Slaying the Qing: My Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Late 1856, Tianjing City, the Heavenly King's Palace.

Hong Tian convened an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Hong Rengan, General Li Xiucheng, Commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, and General Chen Yucheng, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards.

Shi Dakai, the Minister of Military Affairs and Commander of the Western Expeditionary Army, and Qin Rigang, the Vice Minister of Military Affairs and Commander of the Northern Expeditionary Army, were stationed in Anqing and Yangzhou respectively, resisting the Qing army's attack.

However, with the advent of wireless telegraph machines, both the Western Expeditionary Army and the Northern Expeditionary Army were equipped with wireless telegraphs.

Furthermore, each army unit was equipped with a wireless telegraph, enabling them to directly contact Tianjing City.

This also allowed Hong Tian and other high-ranking officials of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom to keep abreast of the latest developments at the front.

Hong Tian frowned as he looked at the large map hanging on the wall.

For the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Nanjing was far from a safe place. From the very beginning, after establishing its capital in Nanjing, the city was under blockade, encirclement, and threat from the Manchus.

However, Hong Xiuquan was unwilling to abandon Tianjing, as it was the capital of the Ming Dynasty at its founding and held extremely important symbolic significance. As a result, the Taiping army had no choice but to defend Tianjing to the death.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's control over the area surrounding Nanjing was far too weak.

It can be said that, apart from Tianjing City, the surrounding area was almost entirely under the control of the Tartars.

Even after the Taiping army defeated the Manchus and temporarily gained control of the area surrounding Nanjing, the gentry who controlled the countryside still favored the Manchus.

So much so that when the Tartars returned, they would immediately side with the Tartars.

This is why the Tartars quickly re-established the Jiangnan Camp and besieged Tianjing from the south.

"What's the situation outside Tianjing City?" Hong Tian asked.

"Your Majesty, the Tartars have mobilized far too many troops this time. Not only are there troops under the command of the Governor of Jiangnan, but also troops from Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces. Their total strength exceeds 80,000 men."

Unable to defeat the enemy, the Eastern Expeditionary Army was forced to abandon many cities.

The area south of Tianjing City, including Dasheng Pass, Chunhua Town, and Xiaolingwei, has fallen back into the hands of the Tartars.

The Tartars have completed their encirclement of Tianjing (Nanjing) from the south.

Li Xiucheng reported.

"What about the north side?" Hong Tian then asked.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Yan is leading the Northern Expeditionary Army in a fierce battle against the 50,000-strong army commanded by Dexing'a around Yangzhou. This time, the Tartars have deployed their main force, including the Menggu cavalry. The Northern Expeditionary Army is outnumbered and will likely be unable to defeat the Tartars in a short time."

In addition, a Tartar army marched from Chuzhou in Anhui Province to the Yangtze River north of Tianjing City, occupying places such as Jiangpu and Pukou.

According to current information, the Tartars are preparing to rebuild their Jiangbei camp here.

Chen Yucheng reported.

Upon hearing this, Hong Tian frowned.

"This time, the Tartars are really coming on strong, trying to trap Tianjing City once again!" Hong Rengan sighed.

Hong Tian nodded: "How are things going with the Western Expeditionary Army and the Southern Expeditionary Army?" Hong Tian asked.

"Your Majesty, the Western Expeditionary Army is also under siege by a large number of the Tartars' main forces."

Wuchang is under siege by 50,000 Hubei troops. However, the two armies of the Western Expeditionary Army, relying on the strong defenses of Wuchang, should be able to withstand the Tartar attack and inflict heavy casualties on the Tartars.

The other main forces of the Western Expeditionary Army fought against the Anhui Army and a portion of the elite Hunan Army in Anqing Prefecture, southern Luzhou Prefecture, and Hezhou.

In addition, the Xiang Army's navy also sailed down the Yangtze River and engaged in fierce battles with our navy.

However, the main force of the Xiang Army's navy was deployed in full force, and our navy was outnumbered and outmatched. We have temporarily lost control of the Yangtze River waterway.

Chen Yucheng then reported.

The Taiping Army's navy is currently under the control of Shi Dakai.

The Taiping army's navy was originally quite strong. However, in recent years, the Xiang Army has vigorously developed its navy and installed cannons on its warships. This has gradually made the Taiping army's navy no match for the Xiang army's navy.

"The Southern Expeditionary Army is under siege by the main force of the Hunan Army and the Jiangxi Army. Currently, they have abandoned most of Jiujiang Prefecture and Chizhou Prefecture and retreated to Jiujiang City and Chizhou City."

The situation of the Southern Expeditionary Army is quite critical. Under siege by the main force of the Hunan Army, if reinforcements do not arrive soon, they will likely suffer heavy losses.

Chen Yucheng was somewhat worried.

Hong Tian also realized that the situation at the front was tense.

"Gentlemen, it seems the Tartars are determined to kill us this time, wanting to eliminate us once and for all. The Tartars thought that the internal strife and heavy losses suffered by the Heavenly Kingdom gave them the opportunity to completely annihilate us. But the Tartars would never have imagined that our losses were far less than they anticipated."

However, we must admit that the Tartars posed a huge threat to us this time.

If this is not handled properly, the Kingdom of Heaven will suffer a severe blow, and may even be destroyed!

Hong Tian addressed the crowd.

Hong Rengan, Li Xiucheng, Chen Yucheng, and others nodded in agreement.

Everyone realized that the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was now facing a very critical situation.

If we are not careful, we may be completely wiped out.

"However, gentlemen, this battle is also a rare opportunity for the Heavenly Kingdom. If we can severely damage the Tartars in this battle, then the Tartars will surely be greatly weakened."

Even though the Tartars have millions of troops, they are scattered in various places, and the number of troops that can be deployed to fight against us is only three or four hundred thousand.

After this victory, the Tartars will be unable to pose a threat to us for a long time. We will also have enough time to recuperate and develop ourselves.

Once we complete the reorganization of all our troops and fully replace old-fashioned firearms and cold weapons with advanced firearms, our combat effectiveness will be greatly enhanced.

"Then it will be time for us to engage in a decisive battle with the Tartars, defeat them in one fell swoop, and restore the Han dynasty!"

Hong Tian showed great confidence in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Taiping Army.

And this seemed to have infected others as well.

The Heavenly King is only seven years old, and even he wasn't intimidated by the Tartars. If these adults were intimidated by the Tartars, wouldn't that be ridiculous?

From the time the Taiping Rebellion began until now, the country has mostly fought against overwhelming odds and achieved victories against stronger opponents.

But it was through these victories that the Kingdom of Heaven was established.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, although the Tartars are numerous and powerful, it is impossible for them to defeat us, let alone destroy us!" Chen Yucheng said with a confident expression.

He served as the deputy commander of the Guards Corps and the commander of the 1st Guards Infantry Division.

Chen Yucheng knew all too well how formidable his troops were.

Even though the 1st Infantry Division had only just been formed, its combat effectiveness still needed to be further improved due to the addition of many new recruits.

Even so, the overall combat effectiveness of the unit is already quite formidable.

Facing the Qing army, one against ten would not be a problem.

As long as the Imperial Guard can unleash its full combat potential, the Taiping Army will absolutely not lose this battle.

"Your Majesty, the entire Eastern Expeditionary Army will fight to the death and do everything in its power to defeat the Tartars!" Li Xiucheng said solemnly.

Although the Tartars were powerful, the Taiping army had now been forced into this predicament. So, besides fighting back with all their might, what other options did the Taiping army have?

"Excellent! It's wonderful that everyone has such confidence. We are confident we will win this battle!" Hong Tian said.

Hong Tian knew very well that during the Tianjing Incident, many high-ranking and mid-level officials of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom were skeptical of the claim that the Heavenly King had ascended to the Heavenly Kingdom with the Eastern King and the Northern King.

At that time, both the Eastern King's Mansion and the Northern King's Mansion had some surviving former subordinates who were aware of the situation.

Even if Hong Tianxia issued a gag order, he could not expect these people not to reveal any information to the outside world.

Furthermore, Hong Tian's influence within the military is currently insufficient, especially compared to that of Wing King Shi Dakai and Yan King Qin Rigang.

If Hong Tian can lead the Taiping Army to victory over the Tartars in this battle...

This will inevitably further enhance his prestige.

Soldiers are inherently driven by the pursuit of victory and admire commanders who can bring them triumph.

Therefore, this battle can be considered a battle to establish Hong Tian's authority; victory is the only option, defeat is absolutely unacceptable!