Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 209: How can you have the nerve to deal with foreigners?

What Bao Yong said is actually conservative.

The Tang army will not let go of Hanyang only with a high probability, but will definitely not let go of Hanyang!

No matter how bold the Tang army was, they would not ignore Hanyang, a major Qing city located next to their supply line.

Otherwise, if the Tang army was fighting well on the front line and capturing cities and strongholds, but the Qing army crossed the river and cut off the Tang army's supply line, that would be interesting.

The expression on Guan Wen's face changed from cloudy to bright, and he asked with a hint of expectation in his voice.

"Is it possible to defend Hanyang?"

When asking this question, Guan Wen's voice was obviously trembling and cautious, as if he was expecting Bao Yong, the Governor of Huguang in front of him, to give him a positive answer.

Even if this answer was just to comfort him!

However, to Guan Wen's disappointment, Bao Yong smiled bitterly, shook his head and said.

"Once the Tang thieves send troops to the north bank, Hanyang Prefecture will probably change hands in an instant."

After that, he began to explain.

"In the Battle of Jiangxia, the main force of our Hubei officers and soldiers was almost wiped out."

"Even if the remaining troops survive, their morale is low."

"It is absolutely impossible to fight..."

In the battle of Jiangxia, Hubei Governor Zhao Zhongyong, Wuchang General Xue Fangzhi, and Huangzhou City Defense Battalion Lieutenant General Min Tongguang were defeated at Xiaogushan.

Later, the armies of Xiangyang General Hao Shangwu and Yunyang General Liu Quande were defeated at Yinma Town and then completely wiped out.

Then, the garrison of Hanyang Prefecture was forced by Guan Wen to cross the river in an attempt to retake Jiangxia, but the result was not worth the loss as they were annihilated on the south bank of the Yangtze River by the reinforcements of the Tang army.

Only a small number of remnants managed to retreat to the north bank, but they were so frightened that they had almost no combat effectiveness.

With the current number of Qing troops in Hanyang Prefecture, it is almost impossible to resist the Tang army.

Seeing this, Hubei Governor Fang Zhijing spoke up.

"The war has reached this point, and there is almost no possibility of recovery. Our top priority now should be to retreat to Jingzhou and protect it."

"When the fake Western King of Long Hair invaded, the whole of Jingzhou had already suffered a war disaster, but now we can't let it happen again."

After the Changsha Incident, Xiao Chaogui and Shi Dakai left the Heavenly Kingdom and headed north to Hubei, where they attacked Jingzhou.

After the First Battle, the city of Jingzhou fell and the Eight Banners of Jingzhou were almost wiped out by the Taiping Army, but many people took advantage of the chaos to escape.

After the war, the Qing government recovered Jingzhou, and the eight banners of Jingzhou that had fled chose to return to their homeland.

Nowadays, most of the Eight Banners of Jingzhou have just settled down not long ago. If Jingzhou is captured by the bandits again, the result will be too tragic.

Neither Guanwen nor Bao Yong could accept it.

The Qing Dynasty did not care how many Han people died, but if too many people from the Eight Banners died, the officials responsible in the court, such as Wen and Bao Yong, and even Fang Zhijing, would be unable to bear it.

After hearing Fang Zhijing's words, Guan Wen and others all looked very solemn.

After a moment, Guan Wen took a deep breath and finally made a decision.

"Pass the order down, the army is ready to retreat."

"Evacuate Hanyang and return to Jingzhou..."

……

The second year of the Tang Dynasty’s Zhaowu reign, early March, Guangzhou.

The sun is rising, and the morning light fills the sky and the earth, illuminating everything around.

Tang Prince's Palace, bedroom.

The sunlight shines through the window lattice and the glass into the room.

Li Yi frowned slightly and woke up from his sleep, feeling a kind of sleep-paralyzed pressure on his body.

After opening his eyes and rubbing his eye sockets, Li Yi realized that what was pressing him down was not sleep paralysis, but a snow-white jade leg.

Turning his head, he saw Luo Caiyu's sleeping face.

Although her facial features are not delicate, they are elegant and beautiful.

After a long period of luxury, Luo Caiyu's appearance is obviously better than before.

It is said that a woman's appearance is 30% natural and 70% acquired. Li Yi did not believe it at first, but now he realizes that this is true.

It is difficult for ordinary people to have beautiful girls in their families, not only because of genetic problems, but more because of living conditions.

No matter how outstanding one's appearance is, if one works hard for a long time, does farm work in the wind and sun, and does not take care of himself, his original appearance of 70% or 80% will easily become 30% or 50%.

But girls from wealthy families, because of proper maintenance and careful dressing, can turn their looks from 30% to 80% perfect.

Take Luo Caiyu for example. Originally, Luo Caiyu had a very good foundation, but because she traveled around with her father, the bandit Luo Dagang, all year round, she was exposed to the wind and sun and had no way to maintain her looks regularly.

Therefore, her skin is slightly dark, and even her clothing and appearance are not outstanding.

It is all thanks to the collagen on her face that she is described as a beautiful girl next door.

However, after being the queen for a period of time, living a life of luxury and taking care of herself at all times, Luo Caiyu's appearance began to become more and more outstanding.

Her skin is fair and delicate, her eyebrows and eyes become exquisite with the help of makeup, some minor flaws on her face are concealed by makeup, and her figure becomes more slender.

Plus, she had just given birth and still had the charm of a young woman.

The whole person's charm directly increased by several levels, making Li Yi more and more obsessed and unable to stop.

As usual, Li Yi washed, changed his clothes, had a simple breakfast, and then began to handle government affairs according to his usual schedule.

Just as Li Yi was reviewing the memorials, Zhang Tai walked in from outside and reported.

"Your Majesty, here is the latest battle report from the Hubei front." "Our army's Eastern Expedition Army successfully captured Jiangxia and Hanyang. The Qing army's Jingzhou General and Huguang Governor-General led the remnants to retreat to Jingzhou."

As he was speaking, Zhang Tai handed Li Yi a military report that had just been sent back from the front line and asked Li Yi to take a look.

This military report describes in detail the process of the Tang army's capture of Jiangxia and Hanyang.

Li Yi was flipping through the military newspaper and nodded slightly. Suddenly, his expression changed.

He saw a familiar name in the Tang army’s military report—Bao Chao!
One of the most famous generals of the Hunan Army in history.

He made his mark in the war against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, then went north to fight against the Nian Army, and even fought against France in the Sino-French War, achieving good results.

Although his reputation in later generations is not as great as that of famous generals such as Zuo Zongtang, Feng Zicai, Shi Dakai and Li Xiucheng, he can definitely be considered a figure.

"This guy named Bao Chao did a great job."

"He defeated the governor of Hubei with only one company of troops and then captured Jiangxia City. He was truly a brave and valiant man."

"It greatly increases the prestige of our Tang Dynasty!"

"Such talents need to be promoted."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tai immediately responded.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Yi continued to read the battle report, and soon he finished reading it.

After closing the battle report, Li Yi continued.

"Now that Jiangxia and Hanyang have been taken, the next ones should be Wuchang and Huangzhou. It seems that it won't take long for our Tang Dynasty's Eastern Expedition Army to enter Jiangxi."

Zhang Tai, who was standing by, heard this and started to flatter him.

"If we can capture Jiangxi, half of the entire south will fall into the hands of the Tang Dynasty."

"The hegemony of the Tang Dynasty will be accomplished!"

Li Yi smiled and said.

"That would be best."

"Now I only hope that my Tang Dynasty can end the chaos as soon as possible, restore order to the world, and bring peace and stability to the people of the world, and bring a bright and clear world to the people of the world."

While the two were talking, another servant came in and asked to see them.

Li Yi invited people in and asked.

"What's the matter?"

Upon hearing this, the attendant spoke.

"Your Majesty, there are two things in total."

"The first is that the ministers, consuls, and business representatives of Western countries wrote to ask for an audience."

"The second is that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has sent an envoy, who has now arrived outside Guangzhou and is seeking an audience."

When Li Yi heard this, his expression changed and then he spoke.

"Tell the ministers, consuls, and business representatives of Western countries that I am busy with government affairs and have no time to meet with them. Let them stay in Guangzhou with peace of mind."

Li Yi knew clearly the purpose of the envoys and consuls from Western countries seeking to see him.

Since the last railway project bidding, Li Yi learned from the American Minister Marshal that Britain was preparing for a new crusade and then an expedition to the Tang Dynasty.

He ordered the arrest of ministers and consuls from European countries who participated in the New Crusade.

Although there are no restrictions on their daily work, they are not allowed to leave Guangzhou.

Of course, Li Yi didn’t actually plan to do anything to these ministers and consuls.

The reason why Li Yi detained them was actually very simple. To put it bluntly, he was going to use them to threaten European countries.

If the war goes badly in the future, with these people in hand, the Tang Dynasty will have the capital to force European countries to the negotiating table and start peace talks.

Although Li Yi didn't think the Tang Dynasty would lose.

But European countries have naval advantages. They can fight whenever they want and leave whenever they want. The initiative of the war is always in their hands, and it is not easy for the Tang Dynasty to win.

Therefore, it is very necessary to leave a handle in advance for future negotiations.

Although Li Yi's behavior is a bit shameless, how can you have the nerve to confront foreigners?

A group of foreign devils are organizing an alliance to attack the Tang Dynasty for no reason. Do they have any shame?
Speaking of shamelessness, eldest brother, don't laugh at second brother.

Now the ministers and consuls from European countries have come to ask to see Li Yi, simply because they want to leave Guangzhou.

Of course, Li Yi couldn't agree to this.

Therefore, I am too lazy to meet them and waste my precious time.

After that, Li Yi spoke again.

"Then bring in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's envoy so I can meet him..."

Li Yi knows the situation the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is facing now.

The Qing government gathered a large number of troops in the south of the Yangtze River, clearly intending to take advantage of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's weakness during the civil strife and swallow it up in one fell swoop.

It is naturally self-evident why the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom sent envoys at this time.

I just came here to seek help!
……

PS: I will update one chapter first, and there will be two more chapters tonight.

I promised to update today, and I will definitely do what I said.

(End of this chapter)