If the Qing government persists, it can win; the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1899 only lasted for 9 months
1. The wealth accumulated by Japan is not enough to support a protracted war;
In March 1895, Japanese Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu admitted: "The domestic navy and army preparations are almost empty, and our military personnel, who have continued to fight for a long time last year, are already short of military supplies."
2. Japanese Army There are not many strategic options;
If we attack the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions, which are the most economically developed areas, it will offend the interests of Britain and France in China and trigger international interference. The best option is to attack Beijing. Then the limited troops will have to land at Shanhaiguan or Dagukou. Both of these places are military fortresses. Even if they are captured, they will not be able to form a strategic advantage and will put pressure on logistics and military supplies;
3. After the Lushun Massacre, it aroused the indignation of the whole country, and soldiers and people from all over the country participated in the war enthusiastically. The Han troops transferred from the south fought tenaciously, won the support of the local people, carried out local counterattacks, and initially had the conditions for a protracted war.
The main force of the Qing army that fought in 1895 was the old Hunan army transferred from the south and the local soldiers from the three eastern provinces. They were not a little stronger than the five scum of the Eight Banners and Green Camp.
For example, the five counterattacks on Haicheng and the Battle of Taipingshan. The Japanese records stated that “the artillery fired thousands of shells...the dead bodies of ours were piled up in mountains, and blood flowed like water.” They praised the Qing army for “first attacking Phoenix City, and then Haicheng...Now they are taking the offensive, and their ambitions are very high.” good". In February and March 1895, the Qing army in Shandong recovered Mouping, Wendeng, Rongcheng and other places, and the Qing army in Liaodong recovered Kuandian, Changdian, Jinchang and other places.
4. The frontline generals and most of the frontier officials (mostly Han governors) refused to sue for peace and demanded another war;
Unfortunately, the Qing government would not fight Japan again. , let alone fighting a protracted war;
1. Because of the alien rule, the Qing government was most concerned about domestic dominance; this idea existed since the founding of the Qing Dynasty. Since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement, the Han people have gained momentum. The Qing court was deeply afraid. For example, during the Eight-Power Allied Forces' invasion of China after the Sino-Japanese War of 1898, Cixi had two famous sayings: "I would rather be with friends than domestic slaves" and "Measure China's material resources and make friends with the country."
2. Qing Dynasty The finances are in dire straits, and it is difficult to raise military expenditures;
3. The domestic situation is chaotic, with uprisings and banditry happening in various places;
PS: Japan is betting on the fate of the country. Fighting, I never thought that the Qing government would surrender like this!