Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 265 If you don’t see the rabbit, don’t let the eagle fly.

The foreigners are not fools. Since they know they can't win, why would they insist on fighting?

We are all born by our mothers and raised by our fathers, and our own life is also our life.

Since we can't defeat the artillery in a head-on attack, let's try some tricks and send an elite force to land on the beach, and then try a surprise attack from behind.

Maybe we can achieve results!
During the First Opium War, the British army did the same thing when facing the Qing army's artillery that they could not attack.

The effect is pretty good!

Often, when the British army charged, the Qing army would abandon the artillery batteries and flee, leaving the sturdy artillery batteries as gifts to the British army for free.

Well, that's why the coalition forces didn't just bypass the fort and land, but instead only sent elite troops to attack from behind and continue to fight the fort.

It’s not that the coalition forces don’t want to, but the conditions don’t allow it.

The only deep-water port in Hong Kong that has been developed so far, which can be used for fleets to dock and resupply, as well as for large-scale landings, is Zhongmen Port.

It was easy for the coalition forces to bypass Zhongmen Port, but after bypassing Zhongmen Port, it was impossible for the fleet to dock or even for the main force to land in Hong Kong for repairs.

Unless they choose another site and build a large port.

Otherwise, they would have to rely on small boats to transport troops and supplies to the shore one by one.

This is too much trouble!
Therefore, if you want to bypass the port, a small-scale landing is acceptable.

But if you want to land the main force, you can only seize the port.

If the Allied Forces wanted to occupy Hong Kong, they had no choice but to capture the fort and seize the port.

Upon hearing this, Elgin thought for a while and nodded.

"That's fine!"

After saying this, he turned his gaze to Gro who was standing beside him, wanting Gro to take the French soldiers up and give it a try.

However, facing Elgin's eyes, Gro seemed to see nothing. He scratched his head and whistled towards the sea.

When Elgin saw this, the veins on his forehead couldn't help but jump, but he still patiently asked.

"Isn't the French Army known as the best army in Europe? Would you like me to see the style of the best army in Europe today?"

In order to encourage Gro to agree, Elgin even used provocation.

Upon hearing this, Ge Luo knew he couldn't refuse, so he nodded and said.

"Okay, my Lord."

"We can let our people go and gnaw on the forts, but after Guangzhou is captured in the future, our people must be the first to enter Guangzhou to plunder the spoils."

This is putting forward conditions. It is clear that Gro will not release the eagle until he sees the rabbit, and will not make any effort until he sees the benefits.

Upon hearing this, Elgin hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and agreed.

Gro continued.

"Besides that, I think I need a little help."

Elgin's eyes flashed and he asked.

"What help?"

Seeing this, Gro was not shy and spoke directly.

"Attacking the fort is a tough job. We may not be able to do it with less people."

"I need to mobilize a vassal army to assist in the battle."

To put it bluntly, he needs cannon fodder.

The French soldiers brought to the Far East by Gross only had a regiment of troops in total. If they wanted to attack the enemy, such a small force was not enough.

Elgin thought for a while and agreed, then asked.

"how many people?"

Gro said.

"The more the merrier!"

Elgin immediately turned to the Governor of Manila, Kovic, and the Governor of Batavia, Rial, who were standing beside him and spoke.

"I would like to ask you to transfer one thousand native vassal soldiers and mercenaries recruited from Manila and Batavia to Lord Gro for command."

Upon hearing this, Kovic and Rial agreed without any hesitation.

……

The allied fleet withdrew from the Tang army's artillery coverage, found a relatively flat beach, and began to send small troops to land.

On the ocean, small boats detached from the mother ship, loaded with soldiers and supplies, and headed towards the beach.

After landing, the French soldiers began to line up on the beach. They quickly organized the formation, then carried their muskets, sang military songs, and drove the native vassal troops who were sent to serve as cannon fodder for them, and marched towards the Tang army artillery fort in the direction of Zhongmen Port.

"The song of victory opens the door for us."

"Liberty leads our steps, from north to south, the trumpet of war marks the hour of battle, tremble, enemies of France, the king drinks blood with pride, let the citizens march, let the tyrant go to his grave..."

This ditty is called "March Song" and was one of the most popular military songs in the French army during the Napoleonic era.

Even now, it is still very popular in the military.

French soldiers love to sing military songs, recalling the glory of the French army sweeping across Europe during the Napoleonic era.

Karam is a company commander in the French army. As a grassroots officer, he has extremely rich war experience.

He knew that in war, a military song with a cheerful tune could greatly boost the morale of the troops.

So, he took the lead in singing military songs and urged the soldiers to march faster.

"Hurry up!"

"Young men, speed up your pace, victory is just ahead!"

"..."

Soon, the French army, which had completed the landing, brought their vassal troops all the way to the outside of the Middle Gate Fort.

Looking at the well-fortified artillery in the distance, Kalam couldn't help but gasp.

This battle is not easy to fight!
Just as Karam was looking at the artillery with a serious expression, a messenger came running over and gave orders to Karam.

"Captain Kalam, the commander asks you to lead your troops to launch a tentative attack on the Tang army's artillery position."

"Test the level of the Tang army!"

Hearing this, Kalam opened his mouth but still spoke.

"OK, I see!"

"Please tell Captain Geff that Kalam promises to complete the mission."

After saying this, Karam turned around and spoke to his soldiers.

"Did you hear that, boys? Cheer up!"

"Attack that battery!"

"Victory awaits us!"

After saying this, Karam led the team to rush towards the artillery position.

Of course, Karam would not let the French soldiers serve as the vanguard, but would order the indigenous vassal troops and mercenaries to charge in front.

He was leading a company of French soldiers to supervise the battle from behind.

……

"Report!"

"Captain, our scouts have discovered enemy movements."

"The coalition forces sent elite troops to land on the beach. After completing the landing, they are rushing to the rear of our artillery position."

"They should be preparing to attack our artillery positions from behind!"

A communications soldier found Lin Bao who was studying a map and began to report.

Upon hearing this, Lin Bao immediately turned around and asked.

"is it?"

"How far is this enemy force from the battery?"

Upon hearing this, the communications soldier immediately began to report.

"Captain, this enemy force is still nearly ten miles away from our artillery position."