SFS Chapter 168 Lin Yi's Whereabouts, War
Chapter 168 Lin Yi's Whereabouts, War
168 Lin Yi's whereabouts, the war
"Father, there's news!"
Jinzhou, Ma Family Compound.
With an excited expression, Ma Jizu pushed open the door and ran into the house.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized that his own father, Ma Yuanqing, was lying in the arms of a plump woman, eating a late-night snack.
Although it's not unusual, the scene was still somewhat awkward.
He glanced at it again subconsciously, then turned away.
There was a soft rustling sound behind him, followed by Ma Yuanqing coughing. Only then did Ma Jizu turn around.
"News about Lin Yi?"
Ma Yuanqing, who had already sat up, asked.
"Yes, according to information gathered by Yongdeng, four nights ago, someone bought a batch of black beans at a high price from several farmhouses on the outskirts of the city."
"They claimed to be a caravan, saying they were buying feed for the horses."
“But normal caravans would buy high-quality materials in the city; there’s no reason for them to spend so much money outside the city.”
"Moreover, judging by the time, if we leave Jinzhou in the afternoon and travel at a fast pace, we should be able to reach the Yongdeng area by around 10 p.m.
Ma Jizu said excitedly, "So, it must be Lin Yi's group!"
Ma Yuanqing didn't speak, but frowned slightly and pondered for a moment before chuckling: "If it really is Lin Yi, judging by horsepower, he should be in the Jiayuguan area at this time."
"Immediately send telegrams to Jiayuguan and Yecheng, and organize troops to conduct a search to the southwest overnight."
"Everywhere, all the way to the Qilian Mountains, must be plowed!"
Along the Yecheng-Jiayuguan line, to the northeast lies the vast Badain Jaran Desert.
To the southwest lies the Qilian Mountains.
The middle section is a long and narrow stretch of Gobi Desert, more than 200 kilometers long.
If Lin Yi and his group are indeed in this area, the troops stationed in Jiayuguan and Yecheng will block and search them from both sides. Unless Lin Yi can sprout wings and fly away.
Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have been able to escape!
"Yes!"
Ma Jizu also realized what was happening, excitedly responded, and ran off to relay the order...
Plans never keep up with changes.
The long journey was too much for someone like Lin Yi who was not physically active, and the horse's stamina could not be maintained by feeding it concentrated feed every meal.
Especially Lin Yi and his group, their understanding of horses was limited to the fact that they needed to be fed well if they were going to travel long distances.
Therefore, the consequences were quite serious.
Just as Ma Yuanqing finished relaying the order and continued with his midnight snack, Lin Yi and his group were at a loss as their mounts collapsed one after another, foaming at the mouth.
"It seems we have no choice but to rest for now. If we keep going, the other horses probably won't be able to keep up."
"Let's rest for the night and see if these horses can recover their strength by tomorrow morning."
Fang Chang poured water into the horse that had fallen to the ground, but it still couldn't get up. He looked helpless.
Lin Yi was also at a loss.
He stared at the night sky for a moment and asked, "Have we crossed the Jiayuguan line yet?"
Jiayuguan was a key garrison location for the Ma Clique army.
Previously, when he and Ma Jizu went to Xingxing Gorge and passed through here, Commander Ma specifically told him that a cavalry brigade and an infantry brigade were stationed here.
This is the main force that the Ma family controls in the northwest direction.
Further northwest, in the vast Gobi Desert, besides the isolated city of Shazhou, there is also an infantry regiment and a cavalry battalion stationed.
The rest are some outposts bordering northern Xinjiang.
Therefore, according to Lin Yi's original plan, once they crossed the Jiayuguan Pass, the rest of the journey would be relatively smooth.
At that time, even if the Ma family father and son realize that they are fleeing in the northwest direction, they can only follow behind and suffer the consequences.
"Probably not yet."
As Fang Chang spoke, he fiddled with the compass in his hand again: "Maybe we're on the same line as Jiayuguan right now."
"If the Ma family sends troops from Jiayuguan to search for us at this time..."
At this point, Fang Chang chuckled and said, "That will save them a lot of trouble."
"Young Master, it shouldn't be a big problem, right?"
Ah Sheng also chimed in, "Didn't the telegram say that martial law is still in effect in the area bordering Sichuan Province?"
"Perhaps they haven't guessed that we're heading northwest."
"Ah Sheng, do you know when people are most likely to die?"
Lin Yi turned his head and asked, his original idea of resting for the night was completely dispelled by Ah Sheng's words.
When faced with his question, Ah Sheng looked completely bewildered.
"When?"
"When you're hoping for the best."
After telling him the answer, Lin Yi, who had been sitting on the ground, stood up with Ah Sheng's help.
"Forget about the horse, take some dry rations and head into the mountains."
Given the current situation, he can only assume the worst.
Then he said to Ah Sheng, "Send a telegram to the people who are supposed to meet you, and tell them to change their route and go into the mountains."
……
"Have the troops from Yecheng entered the mountains?"
"We entered the mountains an hour ago."
"Adding to the two infantry regiments from Jiayuguan, we now have a total of over four thousand troops."
In the Ma family compound, Ma Jizu reported the situation to Ma Yuanqing, who had just walked in.
Early in the morning, news came from Jiayuguan that several unwanted horses had been found on the edge of the Qilian Mountains.
Besides the removed saddle, there were two cloth bags with remnants of black beans in them.
Things have come to this point by coincidence, so it can be basically concluded that it was Lin Yi and his group.
Overjoyed, Ma Jizu immediately issued an order to search the mountains.
He couldn't help but sigh that this guy surnamed Lin had really struck it lucky.
He always beat me to it.
"Not enough. Order the cavalry to dismount and go into the mountains for a thorough search, leaving no opportunity for them to take advantage."
Ma Yuanqing gave an order, then turned to look at the smiling Kimura beside him: "Mr. Kimura, capturing Lin Yi is only a matter of time. Are you satisfied now?"
"of course."
Kimura chuckled and nodded in acknowledgment: "You've really worked hard, Commander-in-Chief."
Ma Yuanqing grinned: "Since you know how hard I've worked, when will the first batch of guns be shipped?"
"Within three days, ten thousand rifles and one hundred machine guns will leave Fengtian and be transported to the Northwest via Suiyuan."
Kimura gave the answer directly.
Along with this batch of guns, there will also be an exploration team that has been searching for oil outside the Great Wall.
He will remain in Jinzhou for a long time to coordinate matters between the two sides.
"Hehe, that's what friends are all about."
Ma Yuanqing grinned and turned to Ma Jizu: "Pass on my order: dig Lin Yi out of the mountains within three days!"
"Yes!"
Ma Jizu responded loudly.
He had barely finished speaking when a lieutenant colonel rushed in carrying a folder.
"Commander, urgent telegram from Longnan!"
"what's up?"
Ma Yuanqing frowned and looked over.
"A unit of Sichuan Army has launched an attack on our Bailongjiang line!"
"what?!"
Ma Yuanqing stared wide-eyed, while Ma Jizu, standing beside him, was so shocked that his mouth gaped open.
"A unit of Sichuan troops has launched an attack on our Bailongjiang line, and the current situation is unclear."
"Liu Yuanfu?"
"The unit number is still unknown. The other side launched an undeclared war. Commander Ma Shaoqing from Longnan has already assembled two regiments and rushed to the Bailongjiang front."