The Cabinet meeting was at a standstill, and everyone seemed to have no idea what to do. At this time, a staff member walked up to the side of the Minister of the Interior, Hara Kei, bowed his head and whispered a few words in his ear. Yuan Jing nodded, and then looked serious.

"Ladies and gentlemen, His Majesty the Emperor is going to summon us." Yuan Jing said.

Saionji Gongwang's face changed, and Emperor Meiji actually knew. Then, this cabinet meeting may only be able to become an imperial meeting. Although Emperor Meiji does not have much power now, with his influence, it is undoubtedly easy to know the outcome of the decisive battle between the navy and the Chinese navy.

Saionji Gongwang and others had to rush to the imperial palace to meet Emperor Meiji.

Emperor Meiji sat on the throne with a blank face. However, his face was a little pale, and he looked like he had just recovered from a serious illness. The current Meiji Emperor, uremia has reached an advanced stage, and there are not many days to live. This time, the Japanese Navy suffered another crushing defeat, which naturally dealt him an even more serious blow and aggravated his condition.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I already know about the defeat of the navy." Emperor Meiji said.

"The ministers have failed His Majesty's high expectations, and their sins deserve death." Saionji Konobo and others immediately knelt on the ground and pleaded guilty to Emperor Meiji. In particular, the Minister of the Navy, Minoru Saito, and the Minister of Naval Command, Heihachiro Togo, buried their heads even lower.

"The navy has always been the foundation of the empire's survival. This time, the Imperial Navy was almost completely wiped out, and decades of accumulation were destroyed in one fell swoop. The Empire has lost this war. Emperor Meiji looked sad. Since the Meiji Restoration, it took decades for Japan to defeat the Manchus and then Russia. became one of the world's great powers. But now, Japan has lost a complete defeat in this war, and its navy has been completely annihilated, which will cause Japan's development to suffer a heavy blow.

"Wait for death!" Cabinet ministers can only keep pleading.

Emperor Meiji was very sad at the moment. If killing all these cabinet ministers could save the Japanese Navy, he would certainly do so without hesitation. However, the destruction of the navy is already a fact. No matter how hard he tried, it would be useless. So, he can only accept this fact. Besides, the country also needs these people to govern.

"Although, this defeat dealt a heavy blow to Japan. But we must not let that give up. I think that at the beginning, the Qing Kingdom was so much stronger than us. But we don't end up also after decades of hard work. Did he defeat them in one fell swoop and lay the immortal foundation of the empire? Now, we have a better foundation than we did at the beginning, and as long as we prepare for a while, there will always be a chance to defeat the people of China again and become the overlord of the Far East. Emperor Meiji said.

I have to admit that Emperor Meiji can be regarded as a very talented monarch. He was able to save Japan from a semi-colonial crisis and develop into one of the world's great powers in one fell swoop. It's not that easy. From the perspective of the Japanese. Emperor Meiji is worthy of a generation of emperors. However, from the point of view of the Chinese. Emperor Meiji, however, was the one who brought suffering to the country and the nation. So, since ancient times, heroes have been relative. However, this time, the empire successfully completed the counterattack, knocking the old enemy of Japan to the ground in one fell swoop. If Japan wants to continue to suppress the empire, it is already impossible. The struggle between the Empire and Japan. It will continue until one side is completely beaten down.

"Your Majesty is wise." Saionji Gongwang and other cabinet ministers breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Emperor Meiji's intentions, it seems that there is no intention to hold them accountable.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Empire is facing such a difficult predicament, what should we do next? Do you have a plan? Emperor Meiji asked.

"Your Majesty. After the defeat of the Navy, it is already impossible for us to win this war. However, if we admit defeat at this, the people of China will surely open their mouths and make demands to the Empire that are difficult for us to accept. So, the Cabinet is struggling with what to do. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

Emperor Meiji's brows furrowed tightly, what Japan needs now is not war, but recuperation and regaining strength. Of course, the Chinese will certainly not let the Japanese accumulate strength in peace. Therefore, Japan needs to think of a foolproof solution.

"Is it possible to suppress the people of China with the help of the Western powers?" Emperor Meiji said. With the help of the Western powers, it has become their only way. China's defeat of Japan changed dramatically in the entire Far East. The Western powers will certainly not sit idly by. In particular, Britain, as an ally of Japan, will definitely be on Japan's side at this time.

"Your Majesty, although we can get the support of the Western powers, the people of China also have supporters in the Western world. Moreover, the situation in Europe is very tense now, and the British do not dare to press China too much. The current China is not the same as before. Their military strength is among the highest in the world. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

If China was still a strong army before, then now the Chinese navy has become one of the world's most powerful navies. Although, the size of the Chinese Navy is not large. But in the Far East, there is no power that can confront them. Unless it was the British who sent more warships to the Far East. But the British were in a confrontation with the Germans in Europe, how could they send valuable warships to the Far East?

Emperor Meiji nodded, and then he looked at Masashi Nachi, "Minister Lu, does the army have the strength to resist the attack of the Shina people on the Korean Peninsula?" "It is certain that after the Chinese Navy has achieved sea supremacy, the Chinese Army will definitely not be willing to be lonely.

"Your Majesty, if we can guarantee our logistical supplies, the army is confident that we will fight a bloody battle with the Chinese people on the Korean Peninsula and resist them." Masaki Terauchi said.

This can be regarded as the determination of the Japanese Army, but there is a precondition, that is, the logistics supply must be guaranteed. Although, the Japanese Army has ten divisions on the Korean Peninsula, almost 250,000 people. But compared with the Chinese Army, the gap is still very large. If the logistical supply is cut off, so that the Japanese army cannot get the supply of soldiers and war materials, then they will not be able to fight at all.

The Korean Peninsula is separated from the Japanese mainland by a Tsushima Strait, and the navy is needed to provide them with logistical support. However, now that the Japanese Navy has lost completely, how can it be possible to provide logistical support for the army?

Emperor Meiji was disappointed that if the Japanese Army could withstand the Chinese Army's attack on the Korean Peninsula, they might still have the capital to bargain with China. Although Japan lost the naval battle, it did not lose completely. However, the Japanese Army clearly did not dare to make such a guarantee.

"In that case, let's find a way to talk to the Shina people. Contact the British, we need their support. Make the empire as costly as possible. "Emperor Meiji finally made a decision. Since China cannot be defeated, in order to reduce losses, there is only one thing that can be said. At the same time, in order to prevent the Chinese lion from opening their mouths, they can only hope to put it on the British.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and the others all nodded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you must remember that today's naval fiasco is a great shame for the Great Japanese Empire. One day, we must take revenge. Emperor Meiji said.

"Remember, Ministers!" Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and others hurriedly said.

Subsequently, according to the decision of Emperor Meiji, Saionji Konobo and others left the palace and went to prepare.

Looking at the figures of the ministers leaving, the resolute expression on Emperor Meiji's face disappeared without a trace. In its place was a deep loneliness. Japan's decades-long efforts were wiped out in a single naval battle, and it would pay even greater losses. This is undoubtedly a great blow to him. Although, he firmly believes that Japan has a chance to turn around. However, he probably can't see it. He knew that he was sick and didn't have a few years to live. And to accumulate strength and counterattack China, I am afraid it will take a lot of time.

As soon as he thought of this, Emperor Meiji panicked.

"Ahem!" Emperor Meiji suddenly coughed, and his whole body bowed as if he were a shrimp. He suddenly saw that there was a trace of blood on the hand that covered his mouth.

"Look, my time is running out. It's a pity that we can't see the day when the empire will defeat China and re-emerge. Emperor Meiji muttered.

The Japanese cabinet, after receiving the edict of Emperor Meiji, no longer has so many scruples in acting. Even if there is a problem, it can be pushed on the emperor's head.

First of all, Masatakeshi Ryoshoji proposed to strengthen the defense of the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese mainland. Of the 25 divisions of the Japanese Army, all but 10 of them deployed on the Korean Peninsula were full, and the rest of the divisions were understaffed. The Japanese Army proposed that it would need to send five more full-strength divisions to Korea. At the same time, the remaining ten divisions in the country also need to be mobilized. In addition, if the Chinese showed signs of attacking their homeland, they would have to arm more troops as quickly as possible in order to defend their homeland.

Foreign Minister Lin Dong immediately summoned British Ambassador to Japan Edward, hoping that Britain would mediate the war and protect Japan's interests to the greatest extent. (To be continued.) )

PS: Today's five watches are completed! Xiaoyu has done his best, book friends, it's the last hour, please smash more monthly passes!