Lu Province, Jinan, Beiyang Army Headquarters.
“Commander, our various units are making good progress. The northern units have broken through the Qing army's defenses, captured many prisoners and weapons, and are continuing their advance northward.
The western and southern units have also broken through the Qing army's defenses and have entered the provinces of Yu and Su.
Our troops are currently pursuing the retreating Qing army, aiming to quickly annihilate their main force and seize more prefectures and counties!”
Xu Shi Chang, the Chief of Staff of the Beiyang Army, reported, a Lieutenant General.
Originally a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, Xu Shi Chang had been sitting on the sidelines in the Qing dynasty.
When Li Jing Yuan began secretly forming the Beiyang Army, he brought Xu Shi Chang in.
In another timeline, Xu Shi Chang was Yuan Shikai's most important aide and ally, eventually becoming the Foreign Minister and President.
Such talent was more than enough to be Chief of Staff of the Beiyang Army.
Moreover, this was temporary.
After the Beiyang Army defeated the Qing and overthrew the Manchu Qing, Li Jing Yuan planned to have Xu Shi Chang join the cabinet, either as a Minister, Vice Prime Minister, or even Prime Minister in the future. He was more than qualified.
Li Jing Yuan nodded. He was very satisfied with the successful counteroffensive of the Beiyang Army.
Li Hong Zhang and other high-ranking Beiyang officers present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
With the Qing army continuously mobilizing troops to encircle the Beiyang Army, their forces around Lu Province had grown to more than 400,000.
The Beiyang Army, with less than half the Qing army's strength, launched a counterattack, which some considered risky.
Even though they believed the Beiyang Army was much stronger than the Qing army, they still had some concerns.
Now, with the Beiyang Army's victory in the counteroffensive, they could finally relax.
“Father, everyone, our troops are capturing many prefectures and counties. Our soldiers are responsible for conquering the land, but governance is your responsibility. To solidify Beiyang's rule over these lands, we need to implement land distribution as soon as possible, thereby gaining the support of the farmers who make up the vast majority of the population.
This will ensure that our rule is truly stable. The Qing government will be just dreaming if they think they can take back these lands.”
Li Jing Yuan said.
“Third Brother, don't worry, we'll handle the political affairs. You just focus on fighting!” Li Hong Zhang said.
Li Jing Yuan nodded. This was an agreement he had made with Li Hong Zhang earlier.
Otherwise, Li Hong Zhang wouldn't have willingly let the Beiyang Army reorganize the Huai Army and other units from other Beiyang systems.
While the Beiyang Army was achieving victory after victory, the Qing army was suffering defeat after defeat.
This made the Qing army's front-line commanders extremely angry, but even more so, deeply helpless.
The Qing army's commander-in-chief, Bo Yan Ne Mu Hu, his deputy Fu Kun, and commanders like Ye Zhi Chao, all looked gloomy and dejected.
“Everyone, what should we do? The entire southern part of Zhili Province has fallen into the hands of the rebels. If they continue their advance, they will capture central Zhili Province.
Then, even Yanjing will be under the rebels' guns.
If the Empress Dowager and the Emperor are disturbed, we'll all be in trouble!”
Bo Yan Ne Mu Hu looked disheartened.
The 30,000 Menggu Iron Cavalry were, in his eyes, invincible.
But against the Beiyang Army's powerful firepower, they were completely outmatched, suffering heavy losses.
This not only resulted in heavy losses for the Menggu Iron Cavalry, but also severely damaged their morale and confidence.
He had little confidence in whether they could withstand the Beiyang Army's next attack.
“Your Highness, the rebels are powerful. They have numerous Western guns and cannons, we are completely outmatched!” Ye Zhi Chao said with a bitter expression.
If he had betrayed Li Hong Zhang and joined the Qing court earlier in pursuit of fame and fortune, then now, with the Beiyang Army's strength, he deeply regretted his decision.
If he had known that the Beiyang Army was so strong and the Qing army so weak, he should have joined the Beiyang Army from the beginning.
Then, when the Beiyang Army overthrew the Qing, he might have earned the merit of being a "dragon-supporter," not only bringing glory to his ancestors but also securing titles and privileges for his family.
But it was too late now. Not only was he seen as a traitor and an enemy of the Beiyang Army, but his Tianjin Defense Force also suffered heavy losses in battle.
This was his capital, his livelihood!
But now, he had no choice but to follow the Qing to the end. He had no other options.
“Your Highness, not only have we suffered heavy losses, being defeated by the rebels and forced to flee, the situation in Yu and Su provinces isn't much better. Their assembled armies were also crushed by the rebels.” Jiu Men Ti Du Fu Kun said.
Bo Yan Ne Mu Hu nodded. Upon hearing this news, he felt a bit better.
Perhaps this is human nature. When others are worse off than you, you feel a bit less miserable about your own situation.