In order to welcome the visit of the British fleet, the Japanese government held a grand reception party. High-ranking officials of the Japanese Cabinet, the industrial and commercial elite, and the envoys of various countries in Japan were invited. However, I don't know whether the Japanese intentionally or unintentionally, anyway, the imperial minister in Japan was not invited. It is clear that relations between the empire and Japan have gone from bad to worse. Although it has not yet reached the point of meeting each other, it seems that it can already smell the smell of gunpowder.

The high-ranking officials of the Japanese cabinet did their best to curry favor with the senior officials of the British Navy and the ambassadors of Britain, France, and the United States to Japan, and they completely regarded these people as their ancestors. However, even so, it was very difficult for the Japanese to promote the renewal of the "Anglo-Japanese Alliance".

The high-ranking officers of the British fleet went to the banquet, and the ordinary sailors were also given the opportunity to go ashore for repairs. These British sailors, who had been holding back on the battleship for a long time, were just in time to vent. In Japan, the economy is now sluggish, and many people can't even eat enough. If you can do a leather business with British sailors, naturally no one will refuse. Therefore, the arrival of these British sailors further stimulated the development of Japan's tertiary industry.

The banquet lasted until twelve o'clock. However, after the banquet, the main ministers of the Japanese cabinet did not go home to rest, but all went to the prime minister's office. Although they were all covered with the smell of alcohol, in fact, everyone was very sober.

"Ladies and gentlemen, where did you get the news from the British?" Prime Minister Masatsuki Terauchi asked. Because the Chinese Empire has exerted serious pressure on Japan, it has made Japan's various political factions unprecedentedly united, and the Japanese cabinet has no longer changed as frequently as before.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, the situation is very bad. The British ambassador to Japan did not say a word of truth at all. If they wanted to renew their contract with us, they should have started negotiations a long time ago. Right now. It has been less than a year since the expiration of the treaty of alliance. But the British did not react at all. Therefore, the behavior of the British is undoubtedly very suspicious. Foreign Minister Yasuya Uchida said.

The face of the temple is a little ugly.

"There is no news in our favor from the British Navy either. According to the information we received, the British fleet was in the South Shima Sea. There was a brief encounter with the China Navy, and the two sides even reached the point of misfire. In the end, however, both sides exercised restraint. Hachiyorokuro said.

"Hey! What a pity! It would have been better if the British fleet and the China fleet had fought. Perhaps, it is an opportunity for the re-emergence of the Great Japanese Empire. Tibetan Prime Minister Tatsuo Yamamoto said very regretfully.

The other Japanese cabinet ministers all felt sorry for it. They knew very well that with Japan's own strength, it was impossible to confront the Chinese Empire. Multiple failures. It has not only hollowed out Japan's foundation, but also undermined Japan's confidence. Now, the Japanese are almost certain that if they were to deal with the Chinese Empire alone, they would surely be defeated in the end. So, at this time, they especially wanted to be able to get the support of the Western powers. Britain, France, the United States, and other countries have also shown their support for Japan in a timely manner. But. There is a limit to such support, and it is not the kind of all-round support that Japan wants.

Japan wanted to be able to form an alliance with the Western powers. In this way, their safety can be guaranteed. But, alas, so far there has only been an Anglo-Japanese alliance. Moreover, the Anglo-Japanese alliance was about to expire, and the British had no intention of renewing it. This made the Japanese cabinet very anxious. Hopefully, a breakthrough will be made in this area.

"The recent performance of the people of China has scared the British. The Chinese Army wiped out more than one million Soviet Russian Red Army in one fell swoop on the battlefield of Soviet Russia, which is really amazing! Under such circumstances, the British were concerned about the safety of their colonies. It is also understandable that we do not want to be tied to the chariot. Foreign Minister Yasuya Uchida said.

"Yes! The people of China have developed so fast over the years that they have completely left us behind. At least, the Japanese Army has already opened up a gap with the Chinese people. Lu Xiang Ishimoto Shinroku said. The total number of Japanese troops is only a few hundred thousand. But the Chinese solved millions of Soviet and Russian Red Army in one war. Isn't that superficial, the Chinese Army also able to solve all the Japanese Army in World War I?

Of course, the Japanese might think that their army was a little stronger than the Russian Red Army. However, even if it is strong, it is very limited. This made the Japanese army very frustrated and desperate.

"Shi Benjun, don't be ambitious enough to destroy your own prestige. The Shina Army was strong, but the Imperial Japanese Army was not muddy. It is almost impossible for the people of China to defeat us as they did against the Soviet Red Army. Masaki Terauchi said.

"Hi, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Shiroku Ishimoto nodded. However, I didn't care about the toughness of the temple.

"Ladies and gentlemen, for the Empire of Japan, we need an external reinforcement, a reinforcement willing to tie us to a chariot. Only in this way can our safety be assured. Next, the target of our focus is still the British. Hopefully they will renew the contract. In addition, the Americans are also the focus of our efforts. The development of the Chinese people has seriously threatened the security of the Americans. If we are defeated by the Chinese people, then it will not do them any good. Masaki Terauchi said.

"Hi, Your Excellency Prime Minister!" The ministers of the Japanese cabinet nodded one after another. They also knew that the Japanese Empire had reached the most critical juncture, and whether or not they could survive this crisis depended on their efforts.

Next, the Japanese Navy and the British fleet conducted joint exercises in Sagami Bay, in which both sides jointly attacked a hostile country, as well as gunnery drills, and other new tactics.

The Japanese cabinet ministers did everything they could to curry favor with the British, hoping to make the British change their minds and renew their contracts.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yasuya Uchida personally went to the British Embassy in Japan to hold talks with British Ambassador to Japan Clarke.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese Empire has developed faster and faster, and now it has become one of the destabilizing factors in the world. In particular, the expansion of the military strength of the Chinese Empire seriously affected world peace. In the long run, our countries will inevitably be threatened by China. Yasuya Uchida said with a serious face.

The British ambassador to Japan, Clark, nodded: "That's true, the expansion of the military strength of the Chinese Empire is indeed not very reassuring. ”

Yasuya Uchida was immediately overjoyed: "Your Excellency, Ambassador, then, the Japanese Empire and the British Empire can unite to contain the development of the Chinese Empire. The Anglo-Japanese alliance treaty signed by our two countries is about to expire. The Japanese Empire hoped that it would be able to renew the term for another ten years. ”

Ambassador Clark couldn't help but laugh, these Japanese are really looking for opportunities. But it's a pity that such a major event as the renewal of the contract of the "Anglo-Japanese Alliance" is not up to him as an ambassador.

"Your Excellency, I have not received any domestic instructions regarding the renewal of the alliance. So, I can't give you any answer on this question! Clark said.

A hint of anger flashed in Uchida's eyes, but he hid it well: "Your Excellency, the Japanese Empire and the Chinese Empire are old enemies, and they are also the only countries that can contain the Chinese Empire in the Far East and the Pacific. However, our strength has been hit too badly. Without the support of other countries, it may be difficult for us to resist the attack of the Chinese. If Japan fails, it will definitely not be a good thing for you. ”

Clark nodded: "Your Excellency, I will be able to understand this then. Japan is still an ally, at least for now, with the United Kingdom, and we will provide support to Japan as much as possible. In addition, even if the alliance expires, our support for Japan will not be less. After all, Japan's role is clear to everyone. ”

Yasuya Uchida understood what the British meant, that is, they would continue to support Japan. The premise, of course, is that Japan continues to act as a pawn for countries to contain the Chinese Empire. If Japan is willing to be a pawn, then countries will continue to provide support to Japan. However, if Japan wants to tie all countries to Japan's chariot, the countries will not agree. After all, the power of the Chinese Empire has expanded so rapidly that no country wants to provoke it. In other words, these guys want to be, but they also want to set up a chastity archway.

All the benefits were taken up by these foreign devils, but the Japanese risked their lives to fight the Chinese.

This is undoubtedly very unfair to the Japanese. However, in this world, there is no such thing as fairness. Who called Japan weak, and at the same time formed a mortal enmity with the Chinese Empire? If Japan refuses to accept the support of other countries, they will only lose faster if the Chinese Empire attacks.

Yasuya Uchida left the British Embassy in Japan and returned to the Prime Minister's Office to inform Prime Minister Masashi Terauchi of the outcome of the talks. The vicious intentions of the British made Terauchi Masayi and others scold. However, after scolding, they can only recognize the reality. For Japan, the reality is helpless. They have no other way but to accept the goodwill of Britain, France, the United States, and other countries. After all, Britain, France, and the United States were the only countries that could support Japan. Beyond that, Japan should not want to receive any more support from other countries. (To be continued.) )

PS: The fortieth is here, ask for a monthly pass and a reward!