Tianjin has been lost, and Beijing is under martial law; we can't afford to wait for peace talks. However, according to traditional Chinese values, one should not harm foreigners. In the past month, apart from the unfortunate death of the German ambassador at the hands of a mob, other foreign envoys have been carefully protected by the court and remain unharmed. I worry that provincial officials may misunderstand my intentions, mistaking the protection of foreigners for a sign of wanting peace, which could lead to complacency and greater trouble in the future! Therefore, I order the governors of the coastal and Yangtze River provinces to quickly prepare all matters related to defense preparations. If you are not prepared at all, and in case territory is lost, I will definitely hold you accountable! This order must be expedited to ensure that the governors of each province are swiftly informed. This is my decree.
Real Histories
