on december 31, 1904, a series of mines were exploded under fort sungshu, the sole surviving major fortress, which surrendered that day. on january 1, 1905, wantai finally fell to the japanese. on the same day, stoessel and foch sent a message to a surprised general nogi, offering to surrender. none of the other senior russian staff had been consulted, and notably smirnov and tretyakov were outraged. the surrender was accepted and signed on january 5, 1905, in the northern suburb of shuishiying.