My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 283 The Battle of Fuzhou is Imminent

Shen Weiqing's mind was exceptionally clear at this moment.

He understood better than anyone that following in "Brother Yuan's" footsteps offered a far brighter future than remaining trapped on this dilapidated Qing Dynasty ship, already riddled with holes and destined to sink.

What he needs to do now is to lie in wait, infiltrate, and accumulate strength.

Using his status as a son of an official as the best cover, he gained the trust and intelligence of the Qing army's city defenses to the greatest extent possible, and controlled as many resources as possible, like a nail deeply driven into the enemy's heart.

Wait patiently for that earth-shattering moment, then coordinate with the Restoration Army outside the city to deliver a fatal blow to the Fuzhou defenders!
"General Mao, the enemy forces outside the city are besieging us fiercely, especially towards the north gate, where artillery fire has been incessant for days. I wonder what your opinion is on the city's defense?"

"The militia I recruited, though small in number and weak in strength, are willing to do their part in defending the city. However, I need the military commander's instructions on how to best cooperate."

Shen Weiqing cleverly steered the conversation toward city defense, attempting to extract more information.

Mao Rujie sighed and pointed to the north: "Lai Niyuxin is Shi Dakai's top general, and his offensive is indeed fierce. However, Vice Minister Qingrui has made arrangements in advance. The north gate is defended by the Eight Banners, the city walls are strong, and the food and supplies are plentiful. It is wishful thinking for the enemy to think they can easily succeed!"

"Songtian, your militia is mostly composed of local young men who are familiar with the streets and alleys. Right now, their most important task is to assist the government troops in investigating spies, maintaining order in the city, and preventing any internal collaborators from causing trouble!"

"We must keep a close eye on those from all walks of life and those of dubious origin!"

He gave careful instructions.

"I understand!" Shen Weiqing replied respectfully, his heart stirred.

Mao Rujie's words implicitly granted him considerable authority to "maintain order," which conveniently allowed him to secretly make arrangements, contact anti-Qing forces such as the Heaven and Earth Society, and monitor the movements of the Qing army.

He spoke with Mao Rujie for a while, learned more about the city's defenses, and then excused himself to leave under the pretext of inspecting the militia's defense zone.

The moment he turned around, the humble smile on his face vanished instantly, and his eyes became sharp and cold.

He quickened his pace and headed straight for the "Militia Training Office" that he had temporarily set up in the west of the city.

Pushing open the simple wooden door, several men dressed in ordinary civilian clothes, but with sharp eyes and agile figures, immediately stood up and whispered, "Young Master."

"How is the situation?" Shen Weiqing asked in a low voice.

"Young master, the attack on the north gate is fierce, but the city wall will not be breached anytime soon."

"The defenses at the West Gate and the Water Gate (important city gates leading to the Minjiang River wharf) were relatively lax, and the garrison was mostly composed of local Green Standard Army and militia members, whose morale was low."

"In addition, our men have discovered that patrols near the granary seem to have been increased, possibly because of grain storage..." a man who looked like a leader quickly reported.

Shen Weiqing listened intently, his brain working rapidly to piece together the scattered information.

Lai Yu-hsin's assault on the North Gate was thwarted, and the Tuying Road was also impassable due to hydrological issues, so it seems that the assault will be difficult to achieve results in the short term.

Therefore, the key to breaking the deadlock may lie in internal collusion and creating chaos.

Mao Rujie gave him the power to "investigate spies," which was a godsend!

He could easily use this opportunity to mobilize the local militia, under the guise of a search, to approach and even ascertain the strength and weakness of the defenses at secondary city gates such as the West Gate and the Water Gate, and look for an opportunity to exploit...

"Very good." A cold glint flashed in Shen Weiqing's eyes. "Continue to keep a close eye on the movements of each gate, especially the timing and pattern of the garrison rotation."

"Also, try to find out the background of the officers on duty in the water department, and see if it's possible to... 'befriend' them."

Just as Shen Weiqing was quietly assigning tasks, a huge commotion and uproar suddenly came from the direction of the city wall.

"My God! Look at the river! Look at the river!"

"Ships! So many warships!"

"It's the navy! The navy of the Cantonese bandits with their hair tied up has arrived!"

"It's over... With so many ships, can Fuzhou still hold out?"

Shen Weiqing was startled and stood up abruptly: "They're here!" He rushed out of the government office and quickly climbed the nearest section of the city wall.

Looking down the Minjiang River, one can see hundreds of warships of varying sizes sailing downstream on the wide river surface.

The sails and masts were like a forest, and the banners covered the sky, almost covering the entire river surface. The sheer scale of the scene was awe-inspiring!
It was He Mingbiao who led the main force of the Third Army of the Restoration Army and his navy that arrived!

"Shut up! All of you shut up! What's the panic!"

A loud shout rang out, and Mao Rujie, who had somehow climbed onto the city wall, appeared. His face was ashen, and he forced himself to remain calm as he rebuked the panicked defenders.

"Everyone to your positions, be on high alert!"

"Especially keep a close eye on all the sluice gates and waterways along the river!"

"These Cantonese bandits are best at digging tunnels. As long as we block their tunnels, with the fortifications of Fuzhou and its ample food reserves, we can hold out for three to five months without any problem!"

"Don't forget, they couldn't even take down a fortified city like Quzhou, and they think they can take over Fuzhou? Dream on!"

His stern yet weak-willed speech was less about stabilizing morale and more about boosting his own.

After reprimanding the soldiers, he glanced around and saw Shen Weiqing standing not far away. He quickly waved and said, "Songtian, you've come at the right time. Come with me to inspect the other gates."

His tone revealed a worry far more profound than the ease he had just displayed.

Shen Weiqing nodded and followed Mao Rujie's footsteps, feigning concern as he asked, "General, in your opinion, who commands this newly arrived naval force? How can it be so large?"

"Who else could it be but He Mingbiao!"

Mao Rujie said in a deep voice, his tone filled with resentment, "The local gentry who fled from Nanping had already reported that this was the person who captured Shaowu Prefecture!"

"Among the four armies of the Restoration Army, only He Mingbiao's Third Army has a formal navy."

"Judging by the size of this fleet, heaven knows how many civilian boats he plundered on the upper reaches of the Min River, and how many defeated soldiers from the former Qing navy he recruited!"

He got angrier and angrier as he talked.

The Minjiang River, with its well-developed water network and thriving shipbuilding industry, has now become a liability to the enemy, a sword of Damocles hanging over Fuzhou.

Shen Weiqing chuckled inwardly; He Mingbiao's arrival was perfectly timed!
This powerful navy could not only completely cut off Fuzhou's last waterway for obtaining supplies from the outside world via the Min River.

This would further deter the Fujian navy from coming to its aid downstream, thus forming a true encirclement of Fuzhou by both land and water.

Now, his chances of colluding with outsiders and surrendering the city to gain merit are even greater!
After accompanying the preoccupied Mao Rujie on a cursory inspection of the main city gates, Shen Weiqing immediately returned to the militia's encampment.

He summoned one of his trusted lieutenants, Ma San, to a secluded spot, took out a secret letter he had prepared beforehand, and whispered, "Ma San, listen, after dark, find a way to throw this letter in front of the enemy's ranks outside the West Gate."

"Remember, you must wait until there is movement outside the city, such as a night raid or a feint attack, to create chaos before throwing it, to ensure that the letter falls into the hands of the Restoration Army without exposing yourself."

"Young Master, what about you?" Ma San took the letter, carefully put it away, and asked.

Shen Weiqing straightened his slightly wrinkled sleeves, his expression calm, but a complex look flashed in his eyes. He said softly, "Me? I need to go back to the manor to write a letter to my 'father'."

Once Fuzhou falls, his name "Shen Weiqing" and his "active performance" in the defense of the city will no longer be able to be concealed.

At that time, his "father," Shen Baozhen, who was the prefect of Guangxin and was fully supporting Zeng Guofan's Xiang Army in its operations, would inevitably be severely investigated by the Qing court, and his future would be bleak.

Although his relationship with this "father" was more of a connection based on the memories of the original owner of this body than a genuine deep affection, he could not stand idly by, both for public and private reasons.

Personally, he found it difficult to completely sever ties with his blood relatives and the original owner's memories.

From a public perspective, if this opportunity could be used to persuade a capable and influential Qing official like Shen Baozhen to surrender, it would be a great benefit to the Restoration Army, both politically and militarily.

This letter must be written, and it must be written perfectly.

(End of this chapter)