The navy was almost completely wiped out, most of Kagoshima was burned, and the city's citizens suffered heavy casualties, although some of the army was still preserved, but Shimazu Hisamitsu actually didn't have much bargaining capital, so when Li Hongzhang threw out the statement of the joint collapse, he happily agreed.

Anyway, Shimazu Hisatsu can see that with the strength and greed of the Chinese, resistance is death, and if you don't resist, there may be a glimmer of life, in this case, why not hold a big thick leg again.

After the change of mind, Shimazu Hisamitsu was also single, and signed a "Kagoshima Agreement" with Li Hongzhang.

In the agreement, it was stipulated that all foreign trade of the Satsuma Domain in the future would be monopolized by the Oriental Bloc, which meant that any transaction between the Satsuma Domain and overseas countries could not bypass the Oriental Bloc, and that it must be handled by the Oriental Bloc, otherwise it would be regarded as a breach of the contract.

In addition, in order to facilitate trade and promote the economy, the Satsuma Clan would contract the management of Tanegashima, Yakushima, and Yamakawa Port to the Eastern Group.

The contracted place is actually the Chinese concession, and in these places, everything is decided by the people of the Eastern Bloc, such as garrisons, internal affairs, etc., and the Satsuma Domain is not allowed to interfere, and the so-called Satsuma Domain does not care about anything, which is just a nice statement.

Finally, the employees of the Oriental Group lived in the Satsuma Domain, and were not subject to the laws of the Satsuma Domain, but were only under the jurisdiction of the Overseas Business Department of the Oriental Group, which meant that even if the employees of the Eastern Group killed someone on the land of the Satsuma Domain, the Satsuma Domain had no right to interfere.

The Kagoshima Agreement was obviously a humiliating affair for Japan or the Satsuma Clan, but the biggest problem was that it was a private agreement between the Satsuma Domain and the Eastern Bloc, and nominally neither represented the country.

That is, on the face of it. The sovereignty of Tanegashima and other places was still in the hands of the Satsuma Domain, and it was just a contract to the Oriental Bloc for the management of the local area, and something similar to consular jurisdiction could also be understood to mean that the employees of the Eastern Bloc were not natives, but foreigners, and were subject to foreign laws.

Anyway, on the surface, the Eastern Bloc gave the Satsuma Domain a lot of face, and there was no word such as land cession, and there was no vocabulary for concessions. It's just that the word contract is used, and the land that has been essentially ceded such as Tanegashima is also called a special zone.

It can be seen from this agreement that the Eastern Bloc actually made a lot of concessions, such as the original plan was to occupy the Satsuma Peninsula, but when the final agreement was signed, in addition to Tanegashima and Yakushima, there was only one mountain and river port, that is, Ibusuki City. Appetite is much smaller.

On the surface, Li Hongzhang said that he admired the courage and wisdom of the head of the Shimazu family, so he gave in on his own, but in fact it was not the same thing at all.

As mentioned earlier. At present, the main target of the Chinese Empire is not Japan, but it pursues a policy of limited intervention in Japan, and does not want to fully intervene. It also depends on your own ability, after all, the concession is to invest in the construction, and it is a trouble to have more places.

Therefore. These conditions have been said a long time ago, and they are also within the scope of the Eastern Bloc's capabilities, and no matter how many places there are, it will be difficult to manage, and there is no need.

As for the previous statements, what to ask for the entire Satsuma Peninsula, it was Li Hongzhang asking for the price, but he was dissatisfied with Shimazu Hisamitsu's attitude, so he said something so fierce, but in fact, at that time, Shimazu Hisamitsu insisted on it again, and Li Hongzhang would have changed his words, who knew that Shimazu Hisamitsu was really frightened and accepted it in full.

In fact, Li Hongzhang's original plan was to Kagoshima, did not want Shanchuan Port, but Kagoshima was burned like this, rebuilt do not know the year of the monkey, and the climate and water temperature of Shanchuan Port are not bad, especially just helped the task force to escape a catastrophe, it is considered to be beneficial to the Chinese, so he chose Shanchuan Port as the concession of the Eastern Group.

In terms of reparations, although most of Kagoshima was burned, the main city did not suffer much loss, although 100,000 taels of silver was definitely not available, but the family wealth was exhausted, even gold with jewelry, and some fine Japanese swords or something, and finally made up all kinds of property worth 50,000 taels of silver, which was almost all of Shimazu Hisamitsu's family funds.

This 50,000 taels is a hard target under Li Hongzhang, if it can't be given, the expeditionary force will personally enter the city to loot it by itself, and if it is given, then it can not enter the city and give Shimazu Hisamitsu a little face.

Just for the sake of this face, and if the expeditionary force was sent into the city, the consequences would be unimaginable, so Shimazu Hisamitsu smashed the pot and sold iron to make money.

In particular, it should be pointed out that the indemnity of the Satsuma Domain is not recorded, that is to say, this indemnity was only given by Shimazu Hisamitsu privately, not the indemnity demanded by the Eastern Bloc, at least there will be no such things in the official records.

Seeing that Shimazu Hisamitsu cooperated so much, Li Hongzhang did not think much of himself, and asked the expeditionary force to restrain his subordinates, and did not enter the city, but continued to camp outside the city.

However, although the expeditionary force obediently did not enter the city, they were quite dissatisfied and felt that the battle was quite unenjoyable, because the expeditionary force had almost no battle to fight in Kagoshima this time, and it was not as interesting as when they fought Tanegashima.

Shi Dakai has no dissatisfaction, as the commander of an army, he can get what he wants without fighting, that is enough, there is a saying, the soldiers who surrender without a fight, the good are also good.

Although this time it was to let the navy steal the limelight, but it was not damaged, which made Shi Dakai feel even more fortunate, so he specifically found Li Hongzhang and asked when the expeditionary force could go back.

That's right, just go back, Shi Dakai feels that his mission in Japan has been completed, and the purpose of punishing the Satsuma clan has been achieved, since this is the case, there is no need to continue to stay here, and it is serious to go back and continue training quickly.

"Lord Shi is not restless." Facing Shi Dakai's inquiry, Li Hongzhang smiled slightly, "This is just the beginning, and it is far from the end, how can you withdraw the troops lightly." ”

"Oh?" Shi Da raised his eyebrows, "Are you saying that our campaign is not over yet?" ”

"Of course." Li Hongzhang nodded, "It's just that we asked for 50,000 taels and a little bit to break the concession, how can this be, our purpose is to mess up Japan as much as possible before the official negotiation envoy of the empire comes, and let them bleed greatly!" Not to mention, we haven't grabbed enough money, Japan is a country of gold. How can there be only this amount of money, and it is not enough to plug the gaps. ”

"But the Satsuma clan really doesn't seem to have much money." Tang Hailong said on the side, "I see, the Satsuma Domain seems to have turned all the money into Kagoshima's factories and warships before, but that fire burned down the entire Kagoshima Port, and it is not easy for them to scavenge 20,000 taels, and it is difficult for them to scavenge from the Satsuma Domain." ”

"Who said they were going to rob the Satsuma Domain?" Li Hongzhang smiled. "Although the Satsuma clan actually still has money, but the Satsuma clan has now succumbed, and it is a good dog for us, and we can't be too persecuted, so we are going to beat others next and ask others for money."

"Asking someone for money?" Tang Hailong frowned, "You don't really want us to fight Tokyo, do you?" ”

"No, no, no, Tokyo is too troublesome and too eye-catching. There are not only Japanese, but also British, French, and Americans, how could I let you go to Tokyo. Li Hongzhang shook his head.

"If you don't go to Tokyo, where do you want to go?" Tang Hailong asked.

"I'm going to take you to Osaka." Li Hongzhang pointed to a point on the map. "This is it, let's go straight here and grab a big deal."

"Osaka?" Tang Hailong nodded, "Osaka is the commercial capital of Japan. It is said that it is richer than Tokyo, and if you rob here, it will still be worth it. But. That's how we go to Osaka? That's not a good fit, is it? ”

"What's inappropriate?" Li Hongzhang asked.

"No excuses." Tang Hailong spread his hands, "Fighting Satsuma, we can fight in the name of avenging our employees, but Osaka can't fight this with this matter, why should we beat them." ”

"Osaka is a Japanese city!" Li Hongzhang said, "You have to make it clear that the Yoshidaya incident is essentially that the Japanese killed us Chinese, and since it is Japanese, then Japan must be responsible for it." Then, until the representatives of Japan, the emperor and the generals have made a final statement, or until the Japanese state and our imperial government have made formal negotiations, the whole of Japan is guilty, and we can choose any city to attack, this is our right! ”

"Isn't that unreasonable?" Tang Hailong muttered, "What is the difference between you and a robber when you say that?" ”

"Of course it's different." Li Hongzhang squinted his eyes, "Ordinary robbers, they have no backing, and they have nowhere to cry if they are beaten." We are different, we are not only strong enough, but also robbers with backers, it doesn't matter if we rob others, once we are beaten, we can retract. How to put it, we are lawfully and reasonably seeking justice. Don't forget, it was the Japanese who killed the Chinese first. Since they have done such a thing, then any punishment we impose on them is not excessive. ”

"You mean to say that we're just a bunch of robbers with backgrounds now, and it's okay to grab something in private, and if you hit someone's capital directly, it's not easy to explain things, right?"

"yes, that's it." Li Hongzhang nodded, "Originally, I also wanted to fight Tokyo, but unfortunately our identity does not allow it!" We only represent the Eastern Bloc, not the Chinese government, so if we go directly to Tokyo, then some things will not be covered, and in this case, our government will be quite passive. ”

"Isn't this a cover-up?" Tang Hailong said, "Who would believe that we are just mercenaries of an ordinary company, and not represent the will of the Chinese government?" ”

"It's one thing to believe it or not, and it's another thing to admit it or not." Li Hongzhang said, "Even if others think that we represent China, nominally we are not a national army after all, which gives our country a lot of room for maneuver and allows us to be more free." Well, in this regard, Westerners have played this way more than once, and it is not impossible for us to use it. ”

"Okay, there's no need for us to argue about this, anyway, we still have to fight." Shi Dakai suddenly said, "Master Li, I just want to ask, is it right that we are going to fight Osaka next?" ”

"Yes." Li Hongzhang nodded.

"Is this your own meaning, or is it the meaning from above?" Shi Dakai asked again.

"Of course this is ......" Li Hongzhang just wanted to say what he meant, but when he saw Shi Dakai's stern expression, he finally sighed, "Okay, I'll tell you the truth, the meaning of going to Osaka to grab a handful is the meaning above." However, the above will not admit it, so to the outside world. I can only say that I mean it, do you know what I mean? ”

"Understood." Shi Dakai nodded, "Since it is the meaning above, then we should obey it." But Lord Lee, it's okay to fight Osaka, but what should we do after we take Osaka? You should have a comprehensive plan, and you have no clue about the sudden emergence of a goal. ”

"Actually, I don't have a clue myself." Li Hongzhang smiled bitterly, "I won't hide it from you, the above meaning is just to give an approximation." That is to say, before the arrival of the formal negotiators, let us plunder their wealth as much as possible, kill and injure their living forces, and disturb their law and order, anyway, to make Japan unsafe.

That is, they just give the big goal, how to do it, that's our business, so you're going to let me come up with a coherent plan. To be honest, I didn't either. ”

"That's right." Shi Dakai nodded, "That is to say, it's up to us to fight?" ”

"That's right. That's right. Li Hongzhang said, "Depending on our progress, the above will adopt different negotiation tactics for the Japanese side in order to maximize the benefits." ”

"If I'm right. You left that Shimazu Hisamitsu behind to support him and treat the Satsuma clan as our puppet. Shi Dakai said suddenly.

"Yes. That's what it means. Li Hongzhang nodded.

"The joint downfall you said also hopes to let him come forward, provoke a civil war in Japan, and make the Japanese people miserable, right?"

"Yes, that's what I meant." Li Hongzhang said.

"If that's the case, this time we might as well take the warriors of the Satsuma clan with us." Shi Dakai said, "You see, we can force this Shimazu Hisamitsu to raise the anti-flag now, oppose their generals, and justifiably hold a campaign to bring down the curtain. Then they were in front, we were behind, and together they went to grab territory. In this way, we are nominally the mercenaries they have hired, and in the end, all the spearheads will be pointed at the Satsuma Domain, and the pressure on us will be much less. ”

"That's a good idea." Li Hongzhang nodded, "I'm afraid that Shimazu Hisamitsu won't agree." ”

"Why don't you agree, hasn't he already signed so many treaties with you that humiliate the country, just let him raise the anti-flag in name, and he won't agree to this little thing?" Tang Hailong interjected and asked.

"That's different." Li Hongzhang said, "What he signed with us was a private agreement. That is, we can actually follow it, but nominally not publicize it to the public. Moreover, even if it is announced, it is also an act that we forced him to do, and he has no choice but to do it. Even the shogunate bowed to the Americans and the British, and what was there to be embarrassed about when he, a small Satsuma clan, bowed to us when the main city was destroyed?

On the contrary, if he raises the anti-flag, it will be of a different nature, which means that he will rebel, and the shogunate will definitely send a large army to suppress it. Once he loses the battle, there is really no day to turn over.

If it had been before, he might not have been afraid, but now that he has suffered heavy losses in the Satsuma Domain, he is powerless to fight against the Shogunate's army, so I guess he would not dare to declare war on the Shogunate, at least not now, even if we force him, he will at most commit suicide, and he will not agree. ”

"Are you willing to commit suicide, and still refuse to agree to rebel?" Tang Hailong was a little puzzled.

"If he commits suicide, his family is relieved, and as soon as he dies, his son will immediately become the next head of the Shimazu family." Li Hongzhang glanced at Tang Hailong, "On the contrary, if he lives for one day, before he voluntarily resigns or is overthrown, he is still the head of the Shimazu family, and the orders he gives represent the Shimazu family, that is, the entire Satsuma Domain." Therefore, if it is not necessary, it is better to leave him a little leeway, at least until we take full control of Satsuma, and not push him too hard. ”

"If that's the case, then we're not going to have a good time." Shi Dakai shook his head, "Osaka is also a big city, and we are fighting Osaka under the pretext of revenge, which is too far-fetched in name and quite unfavorable to us." ”

Speaking of this, Shi Dakai looked at Li Hongzhang and Tang Hailong: "Don't underestimate this reputation, sometimes it's still very important." If the name is right, it doesn't matter how much we do, but if the name is not right, no matter how good we do. The most important thing is that in the future, we will still have to mix in the military circles, and it is impossible to be this kind of mercenary for the rest of our lives, once we have a bad reputation, it will be very hindering to our future, even if we are for the interests of the country! ”

"And what do you want?" Li Hongzhang frowned, "Only fighting one Satsuma Domain is far from being able to bring down Cheng Dù of Japan." ”

"If you can't force the lord of the Satsuma clan to take the initiative to rebel, then we will slander him!" Shi Dakai said, "We can use all kinds of fait accompli to slander the Satsuma Domain, so that the Satsuma Domain has to rebel!" ”

"Slander? What is the slander law? Li Hongzhang asked.

"It's simple." Shi Dakai said, "We have an excuse to support the Satsuma Domain. Help them train an army and provide weapons, and then ask him to select a group of people to come out and train us, and then we will take this group of people, in the name of actual combat drills, directly to Osaka. ”

"And then?" Tang Hailong asked.

"And then?" Shi Da smiled, "When we hit Osaka, we took these people with us, as well as Shimazu Hisamitsu himself. Then, under the banner of the Satsuma Domain, they said that we had come to Osaka at the request of the Satsuma Domain to raise military funds, and as for what we were doing to raise military funds, it was naturally to overthrow the rotten shogunate. ”

"Who would believe that?" Tang Hailong shook his head.

"Haha, there will always be people who believe it." Li Hongzhang smiled, "Yes, this method is good." In this way, even if the Satsuma clan explained it again, it would be useless. Unless he turns his face against us, but even if he turns his face, others won't believe him. ”

"Have you ever wondered what if that Shimazu Hisamitsu suddenly commits suicide?" Tang Hailong said. "You know, until now, his children haven't come back. As you said before, if the persecution is severe. He could have killed himself. ”

"It's not so easy for a person to commit suicide if he's under strict guard." Li Hongzhang said, "And." As long as he himself appears in Osaka, this is enough. When the time comes, we will rob Osaka, and the Shimazu family will have no way out, and even if he commits suicide, we can re-prop up a puppet head of the house.

Anyway, we just need a puppet to rush ahead for us and bear our notoriety, and it doesn't matter if it's authentic to the Shimazu family. When the time comes, we will find a random child and say that he is the head of the Shimazu family, and he is the head of the Shimazu family! ”

"This is just the first step." Shi Da opened his mouth and said, "After we have robbed Osaka, we must rush back immediately, stay in the Shimazu family, and really build a puppet army here." Then, we will continue to use the name of the Shimazu family to officially raise the banner of overthrowing the shogunate and expand into the surrounding areas. Well, the next target, I think, is to fight the Choshu Domain. ”

"Fighting the Choshu Domain?" Li Hongzhang looked at the map, "As far as I know, the Chōshū Domain is actually also a faction of the Emperor and the Shogunate, and it is also against the shogunate, is there something wrong with us fighting them." ”

"Our goal is to make the Satsuma clan a loner who can only rely on us." Shi Dakai said, "The Choshu Domain is the strongest feudal lord in the vicinity, and defeating them will greatly weaken the strength of the Zunwang Sect. When the time comes, if the shogunate sees that their strength has become smaller, they will inevitably think of sending troops to conscript, but sending troops to conscript them will not be able to bypass us.

In other words, at that time, we will be the force that determines our fate, and if the shogunate wants to take the opportunity to take back the Satsuma Domain and the Choshu Domain, it will have to negotiate with us, and we can open our mouths and ask for a price. If the shogunate agrees to our terms, it will be a big loss, and if we do not agree to our conditions, we can help the Satsuma clan against the shogunate and try to prolong the civil war as long as possible, so as to achieve the goal of dragging Japan down. ”

"Sounds good." Li Hongzhang nodded, "I'm afraid it will be difficult to implement." You know, it's hard to say that the two armies are facing each other, and if we support the Satsuma Domain a little too much, and the Shogunate army is defeated like a mountain, and the Satsuma Domain wins a big victory, then can we still restrain the fallen Satsuma Domain from taking advantage of the victory to pursue? ”

"Why not." Shi Dakai said, "The Satsuma Domain is just our puppet, and we have the final say. ”

"I'm afraid that won't be the case." Li Hongzhang said, "The Japanese are not credible, they will bow their heads when their strength is weak, but once their strength becomes stronger, they will immediately change their faces." The difficulty of provoking a civil war is too high, and if one is not good, it will not be able to be contained. ”

"If that's the case, we can help the shogunate in turn." Tang Hailong suddenly said, "Anyway, we are just mercenaries, mercenaries, we can change employers at any time, don't you say?" ”

"In that case, our reputation will be over." Shi Dakai shook his head.

"What a reputation?" Tang Hailong said disdainfully, "Okay, if you have to be famous, then we can still do this." For example, we can do our best to help the Satsuma clan resist the shogunate army, and once the Satsuma clan wins a big victory, we want to take advantage of the victory to pursue the remnants of the shogunate, and we will ask the Satsuma clan for the benefit and open our mouths. They will definitely not agree, we just found an excuse to intervene with arms one more time, and when the time comes, as long as the Satsuma Domain is also greatly weakened and rebalances with the shogunate army, then it will not be the same? ”

"Don't say it, it's not bad." Li Hongzhang nodded.

"I don't care." Shi Dakai stroked his forehead, "Anyway, after fighting Osaka, I will immediately find a way to transfer out of here!" This is bullshit, I don't want to keep playing. (To be continued......)