The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 659: Expanding Depth
As if explaining his next arrangements to everyone, Teng Yuzao continued speaking.

"In order to be well prepared to deal with the outside world and the imperial court behind us, and even to save more provinces from war in the future, we must take advantage of this opportunity now to control as many provinces as possible to expand our regional depth."

At this point, Teng Yuzao shouted, "Someone come."

Following Teng Yuzhao's shout, the confidential staff officer responded and walked into the cabin.

"Ready to record!"

After Teng Yuzhao gave his instructions to the confidential staff, he turned around and looked at the large map hanging on the cabin wall behind him.

"In the name of assisting the provinces in reducing and reorganizing the new army, Wu Ziyu was ordered to immediately dispatch two rapid brigades from the Fifth and Eighth Regiments after receiving the telegram, to advance into Jin Province from Datong via Tianzhen and Gaoyang, and then enter Daixian through Yingxian and Gucheng to quickly control Yanmen Pass and the counties along the way. The Eighth Regiment will send another brigades to follow up."

"Block the way for He Zonglian and Wang Yingkai to enter Jin Province through Zijing Pass, Laiyuan, and Lingqiu, and then go south to Taiyuan. Then tell Wu Ziyu that as long as the He and Wang towns do not attack them, he should not take the initiative to attack the He and Wang troops."

"Their goal is to force the He and Wang towns to lose their foothold in Shanxi Province and force them to cross the Hengshan Mountains, pass through Hunyuan, Shanyin, go through Pianguan to Hequ, cross the Yellow River and go to Shaanxi. This route must be opened up to them."

"Li Jinyu led the rest of the Eighth Regiment's troops and took the train south along the Jinzhang Line to Baoding. The headquarters was set up there. A brigade was sent to get off at Shimen and go through Jingxing to control Niangzi Pass and then to occupy Taiyuan. The brigade's new army in Shanxi Province was quickly controlled. Then, Li Jinyu would command the troops that entered Shanxi Province to control the entire province."

"Order Liu Jiujiu. Except for the brigade from the Fourth Town that has already entered Langfang, the rest of the troops will not enter the pass for the time being. Liu Jiujiu will lead the Langfang brigade to enter the capital immediately and send troops to properly protect all the royal gardens and palaces, including the Forbidden City, to prevent damage and theft of the property inside."

"Tell Liu Nineteen that these palaces and the treasures inside are national treasures. No mistakes can be made!"

"Order Xia Yuanshou's troops to move to Baoding immediately. Two divisions of Liu Bingyi's troops will follow and be temporarily under Xia Yuanshou's command. After the two divisions meet in Baoding, they will take the train into Henan and occupy Fuyang, Zhumadian, and Nanyang. Control the prefectures and counties north of Xinyang as soon as possible."

"Tell Xia Yuanshou to avoid conflict with Wu Changqing's army stationed in Xinyang."

"Order Pan Jinshan to immediately command the Third Regiment to control the Anhui New Army and occupy the entire province of Anhui."

"Order Liu Yuzhi in Liangjiang to lead the Second Regiment to quickly control the new troops in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and occupy all prefectures and counties in the two provinces, especially to immediately control the Jinling Manufacturing Bureau and the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau in Shanghai."

"Order Hu Dianjia of Fujian to lead the Sixth Regiment to control the Fujian New Army and occupy the prefectures and counties of Fujian."

"Tell Liu Yuzhi, Pan Jinshan, Wu Ziyu, and Hu Dianjia that if they encounter resistance from the local new army, they can use force to disarm them, and ask them to reorganize the local new army as soon as possible and integrate it into the newly established national defense army."

After thinking for a moment, Teng Yuzao added.

"Also, telegraph Liu Yuzhi, Pan Jinshan, and Hu Dianjia to set up the Jiangnan Command, with Liu Yuzhi as the commander, to unify the command of the Second, Third, and Sixth Regiments, responsible for maintaining the defense of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces."

"Establish a Jiangbei Command Headquarters with Wu Ziyu as the commander, to unify the command of Xia Yuanshou, Li Jinyu, and Su Xilin's troops, and be responsible for the defense of Shanxi, Henan, and Eastern Mongolia."

"Establish a Northern Command, with Li Xianze as the commander, to unify the command of the First and Ninth Regiments and be responsible for the defense of Zhishan Province."

"Order Hu Daqiu to send military police into the capital as soon as possible to replace Liu Jiujiu's troops. Liu Jiujiu should lead his troops back to the border as soon as possible." "Establish a Northeast Command, with Liu Jiujiu as the commander, to unify the command of the Fourth and Seventh Regiments."

Seeing that Teng Yuzhao was about to signal the confidential staff to leave, Wei Jinghai hurriedly spoke.

"General, there is still a battalion of the Second Town in Jiangxi. The Jiangxi New Army only has about one new army, and their combat effectiveness is not strong."

"Also, should we order Wu Ziyu to send Su Xilin's cavalry regiment to occupy Yulin and then advance into Shaanxi?"

"Also, there are two fast contingents and another contingent following up from the Eighth Town in Datong, plus the contingent advancing from Niangzi Pass, so we now have four contingents in Jin Province."

"Our units are too large, especially the six towns of 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th, each of which has more than 120,000 soldiers."

"This time, we sent out large-scale troops such as the Fifth and Eighth Regiments. The strength of one regiment is almost the same as that of a regiment of the Henan Army. It is not a problem to deal with the Henan Army of He Zonglian and Wang Yingkai. Why should we force them away?"

Wei Jinghai's meaning was very clear. He did not want to give up Jiangxi. He also wanted to annihilate the two towns of He Zonglian and Wang Yingkai in one fell swoop, and take control of Shaanxi.

Teng Yuzao turned around and shook his head at Wei Jinghai, "The two towns of He Zonglian and Wang Yingkai are not worth worrying about. We can't touch them for the time being."

Teng Yuzao further explained, "If we attack them now, we will really break off relations with the imperial court. They will be left with no way out and may go to war with us at any time."

"If we just force them to continue westward into Shaanxi, it will be different. Then, based on the attitudes of Shanxi Governor Zhang Renjun, Anhui Governor Nie Jigui, Jiangsu Governor Lu Yuanding, Hangzhou General and Zhejiang Governor Ruixing, and Liangjiang Governor Duan Fang, I can submit a memorial, find some charges against them, and suggest that they be transferred elsewhere."

"I can even suggest abolishing Shuntian Prefecture and placing it under Zhili."

Teng Yuzao smiled faintly and said, "Give them enough face, and they will be able to bear it temporarily."

Teng Yuzao continued, "Shaanxi? Before we drive away the Russians and Japanese outside the Great Wall, we should not enter for the time being."

"Regarding Jiangxi, the troops for one unit are still a little too few. I am worried that they will be attacked from three sides and won't be able to gain a foothold."

Yang Shixiang asked in surprise, "The Marshal is worried about Hu Dianjia!"

Yang Shixiang and Xu Shichang were both aware of Hu Dianjia's attitude. He had never clearly expressed his unreserved support for Teng Yuzao, which made him seem somewhat out of tune with other generals of the Zhi army.

Teng Yuzao smiled bitterly and said, "The great waves wash away the sands. After this time, everything has been revealed. In my place, people can stay or leave as they please. It is not a completely bad thing for the Zhi army to get rid of the old and bring in the new."

Teng Yuzao looked at Ye Zugui again and said meaningfully.

"Tong Hou, we developed the navy on the basis of the Beiyang Navy. It was not easy. You know this best. You must also be prepared for contingencies in the navy."

(End of this chapter)