Chapter 96: The Closing
Although he was hungry, how could Shi Shipiao drink this porridge now? He suffered such a great defeat and the reputation of the two generations of the Shi family was now destroyed. Even if he could escape by chance, could the court spare him?
Shi Shipiao, who had been through a long battle, knew very well that the defeat of the Fujian Navy would affect the entire Jiangnan situation. When the eldest prince's main force was restrained in Zhejiang and Hui, the Ningbo rebels who defeated the Fujian Navy would inevitably become popular. By then, the entire Jiangnan and even Fujian would be under the threat of rebels, and the consequences would be unimaginable.
The sinner who caused this result was no one else, but Shi Shipiao. Fortunately, he had been in the trap of a rebel in Ningbo for half his life. Not only did he abandon his strengths and use his shortcomings, but he also made wrong choices one after another, which led to the navy warships falling into the opponent and his main force was even more in trouble. Now that the Fujian Navy was wiped out, Shi Shipiao's heart was as painful as a knife.
"Military Gate, let's wait to protect the military Gate to break through. At this time, one can run away." Deputy General Zhuang Yan advised on the side. It is absolutely impossible to take the entire team out at this moment. Only by breaking through quickly can you escape.
Zhuang Yan planned to gather the elite soldiers and discard all the supplies and break through the siege. As long as he ran to Ninghai, he was safe. But Shi Shipiao seemed to have not heard of this suggestion. In fact, he knew it in his heart, but what if he ran out? Without the Fujian Navy, would he, as the navy admiral, still have the face to go back? Regardless of the court's accountability, how will the people in the world comment on themselves?
"Military Sect! Let's run! Take advantage of the opportunity now!" Seeing Shi Shipiao silent, Zhuang Yan advised again.
"Run? No! Brothers are here, I'm here!" Shi Shipiao said gritting his teeth, then suddenly stood up and shouted to the navy generals who were tilted around: "Everyone! I am incompetent, and I have to cause the three armies to enter such a dangerous situation. Now the way back is slim, I am unable to guarantee the safe return of you. But I promise that as long as my brothers are here, I am here, and the Fujian navy is famous. How have you ever been there in decades? Brothers of the water, do you still have the strength? Do you dare to follow me to fight the battlefield?"
"Swear to fight the battlefield for the military!"
Although extremely tired, the Fujian Navy still regarded Shi Shipiao as the backbone. Seeing that Shi Shipiao had made up his mind to burn his boats, everyone knew in their hearts that it would be a huge challenge to run out. The pride of the Fujian Navy is not only Shi Shipiao, but also all the navy generals and soldiers. They would never allow the Fujian Navy to lose everything under such circumstances. Even if it is destroyed, it must be vigorous.
Trying to stand up, even the wounded showed a look of determination. Looking at these familiar faces, Shi Shipiao's two lines of tears couldn't help but fall, and he felt extremely guilty in his heart.
"Fujian Navy, advance! Kill and kill!"
"Fujian Navy, advance! Kill and kill!"
A series of shouts gathered into a stream and resounded throughout the sky. Shi Shipiao completely abandoned the luck of fleeing south. He led the Fujian Navy, who had finally erupted morale, to turn around and march towards Ningbo City.
When the news reached Zhu Yicheng's ears, Zhu Yicheng was shocked and sighed at Shi Shipiao's courage and decision. Unfortunately, the initiative was no longer with the Fujian Navy at this time. If Shi Shipiao resolutely continued to attack after suffering setbacks at the city of Ningbo, then the Fujian Navy might have the power to fight.
Unfortunately, the Fujian Navy is at its last moment, and the courage they burst out is no longer enough to support them in returning to Ningbo City to fight again. After several days of pursuit and escape, coupled with the heavy rain, the Fujian Navy's combat effectiveness has fallen to the bottom. What's the use of the last breath in his chest? Zhu Yicheng's rebel army did not fight head-on with you at all, and continued to adopt the tactic of constant harassment. The complete collapse of the Fujian Navy is right in front of him.
This is true. There are hundreds of miles from Taibai Mountain to Ningbo. After walking one-third of the journey, the Fujian Navy could no longer support it. Seeing that the Fujian Navy's final aura had been lost, Zhu Yicheng, who personally led his troops out of Ningbo City, decisively launched the final attack order.
After the order, the rebels who had been wandering around the Fujian Navy began to gather and rushed from all directions. The Fujian Navy, which had lost most of the power of firearms, could not resist it. Just half an hour after the two armies contacted, the Fujian Navy completely collapsed. Only Shi Shipiao climbed a small hill under the desperate guards of several generals and personal soldiers, but in a blink of an eye, he was surrounded firmly.
"Capture Shipiao alive!"
"Master Hong said, just catch Shi Shipiao and reward a thousand taels of silver!"
"Shi Shipiao, why don't you surrender quickly! Master Hong told you to spare your life as long as you go down the mountain to surrender!"
At the foot of the mountain, the rebels were shouting one after another. In just a few days of attacking and defending each other. Listening to the shouts in his ears, Shi Shipiao couldn't help but recall the words he went to Ningbo City to make a promise to his subordinates to capture Hong Qiangguan and upgrade to the third level, but now the trapped one is actually himself. It's really a blessing to make people.
Looking at the last dozen people around and looking at the dense rebels down the mountain, Shi Shipiao laughed bitterly and stood up with his sword.
"Emperor! The minister is incompetent! Father! The son is incompetent!"
Kneeling towards the north, Shi Shipiao shouted loudly, crossed the sword, pulled hard towards his neck, and blood erupted like the setting sun, his body shook, and then fell down amid the crying of his generals and his personal soldiers.
As soon as Shi Shipiao died, his personal captain and several guards also committed suicide by drawing swords. The highest position among the remaining generals was the deputy general Zhuang Yan. Everyone turned their eyes to Zhuang Yan, waiting for his orders.
Zhuang Yan also held the sword in his hand, but at this time he let go of the sword in his hand and did not commit suicide like Shi Shipiao. In his opinion, suicide was useless. Apart from losing his life, the court would not be furious about the entire Fujian Navy. Although he was not the main responsibility of his deputy, he could not escape prosecution.
What's more, what will happen if the captives and the soldiers around him die? Did they all commit suicide? So what about their families if they die? Zhuang Yan sighed and said to everyone in a hoarse voice: "Subdue, everyone will surrender..."
This sentence defeated everyone's last hope. Under the leadership of Zhuang Yan, the last resistance of the Fujian Navy surrendered. At this point, from Shi Shipiao leading the Fujian Navy to the north to join the battle, less than a month later, the main force of the Fujian Navy, who had made great achievements under the power of the Qing Dynasty, was destroyed.
When Shi Shipiao's body was carried to Zhu Yicheng and looked at the face of his eyes closed covered by white cloth, Zhu Yicheng couldn't help but sigh. Although he was an opponent, he had to admit his loyalty and courage to this opponent, Zhu Yicheng immediately waved his hand and let Shi Shipiao be buried with him. As for the captured Fujian Navy, Zhu Yicheng took them all back to Ningbo City first.
Chapter completed!