“Your Highness, have the remaining 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Infantry Divisions hurry here. The Bohai Sea will freeze within a month at most.
We must transport all of our troops to Tianjin before the Bohai Sea freezes.
Use this winter to familiarize yourselves with the environment. At the same time, try to figure out the situation of the Beiyang Army as much as possible.
This way, in the war next spring, we can defeat them in one fell swoop!”
General Yamagata Aritomo instructed.
“Hai, Your Excellency!” Lieutenant General Prince Komatsu Akihito nodded.
Defeating the Beiyang Army would be crucial for the future of the Japanese Empire's invasion of the Qing Dynasty.
Therefore, the Japanese Empire naturally had to go all out this time.
Six fully-staffed infantry divisions, over 160,000 men.
This was the maximum force the Japanese Empire could mobilize in a short period of time.
If they continued to mobilize, they would likely drain their reserves, or even be forced to conscript the home guard.
Of course, both General Yamagata Aritomo and Lieutenant General Prince Komatsu Akihito believed that it would be incredibly easy for the Japanese army to defeat the Beiyang Army.
Furthermore, they had the assistance of 200,000 Qing Banner New Army troops.
These Qing Banner New Army troops, although not very strong in combat, were equipped with weapons purchased from the British Empire, making them suitable as cannon fodder.
As for the rest of the Qing troops, even as cannon fodder, they were not qualified.
This was not a problem for the Japanese Empire.
They hoped that the Qing army's fighting strength would be even worse.
This way, the Qing troops would suffer heavy casualties in the upcoming battles.
The strength of the Qing Dynasty would be further weakened.
The future Japanese invasion of the Qing Dynasty would be smoother.
Prince Qing Yikuang and Minister of War Wulaxi Chong'a returned to Yanjing in high spirits. They immediately went to the Forbidden City to report the good news to Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu.
“Your Majesty, Your Imperial Highness, the Japanese army has already entered Tianjin, with an initial force of 50,000 men! Two more groups of Japanese troops of the same size will arrive within half a month.
I have observed carefully. The Japanese army is well-disciplined, their fighting spirit is strong, and their weapons are very advanced.
Once the rebels encounter the Japanese, they will surely be no match.
With the Japanese helping us, this time the rebels will definitely be suppressed!”
Yikuang’s face was filled with smiles.
“Excellent, excellent! This time, the Qing Dynasty’s reign is secure! I will have Li Hongzhang and Li Jingyuan beheaded, to let the whole world know that this world is still the Qing Dynasty's!”
Emperor Guangxu was extremely excited, and the gloom on his face disappeared completely at this moment.
If he had been worried before that the Qing Dynasty would be overthrown by the Beiyang Army, and unable to sleep because of his anxieties.
Then now, it was as if all those pressures no longer existed.
Empress Dowager Cixi also nodded, but she, being old and experienced, clearly had greater worries.
“The Japanese are so powerful now? Is this a blessing or a curse for the Qing Dynasty?” Empress Dowager Cixi sighed.
Emperor Guangxu and other Manchu high-ranking officials also realized this truth.
“Your Majesty, although the Japanese are ambitious. For the Qing Dynasty, the primary threat is the rebels. After suppressing the rebels, the Qing Dynasty will make renewed efforts and expedite the training of new troops.
As long as the Qing Dynasty has a powerful army, we will naturally not be afraid of the Japanese, nor of anyone!”
Xu Gengshen, Minister of War and Grand Secretary, reported.
“Correct, Xu Aiqing is right. If you want to strike iron, you need to have your own iron! Relying on outsiders to protect the Qing Dynasty’s reign will never last.
Ultimately, it must rely on ourselves.
Once we win this war and suppress the rebels, the Qing Dynasty will establish a truly powerful army.
That way, we will not be bullied!”
Empress Dowager Cixi said.
“Yes, Your Majesty is wise!” All the Qing high-ranking officials answered in unison.
However, although it is easy to say, it is not easy to implement.
To build a powerful army is even more difficult.
Don’t forget, the Qing Dynasty has promised the Japanese that after suppressing the Beiyang Army, they will not only cede the Korean Peninsula to the Japanese, but also pay 30 million taels of silver in military expenses.
Furthermore, these Japanese are notoriously shameless and extremely ambitious.
Once they have suppressed the Beiyang Army, it will be very difficult to drive them out again.
It’s easy to invite gods, but it’s hard to send them away. If the Japanese refuse to leave, then the Qing Dynasty, which has suffered heavy losses, will undoubtedly find it impossible to drive them away.
However, for the current Qing Dynasty, the threat of the Beiyang Army is too great, and they have to rely on the Japanese to deal with the Beiyang Army.
Even if they want to make renewed efforts, they need the opportunity to do so!
The current situation of the Qing Dynasty is doomed!