Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 638 Die, fellow Daoist, but not this humble Daoist!
'Whoosh! Bang!'

'Pat pat pat~'

"Flash bomb!"

"Clear resistance! Control personnel! Medical staff, come in!"

Five people were dragged out of the meditation room; three were dead and two were injured.

The operatives, armed with the Black Star, quickly provided first aid to the wounded.

"Save at least one person; we have questions for them."

The leader of the action group looked gloomy, glancing down at the marks on his bulletproof vest. "These Qing demons are no ordinary people; they actually brought handguns!"

The original plan was to capture the suspect alive for interrogation.

But once they rushed in, they discovered that these Qing spies actually had Colt revolvers!
After a fierce firefight, casualties were inevitable, and the battle was eventually brought to an end by the use of flashbangs.

Some members of the special forces were also hit, but fortunately they had bulletproof vests provided by the leader.

Someone stepped forward and touched the back of Qingyao's head. "The stubble is all new, at most ten days old."

"He must have shaved his braid when he came from Changsha Prefecture."

Next comes bone manipulation, facial analysis, measuring calluses on the tiger's mouth, and shoulder pinching, etc.

"They're all trained fighters, but they're a little different from those in the military."

"Of course they're different, they're imperial guards!"

"We've come here this time for our flintlock muskets."

When Lin Dao received this message, he was on his way to Changsha Prefecture.

Yang Xiuqing, who delivered the message, also raised his own doubts: "Didn't the Qing demons always talk about conquering the world with archery and horsemanship? Why would they come to steal our guns?"

"That kind of talk is just for fooling people." Lin Dao, on horseback, said calmly, "The Qing colonists know very well that muskets and cannons are king."

"From Kangxi to Qianlong, they were all skilled with firearms and also proficient in mathematics and other subjects."

"The reason for advocating archery and horsemanship is essentially to keep the people ignorant and to maintain control over the slaves."

"After all, you know that even a farmer can be put to the battlefield with a musket after a month or two of training."

"But if it's about practicing archery and horsemanship... hehe~"

Lin Dao neither confirmed nor denied, saying, "Besides them, there are external forces at play."

"Is the leader talking about foreigners?" Yang Xiuqing strained to open his one eye. "Foreigners themselves are rampant with firearms and cannons, why would they be interested in us?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Dao immediately frowned.

This is also a tragedy of our times.

Under the dark and hopeless rule of the mite-sweeping colonists.

The once glorious and powerful empire, which had attracted tribute from all nations, has degenerated into a rotten and corrupt hell.

Glory and splendor were all buried in the long river of history by the literary inquisition.

The pride and dignity of the citizens of this heavenly nation have been slashed down by the butcher's knife, reduced to cowardly chicks.
The people of China in this era generally lacked self-confidence.

If history had followed its original course, for the next hundred years or so, they would have been reduced to nothingness.

Lin Dao didn't blame Yang Xiuqing. He was a charcoal burner by trade, so how could he know about the glory of his ancestors?

If there is anyone to blame, just one.

Mite colonizer!
And their lackeys and accomplices!

"Don't look down on yourself, and don't underestimate me."

On horseback along the forest path, gazing at the Xiang River in the distance, I thought, "The foreigners' technical level is just a huge lump in my eyes."

"Their tactics of firing in formation and skirmishing will eventually be eliminated by the times."

"More powerful firearms and cannons are paramount."

Lin Dao provided the Taiping Army with flintlock muskets, which were of far superior quality to those of the time.

Previously, some deserters had taken flintlock muskets and defected to the Qing Dynasty, which not only gained the attention of the Qing court but also attracted the attention of foreigners.

Modern Europe is shifting from firing squads to column tactics.

The so-called column tactics refer to the rapid advance of dense column formations, combined with skirmishers, artillery, and cavalry, to break through the enemy's defenses with powerful strike force.

To put it more bluntly, it's XX's "pig rush" tactic.

Military changes in this era are rapid. Right now, it's still the era of queuing up and shooting people, but after the devastating losses of the Civil War in a few years, it will gradually shift to the "pig rush" tactic.

Ten years from now, after the Franco-Prussian War, the deadly rush tactics will gradually be replaced by skirmish tactics.

No matter how things change, firepower remains the core of everything.

Here in Lindao, he wouldn't give the Europeans that much time to evolve and change.

As a time traveler, especially one with the cheat ability of a time portal, it would be too embarrassing to fail to handle Europe after all this time.

"Chief," Yang Xiuqing nodded repeatedly, but then asked again, "Our guns have fallen into the hands of foreigners."

"It doesn't matter."

Lin Dao withdrew his gaze. "It's nothing serious."

It's really not a big deal, because he can come up with something better at any time.

Moreover, the flintlock musket he brought from the modern world had a real advantage in its craftsmanship.

Stainless steel barrels, CNC machined rifling, various gun parts machined by synthetic machinery, and advanced ammunition.

Given the technological level of this era, even if it were possible to replicate it, the quality, quantity, and even the craftsmanship would inevitably be far inferior.

Once we've solved the mite-killing problem, we'll have more time to let these foreigners experience firsthand what XX's technology is all about!
Changsha City, the Imperial Envoy's Headquarters.

"grown ups."

With an anxious expression, Xiang Rong advised Mu Zhang'a again, "Most of the city walls of Changsha Prefecture have collapsed, the city gates cannot even be completely closed, and the battlements are all gone."

"This is a death trap!"

With the Taiping army having stabilized the region, they once again marched north, heading straight for Changsha Prefecture.

The mites and warriors who had gathered here before were now in complete chaos.

Nobody is confident they can hold on!
Since the Taiping Rebellion began, they have been invincible, conquering every city in their campaigns. Many famous cities, such as Wuzhou, Guilin, and Hengzhou, fell in a single battle, without even the traditional scenario of months-long sieges!

Moreover, although Changsha is the provincial capital, it is actually located inland. After many years of peace, the city walls have fallen into disrepair and are in a dilapidated state.

No one believed that these dilapidated and even collapsed city walls could withstand the Taiping Rebellion's thunderous cannons.

Well, the heavy artillery used by Lin Dao, such as the "Father's Hammer," was spread by the fleeing Qing army, and that's how it got that name.

The cannon shot came down like a thunderbolt from the heavens, destroying everything.

Everyone in the hall looked at Mu Zhang'a, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Nobody wanted to die, and they all wanted to run away.

Despite the fact that tens of thousands of troops, including local militias, had gathered inside and outside Changsha at this time, the city was still under lockdown.

But nobody thought they could beat the Taiping Rebels.

In fact, Mu Zhang'a thought so too.

The problem is, "There's an imperial edict!"

His words drew sighs from the entire audience.

There was no other way, so the young Emperor Xianfeng issued an imperial edict ordering the city of Changsha to be defended at all costs and that Hunan should not be lost under any circumstances.

What can Mu Zhang'a do?
Did they defy the imperial edict, disobey it, and then flee?

That would only prolong your life by chance, but you would still be punished afterward, and it would also implicate your family.

Seeing that the imperial envoy's attitude was clear, the civil and military officials left dejectedly, each seeking their own way out.

If an imperial envoy were to lead the way, they could naturally follow suit with a clear conscience, since there would be someone taller carrying the load in front.

But now, all we can do is rely on our own unique abilities.

Xiang Rong didn't leave; he stayed.

"grown ups."

Xiang Rong lowered his voice and said, "This humble servant has a feasible plan."

"Hmm?" In this desperate situation, is there still a viable plan?

Mu Zhang'a, filled with doubt, opened his eyes.

"explain."

"The imperial edict said that Your Excellency must defend Changsha to the death," Xiang Rong said through gritted teeth. "But it didn't say that Your Excellency must die for your country."

"Huh?" Mu Zhang'a looked over in surprise.

"The Taiping rebels have arrived and the fighting has begun, which means they're already defending the city."

"It would be reasonable to arrange for people to stay in the city to fight the Taiping rebels, while we, the guards, break out of the city."

By this time, Mu Zhang'a was fully awake, and he lowered his voice, "You mean, as soon as the Taiping rebels come, we'll run away?"

"Yes."

Xiang Rong quickly nodded, "The Taiping rebels are good at fighting, and they usually take a city in one battle, but they still need time to prepare."

"As long as we take advantage of the fact that the encirclement is not yet secure, and use our elite troops as the vanguard to break through, we still have a chance to escape."

"If the Taiping rebels don't want the militia prisoners, then leave the militia in the city. They will fight to the death. In that case, they will be defeated and break out of the city, instead of disobeying orders."

That's a bit nitpicky.

But it is indeed a feasible method.

After all, Mu Zhang'a was the imperial envoy in charge of suppressing the Taiping Rebellion, not the governor-general of Huguang.

As for Xiang Rong, there's no need to even mention him; he was the Governor of Guangxi, so there's no reason for him to die for his country in Hunan.

This shows just how chaotic the Qing court is now, with even the division of responsibilities not being properly defined.

Mu Zhang'a was greatly tempted, but still had doubts.

"Those who remain, if they speak nonsense..."

"My lord!" Seeing that the imperial envoy was still hesitant, Xiang Rong became anxious. "They won't have a chance to speak!"

"That long-haired leader, Lin Dao, has already ordered that no members of the militia be left alive!"

Even if someone manages to break through...

At this point, Xiang Rong forced a smile and raised his hand in a gesture, "They must be spies who surrendered to the Taiping rebels!"

Mu Zhang'a fell silent, but not for long.

He raised his head, his gaze meeting Xiang Rong's. "This matter is entrusted to you for arrangement, and I will also entrust you with my command post."

Xiang Rong, having caught his breath, stepped back and bowed.

"As ordered!"

He is a Han official, needless to say.

Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me!

Everyone knew that if the Taiping army came, it would be a dead end.

At this point, there's not much to say. Abandoning your children is the best course of action; your own survival is the most important thing.

To put it bluntly, Xiang Rong's plan was to abandon the garrison, which consisted mainly of local militia, and leave them in Changsha to be devoured by the Taiping army.

In this way, the task of defending Changsha will naturally be accomplished.

As for him and his close associates, including Mu Zhang'a, they managed to break through the encirclement and escape before it closed in.

For those below, it means survival.

Against them, it could be said that they were defeated and forced to break out.

The emperor probably had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

If he is dissatisfied, he could be dismissed from his post, and the imperial envoy would probably jump for joy.

There's no way around it, the long-haired guy is just too damn good at fighting!
Meanwhile, the local militias in Hunan, unaware that they were about to be abandoned, were frantically calling on their friends and allies to strengthen their defenses.

Zuo Zongtang, who had been living in seclusion in Xiangyin, could not resist the persuasion of Guo Songtao and others, and accepted the invitation of Zhang Liangji, the governor of Hunan, to come out of seclusion and come to Changsha!
(End of this chapter)