There was silence in the conference room, the Japanese have never been good men and women, since the Russo-Japanese War, they have been full of confidence, and they regard themselves as the new powers. In terms of their character, not to mention that this incident was the fault of the Japanese in the first place, even if Japan deliberately provoked trouble, they would launch the strongest retaliation.

It is a pity that the battle with the Ji Provincial Army that year made the Japanese realize the strength of the Northern Army. Now that the total strength of the Northern Army has been expanded to more than 1.1 million, this has made Japan a little jealous. The tension at home, as well as the fact that the international situation did not allow it, forced Japan to temporarily halt its expansion. Without the nod of the British masters, they simply would not have been able to fight this war.

"Saito-kun, we are very aware of the grievances of the navy. However, please also focus on the bigger picture. Temporarily calmed the mood of the Navy. When the situation in the country improves, we will definitely let the people of China pay their debts with blood. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang sighed.

"Yes, Saito-kun. We are not taking revenge on the people of China now, but only temporarily. The attention of our British allies is now on Europe. When the war in Europe is decided, they will support us in continuing the war against the Chinans. When the time comes, it will be time for us to take revenge. Foreign Minister Lin Dong also said.

"The Japanese Army also needs to be prepared now, and we will further improve the combat effectiveness of the troops in the next few years. Make sure to defeat the people in the final battle with the Chinese in one fell swoop! Lu Xiangji also said.

Although Minoru Saito felt a little aggrieved, he had to accept the result. Not only the civilian officials of the cabinet opposed the war at this time, but even the army and opposed. If the Navy wants to retaliate against the Northern Army alone, it is simply impossible. Although, the Japanese Navy could send powerful warships to shell the coast of China to avenge the dead officers and men of the Japanese Navy. But. That would undoubtedly further aggravate the development of the situation. This is also very unfavorable for the Japanese Navy.

"Your Excellency, please let our Minister in China lodge a solemn protest against the people of China. We demand that the people of China apologize to us for this incident and make compensation. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Foreign Minister Lin Dong nodded. Although, protest has always been considered the weakest way. But now Japan. There really is no other way than to protest. As for Japan's protest, whether the Northern Army will accept it or not, then no one knows. In doing so, the Japanese cabinet is just trying to find a step down for itself.

The Japanese Admiralty, after the cabinet meeting, the Minister of the Navy, Minoru Saito, returned here. Senior Admiral Heihachiro Togo, the commander of the Japanese Navy, and Vice Admiral Goro Ijiin, commander of the Combined Fleet, were already waiting here. After the last fall of Katsura Taro's cabinet, the former Minister of Military Orders, General Gonbei Yamamoto, temporarily retired into the background. However, as a key figure in the rapid rise of the Japanese Navy, Admiral Gonbei Yamamoto still has a high influence in the Japanese Navy.

"Gentlemen. We are sorry that the Cabinet rejected our request for retaliation against the Chinese people. They want us to focus on the big picture. Minoru Saito's face was furious.

"Alas, the great strength displayed by the people of China has already shocked the cabinet. They wouldn't have agreed to go to war with a force with millions of elite armies. Especially now that the British have retreated. Togo Heihachiro said helplessly.

"Could it be that we're going to leave it at that?" Vice Admiral Goro Ijiin, who had just succeeded as commander of the Combined Fleet, was a little unwilling.

"Now that the situation is like this, there is no other way for us to do it than to tolerate it for the time being. Fortunately, although the Northern Army has a strong army. But the Navy is just getting started. According to the information we receive, they are at the shipyard in Arthur. The construction of small warships of more than a thousand tons has just begun. The Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy has become the most powerful fleet in the Far East, and the gap between the two sides cannot be bridged. Therefore, there is absolutely no need for us to be afraid of them. Heihachiro Togo said.

Minoru Saito and Vice Admiral Goro Ijiin both nodded again and again, the strength of the Japanese Navy has indeed thrown off the Northern Army several streets. The Northern Army wanted to catch up with and surpass the Japanese Navy in the Navy. That's undoubtedly impossible. Besides, the navy is not like an army, which can be sent to the battlefield after a few months of casual training. The navy takes a long time to build. Of course, the Northern Army will not be willing to be left behind in the navy, but even if they start working hard from now, it will be too late. The strength of the Japanese Navy will grow stronger and stronger. When the time comes, it will be enough to easily crush the Northern Army and Navy.

"However, the construction of our 'Satsuma-class' battleships has been greatly affected. Originally, it was expected that the first ship, the Satsuma, would be completed next year, and the second ship, the Yasuk, would be completed the year after. However, due to the lack of sufficient steel and funding, it is expected to be postponed for more than a year. Lieutenant General Goro Ijiin said.

At a time when Western countries had begun to build dreadnoughts, the Japanese Navy was also in a hurry. However, the Japanese Navy had limited financial resources, and it was originally prepared to start developing in the direction of dreadnoughts after the 'Satsuma-class' battleships were built. However, the delay in the completion of the 'Satsuma-class' battleships has seriously affected the development of the Japanese Navy.

"In addition, the construction plan of our 'Hanoi-class' battleships has also been greatly affected." Lieutenant General Goro Ijiin said. The 'Hanoi-class' battleships were the battleships that the Japanese Navy planned to start construction after the 'Satsuma-class' battleships. It was planned as early as 1907, but now it has not been able to start construction.

The 'Hanoi-class' battleships were the Japanese Navy's attempt at dreadnoughts, with a displacement of up to 21,000 tons and armed with two twin 305 mm 50 x guns and four twin 305 mm 45 x guns. The caliber of the main guns is a full 12, which can already be considered a quasi-dreadnought. If the ratio of the two main guns can be the same, it will undoubtedly be a real dreadnought.

"The 'Hanoi-class' battleships played a vital role in the development of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and construction must begin as soon as possible. Saito-kun, you need to communicate with the cabinet and make sure they agree to our construction plan. General Heihachiro Togo said.

Minoru Saito nodded.

On 17 January, the day after the Japanese Navy's destroyer Fukiyuki was sunk, early in the morning, the Japanese minister to China, Hayashi Quansuke, hurriedly crossed the Yangtze River and went to Pukou to express the Japanese Government's protest to Wu Haoxuan, the major marshal of the Northern Army.

"Your Excellency, your army's brazen shelling of the warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy that are carrying out normal patrol missions is a serious provocation to the Imperial Japan. The Empire of Japan demanded that the Northern Army immediately apologize to the Empire of Japan, severely punish the generals who caused the incident, and compensate the Empire of Japan. Otherwise, the Empire of Japan will not rule out all ways and means to defend the interests of the Empire of Japan. Minister Lin Quanzhu stared at Wu Haoxuan viciously, if his vision could kill people, Wu Haoxuan would probably have already been broken into pieces.

"Your Excellency, you are a wicked person who sues first. According to the information we have learned, it is clear that your warships broke into our designated theater of operations, and not only ignored our warnings, but also shelled our artillery positions, which caused our army to counterattack. It is up to us to protest to your country. Wu Haoxuan's face was very ugly. Although he already knew about the shamelessness of these Japanese for a long time. But you can't help but get angry.

"Your Excellency, according to the terms signed between the Great Japanese Empire and the Qing government, the navy of the Japanese Empire has the right to sail freely in China's inland waters." Lin Quanzhu looked at Wu Haoxuan with an arrogant expression.

Sure enough, Wu Haoxuan's face flashed with anger. The Manchu government betrayed the country to seek glory and sold its national interests cleanly, and even such a treaty could be signed. However, Wu Haoxuan will not accept these treaties. He had already made up his mind to wait until he unified China and established a new state. The unequal treaties signed by the Manchu government and other countries will never be recognized by the new state.

Of course, if one rashly declares that it will not recognize all unequal treaties, it will inevitably arouse the opposition of the great powers of all countries. The nascent empire may not have the strength to compete with many powers, so it has to take it step by step.

"Even so, however, it is a fact that Japanese warships broke into the theater of operations of the Northern Army. In addition, it was your warships that initiated the attack. Therefore, we will not apologize, let alone compensate. As for the commander who commanded this operation, he is our hero, and not only will he not be punished, but will be rewarded. On the contrary, it is you who should apologize and compensate us. Wu Haoxuan's attitude is very tough. In this matter, he will never back down. The Japanese wanted to try to subdue him in this way and force him to compromise and retreat, but it was simply impossible.

"Your Excellency, you are obsessed. In the event of a war between our two countries, all the blame lies with you. Minister Lin Quanzhu was furious. Wu Haoxuan's answer was undoubtedly a slap in the face.

"War? The Northern Army has never been afraid of war. No matter who we are, I'm sure we're going to win. Wu Haoxuan was not afraid of the Japanese threat of war at all, he knew that the Japanese were just bluffing.

"Hmph, Your Excellency, you will regret it. I swear, you'll regret it. After Lin Quanzhu left a cruel word, he left angrily.

However, the next day, the Japanese Navy's warships on the Yangtze River also began to gradually withdraw from the waters of the Yangtze River. (To be continued......)

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