Laizhou Prefecture, North Ocean Army Headquarters.
“Commander, our forces have completely taken control of Dengzhou Prefecture. Dengzhou Town Commander Zhang Gao Yuan and others have fled, and all of their troops have surrendered to us. In addition, Suigong Army, Guangwu Army, and North Ocean Protector Army have also expressed their willingness to be under our command.”
Feng Guo Zhang, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the North Ocean Army, reported.
Li Jing Yuan nodded. Even without one infantry battalion, the 3rd Infantry Division’s remaining strength could easily take Dengzhou Prefecture.
These captured troops, as well as the forces of the North Ocean faction, needed to be arranged.
Li Jing Yuan didn't think much of these troops' combat capabilities.
Even though the Huai Army and the North Ocean faction were considered the most powerful armies in the Qing Dynasty at this time.
But their weapons, equipment, and individual soldier quality couldn't compare to the North Ocean Army that Li Jing Yuan created.
Especially since the North Ocean Army was still in its early stages and had a lot of room for improvement.
Li Jing Yuan hoped that the North Ocean Army would become a world-class army in the future.
Not to mention anything else, it must surpass the Japanese army.
That way, in the great war a few years later, they could teach the Japanese a severe lesson.
“With the 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division as the core, we will absorb the best and strongest soldiers to form the 4th Infantry Division. We will also recruit and build the infantry regiments that the 3rd Infantry Division lacks.
We need more and more powerful troops. Only then can we defeat the Qing Dynasty in the upcoming war and restore the Han dynasty!”
Li Jing Yuan instructed.
“Yes, Commander!” Feng Guo Zhang nodded repeatedly.
“The old, weak, and those who are old soldiers, and those who smoke opium, are all to be removed. Those who don’t want to be soldiers will be given travel expenses to go home. Those who stay must be able to serve us!” Li Jing Yuan reminded.
“Yes, Commander!” Feng Guo Zhang responded.
The formation of the 4th Infantry Division of the North Ocean Army began.
Once they took over the entire Shandong Province, troops would be drawn from the 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions to form more infantry divisions.
This would further enhance the strength of the North Ocean Army.
The weapons and equipment that Li Jing Yuan ordered from the German Empire would soon arrive.
At the same time, the Laizhou Arsenal was working full-throttle to produce weapons and equipment, ensuring the expansion and war consumption of the North Ocean Army.
Li Jing Yuan also planned to establish one or even several medium-sized to large arsenals in the future to ensure the need for reorganizing the army across the country after unifying the country.
In Li Jing Yuan's plan, once the entire country was unified.
Then the next step would be to deal with the threat from the Japanese. They must do everything they could to defeat the Japanese in this decisive battle for the country and the nation, and thereby cut off the Japanese’s path to ascension.
In addition, the Russians, who have always been very greedy for land in the East, would probably not miss this opportunity.
Li Jing Yuan needed even greater strength to confront them.
Jinan, Governor's Office.
Zhang Yao, Governor of Shandong Province, was in his study, frowning.
On his desk was a handwritten letter from Li Jing Yuan.
Li Jing Yuan hoped that Zhang Yao would join them, contribute his strength to overthrowing the Qing Dynasty, and restore the Han Dynasty.
But Zhang Yao hesitated.
“Governor, we have to make a decision soon. There are more and more North Ocean Army troops outside the city, and a large number of cannons have been aimed at the city walls. If we don’t make a decision soon, once they run out of patience, they will surely launch an attack!”
Wang De Kui, a general of the Songwu Army, was anxious.
As the founder of the Songwu Army, Zhang Yao had absolute leadership over the Songwu Army.
But currently, the defense of Jinan City and its surrounding areas relied mainly on the Songwu Army.
And the entire Songwu Army only had about 10,000 men.
Furthermore, their equipment was far from comparable to the North Ocean Army.
“Sir, a decision must be made. Li's father and son are leading the Huai Army toward the southern part of Zhili, and they are about to enter Wuding Prefecture.” Another official advised.
“Sir, our Songwu Army was originally part of the North Ocean faction. The court promised you high rank and wealth, but they just wanted to keep you under control.
If Li's father and son are wiped out by the court, will the court fulfill its promise, considering their suspicion of us Han people?
The only thing waiting for you is the proverb of ‘once the bird is gone, the bow is discarded; once the rabbit is caught, the hound is gone’!”
Zhang Yao’s strategist, Liu Jing Zhou, advised.
A flicker of worry crossed Zhang Yao's eyes.
He had to admit that Liu Jing Zhou's words hit the nail on the head.
Zhang Yao didn't trust the Qing Dynasty either.
But he didn't want to be a rebel.
But now, he had to make a choice.
“Sir, with our current strength, we are no match for the North Ocean Army.” Wang De Kui also said.
Zhang Yao nodded: “Alright, open the city gates and let the North Ocean Army in. My Songwu Army has always been a member of the North Ocean faction. Li's father and son want to overthrow the tyrannical Tartars, and I, Zhang Yao, and all the Songwu Army will naturally join them!”
“Yes, Sir!” Everyone answered in unison.
With Zhang Yao and the Songwu Army making their choice, Li Jing Yuan's North Ocean Army almost effortlessly took control of the other prefectures in Shandong Province.
The entire Shandong Province was quickly brought under Li Jing Yuan's control.