On November 1st, 1788, Li Jingyuan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Beiyang Army, inspected the Beiyang Army's offensive in Su Province, northern Jiangsu, in Shuyang.
Feng Guo Zhang, a major general and commander of the Southern Front, was also the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army.
"How is the progress of the various units on the Southern Front?" Li Jingyuan asked.
The Southern Front forces consisted of the 3rd, 9th, and 10th Infantry Divisions of the Beiyang Army.
In total, they only numbered around 50,000 men.
But their fighting strength was far superior to that of the Qing forces, forcing them to flee in disarray, in a state of utter chaos.
“Commander, in previous battles, we have already defeated the Qing main force in the Two River regions. The Qing army, in defeat, has retreated to central Su Province and into the territory of Anhui Province.
Next, we are preparing to pursue the Qing army.
The 9th Infantry Division has already entered Anhui Province, taking northern Fengyang Prefecture and Sizhou. They will next engage in a decisive battle against the main Qing force stationed in Luzhou Prefecture.
The 3rd and 10th Infantry Divisions will launch an attack on Huai'an Prefecture, aiming to defeat the main Qing force stationed there, as well as the Qing reinforcements from Jiangxi and Zhejiang Provinces.
After this battle, we should be able to quickly capture Anhui and Su Province!”
Major General Feng Guo Zhang was very confident.
Li Jingyuan nodded: “You're fighting well. However, we need to further accelerate the pace.
The British have intervened, forbidding the Germans from selling us weapons and equipment. They have also encouraged the Japanese to send troops to help the Manchus. Within a month, tens of thousands of Japanese troops will arrive to assist the Manchus in fighting us.
I have ordered a batch of machinery from the Germans, which will arrive in a month.
Therefore, we need to take Su Province within a month, including Songjiang Prefecture in southern Su Province.
Once these machines arrive, we can expand the production capacity of the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau and produce more weapons and ammunition, meeting our needs for combat and expansion!
"Yes, Commander, I understand! We will definitely take over the entire Su Province within a month!" Major General Feng Guo Zhang assured him.
He knew that the Beiyang Army was now facing trouble.
Therefore, they had to go all out.
"Good, then I'll wait for your good news!" Li Jingyuan replied.
"Commander, I also have a request. That is, once we engage with the Japanese, I want to lead my troops onto the battlefield." Major General Feng Guo Zhang's expression was resolute.
Although he had never fought against the Japanese.
But it was clear that the Japanese were far stronger than the Qing army, which crumbled at the first sign of trouble.
The Beiyang Army was meant to fight against such powerful enemies, and in doing so, they could grow even stronger.
"Good! When we fight the Manchus next spring, the 3rd Infantry Division will definitely not miss this battle." Li Jingyuan assured him.
"Yes, Commander!" Major General Feng Guo Zhang was overjoyed.
They were all considered close confidants of Li Jingyuan. Through their interactions, they were well aware of Li Jingyuan's extreme dislike for the Japanese.
As the saying goes, “As the superiors behave, so will the subordinates.” If the superiors favor something, naturally the subordinates will follow.
Therefore, the officers of the Beiyang Army almost all hated the Japanese.
This time, the Japanese were coming to their death, and everyone was eager for them to taste their might.
On November 3rd, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army attacked Huai'an Prefecture from Xuzhou Prefecture.
Almost simultaneously, the 10th Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army attacked Huai'an Prefecture from Haizhou Prefecture, launching an offensive against the several thousand remaining troops led by Tan Bi Li, the Qing Jiangnan Military Governor.
Once Huai'an Prefecture falls to the Beiyang Army.
Then, the Beiyang Army will be able to march south, capture Yangzhou Prefecture, and continue all the way to the Yangtze River.
Crossing the Yangtze River will lead them to the more prosperous southern Su Province.
The combat mission Li Jingyuan had assigned to the Southern Front forces was essentially complete.
Of course, weather permitting.
The Beiyang Army would continue its advance southward, attacking Zhejiang and Jiangxi Provinces.
At the same time, the 9th Infantry Division of the Beiyang Army also launched an offensive in Anhui Province, attacking the Qing forces in Anhui to prevent them from reinforcing Su Province.
Faced with the fierce attack of the Beiyang Army's three infantry divisions, the Qing forces in the Two River regions were completely unable to resist.
Tan Bi Li, the Qing Jiangnan Military Governor, could only appeal to Jiangning for reinforcements, hoping that Zeng Guo Quan, the Governor General of the Two Rivers, and Feng Shen, the Jiangning General, would send troops to reinforce them.
Otherwise, the Qing forces would suffer another disastrous defeat in Huai'an Prefecture.
At that point, it would be impossible for them to resist the Beiyang Army's attack in Su Province.
The entire province would likely fall quickly.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Beiyang Army's two infantry divisions deployed over a hundred 105mm light howitzers and 75mm field guns, launching a fierce bombardment on Huai'an Prefecture, where the Qing forces were defending.
Shell after shell exploded, not only destroying the city walls of Huai'an Prefecture.
But also inflicting heavy casualties on the Qing forces.
More importantly, it further damaged the Qing army's already low morale.