When the leaves fall in the west wind, people are green and thin.

The autumn wind is bleak, the leaves are scattered, the pieces are desolate, everywhere, and the heart is also sad with the desire to emit. Youpeng in Shanxian suddenly found that autumn is a sad season, and no matter how purple and red you once were, they are slowly withering in the autumn wind. It's full of yellow leaves again, and it's the season of withering.

Outside the window, the sudden autumn wind blew up the fallen leaves and scattered the efforts of the empire. The Russian army, which was once as powerful as a bamboo, collapsed like grit in an instant in front of the Qing Emperor's pro-army. As a result, the Imperial warriors in Korea had to face a strong enemy alone, defeated, defeated, and defeated, and even the Ryukyus, which had just escaped the control of the Empire, sent their only troops to participate in the attack on the Empire.

Japan, having lost its navy, was no longer able to support the imperial forces in Korea. The Qing Beiyang Fleet, cruising the Tsushima Strait, cut off the Empire's path to Korean reinforcements, but there was still night to take advantage of. Although there were only a few meagre supplies, it would also be a great boost to the morale of the imperial army in Korea until the Qing Kingdom landed in Busan.

Standing in front of the window, Shan County Youpeng closed his eyes unwillingly, and he asked, "Doesn't the Qing Emperor still see the imperial envoy to China?" ”

"Yes, Your Excellency." The attendant who served the first emperor replied: "Not only the emperor of the Qing State refused to see him, but even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Qing State did not see him. ”

"Then will Wang Fengzao, the minister of the Qing Kingdom in Japan, whom I announced, still come?"

"Just the messenger returned. Minister Wang is already on his way. ”

In the Prime Minister's Mansion in Tokyo, Japan, Wang Fengzao kept eating the dim sum on his plate, not looking like a foreign envoy at all, and chattering endlessly that Japan was about to starve to death if he couldn't eat enough. Even when you take a sip of tea, you have to complain that the tea is "really" unpalatable.

"Tell me, what the hell is going on?" Wang Fengzao asked without raising his eyes. To be honest, as a foreign minister. Wang Fengzao thought that his attitude was extremely unruly. He insisted that foreign affairs should be justified and not arrogant or humble, and this is the good name of a state that conforms to the etiquette of China. However, his excerpts were lost in the sea, but in exchange for the latest instructions in the country - to be a little arrogant.

Looking at the arrogant Wang Fengzao. Youpeng in Shan County could only sigh secretly. Since the victory of the Qing State over Russia, the attitude of the Qing people has changed. No longer as respectful as before. And once again, the empire's efforts failed, in exchange for the naked contempt of the Qing state.

Youpeng in Shan County was not angry, but smiled: "Because of your country's blockade of our country, it has caused a shortage of our supplies, and I ask Mr. Minister for forgiveness." That is why we have decided to accede to your request. ”

Yes! Wang Fengzao was stunned by Shan County's words. The demands put forward by the Qing Dynasty were very harsh, and the compensation of 10 million pounds in compensation for the Qing Dynasty and 20 million pounds in compensation for the DPRK was compensated. No counter-offers. Of course, out of consideration for Japan's financial difficulties, the Japanese government was allowed to pay in kind. For example, food, cloth, warships, shipyards, etc.

When Wang Fengzao received a request for compensation from China to Japan, Wang Fengzao was so angry that he didn't burn the telegram. 30 million pounds and 480 million taels of silver, which is more than what Japan lost in the first year of the First Sino-Japanese War, how could Japan take it out. Even Japan itself has to import grain and cloth to China, and where can it get the surplus things for compensation, and Japan has proposed to use precious stones to offset the compensation, but China does not allow it. It is not wrong to want other people's warships and shipyards to weaken the future Japanese threat of war against the Qing Dynasty. But can Japan give these two things? Not to mention warships, now there is a shipyard in Yokosuka in the whole of Japan that has the ability to maintain and maintain warships of more than 10,000 tons. After returning home, the Japanese fleet could only be used as a shore-based battery.

This is not to ask for Japan's reparations, but to see that Britain has resold the warships ordered by the Qing Dynasty to Japan, so they put on a pretense to tow away Japan's two existing battleships. That's not all, but the last shipyard of the family will be moved, so that even if Japan drives the fleet back, it will not be able to find a place with maintenance capabilities.

Therefore, after Wang Fengzao formally submitted the compensation request to the Japanese government in accordance with the domestic order, he basically forgot about this matter. But today, Wang Fengzao actually heard that Japan agreed, which made him not surprised. He asked in surprise: "Then can our country send people to drive away the warship and move the shipyard?" ”

"I think Mr. Minister may have misunderstood, your country's demand is reparations." A friend in Shanxian changed his words: "I believe that Mr. Minister also knows." Our country is very poor, and we cannot pay so much compensation at one time. Of course. The 10 million pounds I gave to your country will not be less than that, but the North Korean side will also ask Mr. Minister to help me say a few kind words to His Majesty the Emperor. "Finished. A 10,000 yen silver ticket was handed over.

Wang Fengzao took a look at it and put it away. said leisurely: "Since I have a lot of compensation in the Qing Dynasty, it will be easy to do." But it is not appropriate for the North Korean side not to give a cent. Mr. Prime Minister, give me a base. ”

"Ten million taels of silver. In addition, could you please inform the DPRK side of the suspension of attacks on our troops? ”

"Hehe, then I'll go back first." Wang Fengzao got up, gave a salute and left. How did he know that he had just walked out of the Prime Minister's Mansion with his front feet, and a friend from Shan County overturned the table and chair he was sitting on in the mansion.

"It's a disgrace to the Empire." There are friends in the mountain county who are furious.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, please calm down, the failure of the Empire's efforts this time does not mean that the Empire has completely failed. We just need to wait for all the fleets of the empire to return home, and then deal a fatal blow to the Qing Kingdom. Katsura Taro walked out from behind the curtain and persuaded the enraged Yama Prefecture Aritomo: "There is still hope for the Empire, and the Empire needs Your Excellency to lead us forward." ”

Shan County Youpeng sat down decadently: "Do you think that the navy alone can make the Qing State surrender?" At this time, the British had informed Japan that they had decided to resell the warships ordered by the Qing State to Japan in the form of loans, but this matter had not yet been publicly announced. Therefore, none of the few people who knew the inside story believed that the Imperial fleet would be defeated. After all, there were four more battleships.

"So, we need to preserve the strength of the army now. Withdraw the army in Korea as soon as possible to preserve the last elite strength of the army. It is also necessary to protect Admiral Oyama Iwa and His Excellency Hirobumi Ito. In the future, to attack the Qing Kingdom, an army will also be needed. ”

Just as Yama Prefecture Aritomo and Katsura Taro were looking forward to the future of the empire, an anxious guard rushed in. A big bad news was reported.

"What? Hirobumi Ito is dead? The sudden news on the other side, Guangxu was also taken aback. Because Guangxu doesn't want Hirobumi Ito to die, he needs Hirobumi Ito to control the future of Japan. Although it was Ito Hirobumi who planned and launched the Sino-Japanese War, Ito Hirobumi, as a Japanese, must have been for the future of his country. Just like Guangxu kidnapping and ransom for China, this is understandable. Moreover, Ito's policy towards China is relatively soft, and he knows very well that China cannot be conquered. Therefore, he preferred that China would be dependent on Japan as a vassal. Therefore, he went to Beijing in person to provide advice on Guangxu's reform. Now his death has disrupted Guangxu's layout.

"Your Majesty. Here's the thing. The assault on Seoul was carried out by the North Korean army alone. After half an hour of shelling, the Japanese 4th Division abandoned the outer city after resisting for 20 minutes as agreed. Ito Hirobumi tried to negotiate with the North Korean army, so he waited for the Joseon king Yi Xi in front of the inner city gate. However, the North Korean troops who attacked the inner city were killed on the spot by the North Korean army before Yi Hee's order arrived because they could not understand Japanese. It has been verified that the murderer was a platoon commander in North Korea and has been controlled. Looking at the anger in front of the emperor's eyes, Zhou Qin knelt down and reported: "The emperor has repeatedly told his ministers to protect Ito Hirobumi. The minister has the emperor's trust and asks the emperor to surrender. ”

"Hirobumi Ito is important. But it must still be an enemy. I am not guilty of rebuking my own courtiers for a dead enemy. Get up. After Guangxu held his hand in the air, he continued: "I believe that after the war in Seoul is over, the next war in the Far East will be the final life-and-death contest between the Qing Dynasty and Japan." If we lose, all the years of our efforts will be in vain. And in the end, it is our navy that can decide all this. This time we can't afford to lose, and we can't afford to lose. ”

The battle in Seoul has no suspense except for the accidental death of Hirobumi Ito. From the time Li Xi ordered the attack to the time he took over the palace, it only took twenty-four hours in total.

Half a year ago, Li Xi, under the protection of the Qing people, fled from Seoul in a panic in the night. Today, with the help of the Qing State. The North Korean army captured the strongest and last stronghold of the Japanese army in Korea. Today, facing the rising sun, under the reflection of the morning glow. Li Xi rode a tall horse and slowly walked into the capital of North Korea, where he had been absent for half a year.

On both sides of the road, North Korean soldiers with guns lined up in neat lines, shouting the slogan "Long live the king" to welcome Yi Hee into the city. Farther away, the Japanese troops there were also lined up, but they surrendered their weapons in despair.

In the palace, a dazzling array of exquisite treasures have long been looted by the Japanese army, and the once splendid buildings have also been destroyed and dilapidated by the Japanese. The palace ladies who came and went were also replaced by busy soldiers. Half a year ago, when he fled, he only took his son with him and left. In the six months that he has been away. I don't know how many concubines have been insulted by the Japanese, let alone those palace maids.

There is a pine forest in the deer park on the east side of Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is the final burial place of Queen Mingcheng. Queen Mingcheng, who was brutally killed by the Japanese* and then by the Japanese, in order to destroy the evidence of the crime. In the end, it was in this pine forest that the body of Queen Mingcheng was cremated to ashes. The prince Li Kun set off from Mukden when the alliance of the three kingdoms of the Qing Dynasty arrived on the Han River. Along the way, he worked hard and finally arrived in Seoul when Li Xi launched the Seoul Reconquest. Today, his father called him to worship his mother outside the pine forest. Li Kun, who was accustomed to seeing killings along the way, did not cry, he just firmly remembered his father's words: Your queen mother was killed by the Japanese, and you should never forget this hatred. It is also important to remember that North Korea is a small country and cannot afford to defend its country alone, and if you want to take revenge, you can only find a big country to rely on. Therefore, my father found the Great Qing Dynasty as a reneer, and I hope that you can continue, and loyalty is the only thing you can dedicate to the Great Qing Kingdom.

Touch away the tears of sadness and put on a cheerful expression. The first thing Li Xi did after regaining the throne was to invite the three great generals of the Qing State into the palace. The Joseon Palace, which lacked cooks and workers, was in a hurry and could not arrange a lavish banquet, but the simple dishes still made Shoushan, Lei Zhenchun and Ding Ruchang full of joy. It must have been a banquet specially set up for them by the king of a country, and although there was no wine and singing, this glory was the first time that the two of them had enjoyed it.

Of course, this does not include Liu Shengxiu. Li Xi's banquet Liu Shengxiu has eaten several times, and every time he is not satisfied in his heart. Kimchi is a good thing for North Korea, everyone from the royal palace nobles to the common people eat it, but what is the matter if you put it on the banquet every time and treat it as the main course, you might as well add a piece of meat. In North Korea, there are more than years of experience, and this is the thing that eats the most, so that anyone who eats it for years can't stand it. Every time he returned to China for a banquet, he was ridiculed by his colleagues like a beggar entering the city.

But no matter what, Liu Shengxiu will not express his dissatisfaction. The banquet was simple, but the atmosphere between the monarchs and ministers was very harmonious. Hong Qixun, who was sitting on the side, picked up his wine glass and said to the three Qing army generals: "If the Qing Dynasty does not help this time, our Korean country will be completely annexed by Japan." The lower officials are here to thank Daqing. Please—" With that, he looked up and drank the wine in his glass.

Li Xi, who was on the throne, also took over: "Thank you to the Qing Dynasty, and I am also thanking the generals." Along the way, it was the army of the Great Qing Kingdom that defeated the Japanese invaders, and it was also the generals who carefully trained our Korean army that led to this great victory in Seoul. Generals, please—"

The hosts all stood up, and as guests, they stood up to respond with a few words and drank their glasses of wine. The guests and hosts are seated. Li Xi said: "Although North Korea is not as beautiful as the mountains and rivers of Daqing, the scenery is also quite good. There is little leisure for many days of battle, and now the war is decided. Hong Qixun, you have been accompanying a few generals to play around in the past few days, so that the generals can see the beautiful scenery of my North Korea. ”

Without waiting for Hong Qixun to answer, Shoushan hurriedly waved his hand and said, "I'm afraid it won't work." Now that the war in Korea has been decided, I just received a telegram from the General Staff Headquarters just before I entered the palace. Tomorrow, our army will sail to Inchon to prepare for China, and the steamer returning to China has already departed from Dalian today. I am afraid that I will not have a chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Korea, so I will ask the king to inform the Incheon side to make it convenient for our army. ”

"That's natural, but why did the Qing Dynasty urge the generals and others to leave so much? Although the war in Korea is decided, the country is complicated, and the support of the generals is still needed. This king will play to the Emperor of the Kingdom of God, and ask the Emperor of God to allow the generals to assist the King in stabilizing the Korean Dynasty before leaving. ”

"The military order is like a mountain. As a soldier, you just have to carry out orders, and you don't need to know why. It's just the king's good intentions, and the ministers can only regret thanking them. General Liu will not move to Incheon until I leave, so I can stay for a few more days. Shoushan laughed.

"Even if it is a military order, this king will not force it to stay. Anyway, I won't leave until tomorrow, so there's still some time tonight. Li Xi turned his head to Hong Qixun and said: "The affairs in the palace are complicated, and this king has no time to take care of a few generals of the kingdom, so this king will hand over several generals of the kingdom to you. We must satisfy all the generals of the kingdom. ”

Hong Qixun agreed, and everyone present looked at each other, all showing a smile that a man understands. Then burst into laughter.

In the palace of the Joseon king in the middle of the night, Li Xi gently stroked the head of his son Li Kun and said: "Don't look at Japan, it seems that Japan is thinking about Korea everywhere, and the rest of them are planning to annex Korea." And what about the Great Qing Dynasty? It can be said that today's North Korea was defeated by the Qing Dynasty. As a result, the war had just been won, and they were about to withdraw their troops. You see, this is not the place where the Qing Kingdom is different from Japan. Just like the Ryukyus, Korea was a barrier and a burden to the Qing Dynasty, and as long as the barrier remained, they had no intention of Korea. So, as long as you are truly loyal to the Qing Dynasty, your children and grandchildren can sit on the throne of Korea forever. That's the reward of loyalty. (To be continued)