Slaying the Qing: My Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

As the New Year approaches, the weather is getting colder and colder.

For many impoverished people, winter has always been a very difficult time.

Not only because there wasn't enough food, but also because there was a lack of clothing for warmth and fuel, among other things.

Many impoverished people could only shiver in their drafty shacks.

Under the oppression of the Tartars, these people had become almost numb.

However, at some point, rumors began to circulate in Hangzhou and even throughout the various prefectures of Zhejiang Province that the Heavenly Kingdom was about to invade.

Once they conquer and occupy the entire Zhejiang province, they will distribute land to these impoverished people, just like in other provinces, and their debts will no longer need to be repaid. Everyone will be able to live a happy life.

This inevitably gave these people a glimmer of hope for heaven.

Although many people do not believe that such a good thing could happen.

But even if things get worse, they can't get any worse than they are now.

The General's Mansion in Hangzhou is undoubtedly the most magnificent residence in the entire city.

Even the Zhejiang Provincial Governor's Office and the Provincial Commander's Office could not compare to it.

After all, in the official ranks of the Qing Empire, the General of Hangzhou was a first-rank official, the Governor was a second-rank official, and the Admiral was a first-rank official. However, the Qing Empire valued civil officials more than military officials, and the status of civil officials was far higher than that of military officers. Even if a civil official's rank was lower, their status would still be higher.

However, although garrison generals were considered military officers, they were regarded as one of the Manchu emperors' own people and had the power to report directly to the emperor. Therefore, their status was often the highest.

The current situation in Hangzhou, under the command of General Ruichang, is one of utter chaos.

He was already aware of the rumors circulating in Hangzhou. This made Ruichang uneasy, fearing that the Taiping Army might launch a large-scale attack at any time.

Even though Zhejiang Province has been expanding its military at a frenzied pace during this period.

But Ruichang knew very well that the army in Zhejiang Province was nothing more than a newly formed rabble.

It is easy to imagine how difficult it would be to resist the Taiping Army's attack with such an army.

As for the tens of thousands of Manchu soldiers, they were even more trash.

A bunch of idiots who only know how to fight cocks and walk birds, can they be expected to fight the Taiping Army on the battlefield, except to bully ordinary people?

Thinking about all this made Ruichang feel agitated.

As the garrison minister, he has a responsibility to defend the territory.

If the Taiping army attacks and the defenses cannot be held, then those responsible will be held accountable.

Even if the imperial court doesn't actually call for their execution, losing territory would still be difficult to explain.

What's more, he was hoping to make even more money while he was in that position!

"Sir, the governor and the admiral have arrived!" a servant reported.

"Please come in quickly, please come in quickly!" Ruichang hurriedly instructed.

He knew very well that it was absolutely impossible to defend Zhejiang Province with just those worthless Eight Banner soldiers; he had to rely on Han people.

Or rather, the Qing Dynasty had developed to the point where it could only rely on the Han people.

Soon, Yan Ruishu, the governor of Zhejiang Province, and Zheng Kuishi, the military commander of Zhejiang Province, arrived in Ruichang.

"Greetings, General!" Yan Ruishu and Zheng Kuishi both bowed respectfully to Ruichang.

"You two sirs, no need for formalities! Someone, bring tea!" Ruichang hurriedly called out.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ruichang immediately got down to business.

"My lords," Ruichang asked, "I have learned that the Taiping rebels intend to launch an attack on Zhejiang Province. Can we withstand their attack?"

"General, judging from all the signs, the Taiping rebels are indeed going to launch an attack on Zhejiang Province. I have been adjusting my deployment and strengthening the defenses of Jiaxing Prefecture and Huzhou Prefecture in the north.

However, the Taiping Rebellion is powerful and their firearms are formidable. It will likely be extremely difficult for our army to withstand their attack.

Zheng Kuishi's expression was serious.

"Yes, General. Even the foreigners were defeated by the Taiping rebels and suffered heavy losses. It seems that the Taiping rebels' military strength is really hard to contend with!" Yan Ruishu said with a worried expression.

Ruichang's face was grim. He knew the imperial court had planned to use foreigners to deal with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. But he hadn't expected the foreigners to be so easily defeated! They were no match for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom either!

As a result, the Qing Empire now had to face the formidable military might of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

"General, although the Zhejiang Army has expanded to 90,000 men, the troops are still newly formed, lacking weapons and equipment, and their training is insufficient. If the Taiping rebels attack, I'm afraid we won't be a match for them!" Zheng Kuishi continued.

"Isn't there any other way?" Ruichang was clearly dissatisfied with this answer.

"General, we can ask the Governor-General for help. If Fujian Province can send troops to reinforce us, our pressure will undoubtedly be much less," Yan Ruishu suggested.

Ruichang nodded: "I will write to Lord Qingrui and Lord Dongchun. I believe they will not stand idly by and watch us die!"

Qingrui was the Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang, in charge of military and political affairs in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. Dongchun, on the other hand, was the General of Fuzhou, serving as a garrison commander, just like Ruichang.

"My lords, Zhejiang Province is a vital source of revenue for the imperial court, concerning the very foundation of the Qing Dynasty and the war against the Taiping Rebellion. It is absolutely not to be lost. If the Taiping Rebellion attacks, I hope that you two will join me in defending Zhejiang Province and ensuring that the Taiping Rebellion does not succeed!" Ruichang said solemnly.

After losing Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei, and Hunan provinces, losing Zhejiang province would undoubtedly be an extremely heavy blow to the Qing Dynasty.

Without enough silver, the Qing Dynasty simply could not survive.

Not to mention building up more troops to counter the increasingly powerful Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

The collapse of the Qing Dynasty was probably inevitable.

This was undoubtedly unacceptable to these officials.

They were all beneficiaries of the existing system and were part of the Qing Dynasty.

Once the Qing Dynasty collapsed, they also met a bad end.

February 10, 1858, even though the Lunar New Year was still a few days away.

However, after making thorough preparations, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom still launched an attack on Zhejiang Province.

General Li Xiucheng, commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, was in command.

The 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Army, and 4th Army of the Eastern Expeditionary Army launched an attack on Jiaxing Prefecture and Huzhou Prefecture in Zhejiang Province from Songjiang Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture.

Meanwhile, the 4th Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard and the 5th Army of the Eastern Expeditionary Army launched an attack from Ningguo Prefecture in Anhui Province towards western Huzhou Prefecture, Hangcheng Prefecture, and Yanzhou Prefecture.

Meanwhile, the 1st Infantry Division and the 3rd Army of the Southern Expeditionary Army launched an attack from Raozhou Prefecture in Jiangxi Province towards Quzhou Prefecture and Chuzhou Prefecture.

In a short time, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's army of over 90,000 launched an attack on Zhejiang Province from multiple directions.

The various units of the Qing army's Green Standard Army in Zhejiang Province engaged in fierce battles with the Taiping Army.

Despite the fact that the Green Standard Army in Zhejiang Province had expanded its army to a massive size.

However, these troops were poorly equipped and poorly trained. Furthermore, they primarily used cold weapons.

Even against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's troops, who were only equipped with old-fashioned firearms, cannons, and cold weapons, they were no match. Not to mention that the Taiping army also committed three elite infantry divisions to this battle.

Even though the 4th Infantry Division of the Guards Corps had just been formed and had not yet seen the battlefield or bloodshed, its combat effectiveness could not compare with the other elite units.

However, after rigorous training, as long as they could bring out the full potential of their weapons and equipment, the Qing army would be unable to withstand them.

After a fierce battle, the Qing army was forced into a series of defeats.

Meanwhile, the Taiping army advanced with unstoppable momentum, penetrating deep into the heart of Zhejiang Province.

On February 13, the Taiping army captured the city of Jiaxing Prefecture, and the Qing army suffered losses of tens of thousands of men.

On February 17, the Taiping army captured the city of Huzhou Prefecture, and the Qing army suffered another crushing defeat, with the remaining troops forced to retreat to Hangzhou Prefecture.

Faced with the Taiping army's fierce offensive, the Qing army was completely defeated and unable to resist.

Even the elite troops of the Qing army were no match for the Taiping army, let alone those rabble.

The situation on the entire Zhejiang battlefield was becoming increasingly unfavorable for the Qing army.

Given the Taiping army's pace of advance, it wouldn't be long before they could take over the entire Zhejiang province.