My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 282: Surrounded by mountains and fertile fields, controlling the sea
If Nanping is the hub where the streams of the upper reaches of the Minjiang River converge and where water transport originates, then...

Fuzhou is the most fertile land generously irrigated by the mother river that nurtured the land of Fujian after flowing for thousands of miles.

Nestled in the embrace of Gushan and Qishan mountains, it boasts the largest plain in Fujian Province, the Fuzhou Plain, and is a premier natural harbor on the southeast coast.

This exceptionally beautiful location, surrounded by mountains, fertile fields, and controlling the sea, made it an important prefecture town as early as the Tang Dynasty, and it was further upgraded to the seat of Fujian Circuit in the Southern Song Dynasty.

For over a thousand years, it has remained the undisputed political, economic, and cultural center of Fujian Province, maintaining its status as the provincial capital for more than 1,300 years, with a profound cultural heritage.

However, this ancient city, which has been known as "the blessed city" for thousands of years, is now shrouded in the flames and smoke of war.

North of Fuzhou, at the foot of Pingshan Mountain, on a temporary artillery position built by the Restoration Army.

Lai Yuxin held up his monocular binoculars, staring intently at the Fuzhou city wall that stood majestically amidst the gunfire in the distance. His eyes were practically spitting fire, and his teeth were grinding together.

He followed Wing King Shi Dakai from Jintian Village, fought his way out, moved to Huguang, swept across Jiangnan, and conquered Changsha, Wuchang and Nanjing. What kind of fortified city and dangerous pass had he not seen?

But we have never encountered such a tough nut to crack as Fuzhou!
"Hit me! Hit me hard!"

"Lin Zhenzhong! Bring up all the cannons your artillery battalion seized from the Nanping government warehouse, concentrate your firepower, and blast the north gate tower down!"

Lai Yuxin roared hoarsely, veins bulging on his forehead.

However, the fierce artillery fire bombarded the tall and thick city walls of Fuzhou, causing bricks and stones to fly and smoke to fill the air, but it was still unable to tear open a fatal breach.

The terrain of Fuzhou is truly unique.

It is situated in a basin, surrounded by three small hills within the city: Pingshan, Wushan, and Yushan, forming a natural barrier of "three mountains standing in a tripod".

What's more troublesome is that the Minjiang River and its tributaries, like flowing ribbons, wrap around the entire city, forming a complex water network system. This not only provides the advantage of navigation but also constitutes an insurmountable natural barrier to protect the city.

Historically, starting with Wang Shenzhi's expansion of the outer city and inner city, the defense system of Fuzhou City was strengthened many times, making it virtually impregnable.

As long as the city has sufficient food and supplies and the defenders are determined, it is not difficult to hold out for several months with this advantageous terrain.

"Two or three months?" Lai Yuxin's heart sank at the thought of that time.

If this drags on for that long, the Qing reinforcements from Zhejiang and Jiangxi will have already arrived, and by then it will be too late!
He must fight quickly!

He anxiously put down his binoculars and asked the brigade commander beside him in a low voice, "How's the tunnel digging going at the West Gate? Is it possible to blast open a section of the city wall?"

This is a siege tactic they commonly used during the Taiping Rebellion – the tunnel siege method.

A professional "earthwork team" dug tunnels to the city wall, placed explosives to blast open a breach, and then launched an attack.

Before attacking a city, artillery fire or accompanying attacks are often used to confuse the defending troops and cover the operations of the earthen camp.

Sometimes, several tunnels are dug at the same time, or explosives are loaded in layers within the same tunnel, to increase their power and prepare for counterattacks.

In previous battles, especially when dealing with cities with high walls but relatively loose defenses or insufficient supplies, this method has proven effective time and again.

Therefore, in almost every organized Taiping army camp, there was a "earth battalion" composed of coal miners and miners, who were specifically responsible for digging tunnels and blasting operations.

They were not only skilled in tunneling operations, but also made significant improvements to tactics. For example, during the attack on Wuchang, Wei Jun's troops successfully breached the city wall by cutting through the Qing army's defensive wooden stakes and digging tunnels under the wall.

In the Battle of Nanchang, Lai Hanying employed a "double-explosion" method, which involved first detonating the upper layer of explosives, and then detonating the lower layer of explosives when Qing soldiers gathered to repair the breach, in order to cause greater casualties.

Faced with the Taiping Army's effective "underground siege tactics," the Qing army also tried various countermeasures.

For example, during the Battle of Changsha, Zuo Zongtang hired blind men to lie on the ground and listen for sounds in an attempt to determine the location of the tunnels and destroy them.

Jiang Zhongyuan adopted the method of building double-layered city walls in Nanchang and Luzhou, so that even if the outer city wall was destroyed, the defending troops could still organize defenses in the inner city.

Zeng Guofan's Xiang Army adopted a strategy of "building strong fortifications and fighting protracted battles," using solid fortifications and deep trenches to carry out long-term sieges, which to some extent curbed the Taiping Army's mobility and siege efficiency.

Lai Yuxin intended to repeat his old tricks, so he sent his earthen troops to secretly dig tunnels at the West Gate.

He then established a fortified camp on Pingshan Mountain to the north and launched a fierce attack on the north gate as a means of deception. However, he clearly underestimated the city of Fuzhou, which was surrounded by the Min River.

"Commander, the brothers from the Tu Battalion report that the groundwater level in Fuzhou is too high!"

The brigade commander reported with a bitter expression: "We hadn't dug very deep into the earthen camp when groundwater started gushing out. We couldn't dig any deeper, let alone dig a stable medicine room!"

"This tunnel... I'm afraid we can't dig it through!"

"Damn it!" Lai Yuxin kicked a nearby mound of earth in anger, sending dust flying. "Was all our efforts to encircle and cut off reinforcements in advance completely in vain?!"

Undeterred, he pressed on, "What about the Red Turban Army and the Gelaohui brothers inside the city? Have you made contact? Is it possible for them to coordinate an attack from within and without to open the city gates?"

As soon as the city gates open, he is confident that his elite troops, along with the navy that He Mingbiao is on his way, will be able to wipe out the 20,000 Qing soldiers in the city in one fell swoop!

Commander Lin Zhenzhong shook his head helplessly: "I've made contact. There are indeed brothers from the Heaven and Earth Society in the city, but most of them are at the bottom and have no access to the key points of the city's defenses."

"Governor Qingrui was cunning and treacherous. Long before Yanping fell, he forcibly conscripted the sons of gentry and wealthy families from Houguan and Minxian to form a local militia to help defend the city. The key city gates were guarded by his confidants and Eight Banner soldiers, making it impossible for outsiders to get close."

A cold glint flashed in Lai Yuxin's eyes, and he said hatefully, "That old bastard Qingrui! When the city falls, I will personally chop him up and feed him to the dogs!"

……

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Fuzhou was also extremely tense.

In a training ground near the Drum Tower, Shen Weiqing was holding a steel sword and sparring with Mao Rujie, the deputy general of the Fuzhou City Defense Corps.

With flashing blades and nimble movements, Shen Weiqing's moves were sharp and his steps were steady. He managed to fight Mao Rujie, a veteran of many battles, to a standstill.

After sparring for a while, Mao Rujie took the initiative to sheathe his sword and step back, waving his hand, beads of sweat already appearing on his forehead.

He looked at Shen Weiqing, whose breathing was only slightly rapid, his eyes full of surprise and admiration: "Nephew Songtian, I really didn't expect this! Your father, Baozhen, was famous for his literary talent and was a scholar of noble character. I never expected that he would raise such a brave and valiant son as you!"

"Truly a tiger cub from a military family, no, a tiger cub from a scholarly family!"

He originally intended to say that Shen Baozhen was from a military family, but remembering that Shen Baozhen was a civil official, he quickly changed his words.

Shen Weiqing smiled slightly, sheathed his sword, and bowed: "General Mao, you flatter me. My father wrote to me recently, sternly urging me to focus on my studies and hoping that I can prepare for the exam again next year."

"This sword and staff fighting is just for self-defense in chaotic times and to strengthen the body; it shouldn't be taken seriously."

"Hey, Songtian, you're mistaken!"

Mao Rujie took the handkerchief handed to him by his personal guard, wiped his sweat, and said solemnly, "Times have changed! In the past, during peaceful times, literature and economics were naturally valuable. But now, with the Taiping Rebellion raging and the world in turmoil, it is the time for us military men to make our mark!"

"Even the rebellious Shi Dakai had to admit in his seditious report that the Western powers had strong ships and powerful cannons, and that it was impossible to survive without force. Even if the internal strife was quelled, in dealing with foreigners, we would still have to rely on strength in the end!"

Shen Weiqing chuckled inwardly; Mao Rujie's words, though seemingly unintentional, had hit the nail on the head.

But he didn't show it on his face, just smiled modestly and didn't reply.

He knew that although the Qing court had to rely on Han Chinese governors and military commanders such as Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi, it was essentially still a system of "civilian control over the military," and those who truly held power were still the powerful civil officials who had passed the imperial examinations.

If he truly wanted to follow the Qing Dynasty's path, his best option would be to go to his father, Shen Baozhen, in Jiangxi and assist him in his business endeavors. Perhaps then he could become the next Hu Linyi or Luo Bingzhang.

but……

After confirming the true identity of the commander "Shi Dakai", Shen Weiqing's thoughts of "loyalty to the emperor" had long since vanished.

There was only one path he could take.

That is... anti-Qing!

(End of this chapter)