North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 305 Sweeping Across the Land
In 1857, Guangdong had been under the rule of the Restoration Army for four full years.

Compared to four years ago, Guangdong has undergone tremendous changes.

In the second hall of the former Guangdong governor's office, Ah Zu sat on the former Guangdong governor's official chair and wiggled his buttocks rather uncomfortably.

"This grand chair of the high-ranking official isn't as comfortable as I imagined; it's too hard!"

Ah Zu looked up at his trusted lieutenants gathered together and made a joke that wasn't too big or too small.

Shi Dakai laughed and said, "How about we get the boss a new sofa?"

"Hehe!" Azu shook his head and laughed: "Forget it, it's too conspicuous and inappropriate to put a sofa in the main hall of this government office."

"You're too kind. Although I've just returned, looking back over these four years, you and Mr. Feng have done an excellent job as a team!"

"The market is booming, all industries are thriving, and the faces of ordinary people are mostly filled with vigor and joy, creating a thriving and prosperous scene."

Shi Dakai replied, "This is all thanks to you, boss!"

"In the past four years, you have invested a total of one billion yuan in Guangdong to build railways, roads, the Pearl River waterway, and infrastructure such as roads, water supply and drainage systems in all towns and cities."

"In the past four years, we have also built hundreds of large, medium and small reservoirs, constructed 3,000 kilometers of backbone irrigation canals, reclaimed 6 million mu of fertile land, and added 8 million mu of irrigated land."

"In addition, with the introduction of improved varieties and high-yield potatoes and corn, as well as the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and improved farming methods, Guangdong's grain output has more than quadrupled."

"The two railways that run east-west and north-south across Guangdong were just opened this year, which greatly facilitates transportation and the flow of people and goods."

"More than 20 new universities and over 3,000 primary and secondary schools have been built. The total number of students enrolled in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions is over two million."

"In addition to our three government-run newspapers, there are more than ten privately-run newspapers in various places. While opening up channels for public opinion, they also popularize modern scientific knowledge among the general public, which has greatly changed the social atmosphere."

"Our East West Bank has spread to all towns and cities, not only providing low-interest loans to industry and commerce to support them, but also providing low-interest or even interest-free loans to cooperatives composed of farmers, which has greatly promoted the development of agriculture and industry."

Shi Dakai listed the major achievements of the past few years: "Our Restoration Army's three armies, as well as various independent divisions, brigades and regiments, a total of 200,000 men, have completed the regularization, modernization and professionalization of their construction. Almost all officers have been trained by the Army Officer School."

"We have more than 30 modern industrial and mining enterprises, including government-run arsenals, fertilizer plants, smelters, agricultural implement factories, machinery factories, chemical plants, shipyards, and so on, that have been built and put into operation. There are even more privately-run factories, numbering in the hundreds."

"The taxes collected by our government, except for the first year when they were all exempted, have almost doubled in the following three years. Last year, the total amount of various taxes and customs duties collected, as well as the profits turned over by various government-run enterprises, reached more than 23 million gold dollars."

"This year's estimated fiscal revenue will reach at least 30 million gold dollars. In addition to being self-sufficient and meeting all expenditures, there will be a fiscal surplus of at least 5 million gold dollars."

"The granaries are full of grain, totaling more than four million tons, which is not only for war but also for famine. Whether it is a war to be waged across the country or a major natural or man-made disaster, there is enough grain to cope."

"Various industries have provided employment for millions of people, and with the addition of millions more who have migrated out of the province, Guangdong is now even experiencing a labor shortage. Large numbers of people from neighboring provinces such as Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian are coming to Guangdong to work and find jobs."

Shi Dakai concluded, "Boss, all of this was implemented in accordance with your original policy of establishing the government. Mr. Feng and I simply put your guiding principles into practice!"

"Without your strategic vision and foresight, as well as your unwavering support in terms of funding, materials, and technology, Guangdong could never have achieved such tremendous success in just four years."

"Therefore, you, boss, deserve the greatest credit for Guangdong's achievements today!"

Ah Zu smiled and waved his hand: "I was only responsible for providing ideas, money and manpower. The ones who contributed the most were the many pragmatists led by Mr. Feng and others. No one can take away the credit for that."

"According to our plan five or six years ago, Guangdong has now basically achieved our goal. It has served as a base for reclaiming China and has paved a successful path and set a successful model for the future development of the entire China."

"According to Gan Dang, not only in Guangdong, but also in the surrounding provinces, the hearts of the people have turned to us to varying degrees."

"Whether in terms of material resources or popular support, the time is ripe for us to expel the Tartars and restore China."

Azu continued to say to Shi Dakai, "I dare you, tell everyone again about the current military deployment of the Qing Dynasty."

Shi Dakai nodded, stood up, picked up the long baton, and walked to the large map hanging on the wall.

Shi Dakai pointed to the map with his baton and reported, "Since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was destroyed, Guangdong has become the primary target of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, a thorn in their side."

“From 1854 to the present, the Qing army’s encirclement and suppression of us has never stopped.”

"The Qing army mainly attacked the northern Shaoguan direction, and in addition to the Xiang Army, the Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners army was also a significant force in the encirclement and suppression."

"At its peak in 1855, the number of Qing troops besieging us once exceeded 500,000."

"But with our strongholds and powerful firepower, as well as advanced training and tactics, we did not allow any Qing army to set foot in Guangdong territory."

"Over the past few years, we have roughly estimated that we have caused at least 300,000 to 400,000 casualties to the Qing army."

"After being repeatedly defeated and humiliated by our impregnable defenses, the Qing army has temporarily abandoned its plan to invade Guangdong in the last six months. Instead, it intends to completely surround Guangdong and cut off its transportation links with the inland areas."

Shi Dakai continued, "In addition, the Qing Dynasty contacted countries such as Britain and France, attempting to use diplomatic pressure to bring us to the negotiating table and resolve the issue through negotiations."

"However, we have never responded to the interference and pressure from the British and French powers, and have never paid any attention to them."

Feng Yunshan interjected at the opportune moment: "You can't talk about ice with a summer insect! We have absolutely nothing to talk about with the Manchus and the foreign powers!"

Azu nodded in agreement: "There's really nothing to talk about! We can talk again when we've taken over the capital and all the Manchu imperial relatives are our prisoners!"

Shi Dakai added, “The Manchu blockade against us, though seemingly composed of hundreds of thousands of heavily armed troops, layer upon layer, is actually riddled with holes and utterly vulnerable.”

"With just a single order from you, Boss, even without the 300,000 troops that have come from afar, the 200,000 troops from three armies in Guangdong alone would be enough to launch a northern expedition against the Qing Dynasty and capture the capital in one fell swoop!"

Azu smiled and shook his head: "I believe that taking down the capital with 200,000 men is naturally no problem."

"But what we want is not just to conquer the capital, but to seize power and establish our rule over the country in one fell swoop with overwhelming force and at the fastest speed."

Azu continued, "The General Staff has already formulated a complete operational plan. Mr. Zuo, it's your turn to report this time!"

"As ordered!"

Zuo Zongtang stood up, took the baton from Shi Dakai, and pointed out the landscape on the huge map.

"This time, our army mobilized the vast majority of its forces, totaling seven armies, five independent artillery brigades, seven independent cavalry brigades, seven independent engineer brigades, as well as supply and logistics units, the reinforced Western Pacific Fleet, and three marine brigades, for a total force of over 560,000!"

"According to the battle plan, we will divide our forces into four routes, advance simultaneously, and with overwhelming force, at the lowest cost and with the fastest speed, drive out the Tartars and restore China!"

Zuo Zongtang pointed his baton towards the east and continued, "The first route is the Eastern Front Army, consisting of three reorganized armies, two independent artillery brigades, three independent cavalry brigades, two engineer brigades, and attached supply and logistics units, with a total strength of 220,000 men."

"With the support of the Western Pacific Fleet, the Eastern Front Army will march out of Fujian, along Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shandong, and directly attack Zhili and the capital."

"After capturing the capital, the Eastern Army will continue its northward advance to seize the entire northeastern region, all the way to Sakhalin Island."

"Among the four routes, the Eastern Front has the largest number of troops and bears the most pressure and combat missions, but it has the advantage of not having any insurmountable natural barriers along the way."

Zuo Zongtang added: "The second route is the Central Front Army, consisting of two reorganized armies, two independent artillery brigades, two independent cavalry brigades, two engineer brigades, and attached supply and logistics units, with a total strength of 160,000 men."

"The Central Front will march out of Hunan, along Hubei and Shaanxi, into Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia, and reach the shores of Lake Baikal."

"If the Eastern Front Army was to take the head of the Manchus, then the Central Front Army was to strike at their heart."

"The third route is the Western Front Army, consisting of two reorganized corps, one independent artillery brigade, two independent cavalry brigades, three engineer brigades, and attached supply and logistics units, with a total strength of 140,000 men."

"The Western Army will march out of Guangxi, along Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan, into Xizang, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, and finally reach Tangnu Uriankhai."

"Among the four routes, the Western Front needs to seize the widest area, faces the most complex and arduous terrain, consumes the most logistical supplies, and may require the greatest time and sacrifices!"

"The greatest damage to the Western Route Army may not necessarily come from the Qing army, but more likely from the harsh natural conditions such as high altitude, cold weather, and the Gobi Desert."

"Therefore, the Western Route Army was assigned its most elite and experienced engineer brigade, as well as its supply and logistics units. They forged roads through mountains, built bridges over rivers, and dug wells in the desert. No matter the difficulties or obstacles, nothing could stop our advance!"

Zuo Zongtang continued, "As for the fourth route, it consists of the Western Pacific Fleet and three brigades of marines, organized into a task force with a total strength of 40,000 men."

"The main combat missions of the Fourth Route Army were, firstly, to seize various important outlying islands, including Taiwan and Ryukyu, and secondly, to advance directly into Shanhaiguan at the opportune time, cut off the main escape route of the Manchu imperial family to the north, and block them in the capital."

At this point, Zuo Zongtang said solemnly, "With our army having basically replaced its equipment with the HM55 general-purpose machine gun and the HM56 semi-automatic rifle, there is almost no possibility of defeat on the main battlefield when our army encounters the Qing army, which is still widely equipped with muskets and bronze cannons!"

"What is more likely to cause difficulties for our army is logistics, disease, and unforeseen disasters."

"Therefore, we will mobilize a million laborers and hundreds of thousands of mules and horses to transport logistical supplies for the army."

"The three armies engaged in land operations will also establish a comprehensive medical support system, enabling them to cope effectively with most infectious diseases."

After Zuo Zongtang finished his report, he returned to his seat.

Azu smiled and asked the crowd, "Does anyone have any opinions on this battle plan?"

Seeing that no one objected, Azu continued, "War is our ultimate means, but it is by no means our goal!"

"We must achieve our goal of expelling the Manchus and restoring China as quickly as possible and at the lowest possible cost!"

"This cost refers not only to our own combat losses, but also to the damage caused to society as a whole."

"I absolutely do not want to reclaim a China that is in ruins and devastation!"

"All historical and cultural relics, and the countless treasures left to us by our ancestors, must not be allowed to suffer any damage."

"In the process of advancing across the country, we must strictly enforce military discipline and absolutely not harm the people in the slightest."

"For soldiers who burn, kill, and loot, kill them one by one; there should be absolutely no leniency."

Ah Zu said sternly, "We are a mighty and civilized army, and we absolutely cannot tolerate any black sheep! Whether they are ordinary soldiers or high-ranking generals, anyone who violates military discipline shall be executed!!!"

"Did you all understand?!"

"Understood, boss!"

Everyone answered in unison.

Azu continued, "Since you all understand, I will now begin appointing the commanders of the various army groups...!"

"Zuo Zongtang...!"

"exist……!"

Zuo Zongtang rose and stood at attention.

Azu said, "I appoint you as the commander of the Eastern Front Army. Can you shoulder this important responsibility?"

"I, Zuo, will do my utmost to live up to the boss's expectations!"

"very good!"

Ah Zu continued, "Feng Zicai...!"

"exist……!"

Feng Zicai stood up and stood at attention.

"I appoint you as commander of the Central Army. Are you up to the responsibility?"

"I, Feng, will serve you to the death and live up to your expectations, boss!" "Excellent!"

Azu then said, "Shi Dakai...!"

"exist……!"

"I appoint you as commander of the Western Army. Are you up to the responsibility?"

"Shi Dakai will lead by example; if he fails to achieve his goal, he will bring his head to the boss!"

"very good!"

Azu continued, "Feng Yunshan...!"

"exist……!"

"I appoint you as commander of the task force. Are you up to the responsibility?"

"I, Feng, will forge ahead without hesitation and will not give up until I achieve my goal!"

"very good!"

After appointing the four commanders, Azu's expression softened: "Gentlemen, this is a battle that concerns the fate of the nation and the rise and fall of the country for the next few hundred years!"

"The lives, honor, and disgrace of our four hundred million compatriots depend entirely on this battle!"

"I will personally oversee operations from the rear to ensure adequate logistical support and supplies for everyone."

"Speed ​​is the key to this battle. I want to see the capital in our hands before September."

"I must see the entire territory of China restored before the end of the year!"

"Gentlemen, do you have confidence?!"

"Don't worry, boss, we have absolute confidence!"
-
In June 1857, an army of over 6 men, like tigers unleashed from their cages, broke through the Qing army's blockade of Guangdong with overwhelming force and rushed toward their respective targets with lightning speed.

The three marine armies swept across the vast land of China like tigers descending the mountain or a whirlwind.

With its equipment, tactics, and training nearly a century ahead of the Qing army, the course of the war was almost without suspense.

In just two months, the Eastern Route Army swept through Zhili and reached the outskirts of the capital.

In a panic, Emperor Xianfeng fled the capital with only a few concubines and his only son, intending to escape through Shanhaiguan and return to the ancestral homeland of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in the northeast.

But when they reached the gate tower of Shanhaiguan, they discovered that it had also fallen into the hands of the Restoration Army.

Emperor Xianfeng had no choice but to turn around and flee to Chengde again.

However, no sooner had he arrived in Chengde than he was surrounded by the Restoration Army, which followed closely behind.

With nowhere else to turn, Emperor Xianfeng ended his life with a white silk ribbon on a crooked tree in the Chengde Mountain Resort.

All the concubines and princes were captured by the Restoration Army and escorted back to the capital.

By September, the entire Qing dynasty's rule had collapsed on the land of China.

Wherever the Restoration Army went, most surrendered at the mere sight of them.

Only a few Manchu and Mongol bannermen put up a stubborn resistance, but they were crushed into dust like clay chickens and earthenware dogs.

In October, the Western Route Army, which faced the most difficult conditions during its advance, also split into two routes after capturing Qinghai: one route advanced into western Tibet, and the other into Xinjiang.

After crushing the remaining resistance forces of the local chieftains, by December 1857, the Restoration Army had brought together remote frontier regions including Outer Mongolia, Western Tibet, Xinjiang, Tangnu Uriankhai, Sakhalin Island, and more.

……

In October 1857, after waiting until the situation was settled, Azu boarded the fast armored ship "Guangdong" and, escorted by several frigates, landed in Tianjin and eventually arrived in the capital at a leisurely pace.

In the well-preserved Yuanmingyuan, Azu met the remaining members of the Manchu imperial family who were imprisoned there.

Among them were Empress Niohuru and Consort Yi Yehenara.

These two are Empress Dowager Ci'an and... Empress Dowager Cixi!

At this time, Empress Dowager Ci'an was only twenty years old, and Empress Dowager Cixi was only twenty-two years old, both in the prime of their lives.

Those who were selected to enter the palace were at least not bad-looking.

At this time, both Empress Dowager Cixi and Empress Dowager Ci'an could be considered beauties to some extent.

Looking at the two young "Empress Dowagers" who were kneeling at his feet, trembling, and who were famous in history, Azu observed them with great interest for a long time.

Behind these two "Empress Dowagers" knelt a large group of concubines and imperial relatives... all of them trembling and not daring to raise their heads.

After capturing these Manchu imperial family members, Zuo Zongtang did not go on a killing spree, nor did he make things too difficult for them. He simply kept them under strict guard in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, waiting for his boss to deal with them personally.

Standing next to Ah Zu, Zuo Zongtang couldn't help but feel uneasy looking at his boss's eyes.

Could it be that our boss has taken a liking to the two widows of Emperor Xianfeng?!
Tsk tsk tsk, just like Cao De in ancient times, and now we have Azu, what a taste...!
At this moment, Ah Zu suddenly spoke up calmly: "A group of women, children and the elderly, Mr. Zuo, in your opinion, how should we deal with them?"

Zuo Zongtang pondered and said, "After the Manchus entered the pass, they executed all the former Ming imperial family members, with only a few escaping the net."

"Throughout history, most dynasties have exterminated the remnants of the previous dynasty's families... to prevent future troubles!"

Zuo Zongtang's words have been made very clear and understandable.

It boils down to one word: kill!

Upon hearing Zuo Zongtang's words, the large group of people kneeling on the ground trembled even more violently. Many of them were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground and wet themselves.

Empress Dowager Cixi held her only son, Zaichun, who was just over one year old and later became the Tongzhi Emperor, in her arms.

Perhaps it was the strength of a mother's love that made her so resolute. Facing death, Cixi disregarded everything else and bravely raised her head to stare directly into the eyes of the man who was only a few years older than her.

Is this the legendary rebel leader, the devil who returned from overseas?
He's so young, so handsome, so tall, so dashing!
At this moment, when Cixi compared the man in front of her with the sickly Emperor Xianfeng, she actually felt that the Qing Dynasty had not lost unjustly!
Looking at the man with a lazy smile on his lips, Empress Dowager Cixi felt that he wasn't as scary as the rumors suggested.

Cixi mustered all her courage and said, "Your Majesty, although we are members of the Qing imperial family, we have never done anything wrong!"

"Your Excellency conquered the world with bravery and ruled it with benevolence and righteousness... We women and children are mostly innocent people...!"

“Innocent people…heh?” Azu sneered: “You were born into the Manchu royal family, that in itself is a kind of original sin!”

"You eat and drink the blood and bones of the common people, and wear the skin and flesh of the common people!"

"Our glorious China, under the rule of you Manchu barbarians, is declining and the people are suffering. Isn't this your fault?"

“You may not have killed or harmed anyone with your own hands, but since you have enjoyed the offerings of the Manchu Qing court, you should naturally bear the backlash of the Manchu Qing’s downfall.”

"Not to mention the countless blood debts you have committed against the former Ming imperial family and the Chinese people since you entered the pass."

"Just for the fact that you've turned this beautiful land into a place riddled with holes and ravaged by war, you deserve to die!"

"This...I...!" Empress Dowager Cixi was about to say something when Empress Dowager Ci'an, who was kneeling beside her, tugged at her sleeve, telling her to say less and not to provoke this legendary demon king.

But Empress Dowager Cixi still stubbornly insisted, "Your Majesty, we have received the nation's favor in our lifetimes, and it is only natural that we should live and die with the Qing Dynasty."

"But...!" Empress Dowager Cixi held the still-weaned infant high in her arms and said, "This child... this child is still in swaddling clothes and has never enjoyed even a fraction of the Qing Dynasty's wealth and glory. I beg Your Excellency to show mercy and spare this child's life!"

Zai Chun, an infant, was the only son left by Emperor Xianfeng and later became Emperor Tongzhi.

At this moment, the fair-skinned little boy lay in his swaddling clothes, his thumb in his mouth, grinning foolishly at his grandfather.

"As long as this child's life is spared, I will leave myself to your mercy, whether you kill or torture me, I will have no complaints!"

With a strange smile, Azu stared at Cixi's young and still pretty face and said, "No matter what I do to you, you never complain?"

"As long as my child's life is spared, I will have no complaints!"

Looking at the heroic and handsome Azu, Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly felt a strange sense of anticipation. Her face flushed slightly, and her heart pounded wildly.

It is said that the man in front of him was born in the same year as Emperor Xianfeng, both being born in the Year of the Rabbit.

But compared to the sickly Emperor Xianfeng, the man before us is a true man!

Seeing the changes in Cixi's expression, how could Azu not know what she was thinking?

If the woman in front of him were an ordinary palace maid or even a concubine, and she were quite attractive, then Azu wouldn't mind if something happened between them.

But Empress Dowager Cixi... let's forget about it!

This woman was no saint; the shadow she cast on posterity was far too great.

This woman, who held supreme power in China for half a century, was able to prolong the precarious Qing Dynasty for several more decades; she was definitely not as simple as she appeared on the surface.

Azu scrutinized her for a long time, until Cixi's ears turned red, before waving his hand and saying, "With a new nation about to be established, it would be ominous to start a massacre!"

"Mr. Zuo, make the arrangements carefully and send them all to the most remote part of Alaska!"

The coastal areas of Alaska have already undergone initial development.

But in the vast interior, Alaska remains a completely wild and frigid land.

Exiled to the most desolate and frigid inland areas of Alaska, forcing these members of the Manchu imperial family to rely entirely on their own hands to make a living, to fight against wind, snow, and bitter cold, was far worse than letting them die.

Of these thousands of royal relatives, those who survived after going to the most remote parts of Alaska must have had incredibly strong luck in life!
"Understood, boss. I'll arrange it properly!"

As the imperial relatives were being escorted away, Empress Dowager Cixi, still unwilling to give up, kept turning back to look at the man who had captured her heart.

But that heartless man didn't even glance at her again!
……

After everyone had left, Zuo Zongtang said softly, "Boss, should we... let them all die at sea...?"

Traveling from the capital to Alaska is a long and arduous journey; it's perfectly normal for a few ships to sink and a group of people to die along the way.

After a moment's thought, Azu said, "No need! The way to govern a country is to achieve harmony through orthodoxy and victory through unorthodox means!"

"From now on, we must strive to act with integrity and fairness, and avoid resorting to underhanded tactics!"

“Mr. Zuo, you and I are the heads of state. If our methods and conduct are not upright, how can the atmosphere and style of this country be upright?”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Zongtang immediately became stern and bowed, saying, "The boss's reprimand is absolutely correct!"

Then, Zuo Zongtang pressed on, "If the Qing imperial family is dealt with this way, what about the millions of Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners...?!"

(End of this chapter)