Chapter 61: Secret Mobilization

  "Prosperity, the headquarters has already begun secret recruitment work, and financial support is needed to make it happen!" Wang Xiao said to Liang Xingrong. As early as after the approval of the "Taming Horse Plan", the Sichuan Army had already started secret recruitment work in preparation for the upcoming war. However, all this was done secretly in order to numb the Qing court.

  Kansai has established a well-developed conscription system, and all able-bodied men join the regular army or militia for training, making personnel extremely abundant. Especially those retired soldiers, they also receive half a month to one month of military training every year, which makes their combat skills not decline much even after taking off their uniforms. Once the General Staff orders, they can immediately put on their uniforms, pick up their weapons and join the battle. Although Kansai's regular army now has only over 100,000 people, this number can be doubled in a month.

  "General, what is the scope of this recruitment? Last time, the Ministry of Finance secretly allocated 10 million yuan to the General Staff Headquarters." Liang Xingrong asked. The financial revenue of Sichuan Province last year reached 1 billion and 200 million yuan, while the Qing government only had 800 million yuan in total, almost one-third more than the Qing government. However, Sichuan needs to spend money on more places, currently, the Panzhihua Industrial Base and Chengdu Industrial Park are still under expansion, plus the construction of roads and other infrastructure under the three provinces of Sichuan, all require a large amount of financial expenditure. The military expenditure of the Sichuan Army generally only accounts for about 20% of the financial revenue. Of course, during wartime, with the approval of the General, additional military expenditures can be made.

  "This time we will swallow Qinghai and Gansu provinces, which may lead to the Qing court declaring war on us. At that time, we will face an attack by millions of Qing troops. With our current army of over a million soldiers, it is difficult to withstand the attack of the Qing army. Last night, I discussed with General Xiong and President Chiang, and decided to secretly expand 8 divisions for the time being. We'll try out the situation before continuing to expand!" Wang said.

  "8 divisions! 1.5 million people! Plus equipment and ammunition, at least 150 million yuan is needed. In the future, the monthly military salary will also need to be increased by 20 million yuan, which will put a huge burden on the finances!" Liang Xingrong exclaimed in surprise. He didn't ask about the expansion of the Sichuan-Xikang Army before, but he thought that at most it would only expand by tens of thousands of people. But unexpectedly, the Sichuan-Xikang Army expanded directly by a factor of two this time!

  "Prosperity, although military spending is increasing, fiscal revenue is also increasing. Last year's fiscal revenue growth rate reached 20%. This year, with the completion of infrastructure construction in various places, industrial bases will also be put into production one after another, and this year's fiscal revenue will continue to increase. It can completely afford the current government expenditure." Wang Xiao said.

  "But, Commander. If the financial expenditure is heavily tilted towards the military, it will inevitably affect the construction of other aspects in Sichuan and Xikang provinces, and even impact economic development!" Liang Xingrong continued to argue reasonably. As Wang Xiao's important assistant, he knew that Wang Xiao would not blame him for this matter.

  "Don't worry, Xing Rong. It won't affect the economic development. If military expenses need to be increased, I'll lend it to the government privately without interest. Just return it to me when the finances are more relaxed!" Wang Xiao said with a smile.

  "That's good. Who doesn't know that Boss Wang is as rich as a country?" Liang Xingrong laughed and said. Since Wang Xiao had spoken, he naturally wouldn't say anything more. Most of the industries in Western Sichuan, especially heavy industry, were controlled by Wang Xiao, belonging to his private enterprise. Not counting the overseas Xihua Group, the annual total output value exceeded the financial revenue of Western Sichuan.

  This time, the Xikang Army secretly expanded 8 divisions, numbered from the Third Division to the Tenth Division, in order to teach the Qing court a lesson. If the Qing court dares to go to war with Xikang because of the affairs of Qinghai and Gansu provinces, Xikang will inevitably make the Qing court pay a heavy price.

  Prince Gong Yixin received the news of why the Sichuan army was attacking the Qinghai army and immediately sent it back to Beijing by telegram. That afternoon, this memorial appeared in the hands of Emperor Guangxu. Of course, the Grand Council and Empress Dowager Cixi also knew about it.

  "Bastard, this is an excuse, a complete excuse. What about the Green Army attacking the Sichuan Army's barracks? I think it's just an excuse for the Sichuan Army to annex Qinghai." The Guangxu Emperor fiercely threw the memorial to the ground and scolded.

  "The Emperor, please calm down. Even if the Sichuan Army is making excuses, we can't expose them now. Moreover, Empress Dowager Cixi will definitely believe this point. Therefore, it's very difficult for the Emperor to use this as an excuse to eliminate the Sichuan Army." Weng Tonghe hastily said. After Guangxu Emperor received Gongqin Wang Yixin's memorial, he summoned him.

  "Hmph! I don't believe they will withdraw from Qinghai after defeating the Green Horse Army. Can meat that has been eaten be spat out?" Guangxu Emperor said disdainfully. A province's territory, abandoned after such a big fight, would not be easily given up, and Wang Xiao was no fool.

  "If the Sichuan army does not retreat at that time, then they will be the ones who have lost faith first. At that time, we can take military action against them!" said Weng Tonghe.

  "It will be too late by then! No, I must go see my father now. We must take advantage of the current battle between the Sichuan and Ma armies to destroy them!" The Guangxu Emperor said as he left the Nourishing Heart Palace and headed for the Cixi's palace.

  "Alas! It's not that it's too late, but rather it's been too late for a long time!" Weng Tonghe sighed quietly as he gazed at the back of Emperor Guangxu. He deeply understood that the current Qing court was already in decline. On the other hand, Sichuan was still growing vigorously. It was only a matter of time before Sichuan replaced the Qing court.

  When Guangxu Emperor arrived at the Cixi's palace, Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Sheng Xuanhuai again.

  "Your Majesty's son has arrived to pay his respects!" The Guangxu Emperor immediately paid his respects upon seeing the Empress Dowager.

  "The slave pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Shi Duan also hastily paid his respects to Emperor Guangxu.

  After the most polite greetings, everyone sat down in their respective positions of ruler and subject.

  "The Emperor, why are you still looking so worried? Didn't the sixth elder's memorial make it clear? This time, the Sichuan Western Army's attack was entirely provoked by the Qingma Army. Once we punish the Qingma Army, the Sichuan Western Army will naturally retreat!" Empress Dowager Cixi said.

  "Father, the King of Western Sichuan is a wolf-hearted man. After swallowing Qinghai, how can he retreat? I, your son, am certain that when the time comes, not only will he refuse to retreat, but he will even set his sights on Xizang." Guangxu Emperor said with indignation.

  "Your Majesty, I have something to say!" Shi Zong hastily said.

  "Speak!" Guangxu Emperor looked at Shideng with disgust.

  "This is an excuse for Kuan Hsi, and we all understand it very well. However, the Kuan Hsi army is a rebel force, but the Ma family army is not loyal to the imperial court either. Isn't it good that they are fighting each other? Although the Kuan Hsi army is powerful, the Ma family army also has 100,000 elite cavalrymen. It's not easy for the Kuan Hsi army to eliminate the Ma family army. When they are exhausted from fighting, it will be the perfect time for our great Qing dynasty to strike and capture both of them at once. At that time, this world will still belong to us Manchu people!" Shi Teng exclaimed excitedly.

  "Wang Xiao is a cunning person, he must have had a complete plan long ago, otherwise he wouldn't have launched an attack on Qinghai. We can only take advantage of the fact that they are currently at war with the Ma family army to launch our own attack, and then we may have a chance of winning." Guangxu Emperor said stubbornly.

  "Your Majesty, you are being too rash. Let the armies of Sichuan and Ma's forces fight to the death, wouldn't it be better for us to intervene afterwards? If we send troops now, what if the armies of Sichuan and Ma's forces make peace with each other?" Empress Dowager Cixi also said.

  "This..." The Guangxu Emperor could no longer speak, he couldn't find any reason to refute the Empress Dowager Cixi's point of view.

  "Father, after the Sichuan and Ma armies have fought to a mutual defeat, do you really support my decision to go to war with Sichuan?" Guangxu Emperor asked uncertainly.

  "Your Majesty, rest assured that I keep my word. The Tibetans are the sworn enemies of our great Qing dynasty, and I also wish to exterminate them. If the Tibetan army and the Ma family's army fight each other to mutual defeat, or if they do not keep their promise and refuse to withdraw from Qinghai, then we will go to war with them at all costs!" Empress Dowager Cixi said firmly.

  PS: The first update is here!