The information furnished is generally credited at Peking and has been
received with much satisfaction by the foreign community.
[Inclosure in No.
1441.—Translation.]
Imperial decree.
We some time ago received from Te Fu a memorial with reference to the
rebels at Jeho and Chao-yang. At that time Li Hung-chang, Ting-an, and
Yu-lu were ordered to dispatch troops thither by different routes and
suppress the uprising.
Later we received a memorial from Yeh Chih-ch’ao, lieutenant-general of
Chihii, stating that at Chien-chang, Hsien, San-shih-chia-tzu, and other
places victories had been gained over the rebels.
Now memorials are simultaneously presented from Ting-an, Yu-lu, and Li
Hung-chang reporting the overthrow of the adherents of the prohibited
sects and giving the details of repeated victories over them. Of these
memorials we have taken careful notice.
During the 10th moon, from the 20th to the 27th day (November 21–28) the
brigade generals, Nieh Kuei lin and Keng Teng-ming, ordered over from
Manchuria gained repeated battles within the limits of Chao-yang Hsien.
They captured alive Kuo Wan-chang, the leader of the rebels, and many
others. They also captured alive another leader called Yang Ming and
killed Tu Pa-shih, a leader of a sect. More than a thousand of the
bandits were put to flight and all who remained were defeated and
scattered.
Chang Yung-ching, brigade general, and others have now been sent to
Chang-wu, Yai Men and that vicinity to coöperate in the conquest of
those localities. The companies of troops sent on by Yeh Chih-chao
defeated the adherents of the prohibited sects on the 27th of last month
(November 28) at Wu-kuan-ying in the jurisdiction of Chien-chang Hsien.
They put to death the great leaders Fu-Lien-hsin and Peng Tai-ho. They
also killed many of the Taoist renegades, who wore strange garments and
recited spells. The ground was strewn with the corpses of the rebels
slain. Countless arms and horses were taken.
The neighborhood of Ping-chien is now free from rebels and the work of
conquest is being carried on step by step from Chien-chang to Chao-yang.
Companies of cavalry have been dispatched from the district under Prince
Ka-la-chin to surround and defeat the rebels to the northwest.
The measures taken have been most satisfactory. The bodies of troops sent
on this occasion from Manchuria and Chihli have advanced with the utmost
rivalry. In every fight they have gained a victory. They deserve great
praise.
Orders must be given to Li Hung-chang, Ting-an, and Yu-lu to command the
officers and troops to avail of this opportunity to inspire terror
amongst the rebels and with combined strength to proceed with the work
of suppression. Let them hasten to destroy the rebels now occupying
Chao-yang, and allow none to remain, and thus restore peace to the
country.
Sixth day, 11th month, 17th Kuang Hsu
(December 6, 1891).
