Chapter 703: Battle in Hangzhou

In a blink of an eye, it was already July 16th, the fourth day of the war in Hangzhou.

At five o'clock in the morning, the sky was gray, and the whole city of Hangzhou was pitch black, and there was no trace of light.

The artillery troops of the Fujian Army were all in place at noon yesterday. The powerful artillery fire completely suppressed the artillery of the Beiyang Army. They shot wildly in direct fire during the day, and at night, they would call for a few shells when they saw a place with light. There was no need for the Fujian Army to save shells. Their cannons were made of Guangdong, and the shells naturally came from Guangdong, so they didn't feel sorry for using them.

The Beiyang Army on the north bank suffered from artillery. In front of the advanced artillery and naval artillery of the Fujian Army, the dozen or so earth cannons in their hands were like mud. It was not as powerful as others, and it was not even as good as the sound of firing cannons. Once a gun battle occurred, all you could hear was the sound of the enemy's cannons.

At the Nanban Fujian Army Headquarters, Xu Chongzhi stood on the observation deck and picked up the telescope to look at the north shore. There was no movement at all on the entire north shore. Without light, everything the telescope saw was black. Adjutant Xu Xinming listened to the logistics officer's report under the observation deck. After the report was completed, he turned around and walked up to the observation deck and came to Xu Chongzhi.

"Commander, there are still 400 shells left in the Artillery Battalion of the First Division, which consumes a little too fast. The Third Division should have fewer shells than here. Their original assembly of shells was not as high as the First Division." Xu Xinming said.

"More than 800 shells were fired in four days... it was indeed a bit too fast. However, the number was not the key issue, the key was the effect of the shells." Xu Chongzhi put down his telescope, but his eyes were still staring at the north.

"From the afternoon situation, the Beiyang Army should be afraid of our cannons. The range of their artillery is not far from us, and we hit them in vain across the river. It has only been one night, and you see, you don't even dare to light a light." Xu Xinming said with a smile.

"In the battle of Hangzhou, although our troops were not as strong as the Beiyang Army, our only advantage was artillery. If even artillery could not show its advantages, then this battle would basically be no longer a start." Xu Chongzhi said seriously. His words were not negative, but a fact that the total strength of the First Division and the Third Division of the Fujian Army was less than 30,000. The two Beiyang Army divisions in Hangzhou, plus the reinforcements from Anhui, had more than 30,000 troops.

Speaking of which, the quality of the Fujian army is not much better than that of the Beiyang army. Before the reorganization, a considerable number of the Fujian army were also organized by the Beiyang army. As for the combat effectiveness of the old army in the province, the Fujian war was almost negligible. After the end of the Fujian War, with the help of the Guangdong military government, the rectification and reorganization of the entire province's army was completed, but the most significant thing was the improvement of equipment and command levels, and the grassroots soldiers did not improve much.

Fortunately, Guangdong concentrated resources to cultivate a new generation of artillery troops. The artillery in the province expanded from more than 30 domestic artillery to forty-four advanced steel cannons, and its combat effectiveness increased sharply. This time, Xu Chongzhi only led two divisions to attack Hangzhou in the hinterland of Zhejiang Province, hoping to rely on this artillery unit.

"Commander, I think it's OK. The Third Division attacked Fuqiang by relying on cannons to suppress the Fuyang defense line, which directly made the Fuyang defense line unable to rise. The battle between the river will be almost certain to be successful later." Xu Xinming said confidently.

"I also hope that the battle across the river can be completed in one go. This battle will be a decisive battle, which will completely let Lu Yongxiang explain here, so as to prevent the reinforcements from coming from Anhui and Jiangsu provinces from adding pressure to us." Xu Chongzhi said with confidence. After saying that, he poked the command knife in his hand heavily on the ground, making him even more determined.

At this moment, Yang Hanlie, deputy commander of the First Division, walked out of the headquarters and came to the observation deck and said: "Commander, the telegram sent by the Ministry of National Defense."

Xu Chongzhi signaled his adjutant to answer the telegram. Xu Xinming walked down the observation deck and came to Yang Hanlie, asking about the content of the telegram.

Yang Hanlie said: "It's nothing big. The Ministry of National Defense has planned the latest analysis and let us take Hangzhou before the end of the month."

Xu Xinming smiled and said, "Today is only fifteen days, and there is still half a month left before the end of the month. Haha, I really take care of us on the peak. According to the current situation, we will be able to drive into Hangzhou City in a few days."

Yang Hanlie was not as optimistic as Xu Xinming. The battle across the river had not yet begun, and no one knew whether an accident would occur. The south bank knew nothing about the movements in Hangzhou. If the Beiyang Army was not defeated by artillery as expected, the battle would be even more lingering. He said quietly: "There is also the latest news from Guangdong and Guangxi. Yesterday at 9 o'clock in the morning, the Hunan Battle officially started. The 37th Division sent troops from Guizhou, the Cavalry Division and the Fifth Division of the Alliance Army sent troops from Guangxi, and the 38th Division sent troops from Guangdong. The telegram also mentioned that the 39th Division would also attack Jiangxi in the morning after tomorrow."

"Tsk tsk," Xu Xinming sighed, "This is really a big battle. All three main divisions of the First Division were dispatched, and the front line of Jiangxi and Hunan is now lively."

"Who said it was not? The Shangfeng also explained that from today on the front line code name cancelled the East Line and the West Line name will be changed to the left, middle and right. Of course, these details are aimed at the official documents, and it doesn't matter if we call it privately." Yang Hanlie added.

"It's great now. Our south has launched a war. I don't know if the scale of opening up three fronts is enough to eat or not." Xu Xinming said with a sigh.

Xu Chongzhi walked down from the observation deck and handed the telescope to a serviceman. He came to Yang Hanlie and Xu Xinming, with a confident smile on his face and said, "If we can't stand such a decisive battle, the Beiyang government will be even more unbearable. Do you know why the Ministry of National Defense specifically notified us of this news?"

Xu Xinming and Yang Hanlie looked at each other. They all thought that this telegram was just a matter of informing the Ministry of National Defense of the country. Is there any other purpose?

Xu Chongzhi smiled and said, "The Ministry of National Defense is about to tell us that this decisive battle is enough to drag down the Beiyang government. I dare say that reinforcements from Jiangsu and Anhui cannot be driven to Hangzhou as the original time."

Yang Hanlie asked in confusion: "Why?"

Xu Chongzhi said with great interest: "Because the rear is out of money. The Beiyang government wants to allocate resources to the battlefields of Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces. It is already difficult to get much, but now it is even more uniform. You can't get much in each battlefield. Do you understand that this is the most terrifying part of the Yangtze River strategy."

Yang Hanlie and Xu Xinming suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly to say yes.

Xu Chongzhi continued to laugh and said, "The meaning of strategy is not as simple as joint combat between several major war zones. This also includes many different environmental conditions. The economy is one of them."

Xu Xinming hurriedly said: "So, we have more time to attack Hangzhou!"

Xu Chongzhi nodded and said, "That's right. What time is it now?"

Yang Hanlie took out his pocket watch and looked at the moonlight, then replied, "It's almost five o'clock."

Xu Chongzhi's expression gradually became serious and said, "At 6 o'clock, the crossing of the river was officially launched, and all regiments and battalions were ordered to cheer up, and the crossing forces were immediately placed on board. Once the fire broke out in Fuyang, we would act immediately."

"yes!"

Sun Benmao, the commander of the Third Division of the Fujian Army, stood in front of the headquarters in the northern suburbs of Fuyang City. At this time, the sky was already bright, and the summer morning seemed wet and stuffy. He stared at the pocket watch in his hand with a heavy expression, watching the second hand crawling forward bit by bit. He made up his mind to fight this battle and completely let Lu Yongxiang never turn over.

An orderly soldier hurriedly came over and came to Sun Benmao to report: "The artillery is ready, and the 11th Regiment headquarters also sent a confirmation telegram. Once the artillery fires, the brothers will charge immediately."

Sun Benmao ticked slightly, without rushing to reply, just waiting for the second hand to climb to the designated position. With a crisp "bang", he closed his pocket watch heavily and said majestic: "Send the order, fire the fire."

The orderly responded loudly: "Yes!" and ran quickly along Lai Lu.

A moment later, the command of the artillery commander came from behind the hillside not far north.

"Basic cannon, thirty-five ruler, eleven heights, one round of loading. Fire the cannon!"

With a roar, the 88-mm steel cannon that was like Krupp roared, and the shells drew a low-arc parabola in the air, and soon landed somewhere in the western suburbs of Hangzhou City, and a thick smoke suddenly exploded. The quiet morning was completely broken, and shouts came from Hangzhou City, both outside and inside. Some were panicked, some cried and shouted for death with enthusiasm.

"Revised, the ruler is thirty-seven, the height is twelve, the two cannons are fired volleys. Fire the cannon!"

Two cannons roared at the same time, and the calibrated shells landed accurately on the western suburbs of the Beiyang Army. Two balls of fire sand were suddenly lifted up on the position of the position, and most of the outer protective trench was knocked down. All the soldiers hiding behind were affected. The lucky ones were only scratched, and the bad luck was the whole person buried alive.

Immediately afterwards, the three artillery positions arranged by the Third Division in the north of Fuyang, with a total of eighteen artillery fire. The defense line in the western suburbs of Hangzhou was a reserve defense line that was hastily built after the fall of Fuyang. The entire position was loose and simple. Coupled with the bombardment of the entire day yesterday, it was already in a devastated state and could not withstand the resumption of the Fujian artillery.

The 11th Regiment, which was charged by the Fujian Army, had already set off, but the Fujian Army soldiers had not yet approached the western suburbs, but the Beiyang Army soldiers on the positions had long been beaten to death by artillery shells, and many people began to flee into the city.
Chapter completed!