Volume 1: The Battleship Yitian Changes into the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 Chapter 44: Still failed to save my hometown
Finally, they arrived at the residence of Li Hongzhang, the Minister of Beiyang, and stayed in the Governor's Mansion. The Lord Zhongtang was very happy to see the couple, "You actually went with us to the Battle of Dadonggou. Ruchang said that if you hadn't reminded Liu Buchan that day, we would have lost the battle." Li Hongzhang sat with him in the reception room and said, "I am also sweating. Since the uprising in Anqing, I have never gambled so big."
"General Ding, you are too polite. In fact, the courage and perseverance of our Beiyang Navy officers and soldiers in this battle are the reason for our victory." Sun Gang thought of Deng Shichang and those naval officers and soldiers who died bravely in the battle , and his expression couldn't help but darken.
Knowing that they had official business to discuss, Ma Yue obediently went out to talk to Miss Juou, the beloved daughter of Lord Zhongtang.
"I have read all the battle reports you have submitted and forwarded them to the emperor." Li Hongzhang said with some sadness, "I heard that the emperor burst into tears when he read the important parts, and couldn't sleep at night . The court also issued an order the day before yesterday, blaming the navy for insufficient ships and equipment. I didn't think ahead and take precautions. I can't deny the blame for my negligence. I am really ashamed of myself."
Sun Gang was extremely depressed after hearing this. It was true that Li Hongzhang had secretly saved some money to do other things, but before the war he had repeatedly submitted petitions to the court to purchase ships and cannons, but the court had never responded. Now the blame was put on him. It was too much!
No wonder some people say that in the era of feudal autocracy, the monarch is never wrong.
"Mr. Zhongtang, you are too kind." Sun Gang said solemnly, "Every ship, every gun, every soldier and every general of this navy has cost you countless efforts to achieve great success. No matter how the court blames you now, the people of the Qing Dynasty will remember you. It was you who established the Beiyang Navy and protected the country and the people."
Li Hongzhang was somewhat agitated by his words. He tried to calm himself down. Sun Gang looked at him and smiled, "Of course, the Japanese warships lying on the bottom of the sea will also remember you, Lord Zhongtang."
Li Hongzhang laughed loudly, and after a while he said, "I have also heard that the Japanese hate me so much that they painted my portrait in the square and trampled on it to vent their anger . I also heard that Japanese warships have repeatedly attacked our ports, so I am worried that it is not safe for you to go by sea, so I arranged for a warship to pick you up. According to British newspapers, the Japanese now hear the reputation of our Ding and Zhen warships, and their children dare not cry at night. They still have the courage to invade our sea borders. I really don't understand what they are thinking?"
"This is one of the tactics of naval warfare. When the large fleet cannot win the decisive battle, fast ships are used to harass and destroy the enemy , making the enemy exhausted. Western countries call it the raider tactic." Sun Gang replied: "If I am not mistaken, my southern seaport has not been very peaceful recently, right?"
"You are right." Li Hongzhang showed him some telegrams and said, "A Japanese warship raided Wusongkou and destroyed the Nanyang division ships 'Nanrui' and 'Nanchen'. The Japanese warship was also injured and retreated. More than 200 Nanyang officers and soldiers were killed or injured. Now they have an excuse not to go north." The Lord Zhongtang snorted, "Another Japanese warship attacked the Keelung Fort in Taiwan and was repelled by our garrison. Fujian also had frequent alarms. The court ordered me to try to divide the troops to capture it. It's really inexplicable. The day before yesterday, I also heard that a Japanese warship appeared in the waters off Tianjin. I wanted to go to the navy to discuss with you and plan to purchase Chilean speedboats to capture it. Since you are here, I will ask you first, do you have any way to deal with it?"
"The sea is vast and it is difficult to find the enemy. We can dispatch our navy to bombard their home base and force them to return to defense." Sun Gang said: "The ship that attacked Tianjin was the Japanese ship 'Takasago', the main battleship of the Japanese Navy. It was sunk by officers and soldiers of the Beiyang Navy's 'Pingyuan' on the way here." Sun Gang told the Lord Zhongtang how Li He used the sound of the propeller to lure the Japanese ship into the reef area and then destroyed it. "The wreckage of this ship is still stranded in the open sea, and passing ships can still see it."
"Great! This Li He! Well done! I will report his achievement to the court immediately!" Li Hongzhang's wrinkles were all smiling. "Now, we have a better chance of winning when we negotiate peace!"
"Talk about peace?" Sun Gang was stunned for a moment and asked involuntarily.
"Do you know why I asked you to come here?" Li Hongzhang looked at him and said.
"Could it be..." Sun Gang seemed to understand something and said, "Are we going to negotiate with the Japanese?"
"That's right. The British have asked France, Germany, the United States and other countries to mediate. The Japanese peace delegation has arrived in Tianjin. I haven't dealt with them yet. Let's leave them alone first." Li Hongzhang said, "The court is arguing over whether to fight or make peace. I want to hear your opinions."
Sun Gang was a little confused about the real thoughts of this old official. He thought carefully, chose his words, and said carefully: "I think that whether it is war or peace, the goal should be to maximize national interests. If we can get what we want on the battlefield at the negotiation table, it is better to defeat the enemy without fighting."
"To maximize national interests! Although it sounds awkward, it really speaks to my heart." Li Hongzhang looked at him approvingly and nodded, "I was not wrong about you after all."
"You are too kind, Lord Zhongtang." Sun Gang understood his thoughts and said respectfully, "The British secretly support the Japanese ships and equipment, and now they have joined forces with other countries to mediate. It seems that Britain and Japan may have the intention of an alliance. Lord Zhongtang must be on guard during this negotiation."
"Last time you said that the letter about Britain's support for Japan's new warships had been reported to Ruchang and submitted to the court. However, some people in the court don't think so. They always say that it is insulting to the state to negotiate peace after the victory." Li Hongzhang handed him a stack of telegrams. "Look, how the army fought this battle! Can this be called a victory?"
Sun Gang read it carefully and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat on his back.
It turned out that after the defeat in Pyongyang, the Qing army retreated to Yizhou to gather. Hannagan, Ma Yukun, Zuo Baogui and others discussed and reorganized the troops, preparing to wait for Ding Ruchang to arrive and unify the troops to launch a counterattack. However, Yiktang'a, Liu Shengxiu and others heard about the great victory in the naval battle and thought that the Japanese army would panic and flee. They persuaded Sichuan Admiral Song Qing to cross the Yalu River defense line without authorization and attack the Japanese army. As a result, they were defeated. More than 10,000 troops were killed or wounded, and all their guns, artillery and supplies were abandoned. When they retreated to China, they were already in disarray. If it were not for Nie Shicheng and Ma Yukun's troops who fought desperately to stop the Japanese army at Hushan, the Qing army would have been wiped out. The Japanese army broke through the Yalu River defense line in just five days. The Qing army has now retreated to the Fenghuang City area. Andong, Jiuliancheng and Kuandian have now fallen into the hands of the enemy.
I have tried so hard, but I still couldn’t keep my hometown!
There were too many problems with the Qing army! Even if there were advanced weapons, they would be useless without real soldiers to use them!
