Zhao Erfeng was overjoyed and looked around at his generals: "Sichuan Governor Zhao Duxian has sent troops, and the first bidder of the 33rd Mixed Association, Ma Zheng, arrived at night!"
This Tibetan rebellion was actually part of Zhao Erfeng's plan.
Two years ago, after the incident involving the minister stationed in Tibet, the Qing government immediately transferred Zhao Erfeng to quell the rebellion.
After Zhao Erfeng was ordered, he immediately gathered troops and marched directly to Batang. Zhao Erfeng successfully suppressed the Qicungou of Batang and became famous. Seeing that he was so capable of fighting, the imperial court immediately appointed him as the Minister of Sichuan and Yunnan Border Affairs to deal with Tibetan areas.
and affairs in Sichuan and Yunnan regions.
At that time, the political and military situation in the Sichuan-Yunnan Border Region and Tibet was very tense. In 1888 and 1904, the British army invaded Tibet twice, and the Qing government's improper employment of personnel added fuel to the tense situation.
After Zhao Erfeng took office, he immediately vigorously promoted the reform of rural areas and the establishment of culture and education, which greatly improved the local economic and living conditions.
The so-called "reforming natives and returning to locals" refers to the local chieftain system that was originally implemented, and the local traditional chieftains managed the place. Because these chieftains were not controlled by the court and could not be replaced, they gradually became the local emperors. Moreover, power caused corruption in many cases.
Because the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, the local chieftains do their own thing in the local area, dominate and exploit the local residents, and are no longer supported by others. And "reforming the local chieftains to return to the locals" means changing the original chieftain system to the official system.
, the imperial court sent officials to manage the local area, and they moved regularly, which avoided the original problem of the chieftain system becoming its own country and not being controlled.
In the 34th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Zhao Erfeng was appointed minister in Tibet due to his meritorious service in handling Sichuan and Yunnan affairs. He had full authority to handle affairs in Tibetan areas. At that time, the pro-British forces in Tibet heard that Zhao Erfeng, who was vigorously promoting land reform and returning to Tibet, was going to enter Tibet. Of course, they were very worried.
They were shocked. While they mobilized their troops to resist Zhao Erfeng, they went to the court to sue Zhao Erfeng and asked the Qing government to set aside "Greater Tibet" for its management based on the old territory of Tubo in the Tang Dynasty.
After the deaths of Guangxu and Cixi, these Tibetan pro-British forces believed that the court was now unstable and that there was an opportunity for rebellion! Instigating King Bomitu to attack Batang was just a test!
"In the past, the court might not be willing to fight against them. Now they are launching a rebellion themselves, but I can't blame them!" Zhao Erfeng said with a smile.
"Sir, how we should fight this battle needs to be carefully considered."
"That's right." Zhao Erfeng nodded and pondered for a while: "Order Cui Tingjie of Batang that once the rebels launch an attack, they are not allowed to take the initiative to attack, but are only allowed to defend. Hold on to Batang and do not allow the rebels to move forward!"
"What do you mean, sir?"
Zhao Erfeng said with a smile: "The harder they fight, the more reasons I will have to beat them in the future. If the court wants to blame me, it can't be blamed on me."
All the subordinates smiled after hearing this. One guerrilla was a little worried: "Sir, I only have a hundred men and horses in Batang, and the weapons are not sophisticated. I'm afraid Cui Tingjie won't be able to defend it."
Zhao Erfeng was slightly silent: "If you can't defend it, you must defend it. If Cui Tingjie is loyal to the country, then I will naturally ask the court for credit on his behalf!"
The subordinates immediately understood what Zhao Erfeng meant.
Even if Batang is lost, it will be a matter of time to regain it. The death of Cui Tingjie is equivalent to giving Mr. Zhao an excuse to go on a killing spree and completely pacify Tibet.
The death of Cui Tingjie and more than a hundred defenders of Batang can bring peace to Tibet and Mr. Zhao's everlasting reputation. They can be said to have "dead well-deserved"...
...
"Captain Cui, Commander Cui, the rebels are coming up!"
"Brothers, get into your respective positions and prepare to fight!" Cui Tingjie's voice rang in the brothers' ears: "We must defend Batang no matter what, and do not allow the rebels to move forward. Anyone who violates this rule will be killed!"
Gunfire rang out instantly.
There were densely packed rebels in front of us, carrying all kinds of weapons and swarming up like a tide!
The defenders' gunshots rang out, and the rebels fell to the ground, but those behind them stepped on the bodies of their companions and continued to rush over.
"Fight, fight!" Cui Tingjie roared at the top of his lungs: "I have sent people to ask for reinforcements. Brothers, hold on, reinforcements will be here soon!"
The hundreds of brothers were all gnashing their teeth and cheering up.
This is the front line of the rebel attack, and it cannot be lost no matter what!
Gunshots rang out and smoke filled the air.
The defenders only have one hundred and two brothers. At a glance, the rebels look like there are four or five hundred people, and they may continue to increase.
In fact, these rebellions are not a secret. One day they are peaceful, and tomorrow they are rebelling, day after day. The only thing Cui Tingjie doesn't understand is that there have been many sporadic conflicts before. He has repeatedly requested to go to the peak to increase troops in Batang, but he can't go to the peak.
Why is there still no action?
Cui Tingjie actually didn't know that these brothers in Batang were just pawns in Zhao Erfeng's overall plan that could be sacrificed at any time.
Cui Tingjie would not think of this level, nor would he think too much about it. Anyway, since Shangfeng ordered him to stay here, he could not retreat even one step before reinforcements arrived!
"Wang Chongxian, take ten brothers to the left, where the rebels are attacking fiercely!" Cui Tingjie shouted at the top of his voice.
"Yes!" Wang Chongxian of the third shed also responded loudly.
The first attack was repulsed, but soon the rebels surged up again without any adjustment.
The brothers kept firing bullets, and the corpses in front fell layer after layer, but the rebels showed no intention of retreating.
With a "bang", a fellow defender fell down, and blood burst out from his chest. He struggled hard, but he couldn't stand up no matter what. His body was squirming in the pool of blood.
A few times, and then finally stopped moving...
"Son of a turtle, I will fight with you!"
The eyes of the companion beside him were red, and he stood up desperately, and fired a shot, knocking down the most ferocious-looking rebel, but then, a bullet also penetrated his body.
He shook a few times and fell down softly...
Casualties were increasing, and the rebels were using weapons obtained from the British to kill and wound the defenders.
Cui Tingjie's roar never stopped from the first gunshot. He was trying his best to encourage his brothers and directed the defense of every inch of land.
The rebels' offensive was also gradually strengthening. They were repulsed time and time again, and charged up again and again, without any concern for casualties.
"Captain Cui, the casualties are too great, the casualties are too great!" Wang Chongxian rushed over despite the hail of bullets: "Why haven't the reinforcements arrived yet? We can't continue the fight like this!"
"If you can't, you have to push it down. Even if the reinforcements don't arrive, you have to push it down!" Cui Tingjie's eyes turned red, and then he let out a long sigh:
"Batang cannot be thrown away. No matter how difficult it is, we must let the brothers bear it. If Batang is lost, you, me, and everyone here will become sinners. I cannot bear the infamy!"