Japan's total territory is just over 300,000 square kilometers. Among them, the main one is to hit the island of Honshu, followed by the island of Kyushu. With a total population of more than 50 million, it is difficult to feel so uncomfortable that such a large number of people are crowded into such a small country. No wonder the Japanese are eager to conquer the mainland, this is the inherent mentality of the islanders!

This time, the Chinese Empire asked Japan to cede Kyushu Island, which was undoubtedly a cruel slaughter on Japan! After the loss of Kyushu Island, Japan's population will become more crowded, and domestic conflicts will become more prominent. More importantly, the Chinese Empire can use Kyushu Island as a provocation to directly pose a threat to Japan's remaining territories!

"Although the island of Kyushu is not large, it is a good warning to Japan from the Empire. In order to ensure the security of the Empire, if the Empire deploys troops on Kyushu Island, then if Japan wants to use force against the Empire again, I am afraid that it will have to capture Kyushu Island first. This gives the empire enough time to warn. In addition, the empire can also use Kyushu Island to fight back against Japan once again. Tang Shaoyi said expressionlessly.

In fact, the island of Kyushu is simply dispensable for the empire. The importance of Kyushu to the empire is emphasized only for the sake of bargaining. The Americans have only agreed to set the reparations to be paid by Japan at 300 million pounds, which is still 200 million pounds away from the bottom line of the empire. If the Americans can meet the bottom line of the empire, it will not be a big deal to return Kyushu Island to Japan. After all, in the face of the powerful Imperial Navy, the narrow Tsushima Strait could not stop the Empire's progress at all.

"Your Excellency Foreign Minister, Japan has already suffered a heavy blow and can no longer pose a threat to China. There is no need for China to be afraid that Japan will threaten China. So. China does not have the island of Kyushu in its hands at all. Minister Rui Enshi said bitterly.

Tang Shaoyi shook his head: "This is what His Majesty the Emperor meant, and I can't help it." ”

Put the blame on the Emperor, these people can't go to the Emperor's troubles.

"Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs, can't the Chinese Empire make any more concessions? At present, the contradictions between the two sides have mainly focused on this issue. As long as this problem is solved, then we can come to an agreement. Minister Ryan said.

"Your Excellency, Minister. I'm afraid it's useless just because the two of us have come to an agreement. If the Japanese themselves do not agree, the conflict will not be resolved. Tang Shaoyi said with a smile. After all, this is a secret negotiation between China and the United States behind Japan's back, and it is Japan's interests that are bargaining.

"As long as our two countries can come to an agreement, the Japanese will definitely agree." Rui Enshi said with great certainty. After all, the United States is now Japan's biggest backer. Japan wants to regain its strength, it wants to rearm. They are inseparable from the support and help of the United States. As a result, Japan is on the verge of becoming a puppet in the hands of the United States. In the face of the demands of the United States, Japan will certainly not be able to refuse.

Tang Shaoyi nodded, and couldn't help feeling a little sad for the fate of the Japanese. Once upon a time, Japan was one of the most powerful countries in East Asia, but now it has become a lackey of the Western powers. The changes in just over a decade are truly astonishing. Of course, this change was beneficial to the Chinese Empire. Otherwise. It is time for China to become the target of wanton slaughter by the Western powers.

"All right, Your Excellency. The Chinese Empire could abandon its claim to Kyushu. But. The Chinese Empire had to be compensated in other ways. Tang Shaoyi said. The reason why I am entangled in the issue of Kyushu Island is that I want to benefit from other aspects.

Minister Rui Enshi frowned, and he also thought of the purpose of the Chinese Empire at once. But is there any other way?

"All right, Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. As long as China can give up its claims to Kyushu. We can raise the reparations from £300 million to £350 million. Minister Ryan said.

"What? Is the island of Kyushu, where tens of millions of Japanese people live, only worth 50 million pounds? This price is too cheap. Tang Shaoyi said coldly. Fifty million pounds is a lot, but for an island like Kyushu, it seems a little insignificant. Even if it is spread evenly among every Japanese living on the island of Kyushu. It's only five pounds.

"Fifty million pounds is a lot. After all, all in all, Japan already has to pay 350 million pounds. Reinsch said.

"No, Your Excellency, the bottom line of the empire is 500 million pounds, and this bottom line will not change. If it can meet the requirements of the Empire, which is undoubtedly pounded, then the Empire can give up the island of Kyushu and give up restrictions on the Japanese Navy, and it is Japan's own freedom to build as many warships as Japan wants in the future, and the Empire will not limit it. Tang Shaoyi said.

That being said, the Chinese Empire will certainly increase its investment in the navy after receiving a large amount of compensation from Japan. Will Japan be able to catch up then? Besides, Japan's finances are already on the verge of collapse, how can they have extra money to develop armaments? In doing so, the Chinese Empire is killing two birds with one stone.

"£500 million is too much." Minister Reinsch shook his head. Even if he had been appointed plenipotentiary, he would not have dared to make such a decision.

"If that is the case, then, unfortunately, Your Excellency. I can only declare that we can't agree anymore. Tang Shaoyi said. Since the bottom line has not been reached, there is no need to continue the talks.

When Minister Rui Enshi saw that Tang Shaoyi was about to terminate the negotiations, he immediately became anxious. The blockade of Japan by the Chinese Navy continues, and every day of the blockade causes Japan to lose a little more!

"Your Excellency, we have shown great sincerity. It would be insincere if the Chinese Empire stopped negotiating. Minister Ryan said.

"No, the Chinese Empire has shown the sincerity it deserves. We've made a lot of concessions. We can't keep giving in. Otherwise, the interests of the empire are not guaranteed. Tang Shaoyi shook his head.

Minister Reinsch hesitated for a moment, then said, "All right, Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. 500 million pounds in compensation, I can agree to it for the time being. However, it is difficult to say whether we will agree in Japan or not. ”

Tang Shaoyi nodded understandingly, after all, this time the empire's requirements were too high. If it were any other country, I am afraid that it would not easily agree.

"Your Excellency, we have all seen the efforts made by the United States for world peace." Tang Shaoyi said with a smile. What does it matter if the Americans can really force the Japanese to agree to these conditions and put some top hats on the Americans? In fact, the Americans are not doing it for themselves.

"Your Excellency, Foreign Minister, I will do my best to convince the country, and I believe that my Government will also do its best to persuade Japan to accede to the conditions of the Chinese Empire. However, £500 million is not a small amount after all. Even if the Japanese government agrees to this compensation, it will certainly not be able to come up with it in a short time. Reinsch reminded. After all, that's a lot of money. The cost of a cutting-edge battleship is only two or three million pounds. Undoubtedly, the pound is enough to build one or two hundred such powerful ships.

"Of course, if Japan can accept this condition, we can allow the Japanese government to pay us only £200 million in the first year, and the remaining £300 million, and sixty million pounds a year for the next five years. As for the interest, it can be tentatively set at 6 per cent. Tang Shaoyi said with a smile.

"No, no. Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary, this is still too high. In my view, there should be a tentative period of £100 million for the first year and £20 million per year for the next 20 years. As for the interest, forget it. The Japanese are miserable enough. Reinsch said.

Of course, Tang Shaoyi will not agree to this.

Eventually, after another bargaining, £200 million was set for repayment in the first year and £30 million a year for the next 10 years. As for the interest, it is set at 2 per cent.

Of course, such a repayment plan will eventually have to wait for the Japanese government to nod before it can be implemented. Otherwise, if the Japanese don't nod their heads, no matter how well the plan is made, it will be in vain.

After secret negotiations between Tang Shaoyi and the U.S. Minister to China, Reinsch, the Chinese Empire and the United States reached an agreement on the terms for a peaceful settlement of the Sino-Japanese conflict. First of all, Japan should recognize that the main responsibility for this conflict lies with Japan, and assume the corresponding responsibility, and promise not to provoke China in the future. Secondly, Japan compensated China for its losses, totaling 500 million pounds. All compensation shall be repaid at £200 million in the first year and £30 million annually thereafter, payable over 10 years, with interest at the rate of 2 per cent, with interest repayable annually. Third, Japan transferred the 'Nagato-class' and 'Kaga-class' battleships under construction to the Chinese Empire. The construction of the hull of these two types of battleships had to be completed, and the superstructure and outfitting were the responsibility of the Chinese Empire itself. In addition, the hull built by the Japanese side must be inspected, and only after passing the inspection can it be considered that the agreement has been fulfilled. The inspection will be carried out by special engineers from China, the United States and Japan.

After Tang Shaoyi and Rui Enshi reach an agreement, they will report to the two governments respectively. The Japanese government will be notified only after there is no objection from the two governments. This is tantamount to China and the United States deciding Japan's fate behind their backs. (To be continued.) )

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