Master Yuan, start!

"Didn't Yuan Xiangcheng have people advertise in the newspapers that China and North Korea are one family? Are we going to shoot at his soldiers?"

"What's there to be afraid of? If he dares, just shoot him! Protesting isn't rebellion. Those yangban gangs in Seoul were colluding with the Japanese. I have nothing to do with the Japanese. Jin Limin slammed the table and shouted, "If he dares to shoot, I'll go to Gyeongbokgung Palace and ask the king to come out of retirement!"

Someone tried to smooth things over and said, "Mr. Jin is right. When Yuan Xiangcheng wanted to distribute the land equally, the land he was going to distribute belonged to the wealthy families, which has little to do with us.

Moreover, Yuan Shikai can't recruit soldiers without local tyrants like us. We have provided him with a lot of food and soldiers in the war with the Japanese. He has to give us some face even if he doesn't give us face.

Without us, North Korea would be full of peasants. Even if he distributes the land equally, can he collect taxes? If he dares to kill people, we will go to Seoul to find the king and let him make the decision for us!

"Yes, that's a good idea."

While everyone in the restaurant was discussing how to counter the equal-field policy, Yuan Xiangcheng had already left the war room of the Jiashen Right Army and headed for the house where he would stay.

As soon as he entered the room, Ma Jianzhong said to Yuan Xiangcheng, "Master Yuan, the local forces in Korea are entangled. A hasty and comprehensive land redistribution is not a stable strategy."

Because Ma Jianzhong's brother was a member of the Red Confucian Society, although Ma Jianzhong did not join the Red Confucian Society, he still worked for the Qing court, but in his heart he also leaned towards Yuan Shikai. So he said anxiously, "I just asked the gentry around here, and they didn't cooperate with the Japanese. They bravely assisted the Right Army during the Jiashen Campaign. If such patriotic people also distribute land, will it discourage the Korean gentry?"

8699789lao enthalpy

Ma Jianzhong continued, "The land redistribution is of enormous concern. Hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile farmland are affected near Gyeonggi Province, where Seoul is located. Most of these fields belong to the rebel yangban. Under the pretext of colluding with Japan, you confiscated them and distributed them to the local people. North Korea has no complaints."

But now, apart from Gyeonggi Province, only the southeastern part of the Gyeongsang Peninsula can be considered to have a large number of followers of the Japanese. Most of the gentry in the other provinces have not cooperated with the Japanese. Why are they also so anxious to distribute land equally?"

"What's wrong, Mr. Ma, are you anxious?" Yuan Xiangcheng asked with a smile.

"I think Mr. Ma is not in a hurry to oppose the equal distribution of land. Instead, he is worried that you, Mr. Yuan, are taking too big a step and it is easy to get into trouble." Tang Shaoyi laughed and joked.

Although Ma Jianzhong was ordered by the Qing court, he was influenced by his brother Ma Xiangbo and was indignant that the Qing court won on the battlefield but lost in negotiations in the Sino-French War. He had long been dissatisfied with the Qing court and was inclined towards Xiangcheng.

He vaguely sensed that Yuan Shikai wanted to build Korea into a bastion of power, but the equal distribution of land was still somewhat shocking to him, who had received a traditional education.

He was afraid that Yuan Shikai would be too anxious and arouse opposition from all of Korea, which would lead to his loss of power in the court.

Tang Shaoyi had no objection to the equal distribution of land. He had originally studied abroad and had been exposed to American land policies. In his view, Yuan Shikai's distribution of land to private individuals undoubtedly implemented the concept that all men are created equal. Everyone should own a piece of land of their own and should not become a laborer for the landlord.

Seeing that Ma Jianzhong actually cared about him, Yuan Xiangcheng laughed dumbly and said, "Uncle Mei, Ma Jianzhong, you think too highly of the Koreans. Korea is not as big as China. At best, it is half the size of Jiangsu Province. The difficulty of distributing land in Korea is far less than in China.

After the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom captured Jiangning in previous years, they implemented the equal-field system in southern Jiangsu, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. My equal-field system is not as harsh as the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's, and the number of people who resist me is not as large as the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's. How can I fail?"

Yuan Xiangcheng looked at Tang Shaoyi and said with a smile, "What's more, the imperial court was the main force opposing the Taiping Army's equal distribution of land. Now the imperial court has no objection to my equal distribution of land in Korea and even sends me food and fodder to support me. How can I fail?"

Yuan Shikai divided the issue of equal land distribution into three levels. The first level was unconditional equal land distribution, which targeted the yangban who rebelled and the gentry who had cooperated with Japan. All their land and money were confiscated, and the land was distributed to the farmers.

The second level is the local gentry who did not surrender to Yuan Xiangcheng but did not help the Japanese army in the war. Yuan Xiangcheng gave them the option of keeping the land for five years. During these five years, Yuan Xiangcheng would help them invest in industry and let them shift their money-making channels from land to industry. After five years, Yuan Xiangcheng would purchase the land at market price and repay it gradually over 20 years.

The best third level is for the gentry and some of the two classes who surrendered to Yuan Xiangcheng. Yuan Xiangcheng said that he would immediately purchase the land of these people and give them some silver rewards. At the same time, the purchased land would be repaid within 10 years. In addition, part of the land could be converted into equity and participate in the dividends of iron mines, coal plants and other places opened in Incheon and Pyongyang.

8. In short, land must be distributed equally, but whose land should be distributed, how it should be distributed, and whether money should be given depends on the performance of the gentry in various places.

"This is Lord Yuan's trump card!" After realizing that Yuan Xiangcheng was not using brute force to implement the equal distribution of land, the two men felt relieved.

Xiang Cheng chatted with the two for a while, and his thoughts drifted to the battlefield in the distance.

3 There was no strategic location to defend in the Nakdong River plain. Under the leadership of Sheng Fei, the Second Regiment of the Right Army of Jiashen had captured Daegu City a month ago, cutting off the Japanese plan to break out to the north to Gangwon Province.

After the Battle of San, the Japanese knew that they could no longer fight against the Right Army of Gapsin, so they banded together and hesitated in the southern part of the Nakdong River Plain, maneuvering around in Busan, Changwon, and Jinju, looking for opportunities to break through the defense line of the Right Army of Gapsin.

The fierce artillery fire made the Luodong River no longer calm. After the arrival of Duan Qirui's Jiashen Right Army's First Regiment, the Jiashen Right Army's more than 30,000 people had already formed a numerical advantage over the three major garrisons of the Japanese army.

Well, each Japanese garrison had a strength of just over 10,000 men, but during the six months of fighting in Korea, the Hiroshima and Kumamoto garrisons suffered continuous casualties and could not be fully replenished. The situation only improved after support from the Osaka garrison.

However, the government headed by Ito Hirobumi only sent them out under domestic pressure. They had no plans for long-term combat, and the supply of weapons and equipment could not keep up.

Furthermore, Japan's economy was in a slump at the time, and Ito Hirobumi's primary priority was to stabilize the domestic economy. As for the Japanese invasion of Korea? Ito even hoped they would suffer a defeat, so that the boiling public opinion in the country would calm down. Now was clearly not the right time to confront the Qing Dynasty, so why were they all clamoring for punishment?

Japanese politics in the early Meiji period was far less crazy than in later generations. Ito Hirobumi has always been regarded as the first prime minister of Japan in modern times because of his calm judgment of the international situation.

He knew very well how weak Japan was at the moment, and he could only send warships to transport troops to the Korean Peninsula when the Beiyang Fleet was completely destroyed. Once the Qing Dynasty rebuilt the Beiyang Fleet, it would not be so easy to land in Korea.

Not long after the Beiyang Fleet and the Nanyang Fleet were completely annihilated by the French, the wealthy Qing Dynasty formed another Nanyang Fleet.

How long would it take Japan to build a naval fleet? Ito Hirobumi didn't know, but he knew he couldn't continue to be stuck in the quagmire of Korea. So after learning that the three major garrisons were surrounded in southeastern Korea, Ito Hirobumi hurriedly sent a large number of troop transports to rescue them, hoping to bring them back and put an end to this unsuccessful punishment.

But will Jiashen Youjun really let him get what he wants?

Chapter 78: Conquering North Korea

The sound of artillery fire continued along the coast of the Nakdong River in Korea, and ripples appeared on the water surface. The First and Second Regiments of the Jiashen Right Army and the First Mixed Brigade were divided into three routes and launched a final attack on the Japanese troops gathered along the coastline.

The Japanese and some Korean puppet troops, knowing they had no way to retreat, could only fight back and wait for support from their own navy. They knew very well that based on the murders and arson they had committed on the Korean Peninsula in the past period of time, they would inevitably die if captured.

Even if the Qing soldiers let them go, the Koreans would definitely not let them go, so they had to hold the defense line at all costs and wait for the artillery support from the navy's warships. As long as the navy arrived, with the support of the warships' artillery, the Jiashen Right Army would not dare to approach the beach again.

The Second Brigade of the First Regiment of the Jiashen Right Army, which served as the vanguard, under the leadership of Brigade Commander Feng Guozhang, also noticed the Japanese army's desperate counterattack. He knew that as long as he could break out a breakthrough point on the left bank, the Japanese defense line would be defeated.

But the chief instructor said that we should despise the enemy strategically and take him seriously tactically.

The chief instructor often made remarks at military meetings saying that the Japanese failure in Korea was inevitable because, first, they did not have the support of the international community; second, they did not fully unite with the local forces in Korea; third, their military strength did not have an overwhelming advantage; and fourth, Japan's domestic economy could not support Japan in fighting a long war.

But even a lion needs all its strength to catch a rabbit, let alone the Japanese who are fighting hard despite being trapped.

Feng Guozhang knew that during the more than one year since the chief instructor returned to Korea, the Jiashen Right Army not only updated a large number of armaments and equipped itself with hand grenades, but also, after becoming familiar with the French 60mm field gun, imitated a large number of 60mm Incheon Machine Bureau field guns.

But he also knew that the Japanese equipment was not backward. Spies showed that the Japanese army had urgently equipped dozens of 70mm field guns. This gun was the result of Japan's imitation of the Italian bronze-frame recoil artillery in 1881. It was finalized in 1882. Last year, in order to invade Korea, it was urgently equipped to Taichung, one of the three major towns in Kansai.

The maximum range is over 5000 meters, which is more than 60 meters longer than the 1000mm field gun imitated from France by the Incheon Machinery Bureau. Moreover, its own weight is only more than 200 kilograms, and the total weight including the gun mount is less than 700 kilograms. It can be carried by three horses, making it extremely convenient to move.

This field gun was used in its original time and space until the late period of the Sino-Japanese War of 20-, and was gradually abandoned by the Japanese after entering the th century.

Although it was not as good as the French 90mm field gun captured by the right army of Gapsin, it was better than the 60mm field gun imitated by the Incheon Machinery Bureau.

During the exchange of fire, Feng Guozhang faced a very difficult problem.

If 90mm field guns were used for shooting, the enemy's heavy firepower could be suppressed, but there were too few French 90mm field guns captured, and only a part of his artillery marks were left. Most of them were 60mm field guns, but the 60mm field guns could not reach the Japanese at all on the 90mm field gun positions.

If we move forward and try to bombard the Japanese, we will face counterattacks from the Japanese 70mm field artillery.

The only way now is to cross the river first and destroy the Japanese front-line positions so that the large number of 60mm field guns can play a numerical advantage!

Thinking of this, Feng Guozhang turned his gaze to the grenade at his waist, turned his head and said to the adjutant beside him: "Go ask how many grenades our Second Brigade has. I need to concentrate them..."

The battle was still at a stalemate, the sunlight was barely visible, and the full moon hung high in the sky.

The right army of Jiashen was unable to cause effective casualties in the areas it could reach due to sparse firepower, and the two armies were still in a stalemate across the Nakdong River.

The First Regiment and the First Mixed Brigade have split into two groups, going south and north respectively to encircle the Japanese army. However, there are mountains all around, making it very difficult to take a detour. By the time they arrive, the Japanese may have already changed their positions.

"Lin Zhang, Lin Zhang!" Wang San braved the flames of war to call out to this young man from Fujian who had amazing arm strength during his daily training.

But the rumbling sound of the artillery was too loud, and Lin Zhang in the distance didn't hear it at all. He was still busy exploring the way to the river.

"Fujian boy!" Wang San shouted at the top of his lungs, and was finally heard by Lin Zhang.

He turned around and looked at the shed leader, Wang San, who was holding an oilcloth bag in his hands, and asked in confusion, "Shed leader, what's wrong?"

Wang San quickly handed the oil-paper bag filled with grenades to Wang San:

"The captain and company commander said we've received an order to concentrate our superior forces, swim across the river with grenades, and blow up the Japanese artillery positions at close range in the dark. I thought you're from Fujian, a good swimmer, and always ace your grenade training, so I decided to have you join me in the charge!"

"Okay, Brother Wang! I'll go with you." Lin Zhang didn't hesitate at all when he heard that. "I, Lin Zhang, lost my parents when I was young. I went sailing with my uncles from the same hometown, but who knew that the merchant ship was sunk by the French in Tianjin. All the people on the ship died, and I was the only one washed ashore. I was already dead.

It was Lord Yuan and Jiashen Youjun who took pity on me, allowed me to join the army, gave me food and drink, and paid me wages, thus saving my life.

After joining the army, Brother Wang, you were like my elder brother, always thinking of me in everything. Unlike other camp leaders who would beat or scold new recruits, you never beat me.

If I don't follow you this time, and don't fight for our Jiashen Right Army and Lord Yuan, I, Lin Zhang, will be considered ungrateful and deserve to die again! " Lin Zhang took the oil paper bag handed to him by Wang San, and without any reluctance, he tied it around his waist like Wang San did.

"You brat!" Wang San punched Lin Zhang. "What's the point of living or dying? You've been listening to Lord Yuan's words all the time! Lord Yuan saved you so that you could save China. Who allowed you to die in North Korea? No matter what, you have to live. You're not allowed to die!"

After packing up, the two stopped talking, took their equipment and walked towards the gathering point on the shore.

"Brothers of the Second Association, you all know the situation, so I won't say any more. Just one sentence!

Lord Yuan promised that for soldiers who died in battle, 50 taels of silver would be sent to their families in one lump sum. If there were brothers or sisters in the family, one would be chosen to support them until they reached adulthood. If they were orphans, a child with the same surname would be found in the village to carry on their incense until they reached adulthood of 16 years old!

You all know Mr. Yuan's credibility. Two years ago, when we were fighting the French, Mr. Yuan personally wrote over 3000 letters to those who died in battle. Whether you are from Zhili, Shandong, Fujian, the Northeast, or even Korea, has Mr. Yuan ever made a mistake?!"

"Long live Master Yuan, long live Master Yuan!"

"Lord Yuan also said that he doesn't seek eternal life, but only a strong China. Now, it's time for you to charge for China. Brothers, this time, we will win!"

"We must win, we must win!"

The group tied up grenades and ran quickly upstream. After about quarter of an hour, they successfully reached a narrow part of the river.

After resting for half an hour, the Jiashen Right Army Second Brigade Temporary Grenadiers Assault Team, one by one, tied up seven packages of oil paper, and swam to the other side.

The artillery fire from the opposite bank became brighter and brighter in Wang San's eyes, and the cool river water washed away a lot of the heat he had felt from running all the way.

The roar gradually became less loud as he went up and down in the water, until he felt a hard stone in his hand, and with a strong push, he finally got ashore.

After counting the number of people, they still found that three brothers were missing. Wang San had no time to mourn. There was less than half of the agreed two hours left, so he hurriedly asked everyone to check whether there was any water leakage in the oilcloth bags. After the inspection, they quickly moved towards the Japanese positions in the south. In the cover of night, everyone seemed to be in a dark nightmare.

The group gradually approached the Japanese camp and lay down behind a hill. The Japanese artillery positions with flashing lights were even conspicuous in the dark night.

"Brother Wang, shall we charge?!"

"Don't worry, wait for the signal from the other side. Before we set off, we agreed to a large-scale artillery bombardment in two hours. This will overwhelm the Japanese and create an opportunity for us to break through."

"Boom!"

On the other side of the river, the Second Brigade of the Jiashen Right Army, at the request of its commander Feng Guozhang, brought the 60mm field guns closer regardless of the losses and launched a forced bombardment despite the risk of being destroyed by the Japanese.

"Now, charge!" Wang San shouted and ran down the hill quickly, throwing a grenade with all his strength. When everyone else rushed down, the Japanese soldiers on guard outside had already discovered Wang San and his group and started shooting at them one by one.

"Boom!" With a sound, the grenade that Wang San had just thrown landed perfectly at the feet of the alert Japanese soldier. Although the explosion was not powerful, it broke the Japanese soldier's legs and left him lying on the ground wailing.

Did the rest of the people do the same? Group: Yi Zeng Toad chose Xuanjiu = Liu followed suit and threw the grenade with all his might.

When Lin Zhang approached the Japanese camp, he looked back and found that a large number of his comrades had already fallen on the road, and there were bags of grenades tied to their bodies that they had not had time to throw out.

The cruel casualties made Lin Zhang's legs tremble, but after Wang San's shouting, he quickly came to his senses, moved forward quickly, and ran towards the blind spot of the Japanese army's shooting.

"Go around and throw the entire grenade bag onto the artillery position!" Wang San was suppressed in a corner by the Japanese army's shooting and could not move forward. He could only let the others complete the task. He picked up the guns of the Japanese soldiers who were killed in the explosion and provided cover for them.

Seeing his comrades being discovered by the Japanese army and shot to death one by one, Lin Zhang widened his eyes, turned over and got up, approached the Japanese artillery position, pulled the fuse of a grenade, and then threw the whole bag of grenades into the artillery position.

With a loud "boom", the Japanese army's 70mm field gun instantly stopped firing, and the artillerymen operating it were blown to pieces.

At this time, the rest of the Jiashen Right Army comrades who were close to the artillery position also threw grenade bags into the artillery position. For a while, the Japanese positions on the right bank ushered in a brief period of silence.

The commander of the Jiashen Right Army on the opposite bank was keenly aware of this and quickly ordered the artillery positions to move forward. At the same time, he ordered everyone to get ready and quickly build the prepared pontoon bridge to cross the river!

When the Japanese saw that they were attacked, they immediately shouted angrily. In their rage, they did not repair the artillery positions first. Instead, the entire battalion searched for Wang San and his group. After the Jiashen Right Army crossed the river and completed the attack on the Japanese camp, there were less than 100 people left out of Wang San's suicide squad of more than people, and most of them were injured.

As the sky gradually brightened, the two Jiashen Right Armies that had taken detours from the north and south had completed their detours. The entire army, consisting of two regiments and one mixed brigade, gathered their forces and launched a fatal attack on the Japanese army.

The three major Japanese garrisons were beaten back step by step and could only retreat to the beach. The Hiroshima garrison at the front had suffered more than half of its casualties, and the Kumamoto garrison was only slightly better off. Only the Osaka garrison escaped in time, and the casualties were only 4%.