Even if he hated the navy no matter how much he didn't make it, he also knew what would happen to Japan as an island country without a navy, so he hurriedly asked anxiously, "Is there no more experienced officers and men in the navy?" ”

"There are only the instructors from Etajima and the officers who retired early after the Battle of Daitogou," Katsu replied stubbornly, and while this may upset Meiji, the unlucky ones who suffered from the escape of the Hiei are the only talents left in the Japanese Navy, and now is the best chance for them to return to the Navy.

Meiji frowned when he heard this, but after hesitating for a moment, he finally relented and said, "Japan can't do without a navy, although they have been guilty of cowardice in the past, but now is the time to employ people, so let's give them a chance to make meritorious contributions." ”

Sheng Haizhou was suddenly overjoyed, and thanked him, "Your Majesty, I believe that they will definitely remember the emperor's grace, swear to repay the death, and be ashamed!" ”

The re-establishment of a group of outstanding officers will undoubtedly greatly speed up the reconstruction of the Japanese Navy, but for Japan, which is already in a burning position, it simply cannot wait for this day to come, so the three of them quickly returned to the topic and continued to discuss the matter of peace with China.

"The key to the final victory or defeat of the Sino-British war depends on the courage of the new Chinese government, if they are still afraid of Britain in their hearts, and are only satisfied with expelling the British from their homeland, and do not dare to further expand the war, Britain will have a chance to slow down, even if it cannot defeat China because of geopolitical relations, it will at least be able to fight for a draw and continue to maintain a military presence in the East Asian seas after the war." Because he was more familiar with the navy, Katsu Haizhou had unknowingly become the main object of Meiji's consultation, and his point-to-point analysis once again confirmed the old saying "ginger is still old and spicy", "In that case, the imperial kingdom can maneuver between China and Britain and strive for a transcendent status; However, considering that the Chinese are likely to concentrate on attacking Japan before making peace talks with Britain, we must still send people to negotiate with them, even if we want to advance and retreat with Britain, as a delaying tactic. ”

At this time, Ito Hirobumi also spoke in support, "Your Majesty, what Katsukun said is extremely true, and we can also let the mission investigate some Chinese intelligence by the way, and now we are almost ignorant of the current situation in China, which is really too unfavorable. ”

Muren pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly, obviously having moved, but he didn't immediately make it clear, but motioned for Katsu Haizhou to continue.

However, how could Katsu Haizhou, who was already in his prime, not see the psychological changes in Meiji, and suddenly his spirit was greatly lifted, and he continued to analyze, "And if the new Chinese government does not take the prestige of the British Empire in its eyes, then with the current strength of the Chinese Navy, there is no difficulty in taking British Malaya, and at that time, even if the British desperately send a huge fleet from the mainland, the Chinese Navy will have a great chance of winning." And once China defeated the British expeditionary force"

"Once China defeats the British expeditionary force, then the whole of Southeast Asia, no, the whole of the East, will be China, and in the future, we Japan will only be under the wings of China, and there will never be a chance to dominate Asia," Ito Hirofumi replied with a solemn face, although he was not as radical as Aritomo Yamaguchi, but in his bones he still hoped to seize the rare opportunity of China's decline and become the hegemon of Asia.

Of course, Westerners may also unite against China as a result, but given China's geographical superiority in the East and the contradictions within the Western powers, it may not be of much use. Even if it is only a blockade and embargo, the advanced technology level displayed by China's vast land and resources and Haitian-level equipment and patrol may not have much negative impact. When Ito Hirobumi said this, he suddenly shook his head and sighed, "Actually, none of this matters, as long as China can defeat the British Expeditionary Force, then the imperial state has no other choice but to submit to it." ”

Mu Ren understood a little, he nodded and said, "Yes, in that situation, it is not possible not to bow your head, to be able to defeat the strength of the British Royal Navy fleet in Southeast Asia, even if we just stick to the mainland, it will be very difficult." ”

"If it really delays until that time and then sues for peace, it will be similar to the alliance under the city, and the conditions offered by the new Chinese government must be extremely harsh, and Japan is likely to become a vassal and lose its autonomy." Sheng Haizhou still firmly advocated that the sooner the peace talks, the better, "and the sooner the peace talks begin, the easier it will be to win relaxed conditions, because now China also hopes to be able to cease war with us to reduce the pressure of multi-front warfare." Your Majesty, whether you take refuge in China as a vassal state or as an ally, this is a big difference! If the alliance between China and Japan, together with Korea and Southeast Asia, has the development potential of no less than that of the whole of Europa, it is not impossible to defeat the Omi ghost animal and dominate the world in the future. ”

"What if China is defeated? Britain will definitely liquidate. Meiji still had a deep fear of the West, especially the British Empire, the world hegemon, so he couldn't make up his mind for a long time.

Sheng Haizhou couldn't help but be a little anxious, "Britain is too far away and has no ability to conquer Japan, while China is different, I would rather offend Britain than China!" ”

Seeing the uncertain look on Meiji's face, Ito Hirobumi quickly pulled the sleeve of Lakatsu Kaizhou's coat and asked him not to continue, and then put forward a relatively compromise idea, "Your Majesty, no matter what, it is necessary to send a mission to seek peace immediately, and as for whether to sign a peace treaty, we will wait until we have a clear understanding of the strength, sincerity, and development of the situation of the Chinese." ”

"This is very true, I don't know if Itoqing has a suitable candidate in his heart?" Muren's face turned slightly pale, and he got up and left his seat to ask Ito Hirobumi.

"Shengjun has some acquaintances in the Chinese Navy, although he is old, he still asks you to work for the country again." , Ito Hirobumi turned sideways and bowed to Katsu Kaishu, then turned around and said to Meiji with a resolute face, "But this is the most suitable position for a minister, please ask Your Majesty's permission." (To be continued.) )