Slaying the Qing: My Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Tianjing City, the Heavenly King's Palace.

Minister of Military Affairs Shi Dakai is reporting to Hong Tian on the battle between the Eastern Expeditionary Army and the allied forces of foreigners.

"Your Majesty, yesterday a major battle took place at the Wusongkou Fortress against the foreign fleet. The foreigners deployed more than fifty warships in this battle. The battle lasted for half a day, and the foreign fleet ultimately failed to destroy our fortress. On the contrary, we sank more than ten warships, forcing them to withdraw from the mouth of the Yangtze River," Shi Dakai reported.

"Excellent! It seems that the Wusongkou Fortress we built has completely achieved our expected goals! The foreign fleet not only failed to gain any advantage, but also suffered heavy losses. Their dream of entering the Yangtze River is completely unrealistic!"

Hong Tian was very satisfied.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This time, it is impossible for the foreign fleet to enter the Yangtze River again. It is even less likely that they will be able to reach Tianjing (Jiangning) as they did more than ten years ago!" Shi Dakai continued.

The reason why the Qing Empire surrendered to the First Opium War more than ten years ago was precisely because the foreign fleet directly arrived in Nanjing, which caused great shock and threat to the Qing Empire.

This also made the Qing Empire realize for the first time just how powerful the foreigners were.

"Did the Wusongkou Fortress suffer heavy losses in this battle?" Hong Tian asked.

Hong Tian knew very well that although the foreign fleet had been defeated this time, the foreigners would definitely not let it go.

Perhaps in a few months, the foreign fleet will attack again.

"Your Majesty, the damage to the Wusongkou Fortress was very minor. Some forts were damaged in the battle, but the losses were not serious. After the foreign fleet withdrew, the officers and soldiers of the fortress began to repair it," Shi Dakai replied.

Hong Tian nodded: "Order all the fortresses along the Yangtze River to prepare for battle. And deploy as many artillery pieces as possible. The foreigners have suffered a great loss this time, but they will definitely not admit defeat easily."

Perhaps the foreigners will soon return, and this time they will be even more powerful.

Therefore, we must be fully prepared!

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Shi Dakai replied.

"Your Majesty, this morning, the foreign ground forces landed at Jinshanwei. Subsequently, the foreigners marched in large numbers towards Jinshan County. The 2nd Infantry Division of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, with two infantry regiments, as well as the division's artillery and cavalry battalions, ambushed the foreign allied forces' ground troops at Zhangyan Town."

In this battle, our army achieved a great victory, annihilating more than 3,000 foreign ground troops. More than 2,000 prisoners were captured, including Grant, commander of the British Expeditionary Force.

Shi Dakai then reported.

"Haha, I told you, the fighting power of the Heavenly Kingdom's army is absolutely no worse than that of the foreigners. It may even be stronger. This battle is proof of that!" Hong Tian was also very satisfied with the result of this battle.

This also proves the formidable strength of the Heavenly Kingdom Army.

With the Heavenly Kingdom's army's weaponry, training standards, and tactical advantages, defeating the armies of the British Empire and the Gauls should be no problem at all.

Especially given that the British and the Gallic peoples were unlikely to send too many ground troops to the Far East, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's chances of winning were very clear.

"Your Majesty, we have dealt a heavy blow to the British and the Gauls. Even if they are unwilling to accept this and send more troops to fight us again, it will take at least several months to travel from distant Europe to the Far East."

By the time the British and Gauls' reinforcements arrive, we will be even stronger.

Shi Dakai said.

Hong Tian nodded repeatedly.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was now growing stronger and more powerful.

With the implementation of various policies, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had fully established its rule in several key controlled provinces.

After receiving land, the people in these provinces became even more supportive of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's army was also undergoing reorganization.

As more and more troops complete their reorganization, the military strength of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will become increasingly powerful.

When the British and Gauls' reinforcements arrive in the Far East, they will face an even more powerful Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

It was simply impossible for the British and the Gauls to defeat the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

"The troops continue to reorganize and prepare for the next battle. The British and the Gauls will never admit defeat easily. Only when we defeat them again in the next war will they fully realize that they cannot defeat us. Only then will they lower their noble heads and abandon their unrealistic fantasies," Hong Tian reminded them.

He didn't want the army to become complacent after defeating the foreigners.

If we underestimate the foreigners, we might end up making a mess of things.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Shi Dakai replied.

The next day, Minister of Military Affairs Shi Dakai reported the latest situation to Hong Tian again.

"Your Majesty, according to the information we have received, the fleets of the British and the Gauls have already left Jinshanwei. However, a few Gauls warships have remained behind."

They have sent someone to contact us, hoping to negotiate with us.

If we agree, they hope to come to Tianjing City.

Shi Dakai reported.

"It seems that after their military defeat, the foreign devils are trying a different approach. Do they think they can get what they can't get on the battlefield at the negotiating table?" Hong Tian was well aware of the foreign devils' plans.

"Your Majesty, shall we negotiate with the foreign devils?" Shi Dakai asked.

Hong Tian thought for a moment: "Since the foreigners want to talk, let's talk to them. It'll also be a good opportunity to see what tricks they're up to. However, the negotiations can't be held in Tianjing City, lest the foreigners discover our true strength. Let's talk to them in Zhonghai County. Send the Foreign Minister to Zhonghai County!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Shi Dakai had no objection.

Subsequently, Hong Tian summoned Foreign Minister Li Hongzhang and gave him instructions in person.

"I believe that the foreigners' peace talks this time have little sincerity whatsoever. Even if the Heavenly Kingdom defeats the foreigners on the battlefield, the foreigners will still act arrogantly and condescendingly."

They want to negotiate only because they have temporarily suffered setbacks on the battlefield.

Therefore, they wanted to use diplomatic blackmail to force the Kingdom of Heaven to make concessions and gain benefits from it.

"These foreigners have absolutely no sincerity!"

Hong Tian said with certainty.

"Your Majesty, what stance should I take in this negotiation?" Li Hongzhang asked.

Although Hong Tian had just turned eight, Li Hongzhang no longer dared to treat him like a child.

He had previously thought that since Hong Tian was young, the affairs of the Heavenly Kingdom must be controlled by the ministers, and the Heavenly King was just a puppet.

But after some time, he discovered that the Heavenly King had complete control over all affairs of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Even though the Heavenly King is still young, he should never be treated like a child.

This made Li Hongzhang wonder if there really are people in the world who are "born with knowledge".

"You must remember, the Kingdom of Heaven has won the battle. The Kingdom of Heaven is the victor. Even if the foreign devils are unwilling to admit it, they cannot change this fact. Furthermore, even if the foreign devils send more troops, the Kingdom of Heaven is capable of defeating them."

Therefore, the Heavenly Kingdom will absolutely not accept the extortion of these foreign devils!

Hong Tian reminded him.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Hongzhang nodded solemnly.

"Furthermore, if the foreigners want to end this war, then they must compensate the Heavenly Kingdom for its losses. For example, they must pay the Heavenly Kingdom tens of millions of taels of silver and relinquish all their concessions. The Heavenly Kingdom will not recognize any of the unequal treaties they signed with the Manchus."

The Kingdom of Heaven can establish formal diplomatic relations with them and exchange envoys.

The Heavenly Kingdom may engage in legitimate trade with them. However, the illegal trade in opium and other illegal goods must absolutely cease. The British Empire and Gaul must absolutely cease smuggling opium into the Heavenly Kingdom. Any opium traffickers caught by the Heavenly Kingdom will be executed!

In short, since the Kingdom of Heaven has won, its interests must be guaranteed!

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Hongzhang understood what to do.