Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 468: The Mysterious Confidence of Indians
Although Canning had never seen the combat effectiveness of the Tang army fleet with his own eyes.

But he had heard about it from the Dutch and the Spanish.

Well, the Netherlands and Spain really suffered great losses at the hands of the Tang army.

The war was over not long ago.

The memory is still fresh!
Canning learned from the Dutch and the Spanish that the main force of the Tang army's South China Sea Fleet was now steam ironclad ships.

And he knew how big the gap was between steam ironclad ships and sailing battleships.

In order to ensure that the British army would win the battle against the Tang army and recapture Dhaka.

Canning was preparing to ask for help from the British mainland and ask Britain to send its own invincible fleet to India to participate in the war.

Hearing this, Kofman asked solemnly.

"Your Excellency the Governor, has the situation really come to this?"

Canning took a deep breath and then spoke.

"Well, I can only say it's for insurance purposes!"

"Damn those Tang people! They actually dared to get involved in the Indian war! Damn them!"

Canning couldn't help cursing, his heart filled with hatred for the Tang Dynasty.

……

Kanpur, the temporary palace of Bahadur Shah II.

After arriving in Kanpur, Bahadur Shah II stayed here.

During this period, he had been relying on the Mughal Empire and his own influence in India to summon various rebel forces to come to Kanpur for reinforcement.

Even Lucknow sent heavy troops to Kanpur for reinforcement out of respect for Bahadur Shah II.

Today, Kanpur is crowded with troops.

Three hundred thousand rebels gathered together, and another batch of aid from the Tang Dynasty arrived. Now the Indian rebel army is strong in both men and horses.

This made Bahadur Shah II's originally uneasy mood gradually calm down.

In a meeting room, the top leaders of the rebel army were discussing matters.

Bahd Khan stood up and said.

"Everyone, according to the information we have received so far, the British army is preparing for war in Delhi."

"Perhaps it won't be long before those damn British will attack Cawnpore!"

“I think we must prepare for this early!”

Bahd Khan finished speaking, but no one in the conference room responded to him.

Bachd Khan's army was completely destroyed in the Battle of Delhi, and he was left with only a group of personal guards.

Without the support of the army, his influence was greatly reduced.

Naturally, no one took him seriously anymore!
Seeing that no one paid attention to Bahd Khan, Bahadur Shah II spoke up to help him out.

"Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, in your opinion, do we have a chance to counterattack Delhi now?"

Since gaining a foothold in Kanpur, Bahadur Shah began planning a counterattack on Delhi.

Now, with the large army from Kanpur gathering, this thought of his could no longer be suppressed.

As soon as Bahadur Shah II finished speaking, someone in the conference room couldn't help but respond.

"The Khan is right!"

"Counterattack, we must counterattack!"

"Go back to Delhi and kill all the British!"

"..."

A group of rebel leaders expressed their opinions very enthusiastically.

Although these Indians are not very good, they all have an inexplicable confidence in themselves.

Although Bahadur Shah II and Bakht Khan had suffered a loss at the hands of the British in Delhi, they did not think they would lose to the British.

Especially after the second batch of aid from the Tang Dynasty arrived in Kanpur!
These Indians are even more mysteriously confident and feel they can definitely defeat the British.

Seeing this, Bahd Khan couldn't help but speak up to persuade them.

"No, absolutely not!"

"The British army's combat effectiveness is superior to ours, and their weapons and equipment are not inferior to ours."

"The battle of Delhi is the most powerful proof!"

"When our army faces the British army, it is not enough to defend ourselves by holding the fortress. We must not rashly engage in a field battle with the British."

However, even though Bachd Khan's words were quite sincere, no one took his words seriously and treated him as air.

A group of Indian rebel leaders were still discussing enthusiastically how to counterattack Delhi and kill all the British troops.

Seeing this scene, Bahd Khan felt a sense of powerlessness.

Bahadur Shah II gave Bakhid Khan a look that urged him to stay calm. Similarly, he was helpless about the scene before him.

Although due to the political weight of his status as the Mughal emperor, these rebel leaders still respected him.

But it's just respect!
Bahadur Shah II also had no say in many matters.

Just like just now, Bahadur Shah II had just proposed a counterattack.

He was then interrupted and had no chance to interrupt again.

Obviously, although Bahadur Shah II's situation was better than that of Bakht Khan, it was not much better.

However, at this moment, footsteps were heard outside the meeting room.

Bahadur Shah II's chief attendant Ali and Tang Dynasty's special envoy to the Mughal Empire in India, Xiang Yuquan, walked in from outside together.

"Great Khan, good news!"

"The Tang Dynasty has sent troops to India and has now successfully captured Dhaka!"

Xiang Yuquan reported to Bahadur Shah II who was standing in front of him with a look of joy on his face.

Upon hearing this, Bahadur Shah II was stunned at first, and then he was ecstatic from the bottom of his heart.

"Hahaha!"

"The Tang Dynasty's Heavenly Soldiers have finally arrived!"

"Hahahaha!"

Bahadur Shah II could not help laughing up to the sky and became extremely excited.

Although he had long known about the Tang Dynasty's decision to send troops to reinforce the Indian uprising.

But when he heard that the Tang army was really coming to India, he couldn't help but be ecstatic.

The big stone in my heart finally fell to the ground!
Since the Tang army has come to India, I can’t say anything else, but at least the personal safety of Bahadur Shah II is guaranteed.

Taking a deep breath and suppressing the excitement in his heart, Bahadur Shah II asked Xiang Yuquan.

"Master Xiang, when will the Tang Dynasty's heavenly soldiers plan to come to Kanpur?"

"India has long been waiting for the heavenly troops from above, just like longing for rain after a long drought!"

Xiang Yuquan heard this and shook his head.

"The Tang Dynasty will not send troops deep into India to fight."

"However, His Majesty the Emperor has said that if the war in India is unsuccessful, the Khan can lead his troops to retreat to Dhaka, and the Tang will guarantee your safety."

Bahadur Shah II was a little disappointed when he heard this, but he still nodded.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"That's fine!"

"I will prepare a letter of thanks and submit it to express my gratitude!"

"Your Majesty the Emperor has shown great kindness to India!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Yuquan just nodded slightly.

In the conference room, the leaders of the Indian rebel army who were originally discussing the counterattack on Delhi saw this scene and stood up to speak.

"The Tang Dynasty sent troops to India?"

"Great! Isn't this the perfect time for us to counterattack Delhi?"

"That's right, that's right. If the Tang army is stationed in Dhaka, the British army in Calcutta will be pinned down by the Tang army. In this way, we will have no worries!"

"Now is the best time to counterattack!"

"..."

As they spoke, everyone turned their eyes to Bahadur Shah II.

It seemed as if he was waiting for Bahadur Shah II's decision.

Well, it’s just a formality.

These powerful people had already decided on the matter, and coming to Bahadur Shah, the Khan, to review it was nothing more than seeking legitimacy.

Bahadur Shah II saw this and couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart, but he still said.

“So best!”

"Since everyone thinks so, let's do it!"

"Send the Khan's order, assemble the army, and prepare to launch a counterattack on Delhi!"

When Xiang Yuquan, who was standing by, heard this, he could not help but stand there in a daze, dumbfounded.

No, what the hell is going on?
He was a little confused about the Indians' way of thinking. Didn't they just suffer a big loss in Delhi?
Why did you suddenly think of counterattacking Delhi?

Are they really so confident in their fighting ability?
For some reason, Xiang Yuquan had a bad feeling that something might happen.

……

The first year of Kaitai in the Tang Dynasty, November 1858 in the Western calendar.

The two Indian rebel armies from Kanpur and Lucknow met outside the city of Kanpur and held a large-scale oath-taking ceremony.

Then, they marched towards Delhi in a mighty force.

Three hundred thousand Indian troops marched on the Ganges Plain, with the army connected front and back, stretching for dozens of miles, with no end in sight.

On the surface of the Ganges River, rows of ships were spread out, transporting all kinds of food, fodder and weapons needed by the army.

Wherever the army passed, there was chaos.

Many villages and towns were turned into a wasteland due to the Indian army's own misfortunes.

Although these Indian troops were fighting on their own soil, their military discipline was not much better than that of the British troops fighting abroad.

Even worse!
Wherever the Indian army passed, no woman, regardless of age, could escape their clutches. Even men and animals with slightly better looks were forcibly raped by the soldiers.

Well, among the 300,000 Indian troops, there are always a few with unique tastes and XP. At the same time, the British troops in Delhi also received news that the Indian troops in Kanpur took the initiative to attack Delhi and launch a counterattack against the British troops.

When the British Governor-General of India, Canning, heard the news, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, good thing, good thing!"

"Originally, I was worried that if our army attacked Kanpur and Lucknow by force, it would take a lot of casualties to capture Kanpur and Lucknow, which were heavily guarded by the rebels."

"With the Tang army entering India, the war to suppress the rebellion became even more complicated."

"Unexpectedly, the rebels in Kanpur and Lucknow took the initiative to leave their fortifications and march towards Delhi."

"Haha, it's really God's blessing!"

Seeing this, Kofman immediately stepped forward and challenged for a fight.

"Governor, please give the order. I will lead the army to attack and defeat the invading rebels."

Upon hearing this, Canning waved his hand.

"No no no!"

"No hurry, no hurry!"

"Don't the Indians want to counterattack Delhi?"

"Haha, then let them come!"

"Three hundred thousand Indian soldiers is not a small number. Even if the Indian army fights recklessly, our army will definitely have to pay a considerable price to eat them up."

"Instead of engaging in a field battle with the Indian army, it is better to let them come to the gates of Delhi and let them attack the city."

"When the Indian army's siege is so severe that the division's soldiers are exhausted, our army will take the initiative to attack, and it will not be too late to defeat the enemy in one battle."

"Haha, this Governor has been reading the military tactics of the Tang people recently. This is what I learned from them. Well, this is called waiting for the enemy to tire out!"

Upon hearing this, Kofman immediately bowed.

"Your Excellency the Governor is wise!"

After flattering him, Kaufman continued to ask.

"Governor, what about the Tang army in Dhaka?"

After hearing this, Canning hesitated for a moment and said.

"Well, leave them alone for now."

"As long as the Tang army does not get involved in the battle of Delhi, leave them alone. We will defeat the Indian rebels and then recapture Dhaka."

"Well, this is also what I learned from the Tang people's military tactics."

"This is called defeating them one by one!"

Kofman couldn't help but bow and flatter again.

"Your Excellency the Governor is wise!"

……

London, UK!
Number 10 Downing Street.

Prime Minister Palmerston's carriage set out from 10 Downing Street and headed towards Buckingham Palace.

As the carriage traveled through the streets of London, it was very obvious that the number of beggars on the streets of London had increased significantly compared to the past.

A gust of cold winter wind blew, and even though the beggars on the streets of London huddled in the sheltered corner, and even though several people huddled together for warmth, their bodies were visibly shivering.

The wheels made a crunching sound as they rolled over the snow on the road.

When many beggars saw a carriage appear on the street, they all crowded towards it.

"Oh, God, please be kind and give me something to eat!"

"Dear sir, please be kind and save me. I haven't eaten for several days."

"..."

There was even a woman who ripped off her clothes in public, revealing her broad chest.

"With just a piece... no, half a piece of black bread, you can do whatever you want to me. Do whatever you want."

"..."

In the chaos, the carriage was forced to stop.

Sitting in the carriage, Palmerston listened to the noise and pleading outside and just waved his hands expressionlessly.

Upon seeing this, the attendant nearby ordered the soldiers and policemen guarding nearby to disperse the beggars surrounding the carriage.

Seeing this, the soldiers and police drew the sticks from their waists and started swinging them vigorously.

Amid screams, all the beggars who were begging for help from the carriage were driven away.

Palmerston waved his hand expressionlessly, and the carriage continued to move forward.

Soon, the carriage arrived outside Buckingham Palace.

After passing the inspection, Palmerston stepped into Buckingham Palace.

And met Queen Victoria.

Before Palmerston could say anything, Queen Victoria on the other side began to ask.

"Mr. Prime Minister, what is the situation in India?"

"Did Governor Canning say when the suppression of the rebellion will be completed?"

Victoria is very concerned about the situation in India.

After hearing Victoria's question, Palmerston said with a somewhat grim expression.

"In reply to Your Majesty, I came here to report to you about India."

Upon hearing this, Queen Victoria asked with a slightly serious expression.

"Really? But what happened? Your Excellency the Prime Minister, please tell me clearly!"

Palmerston took a deep breath and said with a serious expression.

"According to the latest news sent back by Governor Canning from India."

"The Tang army was defeated in India. They captured Dhaka..."

Upon hearing this, Queen Victoria fell into deep thought.

For a moment, he couldn't remember where Dhaka was.

But soon, an idea flashed in Victoria's mind.

"Daka?"

"Dhaka at the mouth of the Ganges?"

Palmerston nodded in agreement when he heard this.

"Yes your majesty, it's that Dhaka!"

After hearing this, Queen Victoria's face turned pale and her heart sank.

She also realized the seriousness of the matter!
"So, what is Governor Canning going to do?"

Palmerston replied.

"Governor Canning hopes that Britain can mobilize the Atlantic Fleet to reinforce India and recapture Dhaka occupied by the Tang army after joining forces with the Indian Fleet."

Even to recapture British Burma and Malacca!
Victoria was obviously moved when she heard this.

In recent times, Britain has suffered too much at the hands of the Tang Kingdom.

First it was the Malacca Straits Colony, then British India, and now, the Tang Dynasty has even extended its claws to India.

This is a huge provocation for Britain!
If we don't fight back, no one will take the dignity of the British Empire seriously.

However, Victoria did not make a rash decision, but asked Palmerston for his opinion.

"Mr. Prime Minister, do you think this is feasible?"

Upon hearing this, Palmerston did not directly respond to Victoria's words, but spoke seriously.

"Your Majesty, Britain cannot lose India!"

"Absolutely not!"

Although Palmerston did not have any famous quotes, the meaning of his words is actually very clear.

Want to fight!

Because, if Dhaka cannot be recaptured, the British army will be able to quell the Indian rebellion now.

Then the Tang Dynasty could use Dhaka as a springboard to continue to interfere in India’s wars and continue to instigate rebellions in India.

In other words, the only way Britain could completely quell the rebellion in India was to recapture Dhaka first.

When Queen Victoria heard this, she understood what Palmerston meant and nodded immediately.

"Okay, let's fight!"

"Mobilize the Atlantic Fleet, bypass the Cape of Good Hope, and head to India for a decisive battle with the Tang Army!"

"In this war, Great Britain must and will achieve the final victory!"

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, please do your best in this matter!"

"I will come forward to support the Prime Minister's decision when Parliament convenes."

Upon hearing this, Palmerston bowed at once.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

After saying this, he prepared to leave.

However, Queen Victoria stopped him and asked.

"Mr. Prime Minister, what do you think of the current situation in the United States?"

Today, the American Civil War has not yet begun.

However, any discerning person could see that the conflict between the abolitionist states in the North and the slaveholding states in the South was no longer reconcilable.

Civil war is bound to happen sooner or later!

The Kansas Civil War, now raging, was a preview of a larger war.

Queen Victoria was also always concerned about the situation in the New World.

Because, out of its instinct as a troublemaker, Britain did not want to see a powerful emerging country emerge on the American continent.

……

PS: The monthly ticket is 1400, and I currently owe 6 chapters...

(End of this chapter)