The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 363 Teng Yuzao's Helplessness
While the coalition forces were still far away from the ambush circle, under the command of Wei Jinghai, the soldiers of the headquarters guard battalion brought a basket of cold steamed buns and several large bowls of salted radishes, which was their breakfast.

This was already done before they hurriedly marched here yesterday.

When the troops first arrived here, they made some hot porridge for the soldiers. But this morning, not only was there no porridge, there was not even any hot water.

The reason is simple. The vanguard army here has more than 70,000 troops. If they want to prepare hot meals for the ambush troops, it will make too much noise.

If the coalition forces had been more careful and sent out scouts in advance, the vanguard's intention to ambush would have been exposed.

As for the only dish to go with the meal, there was salted radish. Teng Yuzhao had no way to deal with it for the time being. The troops' stored meat and eggs had been eaten up. Before the troops set out yesterday, the last bit of braised meat and canned food were poured into the big pot of the kitchen squad of each unit, which barely allowed the officers and soldiers to drink a bowl of hot broth.

After arriving here last night, we discovered that some of the villagers still had chickens, ducks, pigs and other poultry and livestock in their homes that the coalition forces looked down upon. Although the number was not large and was far from enough for the use of more than 70,000 troops, it was still better than nothing.

However, in order to avoid causing a big commotion, Teng Yuzao had to order all the troops that no one was allowed to take the poultry and livestock, and everything should be done after the battle was over and they retreated across the Yongding River to a safe area.

As long as they retreated across the Yongding River and the Xiaoqing River, they would reach the area south of Zhili, where the war had not yet spread and they would be able to get their meat needs met.

This morning, Wei Jinghai originally wanted to get some hot tea for Teng Yuzhao, but was also firmly stopped by Teng Yuzhao.

Because now, including the officers and soldiers who have entered the ambush area, each person only has two or three cold steamed buns and a piece of salted radish.

Although Teng Yuzhao did not object to the officers being treated specially, he himself had never thought of sharing the same hardships as the soldiers. But on the eve of such a big war, Teng Yuzhao really did not want to be treated specially.

You know, the more than 70,000 troops of the vanguard army are still hiding in the cool green tents covered with dew.

After a simple breakfast, seeing that it was still early, Teng Yuzhao forced Wei Jinghai, whose eyes were red, to rest for a while, and the staff officers also had to take turns to rest.

From the night before yesterday until now, Wei Jinghai and the other staff officers in the General Staff Office have not had a chance to close their eyes. All of their eyes are bloodshot, with dark circles heavier than each other, even Teng Yuzao.

Then, Teng Yuzhao also lay down on the camp bed set up specially for him.

Teng Yuzhao originally wanted to just take a nap, but who knew that he would fall asleep as soon as he lay down.

"Marshal! Marshal!"

Teng Yuzhao, who was sleeping, was awakened by a series of suppressed and nervous calls.

Teng Yuzhao turned over and quickly jumped off the camp bed. Seeing that it was Wei Jinghai calling him anxiously, he asked hurriedly.

"The foreign devils are coming?"

Wei Jinghai said as he handed Teng Yuzhao a wet towel that had just been soaked in cold water.

"Marshal, the foreign devils are coming. Their vanguard has appeared in the sight of the 3rd Mixed Brigade's closing troops. According to reconnaissance, the foreign devils' marching sequence has not changed."

Wei Jinghai then added excitedly, "Marshal, these foreign devils may not know that we have already broken out of the capital. Their vanguard is a company of British devils wearing turbans. They barely searched the sides of the road and drove over so brazenly."

Although a day had passed, if the two terrified coalition forces in the north and south outside the capital did not learn the news of the vanguard army's withdrawal from the capital until this morning, it would not be surprising at all and people would think it was a very normal situation.

Teng Yuzao thinks so.

Because, he estimated, the coalition forces outside the capital had been frightened by the terrifying artillery fire of the vanguard army. On the second day, in addition to strictly defending their positions, those coalition forces would not dare to step out of their positions, for fear of being fiercely attacked by the vanguard army hiding in the dark.

In the three battles in Dongcheng, the intensive and fierce artillery bombardment by the vanguard army should have left a very deep impression on all the coalition forces except the Japanese army.

Moreover, they would never have thought that the vanguard army, which could have taken advantage of its artillery firepower to expand its victory, would actually evacuate their capital city silently!
Therefore, it is entirely possible to find out that the vanguard army evacuated this morning, or even a little later.

Teng Yuzhao wiped his face roughly with the wet towel, threw the towel to one of his guards, and said to Wei Jinghai.

"As usual, you will be in charge of the command and coordination at the headquarters."

Seeing Teng Yuzhao getting up to leave, Wei Jinghai hurriedly stepped forward to stop Teng Yuzhao.

"Marshal, it won't work today. We have more than 70,000 troops here, and we need to quickly and cleanly eliminate the foreign devils who have entered our ambush circle. I'm worried that I can't handle it!"

Wei Jinghai was telling the truth. The time he was promoted by Teng Yuzhao as an exception to the rules and became the deputy chief of staff of the vanguard army in charge of combat planning was too short.

In particular, Wei Jinghai had no actual combat experience before. It would be strange for him to coordinate and command tens of thousands of troops without any worries.

However, Teng Yuzhao really had no other choice.

The vanguard army is an extremely young team. Not only does Wei Jinghai lack combat experience, but the generals commanding the troops on the front line also lack combat experience.

To the extent that, now whenever there is a major war, Teng Yuzao has to go to the front line in person so that when an emergency occurs, he can deal with it in time and help these generals fill the gaps.

The situation today was the same. He was really worried. This ambush battle, which was extremely important to both him and the vanguard army, could not have any mistakes. He had to watch the progress of the battle with his own eyes.

Teng Yuzao patted Wei Jinghai's open arms and said, "Ningbo, you have been doing well. I am very confident in you. You should also have confidence in yourself."

Teng Yuzao added, "You are right. This battle is indeed different. We must eliminate these foreign devils as soon as possible, and then quickly transport the captured weapons, ammunition and other military supplies. This is the top priority for the development and growth of our vanguard army, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."

"I won't be going to the front today. I will be at the observation deck of your staff office's lookout. If you have any problems that you can't handle, I will remind you in time."

The observation platform that Teng Yuzhao mentioned was on a large locust tree ten meters away from the headquarters.

This big locust tree is not only much taller than the surrounding trees, but also extremely dense. The General Staff Office set up an observation post on it last night.

However, this observation post was not prepared for Teng Yuzhao, but for the staff of the General Staff Office, so that Wei Jinghai could understand the battlefield situation in a timely manner.

"No, it's too dangerous up there!" Wei Jinghai shook his head.

Teng Yuzao said solemnly, "Ningbo, since you know this battle is extremely important to us, then follow my orders."

Seeing Wei Jinghai reluctantly withdraw his arm to stop him, Teng Yuzhao smiled and said again.

"Don't worry, there's a layer on top to protect against stray bullets. An occasional stray bullet won't be a problem."

"Besides, once the cannon fires, the assault column's broadsword team will charge right up, and the Japs won't have time to fire. Besides, they don't have Maxim rifles. You've seen their Golden Hook rifles, but their penetration is average."

Wei Jinghai shook his head angrily and said, "Alright! But, Marshal, you still have to be careful and bring your personal guards with you. I will also have someone pull a special phone line for you."

Teng Yuzao shook his head and said, "No need, just use the phone in your staff office to contact me."

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(End of this chapter)