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The northward-bound army, led by 011, surged forward like a red iron torrent along the predetermined route.

Their goal was clear...

They marched straight to the heart of the enemy, threatening the Qing Dynasty's core of rule in Shandong: Jinan!

Jinan, as the capital of Shandong Province, was a city with high walls and deep moats, and was heavily guarded by troops.

However, the main force of the Qing army in Shandong suffered heavy losses in the previous Battle of Heifengyu. The newly appointed governor and the generals defending the city were already frightened when they heard that the Red Flag Army was heading north.

They urgently conscripted soldiers and local militia from nearby prefectures and counties to assist in the city's defense, pinning their hopes on the sturdy city walls and the swift return of Ordos's army.

When the striking red dragon flag of the northward-bound army appeared on the eastern outskirts of Jinan, chaos erupted atop the city walls.

The defenders looked at the well-disciplined and strangely equipped army outside the city (largely armed with rifles, supplemented by machine guns and mortars), especially those heavy objects (artillery) dragged by mules and covered with tarpaulins, and a chill rose from the bottom of their hearts.

"Quickly! Close the city gates! Everyone, go up to the city walls and defend! Quickly request reinforcements from the imperial court and from the commander of the Ordos region!" The commander shouted hoarsely, trying to calm the troops.

011 gave the Qing army very little time to prepare.

After a brief reconnaissance of the terrain, he immediately gave the order: "Artillery positions, move forward! Target: the southeast corner of the city wall, especially that arrow tower, blast it flat! Machine gunners, seize the mounds in front and suppress the fire on the city walls!"

The Red Flag Army's artillery demonstrated efficiency and quality that were ahead of its time.

75mm mountain guns and 105mm howitzers were quickly set up, and the observers used binoculars to accurately calculate the distance and angle.

"Prepare—release!"

With a command given, the cannons spewed out blazing flames and thick smoke!
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The deafening explosion instantly tore through the air!

The cannonballs seemed to have eyes, striking the southeast corner of the Jinan city wall with pinpoint accuracy!
The sturdy brickwork was like paper in front of modern artillery, and rubble mixed with the limbs and broken pieces of the defenders flew everywhere!
The tall watchtower was given special attention, and after being hit by several heavy cannon shots, it collapsed amidst towering flames and smoke!
The Qing troops on the city wall had never seen such fierce artillery fire.
This is nothing like the "red-coated cannons" they know!

The accuracy and devastation of the shelling terrified them; many were so shocked that their ears and noses bled, and they cowered behind the battlements, too afraid to show their faces.

At the same time, the light and heavy machine guns positioned on the mounds also emitted a deathly roar.

"Da da da……"

"Dong dong dong..."

A dense hail of bullets rained down on the city walls, suppressing the Qing troops so much that they could not raise their heads at all, and any attempt to counterattack or provide relief would result in a devastating blow.

The artillery barrage lasted for about half an hour, and a huge breach was blasted open at the southeast corner of the city wall, with bricks, stones and mud piled up to form a slope.

"Sappers! Move forward and blow up the breach! First Battalion, prepare for the assault!" 011 seized the opportunity and gave the order again.

A crack team of engineers, braving sporadic arrows and gunfire, swiftly rushed to the breach and planted the explosive charge.

"Boom!" Another loud noise rang out, and dust billowed into the sky. The gap was further widened and compacted, forming a slope large enough for troops to pass through quickly.

"charge!"

The resounding bugle call rang out!
The long-awaited officers and soldiers of the First Battalion, like a flood bursting its banks, charged forward with their bayonets fixed and 98K rifles, roaring as they launched a swift assault on the breach!

"Expel the Tartars! Kill!"

The remaining Qing troops attempted to establish a defensive line behind the breach, resisting with spears, swords and shields, and a few muskets.

However, under the burst fire of the Red Flag Army's automatic firearms (submachine guns) and precision rifles, this resistance quickly crumbled.

The assault troops, using skillful tactical formations and alternating cover, swiftly penetrated and cleared out the enemy forces near the breach, then expanded into the city walls on both sides and into the interior of the city.

……

The city gates were opened from the inside, and more Red Flag Army troops poured into the city.

Street fighting ensued, but the Qing army's will to resist quickly crumbled under the Red Flag Army's overwhelming firepower and fierce offensive.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, many Green Standard Army soldiers and local militia members threw down their weapons and knelt down to surrender.

Only a few Manchu soldiers and die-hards put up sporadic resistance by relying on barricades and houses, but they were quickly wiped out.

The battle began at dawn, and by the afternoon, large-scale resistance within Jinan city had largely ceased.

The dragon flag that symbolized the Qing Dynasty's rule fell slumped from the flagpole of the governor's office, and in its place was a ferocious and majestic red dragon flag that fluttered in the wind!

011 strode up the city wall of Jinan, overlooking this ancient city with a history of thousands of years that had been taken over by the Red Flag Army, and felt a surge of pride in his heart.

He strictly followed Su Ning's orders, and after taking control of the entire city, he immediately posted notices to reassure the people, dispatched patrol teams to maintain order, and quickly organized defenses to prepare for a possible counterattack by the Qing army.

Jinan liberated!

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the world.

The change of ownership of this Shandong provincial capital in such a swift and overwhelming manner once again demonstrated to the world the strength and unstoppable power of the Red Flag Army!

The northward-bound army perfectly completed its strategic feint and siege missions, which not only greatly shocked the Qing court, but also created a more favorable strategic situation for the main force of the westward advance personally led by Su Ning.

The landscape of Shandong was completely changed from that moment on!
……

Just as the northward-bound army was pointing its sword at Jinan, the westward-bound army, personally led by Su Ning, also cut westward from Linyi like a sword drawn from its sheath.

This elite force, composed of the Second and Third Regiments and the main artillery of the division, was tasked with opening up the Central Plains and aimed directly at Kaifeng, a key town in the Central Plains behind the natural barrier of the Yellow River!
The westward-advancing army marched at an extremely fast pace, striking fear into the hearts of the garrison troops in the prefectures and counties along the way.

Cities such as Feixian and Pingyi either surrendered at the mere sight of the enemy or collapsed under the Red Flag Army's swift offensive.

Wherever the army went, it did not commit any offenses, only requisitioning necessary food and fodder. It also sent out propaganda teams to post notices to reassure the people, proclaiming the principles of "expelling the Tartars, equalizing land distribution and exempting taxes," which attracted the people along the way to bring food and drink, and even many young men and women eagerly joined the army.

Within a few days, the vanguard of the westward-advancing army had reached the south bank of the Yellow River.

The wide, muddy Yellow River rushes eastward, and the Qing army outposts on the opposite bank are faintly visible.

Crossing the river became the first major obstacle facing the westward-bound army.

At the Yellow River crossing, the Qing army had already strengthened its defenses, burned most of the civilian boats, and built simple fortifications on the north bank, deploying a small number of cannons and archers, attempting to use the natural barrier to hinder the Red Flag Army.

Suning personally visited the front lines to observe, his expression calm.

"Order the artillery to target the Qing army's fortifications and suspected artillery positions on the opposite bank and conduct a comprehensive bombardment! The engineer battalion shall immediately collect and manufacture river-crossing equipment, and the reconnaissance company shall search for a section of the river with a gentler current suitable for swimming!"

With the order given, the Red Flag Army's artillery once again demonstrated its devastating power.

"Direction XXX, Distance XXXX, Five rapid-fire rounds, fire!"

"Boom--!"

The 105mm howitzers and 75mm mountain guns deployed on the high ground on the south bank roared deafeningly!

The shells ripped through the sky and crashed down on the Qing army's positions on the north bank like hailstones.

In an instant, flames soared into the sky on the north bank, and mud, sand, and the remains of the defenders flew everywhere.

Before the Qing army's old cannons could fire more than a few rounds, they were blown to scrap metal by precise counter-battery fire.

The fortifications were destroyed, the defending troops suffered heavy casualties, and their morale collapsed instantly.

Under the cover of heavy artillery fire, the Red Flag Army's engineering battalion quickly assembled makeshift ferries using collected boats, doors, timber, and even sheepskin rafts.

A group of scouts with good swimming skills took the lead in an armed swim and seized the beachhead on the north bank.

Subsequently, the main force began to cross the river in batches.

Machine gunners provided cover fire on the ferries and on the south bank, suppressing any Qing troops who dared to show their faces. The remaining Qing troops on the north bank, already terrified by the artillery fire, had no courage to resist when they saw the Red Flag Army crossing the Yellow River like divine soldiers descending from the heavens.
They scattered and fled after only a brief contact.

The Red Flag Army successfully controlled the north bank beachhead and quickly erected a pontoon bridge to ensure the passage of subsequent troops and heavy equipment.

The Yellow River, an insurmountable barrier, was breached in a single day!
……

After crossing the Yellow River, the westward-bound army group marched straight towards Kaifeng without stopping.

When the garrison in Kaifeng learned that the natural barrier of the Yellow River had been breached in a single day, they were filled with dread.

The defending general attempted to rally his troops and stubbornly resist using the high walls of Kaifeng.

Su Ning adopted the strategy of "surrounding three sides and leaving one open", ordering the main force of his troops to surround the east, north and south of Kaifeng, leaving only the west gate open.

At the same time, the artillery moved forward to build positions, with the dark muzzles pointing directly at the walls of Kaifeng.

The final offensive was launched at dawn.

"All units, target the Kaifeng city walls, especially the eastern gate barbican and the corner towers on both sides, saturate the bombardment!" Su Ning gave the order.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The artillery fire, even more intense and fierce than during the river crossing, covered the walls of Kaifeng like a plowshare!
The ancient city walls trembled violently and collapsed under the violent tearing of modern gunpowder!
The eastern gate barbican was given special attention. Under continuous heavy artillery bombardment, a section of the city wall nearly 20 meters wide collapsed, forming a huge sloping gap!

"charge!"

The resounding bugle call echoed across the plains!
The main force of the Second Regiment, like a red tide, launched a desperate assault on the breach!
The defenders organized several lines of defense behind the breach, desperately resisting with bows and arrows, muskets, and rolling logs and stones.

However, these resistances proved futile against the Red Flag Army's dense automatic firepower and grenades.

The assault troops, operating in squads and platoons, took turns providing cover and rapidly penetrated the enemy lines, gradually tearing apart the Qing army's defenses.

Meanwhile, feint attacks from other directions also tied down a large number of the defending troops.

Outside the deliberately left-open West Gate, a large crowd of fleeing soldiers, officials, and their families were packed together, causing chaos and blocking the passage.

The battle continued until the afternoon, when the Red Flag Army's flag was planted atop the city walls of Kaifeng.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the remaining Qing troops either surrendered or fled.

Kaifeng, this ancient city in the Central Plains that has witnessed many changes, welcomed a new ruler amidst the thunderous roar of cannons.

Upon entering the city, Su Ning immediately ordered the mopping up of the remaining enemy forces, the pacification of the people, the opening of granaries to distribute grain, and strict military discipline.

The restoration of Kaifeng was like driving a fatal nail into the already riddled map of the Qing Dynasty's rule!

With the gates of the Central Plains wide open, the whole world was shaken.

The westward-advancing army achieved its strategic objectives with a brilliant crossing of the Yellow River and a decisive battle, thoroughly establishing the Red Flag Army's reputation throughout the Central Plains!
……

Just as the westward-bound army was crossing the Yellow River and heading towards Kaifeng, the southward-bound army, under the command of 021, was also advancing rapidly towards Xuzhou like a spark.

Their mission is equally crucial...

Seize this strategically vital location, a crossroads of five provinces, which has been a battleground since ancient times, and control the throat between the Central Plains and the Jiangnan region!

The southward-bound army group, with the newly formed 4th Regiment as its backbone and supplemented by elite reconnaissance companies, marched extremely rapidly.

They avoided official roads, hiding during the day and moving at night, like ghosts traversing the hills of southern Shandong and heading straight for northern Jiangsu.

Along the way, leaders of various anti-Qing uprising armies in Huaibei, such as Zhang Qi and Wang Qi, who had already received the call, led their troops to join them.

Although these militias were poorly equipped and loosely disciplined, they were familiar with the terrain and hated the Qing government. Under the integration and leadership of the regular Red Flag Army, they quickly formed a considerable force.

Soldiers are valuable and quick.

Before the Qing army in Xuzhou could fully react, 021 had already led the allied forces that had joined forces to the gates of Xuzhou.

Xuzhou had high city walls, a complete defense system, and a considerable number of garrison troops.

However, at this time, the Qing court's attention was firmly drawn to the two major armies advancing north and west. The general defending Xuzhou received the order to "defend strictly and not engage in reckless battles," and his mentality was conservative.

After carefully observing the defenses of Xuzhou, 021 decided on a strategy of "using both feints and real attacks, with a focus on key breakthroughs".

He ordered the Huaibei rebels to raise more flags and deploy more feints, creating the illusion of a large army besieging the city by making noise and launching a feigned attack outside the west and south gates of Xuzhou, thus tying down the main force of the defending army.

At the same time, he personally led the main force of the Fourth Regiment of the Red Flag Army and all artillery to quietly move to the East Gate, which was relatively weakly defended and close to the canal wharf.

"Artillery in position! Target: East Gate barbican and the walls on both sides. Concentrate fire and create a breach!" 021 decisively gave the order.

The divisional artillery (partially mountain guns and mortars) attached to the southward-bound army group once again demonstrated their power!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The shells struck the section of the city wall at the east gate with precision, sending bricks and stones flying and filling the air with smoke and dust.

The defending troops were stunned by the sudden and fierce artillery fire. They did not expect that the Red Flag Army's main attack direction would be the east gate!

The city wall trembled under the gunfire; the parapet was leveled and the crenellations were blown apart.

After the artillery fire extended, the light and heavy machine guns of the 4th Regiment immediately opened fire. The dense rain of bullets caused sparks to fly from the top of the East Gate, making it impossible for the defenders to raise their heads.

"Demolition team, move in!"

A highly skilled engineering squad, under the cover of fire, swiftly rushed to the east gate and skillfully placed the explosives.

"Boom——!"

With a deafening roar, the heavy East Gate, along with part of its archway structure, was blasted to pieces, revealing a huge gap!

"charge!"

The main force of the Fourth Regiment surged in through the breach like tigers bursting from their cages, shouting "Drive out the Tartars!"

After entering the city, they did not engage in prolonged battles with the Qing troops behind the barricades. Instead, they proceeded in platoons and companies, following their pre-arranged plan, directly attacking several key points within the city...

The prefectural government office, armory, granary, and canal wharf!
Even if the remaining Qing troops wanted to resist, they were powerless to do so...

……

This tactic of "blossoming from the center and striking at the vitals" instantly paralyzed the Qing army's command system within the city.

The prefectural government office was quickly captured, and the defending general attempted to organize resistance in the armory, but was defeated by a flanking Red Flag Army detachment.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the garrison at the canal wharf either surrendered or fled.

The loss of key points, coupled with increasingly fierce feint attacks by the rebel army outside the west and south gates, led to the complete collapse of morale among the Qing troops inside the city.

Large numbers of Green Standard Army soldiers and local militias lost their command and surrendered en masse.

Only a few Eight Banners cavalry attempted to break out through the north gate, but they were ambushed and killed by the Red Banner Army reconnaissance company and some militia.

From the start of the general offensive to the complete pacification of the city, it took less than six hours.

When the crimson dragon flag slowly rose atop the tallest bell tower in Xuzhou, this ancient battlefield, with its thousand-year history, had already been transformed.

021 quickly took over the city's defenses, inventoried the spoils, appeased the people, and reorganized the Huaibei militia who were willing to join.

The recapture of Xuzhou not only completely severed a major artery connecting the north and south of the Qing court, but also pushed the Red Flag Army's forces directly to the edge of the wealthy Jiangnan region, forming a semi-encirclement of the Qing court with the Three Feudatories in the southwest and the Zheng family at sea!

The initial spark, like a wildfire, eventually spread like wildfire!

The Red Flag Army launched a three-pronged attack, capturing Jinan in the north, Kaifeng in the west, and Xuzhou in the south, announcing the arrival of a new era to the world with an unparalleled momentum!
...(End of chapter)