Chapter 53: Taking Over

“It can certainly be replaced…” Liu Yu didn’t answer directly; he merely repeated the topic raised by Liu Suiyun: “I can replace it…”
Determined to fuel the tension further, Liu Suiyun said, “The soldiers in the front camp share the same view. We’ve talked to many of them, and they believe the battlefield should be chosen between Hanoi and Shanxi, not retreating to Shi Zhou.”
The front camp’s base was in Heyang. Once Shanxi and Xuan Guang fell, Heyang would be directly under attack by the French forces. They also agreed that Liu Yongfu’s plan to retreat to the doomed area of Shi Zhou was unwise.
Liu Yu recalled history: after the battles of Danfeng and Huaide, Liu Yongfu wavered repeatedly, unwilling to defend Shanxi and instead opting to retreat to Baosheng, then to Shi Zhou. This decision led to widespread dissatisfaction in the front camp. Huang Shouzhong even told Liu Yongfu, “General, you may return to Baosheng. Let me lead the entire army to defend Shanxi. Any success will go to you, and any failure will be mine.”
This led to the famous Battle of Shanxi, one of the bloodiest battles in the Sino-French War. The obscure Black Flag Army, despite being outnumbered, fought against the French forces and was eventually forced to retreat due to heavy losses. Yet the French suffered nearly 500 casualties, almost twice as many as in the so-called Great Victory at Zhenan Pass.
However, the loss of Shanxi determined the outcome of the Sino-French War. Once the situation deteriorated further, it became impossible to turn things around. Huang Shouzhong grew increasingly dissatisfied with Liu Yongfu’s conservative policies and eventually left the Black Flag Army to form his own force.
Perhaps the front camp now harbors dissatisfaction toward Liu Yongfu? Liu Suiyun continued, “Ayu, this is a golden opportunity. With our Xiliu Camp and the front camp, who can the Black Flag Army resist?”
Liu Yu simply picked up Liu Suiyun’s notes and said, “The time isn’t right.”
He thought of Liu Yongfu as recorded in history: “Liu Yongfu is illiterate, born into poverty, and has lived a life of wandering, so his vision is limited. It’s true to say he’s short-sighted.”
“But everyone has their strengths. Look further ahead—aside from Liu Yongfu, who else can lead these camps of the Black Flag Army?”
“I can’t!” Liu Yu admitted his weakness again. “Let’s not set our goals too high. For now, it’s best to bring the Left Camp into our ranks.”
Liu Suiyun immediately said, “Wu Fengdian has exchanged a few words with me, but he’s one of Liu Yongfu’s confidants, so it’s hard to trust him. Besides, they’ll need us to supply their rations. Since they won’t defend Shanxi, we’ll have to spend seven or eight hundred taels of silver each month to support this camp that’s effectively idle. The cost is too high.”
“Is that true?” It was the first time Liu Yu had heard of this. “That amounts to ten thousand taels of silver in a year.”
This was also one of the reasons Liu Suiyun considered Liu Yongfu short-sighted: “It’s absolutely true. If you don’t believe me, ask Jing Shi Yi and the others. Liu Yongfu claims the Left Camp’s defense area is in Shanxi, so it should be funded by Shanxi.”
It’s true that the Left Camp’s defense area is in Shanxi, but that doesn’t mean Liu Yu has to spend money to support them for free. With three hundred men in the Left Camp costing ten thousand taels of silver a year, he could easily build two more companies with that amount of money.

Moreover, the training methods of the Xiliu Camp were different from those of the other units in the Black Flag Army. Even if they were hastily reorganized, coordinated combat would be difficult: “Suiyun, on this mission to the Ten Provinces, isn’t Liu Yongfu trying to assign your platoon again?”
Liu Suiyun greatly admired Liu Yu’s judgment: “Exactly.”
Liu Yu was indignant: “Liu Yongfu, you really treat our Xiliu Camp as a joke.”
He himself was reluctant to form even two infantry companies and could only establish five direct platoons. Yet Liu Yongfu demanded ten thousand taels of silver per year and also had Liu Suiyun’s platoon detached from the regular forces for an extended period.
He glanced at Liu Suiyun—this young officer already exuded vigor and seemed like a capable subordinate: “You won’t be going on this mission to the Ten Provinces. Let Zhang Biao lead an enhanced platoon.”
The battle at the Red River Outpost had an impact on the Xiliu Camp and the Black Flag Army beyond the participants’ expectations. An important outcome was that, based on the experience of Zhang Biao’s and Cai Yunnan’s platoons, the Xiliu Camp concluded that a single infantry platoon was not sufficient to handle independent combat tasks; an enhanced platoon was necessary.
With this understanding, the unit led by Zhang Biao this time was not the ordinary infantry platoon of thirty-seven men but an enhanced platoon including engineers, quartermasters, signalers, and medical personnel. Liu Yu said to Liu Suiyun, “It’s probably around sixty men. They’re also planning to bring the camp’s only sniper scope.”
Liu Suiyun was particularly interested in this highly rumored sniper scope: “How’s progress with Jeken? For our next mission, should our platoon get two?”
Liu Yu retorted jokingly, “Dream on. Jeken’s progress is okay, but everything starts from scratch. The first one might be ready in at most four months. At least the production volume…”
He raised two fingers, and Liu Suiyun understood: “Two per month? That’s really slow.”
Liu Yu shook his head: “One per two months. It’s all hand-crafted, and he has other tasks as well. That’s the estimated speed from the start.”
Liu Suiyun did some calculations: “So in a year, only six can be produced, which is barely enough for one infantry platoon?”
“That’s already considered smooth. To be honest, I was shocked too. But this thing is precise.” Liu Yu was somewhat helpless: “It depends on whether Jeken can train a few apprentices.”
Speaking of production volume, Liu Yu shook his head again.
Recently, he had found that not only was the production of sulfuric acid insufficient, but even the high-quality granulated black powder, produced in the laboratory, was also severely inadequate. It could barely meet the needs of numerous experiments, leaving reserves depleted for drills.
As for sulfuric acid, it was an insurmountable hurdle.
The apprentices in the laboratory were making good progress. Even without the guidance of Lian Jincheng, they still wanted to create something. Recently, they had made advances with fulminite, but the problem was that nitric acid was essential for its production.
And to obtain nitric acid, sulfuric acid was first needed, and there were too many products that required it.
Without nitric acid, it was impossible to produce nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, TNT, fulminite, or picric acid—everything required it, and nitric acid itself needed sulfuric acid.

He shook his head and said, “Things are fine on his end, but it’s the sulfuric acid in the chemistry lab that’s driving me crazy.”
“Can we order some from outside?” Liu Suiyun came up with an idea. “The problem is getting it past customs.”
“Ordinary merchant ships wouldn’t dare transport such a substance.”
Concentrated sulfuric acid wasn’t available in Haifang, and buying it from big cities like Hong Kong and Saigon was too risky—ordinary smugglers wouldn’t dare handle such dangerous goods. “Don’t mention this for now. Focus on practicing the missing skills, and have Zhang Biao lead a team for actual combat drills.”
Liu Suiyun had gained valuable combat experience in Heyang, but the troops in the old camp not only gained experience in actual battles but also practiced many new skills, such as the third rifle exercise designed specifically for night battles—something Liu Suiyun hadn’t had time to teach them. “If you really want to stay with Liu Yongfu and the others, you might fall behind.”
Liu Suiyun knew the Xiliu Camp was a very supportive group, but it advanced at a rapid pace. If he stayed put for a year, he might not even keep up with rough guys like Zhang Biao.
“Okay! I’ll go right away.”
Everything was progressing smoothly.
The five direct platoons were established according to Liu Yu’s plan. The new Xiliu Camp conducted large-scale combat drills daily. As for drills like formations, even the newly recruited Huangqi Army captives were already quite skilled. With more training, these captives, who already had rich combat experience, would become key fighters.
The chemistry lab continued to repeat the chemical experiments already done in the West. Now, the apprentices could operate independently based on chemical equations.
Liu Daimai Ban and Lian Jincheng brought a shipload of supplies related to counterfeiting currency. Their workshop for casting French Indochina copper coins had already started trial production, but when it came to making fake banknotes, Lian Jincheng still complained of a lack of personnel, equipment, and technical expertise.
To speed things up, both the Xiliu Camp and Deng Cunyu invested more funds. Liu Yu personally approved 3,000 taels of silver, but it was still unclear how much more would be needed to become wealthy.
Yet now he was worried about money again. “Demanding payment?”
“We’re all one family. Please keep your promise and provide financial support to our Left Camp! The commander has cut off our military pay. If you don’t give us pay, our Left Camp will be in trouble.”
These were people from the Left Camp asking for payment. Their demands weren’t as excessive as Liu Yongfu had imagined. “Our Left Camp still has some resources, so let the front camp and the Xiliu Camp share the cost equally. Just provide 300 taels per month.”
One tael of silver could support one combat soldier—quite a cheap deal. But this suggestion was immediately opposed by Jiang Ningxue: “The camp currently has just over 30,000 taels in silver. If we give them financial support, that would be 3,600 taels a year.”
Liu Suiyun, Zhang Biao, and others also opposed it. “With this amount of money, it would be better to form another infantry company!”
Liu Yu frowned and made a decision different from before: “Give it to them!”
“3,600 taels a year?”

“Three thousand six hundred taels a year to buy such a highly combat-effective battalion—there’s no better deal in the world!”
Liu Yu had always held absolute authority in the Xiliu Battalion, but now Jiang Ningxue was questioning his decision: “Ayu, that’s three thousand six hundred taels a year.”
“I know exactly how much that is. That’s why I want to personally pay the soldiers in the Left Battalion, so they’ll know who’s supporting them. Zhang Biao, how’s the preparation in Shizhou going…”
Zhang Biao smiled. “Commander, everything is ready. Each man will bring a hundred bullets, and the platoon also has a thousand rifle rounds carried by mules.”
Liu Yu smiled. “Good. I’ll go with you… Ah!”
He glanced at Liu Suiyun, who understood what he meant: “Our platoon can also go to Shizhou together.”
This was quite a bold move. Initially, Liu Yongfu only wanted Liu Suiyun’s platoon to go to Shizhou to assist in battle, but with Liu Yu’s change of mind, two infantry platoons would be fighting. Yet Liu Yu still felt it wasn’t enough. “Why not send the entire Left Outpost, including Cai Yunnan’s platoon? How’s his recovery?”
“He can already walk. I think after a few more days, he’ll be able to lead troops with the commander to Shizhou.”
An entire infantry company, operating far beyond the borders of Shanxi Province—this was the first time the Xiliu Battalion had engaged in combat of such intensity. But Liu Yu believed now was the best time.
Recently, the French forces in Hanoi had been quite aggressive, conducting several demonstration battles along the border between Hanoi and Shanxi. But likely due to financial reasons, the garrison in Hanoi had now lost one company.
Meanwhile, the strength of the Xiliu Battalion in Shanxi had further increased. The five newly formed direct platoons, though composed of engineers and logistics units, all had experienced veterans as core members.
The rifles and firearms were somewhat varied—only half of the twelve men in each infantry squad were equipped with breech-loading weapons, while the other captives brought in could only be armed with muzzle-loading rifles for self-defense. Defense shouldn’t be a problem. Although some troops would go to Shizhou, most would remain in Shanxi.
Moreover, the Huajian Sect’s efforts to poach recruits had been very successful. Luo Yanqiu had taken this strategy to its extreme, often bringing most of the Catholic population in a village over to his side. Now, the Xiliu Battalion had spies throughout the province, with many churches turned into Huajian Sect activity centers. And based on Liu Yu’s knowledge, the Sino-French War hadn’t broken out until 1883.
Presumably, the intensity of the last conflict hadn’t yet subsided. Shouldn’t it be no problem for one infantry company and most of the five direct platoons to defend Shanxi?
He glanced at Sima Tai again—he was the only problem.
But even he wasn’t a problem, as his Right Outpost consisted of veterans from Liu Yu’s battalion. So Liu Yu simply said, “This time, let Sima be the commander of the garrison force. Everyone, including Ningxue, must obey his orders.”
But to others, it sounded different.

What Liu Yu actually meant was that everyone would listen to him, except Jiang Ningxue—during critical moments, one still had to follow Jiang Ningxue’s advice. Just as Chiang Kai-shek handed over command of the North China Pacification Army to Fu Zuoyi, he privately instructed his loyal generals that they could follow Fu Zuoyi militarily but must obey Chen Jicheng politically. Sima Tai didn’t understand the intention behind Liu Yu’s words: “I will surely fulfill my mission.” Having made up his mind, Liu Yu replied to the messengers sent by Zuo Ying and Liu Yongfu, “This expedition to the Ten Provinces is crucial for the survival of our Black Flag Army. I strongly support it, so I plan to bring three months’ worth of rations for Zuo Ying, escorted by a detachment, to fight in the Ten Provinces personally.” Three months’ rations and a detachment far exceeded their original mission scope, leaving them overjoyed: “This is excellent! Truly excellent!” But since Liu Yu had raised the scale from a platoon to an enhanced infantry company, he naturally couldn’t rush into action; instead, he prepared thoroughly. Especially since the expedition included newly formed units for engineering, logistics, medical care, communications, and artillery, Liu Yu wanted to practice combined operations among various military branches. It should be noted that the late Qing army had no concept of joint operations—artillery units remained separate from infantry and cavalry units, and even basic combined infantry-artillery attacks were impossible. The artillery of the Hunan-Huai Army had very low field combat capabilities; they were better at attacking fixed targets like cities and had some skills in siege warfare, but in field battles, incidents like the Battle of Tsushima occurred, where Qing artillery fired relentlessly yet failed to harm a single Japanese soldier. Thus, artillery units with high skill levels were particularly rare. Li Hongzhang specifically organized the artillery units he had taken over into his most loyal personal guard battalion, keeping them close at hand until the invasion by the Eight-Nation Alliance, when this guard artillery battalion dispersed in battle. At present, the specialized platoons of the Xiliu Camp were still in their infancy, not much different from infantry, with outdated equipment, especially among the artillery units. But Liu Yu saw this as a starting point—using this actual combat as an opportunity to expose all weaknesses and then make proper improvements. Meanwhile, the matter was once again brought back to Liu Yongfu. Wu Fengdian personally reported, “Yuanting, upon hearing that our troops are marching to the Ten Provinces, Commander Liu of Xiliu Camp personally led a strong infantry detachment and brought three months’ worth of rations from Zuo Ying.” Liu Yongfu hadn’t expected Liu Yu to invest so much—this was truly unprecedented. With such provisions and rations, the loyalty of non-loyal troops like those in the Front Camp might quickly shift to Xiliu Camp. Seeing Liu Yongfu pondering in silence, Wu Fengdian immediately said, “If Yuan Ting is worried, I’ll return my share at that time.” If someone brought rations as a gift and then returned them, it would dishearten the troops. But returning one’s own share carried a different meaning. Zuo Ying was one of Liu Yongfu’s most loyal units, and Wu Fengdian was also one of his closest confidants. Historically, when Liu Yongfu returned home to pay respects to his ancestors, it was Wu Fengdian who handled the affairs of the Black Flag Army. Liu Yongfu shook his head and said, “The brothers are used to hardship. Since Liu Camp is willing to spend money, there’s no need to make them suffer any more.”

“You deserve your salary, and I’ll pay you exactly what’s due. Whatever Xiliu Camp gives you, you should take it as well.”
This time, Liu Yongfu was indeed investing heavily—equivalent to giving Zuo Camp double the salary. “Yalou, we’ve known each other for almost ten years now…”
Wu Fengdian didn’t understand the meaning behind Liu Yongfu’s words. “It has indeed been almost ten years.”
Liu Yongfu glanced at Wu Fengdian before finally saying, “The young are truly formidable.”
Wu Fengdian quickly knelt before Liu Yongfu. “All the glory and wealth in my life come from General’s kindness. If the General gives orders, I will surely obey, even if it means sacrificing the Liu Camp…”
Liu Yongfu shook his head and pulled Wu Fengdian up. “We are family—closer than brothers-in-law. There’s no need for such formalities.”
He may not have broad horizons or a grand vision, but he did possess a certain magnanimity. “This time, by deploying troops to the Ten Provinces, I aim to find a way out for the Black Flag Army, hoping to survive against all odds. Since Xiliu Camp is interested in participating, let them come. Maybe they can indeed help the Black Flag Army find a path forward!”
With that, Wu Fengdian said solemnly, “I will not disappoint the General.”
He felt he had to be true to his conscience as well as to Liu Yongfu.
Shanxi. The old camp of Xiliu Camp.
Since Liu Yu was leading the expedition personally, preparations progressed much more efficiently. Even some experimental products from the laboratory were taken along.
But new problems arose. Xiliu Camp knew almost nothing about the Ten Provinces, not even the simplest topographic maps.
The region was so remote that even French missionaries had never set foot there. The records in Vietnamese chronicles were also extremely brief.
At present, apart from knowing that the area was mountainous with rugged terrain, making it difficult to deploy troops and sparsely populated, Xiliu Camp knew very little else.
They also knew little about their opponent, Ye Chenglin. All they knew was that he had once belonged to the Yellow Flag Army and had controlled the Ten Provinces for ten years. His forces numbered nearly a thousand, but most were old people, women, and family members; the actual combatants numbered around three hundred.
Now, most of the Black Flag Army was being sent, along with thousands of Vietnamese troops, to attack. But Liu Yu’s style was always to use heavy firepower against minor threats. Even though he knew he could defeat the opponent with just one reinforced company, he still wanted to be fully prepared.
“This time, the officers need to show their strength, so that the soldiers in all camps will know of Xiliu Camp’s reputation…”
In fact, Liu Yu wanted more than that. What he wanted was, “I can take his place!”
If there are no heroes, I can take their place!