Outside the hospital's emergency room, Hirobumi Ito walked around anxiously. The gunmen have been apprehended, and the gendarmerie responsible for the security, from officers to soldiers, has been disarmed and is ready to be handed over to the Qing side to be dealt with by the Qing state. Ito hopes that this will be the case for the continuation of the peace talks, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable. Because he had just learned that the entire Qing Beiyang Fleet had aimed all its guns at Maguan. And Tang Shaoyi in front of him stared at him without saying a word, as if he was the mastermind behind the shooting of Li Hongzhang. Fortunately, Li Hongzhang leaned on the right after sitting in the sedan chair, if he was sitting in the sedan chair, the five shots would kill him. The doctor had accurately told him that Li Hongzhang's life was not in danger, but how to deal with the diplomatic dispute caused by this?

There was a sound of hurried footsteps outside, and the envoy of the Qing State hurried over: "Lord Tang, this is the telegram I just received this morning, and the emperor has decreed that Lord Zhongtang be appointed as the prime minister of the Great Qing State." As soon as I received the telegram, I rushed to Chunfan Tower, and then I learned that something had happened. With that, a telegram was handed over.

Tang Shaoyi waved his hand: "Sit down and wait, I hope the Prime Minister is safe." ”

Soon the doctor came out. Li Hongzhang's life is not in danger, but the gunshot wound on his face will not be healed for a month. After the Qing envoy read out the emperor's will, Li Hongzhang, who could not speak, could only clasp his hands into fists and bow to the west.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister has suddenly suffered such a disaster, and the lower officials have suggested that the peace talks be immediately suspended and that the Prime Minister be invited to return to China to recuperate." After seeing Li Hongzhang nodding slightly, Tang Shaoyi turned to face the minister stationed in Yue and said: "Please send a report back to China immediately, the prime minister was assassinated by Yu Ben at the end of the peace talks, and he was shot in the left cheek and fortunately had no worries about his life, but he was speechless for a while. It is said that Ben's move has shown his wolf ambitions, and he has no sincerity in peace talks. Wechen thought that there was no need to continue the peace talks, and Wechen had already arranged for his return to China, just waiting for the emperor's will. ”

In front of Ito Hirobumi, Tang Shaoyi dictated the telegram sent back to China and arranged to leave the book.

Li Hongzhang was injured in Yueben, and if he could not be cured in Yueben and returned to China with his injuries, it would arouse the indignation of the entire Qing Dynasty. Now that the three fleets of the Qing State are all gathered in the East China Sea, if the Qing people are allowed to go back like this, how will they face the attack of the three fleets of the Qing State? In desperation, Ito Hirobumi could only whisper and beg Li Hongzhang to stay in Yumoto for the sake of peace in East Asia, and he would do his best to treat the prime minister's injuries and make appropriate compensation.

Li Hongzhang, who was still in pain, wrote a few words with difficulty: Report to the emperor, we are waiting for the emperor's judgment here.

In the Forbidden City, before the morning meeting was over, an urgent telegram was received from Yuben. Guangxu was furious, ordered all the naval and land troops to be ready to attack Tokyo Bay, and released a message that the emperor would not apologize before the Forbidden City, and the war between the Qing Dynasty would never stop. At the same time, he issued an edict informing the countries that the prime minister of the Qing State had been assassinated by the Qing Dynasty during the peace talks, and for this reason, the Qing Navy would completely blockade the Qing Dynasty after the third day, and all the ships that were not allowed to enter the country would be regarded as hostile ships and sunk on the spot. He also issued an order for Li Hongzhang to immediately end the peace talks and return to China.

Guangxu made three wills in a row, so frightened that the envoy to the Qing Dynasty, Komura Shoutaro, had not seen Guangxu, so he hurried to ask to see the British minister Ogne.

"Mr. Ogne, if our country sends someone to assassinate your prime minister, your country will only ask for a little compensation?" Guangxu said angrily to the British minister Ogner, who came to visit urgently: "What is the difference between assassinating the prime minister of a country and declaring war. ”

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger, this move really shouldn't be. But I believe this is not the work of the political axe. You know, there are still a large number of radicals in our country, and when they learn of the conditions put forward by your country, they will inevitably act irrationally. Ogner looked at the angry Qing Emperor, but he was thinking in his heart: How did you open your mouth with the indemnity of one billion taels of silver.

"Does Mr. Minister know that after the assassination of my Prime Minister, a large number of people in our country have also set off a wave of rebellion. Even rumors in the army were that they were going to Samoto to assassinate Emperor Samoto. Guangxu said twice: "We have found a soldier who is making this preparation." ”

Hell, you're fanning the flames. Ogne cursed inwardly, desperately trying to think of the right words in his head. I could only say stupidly: "If the Qing Dynasty and the two countries fall into endless assassinations, it will eventually lead to a war between the two countries." East Asia will once again be plunged into war because of this incident, which Britain and the United States and other countries do not want to see. ”

"Yes, after this war, especially since I have personally participated in this war. I have deeply realized the cruelty of war, so I have decreed that all troops cannot leave the barracks without a mission until the matter is resolved or a new order is given. I really can't bear to see the Qing Dynasty fall into war again. ”

"Your Majesty is wise......" Ogne's words were interrupted by Guangxu before he could finish his words.

"For this treacherous country, I even dared to assassinate my prime minister. This time it must not stop there, and the Qing Dynasty must use force to prove that it has to pay the price for this assassination. Guangxu gritted his teeth and said.

"It is undeniable that your country has the advantage of force over the Ben. But the price to pay for attacking the homeland would be too heavy. And does your country still have the economic strength to fight? What's more, Your Majesty, didn't you just say that you can't bear to be in the middle of war again in the Qing Dynasty? "Eugene cursed incessantly, madman, you should take it as soon as you see it.

"I didn't say I was going to attack the mainland." Guangxu looked at Ogne with surprised eyes: "I plan to let the three fleets of the Qing Dynasty completely blockade the Yueben Islands, and not allow any supplies to enter or leave the Yueben Islands. Strive to starve half of myself to death in one to two years. I think the surname may still be very big, what does Minister Ogne think? ”

With a pop, Ogne stood up. They had already lost their navy, and they could only hold on to the islands. And this time, he himself assassinated the prime minister of the Qing State, so that the initiative that Britain had won for the sake of Yue Ben was easily handed over to the Qing State. If the Qing State really only blockaded the Yueben Islands, it would be established both economically and diplomatically. In this country, where everything needs to be imported, half of the people will starve to death. Then, in addition to the capital, the biggest loss was the British Empire.

After standing up, Ogner, who realized that he was rude, could only say with a calm face: "My British Empire still has extensive interests in this country, so I must remind Your Majesty that the British Empire does not want what Your Majesty said. ”

Guangxu raised his head and looked at it squarely: "If Mr. Minister thinks that the benefits that Mr. Yu can give to the British Empire are greater than the benefits given by my Qing Dynasty, then Mr. Minister should go to discuss with Mr. Yue." Ogne, believe it or not. As long as I say a word, I can make the entire Qing Dynasty no one buy British goods, and no one will work in British factories. And the UK won't get any orders. At that time, I am confident that your government will send another minister to discuss this matter with me. ”

Ogne sat down stupidly, he knew that the emperor in front of him could do it. Not only would his political life be over, but he believed that the British political axe would send another minister. The interests shown by the Qing State are not comparable to those of a small story. Eugene said: "No, no, no, I think Your Majesty has misunderstood me. I mean, my country does have a wide range of interests in this country, but they are not worth mentioning compared to yours. What I'm saying is that if you are willing to make appropriate compensation, why should Your Majesty spend unnecessary money? ”

Guangxu nodded mistakenly: "What Mr. Minister said is true." But the Prime Minister of our country, who said that he was going to assassinate him, could not just take 10,000 taels of silver and finish the matter. That's it, let me take out 100 million taels of silver to my country's Prime Minister Li Hongzhang to suppress the shock. ”

Under the mediation of Ogne, at the end of the night of the same day, the Great Qing State officially sent a note to the political axe: Li Hongzhang, the prime minister of the Great Qing Dynasty, was assassinated by the Emperor during the peace talks. It is said that Ben has just been defeated in the front, but he assassinated my Qing Prime Minister in the back, and he should fight to the death with this to avenge this. However, in response to the demands of Britain and the United States, I do not want to use swords and soldiers to increase unnecessary casualties, for the sake of peace in East Asia. Today, he ordered that Li Hongzhang, the prime minister of the Qing Dynasty, should go all out to treat our country, and that the hospital where he was located should be immediately emptied and stationed with full authority by our Qing officers and soldiers. At the same time, the assassin and security personnel were handed over, and 100 million taels of silver were handed over to Premier Li Hongzhang to suppress the shock. Until this matter is resolved, the matter of peace talks will be postponed indefinitely.

At the same time, a memorial ceremony was held in Lushun. Under the witness of the officers of various departments in Liaodong led by Song Qing, Nogi Xidian, who slaughtered more than 20,000 civilians in Lushun, and the remnants of the first brigade where he belonged, a total of 1,283 people, were all beheaded for public display. He said that his blood was poured all over Lushun, and even stained the port of Lushun red. Then the skyrocketing fire reduced the 1,283 people to ashes and buried them in the easternmost part of Lushun. There is a stone tablet of "Yongzhen River Mountain" pressed on it. Qing Guo's move is undoubtedly a blow to Yue himself, and according to his own customs, it means that the 1,283 warriors will never be able to return to Dongying.

But no matter how much he clamored for a decisive battle with the Qing State. This just gives other countries more talk, because they see something else.

Ogne's meeting with the Qing Emperor alone again caused the Qing State to cancel the war mobilization order just issued, and it was easy to cause great repercussions among the ministers of various countries. The most direct manifestation of this was the ability of the British minister to change the policy of the Qing Dynasty. This makes Eugene virtually the first minister of various countries. It's just that what they don't know is what agreement the two countries have reached under the pressure of 100 million taels of silver demanded by the Qing State.

All that can be seen is that the next day, he himself went to the negotiating table again and began to bargain for the pressure of the Qing Prime Minister. Three days later, that is, on the tenth day of the start of the peace talks, after Tang Shaoyi finally offered 30 million taels of silver and still did not get a response from the book, Tang Shaoyi threw down his own documents and left a sentence before turning around and leaving. "Since you don't give it, then let our fleet take it."

Thinking of the fire on the coastline that had not yet been extinguished, he finally promised to pay 30 million taels of silver to understand the matter.

After another ten days, as Li Hongzhang's injuries improved, he was able to speak. Qing said that peace talks between the two countries began again. As a sign of sincerity, he quickly agreed to all the agreements regarding the Ryukyus, and on the same day released the family of the Ryukyus king, Shotai. Ryukyu King Shotai, who had been under house arrest for more than ten years, burst into tears when he walked out of the place of house arrest and saw the Qing soldiers who had come to pick him up. The next day, Shang Tai's family boarded the cruiser Jiyuan of the Qing army and headed due west. Shang Tai did not choose to return to Ryukyu first, although this was also Guangxu's intention, but Shang Tai insisted on going to Yanjing to meet the Emperor of Shangguo first.

After learning that the Ryukyu king Shangtai chose to worship in Beijing, Guangxu lined up in the Taihe Palace, and the whole class was lined up on both sides. King Shotai of the Ryukyus finally met the Qing Emperor through the honor guard. After some courtesy, Guangxu stepped down from the golden dragon throne and helped Shangtai with his own hands. Looking at the old man in his sixties in front of him, but he had to listen respectfully to the tone of a young man in his early twenties and above, Guangxu himself felt awkward. But the majesty of the kingdom cannot be lost, Guangxu said in a condescending tone: "In the past ten years, I have wronged you." ”

After that, of course, it was the monarch and the ministers who drank and talked happily. The negotiations in Shimonoseki were fought in a fierce quarrel.

North Korea, Hokkaido, and Yokohama said that they were gritting their teeth and not letting go. In addition, Britain and the United States and other countries did not support it, and Yokohama was quickly released. Abandoning Hokkaido but instead seeking the island of Kyushu was also ruthlessly rejected. At this time, Li Hongzhang proposed that Korea could be divided by default with the Han River as the boundary, but he said that he had to surrender the Izu Islands. The Izu Islands are located off the coast of Tokyo Bay, and the nearest island, which is only a few hundred miles from Tokyo Bay, is regarded as a natural barrier that holds the gateway to Tokyo! Such an important strategic place was handed over to the Qing people, it was like the Qing country tied its hands, and how to fight against the Qing country in the future. He said that he had held urgent diplomatic consultations, which were supported by Britain and the United States and other countries, but were again rejected because of geographical location. The Izu Islands are too close to Moto, so the Ogasawara Islands are finally far away. The Ogasawara Islands are far away from the mainland, and on the land more than 1,000 nautical miles south of Tokyo, there are more than 30 islands of all sizes, including Chichijima, Hashimashima and Iwo Jima, with a total area of more than 70 square kilometers. The Ogasawara Islands are the largest fishing grounds in Komoto and a major whaling destination! Chichijima also has a very good Futami Port, which can be used as a transit point for supplies. It is also a symbol of the Pacific Ocean! After some hesitation, he refused again, because it was a symbol of his march towards the Pacific Ocean.

Li Hongzhang, who was still unsatisfied with repeated concessions, got angry, and dropped 50,000 taels of silver tickets on the spot: "The emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty has always hoped to have a private royal beach, and the emperor is willing to privately fund the purchase of the Ogasawara Islands from Yuben." If this demand cannot be satisfied, then there is no need for the peace talks to proceed. Korea and our country will also be recaptured. ”

A silver ticket of 50,000 taels will buy dozens of islands of more than 70 square kilometers, and this price is simply humiliating. When Ito Hirobumi was at a loss, Deng Shichang, the admiral of the Beiyang Fleet, who had been accompanying Li Hongzhang to participate in the negotiations, took the 50,000 taels of silver tickets on the table with one hand and put them in his arms: "My lord, why don't you tell the emperor that the 50,000 taels of silver will be given to the Beiyang Fleet." As for what Ogasawara Islands, the lower officials sent a patrol number to go around, and handed it over to the emperor in its entirety. Why waste money on others? ”

Deng Shichang's words suddenly pointed to the death hole of Yueben. For him, after losing all of his navy, the Ogasawara Islands had effectively separated from the mainland. It is already very polite that Qingguo can still offer to buy it. Compared to North Korea, the Ogasawara Islands are nothing. But I am still hesitating. (To be continued.) )