When the shadow of war enveloped the Pampas, the armies of South China and Argentina were gathering, and the peaceful grasslands were no longer peaceful.
Thousands of people were gathering on the half-deep grassland. The deafening sound of horse hooves trampled the ground. Soldiers carrying rifles marched towards the target with determined expressions.
Whether it is South China or Argentina, they all seem to want to completely defeat each other through a large-scale battle.
That morning, a train entered Xintai'an Railway Station. Before the train stopped, armed guards jumped out of the carriage. While they quickly took over the train, the telegraph operator had already connected the telegraph line to the telegraph line.
, but within just a few minutes, this special train regained contact with the outside world.
"Where are the Argentine troops now?"
Standing in front of the map, Zhu Xianhai asked directly.
At this time, he was wearing a military uniform and looked no different from an ordinary soldier. The only difference was that his uniform had no military rank.
“Trent Lochn Town!”
Lisenger replied.
This artillery officer whose original name was Heisenberg came from Prussia. His experience is undoubtedly legendary. He was once an artillery lieutenant colonel in the Chilean army. After being captured during Zhu Xianhai’s expedition, he became his staff officer as a prisoner and finally returned to China.
He became the deputy chief of staff of Nanhua. Such an experience is absolutely fantastic.
"Commander, based on our actions, the Chilean army has turned to the town of Trent Laoken, where they are trying to severely damage us through defensive operations..."
In Lisenger's explanation, Zhu Xianhai did not say anything. Why did the Argentinians transfer their troops to the town of Trent Lawn? This town seems to be just a small town, but it has advantages that other areas do not have -
There is a railway between it and Buenos Aires.
railway!
The unpaved railway distance between Nanhua and Trent Lawken is less than 40 kilometers. How close is this distance? It is so close that engineers only need a few days to build a simple railway to connect the two places.
After being connected together, a steady stream of supplies and troops can be transported to the front line along the railway, and the army can also march along the railway.
This is the reason why Nanhua concentrated its troops in the Xintai'an area. The mobilization of security forces naturally led to the mobilization of Argentines, and both sides set their sights on this area.
"According to our intelligence, the Argentines have built a large number of fortifications near the town of Trent Laoken, and have also brought over 60 large-caliber artillery pieces. We have reason to believe that they are trying to use fortress defense to inflict heavy damage.
Our army..."
When Li Senge finished speaking, Gu Chengxun reminded him.
"Commander, there is intelligence from the Investigation Department that Argentina has recently summoned the Shanxi separatists who are in exile in its territory to the presidential palace many times. We have reason to believe that once our army suffers a setback here, after the troops stationed in Chile are mobilized, they will
There will definitely be a rebellion in Chile!”
After a pause, Gu Chengxun said again,
"The British Ambassador to Afghanistan, Edward Thornton, also received those people."
As the head of the Intelligence Bureau of the Security Department, Gu Chengxun is not only concerned about military intelligence, but also pays close attention to other intelligence. There are also corresponding communication channels between the Intelligence Bureau and the Investigation Department. The information sharing between them is extremely smooth.
"If the British don't take any action, it would be beyond our expectations. By the way, there is intelligence from the Investigation Department that shows that the British Navy has ordered the deployment of at least two ironclad ships to Buenos Aires to express support for them.
…”
Zhu Xianhai sneered.
"This is not to show support, but to prevent our fleet from attacking Buenos Aires. After all, we have a great naval advantage, and the British are worried about our ironclads entering the Rio de la Plata, so
, they will dispatch the fleet first!"
What a quick response from this bastard in the UK!
Not only did they react quickly, but they also made decisions quickly. Even on October 3, London made a decision, and then they immediately ordered the fleet stationed in Cape Town to rush to Argentina. Such a rapid response, let alone a long time.
Definitely extremely rare in the 19th century.
This was because of communications, and of course this was the advantage of the Atlantic Cable Company. It was the secret message sent by the British Embassy through the Atlantic Cable that allowed London to make a quick decision.
There is only one reason why London can make such a decision so quickly. The British have fully realized the threat of South China, and they are trying to interrupt the development of South China with the help of Argentina.
"What will happen if Nanhua is defeated or suffers heavy losses on the battlefield? First, Shanxi will launch a rebellion, and Nanhua's power will be dispersed. Then, Argentina will further mobilize its troops to seize the Pampas grassland -
Tell us what you think, how to fight this battle? Speak out your thoughts and listen."
Zhu Xianhai turned his attention to several young staff officers standing aside, and then asked one of them.
"Lieutenant Li Sijie, tell me!"
In the simulator, Li Sijie is a lieutenant colonel and the commander of the fortress. He was killed in the Linhai Fortress in 1877. After running out of ammunition and food, he led his men to launch the last counterattack and committed suicide. But now he is a staff officer of the headquarters.
"Commander, it is very simple to defeat the Argentines militarily. You don't even need to mobilize many troops to defeat them!"
Li Sijie's answer surprised Zhu Xianhai.
"Oh? No need to mobilize the army? Tell us what you think."
Li Sijie replied seriously.
"In fact, the reason why Argentina launched this war was basically based on economic reasons. Argentina seemed to gain a large area of land in the Paraguay War, but in fact they lost more. They consumed more money in the war.
The blood and money were equivalent to more than ten times that consumed in the entire anti-Spanish War of Independence. They lost 20,000 people in the war and spent 60 million pesos. They owed a large amount of foreign debt and were heavily dependent on the British economically.
Under such circumstances, they naturally cannot ignore the huge benefits of the Pampas!"
Li Sijie, wearing a white navy uniform, stood out among a group of army officers.
"Commander, for Argentina, which is in economic trouble, this is an economic factor that cannot be ignored, 100 million pesos!"
Li Sijie specifically emphasized that number and then said.
"For the bandits, this is enough for them to try to seize the grassland with all their strength. As long as they seize the grassland, the rewards they will get will be extremely generous! That's why they want to seize Pan through war at all costs.
Pas Prairie, which is why they chose military adventure."
It is well known that Argentina is engaging in military adventures for economic reasons. Zhu Xianhai nodded slightly and motioned for him to continue.
"If we just want to prevent the Argentines from encroaching on the Pampas, then the easiest way is to set up a fortress. It is the Argentines who take the initiative to attack us. Use the fortress to severely damage the Argentine army, and consume Argentina through the continuous consumption of the fortress
The war potential, this potential is not just about consuming the effective strength of the Argentine army. It is also about money. Compared with our current financial situation in Argentina, which is extremely tight, as long as we delay the war, Argentina will eventually fall into a situation where it is difficult to get off the tiger -
Economic difficulties will force them to end the war."
After expressing this opinion, Li Sijie said again.
"The most critical issue now is that we must not only defeat the Argentines on the battlefield, but also ultimately occupy this country!"
Looking up at the commander, Li Sijie said with a smile.
"Since we want to occupy this country, we must reduce future troubles. Therefore, all our plans are not only to win this war, but also to annihilate the effective forces of the Argentines, that is, to kill as many of their soldiers as possible.
.”
As a soldier, Li Sijie spoke with the cold thinking of a soldier without any emotion.
"Just like what they did in Paraguay, only by killing their soldiers as much as possible can they minimize future resistance."
"The difference what Captain Li said is that if we kill and injure a large number of Argentine troops, will it arouse hostility? This will definitely lead to hostility among the local people towards us in the future!"
Zhao Yan, who was standing aside, immediately retorted.
"What we will face then is hostility everywhere."
"What's the use of hostility? As an occupying force, when we occupy a place, can we expect others to welcome us?"
Li Sijie said directly.
"Since it is impossible to welcome us anyway, why not take advantage of the war and kill as many adult men as possible? This will reduce future resistance. After all, the main force of the guerrillas will always be men. As long as the men are killed, resistance will naturally be gone.
It exists. Of course we cannot massacre civilians like the Brazilians, but what we do on the battlefield is reasonable. After all, people will inevitably die in war."
It is true that many people will die in war. As for how they die? I am afraid it is not known to the outside world. However, it is natural for soldiers to die on the battlefield.
Li Sijie's words definitely spoke to Zhu Xianhai's heart. In fact, they agreed on some points of view.
"Why is Paraguay's resistance getting weaker and weaker now? To put it bluntly, it's because the vast majority of men have died on the battlefield. How can those women resist the invaders?... They will even go to Israel to make a living.
Committing myself to the enemy is not a big deal to them. I am just for living!"
Li Yunjie smiled.
"Since women in Paraguay will do this, women in Argentina will also commit themselves to our South Chinese men for their livelihood! So no matter how you look at it, killing and injuring the Argentine army as much as possible in the war is a good thing for the country and the people.
What a great thing."
His words immediately caused a burst of laughter, and Zhu Xianhai also smiled and said nothing. After all, on this point, they had the same view.
If the Argentinians heard what Li Sijie said, they would be so angry that they would vomit blood. They were just thinking about the Pampas, but who would have thought that Nanhua was not only thinking about their house, but even the people in the house.