Although Kido Takayoshi is now the secretary of culture, sports, and culture, he still pays close attention to information about the military affairs of various countries, and because he is very familiar with the naval situation of China across the sea, it is not surprising to Ito Hirobumi and others that he can say such a thing. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

Kido Takayo's understanding of the Chinese Navy is obviously higher than that of the person who provided information to Yama Prefecture Aritomo (the ghost knows where he got the situation about the Chinese Navy that Yama Prefecture Aritomo said just now), and his words obviously hit the key point of Yama Prefecture Aritomo, and Yama Yama Aritomo's face suddenly turned red, and he couldn't find the words to answer for a while.

"The empire does not yet have the foundation to open up to the outside world! Finding an excuse to attack Taiwan in this way will easily give the Qing State a pretext for starting a war! Taiwan is not the Ryukyus, it has been in the territory of the Qing Kingdom for many years! This is a fact that is also recognized by Western countries! If the empire uses troops against Taiwan, it will be tantamount to declaring war on the Qing State! Although the Qing Kingdom is decaying, it has not yet reached the point of collapse with one blow! Once the empire goes to war with the Qing state, it is difficult to guarantee victory! Even if it can be defeated, the national strength will be greatly depleted! At that time, the countries of the West took advantage of the weakness, and the empire would inevitably fall into a situation of being divided by the great powers! Kido Takayo's voice echoed through the hall, drumming through everyone's eardrums.

"Don't be alarmist here!" It was easy for Yama Prefecture Youpeng to ease up, and shouted at Kido Takayo, "The empire defeated the Qing State with its strong strength, and the Western countries will only divide the weak who have failed, and will never divide the strong who have defeated, this is a truth that children understand, don't you Kido-kun understand?" ”

"I only understand that between countries and nations, strength determines everything! And now the strength of the empire is far from reaching the standard of a strong country! Kido Takayo shot back unceremoniously, "This visit to Europe and the United States, no one even paid attention to the revision of the treaty, how can it be powerful?" Are you the ruler of Shanxian who wants to drag the country to the abyss of war, do you want to become a sinner for the ages of the empire? ”

"Kido Takayo! Eight! I don't allow you to be arrogant and spread words of failure here to disturb the hearts of the Imperial Army, you are the sinner of the Empire! Shan County Youpeng said angrily.

Hearing that Yama Prefecture Youpeng was insulting himself like a market hooligan, Kido Takayo was extremely shocked, he trembled with anger, pointed at Yama Prefecture Aritomo, and his words became stammering.

"You! …… There are friends in Shan County! You shameless villain! How can you push the whole country into the abyss for the sake of your own greed!? People like you are Japan's worst enemy......"

"Yaga! Takayo Kido! You shut up! ”

"Shan County Piff! Shut up! ”

"That's it! Erqing doesn't have to fight! Emperor Meiji snorted, his voice was not loud, but it was extremely intimidating, and Aritomo Yama and Takayoshi Kido both closed their mouths.

"To discuss the affairs of Taiwan's life, let's arrange it according to Okubo's proposal!" Emperor Meiji said, "That's all. ”

Emperor Meiji looked at his ministers and stood up: "I'm tired, let's stop the meeting!" After he had finished speaking, without waiting for the ministers to answer, he left the throne and walked towards the gate of the main hall.

Looking at the back of Emperor Meiji, Kido Takayoshi's face suddenly turned pale, and he even forgot to bow to the emperor's back with his ministers.

At this time, the public hope of Xiyuan Temple was also as shocked as Kido Takayo in his heart, he did not expect that the emperor would support the proposal to send troops to Taiwan in the end!

When the figure of the emperor disappeared from the entrance of the main hall, the Japanese military and political leaders straightened up one after another and walked out of the hall.

Ito Hirobumi came to Kido Takayo's side, Kido Takayo came back to his senses, he looked at Ito Hirobumi, and said in a deep voice: "Ito-kun, why don't you stop Takeo Yamaguchi's stupid adventure?" Don't you know what kind of terrible disaster this will bring to Japan? ”

Ito just let out a helpless sigh and didn't speak.

Kido Takayo didn't look at Hirobumi Ito again, but turned around and strode away.

On March 22, 1874, the Japanese Imperial Council decided to send troops to Taiwan. On the same day, in protest, Kido Takayoshi, one of the "Three Heroes of the Restoration," resigned from his post and left Tokyo to return to Yamaguchi (formerly Choshu Domain).

Beijing, British Legation in China.

"You just went to see the Japanese Minister Fushima?" As soon as he read the report handed by the embassy counselor Neil on Japan's latest preparations to send troops to Taiwan, Wei Tuoma, who was having breakfast, put down the knife and fork in his hand in surprise.

"Yes, sir." Neil bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "And according to the report of our consulate in Japan, the Japanese government made this decision at the Emperor's Imperial Council five days ago. ”

"It's been three years since the Ryukyu refugee incident, what are they going to Taiwan for at this time?" Wittoma lifted the napkin tied around his neck, and as he spoke, he was careful not to let the grease from the corners of his mouth flow onto his beard.

Wittoma put down the napkin and muttered for a moment before he said, "Neil......"

"Yes, Your Excellency." Neil replied calmly.

"You will make an appointment with our friend at the French Legation today and ask him whether the negotiations between France and the Qing State on the Vietnamese question have come to fruition?" Wittoma's gaze wandered, and he commanded thoughtfully.

According to information obtained from the French Legation, negotiations between France and Vietnam have reached an impasse because the French side was too harsh in the first memorandum of negotiations. At this juncture, Japan quietly began preparations for war. In addition to showing that the Franco-Vietnamese negotiations have broken down, there seems to be no good explanation......

"Yes, I'll arrange it in a moment, around 4 p.m. I'll go and have afternoon tea with him. Neil took out his pocket watch from his bosom and looked at it, and then took the initiative to ask, "Your Excellency, do you want to report this incident to London as soon as possible?" ”

"There's no need to rush this matter." Wittoma picked up the rattle on the table and shook it, and an Indian servant wrapped in a red bun pushed open the door of the dining room and walked in.

"Another pair of knives and forks." Wittoma pointed to the spot in front of Neel and commanded the servant.

He then turned back to Neil, "Haven't you had breakfast yet?" Let's sit down and eat together. He pointed to the dazzling array of Chinese dishes on the table and said, "These dishes are all purely Chinese, only the main food is British." I don't know if it's to your taste as a pure Englishman? ”

As an Englishman who has lived in China for many years, he has developed a love for the variety and delicious Chinese cuisine.

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Neil didn't shirk much, so he pulled his head and sat down, laughing at the same time, "Diplomats are destined to deal with all kinds of people. So like it or not, having a stomach that can accommodate all kinds of food is a must. ”

"That's a good statement." Wei Tuma was slightly stunned, and even showed a caring smile.

"Your Excellency......" Neil thought for a moment after taking the cutlery from the Indian servant who had gone and returned. Finally, I couldn't help but open my mouth to Wittoma, who was spreading jam on the slices of bread in his hand.

"Huh?" Wittoma looked up in surprise. "What? Still don't feel like the food is palatable? ”

"No......" Neil hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Your Excellency, should we report this important news to London as soon as possible?" ”

"Oh? Why? Wittoma smiled and asked.

"Japan's crusade against Taiwan's Shengban at this time is likely to occupy the land of Shengban." Neil carefully spoke his mind.

"Neil, are you worried about the Japanese occupation of the entire island of Taiwan?" Wittoma swallowed a mouthful of bread and said with a smile, "So you don't even have the appetite for breakfast?" ”

"Yes, Your Excellency." Neil replied worriedly.

"Then I might be able to let you relax and enjoy a hearty breakfast." Wei Tuma put down the bread and knife and fork again, and said to Neil: "Don't worry, Japan can't occupy Taiwan." ”

"Don't ask me why." He waved his hand at Neil, who was surprised and wanted to speak, and said, "I can only promise you this!" ”

"You mean that the Chinese government will stop the Japanese from moving?" Neil still asked uneasily.

"Of course, the Chinese government will not ignore it." Wei Tuma showed a strange smile, "Although many of its officials don't know where Taiwan's specific location is!" ”

"So how can the Chinese government stop the Japanese?" Neil listened to Wittoma's answer, and became a little worried.

"That's exactly what I want to know." Wittoma laughed.

"What you mean is that if the Chinese government can't stop the Japanese, then we can ......," Neil asked, tentatively looking at Wittoma.

"Of course!" Wittoma smiled and nodded.

"China is politically corrupt and lacks competent officials. The governor of Fujian, Lin Yizhe, who had served as an envoy and managed a naval fleet, should have been able to stop the Japanese from moving, but unfortunately he was removed from office due to impeachment. Neil thought for a moment and said, "However, if the Chinese government learns of the Japanese invasion of Taiwan, it should reinstate him, right?" ”

"I think it will be difficult for China to expel the Japanese from Taiwan, and as for what you just mentioned, the personal talent of the Chinese governor......" He glanced at Neil, who was already a little confused, "Now is no longer the time when the victory or defeat between the two countries can be decided by a fatal blow between the samurai!" No matter how talented an individual is, it will not help when he is facing a country...... Besides, even if this Mr. Lin Yizhe could really be reinstated, would you believe that this Chinese governor would command the Chinese army in battle like a general of the imperial navy and army? ”

"Yes! Although he created China's first new fleet of steamships, he did not have Nelson's capabilities. "So, Neil, we don't have to worry too much about this, this Chinese official can't afford to make much of a storm." Wittoma took a plate of sausages in front of him and began to cut the sausage.

"By the way," he asked Neil, as if suddenly remembering something, "is there any news for that American, Lee, and that Jackman?" ”

"I just know that they are all in Japan now." Relieved, Neil replied while smearing cream on it with a knife, "It is said that they have become Japanese citizens and are employed by the Japanese army. ”

"That means the Americans are definitely going to be involved in this operation...... "Witoma frowned, "by the way, you need to follow up on this matter in addition to meeting our friend this afternoon...... In addition to inquiring about the treaty between the French and Vietnam, this matter is also a big deal. ”

Neil on the side was already awe-inspiring at this time. When he had finished speaking, he sat upright and bowed to him, and replied very formally, "We will find their whereabouts, rest assured, Your Excellency." ”

Wittoma stopped talking, but concentrated on his breakfast, and Neil was still wondering why Wittoma would not immediately telegraph this important news to London.

Tokyo, Imperial Palace.

After walking along the neat tree-lined road paved with gravel for about half an hour, Saigo, dressed in a Western-style uniform, quietly stopped from the road under the stone steps outside the heavily guarded door.

A tall attendant military attache appeared in front of him.

"General Saigo, please come with me to meet His Majesty the Emperor."

The scorching sun shone fiercely on the quiet glades of the palace complex and the quiet of the palace, and Saigo, who had been awarded the rank of lieutenant general of the Japanese Army, was led by the military attache through the stone paths of the palace. Saigo Congdao's body was straight, his saber was shaking uncontrollably, and his expression was solemn, as if he was reviewing the troops.

Arriving at the tall and gloomy hall, the military attache did not stop, and he led Saigo around the main hall, climbed a stone staircase, and walked through the quiet corridor for about fifteen minutes, and then came to the hall where Emperor Meiji had specially received his courtiers.

Entering the audience hall, Saigo felt dizzy, his heartbeat intensified, and his breathing became rapid. Before he set out on the expedition, he had never dared to expect to be able to enter the Emperor's palace and be summoned alone. But this moment of glory came suddenly, and due to the lack of sufficient mental and psychological preparation, Saigo looked a little top-heavy and helpless in the face of this great happiness.

He followed the instructions of the military attaché to take off his saber, handed his hands to the chief of chamberlains standing in the doorway, and was led into an inner chamber rather stiffly. The inner room was empty, and although the emperor issued a decree to summon him, he did not say when he would see him, or whether he would see it or not depended on the emperor's interest, so Saigo, who was in a state of excitement, had to kneel on the ground reverently and maintain a bowing posture that was ready to accept the summons.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long, and with the sound of a scream, Emperor Meiji appeared in the inner chamber.

"Aiqing, please come forward, I have something to say to you......" Emperor Meiji said in a slightly hoarse voice.

Saigo immediately straightened up and took two quick steps forward, only to see that his twenty-seven-year-old monarch was already sitting on the chrysanthemum throne in the audience room and smiling at him.

"Aiqing has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, and he is about to go on an expedition, and this expedition to Taiwan is a critical moment to realize the great cause of our great Japanese empire in the past 100 years, and Aiqing must work hard to establish meritorious service for the empire."

"The minister must advance in the face of difficulties, be tenacious and persistent, and live up to His Majesty's high expectations!" Saigo replied excitedly.

"Aiqing is going to go, how many soldiers and horses will he bring?" Emperor Meiji asked kindly.

"Back to Your Majesty, the minister is here, only with 3,000 troops and horses, and he will definitely sweep away the peace and show off the emperor's prestige in Taiwan!" Saigo replied loudly and vigorously.

"Three thousand people, that's too little, isn't it? In my opinion, it is better to bring more soldiers and horses. Emperor Meiji said.

Hearing Emperor Meiji's thoughtful words, Saigo's tears almost didn't fall.

It's not that he doesn't want to bring more soldiers and horses, but Okubo Ritsu doesn't allow him to bring more!

In order to fight a "secret war" and not attract the attention of China and the Western powers, Okubo Ritsu strictly limited the size of the Taiwan expedition force, limiting the number to about 3,000 people, and forbidding this force to be called the "Taiwan Expeditionary Army", but calling it the "Taiwan Expedition Team"!

For Okubo Ritsu's arrangement, Saigo Congdao had fought through Yama Prefecture Youpeng, but Okubo was unmoved, and Yama County was helpless, this time the emperor spoke, how could Saigo not be overjoyed!

"Yes!" Saigo replied solemnly.

"I have ordered the navy to fully cooperate with the general, and if the general has any difficulties, he can directly tell me that he knows." Emperor Meiji said again.

"Your Majesty's Imperial Grace!"

"The general's conquest of Taiwan, if it is blocked by the Qing army, what is the general going to do?" Emperor Meiji asked.

"The imperial army will try to avoid direct contact with the Qing army, but if the Qing army deliberately provokes, the imperial army will respond solemnly." Saigo replied in a firm tone while carefully observing the emperor's reaction.

"Aiqing can be like this, it's good, I'm relieved." Emperor Meiji nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand to the Imperial Cabinet Minister beside him.

The minister of the palace opened a scroll of edicts and read them in a frustrated manner, and Saigo hurriedly fell to the ground again, holding his breath and listening to the holy decree.

“…… Overseas, the Emperor swept away the anti-Japanese forces on the entire island of Taiwan, implemented enlightened measures, established a just and strict new order, and transformed the indigenous people into friendly and pure Japanese citizens...... I hereby order Lieutenant General Saigo Congdao to be the commander of the Imperial Taiwan Shengban Expedition, and go to Taiwan on the same day to punish the people and naturalize them...... Chin this. ”

The Emperor stood up quite amiably and placed a gimmicked sword inlaid with the chrysanthemum coat of arms of the Japanese Imperial Family in front of Saigo Norimichi.

Saigo felt a violent dizziness again, he picked up the long knife, and pulled the knife out of the sheath on the spot with some rudeness, under the sunlight, the snow bright knife body was engraved with a flying dragon with teeth and claws, and next to the flying dragon, there was a four-character inscription: "Fu Fan Xianghua".

Seeing these four words, Saigo realized his disgrace, slammed his knife aside, and knelt on the ground towards the emperor.

The emperor's grace was so immense, Saigo Congdao was so moved that he couldn't help himself at this time, he just knelt there, maintained a posture of kowtowing, and couldn't say a word.