The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 173: Decomposition of the Wuwei Front Army
Although he seemed to be motivated by Ma Yukun, everyone could see that even without Ma Yukun's words, Teng Yuzhao would still take the initiative to volunteer.

Yu Lu smiled bitterly and asked, "Xingfu, you know that unless the court and the foreigners negotiate to resolve the dispute, Tianjin City..."

"Otherwise, once Tianjin is surrounded, there will be no strong reinforcements from outside. Those who remain in Tianjin will either be captured and humiliated, or commit suicide, or..."

Yu Lu's next words should have been "surrender to the foreigners", but he didn't say it out loud.

"Why do you have to get involved in this mess? You should follow the generals' advice and withdraw the troops to Beicang and Yangliuqing tonight. Then, you can reposition your positions and prepare for battle to stop the foreigners from going north."

"No."

Teng Yuzao shook his head and said, "Zhongtang, although we have to evacuate Tianjin City, we cannot abandon Tianjin City lightly."

"If Tianjin City does not have a commander to defend it, it may be criticized. We must be on guard against such criticism. Therefore, I ask the Prime Minister to allow the vanguard troops to stay in the city. I am willing to stay in the city and lead the troops to fight the enemy on your behalf."

"and."

"Tianjin City must not only be defended, but also defended vigorously. I am willing to lead the vanguard army to serve as the vanguard for Lord Zhongtang, so that the people of the world can see how our Beiyang elite troops fight the enemy with blood. This will show Lord Zhongtang's determination to lead the Beiyang to fight the enemy."

Teng Yuzao's words were so passionate that Yu Lu's blood boiled. He stood up suddenly and wanted to express his opinion. However, when he glanced at the generals in the hall with different expressions, his heart sank again and he slowly returned to his chair.

Yu Lu hesitated for a moment and said tentatively, "Xingfu, you know that the war is dangerous and you should stay in the city."

Teng Yuzao nodded and said, "I understand that Xingfu is very grateful to the Lord for selecting me. How can I watch you being attacked and framed in the future? If I don't repay the Lord for his kindness now, when will I repay him?"

"As for the consequences, the only thing is death, but it can also leave a name in history, which is also a good thing. I hope Zhongtang will support it."

Teng Yuzhao's words made Yu Lu's eyes moist. Yu Lu took a deep breath, tried to control his emotions, and said to Master Qian and others.

"Record Xingfu's initiative to volunteer. I will report this loyalty to the court."

"What a good man! What a hero!"

Dong Fuxiang stood up excitedly and bowed to Teng Yuzao, "I admire what Brother Xingfu has done. When the rear army arrives, I am willing to support the vanguard army and rescue Brother Xingfu at all costs."

Teng Yuzao bowed deeply to Dong Fuxiang and said generously, "Okay! Xingfu would like to thank General Dong first."

After instructing Master Qian, Yu Lu coughed lightly. Although his tone was still a little difficult, his voice had become extremely firm, and he spoke to everyone with a cold face.

"Xingfu was willing to sacrifice his life to defend Tianjin. He is truly a role model for all the Beiyang troops. He should be a role model for all of you. I will follow Xingfu's words and appoint him as the commander-in-chief of Tianjin. All the troops in the city will be under his command. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!"

"Also, the Navy Camp troops defending the Sancha River estuary must not withdraw. The Wuwei Left Army should also temporarily suspend its retreat and move to the area north of Laolongtou Station to form a pincer attack with Tianjin City. Without military orders, no one can retreat without authorization."

Yu Lu looked at Song Qing and said coldly, "What do you think, assistant?"

Song Qing was the head of Beiyang military affairs. This order should have been issued by Song Qing, but it was said by Yu Lu. At this time, Yu Lu, who was already murderous, asked him, it was just a formality. How could Song Qing dare to say more?

Song Qing ignored Ma Yukun's pleading look and bowed to Yu Lu.

"You are right, Lord Prime Minister. I second your proposal."

Yu Lu looked at Lu Benyuan and He Yongsheng again.

Whether they stayed in the city or lived outside the city, it had nothing to do with the two of them. Neither of them blamed Yu Lu for bringing bad luck, and they nodded in agreement.

After Yu Lu swept his knife-like gaze over everyone, his tone became calm.

"Since you all have no objection, let's discuss the matter of the Wuwei Front Army now." "Master Zhongtang, I am willing to lead my troops to follow General Teng, stay in Tianjin City to kill the enemy, and avenge General Nie. I hope that Master Zhongtang will grant me permission."

As soon as Yu Lu finished speaking, Pan Jinshan, the commander of the Wuwei Vanguard Army, who was sitting behind Hu Dianjia, stood up and loudly asked Yu Lu for orders.

"How dare you! This is the Governor's Office. You are just a small officer. How can you have the right to speak in this hall?"

Seeing Pan Jinshan jump up and express his intention to submit to Teng Yuzhao, Ma Yukun, who was already filled with anger, became furious.

Ma Yukun was unwilling to stay outside the city as it was too close to Laolongtou Railway Station. However, not only was he directly assigned by Yu Lu, but Song Qing also had no objection. Naturally, he did not dare to disobey and had to accept it.

But since he couldn't leave, he had to get some benefits, and this benefit was naturally the Wuwei Vanguard Army.

After reprimanding Pan Jinshan, Ma Yukun also stood up and said, "Master, I am stationed outside, and my troops are still too few. We are very likely to be attacked by foreigners. Please, Master, hand over the front army to the left army."

Lü Benyuan smiled softly and said, "The left army has fifteen battalions. Even if there have been some losses in the past ten days of fighting, there are still more than five thousand people. What's more, Zhongtang has allowed you to recruit reinforcements on the spot. How can you still say that the troops are weak!"

After Lu Benyuan finished speaking, he turned to Yu Lu and said, "Zhongtang, although I am the governor of Zhili Province, I only have three battalions of Yi Army. Please let me command the front army."

He Yongsheng was about to speak when Hu Dianjia spoke first.

"Master Zhongtang, I am willing to lead the five battalions of the rear guard to follow General Teng and stay in Tianjin City."

As soon as Hu Dianjia stood up, the five battalion commanders behind him also stood up, saluted Yu Lu and said, "We are willing to follow the commander and follow General Teng."

The other three captains behind Hu Dianjia did not stand up. They were representing Zhou Dingchen, Yao Liangcai and Bian Changsheng, who did not attend the meeting on behalf of the Wuwei Vanguard Army, so naturally they could not express their opinions.

Yu Lu looked at Song Qing with a gloomy face, "What do you think we should do?"

Although Song Qing wanted to protect Ma Yukun, he couldn't speak up. After thinking for a while, he said, "Zhongtang, why don't we assign the front army to whoever stays in Tianjin?"

Although Yu Lu wanted to hand over the front army to Teng Yuzhao, he was also worried that Teng Yuzhao would spend all the Beiyang's wealth in the battle to defend the city, so he hesitated for a moment and said.

"Just follow what the assistant said. And since we have to defend Tianjin, we can't just do it half-heartedly. We have to defend it with the spirit of the Beiyang government to fight against the foreigners."

Yu Lu raised his voice and said, "Tianjin City is vast, and the vanguard troops are often insufficient. I have made the decision."

"The five battalions of Hu Dianjia in the rear and the troops led by Pan Jinshan in the front will be incorporated into the Vanguard Army, and the remaining battalions will be under the command of the Left Army."

Yu Lu turned to Lu Benyuan, whose expression remained unchanged and friendly.

"Daosheng, I will also allow you to expand your Yi Army by five more battalions, okay?"

Lü Benyuan remained calm and bowed to Yu Lu, "Thank you, Lord."

Yu Lu let out a long sigh, stood up, looked around at everyone who stood up with him, and spoke in a stern tone.

"In order to avoid causing unrest among the people in the city, the evacuation of Tianjin City must not be publicized. All officials in the city are not allowed to accompany us. The relevant officials still perform their duties and stay in the city. We will evacuate Tianjin City at midnight tonight. All troops will gather at the Chaoguan Yamen outside the north gate."

Yu Lu looked at Teng Yuzao again and raised his voice again.

"Xingfu is willing to share the responsibility of defending the city with us at the cost of his own life. I am very grateful! Since the war against the foreigners began, Xingfu has won many battles and is truly the best general in the Beiyang Army. How can such a pillar of the country fall into the hands of the enemy? For this reason, I will allow you to withdraw from Tianjin when the city is broken, and you will not be punished for the crime of losing territory. I will also report this matter to the emperor."

(End of this chapter)