In order to reach the destination as soon as possible and join the battle, Wufeng selected dozens of soldiers from the Independent Second Division who had traveled with Yue Shan through the Liupan Mountains as guides and were familiar with the road conditions. More than 20,000 soldiers from the Third Division were guided by the guides. Under the leadership, he quickly inserted himself to the north.
Partridge Pass is not too far from Lulong Mansion, about two hundred miles, but there is a medium-sized mountain range in the middle - Liupan Mountain. Liupan Mountain is named after its mountain topography. It is not very steep and steep. It is mainly composed of six huge hills formed by the accumulation of weathered loess. One after another, stretching for hundreds of miles, the terrain is extremely complex. Fortunately, because of the Some small caravans took a shortcut south from Lulong Mansion, but there were still some trails to be found.
Although there were soldiers who were familiar with the terrain to lead the way, the troops were still not moving very fast. The 60-mile stretch from Partridge Pass to the Liupan Mountain area took only three hours of rapid march to arrive. The marching speed slowed down significantly when entering the mountainous area. The rugged mountain road was very narrow and could only accommodate three or four people. It also had many curves. It was completely through the winding mountain road and vehicles could not pass at all. Fortunately, the soldiers of the 3rd Division were well prepared. , carrying a large amount of dry food with him, and the logistics department also arranged some mules and horses who are good at walking on mountain roads to carry the necessary logistics materials, but they did not encounter too much trouble.
Wu Feng declined the mules and horses specially prepared for him, and still walked on foot with all the soldiers. Although this did not mean anything, Wu Feng felt that this would make him more harmonious with the more than 20,000 simple men under his command. overall. What's more, in the past few years, he has improved his physical fitness by leaps and bounds through the improvement of his internal strength. This hundred-mile mountain road is nothing to him.
Thousands of torches lit up, like a fiery snake that could never be seen to the end, winding through the mountains. Although the traveling speed was much slower than on the flat ground, it was able to achieve this speed on such a difficult mountain road. Without chaos, probably only the Gaoyue soldiers with natural talents can do the job.
Wu Feng, who was mixed in with the marching team, kept a steady speed and followed the team without missing a beat. However, the soldiers around him were not surprised. In their hearts, the person who could conquer the hearts of the entire Gaoyue tribe was naturally not an ordinary person. They would do it from time to time. The eyes that glanced over were full of admiration and admiration.
Gusts of mountain wind blew through the valley in late autumn from time to time, but the soldiers who had trekked for several hours were sweating through their heavy armor, but no one complained about tiredness or suffering. After several years of hard work, this unit has become The most powerful infantry division in Wu Feng's hands, the experienced Mulige not only improved the physical fitness of this group of high-ranking men, but the most important thing was to make them understand a little bit of iron discipline. The foundation of the army's constant victory and invincibility has also won the heartfelt support of the officers and soldiers under his command.
"Li Ge, how long do you think it will take us to get out of this damn place?" Although he didn't feel very tired, Wu Feng felt uncomfortable wandering around on this endless winding mountain road. He opened his mouth to ask Mulige, the commander of the third division who had been following him.
"Sir, I'm afraid it will take some time. These six mountains are surrounded by six mountains, criss-crossing and criss-crossing. They are not suitable for large troops to march. I am not boasting, but our third division is also. If you use other troops, I'm afraid it will take twice as long." Mulige continued, his tone full of pride.
"Hey, that's quite loud. Don't think that the Third Division is number one in the world. I don't think so." Wu Feng deliberately provoked the other party.
"Your Excellency, there is no need to provoke me. I just said that our Third Division dares to be number one among the infantry divisions. As for other cavalry divisions or mixed divisions, I did not say that. Mr. Liang's First Division is among the first in our army." Known as the number one, Master Cui's Second Division has been competing with him, but now Master Cui has been transferred to the Cavalry Division. I wonder if Shalang can shoulder the important task of challenging the First Division. I'm afraid We still need to observe and observe. Among the infantry divisions, although the boy Shanzhu poached many people from the 3rd Division, the Northern Luzon Independent 1st Infantry Division may be a little greener if it wants to challenge its old employer. As for the newly established Northwest Independent Third Division, although it is mostly composed of Gaoyue people, its training level and war experience are far inferior to our Third Division, so Lao Mu dares to boast like this." Mulige said slightly. He smiled and said that he was not immune to Wu Feng's provocation at all.
"What about the infantry units in other places on the mainland?" Wu Feng asked such a profound topic as he walked.
"Other areas?" Mulige's expression was not as relaxed. He thought for a moment before replying cautiously: "It's hard to say, but I heard that the major powers in the Western Continent have a balanced development of cavalry, and their cavalry offensives are as fast as fire. , the infantry is as solid as a mountain, and their infantry is very good at attacking cities and fortresses, especially their advanced siege equipment should not be underestimated. I heard that the Liberian countries on the border of the empire are interested in introducing various technologies from the Western Continent. The advanced technology of a powerful military country. More recently, I heard that Pasha Kutuzov is very good at running the army, and his infantry team, known as the Iron Army, is also said to be extraordinary. I think he is definitely not someone to be trifled with."
Wu Feng was surprised by Mu Lige's answer. He didn't expect that Mu Lige, who seemed taciturn and almost dull, could actually express such a penetrating opinion. It contained a lot of rich insights. It can be summarized in a day.
After looking at the other party up and down, Wu Feng's eyes were filled with admiration and he nodded heavily: "Very good! Li Ge, that's well said. We've been apart for three days, so we should look at each other with admiration! I didn't expect you to see further than me. The powerful armies in the Central and Western Continent are all treasured by you. Well, if all my men are as far-sighted as you are, I dare say that Li, my army, will be invincible in the future."
"Your Excellency, you are exaggerating. However, since Lao Mu has the important responsibility of an infantry division, he naturally needs to be aware of the surrounding military developments. Otherwise, if he really confronts his opponent, wouldn't he know nothing about it? I'm afraid that I will be stuck in the moment. It's a bit late. The Art of War says, know yourself and the enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger. Although Lao Mu doesn't read much, he still understands this sentence." Mu Lige seemed a little unexpected when facing such praise from the coach, and there was a trace of sadness on his auburn face. There was some redness, but the tone was still calm and simple.
Patting his old subordinate who was also an alumnus of his studies at the Imperial Military Academy, Wu Feng sighed and said: "Lige, you don't have to be too modest. I know your thoughts. These guys under me I know how much weight the material has. I am afraid that after winning one or two battles, some people develop the feeling of being proud and underestimating the enemy, acting like they are the best in the world. I think this is the biggest problem in our team."
Mulige didn't say anything. As a subordinate, it was hard for him to say anything about the coach's sentiments. This involves the issue of unity within the entire army. Only Wu Feng himself can comment. Others include Northwest Ling Tian, the chief of staff of the legion, may have to pay attention to his wording on these issues.
Probably Wufeng also noticed that it was inappropriate for him to talk about such a sensitive issue in front of his subordinates. The topic turned to the current situation in the northern part of the empire, "Old Mu, what do you think of the current situation in the northern part of the empire?"
Mulige seemed a little hesitant in this regard, probably because he was still a little confused about the overall situation, and he was much more cautious in his words: "It's hard to say. But the Taiping Sect can make a difference in just a few days." It swallowed up more than half of the entire northern part of the empire at once, which is indeed shocking. However, the taxes and levies borne by the people in the two northern counties of the empire have always been the heaviest, and in recent years, the north has suffered from droughts, floods, and locust plagues. , after the flood, the plague also raged, and the people were really miserable. Otherwise, there would not have been the uprising of farmers and slaves four years ago, and the Taiping Religion would not have been able to develop to such a large scale easily. Sir, take a look. The poverty level of the people in the two counties that moved to the northwest of us in the past few years can be seen clearly. It can be summed up in eight words: they have nothing to gain and are penniless."
What Mulige said is also true. Without a deep foundation among the people, it is really difficult for the Taiping Education Committee to create such a big momentum all of a sudden. It can be said that the empire’s rule in the north has indeed reached the edge of official pressure and popular rebellion. In addition, there is the Taiping Religion as a pole. Organizations with negative seditious power contact and instigate in the middle, whether it is an uprising or a riot, it is a natural thing.
Seeing that the coach just nodded silently and did not answer, Mulig continued: "However, I am very suspicious of the so-called Holy Army formed by the Taiping Religion. Now let's not talk about the area in Guanxi. Judging from the scale of the Holy Army in the north, The size of the army is estimated to have exceeded 500,000, which is not a small number. It is 200,000 more than all the regular troops and security forces in the six northwest prefectures plus Northern Luzon combined. This is simply too huge. Their The actual combat effectiveness is worthy of scrutiny. Even if there are external forces to help them train, there should be no doubt that they will not be able to improve much in a short period of time."
"Well, that's true. The growth of the army does not happen overnight. However, I think that although we won the battle between Shenei and the Taiping Army, our losses were not small. We should still pay attention. Not all enemies are Incompetent people." Wu Feng nodded.
After receiving the order from Wu Feng, the Independent Third Infantry Division immediately completed preparations in the shortest possible time. According to the plan, it first entered some hilly areas in the Liupan Mountain area to the north. After passing through these hills, it could be inserted into the return line. At the junction of Defu and Lulongfu, the road turns east here and goes straight into the hinterland of Lulongfu from west to east.
After receiving the order, Xiong Daoyuan and Shuizheng were trembling with excitement. In their opinion, Wufeng not only promoted the local security division to a regular army in a short period of time, but also quickly and quickly To assign such an important task to them is clearly a sign of trust in the independent Third Infantry Division, and of course it is also a test. Whether the Third Independent Division can succeed depends on the outcome of this battle.
Facing the dark crowd of subordinates who were ready to go, Xiong Daoyuan was filled with excitement. Standing on the general ordering platform in the training field, he was choked and speechless for a moment. He finally calmed down and the words he had been brewing for a long time turned into a few short sentences: "Brothers, why do we join Master Li? Just to win the war! Today, Master Li has handed over a crucial task to our Independent Third Infantry Division, which is of no use to our Independent Third Guard Division. It is an honor for me, my surname is Xiong, and I have nothing more to say. In one sentence, the Independent Third Infantry Division will swear to the death to repay Mr. Li’s trust! Let’s go!”
The simple nature of the Gaoyue soldiers in the audience was fully demonstrated, and there was only a thunderous roar: "Swear to the death to serve Mr. Li!"
Ling Tianfang and Fielding, who were firmly seated in Taixuan Palace, plunged into complicated arrangements after sending the urgent military information to Wu Feng. A regiment of more than 70,000 Kaman people had already moved south from Jiayuguan. Where are they currently? It is unknown, and the elite Royal Guards are already gearing up, sending reconnaissance teams southward to search from time to time, assuming a posture of being ready to go south anytime and anywhere. Veterans such as Ling Tianfang and Fielding also became nervous. The divisions under their command have entered the highest combat readiness state and are ready to respond to possible emergencies. Ling Fei and his two men, who were originally very interested in sending the Guide Guard Division to the Lulong battlefield, had to stop this idea after noticing the abnormal movements of the Kaman people, and let the main force of the Guide Guard Division move northward, ready to attack at any time. They can work with the independent cavalry division to the west to deal with Taixuan Mansion. As for the battle situation in Lulong Mansion, they can only leave it to Wu Feng to deal with.
At this time, the battle in Lulong has entered the most critical moment. The more than 80,000 Lulong Taiping rebels divided into two groups and advanced from east to west. Among them, the main force of more than 60,000 troops led by Jiang Bin, the commander of the Lulong Taiping Army, was already in the area. Thirty miles east of Lulong City, there was a head-on confrontation with the Lulong Guard Division. Even with three times the opponent's military strength, they still failed to achieve the expected victory. This made Jiang Bin very dissatisfied. However, he could see that the opponent was at the end of his battle, so he probably It can't last much longer.
But to Jiang Bin's surprise, the Lulong Guard Division suddenly withdrew its entire army and retreated to Lulong City for garrison. This surprised Jiang Bin. You must know that once you retreat to the city, the resistance can last longer. , but now another of his troops has captured most of the southern areas of Lulong along the southern line, and will soon be able to form a siege situation around Lulong City, and behind him there are nearly 50,000 Anyuan Holy Army troops who are speeding up. Reinforcements are coming, and once Lulongfu City is surrounded, it will really be called catching a turtle in a urn. As the opponent's coach, Mi Feng, the commander of the Milulong Guard Division, shouldn't have failed to see this, which made Jiang Bin very puzzled.