Chapter 15: Haiyang (Part 2)

“The troops are too few…”
Even though Fan Fushu had spent many years in the political arena and remained calm, he was still enraged by this excuse: “That’s just the Liu Army!”
Ten thousand soldiers against such a small force like the Liu Army, yet they kept claiming a shortage of troops. The governor emphasized his point further: “I’ve already discovered that the Liu Army has less than two hundred combatants. With ten thousand of our troops, we can surely win in one battle!”
He spoke clearly, but the military leaders looked despairful: “Sir, we truly lack enough troops to deal with the Liu Army!”
“Only two hundred men!”
“The Tang people always stick together. Even if we attack part of the Liu Army, the Tang people in Haiyang will surely unite and fight together. We really don’t have enough troops…”
There was some truth to his words. The remaining forces of the various peasant armies in Yue had a sense of loyalty among themselves. Even though the Yellow Flag Army and the Black Flag Army were fighting fiercely, they still left some room for each other. That’s why, after the Yellow Flag Army was defeated, its general Huang Shouzhong joined the Black Flag Army.
The remaining forces of the peasant armies in Haiyang had connections with the Liu Army and exchanged information, so the Liu Army’s plan to attack Haiyang couldn’t be kept secret. Word spread quickly, becoming known to everyone.
Fortunately, everyone knew what was at stake and didn’t go to the authorities to report it. Whether Liu Yu succeeded or failed in attacking Haiyang, it would benefit everyone.
After considering the situation, the old military leaders thought that the Liu Army wasn’t difficult to deal with. But if those so-called “Tang people” united, it could harm the reputations of the generals.
Fan Fushu cleared his throat: “You all are experienced soldiers and know that the empire always relies on each soldier fulfilling their duties. With ten thousand troops, you still dare not leave the city to fight a few hundred Tang people. How can I face the emperor?”
In just a few decades, he no longer saw in these generals the same tenacity as the former emperor, who had defeated the puppet dynasty in Shanxi and unified Annam. Yet these generals insisted: “Although the Tang people are few, they number in the thousands. Our troops, though many, are still less than ten thousand. Please ask Lord Huang Zuojie for reinforcements!”
Huang Zuojie? As the imperial son-in-law, he was the most powerful man in Northern Yue, but his troops might not be stronger than theirs.
Huang Zuoyan had achieved many military successes, but it was all thanks to external help—first, he had Liu Yongfu’s Black Flag Army under his command, and second, he could borrow General Feng Zicai’s Guangxi Army from the Tang Dynasty to help suppress the rebels. Other than these two strong forces, Huang Zuoyan really couldn’t muster a third.
Realizing the governor could only try to persuade these generals, Fan Fushu said, “Ten thousand troops are more than enough to ensure victory. There’s no need to ask for reinforcements from the governor.”
To his surprise, the generals remained cautious: “Sir, Lord Huang Zuoyan has the Black Flag Army as his vanguard and the Tang troops as his backup, so he’s sure to win. But we’re different. If we fail, the consequences will be disastrous.”
It was truly shameful.
Ten thousand troops were too afraid to fight a mere one or two thousand remnants of Chinese soldiers—how shameful!
Weren’t they usually this strong?
Suddenly, Fan Fushu understood: “Which reinforcements do you want to ask for?”

These military officers were extremely clever: “To deal with such fierce bandits, we must bring in Zuo Jin’s French troops.”
“Yes, only French troops can subdue them!”
The governor finally understood what these officers had in mind.
Although this large army was fighting in a outnumbered situation, the Liu Zi Camp was still a well-known bandit group that could surely summon reinforcements, resulting in inevitable losses.
Zuo Jin had French marines and steel warships, possessing immense combat power and fierce firepower—steel rapid-fire cannons firing like rain, along with numerous rear-mounted guns. With such a powerful force, not just one Liu Zi Camp, but even a hundred of them would be destroyed.
In this way, these old military leaders could achieve great military merits without putting in any effort.
Though Fan Fushu was well-versed in governance, he was still a scholar. He casually asked, “How do we invite Zuo Jin’s French troops?”
As soon as he spoke, the officers rejoiced, “The French priest Ruan Youming is already waiting outside. If he goes to Zuo Jin to request troops, he will surely succeed.”
He had been outmaneuvered.
Fan Fushu smiled bitterly.
Ruan Youming was well-prepared. As soon as he entered, he spoke fluent Vietnamese, “If the governor agrees, I’ll go to Zuo Jin right away to request troops!”
The governor was sensible enough to realize that it was easy to invite help but difficult to send it away. Hadn’t they invited help when the An Ye invaders came before?
After all, Haiyang was under French influence—neither the Black Flag Army nor the Qing forces would cross the border. But he suddenly realized, “I’m truly foolish. With ten thousand troops, fighting just a few hundred Tang rebels, I still need to ask for reinforcements. It’s truly laughable.”
Though it was laughable, Father Ruan Youming, holding the Bible, pressed forward step by step: “Since Vietnamese troops cannot eliminate the bandits, according to the Franco-Vietnamese Protection Treaty, France has the right to send troops to ensure Vietnam’s independence.”
Since taking office, Fan Fushu had been surrounded by foreigners and pro-French factions, but he still had great doubts about France directly intervening militarily: “I’m very grateful for your kindness. I’ll report this to Shunhua and let them make the decision.”
When faced with something he couldn’t refuse outright, Governor Fan always tried to bluff his way through, but this time he couldn’t anymore.
Faint gunshots could be heard in the distance. The old military leaders pricked up their ears, and even Father Ruan Youming stopped pressing forward, concerned by the gunshots.
Before Governor Fan could recover, the gunshots came in waves, growing louder and clearer.
“What’s going on?” The officers were clueless. “Has the camp been attacked?”
As they panicked, definite news finally arrived.
A small officer covered in mud rushed over, tears streaming down his face, shouting, “Something terrible has happened!”
“The Liu Zi Camp has attacked the city! There are so many of them, lots of foreign guns. The troops are outnumbered and can’t hold back!”
“There are too many of them! The troops are too few! We’re no match!”
“The city gates have fallen!”