Chapter 1097 Head-on confrontation
Haihan currently has no plans to occupy an official government seat such as the county seat. The worries of the Fushan County Government are somewhat unfounded. Of course, this also has a lot to do with the fact that local officials can't figure out Haihan's origins. Subconsciously, they regard Haihan and bandit armed forces like Wanjiajun as the same kind. Little did they know that Haihan had a grand plan, and he didn't care about this city or the land. As long as the Fushan County government did not take the initiative to oppose him, Haihan would naturally not take targeted actions.
The officers had all gone through unified training before setting off from Zhejiang, and knew how to deal with and resolve the concerns and doubts of local officials. At the moment, they all tried to persuade them with good words, saying that they simply wanted to help the local homeless. The refugees who returned had no intention of opposing the government or even rebelling. As for the various weapons equipped, they are only for self-defense and defense against bandit forces like Wanjiajun.
This statement sounds reasonable, but in fact, if you think about it carefully, you can find many loopholes. The weapons Haihan is equipped with are all contraband, and his combat level is even better than that of officers and soldiers. It is far beyond the comparison of ordinary militia groups. Their strength has been greatly improved. beyond the need for self-defense. If we hadn't encountered such a weak local government in Fushan County, logically speaking, we should have investigated the Haihan Armed Forces for violating the rules.
However, Haihan knows very well what the local government is worried about. If you want peace, I will give you peace. Whether there is a war in Fushan County or not will not have a big impact on Haihan's immigration measures. . In the end, Liu Xian also asked someone to withdraw 500 taels of cash and donate it to the Fushan County Government in the name of aiding the victims. Of course, how much of this money will be put to practical use in the end can only depend on the conscience of local officials. .
The messenger took the money and went back to the county town with peace of mind. The Haihan people said they didn't have this real money to use, and this money fully proved that they would not be detrimental to Fushan County. As for the Wanjia army outside the city, the Haihan people have also expressed their stance. If they continue to use force, they will be cruel to them.
"Sir, the Haihan people have said that their people will not take the initiative to step into the county seat, and if the Wanjia Army wants to attack the county seat, they will not stand idly by and will definitely help the government to defend against the enemy." The envoy returned to the city, He reported the biggest gain from the interview to the county magistrate Zhang Pucheng.
Zhang Pucheng gently brushed his fingers over the white silver ingots and sighed: "In troubled times, there are still such benevolent people who are loyal to the court and sacrifice themselves for the public good. I really missed it!"
Huang Qu reminded next to him: "Mr. Zhang, this silver coin is real, but it doesn't mean that what they said is all true. Not to mention their armed forces that are comparable to the army, just talk about this method of saving the people. The officer felt very strange. Why must these people be sent away instead of being rescued on the spot?”
Zhang Pucheng said: "Didn't the Haihan people say that the local situation is complicated and the public security is unstable, so it is difficult to organize the people to resume production. They have money and land in the south, so they just transport people there to open up wasteland and grow food. This way they can resettle the refugees and next year More food can be transported to help the people of Dengzhou. Wouldn’t it be a good thing to get the best of both worlds? ”
Although Huang Qu was suspicious, there was no actual evidence to prove that the Haihan people had evil intentions, but he would not believe the Haihan people's words just because of the pile of money in front of him. Qishan Qianhu's attitude was ambiguous, and now I think it must have something to do with money. However, Huang Qu's available troops are extremely limited, and it is difficult for him to react to the current situation. He can only quietly be a spectator.
Zhang Pucheng believes that if the Haihan people can solve the large-scale famine problem currently faced by Fushan County and the public security problems that the government cannot deal with, then even if they occupy Zhifu Island, build a port and open a port, and recruit people to work for them, it is not a sin. After experiencing a series of chaotic situations since the Denglai Rebellion, Zhang Pucheng did not have high expectations for Haihan. As long as he did not commit rebellion, other behaviors were within the tolerable range. Of course, it would be best to be able to give the government some tangible benefits from time to time like now.
While the civil and military forces were thinking about their own thoughts, another subordinate came in and reported that many armed men had arrived outside the city. It seemed that the Wanjia Army had increased its troops.
Since the arrival of the Haihan people, Zhang Pucheng and Huang Qu moved their offices from the Yamen in the city to the northern city gate. Not far outside the city is the Wanjiajun stronghold, and their movements can be roughly observed from the city tower. At that moment, the two of them no longer bothered to discuss how to divide the money, and hurried up to the tower to check what was going on outside the city.
This group of people came from the west of the city. Both of them were shocked when they saw it. This long team probably numbered a thousand people, and the weapons they carried were not even intended to be hidden. Swaggering through the streets. During this period, there were several large flatbed trucks, packed full of people’s belongings. Judging from the size of the personnel alone, the Wanjia Army should have mobilized its main force this time.
"Master Huang, this... what should I do?" Zhang Pucheng became a little panicked when he saw this situation. Thousands of thoughts went through his mind in an instant, and he had even begun to consider whether he should sacrifice his life when the city was destroyed. Died in the line of duty.
"Master Zhang, don't be anxious. This battle may not be for us. Let's take a look first before talking." Although Huang Qu is a bit greedy for life and fear of death, he is a military attache after all, so he is relatively calm in the face of battle.
Only then did Zhang Pucheng react and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, this should be for the Haihan people by the Jiahe River!"
The two parties fought in the morning. They witnessed the whole process on the top of the city and knew that the Wanjia Army suffered a heavy loss. However, I didn't expect that the Wanjia Army mobilized its troops so quickly, and so many troops were mobilized in the afternoon. It seemed that they were unwilling to admit defeat. Until the winner is decided between these two parties, there should be no problem with the security of Fushan County.
In fact, Wanmeng and Pu Xueguang outside the city were a little bit stuck at this time. The order to mobilize troops was issued before the morning combat operation. After suffering the defeat, Wanmeng issued an order to mobilize native artillery from various cottages to Fushan County. . However, there is a time difference between the two orders, and the artillery transportation is slow. This large group of people has arrived, but the heavy weapons will not arrive here until the next day at the earliest. Without the advantage of weapons, Wan Meng did not dare to let his troops take the initiative to attack again. Although he had the superior force, he did not want to push his son out in vain when he thought of the weapons in the opponent's hands that looked like magic. Die.
"Wait one more day until the mountain cannon arrives tomorrow!" Wan Meng hesitated for a long time, but decided to handle this matter more safely. This morning I was too impulsive and sent troops before I could figure out the opponent's strength. As a result, I lost everything. Making this kind of mistake once can be said to be negligence, but making it a second time is really stupid. Once you have heavy weapons in hand, no matter what cavalry, infantry or sorcery the other party has, you can hit them all with one shot. After the opponent is destroyed, a batch of war horses and weapons will be seized. From now on in Fushan County... no, even in the entire Dengzhou Prefecture, who else can confront the Wanjia Army?
Pu Xueguang did not forget to remind: "Master, after capturing the Haihan people tomorrow, there will definitely be a lot of food and grass in the camp, which can also be replenished to the army."
Wanmeng nodded and said: "Speaking of food and grass, are there any arrangements for the troops that will be transferred today?" Pu Xueguang said: "This food and grass baggage will set off later than the troops, I'm afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow."
Wan Meng said angrily: "Then the food and accommodation for more than a thousand people today will not be provided?"
Pu Xueguang said: "Don't be angry, boss. This matter can be easily solved. Just collect food on the spot!"
Wan Meng hesitated a little about this proposal: "Collecting food on the spot? Wouldn't this drive the local people towards the Haihan people?"
Pu Xueguang said: "That's okay. Master, think about it. After the Haihan people are defeated tomorrow, where will these people go? It's not just that they have to stay in Fushan County. Whether they seek refuge with us or continue to rely on the relief in the county, in short Can’t leave.”
Wanmeng makes sense when he thinks about it. As long as these people are still in Fushan County, they will be meat in his mouth. The main problem now is to deal with the Haihan people, this group of uninvited guests, and thwart their so-called immigration plan. As long as the Haihan people retreat, the future trend of Fushan County is not a matter of one word. Immediately, Pu Xueguang was asked to order the food. As for how to do it, that was not something he needed to worry about.
With Wan Meng's words, the slum area outside Fushan County suddenly became chaotic. The people here were originally homeless war refugees from all over the country. They usually relied on the irregular relief provided by the county and wild picking. I eat all kinds of wild vegetables to survive, but I don't have much food left in my hands. Naturally, these tens of thousands of soldiers would not have a good attitude when they set out to collect grain. They would go from house to house, rummaging through boxes and cabinets, taking all of it for themselves, whether it was grain or other valuable items. And these people were all scattered, and naturally they were unable to organize themselves to resist the violent expropriation actions of the Wanjia Army. Occasionally, if someone tried to resist, they would inevitably be beaten severely, and some would die of serious injuries during the process.
After nightfall, hundreds more people fled the county in the dark and went to the Haihan camp. Amakusa Shiro had to arrange for several large fires to be set up outside the camp, and people who came to seek refuge were resettled on the spot overnight to prevent these people from breaking into the camp and being treated as spies. However, after the previous encounter, the Haihan Army set up an interrogation process for people who came to seek refuge, and their belongings needed to be checked to prevent anyone from bringing weapons such as sharp knives into the immigration camp.
"Why do so many people come here after dark?" Liu Xian, who had just received the news and rushed outside the camp, was shocked when he saw such a situation and quickly asked Amakusa Shiro about the situation.
"The Wanjia army is collecting food outside the county town. I heard that some people have died. These people have no choice but to run away." Amakusa Shiro sighed: "The county town dare not open the city gate. The only place that can provide them with shelter is It’s just our side. I’ll keep an eye on you tonight. You can go to rest early and join me early tomorrow.”
In troubled times, human lives are like a piece of grass. Whether it is the government in the county or the Wanjia army outside the county, they will not take the lives of these refugees in their eyes. The only ones who really cared about their lives were the Haihan Army stationed by the Jiahe River. However, Haihan's side does not care about their lives so much as it is more accurate to say that they need to become cheap labor for Haihan to drive. Saving their lives is equivalent to saving immigration expenses for Haihan.
By daybreak, the land originally designated temporarily for resettlement was no longer enough. However, these people also fully absorbed their experience outside the county and spontaneously formed two small camps outside the Haihan Camp. However, they did not build any shelter in a hurry. Everyone passed the day on the ground. Night. Fortunately, the weather is still warm at this time of year. If it takes another two or three months, the number of people freezing to death this night will be at least double digits.
"Hundreds of people came again this night!" When Liu Xian came out to change shifts with Amakusa Shiro in the morning, he was also surprised to see this scene.
Shiro Amakusa was on duty outside the camp all night, commanding and supervising his men to receive these refugees. At this time, he also smiled and said: "This Wanjiajun probably didn't expect that they would take advantage of us by making such a fuss."
"Sooner or later these people will leave with us, it's just a matter of time." Liu Xian understood this clearly, and immediately asked Amakusa Shiro, who had been busy all night, to go back and catch up on his sleep, and he would take over the resettlement of immigrants.
"I'll go to bed after having a bowl of porridge." Shiro Amakusa patted his stomach and said, "I've been hungry all night, so I need to eat something."
The cooking class that woke up early had already cooked several pots of rice porridge, adding wild vegetables picked nearby and river shrimps fished from the Jiahe River yesterday. The aroma filled the air inside and outside the camp, making the hungry refugees waiting outside stretch their legs. Neck, I hope I can eat the relief food donated by Haihan as soon as possible. Some people also secretly regretted why they didn't decisively come over earlier yesterday to join the Haihan people. I heard that the first group of people to come had already taken a boat to Zhifu Island yesterday. They would have food and shelter there, so they no longer have to worry.
Regarding the large number of Wanjia troops arriving outside the county yesterday, Liu Xian and Amakusa Shiro were not nervous. They had already built a relatively complete defense line outside the camp. There were many trenches, barbed wire fences, roadblocks, and parapets. Even if the troops on the opposite side accounted for You, don't even think about breaking through the camp guarded by the special operations battalion easily. What's more, there is a cavalry company maneuvering outside. As long as the opponent dares to attack from near the county seat, the cavalry can attack the flanks and outflank the rear at any time. The attack method is difficult to prevent. And according to Haihan's usual fighting style, reinforcements will probably arrive from Zhifu Island today. They don't need to take the initiative now, they just need to hold on to this river bank stronghold.
At noon, Haihan's fleet appeared on Jiahe River, and at the same time, another team of Wanjia Army also appeared west of Fushan County. Both sides are mobilizing troops here, and a head-on battle is about to begin.
(End of chapter)