"On the 22nd, on a sunny day, in the afternoon, the Japanese envoy came to the peace talks, which were the final negotiations."

"Ito said: 'At the behest of the Empress Dowager, the former noble minister was grateful for the forgiveness of two million pounds of indemnity in remembrance of the old good. However, the amount of 2 million pounds is unbearable for the small and poor people in Japan, so please forgive one or two more. ’”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'This minister has already explained that it has come to an end. The mind has been decided, and it must not be changed. Japan's current invasion of the DPRK and the killing of overseas Chinese businessmen have greatly hurt the hearts of our military and civilians, and it has actually completely destroyed the old good and reduced it to this number. I have no hatred for your country, and I feel sorry for Japan. ’”

"Ito said: 'I know that your minister remembered the old friendship between the two countries, and only then did he ask for forgiveness and release the prisoners without asking for a penny, and the people of my country were grateful for your great virtue. However, the sum of two million pounds is really very difficult to do, and I ask your minister to weigh it for me, but I really have no way to do it. ’”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'My situation is similar to that of your envoy. Please also consider it for me. ’”

"Ito said, 'Your minister is a high-ranking minister with great prestige, and who dares to refute all the things you have to say in your country?' As long as your minister reduces it by one or two more, our country will never forget. ’”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'I have also been refuted, since I presided over the peace talks, the bullet seal has been handed innumerable, refutating me and impeaching me, scolding me, and cursing me.'" ”

"Ito said: 'If we accept these peaces, we will return to our country, and we will be pointed out by a thousand people, and we will be given the name of the wrong country, and we will not be allowed to go.'" Even lives are not guaranteed. ’”

"Okuma also said: 'Our situation is not as easy as that of your minister, who is very powerful in your country, has great achievements in war, and has the trust of the Empress Dowager of your country, no one can shake it. The situation in our country is very different. The weight of our House of Representatives, as soon as we make a mistake in doing things, has been negotiable. If your Minister can reduce the peace payment to one million pounds, we will be able to deal with it with the strength of the whole country. If it is two million pounds, it will be difficult to make up enough to destroy the pot and sell iron. ’”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'Your envoy can know that this time, the Manchu Dynasty came to join me, saying that I have an old friendship with the Japanese prime minister, and when I got married in Japan, your prime minister came to congratulate me. What you are involved in! If you make a covenant as your envoy says, is it not a clear proof of friendship? ’”

"Ito said: 'They did not know the current situation, so the ministers of your counsel, and now that they have understood, they will deeply regret what they did in that day, and your ministers need not worry about this. Always excuse me. ’”

"Okuma said: 'With such strict terms, if we sign them, we will be scolded as traitors when we return to China, and everyone will be killed, but what!' ”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'There is no shortage of people of insight in your country, you can rebuke the nonsense of the generations, such a heavy responsibility, if the generations can not afford it, your country has a responsible person, only the noble envoy and a few other people.'" ”

"Ito said, 'Afterwards, they will attack me again.'" ”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'There are people who talk cheaply afterwards, and my situation is the same as that of the noble envoy.'" ”

"Ito said: 'This is not to be done, we will come to negotiate peace, and my government has ordered me to decide at my discretion that if I can change the original agreement in several places, I can take on this important task, and I ask your minister to think carefully for me where I can make concessions, that is, if the amount of indemnity is to be reduced, then I can make a decision.' ”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'At the beginning, it was explained that all difficulties should be reduced, but my Empress Dowager, the emperor, was merciful, remembering the old relationship between the two countries, from five million pounds to three million pounds, more than half, and tried my best to let it come to an end. Otherwise, why do you need to meet four or five times to make this happen? If I think about the situation in Japan, I will reduce it to the point where there is no longer any reduction in it, and it is really not a matter of arguing with each other to buy and sell in the market. ’”

"Ito said, 'Please give four million pounds at the time of parting a few days ago, and your minister seemed to want to give it up at that time, and if you can do so, the whole agreement will be settled.'" ”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'If you can give less, you don't need to mention it again, you have already let three million pounds.'" ”

"Ito said: 'One million pounds can't be conceded, but half a million pounds is enough?' ……’”

"Xiyuan Temple said;' In any case, please let another few hundred thousand pounds be allowed not to be so tight-mouthed. ’”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'It has been repeatedly stated that we must not let it again.'" ”

"Ito said: 'It's hard to bear such a reparation! Your minister is too ruthless, and his talent is too big! ’”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'This is not about the talent of doing things, but the effect after the war. If you are with your talents, you will be loyal to things, and you will never be able to reach them. ’”

"Okuma said: 'If we refuse to reduce the indemnity, we cannot afford to accept such a peace treaty, so please give it a moment.' After finishing his words, he sobbed. ”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'The amount of two million pounds in compensation is irreducible, and it has been repeatedly stated that this is the end of the line and cannot be changed. If the envoy refuses to allow it, then please stop talking, and I will return to the emperor and prepare to enter the army. Yesterday, the Satsuma envoy came and submitted a petition to the imperial court, wanting to help China and North Korea advance the army, thinking that they would be the vanguard, and begging for Japan's disobedience. When the envoys heard this, they were all shaken. ”

"Ito said: 'The army of the Sasa army is the old ministry of your minister, and I ask you to restrain your minister's strength, and you must not start a war lightly.'" ”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'The Saṇa people have their own government, and I can't restrain them with my words, but I rely on the prestige of the old days. If the peace agreement is uncertain and the people forcibly send troops, it is difficult for me to prohibit it. ’”

"Ito said: 'We are not unacceptable to make a treaty, but please reduce it slightly, and if you can reduce it less, you can make a contract, and this is also your minister's farewell, and when I return to my home country in the future, I will always remember that the whole country must be grateful.' ”

"Lin Hanpeng said: 'The number subtracted is the feeling of parting...... The original covenant was not changed, but because of the friendship with your country for many years, it was reduced by three million pounds. And only 2,000,000 pounds for the army, and not for land rights, are all due to deep respect for the noble envoy and loyalty to the country. Your envoy has the courage to take responsibility, not to avoid hardships and dangers, Japan's small coastal country, can produce such talents, people are envious, I am willing to reach a peace agreement as soon as possible, and renew the old friendship with your envoy. However, such a delay, I deliberately delay, and his desire to make me fight with your country, is really not what I want. Ito wept when he heard this. Yanagihara, the Okuma Saionji Temple, also runny. ”

After a break in the peace talks, Ito Yun sent a telegram to the country asking the government for instructions. After the four of Ito finished reading, they took care of each other and agreed to make peace. ……”

January 4, 9085 (the 11th year of Daqian Guangxu, the 18th year of the Meiji era of Japan), 8:30 a.m., Tianjin, Wanghailou.

Ito Hirobumi took the Japanese text of the treaty that the clerk of the cadre had placed in front of him and read it.

He looked at it so carefully, almost word by word.

After reading the treaty, when his eyes fell on the signing place, he suddenly became dull, and his hands trembled.

At this time, Ito Hirobumi's heart was full of sadness.

A clerk of the cadre side handed over the pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and Ito Hirobumi mechanically picked up the brush, and looked at the signing place of the treaty text, Ito Hirobumi's arm froze suddenly.

At this time, the brush in his hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

Ito Hirobumi looked at the opposite side, only to see Lin Yiqing, who was sitting opposite, calmly signed his name on the text of the treaty, after he finished writing, put down the pen, took the customs defense seal from a huge seal box, dipped it in the vermilion seal clay, stamped it on the text, and then took a small green jade seal (Lin Yiqing's private seal), stamped next to his name.

Seeing Lin Yiqing's movements, Ito Hirofumi looked at the brush in his hand again, and tears flowed down instantly.

He knew what it meant for Japan to continue writing.

On that day, a telegram from Tokyo deprived them of hope of making a last-ditch effort.

This telegram was sent by Emperor Meiji himself:

“…… I was very relieved to hear that I had tried to reduce my £3 million,...... I heard that the thieves were about to come and commit crimes, and I sent a letter to the government of Qianguo, wanting to be the guide. Hearing that more than 10 ships are now berthed in Ryukyu and carrying more than 10,000 troops, the Sakyu ship is waiting for this letter in Ryukyu and will set off on the same day...... If there is nothing to negotiate, I will make a treaty with Qianguo in accordance with my previous decree, so as to prevent the two countries from losing peace, and the Saharan ships will come east to resume the war ......."

In this telegram, Emperor Meiji had clearly stated that the war was imminent and that it was necessary to sign a contract with Qianguo immediately.

At the moment of receiving the telegram, Ito Hirobumi can be said to be full of sorrow.

Everyone knows what it means for Japan to sign this treaty!

The heavy burden of 2 million pounds (equivalent to 8 million taels of silver and 12 million yen) will bring Japan's revival to a halt again!

Ito wanted to refuse to sign the treaty, but for some reason, his hand suddenly became sore, and he couldn't hold the brush in his hand, and it fell on the table, splashing a little ink on the text of the treaty.

"If Japan does not move blindly and is determined to operate, it may not be able to make a comeback within ten years." Lin Yiqing looked at Ito Hirofumi's appearance, smiled slightly, and said, "Heaven has no relatives, but virtue is relatives." If your country cheers up as you wish, the emperor will be able to help your country get what you want. Mr. Shunsuke doesn't have to be so embarrassed. ”

Listening to Lin Yiqing's words, Ito Hirobumi took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, he reached out and picked up the fallen brush, dipped it in ink again, and signed his name at the signature of the treaty.

After signing his name, Ito let out a heavy sigh and fell back into his chair.

Yanagihara Maemitsu looked at Ito Hirobumi and was shocked to find that he was only 44 years old, and his originally black hair was a little mottled gray-white.

At this time, Hirobumi Ito seemed to have become much older all of a sudden.

Yanagihara Maemitsu looked at this scene, and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but moisten.

On the other side, Lin Yiqing looked at Hirofumi Ito, who had just finished signing, and couldn't help but flash admiration in his eyes.

Lin Yiqing, who is familiar with the modern history of the world, has always maintained an indescribable admiration for Ito Hirobumi, one of Japan's "Three Masters of the Meiji Restoration".

When the Empress Dowager Renxi summoned Guo Yunxian to ask about Ito Hirobumi, Guo Yunxian's reply was: "Ito has been in Europe and the United States for a long time, and he has tried his best to imitate it, and he has a talent for governing the country, focusing on the politics of trade and good-neighborliness, enriching the country and strengthening the army, and does not want to talk lightly about war and annex small states." In about ten years or so, Japan will be rich and powerful, and it will be considerable. ”

This time, Ito Hirobumi came to Tianjin to negotiate, and Lin Yiqing and Ito Hirobumi also had heart-to-heart words in addition to the verbal battle.

Lin Yiqing once said to Ito Hirobumi: "If I were in your position, I am afraid I would not be able to do things as effectively as you!" ”

Ito replied, "If you and I are allowed to change places, your political achievements will be even more impressive." ”

Lin Yiqing said: "What you do in Japan is what I want to do in Qianguo; However, if we change places, we will know that there are unspeakable difficulties in the country. ”

Ito Hirobumi said: "If I want to be in the Qianguo, I am afraid that I will not be able to convince the public with my character and way of doing things." Anyone in a high position has difficult things to do, and there are many people who are taboo, and Japan is actually the same. ”

In the conversation between the two, Ito Hirobumi also put forward to Lin Yiqing the view that the reform of the Qianguo needs to be "gradual": "The Qianguo is a vast area of people, and the reform of all political policies should come gradually. ”

Ito Hirobumi also analyzed Lin Yiqing's current reform in the Qianguo based on what he had learned. First of all, he affirmed the results achieved in the reform of the Qianguo in a short period of time, but he immediately pointed out that the reform of the Qianguo will be met with tremendous internal resistance. If there is a slight change, the officials will talk about it", "Although the Qianguo is like a reorganization of the navy and army outside at this time, in my opinion, it is all empty words. After the Dharma was settled, it seemed that he was working hard, but after a year or two, he followed Gou An, just as the Westerners described Qianguo and 'sleeping'. ”

So far, Ito has put forward two basic views on the reform of the Qianguo: First, the Qianguo must be reformed, but the internal pressure of the Qianguo reform is great, and it is necessary to return to the state of "sleeping" at every turn; 2. The national conditions of the Qianguo country determine that the reform of the Qianguo country must be gradual.

Based on this judgment, Ito Hirobumi believes that at present, Japan should keep its head in its dark and avoid the sharp edge and sharpness of the dry country for the time being. "If Japan fights with your country at this time, it will be to urge the country to become strong quickly. Since the Battle of Moss Bay, the Qianguo has set up a telegraph, and since the Battle of the Ryukyus, the Navy has been greatly developed". As long as we avoid the sharp edge of the country, "if there is a calm for a year or two, the officials will be more involved in changing things, and those who seek the country will not dare to hold it." Even those reformist officials in the Qianguo country, "the economy in the belly is only a book from thousands of years ago, which is regarded as an important code for governing the country." Japan's countermeasures, on the other hand, "should only be reconciled at this time," "speed up the cost of redundancy, build more railways, and rush to add a navy," and issue banknotes...... But reality is not to be moved. ”

Ito Hirofumi also told Lin Yiqing that the reform of the Qianguo country is like repairing a dilapidated house, and if it is demolished and rebuilt with "heavy vertebrae and giant ropes", the result will of course crush the house. "The direction of the emperor of your country is correct", but "remember not to be in a hurry", "take a person's food as an example, if you fill enough food for nine years, regardless of the amount of food and digestion of the person, and fill it up for people to eat within three months, the result will of course be that the person will be strangled to death."

Ito Hirobumi also pointed out: "Reform of the country is not impossible. However, in such a vast country, it is by no means possible to carry out effective reforms of the cultural relics system and customs that have been inherited for almost thousands of years. In order to carry out reform, I believe that it is necessary to have a very wise monarch and a supporter who can carry out a thorough reform like a revolution. ”

These remarks by Hirobumi Ito fully and clearly expounded his two arguments on the reform of the Qianguo: First, the reform of the Qianguo must be guaranteed by a "very wise" and strong political authority; Second, the reform of the dry country must not be carried out in a hurry.

In addition, Ito Hirobumi also told Lin Yiqing that "self-improvement should be based on the program." Hirofumi Ito presented Lin Yiqing and Guo Yunxian with the manuscripts of his two books, "The Interpretation of the Imperial Family" and "The Interpretation of the Law", respectively. Guo Yunxian asked: "When we examine the politics of various countries, we have strong intentions, what should we use as our program?" Ito Hirobumi replied: "If your country wants to change the law and become stronger, it must take the establishment of the law as the first priority. Guo Yunxian then asked: "What country should be the law for Lizhu?" Ito said, "There are two types of government in various countries, there are monarchical states and democratic states. Your country has been a monarchy for thousands of years, and sovereignty rests with the monarch and not with the people, which is the same as Japan. Guo Yunxian asked again: "Is there any obstacle to the monarchy after the establishment of the monarchy?" Ito replied, "No. Your country is a monarchy, and sovereignty must be concentrated in the monarch, not in the hands of your subjects. The monarchy of the country is clearly stated in the law, the monarch's power is sacred and inviolable, and the monarch is the head of the country and has the right to rule. ”

Ito has repeatedly stressed the importance of the need for reform to proceed with the principle of steady progress: "The government must announce a certain decision, and the country will follow suit. If there is no order, the order will be changed day and night, not in vain, but in vain. ”

Ito Hirofumi also told Lin Yiqing and Guo Yunxian that in fact, the biggest difference between the establishment of the law and the independence of the monarch is only that the law must be amended by the parliament, not by the opinion of the monarch alone: "It is about the state of the Western monarchy, the subjects of the public council, the ruler of the government, the people are all hidden, and the monarch has the right to exclude." Its folk customs have the style of being intelligent, strong, industrious, and simple, its governing body has the image of uniformity and order, and its prosperity and strength are effective in improving the law, refining the navy and army, and rewarding agriculture, industry and commerce, and its foundation is especially in the popularization of education. Since the beginning of the Restoration, Japan has implemented a system of compulsory education, all men and women in the country are enrolled in schools, everyone knows the obligation to pay taxes and serve as soldiers, everyone has the spirit of martial arts and patriotism, the law is refined by learning, education is prepared by learning, morality is advanced by learning, the military is strong by learning, goods are rich by learning, industry is skillful by learning, and it is not ashamed to serve others, and it is not light on oneself. ”

Beneath the complexity of the surface, Ito Hirobumi can see that "the fundamental thing is especially the popularization of education", which cannot but be said to be quite perceptive. And the eight words "not ashamed to serve others, not to sacrifice oneself" are indeed a concise summary of Japan's Meiji Restoration. (To be continued.) )