Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 3.djvu/48

Meanwhile the British had concluded that, in order to obtain the concessions they desired, a blow must be struck at some vital part of China's huge frame, since she remained insensible to injuries inflicted at remote places like Canton and Amoy. The most obvious course would have been to march against the capital itself. But seeing that for such an expedition the forces available would have been totally inadequate, some other plan had to be devised. It was found in the Yangtse. On the broad bosom of that great river the British seventy-fours could manoeuvre easily; along its banks lay several of the chief towns of the Empire, including the mediaeval capital, Nanking; to hold possession of this water-way would be to command the country's principal highway; and by establishing a blockade at Chinkiang where the Grand Canal joins the river, the passage of all rice-bearing junks to Peking would be intercepted. Such, then, was the programme adopted. The British commenced it by delivering a series of assaults at places along the coast. Amoy was taken; then Tinghai on the island of Chusan; then Chunhai, and finally Ningpo. At the first three of these places extensive preparations for defence had been made, and in many instances the Chinese fought with conspicuous bravery. But the strategical ignorance of the generals made them powerless against flank attacks, and want of intelligent co-operation or discipline among the various units