1848 Great Qing Charcoal Burners

Chapter 194 Sending Troops to Jeonju
"Jiang Zhongyuan is a truly vicious fellow. If we hadn't scouted him beforehand, we might have fallen into his trap," Xie Bin said, frowning.

“Even if our boat hits the hidden stakes but doesn’t sink, the river near Suoyi Ferry and Shuitang Bay is not wide. If Jiang Zhongyuan’s Chu troops are ambushed on both sides of the Xiang River and fire at our army, our army will be unable to advance or retreat on the river and will suffer heavy casualties.”

Historically, there are many different accounts of where Feng Yunshan died, with the mainstream view being that he was ambushed and hit by artillery fire from Chu troops near Suoyidu.

There is also a claim that Feng Yunshan was seriously wounded by artillery fire during the attack on Quanzhou City.

Regardless of which version is correct, one thing is certain: the Taiping army did indeed suffer heavy losses in an ambush near Suoyidu and Shuitangwan.

As a result, not only did the Southern King of the Taiping Army suffer losses here, but the Taiping Army also had to abandon the waterway and switch to the land route to attack Yongzhou.

Peng Gang wasn't sure if the other local militia had cannons.

Chu Yong should have had cannons.

In the Battle of Bogong'ao, the left army defeated the Chu army, and the muskets picked up from the fallen Chu soldiers were all high-quality standard muskets.

Given the personal relationship between Jiang Zhongyuan and Wulantai, it wouldn't be difficult for Jiang Zhongyuan to use Wulantai's connections to procure some light artillery such as mountain-splitting guns for Chu Yong.

"Commander Xie, are you sure there are only a thousand or so Chu soldiers near Suoyi Ferry and Shuitang Bay?" Peng Gang asked Xie Bin for confirmation.

"I only saw about a thousand people," Xie Bin said after thinking for a moment.

After pondering for a long time, Peng Gang said to Chen Shiqing and Qu Zhenzu, "Are you two familiar with the Heaven and Earth Society in southern Hunan?"

Peng Gang knew very little about the situation in Guilin Prefecture, and he was completely clueless about the situation in Hunan, without even a rudimentary map.

Peng Gang's team had twenty or thirty people from Hunan.

However, these Hunanese were prisoners of war from Chu, led by Jiang Zhongxin, and were being reformed in prisoner-of-war camps.

Although after more than half a year of labor reform, Chu Yong's attitude as a prisoner was not as rigid as when he was first captured.

However, these Chu soldiers still showed no intention of joining the Left Army.

Moreover, even when the captured Chu Yong told Peng Gang some information about Hunan, Peng Gang did not dare to believe it all.

Currently, the most convenient and reliable way to obtain information about the Hunan region is to contact the Heaven and Earth Society in Hunan.

Despite their incompetence, the Heaven and Earth Society was at least anti-Qing.

On the goal of overthrowing the Qing dynasty, the God Society and the Heaven and Earth Society were of the same mind.

"Your Highness, there are some members of the Heaven and Earth Society in my ranks," Chen Shiqing reported as he stepped forward.

"Would you be willing to go to Hunan to contact the local Heaven and Earth Society for our army and find out the situation in southern Hunan?" Peng Gang asked.

"I am willing to go!" Chen Shiqing readily agreed.

"I am willing to go with you!" Qu Zhenzu also expressed his willingness to go to Hunan to contact the local Heaven and Earth Society.

Zuo Jun attacked Daxu too quickly, leaving Chen Shiqing and Qu Zhenzu no chance to make a move.

Now that Peng Gang is giving them a chance to shine, the two of them are eager to take it.

"If that's the case, you two should prepare yourselves and head to southern Hunan to contact the Heaven and Earth Society and find some guides for us."

After assigning tasks to Chen Shiqing and Qu Zhenzu, Peng Gang inquired about the situation in Quanzhou Prefecture from Xie Bin.

"Commander Xie, tell me about your findings during your reconnaissance of Quanzhou City."

Having prepared in advance, Xie Bin took out a city defense map of Quanzhou that he had drawn himself, spread it out on the table, and explained the situation of Quanzhou City to Peng Gang in detail.

"Quanzhou City is located on the north bank of the Xiangjiang, Luoshui and Guanjiang rivers, a vital passage in northern Guangxi, and an important town on the border of Hunan and Guangxi."

Quanzhou City overlooks the three rivers to the south, faces Liushan Mountain to the north, and leans against Xiangshan Mountain and Panshishan Mountain to the west.

The city was five li and two fen in circumference, with walls two and a half zhang high and one and a half zhang wide, several hundred crenellations, four gate towers, eighteen gun emplacements, and a garrison of over a thousand soldiers and local militia.

Although its specifications were far lower than those of Ma Ping, the capital of Liuzhou Prefecture, and Guilin, the provincial capital, they were higher than those of ordinary prefectural cities.

For example, the city defenses of Xiangzhou and Yong'an were not as strong as those of the entire prefecture.

After carefully examining Xie Bin's city defense map of Quanzhou, and listening to Xie Bin's report.

Peng Gang gained a general understanding of Quanzhou City.

Overall, Quanzhou City is a city of above-average size.

It is worth noting that the defense work of the local officials in Quanzhou, led by the prefect Cao Xiepei, was effective, and their attempts to discredit the Taiping Army were quite successful.

Quanzhou City currently has a much stronger military force than ordinary prefecture cities, and the morale of the garrison is high.

Quanzhou City is a tough nut to crack. We must be prepared for a hard battle when we attack Quanzhou City.

"Are there Qing troops stationed in the mountains outside Quanzhou City?" Peng Gang's gaze fell on Xiangshan Mountain, west of Quanzhou City.

Xiangshan is the highest point closest to the capital of Quanzhou. From Xiangshan, one can have a panoramic view of the entire capital.

"All the troops in the prefecture are gathered inside the city. There are no Qing soldiers training in the mountains or even at the ferry crossings outside the city," Xie Bin analyzed.

"Perhaps due to insufficient troops, the Qing army did not deploy defenses outside the city of Quanzhou."

Defending a besieged city alone is the worst possible strategy.

If Cao Xiepei and Wuchang Xianneng could send troops to guard the mountain crossings outside Quanzhou city and control the high ground and key transportation points.

To form a deep defense system to protect the entire prefecture city, the left army's attack on the prefecture city will be even more difficult.

Of course, it cannot be said entirely that Cao Xiepei and Wu Changxian were foolish to gather the surrounding troops and defend the isolated city alone.

The premise of defense in depth is that the difference in troop strength between the two sides is not significant.

Even if the defending side diverts some troops to defend the outposts outside the main city, it will not affect the defense of the main city.

Clearly, the Qing army and the Left Army in Quanzhou City were significantly outnumbered.

In this situation, dividing troops to defend the mountainous highlands outside the city would not last long. It would be better to consolidate forces and defend only the city of Quanzhou, holding out for reinforcements. "First Battalion, Third Battalion, Fifth Battalion, and the Mountain-Splitting Artillery Company, prepare tonight. Tomorrow we will march towards Xiangshan outside Quanzhou." Peng Gang made the deployment after much deliberation.

"The Eighth Provisional Battalion will remain in Xing'an County to maintain order and procure supplies and boats."

"Isn't this force a bit too small to attack Quanzhou City? Quanzhou City is well-fortified and has a large garrison. Jiang Zhongyuan's Chu troops are still active near Suoyi Ferry and Shuitang Bay, which are more than ten miles away from Quanzhou City."

If Chu Yong wanted to reinforce Quanzhou City, he could arrive in less than an hour. Xie Bin felt that the number of troops sent to attack Quanzhou City was a bit small.

"Why not wait until the follow-up troops, especially the heavy artillery company, arrive in Xing'an County, and then attack Quanzhou City when our forces are strong and our artillery is fully equipped?"

Xie Bin was concerned about the more than a thousand Chu soldiers near Suoyi Ferry and Shuitang Bay.

To be on the safe side, Xie Bin suggested waiting until the other battalions and heavy artillery company arrived in Xing'an before attacking Quanzhou City with the heavy artillery company.

“Who said that my occupation of Xiangshan means I’m going to attack the entire prefecture?” Peng Gang shook his head and said.

"Occupying Xiangshan will not only allow us to take advantage of its geographical location to overlook and observe the entire city of Quanzhou, but also enable us to either besiege the city without attacking it, or launch a feigned attack to test Chu Yong's reaction and see if Chu Yong will come to the aid of Quanzhou."

If Chu troops rush to the aid of Quanzhou City, our army can besiege Quanzhou City and attack the Chu troops' reinforcements.

If the Chu army does not rush to the aid of Quanzhou City, there will only be a thousand or so Chu soldiers.

Once the rest of my left wing's troops arrive at the walls of Quanzhou, leave one or two battalions to defend against the Chu forces, and the rest will attack the city.

Peng Gang dispatched the Left Army to Xiangshan ahead of the main force as a test of the waters.

He is not someone who is impatient for quick success.

A medium-sized fortified city defended by thousands of highly motivated Qing troops could not be captured hastily by 2,500 light infantrymen in just three to five days.

The next day, preparations were complete.

Peng Gang led the vanguard of three battalions and one company down the Xiang River, moored their boats at the confluence of the Xiang and Guan Rivers, and took land to bypass the Qing army's artillery blockade of the three rivers in Quanzhou City, and occupied Xiangshan, which was undefended by the Qing army.

At the foot of Xiangshan Mountain stands a temple called Xiangshan Temple.

Xiangshan Temple, originally named "Jingtu Temple", was first built in the Tang Dynasty and has long been known as the "Number One Temple in Southern Hunan".

Xiangshan Temple is quite large, with more than a hundred rooms.

Peng Gang decided to lead the First and Third Battalions to Xiangshan Temple, requisition the temple as their base, and set up the command post there.

Xiangshan Temple is about 1,200 to 1,300 meters away from the city wall of Quanzhou Prefecture in the southeast direction.

Although Quanzhou City was equipped with cannons, they were all light artillery such as mountain-splitting cannons, and there were no heavy cannons.

While the cannons in Quanzhou City could effectively block the river, they were powerless to stop the Xiangshan Temple, located two and a half miles away at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain.

Xiangshan Temple is situated on high ground, backed by mountains and facing the city. It has abundant water resources, spacious halls, and is neither too far nor too close to the city of Quanzhou, making it ideal for setting up camp and stationing troops.

Peng Gang led a battalion on horseback to Xiangshan Temple. Before they even entered the temple, several gray-robed monks stood at the gate, blocking their way and bowing.

Hongjue, the abbot of Xiangshan Temple, who was over sixty years old, with a gaunt face and white eyebrows and beard, stepped forward with his palms together.

Peng Gang reined in his horse and stopped, his gaze sweeping over the eaves of Xiangshan Temple's halls and pavilions, which were built into the mountainside and were quite impressive.

Peng Gang said directly to the abbot who was blocking the road, "Our army will temporarily requisition your Xiangshan Temple for a period of time. During this period of requisition, we will take care of the food for the monks in the temple."

I allow you to continue chanting your Buddhist scriptures in the temple, but I must make this clear beforehand: you are not allowed to leave the temple even for a moment, otherwise you will be punished for treason.”

Hongjue clasped his hands together and bowed his head, his voice clear and melodious: "General, please forgive me. Xiangshan Temple is a pure Buddhist site. Monks do not engage in warfare or politics. If soldiers and warriors enter the temple, they will disturb the Buddha and desecrate the sacred place. I am afraid I cannot agree to this."

Peng Gang lowered his gaze slightly, and instead of being angry, he smiled.

Judging from the attitude of these bald monks, they're going to refuse a polite offer and then have to suffer the consequences.

He dismounted and climbed the steps, standing on the stone steps of the temple gate. Looking at the abbot, he said, "Master, you have a good saying about 'not caring about worldly affairs.' On my way here, I heard that your temple collects incense money and grain from shops all over the prefecture every year. Xiangshan Temple is full of worshippers, and the granaries are overflowing with money and grain."

"Your temple refuses to yield even a penny of worldly gain; you turn a deaf ear to the suffering of the people. Today, my heavenly army is passing through and has temporarily requisitioned your temple, yet you use Buddha as a shield to keep us at arm's length. What is the meaning of this?"

This bald monk is being far too hypocritical.

When the Left Army moved in, they complained that it was noisy and disturbed the Buddha's peace, but when they collected money from worshippers, they didn't think they were disturbing the Buddha's peace.

Hongjue's face stiffened, and his prayer beads paused for a moment, but he still said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "The donations are voluntary. Our Buddha is compassionate and welcomes believers from all directions. Our temple is only for quiet cultivation; how can we allow weapons to defile our Buddhist land?"

Peng Gang sneered and walked straight into the mountain gate. After glancing at it briefly, he sneered, "Only wish to cultivate in seclusion? I see that your temple's monks' quarters are full of gold ornaments, the kitchen is filled with the aroma of food, the incense burner in the front hall is newly cast, and the names of the benefactors on the stele are all those of wealthy merchants."

"Is this what you mean by being detached from worldly affairs and focusing solely on spiritual cultivation? What a fine spiritual cultivation! In years of great famine, you monks all look rosy-cheeked, and you've even seized a lot of temple land, collecting a fortune in rent every year, right?"

During the Qing Dynasty, apart from the strict land restrictions imposed by Emperor Yongzheng, who issued an edict stating that "any temple land exceeding one hundred mu shall have the remaining land returned to the government," resulting in the confiscation of over 280,000 hectares of temple land.

The other emperors all adopted a laissez-faire attitude towards temples annexing farmland.

During the reigns of Emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi, temples were heavily supported, with over 1,200 temples built by imperial decree and land granted to exempt them from taxes, leading to temples in various regions encroaching on land without restraint.

Emperor Shunzhi himself was a devout Buddhist, and there were even rumors that he had shaved his head and become a monk.

Since the reigns of Emperors Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang, the attitude towards temples has become increasingly laissez-faire.

With the abolition of the ordination certificate system during the Qianlong reign, the number of fake monks and Taoist priests surged, and the trend of temples annexing land became even more rampant.

"Amitabha."

Hongjue clasped his hands together and bowed his head, summoning a group of martial monks who stood in front of Peng Gang.

"If you insist on bringing troops into the temple, I regret that I cannot comply."

“Bald monk, I had no intention of fighting before Buddha, but you refuse to listen to reason and are forced to drink the penalty cup. Since you are so ungrateful, you can’t blame me.” Peng Gang waved his hand.

"Guards! Seize them and search the temple thoroughly. I want to see what shameful things these bald monks are hiding under the Buddha's nose, that they're so afraid of our Heavenly Army entering the temple."

(End of this chapter)