A simple breakfast, a bowl of oil tea, two fritters, plus a spring roll, a tea egg, in Nanjing, most people's breakfast is like this, even for His Majesty the Emperor himself in the palace, breakfast is nothing more than that.

Every month, the royal family will announce its own expenses, and no one doubts that the royal family's monthly food and beverage expenses are only about 500 yuan, which is not much better than them, and such a "huge amount" is because His Majesty and the Queen often feast on ministers, councillors and their families.

However, for the people, they have long been accustomed to the "undignified" royal catering, and they have become accustomed to it, at least compared to the Qianqing Dynasty, who had to eat thousands of taels of silver for every meal, they would rather prefer this "undignified" royal family, while on the other hand, the royal family is squeezing money out of their teeth to relieve the poor and buy war bonds.

Nine percent of the $4 million in royal money paid by Congress each year is used to buy bonds, all of which makes people feel that the emperor they have chosen is very good

A simple breakfast is just a habit for Chen Moran, and the habit of twenty or thirty years cannot be changed in three days or two days, not to mention that for himself, instead of eating a breakfast that is not necessary at all and worth hundreds of yuan, it is better to turn those hundreds of yuan into bullets or shells for the army, or into books to donate to the school, which is the real maximum value.

"Britain once again met with our ambassador to the United Kingdom and demanded that our troops be withdrawn from Japan immediately......"

While enjoying a simple breakfast, while looking at the official document, looking at the events mentioned on the official document, Chen Moran just sneered, these British, if they really have the guts, then send the fleet directly

"Damn British"

Sneering, Chen Moran found that he disliked those British Yankees more and more, and even faintly looked forward to the day when he could declare war on Britain and then send troops to recover Hong Kong.

"Calm down, be calm"

After spitting out this sentence to himself again, Chen Moran slowly calmed down, the current China does not have the ability to challenge the great powers at all, Japan is just a quasi-power, and China is not a quasi-power, both countries have not achieved industrialization, and they both rely on relatively weak economies and backward industries to support wars that do not match their own strength.

“…… It's time to say no to the British, and if Britain continues to insist on pointing fingers at us, then we should not rule out the use of force to solve the problem...... The whole world knows that the British Navy may be very strong, but the poorly equipped British Army is no match for our highly combat-ready Army, and even its Navy cannot guarantee that it will be able to defeat our efficient Navy completely...... It was easy to break Britain's stubborn dreams when our great Army and Navy commanders made the final decision...... Why can't we choose to say no to the UK? ”

In a word, it shows the changes in the thinking of the Chinese people, especially after the alliance with Germany, compared with the "inferiority of weak countries" in the past, the current people have a little more "strong spirit", because the British fingers hurt China's feelings, so, in their opinion, China should choose to use toughness to fight tough.

"The people are like this, so you must be calm at this time."

Sighing, Chen silently muttered to himself.

In fact, to a certain extent, I can understand that the victory of those people in defeating Japan, a "small but strong" power, and attacking its own territory, has overwhelmed the minds of many people, and after forming an alliance with Germany, they feel that overnight, China has leapt to an equal position with the world's top powers, and they completely ignore the gap between China and those great powers in education, science, technology, industry, and so on. …,

The army they see is actually an army that they have built at any cost that does not match the national strength, and like the Japanese, they have chosen to build a strong army at no cost to ensure the security of the country, and how difficult is it to maintain such an army by relying on the current national strength?

As soon as you challenge the real powers, the prototype will immediately appear.

Pondering, Chen Moran slowly calmed down, and began to think about the relationship with Britain, the United States, Germany, and Japan with the utmost calmness possible.

While I was thinking about a problem, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

"Your Majesty, Foreign Minister Liang Dunyan asks to see ......"

"Oh, ask him to go to the study"

"The Japanese let Cai Jun go"

Listening to Liang Dunyan's report only made Chen Moran surprised, this news is really a bit unexpected, why did the Japanese release the ambassador to Japan at this time, does this mean.

"Your Majesty, Ambassador Cai is now in the German Embassy and has sent a telegram."

"Hmm"

Nodding, Chen Moran glanced at the telegram again, and when he carefully examined the telegram of more than 2,000 words, Chen Moran found something unexpected.

Telegrams are often very short except for necessity, but this time, Cai Jun's telegrams are very long, and some of the words can even be understood as "extravagant and wasteful", but on the other hand, looking at these telegrams, Chen Moran suddenly realized a problem, that is, Cai Jun specially sent back this long telegram.

In addition to analyzing the changes in the Japanese government in the telegram, there was even a request to inform his family members in China......

Chen Moran, who understood Cai Jun's intentions, smiled, and forgot to work on state affairs at this time

"This telegram was sent by the Germans?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, forwarded by the German Embassy in China"

Liang Dunyan replied with some confusion.

"Oh, when Cai Jun comes back, I will personally award him a medal"

Raising the telegram in his hand, Chen smiled silently.

"This time Cai Jun has made a great contribution, with this telegram, Germany's diplomatic code is also like we are open, no matter what code the Germans use, the final translation of this telegram is clear to us, which means that we can directly decipher the German diplomatic telegram, Germans, ah......"

The cautious Germans turned out to have made a fatal mistake in this place

"Your Majesty?"

"Germany is our ally, but it's also a good idea to get to know our allies in depth."

As he spoke, Chen Moran looked at the contents of the telegram again.

"Let's have a cabinet meeting in the morning, well, ten o'clock"

At 10:35 a.m., in the cabinet conference room of the government affairs building, Chen Moran, dressed in a navy uniform, looked at the ministers sitting down, the cabinet meeting was held for half an hour, and in half an hour, everyone was still discussing.

"The Japanese government's offer to hold direct negotiations with us can be seen as an attempt by the Japanese government to make huge concessions"

Cai Yi, who studied in Japan, said directly that in his opinion, the fact that the Japanese can show this attitude means that they have begun to face up to defeat on the battlefield.

"The problem is that the bottom line of the Japanese government's concessions is there"

Compared with the optimism of others, Guan Mingtang is not very optimistic.

"The conditions we put forward were even harsh and even beyond our plans, and in such a situation, even if the Japanese were willing to negotiate, they only hoped to bargain in the negotiations, and if their goals were not achieved, I am afraid that the negotiations would eventually break down."

Nodding his head thoughtfully, Chen Moran looked towards Zhang Zhidong.

"The Chancellor agrees with the Chancellor's opinion"

Seeing that His Majesty turned his gaze to himself, Zhang Zhidong slowly spit out his opinion, for this old minister, he is the "center of the empire", and two words "symbol" should be added to the back, most of the time, he will not find his own opinion, but is inclined to the relatively safe advice of other ministers. …,

"Therefore, the minister hopes to refuse the Japanese government's request and exert pressure through further military action."

Although he is not a soldier, Guan Mingtang knows that only by constantly exerting pressure can Japan make greater concessions, "I am afraid that if I start negotiations rashly, I am afraid that Japan will see our country's hole cards clearly"

"Your Majesty, maybe the Japanese want to bargain at the negotiating table and do everything possible to protect Japan's interests, but this may be an opportunity."

Yuan Shikai obviously did not agree with Guan Mingtang's opinion, in fact, to a large extent, he had already regarded Guan Mingtang as his "competitor", and he had calculated in his heart that among these important cabinet members, it was possible to succeed Zhang Nanpi as the next prime minister.

Compared with others, Guan Mingtang, who has studied in the United States for more than 20 years, knows far more about Europe and the United States and the advanced places of Europe and the United States, and knows more about the operation of a modern government and how to formulate the development of industry and education in the whole country.

But the most important point is that Guan Mingtang has won the trust of His Majesty, and in front of His Majesty, although he has said countless words of great rebellion, His Majesty still trusts this person.

Because of this, in Yuan Shikai's view, he is probably the only one who is most likely to squeeze himself out of the position of the next prime minister.

Therefore, no matter what, it is impossible for Yuan Shikai to agree with his opinion.

"Your Majesty, the longer the war lasts, the more unfavorable it will be for us, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Finance, if the war continues until the end of the year, then the military expenditure alone will be as much as 700 million yuan, and according to the information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, now in the United Kingdom, the United States, there are voices against our military action, with the delay of the war, it is very likely to lead to the deepening of hostility between the two countries towards our country, these two countries first consider their interests and the balance of Asia, and now we are allied with Germany, on the surface, so that Britain is a mouse, But on the other hand, it will also force Britain to make a choice, whether to continue to deepen its alliance with Japan, so as to contain China, and now Russia is extremely dissatisfied with China's joint venture with Germany and the alliance with Germany......"

At this time, Yuan Shikai fully demonstrated the qualities that a prime minister should have, and began to analyze it from the international environment.

"In Nanyang, our dispute with the Dutch is still unresolved, and in Zhongnan, the French are also extremely wary of us, so to speak, now that China is entering an unprecedented and extremely bad external situation, Your Majesty, if the war drags on for a long time, it will be difficult for us to predict whether it will lead to drastic changes in the external environment, so now we should not only hold direct negotiations with Japan, but even ......."

Looking at His Majesty, who was silent in thought, Yuan Shikai said in an extremely solemn tone.

"We can make huge concessions in negotiations"

"Huge concessions"

Yuan Shikai's suggestion only made Chen Moran's brows frown, what is going on with this old Yuan? Turning his head to look at Yuan Shikai, Chen Moran had a little dissatisfaction in his eyes, didn't he know that he was ......

"Your Majesty, what is the purpose of our demand for land cession and huge war reparations from Japan?"

Facing His Majesty's slightly angry and dissatisfied gaze, although the drum was beating in his heart, Yuan Shikai still raised a question without hesitation.

"There is no doubt that the purpose is to completely destroy Japan's development potential, so as to pave the way for China's future development, the cession of land can allow our country to have a base into the Pacific Ocean, which can directly threaten the Japanese mainland, and the huge war reparations can cause Japan's economy to collapse, a country with an economic collapse is impossible to support a modern army, so our purpose is to destroy and control Japan, but without losing the last bit of possessions, is it possible for Japan to accept this condition?" …,

Yuan Shikai's rhetorical question made everyone fall into thought, and similarly, Chen Moran was also thinking, in fact, the bottom line of peace with Japan was put forward by Chen Moran, although the ministers had some opinions, but they finally chose to meet His Majesty's "needs", and on the other hand, they were also eager to open up the territory and expand the territory, eager for a huge amount of compensation to alleviate the economic pressure brought about by large-scale industrial development and educational development.

Whether it was land cession or reparations, there was an agreement within the cabinet on demand, and although they were equally aware of the difficulties it would face if Japan agreed to such conditions aimed at destroying a country, they were still willing to try it.

But now Yuan Shikai's reminder at this time undoubtedly brought the doubts in their hearts to the table, making them have to face this problem.

Japan......

Thinking about these two words, Chen Moran's brows tightened, in another time and space, in World War II, if it wasn't for the two atomic bombs in the end, would it be possible for Japan to surrender? Even when the decision to surrender was made, Japan still needed the guarantee of the United States to preserve the imperial system.

And now, despite its own occupation of Shikoku, if it wants Japan to accept the conditions aimed at destroying them, is it possible that the Japanese government will accept it? Will they ......

After pondering for a long time, Chen Moran spat out a sentence.

"The war cannot end without land cession and reparations"

"No objection"

Yuan Shikai answered directly.

"But the Japanese government has an acceptable bottom line, and if it is only slightly higher than their bottom line, I think the Japanese government is acceptable."

Looking at Yuan Shikai, Chen Moran didn't speak, if it weren't for the fact that the Investigation Bureau was monitoring him, he really doubted whether this old Yuan had been bribed by the Japanese, but looking at Yuan Shikai at this time, he had a little appreciation in his heart, and he was the most likely to refute himself, the minister he needed was not a minister who could only compliment.

"Korea, Ryukyu"

Yuan Shikai spit out two place names.

"There is no doubt that for Japan, they are willing to spit out these two places, and there is almost no need for any disputes, the Japanese understand that the war is lost, and the dirt that was swallowed in the mouth before will definitely not be preserved, so there is no problem in these two places in the cession of land, and the remaining question is, how much meat can we dig from Japan and how to dig this piece of meat"

Looking at His Majesty, and then taking a look at Guan Mingtang, Yuan Shikai thought for a moment in his heart.

"Kyushu, Shikoku, Tsushima, South Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands, in the opinion of the minister, there should be no problem with Tsushima being occupied by our country, and there are not many problems with South Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands, these are all occupied by Japan, so there is no big problem, but if you want the Japanese to cede Kyushu, I am afraid there is no possibility,"

After asserting a word, Yuan Shikai thought for a moment.

"Therefore, we should be prepared to abandon Kyushu and concentrate on solving the problem of Shikoku Island, which is currently occupied by our army."

Listening to Yuan Shikai's suggestion, Chen Moran didn't speak, just looked at Yuan Shikai and waited for him to continue. At this time, Yuan Shikai, who was contemplating and thinking, changed the topic again.

"Then there is the issue of reparations, the condition we offer is 15 billion gold yen, and the bottom line is 12 billion, but the minister prefers that we can have between 50 and 6 billion, at most 6.5 billion, and reach an agreement with Japan, if it exceeds 6.5 billion, there is no possibility of reaching an agreement at all, so ......"

Regarding the proposal to reduce the cession of land, in order to reach a peace agreement, Chen Moran could barely accept it, but in terms of compensation, no matter what, Chen Moran could not accept it.

"The gap is too big"...,

"Your Majesty, the gap is big, and it is precisely because the gap is so big that we have to find a way from other places"

Facing His Majesty's dissatisfaction, Yuan Shikai said directly.

"Somewhere else?"

Chen Moran's brows furrowed slightly, where else did he think of a way?

"Whether it is land ceding or reparations, we have to make huge concessions to reach an agreement, and the Japanese are also aware of this problem, so we have good reasons to put forward new conditions."

"New Conditions"

Yuan Shikai's words made Chen Moran stunned, and when he looked at Yuan Shikai, there was some confusion in his eyes, what kind of new conditions could he propose?

"Your Majesty, our purpose is to control Japan and turn Japan from a threat to a neighbor under our control who will not pose any threat to us, so we should make some articles around this issue, such as ......"

Looking up at His Majesty, Yuan Shikai closed his gaze again, lowered his head slightly and said.

"Your Majesty, why didn't you decide to Jingjing in the first place?"

(I'm really sorry, this year's early inspection, overtime all day, the day before yesterday overtime to one o'clock in the morning to prepare materials, no manuscript at hand, can only be broken, today and half a day of overtime, previous years of inspection are by mouth flicker, this year's inspection is a detailed inspection, no materials, on the deduction of points, life is good, today the code is a chapter, I hope you can understand, it is really a last resort, chasing the new era of the big should be able to see, these days, the update of the new era has also slowed down, all the inspection is the fault of the sorry sorry, reputation again, Man Jianghong will not be a eunuch, and he will not enter the palace if he is speechless) ......,