Chapter 110: Another Attack

Zhang Fei Mao was an old subordinate of Li Qiu, having joined the Xiliu Camp with him. He even ended up holding the position of platoon leader. Sharing Li Qiu’s ambitions, he was eager to recruit a fully organized unit from the concession as his own foundation.
The indigenous infantry company inside the fortress was the most intact unit, and together with other scattered troops, they numbered no less than 130 to 140 men. If they could be brought over, Zhang Fei Mao believed he could rise another rank, so he was particularly enthusiastic. He braved gunfire and made five or six trips back and forth along the front lines. Just as things seemed to be going well, reinforcements arrived, and Ruan Guo, the indigenous infantry lieutenant, turned on them.
As the highest commander of the fortress, Ruan Guo now stood proudly behind a parapet, shouting loudly, “Brothers, come back! The French masters have returned! Look, Zhang Fei Mao, this fickle wretch, is getting his just deserts!”
“Brothers, the French masters say that once you return, past mistakes will be forgiven. You’ll keep your positions, and life will go on as before—you’ll still enjoy all the comforts!”
Meanwhile, Zhang Fei Mao was pitifully tied up on the parapet. “As for refusing to repent, this is what happens!”
His hands were tightly bound behind his back, and a stinky sock was stuffed in his mouth. He struggled desperately but couldn’t speak. Ruan Guo shouted, “Kill him!”
Several bayonets were thrust into Zhang Fei Mao from behind, with over a dozen stab wounds spilling blood everywhere. Then the indigenous infantry stepped back a dozen steps. Ruan Guo ordered, “Machine guns!”
With a series of shots, Zhang Fei Mao, who could still struggle a little at first, became motionless after being hit by over a dozen bullets. But that wasn’t all—another group of indigenous soldiers tied ropes around Zhang Fei Mao’s neck and hung him from the fortress. He still bounced a few times before finally lying still.
He hung there as Ruan Guo shouted outside, “Vietnamese people, you are loyal friends of the French. Don’t fall for deception anymore! Come back quickly! The French masters say you’ll keep your old positions—everything will remain as before. We’ll even work for the French and live in glory!”
Standing on the high wall of the fortress, he proclaimed loudly, “The French have brought a full thousand reinforcements, twenty cannon, and over ten warships. Those bandits of the Black Flag Army won’t last long. Come back.”
The French also understood the importance of these indigenous soldiers. Even if they couldn’t be brought back, they had to be dispersed to prevent them from joining the Black Flag Army. This propaganda indeed swayed many captives who had just surrendered. Compared to the Black Flag Army, they were more superstitious about French power, and the treatment seemed better on the French side.
Even a high-ranking captive like Li Qiu hesitated for a moment, considering whether to return. But he quickly realized that even subordinates like Zhang Fei Mao weren’t spared—how could he, the main culprit, survive? There was only one path left. Overcome with sorrow, he cried out, “Fei Mao, you die a miserable death!”
The battle intensified at that moment. Fortunately, the Black Flag Army not only held their lines but also managed to advance a few meters. However, their fighting spirit was already greatly diminished.

They could also clearly see that French warships were approaching in large numbers, and hundreds of French reinforcements had landed as well. If the fighting continued like this, it would be their Black Flag Army that ran out of strength first, not the French.

But they only regretted not achieving a complete victory; it was the Chinese who won this battle, not the French. The French were also human beings and had been defeated time and time again. The Black Flag Army maintained its defensive lines in an orderly manner.

On the fortress, the arrogant Lieutenant Nguyen showed off his status: “Thank Captain Bissel, thank France! Now I am the first lieutenant in the history of Annam’s native infantry!” He loudly boasted about his rank to the Black Flag Army, but they paid no attention. However, it was quite tempting for the native infantry: “As long as we work hard, the French friends will give us enough resources. Let’s work together!” He stretched out his hand and said, “Look! We have enough strength. The French friends have already sent reinforcements for me!”

Many French soldiers appeared on the city walls, dressed in brand-new dark blue uniforms and red breeches. Clearly, these were reinforcements sent from Cochinchina. Li Qiu pointed at them and said, “One of our native infantry companies can hold off the attack of three battalions of the Black Flag Army. With the French friends as well, even if five thousand Black Flag soldiers attack, we can still achieve a complete victory. There is no future in following those bandits. Come back!”

Such shouts had the opposite effect. Liu Chengliang spat in disgust and said to Liu Yongfu, “Father, let me go up and take his life!”

Regarding the stronghold defended by Nguyen, only Liu Chengliang’s rear unit attempted an attack once, withdrawing after suffering over ten casualties. Due to a temporary ceasefire agreement, the Black Flag Army could advance freely in all directions, capturing several company and platoon-level strongholds. Nguyen didn’t dare to fire at all. Who would have thought this wretch would turn against them now?

“Pah!” The entire Black Flag Army was indignant: “Bluffing!”

They knew well the combat strength of Annam’s native infantry. It had to be said that in a confrontation of similar scale, since the native infantry had a relative advantage in weapons, the Black Flag Army might suffer some losses. But up to now, the Black Flag Army had captured more and more weapons, while the native infantry grew weaker with each battle. Defeating them was as easy as cutting tofu.

The infantry of Cai Yunnan’s battalion had originally planned to withdraw, but now, faced with this situation, they unanimously recommended Company Commander Jing Shiyi to volunteer for battle: “ Battalion commander, let’s attack again and take care of this arrogant guy!”

Neither the Xiliu Battalion nor the Black Flag Army was convinced at all. Only some of the native infantry wavered upon hearing this.

However, after careful consideration, Liu Yongfu felt that the battle could no longer be continued—the casualties were too high. The entire force had taken a brief rest after crossing the paper bridge before directly participating in the siege of Hanoi, achieving great gains but also suffering heavy losses.

Three hundred and eighty people were killed in the Paper Bridge battle, while in Hanoi, there is still no exact figure for the casualties of the Xiliu Infantry Regiment and the Black Flag Army combined, but it is certain to exceed those of the Paper Bridge battle. In particular, the Xiliu Infantry Regiment suffered over 250 casualties due to their outstanding performance in combat.

“Our Hanhai Battalion is willing to take on everything!” Cai Yunan stepped forward eagerly to volunteer: “It doesn’t matter if there are heavy casualties!”

Most of the casualties from the Xiliu Infantry Regiment fell on the 500-strong Hanhai Battalion. Cai Yunan clenched his fists and said, “General Liu, my lords, our Hanhai Battalion swore before the battle to become like the Hanoi Battalion. How can we withdraw so hastily?”

Yet Liu Yongfu made his decision: “Let the Liu Suiyun detachment come forward to provide cover. The casualties are high, and the enemy has brought in another 600–700 reinforcements along with numerous warships. We can’t resolve this battle in the short term, and more reinforcements arriving will only make things worse.”

“Fight!” Liu Yu made the final decision at that moment. “Li Qiu, what’s that arrogant guy’s name?”

“Ruan Guo!”

“Break his bones today!” Liu Yu said decisively. “If we don’t deal with this scoundrel, we won’t be able to rest even if we try to withdraw!”

Everyone understood his meaning. Tang Jingsong was the first to agree: “If we can’t win the hearts of the Vietnamese, how can we defeat the French?”

He was a bold man and laughed loudly, saying, “Just a few hundred reinforcements and a few warships—how can they stand against our elite Black Flag troops?”

Cai Yunan stepped forward: “Our Hanhai Battalion has only one goal: to become like the Hanoi Battalion. We’re still willing to take the lead.”

Liu Yu shook his head. “You and the Crow Battalion have been severely weakened. With new reinforcements arriving from the enemy, we need fresh troops!”

Even Liu Yongfu didn’t have the authority to decide which battalion would attack the Xiliu Infantry Regiment. This time, Liu Yu personally called Sima Tai over. “Sima, it’s in times of crisis that true heroes are revealed. Do you know which troops you’re leading? It depends on you this time.”

Liu Yu shook Sima Tai’s hands firmly. Sima Tai was extremely excited: “I’m leading the Xiliu Battalion, the Xiliu Battalion!”

Without further words, the Xiliu Battalion was, after all, the oldest and most combat-effective battalion in the entire Liu Yu system. Sima Tai even believed that his battalion was the strongest infantry battalion in the world—whether it was the French or British forces, any kind of troops, his single infantry battalion could eliminate an entire battalion of them.

The Xiliu Battalion and he themselves should play such a pivotal role, making the decisive move at the most critical moment: “Our Xiliu Battalion will surely win.”

During this attack on Hanoi, the Xiliu Battalion had been responsible for flanking attacks, achieving great results with minimal casualties. Apart from Liu Suiyun’s company, which was on an independent mission, the entire battalion remained intact. Therefore, Liu Yu only asked, “In front of you lies a strong enemy fortress, containing a highly combative and stubborn company of native South Vietnamese infantry, along with about a platoon of French troops. These enemies could receive support from several hundred more reinforcements at any time. Do you still have confidence?”

Sima Tai proudly replied, “We’ll annihilate them all completely!”

With such a declaration, the entire Black Flag Army halted its retreat and resumed fighting. First, the troops began to deploy, with the Xiliu Battalion, which had always been the best in the army, taking action.

After the battle, Cai Yunnan’s Hanhai Battalion would be responsible for holding the enemy at bay, while the Crow Battalion would serve as the second wave of attackers, with the entire Black Flag Army providing support afterward.
Li Qiu watched as the Giant Battalion of Xiliu revealed its fierce face, with Liu Yu directing the troops with fierce determination: “Sima, I have nothing else to say—give you all the mortars, light and heavy… Hmm!”
He thought for a moment: “I’ll also add one 65-mm cannon, with permission to fire seven shells!”
Jingshiyi had seized fourteen 65-mm shells and a large amount of other supplies from the sunken ship. For the Xiliu Infantry Regiment, this was one of the greatest gains from this battle. However, in previous sieges, the Xiliu Infantry Regiment had never used the 65-mm cannon in combat—only one had been used in ship battles—and seven shells was almost the maximum amount Liu Yu approved.
“Hmm! The Liu Suiyun Company can’t return to its regular formation for now, but I’ll have them act as the reserve force. Don’t worry about your rear—charge forward with bayonets!”
The Xiliu Battalion allocated almost all its ammunition to itself. As for the Xiliu Infantry Regiment, true to being Liu Yu’s core force, they executed all movements flawlessly, completing the takeover in just one hour.
At the takeover position, Cai Yunnan’s Hanhai Battalion shouted loudly, “Brothers of the Xiliu Battalion, it’s up to you now!”
The Xiliu Battalion, with the pride of Liu Yu and Sima Tai, believed nothing was beyond their reach. Even facing a purely French-garrisoned defense, they were confident they could take it.
Only one group was moving backward: a large force composed of Shen Sheng’s Independent Company, the Flower Flag Bank, and members of the Flower Sect, carrying hundreds of large animals and thousands of laborers to evacuate Hanoi.
Liu Qing sat on a mule, directing the operation. He believed that after this, if a hundred French troops could survive in Hanoi without relying on water transport but by procuring supplies locally, he would resign.
On the side, Su Sui happily calculated the profits: “The profit share remains the same, right? Then the three-year funding for our Hanoi sect is secured.”
Sister Teresa blinked upon hearing this and said, “If the profit share changes, I’ll go see your commander.”
Liu Qing smiled: “No need. On this land of Hanoi, I believe all items listed in the strategic supplies catalog no longer exist. To recognize such achievements, our Black Flag Bank can make a small concession.”
Sister Teresa, holding a pair of revolvers, looked at Hanoi and said calmly, “I still need to see your commander.”
Inside Hanoi, Liu Yu already saw troops moving toward the fortresses defended by the Nguyen kingdom, preparing for the final assault.
To support this operation, the Black Flag Army’s artillery unit was also placed under his unified command. Soldiers were loading shells into their guns, ready to fire at any moment, while the artillery crews had set their sights, ready to begin bombardment.
With just one order from him, his most trusted Xiliu Battalion would charge into fierce artillery fire for this final assault. He said to Li Qiu, “See that?”

That was the corpse of Zhang Fei Mao, still hanging there. Li Qiu had a vague illusion that Zhang Fei Mao was still struggling there: “My lord, I want to deal with Ruan Guo myself, just as he dealt with Zhang Fei Mao!”
“Mm!” Liu Yu picked up the phone. On the other end, Sima Tai had been waiting for a long time: “Commander, the Xiliu Camp awaits your orders!”
“Mm!” Liu Yu didn’t need to say much. He always had absolute confidence in this camp. If two hundred French troops were guarding it, he would still need to hesitate. But against the French-Vietnamese mixed forces, all he had to do was trust his subordinates: “Start the attack!”
He added one final instruction: “There’s no need to deliberately take prisoners!”