The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 470: No More Chase

"Marshal." A staff officer with an excited look on his face reported loudly.

"Commander Liu Zhen sent a flag signal, asking him whether he should immediately lead his troops to follow the fleeing Russian remnants and attack Lishupo?"

Teng Yuzhao, who had stopped watching the situation in the valley as the battlefield was being cleaned up, was originally in the shelter with his hands behind his back, thinking, when he heard the staff officer's words.

"Tell Commander Liu to ignore the Russians who have fled to Lishupo. His troops, including the two regiments of the Fifth Regiment that are temporarily under his command, should not participate in cleaning up the battlefield or searching for remaining enemies. They should immediately form a team, replenish ammunition on the spot, and then take the time to eat and rest."

"The cleaning of the battlefield and the treatment of the wounded will all be done by the troops directly under the Fifth Town coming from the direction of Longhu Village."

After saluting, the staff officer turned and ran out of the shelter to arrange for the flag signal soldiers to convey Teng Yuzhao's order.

Upon hearing Teng Yuzhao's order, Wu Peifu, who was originally excited because he had wiped out nearly 60,000 Russian troops in the valley in one battle, and only 4,000 to 5,000 remnants of the Russian army had fought desperately to break through the fire interception of the Eighth Regiment and escaped, could not help but become anxious.

"Teacher, we have wiped out nearly 60,000 Russians in this battle, which is almost half of their strength. Now they are probably completely panicked. We should immediately follow the plan to bypass them on both sides and take advantage of the fact that the Russians are trapped on the narrow mountain road and cannot deploy their forces. We will try to intercept and eliminate some of them."

Seeing that Teng Yuzao was unmoved, Wu Peifu hurriedly added, "Teacher, we can't miss such an opportunity!"

Liu Changfa, who had already ordered the three artillery groups to gather their troops and prepare to implement the next plan, was also a little surprised and could not help but look at Teng Yuzhao blankly.

Teng Yuzao did not answer Wu Peifu immediately, but reached into his pocket, took out the silver cigarette case that Wu Peifu had given him, and took out a cigarette from it.

Seeing this, Wu Peifu hurriedly took out his lighter and lit a cigarette for Teng Yuzhao.

Teng Yuzao took a puff of his cigarette and said tiredly, "You are right. Although we haven't cleaned up the battlefield yet, we have killed at least 50,000 or even 60,000 foreign devils in this battle."

"If we exclude the troops that the Russians left in Yongnian, and add the casualties caused by the harassment of the Eighth Regiment along the way, there are even troops that the Russians transported the wounded to Yongnian."

"There are only about 70,000 Russians left west of Lishupo, and almost half of them have been wiped out by us. Moreover, these 70,000 people have become frightened birds, and I'm afraid they have lost their will to fight."

"This is indeed a good opportunity for us to continue to expand our victory. If the Russians give us a chance, let alone killing another 10,000 or 20,000 of them, even if we work harder to the east of Shexian, it is entirely possible to wipe out the remaining Russians in one battle."

"But the Russians won't give us this opportunity."

"Marshal, are you saying that the Russians will run away?" Liu Changfa asked anxiously.

Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "The terrain is not favorable to the Russians. They have watched us encircle and annihilate more than 60,000 of their troops. Although the Russians have a large number of troops, they have no good way to deal with them. In such a narrow mountain road, it is impossible for them to outflank us. It is even very likely that we will concentrate our forces to bite them hard."

"Unless the Russians want to hold out in these desolate mountains and wilderness and wait for help, the longer they delay, the worse their situation will be. The Russian commander, oh, that Lenavich, would not be so stupid. He should have already started to command the remaining troops to escape."

Seeing that Teng Yuzao said that the Russian army might have started to escape, Wu Peifu and Liu Changfa became more anxious and wanted to speak, but Teng Yuzao was still smoking, pacing slowly on the ground, and talking to himself.

"We used fierce artillery fire to wipe out more than 60,000 of their people in such a short time. I think the Russian commander must be scared by us!"

Even Teng Yuzhao, the person who formulated and approved the combat plan, was greatly surprised that more than 60,000 Russian troops could be frightened to death and even nearly suffer mental breakdown in such a short period of time.

Teng Yuzao said with a complicated expression, "If we still want to continue to implement the combat plan and go around, our soldiers will suffer in vain. The Russians are escaping on the main road. If we still chase them on the narrow paths in the mountains, how can we catch up with them?"

As if to confirm Teng Yuzhao's words, the staff officer who had just looked excited ran into the shelter again.

"Reporting to the Marshal, the Eighth Regiment sent a flag signal, they reported that the Russians west of Lishupo have quickly evacuated and are now fleeing in the direction of Shexian. The Eighth Regiment asked if they should pursue them immediately!"

Teng Yuzao still tried to stop them and said, "Tell the Eighth Regiment to clean up the battlefield and treat the wounded immediately, then eat right away and wait for orders when to pursue." Wu Peifu said unwillingly, "Teacher, at this time, we should chase the Russians all the way, and when we reach Shexian, we can attack the Russians from both sides with the Second Regiment."

Teng Yuzao still shook his head and said, "Why wouldn't the Russians leave a rear guard? Especially the mountain road from Lishupo to Wayao is narrow and the mountains on both sides are steep. If the Russians leave a small number of blocking troops, they will block us for a long time. How can we hold on to the main force of the Russians?"

"If we chase them right now, not only will the troops not have breakfast yet, but they will also be very tired and won't get any rest time, and there will inevitably be unnecessary casualties."

"Why don't we let the troops take some time to rest and eat now? After we clean up the battlefield, we can continue our pursuit. By then, the Russian blocking troops will have withdrawn."

"As long as we hurry, we will be able to reach Shexian before dark, and at most be half a day behind the Russians."

When She County was mentioned, Liu Changfa seemed a little worried, and Teng Yuzao said again.

"Don't worry, the town of Kangnian has been gathering strength for a long time. It will be no problem for them to hold off the Russians for half a day."

"Moreover, I estimate that when the Russians see them blocking Shexian, not only will they not attack them and open the road to Licheng, but they will run even faster."

"The Russians have seen how powerful we are. They are worried that we will catch up with them if their attack fails. How can they dare to attack Kangnian Second Town, which has a pre-set position?"

"Since the road to Licheng is blocked, there is almost no need to think too much. If Lian Navic is thinking normally, he will definitely turn around and flee into the Qingzhang River Valley without hesitation."

Teng Yuzao looked at Zuo Mingyang who was also very happy because of the great victory and said.

"Zhiyuan, immediately send capable personnel to take a shortcut to Shexian as quickly as possible and tell Kangnian that once the Russians escape into the Qingzhang River Valley, he does not need to wait for the main force to arrive. The Second Town must resolutely pursue them and hold on to the Russians in the Qingzhang River Valley, slowing them down as much as possible."

"Also, he must get in touch with Pan Jinshan, who followed the main force of the Japanese into the valley, as soon as possible and cooperate with each other. We must not let the Japanese get a good night's sleep in the Qingzhang River Valley and lay a solid foundation for the subsequent war."

"Yes!"

Zuo Mingyang responded excitedly and turned around to arrange for the delivery of the order.

Teng Yuzao's words were well-reasoned and made Wu Peifu and Liu Changfa nod their heads in conviction.

Teng Yuzao suddenly smiled and said, "Qingyun, you don't need to rest. There are still many Russian cannons in the valley. It should be an artillery regiment of the Russians."

"I see there are still some cannons that were not blown up. There are about ten of them. Arrange people to take them over immediately, and then set up an artillery battalion as soon as possible."

When Liu Changfa heard Teng Yuzhao say that he needed to set up another artillery battalion immediately, he smiled so happily that he couldn't close his mouth.

Teng Yuzao put away his smile and said, "Qingyun, as long as you can demonstrate the power of our cannons and mortars in the upcoming battle in the Qingzhang River Valley, I will keep my word. After the war, not only will I promote you to the position of Artillery Director, I will also establish a second artillery regiment under your command."

"As for the artillery fire, we won't be short of artillery as long as we win this war."

Liu Changfa rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "Then I would like to thank the Marshal for his support. I just counted and there are at least twelve guns that are still intact, or even thirty that can be used. It's all possible."

Seeing that Liu Changfa had added another artillery battalion, Wu Peifu couldn't help but lick his cracked lips and said.

"Teacher, what about my mortar?"

(End of this chapter)