In the early days, the army suffered a heavy blow in the Weihai Defense Zone, and the navy was also severely damaged and retreated by a desperate attack by naval ships. When the news came back to the capital, it immediately caused shock in the court.
Our Qing Dynasty was devastated due to a series of defeats. The fierce confrontation between the main peace faction and the main war faction gradually gained the upper hand. Suddenly, such a breaking news came, and everyone was caught off guard.
Not to mention what Cixi’s old witch was thinking, in short, the court bosses who knew quite a bit about the Qing army’s combat power were all full of questions: When did our Qing army become so powerful?
But no matter what, Weihaiwei's victory is definitely a good thing.
Whether it is inviting great powers to intervene or negotiating with Xiaori, we are much more confident.
For this reason, the generals of the Beiyang Navy who guarded the Weihai Guard Port were basically not harshly criticized by the court, and even received many rewards.
There are no official titles, but a few have been given titles.
After finally dealing with the troubles in the court, Li Zhongtang returned to the Beiyang Minister's Office in Jinmen, exhausted, and immediately summoned Admiral Ding, who was guarding the Weihai Guard Port.
After meeting, he didn't waste any time and asked directly: "What's going on over there at Weihaiwei? Don't be careless with me!"
"Don't dare!"
Admiral Ding was well prepared, so he briefly described the general situation of the Weihaiwei battle in detail.
Of course, what he said was only what he saw and heard, and he was slightly biased.
From what Li Zhongtang heard, Weihai Weijun Port really did its best and was almost made dumplings by the Army and Navy in the early days.
When the situation was at its most critical, Admiral Ding personally went to the front line to supervise the battle.
Of course, he also talked about Senior Brother Wu and the Boxer Armed Forces under his command.
Li Zhongtang's eyes immediately lit up, he was keenly aware of the key to the matter, and said in a deep voice: "What kind of existence is this Wu Dong?"
"His boxers are really so good at fighting. Why have I never heard of them before?"
"Master Zhongtang, Wu Dongnai is the senior brother of the Jiao'ao Dharma Circle and one of the many boxer leaders in Lu!"
Admiral Ding hurriedly explained: "This person is relatively low-key, but his ability is extremely strong. He is very good at managing the boxers under his command and running the industry!"
"In recent years, the cotton cloth and peanut oil that have appeared in Lu are all produced in Jiao'ao, and were run by Wu Dong!"
"It turns out that he made Ludi cotton cloth and peanut oil. He is indeed very capable. At least his business ability is extraordinary!"
Li Zhongtang suddenly realized that he was still a little unsure about the Boxer Dharma Altar and the like.
After all, the most popular senior fellow in the law altar in Lu was not Wu Dong at all.
And here in Jinmen, where the boxers' general arena is located, there aren't many rumors about Wu Dong.
But of course he was aware of the popularity of Ludi cotton and peanut oil in recent years, and the interests involved were extremely staggering. Even Li Zhongtang was a little tempted.
Being able to sell Ludi cotton cloth and peanut oil throughout the North clearly shows Wu Dong's ability, and he is definitely a first-class talent.
"As for the boxers under his command, to be honest, I am a little confused!"
Admiral Ding smiled bitterly and said: "This person's behavior and way of dealing with the world are very different from the other senior brothers in the Lu Dharma Altar!"
"How to say?"
Li Zhongtang became interested. At this time, he was in a state of stress and needed something new to help relieve his tired mind.
"This Senior Brother Wu doesn't seem to like the land-greedy squire very much!"
Admiral Ding carefully explained: "So he and his boxers basically build their own farms in the wilderness. Except for some exchanges of supplies, they rarely communicate with the outside world!"
"Then how come their fighting power is so strong?"
Li Zhongtang was not easy to fool at all and continued to ask questions of concern.
"Master Zhongtang, since the Boxer Farm can be self-sufficient, it can also organize martial arts training to strengthen the body. The earliest Boxer Farm has been established for almost seven years!"
"After seven years of martial arts training, all the young men in the Boxer Farm have good martial arts skills. Naturally, their combat power will not be bad when they are organized!"
"impossible!"
Li Zhongtang shook his head flatly and said in disbelief: "Training and leading troops and commanding large-scale battles are not simple things!"
"Besides, I haven't heard of any large-scale gathering of people in the Jiao'ao area of Shandong Province. Could it be that the local authorities are helping to cover it up?"
When he finally spoke, his tone was stern and his eyes were cold.
"Master Zhongtang has misunderstood!"
Admiral Ding hurriedly explained: "Wu Dong has no experience in commanding large-scale troops, and his ability is probably insufficient!"
"The boxers under him are basically small groups of elite troops in units of a hundred, and their individual combat effectiveness is quite strong!"
"But this is not enough to prove that his boxers can kill so many little soldiers!"
Li Zhongtang frowned slightly and asked in confusion: "Is there a reason for this?"
"Master Zhongtang clearly sees you thousands of miles away!"
Admiral Ding flattered him a little and said cautiously: "As far as my subordinates know, there were two small groups of army troops who camped in the minefields he had arranged early and were annihilated in one fell swoop!"
"Minefield?"
"Yes, it's a minefield!"
Admiral Ding explained the specific situation of the minefield in detail, and finally said: "That is to say, Wu Dong's boxers are really fighting desperately against the Xiaori Army, and only the final defense battle of Weihaiwei!"
"But in this battle, the boxers suffered heavy losses. More than 70% of the boxers who participated in the battle suffered casualties. It can be said that they were severely injured!"
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
Li Zhongtang looked as if he had heard Yue's story and said angrily: "You've suffered 70% casualties and still haven't collapsed?"
"Master Zhongtang, those boxers fought in units of a hundred people, and it was also night so we didn't know the situation at all!"
Admiral Ding shook his head and sighed: "That is to say, their personal martial arts are really strong. More than five thousand Army officers and soldiers were killed!"
Needless to say, the rest is naturally due to the military exploits of the officers and soldiers of Weihaiwei Navy.
Li Zhongtang was shocked and could not calm down for a long time.
After Admiral Ding's explanation, he also understood that the victory in the Weihaiwei battle was indeed a bit of a fluke and full of luck.
If Xiaori's army hadn't camped on the minefield twice in a row, it would have been impossible for the last man to fight alone.
This is full of luck...
Of course, it is undeniable that Wu Dong's boxers are indeed powerful in individual combat capabilities.
He was actually able to achieve a casualty ratio of almost one to one during the melee, placing him among the elite of the Qing army.
Hearing that in this battle, the Boxers lost more than 70% of their armed forces, Li Zhongtang felt regretful and secretly relieved.
The imperial court and Li Zhongtang cannot tolerate the existence of a large and elite army.
As for what Admiral Ding reported about the escaped warships in Lushun Naval Port and the loss of seven or eighty-eight small ships in Weihai Weihai Naval Port, he didn't take it seriously at all.
The Beiyang Navy's combat power still existed, and what he valued more was those expensive medium-sized warships. As for the small ships, they were lost, and at worst, he would buy a batch more.
"Is it possible to recruit that Wu Dong?"
After pondering for a long time, Li Zhongtang finally spoke slowly: "Talents are rare, and we in Beiyang need such talents!"
"I'm afraid it's going to be a little difficult!"
Admiral Ding said helplessly: "I have communicated with him several times. He is not used to those things in the officialdom, and he does not want to get involved!"
When Li Zhongtang heard this, he could only let out a long sigh, but he didn't feel angry at all.
I just feel tired. Even a strong man from the countryside knows that the officialdom is dim. You can imagine how corrupt the officialdom of the imperial court has been.
"We still need to win over!"
Li Zhongtang said slowly: "After all, I still occupy Lushun in my little life, and I can sneak attack Weihaiweijun Port at any time, but don't capsize the boat in the gutter!"
"Don't worry, Lord Zhongtang, my subordinates must be careful and vigilant. If you don't give me a chance, I can take advantage of it!"
When he came out of the Beiyang Minister's Office, he realized that the clothes on his back were wet with cold sweat.
However, he was in a pretty good mood and finally managed to fool Li Zhongtang.
If Master Zhongtang knew the actual situation in Jiao'ao, it would be difficult to maintain stability.
In fact, he still had some words that he didn't say.
That was the bad idea given by Senior Brother Wu before coming here.
That is to quickly purchase a batch of fast gunboats, specially used to deal with merchant ships on the sea in Xiaori, and not directly collide with warships in Xiaori.
In the small days, the country's power was limited and it simply could not withstand such a torment.
Of course, the premise is that the court must make up its mind, ignore all the conditions of the small life, and be prepared to continue fighting.
This idea is really cruel.
Admiral Ding was naturally not very willing, but he couldn't resist Senior Brother Wu's request.
In my heart, I feel like taking a gamble. After all, I can afford to consume the vast resources in the Qing Dynasty, and I can't spend much time in my small life.
Unfortunately, after arriving at Tianjin, all they heard were talks of cooperation, and the people in Beiyang had no intention of continuing the fight.
Admiral Ding's heart suddenly went cold, and he naturally would not mention it in front of Li Zhongtang.
In my heart, I was actually very disappointed. Whether it was the performance of the imperial court or Beiyang, it was really not that good.
On the other side, Li Zhongtang naturally would not believe Admiral Ding's one-sided words.
He called his close aides and asked them to arrange for capable people to go to the Jiao'ao area. He must find out the situation of Wu Dong and find out the specific situation there.
Wu Dong's name was deeply remembered by this famous watchmaker.
Unfortunately, Wu Dong had no interest in this. At this time, all his energy was focused on the treatment of the injured boxers and arranging their escape. How could he care about anything else?
Most of the injuries suffered by the Boxers were gunshot wounds, with a small number of cold weapon injuries and some mutilated limbs.
The entire Boxer Medical Center is busy. It has expanded to include hundreds of doctors and hundreds of apprentices. Even though the medical center is operating at full capacity, there are still some shortcomings...