On November 12th, 1788, the vanguard of the Beiyang Army’s 3rd Infantry Division had reached the Yangtze River.
Soon, the rest of the main force arrived at the north bank of the Yangtze River.
The entire 3rd Infantry Division, except for one infantry regiment left to secure the occupied area in the north and ensure the smooth flow of logistics, would all be投入到投入到 the upcoming offensive.
The same was true for the 10th Infantry Division.
One infantry regiment was left to guard the rear, and the rest of the troops were投入到投入到 the offensive.
“General Feng, according to the reconnaissance troops who crossed the river, the Qing army did not flee Jiangning, but instead chose to make a last stand here. A large number of Qing army troops have gathered in and around Jiangning.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the Qing army, including Bannermen, Green Battalions, and local militia, gathered here number over 100,000!”
Major General Wang De Kui, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said.
According to Li Jingyuan’s previous order, the southern line operations were to be led by Major General Feng Guo Zhang, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.
Therefore, although they held the same rank, the 10th Infantry Division was currently under the command of Major General Feng Guo Zhang.
“Humph! The Qing army has gathered quite a force. But unfortunately, they are nothing but a rabble. Especially those Bannermen, they have long lost the prestige of their ancestors!” Major General Feng Guo Zhang snorted coldly, clearly not taking the Qing army’s concentrated forces seriously.
Back then, before the Qing army entered the Pass, they were known as “Eight Banners, less than ten thousand, ten thousand cannot be defeated.”
But now?
These Bannermen, besides cockfighting and bird-raising, probably only know how to smoke opium and oppress the people.
Once they enter the battlefield, especially against elite troops like the Beiyang Army, they are like garbage, a disgrace to their ancestors.
Major General Wang De Kui nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The Manchu Qing, with a population of less than a million, had conquered the Ming Dynasty, which had a population of nearly 100 million.
Although there were various reasons, including natural disasters and man-made calamities.
But the Qing’s ability to achieve victory in war and secure their throne, becoming the legitimate rulers, was a testament to their skill and ability.
It’s just a pity that after two hundred years, the descendants of the once-victorious Banner cavalry have disgraced their ancestors.
“Order all units to prepare to cross the river. Especially the artillery regiment, be prepared. If the Yangtze River Navy dares to interfere, blow them all to smithereens!” Major General Feng Guo Zhang ordered.
Time was pressing, they couldn’t afford to be slow, they had to act quickly.
“Yes!” Major General Wang De Kui naturally had no objection.
On November 13th, the Beiyang Army’s 3rd and 10th Artillery Regiments, each of their artillery battalions deployed in units of companies, were positioned on the riverbank along several kilometers of the north bank of the Yangtze River.
One after another, 105mm light howitzers and 75mm field guns were all aimed at the south bank of the Yangtze River.
At this time of year, the Yangtze River was not wide.
The range of these artillery pieces was enough to cover the entire river surface, and even encompassed the southern bank.
“Fire!”
With Major General Feng Guo Zhang’s order, over a hundred artillery pieces opened fire.
One after another, shells slammed into the Qing army positions on the south bank of the Yangtze River.
For a while, explosions roared continuously, and flames soared into the sky.
Soon, the Qing army positions deployed on the south bank of the Yangtze River suffered heavy casualties under the Beiyang Army’s artillery bombardment.
Many Qing artillery positions were covered in fire and exploded violently.
Not only did it kill a large number of Qing artillerymen, but it also destroyed their precious artillery pieces.
Many Qing soldiers, with their morale on the verge of collapse, fled the riverbank, escaping towards Jiangning City.
“Order all units to prepare to cross the river. Have the artillery be ready, be wary of Qing navy attacks!” Major General Feng Guo Zhang ordered.
“Yes, sir!” Brigadier General Tang Guo Mo, chief of staff of the 3rd Infantry Division, answered.
Immediately, the Beiyang Army’s 3rd Infantry Division’s 7th and 8th Infantry Regiments, who had been prepared to cross the river, began crossing the river first.
One after another, passenger ships, cargo ships, and fishing boats, sped towards the south bank of the Yangtze River.
To prevent the Beiyang Army from crossing, the Qing Yangtze River Navy’s warships sailed from upstream.
But before they could approach the battlefield, they came under attack from the Beiyang Army’s artillery.
The Yangtze River Navy was merely an inland river fleet, possessing only some sampans, not the desired gunboats.
In the face of the Beiyang Army’s fierce artillery fire, many warships were shattered by the Beiyang Army’s bombardment.
This caused the remaining warships of the Yangtze River Navy to fear going to the battlefield, and they all fled upstream.
The two Beiyang Army infantry regiments, with almost no resistance, crossed the Yangtze River and landed on the south bank.
Then, the 10th Infantry Division’s 28th and 29th Infantry Regiments also began crossing the river.
Finally, the 3rd and 10th Artillery Regiments, as well as the two infantry divisions’ direct units, followed.
The whole process was very smooth.
The Qing army, besides being holed up in Jiangning City, had no other reaction.