The now 16 year old Holmdahl then joined with the forces of mercenary "General" Edmund F. English, who was recruiting a foreign legion of experienced soldiers to help modernize the army of Qing Dynasty, with the backing of the Chinese Empire Reform Association, a group of western-oriented China men and San Francisco businessmen. Their Mission was to aid Empress Tzu Hsi, in putting down a series of rebellions. The men recruited by English were described by Meed as "discharged soldiers, wharf-rats, and European Freebooters" and formed the regiment known as the Royal Imperial Guards, Sinim Order of Dragoons, which would serve as both shock troops and royal bodyguards. Holmdahl was commissioned in the regiment as an Ensign, possibly do to his "exquisite hand writing and flair for expressing himself". The regiment, having successfully recruited a decent force set sail for China.Meed, Soldier of Fortune pg 11The regiment arrived at the Shanghai harbor just in time for the situation to increase tenfold.
