Master Yuan, start!

The violent explosion spread from the ground to the surroundings, and the nitroglycerin explosives burst out with thick yellow smoke, which diffused among the ruins of the buildings.

Some shells loaded with shrapnel are even more lethal. After the cast iron shells explode, dozens of pre-engraved fragments inside fly around and whistle in the mud and sand, overturning earth walls and stone walls.

It shook down all the standing buildings, and then swept across the streets with unstoppable power.

After a series of clanging noises, a newly built church on the west side of Xiamen Island was blown to pieces.

In the church, most of the nuns were killed on the spot by shrapnel and stones. Even if they managed to escape, they were shocked by the shock wave of the explosion, their livers and gallbladders ruptured and they bled to death from all their orifices.

This is only the power of the initial salvo of artillery shells, and it is far from reaching the most saturated firing state.

When the National Revolutionary Army artillery turned its guns and fired at the temporary French artillery positions that had been identified on the map, yellow smoke flew up from the sky above the 3-kilometer-wide French artillery positions in Xiamen.

The artillery positions on Xiamen Island are divided into permanent positions and temporary positions.

The permanent positions are mostly distributed on the south and east sides of the island. They are fortifications carefully built by the French after they first landed in Xiamen.

The temporary positions were field positions built with sandbags and wood after they occupied Xiamen in order to guard against possible attacks from the north.

Search q: .U*凄…u湫衣q The Phoenixes also built some permanent positions in the north, directly facing the land, but they did not continue to build them. They only built a dozen or so before stopping.

Now, those that are being bombarded are all temporary positions.

The bunkers were knocked down in large numbers, the French soldiers were thrown high into the air, the exploded parts and gun barrels were scattered all over the ground, and the shock waves from the continuous falling shells were silently reaping lives.

Escape? There's nowhere to escape!

Xiamen Island is an isolated island surrounded by water. Unless they can swim 3 kilometers to the mainland holding on to a wooden board, there is no way they can escape.

In addition to the 12 150mm heavy guns, there are 36 90mm medium-caliber guns, which also make up for their power with the density of the shells.

What's more, their range is even longer than that of Big Brother. After all the cannons joined the bombardment, the French artillery positions were completely covered by flames and smoke, so that the French soldiers who had just been awakened by the explosion in the distance were still confused.

"Fight back! Fight back now!"

The French garrison commander ran out of the residence quickly, shouting as he ran.

He knew that if he allowed the enemy's artillery to wreak havoc on his own artillery, he would be completely finished. Once his artillery was finished, the enemy's heavy artillery group would start to extend and spread the fire, and the unprotected infantry would only die more miserably.

Even the small gunboats at sea had no way to survive, so they had to move quickly before the enemy artillery destroyed all the artillery positions.

Under his command, the French artillerymen, who were surprised by the strength of the enemy's artillery, ran into the permanent artillery position on the mountainside and gritted their teeth to fight back against the National Revolutionary Army a thousand meters away.

In the permanent artillery position made of sand and gravel soil, the commander shouted frantically, and the soldiers were busy loading ammunition, not paying any attention to the falling dust.

"Boom boom boom! Search: bait 9 lazy unknown door Jing Cheng = ... Road (beer

Artillery bombardment began on both sides of Xiamen.

Relying on the intelligence they had obtained in advance and taking the enemy by surprise, the National Revolutionary Army took down many of the French temporary artillery positions in advance.

However, when facing artillery positions defended by permanent fortifications, even the 150mm heavy artillery seemed a little powerless.

It was almost impossible to destroy it directly. At best, they relied on the shock energy to kill a few French artillerymen who were too close to the wall.

Xiamen is in chaos.

...

"how's it going?"

"Are Lianzhou City and the Keyi Village outside the city still in our hands?"

"How is the battle in Xiamen?"

In the short distance of just a few dozen meters from the telegraph room to the command center, Wang Shizhen's ears were filled with all kinds of worries and inquiries. It seemed that even if he was standing on flat ground, he could feel the fierce explosions hundreds of miles away.

Even the boiling water in the cup on the table began to ripple. However, the war had only been going on for half a month, and the continuous influx of wounded soldiers almost hurt his heart, not to mention the many petitions for war that almost overwhelmed the command headquarters.

But when he walked into the operations room, he did not see a tense and busy scene. Instead, most of the staff officers had anxious expressions and were discussing in low voices. It was not that they did not want to help, but that all those who should be deployed had been deployed, and now they could only see how the soldiers fought before making adjustments.

After chatting with several familiar officers, Wang Shizhen pushed open the door of the operations room and walked out.

In the corridor, Duan Qirui stood tall in the corner, with a cigarette between his fingers.

"My dear Comrade Zhiquan, why are you smoking? The humidity in the south is very high, and you've been coughing a lot lately. The chief instructor has repeatedly told the military doctor to pay attention to your diet and health. If he knew about this, I don't know how to blame him."

"I've never smoked this stuff before, and now I try it and it doesn't feel good. Why do you think those foreigners always like to hold a cigar in their mouths?" Duan Qirui smiled slightly and put out the cigarette after hearing his words.

After the establishment of the Republic, Yuan Shikai also began to issue orders banning the smoking of opium.

However, in order to alleviate the needs of some people who are addicted to smoking and also to collect taxes, cigarette factories came into being.

Although Duan Qirui listened to his advice and stopped smoking, Wang Shizhen still gave him a few more instructions before taking out the telegram: "Wu Peifu just sent a telegram saying that they are attacking Xiamen Island and hope to attract some French naval support.

There's been no intelligence from Lianzhou City yet. Their last telegram was two days ago. I don't know if the telegraph line was blown up or if something went wrong."

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When Wang Shizhen said this, he shook his head with some worry and murmured, "I hope there is no problem."

After mumbling to himself, Wang Shizhen paused for a moment before looking up again: "German engineers said that their Krupp cannons are extremely powerful. Even if they are imitations, the most they can do is lose a little in accuracy, but the lethality will not change.

Linxia bombarded Xiamen. If the French did not have time to react, even if they were not hit directly, dozens of heavy shells would have shattered their livers and gallbladders.

5 The only thing to worry about at the moment is the artillery in the French permanent positions and the warships that may come to support.

Duan Qirui did not say anything, quietly took the telegram and sat down, but the blue veins on the back of his hand still allowed Wang Shizhen to see the changes in his heart.

After a while, Duan Qirui asked, "How's the situation in Lang Son?"

"Wang Shizhen repelled two French attacks, and the artillery shells were sufficient. In addition, the area from Lang Son to Zhennan Pass was also filled with friendly troops coming to support him.

However, the French army deployed two artillery regiments and an infantry division south of Lang Son, making it difficult to move south.

I'm afraid the plan to quickly advance to the city of Hanoi will have to be considered over a long period of time.

He sent a telegram to the Military Commission, requesting that, as before, the entire army should attack from Lang Son, go around to the rear of Hanoi, and take the opportunity to attack the city.

He said he was 50% sure this plan would succeed."

"Oh, what about the other half of the chance of failure? What will be the result?" Duan Qirui raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Wang Zhanyuan didn't say it, but we can probably guess it." Wang Shizhen shook his head and replied, "If the army can't capture Hanoi when it marches south, then Lang Son will probably be lost!"

"We must defend Lang Son! Tell Wang Zhanyuan that our success in the war against France depends on the victory or failure of Lang Son.

We took Lang Son with great difficulty through a surprise attack, and we cannot give it up rashly. In this battle with the French, we must not worry about victory but defeat first!

With Lang Son in our hands, the initiative is on our side!

The supply of artillery shells is still sufficient now, so he can just take his time and fight without rushing into anything.

The most dangerous time has passed, and now we must protect the results of the previous battles!

There are currently about 2 French troops in the vicinity of Tonkin, Vietnam, plus the five brigades heading north from Central Vietnam and Cochinchina, totaling no more than 5.

Their number is not large, and as long as Lang Son is in our hands, the French army will not be able to resolve the crisis facing Hanoi.

Therefore, they were eager to open up the Qinlian area and force the National Revolutionary Army between Zhenliang to return for support.

So Lang Son must be defended to the death!

The troops of 5 divisions are placed between Zhen and Liang. Even if the king of heaven comes, they have to hold out. Under any circumstances, the troops between Zhen and Liang must not be less than 3.

If there aren't enough people, just send a telegram to the Central Military Commission and have them sent from all the major military regions!"

Wang Shizhen asked, "What about Lianzhou? Should we send several divisions from the north of Guangxi to support us from the south?"

At least let them appear near Lianzhou so that the French troops in that area will not be so arrogant.

After the French captured Qinzhou, they rushed to Lianzhou without hesitation, as if they didn't take us seriously at all!

"It's not time yet! The terrain in the Qinlian area is narrow. Two brigades are already the limit. Adding more troops will only increase the density and cause greater casualties.

Don't forget, the French Navy's naval guns can directly bombard Lianzhou City!"

"But there has been no news from Lianzhou for two days." Wang Shizhen was a little anxious. Logically speaking, it shouldn't be so late.

Even if the wired telegraph fails, you can fly a kite, use wireless telegraph, or send someone to deliver the message directly!

However, there has been no news from the Lianzhou front for two whole days. How can people not be worried?

Duan Qirui saw his anxiety and patted his shoulder, saying, "Don't worry, Lianzhou won't affect the overall situation. Lianzhou is blocked by the Yunkai Mountains to the east and the Yongjiang River to the north. Even if the French take this place, they won't be able to threaten our rear."

At this point, Duan Qirui suddenly paused, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he circled his fingers in southern Guangxi: "This place is a meat grinder, and we now have the advantage in military strength.

Even if Lianzhou City is captured, we can still block the French south of the Yongjiang River. If we exchange one National Army for one French Expeditionary Force, how many troops does the French have? Can they afford the exchange?

It's good that they have a fleet to support them, but at most they can only support Lianzhou, which is on the coast. Further north, can the fleet even reach land?"

...

Just as Duan Qirui and Wang Shizhen were discussing, a messenger ran forward and brought the latest information.

"Commissioner, Chief of Staff!" the messenger handed over the telegram and said sadly:

"Lianzhou City has fallen. The death toll is incalculable. Hundreds of remaining soldiers fled to Yulin. That's when we learned the news!"

"Lianzhou... is broken?" Wang Shizhen finally felt relieved, but he didn't feel good.

"Go to the General Political Department and find the list of soldiers from the two brigades that participated in the battle in Lianzhou City. Commend them and prepare their pensions!"

Duan Qirui's face was cold, and he said calmly: "Let the Yulin defenders move south, and the Wuzhou defenders move south to replace the Yulin defenders!

I will grind the French down layer by layer!"

Chapter 447: Promoting Songun Politics

When the news of the fall of Lianzhou City spread, it immediately caused an uproar in the country.

After all, this was the first provincial capital captured by France in this war, and it was heavily guarded by the National Revolutionary Army. It was not a place like Qiongzhou and Leizhou where the old, weak and sick Green Camp soldiers were stationed.

Seeing that France had won a victory, some people brought up old issues again and advocated the theory of "quit while the going is good" in the newspapers again. They believed that the Battle of Lianzhou showed that France had recovered, and if a ceasefire was not stopped in time, it would face greater failure in the future.

Some people believe differently. They believe that the National Revolutionary Army had absolute initiative in Vietnam, and the defeat in Lianzhou City was just a defeat that did not affect the overall situation and still could not affect the overall situation of the Sino-French War.

They did not question whether the situation in the Sino-French War had reversed, but were more amazed at the determination of the National Revolutionary Army in Lianzhou City to fight to the death.

The two sides engaged in a war of words using newspapers as a battlefield.

However, more silent people believed that the Battle of Lianzhou was extremely tragic. The death rate of about 8% made them fear the intensity of the Sino-French War for the first time.

Some parents who originally supported their children to join the army also hurriedly stopped their young children after seeing the news in the newspaper.

After the founding of the Republic, Yuan Shikai did not impose any restrictions or controls on the press. On the one hand, the development of modern media industry in China was just beginning, and he did not want the Chinese to lag behind the times in this regard.