Translation:Imperial Decree on Day Twenty Fourth of May (lunar calendar)

by Guangxu

Recently, throughout the Peking city, Harmony Righteous Boxers who hate the Christians, have begun to fight the foreigners as enemy, they burn churches and kill christian converts, had spreaded to a wide area, it is difficult to exterminate them, also difficult to pacify them. Foreign soldiers have grouped around Tiansin and Taiku Fort, this war between us and the foreigners had started, it is difficult to predict the final outcome. Viceroys of various provinces, had always receive strong support from the Dynasty, and the Dynasty always threat you like part of the family, situation like this, it is time for you to return the favors. Each according to their own province's capacity, to do three urgent matters:(1) To pick able military commanders (2) To train the soldiers (3) To set up military fund. It is your job to provide defense for the dynasty, so that foreigners cannot fulfill their ambition, it is also your job to maintain logistic to Peking, so that the Imperial Court would not run dry of supply; everything must be practical. Those provinces alongside of rivers and sea, foreigners have ambition to invade, do treat it as urgent. You should not hesitate and keep on speculating, opportunity will be missed, resulting in the downfall of the Imperial Court, the finale would just be unthinkable. It is important that all the viceroys should combine forces, to prevent formation of dangerous outcome. The situation is urgent, eagerly waiting for your decisions. This decree is to be delivered by 600 miles horses relay mail system. Guangxu Emperor signed.

• Original Chinese text:西巡迴鑾始末/卷1