The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 463 The Effect of Harassment

The sound of gunfire in the valleys along the Russian army's march and camping route lasted all night. Teng Yuzhao did not sleep well that night because he was always concerned about Li Jinyu's Eighth Regiment's harassment of the Russian army.

He got up early, washed and dressed before dawn. After a quick breakfast, he rushed to the mountain near the Russian army's advance route. He wanted to observe the Russian army's march after being harassed continuously by Li Jinyu's Eighth Regiment for several days.

Although it is winter, in the Taihang Mountains, the coldest time is January every year, when the temperature is around minus ten degrees Celsius.

At this time of the morning, even before the sun rises, the temperature is only about minus six or seven degrees Celsius. For Teng Yuzhao, who had lived in the north in his previous life, such a temperature is nothing to mention.

But for the new recruits from Henan and Huguang, they still feel unable to withstand such temperatures.

Fortunately, before winter, all the vanguard troops changed into cotton-padded clothes. Except for the lack of silver, the court was still able to provide the vanguard troops with things like food, homespun cloth, and cotton.

Although Teng Yuzao prepared black leather coats and leather gloves for officers above the rank of captain, they were not distributed to these people in the end. The black coats would be too conspicuous in the shaded mountains where there was still snow.

Teng Yuzao also set an example by wearing an iron-gray nylon coat.

Although the sun had risen from behind the mountains in the east, the mist covering the mountains had not yet completely dissipated. It was not until after eight o'clock that the mist completely dissipated.

Only then did Teng Yuzhao have the opportunity to carefully observe the large Russian army that had already eaten breakfast and started marching in the distance.

Even if it were not in the mountainous area with rugged roads, it would be impossible to observe the entire picture of an army of more than 100,000 people. A marching team of more than 100,000 people, even if every Russian army team was connected end to end, would still be dozens of miles long.

It was even more impossible in the mountainous area. Due to the obstruction of the mountains, Teng Yuzhao could only vaguely see the marching columns of the Russian army within a range of two or three miles.

However, this was enough for Teng Yuzao.

The Russian army's marching column was not moving very fast, and the formation was even much looser than in the previous few days. Although the distance was far and Teng Yuzhao could not see the facial expressions of the Russian soldiers through the telescope, he could still feel deeply that the Russian army was very tired.

But the Russian army has no choice now. It is impossible to stop and let the troops rest for a day. Because even if they rest for a day, it will be fine during the day, but they will still be subjected to endless harassment or even small-scale raids and ambushes at night. The next day they still have to continue on their journey exhausted.

It is also difficult to expand the troops' vigilance depth in mountainous areas.

Small-scale troops dare not be sent out too far, otherwise they will most likely suffer a devastating disaster and be wiped out.

If the size of the dispatched guard force is increased, it will run counter to the purpose of allowing more troops to get effective rest.

Under the current circumstances, they could only grit their teeth and continue on their way. As long as they could get to the vicinity of Licheng, where the area was relatively open and a large force of more than 100,000 people was deployed, they would no longer be afraid of the other side's endless harassment like they were now.

Teng Yuzhao silently estimated the marching speed of the Russian army and returned to his temporary command post, a small mountain village with only a dozen households.

In the headquarters, except Hu Dianjia who set out overnight, Liu Changfa, Li Xianze, Liu Shijiu, and Wu Peifu were all warming themselves by the brazier while waiting for Teng Yuzhao.

As soon as Teng Yuzhao walked into the headquarters, Li Jinyu, who had dark circles under his eyes and obviously had not gotten a night's rest, also rushed over.

Although last night, including the early morning, intelligence about Li Jinyu's Eighth Regiment's attack and harassment of the Russian army was sent back from time to time, after all, most of the Eighth Regiment's troops were dispersed, and they were within a range of dozens of miles. It was impossible for Li Jinyu to fully grasp the situation of each unit, let alone Teng Yuzao. Li Jinyu's arrival immediately attracted everyone's attention, especially Liu Changfa, who was eager to know the details of Li Jinyu's surprise attack last night.

Although the generals were anxious to know the relevant situation, they also knew that Li Jinyu had to report the situation to Teng Yuzhao first. They suppressed their anxiety and did not ask in a hurry.

As soon as he entered the room, Li Jinyu couldn't wait to report to Teng Yuzhao about the harassment that happened last night.

"Marshal, even though the Russians increased the number of guard troops last night, we still found many opportunities."

Liu Nineteen could not help but say, "You guys are trying to attack the Russians every night. The Russians have no idea what to do. If it were me, I would send troops to ambush your harassing troops."

Li Jinyu saw that Liu Shijiu interrupted, but Teng Yuzao was not dissatisfied. Instead, he seemed to want to listen with interest, and said to Liu Shijiu with a smile.

"The mountainous area is dozens of miles long. Unless the entire Russian army stays up all night, they won't be able to cover that much territory."

"Moreover, during the day, we have scouts on the hills along the way who are constantly observing the Russians. We are in control of their every move. We know clearly which direction they have sent out guards, ambushes, and even secret sentries."

"Moreover, our harassment does not spare every Russian unit. Often when we attack one Russian unit, all the Russian units within five or six miles will be disturbed."

After saying this, Li Jinyu continued to report to Teng Yuzao.

"Last night I personally led two battalions and attacked an artillery regiment of the Russians thirty miles away."

When the words "artillery regiment" were mentioned, Liu Changfa suddenly became nervous and asked anxiously.

"I saw the Russians' cannon!"

Li Jinyu spread his hands in embarrassment. "The Russians are probably worried about being ambushed by us on the road. Their baggage, ammunition and artillery are scattered among various Russian troops. The Russians have always been very vigilant about their artillery, so we have not harassed them in the past few days."

"This time, I arranged a battalion to harass the Russians on both sides in the early morning, while another battalion raided the Russians' guard positions on the mountain. After a company of Russians on the mountain was wiped out by us, the mortars of a sentry I brought with me were set up on the mountain to bombard the Russians' artillery positions."

"Although I didn't get close, judging by the flashes from the Russian artillery shells, it's very likely that all of the Russian artillery regiment's 120mm cannons exploded."

Hearing that the cannons had exploded, Liu Changfa couldn't help but sigh, looking disappointed.

Teng Yuzao patted Liu Changfa and then spoke to everyone.

"We are not far from Shexian County. If the Russians work harder, the vanguard may reach Shexian County tomorrow morning, so we can't wait any longer."

"I just observed the Russians' march. Their marching formation is much looser than in the past few days. Apparently, their harassment these days has taken effect. According to their marching speed, their rear should camp between Gunao and Shipo today, and the attack time will be tomorrow morning."

Knowing that Teng Yuzao was about to issue a specific order, several generals sat up straight, ready to accept Teng Yuzao's order.
(End of this chapter)