Chapter 178: The Prelude to the Decisive Battle (Part 1)

Optimism is contagious. A few French soldiers opened a box of wine, scanning the distant forests while discussing their new commander.
“Colonel Ermelin—a truly outstanding commander, the top graduate of the Saint-Cyr Military Academy. He will bring us victory.”
“I’ve given up on any commander or hope,” said one soldier, leaning against the ground. “I just hope they’ll send us back home.”
North Vietnam was a fairly comfortable place. Though not as good as France itself, it lacked the scorching heat and heavy rains of the tropical rainforests. Yet they had been there for six months or longer, suffering defeat after defeat several times a month. Even in victories, they could only watch living people turn into cold corpses. After prolonged battles, their initial enthusiasm had been drowned out by the rain. “All I care about is leave, when we can be sent back home. From Hanoi to Shanxi, we’ve been on the road for a whole year yet still haven’t made it there.”
“It will end once Shanxi is taken. That man is France’s best commander. He brought along an entire regiment of fine young men—all excellent locals—and lots of modern equipment, just as good as those of the Black Flag Army.”
“Just as good?” Though he claimed to be desperate, he still held a sliver of hope. After all, becoming a marshal or general was every soldier’s dream. “What can he do?”
“He promised me that this Christmas, we can go home and be with our families,” said an old soldier who had served in the Tonkin region for two years. “I came here with Colonel Li Weiyeh two years ago. Other than going home, I want nothing else. He can take us back.”
“Go home? I hope I can go home too.”
“He’s like an elder to the soldiers. He knows what we want and how to win this war. He told me personally that to defeat the Black Flag Army, we must first lure out their main forces, then annihilate them in a successful ambush.”
“But they have many infantry regiments and battalions—more men than us… unless we get help from local soldiers.”
After over a year of fighting, these French soldiers had given up the idea that individual bravery could solve all problems. They were more concerned with practical issues, such as how to achieve victory.
“That’s right. The enemy once had many infantry regiments and battalions, but now this is their weakest moment. Colonel Ermelin is a genius, a true genius.”
“The Black Flag Army has sent a large number of troops to Cochinchina and Huế—at least ten thousand men—and about three infantry regiments to Taiyuan to prevent General Nigri from attacking them from Bắc Ninh.”
“And Colonel Ermelin learned from enemy intelligence that one of their infantry brigades is about to be sent to Cochinchina. Once that brigade departs, we’ll have a complete advantage.”

It must be said that Erminga was highly talented in intelligence analysis; his estimates of the Black Flag Army’s movements were quite accurate. Within just a week, he had won over the hearts of many soldiers and lower-ranking officers.
They admired this young colonel deeply, believing firmly that he would lead the French out of this predicament.
“This is the best news I’ve ever heard!” The man who had claimed despair jumped to his feet. “Let’s do our best and then go home for Christmas.”
“Go home for Christmas, bringing back a glorious medal and an exceptional promotion.”
Several French soldiers laughed, their eyes once again filled with hope.
But in the next moment, the alarm sounded, followed by the familiar sound of Black Flag Army mortar shells. The sharp whistling filled these veterans with combat fury: “Kill the Chinese!”
Yet soon they realized that the Frenchmen killed were not the only ones—on a distant sergeant’s post, the French flag had been pulled down and replaced by the imposing banner of the Xiliu Camp.
After the mortar shells landed, gunfire erupted again. Through binoculars, it was clear that groups of Black Flag Army soldiers appeared in several places.
“The enemy! The enemy!”
Their opponents, the Black Flag Army, were first-rate foes—excellent in command, well-trained, and well-equipped. “Let’s fight hard to go home for Christmas!”
The battle between the two sides intensified immediately. Clearly, this was another probing attack by the Black Flag Army against Hanoi.
“Xiliu Camp, advance!”
Simatai took the lead, his entire infantry regiment charging forward like a tide, aiming to strike at the French forces where they were weakest.
“Simatai is doing wonderfully!” Liu Yu watched the battle at the front line clearly. “Cheng Lin, it’s your turn now!”
“No problem!” Ye Chenglin took on the most difficult task. “Whether to defend or attack, whether to defend villages or assault field positions—our brigade will handle it all.”
He was confident, having sufficient resources. After all, the French forces in Hanoi were battle-hardened but incomplete in numbers, forcing them to rely on Vietnamese troops to fill the gaps. Yet Liu Yu declared firmly, “I want a complete victory!”
Liu Suiyun was not so optimistic about winning this battle. “Just by adding one or two more infantry battalions, the French still have great strength.”
“No! I’ll make the French understand that even with numerical and firepower advantages, they still can’t defeat us.”
……
“The Chinese are coming out—the Black Flag bandits are here.”
In the Hanoi headquarters, people gathered around both sides of the map. “Those are their best infantry battalions, including Xiliu Camp and other infantry units. Our defense forces have suffered heavy losses but are still holding onto some of the most important positions.”
“They’re all great young men!” Gu Ba praised his soldiers. “It’s our turn to counterattack. By the way… when will the Nigeri Brigade arrive?”
Erminga answered first, “Their vanguard battalion can reach Hanoi by noon tomorrow, and the main force of the brigade will arrive the day after.”

“Great news. Our two infantry brigades’ mobile forces and one and a half brigades of garrison troops are far beyond what the enemy can handle. We’re in for a decisive victory.”
“I think we need to bring in more units from the coastal defense as well. Erminga is an excellent commander: in a large-scale battle like this, the side with a numerical advantage will hold all the initiative and come out on top.”
“I agree with you. Can your brigades hold their ground?”
“Unshakable.”