Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 388: Taking Advantage of Loopholes in War

A long sword slashed towards Takedaguchi's cheek.

Takedaguchi took several steps back and held his sword in his hand to block.

There was a clang of metal touching each other, and Takedaguchi stepped forward to block the rebel's knife, then stabbed him in the heart.

The rebel on the opposite side subconsciously took two steps back to avoid the vital point in the heart.

But Takedaguchi pressed the knife down hard.

With a "whoosh" sound, the sharp blade slashed across, cutting open the rebel's chest, and the colorful internal organs poured out directly from the wound.

Blood was spilled all over the ground!
"what……"

The rebel couldn't help but let out a scream and subconsciously reached out to cover his stomach.

Takedaguchi seized the opportunity, stepped forward quickly, and slashed with his sword.

With a "puff", a blood line appeared on the rebel's neck and blood gushed out.

The head rolled down instantly!

"kill!"

"Kill!"

Takedaguchi continued to rush forward with blood all over his body, killing several people in succession.

The blade of the sword in his hand had been bent without him knowing when, but he was still killing with great pleasure.

The Tang army's attacking forces rampaged through Laizhou city.

The rebels attempted to organize counterattacks several times, but were repelled by the Tang army that entered the city.

These samurai sent by the shogunate to Vietnam to assist the Tang army in fighting showed quite impressive combat skills in the battle.

If it is a large-scale military operation, these warriors may not be able to do it.

But clearing out the remaining enemies in street fighting is an absolute professional task for them.

The outstanding personal strength of these warriors played a very good role in such an environment.

Amid shouts and cries of killing, the Tang army rushed towards the Laizhou government office.

The fight between the two sides immediately entered a white-hot stage.

Although these Japanese warriors launched several attacks under the command of the Tang army, they were unable to capture the government office where the rebels were resisting stubbornly.

Instead, our own side suffered many casualties!

Because the rebels placed two cannons inside the government office to block the entrances and exits.

Every time someone rushed forward, the rebels would open fire.

As the shells flew across the sky, heavy casualties were caused, posing a considerable obstacle to the Tang army's offensive forces.

But at this moment, there were several loud bangs from cannons.

The Tang army's artillery opened fire outside the city, and several shells jumped over the city wall and hit the Laizhou government office directly.

An explosion followed!
Amid the loud explosion, many broken limbs were found in the Laizhou government office, and the two cannons were blown into the sky.

Minced meat and blood fell from the sky.

Takedaguchi wiped the blood off his face, threw aside the sword in his hand that had a gap in it, picked up a picked-up spear, and rushed towards the Laizhou government office, shouting and killing.

Wherever he passed, the defeated rebel soldiers raised their hands in surrender.

Takedaguchi was so blood-thirsty that he stabbed the enemy with the spear in his hand without any regard.

With a "swish" sound, the sharp spear pierced through the flesh.

Listening to the enemy's screams before death, Takedaguchi was extremely excited and couldn't help shouting.

"Long live the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!"

The war in Laizhou Prefecture ended quickly. The rebel leader committed suicide and the remaining rebels surrendered one after another.

Corpses were pulled out of Laizhou City one after another.

Under the supervision of the Tang army, the captured rebels dug pits outside Laizhou City and buried the bodies.

Du Pingyuan walked on the streets of Laizhou City, and saw shogunate warriors everywhere moving things in and out of shops or houses.

If anyone resists, he will strike them with a knife without mercy.

Corpses could be seen lying everywhere in the streets and alleys.

Beside Du Pingyuan, Fujita Nobumori spoke.

"Captain Du, the Tang Dynasty was able to win the battle of Laizhou because our army put in a lot of effort."

"In order to capture the government office, dozens of samurai from my shogunate were killed or injured. I wonder if the reward you promised us before will be counted?"

Du Pingyuan heard this and said with a smile.

"The Tang Dynasty never deducts the military merits that soldiers deserve."

"We agreed that after the battle, 30% of the captured goods will belong to you. That's right, 30% will belong to you."

"Aren't they still counting the captured items?"

"What's the hurry, Fujita-kun?"

After entering Vietnam to fight, the Tang army actually let itself go.

Since we are fighting overseas, the emperor is far away.

Therefore, the military discipline that the army had originally strictly adhered to began to loosen to a certain extent.

There will not be large-scale burning, killing and looting.

But everyone started to think about how to make some money from the war.

Then, there was the current conversation between Du Pingyuan and Fujita Nobumori.

Well, actually, the two sides made an agreement that after the city was captured, the dirty work of robbery and murder would be done by the shogunate army.

But in return, the Tang army could share certain benefits of the final harvest with the shogunate army.

In this way, they could both make a fortune from the war and circumvent the constraints of military law. For the Tang army, it would be a two-pronged approach.

Anyway, the murders and robberies were committed by the shogunate army. Even if the court wanted to hold someone accountable, the shogunate army would be the first to bear the brunt.

However, since these shogunate troops were the troops of the Tokugawa shogunate, they were not directly under the jurisdiction of the Tang Dynasty.

If the Tang Dynasty wants to intervene, it has to go through the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Therefore, there is a high probability that the matter will not be resolved in the end.

The ratio of sharing the spoils is 30% to 70%.

Well, Tang Jun is seven!

Black?

Actually not black.

If there were no Tang Dynasty, these poor samurai of the shogunate would probably not even have a full meal, let alone a share of the profits.

Fujita Nobumori heard this and said, "I understand!"

The two continued to stroll in Laizhou City.

Du Pingyuan seemed to suddenly remember something and spoke.

"By the way, Fujita-kun, remember to instruct your subordinates to kill as few people as possible."

"It's still useful to keep the prisoners!"

"And don't touch those women either. They can be sold at a better price if they are intact."

After taking over Guangnan, Datang began to focus on the development of Hongji Coal Mine.

But coal mining requires manpower!

Therefore, the officials in charge of mineral development began to think of taking prisoners.

In their eyes, the captives were the most suitable candidates for miners.

Cheap is one thing.

More importantly, mining is a high-risk industry, and if things go wrong, it may lead to injuries, disability, and death.

In those large mines, aren't there a lot of people injured or killed every year?
On the one hand, miners have to pay compensation if they die or become disabled, and on the other hand, the impact is really bad.

Therefore, prisoners of war who are injured or disabled do not have to pay any money and will not even attract criticism from the public. This is the most suitable choice.

Not to mention the women.

China today is in the period of the most unbalanced gender ratio in history, with large numbers of bachelors in rural areas unable to find wives.

Those bachelors are willing to spend all their money just to find a wife to carry on their family line.

Well, Chinese men dare to take out a 30-year mortgage just to marry a wife. What else wouldn’t they dare to do?

So, women are actually very valuable.

Even Vietnamese women.

As long as we can transport the people back, we can sell them at a high price.

Well, a perfect piece of clothing is definitely more valuable than a second-hand piece.

Upon hearing this, Fujita Nobumori immediately nodded and agreed.

As for not forcing women to be raped, will the people below have any idea about this?
He doesn't care!
As long as he can make money, it's fine. As for the warriors below, they can just endure some grievances.

Besides, although it is forbidden to forcibly abduct women, it does not say that they cannot spend money to have prostitution.

Regarding pornography, gambling and drugs, the Tang Dynasty has only banned drugs, but not pornography and gambling.

They are still legal businesses at present!

……

Just when the rebellion suppression work in Laizhou was in full swing.

Chen Yucheng, who was in Hanoi, also received a call back from Beijing.

"Governor, His Majesty has approved your application to recruit soldiers in Guangnan Province."

"This is a call back from the capital!"

Chen Yucheng called back and started reading.

Looking at the contents of the telegram, he said with a happy face.

"good very good!"

"In this way, Guangnan will not be short of troops for the time being."

After saying this, Chen Yucheng continued.

"Someone, go and invite Governor Lin Weijia to discuss this matter."

Although the recruitment work can only begin after the arrival of the commissioners sent from the mainland, this does not prevent Chen Yucheng from starting preparations now.

For example, where are the soldiers recruited from? For example, which groups of people are suitable for military service? For example, where are the military camps set up?
These things need to be agreed upon in advance.

Only by completing these tasks in advance can we ensure that conscription work can be started immediately after the conscription commissioners arrive.

It wasn’t long before Chen Yucheng’s order was issued.

Soon, Lin Weijia walked in from outside wearing an official robe.

"Your humble servant greets His Excellency the Governor."

"I wonder why the Governor-General has summoned me here?"

Chen Yucheng said with a smile.

"Master Lin, please take a seat first."

Upon hearing this, Lin Weijia walked calmly to a chair and sat down.

In order to appease the local Vietnamese forces that surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, Li Yi appointed Lin Weijia, who took the lead in surrender, as the Governor of Guangnan when he appointed the corresponding officials of Guangnan Province.

Although, it sounds like the Governor of Guangnan is not as important as Lin Weijia's original position, the Governor-General of Hening.

However, the Governor-General of Hanoi was only in charge of the area around Hanoi.

The Governor of Guangnan was in charge of the entire Guangnan, which was almost one-third of the former Vietnamese territory.

With such a large piece of land, he, as the governor of Guangnan, has considerable power.

Chen Yucheng's attitude towards Lin Weijia was also very friendly.

Because he still needs Lin Weijia, a local, to cooperate with him in his work.

After Lin Weijia sat down, the two began to discuss the matter of recruiting soldiers.

……

Batavia!

In the early morning, a thick fog appeared on the sea.

The morning glow pierced through the thick fog, and a fleet emerged from the fog and was slowly sailing towards the port under the illumination of the morning glow.

The flag hoisted above this fleet is a red flag with a black border and the sun, moon and stars, which is the symbol of the Tang Dynasty.

Leading the fleet were two steam-powered ironclad ships.

After that, there were many sailing battleships, armed merchant ships and other large and small ships.

Black smoke was coming out of the ship's chimney, the steam engine was driving the propeller, and the steam ironclad ship was heading towards the port of Batavia with great momentum.

The turret on the deck turned, and the black muzzle was aimed in the direction of the port.

All the gun ports on the side are also open!

The black muzzles of the guns were arranged neatly.

The Dutch sailors on the port watchtower discovered the Tang army suddenly appearing on the sea. They showed anxious expressions on their faces and quickly sounded the alarm.

(End of this chapter)