Chapter 207: Deployment (Part 1)

“That’s right! The Japanese Empire should send two divisions to assist us!” The Minister of the Army agreed with this view. “We can also provide them with assistance in certain areas!”
Throughout the 19th century, Britain’s greatest achievements in the Far East were not its two conquests of China or its gradual annexation of Burma, but rather its success in winning over Japan as a vassal state.
To counter Russia and the “barbaric” Chinese, the Japanese naturally became Britain’s allies. By adopting Western ways, they became part of the civilized world. Out of sentiment and interest, Britain would always remain close to Japan.
Even during the Russo-Japanese War and World War I, the Anglo-Japanese alliance seemed unbreakable and would last forever, with Japan becoming Britain’s most obedient lackey in the Far East.
In the eyes of these Westerners, the Japanese Empire should naturally assist them with any reasonable or unreasonable demands. Of course, civilized nations would also provide certain conveniences before and after.
They were well aware that the Japanese Empire currently had about six infantry divisions and numerous police forces. During a rebellion a few years earlier, the authority of the central government had been effectively maintained, and new reserve forces had been established in Hokkaido.
In times of war, Japan could also mobilize a large number of reserve forces. The only problem was financial constraints, but the Minister of Finance had assured the Prime Minister that “as long as the Japanese Empire fulfills its commitments regarding China, we can issue government bonds worth three million pounds for them, which will be sufficient to support them through two wars…”
The British were extremely shrewd when it came to finance. From the Dutch to Napoleon, whenever their carefully orchestrated economic wars failed, the British now hoped that the Japanese would borrow money from them to wage such a grand war.
Everything could perfectly protect and expand Britain’s interests in the East. First and foremost, the Black Flag Army’s occupation of Guangxi Province posed a serious threat to Britain’s interests in Guangdong and Hong Kong, and might even further affect Britain’s interests across China—a situation the British could not tolerate.
Britain’s traditional strategy toward China was to maintain balance, not wanting any powerful figure to rise suddenly and threaten its interests. Their dream was for China to remain in a state of stagnation.
If any powerful figure attempted to rise, Britain would suppress them immediately. In history, Sun Chuanfang once unified the Yangtze River region, but because he directly threatened Britain’s interests there, he faced a British arms embargo and had to seek help from Zhang Zongchang in Shandong, eventually being defeated by the Northern Expedition forces.
The dynamic military force of the Black Flag Army would inevitably threaten Britain’s interests. Britain’s vast colonial empire, built over decades, might collapse first in the East. Therefore, they were eager to send troops to suppress it.

Such military adventures naturally required the Qing government to pay a staggering price. The British were ready to inflict further damage on the peninsulas and ports along China’s coast, and regarding the expansion of the Hong Kong colony, they even considered the feasibility of expanding it near Guangzhou.
However, the Chancellor of the Exchequer suggested that all costs of the war against China should be converted into loans to the Qing government, guaranteed by all of the Qing government’s taxes—not just the customs duties previously under British control. British advisors should be stationed in every department and at every level of the Chinese government.
As for military matters, the Secretary of War quickly assured, “We have the best soldiers and are confident of victory. The issue now is to deploy our forces to the East as soon as possible. We will certainly not repeat the fiasco of those French clowns!”
Due to their failures in Vietnam, the French army had become a laughingstock across Europe, and the British would never run out of reasons to mock the French.
They unanimously agreed that the French failures were due to a lack of courage and initiative among their troops, as well as their unpreparedness for colonial warfare—their equipment and troop numbers were inferior to those of their opponents. It seemed the French army had not yet recovered from the shadows of the Franco-Prussian War.
Yet France had reminded the British with blood that the Black Flag Army was not an easy opponent to crush like the Taiping Rebellion forces. This army had a large strength, totaling 30,000 to 40,000 troops. According to the Secretary of War’s intelligence, “The Black Flag Army is well-equipped, with a large number of rapid-fire rifles and small artillery pieces. Their overall level is only about ten years behind ours. Their training level is also among the best among our opponents. They prefer to use a mass warfare tactic. According to the French, they often launch tidal attacks with tens of thousands of troops…”
“Sir Pauncefote, as the Governor of Hong Kong, is quite well-informed, which is why he is cautious about sending five brigades—this is almost the strength of three divisions. The British Empire cannot possibly send that many troops. So my suggestion is…”
“Three brigades, one of which is British, with the rest of the reinforcements coming from India and Sri Lanka. In addition, as an ally of the Empire, the Japanese Empire must send two divisions to the war. We can provide military loans and weapons assistance…”
“Agreed!”
“We must protect the interests of the Empire!”
“I agree too!”
“This war will surely be as glorious as the war of 1840!”
……
Guilin.
The Black Flag Army had been occupying this city for half a month now, and its appearance had completely changed. The usual garbage and stench characteristic of Chinese cities had been thoroughly cleaned away, along with the corpses left behind by the Qing troops on the battlefield and their slow movements.
The Black Flag Army’s signal officers quickly set up telegraph lines, establishing direct telegraph connections from Guilin to Nanning and Liuzhou.

But those most affected were the local small business owners. The small factories attached to the Black Flag Army, such as military uniform factories, armory shops, and ammunition depots, had already set up operations in Guilin. At the same time, the Black Flag Army sent people everywhere to explore for minerals that could be used for military or civilian purposes. These small workshop owners had never even seen such advanced machinery before. The sheer volume, variety, and novelty of the supplies they needed left them stunned, but they also knew clearly that this was their best chance yet. Since the Black Flag Army entered the city, they had not committed a single act of theft, and the notices posted by Liu Yu further stirred the enthusiasm of these small business owners.