Chapter 202: Surrender (Part 1)

“An order is issued: the Logistics Department must immediately stockpile 200,000 rifle rounds, 500 artillery shells, and 2,500 mortar shells south of Zhen Nan Pass…”
“Starting today, the Second Xiliu Infantry Regiment shall become the general reserve force of the military headquarters and rest on the spot!”
“Order: The Hanhai Infantry Battalion shall serve as the vanguard of the entire army; the Huang Shouzhong Brigade shall be on the left, the headquarters shall advance with the Sima Tai Brigade, and the Ye Chenglin Brigade shall be on the right. Without rest, they shall advance north immediately!”
One order after another was issued by Liu Yu and delivered to each unit of the Black Flag Army.
“Obey the orders!”
“We will not disappoint you!”
Tang Jingsong could not understand this situation. In his eyes, the previous battle in Hanoi had already weakened the Black Flag Army. Although they had achieved a great victory in Taiyuan this time, the Black Flag Army still lost over a thousand men. Yet Liu Yu did not even give the units time to replenish their forces and ordered them to advance north immediately.
As for the troops left in Northern Vietnam, it was even more incomprehensible to Tang Jingsong. Aside from some new units, only Shen Sheng’s independent regiment was temporarily expanded into an independent brigade, along with a few old infantry battalions, to monitor the French forces in Haiphong.
“Commander Liu, the French still have strong troops in Haiphong!” he interjected. “There are tens of thousands of elite soldiers in Haiphong, Central Vietnam, and Southern Vietnam. Don’t you want Shanxi, your stronghold?”
“They’re like frightened birds and pose no real threat!” Liu Yu continued issuing orders. “We must prepare for a fierce battle. Order Liu Suiyun to prepare 15,000 new recruits for me!”
“Understood! I’ll send a telegram to Hanoi right away. We still have 5,000 new recruits there.”
Within the Black Flag Army, there were some doubts about Liu Yu’s military gamble, but no one refused to obey his orders, as the facts were clear.
They had defeated the French, while the French had easily crushed tens of thousands of Qing troops in Binh Ninh. Besides, returning home was their greatest dream.
“We’re going home!” Smiles appeared on the faces of these soldiers who had been at war for so long and longed to return home.
“Damn traitors, damn rebels!” As the first high-ranking captive of the Black Flag Army, Pan Dingxin naturally received special treatment.
Two thick, black ropes were tied into tight knots, making it difficult for him to breathe. Even worse was Chen Jiali, who kept moving around him.
He knew well who Chen Jiali was—such a treacherous person was the lowest in his eyes. Yet he had fallen into the hands of such a scoundrel.
At first, he tried to negotiate with Chen Jiali: “Captain Chen, although everyone has their own path, these ropes are too tight. Could they be loosened a bit?”
Chen Jiali kicked Pan Dingxin’s noble buttocks. “Stop talking nonsense! Get lost! I’m handing you over to Commander Liu Yu—you’ll have a great fortune again!”
At the thought of this, Chen Jiali’s heart burned with excitement. Thanks to his quick thinking, he had captured a high-ranking official like Pan Dingxin right at the front line. Not only would this erase his past crimes, but it could also earn him great merits for the Black Flag Army.

As for Pan Dingxin, he was seen in his eyes as a valuable asset: “Lord of the Black Flag Army, this scoundrel is Pan Dingxin, who has been stubbornly opposing your army. We are righteous warriors who rose up in battle, and we’ve been ordered to bring this traitorous official here.” With all the armies mixed together on the battlefield, the Black Flag Army couldn’t immediately determine his true background. They simply lowered their weapons and sent a group of men to escort Pan Dingxin to Liu Yu’s headquarters. Chen Jiali, who was among the Qing troops, had no good memories of him, and in his eyes, Pan Dingxin was a complete villain: “When you meet Commander Liu, you better know your place and pay proper respect!” With that, Chen Jiali kicked Pan Dingxin in the knees again: “You must also show respect to us, righteous warriors who have returned from battle—kneel down for me!” “I’m a high-ranking official of the Qing Dynasty, from the prestigious region of Guangxi…” Before Pan Dingxin could finish speaking, Chen Jiali kicked him again: “You traitorous official, get lost!” He was full of pride, considering himself a hero of the Black Flag Army: “I’ve made a great contribution by capturing you, a high-ranking official. If Commander Liu appreciates this, he might even promote me to a general…” Pan Dingxin remained silent, but the Black Flag Army guards couldn’t stand by: “This was ordered by the commander—be careful!” “I’m going to succeed! Finally, I’ll get my chance to rise!” Chen Jiali wanted to vent all the grievances he’d suffered in the past, but Pan Dingxin cursed him in silence: “You turned traitor from the Black Flag Army and once knelt at my feet to accept my rewards. How hateful!” Just then, they arrived at the Black Flag Army’s headquarters. This time, Liu Yu didn’t even enter Taiyuan City—he was ready to launch a northern expedition right away: “Tang Jingsong said to send envoys to Guilin, but that’s purely a scholar’s idea. This time, I’ll lead three elite brigades to Guilin City to have a serious talk!” Over there, Chen Jiali was the first to jump up: “My lords, I’ve captured traitorous officials like Pan Dingxin and come here to report my achievements to you! Please take a look!” He pointed at Pan Dingxin and said, “This man is the chief of all evils. He stubbornly resisted, causing many of our soldiers to be injured!” “Execute this traitor thoroughly to avenge our fallen comrades!” As he spoke, Chen Jiali couldn’t help but laugh. Pan Dingxin glanced over and saw dozens of Black Flag Army soldiers staring at him coldly. The leader among them seemed to be of high rank. Then Pan Dingxin spoke up: “Pan Dingxin, acting governor of Guangxi for the Qing Dynasty, greets you all!” His clothes were tattered, but his words carried dignity. Immediately, an officer from the Black Flag Army shouted, “Unshackle Governor Pan!” But Pan Dingxin replied, “No need. Please execute this traitor first!” Chen Jiali snapped, “I’m a righteous warrior who rose up in battle, while you’re just…” Pan Dingxin spat out, “That’s Chen Jiali!” As soon as those words were spoken, an officer from the Black Flag Army ordered, “Seize him first!” Panicked, Chen Jiali cried out, “I’ve made great contributions! I captured this traitor!” Pan Dingxin merely sneered, “My lords, I’m also willing to rise up in battle. I have an urgent military matter related to your army’s survival that I’d like to present to Commander Liu—provided you kill this traitor, Chen Jiali, for me!”

“As a provincial governor of high rank, a second-rank official with tens of thousands of troops at my command and control over the province’s affairs, am I not worth more than such a wretch?”
The officer of the Black Flag Army immediately smiled. “If Governor Pan is willing to return and join us, we will treat him well. Otherwise, kill him!”
He didn’t even need to consult Liu Yu—he had already made up his mind. “Are there any military matters you need to inform our commander?”
Pan Dingxin laughed. “I need to change clothes! Get me a second-rank official robe!”