Volume 1 Wuchang Vortex Chapter 42: Panic caused by the rotation order
The order to confiscate bullets triggered strong resistance from the soldiers, riots broke out in various camps, and even more than a dozen small-scale fights and confrontations occurred.
The 42nd Regiment belonged to the on-duty force, so each person was able to keep three bullets, which made Yue Peng and others feel a little relieved. With Guo Erxing and Chen Shanyou returning to their posts, both of them were arranged by Yang Qiu to be adjutants. Whether they could control the two battalions had become the key.
In addition to taking time to copy materials every day, Yang Qiu devoted almost all his time to training soldiers. The heavy training left the soldiers no time to think about the turmoil outside. Even the unstable elements of the literary club such as Qiu Wenbin were so tired that they fell asleep every day.
Sitting in the office and tearing off a calendar page, he also had the urge to get involved and change something. With his understanding of the Xinhai Revolution in later generations, he could easily change the fate of Liu Fuqi and others, change Xiaochaojie... and even quickly ascend to the position of governor! But what about after that? How can the constitutionalists control the foundation, reputation, and the constraints and counterattacks of the party members? It is impossible to guarantee it with less than 4,000 soldiers who don't even have unified ideas.
If we rashly take that position, we can immediately announce the fall of Hanyang.
So he finally held back, because it was too early to act now. From the moment he accidentally ended up on the opposing side of the party members, he knew very well that he only had one chance.
Zhang Wenjing knocked on the door of the office. He also served as the secretary of the 42nd unit. After entering the room, he was slightly stunned when he saw all kinds of drawings spread out on the table. His expression returned to normal in an instant: "Sir... the rotation order has arrived!"
Yang Qiu suddenly stood up and snatched the official rotation order, his heart already beating violently.
When everyone thought that the three towns seemed to have returned to their former tranquility overnight, some people suddenly exploded when a major rotation order was sent to each camp.
"Oh no."
Liu Fuji, who was discussing the action plan with Zhang Zhenwu at the Xiaochao Street Literary Society, raised his head when he heard the voice and saw Jiang Yiwu rushing into the room in a military uniform. Without waiting for him to continue speaking, the latter immediately took off his uniform, gulped down two gulps of water, and then swept the table and said, "Don't look at it, it's useless. Something big has happened."
The artillery battalion incident had caught them off guard, because the patrol battalion and the police intensified their search, causing communication between representatives of each battalion to become poor. Then the order to confiscate bullets led to a severe shortage of ammunition for grassroots soldiers. Seeing that the uprising was becoming increasingly difficult, the sound of "something big has happened" made both of their hearts sink suddenly.
"The deployment map is no longer useful..." Jiang Yiwu flipped the city defense map off the table and said anxiously, "You guys have been studying and discussing here for the past few days, but changes have already taken place outside!"
"The Rui side led the 31st and 32nd Battalions into Sichuan this morning. We thought the opportunity had come, but those two old dogs Rui Cheng and Zhang Biao suddenly ordered a major rotation!"
"Major change of defense?!" Liu Fuqi and Zhang Zhenwu looked at each other quickly, their mouths wide open in shock. The Mid-Autumn Festival was just a few days away, and the uprising was imminent. Doesn't this mean that all previous preparations have to be overturned and started over again?
"How do I change it?" Liu Fuji was a calm man, the pillar of this operation, so he managed to keep his composure and pointed at the map and said, "Mark it for me."
Jiang Yiwu did not dare to neglect the serious matter. He quickly picked up the pen and said while marking: "These two old dogs ordered the 3rd Battalion of the 29th Battalion to go to Yunyang, the 8th Ma Battalion to go to Xiangyang, and our 1st Battalion of the 41st Battalion to go to Yichang and the 3rd Battalion to go to Yuezhou. These orders came down at the same time. Moreover, the orders came very suddenly. Now all the battalions have begun to prepare and will set out one after another tomorrow morning."
"That's not right. The 29th and 41st Battalions have both moved. Doesn't that mean there are even fewer soldiers in Wuchang?" Zhang Zhenwei asked.
"How can there be less?" Jiang Yiwu pointed at Hankou and said, "The 30th Battalion will be transferred back to Wuchang tomorrow, and Yang Qiu's 42nd Battalion will take over Hanyang and Hankou! The Jiangfang Navy Battalion has also received orders to station at the Guishan and Sheshan Forts, and cooperate with the three Chuyu ships to strictly check the ships coming and going."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhenwu slammed the table in excitement and cursed: "Fuck! Whose idea was this? It's so vicious. They want to disperse our forces and deliberately disperse the troops. These two treacherous old dogs!"
"Who else could it be? Zhang Meisheng, the advisor of the old thief Ruicheng." Jiang Yiwu gritted his teeth and said, "The 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 29th Regiment of the 15th Brigade of the Eighth Regiment, and the 30th Regiment are basically all the confidants of the old dog Zhang Biao! Our 1st Battalion of the 41st Regiment will go to Yuezhou tomorrow, and I definitely can't stay here. This time we are in big trouble!"
Hearing that Jiang Yiwu was somewhat discouraged, Liu Fuji immediately gritted his teeth and said, "Don't be discouraged. I think there is still a chance." After saying that, he immediately lay down on the table and pointed at the defense map that had been modified by Jiang Yiwu: "The 42nd Battalion is far away in Hankou and Hanyang. No matter how capable Yang Qiu is, he can only watch across the river. After the 41st Battalion left two battalions, only two battalions were left. Besides, there is still a long way to go from the Left Banner to the Governor's Office."
"The 32nd Regiment has two battalions, the 29th Regiment has one battalion, and the 30th Regiment has three battalions. Although they are all known as Zhang Biao's confidants , we also have many comrades inside. The artillery and cavalry battalions are outside the city and cannot get in, so as long as we fire a gun, we may succeed. The key now is where to start and who will fire the first shot!"
"The key is guns and bullets." Zhang Zhenwu added: "There are several machine guns in the governor's office. If we don't have enough guns and ammunition, we can't take them down at all."
"Didn't Sun Wu go to get explosives?"
"Chen Yingshi called and said that the bomb will arrive within three days, but explosives alone are not enough. Do we have to hold on to the explosives and die together with the enemy?" Zhang Zhenwu shook his head.
"I think this way..." Liu Fuqi looked at the city defense map and thought for a long time before saying, "The baggage and engineering battalions have always had lax defenses. Why don't we first incite the engineering battalion in Tanjiao? Although the baggage battalion is not far away, they are all peasants. Even if they are willing to risk their lives for Zhang Biao, it will not have much impact. Let the artillery mark outside the city set fire as a signal so that the three towns can see it. As for Chuwangtai..."
"Chu Wangtai is not a big problem. Xiao Anguo doesn't have much ability. Although he is a nice person, he just eats and drinks with the warehouse manager all day long." Jiang Yiwu said.
"Then do it!"
Zhang Zhenwu simply said, "The discontent in the new army is at its highest right now. As soon as the gunshot is heard, let the comrades immediately incite the soldiers from all camps and regiments. The more the better! Soldiers are courageous, and once they are motivated, they will not be afraid. After they are mobilized, immediately let them go to Chuwangtai to get bullets. No matter how powerful Xiao Anguo is, he dare not be an enemy of so many soldiers! If he really works for the Manchus, kill him! After getting the key to the Chuwangtai warehouse, immediately pull out all the cannons and turn around to attack the Governor's Mansion. This way, our chances will be much greater."
After listening to Zhang Zhenwu's words, Liu Fuji also made up his mind. After a while, he stuck the pen hard into the corner of the altar and vowed: "Just do it. If you don't succeed, you will die!"
