The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 429 They are confidential
However, their reaction was still too late. Amid the whistling sounds of artillery shells coming from near and far, a series of shells exploded accurately among the retreating Russian troops, throwing the remaining Russian troops into complete chaos. All the retreating coalition forces began to flee in all directions without any organization.

What surprised Duan Qirui was that these artillery pieces seemed to be able to adjust their firing parameters very quickly.

Because he discovered that the shells had already begun to chase and bombard the large number of Russian troops who were desperately fleeing towards the Russian assembly area.

Looking at Teng Yuzao who was holding a telescope and carefully observing the shelling and the movements of the large Russian troops in the distance, Duan Qirui hesitated for a while, but finally couldn't help but asked tentatively with some embarrassment.

"Xingfu, I have a few questions, can I ask you?"

Duan Qirui's question did not disturb Teng Yuzhao, who was concentrating on observing the battlefield situation. Teng Yuzhao said casually.

"What is the problem?"

Duan Qirui took a deep breath and said, "The artillery that is now shelling the Russian army has a low initial velocity, but a high trajectory. Although the explosive power does not seem to be better than ordinary mountain artillery, its lethality to infantry is no less than those ordinary artillery. This should be a brand new artillery."

"Which great power did you buy this new type of artillery from? Britain or Germany?"

"Also, what kind of new weapon is that high-powered device that launched explosives from the blocking position where Hu Dianjia was just now?"

"Are those small explosives thrown from the battlefield the hand grenades that are no longer used by Western powers?"

Duan Qirui's series of questions finally made Teng Yuzhao put down his telescope.

Teng Yuzhao was not surprised that Duan Qirui determined that this was a new type of artillery he had never seen before based solely on its trajectory, initial velocity of the shell, and explosive power.

Duan Qirui's familiarity and understanding of artillery are definitely at the first-class expert level in the country.

However, Duan Qirui’s question was simple, but also difficult to answer.

After a moment's hesitation, Teng Yuzao said, "Please forgive me, Brother Zhiquan. Regarding your first two questions, I can only tell you that they were not purchased abroad, because up to now, no powerful country has these two weapons."

Teng Yuzao continued apologetically, "They are unique to our Vanguard Army and are also our Vanguard Army's secret weapons, so they are kept confidential for the time being. I cannot reveal the specific parameters. I can only tell you this much now."

Duan Qirui was a little unhappy that he had to keep it a secret, but he was relieved soon.

Because this is a new weapon that even the great powers do not have!

Moreover, after all, he was not a member of the Vanguard Army. He was just an insignificant officer of the Wuwei Right Army used by Yuan Shikai to show goodwill to the court and to assist the Vanguard Army. To put it nicely, he was just a guest official.

But the question is, who designed and manufactured this secret weapon that even the great powers don’t have?
Feeling that his tone was a little stiff, Teng Yuzhao spoke apologetically.

"I can reveal a little more to Brother Zhiquan. These weapons were not purchased from abroad, nor were they purchased domestically. They were produced by our Vanguard Army itself."

Teng Yuzhao's additional explanation did not surprise Duan Qirui. On the contrary, his face turned slightly red, as if he was insulted and despised. His expression became very unexpected, and he couldn't help but speak sarcastically.

"Your vanguard army produced it yourself! You won't say that this was designed by your people themselves!" Looking at Duan Qirui with a sarcastic look on his face, Wei Jinghai on the side couldn't help but speak.

"Councilor Duan, what the Marshal said is true. To tell you the truth, not only was this all planned by our vanguard army, but this person is standing in front of you. He is our Marshal."

After saying this, Wei Jinghai ignored Duan Qirui and spoke to Teng Yuzao.

"Marshal, the Russians' main force seems to be retreating."

Although Teng Yuzhao felt a little bad that Wei Jinghai had expressed his dissatisfaction with Duan Qirui so obviously, he was on the battlefield and had no time to care too much, so he quickly raised his telescope.

Sure enough, the large group of Russian troops gathered in front of the woods in the distance were now beginning to line up in a panic. Some of the Russian soldiers who had organized their troops had already trotted away along the way they came, completely ignoring the thousands of remnants of the Russian army who were desperately trying to escape from the area covered by the artillery fire.

Wei Jinghai said excitedly, "Marshal, this must be because Captain Liu Zong and his men succeeded. The Russians got the news and are rushing back to rescue them."

Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "There is another possibility. The Russians are worried that our mortar battalion's extended bombardment will affect their assembly area."

Teng Yuzao hesitated for a moment and ordered, "Order Liu Changfa to immediately stop shelling the fleeing remnants of the old Russians and move forward quickly with his artillery battalion."

"If the Russians gather behind the bush, we can immediately cover them with artillery fire. If the Russians rush back to rescue, he must lead the artillery battalion to the preset position as quickly as possible."

Teng Yuzao stopped Wei Jinghai who was about to turn around and deliver the order, "Tell Liu Changfa that after arriving at the preset position, he will have full authority to decide the bombardment area and bombardment time. The success or failure of this battle depends on him alone. I will personally watch him accomplish his extraordinary feat."

"Also, the battle here is basically over. Our main battlefield is no longer here. I will lead a battalion of reserve troops and rush over now."

Teng Yuzhao’s new front-line command post was still located on a slightly higher hill a few hundred meters away from the battlefield and not far from the artillery position.

Standing behind the sandbag-filled breastwork bunker of the command center, you can have a panoramic view of the winding mountain road for more than ten miles in front.

In front of the command center was the wider valley where Liu Shijiu and Wu Peifu had attacked and towed back the foreign cannons.

The command center was built in advance, and the communications soldiers who arrived ahead of the others had already begun laying out telephone lines connecting to the artillery brigade.

When Teng Yuzhao arrived at the headquarters, fierce gunfire had already been heard on the mountain road ahead. Not far away, at the artillery position of the Artillery Association, a huge observation balloon had even begun to rise.

The rising of the hydrogen balloons meant that all or most of the coalition forces had arrived at the ambush battlefield of the assault column and the Guards Association. At this point, they no longer had to worry about the coalition forces discovering that they were surrounded in an ambush circle.

This hydrogen balloon is the one brought out from the Beiyang Military Academy, and it has never been used.

This time, since it was an ambush on the coalition forces, and the main force was the artillery brigade, Liu Changfa also took the risk and simply raised the hydrogen balloon. He wanted to go up on it to command personally.

(End of this chapter)