"Your Excellency?" Minister Sugimura held his glasses and looked at the young man in front of him in a Japanese costume and a top hat by the light of the horse lamp. There are a few servants from this young man, just like him, all of them have gloomy faces, and they wear civilian clothes on their bodies, which are not ill-fitting, but they all look awkward.

Since the change of Seoul Palace, Minister Sugimura has remained in office, but his name has changed from acting minister to official minister. Generally speaking, Sugimura is still a relatively moderate diplomat toward North Korea. And most importantly, he is the elder of Meiji civilization and the son-in-law of Inoue Xin! At a time when negotiations with the DPRK were temporarily contracted, Sugimura naturally stayed in office. And he did a good job and did not cause further negotiations in North Korea. In addition, good negotiations were achieved in the construction of the cable telegraph from Busan to Seoul, which caused great controversy.

But Sugimura also knows that he, the minister who negotiates with the DPRK, may not be able to sit for long. As an insider, of course he knows the tense situation in his own country! But to the interviewer who is concerned about the situation in North Korea, he still faces it with a smile: "Isn't it the time for North Korea to be peaceful and beautiful?" ”

Wait until today, finally someone arrived.

"The contemptible division is the main minister, and the first brigade of the Kokura Corps in Kumamoto Town is the officer...... Your Excellency must have received orders from the base camp. ”

"Base camp, oh......" Sugimura replied and welcomed all the people into the Japanese room. He was relaxed on the outside, but shrunk on the inside. It is said that the base camp of this operation was secretly established in Hiroshima, and this base camp is far different from the so-called base camp established during the previous expedition to Ezo in the southwest.

All the important ministers of the army and navy were assembled under the headquarters of the base camp, and Ito Hirobumi commanded everything as the chief commander of the emperor's base camp. In addition to the army, almost half of the political axe, and even His Majesty the Emperor personally sat in the town! The entire country's military, political, economic, and diplomatic resources are concentrated in Sri Lanka. It is said that all the national strength of the 20 years of civilization and innovation has been concentrated in one place!

As a critical position, the minister in the whirlpool, he has long received the order. In the future, all negotiations will only be reported to the base camp, and the foreign minister will not be allowed to interfere. And the orders given to him by the base camp must be carried out unconditionally! In other words, he was a diplomat in white gloves and a tuxedo as he walked around the party. Already considered a soldier, a samurai, subject to military orders!

A few people sat in the middle of the room, and the lights were dim. Faces are hidden in the shadows, staring at each other coldly.

“…… Here we go? ”

"Here we go."

"Okay, the contemptible obeys all the orders of the base camp."

Shi Gang Shaozuo pulled the corners of his mouth and leaned forward: "Your Excellency, the contemptible people need the structure of the legation, as well as the distribution map of the expatriates of the Yuben Empire who live around the legation, the more detailed the better!" ”

Sugimura was stunned. Since the Seoul Palace Rebellion, first the Qing Janissary Army, and then the Huai Army were stationed. In order to ensure security, the vast majority of the entire Seoul and even South Korea were concentrated near the legation. After all, the legation also has a guard of hundreds of people who can maintain their safety. On the night of the Seoul Palace Mutiny set off by Kawakami's Yoroku, many expatriates were also affected by the pond fish!

Now, around the legation, there are more than 2,000 expatriates living in dense circles, and they all do everything. Most of them have business in North Korea and have to stay here to deal with it. He also spent a lot of effort to negotiate directly with the authorities stationed in the Huai army, and even directly with the Yamen, the minister of Beiyang in Tianjin, to absolutely protect the safety of these expatriates.

As soon as this Shao Zuo came, why did he want this?

Looking at Sugimura's stunned expression, Shigang Shaozuo smiled faintly: "Your Excellency, you just need to obey the order." ”

Sugimura was silent for a long time, and finally nodded heavily: "Everything is in accordance with the orders of the base camp!" ”

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"Your Excellency, Your Excellency!" A staff officer also rushed towards Xu Yifan. He had only been to the artillery range today, and after a burst of field artillery training and firing, his ears were now buzzing, and he almost didn't hear the staff officer's greeting.

This staff officer belongs to the intelligence department system, and he is also from Nanyang. At the beginning of the family, he began to be in charge of business at the age of 20. He has a natural analytical mind for all kinds of intelligence. You know, intelligence is money! Commercial intelligence and military intelligence are not much worse in essence. In the Intelligence Department of the General Staff Department, their strategic intelligence section can't even control their top boss Yuan Shikai, they are directly responsible for Xu Yifan, and they are also directly connected with Li Daxiong.

Xu Yifan picked up the stirrups and dismounted, and put the red envelope - no way, the color of the staff officer's troops is red. Everything likes to be trimmed with red edges, especially this kind of confidential information that is about to be forwarded to him for reading, which is wrapped like a red envelope for the New Year. It's often not good news, if it goes on like this, I'm afraid Xu Yifan will have a shadow for the New Year.

He took the seal of the confidential information and strode back to his office room. The staff officer waited outside nervously, and it didn't take long for Xu Yifan's voice to come from inside: "Notify everyone to have a meeting!" ”

Is this one of the signals? Can't get the most confidential information, is such information enough for him to make a judgment? In any case, this is not good news!

Xu Yifan was in the conference room with a tense face, watching his generals gather one by one, and even Zhan Tianyou, who was the farthest away, rode a horse and galloped for more than an hour before coming over. For more than an hour, Xu Yifan didn't say a word, sitting in the host position and frowning. Chu Wanli originally wanted to whisper a few words and joke with people, but when others looked at Xu Yifan's face, they didn't have the courage or mood, even Tang Shaoyi, who was the most easy-going and gratifying among the civil officials.

The more time passed, the more gloomy the atmosphere inside the room became. Even Chu Wanli didn't move. It wasn't until Zhan Tianyou arrived that he panted at the door. Xu Yifan, who was generally nested in a chair, moved: "Come in!" ”

When everyone arrived, Xu Yifan patted the table: "In China, the issuance of emergency public bonds has officially begun. Our intelligence officers in this book sent it back as soon as possible, and the first issue was 50 million yuan! There are rumors of secret bond offerings not only in China but also in London's financial markets...... Guys, what do you think of this news? ”

Several people glanced at each other, but Tang Shaoyi spoke first: "Does China know about this news?" ”

50 million yuan, or more than 20 million taels of silver, is equivalent to the amount of public bonds raised for the vast majority of the fiscal revenue of the whole year. Under Xu Yifan in North Korea, he knew something about the depressed economic situation in his country. With the issuance of such a large figure, the future interest alone can crush the economy!

Grandma's, these little dwarfs are really betting......

Xu Yifan stiffened his face and slowly looked at the expression of Wen Wu under his command. As he instilled, everyone also understood the relationship between the economy and the war. Li Yunzong's eyebrows were almost wrinkled together. Undoubtedly, this is the precursor to war!

He coldly answered Tang Shaoyi's question: "Domestic? Who are you counting on? In the Qing Dynasty, apart from us, there is no such fast strategic intelligence collection system! I even doubt that they will notice the news! The minister stationed in Yueben noticed this information slowly, and then slowly forwarded it to the Qing Prime Minister's National Affairs Yamen. We have to wait for those royal ministers who are in power to find out about this news, and we have to expect those royal ministers to understand the meaning behind this news and intelligence! …… I don't count on them anyway. As for Li Hongzhang, I guess it's only too strong! By the time they reacted, Ben's army was already at the door! ”

Xu Yifan has already put it politely, in the entire Qing Dynasty, if there is a foreign strategic intelligence system, even if there is only a little awareness of this aspect. In his time and space, how could there be a joke that six years later, the Qing Dynasty declared war on all the nations of the world?

Clear-eyed people, there is really only such a group as him.

"It's going to be a war......" Zhan Tianyou whispered. Yuan Shikai, who was sitting at the end, glanced at Zhan Tianyou coldly and did not speak. This guy is really a scholar who can only train technicians and open factories to repair railways. Can't you see that Xu Yifan has been preparing for this war for a long time?

"That's right! It's going to war! Xu Yifan responded coldly.

Tang Shaoyi turned his head to look at Chu Wanli: "Camp affairs...... Isn't the General Staff Headquarters always doing something? Is there a way to deal with it? God knows how big the gap between the modern staff headquarters that Xu Yifan painstakingly established and the Qing Dynasty only played a management role -- sometimes there was a big gap between the camp office that could not play this role.

After asking the question, he seemed to think of something: "My lord, do you want to inform Beiyang Li Zhongtang and the prime minister of the imperial court?" They should be prepared right away! ”

Xu Yifan sneered: "They won't care if I send it to the door...... Notifications are still to be notified. Ye Zhichao and other commanders and generals in Seoul each sent a private letter. Ding Ruchang and Ding Junmen also sent a private letter, whether they can understand it or not, it depends on themselves...... Shaochuan, there's only so much I can do! ”

Tang Shaoyi's face flushed slightly, Xu Yifan went to apologize, and when the Huai army attacked, his performance was not good enough. This time, Xu Yifan said this again, and immediately expressed his attitude: "The lower official is not the only one who obeys the order of the adult?" The Japanese people already have the intention of provocation, and we are also the trend of the pond fish, my lord, whether to fight or defend, it is decided by the adult, and the lower officials and others are only cautious. ”

Zhan Tianyou was still stunned: "This is a snake swallowing giant elephant...... How can a small island nation have such big ambitions? In South Korea, there are 25,000 or 6,000 Huai troops, and in North Korea, our 20,000 Janissaries are almost the same, right? The Beiyang Naval Division patrols the sea, and we still have 500 battalions of various training troops in China! I said that I committed suicide or what? ”

After scratching a little, Zhan Tianyou looked at Xu Yifan's gaze, and quickly cheered up again: "My lord, this is also a good way for us to solve the crisis!" Let's fight! As long as people are pressing, we can build some military feats, and the previous unhappiness will be solved. The status of adults will not be shaken anymore! Let's do some construction with peace of mind......"

Everyone squinted at him, this scholar! Xu Yifan and the Qing court's "little unhappiness", how can it be resolved in this way? Power struggles are never easy. However, the civil officials present were quite consistent with Zhan Tianyou's views on his own death.

It is said that this is such a small place, and it has only been 20 years since it was called enlightenment, and it wants to move the Qing Dynasty? We can't practice foreigners, and we can't play to kill a small country like you? Everything the adults did, and now it seems, was all preparation for this war. Although I don't know how he expected it - everyone still doesn't believe it, is it really so stupid? It's time to find some cheap in North Korea, even if you really want to start a war. It seems that the adults have long been ready to make some money in this war!

At this time, everyone was waiting for Xu Yifan to send troops. These civilian officials are estimated to also have military missions. Xu Yifan also sent German foreign devils to give them a lecture on how the administrative system cooperates with the military. It's nothing more than mobilizing personnel, stockpiling supplies, preparing roads, and so on and so forth. Who wouldn't?

Chu Wanli and Li Yunzong glanced at each other below, and both shook their heads slightly. Those who have personally trained the modern army and have set up a modern military organization. Only then did I really know how vulnerable the Qing Dynasty, which seemed to be a behemoth!

If it is true that the whole country will commit a crime as judged by the adults...... There's a long way to go......

Chu Wanli also narrowed his eyes and looked at Xu Yifan carefully. What did this lord want to gain from this war that he had so bent on happening?

At this time, Xu Yifan only felt that his head was buzzing. A voice kept telling itself over and over again: "It's begun, it's begun, it's finally begun...... The biggest test is finally here! ”

At this critical juncture when you start turning, make a judgment, the only thing you can trust is yourself!

The corners of his mouth twitched, and he forced himself to suppress the churning of his heart. The words that are about to be spoken seem to be weighty, which makes it difficult for him to speak.

"Evacuate! Evacuation begins! In accordance with the plan promulgated by the General Staff. The relevant personnel of the non-direct Praetorian Guard, all evacuated according to the plan! Go to Shanghai, go to Guangzhou, go to Nanyang, and even go to Suiyuan...... Evacuation by land, by water, all by air! The troops began to mobilize, and the first town of the Janissaries immediately began to establish a wartime formation, and the insufficient personnel were transferred from the second town. The Jiang Ziming horse team is back, from now on, this horse team is under my direct jurisdiction! In addition to the reserve of military supplies, all training, construction is stopped, ready for battle! ”

There was an uproar from below, especially from the civil service. Xu Yifan actually gave such an order! At the Datong River base, more than 6,000 technicians and technicians have been trained, and the wharf is still expanding. Each small factory will also be expanded according to Zhan Tianyou's wishes, and the plans have been made. Zhan Tianyou doesn't want to just use these small factories as internships, but also wants to really produce competitive industrial products. He even wanted to supply the Janissaries with his own foreign guns and artillery!

Once all staff were evacuated, the factory would be abandoned and the training program would be interrupted. I don't know how much work it will take to clean it up again! Now these student technicians and these small factories are the lifeblood of Zhan Tianyou!

Tang Shaoyi was also panicked, he was in charge of the financial home. Know your own family. Xu Yifan desperately expanded the army, desperately equipped with new Western weapons, and desperately spent money on training military and industrial talents. Nanyang received money, and the Korean treasury was gradually consumed. On the contrary, Xu Datou's passage through North Korea and North China has considerable benefits, and it is far from enough to fill the current hole in fiscal expenditure. This evacuation, I don't know how much silver it will cost to go out, but Xu Yifan still has a strict order, between September and October this year, no matter what means are used, he must also ensure that he has more than five million taels of funds that can be used at any time!

They want the horses to run, and they want the horses not to graze. Isn't this a playman? Once evacuated, the financial situation will be greatly damaged!

A piece of information about the issuance of treasury bonds made such a decision for adults?

When Tang Shaoyi and Zhan Tianyou were about to defend themselves, Xu Yifan had already left the venue: "This is a military order, if you understand it, you must implement it, and if you don't understand it, you must implement it!" ”

Chu Wanli and Li Yunzong glanced at each other again, Chu Wanli shrugged his shoulders, picked up his military hat and was about to leave. Li Yunzong held down his arm and looked at him with heavy eyes: "...... Wanli, if you command us blindly this time...... I don't care what kind of brotherly friendship I have. ”

Chu Wanli snorted: "Let's see...... Under the storm, I don't know in which direction the flash flood will erupt! He pointed in the direction Xu Yifan left: "...... He was already ready, God knows what awaits us after this storm! In short, I feel that the Qing Dynasty is hanging! No matter how you look at it! ”

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With a soft sound, Ito pushed away the two documents in front of him.

Of these two documents, one is the army requisition plan of Major General Ogawa Matsuji, director of the Second Bureau of the Army General Staff Headquarters. One is the Navy Clearance Plan of Sakurai Rules, a member of the Admiralty's staff.

Although the two requisition plans of the army and navy are signed with the names of both of them. However, in the past 10 years, I don't know how many outstanding people have perfected and supplemented these programs, and I don't know how many spies have been sent out to investigate the military and important geography involved in these two programs. I don't know how many people are fighting the bureaucracy for the budget of the army ships needed to arm these two programs, and I don't know how many workers are working day and night to produce the necessary materials and ammunition!

It's time to make it happen.

Sitting at the head of him was Lieutenant General Aritomo Yamagu, a representative of the army. He was the representative of the Changshu Domain of the Army, and he had a stubborn look. There is ambition and skill, and the entire empire is old and withered. Probably only Ito Hirobumi can control him. The other was the representative of the navy, Earl Shikiki Kayama, a vice admiral of noble birth and a look of grace and elegance, ignoring Yamayama's somewhat provocative eyes.

The army and navy have already quarreled countless times in the base camp -- once launched, will it be mainly by sea or by land? The navy firmly believes that it is necessary to break through the Beiyang Fleet, seize the Beiyang Fleet's three-legged position in Lushun, Weihai, and Yantai, defend the base group in the Bohai Bay, and seize sea power before it can carry out land operations.

However, the army insisted that the main force of the Huai Army in North Korea must be broken first, and that the barrier of North Korea would be lost before the Bohai Bay and the northeast could be opened. And the actions of the army will also lead the main force of the Beiyang Naval Division, right?

In fact, it's all one and two, two and one things. The cooperation between land and sea can never be separated. However, from the very beginning of construction, the navy and army embarked on a separate direction. Now he can still hold it, and what happens in the future will be seen.

He deliberately ignored the mountain and asked gently at Huashan Ziji: "Huashan-kun, where do you think the battlefield that is most likely to defeat the Beiyang Naval Division?" As soon as the Beiyang Naval Master is here, I can't feel at ease......"

Shiki Kayama stood up, walked to the front of the map, and lightly pointed to the area of the Yellow Sea Sea: "Here...... North Korea launched, we forced it with war, Li Hongzhang will inevitably send supplies to the Huai army, the Beiyang Navy Division patrols and escorts, and our combined fleet is waiting for them here...... Decisive battle. ”

His fingers, I don't know whether they were intentional or not, were pointing to the ocean near Dadonggou.

Ito lowered his head and stared for a long time: "The sea is fast and the waves are high, and the birch-kun cherishes it." Defeating the Beiyang Naval Division and conquering the first merit undoubtedly belongs to the navy. How aggressive the army is also depends entirely on the movement of the navy. ”

Shiki Kayama smiled faintly, closed his hat, and left with a salute: "The contemptible people will accompany His Excellency Ito and advance and retreat with the combined fleet." “

When Shiki Kayama left, Hirobumi Ito's eyes were still on the map. Shan County could no longer sit still and stood up angrily: "Without the cooperation of the army, how can the navy attract the Beiyang Fleet out of the port?" And what to take to occupy the Bohai Bay base group in Weihai, Dalian, and Yantai? Your Excellency, the 200,000 soldiers of the army often have a loyal and diligent heart, but they cannot be ignored by Your Excellency! ”

Ito Hirofumi raised his head fiercely, his eyes were like electricity, and he looked at Youpeng in Shanxian County: "Can you mobilize the 200,000 Qing army in half a month?" ”

"Your Excellency, yes!"

"Can you expel the main force of the Huai army from Seoul within ten days of the outbreak of the war?"

"Your Excellency, the contemptible person guarantees his life with his surname!"

"Can you sweep the whole of Korea and cross the Yalu River within the year and crush the Praetorian Guard that once brought us shame to powder?"

Shanxian was stunned for a moment, and finally raised his head proudly: "Your Excellency, the army, even if you chew mud and drink blood, you will definitely complete this task!" Praetorian Guards, their fate is the same as that of the Huai Army! ”

Ito smiled faintly: "In that case, then what are you worried about not as good as the navy?" ”

Shanxian saluted vigorously, strode around and went out, and when he was about to go out, he turned around cautiously and reported: "Your Excellency, Shigang Shaozuo is going to start acting tonight, doesn't Your Excellency need to report the situation at any time?" ”

Ito waved his hand impatiently, and buried his head in the official document: "The whole of East Asia is in my heart, who is still impatient with such a trivial matter?" I just want the result! ”

(To be continued)