The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 24: Don't Be Afraid I'll Regret

Teng Yuzhao pointed at the Beiyang Military Academy and continued.

"Besides, I have not only studied abroad in your country, but I am also a student of the Beiyang Military Academy in front of you. This military academy employs German instructors, and those instructors are all retired Prussian officers, so this academy has a deep connection with your country. These are the reasons why I am willing to give some preferential treatment to German soldiers."

After expressing his gratitude to Teng Yuzhao again, Leiman glanced at the dozen or so German prisoners in the group of prisoners not far away and went straight to the point.

"Mr. President, the uniforms and equipment you requested are already in our concession. I have arranged for someone to pick them up and they will be sent across the river to you shortly."

Teng Yuzao smiled and nodded, saying insincerely, "Thank you very much. I hope we can have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future."

Teng Yuzhao also hoped to end their conversation as soon as possible. His Wuwei Army Vanguard Army had just been established, or it was just an empty shell with a name, and he still had a lot of things to do.

"Well, Colonel Lehman, you can take your people away now."

Teng Yuzao's words surprised Leiman, and he asked hurriedly, "If I heard correctly, Your Excellency the President does not need to wait until you get the uniforms and equipment before releasing them? Instead, they can leave here with me now, right?"

"Aren't you afraid that I will regret it?"

Teng Yuzao smiled and said, "Colonel, you heard me right. I believe in your promise, Colonel Lehman. You can take your people and leave now."

After saying that, Teng Yuzao made a gesture to Li Yulin. Li Yulin waved his hand, and more than a dozen vanguard soldiers came over with the German prisoners of war.

Colonel Lehman looked at Teng Yuzhao carefully and knew that Teng Yuzhao was serious. Then he put on his military cap properly, straightened his body and gave Teng Yuzhao a standard military salute.

"Your Excellency, the President, I hope we will not meet on the battlefield, and I do not want the German Empire's army to fight your troops again."

Leiman took off his military cap and bowed slightly just now. This was because he believed that his military rank was not lower than that of Teng Yuzao, the presidential officer, and he also cared more about the honor of German soldiers, so he did not salute. Of course, Teng Yuzao did not return the salute to him either, but simply shook hands.

Now Leiman saluted Teng Yuzao, which was his sincere gratitude to Teng Yuzao for his trust in him!

This time, Teng Yuzao also returned the salute to Leiman seriously.

"Colonel Lehman, I don't want this to happen either, but things are unpredictable. As an officer of the Qing Dynasty, it is my duty to fight against the invading coalition forces. Although I personally don't want to fight you, neither of us can guarantee that our armies will fight again. But I can guarantee one thing, I will do the same thing to the German prisoners as I did today."

Lehman bowed slightly and said, "I will not only work hard to preserve this military academy that embodies the friendship between our two countries, but I will also do my best to restrain our German army and treat your prisoners well." "But, please understand, Mr. President, this is all I can do."

Little Christian hurriedly greeted Teng Yuzhao, and then called the staff of the Lihe Company to come over to help the dozen or so German prisoners of war leave.

Because almost all of these Germans were wounded. Although their injuries were not serious and could not be considered critically injured, they still had difficulty walking due to excessive blood loss.

As for their injury rate, it was much higher than that of the soldiers of the other three countries. This was because not only were they the first part of the coalition forces to counterattack, but they were also the ones who persisted to the end. Therefore, not only was a high proportion of them killed in battle, but their injury rate was as high as 100%.

Before Leiman and little Christian left, Teng Yuzao gave instructions to Li Yulin.

"Those coalition officers should also be here to ask for their prisoners of war. Tell them that I will not negotiate with them. If they are sincere, they can exchange weapons, one hundred new G98 rifles, or the same number of American Spencer rifles. If they do not agree to exchange weapons for prisoners, then their captured soldiers will never be released. I will release them when the war is over."

"Oh, and tell them that we have limited food and medicine. Their prisoners need to pay for their food and lodging. Ordinary prisoners need two pounds per day for each soldier, as well as the cost of our care. The wounded need five pounds per day. If they refuse to pay, we will no longer provide follow-up treatment for their wounded from today on. All prisoners will need to do hard labor in exchange for their food and lodging expenses."

"As for Major Luke, since I want to maintain his dignity as an officer of the British Empire Royal Army, his food and living environment must be arranged separately. The cost is 55 pounds a day. He needs 20,000 pounds a year."

"Also tell them that they must pay one year's fee in one lump sum, because I estimate that this war may last more than a year. I have a total of 63 prisoners from the three countries, and the total cost for one year is more than 80,000 pounds. I can waive the difference for them. Including Major Luke's share, they only need 100,000 pounds. Remember to tell them that I only want pounds, not Italian lira or Austrian crowns."

“Finally, I also need to tell them that if they haven’t made a decision before dark, even if they come with guns and money later, I won’t agree to it.”

"Also, remind them that they must put pressure on Yu Zhongtang and ask him to keep these prisoners in my army. Otherwise, if the prisoners are taken away by Yu Zhongtang and then by the court or the Boxers, then I will be powerless. I only want money or weapons, not the lives of these prisoners. But the court and the Boxers are exactly the opposite of me. They don't want money or guns, they only want their lives."

"After explaining these things to them, they will all leave. If they don't bring weapons or money, they won't have to come again."

Teng Yuzhao and I deliberately spoke these words in a loud voice. Leiman and little Christian, who had just walked out not far away, could hear them. They looked at each other and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

At the urging of the two men, the staff of the Lihe Company immediately quickened their pace. The captives who had difficulty walking were even carried on their backs and trotted back to the ship in a hurry.

Li Yulin also followed and began to convey Teng Yuzao's request to the three British, Italian and Austrian officers. Soon, the angry roars of several Allied officers were heard from the riverside.

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(End of this chapter)