At the end of January 1789, the entire north had entered winter, and heavy snow covered the land.
The Beiyang Army had already ceased military operations and switched to defense and wintering.
Li Jingyuan had already purchased a large amount of winter clothing from abroad, and fuel and food were also well prepared.
The Beiyang Army would undoubtedly have an easy and smooth time getting through this winter.
In contrast, the Qing government was frantically expanding its army, and local militias were being established everywhere.
The number of troops had increased significantly, but their winter preparations were utterly inadequate.
When winter arrived, many Qing soldiers didn't even have padded clothes and were still wearing thin clothing. As for fuel for heating, they could only chop down trees. Food was also lacking.
Under these circumstances, many people froze to death and starved to death.
Even though the Qing government prioritized the Eight Banners New Army and the Japanese Army, they still faced protests from the Japanese, who claimed they had not been provided with adequate food, winter clothing, and fuel for warmth.
Moreover, these Japanese were not good people at all, and incidents of beating civilians, robbing property, and insulting women were commonplace.
Since the Qing government was reliant on the Japanese, they naturally turned a blind eye to their actions.
Or perhaps, from the perspective of the Qing upper echelons, as long as they could use the Japanese to suppress the Beiyang Army, it was no big deal if these common people suffered a bit.
Everything must be considered for the sake of the Qing Dynasty's rule, and that is what matters most.
In Shandong Province, at the Beiyang Army headquarters.
Li Jingyuan was discussing the next battle with Beiyang Army Chief of Staff Xu Shi Chang, North Line Commander Wang Shi Zhen, Navy Commander and Beiyang Fleet Commander Ding Ru Chang, and Intelligence Agency Director Li Qian.
“Commander, the Bohai Sea is now completely frozen. The Japanese have also rushed all their 100,000 troops to Tianjin before the Bohai Sea froze.
The Beiyang Fleet originally planned to attack the Japanese transport ships and send them to their watery graves.
However, the British deployed a large number of warships to escort the Japanese, and we can't go to war with the British. Therefore, we can only watch helplessly as the Japanese deploy their forces to Tianjin.”
Ding Ru Chang looked regretful.
If they could have directly sunk the Japanese transport ships and sent those Japanese to their deaths in the sea, that would have been the best outcome.
Li Jingyuan, however, was not disappointed. He knew that the British would not give them such an opportunity.
“The British are always the most powerful navy in the world. The Beiyang Fleet is far inferior to the British. In fact, the Japanese might even welcome us to do that. Then their navy could join forces with the British and eliminate the Beiyang Fleet.
The Beiyang Fleet's current strength is still stronger than the Japanese.
The Japanese would love to use the British hand to eliminate the Beiyang Fleet.
That way, their navy would be much stronger than ours!”
Li Jingyuan reminded him.
Ding Ru Chang's expression immediately turned serious. He had to admit that, with the Japanese's ambition, such a plot was indeed possible.
“It seems we need to strengthen our defenses against the Japanese. They have ordered a large number of warships from the French and British. Once these warships are commissioned, the Beiyang Fleet will probably have little advantage.” Ding Ru Chang said.
Li Jingyuan nodded. Ding Ru Chang was originally from the Huai Army, a land force, and it was already commendable that he could see this.
“After we overthrow the Qing, the navy will be our priority for development. We will not only order a large number of warships from the West, but also build more advanced warships ourselves.” Li Jingyuan said.
Ding Ru Chang's eyes lit up.
With Li Jingyuan's assurance, the navy would surely flourish in the future.
“Commander, the Japanese have deployed six infantry divisions this time. Four are stationed in Tianjin, and the other two are stationed in Beijing. It is clear that the Qing government has seen the Japanese as their saviors and their main force against us!” Xu Shi Chang said.
“Since the Japanese have moved in, they have been bullying the people. Many people have been beaten, robbed, and even humiliated. The Qing government has been turning a blind eye to it, which has angered the people immensely.” Li Qian added.
“To maintain their decaying rule, the Qing government will stop at nothing. This further illustrates that the Qing government has lost the hearts of the people. Overthrowing them and restoring the Han Dynasty is now the will of the people!” Li Jingyuan said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“However, we must also be wary of the Japanese's great ambition. Despite their small country, their population is extremely dense. Their few islands simply cannot accommodate so many people.
Therefore, launching external aggression has become a necessary choice for the Japanese.
Whether it's the Korean Peninsula or us, we are all targets of the Japanese.
Combined with the wild nature of the Japanese people, if they launch a full-scale invasion, they will inevitably bring great disaster to our people.
Therefore, the Japanese will be our most ferocious enemy in the future.
We must do our utmost to defeat them.”
Li Jingyuan declared with unwavering determination.