Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 387: Surrender must be complete

Anhui, Yingzhou Prefecture!

Tang army camp outside Yingzhou city.

This is a large-scale military camp with neatly arranged military tents and straight roads in the camp.

The training ground, dining hall, medical camp, stables, armory, granary, and hay barn are divided into different areas.

There is a watchtower standing in every camp!

The village wall was built very neatly, with a trench and barbed wire outside the wall.

In the camp, soldiers patrolling with guns can be seen everywhere.

On the training ground, cavalrymen galloped on their horses, practicing horsemanship and archery.

Well, shooting on horseback!
Inside the central army tent, Zhang Lexing stood in front of a map, frowning in deep thought.

From time to time, he would pick up his baton and point in the direction of Henan on the map.

It seemed as if he was planning a battle plan to send troops towards Henan.

When Li Yi led his army to the Northern Expedition, in order to prevent the Taiping Army in Henan from making any irrational actions due to impulse.

He deployed heavy troops in both Shandong and Anhui.

In the Shandong direction, the Tang army was mainly deployed in Caozhou and Jining.

As for Anhui, heavy troops were deployed in Yingzhou.

Yes, it is the Second Cavalry Division under Zhang Lexing.

According to Li Yi's plan, if the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom made any unusual moves during the Tang Dynasty's Northern Expedition.

Then, Zhang Lexing's troops stationed in Yingzhou could attack directly, starting from Yingzhou, passing through Chenzhou, and going straight to Kaifeng.

Or go straight to Luoyang via Chenzhou, Xuzhou, Ruzhou.

Whether Zhang Lexing's troops went straight to Kaifeng or Luoyang, they could achieve the goal of cutting off the Taiping Army's retreat and disrupting the Taiping Army's rear.

At that time, the Tang army stationed in Caozhou and Jining could advance westward along the Yellow River and achieve the goal of encircling and annihilating the Taiping Army advancing eastward.

In addition, if the talks between the two sides broke down, the Taiping Army would refuse to submit to the Tang Dynasty.

Then, the Tang army can also advance westward according to this plan.

While the Tang army in the direction of Caozhou and Jining was advancing westward, Zhang Lexing led his troops to attack Luoyang and Kaifeng directly, which could also achieve the goal of annihilating the Taiping Army.

It can be said that at this time, Zhang Lexing was actually entrusted with an important task by Li Yi.

Zhang Lexing understands this!
While I was moved, I was also full of expectations to achieve great things.

It’s a pity that according to the news coming from the capital, the negotiations between the Tang Dynasty and the Taiping Army are going very smoothly.

If this happens, it will naturally be a good thing for people all over the world.

But Zhang Lexing lost an opportunity to achieve success.

It made him feel depressed.

I could only think of battle strategies while looking at the map to relieve my boredom.

Just at this moment, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds were heard outside the military tent.

Soon, a communications soldier walked in from outside.

The communications soldier strode up to Zhang Lexing, saluted him, and then spoke.

"Master, urgent telegram from the capital!"

As he spoke, the communications soldier handed a military report to Zhang Lexing.

Zhang Lexing took the military newspaper and asked as he flipped through it.

"What's the matter?"

The signalman took a breath and then replied.

"Master, the Sunite tribe from the grasslands outside the Great Wall suddenly attacked Zhangjiakou, causing heavy losses to Zhangjiakou."

"His Majesty has personally appointed you to select five thousand elite soldiers from the army, and then lead the army to the capital to prepare for the Northern Expedition!"

Zhang Lexing's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this.

His heart, which was eager to achieve great things, began beating again.

Zhang Lexing said immediately.

"Pass the order down, assemble the whole army, and count the troops!"

Upon hearing this, the communications soldier clasped his fists tightly.

"Yes, I understand!"

……

Chang'an!

Shi Dakai led his army back and finally arrived in Chang'an.

Shortly after Shi Dakai arrived in Chang'an, Zhang Suimou also returned to Chang'an from the capital.

And asked to see Shi Dakai!

Shi Dakai met Zhang Suimou in his study and asked with some concern.

"Mr. Zhang, what's the situation?"

"Has the Tang Dynasty agreed to my request?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Suimou handed Li Yi's handwritten letter to Shi Dakai with both hands, and then said.

"Your Majesty, after hearing our request, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty hesitated for a moment, but he finally agreed."

"This is a handwritten letter from the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!"

Shi Dakai took the letter, tore open the envelope and began to read it.

[My dear brother Dakai, I miss you so much when I write to you. We haven’t seen each other since we parted at Jintian. I miss you so much…]

In the letter, Li Yi exchanged some pleasantries with Shi Dakai, and finally expressed his hope that Shi Dakai could come to the capital as soon as possible and not miss his coronation ceremony.

After reading Li Yi's letter and listening to Zhang Suimou's retelling, Shi Dakai took a deep breath.

Shi Dakai was a somewhat indecisive person. Although he had thought it through, he decided to exchange his current strength for wealth and glory.

However, when the time comes, one cannot help but feel a little conflicted.

Do I really have no chance?

Do you really want to go to the capital to become a Prince Anle?

Zhang Suimou asked.

"My king, when will you leave for the capital?"

Shi Dakai closed the letter and asked.

"Did you teach me, sir?"

Zhang Suimou took a deep breath and said.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Your Majesty has already made up his mind to submit to the Tang Dynasty."

"Then, you should leave Chang'an and rush to the capital as soon as possible, so as to avoid letting the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty think that the king still has ulterior motives."

Zhang Suimou's meaning was very clear. If you surrender, you must surrender completely!
Don't make it awkward and make everyone uncomfortable.

Upon hearing this, Shi Dakai nodded immediately.

"It's true what you said sir."

"If that's the case, then pass the order down and prepare to set off for the capital."

However, at this moment, Zhang Suimou showed an expression of wanting to say something but stopping himself, and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I have something else to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not..."

When Shi Dakai heard this, he immediately understood that Zhang Suimou was about to say something that he did not want to hear.

But he still spoke very generously.

"Sir, when did you become so reserved in front of me?"

"Just say whatever you want to say!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Suimou no longer hesitated, took a deep breath, and then spoke.

"I suggest that Your Majesty, after entering the capital, you can take the initiative to resign the throne in front of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

Shi Dakai frowned when he heard this.

"Why did Mr. Zhang say that?"

"Hasn't the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty already agreed to keep my title? If that's the case, why should I do this again?"

Zhang Suimou continued.

"Your Majesty, I do not know why the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty agreed to retain Your Majesty's title."

"But I know that since ancient times, anyone who was crowned as a king by a different surname would never have a good ending."

"If Your Majesty wants to plan for the long term, you should take the initiative to resign the throne and ask for more rewards such as gold, silver, land, beauties, houses, etc. Only in this way can the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty be assured of Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Shi Dakai couldn't help but sigh.

The expression on his face was visibly confused.

He knew that what Zhang Suimou said made sense, but he was indeed reluctant to give up his throne.

Seeing this, Zhang Suimou continued to speak.

"If Your Majesty really couldn't bear to give up the throne, you shouldn't have surrendered to the Tang Dynasty."

"But now that you have decided to surrender, it is best not to retain the throne."

Upon hearing this, Shi Dakai sighed heavily and then said.

"That's fine!"

"Then I will personally resign from the throne to His Majesty the Emperor after I arrive in the capital..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Suimou immediately bowed down.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

……

Outside Lai Chau City, Vietnam!

boom! Boom boom!

There was a deafening sound of shelling.

Shells poured into the city.

The shells hit the ground and exploded, creating beautiful sparks in Laizhou City.

But behind this beautiful spark lies the passing of countless lives.

There are not only rebels in Laizhou City, but also many civilians.

Under the bombardment of the Tang army, both the rebels and civilians suffered heavy casualties.

After the Tang Dynasty occupied the northern Vietnam region and ordered the name of Guangnan to be changed, Guangnan Province was established, and officials such as governors and provincial governors were sent to govern it, rebellions began to break out in Guangnan one after another.

The local nobles in Laizhou Prefecture organized a rebel army, occupied the prefecture, plundered the local area, expelled and killed officials appointed by the Tang Dynasty, and remotely worshipped the Nguyen family as their leader.

It’s quite a big deal!
Therefore, after the Tang army received reinforcements from Japan, they immediately sent troops to attack Laizhou Prefecture.

Prepare to quell the rebellion!

After the Tang army began to suppress the rebellion, the rebels began to lose ground.

Today, the rebels in Laizhou City are almost the last remaining viable force of the rebels that has not been defeated.

As long as Laizhou can be captured, the rebellion can be declared a victory.

Du Pingyuan, the commander of the 16st Regiment of the 161st Brigade of the th Infantry Division of the Tang Dynasty, put down the telescope in his hand, then turned to the Japanese officer Fujita Nobumori and said.

"Fujita-kun, the bombardment preparations are almost complete."

"It's time to send out the infantry to attack Laizhou City."

Fujita Nobumori nodded and said after hearing this.

"Okay, Captain Du, I'll give the order right away."

Soon, the shogunate army, which had been waiting outside Laizhou City for a long time, received the order and rushed towards Laizhou City in a mighty manner.

Takedaguchi, holding a katana, followed the squad leader in the charge.

Beside him, there were seven or eight samurai who were also holding swords or spears.

The Tang army currently has limited weapons on hand.

The limited weapons were naturally limited to replenishing the Tang army itself.

The Shogunate Army did not get much military equipment at the moment. Only one or two guns were issued to each squad so that they could get familiar with the use of the guns.

The rest of the people took up swords or spears for the time being.

When the Tang Dynasty's military equipment production becomes sufficient, they will naturally help them replace their equipment.

A group of people from Takedakou rushed into Laizhou City through the gap blasted in the Laizhou city wall.

Looking around, all around was ruins left after the explosion.

Broken limbs were scattered everywhere.

A wall next to the street was almost covered with blood.

Under the collapsed building, there were several bodies half-buried by construction waste.

"Kill!"

In the silence, a group of rebels rushed out of a relatively intact building on the side of the road.

Then he fought with Takedaguchi and others.

After a few sporadic gunshots, there was the sound of a fight with cold weapons.

"Kill!"

"The Tang Dynasty is victorious!"

"Kill all the invaders, defend our homeland, long live the Emperor of Dai Viet!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)