The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 593 Warning: This is not an April Fools' Day prank

Stessel continued to speak complacently while sipping the brandy in his glass and smoking a cigar.

"The third position of the Lushun Fortress area is located on the Phoenix Mountain line. The defensive front is 18 to 20 kilometers wide and 3 to 4 kilometers deep. It is also equipped with complete field fortifications."

"The most important internal defense is based on the fortress as the core of the entire defense system. Three positions are also built. The front positions are located in Erling Mountain, Houshi Mountain, Dadingzi Mountain, the southern fortress of the Navy Camp, the northern fortress of Longyan, Dagu Mountain, and Xiaogu Mountain. The depth is 1 to 2 kilometers. 22 fortresses and artillery positions are built, and 22 cannons are equipped."

"The core position is the core area of ​​the fortress. It starts from Laoluzui in the southeast, passes through Dongjiguan Mountain, Erlong Mountain, Songshu Mountain, Yizi Mountain, Anzi Mountain, Datonggou, Panjiagou, and ends at Bailang Mountain in the southwest. It is an arc-shaped defense line with a length of more than 2 kilometers and a depth of 4 to kilometers;"

"The core position is divided into three sections: northeast, west and east. The eastern section runs from Laoluzui to Longhe, about 8 to 10 kilometers wide, and the fortifications here are the strongest;"

"The northern position is about 5 to 6 kilometers wide from Long River to Yangtou Mountain, and the western position is about 7 to 8 kilometers wide from Yangtou Mountain to Bailang Mountain. The entire core position has a total of 76 forts and artillery positions, equipped with 392 cannons."

"Even the edge positions have been set up in the edge of the city, from the northwest of Baiyu Mountain to Mozhu Reef, with a defense area of ​​7 kilometers wide, 6 forts and 19 cannons."

"In addition, each of these positions was equipped with minefields, electric fences, barbed wire and other fortifications, as well as outer trenches 3 to 4 meters deep. There were not only telephone communications in the fortresses, but also the latest radio transmitters that the domestic troops had not yet equipped with."

At this point, Stessel boasted somewhat proudly, "Although the Governor-General does not blindly favor the Port Arthur Fortress, the radio stations in Fengtian City and Vladivostok have just been installed."

"The fortress's defense force is also very strong, with more than 20,000 troops, including the 4th East Siberian Infantry Division commanded by Lieutenant General Focke. There is no need to increase the force."

Like Alexeev, Fock was not only drunk last night, but also reluctantly got up at noon today. Then he was dragged out for another drink by his cousin, Rear Admiral Wittheft, Chief of Staff of the Pacific Fleet, who was about to go to sea. He was still drunk and has not yet sobered up, so he did not make it to the military meeting.

“甚至物资和武器弹药储备，我认为也足够多了，现在每门火炮都配备了充足的弹药，其中152mm臼炮每门配炮弹583发、100mm加农炮每门配弹581发、野战轻炮每门配弹282发、57mm火炮每门配弹230发。”

"There are 1200 rifles in stock in the fortress, and each rifle has rounds of ammunition. The stored wheat and flour can last for eight months, and if you count the rice and other grains, it can last for a year and a half. There is also wheat and barley that can last for ten months."

"There is also a 20-day quota of meat reserves and salt that can last for more than half a year. There are also large quantities of other dried vegetables, salted products, rusks, sugar, tea, and hay that can last for about a year. In addition, there are canned goods."

"The fort also has a fort hospital, a Red Cross hospital, a naval hospital, a naval port hospital, a medical ship, two field hospitals, and three field reserve hospitals, storing a large amount of medicines and medical equipment."

After Stessel finished talking incessantly about the defense of the Port Arthur Fortress, Alexeev spoke to Lenavic, who had a very grim look on his face.

"My dear Lianavich, your suggestions are indeed very pertinent. This proves that my insistence on keeping you in the Far East is a very correct decision. The fortress is the cornerstone of our firm defense of this natural ice-free port in the Far East, and it is absolutely not allowed to be shaken by anyone."

"But you also heard that the fortress's defenses and fortifications, bastions, and artillery batteries are indeed very complete. It can be called the Sevastopol of the Far East. Not to mention the yellow monkeys Japanese, even the most powerful army in Europe would take at least three years to conquer Port Arthur."

Sevastopol is the seat of the Tsarist Russia's Black Sea Fleet and has a strong fortress.

Alexeev sighed and turned to Stessel and said, "Although the sea defense is already very complete, the land defense still has some flaws. The defense front is too wide. Lenavich's suggestion is correct. I agree to transfer General Kontrachenko's Seventh Division to Lushun to strengthen the outer defense of the fortress."

Without waiting for Stessel to answer, Alexeev looked at Lieutenant General Kostachi Smirnov, commander of the Port Arthur Fortress, and said.

"General Smirnov, do you agree with my decision?"

"Of course!"

Smirnov replied without hesitation, "Your Excellency, Governor General, your decision is very wise."

Stessel showed obvious disdain for Smirnov's words. He poured all the brandy in the glass into his mouth in one gulp. Without even wiping the liquor stuck to his thick beard, he rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

There had always been some grudge between Stessel and Smirnov, so much so that Alexeyev had to try his best not to show any favoritism between them.

Alexeev ignored Stessel's expression and spoke to Lianavich.

"Lian Navich, I can accept your suggestions, such as forming two detachments in East Manchuria and South Manchuria. Just follow your suggestion, and you can arrange it."

Alexeev warned again, "My dear Lenavych, I am not worried about attacks from the sea, there is a powerful Pacific Fleet there, but we have to be on guard on land."

"When the Japanese went to war with the Qing Dynasty, they entered Manchuria through Korea. If they declare war on us this time, they will definitely enter Manchuria from Korea across the Yalu River, thus threatening the flank and rear security of Lushun."

"So, you must be on guard. The East Manchuria Detachment needs to be strengthened. I will soon order the troops east of the Amur River to be mobilized to enter Manchuria as soon as possible. Don't worry about the troops. Just stop those yellow monkeys."

"Kuropatkin has agreed to my request. The troops of the Trans-Baikal Military District will also move to Manchuria immediately. However, due to the limited transportation capacity of the Siberian Railway, only two battalions of troops can be transported every day at most."

"However, don't worry. In order to ensure that these troops can be put into battle as soon as they enter Manchuria, Kuropatkin has already asked each unit to select the most powerful battalion-level troops to rush here. You only need to temporarily organize these troops after receiving them."

Although it is beneficial to enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops by drawing combat-capable troops from various units to rush to Manchuria for reinforcement, it is a big problem whether these battalions from various units can get familiar with each other as soon as possible, but the number of troops has been increased in any case.

Lianavich took a deep breath and smiled at Alexeev, "Thank you, Your Excellency the Governor. Don't worry, as long as there are enough troops, I will definitely stop the Japanese south of the Yalu River."

Alexeev nodded with satisfaction and said with some pride, "Lenavic, your suggestion about the Pacific Fleet is also very good, but your suggestion came a little late."

The Tsarist Russian Pacific Fleet was divided into two at this time. In Vladivostok, there was a squadron led by Major General Jessen, which mainly consisted of three armored cruisers: Gromboy, Russia, and Rurik.

The main force was all in Port Arthur, with seven battleships, including the flagship Crown Prince, Petropavlovsk, Retvizan, Peresvet, Victory, Poltava, and Sevastopol, as well as four cruisers, fourteen destroyers, twelve torpedo boats, five gunboats, and one hospital ship.

"Although the main force of the Pacific Fleet is in Port Arthur, it has seven powerful battleships and is not afraid of the Japanese Navy with only four battleships. However, out of caution, I still gave an order to Stark last night. Stark has ordered Witthoeft to personally lead two cruisers and six destroyers to go out to sea this afternoon for a strategic patrol to ensure the safety of Port Arthur."

"They will not enter the harbor at night, but will stay in the outer harbor anchorage." "Also, I have another good news to tell you. We will soon have battleships to replenish us. They will arrive within half a year. By then, I will have more than a dozen battleships. When the time is right, we will teach these Japanese monkeys a lesson."

Alexeev took a sip of brandy and continued slowly.

"In order to allow the Pacific Fleet to sail freely in the vast Pacific Ocean, I have requested His Majesty the Tsar to add a few more battleships to the Pacific Fleet, and His Majesty the Tsar has agreed."

Only two cruisers and six destroyers were sent out, which made Lianavich secretly complain in his heart.

His governor, who is capable of ceremonial duties, is not waiting for any opportunity. He clearly wants to take advantage of the opportunity to greatly enhance the power of the Pacific Fleet and make more money for himself as an admiral.

Since they were preparing for war, the governor who was in charge of the Pacific Fleet did not allow Pacific Fleet Commander Starke to attend the meeting. It was obvious that he wanted the Pacific Fleet to preserve its strength and would not allow the navy to participate in the war.

Alexeev seemed to want to show off and spoke proudly.

"His Majesty the Tsar not only wants to add battleships to our Pacific Fleet, but has also agreed to my request to transfer General Makarov to the Far East to serve as the commander of Port Arthur."

Alexeev's words immediately surprised everyone present.

The Makarov that Alexeev mentioned was whose full name was Stepan Osipovy Makarov.

Although Makarov was only a rear admiral, he had already been a well-known naval warfare expert in the Tsarist Russian Navy.

Makarov was not only a rear admiral, but also a shipbuilding expert, naval hero, oceanographer, artillery master, and academician of the Tsarist Russian Academy of Sciences.

It was this Makarov who, in 1881, commanded a torpedo boat to use torpedoes to sink the Turkish steam escort ship "Inchibach" in the waters of Batumi, creating the first case in history of a torpedo sinking a warship.

If such a person can come to the Far East, it will be absolutely good news for the Pacific Fleet.

Alexeev hesitated for a moment and then said, "There is another piece of not-so-good news that I want to share with you."

After Alexeev's eyes wandered over everyone's faces, they fell on Lenavic's face and he spoke word by word.

"His Majesty the Tsar is worried about the war in the Far East and has decided to send Kuropatkin to the Far East to inspect the preparations for war."

This was neither good nor bad news. For Lennovich, it was absolutely bad news. Everything Kuropatkin said when he returned to St. Petersburg might determine his fate as the highest commander of the Far Eastern Army who was doing meritorious service in his crime.

Lennovich took a deep breath and began to think about how to get the imperial envoy to speak well of him.
Suddenly, there was a sound of hurried running in the corridor, and then a lieutenant colonel pushed open the door of the conference room with a nervous look on his face and ran in.

Everyone recognized this lieutenant colonel; he was Alexeev's communications confidential adjutant, Morochev.

Regardless of the gloomy face of Alexeev, Morochev quickly ran to Alexeev, opened a leather folder tightly in his hand, quickly took out a telegram from it and handed it to Alexeev.

He said hurriedly, "Sir, that mysterious man has sent another urgent message!"

Morochev's words not only shocked Alexeev, but also shocked the other generals in the meeting room.

It is almost midnight, and at this time, this mysterious man sent another telegram. What sensational news could this be?

Alexeev stretched out his hand hesitantly, but before his hand touched the telegram, he quickly pulled it back.

Alexeev took a deep breath and spoke with some difficulty.

"Morochev, you read it first, and let everyone hear it."

Morochev did not dare to delay, picked up the telegram and began to read it aloud.

"Alert! Urgent! The Japanese Army and Navy are about to launch an undeclared war!"

Morochev's first words frightened Alexeev so much that he jumped up and his face turned pale.

When Morochev saw Alexeev jump up, he stopped talking.

"Read!" Alexeev shouted angrily.

"It is reported that the main force of the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet has set sail from the mainland anchorage on the evening of the 6th. The commander of the Combined Fleet, Heihachiro Togo, personally led the First Squadron and the Third Squadron, Shichiro Kataoka, to Port Arthur. They plan to arrive at the waters off Port Arthur on the evening of the 8th and then launch an attack on the Pacific Fleet."

"Another: First, the Japanese Navy has a plan to attack Jemulpo and escort the first batch of no less than four battalions of troops to land in Jemulpo and open up a landing area."

"Second, the Japanese Army has formed four armies. The commander of the First Army is Kuroki Tamemasa, who commands the Imperial Guards Division, the Second Division, and the Twelfth Division. They will land in Jemulpo later. The commander of the Second Army is Oku Yasuo, who commands the First, Third, Fourth, and Third Divisions."

"3. The 3rd and 4th Japanese armies are being formed, with Nogi Maresuke and Nozu Michikuni as commanders respectively."

"Fourth, after the main force of Kuroki Uejeong's First Army landed at Jemulpo, it moved northward along the land route and headed straight for the Yalu River."

"Once again, I solemnly warn you, this is not an April Fools' Day prank, the war has already begun!"

After Morochev finished reading the telegram, the meeting room fell silent. The generals were completely stunned by the content of the telegram!
(End of this chapter)