The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 340 Critical Moment

"This mortar is simply a magical cannon. It can be used for both long and short range fire. It can accurately fire at close range of several hundred meters, just like this time. Our cannons can't do that!"

"Qingyun, have the conscienceless cannon and other artillery positions been deployed?"

Teng Yuzao did not respond to Liu Changfa's praise of his mortar, but directly asked about the deployment of the artillery.

Seeing that Teng Yuzhao ignored his compliments and directly asked about the deployment of the artillery positions, Liu Changfa knew that he was a little too excited.

At this time, what Teng Yuzao was most concerned about was not the power and benefits of the mortar bombardment, but the combat deployment of the ambush battlefield in front of him.

"Marshal, everything is arranged. I have just checked all the artillery positions."

Liu Changfa pointed to the west side of the road, where there was a dark green tent about 200 meters away from the edge of the road.

"Thirty-six conscienceless cannons, one placed every fifty meters. Each cannon has three to five firing positions at different angles, which can cover an area of ​​about a hundred meters on the road. Each cannon is equipped with six rounds of ammunition, and there is also sufficient cooling water."

"The mortars of the mortar battalion are arranged in platoons, with positions set up every 200 meters, and each has a separate telephone connection."

"Once a high-value target appears somewhere, or a large number of Russians gather there, we can use at least nine mortars to concentrate fire to cover the area in the shortest possible time."

"The positions of the unscrupulous artillery and mortars are staggered and spaced out over several miles, ensuring that any Russians who enter the ambush circle are within the artillery's firepower range."

"The length of the artillery coverage area can be adjusted by those mountain artillery, ensuring that all the Russian troops will be covered."

"The positions of the conscienceless artillery squadron and mortar battalion are all in the green tents, although most of the green tents are dry and very easy to catch fire."

"But the Russians who come to help, in order to save time, will definitely not bring cannons. At most, they will only bring a few small cannons. Moreover, they may not have the opportunity to launch artillery attacks on us, so they will not pose much threat to our artillery positions."

"The biggest threat to them is the random shooting of the Russians in the ambush circle, or even heavy machine gun fire. In order to protect us precious gunners, they set up sandbag shelters on their firing positions."

"The three artillery battalions of the Artillery Corps, plus the artillery pieces of the assault column that the Deputy Chief of Staff Wei has transferred, are all deployed two miles to the rear. The Deputy Chief of Staff Wei has ordered that these mountain artillery fire three rounds of five-round rapid fire once they start firing, and then retreat back to the city after that."

Liu Changfa added hurriedly because he was afraid that Teng Yuzhao would worry.

"Marshal, it's not just the ambush area centered on the main road that we are about to bombard. Over the past half month, our artillery unit has already completed the mapping of all areas near the city gates in the east, south, west, and north with the cooperation of the harassment troops. The first shot from those cannons will be guaranteed to hit the main road accurately."

Liu Changfa could not help but sigh and said, "Marshal, this time I, the artillery commander, really had a great time. I had more than 200 artillery pieces, including cannons, mortars, and the conscienceless cannon."

Liu Changfa waved his hand with full of pride and said, "With so many cannons, even if I only use the cannons, I can blow the Russians half to death."

Teng Yuzao was very satisfied with Liu Changfa's arrangement and couldn't help laughing.

"Qingyun, the conscienceless cannon is not really a cannon. It is at most an explosive projectile. But don't worry, you will have a lot of cannons sooner or later. The position of the artillery commander of our vanguard army is yours."

Teng Yuzao's words made Liu Changfa very happy. He smiled and said, "Thank you for your cultivation, Marshal. I will definitely live up to your expectations and lead our artillery well for you."

"it is good!"

Teng Yuzhao put away his smile and spoke to Liu Changfa earnestly.

"Qingyun, this battle is of great importance. It is no exaggeration to say that it concerns the life and death of our vanguard army. You also know that the number of heavy machine guns in the Guards Concord Assault Column is insufficient."

"So, the success or failure of this ambush depends mainly on your artillery unit."

"Once the battle begins, your various artillery pieces must not only accurately fire their shells onto the road, but also onto the Russians' heads. The first round of bombardment must daze and disrupt the Russians, and then continue the bombardment. Wherever there are many Russians, concentrate your mortar fire to bombard them hard."

"In a word, not only should you not allow the Russians a chance to gather their forces to launch a counterattack or break out, but you should also use your artillery, large and small, to inflict maximum damage on them."

"Yes! Marshal, just wait and see."

"Boom." The sound of a cannon explosion was faintly heard in the distance.

Teng Yuzao was about to check where the artillery was firing. He was worried that the British, French and Hungarian coalition forces in the south of the city would arrive at this time. But before Teng Yuzao raised his telescope, Liu Changfa, a professional, hurriedly said, "Marshal, it's the German army firing artillery."

Liu Changfa's words startled Teng Yuzao slightly. All the cannons in Liu Shijiu's hands had been mobilized here. If they were firing there now, it must be the German cannons firing.

But after the battle there started, because the assault column rushed into the village at the beginning of the battle and engaged in a melee with the German army, the German artillery had no chance to fire at all. Even after fighting for such a long time, the army's artillery had not fired a single shot. What was going on when they suddenly opened fire at this time?
Just when Teng Yuzhao wanted to take a closer look at the situation at the assault brigade, Wu Peifu's suppressed and urgent shouting forced him to stop.

"teacher."

Wu Peifu ran up quickly, shouting in a low voice.

Without bothering to greet Liu Changfa, Wu Peifu hurriedly reported to Teng Yuzhao.

"Teacher, our scouts have reported that the Russian reinforcements have arrived. We estimate that there are about 20,000 of them, and they are less than 15 miles away from us."

"What did you say!"

Wu Peifu's words surprised Teng Yuzhao. He no longer had the energy to find out what happened to the cannon fire from the assault column.

"Why didn't we get a notification from the General Staff? Don't they have observation posts in Beicheng and Dongzhimen?"

After saying this subconsciously, Teng Yuzao immediately felt regretful.

Although the Russian reinforcements from the north city are expected to arrive, according to the Russian army's response time after receiving the German call for help and the time of the rapid march, it should take about two hours for them to arrive here."

"But the Russian reinforcements are only fifteen miles away from here, or even ten miles away! How could Teng Yuzao not be surprised?"

"Even if the Russians have rushed all the way here, they should be very tired now. However, even if they are tired, they can get here in half an hour at most by jogging, or even within 20 minutes. Now is not the time to investigate why we did not receive the enemy report earlier.

Teng Yuzao immediately gave orders to Liu Changfa and Wu Peifu, "Qingyun, order your artillery to prepare for battle immediately."

"Zi Yu, your men should also immediately enter the position and prepare for battle. Remember to fight hard, don't hesitate, and don't worry about your lack of troops."

"Although the assault column hasn't arrived yet, we can't wait any longer. We must not let the Russians go. As long as you can hold them back, the assault column will soon arrive to pick us up."

Since the Russians suddenly appeared at such a close distance, it was not easy to withdraw from the ambush position at this time. Even if the battle became a stalemate, it had to be fought.

Otherwise, this group of Russians might suddenly appear in front of the assault column that was encircling and annihilating the German army.
Wu Peifu said hurriedly, "Teacher, the Guards have already entered the position, but the Russians have a battalion in the vanguard, and they are less than two miles away from the Russian brigade. The Russian brigade is probably in battalions, stretching five or six miles in front and behind, in the dense formation of the Eighth Route Column, and they are rushing along the road."

"Tell your battalion responsible for blocking the road to retreat two miles westward along the road, and then re-establish blocking positions on the road and on both sides. Only one sentry will be left at the current front blocking position."

"When the Russian vanguard arrives, let the remaining sentry fire a burst of volleys and then retreat. Our ambush troops will let the Russian vanguard pass and concentrate firepower to ambush the Russian brigade behind them."

After giving the order, Teng Yuzao quickly added, "The battalion that you are blocking from the front is short of manpower, so send my special guard squadron over as well."

"No need, just let my guard battalion follow."

After Wu Peifu finished speaking, he turned around and ran towards the tent under the mound of earth. Liu Changfa had already run into the tent before him to make a phone call and give orders to his artillery brigade.

Although time was urgent, they had a lot of things to arrange. For example, the artillery brigade had to adjust the firepower coverage range according to the length of the Russian army's marching columns.

The Guards Association must also promptly deploy and adjust troops in the overly large ambush area, but the Guards Association may no longer have time to adjust local deployments.

Before Wu Peifu could run down the mound, a sturdy figure came running up from under the mound.

"Marshal, where is the Marshal?"

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(End of this chapter)