Chapter 29 - 29 The Weight of Alliances

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Chapter 29: Chapter 29 The Weight of Alliances Cheers erupted as Empress Dowager Cixi's overtures reached the Yihetuan. The leader's ambitions ignited, envisioning a united Qing Empire "Hurrah!" The constant overtures from Empress Dowager Cixi presented an opportunity, and the Yihetuan leader, the enigmatic Master of the Righteous Fists, was determined to seize it. If the Righteous Fists were declared the national religion, every subject of the empire would learn our techniques. With a united and strengthened people, even the foreign devils could be expelled! Doubts about how much strength the techniques could truly impart were overshadowed by a deeper issue: the Qing Empire was a bastion of Confucianism. It had upheld the suppression of Buddhism and other spiritual practices with even greater fervor than neighboring Joseon. If the Righteous Fists were to become the state religion, the scholars across the nation would revolt. Winning the people's favor through religion could alienate the ruling class entirely. But such complexities were beyond the scope of the Yihetuan leader's concerns. "Master, the Empress Dowager wishes to host you for an evening banquet. Surely, this is a recognition of the Righteous Fists' growing power." "But is it not dangerous? How can we trust her, and how can you risk going there yourself?" Though the Yihetuan leadership was secretly thrilled by the invitation, anxiety simmered beneath the surface. Without their leader, who would guide the movement? "You fools!" roared the leader, dismissing their concerns. "Do you think soldiers untrained in the Righteous Fist could possibly harm me? I have attained the invincible state of geumgang bulgoe (Diamond Indestructibility)!" "Forgive us, Master! We spoke out of turn because we are still shackled by mortal fears!" "Please, grant us your mercy!" Despite his show of bravado, the leader felt a pang of unease. While the envoy had shown no signs of hostility, nothing was certain. Still, it was clear that the Empress Dowager sought to use him. Fine, he thought. We'll strike a bargain. I'll support the regent, and she'll elevate the Righteous Fists to become the national religion of the Qing. He saw immense potential in the Yihetuan's rise. It was the perfect faith for a troubled empire. We may not yet have the strength to defeat the foreign devils, but our name has spread across the land. With all the people united in one purpose, there is nothing we cannot achieve! "Does he think they're our equals?" "Did you come here to observe or to fight?" Austria's contingent consisted of a mere 66 men—mostly infantry, hardly a military force. The gathered commanders regarded them as an afterthought. Even Italy, whose force was twice as large, looked down on them. The march to Beijing, delayed by political squabbles and logistical hurdles, began five days after Japan's departure. Jinhan's Unlikely Role... "Excuse me, how do we secure this?" "Oh, you're asking about the tent setup? This model uses four support poles instead of a central pillar." Among the troops were civilian employees of Jinhan. In a typical war, civilians would never be allowed to accompany military operations. Even with significant donations, armies rarely tolerated such arrangements. But this was no ordinary campaign. The alliance wasn't mobilizing for a full-scale war. It was more accurate to describe them as a coalition of diplomats and their guards. The assumption was that the foreign envoys in Beijing were relatively safe. The army's role was largely symbolic, with expectations of minor skirmishes at best. Under the aegis of the British army, Jinhan's staff had been permitted to join. Their role was simple: distribute supplies, train soldiers on their use, and assist with logistics. The company president had insisted on sending them, knowing that without proper guidance, their goods might be discarded as useless clutter. "Man, these soldiers act so high and mighty. Do they think we're their servants?" "Hey, keep smiling while you complain. Think of the bonus we're getting for this trip." "True. This month's payout is going to be sweet." Though the work was taxing, Jinhan's employees maintained their composure, buoyed by the promise of fair rewards. Their professionalism—and the power of capitalism—kept them cheerful even in the midst of a military campaign.

Chapter 29 - 29 The Weight of Alliances

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