“Your Majesty, Li Hong Zhang, as the founder of the Huai Army, Governor of Zhili, and Minister of Beiyang, has disciples and officials throughout the court. He also has immense influence in the military. This time, the court's suppression of Li Hong Zhang and his son must be swift and decisive, leaving them no room to breathe.
Otherwise, if the suppression fails, there will be endless repercussions!”
Xu Geng Shen, Minister of Military Affairs and Minister of War, expressed his opinion.
Although Xu Geng Shen was a Han official,
he had long considered the Qing Dynasty as the country he served and Emperor Guangxu as his sovereign.
Emperor Guangxu looked at Xu Geng Shen without saying much.
Perhaps because of the rebellion of Li Hong Zhang and his son, Li Jing Yuan, he had grown suspicious of the loyalty of these Han officials.
Empress Dowager Cixi, however, nodded repeatedly in agreement with Xu Geng Shen’s suggestion.
Empress Dowager Cixi was well aware that the Qing Dynasty was able to maintain its existence thanks to these loyal Han officials.
As for the Manchus, their population was far less than the Han Chinese.
Over the past two hundred years, they had become almost useless.
To quell the rebellion of Li Hong Zhang and his son, Li Jing Yuan, the Qing Dynasty still needed the help of these Han officials.
“Xu Ai Qing is right. So, how many troops can the Qing Dynasty mobilize to suppress the Li family’s rebellion?” Empress Dowager Cixi asked.
“Your Majesty, I believe that the three thousand Menggu cavalry led by Prince Korqin should be the main force. We can also mobilize a group of elite troops from the capital to work with the Menggu cavalry and swiftly march to Shandong Province.
Furthermore, we can draw troops from neighboring provinces to launch a siege against Li Hong Zhang and his son.
With the Qing Dynasty’s powerful national strength and military force, this battle will undoubtedly result in the suppression of Li Hong Zhang and his son’s rebellion!”
Xu Geng Shen continued.
Empress Dowager Cixi nodded repeatedly. She was also well aware of Li Hong Zhang’s influence in the court and the military, knowing that this battle could not be delayed any longer.
Otherwise, it would only strengthen Li Hong Zhang and his son’s forces.
That would undoubtedly be even more unfavorable to the Qing Dynasty.
“My loyal officials, quickly decide on the troops and commanders for the expedition. I expect the Li family’s rebellion to be suppressed by the end of August!” Empress Dowager Cixi ordered.
“Yes, Your Majesty (Your servant) obeys!” the Qing officials answered in unison.
Soon, the officials reached an agreement on the troops and commanders for the expedition.
Prince Korqin, Buyantui, led three thousand Menggu cavalry, along with three thousand nine hundred and seventy troops from the Capital’s Jiaoqi Camp, nineteen thousand nine hundred troops from the Bujun Camp, thirteen thousand six hundred troops from the Huijun Camp, six thousand five hundred troops from the Neiwai Huoqijun Camp, five thousand eight hundred troops from the Neifu Sanqi Qianyong Camp, fourteen thousand troops from the Shenjijun Camp, and the five thousand troops of Ye Zhi Chao’s Tianjin Wei Hai Fang Lianjun, who had defected from Li Hong Zhang, totaling one hundred and thirty-five thousand troops.
In addition, another fifteen thousand troops, composed of cavalry and infantry, were mobilized from the Shengjing General’s territory, the Jilin General’s territory, and the Heilongjiang General’s territory, to serve as reserve forces at the front lines.
Furthermore, ten thousand troops from the Henan Province, consisting of the Lianjun, Yu Zhengying, and Jingruiying, were mobilized.
Five thousand troops from the Shanxi Province, consisting of the Lianjun and Datongjun, were mobilized.
Ten thousand troops from the Shaanxi Province, consisting of the Lianjun and Chujun, led by the Shaanxi Provincial Governor Lei Zheng Wan, marched towards Shandong Province.
Fifteen thousand troops from the Jiangsu Province, consisting of the Lianjun and Fangjun, were mobilized.
Six thousand troops from the Anhui Province, consisting of the Lianjun and Zhuoshengying, were mobilized.
Four thousand troops from the Jiangxi Province, consisting of the Lianjun and Fangjun, led by the Jiangnan Provincial Governor Tan Biri, marched towards Shandong Province.
Fifteen thousand troops from the Zhejiang Province, consisting of the Lianjun, Xiangjun, and Chujun, were mobilized, led by the Zhejiang Provincial Governor Ouyang Li Jian.
Ten thousand troops from the Hubei Province, consisting of the Lianjun, Shengziying, Hanfangying, and Huziying, were mobilized.
Ten thousand troops from the Hunan Province, consisting of the Lianjun and Xiangjun, were mobilized, led by the Hubei Provincial Governor Chen Wen Bing, marching towards Shandong Province.
These combined forces amounted to two hundred and thirty-five thousand troops, though they were officially reported as three hundred thousand.
Both Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi believed that such a large force would be enough to completely crush Li Hong Zhang and his son, Li Jing Yuan.
Although the Huai Army was known for its strong fighting ability, how many Huai Army troops were actually under Li Hong Zhang’s command?
As for Li Jing Yuan’s newly established Beiyang Army, they were completely disregarded.
How could a young man of only eighteen, who had barely grown any hair, train such a powerful army?
“My loyal officials, I believe this Qing army will certainly wipe out Li Hong Zhang and his son and return triumphantly. I await your good news!” Empress Dowager Cixi said to the officials.
“Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will personally kill Li Hong Zhang and his son!” Buyantui had been appointed as the commander of the army.
Fu Kun, the commander of the Nine Gates, was appointed as his deputy.
Buyantui was confident about this battle.
He also hoped to make a name for himself like his father, Seng Gelinqin.
Empress Dowager Cixi nodded repeatedly, seemingly even more confident about this battle.
On July 21st, 1788, Buyantui led the army from the capital to Shandong Province.
Meanwhile, after receiving the orders, other units had already set off.
However, due to different distances, they arrived in Shandong Province at different times.
Nonetheless, the Qing Dynasty’s mobilization of three hundred thousand troops to suppress Li Hong Zhang and his son, Li Jing Yuan, shocked the entire world.