Since the fight cannot continue, then the only way to solve the problem through diplomacy has undoubtedly become the only way. Of course, how to negotiate and what conditions to put forward will need further deliberation.

Although Katsura Taro is the prime minister of the cabinet, such a major event is not something he can decide alone, and he still needs to report to his backstage, Aritomo Yamatomo, and listen to his opinion. However, it is foreseeable that the defeat of the army this time will be a heavy blow to the entire army system. As the prime minister, it is estimated that he will not be able to do it for long.

By the time Katsura Taro left the prime minister's office in a horse-drawn carriage, countless Japanese had already begun to protest the government's failure on the streets of Tokyo. These Japanese finally became citizens of the great powers. However, they did not enjoy the treatment of the citizens of the great powers, and now they have lost the war again. Doesn't this show that their days will be even more miserable?

For ordinary Japanese people, once the country loses the war, then their lives will be difficult. If you want to revive your armaments and accumulate strength, you need a lot of money. When industry was not very developed, the exploitation of the poor people in the country became the only way for Japan to raise these funds.

When Katsura Taro rushed to Yama Prefecture Aritomo's house, Yama Prefecture Aritomo had apparently expected him to return.

"Teacher, I'm sorry to disappoint you, I didn't expect this battle to be like this." Katsura Taro knelt in front of Yama Prefecture Youtomo, bowing his head heavily, looking very depressed.

"Katsura Taro, it's not your fault." Shan Shan Youpeng shook his head.

Of course, as the prime minister, Katsura Taro will bear a lot of responsibility for this failure. However, he did not do it alone. There are many reasons why Japan will lose this time. And not only domestic reasons. At the same time, there are more foreign reasons. Even, external factors dominate. If it weren't for the Western powers that cut off their support for Japan, they certainly wouldn't have lost the war.

"Teacher, I am the prime minister, and I should take responsibility for this failure." Katsura Taro said.

"You can't shirk the responsibility you should bear. But. You shouldn't be responsible, and you don't want to take it on your head. Now, what should be done is to make Japan end this war at the lowest cost. We have already lost more than 100,000 elite soldiers, and we cannot afford to lose more. Shan County Youpeng said.

Katsura Taro nodded: "Teacher, the cabinet has decided to make peace with Shina and end the war as soon as possible." The soldiers of the empire who were surrounded couldn't hold out for long. In addition, the finances have already bottomed out. ”

"It's time for peace talks, though. In the peace talks, we must also protect the interests of the Japanese Empire as much as possible. A friend of Shan County advised. This is the most important point, only in this way can Katsura Taro get out of the way and get through this difficult time safely.

"Teacher, I see." Katsura Taro nodded. However, he was also a little embarrassed and could not obtain something on the battlefield. Can it be obtained at the negotiating table? If his opponent was the ignorant Manchu Qing, he would still have confidence. But. The Jilin Army does not seem to be easy to deal with.

It's just that what Katsura Taro doesn't know is that soon he won't need to worry about these things.

At the home of the Japanese patriarch Hirobumi Ito, the prince of Saionji had already arrived here. In addition to him, Takahashi was an important figure in the Qing and other constitutional political associations. This time, the Japanese Army suffered another crushing defeat. The situation is still quite dangerous. This made their originally silent hearts come alive again. The prince of Saionji came to see Ito Hirobumi in the hope of getting his support.

"Teacher, the army has once again lost the battle, and tens of thousands of elites are in danger. The Ministry of Finance has long run out of money to continue fighting. This battle is no longer fought. And the Japanese Army has no chance of turning the tables again. This time, we can't afford to keep the Army in power any longer. Otherwise, they will lead the whole of Japan into the abyss. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

Ito Hirofumi's brows furrowed tightly, to be honest, he didn't expect the army to be so unbearable. Last time, he suppressed the ambitions of Saionji Konobo and gave support to the army, hoping to be able to think about the interests of the Great Japanese Empire. But I didn't expect that the army would fail again and again, which is simply a shame!

"Perhaps, the army is really not suitable to remain in power." Hirobumi Ito muttered.

Saionji Gongwang heard Ito Hirobumi's self-talk clearly, and a hint of joy suddenly flashed in his eyes. If the Army's Katsura Taro steps down, will there be a better person to become Japan's prime minister? This is absolutely nothing. He will be the most suitable person for the next prime minister of Japan. Once he becomes prime minister, then the ideas of their Constitutional Friends will be able to be implemented. Japan is undoubtedly one step closer to becoming a true democracy.

"Saionji, what are you going to do if you become the Prime Minister of Japan?" Hirobumi Ito asked.

"Teacher, if I can become the prime minister of Japan, I will lead Japan in its efforts to develop industry and industry and improve the living standards of the people. Improve relations with other countries, especially the great powers, and enhance Japan's international status. Speed up the building of the legal system so that Japan can become a democratic country as soon as possible. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang replied immediately. These are the principles of governance that he has always adhered to.

Hirobumi Ito shook his head: "I mean, how can we solve this mess in front of me?" ”

Xiyuan Temple Gongwang was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Teacher, the war will definitely not be able to continue, we must negotiate with China and strive for a decent peace that is beneficial to the empire." ”

Hirobumi Ito nodded: "If you become prime minister, you must put Japan's interests first. Since we are no longer able to fight this war, we must find a way to end it. However, the interests of the Great Japanese Empire must not be compromised, and this is a matter of fundamental principle. Only in this way will you be able to gain the support of the Japanese people and His Majesty the Emperor. ”

"Teacher, I see." Saionji nodded, knowing that it was Hirobumi Ito reminding him. In addition, Ito Hirobumi's attitude also made him ecstatic in his heart. With Ito's support, he is undoubtedly much more likely to succeed in becoming Japan's prime minister this time.

That evening, Ito visited Masayoshi Matsukata and Shin Inoue and had a long conversation with them. Subsequently, Ito Hirofumi went to Yama Prefecture Aritomo and had a two-hour long talk with Yama Prefecture Aritomo.

Outsiders don't know what they're talking about, but Ito was smiling when he left his home in Aritomo, Yamaprefecture. Apparently, some kind of agreement has been reached between him and Yama Youpeng.

After Ito Hirobumi left, Aritomo Yamaguchi summoned Katsura Taro.

"Katsura Taro, tomorrow, you will ask His Majesty the Emperor for your resignation." Shan County Youpeng said.

"Huh? Teacher, how can this be? Katsura Taro was stunned, as if he didn't expect such a result.

"Alas! Several senators were very dissatisfied with the performance of the cabinet in this war. And you, as the prime minister, naturally cannot escape the responsibility. I've fought for you, but the other party's attitude is very persistent. So, this time I can only wronged you. Shan County Youpeng said.

Katsura Taro was very sad and indignant in his heart, but in front of Yama County Youpeng, he didn't dare to show it.

"Teacher, I was a little wronged, it doesn't matter. But what about the interests of our Army? How can I be guaranteed? Katsura Taro asked. It is clear that in their eyes, the interests of the faction are the most important.

"They agreed that Terauchi Masashi would continue to serve as Minister of the Army, which could be regarded as taking care of the interests of the Army." Shan County Youpeng said. This was the agreement between him and Hirobumi Ito. Masaki Terauchi continued to serve as Minister of War in the Cabinet, thereby ensuring the interests of the Army. After all, this time the Japanese Army lost and needed to take responsibility.

"Okay, teacher, I see." Katsura Taro nodded, he knew that everything was already a foregone conclusion.

The next day, Katsura Taro led all the cabinet members to ask Emperor Meiji for his resignation.

Emperor Meiji approved the resignation of Katsura Taro's cabinet and subsequently appointed Saionji Nozomi as the next prime minister, who would form the new cabinet.

On the same day, Saionji Gongwang came up with the nomination of the cabinet candidate, and it was approved.

In the new cabinet, the prime minister is to be the prime minister, the foreign minister is to be Hayashi To-rai, the interior minister is to be Hara Keiro, the minister of the treasury is to be Yoshiro Sakatani, the war minister is retained by Terauchi Masatsu, the navy is to be retained by Saito Minoru, the justice minister is Masahisa Matsuda, the minister of education is Nobuaki Makino, the minister of agriculture and commerce is Yasuki Matsuoka, the minister of letters is Isaburo Yamayama, the cabinet secretary is Toshiichi Ishiwata, and the director of the Legislative Affairs Bureau is Keijiro Okano.

In this cabinet, with the exception of Masashi Terauchi, who remained as Minister of War, almost all the rest of the people were replaced by members of the Constitutional Political Friendship Association. The interests of the navy were also ensured, although Yamamoto Gonbei stepped down. However, Minoru Saito is still their man.

Of course, the defeat of the army this time was completely self-inflicted, and they themselves handed over the handle to others, so it is naturally no wonder that others would oust them from power.

However, although Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and others took power as they wished, they were undoubtedly facing a mess. The reason why the Army agreed to delegate power was not to take the opportunity to shake off these messes. (To be continued......)

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