In 1865, Agubai of the Kokand State invaded Xinjiang, and later established the "Zhedesar Khanate", occupying most of Xinjiang, and burning and looting. In addition to Agubai, the intervention of Britain and Russia has made the problem in Xinjiang more and more serious. Originally, Xinjiang was the mouth meat of the Tsarist Russia, so the Tsarist Russia also seized the opportunity to occupy the Ili region as a bridgehead for invading Xinjiang. The Qing government negotiated with Tsarist Russia many times, but without success. After occupying India, the British went all the way north, and in order to contain Tsarist Russia, they came together with Agubai and gave Agubai a lot of help, asking for money and materials for supplies.
In this situation, the Qing court was in chaos. Zuo Zongtang expressed his dissent, pointing out that in the northwest, "if I withdraw from the fence, I will retreat and advance", especially attracting British and Russian infiltration. The Qing government eventually supported Zuo Zongtang's claims.
Of course, Zuo Zongtang was able to finally recover Xinjiang, in addition to the enthusiasm for recovering territory and safeguarding national sovereignty, but also in a series of previous preparations.
Prepare supplies
Zuo Zongtang fought against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Twist Army for many years and knew the importance of weapons. At this time, he was the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, and the "Lanzhou Manufacturing Bureau" he established in Lanzhou produced a large number of advanced weapons and played a great role.
Of course, the army has not moved, the grain and grass have gone first, and the preparation of military food is a must, after all, long-distance combat, logistics will certainly not be supplied. In addition to the construction of water conservancy and the accumulation of grain in tuntian, that is, to buy, which, in addition to purchasing from other provinces, also concluded a grain purchase contract from Tsarist Russia.
Financing military spending
At this time, the treasury of the Qing Dynasty was empty, there was no money, and the reparations signed by the treaty were not even, but the Qing government was not stupid, or allocated millions of taels, but more still needed to allow Zuo Zongtang to think of his own way, so Zuo Zongtang had to find foreigners or Chinese businessmen to borrow a part.
Determine the strategy
According to Agubai's influence in Xinjiang, Zuo Zongtang formulated "first north and then south" and "slow advance and rapid war". At the same time, Urumqi, located in northern Xinjiang, has important political significance. In terms of geographical location, the recovery of northern Xinjiang can also create the necessary conditions for further recovery of Ili.
What is more important is to rectify the army, even if it is its own main force, the Xiang Army, it is also eliminated from the vacancy and the weak are left to the strong. Those who are unwilling to go on the expedition do not force it. By the time of departure, the total strength of the troops was about 70,000 to 80,000. But only more than 50 battalions and more than 20,000 people actually fought on the front line.
Coupled with Zuo Shuai's determination to carry the coffin out of the expedition, this unit had the determination to win, and finally recovered Xinjiang and safeguarded national sovereignty.