The Qing army’s main force’s attack on Dongguang City, where the Beiyang Army’s 1st Infantry Division was stationed, ended in complete failure.
Whether it was the Tianjin Wei Sea Defense Army, the supposedly invincible Menggu Cavalry, or the Eight Banners elite troops, they all ultimately left a field of corpses and plummeting morale under the walls of Dongguang City.
This not only boosted the morale of the Beiyang Army, but also filled everyone with confidence for the war to come.
If before, everyone who followed Li Jingyuan in his rebellion still had some worries, fearing that they might fail, not only losing their own lives but also implicating their families.
But now, everyone had unwavering confidence in victory.
The Qing army was so vulnerable, and the strength of the Beiyang Army had been proven in actual combat.
Thus, the Beiyang Army’s overthrow of the Qing dynasty was undoubtedly inevitable.
Ruzhou Province, Jinan, Beiyang Command.
Li Jingyuan was briefing Li Hongzhang and other high-ranking officials on the situation at the front lines.
“Father, uncles, the Qing army has begun its attack on the 1st Infantry Division. To be more precise, the Qing army has concentrated over 100,000 troops, its main force, to attack Dongguang City, where the main force of the 1st Infantry Division is stationed.
Our garrison in Dongguang City only has less than 10,000 men. The Qing army has deployed ten times our number!”
Li Jingyuan reported.
Li Hongzhang and the other senior officials’ expressions immediately turned serious.
They were all experienced soldiers who knew that under such a disadvantageous force ratio, it would be extremely difficult for the Beiyang Army to hold Dongguang City.
“The Qing army launched successive attacks on Dongguang City for two consecutive days, even deploying their most elite Menggu Cavalry. But the result was that they met their demise at the foot of Dongguang City, suffering heavy losses.
Whether it was the Tianjin Wei Sea Defense Army led by Ye Zhichao, who betrayed us, or the Menggu Cavalry, or the various camps of the Qing Dynasty in the capital, all suffered heavy losses in the battle.
Preliminary estimates put our casualties inflicted on the Qing army at over 20,000.
While the remaining Qing army still numbers over 100,000, they have been demoralized and their morale has plummeted.
The likelihood of them launching another large-scale attack is low.
Our front-line forces will undoubtedly buy us more time.
At least, we can hold out until the 4th, 5th, and 6th Infantry Divisions complete their training.
At that time, it will be our turn to launch an initial counterattack.”
Li Jingyuan continued.
Li Hongzhang and the other senior officials all breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing a look of relief.
“Ye Zhichao betrayed the Governor General, betrayed the entire Beiyang. We will make him pay for this sooner or later!” Zhou Fu’s face was filled with hatred.
“The Menggu Cavalry, known as the strongest in the world. Yet, it seems they have fallen from grace!” Li Hongzhang couldn’t help but lament.
Back when he was forming the Huai Army to suppress the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, he had fought alongside Sengwang, the father of Beri-yin-nu-hu.
The Menggu Cavalry’s fierce bravery had left a deep impression on him at that time.
But now, these powerful Menggu Cavalry had been defeated by the newly formed Beiyang Army.
This forced Li Hongzhang to admit that times were changing, conventions were being broken, and technological advancements were changing the rules of warfare.
“The Eight Banners have long since fallen. Ever since the invasion of the Sun Never Sets people decades ago, the Green Battalions have been doing the fighting. The Eight Banners are just a bunch of pampered soldiers, they might be good at bullying the people, but when it comes to fighting on the battlefield, they’re useless!” Zhang Yao also expressed his disdain.
The other Beiyang senior officials all agreed with this opinion.
If before, everyone had some doubts about the rebellion, then this battle, or rather, the formidable combat power displayed by the Beiyang Army, was like a reassurance to them.
The Qing army was so vulnerable, and the Beiyang Army could now withstand the Qing army’s attacks.
So, once the Beiyang Army became even stronger, wouldn’t defeating the Qing army be a certainty?
“Everyone, the decline of the Qing Dynasty is inevitable. I believe everyone here can feel it deep down. And the foreigners are watching, eager to invade us, to enslave us.
If we allow the Qing Dynasty to continue to rule this country, the end result will be that we are invaded by the foreigners and we, our children, and our grandchildren will be enslaved by them for generations to come.
You should also be aware of the living conditions of the indigenous people in those foreign colonies overseas.
We absolutely cannot allow our fellow countrymen to live like those colonial natives, in misery and despair, with no hope for the future.
Therefore, we must strengthen our nation and our people.
Only then can we escape the tragic fate of being invaded and enslaved by the Western powers.
And the Qing Dynasty must be overthrown!”
Li Jingyuan addressed everyone solemnly.
He was no longer concealing his goals and ambitions.