Chapter 46: Determination

As a veteran soldier with decades of combat experience, Li Yangcai was one of the last to go to bed in the camp every night. Every so often, he would get up to inspect the surroundings, a habit he had maintained both in times of war and peace.

Now, accompanied by a few loyal guards, he was checking the sentry posts along the defense lines. The sentries were his fellow clansmen. “Brothers, I’m counting on you these next few days. I’m sorry for bringing everyone to this desolate place. Once I achieve success, I’ll never forget your loyalty.”

His clansmen, whose uniforms were already tattered, had just finished eating. Leaning against the parapet with their guns in hand, they smiled at Li Yangcai. “Commander, you’re too kind! Over the years, we’ve enjoyed everything we deserved under your leadership. We’re willing to sacrifice our lives for you.”

Without even standing up, they expressed their determination by laughing loudly. Li Yangcai bowed and said, “I’ll never forget your righteousness!”

But those seasoned soldiers waved their hands and said, “Commander, we’ll hold this place. Don’t worry! We’ll stop the Black Flag Army even at the cost of our lives.”

Just as Li Yangcai was about to say more, sudden gunshots, which had been faint in the night sky, exploded right beside him. “Thieves are attacking the camp!”

His head spun in confusion. Even as an experienced soldier, he hadn’t expected the Xiliu Camp to possess such determination and courage. After marching all night, they still dared to launch a direct attack. He had no idea how many soldiers from the Black Flag Army had arrived. “Brothers, chase them out with me!”

On the hillside parallel to the first line of defense, Cai Yunnan rushed downward while shouting, “Fire!”

The white smoke in the darkness further obscured visibility. The two sides engaged in a gunfight from just a few dozen meters apart. The Xiliu Camp made full use of their firepower, hitting the enemies behind the mud walls with bullets fired from the flanks, causing them to cry out in pain.

“Someone’s attacking the camp! Quick, attack the hill! Attack it!”

“Where are the thieves attacking?”

“Where is Commander?”

Unable to determine the strength of the Xiliu Camp or the direction of the attack, the twenty or so enemy soldiers behind the parapet fought alone and suffered heavy losses before retreating with their guns.

Cai Yunnan, who had used the terrain to launch a flanking attack, also led his men to take control of the first trench. “Get ready! Load your guns, and charge forward again!”

Unlike Zhang Biao’s unit, which was equipped with many shovels, their close-quarters combat skills were nearly non-existent, aside from those using Remington rifles. So, after some of the enemy troops in the front line collapsed, they couldn’t immediately attack the second line of defense.

“Over there! Over there!”

Li Yangcai’s men had already reacted. They fired fiercely at the trench walls using various weapons they carried. In the darkness, they couldn’t see the bullet trajectories, but they could sense the enemy’s gunfire from the roaring sounds.

The soldiers hiding behind the parapet finished loading their guns, and it was their turn to fire. Their firepower was much stronger than that of the enemy. Dozens of rifles fired simultaneously, with hot shells bouncing at their feet, turning the front area into a hail of fire.

Their opponents had also seen such intense firepower among the Qing troops before, but they never imagined that an ordinary Black Flag Army unit in northern Vietnam could possess such formidable firepower—even standing behind their defensive lines, they could feel the sheer strength of the enemy’s fire.
“Ah!” A bullet from Spencer pierced his body, tearing through the muscles it touched with extreme heat and speed. “I’ve been shot!”
“I’ve been shot too!”
There were only over thirty enemies in their second line of defense. They had no idea how many enemies had arrived; they could only assess the opponent’s strength based on the firepower. With such intense gunfire, they estimated that the enemy attacking their camp numbered at least a hundred, equipped with numerous breech-loading rifles. Seeing their own men dying in the gunfight, they became terrified.
They were only armed with a small number of front-loading foreign rifles, which were no match for the troops of Xiliu Camp in such a firefight. Some began to retreat, preparing to withdraw to the rear, and more followed suit.
The intense gunfire suddenly stopped—Spencer had run out of bullets and was reloading. At that moment, Li Yangcai arrived with his personal guards and a few breech-loading rifles. He kicked a soldier who was trying to retreat away. “Fight back!”
The wavering soldiers returned to their positions, and on both flanks, Li Yangcai’s men finally reacted, providing fire support for the defense line.
The gunfire intensified again, with casualties on both sides, but Li Yangcai managed to stabilize the defense line. “Are the Pishan cannons ready? Fire!”
Just then, a loud, shrill roar came from that direction. Dozens of shells fired by those cannons caused casualties among the troops of Xiliu Camp.
These front-loading smoothbore cannons had a short range and slow firing rate—often only able to fire a few shots per hour—but they still possessed significant lethality, capable of firing dozens of shells at once. The Xianghuai Army’s victory over the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom relied heavily on these Pishan cannons.
The two Pishan cannons aimed at Xiliu Camp fired deadly shells, exciting Li Yangcai’s men. They began firing shells from all directions according to their pre-planned strategy.
Cai Yunan also noticed those two cannons and shouted, “Destroy their cannons!”
Spencer and Remington, who had already reloaded their guns, immediately obeyed his order, unleashing a barrage of shells at the positions of those cannons. The position was only a hundred meters away. Though they couldn’t see the exact results, they could see from afar that the Pishan cannon positions were now deserted, with cries of pain echoing in the air.
Li Yangcai was heartbroken. He personally picked up a breech-loading rifle and fired back at Xiliu Camp. “Kill them! Kill them!”
Regardless, Xiliu Camp had too few troops for an assault, and so far, the main force led by Liu Yu had not arrived, making the situation increasingly unfavorable.
Before long, the enemy’s Pishan cannon positions were filled with soldiers again. Cai Yunan didn’t know how many more enemies there were; he only knew that five of his men were injured, thankfully not fatally.
The gunfire grew even more intense. Cai Yunan didn’t even have time to deal with the enemy’s Pishan cannons, and the sentries sent to flank them had not returned yet. “Get ready!”

But this time, the trajectory of the bullets was different from usual. The flanking fire immediately suppressed the Xiliu Camp. Cai Yunan quickly identified where the bullets were coming from: “Damn it! Damn it!”
It was that Jiaocun, which was extremely unfavorable for attacking the main defensive area. They clearly had some Minie rifles and were using them to fire at their own side from a distance. Their firing positions were excellent; the Xiliu Camp had practically turned its back to them.
Now, the Xiliu Camp was in a disadvantageous position under flanking fire from three sides, with the enemy’s firepower greatly amplified. Without quick decision-making, the entire infantry platoon would be wiped out by the fire. Fortunately, Cai Yunan was prepared. Before attacking, he noticed a half-person-wide ditch near the defense line: “Take the wounded back! I’ll cover the retreat!”
“Okay!” This attack was clearly a failure, and the enemy’s guns fired even more intensely. Cai Yunan and two soldiers fired a few shots along the defense line before retreating.
Li Yangcai’s men, on the other hand, apparently hadn’t realized this yet. In the positions they had occupied, they were still under flanking fire from three sides. Jiaocun made no secret of their intentions, and the sounds of the Minie rifles rang out like beans being roasted.
“What about the casualties?” After finally retreating, he asked, “How many?”
This was what Cai Yunan was concerned about. The soldiers’ answer relieved him somewhat: “Five were injured!”
Just then, Liu Yu arrived with his unit: “The sergeant you sent was attacked by the people from Jiaocun!”
“What?” Cai Yunan finally understood: “How many casualties?”
“Two were injured!” Liu Yu answered his question. “How about your side?”
Cai Yunan gathered all his anger: “These damned guys! If not for them, I could have held my position and waited for the main force to launch an assault to end the battle!”
Firing continued from all directions. These armed followers of the sect seemed determined to fight against the Xiliu Camp. Liu Yu’s attempt to lead reinforcements was also attacked, delaying Ruyi’s arrival; otherwise, he would have rushed in with Cai Yunan.
Liu Yu praised him further: “You charged in with just two squads and then retreated safely. No one could have done better than that.”
The soldiers were making final preparations for another assault.
But Cai Yunan, who had learned map reading and drawing, took out a pencil and paper: “Commander, I’ve mapped out the enemy’s defenses clearly. I’ll draw it for you right now.”
Naturally gifted in this area, he used the candlelight to draw Li Yangcai’s defensive layout clearly: “This is the breast wall, this is the second defensive line, and this is the enemy’s mountain-cracking cannon position…”
“Great!” Just this map could reduce countless casualties for the Xiliu Camp.
After finishing the map, Cai Yunan said angrily, “I’ll take a rifle team to negotiate with those people from Jiaocun again! I can’t believe they dare to oppose our Xiliu Camp.”
“Okay!”
Liu Yu was now preparing to use the simple map drawn by Cai Yunan with a few officers to finalize the attack plan. Before the assault, he also needed to take the officers to inspect the terrain in person.

A few officers were observing the map under the light of a lantern, while Cai Yunnan’s deputy explained the enemy’s situation based on his own experience. Gunfire continued from all directions, and the armed believers never stopped trying to encircle Xiliu Camp. Seven wounded soldiers received simple bandages right before their eyes, with a squad of infantry dedicated to taking care of them. …

Honghe Outpost.
The saying “using a reed to fight a wolf only scares both sides” described exactly the situation Zhang Biao was facing now. Counting the remaining bullets, there were less than three hundred left—just enough for a couple of rounds of machine gun fire. The Yellow Flag Army surely had sensible people who realized this as well, so they retreated behind the mud walls and tried to regroup. But the previous attack had drained their fighting spirit; even though they knew Xiliu Camp’s ammunition was nearly exhausted, they didn’t dare charge headlong. The casualties were too heavy! Eighty or ninety people lay dead in the paddy fields behind them, and another hundred or so lay between the mud walls and breastworks in front. The sheer number of deaths meant the Yellow Flag Army couldn’t even determine exactly how many they had lost. Their morale was shattered—they were unwilling to retreat but lacked the courage to charge. They knew Xiliu Camp must also be running low on ammunition, but Qiao Erchi didn’t dare speak up. As for their leaders, they were utterly disheartened—the brutality of the massacre earlier, coupled with the fact that Xiliu Camp could engage in close combat, was beyond their endurance. “Nearly two hundred dead and wounded? Just retreat like this?” Some stubborn members of the Yellow Flag Army said, “My unit is still intact. Let me, Old Fu, charge!” But what met him was only crying. A middle-aged man wailed, “I’ve lost both my brothers. What’s the point of living? Don’t fight over me! Please, don’t fight over me…” It turned out that if you showed your head above the mud wall, Xiliu Camp would open fire, but now, even if you stood on the wall, Xiliu Camp would aim carefully before shooting. Qiao Erchi now understood Xiliu Camp well. Leaning against the mud wall, he said to these Yellow Flag Army leaders, “No, brothers. Old Qiao still has a plan.” Zhang Biao waited on the other side of Honghe Outpost for the next wave of attackers. …

Li Yangcai was sweating profusely. He had never imagined that Xiliu Camp could be so powerful. Just a hundred soldiers equipped with rifles dared to launch such a fierce assault on his defenses. Although they were eventually repelled with the help of the religious villagers, the enemy’s firepower, disciplined advance and retreat, and well-organized tactics left a deep impression on him. They didn’t abandon a single wounded soldier or corpse; the only things they left behind were piles of blood. It was terrifying. Among the armies Li Yangcai had encountered, only the oldest and most core forces of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had ever done such a thing. These forces were composed of brothers from Guangxi, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s ability to last fourteen years relied heavily on them. But he quickly regained his composure. “Prepare to defend.” No matter how strong an enemy force, it would be shattered by my defenses. The greatest respect for a formidable enemy is to defeat them. He still had three hundred soldiers and a well-organized defense line.

……
“Platoon Leader Cai is injured!” Before Liu Yu could finish setting up under the lantern, bad news arrived.
“What happened? Who shot him?”
“It was from Jiaocun, that village called Fuchecun!” The infantry had brought back Cai Yunnan, covered in blood: “Platoon Leader Cai tried to negotiate with them, but as soon as he spoke, he was shot at.”
Jiaocun, located on the flank of the main defensive area, posed a serious threat to Xiliu Camp. If not for their ambushes, Cai Yunnan thought he could hold his position, so he went there to negotiate personally.
He didn’t expect a peaceful resolution, but at least he wanted Jiaocun, that Fuchecun village, to stop shooting recklessly. Yet, instead of discussing things calmly, they immediately fired a volley of shots, almost killing Cai Yunnan.
“He’s been shot twice—get emergency help now!” This was the eighth casualty of the night. Liu Yu felt troubled: “Platoon Leader Cai can’t afford to be hurt.”
At least two or three rifle teams would need to stay behind to take care of the wounded; sometimes even two people per patient. These soldiers were the result of his hard work, and losing one would be like cutting into his own heart.
The members of Jiaocun never gave up their attempts to harass Xiliu Camp. Even after several exchanges of fire and dozens of casualties, they still persisted. It seemed they would continue to harass Xiliu Camp until they reached the Red River outpost.
Liu Yu had many strategies for such skirmishes, but what he lacked was time.
As the battle intensified, dealing with the wounded became a huge problem. Sima Tai stepped forward, volunteering, “Send a platoon to drive these Jiaocun people away.”
That was exactly what they wanted—once troops got entangled in combat, fewer would be available to defend the lines.
Just as he was about to make a decision, someone rushed over urgently: “An urgent report from Platoon Leader Liu Haohao.”
“What’s the matter?”
“There are many Vietnamese government troops near the old camp, with unknown intentions. Platoon Leader Liu has prepared for the worst. He assures the commander he will hold his position at all costs.”
Although the old camp only had half a platoon of defenders, unlike the Red River outpost, which had ample ammunition and supplies, along with a reserve platoon and an auxiliary platoon, plus the elaborate fortifications built by Xiliu Camp over months, Liu Yu felt somewhat confident.
“Okay! I understand!”
He didn’t know how many Vietnamese troops had gathered near the old camp.
……
“Anyone who dares approach the old camp will be treated as an enemy and killed on the spot.”
Liu Haohao’s palms were sweating. He was somewhat reckless. The older soldiers in Xiliu Camp were worried he might be provoked into leading his troops into battle.
But seeing the Vietnamese government troops in front of him, he couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. He was determined to hold his position at all costs.
The number of Vietnamese troops gathered near the old camp was absolutely staggering. They were even more numerous than the enemy forces surrounding the Red River outpost. It was unclear how the Vietnamese had managed to muster over a thousand men so quickly near the old camp.
The defenders were also in their positions, ready for a sleepless night.

Ye Mengyan watched this scene with satisfaction. He continued to speak to an officer in charge of the troops, “In another hour, another 150 men can be brought here.” This meant all the troops from Shanxi province had been mobilized. They wouldn’t interfere in the conflict between the Xiliu Camp and the Yellow Flag Army; they only wanted to take advantage of the situation. In assessing situations, Ye Mengyan was a master among masters. As soon as he spotted any weakness in the Xiliu Camp, he would order his troops to pounce like hungry wolves. But the next moment, his heart turned cold. Gunfire came from the old camp—rifle fire—and a clash had begun between the two sides. “Order the entire army to prepare. We must not suffer losses; absolutely not.” Yet after giving the order, he glanced in the direction of the Red River and saw the most terrifying scene. His heart turned as cold as ice. …… “Let’s lead the main attack!” Sima Tai volunteered again, “Even if two platoons are lost, we’re still willing to launch another assault.” Just as he spoke, there was another encounter with the armed believers. Seven or eight of them were killed or injured, and one soldier was shot in the shoulder and taken to the makeshift dressing station for treatment. “Injured soldiers are a big problem!” While he was at a loss, someone over there raised a gun and shouted, “Who’s there?” More attackers among the believers? Just as Liu Yu thought this, Luo Yanqiu’s voice came through: “These women are here to assist your camp.” Under the moonlight, dressed in men’s clothes, Luo Yanqiu remained as cold as usual, but she brought about a dozen believers with her. “Is there anything we can help with?” Someone had stepped in to deal with the wounded. Luo Yanqiu and her followers helped treat the injuries, freeing at least two rifle teams. But what lay ahead for Liu Yu was still the enemy’s main defensive area. According to intelligence from the first assault, at least one combat-ready infantry battalion was stationed there, along with some breech-loading rifles and artillery. Moreover, armed believers were harassing them from all sides. On the flanks of the main defensive area, dozens of armed believers from Fuchey Village were firing randomly, threatening any troops that tried to break through. It was because of their stray shots that Cai Yunnan’s platoon failed to hold its position during the first assault. Otherwise, if Liu Yu had led the main force there, the main position might have already been taken. Standing in front of Liu Yu was Cai Yunnan’s deputy, a brother from the Tiandihui whom he had brought from Haiyang: “Sima, don’t compete with us. It’s us who must avenge Platoon Leader Cai! The assault platoon should still be ours.” The outpost was under siege, with regular troops defending the front and believers harassing from all sides. The first assault had failed, and a large number of Vietnamese troops had appeared near the old camp. This would be an operation with heavy casualties. Not to mention the continuous attacks from the enemy front, even just the stray shots from these armed believers meant the Xiliu Camp had to prepare for losing half of its troops. All the pressure fell on Liu Yu, forcing him to make a courageous decision. He said to Cai Yunnan’s deputy, “Good! You’ll be my assault platoon! Do you want to avenge Platoon Leader Cai?” “Yes!” “Do you have the determination?” “We’ll charge in resolutely!” Good! This was exactly what Liu Yu had been waiting for: “I still want the fewest possible casualties.”

“Order, the third platoon on the left, deploy immediately and attack…”
“Fuchey Village! Capture Fuchey Bridge with the strongest assault and minimal casualties, and prepare to continue attacking the enemy’s main defensive positions.”
“Simatai Company and the battalion’s direct units, deploy immediately to cover the third platoon’s actions and prepare for battle against the enemy’s main defensive positions.”
From all directions, the Vietnamese Catholics continued to fire sporadic shots. They had no idea that Liu Yu was determined to use overwhelming force against them.
The remaining thirty-some infantrymen under Cai Yunan now charged like bayonets at the villages firing those sporadic shots.
Liu Yu gazed at the night sky, his eyes cold.
“I am not a man who shows mercy.”