The Russo-Japanese War continued, and the officers and soldiers of the two sides continued to fight, especially in Lushun.

Because of the strong demand of the navy, the Japanese 3rd Army launched a strong attack on the Russian positions. The fierce fighting continued until September 24, when the Japanese wedged the defensive line of the garrison in some places at the cost of 22,000 men, and the Russian army lost more than 4,000 men. The power of the Maxim machine gun in the defensive position was fully demonstrated in this battle, and groups of Japanese officers and soldiers were shot down on the way to the charge by this deadly weapon.

For this reason, when the battle report of the Third Army was sent back to Tokyo, the headquarters thought that it was a mistake.

Due to heavy losses, the Japanese had to postpone further attempts to attack the fortress and wait for additional troops and supplies to prepare for a new offensive. From October 19 to 22, the Japanese launched a second strong attack, and in the four-day offensive, the Japanese captured only three fortifications at the cost of 13,000 men, but the important strategic commanding heights surrounding the city were still in the hands of the defenders, and this time the Russian army lost more than 3,000 people.

When the offensive and defensive battle of Lushun was in full swing, a battle between Japan and Russia was also unfolding in Liaoyang. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th armies of the Japanese army, under the leadership of General Oyama Iwa, fought a battle with Russia led by General Kuropatkin.

The 135,000-strong Japanese launched an offensive against the 160,000 Russian troops stationed there. After eight days of fighting, the Japanese defeated the Russians at the cost of 14,000 men, causing the Russians to retreat to Mukden, and this time the Russians lost 27,000 men.

While the Battle of Liaoyang was raging, the second detachment of the Combined Fleet led by Hikonojo Uemura made a meritorious service by capturing the Russian Vladivostok detachment led by Rear Admiral Essen in Ulsan.

If there is any Russian fleet that makes the Japanese gnash their teeth the most, it is the Vladivostok detachment. This fleet, led by Rear Admiral Essen, harassed the coast of Japan several times, sinking and capturing a large number of Japanese civilian ships, causing a huge sensation. So much so that for a while, the Japanese civilian ships were like frightened birds, and when they saw the warships, they shouted that the Lucia fleet was coming.

And in this Battle of Ulsan, the second detachment led by two Garibaldi-class patrolmen was a fierce blow to the Vladivostok detachment. The Vladivostok detachment, which was far inferior to the Japanese ships in terms of fire protection, was sunk on the spot except for one Grombowie, which fled with serious damage. After this naval battle, the Vladivostok squadron existed in name only, and the threat to the Japanese coast was removed.

At this time, anyone with a discerning eye can see that Russia is already at a comprehensive disadvantage in this war in the Far East.

Faced with this situation, the Russians, of course, were not reconciled. In addition to using the unfinished Trans-Siberian Railway to transport troops and supplies to the Far East, Italy was also aiming to acquire the warships for sale.

"Prime Minister Antonio, our country has raised the price by 380 million lira, which is enough to prove the sincerity of our country. Your country is biting the price of 400 million lira and not letting go, is it a little too persistent? You must know that the price in China is already the highest, 40 million lira higher than the price of the Japanese, and I don't think there will be anything higher than this price. ”

The speaker was Russia's ambassador to Italy, Tokayev, who has recently been the most active ambassador to Italy. Because he was also a negotiator for the purchase of Italian warships, he had a lot of contact with the Italian side these days. At present, the bidding between the two countries has come to an end, and Japan can only come up with 340 million lira in its pocket, while the great Russian Empire has already offered 380 million lira, and the price is far suppressed by the Japanese.

However, some things are just so helpless, and the price of 380 million lira has been talked about. The Italians in front of them are not moving, biting the price of 400 million lira and not letting go, the teeth of popularity are itching, aren't these Italians afraid that these battleships will not be sold?

None of the high-ranking Italian officials present knew the inner thoughts of the Russian ambassador, but Prime Minister Antonio smiled slightly. "Your Excellency, the purchase of warships is also your and my willingness, since your country needs these warships, then you need to give them a matching price, and my country believes that this batch of warships is worth 400 million lira, I think this is the reason for the difference in values, and it is not related to other issues."

Regardless of the other problems, Tokayev scolded angrily in his heart. You must know that three years ago, Russia had already purchased two Genoa-class battleships in Italy, and he was still involved in the whole process at that time.

In fact, he also knew that the Italians were dead, they could only buy ships here, and for the sake of victory in the war, St. Petersburg would definitely succumb to this high price. Because he can see it from the contents of the telegrams sent to him by St. Petersburg.

However, although there are grievances, the task given to him by St. Petersburg must be done, and Ambassador Tokayev can only continue to grind hard with the Italians, but the effect is the same as before, these Italians will not let go and will not give him a chance to play at all. In the end, he had no choice but to return to the embassy.

As soon as he returned to the embassy, he immediately called his secretary. "Send a telegram to St. Petersburg, according to my observation, the Italians insisted on 400 million lira for the purchase of ships, and their attitude was very resolute."

"Yes, Your Excellency, Ambassador."

After seeing off the secretary, Ambassador Tokayev slumped in his chair with some frustration, the day of negotiations was very tiring. What's more, the Italians don't eat oil and salt, so he has no room to play his skills.

Originally, he thought it was a good errand, and he wanted to make a contribution to the people above, and he would take two steps up when he had the chance. But now he has long since dispelled this thought, and St. Petersburg does not think that it is good to be in a bad situation.

Early the next morning, before Ambassador Tokayev could inquire, he saw the secretary rushing over with a telegram.

"St. Petersburg called back."

This sentence cheered up Ambassador Tokayev and looked at it carefully. In fact, this telegram was read at a glance, because it was written in a few big words that the transaction should be completed as soon as possible.

"Something must have happened, and I don't know."

This was the thought that crossed Tokayev's mind.

Tokayev was right, because the former commander of the Far East, General Kutparokin, sent a telegram to the Tsar, which, in addition to stating the current difficulties of Russia in the region, also suggested to the Tsar that due to the failure of the Trans-Siberian Railway, it was too difficult to achieve the goal of defeating the Japanese army by land, and that it was possible to find a way by sea.

It was this sentence that became the last straw that crushed the heart of the tsar, and it was finally decided to buy Italian battleships and complete the formation of a fleet to reinforce the Far East as soon as possible.

And although Tokayev does not know the inside story, since St. Petersburg is willing to be slaughtered by this decision, what else does he have to say.

Then he said to the secretary. "Prepare the carriage, I need to go to the Prime Minister's Office now."

Tokayev, who was in a hurry, left for the Italian Prime Minister's Office with the news of Russia's consent.

The contract for the purchase of ships was also signed quickly, and the two parties reached an agreement on the purchase of ships the next day.

Subsequently, the news that Russia spent a huge amount of 400 million lira to buy the Italian fleet also spread to the rest of the world with the radio waves. And the news also shocked the whole world, some people said that Italy was greedy, some people said that the Russians were wronged, but in any case, the news that Russia obtained a fleet of 120,000 tons, the most shocking must be the Japanese.