Section One: The Campaign Against Cao Kun

The power of Mengshan Village can be roughly divided into two factions. The largest faction is led by Sun Dewang's local group, which includes Nong Mengfu and Sun Deming, who were among the earliest to join Sun Dewang. Liu Yucai and Zhou Huanan, however, are outsiders. In the 21st year of the Guangxu era, the bandit Liu Yucai, who had been roaming in Henan, and Zhou Huanan, unable to establish themselves in Henan, brought over three hundred men to Mengshan. At that time, Mengshan had just suffered heavy losses from a military crackdown by the Shandong garrison. Sun Dewang welcomed talented individuals and took in Liu Yucai and Zhou Huanan's troops, merging the two factions into one. Although the number of Liu and Zhou's men was not large, they were seasoned soldiers compared to the original forces of Mengshan Village. Moreover, Liu Yucai was quite strategic, while Zhou Huanan excelled in martial arts and was skilled in training troops. With the addition of Liu and Zhou, the village began to prosper.

Since the bandits of Mengshan have been a scourge to the region for several decades, they naturally have many informants. The news of the government troops' large-scale offensive could not be concealed from them. As soon as Cao Kun's army stationed in Maoyang Town to the west of Mengshan, the news reached the bandit stronghold. However, the leaders of the stronghold could not reach a consensus on how to respond to this government offensive, and they argued for two days. Ultimately, the opinion of the Sun brothers, who were local residents, prevailed: they decided not to retreat and to confront the government troops in Mengshan. This is not the first time the government has launched an offensive against Mengshan, nor will it be the last. When soldiers come, we will resist; when water comes, we will build dikes. It is nothing extraordinary.

This was the official position that Yuan Shikai had long desired. Thus, he led the more than 7,000 elite troops of the Right Army, which he had personally trained, southward to Shandong. While significantly expanding the strength of this army, which was destined to support his grand ambitions, the first major task in Yuan Shikai's political agenda was to suppress banditry

Cao Kun, who came from a background of cloth trading, was nicknamed "Cao San Shazi" in the Right Army of the Wuwei. This nickname primarily reflects the overly "simple" aspect of Cao Kun's character, rather than implying that he is lacking in intelligence. He did not take the task assigned by General Yuan very seriously, as he regarded the small band of bandits occupying Meng Mountain as insignificant; they were merely a group of local robbers claiming the mountain as their own, unable to withstand the thunderous strike of his three thousand well-equipped and well-trained elite soldiers. However, General Yuan's military orders clearly stated the necessity to completely eradicate the bandits of Meng Mountain, emphasizing that the leaders of the Meng Mountain bandits, such as Sun Dewang, must be captured alive or dead. Therefore, with the assistance of the local government and the brothers from the defense camp, Cao Kun meticulously gathered information on the terrain of Meng Mountain and the bandits, making thorough preparations for this battle.

Cao Kun established his main camp in Pingyi County. According to repeatedly verified intelligence, the bandits' lair is located at Guangming Temple. There is a main road leading from Maoyang Town to Guangming Temple on Mount Meng. Starting from Dafuning Village and heading east, it passes through Sucheng, Lianghe, and Zhangjiazhuang, ascending the mountain by crossing the ridge commonly known as Donkey Leg, and then continues through Liucheng, Dongyu, Louzi, and Tianmen to Guangming Temple. This main route will be defended by Cao Kun himself leading the main force in an attack, while another general will be dispatched to occupy and block the escape route of the bandits to the east from Mengyin.

The Sun brothers did not wish to provoke the retaliation of the imperial army, which would lead to a fate of being cut into a thousand pieces. As for the disarmament proposed by the fourth leader, Zhou Huanan, it was even more laughable; who would complain about having too many soldiers? What is meant by an elite troop strategy is all nonsense. Sun Dewang understood that Zhou Huanan was merely incited by Long Qian of the Eighth Team. If it were not for Long Qian's exceptional martial skills and ability to train troops, this man, filled with wild ideas, would have long been driven out of the stronghold.

It is no wonder that Lord Zhao finds this disgrace significant; such humiliation in the imperial bureaucracy is not a trivial matter and could even jeopardize an official's career

Separating the combat troops functionally is undoubtedly a significant advancement, as it allows for the concentrated use of limited foreign rifles, which is more conducive to training. Therefore, last year, in the fifth month after Long Qian ascended the mountain, Mengshan Village implemented its first military reform, establishing eight combat teams, each consisting of one hundred and twenty personnel, roughly equivalent to an infantry company of a Western regular army, equipped with 50 to 80 foreign rifles. Additionally, there was a cavalry unit of about one hundred members, personally led by the third leader, Sun Deming.

The Empire, having fallen into conflict with the British due to trade disputes sixty years ago, faced its first direct confrontation with the Western powers that had completed the Industrial Revolution, resulting in only one outcome: defeat and reparations. A particular commodity—opium—officially flowed into the interior, especially after the defeat in the Second Opium War twenty years after the Battle of Guangzhou, when the Anglo-French Allied Forces invaded the capital and set the Summer Palace, designed by the renowned architect Yuanmingyuan, ablaze. This was followed by the rapid spread of opium in the north, where demand existed, making opium the most significant import among the commodities that the old Empire was gradually forced to open its doors to, even more cherished by the subjects of the Empire than the intricate Western novelties. The massive influx of opium led to a swift reversal of the Empire's foreign trade from surplus to deficit over the years, resulting in a significant outflow of silver and an ever-widening trade deficit, which rapidly plunged the Empire's economy into collapse. The enlightened individuals within the Empire realized that since opium could not be stopped, why not cultivate it themselves? This was not a high-tech endeavor; considering the long-standing agricultural culture, how could the British and French, among other Westerners, be the rivals of our great China?

Ultimately, what Sun Dewang and his brothers sought was merely to become bandits, while Liu Yucai, the controller of the second largest force in Mengshan who later joined them, seemed to possess ambitions akin to those of Hong and Yang. This situation sparked a conflict between Liu Yucai and Sun Dewang

Influenced by the military system established by Zeng Guofan in his suppression of the Hongyang Taiping Army, particularly the insights of Liu Yucai and Zhou Huanan, who were notably more knowledgeable than the Sun brothers, the bandits of Mengshan Village also undertook military reforms in the summer of the 24th year of Guangxu (1898). They divided their personnel into two categories: combat soldiers and supply soldiers. However, the ratio was completely different from the ratio of combat to supply soldiers set by Zeng Hou, essentially being one-to-one. The existence of such a large number of supply soldiers was primarily due to the perspective of the chief leader, Sun Dewang, which differed from the second-in-command Liu Yucai, who advocated for military reforms to enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops. In Sun Dewang's view, first, as long as they were from the village, all were soldiers who would charge into battle together, regardless of whether they were combat or supply soldiers. Second, having occupied the mountain for many years, Sun Dewang's hedonistic mindset had become increasingly severe, and the village supported a large number of idle personnel, with camp prostitutes long established to satisfy the desires of the subordinates. The Duzhuo Village, located eight li from the Guangming Temple, served both as a storage facility for the village and as a brothel. It goes without saying that they had hired chefs from Jining Prefecture specifically to cook for the leaders, and they even maintained a theater troupe—other than indulging in women, Sun Dewang's greatest hobby was watching plays. Every few days, he would set up a stage opposite the main hall of Guangming Temple to perform a show, fulfilling his spiritual needs.

After all, no one would speak ill of eradicating bandits. Lord Yuan dispatched his formidable subordinates to suppress the bandits, both to ensure the safety of the people and to provide practical training for the troops

The task assigned to Cao Kun's troops was to completely eradicate the Mengshan bandits who had plagued the counties of Mengyin, Feixian, and Sishui for over ten years.

What Sun Dewang and the other leaders did not realize was that the 3,000 elite troops of the Wu Wei New Army, commanded by Cao Zhenshou, far surpassed the government forces they were familiar with in terms of equipment and training. This was an elite unit fully equipped with Western firearms, a culmination of Yuan Shikai's years of military training in Tianjin. The troops led by Cao Kun were even equipped with 75mm caliber German artillery—not the old, cumbersome cannons that could only fire stone projectiles, but modern artillery capable of inflicting massive casualties in warfare.

Rather than seizing more territory, the bandits of Mengshan Village had no choice but to rob the surrounding villages more frequently, which consequently drew the attention of the authorities

Now that the government troops have been dispatched to suppress us, having a large number of bandit forces is indeed an advantage. Fortunately, we did not heed the foolish advice of Zhou Laosi to reduce our troops. During the military council meeting of the leaders, the third elder, Sun Deming, was the first to speak, finally seizing an opportunity to mock Zhou Huanan.

Although Sun Dewang enjoyed having a large number of followers, he was also aware that Mengshan Stronghold could not sustain thousands of people. Therefore, he had to resort to more frequent raids. However, this was not an easy task; first, feeding two thousand people posed a significant challenge. Moreover, the limited space of Mengshan Stronghold made it difficult to solve the issues of food and accommodation. Consequently, Mengshan Stronghold faced a dilemma: should they reduce their numbers or descend the mountain to expand their territory? According to the suggestion of the second-in-command, Liu Yucai, Mengshan Stronghold should send its main force down the mountain towards Mengyin for development, rather than remain confined to the stronghold. However, the brothers who held real power in the stronghold believed that attacking the county town would signal to the court that they were no longer mere bandits occupying the mountains, but rather aimed to overthrow the court like Hong Yang. What was the extent of Hong Yang's power at that time? Even the Nian Army, which later roamed Shandong, was not comparable to Mengshan Stronghold; were they not all eradicated by the court?

The Meng Mountain stronghold has five leaders, whom the bandits refer to as the heads. The chief leader is named Sun Dewang, the second leader is Liu Yucai, the third leader is Sun Dewang's biological brother, named Sun Deming. The fourth leader is Zhou Huanan, and the fifth leader is Nong Mengfu

Thus, opium took root and flourished on Chinese soil, with the most severe consequences felt in the provinces of Shandong and Shanxi. Vast tracts of fertile land were devoted to opium cultivation, while only the barren lands unsuitable for opium were sown with corn or sorghum, making even the main northern crop, wheat, a rare sight. Under the system of land ownership, the landlords were well aware that opium was an economic crop, yielding far greater profits than ordinary grains. However, they failed to realize that this would lead to a sharp decline in food production, leaving even bountiful years insufficient for sustenance, and in the event of natural disasters, the situation would become even more dire. Vast tracts of fertile land were devoted to opium cultivation, while only the barren lands unsuitable for opium were sown with corn or sorghum, making even the main northern crop, wheat, a rare sight. Under the system of land ownership, the landlords were well aware that opium was an economic crop, yielding far greater profits than ordinary grains. However, they failed to realize that this would lead to a sharp decline in food production, leaving even bountiful years insufficient for sustenance, and in the event of natural disasters, the situation would become even more dire

However, Liu Yucai (actually Long Qian's idea) proposed the division of the bandit troops, which is indeed beneficial to the stronghold. Firstly, the issue of weapon shortages can be partially resolved. The battle in the 20th year of Guangxu when the imperial army attacked Mount Meng has made the Sun Dewang brothers clearly aware that traditional weapons such as broadswords and spears, which have been used by their ancestors for thousands of years, are completely obsolete. No matter how skilled one is in martial arts, it cannot withstand the concentrated fire of foreign guns. However, the foreign guns in the stronghold are all captured from battles, and their numbers are limited, mostly collected from the surrounding strongholds of Mount Meng, including those made in Germany and products from the Hanyang Arsenal. Ammunition is even scarcer, with each shot being precious. It is strange that due to the existence of the Mengshan stronghold, the wealthy households in counties such as Mengyin and Feixian have maximized the strengthening of their own militia, spending money to equip them with as many foreign guns as possible to fend off potential raids by the Mengshan stronghold. It is strange that due to the existence of the Mengshan stronghold, the wealthy households in counties such as Mengyin and Feixian have maximized the strengthening of their own militia, spending money to equip them with as many foreign guns as possible to fend off potential raids by the Mengshan stronghold.

The interior of the Lunan Mountain area has always been barren, with towering mountains and crisscrossing ravines. Historically, many have taken to banditry in these mountains. Due to its remote geography, it would not typically attract excessive attention from the imperial court. However, a group of strongmen, referred to as the Mengshan bandits by the counties of Feixian, Sishui, and Pingyi, committed a foolish act last year that angered the court, prompting Governor Yuan to issue a decree for suppression as soon as he took office.

This has become troublesome. Although the woman named He Xian was retrieved after the ransom was paid, the enmity between the Mengshan bandits and the court has been established. The woman, having been abducted by brigands, could not possibly retain her innocence. The Qing Dynasty, being deeply influenced by Zhuzi's teachings, led to Lord Zhao, under pressure after He Xian's return, granting her a death sentence. He utilized his connections to issue a directive through the Ministry of War to the Shandong local government, demanding the complete eradication of the Mengshan bandits that plagued the central and southern regions of Shandong. However, Shandong has yet to respond. The political landscape has undergone significant changes; in Korea, following Wu Changqing's leadership, he achieved great merit and gained the court's attention, while Yuan Shikai was appointed to govern Shandong after organizing new troops in Tianjin. Lord Zhao immediately wrote a letter to Yuan Shikai, who was still on the road, using humble and pleading words, hoping that the renowned Yuan, known for his reputation in Korea, would help him take revenge.

Suppressing banditry is a significant matter that no local official would treat lightly. However, suppressing banditry requires resources, namely a formidable army. In this regard, Yuan Shikai possesses unique advantages; he commands an army of over 7,000 troops, fully equipped with foreign weapons and artillery, and trained entirely in Western military practices. Moreover, this army exhibits a high degree of loyalty to him, functioning as an extension of his will. Yuan Shikai's approach to the banditry problem in Shandong starkly contrasts with that of his predecessor, Governor Yu Xian. Unlike Yu Xian, who was removed from office due to foreign pressure and had previously tolerated the Boxer Movement that originated in Shandong and spread to Zhili, Yuan Shikai, as the governor of Shandong, aimed to establish his authority in the neighboring politically significant region of Qilu. His stance towards the Boxers was one of resolute suppression and eradication. It was only natural for him to take action against the Mengshan bandits, especially since the Boxers were also targeting the foreign-supported court.

Long Qian is the captain of the Eighth Team. Upon seeing the third master in a fit of anger, Long Qian quietly explained that the government troops that had come this time were the Wu Wei Right Army under Yuan Shikai. This was a new army that the court had invested heavily in and organized vigorously in response to the humiliation suffered in the First Sino-Japanese War, and it was certainly not comparable to those green battalions that were plagued by opium addiction, received empty salaries, and lacked training. Moreover, according to reports from scouts, this time they were facing thousands of elite troops led by Cao Kun, and with only a few hundred foreign rifles, we truly are not their match

Long Qian had another sentence stuck in his heart that he did not express; in terms of training, he was certainly not a match for Yuan Shikai's new army

Last winter, bandits in Mengshan ambushed a group of merchants on the official road in Feixian, robbing them of their valuables and killing four bodyguards. They took twelve merchants, including one female relative, hostage to the mountains, severing one bodyguard's ear and sending him down with a letter from the leading merchant to deliver a hefty ransom. This was a classic tactic of mountain bandits. What was unexpected was that the female relative was a concubine of a powerful figure from the capital, who was returning home to visit family. This individual, known as Zhao Qiaoshu, was currently favored by the emperor, having been appointed Minister of Justice after serving as the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, and was about to enter the Grand Council.

On the seventh day of the second month in the twenty-fifth year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, as the breath of spring just began to descend upon the land of Qilu, a conflict of moderate scale but far-reaching impact erupted. The newly appointed acting governor of Shandong, Yuan Shikai, dispatched his trusted confidant, the newly appointed garrison commander of Caozhou, Cao Kun, who led three battalions of elite troops to advance eastward, heading straight for Caozhou. Upon reaching the southwestern part of Mengyin County, at the foot of Mount Meng, Cao Kun's forces suddenly split into multiple routes, completely encircling this towering peak. Under the guidance of the stationed troops in Yizhou, all the routes leading out of the mountain were sealed off by the imperial army.

At the beginning of the year, Yuan Shikai was promoted to the acting governor of Shandong and the inspector of the province due to his meritorious service in training new troops at the small station, receiving rewards from the Ministry of War.

Year after year, the northern regions have suffered disasters, with droughts occurring frequently. The empire, lacking investment in water conservancy, is fundamentally unable to reverse the agricultural failures. The most direct consequence of natural disasters was that the forces of Mengshan Zhai once surged past two thousand men. A large number of starving people, in desperation, resorted to taking risks, willing to become bandits to survive, as being a thief is better than dying of hunger. In reality, the farmers of the Qing Empire were originally the most docile group of people on this planet, but even the most docile individuals will take drastic measures when faced with the danger of their entire family starving to death. The severe drought in Shandong provided an abundant supply of recruits for Mengshan Zhai, making it the largest bandit force in the Shandong region. This was still the result of careful selection; if there were no restrictions on physical condition and age, the total number of personnel in Mengshan Zhai would likely double.

"Brother Long Qian," Sun Dewang set down the brilliantly polished brass smoking pipe in his hand, "With our two thousand troops, how can we retreat without a fight? If word of that gets out, how will we survive in southern Lu? Won't that just make others laugh at us? If we don't show them our strength, they won't know who Sun Dewang is!" Sun Dewang stood up; he was not tall, but he was exceptionally tough, his piercing gaze fixed on Long Qian. "Even if we withdraw from the stronghold, we must let the imperial army know the might of our Mengshan stronghold."

Yuan Shikai readily agreed. Not to mention a dignified second-rank official of the current court, even a head of one of the six ministries would find Yuan Shikai's character appealing. Thus, upon arriving in Shandong, he secretly ordered Cao Kun to use the strategy of "destroying the state of Guo by taking a detour" to eliminate the Mengshan bandits that were causing havoc in Yizhou.

The bandits are not without their clear-headed individuals. When Long Qian, the leader of the Eighth Step Brigade, learned that the current campaign was against Yuan Shikai's Wuwei Right Army, he sought an audience with the chief, Sun Dewang, advocating for abandoning the mountains and avoiding the elite government troops. However, he was reprimanded by Sun Deming, the third-in-command present at the time: "It's not as if we haven't faced the government troops before. The government has foreign rifles, but we don't just have firewood sticks! And we have the natural defenses of Mengshan, so what is there to fear!"

"Third Brother, do not get angry. The Dragon Brothers are also doing this for the sake of the stronghold," the chief Sun Dewang admonished the furious Third Brother Sun Deming. This young man, though he had been in the mountains for less than a year, was both brave and resourceful, certainly not one to fear death. His exceptional marksmanship was unmatched in the stronghold. Moreover, he not only excelled in shooting but also possessed outstanding martial arts skills, having even defeated the fourth master Zhou Huanan, a disciple of the Eight Extremes Fist. What was even more remarkable was that he could read and write, earning the admiration of the fifth master Nong Mengfu, the most educated in the stronghold, who often sought knowledge from Long Qian. Although Long Qian had been in the mountains for a short time, he had achieved significant accomplishments, which is why he was promoted to the position of captain. His eighth team, though established the latest, had extraordinary combat power under Long Qian's training, showing signs of becoming a main force.

Cao Kun's troops, in addition to the one brigade under his command, also included a reinforced field artillery battalion, bringing the total strength to 3,500 personnel