The next battle was so simple that Chen Hu could not believe it, because after they rushed to the French army station, they set up their mortars and fired only two shells. The French army inside picked out the white flag, making those who had observed the landing point
The gunner who was about to reload was caught off guard and fired two more rounds.
There is actually only one battalion of the French army in Hue, but these soldiers who are far away from home will not all stay in the military camp. Like their top officers, these colonists, from soldiers to officers, have their own favorite nightlife, and those who stay in the military camp on duty
It's just a company. What's more, these colonial garrison troops have long been ruined by the pampered life of Emperor Tiangao Yuan. They can usually frighten the Vietnamese, but they will be exposed when they really encounter hard problems. Think about how they were able to do it back then.
Those who were beaten up by the Qing army knew what they were. Four 150-weight mortar shells fell, killing and injuring more than a dozen people immediately. The remaining ones saw the power of the explosion, and their courage and dignity disappeared in an instant.
.
But when they surrendered, Chen Hu was in trouble. He couldn't keep a bunch of prisoners, right?
This guy winked at the machine gunner, and then said seriously in Vietnamese to the French officer who came out to contact the surrender: "Mr. Second Lieutenant, on behalf of His Majesty the King, we accept your surrender, but you need to come out and hand over your weapons."
The second lieutenant nodded, and then hurried back to call out the remaining 100 officers and soldiers. They lined up one by one to put their weapons in one place, and then stood in line. The second lieutenant wanted to step forward and ask what the next step was.
After making arrangements, Chen Hu pressed his hand down, and the two heavy machine guns opposite them immediately spurted out flames.
Seeing this scene in the distance, several French soldiers who heard the explosion and rushed back to support were all furious. Unfortunately, it was useless to be furious. They all came back leaving their sweetheart behind. They didn't even have weapons on them. They couldn't go up with bare hands.
Go for it! I have to suppress my hatred in my heart and wait to settle accounts with these cruel Vietnamese later.
After getting rid of the French garrison, Chen Hu quickly cleaned up the military camp and loaded all the weapons and ammunition into the truck. The rest that could not be taken away simply lit a fire, and then led his men straight to the Royal City. When he arrived at the Royal City, he rushed
The arriving team had already cleaned up the place, including several French advisers who were responsible for monitoring Nguyen Phuc Chiu. They were also taken to the moat and beheaded.
"Your Majesty, please quickly summon the consuls and media reporters from various countries to formally read out the edict to sever relations with France and declare war on France." Chen Hu hurriedly walked into the palace carrying a bloody saber and said to Ruan Fuchu Zhao.
King Xiao Ruan was already frightened by his murderous look, but he was still a king after all. He quickly woke up from his fear and remembered his mission, and quickly summoned the consuls of various countries in Hue as the King of Vietnam. Major newspapers,
Radio reporters, in fact mainly from People's Radio and Tomorrow Daily, were summoned to the palace overnight, and a newly drafted edict immediately began to be read in front of these people.
This eloquent edict of nearly a thousand words listed the crimes committed by the French in invading Vietnam, starting from their forced signing of the First Saigon Treaty 40 years ago and cutting off Saigon and other places, to the partition of Vietnam after the Sino-French War and the suppression of resistance by Vietnamese officials and people.
He even exiled the Vietnamese king. Then he was forced to join the Indochinese Federation. In short, he listed every crime in detail. Finally, he declared righteously that the Vietnamese people would no longer endure the slavery of the French. From the day the edict was announced, they would not recognize it.
The French forced the Kingdom of Vietnam to sign all previous treaties, expelled all French people in Vietnam, and severed all relations with France. Until the French withdraw from all Vietnamese territories, including Saigon, the Kingdom of Vietnam will maintain a state of war with France.
.During this period, all Vietnamese soldiers and civilians have the obligation to kill the enemy. All French people in Vietnam, regardless of officials, troops, or civilians, are enemies of the Vietnamese people.
“… When this country is in crisis, all the Vietnamese people should work together and fight to the bitter end to drive out the bandits and regain their homeland. As the King of the Kingdom of Vietnam, I beg the righteous people of friendly countries to lend a helping hand and help our people.
Let us overcome the crisis together and clear away the haze, and we will remember our gratitude from generation to generation." A reporter from People's Radio used a tape recorder to completely record the edict read by His Majesty the King himself.
However, what is different from the past is that this edict was not broadcast around the world by People's Radio as quickly as possible. It was already late at night, and not many people listened to it even if it was broadcast. Besides, it was broadcast too quickly, which could easily make people think of a premeditated plan.
, so we need to wait until dawn, but the French will not wait until dawn. Less than an hour after the edict was read out, a French regiment in Da Nang had already received news of the rebellion in Hue, and then followed
Get on the train as quickly as possible and come to support.
At the same time, the Governor of the French Indochina Federation in Hanoi, Paul Doumet, also received this fantastic news. The later French president in history was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter. He really couldn't bear it.
I understand where the chief got the courage and dared to declare war with France. This is as ridiculous as an ant saying it wants to rape an elephant.
"Your Excellency, the Governor, I have just received the unfortunate news from the telegraph office. Mr. Vieira may have been unfortunately killed, and the Vietnamese used heavy artillery in the attack on the military camp, and even massacred hundreds of our soldiers who had surrendered." The kind secretary said.
He reminded him that the telegraph office in Hue was controlled by the French, and some banks run by the French had wireless telegraphs. It was easy to spread such information, and Chen Hu's plan was to spread the news.
Out.
"Heavy artillery?" Paul Dume suddenly woke up. This is not something the Vietnamese can do.
"Yes, the people who killed Mr. Vieira were the same group of Vietnamese soldiers who broke into the military camp, and these people then entered the palace. However, the Vietnamese soldiers we are familiar with in Hue City did not seem to participate in the rebellion. These people just
It's like it came out of nowhere." The secretary said solemnly.
Paul Dume was not stupid. He understood what this meant as soon as he heard it. There must be an external force involved, and maybe he planned the whole thing. Otherwise, Ruan Fuchu Chao would not be so bold. As for who this external force is, who is it?
No more guessing.
"Damn it, the Chinese, the Chinese must be behind the scenes." He angrily slammed his fist on the table and shouted. In fact, as the governor of Indo-China these years, this was what he was most worried about, but he really didn't expect Emperor Yang
We will take action at this time, especially when the Beijing Convention has just been signed.
Only now did he realize how accurate the rumors in Europe about His Majesty the Emperor were. Compared with his business reputation, his political reputation was nothing but shit.
"Order Colonel Philip to solve the rebellion in Hue before dawn, at all costs, and use all means. He is allowed to use poison gas bombs when necessary. In addition, he will contact the navy and order the Far East Fleet to move north as quickly as possible immediately. It must be done before tomorrow afternoon
Blockade the coast of Hue, and be prepared to confront the Chinese fleet if necessary, but must not open fire first. At the same time, the Saigon garrison will move north to reinforce Hue, and all garrisons around Hanoi will shrink to Hanoi. At the same time, reserves will be recruited among the expatriates." Then the governor said.
You have made the right choice.
"You mean the Chinese will invade in a big way," the secretary said with some disbelief.
"Otherwise, where do you think His Majesty the King got such courage?" Paul Dume said with a sneer.
He did not know that at this time, the Chinese Consul General in Hue had already sent a telegram to Beijing that Vietnam had declared war on France, that large-scale violence against Chinese expatriates had taken place in Hue, and that the cabinet was requested to immediately send troops to protect the overseas Chinese.
Because what he asked for was to protect overseas Chinese rather than declare war, there was no need to go through the congressional process. According to the constitution, although the emperor had the power to declare war, it must be approved by Congress, otherwise Congress had the right to refuse to fund the war. This
It is also to limit the imperial power. However, such a clause is actually useless to Emperor Yang, because even if the Congress does not agree, he can still pay for it himself. He is richer than the Congress Finance Committee, but small things like protecting overseas Chinese do not need to be passed.
The Prime Minister has the power to dispatch no more than one regiment of troops in an emergency.
Xue Fucheng, who had been waiting for the news for a long time, immediately signed an order to transfer a regiment from the Army's 7th Division stationed on Hainan Island to rush to Hue to protect the Chinese expatriates. At the same time, to avoid accidents, the Nanyang Fleet provided escort. After receiving the order, he boarded early.
The fleet on standby immediately set sail out of Yazhou Military Port and headed straight for Vietnam at a top speed of 19 knots, preparing to eliminate all obstacles and protect the safety of Chinese nationals.
At this time, the French army led by Colonel Philippe also arrived in Hue by train. However, he encountered a completely unexpected blockage in the outer city of Hue. Although he did not know that he had Chinese support behind him, a small number of intruders
Under the orders of Nguyen Phuc Chiu, the soldiers still relied on the city wall to shoot at the French troops who were preparing to enter the city. With the advantage of the terrain and a captured French machine gun, they beat the French troops outside miserable.
The city walls of Hue are all made of stone, and are as strong as ancient Western fortresses. In fact, when the defense system of this castle was originally designed, the European flower-shaped bastion was used as a reference, and it only carried six 75mm infantry.
The artilleryman Colonel Philip was helpless facing such a city wall in the dark night. Fortunately, his trouble was soon solved.
Because a large number of remaining French troops in the city launched an attack from the city with the help of some Vietnamese ministers who were still loyal to France. Under attack from both sides, the loyal Vietnamese soldiers ran to death. The French army quickly invaded Hue, and this
By that time, the mission assigned to him by Du Mei had already been considered a failure, because after a night of chaos, the Vietnamese people, trembling in fear, had already seen the brilliant morning glow. (To be continued...)