Chapter 165 Tokyo

From the middle of the 19th century, the Qing, South Korea and Japan in the Far East became a piece of fat that the European and American powers were eager to bite. By the end of the 19th century, China and South Korea became semi-colonies of the great powers. Britain occupied Hong Kong, Kowloon and Weihaiwei, France occupied the Central South Peninsula and Tokyo Bay, and Germany occupied Jiaozhou Bay. Controlling the Shandong Peninsula, the United States occupied the Philippines, and Russia occupied the whole Manchuria. The great powers controlled these areas and continued to compete to expand their sphere of influence after Gengzi.

After 30 years of Meiji Restoration, this country, which had just abolished the extraterritorial power in Japan six years ago, was also involved in this storm of sphere of influence and colonial expansion. Although it won the victory of the Qing Dynasty War in 1895, it forced the Qing Dynasty to recognize the reading of the vassal state of South Korea and achieved control over South Korea. .

The continuation of the continuous expansion of the Russian Empire to the East since the mid-17th century is a continuation of their adherence to the concept of "Russia's future in Asia". However, the expansion of the Russian Empire in Manchuria and South Korea, which is eager to expand its Asian sphere of influence and finally realize the dream of "yellow Russia", directly conflicts of interest with Japan, which wants to turn South Korea into a colony.

After Gengzi, he occupied the whole Manchurian Russia and was arrogant to Russia. To stop it, there is no other way but to use force. For this, we need to be determined to pay the price of bleeding. Other countries just let Russia do whatever it wants after a protest.

What can't calm down is the Japanese book. If Russia ruled Manchuria, it would be under direct threat. But if you want to exclude it, you need a strong military force. Russia has the most powerful army in the world. He was trapped in a dilemma, on the one hand, his own security and interests, and on the other hand, he was a powerful enemy.

After Gengzi, after the withdrawal of troops from various countries, in order to promote Russia's withdrawal from Manchuria, Japan protested again, and Russia took Japan's protest seriously at all. Soon after, Russia occupied Longyanpu, at the mouth of the Yalu River on the border between northeast China and South Korea, and asked for a temporary loan, which showed its ambition for South Korea.

Japan did not exclude Russia from the power of Northeast China, but in any case, it had to keep South Korea, so as to preserve Japan. So diplomatic negotiations began. However, the other party talked about him and showed no sign of response. I still have to fight.

However, the emperor is not willing to fight. He doesn't believe that he can win. If you don't fight, there may be a more tragic ending. The same was true during the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the ministers ignored themselves and did whatever they wanted. He didn't like it and had no choice.

However, in the 22nd year of Meiji (1889), he himself promulgated the Constitution of the Empire, and Article 1 of the first chapter stipulates: "The Empire is ruled by the emperors of all generations." Article 11 stipulates: "The emperor commands the army and navy." Article 13 stipulates: "The emperor exercises the right to declare war, make peace and conclude various treaties."

In Japan, the call to declare war on Russia rose rapidly. First initiated by Duke Jinwei, the divine whip Zhichang, Zuo Zuo Youfang, Tou Shanman and other nationalists formed a meeting of comrades against Russia, which set off a movement to create public opinion in the war. Seven professors from Imperial University jointly published the main war theory and appealed to the people. In this regard, Russia continued to send more troops to China and strengthen the Lushun fortress, which blatantly showed its hegemonic intention.

In the original political axe, there are many cautious people. However, the main war faction believes that the longer it takes, the more Russia will strengthen its defenses. If you want to do it, do it as soon as possible. To see that the other party is so domineering, it invades Manchuria and wants to reach out to South Korea. Next, it's time to annex Japan.

And for the domestic atmosphere, Emperor Meiji just used his annoying and desirable power again: to convene a imperial meeting and listen to the ministers make decisions for him. The battle was won, and the merit was in the emperor. He failed. Anyway, he didn't want to fight for a long time.

Therefore, on June 23, the 36th year of Meiji (1903), the first imperial meeting was held to discuss the war against Russia. However, until the fourth meeting on December 28 of the following year, there was still no discussion.

On the bank of the moat of the blue water circulation, the lush trees cover the towering Japanese palace. This is the heart of the Japanese empire. The emperors of all generations live here. The snow turns the lush cypress trees into white snow trees. The severe cold makes the trees with only branches full of ice strips. The moat under the double bridge outside the palace wall is in the cold winter. There is a thick layer of ice. Maybe when it is cold, outside the moat, occasionally I will come here to salute the emperor across the palace wall.

In the palace wall, on the stone path of the garden without ice and snow, the Meiji Emperor was walking slowly in a distraught mood. The black kimono, worn on his body in this severe winter, is not thick, but even so, he is still restless by the annoyance in his heart. The Spring Festival is coming, but the cloud in his heart is even thicker.

Since ten days ago, in the issue of declaring war on Lucia, Emperor Meiji has been in a state of trance about tea and food, and the amount of food has been reduced by less than one-third of usual. The chief attendant of Deda Temple also had a cold. He didn't come to work for more than half a month, and finally had pneumonia. In order to comfort him, the emperor gave him three bottles of red wine. Today, as in the past, Emperor Meiji still didn't look good. He just ate a few mouthfuls of rice all day.

"What if you lose? At that time, everything will be complete!"

Meiji said to himself that although he won the big bet with the Qing Dynasty ten years ago, the opponent was the rotten Qing Dynasty, but even the rotten Qing Kingdom was so lucky to win at sea. If the Qing Dynasty hadn't bought it for ten years, if they had some cannons to retreat, if...then the end It must be the Japanese version that is defeated.

Winning a big gamble does not mean that Lucia can be defeated by that luck. Lucia can produce millions of tons of steel a year, build battleships, and has the world's most powerful army called a road roller. What does Coco have?

"... After the Qing Dynasty War, in the face of Lucia's threat, we gritted our teeth to expand our armaments, and finally formed an army of 20 divisions. There are 70 divisions in Russia. As for the navy, there are 76 Japanese warships and destroyers and 76 torpedo boats, a total of 152. The warships and armored cruisers of the Republic of China are twice that of Japan. In addition, there are many small ships. Among them, 7 warships, 4 armored cruisers and 10 cruisers have been deployed in the Lucia Pacific Fleet, just in Lushun and Vladivostok in front of us. What if the navy is defeated? You should know Lucia..."

In the quarrel in the imperial meeting of Meiji, when he was upset by the endless quarrel, a gentle sound of footsteps came from behind. He turned around and looked, and a attendant bowed his head to him.

"Your Majesty, Duke Jinwei is here."

The upset Meiji waved his hand and muttered in a low voice.

"I'll come."

When he appeared again, Meiji Yi was dressed in a kimono and sat on the spacious and grand imperial throne. Behind him, several ancient and luxurious golden screens show the extraordinary of the descendants of this world-of-life sun god.

In front of him, the Privy Council Advisor, the Duke of the Privy Council, sat with his hands on his knees. As usual, he was as to advise the emperor about the necessary and urgent surnames of the battle.

Although he was irritable, he sat coldly and expressionlessly as usual. Although he is young, Hirohito, who has been educated as a king since he was a child, attach great importance to how to maintain the saint in front of his civil servants and generals.

"... Asia has become a place plundered by blue-eyed people. White people are lawless. Western European powers are gradually becoming more and more powerful. The Qing Dynasty is enveted by the West. The situation is miserable, and the country is in danger. In this urgent situation, we should promote China's reform and reform in order to save and awaken the Qing Dynasty. However, today, Lucia occupied Manchuria and intended to get involved with South Korea. She had reached the most dangerous situation. She either cut off Lucia's desire to expand in Manchuria, or sent warships to swim off the coast of Japan after she annexed South Korea. In the end, she was trapped in the tragic situation of the black ship, and decades of achievements will be destroyed!"

When Duke Jinwei spoke, there was a trace of grief and indignation. As an Asianist, he was indignant at the current situation of the Qing Dynasty being carved up by the great powers. He put forward the "East Asian Preservation Theory" and advocated the establishment of the Qing League and the creation of the East Asian Library. The purpose was also to oppose the domination of the Qing Dynasty by Europe, the United States and Russia and promote Asianism, and in the face of Lucia's threat, the mood of being divided up by the great powers turned into worry that it was stained by Lucia.

"The Oriental Ocean is the Oriental Ocean of the Orientals, and it is the responsibility of the Orientals themselves to deal with the Oriental Ocean problem." The future of the Oriental Ocean will eventually encounter a race. The previous journey of the Oriental Ocean depends on the result of the "yellow and white" competition. Lucia's desire for expansion has a long history, and its expansion in Europe until Britain and France united in Crimea to cut off its clutches. After that, Lucia's westward expansion was also cut off, and it began to turn to Asia for expansion. Lucia's expansion was not satisfied by Manchuria and the Qing Dynasty. Yesterday, he said he wanted to get Manchuria, and now he wanted to get South Korea, and he was afraid that he would win the whole Qing Dynasty. He said that he would fall into the threat of the country!"

After a gentle nodling, the Duke of Jinwei once again asked in a very sincere tone.

"Now Japan has reached a situation where it is impossible to fight, Your Majesty!"

As usual, he was plain and cautious. Meiji didn't say anything. He just looked at the Duke of Jinwei Duyu in front of him. He didn't say anything, but just waited for him to continue to speak. His Majesty's silence made Duke Jinwei Duyu think about how to continue to talk.

"Now, the practice of revealing people not leaving Manchuria has long aroused widespread dissatisfaction among the great powers. Their desire to expand in the Qing Dynasty has intensified the contradiction with Britain. Therefore, Britain agrees that China will solve Lucia by force, and the signing of the "British Alliance Agreement" with China is to eliminate the worries of our country. This is a rare opportunity in a hundred years. Now the Lucia-Siberian Railway is about to be completed. If after the completion of its railway, the comparison of Manchuria's strength will immediately be beneficial to Lucia and unfavorable to the Japanese side, and the last article of the Anglo-British Alliance Agreement will also expire in three years. Your Majesty, you must now make a decisive decision to declare war on Lucy!"

He is anxious, annoyed and like an inexorcible ghost. He clearly knows the threat of the Lucia people. He clearly knows that if he can't cut off his desire to expand in Asia, then the future Lucia will definitely threaten the security of Japan, and it will be changed for decades. The tendency to protect the country will certainly fail, but... But... he dares that the emperor is not a god, and the emperor is also afraid. He is afraid. Ten years ago, when he declared war on the Qing Dynasty, he was afraid. Ten years later, now, for Lucia, an old-fashioned power, he has a fear from the bottom of his heart, but everyone is waiting. His last saint, can he make this saint?

When Meiji was in a difficult situation there, the Senate cabinet meeting was once again in a debate over the same issue. Whether it was the Senate cabinet meeting had been convened too many times, and every time it could not be discussed.

Prime Minister Katsura Taro also caught a cold today. Let's take a break for the time being. He did not attend this meeting. It is the cold winter season, and the country is facing major events. Everyone's body and mind are burdened. Everyone seems to be exhausted, but they are still sitting there arguing with each other. After three years of facing Lucia's threat and half a year of debate, most of the elders' cabinet meeting had agreed. Only Ito Hirofumi, the first elder of the aristocracy, opposed the declaration of war on Lucia. In the face of everyone's insistence, his eyes were full of worry.

"...The negotiations are still in progress, and we must wait for the result of the negotiations!"

Foreign Minister Zeng Nejisuke listened to the opposition of Ito Hirofumi and just smiled with his chin on his chin. Now even as the foreign minister, he has given up the illusion of diplomatic efforts.

"President Ito!"

As soon as Hirofumi Ito's words fell, he was interrupted by friends in Shanxian.

"The political axe of Lu Guo completely ignored the agreement we proposed. After half a year of negotiation, we proposed at least let us have the "absolute freedom of action" of Wu and South Korea, but Lu Guo still refused. If we make another concession, it is equivalent to completely ceding the actual control of Manchuria and South Korea to Lucia. Even so, you still have to be firm. Have you seen it yet?

Shanxian Youpeng, an army marshal of Changzhou vassal, asked in a questioning tone.

"Marshal of Mountain County! Maybe you will laugh at me for my timidness. It doesn't matter!"

Hirofumi Ito was not excited by Shanxian's questioning, but said in a calm tone. Although Lucia occupied the northeast, peeping at South Korea and threatening the interests of Japan, this direct threat has always been in a very tense state, from the political axe to the people to the decisive battle with Russia. However, Ito knew that his country was still weak, and his military and national strength were weak. All he needed was to avoid this adventurous war.

"You are a soldier!"

Hirofumi Ito's tone sank, stroking the conference table with both hands, and looking directly at Shanxian.

"But I'm the same as you. Your knife is in your waist, and I also have a knife in my stomach!"

Hirofumi Ito's words made Shanxian's eyebrows sink, but did not refute him, while Ito shifted his eyes from Shanxian to other elders and cabinet members.

"Those who advocate war, if they really think that there is a possibility of winning this war, tell me here!"

Perhaps because of some excitement, when Hirofumi Ito spoke, his white beard trembled gently, and his right hand tapted the table, as if he was ready to speak eloquently with others.

Ito Hirofumi, who was born in a lower-class scholar's family in Yamaguchi County like Aritomo Yamagata, can be said to have a personal experience of Japan's poverty. It is because of this that he resisted the pressure from all walks of life and suppressed the internal war decision of the elders and cabinet members with all his strength.

"... The national fiscal revenue is 250 million yuan, and Lucia is 2 billion yuan! The standing army has 200,000 people and three million Lucia. The Russian army in Manchuria and the Far East alone exceeded the sum of Japanese troops. Lucia's naval strength is the third in the world. It has 20 general battleships, ten kinds of armored cruisers, six battleships and six armored cruisers. Even the strength of Lucia's Pacific Fleet is comparable to that of Japan. Who can say it with confidence? I'm sure I can beat Lucia!"

Ito Hirofumi was there to try to convince these elders and cabinet members with data. This was the first time he had put out such data. He couldn't remember it clearly. He was just trying his best to convince these people. Although he understood that these paper data were far from letting them give up the decision to go to war, he just wanted to avoid it. There is a military adventure with the possibility of victory, but he understands that it is no longer possible to stop the outbreak of the war.

"Dean Ito, if..."

Gentaro Kodama, the Minister of the Army, looked directly at Hirofumi Ito and asked.

"If South Korea is taken away by Lucia, do you know what will happen to Japan?"

And to the rhetorical question of Ko Yu, Hirofumi Ito did not answer him. He just looked at Ko Yu Gentaro seriously and asked in an extremely sincere tone.

"General Eryu, I hope you can honestly tell me how likely we are to win if we really go to war!"

Ito Hirofumi's rhetorical question only made the atmosphere in the conference room tense again. Kodama Gentaro just sat down and did not give an answer for a while. When Yamatoshi opened his mouth to say something, he closed his mouth again.

"Can you please be honest?"

Ito Hirofumi asked again, which made Er Yu, who was sitting in silence, look at Ito.

"There is no chance of winning!"

The voice of children's jade is not loud, but it is enough for everyone to hear it clearly.

"It may be a loss for both sides, or there may be a chance of winning six or four!"

"June 4th?"

Hirofumi Ito sank his head slightly and muttered. He knew that if this sentence came out of Koyu's mouth, there would be absolutely no problem. Koyu was different from other people. If it was really unavoidable, he would be Ito's favorite front-line commander.

"But if we are satisfied with the status quo in the past two or three years, there will be more and more branches of the Siberian Railway. The regular army of millions of countries in Europe will soon flock to Manchuria and South Korea. At that time, there will be no need to talk about any war and chance of victory! If you want to win, you have to take advantage of it now, Dean Ito!"

Hirofumi Ito's face changed, and he didn't come to his senses under the direct look of Er Yu for a long time. In the end, the Senate and the cabinet meeting still did not make substantial progress, but it was decided that the fifth imperial meeting would be held again six days later, that is, on the 4th of February.

(to be continued)