The governor’s office of Shandong Province had been directly transformed into the headquarters of Li Jing Yuan’s Beiyang Army.
After arriving in Jinan, Li Hong Zhang also checked into the governor’s office.
In the study, Li Hong Zhang, accompanied by Li Jing Shu, met with Li Jing Yuan first.
The father and sons needed to reach a consensus on many issues regarding this rebellion.
“Third son, you have always had a disrespectful heart towards the court since you were young, and I have always been worried that you would take this path. But I never expected that you would actually choose to rebel.
And I never expected that you would choose to rebel at the age of eighteen!”
Li Hong Zhang’s face was full of emotion.
“Father, I had no choice. Zhang Gao Yuan reported me to the Qing court, and if I hadn’t acted, I might not have had a chance.” Li Jing Yuan explained.
Li Hong Zhang nodded.
“It’s done now, there’s no point in saying anything more. What I want to tell you is, since you’ve chosen to rebel, the fate of all of us in the Li family, old and young, has been placed on the table.
If we fail, the entire Li family will be confiscated and exterminated. Everyone will be beheaded.”
Li Hong Zhang’s face was serious.
“Don’t worry, Father, I’ve made my preparations. I’m confident that I will win this war!” Li Jing Yuan said confidently.
Li Hong Zhang stared at Li Jing Yuan for a long time, as if confirming why he was so confident.
But, he still chose to believe Li Jing Yuan.
Or rather, at this point, he had no other choice.
Li Jing Shu, however, was even more excited to hear Li Jing Yuan’s confidence.
“Third son, what are your plans next?” Li Hong Zhang asked.
“Father, we have already taken control of Shandong. Next, I intend to use Shandong as a base to confront the Qing court.
The Qing court is corrupt and its army has low combat effectiveness. But there’s no denying that the Qing court controls a vast territory and has a large population.
Especially if the Qing court is at a disadvantage, they are very likely to seek aid from external forces.
With our current strength, it would be difficult to defeat the Qing court completely under the threat of external forces.
Therefore, we need to further expand our army.
I have already ordered a large batch of military supplies from the German Empire, which will soon arrive in Shandong.
Therefore, I hope to reorganize the Huai Army and other factions of the Beiyang Army in the future, according to the model of the Beiyang Land Army that I created.
Whether it be the Huai Army or other factions of the Beiyang Army, their weapons, equipment, and organization are already far behind the advanced levels of the world.
The Beiyang Land Army uses Western training manuals, Western army organization, and Western weapons. There are also many military instructors from the German Empire in the army.
After such reorganization and training, the combat effectiveness of the army will be even stronger.
Our chances of defeating the Qing court will also be greater!”
Li Jing Yuan expressed his attitude.
To succeed in rebellion, defeating the Qing court militarily was naturally the top priority, and the most crucial.
Li Hong Zhang couldn’t help but frown.
He knew that Li Jing Yuan had appointed himself commander-in-chief of the Beiyang Army.
And now, Li Jing Yuan wanted to use the Beiyang Army to reorganize the Huai Army and other factions of the Beiyang Army, which was undoubtedly an attempt to take control of the entire military.
Li Hong Zhang had started his career by creating the Huai Army during the suppression of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
He knew very well the importance of the army.
Controlling the army meant controlling everything.
If Li Jing Yuan controlled the army, his power would naturally be the greatest.
Even if they succeeded in rebelling in the future, Li Jing Yuan would probably be the one in charge.
Even though Li Jing Yuan was his son, Li Hong Zhang couldn’t help but be a little wary.
“Father, I don’t understand anything about internal affairs. But I believe I have some ability in marching, fighting, and training troops. The strength of the Beiyang Land Army has proven everything.
I will leave the internal affairs to you, and even when we overthrow the Qing court, the governance of the country will depend on you.
And in the future, Father, you can replace the Qing court and become emperor!”
Li Jing Yuan seemed to understand Li Hong Zhang’s concerns, so he further elaborated his viewpoint.
Li Hong Zhang nodded, seeming to have greatly relaxed.
He knew that Li Jing Yuan’s words were like a guarantee to him.
“Alright, I’ll leave the military matters to you. I’ll naturally take care of the internal affairs.” Li Hong Zhang made his choice.
He understood very well that the Beiyang Land Army under Li Jing Yuan’s control, no matter from which aspect, was far superior to the Huai Army and other factions of the Beiyang Army in terms of combat strength.
If he clung to the military power after Li Jing Yuan had clearly expressed his stance, the result would probably be a father-son confrontation.
It would be suicide to confront each other at the beginning of the rebellion.
And Li Jing Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief at this time.
It was naturally best to be able to reach an agreement with Li Hong Zhang on this issue.
Li Jing Shu, however, became even more excited to hear that Li Jing Yuan supported Li Hong Zhang becoming emperor after the rebellion was successful.
Next, Li Jing Yuan began to oversee the reorganization of the Huai Army and other factions of the Beiyang Army.