The six-dimensional pictures of emperors of all dynasties were exposed, and the ancestors panicked

Chapter 756 Daoguang didn't know what happened at this time

{The First Battle of Dinghai was the first battle in which the Qing Dynasty lost troops and territory since the Sino-British War. The fall of Dinghai revealed the terrible truth that the Qing Dynasty's coastal defense was lax and the navy was corrupt.}
{It must be said that Lin Zexu played a great role in coastal defense against the British invaders, but the country's contempt for foreign policy meant that except for Guangdong and other places, the British army had no place to enter in other places.}
{If you fall behind, you will definitely be beaten!}
……

[The British army captured Dinghai, causing great shock to the Qing court.]

[Here, we need to mention the issue of information transmission. All of Daoguang’s subsequent decisions cannot ignore this conditional restriction.]

[At that time, memorials, petitions and letters from various provinces were delivered to the destinations of the documents through the post station system set up by the Ministry of War throughout the country, and were delivered by postmen on post horses from station to station.]

【From Guangzhou to Beijing, at normal speed, it takes about 30 to 35 days for postal delivery. 】

[If you use the "400-li express" method, it will take about 20 days.]

[If you use the "500-mile express" method, it will take about sixteen to nineteen days.

[As for "600 li express" and "800 li express", the speed is of course faster, but it will kill the post horses and the postmen, so it is generally not used.]

【According to the Confucian principle that "rites, music, war and conquest are decided by the emperor", all decisions on war should be made by the emperor. 】

[Today, such a slow communication speed has shown its disadvantages in dealing with traditional wars such as local rebellions and border rebellions, but it can still cope with the situation.]

[However, in this Opium War launched by a modernized enemy, the speed of the post horses was too slow compared to the sudden changes in the military situation.]

[The Qing court’s decisions were often half a beat slower than the actual situation, or even one or two beats slower.]

……

Datang.

"The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly. You may know the situation at one moment, but when you look at it the next moment, the situation may have changed, not to mention that it may take 20 or 30 days to receive news from the battlefield."

Li Shimin leaned against the soft pillow, twisting his beard and thinking:

"Victory is more important than duration in war. The information delivered to the emperor is disorganized. How can the emperor make an accurate judgment?"

"The consequences of missing a chance to fight are very serious, so it is necessary for a general to obey orders from his master when he is away from home."

"But this was an unacceptable challenge for the Qing emperor."

Fang Xuanling looked at the sky and said:

"The accuracy and speed of communication of military intelligence are crucial to war."

"But the emperor's attitude is also very important. Now... no, I'm afraid Daoguang and the Qing officials still haven't changed their minds."

Everyone understood what Fang Xuanling meant.

In short, it is the difference between suppression and appeasement.

Since ancient times, the Celestial Empire has had only two attitudes toward the four barbarians.

Suppress and appease.

But whether it is suppression or appeasement, the prerequisite is that the initiative is in the hands of the Celestial Empire.

The Qing Dynasty...

……

[Because of the speed of postal delivery at the time, and the fact that the Qing Dynasty was completely unprepared for war, Emperor Daoguang was not as clear about the start of the war as we usually think.]

The information he initially received was very confusing.

[It can be said that during the first 20 days, he seemed to be acting blindly.]

[On June 1840, the 7th year of Emperor Daoguang’s reign (July 17, 12), days after Dinghai fell, Emperor Daoguang received a memorial from the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Lin Zexu, in mid-June, stating that the Qing side had burned down the boat sheds and that the British side “could do nothing about it.” He was very happy and commented in red that “what they did was commendable.”]

[Three days later, on June 7 (July 20), Daoguang received a memorial from Zhejiang Governor Wuergong'e on June 7 (July 8), informing him that three to four thousand "British barbarians" had landed in Dinghai, and Daoguang was furious.]

【Due to the memorials received from Guangdong and Fujian some time ago, many of which described how they won the battle against the British opium ships, and Lin Zexu's letter, Daoguang believed that the "British barbarians" who invaded Dinghai were just opium dealers who had suffered setbacks in Guangdong and Fujian and "took advantage of the situation to sell privately."】

[So, Emperor Daoguang angrily criticized Wuergong'e's memorial in his red-line comments: "It is obvious that the Zhejiang naval and land forces are in disarray. A mere clown dared to act so arrogantly, and the civil and military officials were panic-stricken. How could they live a life of luxury in their daily lives?"]

[He did not take the British army, a bunch of "mere clowns", seriously. He was also dissatisfied with the "panic" of the Zhejiang civil and military officials.]

[On the same day, Emperor Daoguang ordered Wuergong'e and Zhejiang Governor Zhu Tingbiao to be severely punished.]

[Yu Buyun, the land commander of Fujian, who had made many achievements in suppressing the White Lotus Sect in Sichuan and Hubei and Zhang Geer, was immediately transferred to Zhejiang to assist in the attack and suppression.]

【On June 7 (July 22), Emperor Daoguang, based on the lessons learned from Dinghai, ordered the coastal provinces to "be more careful in blocking" to prevent the "British barbarians" who were cut off from trade because of "selling tobacco for profit" from "scattering around and causing trouble." 】

[On June 7 (July 24), Emperor Daoguang received another memorial from Wuergonge on June 7 (July 11), informing him that Dinghai had fallen and the British "barbarians" were approaching Zhenhai.]

【At this time, Emperor Daoguang realized that the invaders of Dinghai were not British ships selling tobacco, so he ordered the Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang, Deng Tingzhen, and the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Ili Bu, to send thousands of naval forces to aid Zhejiang.】

【Use the forces of three provinces to suppress one place. 】

[On June 7 (July 26), he ordered all provinces to investigate traitors and said: "The English rebels have caused trouble and captured Dinghai. We have now dispatched troops to suppress them. It will not be difficult to put them out immediately."]

[On the same day, Emperor Daoguang also ordered the generals and governors-general of other coastal provinces to "instruct their officers and soldiers to seriously practice patrols and take precautions. They should always plan ahead and not make temporary arrangements" to prevent foreigners from sneaking into the inland areas and causing damage.]

……

Big man.

"Emperor Daoguang is quite confident of victory..."

Lu Zhi looked a little strange.

If she hadn't known that she had misjudged this premise, she would have really been sarcastic.

But the emperor's "eyes and ears" said so...

Without the third eye, would I do the same thing if I were in that position...

Hard to say.

“So, never look down on anyone. Arrogance will only lead to failure.”

Liu Bang looked at Liu Ying and the other man and spoke earnestly.

"The entire Qing dynasty looked down on foreigners. This was not the fault of just one or two people."

"It's the world's mistake."

"But the emperor is the shepherd, and the responsibility of the world is the responsibility of the emperor."

"If the emperor were calm and peaceful, how could the subjects of the world be so arrogant and heartless?"

The two brothers lived up to Liu Bang's trust.

Liu Ying nodded, looked at Liu Bang seriously and said:
"Father is right."

Then he turned to little Liu Heng and said:

"Fourth brother, you must remember why our father was besieged on Baideng Mountain, and always take this as a warning."

Lu Zhi almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

It seems that it would be beneficial for Ying'er to play more with Liu Heng.

Liu Bang's face turned dark in an instant.

Nai Gong is talking to you about the emperor's duty, and you are talking to me about the Siege of Baideng?!
And little Liu Heng also said seriously:

"Brother, what you said makes sense. I will keep it in mind."

"In your big head!"

Could Liu Bang tolerate these two little bastards teasing him in front of him?

Just pick up your shoes and run straight over!

"Today, I will let you experience the silent love of a father!"

"Run, fourth brother!"

"Brother! Split up!"

Looking at the three people making a mess, Lu Zhi's expression looked a little ugly.

Is Ying'er so resistant to the throne...

...During the reign of Emperor Han Huai

Zhuge Liang clenched his feather fan slightly and sighed:
"The reason why Han Dynasty fell from power and Ming Dynasty fell from power was probably because they were unable to maintain their status quo and advance."

"When we advance, we must attack the enemy and they must defend themselves, so that they will be able to defeat us."

"When defending, they move around without knowing where the enemy is."

"There is no defense at all, even if there are defenses everywhere along the coast."

"Officials in several provinces have been plagued by corruption for a long time and if they want everyone to blame them, there is no way to stop them!"

Liu Chan nodded calmly.

"This is the importance of clean government and anti-corruption!"

……

[On the fourth day of the seventh month (August 8), Emperor Daoguang received the memorial sent by Lin Zexu on May 1 (June 6)]

【We were informed that nine British warships and three ships were coming, and we began to realize the seriousness of the situation.】

[But he did not make any further comments, only writing in red on Lin's memorial: "Be vigilant at all times and do not let down your guard at all times"]

[On the fifth day of the seventh month (August 8), Emperor Daoguang received a memorial from the Vice Governor of Zhapu sent on the twenty-fifth day of the sixth month (July 2).]

【Informed that a British warship was attacking Zhapu. He immediately ordered the general of Hangzhou to send reinforcements.】

[On the sixth day of the seventh month (August 8), Emperor Daoguang received another memorial from Lin Zexu sent on the fifth day of the sixth month (July 3).]

[Informed that ten British warships and two ships have arrived.]

[And informed that he heard that the British army might go north to Zhoushan, Shanghai, and Tianjin.]

[On the one hand, he ordered Lin Zexu to guard the city closely and “not to panic.”]

[On the one hand, according to Lin Zexu's suggestion, he ordered Zhili Governor Qishan: If the British warships arrived in Tianjin, they should be courteous and "inform them of the Celestial Empire's system and that they should trade with each other in Guangdong."]

[Tianjin neither allowed trade nor allowed "reporting according to the situation".]

【If they are unruly, we will immediately dispatch troops to suppress them. 】

……

Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period
Kangxi's eyelids twitched as he watched.

Also trade...

boom!
The teacup was smashed to pieces.

"Fuck you! I'm coming to beat you up!"

Kangxi was furious!

The most important thing is that he saw other meanings in these words.

The two-pronged preparations made by Tianjin have shown that the intention of the suppression office has wavered.

……

[On the same day, Emperor Daoguang received a memorial from Deng Tingzhen on June 7 (July 16), informing him of the victory in the battle of Xiamen. He was very excited and wrote in red that it was "well done" and gave generous rewards to the officers who had made contributions.]

[On the seventh day of the seventh month (August 8), Emperor Daoguang received the memorial sent by Wuergong'e on the twenty-sixth day of the sixth month (July 4).]

【Inform Britain of the additional warships and deliver the letter from the "false prime minister" (referring to Palmerston).】

【Emperor Daoguang compared the battle report of Xiamen's "victory" and ordered Wuergong'e to be dismissed from his post and stay in the camp to serve. He also transferred Deng Tingzhen to Zhejiang to take charge of military affairs and concurrently serve as the governor of Zhejiang.】

……

{He was dismissed for reporting truthfully. No wonder these ministers lied.}
{The wise king of Khwarezm rewarded messengers who brought good news, but fed them to tigers if they brought bad news.}
{What was Emperor Daoguang thinking when he dismissed officials at a time when he was looking for talents?}

……

Qing Dynasty and Qianlong period
Qianlong didn't want to know what Daoguang was thinking.

Because such information gaps in the court continued to occur, the rulers were simply unable to obtain comprehensive information.

"It took a full month for the news to reach Beijing, and the British army had already attacked Xiamen and Dinghai."

"The key is……"

Qianlong took a deep breath.

The British army is heading north at this time!
……

【At the same time, according to the established battle plan, after capturing Dinghai and setting up a colonial ruling organization, the British army, led by Elliot, left Zhoushan on June 7 (July 28) with eight ships including the Willisley and continued to attack northward.】

[On the eighth day of the seventh month (August 8), we passed Chengshan Cape on the Shandong Peninsula and anchored near Zhifu Island in the evening.]

【On the 8th day of the 6th month (August 7th), Emperor Daoguang received a memorial from Deng Tingzhen sent on the 21rd day of the th month (July st), saying that he wanted to go to Zhejiang after learning about the battle in Dinghai, but was afraid that the British army would invade Fujian again, "and then he was afraid that the head and the tail could not cooperate." 】

[Emperor Daoguang ordered the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Ili Bu, to be the Imperial Commissioner to go to Zhejiang to preside over military affairs.]

[On the same day (August 8), the British army continued to sail north, passing through the Big and Small Zhushan Islands, Gaoshan Island and Migrant Bird Island, and entered the Bohai Bay.]

[On July 1840, the 8th year of Daoguang’s reign (August 9, ), the British fleet anchored outside Dagukou, Tianjin.]

……

On the canopy.

Daoguang leaned back on the soft pillow, unfolding a memorial in his hand.

"Tianjin protects the capital, and is a key area. It is also close to Shengjing, making it an especially important place."

"If I want to win everywhere and at all times, I cannot help but be prepared for unexpected events."

"For example, the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang originally relied on the Yangtze River and the sea for external defense. Now the sea route has been roamed everywhere by the barbarians, and the Yangtze River is accessible everywhere. The dangerous places have been occupied by the barbarians, and the navy can no longer go into the sea to pursue them."

"Even if we repel them this year, they may come back next year. Once the border conflict begins, the war will never end."

"Our emperor is busy with many things every day, and it is not worth it to have such clowns jumping around. And the defense for many years is not free."

"So I am very worried and really want to enlighten them so that they can return to Guangdong with peace of mind and wait for the handling of the case. Maybe we can hope for peace and stability."

After reading the memorial, Daoguang showed a hint of emotion on his face.

……

【On July 8 (August 9), Emperor Daoguang received Qishan's memorial regarding Tianjin's defense.】

[It was not until this time, more than a month after Dinghai fell, that he realized that he knew nothing about the "barbarian situation."]

【He then recalled the incident a few days ago when Wuergonge mentioned the "false prime minister's" document, and made an exceptional decision, ordering Qishan:
"If there is a petition to be submitted, it should be submitted in its original form, regardless of whether it is written in Chinese or foreign characters."

Accepting letters from foreigners in Tianjin was not in line with the "Heavenly Kingdom" system, not to mention that the letter writers had already committed "rebellious" acts.

【But at this time, Daoguang was eager to understand what had happened, so he did not care about the ancestral rules. 】

【This was indeed a bold move for Emperor Daoguang, who was conservative in his status quo.】

[However, because he did not know whether the British warships would arrive in Tianjin, on the same day he also ordered the imperial envoy Yili Bu, who was on his way to Zhejiang, to deploy various means to understand the enemy's situation.]

[From the timeline, the time when Emperor Daoguang received the information was exactly the opposite of the order in which the British army took action, and his countermeasures seemed to be ineffective.]

【For example, Zhejiang's head coach has changed from Yu Buyun to Deng Tingzhen to Yili Bu, and the pressure has increased step by step. 】

[From June 7 to July 20 (July 8 to August 9)]

[During these twenty days, he finally understood the fact that Britain had started a war, but he still did not figure out the cause of the war.]

[Of course, during these twenty days, Emperor Daoguang's basic attitude towards the "British barbarians" was undoubtedly to suppress them, which was undoubtedly the instinctive reaction of the rulers of the Celestial Empire to the rebellious barbarians.]

【However, the decree issued by Emperor Daoguang on July 8 (August 9) regarding the acceptance of the "appointment" became a major turning point in the Qing Dynasty's decision-making.】

I feel dizzy after thinking about the timeline...

Let’s do it tomorrow. Take a rest tomorrow.



(End of this chapter)