I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 219

< The Beginning of Collapse >

They say a wounded lion becomes even more ferocious.

The British army, having concentrated all its main forces in Tianjin, annihilated the Qing’s coastal defenses with overwhelming firepower.

The Qing also fiercely counterattacked, inflicting damage on the British army with the sinking of two warships, but in the end, victory went to the British.

With Tianjin completely in the hands of the British, the safety of Beijing could no longer be assured.

The straight-line distance from Tianjin to Beijing is only about 120km.

It is close enough to reach in just a few days with a considerable forced march.

In fact, Davout’s Second Corps, now swollen to 8,000 men, quickly occupied Tongzhou with British supplies and arrived right in front of Beijing.

It wasn’t that the Qing was just standing idly by, allowing this situation to happen.

The Qing, already overloaded with administrative tasks, was currently in a state similar to a critically ill patient suffering from hemiplegia [paralysis of one side of the body].

Rebellions were breaking out everywhere, and the Dutch and Holy Roman Empire fleets continued to harass them from the southernmost point.

Even though they had been defeated once, Russia was still aiming to advance southward.

Moreover, there had never been a case in history where a country with overwhelming naval power like Britain had pushed into Tianjin.

How could they concentrate their forces when unprecedented incidents and accidents were happening one after another?

Before they knew it, the enemy had already pushed into the capital.

Still, there were plenty of ways to resist.

This was because there were the Mongol Eight Banners and the Manchu Eight Banners [military and administrative divisions under the Qing dynasty], who had defeated the Russian army and emerged as the hope of the Qing.

Their leader, Prince Borjigit Sodnamdorji, decided to wage a decisive battle at Palikyo, the gateway to Beijing.

Palikyo was the most important gateway from Tongzhou to Beijing, and even the Joseon [Korean] delegation had to pass through here to enter Beijing.

In other words, if this place were to be taken after Tianjin and Tongzhou, the worst-case scenario would be that the Emperor would have to evacuate the palace and take refuge.

If that happened, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the order of the Central Plains [historical term for China] would collapse.

Conversely, if they overcame this crisis, the status of the Eight Banners Mongol army and Borjigit would soar to the point where even the Emperor could not treat them carelessly.

Borjigit completed the deployment of a total of 25,000 troops, including 12,000 Eight Banner soldiers.

Borjigit never underestimated the French army.

According to investigations, France was considered the strongest enemy in the West, even more so than Russia.

The ambition to become a national hero and the vigilance against the enemy were completely separate.

There were as many as 100 cannons prepared.

In addition, a matchlock rifle unit was also organized without any gaps.

However, no matter how much they did not underestimate the enemy, the Eight Banners Mongol army of this era had a fundamental limitation in their perception.

The most powerful unit is the cavalry, and no matter how threatening the infantry is, they are ultimately no match for the cavalry.

Unless the line infantry is thick enough, they will eventually be penetrated by the cavalry, whether they have guns or cannons.

That’s because they also have matchlock rifles and cannons.

The Qing army’s formation in the eyes of the French army looked exactly like that.

“It seems really difficult to erase the glory of the past when you look at it this way.”

The Qing army in Davout’s eyes looked like a carbon copy of the Mamluks [slave soldiers in Egypt] he had seen a few years ago.

Of course, the Qing army boasted a much stronger force than the Mamluks.

At least they had deployed a considerable number of infantry and artillery.

The problem was that there was a significant difference in range, skill, and rate of fire between this side and that side.

“If they charge with cavalry, we would be grateful.”

The formation to deal with cavalry is a textbook that all European powers are required to train in.

However, the Second Corps was not simply made up of those trained.

The veterans of the Second Corps were those who had directly crushed the Mamluk cavalry in the war several years ago.

“Listen, proud comrades of France!”

With the enemies about to charge, Davout raised his voice to his subordinates.

“We are now standing on the gateway to the Qing’s capital. It is no exaggeration to say that whether the Eastern power, which boasts thousands of years of history, kneels before us depends on this battle! But it is familiar to us. Look back on your memories! Even if they are an Eastern power, they are no different. Among the countless enemies we have fought so far, have there ever been any who faltered in front of us?”

“No!”

Not even a hint of anxiety appeared on the faces of the officers and soldiers of the Second Corps.

“The history of our Second Corps symbolizes the history of French victory! We blew away the corrupt aristocratic army and opened up the future of a new France! The memory of crushing the Mamluk army, mired in inertia in Egypt, and advancing to Cairo will still be vivid in your minds. It’s the same this time. Look at the outdated formation and armament!”

The soldiers’ eyes naturally turned to the direction Davout’s finger was pointing.

“Outdated formation! Outdated equipment! Outdated strategy! Everything is old and outdated. There is no need to feel fear. Go! The new wave we are creating will sweep away all the stragglers of the era!”

“Woo-oh-oh!”

“Long live France!”

“Glory of victory to the Marshal!”

Even though they were outnumbered by more than three times, no one judged it as an indicator of disadvantage.

The Second Corps had always fought with inferior numbers, and each time they had always achieved victory.

There is nothing particularly different at this moment.

The soldiers of the Second Corps, watching the incoming cavalry, silently reloaded their guns without even a change in expression.

※※※

Kwaang!

Ta-ta-ta-tang!

A great battle unfolded in front of Palikyo, a key point heading to Beijing.

Officers and reporters from various countries hurriedly rushed to see the battle between the strongest power in Asia and the two countries with the strongest armies in Europe.

Although the position of military observer group did not officially exist yet, people doing similar things always existed secretly.

Having taken their places far away, they watched with tense hearts to see whose hand the goddess of victory would hold.

“The Qing army’s formation is too textbook-like, isn’t it?”

“That’s what I’m saying. If they go in like that where the French infantry is concentrated…”

Ta-ta-ta-ta-tang!

As soon as the words were finished, the ranks of the Eight Banners melted away in an instant in the French fire net, and the British officer shrugged his shoulders.

“It becomes like that.”

“If it becomes like that, the cavalry becomes an obstacle.”

The lament of the Russian officer, who had rushed down to watch the progress of this battle, soon became a prediction.

The Qing cavalry was unable to break a single French formation that had skillfully taken a defensive position and was brutally ground down.

Since the cavalry collapsed so helplessly, there was no way the infantry could do any better.

From the beginning to the end, the Qing’s infantry and artillery were too different from the French army, so it was not a proper fight.

“If it had been a form of pushing with numbers mindlessly rather than the cavalry-centered Eight Banners, it might have been a better fight… The compatibility is terribly bad.”

This place was now more like a slaughterhouse than a battlefield.

The French army slowly advanced and wiped out the Qing’s great army, which was in chaos.

Even so, the appearance of the formation not being disturbed at all was almost like a machine.

“Looking at it like that, there really is no separate machine that just kills people.”

“I almost feel sorry for the Qing, even though they are the enemy.”

“I doubt if 10 casualties will come out… Gee, France’s momentum will increase even more.”

The British officers clicked their tongues, tasting the bitter taste.

What on earth did those guys believe in to fight a frontal battle with the French army in this terrain?

If they had a brain, they should know how to use it a little, but they are the most foolish guys in the world.

The expressions of the Russian figures, who had already been repelled once by the Qing, were not much different.

If this result is known, wouldn’t they be ridiculed for being pushed back by such guys?

Contrary to the expectations of other powers who hoped that they would put up a little bit of a good fight, the Mongol Eight Banners suffered a blow close to annihilation and scattered.

※※※

[Mongols, Eight Banners annihilated.]

[Yangyi’s [foreigners] army can enter Beijing in just one day.]

This shocking news was instantly conveyed to the Forbidden City, and no one in Beijing could be found whose face had not turned pale.

The panic-stricken civil and military officials did not even know what to do and were in a state of chaos, unable to come up with proper countermeasures.

“How on earth can it be breached without even lasting a day!”

“Didn’t they say the enemy was about 8,000? Or did we mishear 80,000?”

“No, no, no, it’s 8,000. They definitely said it was less than a third of ours!”

“But how on earth can nearly 30,000 soldiers be annihilated by 8,000!”

“How would I know, it’s not like I commanded it!”

“Don’t just raise your voice, let’s come up with a plan first!”

“You lower your voice! What kind of disgrace is this when the Emperor is watching!”

“The disgrace is this tragedy shown by Prince Borjigit!”

In the Forbidden City, which had already become a marketplace, the shouts of the officials continued to be heard.

Prince Borjigit, who should be responsible for this situation and explain it, had not yet arrived before the Emperor.

He was completely out of his mind and had just arrived in front of the Forbidden City under the protection of soldiers.

“…This is a dream.”

He, who had been muttering the same thing all day, did not even dare to cross the gate of the palace where the Emperor resided.

But the reality was that he was the only one who could explain this situation.

He knew very well that it was his responsibility to somehow go and advocate for peace with the Yangyi.

That’s right. We must make peace.

Those who have been beaten know, and those who have been defeated in war know the fear of the opposing country well.

The current Qing does not have the capacity to continue fighting those French bastards.

If we gather all the men we can gather and fight, we can certainly win, but then the country will be ruined.

Even if I am a defeated general, I must say what needs to be said and put a stop to the country from heading further down the road to ruin.

Just as he was hesitating for a long time and gathering courage, a tremendous number of young men rushed to his side.

“You guys! Step back!”

“Your Highness! Is it true that our Great Qing army has been defeated by the Yangyi?”

“What are you lowly things doing, holding your heads high in whose safety!”

“How can the Qing army be defeated by a handful of Yangyi! Isn’t this because Your Highness colluded with the enemies and deliberately misdirected the command!”

“I’ve been watching and watching, and these bastards!”

The enraged guards were about to draw their weapons and chase away the young men.

Chwaak!

“…Keuh.”

“Y, you crazy bastards! How dare you! What on earth are you doing!”

“Only death to those who sell the country to the barbarians!”

“Atone with death, you traitor!”

Feeling the touch of cold metal that had penetrated his abdomen, Borjigit slowly knelt down.

The few guards were no longer able to stop the riot of the people filled with madness.

These morons.

What do you mean the Qing could not have been defeated by the barbarians?

It was too obvious what would happen if those who had these thoughts insisted on a decisive battle… I can’t put any more strength into my body.

If I have to pay for the punishment of defeat with my life, I have to pay, but I have to say that no more war is possible, but I can’t even do that anymore.

This country is over now.

Those guys holed up in that palace will surely be like these ignorant people who are caught in cognitive dissonance and will only spout nonsense without seeing reality.

No, maybe this was instigated by someone among them.

I hope the Emperor will make a wise decision.

With that wish, the consciousness of the defeated general Borjigit sank forever into the darkness below.

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