The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

After being fed so many rounds, the field army's shooting skills improved rapidly. They were now like killing machines, mechanically pulling the trigger, and bullets flew out of the barrels, harvesting the lives of the Russian soldiers. When the comrades who delivered the food to their positions, even facing the mountains of corpses on the front line, everyone continued to eat calmly, without any discomfort.

The exchange of fire between the field army and the Russian army grew larger and larger, and the casualties were also increasing. However, every Russian attack would leave a field of corpses in front of the field army's position. But even so, these Tsar's gray beasts were still driven onto the battlefield by Russian officers, and under the death threat of the supervising team with machine guns set up in the back, they repeatedly attacked the field army.

The two sides had been engaged in a seesaw battle for days, and while the field army's losses were relatively modest compared to the Russians, the military hospital was already overcrowded. Furthermore, the original ammunition shipped to Kulun had been nearly used up, forcing the front lines to resort to reloaded ammunition, which was significantly less powerful than the original.

Night raids became a common tactic used by the Russian army at this time, as only at night would the field army's firepower be greatly restricted, allowing the Russian army to have a chance to break through the field army's defenses. In the Russian army's view, as long as hand-to-hand combat was carried out, the Russian army's victory was unquestionable. Every Russian attack would leave a trail of corpses under the blows of the field army. However, the Russian army continued to attack under the pressure of their officers, as if they really did not care about their own lives.

As time passed, perhaps due to heavy casualties, the Russian offensive power generally declined. By this time, the field army was also very tired. If it were not for the strong fortifications and the frequent rotation and rest with the reserve troops, the field army's position might have been broken through by the Russian army. Many times, the field army had reached the point of fighting with bayonets, and the Russian army could be said to have one foot in the city of Kulun.

Although the Field Army's emphasis on heavy firepower led to a high consumption of ammunition, it was still worthwhile for them to deplete the Russian forces. The Field Army also had snipers specifically designed to target Russian officers, so the cost of Russian officers was also very high. Using ammunition to deplete the Russian army's manpower was far better than sacrificing the lives of the Field Army for military exploits.

The daytime offensive ended with a night raid. As time went on, the Russian offensive became less and less intense. However, the Russian army had to maintain an offensive posture against the field army, because if the Russian army stopped attacking, the field army would immediately launch a counterattack and recapture all the lost positions. This situation happened more than once. Once the field army recaptured the position and repaired it, the Russian army would have to sacrifice countless Russian lives to recapture the position.

At this point, the field army no longer worried that the Russian army would suddenly move north, because the Russian army was already exhausted. As long as it left Kulun, the morale of the Russian army would inevitably collapse, and the field army would have many ways to defeat this Russian army.

"Damn it, damn it! How can those yellow monkeys still hold on? If they continue like this, we won't be able to hold on any longer."

Bolivar's lips were covered in blisters from anxiety. He couldn't eat or sleep well, and his hair was falling out in clumps. His hands were covered with hair. The officer in charge of logistics had just reported to him that they had sufficient food and other supplies, but they were running low on ammunition. Of course, this was because so many soldiers had been killed on the battlefield; if they hadn't, they might have run out of food. But a shortage of either food or ammunition would be a devastating blow to the Russian army, forcing them to collapse without even fighting.

If they continued to attack like this, they could only hold out for another five days. After five days, if they failed to capture Kulun and could not get any more ammunition and supplies, then the Russian army would have no choice but to charge at the field army's positions with bayonets in hand and die.

At this moment, Bolivar wished his cavalry was still intact, at least that way he could solve the logistical problem. However, the Russian cavalry had been crippled. Even if they were to go out, facing the superior strength of the field army and knowing the combat effectiveness of the Chinese army, they would only be slaughtered.

Chapter 676: The first major update!

By this time, Bolivar had finally come to understand the hardships of the Russian expedition. He also understood why Russia had to resort to plundering to force the Qing Dynasty to acquire so much land in the Far East. He also realized that his fate might have been sealed the moment he set foot in Mongolia. The Chinese in Kulun were clearly well prepared for the arrival of the Russian army, which is why the field army was so well prepared.

Perhaps Bolivar hadn't considered that the straight-line distance from Irkutsk to Kulun might only be a few hundred kilometers, but reaching Kulun was over a thousand kilometers, a true voyage of transporting food over a thousand miles. How could a flimsy transport line, escorted by cavalry, sustain an army of hundreds of thousands? Bolivar's only real resources were the supplies his army had brought with them. And the reason Bolivar dared to set foot in Mongolia without hesitation was actually due to his inherent discrimination against the yellow race.

At this moment, Bolivar only had three options left. The first was to continue the offensive, launching the most intense attack. If they could capture Kulun, everything would be easy. Although it was unknown how much supplies Kulun had stored, it should be enough for the Russian army to overcome the current difficulties.

The second option was to immediately march north and return to Russian territory. This would inevitably lead to pursuit by the field army. Even so, the Russian army would undoubtedly suffer heavy losses, but there was still hope of fighting its way out. The Russian army's baggage supply had been nearly depleted, allowing them to travel light and quickly. Meanwhile, Governor Anuchin could dispatch a support force, which would significantly increase their chances of returning to Russia.

The third option is to dispatch troops, preferably cavalry, to deliver supplies to the front lines, as Governor Anuchin is currently doing. However, this route seems the least reliable. With the reinforcements just entering Mongolia, field army cavalry units may be seen everywhere along the way. Whether the cavalry carrying the supplies can reach the front lines is a huge question.

Now completely awake, Bolivar was completely realistic. For him, the choice wasn't actually that difficult. However, if he dared to return to Russia with his troops, the responsibility for the defeat would be his sole responsibility. The best outcome would be dismissal from the military. If the internal struggle in Russia intensified, he would inevitably become a victim of the struggle for interests, and his life might even be in danger.

But once Bolivar had conquered Kulun, no matter how heavy the losses he had inflicted on the battle, he would have immediately become a hero in Russia. Who would have cared how many gray animals had been killed or wounded?

"No, I can't fail. I must defeat Kulun Zaixing."

Bolivar made up his mind: he had to give it a try. Only by winning would it benefit both him and Russia. It would only cost him a few gray animals, but it was worth the trade. As for the question of surrender, it only flashed through his mind, because it was truly unthinkable to him.

Inside Kulun City, Zhang Feng and his men were also discussing the battle situation. The situation was now clear: if the Russian army continued its offensive, Kulun would be in for a fierce street fight. In fact, by this point, Zhang Feng had already fully understood that Russia was undoubtedly a formidable enemy for China. Russia was indeed an excellent source of troops, but their leadership was not good enough. With a change in the leader of this army, the Russian army would become a powerful force capable of conquering the battlefield.

In Zhang Feng's view, the Russian army truly possessed the potential to become a world-class army. With a slight shift in its thinking, it could become a fearless and indomitable force. He had a premonition that if the conflict between China and Russia could not be effectively resolved, China's northern regions would inevitably face a long-term threat from Russia.

However, Zhang Feng recalled some of the policies Chairman Zhang Yinghao had mentioned earlier, one of which was to make friends with distant countries and attack those nearby. However, regarding Russia, it's certainly true that it's far away, after all, Russia is essentially a European country. But it's also true that it's close, after all, Russia and China share a common border. The precise policy and approach to Russia is indeed a question that requires careful study.

In this regard, Zhang Feng also wrote a special assessment report on Russia and the Russian army, which described Russia and the Russian army from the perspectives of geopolitics and Russian army performance, and finally came to a surprising conclusion that Russia will be China's main enemy for at least a long time in the future. It is not a life-and-death enemy relationship, but an adversary relationship.

Zhang Feng came to this conclusion through his own analysis. Although his understanding was not as deep as that of the time-traveling Zhang Yinghao, Zhang Feng's conclusion was completely correct, which was why Zhang Yinghao was now relentlessly attacking Russia. The territorial dispute between China and Russia was an irreconcilable contradiction. In the previous life, due to the availability of nuclear weapons, China was forced to resolve the border issue with Russia after gnashing its teeth and swallowing its anger. Although China had suffered a huge loss, the Zhenbao Island self-defense counterattack eventually broke out. The Soviet Union even deployed millions of troops in the Far East for a long time, maintaining a high-pressure situation against China, blocking China's only access to the Sea of ​​Japan, and even threatening to launch a surgical nuclear strike against China... Who could forget all these events?

After traveling through time, Zhang Yinghao now holds a high position and has a clearer understanding of some of the events of his past life. If China hadn't won the Korean War, and if there hadn't been mutual fear, China might have fought a major war with the Soviet Union. It was only because the Chinese People's Volunteer Army performed so well in Korea that the Soviet Union became wary of invading China. After the Zhenbao Island test, the Soviet Union maintained a high-pressure stance against China.

What about China? Facing the threat of Russian invasion, China embarked on the massive Third Front Project, devoted itself to nuclear research, and deployed millions of troops in the north to confront the Soviet Union. It can be said that without the sacrifices of the soldiers and the people of the north, without this preparedness, the subsequent economic boom in the south would not have occurred. And it wasn't until the collapse of the Soviet Union that China truly began to resolutely oppose the war and develop its economy.

"Commander-in-Chief, the Russians' attacks are becoming increasingly weaker, and they seem to be exhausted. However, our soldiers are also very tired, and more than half of our troops have suffered casualties."

"The Fifth Field Army in Northeast China also suffered over 10,000 casualties when liberating Shuangchengzi. We held Kulun for so long and faced so many Russian troops, so it's normal to have so many casualties."

"Yes, but the casualties of the attacking troops are often much heavier than those of the defending troops. There is nothing we can do about it."

Zhang Feng nodded, but he said, "A centipede is still alive even after death, and a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. No matter how heavy the Russian casualties are, they are still larger than ours. We must not let our guard down, lest we end up like Guan Yu, who lost Jingzhou due to carelessness. A journey of a hundred miles begins with a single step; whoever perseveres to the end is the winner. Wild beasts are most ferocious when they are injured or even killed by a single blow, so comrades must be extremely vigilant."

Everyone was shocked when they heard Zhang Feng's words. This was indeed the truth. If they were the Russian army, and if they had not given up on capturing Kulun, then deliberately showing weakness or launching a sudden and fierce attack would definitely be possible.

"Commander-in-chief, do you think the Russian army will choose to withdraw now?"

"Even if they choose to retreat, they will attack us frantically several times before doing so. If we confuse them, the Russians will definitely not dare to retreat easily. However, if the Russians choose to retreat, we will not be able to completely wipe out this enemy. As long as the enemy breaks through in a scattered manner, there will always be many who slip through the net. Moreover, if the Russians retreat, our casualties will increase if we leave our position to pursue them. Therefore, the best option now is to hold the Russians firmly in Kulun until they run out of ammunition and food. At that time, our field army can force this enemy to land or even annihilate them completely at the lowest cost, so that Russia will never dare to send troops to invade Mongolia again."

As Zhang Feng had predicted, Bolivar had already decided on a last-ditch effort. Since the tactic of adding fuel to the fire was futile at this point, Russia couldn't mobilize enough troops to Central Siberia quickly, and the Governor-General couldn't deliver sufficient logistical supplies, he was ready to unleash his entire army. Success depended on this one move; failure would be a foregone conclusion. He had already begun systematically forcing less important personnel, such as logistics, into the battlefield. First, to paralyze the field army, and second, to deplete its ammunition. His main force had already made its final preparations, and he wouldn't withdraw until Kulun's defenses were breached and the city was within.

At this time, he had sent all the supervisory teams to the rear of the army. At this time, as long as he gave the order, all the troops would immediately attack the field army's position. At this time, he was waiting for an opportunity, which was when the field army was having dinner.

After so many days, the Russian army's habits and some of the field army's habits have been mastered by both sides. But this time, the main force of the Russian army quietly finished breakfast early in the morning and then secretly moved towards the position, now ready to go.

Despite Zhang Feng's reminders, the frontline troops hadn't let up much. However, the long war had dulled the soldiers' nerves, and the now-pitifully low combat effectiveness of the attacking Russians naturally caused many comrades in the field army to unconsciously relax their vigilance. After so many days of intense combat, all the soldiers felt a deep sense of exhaustion. The frontline troops sensed the slight weakening of the Russian offensive, and they were happy about it, as it allowed them more time to rest.

At this time, the comrades in charge of delivering meals to the field army delivered the delicious breakfast to the soldiers. As the field army soldiers were about to start their march, they saw the Russian army attacking from a distance. The field army did not care about this. In the past, the Russian army had taken advantage of the field army's meal time to attack, and now they were used to it.

"Fuck you old Russians, they can't even let me eat in peace."

As a result, these careless soldiers stuck their heads out and were quickly shot down by the Russians. It turned out that the Russians also knew that the field army had special shooters who were specifically trained to kill officers. So they followed suit, gathering all the best marksmen in the army and disguising them as the less effective soldiers. As a result, these Russians scored a great victory, shooting down many of the field soldiers who had let down their guard.

After this round of shooting, the Russian artillery immediately opened fire. The cannons were still exploding, and the Russian army suddenly launched a general attack. A bloody battle began.

The sudden attack of the Russian army caught the field army off guard, but after so many days of fighting, the soldiers instinctively began to enter the battle state.

Start shooting.

"Our army is about to suffer heavy casualties due to the coordinated infantry and artillery tactics. Commander-in-Chief, the Russians are attacking again, and their attack is very fierce. It seems that the Russians are fighting for their lives."

Zhang Feng also saw the current scene. He held the telescope and kept looking carefully. He saw that Kulun was surrounded by Russian troops, and unprecedented fierce attacks had been launched from all sides. They looked hysterical.

Zhang Feng watched for a long time, then made a decision. He immediately put down the telescope and said, "The Russian army is now desperate. Send a telegram to the cavalry. After they have rested enough, have them immediately start to sweep away all the Russian troops in Mongolia. Don't let these old Russians escape. All reserves are ready to go to the front line to resist the Russian attack. Even if it means hand-to-hand combat, we must stop the Russian army outside Kulun City. Immediately distribute weapons to the wounded who can still move. If the line of defense is breached, prepare for street fighting and fight to the death. At the same time, send a telegram to Uliastai, asking them to send a team to Tannu Uriankhai Banner to eliminate the invading Russian army and "recover lost territory"."

The phrase "recovering lost territory" is quite significant; it depends on the specific actions taken by the troops who arrived at Tannu Uriankhai Banner after understanding the situation. Furthermore, while Uliastai was also attacked by Russian troops, it pales in comparison to the attack on Kulun. The Kulun defenders have made a great contribution, and if the comrades in Uliastai do not defeat the Russians and reclaim their lost territory, they will be truly disappointed.

"Yes."

The remaining Russian troops launched the most fierce attack on Kulun. It was not that the Russian firepower was fierce, but that the Russian charge was the fiercest. Infantry and artillery coordinated, but it was not entirely an infantry and artillery coordinated tactic, because many artillery shells were dropped on the heads of the Russian army. In order to attack Kulun, the artillery no longer distinguished between enemy and friend in the bombardment.

As Bolivar launched his all-out assault on Kulun, he was unaware that the time had come for his field army to launch a full-scale counterattack. The Russians, suffering heavy losses, advanced deep into Kulun, only to be driven back again by the fearless Russians. This cycle continued several times, with corpses piling up like mountains and blood flowing like rivers. The battle was bloody and brutal. To destroy them, one must drive them mad. Bolivar had no idea that hundreds of thousands of Russian troops would be completely wiped out on the Mongolian steppes.

"Chief, Commander-in-Chief Kulun is calling."

When Liu Gongbu heard this, he rushed over in two steps, snatched the telegram and started reading it.

"Haha, good, great. It's finally time to fight back. We've been so frustrated for a while. If it weren't for the greater good, we would have attacked long ago."

The Russian army had been delayed for so long on its way to Kulun, and now, after days of attacking Kulun, Governor Anuchin had already prepared a new batch of supplies for Kulun, and had ordered the incoming troops to escort them to Kulun to support Bolivar. This batch of supplies had already entered the command center's field of vision, and now all they needed was Zhang Feng's order.

Of course, if Zhang Feng had not given the order, the field army cavalry would not have allowed this batch of supplies to be sent to Kulun, otherwise, who knows how many more field army soldiers would have lost their lives. More importantly, if this batch of Russian troops and supplies were dealt with, the Russian army would definitely not be able to invade Mongolia again this year.

"Let's go, let's go get the supplies!"

When everyone heard this, they all knew what it meant. Now the field army cavalry's ammunition and supplies have been replenished. They have abundant supplies and have everything they need. Now they can be said to be strong and powerful. They immediately answered loudly and excitedly: "Yes, cavalry attack."

By this time, Bolivar knew that a batch of supplies had already entered Mongolia and was being delivered to Kulun, but it was too late. Truly too late. Thinking of the Field Army's cavalry, Bolivar suddenly felt a headache. But without the slightest hesitation, he immediately dispatched all his remaining mobile cavalry to receive this batch of supplies. Otherwise, if this batch of supplies fell into the hands of the Field Army, there would be no need to fight any further.

Inside the headquarters of the Russian Ural Cossack Cavalry Corps, the Lieutenant General paced anxiously. The Russian attack on Kulun was a siege, so their cavalry had little to do. However, the Russians suffered heavy losses at the gates of Kulun and still failed to break through. This made him feel that the situation was not going well, and he was filled with anxiety.

"A tiny Kulun has only tens of thousands of rebel troops. But our army of hundreds of thousands has been unable to break through. Is it because the enemy's fighting power is too strong, or is it because the imperial soldiers' fighting power is too weak?"

Before the battle broke out, he, like other Russian generals, believed that the field army was just a rebel army of the Qing Dynasty and would not be very strong. However, after the war broke out, he did not dare to underestimate it at all. In particular, the annihilation of the Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps sounded a wake-up call for him. After the Russian army entered the Mongolian grasslands, they were attacked by the cavalry from the field army. In a short time, his cavalry corps was crippled. He also thoroughly understood the strength of the field army.

"If the battle doesn't go well, then I'll have to withdraw first. There's no need for the cavalry to be buried with Bolivar and the others."

He wasn't originally from the East Siberian War Zone, but rather from the army stationed in the Ural region. He was only transferred from there after Russia declared war on the Forward Party government. He didn't want to die here.

"General, telegram."

Just as he was thinking about how to escape, the guards woke him up with a telegram. He took the telegram and saw that it meant that his cavalry should be dispatched immediately to meet a group of soldiers and supplies transported from Kyakhta.

"This is indeed a blessing in disguise, like finding a pillow when you're sleepy. I was thinking about how to escape, and Bolivar immediately gave me the opportunity. As long as the cavalry is in motion, it will be very difficult for the field army to annihilate his troops."

Unfortunately, fate did not allow them another chance to escape. Originally, the Russian cavalry, needing to guard the rear of the main force, had been stationed between Maimaicheng and Kulun. They were also needed to provide security during the Russian infantry siege, so the cavalry's temporary headquarters was neither too far nor too close to the infantry's base, allowing for mutual support. However, when the Russian army launched its full-scale attack, the infantry's rear was left to the cavalry, and this mutual support naturally disappeared. This gave the field army the perfect opportunity to annihilate this Russian cavalry. The field army remained vigilant against this cavalry, keeping them under constant surveillance. On the vast steppes, cavalry's destructive power far outweighed infantry. If these cavalry were allowed to roam freely across the grasslands, it would be impossible to predict how long it would take for the Mongols to regain control. Just as he was about to order the entire army to advance north, a junior officer on guard duty outside rushed into his temporary headquarters.

"General, the Chinese... the Chinese cavalry are coming. In all directions, all over the mountains and plains, there are Chinese cavalry."

A junior officer rushed into the tent and reported to the cavalry lieutenant general with a horrified look on his face.

"What? The Chinese cavalry is coming? Damn it! Hurry up! They're about to launch a large-scale counterattack! Could it be that the situation in Kulun has undergone a major reversal?"

The Field Army's massive cavalry had always been a source of concern for him. Even though the Russians had led the charge on the Kulun battlefield, successively breaking through three or four of the Field Army's lines of defense, his vigilance remained undiminished. He knew that the Field Army's cavalry were like wild wolves on the steppes; if the Russians revealed a weakness, they would immediately attack.

"Order the entire army to prepare for a breakout!"

The cavalry lieutenant general had no intention of delaying any further and immediately issued the order to break out. Bolivar still wanted to fight, but he had already received the order to march north and would not accompany him from then on.

Currently, his Ural Cossack Cavalry Corps, including its headquarters and Cossack cavalry, only had seven or eight thousand men, less than the strength of a single cavalry brigade of the Field Army. Using such a small force to confront the Field Army Cavalry Corps head-on, he had no chance of success. Rather than this, it would be better to withdraw as soon as possible to preserve his strength to the greatest extent possible.

However, the Cossack cavalry lieutenant general still somewhat underestimated the field army. The cavalry he led had become the primary target of the field army's cavalry attack. Over 34,000 cavalrymen of the field army were dedicated to encircling and annihilating the remaining Cossack cavalry. The cavalry surrounded them from all sides, intent on annihilating the last remaining Russian cavalry force in Mongolia.

"General, the number of Chinese cavalry is too large, more than four times ours. We can't break out at all!" A major general reported to the lieutenant general.

"We have to charge even if we can't get out! Otherwise, we will be dead. Since we can't break out to the north, then we have to go south, and then go north after we break out of the encirclement." The lieutenant general said with a gloomy face.

Sun Tzu's Art of War states that if you have ten of them, surround them; if you have five, attack them. However, the field army, with only four times the number of troops, instead surrounded and attacked. While this might seem to violate the principles of the Art of War, it actually did not. The field army's focus on firepower was decisive, and the Russians were simply not able to match the heavy firepower commanded by their cavalry.

On average, in the early stages of the war, when ammunition was plentiful, the field army's firepower against the Russians was indeed more than three times theirs. Furthermore, the Russian cavalry was poor, their weapons primarily consisting of muskets and sabers. Therefore, from any perspective, it was a case of attacking with five factors. After all, Sun Tzu's Art of War has evolved with the times. Previously, five times referred to numbers, but now it refers to firepower. The two concepts are essentially the same: a fivefold difference in strength.

Originally, the lieutenant general had planned to lead his troops northward, bid farewell to Bolivar, and escape the Mongolian steppes back to Russia. However, the north was the heavily defended area of ​​the field army. The Cossack lieutenant general's attempt to escape back to Russia was impossible. With no other choice, he had to change the direction of his breakout.

"Da-da-da! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

After occupying advantageous terrain, the field army's cavalry immediately began digging foxholes. Heavy firepower immediately formed a crossfire, and they began firing at the Cossack cavalry with light and heavy machine guns and mortars. A dense storm of bullets and shells formed a steel storm that enveloped the Cossack cavalry, directly inflicting a heavy price on the Russian army.

The sudden attack by the Field Army immediately restricted the mobility of the Russian cavalry. The Russian troops who wanted to break out were like hitting an invisible wall, leaving them with broken heads and blood. The heavy firepower of the Field Army formed a crossfire network, and the Russian cavalry had no chance to escape. They could only wander around in the encirclement like headless flies.

"hiss!"

The warhorse neighed before dying, and the shot horse fell to the ground wailing. The Russian Cossack cavalry on its back was thrown out and then trampled into a pulp by the warhorse galloping from behind.

Countless Cossacks were thrown from their horses by fragments from exploding shells. Their bridles, unable to be removed in time, caused the frightened horses to drag the Cossacks along, dragging them to death. Many more Cossacks were killed directly by shrapnel or bullets from exploding shells.

But even so, in order to survive, the Russian Cossack cavalry launched a fearless charge. They knew that if they couldn't break through the field army's encirclement, they would be completely doomed. However, as the field army continued to tighten the encirclement, the brutality of the battle became even more obvious. Although the field army's firepower was fierce, the speed of the horses was amazing in order to escape. Some Russian cavalry who had managed to escape the fire network continued to charge towards the field army cavalry.

At this time, the war horses in front of the field army suddenly took a few steps to the side, and suddenly a machine gun carried on a rubber-wheeled cart was pushed out from the back. This machine gun was towed by horses and was easy to maneuver. It was a kind of supplementary firepower for cavalry units.

"HeT! HeT! HeT! "

Amidst the Russians' terrified screams, the machine guns instantly opened fire. Blazing bullets flew towards the Russians, sending the leading Russian cavalrymen flying like rags. Some of the bullets shot their horses dead, and as their horses fell, the cavalrymen on horseback often fell forward, many with broken necks.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

When the Russians were within a hundred meters of the field cavalry, the soldiers opened fire with their muskets. The cavalry no longer cared about their aim; at such a short distance, they could always kill some Cossacks. The field soldiers fired all the bullets in their muskets, then threw grenades, and finally drew their sabers, urging their horses to fight, ready for the final hand-to-hand combat.

"Comrades, follow me! Kill all these old Russians!"

Led by their officers, the brave field cavalry drew their sabers and charged at the Russian cavalry. Their sharp sabers gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

The sound of "puffing" continued, and the sharp sabers, driven by the high speed of the warhorse, could easily cut through the clothes worn by the people. With the help of the high-speed charge of the warhorse, the cavalry only needed to use very little force to easily kill the opponent, even directly chopping off half of the head.

The Russian Ural Cossack Cavalry Corps attacked the defenses of the Field Army's 6th Cavalry Brigade. Nearly ten thousand men from both sides engaged in a fierce battle, primarily from the Field Army. The Russians were being decimated by the casualties, leaving them with few men. The other Field Army cavalry brigades immediately launched a final assault on the Russian Ural Cossack Cavalry Corps from other directions. The Russian army's situation was now a matter of life and death.

The Russian Cossack cavalry had already paid a heavy price under the fierce firepower of the field army. Now, after the cavalry of both sides began to fight in close combat, they were at a disadvantage. Especially under the officers' pistols, every shot was accurate.

Even though the Cossacks fought very bravely and were not afraid of death,

Tall and powerful, the simple field chariots were a match for the Sisatian cavalry in terms of strength. However, the field army possessed an absolute advantage in manpower. As the saying goes, two fists cannot defeat four hands, and a hero cannot stand against numbers. The Russian Cossack cavalry were indeed brave and skilled in battle. Under normal circumstances, three or four field army cavalrymen would often face one Cossack cavalryman. This meant that in a situation where two fists were no match for four hands, one Cossack cavalryman after another was cut down.

The field army also provided excellent protection for its soldiers, with breastplates and wrist guards being provided. Often, a Russian slash, especially during a charge, hitting heavy armor, felt like a hammer blow, far more painful than a stone breaking through the chest. Often, a field army soldier would groan, or even bleed from the nose, clearly suffering from internal injuries.

However, often when the Russians watched the field soldiers fall to the ground with a grim smile on their faces, or habitually hacked down the next field soldier, the field soldier who was hacked would often backhand and hack down the unsuspecting Russian soldier. Countless Russian soldiers fell to the ground with expressions of astonishment on their faces, and they really couldn't understand why anyone in this era would still wear thick armor to fight on the battlefield.

"Oh!"

A howl of agony was heard, and a Cossack cavalryman had half of his face chopped off and fell off his horse screaming.

The cavalryman who had attacked the Cossack had no time to rejoice. A saber slashed down from behind him, severing his neck. This was the Russian army's reaction speed. Knowing the field troops were armored, they immediately attacked the exposed parts of the field troops. However, the Cossack who had successfully attacked was also pierced by two sabers almost at the same time.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

A platoon leader from the 6th Cavalry Brigade of the Field Army was firing his pistol. Although the pistol's range was short, it was still very useful in the melee. A few bullets knocked down several Cossacks, and every shot hit the target.

“Despicable guy!”

The Cossack cavalrymen were furious at the Field Army officers' use of pistols to kill. In their minds, a brave cavalryman should fight with sabers. But the Field Army's cavalrymen showed absolutely no respect for martial virtue. They were equipped not only with numerous cannons but also with numerous machine guns. This couldn't even be called cavalry; it was simply infantry, albeit mounted infantry. Furthermore, in the midst of the melee, they actually used pistols, a completely unwarranted act.

Faced with the siege of the field army, the Russian Ural Cossack Cavalry Corps suffered heavy losses.

"Damn it, I must rush out, I can't die here!"

Under the protection of the guards, the Cossack cavalry lieutenant general led a large number of cavalry to charge. In order to break through the interception of the field army, he really tried his best.

After more than an hour of fleeing and fierce fighting, the Cossack cavalry lieutenant general finally found a gap and, with hundreds of his guards, broke through the interception of the field army cavalry and fled towards Kulun without looking back. As for the other Russian Cossack cavalry, those who did not have time to surrender were all annihilated.

At the same time, the other cavalry brigades of the field army also took action. The Russian Cossack cavalry guarding the supply line and the guards along the way were also completely annihilated. The Russian troops transporting the Russians were annihilated in the field army's surprise attack, and all the supplies fell into the hands of the field army.

From now on, the Russian army will not be able to obtain a single bullet or grain of food for a short time. Their already scarce weapons, ammunition and food will become even scarcer, until they are completely depleted of ammunition and food...

Chapter 677: First update!