I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 78

The Opium War in the original timeline was a unique and deeply significant conflict.

Sending an expeditionary force to wage war halfway around the world was, by the standards of previous centuries, an act bordering on madness.

For example, if the American Revolutionary War had occurred with America located where France is, Britain’s offensive wouldn’t have concluded so easily.

To dispatch troops around the Cape of Good Hope, across India, and into the South China Sea? That was essentially starting the fight with a massive disadvantage.

Of course, subduing a tiny, insignificant country wouldn’t be an issue, but their opponent was the Qing Dynasty, the most powerful nation in the East.

Why had so many powerful European nations eyed the massive market of 400 million people in China but hesitated to apply pressure rashly?

It was because they were reluctant to send an expeditionary force so far to confront the formidable behemoth of the East.

Their overestimation of the Qing Dynasty’s actual power also played a role, naturally.

The only ones who truly understood the power disparity between the Qing Dynasty and the British Empire were the British government, who had received my detailed report.

Even so, Admiral George Elliot, the commander of the expeditionary force, seemed wary of engaging the Qing Dynasty.

“I am George Elliot, commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force.”

“Thank you for your arduous journey. I am Killian Gore. While I hold full powers for the war, I’ll only be involved in negotiations at the final stage. I have no intention of interfering with troop command, so I’ll leave everything to you, Admiral.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“However, Admiral, you may lack local information, so I’d like to be responsible for filling that gap. This isn’t to issue orders, but to discuss matters through Commodore Charles Elliot, the joint commander.”

“If you follow that procedure, I have no complaints. Information providers are valuable. The report you submitted to the government on the Qing’s military strength and weaponry was a great help. It allowed me to devise a plan easily.”

The Admiral gestured to a large map spread out in the center of the room and began outlining his plan.

“Thanks to your report, I’ve calculated the exact strength differential. But that’s just on paper, and reality might differ, correct? So, I’m adopting a conservative approach initially. It’s not that I doubt the information’s reliability, but I want to be as thorough as possible. I hope you’re not offended.”

“Offended? This isn’t child’s play; it’s war. Naturally, you’d want the safest methods.”

As he said, things would change once they engaged in actual combat.

It wasn’t just the difference in weapon technology; tactical execution and the commanders’ mental fortitude were on entirely different levels. This couldn’t be conveyed through mere explanation.

“So, first, we’ll observe their response off the coast of Guangzhou [Canton]. We’ll postpone landing as much as possible and strike the most suitable locations for a naval blockade while scouting the coastal cities. If we blockade all the major coastal cities and starve them out, they’ll have no choice but to negotiate.”

They were employing the textbook 19th-century method of opening up isolated Asian countries.

By completely blockading sea lanes with superior naval power and warships, Asian countries would slowly wither.

Consequently, they would be forced to the negotiating table and compelled to accept incredibly unequal treaties. It was a typical approach.

Regardless of their anger, a continued sea blockade would lead to starvation, forcing them to comply with our demands.

Most Western countries initiated trade with Asia in this manner.

Later, the United States used this method to open up Japan as well.

“But, Minister, I’m uncertain about how the Qing will react when we approach Guangzhou.”

“Would my opinion, as someone with no military experience, be valuable?”

“Based on my understanding, they’ll likely defend by blocking the estuary and relying on coastal batteries. Even if their cannons are inferior, attacking ground batteries with warships is too risky. However… your report highlights numerous instances where their logic differs from ours, which you know better than I do. So, I’m seeking your insight.”

“In my opinion, it’s surprisingly simple. You assume they’ll defend because you accurately recognize the power difference. Therefore, if the Qing also believes we’re far superior, they’ll either quietly defend or attempt to fight us.”

Originally, after the Battle of Chuanbi [a series of naval engagements in 1839], Lin Zexu, horrified by the Qing navy’s inferiority to the British, purchased modern weapons from American merchants and built fortifications.

But now, the Battle of Chuanbi hadn’t occurred, and the Emperor, initially favoring a passive response, was enraged and eager to fight.

Even in the original timeline, knowing their naval inferiority, they engaged in naval battles when negotiations failed. Provoking them slightly will likely incite them to fight.

As I smiled, Admiral George nodded in agreement.

“I understand. Then I’ll probe them lightly for now. I need real-world data from the latest warships anyway, so a battle would be convenient.”

“Are you referring to the Nemesis? It seems construction is complete.”

“Construction was initially scheduled to begin this year, but your report expedited the process in Parliament. We barely met the deadline, but I’m unsure of its full capabilities.”

The warship sent to avenge the merchants victimized by the Qing’s actions was named Nemesis, after the goddess of revenge—a truly coincidental situation.

Even I, with only superficial knowledge, knew how different this ship was from others of the era.

Listing the specifications—five 6-pounders, ten cannon guns, etc.—doesn’t capture the essence.

This warship, perfectly combining steamship and ironclad technology, possessed a level of defense that made it virtually unsinkable by the Qing’s main junk ships.

Admiral George and the Birkenhead Ironworks, the ship’s builder, likely knew the theoretical damage it could inflict.

However, theory and practice differ, so the commander must consider the variables of actual combat.

At this point, neither the British Empire nor the Qing Dynasty fully grasped the consequences of a proper clash.

The Qing Dynasty believed they could manage with sheer numbers, while Admiral George was inwardly nervous about the potential of those numbers.

Let’s see if they maintain that belief after seeing their old-fashioned shells bounce off the iron plates.

* * *

As soon as Lin Zexu was convinced that war was inevitable, his first action was to strengthen defenses as much as possible.

He blocked the entire estuary with iron chains and deployed as many cannons as possible.

However, his preparations weren’t perfect.

He wanted to purchase the latest cannons from American merchants, but the circumstances weren’t favorable, so he only acquired about 20.

He initially wanted to buy around 300, but rumors of his killing British merchants and burning merchant ships made American merchants hesitant to trade.

“They’re the kind who would sell their families for money, yet they’re being cautious.”

Still, time was on his side. Continued fortification would deter the British from attacking, so it wasn’t a major concern.

The real problem was Beijing’s overly belligerent attitude.

“Determine the British force strength, and if we can mobilize more than twice as many troops, actively engage in battle…”

He understood the officials’ and the Emperor’s concerns in Beijing.

If the British harassed the coast and damaged cities, the devastation would be immense.

Moreover, unlike the Guangzhou area, other regions hadn’t stockpiled as many weapons.

If the British bypassed this area and struck places like Zhejiang Province, they wouldn’t be able to mount a proper defense.

Therefore, this area was responsible for stopping them and preventing further incursions.

Since Lin Zexu provided the pretext for war, he was also responsible for stopping them.

“Ha, they told me to pressure the British, and now they’re telling me to take responsibility for the war.”

Of course, it was the Emperor’s solemn order, so he couldn’t refuse.

Lin Zexu investigated the number of British warships and easily determined their size.

Five warships emitting smoke and 16 other warships.

Eyewitnesses also reported a strangely shaped warship among those emitting smoke.

With only about 20 ships, this side had over 50, more than 2.5 times as many, ultimately forcing them to engage in battle.

Having a large number was like being a gangster, but he wasn’t sure if they could win.

Remembering the British warships he had seen up close, he doubted they could overwhelm the enemy with twice the number.

“Governor, don’t worry. No matter how powerful their warships are, they’ll eventually be destroyed if hit by our cannons.”

“The question is whether we can hit those cannons.”

“We have twice as many, so we can push with numbers. There will be some sacrifices, but if it doesn’t work, one of our ships can be hit by artillery fire while another approaches and fires a cannon, right?”

That was a truly miraculous tactic.

Lin Zexu swallowed the words that rose to his chin.

Maybe it was a tactic that really worked, even if he, a non-military man, didn’t know it.

He wanted to lock the gates and let the enemies tire themselves out, but he didn’t have that luxury.

The moment a report surfaced that Lin Zexu was avoiding a fight with the British, he would be dismissed, and one of the many hyenas eyeing his position would replace him.

There was no choice.

Now, he could only hope his navy achieved results, even through human wave tactics.

* * *

The Qing navy, emboldened to drive out the evil Western barbarians, awaited the enemy off the coast of Guangzhou.

Finally, the enemy ships appeared in the distance, as they deployed their formation.

“Attack!”

“Ooooooh! Let’s drive out the barbarians!”

Lin Zexu watched from afar with a telescope as his wooden ships advanced towards the British warships.

It felt uneasy, like watching eggs being thrown at a rock, but the arrow had been released.

Despite his attempts at positive thinking, the moment the black ship, nearly 200 feet long, appeared, spewing smoke…

“…Can we capture that ship by pushing with numbers?”

Even the hope of numerical superiority, which he clung to, began to waver.

As expected, uneasy premonitions usually come true…

Kwang!

“One ship sunk!”

“Stay calm! Start counter-firing!”

“It’s impossible! It doesn’t even reach at this distance!”

“You idiots! Then get closer and shoot!”

“Ugh! The distance isn’t closing!”

“The barbarian ship is too fast!”

The sight of his own ship being instantly smashed by enemy artillery fire, launched from an impossible distance and angle, was unrealistically imprinted on his mind.

“Chao…”

With Lin Zexu’s short groan, the historic naval battle began.