Zhili, Baoding, Zhili Governor's Mansion.
“That stinking brat, he actually rebelled, and even crowned himself Commander-in-Chief of the Beiyang Army. Where does he put me, the founder of Beiyang?” Li Hongzhang put down the intelligence report in his hand, speechless.
The Qing court declared that Li Hongzhang and his son, Li Jingyuan, were rebels, and ordered the Huai Army and various Beiyang Army units to arrest Li Hongzhang, Li Jingyuan, and all members of the Li family.
But Li Hongzhang wasn't made of mud.
The troops loyal to him had already taken control of Baoding Prefecture.
Several Huai Army units were also converging towards him.
These troops were all controlled by Li Hongzhang's confidants.
The Qing court wanted to drive him to a dead end, so he had no choice but to fight back.
Even though he was loyal to the Qing court, he couldn't just hand over his head when they wanted to chop it off, could he?
“Master, the Third Master has raised an army of over 50,000, and all of them are equipped with foreign guns and cannons. Among your sons, he is the most suitable to inherit Beiyang. Assuming the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Beiyang Army is also justified!” Zhang Qilin, the steward, said.
“Yes, sir, the Third Master is indeed the most like you. He has not even reached the age of twenty, and he already commands a powerful army. This is extremely commendable!” Zhou Fu also said with a smile.
Zhou Fu had always been Li Hongzhang's right-hand man and the current Zhili Intendant of Circuit. In another timeline, he was the key figure in the latter stages of the Westernization Movement.
Naturally, he was very pleased that Li Hongzhang had such a capable son.
Although the father and son had rebelled, it left them with a sense of unease, conflicting with their long-held beliefs.
But as Li Hongzhang's followers, even if they pledged allegiance to the Qing court, they would not be trusted.
In fact, after eliminating Li Hongzhang and his son, the Qing court would inevitably settle accounts with them.
In that case, it was better to follow Li Hongzhang and his son.
If they succeeded, they could be rewarded as founding heroes.
“How many of the Huai Army and Beiyang units are willing to support us?” Li Hongzhang asked.
“Sir, the Shengzi Army, 18 battalions totaling 9,000 men, has already advanced from Tianjin to Baoding. The Mingzi Army, 12 battalions totaling 6,000 men, is stationed in Dalian, obeying your orders and staying put, guarding the Beiyang Navy’s base port.
The Qingzi Army, 8 battalions totaling 4,000 men, is stationed in Lushun, guarding the Beiyang Navy’s base port.
The Zhili Trained Army, 35 battalions of cavalry and infantry totaling 11,000 men, mostly support us.
The Tianjin Sea Defense Trained Army, with 14 battalions of infantry and artillery totaling 5,000 men, has not responded. Their commander, Ye Zhichao, has probably already defected to the Qing court.
The Yizi Army and other units, totaling 10,000 men, all support us!
The rest of the units have not expressed their stance, and they are likely to be fence-sitters.”
Zhou Fu answered.
Li Hongzhang's face was grim. The Huai Army and Beiyang factions combined had over 70,000 men.
Yet, only about 30,000 had openly declared their support for him.
The rest were all fence-sitters, except for the Tianjin Sea Defense Trained Army, which had clearly defected to the Qing court.
“Sir, the Qing court has already started mobilizing troops. According to the information we have received, the Prince Regent’s son, Banyan, has led 30,000 Mongolian cavalry directly to Yanjing.
The Eight Banners in the capital may have weak combat strength, but they are numerous, totaling over 100,000 men.
Adding to this, the various provinces are sending troops to help the court, and we might find it difficult to resist them.
My humble opinion is that sir should immediately lead the army to enter Shandong Province and join forces with the Third Master, first controlling Shandong, and then engaging in a decisive battle with the Qing court!”
Zhou Fu continued.
Li Hongzhang hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Let it be so. Order all units to advance to Shandong and join forces with the Third!” Li Hongzhang commanded.
“Yes, sir!” Zhou Fu replied.
Immediately, the troops loyal to Li Hongzhang began their advance to Shandong.
At the same time, Li Jingyuan’s three infantry divisions had already launched attacks on the surrounding areas of Laizhou Prefecture.
Moreover, Li Jingyuan was also recruiting troops in Laizhou Prefecture, preparing to build more units.
The rebellion of Li Hongzhang and his son, Li Jingyuan, shocked the entire land.
Countless scholars who idolized Li Hongzhang felt deceived and turned to curse him, claiming they would never share the same sky with this rebel.
Li Hongzhang and his son, Li Jingyuan, along with the entire Li family, should be dismembered, and their entire lineage exterminated.
Officials of the Qing court, various regional governors, and others, also submitted memorials, denouncing the crimes of Li Hongzhang and his son.
Commanders, general commanders, and others in various regions also submitted memorials, gathering their armies and preparing to march to the capital to assist the court.
For a time, Li Hongzhang and his son, Li Jingyuan, became like traitors and rebels, hated by all.
At this moment, the Qing court seemed to have gained the support of the entire world.
Especially those scholars and officials across the land, they wished they could eat the flesh of the father and son and drink their blood.
They seemed to ignore the corruption of the Qing court and the cruelty of the Manchus towards the Han people.
Or perhaps they had already forgotten the hardships of their ancestors.
It must be admitted that after the Manchus entered the Pass over two hundred years ago, they had slaughtered extensively, causing a large number of Han people to completely kneel.
Not only had their bodies knelt, but their souls had knelt as well.