Chapter 121: Striking Halfway Across the River

Kuropatkin was astonished by General Zeng Qi’s sudden opposition. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "General Zeng, what did you say? Are you unaware that those bandits have already gone to attack Liaoyang?"

At that moment, Zeng Qi was thinking about the grain and gold in his home that might now be lost. How could he retain any respect for the "foreign master"?

"When Fengtian was besieged the day before yesterday, why did you tell me it didn't matter when I urged you to move faster?"

Kuropatkin was somewhat annoyed. Just as he was about to lose his temper, General Arkabir pulled him aside and whispered, "Commander, the troops truly need rest. How about this: give me two thousand men, and I will set out first. The rest can stay here and depart tomorrow morning."

The reporters' camera flashes had already captured the expression of anger on Kuropatkin’s face. After hearing Arkabir's suggestion, Kuropatkin suppressed his irritation. "Very well. For the sake of the coalition's unity, we shall rest here for the night."

General Zeng Qi disregarded everything else and strode toward his residence. Outside, the Qing troops and Russian soldiers began looking for suitable places to spend the night.

The reporters received excellent treatment. A squad of Russian soldiers cleared out a large mansion in Fengtian for them to stay in. When Elena, Mark, and the others entered, the Russians were using the barrels of their guns to force the original owners out.

The reporters were already accustomed to such occurrences. They did not uphold the moral standards required of their profession by reporting this inhumane side of the Russian military. For these foreign correspondents, they knew their task was to act as a mouthpiece; the voice they needed to project concerned "Yang the Ghost-Beater." That was what all nations cared about and what sold best in Chinese newspapers.

As for the Qing people being bullied, everyone was used to it. Using that as news would only invite ridicule.

Elena walked into her room, and Mark kissed her on the forehead. "Good night. I'll be right next door. If you need anything, just call me."

Just as he was about to turn away, Elena grabbed him, her sapphire-blue eyes gazing at him with deep affection. During that breakout battle led by Yang Xiaogou, Mark had turned back to save Elena, which had caused their feelings to escalate rapidly. Mark, of course, understood what Elena meant by holding him back.

"Of course, I’d be more than happy to come over if there’s nothing else."

As Mark spoke, he walked inside, and the two closed the door. Just as Elena was about to greet Mark with a passionate kiss, she suddenly heard a chaotic noise outside. A Qing officer was shouting, "Gather quickly! We are leaving immediately!"

"What’s happening?"

Mark’s eyes widened immediately. "I don't know! I think we should go take a look!"

It wasn't just the reporters who were unaware; even the Russians did not know what was happening. When Commander Kuropatkin hurried to Zeng Qi, he saw that the Qing troops had already finished assembling, and Zeng Qi’s face was deathly pale!

"General Zeng, what are you doing? Didn't you say we would rest for the night?"

"Rest, my foot! I’m going to skin Yang the Ghost-Beater alive! Move out!"

Kuropatkin was extremely surprised. He did not know what had caused this usually composed Qing general to become so hysterical, even resorting to profanity. He wanted to stop Zeng Qi, as Kuropatkin knew that for a soldier, generals must ensure orders are strictly followed. To have just declared a rest and then immediately order a departure was a severe blow to the army's fighting spirit.

But before he could speak, Zeng Qi shouted to his subordinates, "Whoever brings Yang the Ghost-Beater to me, dead or alive, shall be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold! Three ranks in promotion! Also, catch any of his subordinates, Yang Du, and they shall be rewarded accordingly! Move out!"

Zeng Qi truly stopped caring about the Russians' face. When his own dignity could no longer be salvaged, the foreign master's dignity had to step aside!

In this pursuit, Zeng Qi completely changed his usual style. Having always held the rear, he now led his personal guards at the very front. This truly caused the Qing army’s march to accelerate significantly. Within two hours, as dusk fell, he caught up to General Arkabir, who had left earlier, and then bypassed him to continue the pursuit!

It wasn't until midnight that his personal guards, fearing for his life, blocked his horse’s path and forced him to stop.

Arkabir, following behind, was panting heavily. Once Zeng Qi finally stopped, Arkabir gathered his troops and, seeing Commander Kuropatkin catch up, immediately asked, "Commander, what is wrong with this Chinese general?"

Kuropatkin shrugged. "I don't know. He went home, and then he charged out like a madman, saying he must kill Yang the Ghost-Beater. Looking at him, he is clearly determined to fight to the death."

Arkabir looked at Zeng Qi’s silhouette and said with infinite sympathy, "Surely someone very dear to him was killed by Yang the Ghost-Beater. Poor General, I can understand him."

Kuropatkin chuckled. "Regardless, it is a good thing for us that he is willing to risk his life against Yang the Ghost-Beater. These Chinese have been slacking off the whole way, but now that Yang’s knife has pierced their own flesh, they feel the pain! Arkabir, have our boys keep up with them. I believe that from today on, they will be qualified cannon fodder."

Arkabir nodded. "I know what to do, Commander. Please rest assured."

Kuropatkin replied, "I have always been assured by you on the battlefield. Very well, I am going to rest now. If Zeng Qi intends to move, wake me immediately; I certainly won't have others waiting for me like he did."

At night, they truly could not move further. Although the Liaoyang region sat between Liaodong and the Liao River plain, and the terrain was not as treacherous as the Changbai Mountains, it was still full of ridges and rivers. If the bandits wanted to stage an ambush, there were many places Yang Xiaogou could choose.

Zeng Qi rested the night in a state of rage. The next morning, around five o'clock, just as a red glow appeared on the horizon, he urged the troops to set off immediately.

By eight in the morning, they had arrived at the banks of the Taizi River. The Taizi River was a relatively large inland river in Liaoyang that flowed directly into the Bohai Sea, making it more turbulent than other rivers.

Zeng Qi saw traces of the bandits’ stay at the riverbank. There was a simple pontoon bridge that had not been fully dismantled, and on the opposite bank, the trampled, chaotic weeds showed that the bandits had not left long ago.

Zeng Qi waved his hand: "Cross the river! Pursue them!"

The Qing troops immediately began setting up the pontoon bridge. Arkabir walked up at this moment: "General, first please believe that I share your grief. The damage that animal Yang the Ghost-Beater has caused us is too deep. Like you, I cannot wait to eradicate him immediately."

Zeng Qi’s expression turned very ugly. "What? Even you Russians know?"

Arkabir bowed to him. "General, please do not grieve. It will not help us eradicate that bandit. He is extremely cunning. The river current is very swift. If you cross rashly, it is very easy for them to blow up the pontoon bridge and strike you while you are half-crossed! This is a classical tactic of yours; I believe you should be aware of it."

Zeng Qi’s mouth twitched. "Then what do you suggest we do? Should we not cross?"

Arkabir shook his head. "We must pursue. The weeds on the other bank are still flat, so they haven't been gone long. However, I believe we should prepare for battle while crossing, rather than rushing over recklessly as you are doing."

Striking while the enemy is half-crossed—that tactic was indeed ancient. Zeng Qi thought for a while without speaking, while the construction of the pontoon bridge continued.

General Arkabir puffed out his chest. "General, entrust the task of crossing to me. I assure you I will not waste your time."

Their combined force was over forty thousand, including thirty-two thousand Qing troops and eight thousand Russian troops. Furthermore, the two pursuit columns were no more than twenty miles apart at their furthest. Arkabir believed that as long as he did not give the enemy the opportunity to strike while half-crossed, Yang Xiaogou would have no way to win.

Of course, he might have already run away.

Zeng Qi finally nodded, and Arkabir began directing the forty thousand men across the Taizi River. First, a small squad of Qing soldiers crossed, followed by a small squad of Russian soldiers. Once these two squads crossed, they secured the bridgehead, and then the most combat-capable Russian troops crossed rapidly!

Once the Russians had finished crossing and established a defensive line on the opposite bank of the Taizi River, everything was secure.

Kuropatkin stood beside Arkabir. "Arkabir, since when did you learn how to perform?"

Arkabir was somewhat annoyed. "Commander! I am conducting military operations! Everything I do is to ensure the safety of our troops. We cannot grant that Yang the Ghost-Beater any more victories; otherwise, it would mean the failure of this military operation! That would be a disgrace to me, a disgrace to you, and a disgrace to the entire Russian army!"

Kuropatkin smiled. "I did not mean to reproach you. On the contrary, if you have truly learned how to put on a performance, I would be happy for you."

Arkabir shook his head; there was simply nothing left to say to Kuropatkin. Kuropatkin laughed quite triumphantly, his expression clearly indicating that he believed Arkabir was indeed just performing. "Striking while half-crossed? That is a fine excuse, but I do not believe those bandits have the guts."

Just as his words faded, the Qing troops crossing the river suddenly let out panicked cries. Commander Kuropatkin looked back and saw two burning wooden boats rushing down from upstream!

The first pontoon bridge built by the Qing army was smashed instantly, and the soldiers on the bridge fell into the river like dumplings in a pot! The two fire-ships, their momentum undiminished, smashed the second pontoon bridge as well! Commander Kuropatkin hurried to throw away the cigar in his hand: "Arkabir! You were right! Prepare for battle!"

But General Arkabir stood there blankly, motionless. He turned his head mechanically. "Commander, we have twenty thousand Qing troops and eight thousand Russian soldiers with us. Do you think Yang the Ghost-Beater dares to attack us?"

Kuropatkin hadn't yet grasped the situation when he heard several cannon blasts. The shells landed directly on the heads of the ten thousand-plus Qing soldiers who had not yet crossed! The Qing troops were instantly thrown into chaos!

Yang the Ghost-Beater had struck while they were half-crossed!