Maguan, also known as Shimonoseki, is a small town built in 1889 under Yamaguchi Prefecture, and there are not many people living in it today, but because of the beautiful environment and mild climate, and there are no particularly frequent natural disasters, it is particularly beautiful and elegant.

The Haruho Building, which is just a small inn in the town of Amitaji, is slightly famous for its name after Hirobumi Ito, and in 1888 it became the first restaurant in Japan to serve fugu cuisine. Of course, the Chinese are absolutely unfamiliar with this place, and all negotiators can hardly even imagine how they discovered such a small place.

Li Hongzhang is not too small, he cares about the specific content of the negotiation. The abrupt change of venue for negotiations is not uncommon in normal international dispute tactics, but for the Japanese, it is a bit of a thrill.

According to their usual logic of thinking, they believe that there must be some kind of intention hidden in this practice, but they cannot guess it. If we can't find out the mystery in a short period of time, we will not be able to do the next formal negotiations, and we will completely fall into passivity. That's too bad!

On the way from Tokyo to Shimonoseki, the Chinese naval fleet swayed along the Japanese coastline, showing its huge and majestic body to most of the Japanese without concealment. Whether it's encountered by boat, or looking at it from the near sea, you can see a chill all over your body! Even the most mentally numb people of the lower classes, who have been deceived by all kinds of lies created by their government for so many years, will suddenly realize and be infinitely sad.

The so-called Great Japanese Empire, this is going to suffer!

The detachment headed by the second ship of Dingzhen sailed into the Seto Inland Sea, showing off its military might and shouting arrogantly all the way, which was not the subtle and gentle style of a big country. The two "Hebei-class battleships" were surrounded by several ships and circled Kyushu Island. Wandering all the way to the Tsushima Strait, opening the eyes of the Japanese on the coastline and intimidating them.

Such a flamboyant and domineering style stunned a group of foreign devils who boasted that they knew the temperament of the Chinese, and the Japanese had a mess in their heads. I don't know what the Chinese here are going on.

Because of this, they are no longer half sure of the upcoming formal negotiations. Even if I heard all kinds of news before, I couldn't believe it. God knows, what terms the Chinese have prepared, sharpened the blade. Waiting for them to be slaughtered!

Li Hongzhang was a little uncomfortable. He has always gone out in a terrible situation, and he has to rack his brains and try his best to solve a mess of difficulties and find a barely acceptable way to survive.

This time, you can let go of it without any scruples. There was no constraint at all, but it made him a little confused. Huh? Isn't that also a problem?

entered Chunfan Building, and the chef who planned to come up to perform the so-called fish tricks was unceremoniously invited away by Li Hongzhang's own manpower. The master chef at the imperial kitchen level pouted and despised the Japanese, a group of people who only know how to eat raw and cold things, where do they understand the strength of the big foodie empire in food? Do you know how to handle the best ingredients to ensure that the original and pure flavor is brought out?

As a result, the Japanese didn't even have the last bit of a way to get close. The negotiation team led by Mutsu Zongguang could only grit their teeth and endure hatred, helplessly watching Li Hongzhang's old guy feast. I had a night banquet with the representatives of the international observation mission, anxiously waiting for the time of judgment.

Finally, they were lucky, Li Hongzhang was old. The roots of the diseases left by the war have flare-up, and in such a damp place, the old cold legs have committed crimes, so they don't want to drag it out any longer.

After a day's rest, the two sides formally sat down on either side of the negotiating table.

Li Hongzhang didn't talk nonsense with them, and raised his hand to display the drafted terms.

First, the Ryukyus and Korea kingdoms were recognized as vassal states of China. Japan's invasion of the two countries undoubtedly violated its sovereignty, and it is China's responsibility to drive out the aggressors for both countries. So. In this regard, China has an unquestionable and just position. Japan, for its part, must bear unshirkable responsibility for the suffering and losses suffered by both countries. and must be fully compensated. The total amount of compensation is 100 million taels of silver.

Article 2 recognizes that the wars against China provoked by Japan on several occasions are acts of aggression, and that full compensation must be made for the losses caused thereby. The total amount of compensation is 200 million taels of silver.

Third, Japan must cede Hokkaido and its surrounding affiliated islands, Sakhalin Island, and the South Kuril Islands to China.

Fourth, Japan shall open seven cities, namely Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, Yokohama, and Tokyo, to China and other countries as free treaty ports.

Article 5 China must open naval bases in Yokosuka and Sasebo in Japan, and army bases in Yokota and Zama to supervise Japan's military construction and provide it with "protection."

Wait and so on, a bunch of clauses are listed, and each one has just been read out by the translator, and the people at the negotiation table can't help but tremble! Including Li Hongzhang, although it was not the first time he saw the ridiculous amount of silver claimed and the conditions for land reparation, his heart was still shaking when he heard it.

If a treaty could be negotiated on these terms, it is estimated that his achievements will be unprecedented!

But he was even more worried, could such a method really be negotiated? It is impossible for little Japan to agree, and it will lay the groundwork for the future hatred between the two countries!

The more they listened, the more angry they became, their whole bodies trembling, the tables they grabbed with their hands creaking, and their faces turned purple with suffocation. Holding on until all the conditions were recited, Mutsu Jong jumped up suddenly and blurted out, "Ridiculous! Amusing! It's unreasonable! Where do you want to negotiate, you clearly want to turn the Great Japanese Empire into your slaves! We can't say yes! Not a single one! ”

The others also stood up one after another, shouting, "What are you kidding! It is absolutely impossible for such a thing to happen to us if such a harsh condition is to put forward such a harsh condition, and it is clear that they look down on our Yamato nation. ”

"I'd rather have 50 million pieces of jade than bow to the despicable Qing people! The Great Japanese Empire will never admit defeat, and we will certainly be able to pick ourselves up again! ”

"Don't talk so much nonsense, it's a big deal to fight them to the end. The subjects of the Empire are never afraid of sacrifice, see if they dare to actually drive troops to our land! ”

"That's right! Right! No compromise! ”

…… The sound of a roaring voice. Filled with the inside and outside of Chunfan Building, countless reporters and viewers who stood outside and stretched their necks waiting for the news understood that this was a collapse of the talk!

The British Minister to China and Japan, Sa Daoyi, spread his hands regretfully and said to Li Hongzhang: "Dear Mr. Li, we have to say. Your country's conditions are somewhat excessive. We admit that Japan's attack on China was inappropriate, but we do not make such absurd claims as a result. In addition, with regard to the Korean and Ryukyu issues, the entire Western civilized world has reached a consensus that it is no longer possible to allow such a ridiculous system as the existence of the Zài vassal state. Since China claims to be the most civilized country in the world, how can it still retain such a clause? ”

Former U.S. Secretary of State. It was also this time that the representative of the mediation team hired by Japan at a high price, Kosda, sat on the side with a solemn expression from the beginning and observed, then got up, cleared his throat and dragged out the door: "I have to say that your country is in the middle of this peace talks. A very bad start. The conclusion of war reparations should be based on the losses caused by the conflict between the two countries, and the ability of the defeated party to accept should also be considered. In this regard, I do not think that Japan, with its small and barren territory, could agree to cede its territory and the ridiculous figure of several hundred million taels of silver. ”

The French and Russians also expressed their incredulity and absolutely did not support it.

The old god Li Hongzhang listened to the interpreter finish relaying their words, and his beard pouted and sneered: "Since we can defeat Japan, we are naturally confident that we can receive compensation." Don't worry about that. ”

After speaking. He didn't bother with the foreign devils, he took a square step with a shy stomach, and walked away surrounded by everyone.

The negotiation team stayed in the Chunfan Building. Li Hongzhang didn't have to go far to get back to his house. Li Jingshu followed closely from behind, and after entering the room, he couldn't wait to ask: "Father, what do those foreigners mean?" Could it be that they really want to help the Japanese tide over this difficult time? ”

Li Hongzhang waited for the servants to loosen his clothes for him, sat on the Taishi chair and brought a bowl of tea, and said leisurely: "It's just a group of careerists who are trying to continue to manipulate the situation in East Asia." They don't care if the Japanese live or die. The sole purpose is to contain China's rise. Hum. If we lose this time, they must be a different face! ”

Li Jingshu is like most Chinese scholars. Although I grew up thinking that "those who are not of my race will have different hearts", when judging others, I always leave a good thought in my heart. That is to say, I feel that being a man must at least be reasonable, and the position must be clear, how can you not distinguish between good and bad sides, and can you get by morally?

Li Hongzhang put down the tea bowl, his old eyes flashed with kindness, looked at Li Jingshu and sighed: "So, in terms of politics, you are not as good as Jingfang after all." In this matter of national politics, we have never been able to talk about feelings, and we should focus on interests. In order to achieve the goal, the means can be unscrupulous, and there is no bottom line. If you don't understand these things, I won't let you get involved. ”

"Unscrupulous, no bottom line!"

These two comments made Li Jingshu speechless in shock, and his heart seemed to be hit hard and crumbled.

In the past, he had heard countless words similar to "political struggle is your life and death", and he had also seen and experienced all kinds of insidious and vicious deception from his father, but most of them were to the point, at least over the years, he had not seen any family that was brought down, and he ended up with a funeral like Zhang Juzheng.

Generally speaking, no matter how the governors of the late Qing Dynasty struggled, they left a line, or they were incompatible on the surface, but in fact, they were deliberately weakening the Manchu suspicion and tacit understanding with each other.

But today he realized that he was too naïve! Look at those terms, if the Japanese were forced to sign and fulfill them, it would be impossible for the entire Japanese country and tens of millions of their people to fall into a hellish situation from now on! All the men were pulled out to be coolies, and all the women were sold to become prostitutes, and the small land became a paradise where the great powers were rampant, and they didn't even want to turn over again.

This is to force the people of a country to death! How fierce, how domineering!

But is it wrong? Absolutely nothing. Li Jingshu recalled that Yang Hao had talked about geopolitics, the nature of war, the struggle of interests between countries, and the conflict at the cultural level. Something that has happened in history. It is still repeated that there is nothing new under the sun, between China and Japan, between China and the great powers, unless a unified power is finally formed. Otherwise. It will inevitably be because of various conflicts, and the constant hostility will be long after.

He thought of Li Hongzhang's words again, what if China was defeated? At the beginning, Yang Hao did not come out, and the Great Qing Kingdom collectively sat and watched his old father being defeated by the Japanese, and then he would inevitably bear the black pot for this, and then come to negotiate. Hell-bent on plundering wealth from China. Even the great powers that carved up China, did they have to add five to today's conditions?!

Li Jingshu felt that it seemed that foreign devils must have done that kind of thing!

Thinking of the loss of hundreds of millions of taels of silver, the country suffered because of this. Li Jingshu couldn't help but tremble. He suddenly woke up to the fact that a small Japan can win against China, so the more powerful Western powers can still resist not pounce and slaughter? Your family wants tens of millions, I want 100 million, he wants hundreds of millions, and if a dozen knives are wielded, how much money can the whole of China have enough to compensate? How much land can be ceded? The money looted empty. If there is no land, how can more than 400 million people survive?

Almost, it's the disaster of destroying the country and exterminating the species!

Think of the worst times in history. Only a few million of the Chinese were slaughtered, and tens of millions were killed, eaten, enslaved, crushed into flesh and buried in the land. That kind of tragic scene, who says that it will not happen?

Li Jingshu suddenly understood. Why did Yang Hao hate the Japanese so much and be so ruthless. It's really after this start. The ripple effect is terrible!

Take a few deep breaths to calm the turmoil. Li Jingshu respectfully saluted the old father: "My son understands." ”

Li Hongzhang twisted his beard and nodded with satisfaction: "It's good that you can understand." The old man has one foot in heaven and one foot in hell, and he feels a lot. You also go back and think about it. ”

Li Jingshu gave a salute and retired. Li Hongzhang looked up at the beautiful scenery outside the window, and whispered to himself: "This turmoil is going to rise again, hehe, but I don't know how that kid will deal with it." ”

The contents of the Sino-Japanese peace talks spread throughout the world in just half an hour. The full text of the telegram was published at all costs, causing an uproar when it was published!

The great powers and countries almost unanimously condemned China's greed and shamelessness, and many people jumped out to protest strongly against such extortion. The anti-Chinese congressmen of the United States, who are extremely rampant, have made a big announcement that they want to further squeeze out the Chinese in their own country, so that these bloodthirsty lowly races will not pollute the white world.

On the British side, the news media's use of euphemistic words is quite tactful, but the content does not hide its contempt and toughness, and China must not be allowed to succeed in blackmail.

On the one hand, the Russians are jealous of the exaggeration of the Chinese lion's big mouth, and feel that no matter how it is reduced, the final dividend is still amazing. On the other hand, they focused on the matter of land cession and resolutely opposed the demarcation of Japanese territory immediately adjacent to their territory in the Far East. That's so dangerous for Russia!

The most interesting thing is in China. Most of the people were speechless in surprise when they saw the outside of the number and heard the radio. No matter how much they imagined before, they would never have imagined that Yang Hao would dare to issue such outrageous conditions. Is this all about negotiations? It's more ruthless than bandit robbery!

Unsurprisingly, some celebrities and international friends of Our Lady of Mary jumped out one after another to condemn this practice, which undermines the traditional Chinese virtue of "loyalty and forgiveness". Even if Japan made a mistake, it had already paid the price of hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded, and the total destruction of its navy. When did our Heavenly Empire fall to the point of looting the small neighboring countries to stuff our own pockets?

There are also many high-powered governors and governors, who have made a sour statement, and Li Zhongtang is too happy to be happy. Isn't it too much to embarrass China in front of other countries? If you want to be famous, you have to stop in moderation!

Yang Hao's comment on these people was: "Jealousy. They were jealous that Li Hongzhang could do such a good thing to show his face. No matter how many articles are negotiated in the end, Old Man Li will inevitably go down in history. And the people of them stared dryly but couldn't reach out, so they were going to say strange things. ”

As for those people in the heart of the Holy Mother, Yang Hao laughed contemptuously. Not to mention his current ability, it is the Taizu who founded the country of this world and a group of powerful pioneers, who have been tossing for decades, and they have not turned the head of this kind of thing. As soon as the country set things right, they couldn't wait to jump out and put on all kinds of performances.

In the 21st century, China's strength is thriving, and these people are freely transformed into the public elite, while turning a blind eye to the better and better status quo, digging into the gutter and picking the bones in the eggs. On the one hand, they tout the "foreign countries" they have never been to, confusing public opinion with their mouths full of firewood, and bringing the country into the gutter.

This kind of dog stuff is endless, and if you are angry with them, you can't think about it, and let them continue to bark in the dung heap.

Besides, on the Chunfan Tower, the Japanese negotiating team turned around and informed the cabinet and the emperor of the terms, which were undoubtedly vetoed. Mutsu Munemitsu could not accept this kind of blackmail either, and gritted his teeth in the second negotiation to fight for it, and Li Hongzhang, who was feeling unwell, reluctantly relaxed, abolished the part of Hokkaido that ceded Hokkaido, and changed the compensation to 50 million taels of Guan Ping, but not a word was missing from China's 200 million taels.

With such a huge concession, the mediator representatives of the countries were very optimistic about the final result, and they waited for the third round to exert fierce pressure and continue to squeeze water out.

But they never expected that on the day of the intermission of the negotiation, Li Hongzhang suddenly rose up and took his bodyguards out to take a stroll to see the scenery. A Japanese man burst out of the middle of the road, shouted something in his mouth, raised his hand and shot at him! (To be continued) R640