Today, Japan is just a country where industry is just starting. Although, their degree of industrialization is much higher than that of the Chinese Empire. However, this is mainly due to the development of light industry in Japan. Its heavy industry, with the exception of shipbuilding and the military industry, was not much more developed than that of the Chinese Empire.

As the Chinese Empire catches up, Japan will definitely not be able to compare with the Chinese Empire in terms of heavy industry. In addition, Japan is a small country with poor resources, and all the raw materials needed to develop heavy industry need to be imported from abroad. China, on the other hand, has no disadvantages in this regard. Even now, the Chinese Empire's steel production is several times that of Japan. The gap between the two sides will continue to widen.

China, Japan's main market for light industrial products, is China. The domestic market in Japan and the Korean market are very small, and they simply cannot meet the needs of Japan's industrial development. As a result, the neighboring Chinese market has become Japan's most important overseas market. In addition, raw materials from China are also necessary for the development of Japanese industry.

Now, the Imperial Chinese Customs forbade Japanese merchant ships from docking, and Japanese goods could not enter the Chinese market. The Japanese were also unable to buy from China the raw materials they needed to develop their industries. Under such a blow, Japan's industry will soon enter a cold winter. If this continues, Japan's finances will collapse, let alone develop armaments and reorganize armaments for war.

The Japanese Cabinet has already held many meetings during this time. However, they have never been able to counteract. The Chinese Empire had a hard-line attitude, and they did not want to compromise with the Chinese Empire while also wanting to enter the Chinese market. So, it's a problem that can't be solved at all.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Great Japanese Empire has now reached the most critical moment, and we must find a way to let the Great Japanese Empire survive this cold winter safely. Otherwise, the progress made since the Meiji Restoration will be ruined. Xiyuan Temple looked solemn.

"Your Excellency, since our goods could not enter the Chinese market, up to now, hundreds of enterprises across the country have closed down and gone bankrupt. If this continues. More and more businesses will go out of business. In addition, in addition to those small enterprises, it will even affect those large enterprises, which will deal a heavy blow to Japanese industry and commerce. Minister of Agriculture and Commerce Yasuki Matsuoka said in a deep voice.

"Once again, the Japanese rejected our demands, and their attitude was very tough, unless we gave up our special interests in China, returned all those concessions to them, and renounced the demand for war reparations under the Treaty of Xincho. Otherwise. They're going to keep us out of the Chinese market. Foreign Minister Lin Dong's face was gloomy. To this end, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked very hard, but in the case of the resolute attitude of the Chinese Empire, they really have no good way.

"Unless we use the means of war, we simply cannot bring the people to their knees." Navy Minister Minoru Saito said.

"War may not be able to bring the people of China to their knees. Unless we can defeat them. War Minister Masashi Terauchi said.

Now, the balance of military power between the two sides has changed dramatically. The Japanese Navy faced the Chinese Navy. It has an overwhelming advantage. However, the Japanese Army no longer had an advantage over the Chinese Army. And even completely at a disadvantage. In the event of war, the Japanese navy may be able to bomb China's coastal cities to rubble, but the Japanese army is also likely to pay a heavy price on the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, it is very difficult for Japan to win this battle. In this case, it will naturally be impossible to bring the Chinese Empire to its knees.

"We can make a threat to the Chinese Empire. If they prevent the Empire's goods from entering China, we will destroy their coastal cities one by one! Minoru Saito suggested. After the Japanese Navy's destroyer 'Fukiyuki' was sunk before, the Japanese Navy was full of anger against the Chinese Empire. They couldn't wait to go to war with the Chinese Empire. After all, in the navy, they have too much advantage. As for the dilemma faced by the Japanese Army. are not taken into account by them.

"The people of China have already begun to build shore defense batteries in coastal cities. Even if the combined fleet is dispatched, it may not be able to take much advantage. In addition, if there is a war, there is a high probability that we will lose the Korean Peninsula. Terauchi Masaki said with a cold face. The navy took care of itself, which made him very unhappy. The land-sea dispute in the Japanese military circles has always existed. And it seems to be getting worse and worse.

"Well, war is a last resort. It's too early to talk about war. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang shook his head. Since Japan is not completely sure of winning this war, it is not completely sure that it can bring the Chinese Empire to its knees through war. Well, it is undoubtedly a foolish act to go to war lightly.

Masaki Terauchi and Minoru Saito had to keep silent.

"Is there anything we can do other than war?" Saionji Gongwang asked.

"Your Excellency, if we can't bring the people to their knees through war, then we will have no choice but to agree to their demands and give up our special interests in China." Foreign Minister Lin Dong said.

"No, we can't give up those interests. That's what thousands of warriors have paid for with their lives. Masaki Terauchi made it clear that he was against it.

Minoru Saito echoed the fact that there was a great deal of contradiction between the Japanese Navy and the Army. However, their interests are aligned in this regard.

"The China market is very important to us, and it is acceptable to give up those insignificant interests for the time being." Minister of Agriculture and Commerce Yasuki Matsuoka said.

Xiyuan Temple Gongwang frowned, and he was a little undecided. If there is no compromise, Japan's industry and commerce will certainly be hit hard. However, if I give up, I am afraid that it will not be easy to explain to the emperor and the Japanese people throughout the country.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Japan's finances are now in a very critical situation. If our industry and commerce were to suffer a heavy blow, Japan's finances would probably collapse. Tibetan Prime Minister Yoshiro Sakatani reminded.

Xiyuan Temple Gongwang hesitated for a moment, but finally made up his mind: "Okay, since that's the case, then let's give up those interests for the time being." I will report it to His Majesty the Emperor. Ladies and gentlemen, we are only giving up those interests for the time being, and when we have overcome the crisis and completed our armament preparations, we will take them back a thousandfold. ”

"Hey!" The other cabinet ministers nodded their heads.

It's just that I don't know how many cabinet ministers don't believe in the words of Saionji Gongwang. That's right, Japan is developing. However, the development of the Chinese Empire seems to be even more rapid! By the time Japan had completed its preparations for war, the Chinese Empire would have certainly become even stronger. If Japan wants to defeat the Chinese Empire, it will undoubtedly be even more difficult.

On April 29, 4607 (09), the Japanese Minister to China, Hayashi Quansuke, asked to see the Imperial Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi. He received instructions from home to agree to the demands of the Chinese in exchange for Japanese goods entering the Chinese market.

Originally, Lin Quansuke thought that Japan had to compromise, and then all problems would be solved. However, he soon learned that he was too stupid and naïve, and imagined everything too beautiful. How could the Chinese Empire have allowed Japan to tide over the crisis so easily?

"Your Excellency Foreign Minister, Japan and China are friendly neighbors separated by a strip of water, and we are willing to give up our special interests in China for the sake of the traditional friendship between our two countries." Minister Lin Quanzhu's face was humble.

"Your Excellency, it is undoubtedly the best that the Japanese government can make such a decision." Tang Shaoyi said with a smile. However, he sneered in his heart. Japan and China are indeed neighbors separated by a strip of water, but there is no traditional friendship between the two countries, and there is only hatred between the two countries. The Japanese are now just temporarily bowing their heads in exchange for entering the Chinese market. But how can it be that easy?

"Your Excellency, when will our merchant ships be able to enter the port?" Lin Quanzhu asked. Japanese merchant ships have been adrift at sea, and every day they stay there will be a little more loss!

"Your Excellency, don't be busy, wait until we have recovered all the concessions. By the way, when will your government agencies and troops on the island be evacuated? After we take back the treasure island, the Chinese market will naturally be opened to Japan. Tang Shaoyi said.

"Treasure Island? You want to take back the treasure island? Lin Quanzhu jumped up like a cat that had been stepped on by its tail, staring at Tang Shaoyi angrily. Did the conditions of the Chinese Empire actually include the treasure island? How is that possible.

"Of course, since the Japanese government has agreed to give up all its special interests in China, it is natural that it will also return the treasure island to China." Tang Shaoyi nodded.

"Impossible, Treasure Island has been ceded to the Great Japanese Empire by you, and it is absolutely impossible to return it to you." Cold sweat continued to break out on Lin Quanzhu's forehead. He knew that this time it was more serious. It is absolutely impossible for the Japanese government to return the treasure island, which means that the relationship between the two countries will be even more tense.

"Humph! Your Excellency, if you are not willing to return the treasure island. Then, Japanese products should not want to enter the Chinese market. Tang Shaoyi snorted coldly.

Lin Quanzhu finally left in despair, he came full of hope, but in the end he could only leave disappointed.

Looking at the back of Lin Quanzhu leaving, Tang Shaoyi's face was full of smiles. On the Chinese Empire's side, it naturally knew that it was impossible for the Japanese to return the treasure island. The reason why the treasure island was also brought up was simply to prevent Japanese goods from entering China. In doing so, this is only an attempt to stop Japan economically. (To be continued......)

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