Qing Yao

Chapter 401 Outstanding Military Strategist of the Qing Dynasty

Perhaps there was some water stored on Wulong Ridge, or perhaps the power of the White Lotus Sect's faith was too strong; Zhao An's good intentions were not accepted by the salt bandits on the ridge.

The sign was up for a whole day, but no one came out to surrender.

Zhao An then had Chen Zhijie loudly persuade the surrenderers at the foot of the ridge, explaining in detail the consequences of cutting off the water supply to the stubborn salt bandits on the ridge. He also promised that those who surrendered would still be treated well, but to no avail.

At this time, in addition to the Fu Biao, Du Biao and Huainan Green Standard Army units that were attacking from the south, the Huaibei Green Standard Army responsible for the north side of Jiushan also moved in, bringing the total number of Qing troops besieging Wulongling to more than 10,000.

The number of civilian laborers accompanying the army was as high as seven or eight thousand, which greatly increased the logistical pressure on the Qing army, because transporting grain to the mountains was an extremely large undertaking in itself.

Because northern Anhui had just suffered a major disaster, the local area was unable to provide the army with the necessary food. Therefore, the food for the encirclement and suppression army was requisitioned from various places in southern Anhui. The long transportation route resulted in huge losses during transportation.

For every pound of rice that officers and soldiers eat, they actually consume four to five pounds.

Animals used for transporting grain and goods consume even more energy.

Preliminary estimates suggest that nearly 20,000 taels of silver are spent daily just on food and drink for officers, soldiers, and civilians, which averages out to about one tael and one mace per person.

This does not include the compensation for officers and soldiers who died in battle, the cost of treating their wounds and providing subsidies for those who became disabled due to their injuries, or the cost of gunpowder, arrows, and other weapons.

Since Zhao An mobilized the Green Standard Army throughout the province to implement the "Four Main and Six Corner" plan, military expenditures have already exceeded 400,000 taels. If it weren't for the fact that wealthy areas such as Huizhou and Wuhu were forced to pay a sum of money to the provincial treasury, and that Xianfeng Bank urgently borrowed 150,000 taels from the provincial treasury, the already impoverished Anhui finances would have gone bankrupt long ago.

As the de facto steward of Anhui's finances, when Lao Song came to "visit" the last time, he subtly reminded Zhao An that it would be best to end the bandit suppression campaign as soon as possible, otherwise the logistics might not be able to keep up if the campaign dragged on for too long.

Logistics isn't just about having money; it's about converting that money into food, drink, and shelter for the soldiers on the front lines, into weapons that can kill the enemy, and into the costs of maintaining a transportation line and a logistics group.

Zhao An was well aware of the immense logistical pressure, but he was gritting his teeth and persevering. The defection of Black Rock Village undoubtedly accelerated the war's progress, and the fire at Wulong Ridge further boosted Zhao An's confidence in ending the war ahead of schedule.

Since the salt bandits on the ridge are ungrateful, let time prove the cruelty of cutting off the water supply.

Providing drinking water for more than 2,000 people was a major problem. Xie Hongwu explained that there were two reservoirs on the ridge, which were used not only for drinking water but also for fire prevention.

However, the water in the two reservoirs could only last for a few days at most, because Xie Hongyi could not have imagined that the government would mobilize tens of thousands of troops to deal with him, a salt smuggler, nor could he have imagined that the village that originally housed two or three hundred people would now accommodate more than two thousand people.

In the following days, both the Huainan and Huaibei Green Standard Army received orders to strengthen their defenses and not to launch any attacks.

Zhao Anfang's fire indeed terrified many salt bandits on Wulong Ridge, made them realize the Qing army's determination to annihilate them, and showed them that they were surrounded on a barren "grave mound," with nothing but the Qing army's green flags and a charred landscape in their sight.

Anyone with even a basic understanding of military strategy knows this is a dead end!

However, that Master Liu was quite adept at bewitching people. Under his persuasion, people's hearts were not only stabilized, but he also occasionally organized some ritual activities of the White Lotus Sect.

However, psychological comfort cannot replace the fact that daily drinking water is constantly decreasing.

The water in the two reservoirs built in the early years was almost gone, and the salt bandits, who could not get enough drinking water, began to have dry throats and hoarse voices.

With the last bowl of water scooped out of the reservoir, the entire Wulong Ridge was completely cut off from water. The salt bandits had no choice but to collect the meager dew from the leaves of plants each day to quench their thirst. Some even dug up the few plant roots on the ridge, only to find bitter juice that was completely ineffective in quenching their thirst.

Without water, their throats became swollen and painful, making it difficult to swallow food. Many of the bandits' lips blistered and cracked, oozing traces of blood.

The fervent chanting of scriptures was no longer heard on the ridge; only a deathly silence remained, broken only by occasional groans of thirst and the delirious murmurs of those dehydrated. Everyone knew that if things continued like this, they would not starve to death, but rather die of thirst, and without exception, their gazes turned towards the water source below the ridge, surrounded by Qing army camps.

Xie Hongyi was aware of these circumstances, but Master Liu had already gone into seclusion to pray to the Eternal Mother for rain. If Heaven could send down a heavy rain, the water shortage crisis could be temporarily resolved. If a heavy snowfall could also fall, the Qing army might withdraw due to the severe cold.

The sight he saw while patrolling the ridge was heartbreaking. His once vigorous and energetic brothers were huddled in a corner like dried fish, and many of them could barely stand up.

In my sight, a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old was lying on the ground, desperately licking the dirt. His mouth was covered with black mud, but this did nothing to alleviate his thirst.

"Marshal, the brothers can't hold on much longer!"

Yang Biao's voice was also hoarse. Looking at where Master Liu was in seclusion, even the usually devout man couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. "What if the Master can't get rain?"

How to do?
Xie Hongyi didn't know what to do either. He had chosen this path himself, and he couldn't go back on his word. He could only grit his teeth and keep going.

Hopefully, the real person can pray for a heavy rain.

Unfortunately, Master Liu emerged from seclusion the next day. He did not bring rain to the believers of Wulong Ridge, but he did receive the latest instructions from the Eternal Mother.

The Qing demons' act of setting fires and cutting off the water supply was a test of their "fire and water tempering." How could they withstand this test? They had to burn their boats and put themselves in a do-or-die situation to survive.

In plain terms, it means stop waiting for the rain and quickly organize all available people to go down the mountain and reclaim the water source, otherwise, before the Qing demons can even make a move, the disciples will all head to the vacuum world.

It seems that the real person has also come to his senses and has stated that he will personally participate in the charge and bless the followers with divine power.

"Rather than die of thirst on the ridge, let's fight to the death! With a real man here, what's there to be afraid of!"

Driven by the instinct for survival, exhaustion and thirst overcame the more than 1,000 salt bandits who were still able to move, armed with all sorts of weapons, surged out of the village gate under the leadership of Xie Hongyi, Liu Zhenren, Yang Biao, and others. They staggered along the charred, narrow path towards the Qing army below the ridge.

The Qing army had been waiting for them.

"put!"

At the officer's command, the Qing troops, who were holding fast to the palisades and wooden fortifications, unleashed a hail of arrows. The salt bandits, lacking shields, fell like felled wheat. Many didn't even have the strength to scream before collapsing silently to the ground, and the black ash on the ground was quickly stained dark red with blood.

Hundreds of muskets roared incessantly, and lead bullets easily pierced the bodies of the salt bandits. Those who managed to get close to the fence were met with a forest of spears.

The Qing army, having rested and prepared, continued to slaughter the salt bandits. It was less a battle and more a one-sided massacre.

Zhao An, who was watching the battle from a high hill in the distance, couldn't even muster the slightest interest in continuing to watch. To him, this battle was utterly unexciting; there was no such thing as slaying generals and capturing flags, no such thing as defeating a hundred men, and no such thing as turning the tide.

However, this is the most realistic battle, without fiction, without passion, without terrifying screams.

This was also the first step for him to become an outstanding military strategist of the Qing Dynasty.

Only by taking this step can he become the true Commander Zhao.

(End of this chapter)