The Last Frontier of Fire and Sword

On the fourth day when everyone arrived at Xie Qi, in Xie Qi's chamber, all the team leaders and the company leader's representatives held a closed-door meeting with 36 people.

At the beginning of the meeting, the chamber was full of gunpowder. Everyone was slapped on the table and swearing in Xie Qi's chamber, as if the loudest voice was justified.

Of course, no one is here to make sense.

The host of the meeting, Pavlo Gomen, was watching all this. When he finished smoking a bag of tobacco, Pavlo Gomon drew the musket from his waist and fired a shot at the ceiling.

The dust accumulated over the years fell like snowflakes, forming a yellow mist in the chamber.

The hall suddenly became quiet.

"Enough!" Pavlo Gomon said: "If you have something to say, one by one, just eat melon seeds on the side if it's not your turn."

As the most respected Cossack senior, Pavlo Gomon still speaks effectively. The team leaders who were still pulling clothes and hammering the table just now returned to their seats one by one.

The first one to stand up and speak was Vasily Zolotarenko, who had attacked Smolensk with Baohong.

He stood on the chair with one leg, and then bowed to Pavlo Gomon and the team leaders around him—this was telling everyone that he was about to speak.

"All brothers." Vasily Zolotarenko spoke with his drake-like voice: "I will just say one thing, who was defeated at the Battle of Berestecko and Bogdan Khmel Chief Nitsky was abducted by the Tatars and saved us, and who was not proud of it, and took the initiative to surrender the scepter when the Chieftain came back."

There was a burst of cheers in the chamber, and then someone shouted: "Bao Hong, Bao Hong. Cossack's eagle."

When Vigowski’s supporter Colonel Peter Doroshenko saw this, he also stood up.

After saluting the surroundings like Vasily Zolotarenko, Colonel Peter Doroshenko said: “Bao Hong’s achievements and achievements are of course outstanding. But please don’t forget, our clerk Vigo. Vorski’s performance in the Battle of Bila Tserkove was equally outstanding. If he hadn't worked hard to collect the missing soldiers and supplies, how could we have reached a stalemate with the Poles after the defeat, and finally forced the Poles to negotiate with us. "

There was another uproar, and somebody was saying: "It's true, it's true."

What Peter Doroshenko said about the Battle of Bila Tserkovi took place after the Battle of Berestečko. At that time, the Polish army pursued the victory, and the army of Yanusz Laziviu, who had attacked from the direction of Lithuania, recovered and ransacked Kiev, while Stanislaw Potocki led an army of 12,000 to the depths of Ukraine. Recently, he tried to catch all the fish that slipped through the net in the Battle of Berestechko. In Bila Tserkove, Bogdan Khmelnitsky assembled an army of 50,000 to intercept. The battle lasted for a day, and both sides were exhausted.

Due to the depth of the Polish army alone and the long supply line, their supply has become very difficult, and the epidemic has also caused a large number of attritions. In the end Stanislaw Potocki gave up the delusion of annihilating the Cossacks and chose to negotiate with Bogdan Khmelnitsky.

At that time, of the 50,000 army led by Bogdan Khmelnitsky, less than 20,000 were withdrawn from the Battle of Beresteczko, and the rest of the soldiers were collected by Vygowski.

In addition, Peter Doroshenko mentioned Vigowski's outstanding performance in the Battle of Behiclekvi, so that everyone present could not help but think of Baohong's fatal mistake in the previous Battle of Berestečko.

The same is turning the tide, Bao Hong's performance is far less than that of Vigowski.

In the early morning of July 7, 1651, after Bogdan Khmelnitsky was abducted, Bao Hong led a team of cavalry and boarded the pontoon first. They braved the Polish artillery. Gallop forward. Bao Hong's original intention was to test the sturdiness of the pontoon bridge. After all, the bridge had to carry 50,000 horses and materials. But when Bao Hong arrived on the other side, in the Cossack’s camp, someone in the crowd shouted: "Everyone, run away!" Then, more than a dozen voices shouted: "The team leaders are driving away!"

Soon, this terrible sentence spread like wildfire in the dead grass, and the Cossack warriors who thought they had been betrayed flocked to the pontoon like a roaring tide. People stepped on the campfire, pushed to the cart, kicked over the tent, and destroyed the fence; the soldiers pushed each other, crowded, many people slipped and fell into the swamp and never stood up.

The boiling crowd squeezed on the narrow bridge, you vying for each other, pushing against each other. People who climbed the bridge did not hesitate to slaughter them with knives in order to fight for a place to stand. The Plesowa River was full of corpses. Bao Hong saw the chaos on the camp and the pontoon, he rushed back to the other side to maintain order, trying to save all of this, but at this time, how could he be able to do it on his own.

It was also at this time that the Polish troops surrounding the camp saw their opponents in disarray and quickly launched an offensive. A large number of people who had not been trampled to death, squeezed to death, or drowned fell under the guns of Polish soldiers. The river was stained red, and those who fled knew that someone was chasing behind, causing further chaos. They were desperate to survive, and more people were pushed into the rivers and swamps, and those who were lucky enough to land on the shore were intercepted and killed by the Polish dragoons. Some of those who were forced to the end of the road defended and fought desperately, while others dropped their weapons and surrendered.

Although Bao Hong led a 300-man counterattack to temporarily repel the Poles, the big mistake was made. In the end, 30,000 Cossacks were killed and only 20,000 broke out.

In all fairness, Bao Hong has already exhausted his best mental and intellectual abilities. But most people only value the results, not the process.

The phrase "after the big defeat" lifted the scars, and Bao Hong's heart was bleeding.

That mistake was also a lifetime pain in Bao Hong's heart.

Vasily Zolotarenko glared at Peter Doroshenko, and he almost drew the knife. Peter Doroshenko, an ungrateful guy, did he forget that he was among the 20,000 rescued by Bao Hong!

Of course Peter Doroshenko has not forgotten. He and Bao Hong have no personal feuds, and some are just respect for him. But politics is like this, it is not transferred by people's personal feelings.

Peter Doroshenko glanced at Bao Hong apologetically, and then sat down.

At this time, Wigowski's voice gradually overwhelmed Bao Hong.

When Ivan Hilko saw this, he winked at his supporter, Company Commander Laughlin Sinonos.

Ivan Shirko knew that although he had been exonerated, Popovich’s death prestige plummeted and he had no hope of running for war chief. But he was not willing to give up so much, so even if he knew he was hopeless, he still had to fight.

Company Captain Laughlin Sinonos stood up. Because his position was only company commander, he saluted the people around him three times.

Laughlin Sinonos said: "Dear team leaders and brothers. Please let me, the boss, also say a few words."

"Say fast!" someone shouted.

Laughlin Sinonos waited for someone to raise the atmosphere, and he continued: "Everyone knows that I can neither read nor count, but my eyes can see clearly, the team leader Bao Hong and Vigovs The Clerks are all outstanding talents of the Republic, and their abilities are comparable. We shouldn't belittle someone just because we want to praise someone."

"Yes!"

"Laughlin Sinonos is an honest man."

Laughlin Sinonos smiled and bowed around. He went on to say: "But if I were to say that there is one person who is actually more suitable as a Cossack chief than the team leader of Baohong and Secretary Wigowski. This person is highly respected and well-respected."

Some people made a "hush" sound, and a small group of people sparsely asked the person's name.

Just as Laughlin Sinonos was about to say Ivan Shirko's name, Pavlo Gomon suddenly intervened and said, "I said Laughlin, if you want me to be the chief of the Cossacks, I wouldn't dare. "

Laughlin Sinonos laughed awkwardly. He laughed at Pavlo Gomon and said: "My old man, if you want to lead us in the position of warchief, of course I would raise my hands and feet in agreement. But everyone knows that you don't have this idea, and I know that. So. I don’t want to be boring anymore. I want to recommend team leader Ivan Shirko."

Several voices of support came from the corner, but they were far less enthusiastic than the first two.

Upon seeing this, Laughlin Sinonos hurriedly agitated: "Everyone, Ivan Shirko, team leader, should you remember the letter he wrote to that infidel Sultan? May I ask anyone among our Cossacks who can be so contemptuous? The power of Ottoman Turkey, who would dare to insult that grass goat so heartily. Based on this alone, I, Laughlin Sinonos, is willing to support the leader of Shirko and follow him to fight the pagan puppies. "

Laughlin Sinonos's words are illogical, and some are only emotional. But it was these words that made some company commanders enthusiastic about the meeting. Most of these company commanders have no culture. They only have a passion for admiring heroes and admiring people who dare to dare to do. And Ivan Shirko, who is insulting and tough on the Turkish Sultan, is naturally the object of their admiration.

"Ivan Shirko team leader is good!" A Cossack company commander who didn't even have a full beard said in solidarity.

Pavlo Gomon knocked on the table again with a cigarette stick. This time, the chamber immediately fell silent. He said, "Is there anyone else to recommend?"

There was no sound for a while.

According to the regulations, if no one proposes any more candidates, Baohong, Shirko, and Wigowski will be included in the contenders for the chieftain and enter the next round of elections.

Just as Pavlo Gomon was about to announce that Bao Hong and the other three were candidates, Yuri Khmelnitz, who had been sitting in the corner silently, got up.

Everyone's big eyes gathered on this young man.

Yuri Khmelnitsky came to Seci alone. The young man who lost his father and guardian finally realized what human feelings are. The company captains and Cossacks who had tried to please themselves before are now afraid to avoid themselves. Even the Swedish ambassador, Magnus de la Gardier, hasn’t stopped after the death of Bogdan Popovich. Appear.

Cowardly people will be defeated by setbacks, and strong people can grow in frustration.

Yuri Khmelnitsky is a strong man.

"Me." he shouted.

Pavlo Gomon gave a kind smile.

"Yuri, who are you going to recommend?" Pavlo Gomon asked knowingly.

"I want to recommend myself, Yuri Khmelnytsky, the son of Bogdan Khmelnytsky." He shouted.

"Good!" Pavlo Gomon shouted, "Then, let's start voting."

Now all the Cossack colonels, company commanders and other eligible figures have voted for the four candidates. They include Colonel Anton Zhdanovic, Colonel Pavlo Gomon, Colonel Ivan Fedolenko, Colonel Peter Doroshenko, Colonel Lukyan Merzila, Vasily Zolotalenko Colonel, Colonel Maxim Nesterenko, Colonel Prokop Sumeko, Colonel Feodor Loboda, Colonel Timofi Nosaki, Colonel Matvi Gladki, Martin Colonel Pushkarenko, Colonel Philon Yalari, Colonel Yuri Khmelnitsky, Company Commander Lavlin Sinonos, Company Commander Lesh Gritsenko, etc.

A Cossack attendant put four empty black cans and a white can full of soybeans on the table.

Pavlo Gomon said: "Although everyone knows the rules, I still want to reiterate: each person can only take one soybean and can only vote for one person. From left to right, this first jar is Bao Hong Yes, the second is Shirko~www.wuxiamtl.com~ the third is Yuri, and the fourth is Wigowski."

Speaking of this, Pavlo Gomon paused. He looked around, then increased his tone.

"Dear brothers, no matter who you vote for or not, it is an expression of Cossa's free will. If anyone harbors resentment afterwards or retaliates, then I, Pavlo Gomon, will be the first to spare him."

"Of course." Bao Hong said.

"Absolutely not." Shirko also promised.

Wigowski and Yuri also responded.

Then everyone picked up a soybean. Colonel Vasily Zolotarenko stepped forward first. He did not hesitate to put the soybeans in his hand into the first jar.

Then, Company Commander Laughlin Sinonos voted for the soybeans to Shirko.

...

Yuri walked to his black pot. It means that his jar only has one bean, and he also voted for himself.

Thirty-three people have voted, and there are still three people who have not voted. They are Pavlo Gomon, Ivan Fedolenko and Lesh Gritsenko.

"I abstained." Pavlo Gomon said suddenly.

Everyone looked at Pavlo Gomon in disbelief. Although abstention is allowed in the election, very few people will abstain.

Ivan Fedolenko glanced at Pavlo Gomon, and the colonel, who had yet to cast a vote, made the same choice as Pavlo Gomon.

It turned out to be another abstention!

Everyone turned their eyes to Lesh Gritsenko to see how he would choose.

Especially Peter Doroshenko, he was extremely nervous, because he calculated that Vygowski and Baohong were only one vote behind.

Lash Gritsenko was sweating nervously, and he stepped forward and put the ballot paper into the second black pot under the gaze of everyone.