Chapter 40: The Restoration

"The waves are turbulent in the Miluo abyss, and the clouds are flying next to the Wushan peak. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 info Confused Shiwu independence, righteous indignation burns with blood......"

The record turned slowly, and the muffled singing voice came out, adding a lot of gloom to the sunny room. Ito listened to the song with a blank face, which was clearly against the government, as if he didn't understand the meaning of the lyrics.

"The powerful only know the proud family, and there is really a lack of worry about the country. The wealthy man knows how to boast of his savings, and how can he think about it....."

Takahashi Shikiyo, who was sitting opposite Ito Hirobumi, agreed with the patriarch's political ideas, and he could talk and talk endlessly when he was usually speaking, but now he was just sitting upright with a serious expression.

Although it is serious, Takahashi is clear, but Takahashi is clear, but there are turbulent waves in his heart. He really didn't understand what Ito Hirobumi was calling him over to listen to such reactionary songs. Among the current Meiji elders, although Ito Hirobumi is known for his talent and vision, his approach to the Bunji school is not fully accepted by the other elders.

At such a time of route dispute, Takahashi did not dare to show any inclination. He didn't come from the army and navy, and he dared to get involved in such a dispute, maybe that jump would end up in pieces. Even if he is on the right team, it is not what he wants to be punished by God one day.

"Takahashi," Hirobumi Ito said slowly, "This song has been very popular in Kyoto recently, I don't know if you've heard it?" ”

"Yes." Takahashi replied honestly, "I heard that someone was let go on the side of Hibiya A.D. ”

"And what do you think of the song?"

"Uh....", Takahashi said solemnly: "There is a very heavy Kansai accent in the song, and it must be done by some non-nationals!" ”

"Haha, non-nationals?" Ito Hirobumi laughed rarely, and he said in a relaxed tone: "According to some people, high-ranking officials like us are real non-nationals, right?" ”

Where does Takahashi dare to answer this kind of talk? He could only lower his head and remain silent.

"What do you think of those people saying that we are the main culprit for Japan by dividing up the industries that the people have worked so hard to build?"

Takahashi thought about it for a moment and said cautiously: "The government-run industry does have a lot of drawbacks. The government's change of industry from public to private is also a last resort. ”

"Hmph, the private sector will definitely have a number than the public one?" Ito Hirofumi snorted coldly and said contemptuously: "It's just a reason to carve up the country's wealth." ”

"This ......", Takahashi Kiyoshi agrees, but his background dictates that he must remain silent on this issue. People have their own position, and he has the support of the consortium behind him, so it is impossible for him to raise objections on this issue.

Takahashi Kiyoshi could only say: "Heavy industries such as steel and manufacturing are the lifeblood of the country, and they must develop and grow as soon as possible in order to make the empire more powerful." ”

"Yes, steel is really the backbone of a country." Ito Hirobumi also stopped mentioning the previous topic, and said: "China to the west is said to be able to produce millions of tons of steel a year, do you think this is true, or is it just some people's nonsense?" The empire now produces just over 400,000 tons of steel a year, and if it's true, then ....."

"The Hanyang Iron and Steel Plant, which was built in Jang Zhidong and later fell into the hands of the Yang family, was regarded as the first steel plant in Asia at the beginning of its construction. Coupled with the abundance of iron ore and coal in China, it is possible to produce 200,000 tons of steel a year. ”

"Oh, you're saying the Chinese exaggerate their steel production?" Ito asked, "Will the Chinese produce more steel than the Japanese Empire?" ”

"It must be exaggerated!" Takahashi is clear and authentic: "Eight million tons a year..... It's unimaginable. But maybe it's already on par with the Empire's steel content. ”

"In addition to the Hanyang Iron and Steel Plant, heavy industrial bases have been built in the territories controlled by China's Western Army, Taiyuan, Handan, and Tangshan. Judging by the posture of the Western army sweeping China, their steel production should be about three times that of the southern princes. ”

"That means 600,000 tons a year in North China?"

"No, not only three times as many as Yang's, but also the output of Guangxi and Hainan combined, the steel output of North China should be about one million tons."

"One million tons, that's a terrible number." Hirobumi Ito sighed: "With such a strong strength, I will probably be able to protect myself. Takahashi, you say, after a strong China, will it be willing to keep peace with the United Nations? ”

"Probably not," Takahashi shook his head and said, "Powerful countries always have to expand outward, and as long as the empire still occupies Taiwan and Northeast China, China will never keep peace with us." ”

Ito Hirofumi said lightly: "Then you support the current war against China?" ”

"Yes, if possible, it is better to join forces with the Russians to block the northward advance of the Chinese in the northeast." Seize Hainan in the south, block the Chinese's way south, and block the Chinese on the mainland, so that they do not pose a threat to the empire. ”

"Can it be done?"

“.... No. Takahashi said deflatedly: "The war with the Russians was a complete loss, and I didn't get any reparations." It will take years to pay off the debt. No money..... Without enough money, it is impossible to promise a war. Moreover, although the current Chinese government nominally has Zhang Zhidong as president, it is Chen Cheng and Yang Hongsen who actually hold power. They are also tough and like I, even if we can break into Beijing, they will not give in. ”

"Then, Takahashi, you can go to China yourself." Hirobumi Ito concluded: "Use your eyes to see what China is like now." Assess their war potential, and sign a treaty with them if possible to ensure the interests of the Empire in the Northeast. ”

"Signing a treaty with the Chinese?" Takahashi Shiqing said with some hesitation: "Wouldn't it be okay to leave this matter to Ambassador Nichiki?" ”

"Rizhiyi and the army are too deeply involved, I am more relieved if you go to Haruko."

"Will the Chinese agree?"

"Yes," Ito Hirobumi whispered, "now that they are fighting the Russians, they will definitely agree." ”

Takahashi is still somewhat convinced of this reason, and the Russians are very strong in combat. Even if the Japanese finally forced back the Russians and wiped out most of the Russian combat ships, the bravery of the Russian army made the Japanese feel deeply jealous.

In his past, even if the Chinese made some progress, they would not want to provoke another strong enemy when fighting such a strong enemy as the Russians. Since the Empire of Japan forced the Russians to firmly establish an armistice, it has already stepped into the ranks of the great powers, and it can be regarded as a great power.

Of course, Chen Cheng and Yang Hongsen don't think so, as for Lin Mengchu, she doesn't even pay attention to the Americans with an annual output of more than 20 million tons of steel, let alone a country like Japan.