there are many mountains near the county town, and the enemy has already set up a defensive line on the outer periphery relying on the terrain!"

  Lin Fei Tai also nodded: "Just now I went to the front line and took a look, the enemy's fortifications are dug very carefully. If we launch a strong attack, I'm afraid there will be no small casualties!"

  Jia Tao said: "Although they have a geographical advantage, our military strength and firepower are superior, taking it down is not a big problem, just this casualty..."

  Everyone had no great doubts about taking down Fuding, whether it was morale or military strength and firepower. The first division had an absolute advantage in taking down a Fuding, which was not a problem at all. Now the key to the problem is that if the enemy is strong and defensive, the loss suffered by the strong attack will be great. If the loss is too great, even if Fuding is taken down, it will still be blamed by the commander-in-chief, which is not what they hope for.

  Ma Cheng looked at the crowd before saying, "Before we set out, Commander had instructed me to capture Fuding within half a month and lay the foundation for northeastern Fujian, thereby making our presence known both inside and outside of Fujian. Now it's already been twelve days!"

  Ma Cheng's words were simple: "No matter what, we must take down Fuding within three days, otherwise I will have no face to see the governor!"

  Upon hearing Ma Cheng's resolute attitude, the crowd also showed a determined look. Lin Fei Tai then said: "Traveler, I request that you lead your troops as the vanguard of the entire army to attack Pig Head Mountain."

  Zhu Tou Mountain is located three miles outside the county seat of Fu Ding, with a height of no more than 200 meters. However, this small mountain package has some danger and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. The main peak extends all the way to the eastern coast, and Gu Bao Yu's defense line is based on Zhu Tou Mountain. Once Zhu Tou Mountain is captured, the six artillery pieces of the First Travel Artillery Battalion can be pulled up, covering the entire Fu Ding area with cannon fire. Zhu Tou Mountain can not only serve as an artillery position but also has a relatively gentle slope facing the county seat of Fu Ding, allowing infantry to charge down into the city along this direction.

  It can be said that taking down Zhu Tou Mountain means taking down Fu Ding. It is precisely because of the importance of Zhu Tou Mountain that it can be predicted that the enemy will definitely deploy heavy troops there, and it's not easy to take it down.

  "Fei Tai has made up his mind, I'm relieved! In that case, the main attack task will be handed over to the Second Battalion, the First Battalion will pin down the enemy, and the artillery company will provide artillery support!" Ma Cheng continued: "All departments will prepare and launch an attack at dawn tomorrow morning!"

  On the same day, various units of the National Army had begun to deploy. At night, the National Army launched several small-scale night attacks on the front line, although they were unable to break through the enemy's positions, but successfully drew the attention of the enemy and tied down their main force.

  On the second day, before dawn broke, the artillery company of the National Army began a fierce bombardment in the direction of Pigshead Mountain.