Dongguang, in the southern part of Hejian Prefecture, Zhili Province.
The headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army was established here.
The 1st Infantry Regiment, one artillery battalion of the 1st Artillery Regiment, and other units directly under the 1st Infantry Division were all assembled here.
The other two infantry regiments and two artillery battalions of the 1st Infantry Division were deployed in Fucheng to the west and Nanpi to the east, respectively.
These three cities formed a triangular formation, blocking the Qing army's southward advance.
If the main force of the Qing army wanted to advance south and attack Shandong Province, they would have to break through the defense line of the 1st Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army.
To the south of the 1st Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army was the defense zone of the 7th Infantry Division.
"General, the cavalry companies of the cavalry battalion have been dispersed, along with the reconnaissance battalion, to closely monitor the surrounding area. The vanguard of the Qing army is Ye Zhichao's Tianjin Sea Defense Army. Behind them are the Menggu cavalry. Finally, there is the main force composed of the major camps of the capital city." Brigadier General Dong Shiyan, the Chief of Staff of the 1st Infantry Division, reported.
Wang Shizhen nodded, his eyes still fixed on the map hanging on the wall.
"Ye Zhichao is just a traitor from the Huai Army. He is a confidant of the Governor, yet he is determined to betray the Qing Dynasty. He and his Tianjin Sea Defense Army have now become cannon fodder in the hands of the Qing Dynasty, which is truly pathetic!" Major General Wang Shizhen sighed.
"General, this is Ye Zhichao's own choice, we can't blame anyone!" Brigadier General Dong Shiyan replied.
"Order all units to be ready for battle. No matter what, once the Qing army launches an attack, we must defeat them decisively and show them our strength.
As the troops that the Commander-in-Chief formed earliest, we are naturally the strongest. This time, we must prove this to the whole world!"
Major General Wang Shizhen ordered.
"Yes, General!" Brigadier General Dong Shiyan nodded repeatedly.
This was also the expectation of all the officers and soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army.
On August 9th, 1788, the Qing army vanguard arrived less than twenty miles from Dongguang.
Ye Zhichao, the commander of the Tianjin Sea Defense Army, ordered the entire army to set up camp.
At the same time, he sent out elite troops to scout the defenses of the Beiyang Army.
Although Ye Zhichao's performance was very pathetic on the Korean Peninsula a few years later, he still had some skills at this time.
Otherwise, Li Hongzhang wouldn't have cultivated him as a confidant.
However, Ye Zhichao was more of a armchair general.
His combat experience mainly came from suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Nian Army.
It must be noted that in these two wars, the Qing army could be said to have crushed their enemies with their superiority in manpower and weaponry.
Especially when Li Hongzhang established the Huai Army, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was already on the decline.
In such a situation, Ye Zhichao's war experience was naturally greatly discounted.
"Your Excellency, the rebels have occupied several cities including Fucheng, Dongguang, and Nanpi, forming a triangular formation to prevent us from advancing south. If we want to advance south quickly, we must first capture these cities.
Otherwise, not only will our rear be threatened by the rebels, but our supplies will also be cut off at any time."
Deputy Commander Liu Kun reported.
Ye Zhichao nodded, glanced at the map, and looked as if he had everything under control.
"Everyone, the Li father and son have received the emperor's grace, but instead of repaying the Qing Dynasty, they rebelled. They are simply guilty of unforgivable crimes!
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor have ordered the suppression of the Li father and son's rebellion to restore peace to the country.
This is also an opportunity for us, an opportunity to be promoted and honored.
I hope that all units will fight bravely and repay the emperor's grace.
At the same time, this is also for our own sake!"
Ye Zhichao was very excited about this battle.
Although he had betrayed the Qing Dynasty as a confidant of Li Hongzhang, he knew that the Qing Dynasty didn't trust him.
It was undoubtedly very difficult to get promoted and climb to higher positions.
Therefore, the troops under his command had to perform well in the upcoming battle.
Only then would the Qing Dynasty's upper echelon see his loyalty and continue to promote and reuse him.
In the future, surpassing Li Hongzhang and becoming the leader of all Han officials in the entire Qing Dynasty was definitely not a dream.
"Yes!"
A group of generals answered in unison.
The Tianjin Sea Defense Army had 14 battalions, including infantry and artillery, with a total strength of over 5,000 soldiers.
This was also the elite force among the various units organized by the Huai Army system, or the Beiyang system.
The main weapons included Mauser Model 1871 rifles, Krupp 75mm field guns, and 37mm rapid-fire guns, etc.
These were weapons purchased from the West by Li Hongzhang and others after the beginning of the Westernization Movement.
However, there was still a considerable gap compared to the weapons and equipment currently equipped by the Beiyang Army.
"Tomorrow morning, let the cooks prepare meals early. Then, after the soldiers have eaten and drunk, they will launch the attack on time!" Ye Zhichao ordered.
"This subordinate obeys!" The generals all agreed.
On August 10th, 1788, the Qing army's attack on the Beiyang Army officially began.