Chapter 52: I Became a Savior Once

  Dispersing the Boxers and gathering the crowd, stopping the Boxer Movement in the Beijing-Tianjin area was not as easy as Kang Youwei had imagined. Although Grand Minister Ronglu and others on the surface carried out Empress Dowager Cixi's orders, they actually did not have any intention of dispersing the Boxers. They had already regarded the Boxers as an absolute force for achieving their own political goals, and it was impossible to easily abandon them.

  The Boxer movement in the Beijing-Tianjin area, after a period of calm, re-emerged with increased ferocity, sweeping across the entire Zhili province. For a time, massacres of foreigners and native Christians occurred continuously, especially in the areas surrounding the capital city.

  Later, the Gansu Tidu Dong Fuxiang's Gansu Army was incorporated into Ronglu's Wugeng Houjun, and was ordered to defend the capital. Not only did they not carry out Empress Dowager Cixi's order to disperse the Boxers, but they also encouraged officials and soldiers to join the Boxers and participate in the riot.

  The Empress Dowager Cixi originally wanted to punish Dong Fuxiang, but Dong Fuxiang threatened that it would lead to the mutiny of the Gansu Army, leaving the Empress Dowager with no choice. At this time, the Empress Dowager could only seek help from the Jin Army closest to Beijing.

  On May 20, 1900, after receiving the telegram from Empress Dowager Cixi, Kang Fang led the mechanized brigade of Zhou's team to rush into Beijing and first entered the embassy area in Dongjiaominxiang. The dozen or so fire trucks, obstacle-clearing vehicles and transport vehicles of the Imperial Guards Fire Brigade hastily summoned from Shanxi immediately began clearing roadblocks and fighting fires under the protection of the mechanized brigade.

  Wearing eye-catching orange flame-retardant and waterproof military uniforms, with grass-green helmets on their heads, the officers and soldiers of the internal guard fire brigade operated the sturdy high-pressure water cannon on top of the "Iron Horse" fire truck. The white water columns accurately splashed onto the burning building, quickly controlling the flames; the clearing vehicle swung its steel shovel in front of the car head, scooping up piles of debris and garbage into the open carriage of the "Iron Horse" transport vehicle, immediately transporting them away...

  After the arrival of 2 Shanxi army infantry brigades by train, Kang Fan ordered these two Shanxi army brigades to blockade the main roads around Beijing and led the mechanized brigade with Zhou Tuanzhang to forcibly disarm and arrest the Boxers in Beijing.

  Judy finally put down her hanging heart after seeing Kovan's troops on the embassy building.

  Since the siege of the embassy district by the Boxer rebels, news has been coming in constantly about churches being burned and priests and Christians being massacred collectively. There are also several photographs circulating in the embassy district that were taken at great risk to life, showing scenes of killing. All this has terrified Jade, who has been waiting anxiously for Kung Fan's arrival day after day. Now that she finally sees him, she is so excited that she cannot speak and can only tightly hug Kung Fan and cry loudly.

  "It's all right, Judy." Constance patted Judy gently in her arms, comforting her.

  Other staff in the embassy rushed over, all with anxious expressions, pulling on Jin Jun's hands and asking him questions.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, please return to the embassy for shelter first. We will notify you after the situation has stabilized." Captain Zhou stood on top of the car, using a handheld loudspeaker in pure English, "Please do not panic, there are Qing officials and soldiers protecting the embassy area, you can rest assured."

  Everyone heard him speak fluent English, and they all gathered around, asking this and that, reluctant to disperse for a long time.

  Kang Fan lifted Judy's pretty face, wiping away her tears. "If you stayed at the Nan Kou base for a few more days, this wouldn't have happened. Why did you have to leave? Now I won't get to eat my favorite beef steak for a long time."

  "Well, I have to work, can't always stick with you, right?" Judy said awkwardly.

  Kang Fan laughed, "You are now a senior advisor to our Shanxi government, so you have to stick with me all the time."

  "Principal, military affairs are urgent!" Zhou Tuanzhang was dissatisfied and loudly reminded Kang Fan.

  Kang Fan felt a bit awkward and let go of Judy, "Don't run around, just wait for me here."

  Judy smiled happily and nodded vigorously.

  Leaving some troops to protect the embassy district, Kang Fan and Zhou Tuanzhang divided their forces into two routes and advanced along the way. Dozens of "Iron Horse" military vehicles roared forward, opening up a path, with the 96-style general-purpose machine guns on top gleaming with an intimidating black light. Fire trucks and rescue vehicles followed closely behind, putting out fires and clearing roadblocks along the way.

  The Gansu army and the Boxers, upon hearing that the Shanxi army's main force had entered the capital, fled in disarray. Rifles, big knives, and long spears were scattered all over the ground, and they completely lost the arrogant air of bullying ordinary people who were unarmed. But how could they escape the wheels of the Shanxi army's cars? In less than half a day, they were surrounded and divided at various places in the capital. Those who managed to escape from the capital were also blocked by other Shanxi troops stationed outside the city.

  The Shanxi troops shouted through the loudspeakers on the cars: "Don't panic, members of the Boxer Rebellion. The Shanxi army has been ordered to disarm you and will not kill anyone easily. However, if you refuse to listen and resist stubbornly, you will be dealt with as bandits on the spot!"

  Although most of the Boxers knew about the strength and intentions of the Shanxi Army, they surrendered cooperatively, but some hardline Gansu soldiers incited the Boxers to resist with force, causing chaos among the crowd.

  The high-pressure water cannon on the Jin army's fire truck was fully open, and the powerful jet of water shot into the crowd running east and west, driving away the gathering people. The mechanized troops' snipers waiting on top of the vehicle looked down from a height, accurately distinguishing those hardline Gan soldiers in the dense crowd. The crisp sound of the 96-style sniper rifle rang out one after another, and one by one, the hardliners were shot dead, with splashing blood flying everywhere in the crowd. The precise shooting made even the experienced Gan army soldiers' hearts tremble with fear, and the chaos was quickly brought under control.

  After the Boxer crowds and some of the Gansu troops were rounded up, Kang Fang led his army to press on the main force of the Gansu Army stationed near the Temple of Heaven and the Altar of Agriculture, the 24 82 field guns of the mechanized brigade were densely arrayed outside the Gansu Army camp, the well-trained artillerymen quickly set up the firing parameters, the yellow shells "clanged" into the barrels, waiting for Kang Fang's order.

  "Comrades of the Gan army, put down your weapons and line up to leave the camp, to accept the treatment of the Jin army. You have one minute to update, once the time is up, the cannons will serve!"

  A commotion arose in the barracks, but it soon subsided and all was quiet again.

  When the clock struck one, Director Zhou looked at Kang Fan. Kang Fan nodded slightly.

  "Fire!" Captain Zhou bellowed.

  After the first round of artillery fire, a Gansu soldier who escaped from the military camp with cannon fire passed on a message to Kang Fang: Dong Fuxiang respectfully requested that the Shanxi army cease its bombardment and the Gansu army would disarm.

  Kang Fan waved his hand and the artillery fire stopped immediately.

  Gan's troops marched out of the smoky military camp with their heads hung low. A security bureau intelligence officer pointed out to Kang Fan that Gan's leader, Dong Fuxiang, was hiding in the ranks.

  "Master Dong, wait a moment." "More and faster chapters are available at..." Kang Fan shouted.

  Dong Fuxiang had never seen Kang Fan before, but he could still tell that this person was extraordinary. He stood up straight and looked up to meet Kang Fan's gaze.

  Kang Fan smiled, "Lord Dong, I am Kang Fan, the Governor of Shanxi."

  Dong Fuxiang was taken aback and cupped his fists in respect, saying: "The great name of Governor Kang has shaken the heavens and moved the earth; today I have the honor of meeting you, and indeed it is not an ordinary encounter."

  Kang Fan sneered: "Dong Da Ren rose to prominence with his rebellious acts against the imperial court and leading the Hui people of Shaanxi and Gansu in an uprising, truly a remarkable feat!"

  Dong Fuxiang had participated in the Shaanxi-Gansu Hui people uprising during the Tongzhi Emperor's reign, leading a crowd to resist the Qing, and was active in areas such as Longdong and Shaanbei. Later, he was defeated by General Zuo Zongtang and surrendered to the imperial court, turning around to help the Qing army suppress the Hui uprisings in Shaanxi, Gansu, Xining, and other places. His military achievements were brilliant, and his career path became smooth sailing, making him a complete opportunist. Nearly 40 years later, the old shameful affair was suddenly brought up by Kang Fan, who was just over 20 years old at the time, leaving Dong Fuxiang utterly astonished.

  "Governor Kong is still young, don't listen to the rumors of evil people and damage the reputation of this governor." Dong Fuxiang was still stubborn.

  Kang Fan slapped Dong Fuxiang to the ground with a backhand and cursed, "Inciting the Gan army to disobey the empress's orders, causing so many innocent lives to be lost! Old scoundrel, why didn't you get blown up just now!"

  Dong Fuxiang cowered on the ground, not daring to get up. His several bodyguards immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Kang Fan, knocking their heads against the ground like pounding garlic.

  "Spare Lord Kang's life! Spare Lord Kang's life!"

  Kang Fa was not allowed to privately deal with Dong Fuxiang, and had to wait for Cixi's orders. At this time, facing the kneeling Gansu soldiers on the ground, he let them go with a wave of his hand.

  After the turmoil in Beijing was resolved, the Jin army's various units immediately launched a cleanup operation. More fire trucks, excavators, bulldozers, and transport vehicles were brought in from Shanxi by train, rumbling through the streets of Beijing, and within days, the city was cleaned up, with rubble and garbage scattered everywhere, thick smoke and fierce fires filling the air! In this vast city, whether Chinese or foreign, who had ever seen such a magnificent sight? Everyone was stunned by what they saw before their eyes, speechless and at a loss for words!

  Afterwards, thousands of Jinwu cavalry troops rushed to the Beijing-Tianjin area and carried out large-scale arrests of the scattered Boxer rebels. Within a month, the situation around Beijing and Tianjin improved rapidly.

  The Jin army's inner guard cavalry troops stationed in the Beijing-Tianjin area were all officers and men belonging to the security and border defense forces, who were very familiar with this task. They were each equipped with a Type 96 rifle, a Type 96 automatic pistol, and a Type 96 saber, combining long-range, medium-range, and close-range capabilities, with strong individual firepower. With their agile war horses, a small team of 12 people could often control hundreds of rioters, with very high efficiency. Moreover, whether they were Boxer rebels, Qing government soldiers or Western missionaries, as long as they rioted, they would be subdued, and those who dared to resist would be ruthlessly killed on the spot! And their bright red collar badges, yellow insignia, and olive green uniforms with black shiny boots, plus their tall and majestic horses, made them look handsome and impressive, leaving a deep impression of majesty and justice among the local people.

  Large numbers of Shanxi regular troops and Imperial Guardsmen arrived in Beijing by train, quickly launching a larger and more thorough campaign to suppress the Boxer movement throughout Zhili Province.

  The Western powers had originally intended to use the protection of their respective legations and nationals as a pretext for sending troops into China, but the rapid stabilization of the situation in Peking, the swift and efficient suppression of the Boxers by the Imperial Army, and the intimidating display of military power by the latter, caused them to abandon this plan.

  The Jin army's inner guard cavalry unit, stationed at the Nan Kou base, participated in the construction of the base while patrolling the outskirts of the capital. Under the unified command of the Security Bureau, they closely monitored the daily activities of officials such as Gang Yi and others who were dissatisfied with the imperial court, greatly restricting their movements and making them extremely angry but helpless. Later, the Jin army's regular troops withdrew from the capital and returned to defend the Nan Kou base.

  The embassy district has restored its former order, Kang Fan wore his military uniform and drove to find Judy. As soon as he entered the US Embassy, he was warmly welcomed by all the staff members, feeling very pleased.

  "You've become a savior!" Judy said with some pride.

  Kang Fan smiled and said: "I'm here because I wanted to eat steak."

  Judy grumbled discontentedly, "You're saying that it's not because you were hungry that you didn't come back, right?"

  "Strictly speaking, it's you, this beauty, who is summoning my legs, not the fragrant steak."

  Judy smiled contentedly then.