"It was the longest day of battlefield warfare because it heralded the end of an era and the dawn of a new era, and when history came to this fork in the road, so much happened on this day that the people of the time could hardly bear such a huge amount of information. On this day, the fate of both China and Japan depended not only on the battlefield outside the city of Jinzhou, but only on the death of a nation aspiring to dominate the Far East. Under the fierce artillery fire, the real lore is formed in those invisible negotiating tables and secret rooms. ———— excerpt from "Forgotten History"

"Lord Nakado, I think there is some misunderstanding between my country and your country. Now the time has come when it must be clarified. Tolkien, the Russian representative, said sincerely to Li Hongzhang, the actual controller of Beiyang.

"It's not just a matter of clarification. There is also the issue of compensation. Li Hongzhang sneered. Hehe, the Russians helping Japan can be uncovered just by a misunderstanding?

"Lord Lee, I would like to remind you that a powerful Russia is not comparable to Japan. The wrath of His Royal Highness the Tsar is something that no one wants to face. Tolkien snapped.

"It's a pity, it's thousands of miles away. The sheer geographical distance is enough for a powerful empire to fall short. Didn't Russia just want to get an outlet to the Mediterranean? Just this demand, didn't Britain and France veto it? Zhang Peilun on the side sneered. , a traditional scholar from Qingliu who is studious in his own right, has gradually broadened his horizons under the influence of Xu Jie. And with the increasing amount of knowledge, his insight and level are definitely not comparable to that of Zhang Peilun in history.

Zhang Peilun's meaning is very clear, no matter how strong Russia is? A thousand-mile-long transportation line without rail transportation. How much combat power can your army have? And to warn the Russians by the example of the intervention of the British in the Crimean War. Britain is extremely wary of this European roller. On the fundamental and principled issue of keeping the Russians out of the ocean, Britain was by no means relentless. When there was spare power in history, the British took matters into their own hands. In time for the Boer War, the British did not have the spare strength to pull a younger brother to do it for him.

"This is the best time to put an end to the dispute between the two countries, provided that your country assures not to interfere in Russia's activities in the open seas of the Far East and to end the blockade of the port of Muroran. Then our country can immediately stop its assistance to Japan. And our fleet will also cease to take any hostile actions against your country. Tolkien said.

"The conditions are attractive." Li Hongzhang nodded and said. "But I want to know about the support of your country for Japan and the losses caused by your fleet to our Beiyang Fleet. I don't know if there is any compensation in your country? ”

"Isn't it enough that we have stopped supporting the Japanese? The Beiyang Navy and Army have also reached their limits, and in this case, you should not give up any friendly proposals. Tolkien said with some displeasure.

"The Beiyang Navy may indeed have suffered some losses. I have to say that your country's fleet is indeed a little more powerful than the Japanese. Li Hongzhang nodded thoughtfully and said.

"Your Excellency is good if you know the way." Tolkien was also a little smug.

"But that's not it!" Li Hongzhang said gloomily: "There is only one Rurik left in the current Makanov fleet, and the combat effectiveness can be considered on the table, as for your fleet in Vladivostok, the Beiyang Fleet can be cleaned up by the way." ”

"You're so arrogant!" Tolkien clenched his fists. "Also, I would like to remind Master Li. Now the home port of the Far Eastern Fleet is called Vladivostok. ”

"You don't believe me?" Li Hongzhang asked rhetorically. "In addition, I would like to remind Your Excellency that since the Russians can call Vladivostok Vladivostok, there is still a chance to turn him into Vladivostok again!" …,

“……。” Tolkien was speechless. This is a naked threat of war. Do you want to say that Beiyang now dares to really declare war with Russia? The answer is definitely no. But the Beiyang Fleet didn't have to go around Vladivostok and sweep the ground without any problem. But now Russia is afraid that the other side will knock out those transport ships full of supplies and soldiers.

"What are your conditions?" Tolkien asked through gritted teeth.

"£4 million." In this era, everyone will ask for a sky-high price. Li Hongzhang opened his mouth and said, in fact, the Russians may talk about peace in private, and Xu Jie once mentioned it. After all, the current Russian fleet has little combat effectiveness, and there is no port that can provide all-round repair and supply for warships. If you run into it again, it's basically over. So as the price of the Russians, 1 Rurik and 2 Azov are worth at least 2 million pounds. Plus the ammunition supplied by the Russians for Japan and the damage inflicted on the Beiyang Fleet. 4 million should be about the same.

As for whether the Russians will give it, whether it is Li Hongzhang or Xu Jie, it is generally believed that the Russians will not give it. After all, where is the national character of a country like Russia? You can only take advantage and never suffer a loss! But knowing that this is the result, why does Xu Jie still insist? Here's why.

First, in Xu Jie's view, this war still needs to be carried out for about 3 months, although Beiyang is also tired, but in order to completely defeat the vitality of Japan's Meiji Restoration for more than 20 years. The war must be held on. Second, after destroying the Russian fleet, Xu Jie planned to deal a complete blow to Russia's leased ports along the coast of Hokkaido. If you want to say that after the defeat of Japan, the Russians will still occupy the port of Muroran and other places, and Russia, which has an ice-free port, once it builds a powerful Far Eastern fleet on this basis, then the Far East will be in trouble! Third, take advantage of the convenient conditions in times of war. Xu Jie also needed to build the currently loose alliance into a political group with political goals in preparation for the future overthrow of the Qing dynasty. So. Xu Jie had no intention of reaching a compromise with the Russians at all. As for Li Hongzhang and others, they also thought deeply of the first two points, and as for the third point, Xu Jie didn't tell anyone!

"The price is just too high." Tolkien couldn't help but wipe a cold sweat and said.

"Ugh." This time it was Li Hongzhang's turn to be shocked! Did the Russians change sex? Could it be that the Russians really intend to negotiate peace? This is not right, this is not in line with the character of the Russians. Li Hongzhang was suddenly stupid at this opinion of the Russian deputy, he never thought that the Russians could accept it conditionally!

"Then I would like to ask your country to make a statement. Other than that. The question of money cannot be less. Li Hongzhang asked tentatively.

"No, we can't make a statement. All this is a secret talk and cannot be made public, we just hope that the Beiyang side will not interfere with Russia's actions in the Far East. Tolkien shook his head.

"Action? The Russians still have action? Li Hongzhang, who has been in politics for many years, suddenly felt something from Tolkien's last few words. But it's hard to tell.

"In order to show the sincerity of our country, we will gradually stop supplying goods to Japan. I hope that the Beiyang side will also make a goodwill move. Tolkien glanced at the silent Li Hongzhang and said.

"Let's talk about it again." Li Hongzhang was a little dizzy in his head. Today's events are a little weird. Therefore, the adjournment became the best option.

"Inform Jishi about this, Liu Shengsan and them, and ask them what they think." After the adjournment, Li Hongzhang commanded.

Navy! Let's go! Break with Japan! When Xu Jie got the urgent call from Li Hongzhang. The above nine words popped out in Xu Jie's mind. Let's talk about this navy first, the Russians tried their best to save the remaining 3 warships. What's the point? Concern for the crew? This is the most unreliable idea, just remove it. When did Nicholas II care about these "gray livestock" in the slightest?! …,

Keeping a boat? It's a bit difficult, but it's not impossible. You won't be able to go to mainland Japan and Vladivostok. In these places, Beiyang is absolutely unambiguous. But it's okay to sail long distances to the ports of neutral countries in Southeast Asia, then be disarmed and wait for the war to end. It seems that the Russians are not only trying to keep the ship, but more importantly, to keep 3 ships that are still somewhat combative!

came up with this problem, and then there was action and a break with Japan, when Xu Jie linked the latter two important pieces of information with the navy. A shocking news is coming! The Russians may have to make a move with the Japanese! As a person who is familiar with history, he knows the wolf nature of the Russians, although the British said that there are no permanent friends, only eternal interests, but the British cannot do the first day they are allies and the second day they are enemies! But the Russians did it! Just look at the Soviet Union's robbery of Poland in World War II. While shouting help to the Poles, they divided Poland with Germany!

And Japan has something that Russia wants so much! Ice-free harbor! Judging by the current intelligence. The Russians operated the port of Muroran exactly according to the future base of the Far Eastern Fleet. If the Japanese Navy had not been finished, or if Japan still had some strength after the war, the Russians would certainly not have directly occupied it. But now? The main forces of the Japanese army are in Korea and northeast China, and the navy is basically finished. According to Maozi's character of making less money when he comes out, he will suffer a loss. I'm afraid it's going to do something to Muroran Port and the surrounding area, right? Even the whole of Hokkaido is in danger!

In this way, Japan will be completely dead! Seeing that Japan was finished, Xu Jie was naturally happy in his heart, but after the Japanese wolf died. Nor can the Russian tiger get much benefit, although Japan won the Russo-Japanese War in history, but it was done with the full support of Britain and the sneak attack of the navy. On the State alone. Japan and Russia are definitely not an order of magnitude! So, to kill Japan, and at the same time not to make it too easy for the Russians. But at present, if the Russians really want to control Hokkaido, I am afraid that they have already started to lay out, and now it is the stage of rest and recuperation of the Beiyang Naval Division. I can't spare my hands if I want to deal with it.

Tell the British? Xu Jie quickly dismissed this opinion. First of all, from multiple contacts and historically. If it weren't for Japan's lack of money and madness to cooperate with the Russians, Britain might have been more inclined to use Japan against Russia. If the British and Japan had reached an understanding, would Britain still do its best to support Beiyang? The answer is no, after all, mutual containment is the king, so that the British can feel at ease, so that with the support of the British government, Japan, which is already dying, may have a new life! All your hard work may be in vain!

That's a tricky question!!

Thank you for the monthly pass support of the 77th Sin. Yesterday's subscription was not ideal——! Only the normal 7 into ——! It's good for everyone to give some recommendations and collections.