The Beiyang Army began to expand its forces, reorganizing the Huai Army and other armies belonging to the Beiyang faction.
All armies were training intensively.
After the weapons and equipment ordered from the German Empire by Li Jingyuan arrived, they were immediately distributed.
To ensure that the various units could quickly develop combat effectiveness, Li Jingyuan personally inspected them, closely monitoring their training.
Li Jingyuan hoped that within two months, these newly formed and reorganized forces could be battle-ready.
This way, they could launch a large-scale counterattack before winter arrived.
Perhaps, in this counterattack, the Beiyang Army could seize half of Zhili, advance towards Yanjing, capture Yuzhou and Suzhou provinces, and even larger territories.
Next year, the Beiyang Army would be able to engage in a final decisive battle with the Qing army.
Therefore, time was of the essence.
Furthermore, Li Jingyuan placed a new order with the German Empire for military supplies, including 200,000 rifles, as well as a large quantity of machine guns and artillery.
This was a big order for the German Empire!
Naturally, they guaranteed that the order would be delivered within the shortest possible time.
Moreover, Baron von Balan, the German ambassador to the Qing Dynasty, expressed his strong support for Li Jingyuan’s war against the Qing government’s tyrannical rule. He stated that the German Empire was willing to provide more support.
The Germans naturally hoped that after Li Jingyuan’s success, a new country would be established, allowing them to engage in broader cooperation with the German Empire.
For the German Empire, this impoverished and backward land presented countless opportunities.
Once they seized this opportunity and replaced other countries...
The German Empire would reap substantial profits here.
Li Jingyuan, of course, seized upon the Germans’ goodwill.
In the future, he might need to rely on the Germans to counter the British, French, and Russians.
Of course, as the saying goes, those not of our kind have different intentions.
Li Jingyuan hoped to see these foreigners fighting among themselves.
This way, in the future, they could seize opportunities and further strengthen themselves.
While Li Jingyuan was preparing for war, the Qing Dynasty was also not idle.
Empress Dowager Cixi continued to hold the reins of power, with the young Guangxu Emperor, only seventeen years old, set to ascend to the throne at the age of eighteen next year.
Guangxu Emperor harbored deep resentment towards the rebellious Li Hongzhang and his son Li Jingyuan.
In his eyes, the Qing Dynasty belonged to him, and the entire world was his.
The Li family’s rebellion was simply an attempt to steal his throne!
Therefore, he did not oppose Empress Dowager Cixi’s orders to suppress Li Hongzhang and Li Jingyuan, but instead fully cooperated.
Although Guangxu Emperor longed to wrest power from Empress Dowager Cixi.
He knew that the Li family’s rebellion posed a serious threat to the entire Qing Dynasty.
At this juncture, he could not engage in internal conflict with Empress Dowager Cixi.
Otherwise, it would only benefit the Li family.
If the Qing Dynasty fell apart under his watch, what would he say to his ancestors of the Qing Dynasty?
Yanjing, Forbidden City, Taihe Hall.
Empress Dowager Cixi sat behind a beaded curtain, while Guangxu Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne.
Civil and military officials kneeled throughout the hall.
One by one, the high-ranking Qing officials eloquently denounced Li Hongzhang and his son Li Jingyuan for their treachery, their refusal to show gratitude for the Emperor’s benevolence, and their rebellion. They demanded that Li Hongzhang, Li Jingyuan, and the entire Li family be subjected to confiscation of property, annihilation, and capital punishment.
However, both Empress Dowager Cixi and Guangxu Emperor exhibited impatience towards these meaningless petitions.
After the tide of petitioners finally receded, Empress Dowager Cixi and Guangxu Emperor immediately convened a meeting of Qing high-ranking officials to discuss countermeasures.
Prince Yixuan, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Council, Prince Yixuan, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Council, Zhang Zhiwan, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Council and Minister of Justice, Xu Gengshen, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Council and Minister of War, Sun Yuwen, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Council and Right Minister of Personnel, Wula Xi Chong’a, Manchu Minister of War, Prince Boriyangdorji of the Khalkha Mongols, and Fu Kun, the Superintendent of the Nine Gates, all gathered in the hall.
“My dear ministers, you are all pillars of the Qing Dynasty. Now, the Li family has rebelled and seized control of Shandong province. What should we do?” Empress Dowager Cixi asked.
“Your Imperial Majesty, your servant believes that the Li family has already threatened the very foundation of the Qing Dynasty. Shandong is very close to Yanjing. If we cannot swiftly quell their rebellion, it will undoubtedly lead to chaos throughout the land.
The Qing Dynasty must promptly dispatch troops to surround and suppress the Li family, swiftly eliminating them to minimize unrest and reduce losses. At the same time, this will serve as a warning to others with treacherous intentions!”
Prince Yixuan, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Council, spoke.
“Your Imperial Majesty, your servant has led 30,000 Khalkha Mongol cavalry to the capital and is ready to march south to quell the Li family’s rebellion!” Prince Boriyangdorji of the Khalkha Mongols was the first to respond.
It is worth noting that among the various Mongol tribes, the Khalkha Mongols were staunch supporters of the Qing Dynasty.
Many Qing empresses hailed from the Khalkha Mongol tribe.
In essence, the Khalkha Mongols and the Qing Dynasty had become inextricably linked, their fates intertwined.
“Your Imperial Majesty, your servant also believes that we must swiftly mobilize troops to surround and suppress the Li family. The longer we wait, the more disadvantageous it will be for the court!” Wula Xi Chong’a, the Manchu Minister of War, echoed.