Chapter 906: Epic long-distance march! [4500]

Chapter 906: Epic long-distance march! [4500]

"Huff, huff, huff--!"

"Quick! Bring all the horses over!"

"Don't block the way! Let the carriage pass first!"

"Squad 7, assemble!"

"Squad 10, assemble!"

...

"Arrange your equipment and prepare for a forced march"--After this military order was issued from the main camp, it was passed down from one level to another, and soon spread throughout the central army camp.

Two messengers rode fast horses out of the camp to inform the front and rear armies.

Let's not talk about the situation of the front and rear armies for now.

The central army was like a pot of boiling water.

In just a blink of an eye, the silent central army camp was drowned by the shouts of people and horses, one louder than the other.

In ordinary times, the military discipline that Qing Deng painstakingly cultivated was not very eye-catching.

But at a critical moment like tonight, its power was revealed!

As soon as the order was issued, the Shinsengumi soldiers wearing light green feathers immediately took action!

They didn't know where they were going, let alone what they were going to do.

But since the order has been issued, no matter what time it is or what the order is, they will do it immediately!

It is not early now, and many soldiers have already gone to bed.

But after hearing the order, they immediately jumped up like a conditioned reflex and acted separately.

At this moment, light green figures can be seen everywhere inside and outside the central army camp.

Some are trotting in formation.

Some are carrying baggage.

Some are driving carriages.

They are orderly and well-organized, and each performs their duties.

Looking at these scenes that are fast but not chaotic, noisy but not messy, the feudal army soldiers in the camp are stunned.

They are used to seeing the military preparations being slack, but have they ever seen the orders being enforced?

The soldiers of the Hui and Satsuma armies are old acquaintances of the Shinsengumi, so their reactions are relatively calm.

On the other hand, the soldiers of the other feudal armies are really dumbfounded, so shocked that they can't close their mouths, and their jaws are about to drop to the ground.

Some experts saw at a glance: Compared with the sharp guns and cannons, this strict discipline is the most powerful weapon of the Shinsengumi!

It is worth mentioning that in addition to the endless shouting, the air is also filled with the tempting smell of rice.

The cooks were busy cooking.

Bag after bag of rice was poured into the pot, and soon a pleasant aroma wafted out, making people salivate.

As soon as the cooked rice came out of the pot, it was immediately put into a special straw bag and then carried to the car without stopping.

One of the key points of a long-distance forced march is to get supplies.

If you can't fill your stomach and replenish your energy in time, then don't talk about the "Second Great Return to China".

After a brief consideration, Qing Deng decided to follow the tactics that Hashiba Hideyoshi used to defeat Shibata Katsuie in the Battle of Jianyue.

Soon after Hashiba Hideyoshi defeated Akechi Mitsuhide, he clashed with Oda clan elder Shibata Katsuie over the political legacy left by Oda Nobunaga, and then fought against each other, which was the famous Battle of Keigadake.

In this battle, Hideyoshi ordered all the zaya (various industrial and commercial monopoly associations) and farmers along the way to open their rice warehouses, cook rice together, and prepare licorice for horses.

As long as you provide all the rice in your home, you will pay ten times the price afterwards.

After the rice is cooked, soak the inside of the empty straw bag with salt water and put the cooked rice in.

After packing, send people to transport it to Keigadake with cattle and horses. If the person delivering the rice is hungry on the way, he can directly take the rice from the straw bag with a towel or clothes to eat.

The rice is packed with straw soaked in salt water on the inside, and the transporter takes the rice with a towel or clothes, which is for preservation. The straw can absorb hot steam, and the salt water also seeps into the rice, just turning it into a rice ball that is easy to swallow.

The following story can almost be said to be a replica of the Battle of Tennozan.

With its terrifying marching speed, the Hashiba army once again seized the battlefield advantage and defeated the Shibata army at Kanegasaki, establishing victory in one fell swoop.

After this battle, no one in the Oda family could challenge Hashiba Hideyoshi's authority, and his road to dominance began from then on.

Since there are ready-made excellent examples for reference, why not learn from them?

So, Qing Deng imitated the old story of Kanegasaki and ordered the cooks to speed up the cooking, first cook the rice, and then put it into the straw bags with salt water on the inside.

In addition to the rice to fill his stomach, Qing Deng did not forget to prepare drinking water.

He specifically asked the cooks to put more salt in the water so that the soldiers could replenish salt.

In order to ensure the timely supply of food, Qing Deng mobilized all the animal power and vehicles that could be mobilized to transport rice and salt water.

The large army was still gathering, but the supply convoys had already left the camp one after another.

Before the army moves, food and grass must go first - an eternal truth.

Qing Deng specifically instructed the supply convoy: After the vehicles are fully loaded with baggage, they do not need to stop and wait, but set off directly.

The supply convoy will set up supply stations at various nodes on the march.

When the troops pass the supply station, they can directly take the ready-made rice balls and salt water, do not stop, and eat while rushing.

Although doing so will make the soldiers very hard, the situation is urgent and they can't take care of so much.

In addition, the soldiers' weapons, armor and other equipment are also loaded on the carriages.

In this way, the burden of the soldiers can be reduced to the greatest extent, saving their physical strength, so that each unit can move forward lightly.

In fact, if we only look at the marching distance, the "Second Great Return to China" of the Shinsengumi is much longer than the "First Great Return to China" of the Hashiba Army!

There is no doubt that even for the Shinsengumi, which is known for its elite, it will not be easy to complete this task!

There is a saying that "raise an army for a thousand days, use it for a while."

Qingdeng did everything he could.

Next, we can only place our hope on the physique, spirit and discipline of the Shinsengumi soldiers!

…

…

"Moo moo moo!"

Carrot probably sensed that he had a heavy responsibility to shoulder next.

From now on, it has been digging the soil with its hooves, looking eager to try.

The neatly dressed Aoshito stood next to Radish, sweeping his eyes from left to right, his eyes passing over Hijikata Toizo, Shannan Keisuke and Kondo Isamu standing in front of him one by one.

"Sui San, please help me, Yong, I'm begging you!"

Hijikata Toshizo curled up the corners of his mouth:

"Leave it to us with confidence. How have we ever let you down?"

Kondo Isamu opened his big gorilla-like mouth and took over the conversation:

"Tachibana-kun, don't worry about us! Let's get going!"

Shannan Keisuke, who was usually mature and calm, was rarely excited at this moment:

"Even if we are shattered to pieces, we will bring all the troops to you as scheduled!"

What Qingdeng needs most urgently now is information.

He was eager to know the movements of the Changzhou Army so that he could make corresponding arrangements.

Therefore, he decided to lead some cavalry and return to Dajin first.

As for the large troops, they followed in sequence.

He divided the Shinsengumi into three equal parts and gave them to Hijikata Toshizo, Shannan Keisuke and Kondo Isamu respectively.

Commanding troops to march... is no easy task.

Although the burden on their shoulders was heavy, the three of them had no fear.

Looking at the three people with confident smiles on their faces, Qingdeng couldn't help but smile. His soft eyes were full of strong trust in each other.

At this moment, a sudden shout came from a distance:

"General Tachibana, please stay!"

Qingden followed the sound and saw Songping Rongbao striding towards him.

The other party did not come alone, but was followed by a large number of sergeants.

These sergeants hold their swords in one hand and their horses in the other - they are the world-famous Aizu Cavalry!

Songping Yongbao quickly moved to Qingdeng and said seriously:

"General Tachibana, the current Choshu Domain has become an 'empty country'."

"Presumably there is not much field strength left in the vassal."

"The battles that followed were nothing more than sieges one after another."

"Therefore, I can do no good by keeping these cavalry."

"General Tachibana, you are going to take back Owari, and you will definitely have to fight in the field."

"For you, the more cavalry, the better."

"So, please take away these 200 cavalry from Aizu!"

"They can definitely help!"

After saying that, he turned slightly sideways.

Immediately afterwards, a heavily armed warrior walked out of the Aizu cavalry formation and came to Aoto.

After seeing this person's face clearly, Qingden raised his eyebrows subconsciously.

This person was none other than Sagawa Kanbei, the elder of the Aizu clan and the most powerful general of the Aizu clan.

Because he had had trouble with the other party, Qingdeng not only remembered him, but also had a deep impression on him.

I recall that when the newly established Shinsengumi went to Iga to counter the rebellion, they lacked troops and borrowed troops from Aizu.

Matsudaira Yongho then dispatched a group of elite soldiers and generals headed by Sagawa Kanbei and ordered them to assist Qingnog with all their strength.

Unexpectedly, the self-respecting Sagawa Kanbei ignored Aitobo's orders at the beginning of the battle and led the attack without authorization. As a result, he ended up with a funny ending of being "repelled by the musketeers indiscriminately". It was obvious how shameless he was. What eyes.

After Benshi returned to Beijing, he was immediately severely punished by Matsudaira Yongbao.

Matsudaira Yoshiho did not intentionally favor the other party because he was a minister of the Aizu clan, and he gave Ainto an explanation.

From then on, Qingdeng and he rarely met.

"General Tachibana, although Sagawa-kun made a big mistake before, he has changed his ways now."

"I believe he will be an excellent helper for you in this battle and will never make such stupid mistakes again."

"Sagawa-kun, am I right?"

Matsudaira Yongho said, turning his head sideways and casting a sharp look at Sagawa Kanbei.

Facing his lord's gaze, Sagawa Kanbei suddenly lowered his waist, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep voice with respect on his face:

"General Tachibana, I have offended many people before! I was too arrogant, which led to a big mistake!"

"Please watch carefully!"

"This time, I... no, we will definitely show you the bravery of Aizu men!"

After speaking, he held his head high and looked directly at Qingdeng with lightning eyes.

His demeanor is no longer the arrogance and arrogance of the past, only pure respect and respect.

Ayoto looked at Sagawa Kanbei, then at the group of cavalry behind him. After thinking for a moment, he nodded solemnly:

"...Okay, Higo-sama, in that case, I will accept your 'gift'."

Naturally, Qingdeng would not think that he had too many troops.

Since Matsudaira Yoshiho was willing to lend troops, and he also lent the Aizu Cavalry, which was quite capable, he was happy to accept it.

Seeing Qingden readily accepting his kindness, Matsudaira Yongho chuckled a few times in relief:

"General Tachibana, please wait and see! Our Aizu cavalry will never live up to its reputation!"

Aoto smiled slightly in response, then turned to look at the Aizu cavalry led by Sagawa Kanbei, and shouted loudly:

"Soldiers of Aizu! If you want to show me the 'Spirit of Aizu', then follow me closely! I don't have time to deal with those who fall behind!"

After saying that, he jumped onto the bull nimbly and tapped the bull's belly with his heels.

"Moo, moo, moo, moo!"

The big black bull raised its two front hooves, howled loudly, and then galloped forward like an arrow, running straight out of the camp.

The next breath, the horses neighed.

The Aizu cavalry and the Shinsengumi cavalry, who had been waiting nearby, all jumped on their horses and whipped their whips.

The horses' hooves stomped the ground, raising countless dust.

They followed Qing Deng closely and became the first troops to participate in the "Second Great Return to China"!

……

Qing Deng led the way, followed by Hijikata Toshizo's "Second Army", Kondo Isami's "Third Army", Yamanami Keisuke's "Fourth Army"...On the long road from Choshu to Gyeonggi, the five thousand troops galloped!

Small steps and fast running - this is the marching technique that Qing Deng learned when he was studying in the police academy in his previous life.

Whether it is the speed of a 100-meter sprint or the speed of a marathon, it is not suitable for a forced march.

A marathon is just 42.195 kilometers, while a forced march can easily reach hundreds of kilometers.

Only "small steps and fast running" is the most suitable running method for a forced march.

There is no need to take big steps or run very fast. Just shorten the stride and take fast steps, just like a race walk - in this way, you can run the longest distance with the least physical strength.

After running about 30 kilometers, the large army can see the first supply point.

The cooks who left the camp early have set up stalls here and are ready to distribute supplies.

The "First Army" led by Qing Deng stopped here briefly, let the mounts eat some licorice, and rest for a while before continuing on the road.

The "Second Army" led by Hijikata Toshizo arrived later.

Every soldier who passed by the stall could get a rice ball and a bowl of water.

"Here you go!"

"One rice ball per person! One bowl of water! Don't take more!"

"Don't stop! Who told you to stop? Eat while running!"

"Don't stop! Don't stop! I repeat, don't stop."

Under such strict orders, the soldiers did not dare to stop after receiving the food handed over by the cooks. They just kept on moving forward while eating the rice balls.

The "Third Army" and "Fourth Army" that arrived later were all in the same situation. Even the time for eating had to be used for marching.

In order to get back to Gyeonggi as soon as possible, Qingdeng was really ruthless.

Not only did he order "eating while running", but he also explicitly required the reduction of rest time.

The rest time between marches should not exceed 2 minutes.

Even the sleeping time at night was compressed to 6 hours.

At the beginning, each unit could barely keep up.

But on the third and fourth days, when the march distance exceeded 100 kilometers, some soldiers gradually couldn't hold on.

"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!" - similar vomiting sounds appeared more and more frequently in the marching column.

Vomiting while running... Even if you are exhausted and vomiting, you can't stop.

If it were a troop with lax military discipline and lack of physical strength, it would probably collapse in less than half a day.

If it's not good, it might even cause a mutiny, and they would just rebel and never do this hard work again.

Facts have proved that discipline is indeed the lifeblood of an army.

Even if they are extremely tired and feel extremely tortured, no one dares to complain, let alone stop.

This is a military order issued by the "Niou" himself - this thought is lingering in the minds of the Shinsengumi soldiers.

The long-standing discipline construction and Qing Deng's personal prestige made them dare not complain about the hardship and fatigue, and they all gritted their teeth and persevered.

The speed of the cavalry led by Qing Deng was naturally much faster than the infantry.

It took them only 7 days to leave the Chinese area and enter the Gyeonggi area.

As soon as he returned to Gyeonggi, Qing Deng found an unfamiliar supply station on the way back to Otsu.

He asked and found out: This is the supply station set up by Sanako!

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