It's broken, and was picked up by a femme fatale

It is 1 mile away from Xiaguan Pier.

The 100-man vanguard squad of the Jinling City Defense Force gradually slowed down.

Looking at the dock ahead, which was silent but still lit, a trace of doubt flashed through the forward team leader's mind.

Why is there no movement?
Too weird?

Did all those bandits run away?
Looking around, the shadows were dim in the night and it was hard to see clearly.

At this time, he remembered the advice of his military predecessors.

The enemy situation is unclear and it is a big taboo to advance alone.

So, he stopped his troops and asked Yang Biao whether he should send someone to the dock to investigate the situation first?
Unexpectedly, Yang Biao scolded the messenger.

"Asshole! You are so cowardly and you bring shame to the Nanzhili City Defense Army!
What can a few bandits do? If you delay again, don't blame me for enforcing military law!"

The team leader sighed and could only move on.

But the further we go, the less noise we hear.

Even the insects in the grass by the roadside didn't chirp, which made him feel uneasy.

But, in the military, a higher-ranking officer can crush anyone.

What’s more, I have a stupid boss... How unlucky!

I moved forward another 300 meters anxiously, and could clearly see the ships approaching the shore.
There was no one at such a huge pier.

Hell?
But at this point, he didn't have time to think too much.

To boost morale, he shouted: "Brothers, the dock is just ahead.
Go ahead and take over the dock, it will be a great achievement, and the reward will be doubled, go for it!"

"Wow, go for it!"

Following the order, the 100 soldiers ignited their beautiful hopes and ran with torches in their hands.

"Cross, cross, cross..."

The sound of messy footsteps was heard, and the vanguard team did not care about the order of the formation, but just rushed forward in a swarm.

On the roof, Lu Yuan could see clearly.

Most of the Jinling City Defense Forces entered the encirclement.

Only the baggage train escorted by civilians fell behind.

Now it's up to Zaratu.

Zhalatu is able to be the teaching captain, his military qualities are beyond doubt.

After he took over the Xiaguan Wharf, he immediately ordered the dock officials and tax soldiers to dig trenches and build fortifications.

After an hour, Yang Biao led his team out of the city, and another hour later, they arrived.

Simple trenches have been dug around the dock.

Trenches that are more than half a person's height can reduce the danger by 80%.

As the teaching brigade carefully built by Lu Yuan, those selected this time are all elite backbones.

Not to mention that they are all veterans of hundreds of battles, but at least four hours of training and study every day is enough.

Moreover, in order to increase firepower, Park Chung-hwa's 20-member special operations team is equipped with all "box guns" and "AK-47s".

The remaining 180 people were all equipped with bolt-action rifles, and two powerful fire weapons - "Maxim".

Don’t underestimate the number of people. You have to know that when Lu Yuan first led an expedition to the north to attack the Russians, he did not have such powerful armed forces.

Therefore, Zhalatu, who graduated from the military course of Peking University and Tsinghua University, is very confident.

What the hell is the Nanzhili City Defense Army? They are just a bunch of ignorant and backward people!
The principal once said: Those who fall behind will not necessarily be beaten, but those who fall behind and are not afraid will definitely be abused.

Although, the Zalatu is now equipped with a lighter "box gun",
But he still kept the bolt-action rifle that Lu Yuan personally issued to him at the beginning.

It needs maintenance every day, and there are 9 and a half "正" characters engraved crookedly on the buttstock.

Now, he raised his gun and aimed the crosshairs at the standard-bearer of the city defense army who was running in the front.

"Rifle free fire!"

As soon as he said this, he pulled the trigger.

"Bah!"

"call out!"

The high-speed rotating bullet shoots towards the target steadily with a whistling sound.

Three seconds later, a bloody hole appeared on the forehead of the flag bearer of the Jinling Vanguard Squad.

Then, with a "bang",
The flag bearer's crown was blown open, and red and white splashed all over the sky.

The team flag that was held high also fell down along with his body.

The defense battle of Xiaguan Wharf has begun!

"Bah, bah, bah..."

The sound of frying beans was as dense as that of frying beans, and the vanguard team encountered an attack from 50 people of the first line of defense of the Northern Navy.

At a distance of 50 meters, almost every shot fired by the soldiers carefully selected by the teaching brigade was % to % accurate.

In addition, at night, the enemy would be holding torches, making them perfect sitting targets.

The first wave of five bullets were quickly used up, and the vanguard squad of the Jinling City Defense Force was almost wiped out.

Most of them died on the spot, and dozens of those who were shot were screaming and crying on the ground...

Only seven or eight lucky people were so frightened that they lay on the ground trembling.

Although he hit all five shots, the Zalatu was counted as two.

After all, the three people who were shot at the back might also have been shot by others.

He took out a dagger and completed the tenth "正" character on the butt of the gun.

One person killed 1 enemies, which is rare in the entire army.

But, Park Chung-hwa is the best.

He effectively shot and killed 87 enemy soldiers, which is also the record holder for the North Navy.

But Zhalatu was not envious at all.

That guy was born as a hunter from Goryeo, his eyesight and shooting skills were abnormal,
This is a gift from God, and no normal person can compare to it.

Of course, Kong Longkang’s firing rate is also good.

Moreover, he is a cultured person, a scholar with a good academic record.

In order to resist the tyrant, he resolutely gave up his pen and took up arms. This is truly amazing.

However, this time, the elite troops are heading south, and someone has to take care of the large force.

Therefore, as the chief of staff, Kong Longkang took the overall situation into consideration, gave up the military merit that was within his grasp, and took the initiative to stay in Taining to manage the teaching brigade.

The principal said: The team leader is the "daddy" and the chief of staff is the "mother", what a damn vivid image!

My old partner is truly a "great mother" who is both talented in literature and martial arts!
Unlike Zhalatu's leisurely imagination, Yang Biao, who was in the center of the city defense army, was stunned by the brief surprise attack.

I heard a crackling sound in the front, followed by screams of crying for my parents. What was going on?
Where is my most heroic and brave striker team?
Soon, messengers went back and forth to report the latest situation.

"Report! Most of the vanguard squad has been wiped out, and the enemy situation ahead is unclear!"

What the hell!

Isn't that the city defense army's rear guard force, a carefully selected vanguard team?

In the blink of an eye, it's gone?

impossible!
What kind of bandit is so powerful?
Whose troops are they from and how many people are there in total?
Only at this point did Yang Biao realize that he had made a mistake.

However, looking around at his panic-stricken subordinates, he, as a favored child of heaven, known as the "Little Zhuge Liang of Nanjing", must not show cowardice.

"How dare you! Catch these bandits, skin them, and behead them to avenge our comrades! All forces, attack! Charge!"

My goodness, six or seven hundred people rushed forward like rabbits shot by arrows.

In Zhalatu's eyes, the city defense troops were like a flood, and there were heads everywhere.

The enemy entered the 200-meter line.

"Crack!"

After loading five bullets, he raised the gun again and shouted:

"Maxim cross fire on the left and right, block the battlefield, everyone else, 150 meters, fire freely!"

"Suddenly..."

"Suddenly..."

Maxim, who was in a high position, opened fire first, and swept the city defense troops wantonly.
Countless people were hit and maimed, falling down in large numbers like wheat being cut.

And those scattered soldiers were called out one by one by the rifle soldiers.

"Boom boom boom boom!"

After firing the fifth bullet, pull the bolt, reload, chamber and shoot again.

This set of shooting movements was taught to every soldier in the brigade to be performed smoothly in no more than five seconds.

Such an efficient attack effectively suppressed Yang Biao's "human wave tactics". In less than three minutes, six or seven hundred people were all lying on the ground.

Of course, quite a few of them react quickly and lie down automatically.

It is estimated that Zhalatu and his men killed or injured at least 300 people in this wave.

On the battlefield, if the casualty rate of a troop exceeds 50%, it will basically be disabled.

However, Yang Biao was alive and well. It was not because he was smart and reacted quickly, but because he did not charge forward at all.

He was the deputy general, and his father was one of the noble Hanlin leaders of the dynasty. How could he be as stupid as Kuhaha? But he was also shocked by this scene.

No... this musket doesn't look like a musket, and this cannon doesn't look like a cannon either. What on earth is this?
No matter how dumb he was, he knew that he had hit a snag this time.

How to do?
Just go back like this?
Or hold on and wait for help?

Just as he was hesitating, two bright red flares rose above the dock.

Suddenly, thunderous shouts rang out from both sides of Yang Biao.

"Go! Break into Jinling City and capture Feng Jixiang alive!"

"Long live the principal! Long live the North Navy!"

"Put down your weapons and don't kill!"

These were Lingxiong's troops and Gao Mingna's light cavalry. Upon seeing Lu Yuan's order, they launched a siege operation.

Yang Biao's troops could no longer escape.

Soon, the battle ended.

It had not been more than half an hour since Zhalatu fired the first shot.

Well, it just happened to be what Yang Biao expected... midnight.

Don’t worry about who defeats whom, just tell me whether it is efficient or not?
Unexpectedly, the escaped Yang Biao was captured by Gao Mingna herself.

When he met Yang Biao, Lu Yuan generously gave him the proper courtesy.

He asked with a smile: "General Yang, right? Please take a seat. Don't be polite. Just treat yourself as your own home."

"Thank you, Governor..."

Forcing a smile that was uglier than crying, Yang Biao sat on a small stool, feeling very awkward.

"Come on, serve refreshments to General Yang!"

Hua Xiangrong brought cold water for making tea, as well as some leftover cloud cakes and dried fruits.

After the greetings, Lu Yuan briefly stated the purpose of his visit.

"We are the army of justice and peace. We are here to persuade and promote talks. We will not add fuel to the fire or offer knives. In order to maintain the peace in Jiangnan and to put an end to the flames of war, I advise the soldiers of Nanzhili to think carefully about who they are fighting for."

After Hua Xiangrong's deliberate reminder, Yang Biao suddenly realized.

I go!

The North Sea Navy came for Mount Longhu?!
The imperial court issued a report on the Imperial Guard's northern expedition, including the announcement of the three major rebel armies.
He had a superficial understanding of the Northern Navy.

Unexpectedly, the Northern Navy had an unimpeded sea route and reached the city of Nanjing in Southern Zhili.

Damn the Beiyang Fleet!

What do the Yangtze River Navy do for a living?
If they hadn't neglected their duties, how could I have ended up like this?
After stating his purpose, Lu Yuan asked about the defense situation of Jinling City.

"Remind General Yang that my men are also investigating your soldiers. If you don't tell the truth, I will have no choice but to detain you!"

Huh?
Yang Biao will become very shrewd now.

what?
Can you let me go back?

Am I right?
He asked anxiously, "Does the Governor mean that if I tell the truth, you will let me go?"

"Yup!"

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "I always keep my word. As long as you tell the truth, I will release you immediately, including your subordinates. Let me reiterate again that we are here for the peace of Jiangnan and will never kill innocent people."

Yang Biao was overjoyed.

As long as I can go back, there is a way to settle the matter.

With a little help, maybe you can turn a bad thing into a good thing!

He immediately told everything he knew, and thoroughly understood the defense of Nanjing City.

In fact, there are only three or four thousand old, weak and disabled soldiers in Jinling City now, and they are as weak as paper.

Sure enough, the investigation results of Zhalatu and Pu Zhonghua were almost the same as what Yang Biao said.

After listening to the report, Lu Yuan smiled slightly and handed a plate of barbecue and a bottle of rice wine to Yang Biao.

"Everyone who comes is a guest. Consider this my midnight snack as your treat! General Yang, goodbye!"

Yang Biao was in a daze, holding a glass of wine in one hand and a piece of meat in the other.
He rode his horse and left Xiaguan Wharf with four or five hundred of his confused subordinates.

After walking a long way, Yang Biao finally came to his senses.

Oh, I never expected this!

Governor Lu Yuan released them as he said, he is really a man of his word!

But why did he do that?
At the dock, Hua Xiangrong asked Lu Yuan the same question.

"Principal! It's okay to release ordinary soldiers, but why did you release the deputy general as well? He is a third-rank military officer of the imperial court! His father is a powerful figure in the imperial court..."

Lu Yuan smiled slightly and asked, "Do you think he can fight?"

Hua Xiangrong looked disdainful.

"Like a straw bag..."

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "It is useless for us to keep such a person. However, if we continue to let him hold power, it will suppress the real talents and make the Shenling Empire weaker. From this perspective, letting him go will benefit us in every way."

Hua Xiangrong was stunned for a moment, then after thinking about it carefully, she couldn't help but smile.

"Great idea, Principal!"

Lu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the girl didn't call him "Boss", otherwise it would not be a good sign.

However, Hua Xiangrong immediately asked again: "Principal, he failed miserably this time. If the court holds him accountable and dismisses him, wouldn't that be a waste?"

Lu Yuan laughed.

"You! You don't understand the operating logic of the Shenling Empire at all. For a powerful young man like this who has usurped a high position, even if the whole army is annihilated, he will try his best to boast that he has won."

"Ah? Impossible? This battle was clear, how can you say we won?"

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "You don't believe it?"

"It's not that I don't believe in the principal, but, but, how shameless and stupid this person must be, to be able to..."

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "Then let's make a bet!"

It was really hard for Hua Xiangrong, who was young and inexperienced, to imagine.

How much courage, or how thick-skinned, does it take to disguise a crushing defeat as a "victory"?

In fact, Yang Biao's ability is greater than they imagined.

Yang Biao, who fled back to Jinling City in a panic, first issued a gag order to his subordinates.

He also boasted wildly in front of the heads of various tribes in Nanzhili.

He said he was the first to charge.
After a brutal and fierce battle, tens of thousands of bandits were defeated and the Xiaguan Wharf was captured before midnight.

In short, the Jinling City Defense Army won a great victory, a huge win!

Then the whole room was filled with joy, and all the worries and fears disappeared.

The horses will continue to run, the dances will continue to be performed, and Jinling’s tomorrow will be even better!

Of course, some people drafted a victory report to report their achievements to the court and ask for rewards.

Yang Biao and the attacking troops were also highly commended.

Unexpectedly, someone spoiled the fun and bluntly stated that the Xiaguan Wharf was still blocked and north-south traffic had not yet resumed.

Yang Biao said in a shameless voice, "They may be small groups of scattered bandits. There is no need to worry about them."

The leaders were unable to tell whether it was true or not, so someone sent people to the dock to investigate.

At dawn, specific news came that the dock was still occupied by the rebels.

And seeing the flag, it was the Northern Navy from the northern frontier.

Wow!
How did the rebels from the northern frontier get to Nanjing?

So, Yang Biao, who had received the reward, was invited again.

Knowing that he couldn't get away with it, Yang Biao lied again with his eyes open.

"Eh? The North Navy? I'm not sure about that. Maybe they took advantage of our absence and invaded."

Damn, do you think we are fools?
Some people could not stand it and angrily accused Yang Biao of falsely claiming military merits and said he deserved to be put to death.

Yang Biao sneered, "Where's your evidence? I said they arrived in Xiaguan after I left. Even if this lawsuit goes to the throne room, I will fight you to the end!"

Everyone knew clearly that Yang Biao's father was very powerful in the imperial capital, and whoever filed this lawsuit would lose.

Moreover, as a third-rank military officer and deputy general of Nanzhili, no one could touch him without Emperor Linggui's approval.

When Lu Yuan heard the news, he smiled and said to Hua Xiangrong: "How is it? Did you lose?"

Hua Xiangrong was stunned, and then became completely disappointed with the Shenling Empire.

"Alas, with these corrupt officials, doesn't Emperor Linggui do anything about it?"

"It's not that he doesn't want to manage it, but that he can't manage it."

"Ah! Why? He is the emperor. What can't he control?"

"No matter if the country is destroyed or the court is destroyed, it's you. What will you choose?"

Hua Xiangrong thought about it again and again, but found it difficult to make a decision.

Lu Yuan leaned close to her ear and said, "I lost the bet. Will Secretary Hua admit it?"

Two red clouds instantly appeared on Hua Xiangrong's face.
She lowered her head and said in a mosquito-like voice: "Principal...that...at night, when no one is around..." (End of this chapter)