The intensification of clashes between the Northern Army and the Japanese army on the border has greatly increased the likelihood of war between the two sides, which has made the situation tense throughout Northeast Asia. Especially after the Northern Army strengthened two infantry divisions and one heavy artillery brigade to the defense line of the Yalu River, the Japanese were even more nervous.

The troops deployed by the Northern Army on the defense line of the Yalu River have reached six infantry divisions and two heavy artillery brigades, with a total strength of nearly 120,000 troops. The total strength of the five divisions deployed by the Japanese Army in Korea was only 115,000. Although, the forces of both sides are equal. The troops with the Northern Army had stronger firepower, and once the war broke out, the Japanese Army would not have the confidence to win the defense of Korea.

Under such circumstances, the Japanese government gritted its teeth and once again mobilized two divisions to prepare for sending them to Korea, so that the strength of the Korean army increased to seven divisions and regiments, with a total of 160,000 men.

Both sides began to increase their troops on the border, which greatly increased the likelihood of a war. It is widely believed that war is very likely to break out. And the scale of this war will probably be even larger than the last one.

Yanjing City, Dongjiaomin Lane Embassy District. The British Minister to China, Sir Juerdian, is meeting with the Japanese Minister to China, Hayashi Gonsuke.

"Your Excellency, the conflict between you and the Northern Army is now becoming more and more intense, and the war seems to have reached the point where it is on the verge of breaking out. I need to know, is the Japanese government ready to fight this war? Will you be able to defeat the Northern Army? Sir Jurdian asked solemnly. If the Japanese government had this confidence, perhaps Britain would have supported them in this war. But if the Japanese don't have confidence, then it's better not to break out in this war. Otherwise, if Japan loses the war again, they will pay a heavy price. It will also affect British interests in the Far East. Especially after the Germans aggressively launched a challenge to Britain, Britain had begun to shrink its power around the world. And Japan as an ally. It has become an important pawn to ensure British interests in the Far East.

Minister Lin Quanzhu's face was not very good-looking, he hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Your Excellency, Japan is not ready for a decisive battle with the Northern Army, and only the five divisions of the Korean Army are full of the twenty-five divisions of the army. Because of the tension of the situation. We gritted our teeth and mobilized two divisions again, which was already our limit. If the British Empire is willing to give us another loan, we may be able to wage a major war with the Northern Army. ”

The biggest problem facing the Japanese now is that they don't have money, even though they have worked hard to collect the wealth of their people. However, the huge amount of foreign debts that need to be repaid, and the need to reorganize the armament for war, the expenses are too great. Even Emperor Meiji once again issued an edict calling on the Japanese people to eat only two meals a day and save money for one meal. So that the country can rearm and defeat the enemy in one fell swoop.

This scene is very similar to that after the Meiji Restoration. Didn't they tighten their belts like this back then, so that they developed the navy, defeated the Beiyang naval division of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in one fell swoop, and laid the way for Japan's rise? Now, it seems that Japan has come again at this time, and it needs them to unite as one. Concentrate the strength of the whole country and once again fight a bloody battle with a strong enemy.

The Rise of Japan. In fact, it began after the First Sino-Japanese War. After defeating the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Japan received 200 million taels of silver in war reparations, plus 30 million taels of silver extorted by the intervention of the three countries, totaling 230 million taels of silver, which was already equivalent to four times Japan's fiscal revenue at that time. If you take into account the high interest, this is equal to six times their fiscal income. It is because of this huge amount of money that was obtained. It was only when Japan embarked on the fast track of development that it won the Russo-Japanese War.

Sir Jurdian shook his head speechlessly, Britain is now in a financial crisis, where is the money to lend to the Japanese? The Germans had already begun to build new battleships on a large scale, which made it necessary for Britain to build more battleships to ensure its superiority at sea. Except for the battleship 'Dreadnought'. The British Navy started construction of three more 'Burle-Rophon-class' battleships and three 'St. Vincent-class' battleships. In addition, the construction of three 'Invincible-class' battlecruisers will also begin, which will require a lot of money. Even the British themselves were living a tight life, let alone lending money to Japan. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Herbert. Henry. Asquith even suggested to the cabinet that the Japanese government should return the arrears as soon as possible in order to alleviate Britain's financial crisis. Under such circumstances, how could Britain possibly raise new loans to Japan?

"Your Excellency, you don't have to think about the loan, it's impossible. This time you can only rely on yourselves in the war with the Northern Army. Sir Jurden said.

Minister Lin Quansuke's face suddenly gloomy, with Japan's own strength, if it wants to prepare for war, I am afraid it will take two or three years.

"In that case, please put pressure on the northern government to put an end to this endless confrontation. Japan needed time to prepare for war. Lin Quanzhu said. This was also the instruction of Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Dong. If the British were unable to lend money to Japan, the confrontation with the Northern Army would be ended. The weapons and ammunition expended in the confrontation over the past few days, as well as the casualties, have once again put a heavy burden on Japan's finances.

Although, the death of Ito Hirobumi made the Japanese very angry. But in the absence of war preparations, they also have no way to take the Northern Army. You can't risk going to war, can you? In that case, there is a high chance that you will lose the war. Once the war is lost, the consequences will be even more serious.

"Alright, Your Excellency!" Sir Jurdians nodded. In fact, it was also in the best interest of Britain to keep peace in the Far East. At a time when Britain was trying to suppress Germany, they did not want any more trouble in the Far East.

Subsequently, Sir Jurdin called on the French Minister to China, Pasteur, and the Russian Minister to China, Fincodi, and expressed to them the attitude of the British Empire in the turbulent situation in the Far East. France also wants to see a peaceful Far East, Pasteur said. As for the Finkodi, because the northern government strengthened its control over Mongolia, this seriously affected the interests of Russia, and Russia's attitude towards the northern government also turned from support to hostility. Although the Russian side very much hoped that the Northern Army and the Japanese Army would be able to fight again, it would be best to lose both. But neither the Northern Army nor the Japanese Army are fools, and naturally they will not let the Russians get their wish.

Finally, Sir Jurdian paid a visit to the U.S. Minister to China, Johannes, and the German Minister to China, Hahausen. The United States and Germany also hope that peace will remain in the Far East. After all, the two countries have a lot of investment in the seven northern provinces, and if a war breaks out, it will affect their interests. At the same time, the United States and Germany also know better that the industrial construction of the seven northern provinces has not been completed, and if a war starts at this time, it will pay a huge price if they want to win. The seven northern provinces have already been targeted by the two of them, so naturally they will not let the seven northern provinces take risks.

The Americans hoped to use the seven northern provinces to contain the Japanese. The Germans, on the other hand, hoped to use the seven northern provinces to contain the Russians. Both countries have used the seven northern provinces as pawns.

Under these circumstances, Sir Jurdian convened a meeting of the legations, and the ministers of various countries in China gathered in the British Embassy for a meeting. At the conference, Sir Jurdian called on the ministers to China to put pressure on the northern governments to exercise restraint and guarantee peace in the Far East.

Japanese Minister Hayashi Gonsuke was even more arrogant in saying that the northern government would apologize to Japan for supporting the killing of Hirobumi Ito by the Korean resistance, make compensation to Japan, and at the same time guarantee to stop supporting the Korean resistance.

However, the American minister Rou Keyi and the German minister Hahausen both expressed their opposition. They claimed that there was no definite evidence that Ito's death was related to the Northern Army, and that it was unreasonable for the Japanese government to put the pot on the head of the Northern Army. In addition, the Japanese government still needs to explain the assassination of Wu Haoxuan, the major marshal of the Northern Army.

Minister Lin Quanzhu said that Wu Haoxuan's assassination had nothing to do with Japan, and the Japanese government was slandered.

But none of these diplomats is the target of old age, and they all know that the death of Ito Hirobumi is related to the assassination of Wu Haoxuan. It is clear that the Japanese assassinated Wu Haoxuan first, so the northern army retaliated against it. There is no one right or wrong at all, and if the Japanese had not acted first, the Northern Army would not have retaliated.

On this issue, not only the United States and Germany supported the Northern Army, but even France also supported the Northern Army. Negotiations are under way between the northern government and France to obtain a large loan from France for the development of transport and industry in the seven northern provinces. France has now become a usurious country, and lending to foreign countries has become their main way of profiting. Under such circumstances, it is natural for them to show goodwill to the government of the North.

In the end, the meeting of the legations agreed that the ministers would do their utmost to ensure peace in the Far East. Both Japan and the northern government need restraint. At the same time, they oppose any assassination. If such a thing happens again in the future, it will be severely condemned by all countries.

The northern government must also take into account the attitude of the great powers. In fact, the northern government was not ready for war, and the increase of troops on the border was only to put pressure on the Japanese. Now, the great powers have come forward, which can be regarded as giving everyone a step down. (To be continued......)

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