The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 2 The whole battalion sets out

Hearing the official's affirmative answer, Teng Guan immediately struggled to sit up, and then tried to stand up with the help of his horseman, but it seemed that his body was still a little weak, and he failed to stand up successfully after several attempts.

The middle-aged official hurriedly reached out his hand to support Captain Teng's other arm, and the medical officer also hurriedly hugged Captain Teng's waist from behind, and then helped Captain Teng to stand up shakily. Unexpectedly, Captain Teng, who had just stood up, actually saluted the official with a trembling hand.

Seeing that Captain Teng was still respectful to him even after being seriously injured, and did not become complacent and forgetful just because he saved his life, the official was moved and hurriedly stopped him and said.

"Xingfu, there is no need to do this. You are my Yulu's savior. From now on, there is no need for this between the two of us!"

Captain Teng still insisted on saluting the official named Yu Lu, and then said, "Master Zhongtang, you can't do that! You are the Minister of Military Affairs, the Governor-General of Zhili, and a high-ranking official of the court. How dare I break the rules? I dare not obey your orders."

Captain Teng continued, "Master Zhongtang, I suddenly remembered something. After the foreigners captured Dagukou, they have begun to march towards Tianjin. I would like to ask Master Zhongtang, do you want to fight or flee?"

Captain Teng's words made Yu Lu's face look ugly again, and he couldn't help but sigh heavily.

"Xingfu, Tianjin is the residence of the Governor-General of Zhili. Under the current circumstances, I, the Governor-General of Zhili, cannot leave even if I want to, unless I no longer want to be the Governor-General!"

Teng Guan nodded and said, "Since Lord Zhongtang does not want to leave Tianjin, then Lord Zhongtang wants to go to war with the foreigners. In this case, please listen to what I have to say."

Upon hearing that a war had begun with foreigners, Yu Lu could not help but tremble slightly. He raised his head and looked in the direction of the Laolongtou Railway Station where fierce gunfire was still ringing. There were nearly 10,000 Russian troops attacking fiercely there!
After a long silence, Yu Lu took a deep breath and said angrily, as if he had made up his mind. "Yes, we must go to war. The foreigners have gone too far. They not only occupied Dagukou, but now they want to occupy the railway station. If we don't go to war, I, the Governor-General of Zhili, will be a loser who has lost my territory. The ministers in the court can drown me with their spit."

"Master Zhongtang."

Hearing Yu Lu's words about going to war, Captain Teng's face flushed, and he said excitedly, "Master Zhongtang, since we are going to go to war, please hurry back to the headquarters and prepare for war. At the same time, send reinforcements to support Ma Yukun. If we are late, the Laolongtou Railway Station may be lost."

Laolongtou Railway Station is the starting station for trains from Tianjin to Beijing. Once it is lost, Tianjin city will be equivalent to losing its train transportation connection with Beijing. Its location is naturally very important.

"besides."

Captain Teng continued, "As far as I know, the Dongheyan Military Academy is still guarded by more than 90 students who have stayed on campus. There are also twelve Krupp cannons and more than ten small cannons in the armory, as well as a large amount of weapons and ammunition. The west of the place is across the river from the British Concession Haidadao and Zizhulin Wharf. The terrain is also very important. If it is occupied by foreigners, they can use it to bombard Tianjin City. If we defend it, it will also threaten the foreigners in the concession. I am willing to rush to the Military Academy immediately and lead the students there to defend the Military Academy. Please allow me, Lord Zhongtang."

Tianjin Military Academy, also known as the Beiyang Military Academy, was surrounded by a large square earthen city. There were two artillery batteries built on the north and south corners of the city facing the Baihe River, on the east bank of the lower reaches of the Baihe River in Tianjin, north of Dazhigu and south of Tangjiakouzi.

As the Governor-General of Zhili, Yu Lu naturally understood the situation and nodded, saying, "Xingfu is right. It is indeed an important place, but you are still seriously injured..."

Captain Teng shook his head and said solemnly, "Your Excellency, I have been teaching at the Wubei Academy. A few months ago, I was promoted by Lord Rong to become the commander of the Wuwei Central Army. You have also appreciated me and brought me to your side to assist you in matters of confidentiality. I am overwhelmed with fear and have often thought of how I can repay you. Now is the time to repay you for your kindness. How can I be willing to fall behind!"

As he spoke, Captain Teng knelt on one knee, as if he would not stand up unless Yu Lu agreed. While Yu Lu was still hesitating, a burst of rapid horse hoof sounds came from outside the woods, startling Yu Lu and listening carefully. The horse hoof sounds came from the direction of Tianjin City, and he was relieved. Soon, two cavalry sentinels ran into the woods and came to Yu Lu to bow to him.

"Sir, I am here to escort you back to the city on orders from the commander of the Dong army."

The Dong Junmen mentioned by the two sentinels was Dong Fuxiang, who was in charge of the Wuwei Rear Army. The Wuwei Rear Army was responsible for the defense of Tianjin City at that time. With the two sentinels of cavalry coming to support, Yu Lu finally felt relieved and waved his hand to signal the two men to stand up.

When he turned around again, he saw that Captain Teng was still kneeling on one knee on the ground, so he hurriedly reached out his hand to help Captain Teng up.

Yu Lu sighed and said, "Xingfu, I know you are sincere. So, follow me back to the city immediately and take your battalion of soldiers to occupy the Military Academy immediately. As long as you hold the Military Academy, I will highly recommend you to the court."

Under the envious eyes of everyone, Captain Teng and Yu Lu rode on the horses vacated by the two cavalry patrols, and then, under the escort of the two cavalry patrols, they rode away towards Tianjin City which was several miles away.

After entering the north gate of Tianjin City, Captain Teng did not follow Yu Lu to the Governor's Office. Instead, after saying goodbye to Yu Lu, he rode his horse alone to his military camp.

Although it was just after noon, there were not many pedestrians on the street because the sound of artillery coming from the direction of Laolongtou Railway Station could be heard very clearly in the city. This allowed Captain Teng to trot along on his horse.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Captain Teng and his horse had rushed into the military camp.

Although there were drills in the afternoon, the sound of artillery fire outside the city made the officers and soldiers in the camp panic. Many of them clamored to find the captain to ask for orders to go into battle. In order to stabilize the troops, several sentries drove their soldiers back to the dormitory.

Assistant leader Li Yulin and chief instructor Liu Changfa, along with four sentries, were already standing guard in the yard with live ammunition.

In the yard with them were seven or eight other people, including clerks, medical officers, bookkeepers, and committee members, all of whom were talking in low voices with nervous expressions.

Seeing their captain riding his horse straight into the military camp, more than ten people immediately surrounded him.

When the few people saw that their captain had a bandage on his head, they immediately became nervous. The medical officer turned around and ran to his barracks to get his medicine box, while the assistant Li Yulin rushed forward to help Captain Teng off the horse.

"Xingfu, what's wrong with your injury?" Li Yulin asked nervously.

Captain Teng waved his hand and said hurriedly, "We'll talk about these things later. I'm following the order of Lord Zhongtang. The entire battalion is to go to the Military Academy immediately. You must organize the troops immediately, and quickly."

After saying that, Captain Teng ran towards his barracks and turned back to shout to his assistant Li Yulin, "Take all your things with you, we don't know when we can come back."

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(End of this chapter)