In the entire team of the People's Revolutionary Army attacking the Cavalry and Artillery Camp, except for the scouts, Chai Qingguo walked at the very front of the team. He knew the power of artillery better than other comrades in the troops. Chai Qingguo escaped with his life with difficulty under the artillery of foreign devils and the Beiyang Army. Even though six years had passed, he could still clearly recall the earth-shaking explosions and the miserable state of flesh and blood flying across the charging brothers when shells landed among them.

"Old Pu, are you sure the Anqing artillery has no shells?" Although he had asked many times, Chai Qingguo couldn't help asking Pu Guanshui walking beside him again.

"How could shells be stored in the military camp? Moreover, this time the Artillery Battalion is temporarily stationed at the Cavalry Camp in the west of the city. It's almost New Year now, and there are no naval ships in Anqing. They have cannons and shells. Our luck is good." Pu Guanshui said while walking.

"But the credit for capturing the cannons was taken by Zhang Yu." Chai Qingguo was somewhat indignant about this.

Whether it was intelligence provided by Pu Guanshui or intelligence investigated by the People's Party, it showed that the station of the Anhui New Army in Anqing was divided into three parts. The infantry was stationed in the military camp inside the city; the station of the Artillery Battalion and the artillery position were at Yingjiang Temple in the east of the city; and the west of the city was the station of the Cavalry Camp. In the initial plan, Zhang Yu's detachment was responsible for attacking the Artillery Camp near Yingjiang Temple, while Chai Qingguo was responsible for attacking the Cavalry Camp in the west of the city. Hua Xiongmao was responsible for threatening Anqing City. Once these two camps were taken, the People's Revolutionary Army would present a posture of pincer attack from east and west.

As a result, when they arrived at Chizhou, they received the latest news that the station of the Artillery Battalion had actually moved to the west of the city. The reason was very special. This year there was a flood in Anhui, and many common people died. Seeing that the Spring Festival was coming soon, En Ming prepared to let the monks of Yingjiang Temple perform a three-day religious ceremony to release the souls of the disaster victims who died in the flood. With people coming and going, En Ming was afraid that the officers and soldiers of the artillery would mix in and cause trouble. Facing such a lively event, it was simply impossible to lock this group of soldiers in the house and not let them out. En Ming simply ordered the artillery to temporarily move to the Cavalry Camp in the west of the city, leaving only some soldiers guarding the emplacement. This could solve the problem from the bottom. At least in the latest news, the superficial reason for moving the Artillery Camp was this.

Hearing Chai Qingguo's dissatisfaction with not being able to attack the New Army artillery position personally, Pu Guanshui laughed: "Who else in our troops understands cavalry better than you, old brother?"

Hearing these words which were not really a compliment, Chai Qingguo was not very happy. "What use is it that I understand cavalry? How many people in our troops have ridden horses? Even if we seize those horses, we can't use them immediately."

The conversation ended here; both closed their mouths and buried their heads in rushing. The troops marched extremely fast; in less than an hour, they saw a looming building ahead. Pu Guanshui pointed in that direction: "The Cavalry Camp is there."

Chai Qingguo was an old hand at cavalry; he knew very well that in the dark night, the cavalry team basically couldn't implement a large-scale charge. As long as the camp gate was blocked to prevent the cavalry from coming out, the rest would be easy to handle. With an order, the troops immediately accelerated their marching speed.

The Cavalry Camp of the Anhui New Army was completely unprepared for the rapidly approaching People's Revolutionary Army. The entire camp now presented a situation of loose outside and tight inside. The Yuewang Society linked up everywhere. Because the Artillery Battalion had a higher education level, the number of people inclined towards revolution was also the largest. As a result, they were suddenly transferred to the Cavalry Camp station. Not only that, but the officers in the Cavalry Camp first invited the officers of the Artillery Battalion to drink, and then dispersed the soldiers of the Artillery Battalion for accommodation, making it impossible for the Artillery Battalion to make any moves.

At this time, Xiong Chengji was accompanying the Battalion Officer of the Cavalry Camp and several other officers drinking together. Although drinking was not allowed in the army, that was only "people other than officers are not allowed to drink on their own." As long as it was related to officers, the regulations in the military camp could be accommodated again and again. Everyone had been drinking for a while; seeing those officers of the Cavalry Camp were a bit drunk and heated, they started to talk more. The Battalion Officer of the Cavalry Camp raised his wine glass. "Thinking of relatives every festive season; Spring Festival is coming soon. Come, come, come, everyone drink this cup."

Xiong Chengji didn't love drinking, and his alcohol capacity wasn't large either. But facing the enthusiastic toast from a superior with a higher rank than himself, he had to drink. After this cup of wine went down to his stomach, he only felt the alcohol hitting his head.

"Commander Xiong, you are a learned person who has attended military academy. I have something to ask you." The Battalion Officer put down the wine glass and asked with a grin, "How long do you think this world of the Great Qing can last?"

Xiong Chengji was startled by these words. The Battalion Officer of the Cavalry Camp was Yu Dahong's confidant; he couldn't be inclined towards revolution no matter what. regarding such obviously probing words, Xiong Chengji could only lower his head and remain silent.

Seeing Xiong Chengji's embarrassed look, the Cavalry Camp Battalion Officer couldn't help laughing out loud. "Haha, Commander Xiong, don't be like this. Who doesn't know that everyone is saying now that the world of the Great Qing can't hold up anymore. The revolutionary parties in this Artillery Battalion are the most."

Since the other party spoke so directly, Xiong Chengji had to say: "What is Your Excellency saying? I eat the Court's rice and attended the Court's school. How can I be disloyal to the Court?"

The Cavalry Camp Battalion Officer didn't care about these words at all. "Commander Xiong, I don't care what happens to this Court. But our Anhui New Army is Commander Yu's team; we have to follow Commander Yu's lead. This point cannot be mistaken."

"That is natural, that is natural." Xiong Chengji hurriedly nodded repeatedly with a sudden realization look.

Seeing he had already beaten [warned] Xiong Chengji, the Cavalry Camp Battalion Officer laughed heartily again. "Come, pour wine." The soldier next to them quickly poured wine for the officers, and then retreated to the side properly. Watching the New Army officers exchange cups and brag, this soldier named Li Shipeng felt a kind of disgust from his heart.

Li Shipeng went to the base area with Pu Guanshui and was one of the New Army comrades who joined the People's Party earliest. Because he was responsible for delivering letters back, he returned to Anqing two months ago. Because the Cavalry Camp needed people, he was kept and couldn't return to the base area. Now he was "promoted" to be the attendant of the Cavalry Camp Commander.

Li Shipeng's reason for defecting to the People's Party was very simple: he knew the People's Party saved his whole family, and this kindness had to be repaid. Not to mention his family members were all in the base area; he had to follow the People's Party no matter what. But in the two months back in Anqing, he missed the time in the base area more and more. Life in the base area was indeed very hard, but after the flood, whose life wasn't hard? The base area had something completely different from the Anhui New Army.

When in the base area, Li Shipeng didn't understand what exactly that special feeling was. After returning to the Anhui New Army, the contrast immediately made it clear. Although the leaders above also made decisions in the base area, which of these things wasn't for the interests of the common people? Building water conservancy, rush planting and harvesting—wasn't it all for everyone to survive and live better? After breaking forts, which time wasn't saving the lives of thousands of common people immediately?

And the leaders doing these things were afraid everyone wouldn't understand why they had to work so hard, so they had to explain everything clearly to everyone. Li Shipeng originally thought doing so was a bit too affected. Waiting in Anqing, Li Shipeng was surrounded by officials who only cared about their own interests. If he hadn't seen the cadres of the People's Party, Li Shipeng would have accepted it; in this world, people who only domineer for themselves are everywhere, aren't they? Until Li Shipeng saw with his own eyes that "big officials" like Chen Ke helped the canteen workers carry tables because they went to eat a little earlier. This was not buying people's hearts, because of that natural attitude, and the practice of these "big officials" not making a noise afterwards and queuing up honestly. Compared with this bunch of officers asking people to pour wine in front of him, it was really heaven and earth. Learning that the People's Party was coming to attack Anqing, the comrades also received orders for action. Li Shipeng was also eagerly looking forward to it. But with communication blocked, he could still only pour wine for people here.

The officers were having a banquet; the soldiers didn't have this condition, nor this financial power. The soldiers at the gate of the Cavalry Camp shrank their hands one by one, hiding in the leeward place. Cursing secretly in their hearts, but daring not say it out loud. In these years, if you scolded the Court, it might be okay, but scolding your own superior... although everyone looked like brothers on ordinary days, those who heard it might expose the matter sometime, and then you would wait to wear small shoes [be given a hard time].

Spring Festival was coming soon. In this freezing weather, while avoiding the wind, the soldiers wiped the money bag hidden in their underwear chest from time to time. The New Army claimed to have generous salaries; that was the New Army in Beiyang. The Anhui New Army completely lacked Beiyang's financial resources; income was far less than Beiyang. Moreover, there were many names for spending money in the New Army. Not to mention honoring superiors, just ordinary soldiers treating each other to meals and various fellow villager gatherings inevitably cost money. You ate someone else's meal today; don't you have to invite someone next time? Plus a big city like Anqing with many fresh things, how could these New Army young people resist so many temptations? Salary was paid monthly. Whenever spending, they always felt there would be a surplus next month; when next month came, they felt there would be a surplus the month after next. Going back and forth like this, not much of the monthly salary could be saved. When New Year came, thinking of sending some money to family, they found not much money was left.

In the New Army, to earn more money, one had to become an officer. But in these years, how to get promoted without bribing superiors well? Even if superiors were bribed well, superiors had superiors. With a word from those big officials, their own confidants were promoted. Honoring superiors, it was good enough not to be made difficult. At least those who were quite favored wouldn't be arranged to keep watch in this big winter. Hearts full of complaints, where was the mind to keep watch properly? When Chai Qingguo's large force divided into three teams and approached the gates of various camps, they actually didn't encounter any encounter battle.

"What is all this?" Chai Qingguo, who was always bold, couldn't help worrying a bit. If it were the camp of the People's Revolutionary Army, the farthest secret sentry could even be placed two li away. Letting his large force touch the camp gate directly—if such a thing happened in the People's Revolutionary Army camp during wartime... according to Chai Qingguo's temper, he would dare to shoot the guard in public.

But there was no time to think so much now. Chai Qingguo would absolutely not underestimate the New Army. The battle with the Beiyang Army left too deep an impression on Chai Qingguo. With a wave of his hand, the assault team had already rushed up. These were capable soldiers; holding guns, they rushed straight to the gate at the trained 100-meter sprint speed.

"Who goes there?" It wasn't until people rushed in front of them that the guards hiding from the wind had time to shout. Before they could figure it out, dark gun muzzles were aimed at them. "Don't move! Move and I'll shoot you dead." The Revolutionary Army soldier shouted.

Seeing the other party was for real, the New Army guards dared not act rashly, but didn't want to put down their guns either. The soldiers following up snatched their guns, pressed these guards to the ground, looped their hands with prepared hemp rope loops, and tied them up.

But not every gate was so smooth. There were also officers standing guard. Seeing someone coming, the officer reacted relatively quickly and immediately pulled out his gun to shoot. The gunfight started instantly. Other troops who had already occupied the camp gate immediately began to storm the military camp. Led by the former New Army soldiers, various units pounced fiercely towards key places such as horse stables, fodder yards, barracks, and armories. The battle started.

Gunshots rang out loudly outside. The officers of the Anhui New Army Cavalry Camp who were drinking were all startled. The Cavalry Camp Battalion Officer was surprised, Xiong Chengji was stunned, and a look of pleasant surprise couldn't help appearing on Li Shipeng's face. They only heard chaos outside soon, and then several soldiers ran in, looking panicked. "My Lord, a large group of people came from nowhere outside and have already seized the camp gate."

The Battalion Officer knew something big must have happened outside. He had drunk a lot originally, and the alcohol had gone to his head. Hearing this, the Battalion Officer lost his measure. At this time, the gunshots had stopped, and it was noisy outside. The Battalion Officer shouted to his guards: "Quick, go out and see what exactly is going on." The guards and orderlies in the room immediately went out of the barracks. Xiong Chengji also got up preparing to leave, but the Battalion Officer grabbed Xiong Chengji's wrist with a cold face. "Commander Xiong, wait a moment."

Xiong Chengji understood a moment later; the Battalion Officer suspected he was playing tricks. He simply didn't resist and sat back on the stool. Seeing Xiong Chengji didn't resist, the Battalion Officer was just about to speak when his neck was suddenly strangled from behind. The person who acted was Li Shipeng. At the same time, the four people who came in to report just now had pulled out pistols and started shooting at the several Cavalry Camp officers present. The incident happened in a rush, and it was close-range shooting. The officers of the Cavalry Camp were killed by pistols in a blink of an eye. Xiong Chengji was startled by this sudden change; he immediately jumped back from the stool, retreating a few steps to stand by the wall.

The Battalion Officer grabbed the arm strangling his neck with both hands, eyes staring like cowbells. Those few soldiers didn't stop either; one had already circled to the side and shot through the Battalion Officer's temple with one shot. After killing the Battalion Officer, that person shouted: "Go!" Including Li Shipeng who let go of the Battalion Officer's corpse, several people rushed out of the door. Although Xiong Chengji was frightened, he didn't panic. Seeing those few people didn't mean to attack him, he steadied his mind and also rushed out of the door following them.

The Cavalry Camp was already in chaos. Shouts of "Hand over guns and not kill!" "Hand over guns and not kill!" were everywhere. The New Army usually issued guns but not bullets; except for a few officers, the soldiers' guns were just empty guns. Not to mention these guns were also locked in the armory. Because there were New Army officers and soldiers who defected to the People's Party leading the way, the attacking troops were not chaotic at all. The fodder yard, horse stables, and armory had been seized. Quite a few New Army soldiers were blocked in the barracks and couldn't come out at all.

Some of those who could come out didn't know what happened at all. The Battalion Officer's personal guard team tried to resist; they just fired two shots before being hit by a volley from the People's Revolutionary Army opposite, killing or wounding several people.

There were also those who resisted stubbornly. Those who had already lain down to sleep in the barracks were considered lucky; they were just captured directly. Quite a few officers were leading soldiers in gambling; seeing someone attack, the officers immediately forced the soldiers with guns to rush out holding benches, wooden sticks, and other things, but were beaten back by a volley.

The Revolutionary Army began to use big megaphones to persuade surrender. "Brothers of the New Army, you have been surrounded by us. Put down your weapons and surrender quickly. We People's Revolutionary Army treat captives well; we will absolutely not kill captives, nor rob your property. Don't sell your lives for those officers anymore. When have they ever cared about your lives?"

"Capture the officers and send them out. We guarantee you won't be made difficult."

Hearing the words outside, the officers were angry and furious one by one. An officer stood at the window and cursed: "F*ck your grandma! I will never..."

Before the word "surrender" could be shouted out [Note: Text implies he was refusing to surrender], a burst of gunfire went in, immediately killing that unlucky officer. Seeing the officer dead, the soldiers in that barracks dared not resist anymore. "We surrender! We surrender!"

"Raise your hands and walk out one by one," the Revolutionary Army shouted.

Although the New Army said surrender with their mouths, heaven knew who was outside; no one dared to come out. Pu Guanshui picked up the big megaphone. "I am Anhui New Army Commander Pu Guanshui. I have joined the revolution. Everyone rest assured; we won't kill our own brothers."

The New Army officers and soldiers inside the room could all hear Pu Guanshui's accent, but still dared not believe it. Then familiar accents reported their names one by one. When they confirmed that not only Pu Guanshui but also other brothers had joined the Revolutionary Army, most New Army barracks surrendered.

Only one barracks refused to surrender, and they even extinguished the lights, making it clear they would resist to the end.

In front of a group of captives, the troops of the People's Revolutionary Army showed the results of training. They unknowingly circled to the window, and several ignited hand grenades were thrown in through the window. With several loud bangs in succession, the windows were blown open from the inside, and thick smoke rolled out of the room. The captives were scared pale; under such a violent explosion, don't expect any survivors in the room.

Sure enough, the Revolutionary Army soldiers who rushed in dragged the people inside out; most were blown to bloody pulp. Even those not dead were screaming low or high. It made those who surrendered feel a kind of rejoicing besides fear. If they hadn't surrendered, the ones lying on the ground now would be themselves.

"Send the signal!" Chai Qingguo ordered smugly. Three iron buckets specially made in the base area were erected. With banging sounds, three huge green fireworks bloomed in the high sky.

Watching the agreed signal, the people in the general headquarters breathed a sigh of relief in unison. Not long ago, Zhang Yu had already easily taken the artillery position at Yingjiang Temple and captured all the defenders. Now capturing the West City Cavalry Camp meant Anqing lost its biggest mobile force. Not only that, the posture of pincer attack from east and west would also make it difficult for the Anqing defenders to attend to both head and tail.

Tao Chengzhang knew this was the signal of victory. While happy, he was also a bit strange. "Brother Wen Qing, why not press on to fight into the city? If we stormed the city gate just now, presumably we could fight into the city."

"If we fought in just now, the Anqing New Army in the city would inevitably flee everywhere. We are unfamiliar with the roads in the city, so we would easily suffer losses instead. Moreover, we are not here to seize Anqing City; our purpose is to completely destroy the several yamen of the Anqing provincial capital. If En Ming and the others and part of the New Army escape, that would be letting the tiger return to the mountain. Fighting Anqing is to completely eliminate all enemies in Anqing. Now that the government and New Army in Anqing City are alarmed, they absolutely cannot abandon the city and leave. They think defending the city is exactly giving us the opportunity to annihilate them."

"But they occupy the city wall; I'm afraid the siege casualties will be too great," Tao Chengzhang couldn't help saying.

"Such a city wall is not too difficult to breach." Chen Ke turned his head to think towards Mu Fengxiao, the commander of the Engineer Battalion and now the captain of the demolition team, while speaking.

Mu Fengxiao nodded. "I'll go prepare now." After speaking, he strode out of the headquarters.

Chen Ke's face was calm, but he was somewhat disappointed in his heart. If only there were shells on the artillery position. That way, they could blast open the city gate with cannons, and the Qing army's defense line would be shattered immediately.

Thinking of this, Chen Ke immediately corrected himself in his heart. "I started thinking wildly again." While reflecting on himself, he said to the guard: "Get me some dry food." At this time, Chen Ke felt he finally had some appetite.