Chapter 60: Chapter 59: International Legation Siege

Peking City, Qing Empire

“Then Sir Cornwall, what we should do now? If we won’t take any action, then the confidence of the British people in the city towards us would deteriorate.”

“Don’t worry Colonel… The German Ambassador had already called for a meeting in their Embassy regarding the issue. It would be better if it is the Germans who would take the brunt of this problem.”

“I hope that the meeting would result in a successful resolution to the issue. Every day more and more foreigners are harmed here, it might result in irreversible consequences if left unchecked for too long Sir Ambassador.”

“By the way, Colonel Brooke, how about the deployment of –“

While the two are still conversing inside the office of the British Ambassador, a large explosion had just occurred near where they are. The two immediately are in panicked and went outside the room to know what the hell had just happened.

Colonel Brooke immediately picks up his pistol to protect Ambassador Cornwall from any attacks. The explosion they heard outside may be far away but there is nothing wrong with being more careful. The door then suddenly opened, scaring the hell out of the two men. Fortunately, it is a British soldier who entered to report what happened outside.

“Sir, the American marine that would reinforce the International Legation who would arrive today are being ambushed by thousands of mobs at the outer city. The Americans ask us for help to rescue the pinned marines.”

Both Ambassador Cornwall and Colonel Brooke are shocked at what just the British soldier reported to them. They didn’t expect that the anti-foreign movement would dare to attack a large number of fully-armed and well-trained soldiers from a foreign country here in the middle of the Qing Capital in broad daylight.

This action is clearly a provocation to all foreign powers and governments that this movement is willing to escalate the severity of its actions until it can achieve its goals. These especially surprised the British Ambassador as he is part of those who believe that this problem can be still solved diplomatically.

He didn’t take into consideration that the movement has enough resolve and power to launch and start an armed conflict against all foreign nations. But after a few moments, Ambassador Cornwall is able to compose himself, worthy of his position as the Ambassador of the British Empire in the Qing Empire, to make appropriate orders and commands the men.

“Colonel, consolidate and command all British soldiers here in the legation and mobilize all men that you can spare to join the rescue.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Soldier, lead me to the American Embassy.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ambassador Cornwall then immediately follow a score of British soldiers who would escort him toward the nearby American Embassy while Colonel Brooke immediately reorganize the defense of the legation together with other foreign soldiers. As he went, men and personnel approach him to ask for any orders and give him an update on the situation.

He sees soldiers and personnel, foreigners and Chinese alike, in a state of panic or fear of the impending conflict. He can hear loud explosions and shots at the top of the wall of the international legation and in surrounding areas aside from those in the outside wall. It means that the International Legation is also under attack by the Chinese anti-foreign movement supporters on all sides. Luckily, for the past few weeks, all foreign embassies in the Legation have increased the number of security personnel in the area.

He makes his way fast toward the American Embassy and he sees that he is not alone that is going there, he sees other foreign Ambassadors from other nations like Russia and Germany. All of them nod to each other as an act of courtesy and respect for each other. Even if their countries are rivals or opponents on the world stage, in this situation every one of them is allies and comrade.

The soldiers and personnel give way to the Ambassadors entering so that the meeting can be immediately held. For the Americans, the trapped soldiers in the outer city is an urgent matter and they need help from other embassies to have enough men to launch a rescue operation. Ambassador Cornwall together with the ambassadors of Russia and Germany entered a large hall where other ambassadors are also present.

The ambassadors are talking with each other calmly even if they know they are under attack. They trust the officers and the soldiers to make the best choice for their protection. They even sent some men to organize a rescue team consisting of men from different embassies to save the American soldiers who are trapped in the outer city.

“Thank you for the help you provide us to save our American soldiers trapped. Our nation owes you our gratitude and thanks.”

The American Ambassador, Mr. John Mckinley, is the last to enter the hall. He immediately express his thanks to all ambassadors present for their help to save the American soldiers trapped and also talked about their current plight to which the ambassadors nodded to Ambassador Mckinley.

The situation inside Peking City had become dire. The attack is very organized and it seemed with the consent of the Qing government as they are no Qing soldiers sent to protect the International Legation. Even now that the attack is still continuing, the Qing army didn’t send any troops to quell the attack instead some Qing soldiers participated in the attacks, they just remove their military uniforms and dress up as a civilian but the training and skills are evident.

“How about the situation of the Austrian Legation? Are they also under attack?” the Ambassador of the German Empire, Baron Tomas von Bilovy, asks. If there is a western country that has amicable and good relations with the Qing, it would be the Austrian Empire which had just signed a treaty with them.

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“Before we lost contact with the Austrians they were also under attack by the Chinese,” said the Ambassador of the French Empire, Count Charlie Pierce. “The Austrians are cut off as its embassy is some distance from here.”

“We need to expand the area that we control so that the other embassies like the Dutch, Sardinian, and the Austrians can be covered under our command.” Ambassador Cornwall explained. ”The international army needs to gain the initiative and control at least in the nearby areas of the international legation.”

“How many men did each country have excluding those who went to the Outer city?” asked the American Ambassador.

“We the British had 120 men.”

“We Germans 237 men.”

“We Russians 83 men.”

“We Japanese 146 men.”

“We French 188 men.”

“We Spain 123 men.”

Each Ambassador had said all foreign soldiers remained in the International Legation aside from those who participate in the rescue operation. About 250 men went towards the Outer City to rescue the 200 trapped American soldiers.

“There are still those isolated embassies who possibly had more troops to add to our numbers and maybe the Austrians had already communicated with the Qing Government.” Ambassador Charlie Pierce said, hoping that the situation would not worsen as it is now.

“If the situation would become worse, I think it is better to arm the civilians who will volunteer. There are also some Christianized Chinese who flee here that can be added to the ranks,” Ambassador Cornwall added “it is highly possible that the Qing Government supported the rebellion.”

The atmosphere in the hall drops as they were faced with the reality that the Qing Government might had join the rebellion and it would become a full-scale conflict. If ever the Qing joined, then they are trapped deep inside the enemy territory and support from their countries might be too late for them.

The door burst open and all the ambassadors look towards the entrance. A group of men had entered the hall and as soon as they see who entered, it is the ambassadors from the Austrian and Sardinian Legation.

“Sorry gentlemen that we are late to arrive.” Said the Ambassador of the Austrian Empire, Count Nicol von Kleitz, “We need to secure the Custom’s Street and the road towards the Sardinian Legation.”

“Our men had already secured and barricaded important positions,” added the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Mr. Marco Bianchi. Both the Ambassadors of Sardinia and Austria are tired and haggard. Their uniforms are full of dirt and they are even some tears in their clothes.

“It is good that both of you are here. How many men does each of your embassies have?” Ambassador Cornwall asked.

“We Austrians had 124 men.”

“We Sardinians had 112 men.”

Both the ambassadors replied.

“Count Kleitz were you able to contact the Qing?” Ambassador Cornwall added.

All the people present are hoping that the Austrians were able to communicate with the Qing to know their stance. But all their hopes are destroyed when Count Kleitz said that they are no response from the Qing Government. It seems they were alone in their plight and it is up to God whether there would be a miracle or not.