The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

Only when China possesses a complete industrial chain can we, the Chinese people, stand tall and speak with confidence before foreigners, instead of having to constantly fight against the great powers to barely resist the "mountains" they impose on the Chinese people, or even continue to swallow our anger and compromise with them. Only by establishing an industrial system can we, China, completely break free from our dependence on the great powers and stand on an absolute equal footing with them in this era..."

Thinking about Chairman Zhang Yinghao's eloquent words, the longer Ju Junsheng worked in Hanyang, the more he realized the shortcomings of the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works. The steel produced by the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works still couldn't be sold nationwide, and most of its products were sold only in the Hubei and Hubei regions under Zhang Zhidong's control. Companies like the Jiangnan Arsenal and the Fuzhou Shipyard preferred to order their steel from foreign countries at exorbitant prices rather than from the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works. Since railway construction was largely controlled by the great powers, the rails needed for their construction were naturally shipped from overseas to address their domestic overproduction problems, with little use for the rails produced by the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works. The Hanyang Iron and Steel Works also lacked a dedicated sales network, let alone a dedicated team dedicated to researching new products.

In fact, the factories established by the Westernization Movement had far more flaws than these. The more stringent examiner was the market, which was the key to a company's survival. Most of the factories established by the Westernization Movement were state-owned enterprises. Although they were essentially commercial industries, they were generally under the guise of "red hats" and did not even consider market issues.

Under the Manchu Qing, commercial conditions were dire, with lijin (likin) taxes everywhere. However, the Qing lacked tariff autonomy, and foreign goods were largely exempt from these taxes through unequal treaties. Factories whose products were still controlled by the foreign powers faced competition from all over the world, ultimately leading to losses. Small factories suffered small losses, while large factories suffered large losses. The more they operated, the more losses they incurred, and the more they produced, the more losses they incurred... Group ID for this book: 775111838

Objectively speaking, these enterprises were essentially unviable, but they were able to survive thanks to special favors from the Qing government, some even receiving monopoly privileges. However, not following market principles can be both a success and a failure for enterprises, as was the case with many state-owned enterprises in previous eras. With official favors, the ownership of enterprises became unclear, leading to excessive profiteering and insufficient implementation. Furthermore, the environment for industrial development was lacking, ultimately leading to decline and collapse.

In reality, Zhang Yinghao knew that his talk of establishing a complete industrial chain was merely a fantasy, a perfect morale booster. Imagined, these things were naturally achievable, and his comrades readily understood and readily envisioned self-sufficiency after the development of a complete industrial chain. In reality, this was still a typical peasant mentality, not a model for truly developing large-scale industry. Developing industry meant developing everywhere, producing and processing raw materials shipped from distant lands...

However, Zhang Yinghao knew he had to first develop a comprehensive industrial system. This was a fundamental requirement for maintaining national defense and creating a new class. Zhang Yinghao certainly wouldn't claim that his entire industrial chain hadn't been tested by the market. In reality, without introducing market competition, he might be able to maintain the operation of this industrial chain. However, once entering the global market, his entire industrial chain would face significant challenges.

While lecturing his colleagues, Zhang Yinghao recalled a past China: a similar situation! Blockaded by foreign powers, China ultimately managed to maintain a robust industrial chain through internal administrative decrees. However, many businesses and factories operated at a loss, ultimately failing. State-owned enterprise reform was driven by a backlash: proactively seeking change offered a chance of survival, while inaction ultimately led to destruction. At that time, China was rapidly integrating with the world and gradually opening its borders. State-owned enterprises faced intense competition, forcing them to undergo rapid reforms, which was a painful experience. However, China ultimately managed to maintain its industrial chain, leveraging its strengths to overcome its weaknesses, leading to rapid social development.

The Soviet Union actually embarked on reforms earlier than China, but was its climate and environment capable of supporting a free trade economy? The answer is no. The Soviet Union's development was fueled by expensive administrative costs. With a single central government order, goods from the Far East could be shipped cheaply or even free to Europe. But what happened after marketization? Transportation costs consumed a significant portion of profits, leaving China unable to compete and trade freely with other countries. Ultimately, China relied on its cheap labor and dense human resources to survive, while the Soviet Union collapsed.

Zhang Yinghao knew that while he didn't have a country like the Soviet Union offering paid aid for major projects, China had indeed accumulated a wealth of valuable resources after decades of development during the Westernization Movement. His foundation was infinitely better than before the liberation of his previous life. After taking over these scattered enterprises established by the Westernization Movement, he could simply connect them together and restructure them. He wouldn't even need to invest in expansion immediately. Simply maintaining production and leveraging strengths to overcome weaknesses would instantly boost China's national strength.

Ju Junsheng naturally didn't know any of this. He just sighed twice, then immediately felt happy again. He knew that after Wuhan was liberated, the Hanyang Steel Plant and Arsenal would be taken over by the Liberated Area. It would no longer be just a factory. The entire steel plant would be incorporated into the entire system of the Liberated Area and become an important part of the Liberated Area. He believed that these factories in Wuhan would be able to flourish in the hands of the Forward Party. Moreover, with the Hanyang Arsenal, the PLA's war capabilities would be rapidly improved, allowing them to arm more people and greatly enhance the Liberated Area's war potential.

It was obvious that the Forward Party and the People's Liberation Army wanted to capture Wuhan, so the comrades attending the meeting all seemed extremely serious and knew their responsibilities.

Ju Junsheng looked at the stern-faced comrades and said loudly: "Chairman Zhang Yinghao of the Party Central Committee has sent instructions. We will once again organize workers' strikes, merchants' boycotts, students' boycotts, and citizens' marches to cooperate with the People's Liberation Army comrades to liberate Wuhan. However, now all the new Hubei troops are concentrated in this small city of Wuhan. The Party Central Committee requires us worker comrades not to simply launch an armed uprising, because once faced with the suppression of the reactionaries, our comrades will inevitably suffer heavy losses. But the workers must also be armed. Chairman Zhang said that the lives of worker comrades are the most valuable wealth of this country. So this time we are just protesting the Qing court for turning Wuhan into a battlefield. Our propaganda slogan is: Stop the war, restore peace, and our mission is to protect our homes and factories.

Now that Huguang Governor Zhang Zhidong is determined to defend Wuhan, it's no easy task for the People's Liberation Army to capture the Hanyang Iron and Steel Works and Arsenal. However, sabotage is easy for the reactionaries; a single explosive charge can devastate a valuable boiler. Therefore, our union's mission is truly significant. If the machinery in these factories is completely destroyed, the success of the liberation of Wuhan will be greatly diminished.

Comrades, we all know that the machinery and equipment in the factory are the workers' livelihoods, so we must mobilize all workers to protect the factory and the machinery together. This is to protect the jobs of all our workers. Moreover, the factory and the machinery are national treasures. Even in the event of war, they cannot be destroyed at will. Therefore, our mission this time is to protect these factories and machinery and equipment to prevent the Qing reactionaries like Zhang Zhidong from taking desperate measures and blowing up these machinery and equipment into scrap metal and the factory into ruins..."

The comrades present at the meeting naturally agreed with what Ju Junsheng said, especially the need to protect factories and machinery. They felt warmed by the Party Central Committee's attitude of protecting their comrades.

"President, if the reactionaries are desperate enough to send people to blow up these machines and equipment, will we fight them?"

Hearing this question, Ju Junsheng answered without hesitation: "We must fight resolutely. The Hubei New Army is now focusing its main efforts on dealing with the People's Liberation Army. Even if the reactionaries send people, they cannot be the main force. We must believe in the combat effectiveness of the PLA comrades. So far, they have always been invincible and unstoppable. I believe that even if a battle occurs, it will not last particularly long. Moreover, the factory is the place we are most familiar with. I believe that even if we rely on ourselves, we can still defeat all reactionaries..."

The logic was so simple, and everyone understood it immediately. For the workers, this was the best arrangement for them. After all, they hadn't received much military training, and sending them directly to the battlefield with guns in hand was not only a bit of a stretch, but also a bad idea. However, if they were simply asked to organize the reactionaries to sabotage the machines, they were still very confident.

"President, if that's the case, we must take control of the Hanyang Arsenal, right?"

Hearing this question, all the comrades were shocked. The arsenal had now become a large military-industrial enterprise with nine branches. If they could take it as a logistics base, all the comrades' weapons problems would be solved, and they would be able to strangle the new army.

Unfortunately, the Qing officials were not fools. Zhang Zhidong naturally knew the importance of the Hanyang Arsenal and would naturally take some corresponding measures. So after hearing this question, Ju Junsheng sighed and said, "The Hanyang Arsenal is now under military control. We can't enter for the time being, and we basically can't contact the workers inside."

Hearing such an answer, many comrades who did not know about this matter were immediately disappointed. Ju Junsheng naturally had no choice. After all, Zhang Zhidong sent the army to take over the factory, and at that time the comrades could only let it go. However, Ju Junsheng knew that the anger at this time could only be boosted, not let down, and immediately said loudly again: "We already have an organization in the arsenal. I believe that the comrades inside will lead the workers to protect the machinery and equipment inside. Moreover, if all our workers go on strike, as long as all other factories stop working, the arsenal will naturally have to stop working immediately. If production cannot continue, military control will be meaningless. After the army withdraws, or even after the military control is lifted, we can immediately control the arsenal, arm ourselves with the weapons and equipment inside, and immediately produce weapons for our own comrades.

So, after returning, comrades immediately called on all workers to return to the factory and begin protecting the machinery and equipment. As for other comrades who had tasks, they also immediately coordinated with comrades in other places and took action. When the People's Liberation Army attacked Wuhan, Wuhan would definitely be empty inside. That was the time for us to mobilize as a whole...

Chapter 428:

After the meeting, the vast majority of workers in Wuhan immediately began to quietly organize themselves. Unbeknownst to them, their actions were slowly brewing a massive storm; even less so, were they aware of the profound impact this action would have on China's future. This storm not only caught the imperialist powers off guard, but even Zhang Yinghao, the time traveler who always seemed confident of victory, was somewhat bewildered.

Under Zhang Zhidong's leadership, Wuhan boasted numerous factories, including the Pig Iron Works, the Beisema Steel Works, the Siemens Steel Works, the Rail Works, the Iron Goods Works, the Wrought Iron Works, the Machinery Works, the Iron Foundries, the Iron Forges, and the Fish Hook and Nail Works, becoming one of the nation's major centers of machinery. Wuhan also boasted numerous other factories, including the Hubei Weaving Bureau, the Hubei Silk Bureau, the Hubei Spinning Bureau, and the Hubei Flax Weaving Bureau. Furthermore, with the Arsenal, a major military enterprise, Wuhan was truly a hub of factories.

In the past, after the Xinhai Revolution, Feng Guozhang, the military governor of Hankou, unexpectedly ordered a fire. The blaze burned for three days and three nights, reducing Hankou's bustling streets to scorched earth and destroying numerous buildings. At that time, Wuhan's population reached 200,000, with tens of thousands of workers. It's no exaggeration to say that Wuhan was now an industrial city. Today, Wuhan's foreign trade volume has risen to approximately 170 million taels, making it China's second-largest commercial center after Shanghai, and a truly international trading port.

It was precisely with these considerations that Zhang Yinghao actually hoped to resolve the issue of Wuhan's liberation politically, preferably peacefully. Only in this way could the liberated areas fully receive the fruits of Wuhan's construction. Of course, Zhang Yinghao himself knew that this was extremely difficult and would require a lot of work from his comrades. Zhang Yinghao also very much wished he had the courage of the Taizu who didn't care about pots and pans. However, in order to preserve the essence of Wuhan's construction as much as possible, to preserve China's vitality, and to avoid giving the great powers an excuse to interfere in China, Zhang Yinghao still sent a telegram to the commander on the front line, instructing the PLA comrades on the front line to not use heavy artillery unless absolutely necessary during the siege...

The PLA was already making final preparations for the siege. After receiving Zhang Yinghao's order, Li Tong, the temporary commander of the battle, thought for a long time before coming to a conclusion. He immediately issued a cruel order to commanders at all levels: "In this operation, large-caliber heavy artillery, including 75mm cannons, cannot be used. Only small-caliber heavy weapons such as mortars and grenade launchers can be used.

Commanders at all levels must personally lead their troops forward. If all regimental officers are killed, brigade officers will lead the charge. If all brigade officers are killed, divisional officers will lead the attack. If you all fail to charge forward, you will die on the Hubei New Army's positions! After that, I will personally lead the charge...

"In this Wuhan battle, we have an absolute advantage. There is no distinction between main and feint attacks, because each of our units is the main force. There is no primary or secondary attack point. I believe that no matter where we break through first, as long as we can shake Wuhan's defenses even a little, then the entire Wuhan front will collapse..."

In fact, Zhang Yinghao issued this unreasonable order, not only because he really wanted to protect the construction of Wuhan, but also because he wanted to let the Western powers see the PLA's fearless side with their own eyes, so as to deter them. Zhang Yinghao wanted to use this war to liberate Wuhan to tell all the powerful countries that the liberated areas were a hedgehog. Anyone who wanted to invade China again would have to face these fearless PLA comrades and pay a heavy price.

Zhang Yinghao believes that when the PLA can capture a city with light weapons, even if the great powers still want to invade China, they will have to consider whether the cost is worth it. Because if the great powers really invade China, facing the fearless PLA, China may not win, but the winner will definitely not be the great power that launched the war of aggression.

Perhaps this is what politics is like. In order to achieve a certain goal, the lives of soldiers become consumables. Of course, it’s not that Zhang Yinghao doesn’t cherish the lives of his PLA comrades. The reason he issued such an order is naturally because he dared to be sure that the PLA can definitely capture Wuhan this time. Because there are so many Qing troops in Wuhan, even if all the Qing troops hold hands, they cannot surround Wuhan. Moreover, they have not experienced a war yet, and countless tactical ideas have not been updated. Even if Zhang Zhidong invited experts from the powers to help Wuhan design city defense fortifications, what would happen? Zhang Yinghao believed that as long as the PLA smashed a breakthrough, facing the bullets from all directions, the Qing army would eventually collapse quickly.

Of course, Zhang Yinghao would not pin his hopes on the collapse of the Qing army. Instead, he had his own comrades within the New Army, and even the Forward Party organization. If these comrades took sudden action, a breakthrough in Wuhan would have already been achieved. Furthermore, there were strikes and factory protection movements organized within Wuhan, and the logistics of the Hubei New Army would soon be paralyzed. Faced with such a situation, how could the New Army soldiers still fight desperately for the Qing court?

Great times truly bring forth talents in large numbers. There are many comrades who are willing to sacrifice their lives and even shed their blood for the common ideals and the cause of communism.

As the People's Liberation Army made final preparations to attack Wuhan, a tense situation arose inside the Huguang Governor's Office. Two representatives of the Forward Party, taking advantage of their work at the Governor's Office, approached Zhang Zhidong.

These comrades were among the earliest to develop in Wuhan. After several years of development, many of them had risen to relatively senior positions. Many of them often met with high-ranking Qing officials such as Zhang Zhidong. Some were even noticed by Zhang Zhidong and given intensive training.

As the PLA's offensive drew near, the situation in Wuhan grew increasingly chaotic and tense. Even with New Army soldiers manning barricades in the streets, large numbers of people fled to the foreign concessions. Since the Forward Party didn't want to destroy the three towns of Wuhan, it naturally needed to engage with Zhang Zhidong. This is why they sent representatives to talk with him.

The Forward Party had already instigated the rebellion of numerous high-ranking Qing officials. For example, during the liberation of Gansu, figures like Ma Fuxiang and Dong Fuxiang had successively rebelled, so they had considerable experience. Furthermore, with the assistance of these individuals, the governments in the liberated areas had a very positive impact on stabilizing the localities. Given such successful results, the Forward Party naturally sought to summarize and study the lessons learned from these attempts to instigate high-ranking Qing officials. Zhang Yinghao even adapted Maslow's theory of the five levels of human needs, renaming it after himself. This provided theoretical basis and direction for his comrades' research, which yielded significant results.

Zhang Zhidong's face was filled with worry, as if he didn't know what to do. His energy and spirit seemed to have been drained away, and he became listless. Deng Lugang saw Zhang Zhidong and walked directly to him and asked, "Marshal Xiang, how are the talks with the foreign powers going?"

Zhang Zhidong stopped short when he heard the familiar voice. He sighed subconsciously and shook his head. Then, as if realizing what was happening, he shouted, "Who are you?"

Deng Lugang asked this question because Zhang Zhidong's whereabouts were a key focus of the Forward Party. While not necessarily investigating his every move, at least his general whereabouts were essential. Since the PLA entered Hubei, Zhang Zhidong's frequent encounters with the foreign powers were undeniable. Before the PLA bombarded foreign warships, Zhang Zhidong had been relatively energetic, but after the PLA sank the British warship, he became gloomy after every encounter with the foreign powers.

The great powers now do not know how China's future will develop, but they know that they are unable to intervene in the Qing Dynasty in the short term, nor can they provide any help to Zhang Zhidong. Even when the People's Liberation Army attacked Hubei, the great powers immediately sent troops from their homeland to the Far East. In such a short time, their troops are still drifting on the sea, not to mention that no country has sent troops to the Far East yet! Zhang Zhidong is not really short of arms, so what can the great powers do now?

Deng Lugang smiled slightly. Seeing that everyone around him was familiar, he immediately said, "Marshal Xiang, let me introduce myself again. I am a member of the China Progressive Communist Party, also known as the Sichuan Red Bandits in your mouth. I am currently a representative of the Progressive Party and would like to have a chat with Marshal Xiang!"

Upon hearing this, the guards protecting Zhang Zhidong quickly pulled out their guns and pointed them at Deng Lugang and the comrades beside him who came to negotiate.

"Don't move."

Deng Lugang remained calm, looking at Zhang Zhidong quietly. The comrade next to him was also a ruthless man. He simply tugged at his coat and dropped it to the ground, revealing a row of explosives tied inside and an electric detonator in his hand. The scene suddenly became tense.

"Who dares to shoot? Let's all die together? Those who are not dead will avenge us when my army liberates Wuhan! Whoever wants to die, just shoot."

After hearing this, no one moved, but just looked at Zhang Zhidong out of the corner of their eyes.

In fact, before they arrived, many comrades had been reluctant to allow Deng Lugang and his team to take risks. However, Deng Lugang also hoped for a peaceful liberation of Wuhan. If successful, it would at least have prevented the sacrifice of many comrades. Even if it failed, with the PLA's massive siege on the city, Deng Lugang didn't feel any danger. Killing people to boost morale? At this point, it was completely useless. Moreover, danger and opportunity coexisted. This was a tremendous achievement, and regardless of success or failure, it would be recorded in history.

Zhang Zhidong's expression was quite calm as he also looked at the young man before him. He had a very deep and favorable impression of this person. This person was very diligent and studious, someone he had high hopes for in the conference room. If nothing unexpected had happened, he would have been planning to recommend this talent to the court. He had never expected that this person would actually be a revolutionary. It was truly unexpected.

Thinking of the current situation and the fact that he had the Forward Party right beside him, Zhang Zhidong sighed inwardly and motioned for everyone to put down their guns before saying, "Come in and talk."

After saying that, he walked straight into the house, and Deng Lugang turned around and followed him in.

As they walked, he said in a gentle tone: "I didn't expect you to be a rebel from Sichuan. You really have good intentions! Are you here to persuade me to surrender today?"

Deng Lugang immediately replied, "Xiang Marshal, you're joking. How could someone like you, whose words determine the fate of thousands of people, listen to the advice of a small figure like me? I came here today just to chat with Xiang Marshal."

"Oh, then you talk and I'll listen."

"Xiang Marshal, according to the intelligence we've received, Britain, France, and other countries are already interested in mediating the Russo-Japanese War in Northeast my country. I wonder if Xiang Marshal is aware of this?"

Deng Lugang emphasized the word "our country" to impress Zhang Zhidong. Zhang Zhidong, a seasoned veteran, naturally understood what Deng Lugang meant. However, he was no fool and simply said, "So what if I know? So what if I don't know?"

Deng Lugang didn't take it seriously and immediately replied, "It's nothing serious. I'm just stating a fact. But now the British are mobilizing heavy troops on both the Yunnan-Myanmar border and the Xinjiang border, France is also continuously increasing its troops on the Vietnamese border, and even Siam is now increasing its troops on the border. I wonder what Marshal Xiang thinks about this?"

"Really? I just heard about this from you. Are you going to fight again?"

Deng Lugang nodded and said, "According to our current intelligence analysis, the purpose of Britain and France mediating the Russo-Japanese War is to re-form a new Eight-Nation Alliance to interfere with our Chinese revolution and prevent our country from embarking on the path of prosperity and strength. If this is true, in order to prevent the fate of our country being divided, our country will continue to face one tragic war after another. I wonder if Marshal Xiang thinks our country will be divided up by the great powers?"

Zhang Zhidong didn't respond, but as a seasoned bureaucrat, he was naturally taken aback by Deng Lugang's assumption. He had also been closely following the Russo-Japanese War and was aware of its ferocity. If a million-strong Russian and Japanese army were to flood into China, it would be an unprecedented catastrophe. He couldn't imagine it, and he had no idea what the final outcome would be. But he knew that the Hubei New Army he had trained was no match for the Russians and Japanese.

"Isn't this caused by you rioters?"

Seeing Zhang Zhidong's impressive Qi cultivation skills, Deng Lugang changed the subject, saying, "Marshal Xiang, when your first son was born in 1860, you wrote the 'Continuation of Poems': 'Benevolent and kind, obeying family rules; loyal and righteous, repaying the country's kindness. Tongjin is useful to the world; enlightened and righteous, guarding the truth like a treasure.' You said 'loyal and righteous, repaying the country's kindness.' We in the Forward Party would like to ask Marshal Xiang: are you loyal to the Qing Dynasty? Or are you loyal to China?"

Zhang Zhidong's face darkened when he heard Deng Lugang's information. He didn't know if this was a disguised threat, but he still asked calmly, "Oh, what about loyalty to the Qing Dynasty? What about loyalty to China?"

In fact, Deng Lugang or the Forward Party had no intention of threatening Zhang Zhidong. Although they conducted a detailed investigation of Zhang Zhidong, the Forward Party never considered threatening anyone else's family. They simply thought Zhang Zhidong's words were useful and borrowed them directly.

"Xiang Shuai is also a well-read man. Jiang Taigong said thousands of years ago that the world does not belong to one person, but to all people. In other words, this world belongs to the 450 million people of China. Do you agree with this statement?"

Seeing that Zhang Zhidong didn't say anything, Deng Lugang knew that Zhang Zhidong had understood what he meant, so he continued, "We Chinese don't just have the Qing Dynasty. There are also the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty. China has a history of 5,000 years. The Qing Dynasty is just one of China's dynasties, a short period of only 200 years. I think the word "country" in your "loyalty and gratitude to the country" should be the "country" of China rather than the "country" of the Qing Dynasty, right?"

Deng Lugang did not wait for Zhang Zhidong to answer, and continued: "If this world belongs to everyone, then the iron-clad crops of the bannermen are just sucking blood from the people. The people are not the masters of the world, but slaves. The current Qing Dynasty of China has signed so many unequal treaties that have lost power and humiliated the country. We, the people of the world, have agreed to it.

Did the people agree to pay compensation? The Qing imperial family wouldn't resort to money and gold, so did they agree? Marshal Xiang and a group of southern officials signed the Southeast Mutual Protection Agreement, and Li Hongzhang and Li Zhongtang even denounced Empress Dowager Cixi's declaration of war as a chaotic order. Aren't they refusing to acknowledge that the Qing no longer spoke for the people?

As for these high-ranking officials in the South, they were actually not completely unfamiliar with the ways of the great powers. Otherwise, they would not have deliberately nominated Li Hongzhang as the president when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded China.

It was because he understood Deng Lugang's words that Zhang Zhidong said with a dark face: "What a silver tongue you have! You are really good at making up stories and using flowery words."

Deng Lugang naturally would not argue with Zhang Zhidong about what he said. The only person who can convince a person is himself, and others can only play a guiding role at most.

Deng Lugang didn't care at all, and just pretended to be confused and said: "We don't know whether Marshal Xiang concentrated all the new army's forces in the three towns of Wuhan to wear down our People's Liberation Army here, or to wait for the great powers to intervene in the war? We don't know. Our Chairman talked about the issue of principal contradictions and secondary contradictions. In today's China, the principal contradiction is the contradiction between oppression and oppression, exploitation and exploitation between the working people and the Qing imperial family. Unless the Qing Dynasty is overthrown, the mountain weighing on the people will never disappear, and then the people of the world will never have a good life. If Marshal Xiang wanted to fight a decisive battle with the People's Liberation Army in Wuhan or even wear down our People's Liberation Army, we admit that Marshal Xiang might be able to do it. But history will eventually give Marshal Xiang a reputation as a loyal lackey of the Qing Dynasty..."

"How dare you slander Xiang Shuai?"

At this time, Zhang Zhidong's guards scolded Deng Lugang.

Zhang Zhidong said directly: "Let him speak. I want to see if he can speak eloquently."

Deng Lugang looked at the guard and nodded, saying, "Well, the term 'lackey' doesn't sound good. Perhaps the historical evaluation of Marshal Xiang should be that of a loyal minister of the Qing Dynasty, who earned the reputation of serving no two masters. Marshal Xiang's achievements in industrial development are great, and our Forward Party Chairman Zhang Yinghao has spoken highly of him, and he has spoken highly of you too! Our Chairman said that you established factories to save the country, combined Chinese learning with Western practice, and founded schools, trained talents, and established a new army, all of which contributed greatly to China's progress. If you cannot see the situation of the times and the general trend of history, and go against the times, you will eventually be overwhelmed by the revolutionary tide of the times..."

Chapter 429:

Although Zhang Yinghao encouraged a political solution to the Wuhan issue rather than a military one, he was completely unaware that the comrades in Wuhan had already begun working in this direction. Comrade Deng Lugang even saw Zhang Zhidong and had already started talking to him.

If Zhang Yinghao knew this news, he would definitely be very happy. However, Zhang Yinghao didn't have much free time to pay attention to the situation on the front line. He was holding a telegram in his hand, and heard Shen Ruo say to Zhang Yinghao: "Chairman, this is a telegram sent directly from Shanghai by the British through our comrades. Diplomats from Britain, France, the United States, Japan, Russia and other countries are coming to Sichuan. They may want to meet with the Chairman in person. I wonder how we should respond?"

Zhang Yinghao was quite excited after reading the telegram. This was a kind of excitement before the battle, because he knew that the real face-to-face struggle with the great powers was about to begin. After all, the great powers were finally going to formally meet with the Qing rebel leader. This meant that the great powers had realized that they had to start formal contact with them now. Now was the time to truly confront each other for the sake of interests.

Zhang Yinghao thought about it and said, "I agree. What's coming will come sooner or later, so let them come!"

.-…---

Just as Zhang Yinghao received the news and began to prepare to fight against the foreign powers, and Deng Lugang was meeting with Zhang Zhidong, Comrade Ju Junsheng was also making a final mobilization to the union leaders: "...Comrades, we do not want to fight against each other and oppose the Chinese people killing each other, but the country needs independence and the nation needs liberation. Without overthrowing the corrupt rule of the Qing Dynasty, our country and nation will never have hope. Therefore, we must do our utmost to help the People's Liberation Army liberate Wuhan as soon as possible and obtain a Wuhan that can continue to produce, rather than a Wuhan in ruins. Therefore, our worker comrades must take action to protect our factories. The slogan is: To protect the factories is to protect the country. Whoever blows up the factories is a traitor... Other comrades also immediately called on all the people of Wuhan to unite, take action, and hold demonstrations. The slogan is: Stop the war and restore peace..."

Upon receiving the order, workers from Wuhan's factories immediately sprang into action, bringing in sandbags, wood, stones, and anything else they could carry to form barricades to defend the factories. In particular, large numbers of female workers from factories like the Weaving Bureau, the Silk Bureau, the Spinning Bureau, and the Flax Bureau came out in support of the Federation of Trade Unions, gathering at the factory gates and spontaneously helping the workers build barricades.

More and more ordinary workers joined in, and in less than an hour, the workers had built countless barricades, firmly protecting these national treasures and fully demonstrating the workers' infinite power.

After seeing this, Ju Junsheng immediately remembered what Zhang Yinghao had said in his lecture. He said to the comrades beside him: "The Chairman said that the power of the united working class is unimaginable, and the people's revolution we are currently carrying out cannot be suppressed by any force, nor can it be resisted by the great powers, let alone the corrupt Qing Dynasty..."

"Yes, President, I am very excited now. I really want to shout: Long live the workers, long live the people! Long live unity!"

"Yes, long live the workers! Long live the people! Long live unity!"

At this time, it was not just the workers in the factories who took action. The sailors on passenger and cargo ships in Hubei, the fire workers, the workers in the carriages and horses, the coolies at the docks, the workers on the Beijing-Hankou Railway, etc. all took action under the organization of the Forward Party and participated in the strike and demonstration.

Although Wuhan has a developed business and an astonishing trade volume, this is only a deformed economy. How much blood and tears of workers are involved here? The supervisors in the factories are desperately reducing workers' wages and extending working hours. They threaten and beat workers by arbitrarily using the method of firing them, which has long aroused deep hatred among the workers.

When the People's Liberation Army attacked and liberated Wuhan, the workers ignited the long-dormant anger in their hearts as they communicated with each other, and various propaganda and slogans soon appeared in the streets and alleys.

"Poor workers, take action together!"

"We're going to use a general strike to paralyze Wuhan's docks and all transportation!" "All factories in Wuhan must stop production!"

The general strike organized by the Wuhan Federation of Trade Unions once again proved the unity and strength of the workers. China's working comrades have officially stepped onto the Chinese political stage and gradually developed into a force capable of changing the world.

Shortly after the workers took action, Li Tong, who received the news, naturally had to cooperate. He could not let the reactionaries in the city direct their spearhead at the workers in the city who were now short of guns and ammunition, so he immediately issued an order to attack Wuhan.

Wuhan at this time was truly small. Wuchang's urban area was within the city walls, which stretched a total of 3500 zhang (approximately 1,000 zhang) and covered only about 5 square kilometers (approximately 5 square kilometers). Hanyang, within the city walls west of Guishan, covered less than 1 square kilometer (approximately 100 square kilometers). Hankou was approximately 12 square kilometers (approximately 12 square kilometers). The three townships totaled only about 18 square kilometers (approximately 18 square kilometers). Suburban areas of this era were also relatively small.

However, since the Sichuan Revolution, Wuhan has been building city defense fortifications, and has actually been preparing for this war. A few years gave Zhang Zhidong ample time to build Wuhan's defense system. Therefore, Wuhan's urban and suburban areas are full of fortresses, and it is now a veritable fortress city. Although Zhang Yinghao's order was that heavy artillery should not be used in this attack on Wuhan, that was only when attacking the urban area of ​​Wuhan. There would be no such concerns when using heavy artillery in the suburbs. If the People's Liberation Army mechanically did not dare to use heavy artillery when attacking the suburbs, then the People's Liberation Army would become a machine that obeyed orders. Zhang Yinghao did not need such an army and needed to rebuild it.

Therefore, this offensive began with an artillery battle, with both sides' artillery bombarding the enemy relentlessly. However, the PLA's artillery shells needed to be transported from Sichuan, putting immense logistical pressure on the PLA's supply, making it impossible to engage in a prolonged artillery battle with the Hubei New Army. After knocking down the previously identified fortress, the artillery on both sides continued to roar as the horns of the charge began to tick.

At this time, all the soldiers held their weapons tightly in the rumbling sound of artillery and were ready for battle. After hearing the charge, the brave PLA soldiers shouted loud slogans such as "Long live the motherland!", "Long live the people's power!", "Long live liberation!", etc. After the grassroots commanders gave the order: "Follow me!", the entire army launched an attack on the positions of the Hubei New Army.

The brutal battle begins in an instant!

This time, the PLA did not have a key offensive target, but instead launched an all-out attack. The entire army was like waves crashing against the tortoise shell of Wuhan. There was no such thing as a main attack or a diversionary attack.

Many of the Hubei New Army troops still had some fighting capacity at this point, and behind the front lines stood a supervisory detachment. Any New Army soldier who dared to retreat would be shot immediately. Relying on previously established bunker positions, they frantically fired at the attacking PLA troops, their gun barrels red with fire. Many of the New Army's hidden artillery units also unleashed their might, fiercely bombarding the attacking PLA, inflicting numerous casualties. However, the PLA's attack showed no sign of stopping, continuing its skirmish line, attacking in an orderly yet fearless manner.

Comrade Chen Zaidao, commander of the 6th Division of the Dabie Mountain Column, was commanding at the front when he was struck in the waist by a stray bullet. He collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely. However, Chen Zaidao gritted his teeth and persevered, refusing to leave the front line despite his wounds. He gritted his teeth and shouted, "Comrades, don't worry about me. For victory, for liberation, attack..."

The commander of the Sixth Regiment, Zeng Yiran, had his belly pierced by shrapnel from an exploding artillery shell, and his intestines were flowing out. However, he was very tough. After stuffing his intestines into his stomach, he pinched the wound with one hand and continued to command the battle until he finally fell unconscious and was carried away for treatment.

A large number of combat heroes emerged in the battle to liberate Wuhan, especially the comrades of the Dabie Mountain Column, who showed a fearless spirit of not fearing sacrifice and ready to die, and made great contributions to the liberation of Wuhan.

As Zhang Yinghao had anticipated, many areas the New Army considered crucial to defend were indeed heavily guarded, inflicting considerable casualties on the PLA. However, in many other areas, particularly those they deemed unimportant, the Hubei New Army deployed no troops at all for defense. Even when they did, they were extremely underrepresented. Of course, many of these were the result of individuals lurking within the New Army actively opening up their defenses...

Therefore, it was understandable that the PLA easily opened up one gap after another in the first wave of attack.

The People's Liberation Army of this era was an army led by Zhang Yinghao himself. Although he himself was not a military background, Zhang Yinghao always instilled a worldview in the People's Liberation Army, that is, the world is constantly moving and developing, and contradictions can be constantly transformed.

These seemingly unimportant places were naturally unimportant before they were captured, but after they became liberated areas, the overall situation of the Hubei New Army's defense had completely changed. Many places that were originally important became dispensable, while places that were originally unimportant became fatal places one after another.

The Hubei New Army hadn't taken any courses on the constant movement of the world, nor had they specifically learned about adaptability and seeking truth from facts. The PLA's brand-new offensive model was simply beyond their current capabilities. This offensive model required a strong offensive awareness and the ability to adapt flexibly. Therefore, the military operation to liberate Wuhan also served as an excellent training ground for the PLA. Aside from a few cities like Wuhan, where else in China could the PLA experiment with capturing an industrial city? Therefore, any country with a modicum of military common sense was closely watching the PLA's attack on Wuhan, hoping to learn from its experience and gain a clearer understanding of the PLA's combat effectiveness.

While the Hubei New Army could manage to defend itself against frontal attacks, they were completely unable to react swiftly to bullets fired from the side, or even from behind. Furthermore, the PLA's sharpshooters were also not idle, targeting the Hubei New Army officers and soldiers who stood guard behind them, supervising the battle. The comrades knew that if they could eliminate these individuals, the Hubei New Army would inevitably collapse under their fierce attacks.

The PLA's tenacity and bravery truly stunned all the officers of the foreign powers on the front lines. However, these officers still believed their own armies could definitely defeat the PLA. Besides their fearlessness, they didn't see any other outstanding qualities of the PLA. However, what was truly incredible was the PLA's speed in breaking through the Wuhan defenses. The foreign powers felt that Wuhan's defenses were like paper, shattered with a single poke. They didn't attribute this to the PLA's superior combat effectiveness, but rather to the Hubei New Army's incompetence.

At this time, Li Yuanhong and Zhang Biao, commanders of the Hubei New Army, had no idea what kind of battle they were fighting. They felt that they had not even put in any effort, but the front-line positions were lost one after another. They had never seen such a way of fighting, and had never fought such a cowardly battle. They didn't even know what was going on. Naturally, they couldn't think of a way to deal with it in a short period of time. They could only desperately mobilize the reserve troops to fill the gap opened by the People's Liberation Army, and send heads to the enemy in waves.

However, under the PLA's style of fighting, because the new army had few troops to begin with, they had no way of leaving enough reserves, and the few troops they had had were all sent to the front line, leaving them with no extra troops.