Qing State, Beijing, Prime Minister Yamen for State Affairs

"I asked your envoy to come here just to ask, why did Japan send troops to Korea?" Prince Qing stared at the Japanese minister in front of him.

Komura Shotaro, the minister stationed in the Qing Dynasty, took an unhurried sip of tea and replied, "That's to protect the personal safety of our Japanese consulate in North Korea and Japanese nationals." ”

"Nonsense! According to the treaty signed by the Qing and Japanese Tients, no matter who sends troops to Korea, the Qing and Japanese must inform each other! ”

Yixuan slapped the table and said sharply, "Why didn't Japan announce it!" ”

"I have been informed, and the Minister of Commerce of the DPRK of your country, Yuan Shikai, has been notified." Komura Shoutaro smiled.

"Notice?! You say hundreds of soldiers, now!! You've sent 20,000 !! ——”

"Don't say so seriously Prince Qing, now that the turmoil in Korea is getting bigger and bigger, Japan is doing this to ensure the stability and security of North Korea. If the Qing side is uneasy, they can also continue to increase troops in Korea. ”

"This is a plan drawn up by our government, please take a look at it." Komura handed over the diplomatic papers he had brought.

"In order to help Korea quell the rebellion of the people and ensure the lasting peace and stability of Korea, the Japanese government solemnly proposes that the two countries jointly help the Korean royal family implement political reforms and establish a modern government......

"What are you guys doing here?!" Yixuan glared at the other party angrily, "North Korea is a subject country of my Qing country, and it is the territory of my Qing country, you are interfering in my country's internal affairs!" The Qing government will never allow it!! ”

"Very well," said Komura Shoutaro, handing over another prepared paperwork, "given that there is no possibility of communication between Japan and your government. On behalf of the Japanese government, I officially submit a letter of severance of diplomatic relations to your country! If there are any unforeseen changes in the future, you should be responsible for clearing the country yourself. ”

Yixuan said angrily, "Are you threatening me? I'm telling you you're declaring war! ”

"No matter what you understand, Prince Qing, I myself do not rule out the possibility of war, I am very sorry, I leave."

After Komura finished speaking, he threw down the letter of severance and walked away in the stunned eyes of the officials in the Prime Minister's National Affairs Yamen......

The progress of the Japanese was smooth, and after several groups of troops successively landed at Inchon to support, the large army quickly broke the defense line organized by the Qing state on the Han River and successfully captured Seoul, the capital of Korea.

Almost at the same time, the rapid detachment composed of three armored cruisers, the "Akitsuzu," the "Naniwa," and the "Yoshino," which belonged to the Japanese Combined Fleet, attacked the Qing troop carriers bound for Korea in the Yellow Sea.

Japan does not declare war!

Qing Dynasty, Qianqing Palace, Beijing

"How can this be true? - "Emperor Guangxu threw a porcelain cup in his hand, fell to the ground and scattered, "Ladies and gentlemen, Japan is so rampant!" War is inevitable! ”

"The major affairs of the country are only worship and Rong. Tell me what you think, Li Zhongtang? ”

"The minister is here!" Li Hongzhang stepped out of the way.

"I want to hear your opinion first."

Li Hongzhang glanced at Guangxu and replied slowly, "If you go back to the emperor, the minister thinks that the current war is peace, and it cannot be easily concluded. The only way to do this is to actively prepare for war on the one hand, and on the other hand, to urge Britain and Russia and other countries to mediate, depending on the development of the situation. ”

"Ridiculous! Japan has long since declared war, and its army has attacked our Huai army officers and men stationed in Seoul in Korea, and its navy has just secretly attacked and sunk our Qing troop carrier in the Yellow Sea. Li Zhongtang, you still ask whether it is war or peace, it's ridiculous! ”

Qu Hongzhen, the minister in charge of the Ministry of War, stepped forward to argue.

"Qu Qing is reasonable, the Japanese have been bullied to the doorstep, if I still show weakness in the Qing Dynasty, where is the prestige of the country! Truth be told, I've made up my mind! This time we must destroy this widow! Emperor Guangxu sat on the throne and said conclusively.

"Li Zhongtang, I ask you now, if our army goes to war with the Japanese army, will my Qing Dynasty be able to win the battle?"

"I can't." Li Hongzhang replied in a low voice.

"Why not?!" Guangxu was angry.

"In terms of sea and land, the only troops that can be adjusted are the Huai Army and the Beiyang Naval Division. The Huai army was insufficient, and some of them were stationed in Zhili to defend the Beijing Division. The rest of the elites are stationed in the Fengtian area outside the Guan, where the dragon veins of the Qing Dynasty are located, and there is no room for mistakes. If you go abroad to aid the DPRK and fight the Japanese, it will inevitably leave a gap and be taken advantage of by the enemy. ”

Li Hongzhang glanced at Weng Tongsu on the other side and continued, "As for the Beiyang Naval Division. At present, only 10 of our Beiyang warships are capable of participating in naval battles. The rest of the ships could only be used for transport and drilling. Once there is a confrontation at sea, I am afraid that it is not a chance to win! ”

"Isn't the Beiyang Naval Division the most powerful fleet in the Far East? How did it become that there are only ten warships capable of fighting? How come the Japanese can't even win?! Emperor Guangxu eagerly stood up from his seat and asked loudly.

At this time, Qu Hongzhen stepped forward again and mocked Li Hongzhang, "As far as the minister knows, the strength of the Beiyang Naval Division and the Japanese Navy should be between the best. Li Zhongtang said that he was so pitiful, he wanted to preserve his strength, right? ”

Guangxu waved his hand to stop Qu Hongzhen's words and asked, "Li Zhongtang." Compared with Japan, does our Qing Dynasty have no advantage at all? ”

"Yes, my Qing Beiyang Naval Division has two warships in Dingyuan and Zhenyuan. It is also unmatched by Japanese warships. But it is also because of its size, the draft is too deep, and the movement is slow. In addition, the three ships of Zhiyuan, Jingyuan, and Pingyuan are not inferior to Japanese warships. But the remaining warships are in disrepair and slowing down. ”

Li Hongzhang explained loudly in the hall.

"Your Majesty, if the enemy is fast and I am slow, the enemy is strong and I am weak, and the victory or defeat is unknown."

Guangxu frowned slightly, "How fast are the Japanese warships and my sailors?" ”

"Your Majesty, there are twenty-one Japanese new and old armored warships that can go to the battlefield. This has already surpassed our army in terms of quantity, and nine of them are remembered to have been purchased and built by the Japanese government in the 15th year of Guangxu, that is, five years ago. The fastest speed of their ships is "Yoshino", that is, the "Laiyuan" ship that our country has given up ordering, which is 23 nautical miles. The rest of the warships were also about 20 nautical miles, and our warships were purchased first, and the ships built in the West at that time were traveling at a speed of 15 to 18 nautical miles. On average, the speed of Japanese warships is five nautical miles faster than that of our Beiyang warships. ”

Guangxu frowned and said, "That Zhongtang means that this battle can't be fought." ”

"Your Majesty, my Beiyang Naval Division is not all invincible." Li Hongzhang knelt on the ground and replied, "But the way to attack and defend is to know yourself and your opponent." Since my ship is slow, attacking it will not be able to defeat the enemy. But my ship is large and more than enough for self-discipline. The minister means that I will give up my shortcomings and promote my strengths. As soon as the war begins, I should defend the ship and control the enemy. ”

Weng Tongsu, a scholar of the imperial court and head of the household department, said sarcastically, "Protect the ship and control the enemy? Li Zhongtang is afraid of the enemy like a tiger. ”

"What are you afraid of if the boat slows down, I fight with the Japanese Kou, and I am straight. Those who are upright are strong, and those who are strong are high-spirited. How can I fight against a righteous man with high morale against a shameless man who has lost his way and is helpless? ”

"Hahahaha, Master Weng is not impassioned." Li Hongzhang was laughed angrily by Weng Tongsu, "I said it for a long time, what does it mean to be a little faster and a little slower, you don't understand!" ”

"I really don't understand! Weapons are an element of war, but they are by no means the decisive factor of victory or defeat! It is the hearts of people who decide the victory! Weng Tongsu's beard shook as he spoke, but he was quite imposing.

"Hmph, on paper!" Li Hongzhang said disdainfully.

"Let me tell you, the speed of our main force 'Dingyuan' is 14.5 knots, while the Japanese 'Yoshino' is 22.5 knots. He can catch up with you as soon as he wants to hit you, and when he tries to hit him, he runs away. And what about the rate of fire? Our side fired one shot in five minutes, while the Japanese side fired five shots in one minute. Master Weng, please tell me, how can this person be afraid at the moment of the war?! ”

"Oh, but as far as I know. The cannons of the giant ships of our Beiyang Naval Division are not available on the ships, and even if he fires five cannons, he can't match one of our cannons. Fighting at sea, what if I am subject to his five cannons? As long as we share the same hatred and unite as one, we can destroy it with one shot. ”

Qu Hongzhen, the head of the military department, who was quite familiar with the Beiyang Naval Division, stepped forward to argue.