Ding Ruchang
With tensions increasing over the situation on the Peninsula, the Chinese government chartered three British steamers to carry reinforcements to Korea in late July in order to bolster their position there. The three troop ships were escorted by the cruiser "Jiyuan" and the gunboats "Kwang-yi" and . Captain Fang Boqian received word of the Japanese actions in Seoul and Chempulo from the commander of "Weiyuan", and on July 25 immediately sent "Irene" and "Fei Ching" back to Dagu, while "Weiyuan" was ordered back to Weihaiwei to inform Admiral Ding Ruchang of the situation unfolding in Korea. Fang Boqian decided to remain at Asan Bay along with the cruiser "Jiyuan" and the torpedo gunboat "Kwang-yi" to await the last of the transports, "Kowshing", which left Dagu on July 23 with 1,200 Chinese troops and 12 pieces of artillery on board.