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Japan in 1874 was at a critical crossroads. Saigo's dispatch from the province was the first roar of the reforming Japan to the world today.

If Saigo could really seize Taiwan, Japan might really embark on a different path from later generations. Three years later, the Southwest War would not have happened again. But can this path really work? No one in Japan today dares to say a single certainty, even the most fanatical leader of the Urgent Expedition faction, Saigo Takamori!

There are still more pessimistic people. Otherwise, Japan would not have ruled out that Foreign Secretary Vice-Admiralty Tanetomi would send an envoy to Beijing in the capacity of "Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Dispatched by China" to test the attitude of the Qing court in response to the murder of the Miyakojima people.

The Manchu Qing Dynasty, who had no understanding of international law at all, still proceeded from the perspective of shirking responsibility, saying that "all murderers are born, so they are left alone." …… None of them accept the king. "Lightly grabbed by Japan. A protective shield has been put on for the success or failure of this attack on Taiwan. Little Japan, now just growing a little bit of its own claws, is really still full of fear of its 2,000-year-old presence in the West.

"The Westerners have flinched!" In a quiet building in Nagasaki Castle, Takamori Saigo, dressed in a kimono, is having a parting conversation with his younger brother. He came to Nagasaki in secret.

Saigo's face remained unchanged in a military uniform, "If Japan wants to be strong, it can only rely on Yamato athletes." Westerners. Not enough. "Although in my heart I hate the British who changed their minds temporarily. But Saigo will never give up the matter of attacking Taiwan. Because he knew that this was a long-term peace between the Southwest Domain and the Tokyo government. The biggest and best chance to solve the crisis of the gentry.

Giving up means even greater riots in the near future. The Fukuoka Shishi Rebellion in Meiji 6 and the recent rebellion against the government by Saga Domain's Clansan Eto Shinpei clearly point to a scene that was destined to happen in the future.

Saigo Congdao is the younger brother of Saigo Takamori, and his eldest brother is the leader of the Shi clan, how can Saigo Congdao not think about his eldest brother and the future of the Shi clan?

"Brother, I will use the bayonet in my hand, for Japan. For the scholars, strive for a new world. ”

Although he was afraid of the Manchus in the west and the huge empire, Saigo never thought that he would fail in Taiwan and lose to that group of primitive people. Fortunately, although the British retreated, the Japanese still had the support of the Americans and the French, and Saigo still had enough steamers to carry soldiers.

Saigo Takamori shook his head gently, defeating Ikuban easily. It is difficult to gain a foothold in Taiwan. The Manchus would not have watched Japan set up a government in Taiwan if they had fallen into the grip again. At that time, the army of the Qing State will definitely enter Taiwan, and at that time Japan will fight or not?

Saigo Congdao must be fighting. If he doesn't fight, there is no need for him to insist on attacking Taiwan. But, can you win? Can Japan compete with that big empire? And the character of Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang. Saigo Takamori also knows.

If you dissuade him, Saigo Takamori couldn't say a word. Just as later generations commented on him. Throughout his life, Saigo Takamori represented the interests of the samurai class.

"I wish you a prosperous martial arts!"

"The Imperial Kingdom. Martial arts for a long time! ”

The two brothers bowed vigorously to each other on a small wooden table as the last words of this farewell.

On 5 April, a new order from Tokyo reached Nagasaki. Because of the sudden changes in Britain, the Tokyo government ordered a moratorium on the dispatch of troops. However, Saigo refused to obey this order, saying: "Delaying the dispatch of troops will be degrading morale, and if the government forcibly prevents it, I am willing to return the Emperor's Edict of Discretion and go straight to the lair of the people as a thief, and it will definitely not affect the country!" The secretary of the treasury, Shigenobu Okuma, who was also in Nagasaki, could not persuade him, so he had to telegraph to Tokyo: "The morale is strong, and its momentum is difficult to stop. Saigo then ordered his troops to set off one after another, and two days later they officially set out, accompanied by three warships and seven troop transports, and sailed out of Nagasaki Port.

Such acts will be resolutely curbed in any country except Japan. However, in Japan, Saigo's actions were later recognized by Tokyo. This move was called the "Saigo Violent Walk" by later generations of Japanese, and became the prototype of Japanese militarism in the future, that is, the military first and the posthumous recognition of politics. directly guided the emergence of the Japanese army's 'lower Keshang'.

Xiamen.

Wang Debang was holding a rifle produced by the Qin army, and shot at a target a hundred paces away.

"Good gun, good gun. It's not inferior to the American origin. It's much better than the Jiangnan Bureau's goods. After ten shots, Wang Debang stopped. His unit had just been transferred from the junction of Fujian and Zhejiang to Xiamen, and Zuo Zongtang did not dare to be negligent, and the mobilization of troops was not only late, but also found sufficient excuses. It's just to prevent Japan from checking it.

Whether it is Britain, the United States, or France, there are consulates set up in Xiamen, and among the three powers, the attitude of the first two has always been to support Japan's attack on Taiwan, and the latter regards the Qing Dynasty as a 'sworn enemy'. It will definitely use its strength to help Japan attack Taiwan. Therefore, Zuo Zongtang will be more careful than Liu Xian in the transfer of troops.

Wang Debang's troops had just arrived in Xiamen, and the first thing they did was to replace their armaments. Zuo Zongtang allocated 1,500 breech guns to eight battalions of the whole army, so that the equipment rate of his breech guns increased to about 60 percent in one fell swoop. Although Wang Debang is quite greedy for the seven or five cannons that Zuo Zongtang bought from the Qin army, but good things can't be eaten alone, the Chu army has forty or fifty thousand people, and there are more than one team that can fight Wang Debang.

The person standing next to Wang Debang smiled. didn't take Wang Debang's words, but took a revolver from the entourage behind him and handed it to Wang Debang, "Fight this, try it too!" ”

The crisp sound of gunfire rang out. Wang Debang, as a registered admiral, a general of the Chu army, no matter how much he knows about pistols, he pulled the trigger six times in a row, and stopped to load the bullet after not firing a shot, making jokes. "This is also produced by the Qin army? Fine! After reversing the weight, his face was full of joy, "Kegong, how much more money does this wheel cost?" If you can get together three or five hundred, when you are entangled and fighting, you can make a final decision! ”

Liu Dian laughed, "Where did you get three or five hundred?" This is a gift from Jing Yihou to Dashuai, and there are only a hundred in total. The marshal gave it to his colleagues in the general. I can't bear to make up the three or five hundred. ”

Liu Dian, a person who is not very famous in history, is the deputy commander of the army during the Chu army's westward expedition in the original time and space, and the number two person in the entire Chu army. A native of Ningxiang, Hunan, the word Kexi, is called Kegong by Wang Debang. Shaofu Weishan, friendly with Luo Zenan, and expected to learn.

God really loves Hunan, from Zeng Zuo Huluo's generation to the generation of Taizu of the Red Dynasty, the whole Hunan is full of talents and stars. (My novel "Crossing 1862" will have more fresh content on the official WeChat platform, and there will also be a 100% lucky draw gift for everyone!) Open WeChat now, click on the "+" sign in the upper right corner to "add friends", search for the official account "qdread" and follow, hurry up! (To be continued......) R1292