Chapter 218 Negotiation

Seto Inland Sea. Between the prefectures, the four countries and Kyushu, after the founding of the country, it is known as the Mediterranean Sea. It is also the natural fish barn and the richest bay in the island. The Seto Inland Sea is about 440 kilometers long from east to west, which is easy to navigate. The coastline is tortuous, and hundreds of islands are distributed among them, of which Awaji Island is the largest. The Seto Inland Sea is connected to the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean through the Fenghou Waterway and the Kii Waterway, and the west is connected to the East China Sea through the Guanmen Strait.

In the early morning, in the port of Osaka in the Inland Sea, a ship of more than 300 tons was quietly moored in the port of Osaka. At this time, after being repainted by dozens of workers, the ship painted white had a new look, and there were eye-catching green crosses on both sides of the ship.

Although this ship belongs to the Japanese ship company, at this time, the crew and captain of the ship are all Japanese naval officers and soldiers. In the early morning, after the passengers got on the ship, when Osaka was in the middle of night, the ship spewing smoke and headed for Awaji Island.

"Tansa Maru" sailed quietly on the Setouchi Sea without many waves. Shoutaro Komura, who stood by the side of the ship, looked a little for a lifetime. When he knew that he was "selected" by the emperor to be responsible for the Sino-Japanese negotiations held in Tokushima, his first reaction was that he should refuse, but it was tight. Then, he knew that he could not refuse at all, which was the order of His Majesty the Emperor.

"I can't just think about my personal happiness in such a serious situation,"

On the morning of May 23, when he left Tokyo, he said to Prime Minister Katsura Taro.

"It seems that I still have a little use for the country. I'm afraid I have no other choice but to accept this mission."

In response to Shoutaro Komura, Katsura Taro told him that the Chinese political axe asked Japan to quickly send a diplomat who could represent the Japanese government axe to Tokushima for negotiations.

"At present, we have no way to deal with the Chinese people. Any delay will arouse the suspicion of the Chinese side and make our situation more difficult. ...If you don't accept this mission, you will cause great anxiety to the emperor."

Looking at Prime Minister Katsura, Shotaro Komura thought to himself that the burden of leading a defeated country would be heavy and troublesome. However, he also knew that once the future was determined, neither he nor Katsura Taro could resign.

"Let's complete our mission together!"

Taro Katsura's words only made Shoutaro Komura sigh in his heart. He knew what this mission was, which meant that their world had led the "victory cabinet" that won the war against Russia, and would bear the charge of failure in the war against China. He also needed... "Give them the order!"

Two hours after the ship left the dock, Komura Shotaro, who had been silent, said to his entourage. In order to prevent the leakage of negotiations, the ship set out in the name of delivering supplies to Awaji Island, while the real destination is Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island under the occupation of the middle [***] team. The two countries will hold negotiations in Tokushima.

"Destination: Tokushima Port!"

Sao Yokota looked at the order issued by the Admiralty, just looked at the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then gave the order to the first officer with a blank face, and the ship changed its destination.

Tokushima Port, which is under the occupation of the middle [***] team, after giving the order, Sao Yokota thought of the more than a dozen strange passengers on the ship.

"It's the empire!"

With a long sigh from the bottom of his heart, Sao Yokota chose to close his eyes, and tears slid down his cheeks.

"Danjo Maru" sailed quietly with the sea. At this time, there was no guard on the ship, and there was not even a weapon on the whole ship, even a rifle.

In the afternoon of the ship's voyage, a thousand-ton destroyer spewing black smoke appeared in his sight. However, after a moment of panic, Sao Yokota looked at the approaching destroyer. In the past period of time, Chinese destroyers broke into the Inland Sea many times to attack the Japanese merchant ship and even the fishing boat.

"Esent a signal!"

Sao Yokoyama gave an order to the first officer, and then he slowly spit out three words.

"White Village River!"

When spitting out these three words, Sao Yokoyama, whose father is a history teacher, frowned slightly.

Perhaps for others, they don't know what the Baicun River is, but he clearly knows what the Baicun River represents. It was a war. It was the first war between Japan and China, which changed the history of East Asia.

For China, perhaps that war is only a very common war for thousands of years, but for Japan, it has an indelible positive significance. Although the war ended with Japan's defeat, it also made Japan realize the huge gap between itself and the Tang Dynasty at that time, so that He restrained his arrogance and ambition, and learned from the brilliant Chinese civilization in an all-round way with a humble attitude.

After this war, the Tang Dynasty not only taught Japan a profound lesson, but also consolidated its suzerainhood in the East Asian cultural circle. From this perspective, there are no losers in this war.

"There is no loser's war!"

"We are the guardians of China! Come with us!"

Looking at the Chinese destroyer that sent the signal and thinking about the previous signal, Shoutaro Komura fell into silence. After the Chinese put forward this signal, he had specifically asked the historical expert, and he got an answer from the historical expert.

"In the current perspective, it was the first head-on confrontation in the history of China and Japan! At the same time, the war also opened the prelude to learning from China. To a large extent, the battle of Baijiangkou is far more important than the attack of the black ship! Unlike China, which has called itself the "Heavenly Kingdom" since ancient times, self-reflection and sense of crisis seem to have always been accompanied by the Japanese nation. The Battle of the Baicun River is not only a losing war, but also a reflective war. After all, the victory and defeat are only for a while, but the battle of strength behind it is extremely long. I saw this clearly when I lost the war, so they put down their temporary success or failure and turned to strengthen themselves inward.

The answer of the history expert made Shoutaro Komura think for several days. What he considered was why the Chinese political axe would put forward this signal.

"This is by no means a humiliation!"

Shoutaro Komura once again said this to himself in his heart, and this view has also reached a consensus in the cabinet. In everyone's view, the intention of China's political axe to put forward this signal will never be to humiliate the Japanese, but with a deep meaning.

"Chinese people are good at using hints to express some of their attitudes. The problem now is that we must understand their hints."

"This is a hint that the Chinese are sending to us, hoping to return to the positive source of East Asia!"

In the end, the cabinet believes that the Chinese people took the opportunity to show their attitude, which was nothing more than hoping to return to Asia and, of course, to be China's "little brother".

"If it's true, maybe..."

vaguely, Shoutaro Komura's heart is full of expectations for this. If the Chinese really have this idea, maybe... the negotiations will be very smooth.

"...After the uprising in the south of your country, when the fashion is full of your country... Among the Japanese officers and soldiers who fought against Lucia in the northeast, many people were very excited. When they shouted the title of "Chinese Empire", those soldiers were all shouting in tears, and everyone was shouting "Long live the Chinese Empire". These are all heartfelt words.

Looking at Liang Atsuhiko in front of him, after the negotiation began, Shoutaro Komura first told him a short story. Perhaps to prove it, he specially took out a few old newspapers, which he found from the library.

After Liang Dunyan took a look, he was silent. He knew that Shoutaro Komura was telling the truth. After the restoration of Nanjing, many people came to Nanjing spontaneously. They either served as consultants in the political axe, helped the political axe to train civil servants, or entered the university to help teaching.

Even after the Manchurian conflict, there are still many people who still serve China's political axe. In their opinion, the Manchurian conflict is a "brother's quarrel", and they will soon be as good as before. Even now, in Nanjing, there are still Chinese people advocating peace and co-government of the Europeans.

"Why did the soldiers shout such words?"

Looking at Liang Atsuhiko, Komura Shotaro played a compliment and close card.

"Because in their hearts, they have always felt that China and Japan actually have a sense of one destiny, because China says that the two countries have the same language, can the friendship of a thousand years be eliminated? If this person of color has only one Japanese, it will definitely be annexed and eliminated by the Western powers. If China has risen as much as Japanese, then there is a support for it. On the contrary, it is the same for your country!"

Looking at Liang Atsuhiko and others falling into silence, even a few people were extremely unnatural and slightly bowed their heads. Seeing that the goal had been achieved, Shoutaro Komura continued to say.

"For many people, we have always believed this. After the restoration, we have become stronger. Of course, we also hope that China's orthodoxy will be restored and China will become stronger, so we are willing to help you and make you as strong as we are..."

Seeing Liang Atsuhiko trying to refute himself, Shoutaro Komura quickly said.

"Of course, this is just our wish. In history, China has always been a good teacher of Japan, and Japan has been a good student of China. Although your country has fallen behind due to alien slavery, our help is the gratitude of the students for their teachers. We hope that your country can become strong as soon as possible. During the period of your rule, There are 415 people who are awarded the Friendship Medal for serving the noble government axe. After the founding of the Chinese Empire, there are also 1973 people who are awarded the Friendship Medal by their Majesty. Even four months ago, during the Spring Festival this year, under the premise of declaring war, there are still 69 people who have won the Friendship Medal. I think this is It is the best witness to the friendship between the two countries!"

"Teacher, apprentice, friendship..."

Shaking his head, Liang Dunyan spit out three words one after another.

"But it doesn't matter if Shan County killed all the people in Lushun in those years, didn't it? But..."

Humming, after stepping on the four countries, he knew that the guards had also retaliate in the four countries until now. Naturally, Liang Dunyan did not want to be entangled on this issue.

"Our current negotiations are naturally to discuss the present and future of China and Japan! Therefore, we should put these things aside and focus on the present and the future!"

Liang Dunyan's words made Shoutaro Komura's previous long speech suddenly turn into Bai Gong. He laughed and nodded, and could only accept the status quo.

"Since your country has expressed its willingness to negotiate on China's peace terms, I think your country should have no objection to this basic peace terms!"

In the face of Liang Atsuhiko's problem, Shoutaro Komura was silent for a moment, and then nodded solemnly, and that's all he could do. Now he could only hope to maximize some benefits in the negotiation through direct negotiation.

"Yes! There is no objection!"

After spitting out two words, Shoutaro Komura continued.

"If human beings can exercise justice and humanity in mutual relations, the horror of war is likely to be avoided. Even if the war unfortunately breaks out, the winner will not be defeated, and the pain of the loser will be alleviated immediately. Maybe,..."

Looking at Liang Atsuhiko, who seemed to be thinking about these words, Shoutaro Komura said excitedly.

"This is the first prerequisite for becoming a truly civilized power."

Almost as soon as his voice fell, Liang Dunyan said.

"Special Envoy Xiaocun, although this war was first provoked by you, as a civilized and responsible civilized country, we will give your country the most fairest punishment!"

After blocking the words of the village in a few words, Liang Dunyan raised the corners of his lips slightly, and then said.

"After all, China is a civilized country!"

His answer only made Shoutaro Komura smile bitterly in his heart. He also knew that at least there was no need to argue now. He translated the peace conditions into Japanese, which was even the text handed over by the British.

"Please allow me to give you my opinion. First of all, the compensation is 1.5 million yuan, which is too much for our country to bear. Can it be alleviated again?

Shaking his head, Liang Dunyan answered truthfully.

"There is no room for reduction, and I still beg for understanding. If the war continues in the future, the amount of compensation will not be limited to that.

In the face of such a huge amount of compensation, Shoutaro Komura reached out and took a thick pile of documents from the attendant.

"Your Excellency, based on the number and expenditure of troops invested in your country, the normal military expenses, special war expenses and the losses of the Second Fleet, the number of expenses of your country is far less than the zero of 1.5 million yuan, at most 50,000 yuan, and China's political axe can accept compensation of 60,000 yuan!"

Then Shoutaro Komura opened the document and calculated the military expenditure of the [***] team one by one, and even the number of horns. Although it was only a speculative number, Shoutaro Komura believed that the [***] team may not have spent even 50,000 yuan.

"This..."

Finally, after Shoutaro Komura finished reading those numbers, Liang Dunyan pondered for a moment. He knew that it was impossible to spend 1.5 million yuan on military spending in any case.

"In the First Sino-Japanese War, how much is the cost of [***]?"

After asking a rhetorical question, Liang Dunyan said again.

"78.96 million yuan! And what is the compensation of your country?

In addition to rhetorical questions, Liang Dunyan said truthfully.

"Therefore, China's political axe believes that 1.5 million compensation is undoubtedly appropriate!"

In the face of such a rhetorical question, Shoutaro Komura was suddenly speechless. After muttering for a moment, he said with a little regret.

"Today, your country has put forward such harsh conditions. With the power of our country, it is difficult to afford such a huge amount of money in any case, and we must borrow foreign debts. There are many foreign debts, and the principal and interest are very large. It is said that there is no financial source to repay such debts. In addition, it is said that the poor people in our country are weak and there is no way to obtain a loan guarantee, so I hope your country can understand.

"I dare not agree with you. Although your country is small and small, and the people are only tens of millions of people, after decades of innovation, your country has long been extremely rich. Think about it, as long as your country is willing, you can naturally provide foreign debt guarantees to foreign countries!"

"Even if it is decades of re-imnew, although the annual income is tens of thousands of yuan, there is no way to accept this huge amount of money. Please forgive me! If you think of China's greatness and China's wealth, you will naturally not care about these compensation!"

Again and again, Shotaro Komura constantly emphasized the difficulties of Japan. Now he is just negotiating compensation, which is so difficult. He has no confidence in the future land cession compensation.

I hope... When Shoutaro Omura prayed in his heart, Liang Atsuhiko said.

"Although your country's population is only 40 million, the number of education is also equal to that of our country. Education is actually the first policy of a rich country and a strong country. If your country wants to develop a rich source, it is easy to do! Please don't be modest!"

At this time, the negotiation seems to be like two Chinese scholars complimenting each other there. In fact, the hostile two sides compliment each other at the negotiation table, hoping to praise each other to the sky.

"Athermore, China's greatness and China's wealth have long been a thing of the past. China, the wealth accumulated for thousands of years, has almost defeated the Manchu Qing Dynasty who lived in the Central Plains. Otherwise, there would not have been a war in those years, let alone a huge amount of compensation from your country. Now, this is almost hollowed out. China is also poor. Please be considerate and considerate!"

Liang Dunyan, who seemed to be sorry, sighed with a wry smile on his face. Then he picked up the teacup, took a sip of the tea, and looked at the same helpless village.

"Well, you also mentioned the thousand-year-old friendship between teachers and students before. If you stick to it, um, it's also a loss of Chinese sence..."

As soon as the words were heard, the village's heart beat violently, didn't it?

"How about 1.45 million!"

"Sir, this... is not what our country can afford. Please reduce the compensation significantly!"

Liang Dunyan shook his head with a smile.

"It can't be reduced, it can't be reduced anymore, this minister always needs to be told to the country! If the conditions are not suitable, I'm afraid it's difficult to say!"

(to be continued)