“Your Majesty, the new Eight Banners Army is being formed and trained. We have ordered 150,000 of the most advanced Lee-Metford rifles, 500 Maxim heavy machine guns, and a large number of artillery pieces from the British Empire.
But the British are gradually delivering them to us. So far, only one-third of the rifles and artillery pieces have been delivered. The remaining rifles and artillery pieces are expected to be delivered by the end of the year.
Without enough weapons, we can't let our soldiers go into battle empty-handed, can we? In that case, we would be no match for the rebel army.”
Ulaxi Chong'a, the Manchu Minister of War, had a look of helplessness on his face.
He was in a tough spot, caught between a rock and a hard place!
Although the British Lee-Metford rifle was a .303 caliber rifle using black powder, its various performance indicators could not compete with the French Lebel rifle or the German Commission 88 rifle.
But the Qing Dynasty had just fought a war with the French a few years ago, and they had paid a heavy price. They couldn't go and buy weapons from the French at this time.
As for the Germans, they were willing to sell weapons to the Qing Dynasty.
But the Germans had sold a large number of weapons and equipment to the Beiyang Army, and the Qing Dynasty's higher-ups had long since determined that they were colluding with the Beiyang government. Therefore, it was out of the question to buy weapons from the Germans.
Therefore, the only option for the Qing Dynasty to purchase weapons from was the British Empire.
Besides, the British Empire was the world hegemon, the world's strongest nation!
Even though the British had repeatedly beaten the Qing Dynasty, rubbing its face in the dirt, the Qing Dynasty still wanted to maintain good relations with the British.
This time, they purchased a large number of weapons and equipment from the British, hoping to maintain good relations with them.
“Damn it! These damn foreigners, don't they know we're fighting the rebels? How can we defeat the rebels without enough weapons?” Guangxu Emperor was extremely angry.
“Ulaxi Chong'a, the new Eight Banners Army is the cornerstone of our Qing Dynasty. We must equip them with the best weapons, hire the best instructors, and train them to become the number one army in the world.
In the future, the Qing Dynasty will rely on them to protect our country!”
Cixi Empress Dowager said.
“Yes, this servant accepts your decree. This servant will definitely live up to the Empress Dowager's expectations and train a top-notch army, restoring the prestige of our Eight Banners cavalry!” Ulaxi Chong'a said excitedly.
You know, in order to form the new Eight Banners Army, Cixi Empress Dowager had to allocate some of the money she used to build her gardens. In addition, she had to squeeze some money out of the national treasury. She then asked the princes and nobles of the Eight Banners to each contribute a portion, which made up the military expenses for the new Eight Banners Army.
The personnel of the new Eight Banners Army also came from the Eight Banners. In addition to the Manchus themselves, there were also Mongols and Han Banners.
Both Cixi Empress Dowager and Guangxu Emperor had high hopes for the Manchu new army.
But now, the new Eight Banners Army had not yet been fully formed, nor had it been fully equipped with weapons. Let alone forming combat effectiveness.
Under the relentless attack of the Beiyang Army, the Qing Dynasty was already facing a huge crisis.
This made all the Qing Dynasty's high-ranking officials extremely worried.
“Empress Dowager, this servant has an idea, perhaps it can solve the current crisis!” Yikuang, Prince Qing, the Minister of the Board of Foreign Affairs, stood up.
“Oh? Prince Qing, what good idea do you have?” Cixi Empress Dowager hurriedly asked.
Guangxu Emperor also looked hopeful, as if he were treating Yikuang as a last straw.
“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager. Our Qing Dynasty purchased a large number of foreign guns and cannons from the British, but the British cannot deliver them in time, so our Qing Dynasty's army cannot suppress the rebels.
We can completely use this as an excuse to ask the British for help, and let them mediate in this war.
Or, we can ask the British to send troops to help us quell the rebels.”
Prince Qing Yikuang suggested.
“Ask the British to send troops? What kind of stupid idea is that? The Li rebels and the British have a close relationship!” Guangxu Emperor was disappointed.
“Your Majesty, the Li rebels do have a close relationship with the British, but for these foreigners, they are always motivated by self-interest.
If we can offer the British a price that satisfies them, I believe they will agree to help us.
After all, over the years, our relationship with the British has been relatively good.
The British would definitely not want to see our Qing Dynasty overthrown and replaced by the father and son of the Li rebels.”
Prince Qing Yikuang said.
He had been in charge of foreign affairs for many years, and although he had no ability, he had seen a lot, and he was very aware of the nature of these foreigners.
Now that the Qing Dynasty was facing a crisis of being overthrown by the Beiyang Army, it naturally had to think of every possible way to do everything it could to survive this crisis.
If asking for help from foreigners could be effective, this was definitely a good idea.
Cixi Empress Dowager also nodded: “Foreigners are motivated by profit, which is a good thing for our Qing Dynasty. Yikuang, you are in charge of negotiating with the British, and let them help our Qing Dynasty suppress the rebellion. Any conditions, as long as they are not excessive, our Qing Dynasty can agree!”
“Yes, this servant accepts your decree!” Prince Qing Yikuang immediately replied.