Beiyang Dream

It was early morning on July 29, 1894.

North Korea, Pyongyang, the main hall of the Xijing Palace.

It was called the main hall, but it was actually just a small hall with three rooms connected together, and a few old mats were laid on the floor.

Chang, Duan Zhigui, and Nie Shicheng, these three high-ranking officials of the country, are now sitting cross-legged on the mat in such a grand manner.

Opposite them were the three most powerful figures in North Korea at the time. King Yi Hee sat cross-legged in the main seat, with Queen Min beside him, and a little further to his left, Chief State Councilor Kim Yun-sik.

The way these three look now... sigh, don't even mention it, each one more unlucky than the last!

Changxin said: Actually, you don't need to be in such a hurry. Even if Korea is destroyed, it's only temporary... Sixty years later, there will be one, no, two heroes again!

However, he couldn't bring himself to say such comforting words, so he could only hold his teacup and sip it intermittently.

Queen Min spoke first.

She spoke fluent Mandarin, far better than her husband, who was the King of Korea: "General Chang, I have heard that the Japanese pirates have landed in Tianjin? Is the Great Kingdom's army about to return to reinforce them?"

Chang nodded, put down his teacup, and sighed, "Yes, the situation in Tianjin is critical. Li Hongzhang has made up his mind to live and die with Tianjin."

He paused, glanced at Nie Shicheng beside him, and continued, "General Nie and I were both promoted by His Excellency. We can't stand by and watch His Excellency suffer, can we?"

Upon hearing this, Nie Shicheng turned and glanced at Chang.

There seemed to be a hint of emotion in his eyes!

Chang Xin said: "Old Nie, don't be so quick to get emotional. I was just kidding the Koreans; I would never go to save Li Hongzhang! He brought it on himself, and he deserved to die! Giving up a perfectly good emperor position to help the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu betray the country... Disgusting!"

Kim Yoon-sik, who had already become the Chief State Councilor, spoke up at this moment, speaking Chinese even better than Queen Min: "General Chang, if you and Commander Nie both leave, what will happen to North Korea? What will happen to Pyongyang?"

What should I do?

Just wait... You might not be able to wait, but your son will definitely wait!

However, Chang still didn't tell the truth. He waved his hand, looking completely unconcerned: "Oh, Lord Kim, don't worry. North Korea still has 16 battalions of new troops! They're under the command of Marshal Li and Marshal Park, which is enough to protect Pyongyang."

When he said this, he deliberately made the "16 battalions" sound louder, as if these 16 battalions of the new army were some kind of formidable force.

In fact, these 16 battalions were the 6 battalions developed from the newly established Korean army created by Yuan Shikai, plus the 10 battalions expanded from the 2,000 Donghak Party volunteers often brought from Chungcheong Province.

The six battalions developed from the newly established army were led by Yi Jo-yeon, the military governor of Hamgyong Province, and were stationed in Hamgyong Province.

Meanwhile, the 10 battalions of the Donghak Party Volunteer Army were led by Park Yoon-sik, a student of Chang's Nampo school who had just been appointed by Chang as the military and naval commander of Hwanghae Province, and were stationed on the south bank of the Daedong River in Hwanghae Province.

These 16 battalions of so-called new troops, although they had a total strength of 8000, were completely inferior to the "Nanpu Clique" of Chang and Yuan in terms of equipment, training, and the quality of their officers and soldiers!

They were only slightly better than the old Huai Army... Their strength lay in defending their homeland and their willingness to fight to the death!

King Li Xi clearly did not believe that these 16 battalions of new troops could protect his kingdom.

He stammered in broken Chinese, "Sixteen battalions... 8000 men... how is that enough! I've heard that the Japanese First Army, led by that old fellow Yamagata Aritomo, has three divisions plus one mixed brigade, totaling over 60,000 men! 8000 against 60,000, isn't that suicide?"

As he said this, he suddenly raised his head, looked at Chang, and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes: "Your Majesty... could I, Your Majesty, follow the example of King Seonjo and seek refuge in the superior kingdom?"

Upon hearing this, Chang sighed inwardly.

King Seonjo? That was three hundred years ago! Do you think it's the Qing Dynasty or the Ming Dynasty? Do you think Emperor Guangxu is the Wanli Emperor? If you go to Beijing, you'll be a pawn in the Empress Dowager Cixi's hands, someone she can offer you to the Japanese devils at any time as a peace offering!

Thinking of this, he glanced sideways at Nie Shicheng and Duan Zhigui.

The three of them had already discussed how to deceive Li Wang.

Nie Shicheng spoke first: "Your Majesty, it's not that bad yet. Pyongyang is a fortified city with high walls and deep moats. As long as we hold our ground and wait for reinforcements, it may not fall."

Duan Zhigui immediately chimed in, "Yes, Your Majesty. If you're really worried, you can learn from Li Hongzhang."

Li Xi was taken aback: "Learning from Li Zhongtang?"

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He thought to himself: "Are they telling me to live and die with Pyongyang? I'm not going to do that!"

Duan Zhigui nodded: "That's right, isn't Li Hongzhang's specialty using barbarians to control barbarians?"

"Using barbarians to control barbarians? How would you do that?"

Li Xi asked the question while frowning.

Li Hongzhang's attempt to use barbarians to control barbarians was not very successful; he ended up sharing the fate of Tianjin!

Chang picked up the conversation: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that the Russian Pacific Fleet is still stationed in Wonsan Harbor?"

Upon hearing this, the three Koreans in the main hall all looked conflicted.

North Korea today is like a wolf from Japan at its front door and a bear from Russia at its back!

It's almost the beginning of autumn, and the Russian warships are still "wintering" in Wonsan—if they keep going like this until the beginning of autumn, then another winter will be here.

Even a fool could tell what this Russian was thinking!

If we rely on them to subdue Japan, this "barbarian," then in the end, Korea will be divided up and eaten by the two countries.

Upon hearing this, Kim Yoon-sik panicked: "This...this isn't appropriate, is it? The Russians have great ambitions too. Bringing them in might..."

Queen Min also said in a trembling voice, "Chief Secretary, the Russians are no benevolent people either. They have always coveted Korea's ice-free ports and want to turn Korea into their colony. If Russian troops enter Korea, Korea will become a battlefield for the struggle between Japan and Russia! At that time, Korea will not only perish, but I'm afraid the race itself will also be difficult to preserve..."

Li Xi just shook his head repeatedly, unable to utter a single word.

Chang, of course, had no sympathy for the three North Koreans; he was far from pessimistic about North Korea's future.

So what if the Korean Peninsula becomes a battleground for great power rivalry?

More than a hundred years later, the Korean race not only exists, but even Russia has to rely on its military power!

He stopped wasting words with the three of them and stood up.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Lord Kim," he said, "we will be leaving tomorrow. General Park will lead five battalions of new troops to take over the defense. From now on, the affairs of Joseon, whether domestic, foreign, or military, will be decided by you."

He paused, then said, "Bringing in Russia is certainly risky. I don't deny that. But if it can prevent the Japanese army from entering Pyongyang, at least for a while, that would be good, wouldn't it?"

After he finished speaking, Nie Shicheng and Duan Zhigui also stood up.

"Your Majesty," Chang bowed respectfully, "the decision of what to do is yours. Being a king who sits facing south for one more day is good, isn't it? Perhaps one more day as king will bring about a turn for the better? What if Russia comes in and fights Japan in Korea? At least Korea won't fall until they decide the victor, and the king and queen will still be the masters of Korea... Think it over carefully! Come up with a plan quickly, or it will be too late once the Japanese take Wonsan!"

After saying this, he turned and left.

Nie Shicheng and Duan Zhigui followed him out of the main hall of the imperial palace.

The three of them left the palace, mounted their horses, and headed towards the Peony Terrace.

That was the location of Nie Shicheng's main camp.

On the way, they saw many dejected Ming soldiers marching out of Pyongyang in columns, heading north. These soldiers were all covered in dust and dirt, carrying guns and dragging cannons, walking slowly, as if they hadn't eaten enough.

After looking at it for a while, I sighed inwardly.

Nie Shicheng should probably withdraw as soon as possible... With an army like that, there's no way to hold Pyongyang even if they don't retreat. Leaving the troops here is pointless; it's better for Nie Shicheng to take them back and reorganize them properly...

He suddenly remembered something, turned to Nie Shicheng and said, "Brother Gongting, Luanzhou is your defense zone, right?"

Nie Shicheng reined in his horse and turned to look at him: "What's wrong?"

Chang reined in his horse, leaned closer to Nie Shicheng, and said, "Luanzhou, that's one of the lifelines of our Beiyang Army! It has a railway connecting to Lushun, the Kaiping coal mine, and the Tangshan ironworks... Millions of dollars of capital from Southeast Asia have been invested! If Tianjin really falls, then Luanzhou will be the foundation of our Beiyang Army! We can't let anyone destroy it!"

Upon hearing this, Nie Shicheng pulled on the reins, turning his horse and himself around to look at Chang: "Zhenbang, what exactly are you trying to say?"

He often says, "I want to make a deal with you."

"trade?"

"Yes," Chang said. "Let's make a mutual protection agreement. If Luanzhou is under heavy attack by the Japanese army, I can send two brigades of new troops by train to support you. Two brigades, 8000 men, is that enough?"

Nie Shicheng thought for a moment and nodded: "What if Lushun is in dire straits?"

"Then you must send troops to help me." He often said, "I don't need too many, 5000 elite soldiers will do."

Nie Shicheng was silent for a moment, then extended his hand: "Okay, it's a deal."

Chang also reached out and shook hands with him.

After the two shook hands, Nie Shicheng suddenly asked, "Zhenbang, what should we do if His Excellency is in trouble in Tianjin?"

Chang was stunned for a moment after hearing this.

He thought for a moment, then chuckled, "Then... let Yuan Weiting tie up Li Zhongtang and send him to Luanzhou!"

Nie Shicheng's eyes widened: "What did you say?"

Chang looked intently at Nie Shicheng and said, "I said: Let Yuan Weiting tie up Li Zhongtang and take him to Luanzhou... That would be a solution, wouldn't it?"

.......

On the same evening, in Beijing, at the Summer Palace, at the Hall of Joyful Longevity.

Yuan Shikai was kneeling on the Grand Council cushion—he was neither a Grand Councilor, nor a Grand Secretary, nor any high-ranking official. Yet, to be able to kneel on the Grand Council cushion when meeting the Emperor at the Summer Palace was truly an immense honor!

Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu, who bestowed this "honor" upon him, are now watching him with eager anticipation!

Old Yuan has just given a general overview of the situation in Tianjin, including Li Hongzhang's arrangement for him to defend Xinhe and Tanggu. He also mentioned that Li Hongzhang is determined to live and die with Tianjin...

This really frightened Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu!

Is this matter that serious?

Li Hongzhang was even willing to fight to the death for Tianjin... What does this Japanese mean? Are they really going to march on Beijing? Does the Japanese Emperor also want to establish his capital in Beijing?

The Hall of Joyful Longevity remained quiet for a while.

Then, Empress Dowager Cixi, her face ashen, spoke: "Yuan Shikai, you can't even hold onto Xinhe Town and Tanggu?"

Yuan Shikai gritted his teeth and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Xinhe and Tanggu are the outposts of Dagu Fortress. If Xinhe and Tanggu are secured, Dagu Fortress will be absolutely safe!"

Absolutely foolproof...

really?

It seems that since the start of this war with the Japanese, the only ships that have truly been "undefeated" are the "two Changs": the "Changyuan" at sea and the "Chang" on land... But the "Chang" is not in Zhili right now!

Empress Dowager Cixi, at this point, actually wanted to have sex!

She sighed, just about to ask if they still wanted to come often now.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Then came the eunuch's shrill voice: "Your Majesty, I hereby report to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor that Grand Councilor Weng Tonghe has an urgent military report to submit!"

Emperor Guangxu's face turned pale instantly.

Empress Dowager Cixi frowned: "Let him in."

Weng Tonghe rushed in, clutching a telegram: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty... Urgent telegram from Tianjin... The Japanese army is launching a fierce attack on Xinhe Town!"

The Hall of Joyful Longevity was quiet for a second or two.

Then everyone's eyes fell on Yuan Shikai.

Yuan Shikai knelt there, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead.

He was cursing in his heart!

He had just said, "Xinhe and Tanggu will never fall." And then the Japanese attacked! They're fucking inhuman!

And also, Your Majesty, Empress Dowager! Why didn't you let Chang come to Zhili? He would definitely win!

Now it's my turn...

He took a deep breath and kowtowed again: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, I request to return to Tianjin immediately!"

Empress Dowager Cixi looked at him: "Can Xinhe Town hold out until you return?"

Yuan Shikai raised his head, his face serious: "Empress Dowager, the soldiers of Xinhe were trained by me personally. I am confident that they can defend it!"

Empress Dowager Cixi was silent for a moment, then waved her hand and said, "Go."

Yuan Shikai kowtowed again: "Thank you, Empress Dowager! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

He stood up, took a few steps back, and then turned and walked out.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned back, looked at Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu, and said, word by word, "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, if I fail to defend Xinhe, I will not return!"

After saying this, he turned around and left the Hall of Joyful Longevity.

Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu were left there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

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