The news of the Fourth Battle of Pleven Fortress was finally confirmed in Istanbul, the capital of the Osman Empire, on April 13, 1878. Meet Ahmet? Midhat Pasha read the news of the Fourth Battle of Pleven Fortress in The Times and could not help but burst into tears. The Times is not only the most famous newspaper in England, but also has great influence throughout Europe. It published a large number of important news at home and abroad, and sent capable reporters to hot spots at home and abroad to obtain many exclusive news. The news of Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815 was first reported by The Times.
A year ago, when the Osman Empire? When Nuri Pasha volunteered to lead 30,000 troops out of Pleven, the Osman Empire only regarded it as a tactical operation. At that time, some people in the Osman Empire even thought that the operation was too risky, and that it was likely to be a waste of troops and supplies. When the Russian army completely surrounded Pleven Fortress, the Osman Empire could only judge whether the fortress was still holding its ground based on the fact that the Russian army had not yet retreated. As for the situation inside the fortress, the Osman Empire could only think that it was "very difficult". As for how difficult it was, and whether the troops inside the fortress still had combat power, the Osman Empire could only guess.
In the latest news, the troops inside the fortress still had a strong combat power. The Osman Empire? Nuri Pasha could still deal a heavy blow to the Russian army. Not only the upper echelons of the Osman Empire rejoiced, but even the people were full of Osman Pasha's endless praise. Nuri Pasha's endless praise.
Newspapers all over Europe now referred to the city as the "Unbreakable Pleven Fortress", as if it had been an impregnable fortress since the Roman era. In all honesty, Pleven had some garrison facilities, but it had never built a fortress. It was just a traffic route that was not difficult to defend or attack.
As the war progressed, the significance of the city was constantly being overestimated. From a stronghold that threatened the flank of the Russian Danube Corps to the frontline to resist the Russian attack, and now the Times called it the core of Bulgaria for the Osman Empire.
Indeed, if the Russians had no choice but to withdraw, the city could immediately send troops to block the Danube bridges and recapture the four corners of the Danube. He could even send his army to storm the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, and capture the traitorous Bulgarian King. But in the beginning, no one thought so much. At that time, the city of Pleven was not occupied by the Russian army because it was not in front of the Russian army.
In the fourth battle of Priven Fortress, the coalition army lost more than 450,000 troops. In addition to the previous battle, the allied forces had already lost more than 90,000 people. The total number of troops in Russia and the Balkans against the Osman Empire was about 900,000, and one-tenth of them were lost in Pleven.
"Osman? Nuri Pasha is really good! "Ahmet Pasha said. Midhart Pasha sighed in his heart. He continued to think about letting the entire Danube Legion of Russia besiege the Pleven Fortress. If they were besieged for another two years, the Russians would have no choice but to retreat.
While dreaming his own sweet dreams, Ahmet? Midhart Pasha did not immediately realize that the city of Priven had been defended for a year, and that this time had been given to Osman? Nuri Pasha and his thirty thousand troops were tortured. At least for now, everyone in the Osman Empire believed that Osman was the Great Emperor. Nuri Pasha and his troops were invincible. Next, it was the politicians' turn.
"Next, it's probably time to negotiate." Osman? Nuri Pasha said to Li Weiren 'Pasha'.
Li Weiren had just finished dealing with the problem of heating the fortress. In order to defend against artillery fire, the troops had adopted a semi-underground model. In the large shell-proof hole in the tunnel, they had built a fire pit that mimicked China's. Fuel was stuffed and discarded outside the tunnel. Dozens of people squeezed into one brick bed. Even if they could only burn an appropriate amount of firewood, the soldiers could at least sleep more warmly. Even in April, the weather was still relatively cold. It might be warmer underground in winter, but spring was the coldest time. Therefore, the soldiers requested to maintain the heat for a period of time. Li Weiren arranged the supply of fuel and returned to the headquarters.
After listening to such an optimistic statement, Li Weiren did not quite understand. If the Liberation Army had attacked this fortress, it was estimated that they would have succeeded by using artillery and column assault tactics. Even if they did not succeed, the tenacious style of the Liberation Army would have thought of all ways to break through this fortress. If the results of the negotiations were not good for China, such negotiations would not have happened.
If it had been in the past, Li Weiren would have immediately refuted and hoped that Osman? Nuri Pasha could fully accept Li Weiren's point of view. But after a year, Li Weiren wouldn't do that. His achievements today were entirely due to Vézé's guidance and the teachings of the Liberation Army's military school. Faced with all kinds of seemingly unsolvable problems, Li Weiren had to use all his brain cells to recall the knowledge he had learned and try to use this knowledge to solve problems he had never encountered.
In the beginning, Li Weiren had been proud of the title of 'Pasha'. But he soon discovered that the title of "Pasha" did not really help solve the problem. To solve the problem, he had to be like the slogan of the Liberation Army's military school: "Unity, Tension, Seriousness, and Liveliness." Without this attitude, he would not be able to do a good job as a soldier.
After experiencing hard and tedious work, Li Weiren, who once thought that he could rely on himself to make a career, changed. He finally "feared the mandate of heaven, feared the lord, and feared the words of the saints." It was not fear, but true respect. With respect, there would be modesty, and with modesty, he would go back to study seriously. Not to mention whether he had the wisdom and discernment to "choose what is good and follow what is bad and change what is bad." If he wanted to have the learning attitude of "when three people walk together, one must learn from another", he had to first admit that "his knowledge and ability are very limited."
So Li Weiren nodded and asked seriously, "I don't know much about these things. Hope that Osman? Nuri Pasha will explain in more detail. "
Osman? Nuri Pasha was 46 years old this year. He was such an outstanding soldier at this age and also had a lot of experience. For the 28-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Li Weiren, Osman? Nuri Pasha's evaluation was getting higher and higher. It was not because Li Weiren also had the title of "Pasha", nor was it all because of Li Weiren's ability. But Li Weiren's continuous growth in the war made the old soldier very appreciative.
Osman? Nuri Pasha was not a Chinese and did not know much about the traditional culture of China. But the road to success was the same. Li Weiren gradually revealed a serious, meticulous, humble, and cautious style, which was enough to make him an excellent soldier. Seeing this, Li Weiren had these excellent things at such a young age. Osman? Nuri Pasha was actually very envious and even a little jealous.
"Russia has suffered so much now. If they want to avoid further losses, they can only carry out political negotiations. When the political negotiations are over, the war will also be over. "Osman? Nuri Pasha explained to Li Weiren.
Wait for Osman? When Nuri Pasha finished, Li Weiren said: "If Russia negotiates now, all their previous consumption will be in vain. And Russia only suffered a setback at Plevin. If I were in command, I would let more Bulgarian militias and some elite Russian troops continue to besiege Plevin. Other troops will try to attack other passes in the direction of the Danube. Even if they can't break through in the direction of the Danube, they can still make progress in the direction of the Caucasus. Only when there is no way to make progress in all directions will Russia agree to peace talks. And if I were the commander-in-chief of Russia, I would not agree to peace talks until Plevin surrendered or was defeated. "
Osman? Nuri Pasha was shocked by Li Weiren's words. After listening to the last paragraph, he asked: "Why?"
"Listening to the history of the European war, Plevin has made history. Even if there is peace talks, Russia must capture Plevin. If Plevin is still in the hands of the Osman Empire, or your troops are still safe, Russia will never have the courage to challenge the Osman Empire again. As long as your troops appear in the border fortress, will the Russians dare to attack? "When it was time to listen to others, Li Weiren would listen carefully. When it was time for him to speak, he would not hide it.
After listening to Li Weiren's explanation, Osman? Nuri Pasha was silent. Even if Russia could not win the war, it was impossible for them to negotiate. From a purely military point of view, soldiers needed courage to fight. If Plevin could not be destroyed, as long as the Osman Empire built a few fortresses on the border, Russia would not have the courage to attack the Osman Empire again. This was extremely disadvantageous to the Russian army.
Thinking of this, Osman? Nuri Pasha sighed: "It looks like we have to continue to hold on. Li Pasha, how long do you think we have to hold on? "
"By February next year at the latest, we have to break out before we run out of food." Li Weiren smiled bitterly.
Listening to such wise words, Osman? Nuri Pasha also smiled bitterly.
At this time, it was time to eat, and the same lunch as ordinary soldiers was served. This was mainly beef and mutton. In order to supplement vitamins, the raw apple paste mixed with salt was also used as a seasoning. Thanks to the climate of Port Sudan, the beef and mutton were dried thoroughly. Spices and salt were mixed in the butter and mutton, and a few thick layers were applied to the beef and mutton. The taste was fragrant, but the taste was too strong. Even if the portion was not large, it was very satisfying.
Because of the food problem, Osman, who originally felt that the standard rations were not enough, felt that the amount was too large. Nuri Pasha felt that the amount was too large.
Li Weiren was right. After solving the border problem with China, Russia firmly opposed the Osman Empire's request for peace talks. After paying a huge price, there was no gain. The upper echelons of Russia could not accept such a result. Instead, they increased the number of troops in the Caucasus region, hoping to completely take over the Armenian area.
At this time, the British temporarily did not comment on Russia's actions. Since the Osman Empire held on, they would let the Osman Empire and Russia consume each other's strength. The British began to put pressure on China.
India was the most important territory of the British. For security reasons, the British did not accept other powers entering the Central Asian region that could threaten India. Central Asia was now divided, and the accomplices were China and Russia. No matter what kind of contradictions and struggles there were between China and Russia, China and Russia would adhere to the fact that the division of Central Asia was a fait accompli.
Moreover, China was rapidly expanding in North America, building fortresses and lines of communication everywhere. At this time, it was already facing the local British in Canada. This matter had not been resolved, and China was forced to the vicinity of India. The British believed that in any case, they had to have a serious exchange with China. In August 1878, the Royal Navy's Indian Fleet met a Chinese fleet in the waters near Sri Lanka. The fleet consisted of two warships of nearly 10,000 tons and two cruisers that impressed the British.
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