North Korea, Incheon.

Imperial Japanese Navy Marshal Heihachiro Togo and Field Marshal Masayi Terauchi are having a secret meeting with Admiral Naogami Matsubara, who has just been appointed commander of the First Army of the Japanese Army. In this battle with the Volunteers, almost all the troops were at a loss in the face of Yang's cunning, and only the 10th Division, which went straight to Matsubara, performed remarkably.

They have been pursuing Yang Xiaolin as the vanguard of the Japanese army, and Commander Yang once turned back and shot straight at Matsubara, but he dodged him because of this guy's vigilance. After the Volunteers retreated to Liaodong, Matsubara was immediately promoted to the commander of the First Army by the military department, which means that from now on, Matsubara-kun has officially entered the upper echelons of the Japanese army.

He became the only Japanese to win the war.

"Matsubara-kun, we have received news that London has sent Sir Juordian to China to deal with the current situation. Although it is not known what measures the British side will take, there is no doubt that Sardour's China policy will be ended. What do you think we should do to respond effectively? ”

Terauchi Masaki asked, looking at Naogami Matsubara.

Even if he became a commander, Naokami Matsubara was respectful in front of these two marshals, and he knew very well in his heart that without Togo Heihachiro, he might have been engaged in military law, and without Terauchi Masatsuki, he might still be a low-level Japanese general with the title of commander who did not enter the stream.

"Marshal, for the Great Japanese Empire, this war has not only brought us shame, but also a lot of material consumption. We fought the Russians for a year last year, and this year we suffered another crushing defeat, and the combat effectiveness and morale of the army are no longer comparable to before, and because of the successive defeats in the war, the people at home have complained very much about us, so I think if the British withdraw from the war. There is no need for us in Japan to continue fighting. ”

Masaki Terauchi and Heihachiro Togo glanced at each other, and there was a look of appreciation in their eyes. But Masaki Yamachi immediately stood up: "Eight Grid Tooth Road! Matsubara-kun, don't you want to wash away your shame? I'll show you something! I wonder if you feel a little guilty when you see this time! ”

As he spoke, a blood book with the names of many people was thrown in front of Naokami Matsubara. Naogami Matsubara knew that this was a blood letter signed by the generals of the Japanese Army in Korea to the emperor with 10,000 signatures, demanding that the war be continued at all costs. The initiator of this blood letter was the Japanese army general Nogi Noshinori, and when he signed it, he did find Naogami Matsubara, but he didn't sign it.

Masaki Terauchi's face was serious: "There is no your name on it!" At a time when all the generals are thinking about the shame of the snow, you, Matsubara-kun, are actually thinking about quitting the war? ”

Straight up to Matsubara: "Marshal!" Yang Xiaolin has returned to Changbai Mountain, which is his old nest, and this guy knows the mountains there well. And the strategic preparation is very well done! ”

"Is it because of the difficulties that you are afraid?"

Naokami Matsubara raised his head to look at Terauchi Masayi, and then actually nodded: "Yes!" Marshal, I'm really scared in my heart now! Once the British have withdrawn from the war, we will bear all the losses of the war alone, and if we continue to fight, we will let the subjects of the Great Japanese Empire starve to support us in a very hard, unpredictable battle! ”

"Why do you say we can't predict victory?"

"Because now the Germans have openly supported Yang to fight ghosts! Now there are volunteers who have help, and it is we who are fighting alone! ”

When Terauchi Masayi heard this, a smile appeared on his face, and his tone softened a lot in an instant: "Matsubara." We are not fighting alone, and the Russian government has stated that they are willing to cooperate fully with our Great Japanese Empire. ”

Straight up to Matsubara's cheeks shook a few times, Russians?

"Marshal. We can work with the Russians, but I think the best way to work with the Russians is for us to watch them fight the Volunteers in Korea! Just like they did before! ”

Terauchi Masaki and Togo Heihachiro both laughed out loud when they heard this, and Togo Heihachiro stood up from his chair: "Marshal Terauchi, I don't think we need to test Matsubara-kun anymore. Matsubara-kun. The Emperor has already ordered that if the British choose to withdraw from this war, we on the Japanese side will not fight any further. We decided after research. It's up to you to negotiate with the Volunteers, and we need to protect the interests of North Korea and fight for the commercial interests of Liaoxi. ”

Naokami Matsubara was stunned for a moment, and saw that the two marshals did not speak. Terauchi Masatsuki immediately asked, "What?" Difficult? ”

Naokami Matsubara immediately said, "Hayi! Please rest assured, marshal! ”

Matsubara-kun can be said to be very excited now, he thinks that this task is simply too easy, according to what he knows about Yang Xiaolin, this guy is a complete nationalist, and he is sure that the problems of North Korea and Taiwan have always been what Yang Xiaolin wants to do. But after thinking about it, he would never tell himself that Yang Dagui would not say anything about asking Japan to return Taiwan to him if he didn't have a navy for a day.

Also, he will definitely not drive the Japanese out of Korea. This is also because Yang Xiaolin does not have a navy! North Korea to Japan, the volunteers are watching in the northeast, as if they are holding a hostage in their hands! Once Japan is really driven out of Korea, then the situation in the future will be that the volunteers will not be able to fight Japan if they want to, and only the Japanese Navy will continue to harass him! Yang Xiaolin wouldn't be so stupid.

As for the commercial interests of western Liaoning, the Northeast is very open in the economic field, and Naokami Matsubara believes that if he takes a roundabout route, he does not dare to say that Japan is monopolized, and at least it will not be much worse than other countries.

"You go and prepare, and as soon as the British make a decision, you go and negotiate with the Volunteers. There will certainly be no real peace between us and the Chinese people, but now we must stop and recuperate and let the Russians fight them first. ”

The Japanese war strategy was finally adjusted, and the navy and army had been arguing over whether to occupy the Northeast or expand in the South Seas first. It can be said that the army has always had the upper hand, and if it were not for Yang Xiaolin's rapid rise in the northeast, the pace of small Japan's expansion in the South Seas would not have gradually started until 20 years later.

But now Commander Yang is entrenched on Changbai Mountain with the volunteers like a tiger, and when the Japanese stretched out their claws, the volunteers pounced without hesitation, staining the land from Liaoxi to Korea with countless lives and dripping blood, and they shouted four words to the Japanese: "This road is impassable!" ”

If it doesn't work, let's not go first, there is no reason to say that there is obviously a tiger in front of him who has to go over. Let's go to Nanyang to develop first. Use the supplies there to make up for the losses of their own war, and let the Russians also taste what it is like to be bitten by that guy who was beaten to death by Yang. When Japan's war vitality recovers, let's see if there is a chance.

If you want the wolf to take its eyes off you, you're going to have to be more ferocious than it!

April 24, 1907. The Russian artillery finally hit the suburbs of Beijing, and the sound of the shell explosion reached the ears of the Beijingers.

The Russians had already given Yuan Shikai an ultimatum demanding that the Beiyang government apologize to the Russians on the issue of the war and promise not to intervene in Mongolia by force. Withdraw the resistance forces that are still holding out in Daqingshan.

The Russians said that as long as they agreed to these three articles, their troops would leave the place immediately, and the war between the two sides would end immediately. This time they didn't ask for compensation, it was Lao Maozi's kindness. The Russians said that if Yuan Shikai did not reply after three days, all foreign residents in Beijing should immediately withdraw from the city, and their artillery would begin an indiscriminate bombardment of the Chinese capital.

Yuan Shikai would not agree to this condition. Although Lao Yuan's character is not very good, he has already declared war on the Russians in front of everyone, how can he say that he surrenders now? Therefore, the city of Beijing is now also ready for battle, and Lao Yuan imitates Yang's practice of fighting ghosts. Tunnels were dug in the city of Beijing for the people to hide.

At the same time, Lao Yuan announced the date of his inauguration as president. No change.

It was at this time that Zhu Erdian, the envoy of the British Empire, arrived in Beijing and immediately held secret talks with Yuan Shikai.

"Mr. President, your Beiyang Army is now suffering heavy losses, and I do not think that you will be able to withstand the attack of the Russian troops. I can tell you frankly. The Russians have also drawn 200,000 troops from the Caucasus this time and are preparing to enter the war against China, and they have even mobilized the front-line troops that are now in Europe. You know that the Russians are very well manned, I don't think you can achieve victory, maybe ending the war is a wise choice for you. ”

Zhu Erdian's title to Lao Yuan revealed a clear message to Yuan Shikai, that is, the British recognized him as president. At the same time, he was told another message, that this president may not be in office for long.

The meeting took place in Yuan Shikai's study, and there were only the two of them, and no one else. And neither side had any intention of making notes, and Lao Yuan knew that he could use less diplomatic wording on such occasions.

"Mr. Zhu Erdian, I think you still haven't understood that I didn't provoke the war."

Zhu Erdian immediately said: "I know. It was the guy in the Northeast who started the war, and you intervened solely because of the attitude of the Russians. And we in the UK also have an unshirkable responsibility, to be honest, Mr. Sadaoyi has not been able to grasp the situation in China, we should have given you more support. ”

Lao Yuan smiled when he heard this, and he somewhat understood what the British meant: "Mr. Zhu Erdian, do you think I will agree to the conditions of the Russians?" ”

Zhu Erdian shook his head: "No! Their conditions are too much! For the war between the Beiyang government and the Russians, it is not you who should apologize. And we always insist that Mongolia is an inalienable territory of China, and you can rest assured that we will support you in this regard. ”

Yuan Shikai nodded, his face was very satisfied, he felt very cool now! Although the Russians have already hit the doorstep, and although his Beiyang Army has really lost more than half of it, the British have really never negotiated with themselves in the tone of Zhu Erdian! (To be continued......)