Li Hong Zhang and other high-ranking officials of the Beiyang Army all came from the era of foreign invasion.
They could be said to have experienced that era firsthand.
Before the Opium War, the people of China still had a sense of pride and self-assurance, believing they were in the Middle Kingdom, surrounded by barbarians, and that the West was merely a group of savages.
But when the Western powers launched their gunboats and cannons, they crushed the Qing army, leaving them in a state of utter defeat.
After the defeat, the Qing Dynasty was forced to cede land and pay reparations.
Then, numerous Western powers began launching wars against the Qing Dynasty.
For example, the French and the Russians.
Relying on their superior military might, they both extracted enormous benefits from the Qing Dynasty.
This sudden shift from heaven to hell left the high-ranking officials of the Qing Dynasty, and even the common people, in a state of shock.
The drastic contrast led many to believe that the foreigners were simply invincible.
For a time, countless Chinese people began to fear the foreigners, even groveling at their feet.
Li Jing Yuan's goal was to change all this, to bring the entire nation back to its peak, and prevent such tragedies from happening again.
"Overthrowing the corrupt rule of the Qing Dynasty is merely the first step. Afterwards, we must make the nation and people strong, so that we can have enough strength to resist Western aggression. Only then can we reclaim our lost territories and glory!" Li Jing Yuan continued.
Li Hong Zhang and the others all nodded in agreement.
They had been searching for ways to strengthen the nation.
However, the education they received since childhood had never made them consider rebellion or overthrowing the Qing Dynasty.
But now that Li Jing Yuan had led them down this path, they had no other choice but to go all the way.
Hadn't the Qing Dynasty's 'Westernization Movement' and 'Learning from the barbarians to control the barbarians' been initiatives they had launched?
However, it seemed that such reforms could not save the Qing Dynasty or the nation.
Therefore, they gradually accepted and acknowledged Li Jing Yuan's more direct and violent approach.
"Our front-line troops have resisted the Qing army's attack and inflicted significant losses. Next, we must hold our ground. We still have many troops under training, and they will soon become combat-ready.
Furthermore, we plan to recruit another two hundred thousand men and form twelve infantry divisions.
These troops will be our main force for next year's large-scale counterattack against the Qing Dynasty, even for a decisive battle!
I believe, with the Qing army's pitiful fighting strength,
achieving final victory will not be a problem!"
Li Jing Yuan continued.
"Gentlemen, as Lao San said, we have no other choice. This is not just for ourselves, but for the entire nation and people.
We must overthrow the Qing Dynasty, and only then can our nation and people prosper.
Our future generations will no longer be oppressed by the foreigners!"
Li Hong Zhang also looked resolute.
"Yes, Governor!" The high-ranking officials all responded in unison.
Everyone now felt determined.
And they were full of confidence in their future victory.
Afterwards, the Beiyang Army's training and expansion continued.
New recruitments went very smoothly.
The Beiyang Army offered new recruits substantial resettlement allowances and salaries, making it a way out for many impoverished people.
In a situation where they could barely survive, even if they had to risk their lives to rebel, no one would refuse.
Moreover, the Beiyang Army promised that after the rebellion succeeded and they overthrew the Qing Dynasty, they would be heroes and would receive even greater rewards and benefits.
Especially since the Beiyang Army had already achieved victory on the front lines, it naturally gained more support and recognition.
Compared to the Beiyang Army, which had stabilized the situation and was flourishing,
the Qing Dynasty was thrown into tension and fear due to the devastating defeat of their front-line troops.
The Emperor Guangxu, a mere puppet, was particularly enraged and let out a series of incoherent shouts.
"Useless! A bunch of fools! They command the Qing Dynasty's strongest army, yet they can't even defeat a newly formed rebel force? This is not only a disgrace to the Qing Dynasty, but it is also destroying our dynasty!" The Emperor Guangxu was furious.
He not only cursed the commanding generals on the front lines, but also the high-ranking officials of the Qing Dynasty.
It was as if they were all incompetent fools, the culprits who were ruining the Qing Dynasty.
Cixi sat behind the beaded curtain, her expression emotionless.
Compared to the young Guangxu, Cixi had weathered many storms and seen her share of trials.
Whether it was the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Rebellion or the Nian Rebellion, the Qing Dynasty had survived them all.
This time, Li Hong Zhang and his son, Li Jing Yuan, were rebelling, and the situation seemed dire.
However, Cixi still believed that the Qing Dynasty would overcome this crisis and emerge unscathed.
The Qing Dynasty's rule would surely continue for generations to come.