c_t; The conference room of the Prime Minister's residence was gloomy.

Admiral Minister Saigo said: "Prime Minister, I think it is better for us to take advantage of the fact that Korea is now temporarily occupying the initiative on the battlefield, and at the same time, there is still our cavalry wing in the Qing Dynasty, and we will unite with England to pressure the Qing government, suppress the people, force the Qing government to submit, cede land and pay compensation, so that the soldiers who surrender without a fight will immediately seek the strategic interests of the empire......"

The Minister of War Yama Prefecture said: "Your Excellency Saigo Congmichi, what you said is simple, is England willing to stand up for us?" Come to think of it, it's England that is putting pressure on us right now. ”

Saigo smiled mysteriously and said: "It's okay, Yamasan-kun, Prime Minister, think about it, now the British Empire is most worried about how we can repay their loans, as for the victory or defeat, they will not interfere, our imperial treasury has gradually dried up, there is no financial resources to continue the war, if the British do not come forward to help us suppress the Qing army to sue for peace, then we will break the jar and break it, and rely on this pound and not pay it back, even if the English eat us to fight the Japanese Empire, what can we do? Our annual financial income is only 30 million taels of silver, and if we take it all, it is not enough for half of the loan. See what he can do? If we oppress the Qing government to succumb, we can still use the benefits obtained to find a way to repay the debt, and if we fail, then let the English fleet sail over and see how much benefit he can take away from the empire? ”

Ito Hirobumi smiled bitterly and looked at Saigo Congdao, this is a completely bad idea, if this is the case, it will cause great damage to the international reputation of the Japanese Empire, and the Great Japanese Empire will never think of receiving loans from Europe and the United States in the future. It's just that if this is not the case, what else can be done to make the Qing government submit, it is no longer realistic to rely on war alone, and the current Japanese finances are afraid that they will be able to hold on to the war for a month and a half at most, and if it lasts longer, it will collapse immediately. [ ]

Hirobumi Ito said, "Ladies and gentlemen, if you have any other opinions, please tell me. ”

Prince Fushiminomiya said, "If we intimidate the English Empire in this way, the reputation of our empire will be completely ruined......

Saigo replied, "International reputation? International reputation is built on national strength. When England launched two wars against China in a row, when it invaded China, its reputation was not affected? However, the English Empire has the strength to overwhelm the whole world, and all countries must bow their proud heads in the face of England! As long as our Great Japanese Empire one day has the strength to be proud of the world, reputation is not an issue, and other countries will only be able to see our strength! ”

Hirobumi Ito's eyes lit up. He slapped the leg of the chair hard and replied, "Okay." That's the truth. Call the Imperial Minister in Japan, do what Saigo-kun wants, let them be careful, and make sure that the British Empire agrees, so that we can win a chance to breathe, give us ten years, and we will launch another war of aggression against China and fight with China! ”

The same in Beijing. It is still a surging tide, Zhang Yi has seen Li Hongzhang, and accompanied Li Hongzhang to meet Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi.

In Cining Palace, Zhang Yi saw the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu, Prince Gong Yi? , Weng Tongyi and Li Hongzhang sat on both sides respectively, and after Zhang Yili finished his salute, he stood up. Emperor Guangxu showed a smile on his face that he hadn't seen for a long time, and said: "Jianzhi has really worked hard during this time, come here, give me a seat!" ”

The little eunuch brought a chair, and Zhang Yi thanked him and sat down.

Cixi smiled: "It's not easy for Jianzhi to return to the capital. You have to take a good rest these days, don't get tired, Daqing can't do without you now. ”

Zhang Yi replied: "Wechen is afraid, Wechen is in the prime of life, a little hard work is nothing, it is also Zhang Yi's luck to be able to work for the country!" ”

Emperor Guangxu said eagerly: "Jianzhi." Calling you back to Beijing this time is because I and the Queen Mother are really a little undecided about the current Sino-Japanese war, and after listening to Li Zhongtang's opinion, I would like you to ask for advice, today is not the court, you can speak freely, don't have any scruples. ”

Zhang Yi replied: "Wechen thanks the emperor and Lafayette for their grace." Weichen thought that it had been more than half a year since the Qing Dynasty and the Orientals had been at war, and both sides had suffered heavy losses. In just these ten months, I am afraid that the imperial court will spend no less than eight million taels of silver alone, which has caused great pressure on the imperial court; Similarly, the losses of the Japanese were even heavier, and they must have spent almost all of their loans to the British. The three ironclad cruisers alone cost Japan no less than four million taels of silver. So up to now, both the Qing Dynasty and Japan have been dragged out of exhaustion, and what is missing now is an opportunity, an opportunity to negotiate peace, once an international power proposes to mediate, I think both the Qing Dynasty and Japan are happy to try. ”

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager Cixi perked up, her face became much more exciting, and she asked, "Jianzhi, do you mean that you advocate peace?" ”

Zhang Yi nodded and said: "Yes, Lafayette, Weichen advocates peace, because we also need a peaceful environment in the Qing Dynasty to recuperate and accumulate strength. However, there is also a saying about peace. ”

Cixi said happily: "Oh, what a statement? ”

Zhang Yi replied: "Lafayette, if we negotiate peace, it means that we in the Qing Dynasty must at least stand on an equal footing to negotiate peace, because we did not lose this war, and Japan did not win, we reject all unreasonable demands, and negotiate peace with the backing of force!" ”

Cixi frowned and said: "If you don't agree to all unreasonable demands, in this case, I'm afraid the Japanese won't agree, they have fought for so long and can't get benefits, I'm afraid they won't stop......"

Zhang Yi replied: "Lafayette, if they don't agree, then Weichen will immediately return to Korea and preside over Korean military affairs until the Japanese are convinced!" For the sake of the Qing Dynasty, the liver and brain are smeared, and they will not hesitate! ”

Cixi nodded approvingly and said, "Jianzhi, I value your spirit, thirty years ago, Li Zhongtang was also like this, heroic and tenacious. Now Li Zhongtang is too old to go to fight far away, but now there are still you, worthy of being a tiger of the Qing Dynasty, good. However, our Qing Dynasty Heavenly Empire, the state of etiquette, is somewhat polite to these barbarians in the East, and it is not excessive, this is still to be discussed, Your Majesty, don't you say? ”

Emperor Guangxu was silent for a while, and said: "Jianzhi, what the Queen Mother said is not unreasonable, now that the Qing Dynasty is tired, it is the time to recuperate......"

When Weng Tonggong heard this, he hurriedly knelt down and said: "Lafayette, the emperor, the matter of negotiating peace is absolutely impossible, now is the time for our Qing Dynasty to pursue the victory, once the peace is negotiated, all the efforts will be in vain." (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation and monthly passes, and your support is my biggest motivation. )

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