Although it was difficult for the other party to break the other party's mind, Zhao Liewen dared not make it clear. He knew very well that this was the best excuse to expand the war. Unless he had a better way, it would be better to pretend to be confused. However, when he thought about it, he felt something was wrong. Isn't the other party clearly telling him about this? Can he pretend to be confused?

Thinking of this, he simply asked, "Is the shopkeeper planning to use Shao Hengyu to make a fuss?"

"Avoid suspicion." Yi Zhizu said without thinking: "Shao Hengyu arrived in Kyoto, and the Changzhou vassal should have been destroyed. Someone will definitely destroy the enthronement..."

After hearing this, Zhao Liewen smiled bitterly: "The students are a little confused when the shopkeeper said this. Isn't it necessary to launch a full-scale war against Japan?"

"It really needs an excuse." Yi Zhizuji said: "From the expedition to the four southwestern vassals to the full launch of a war against Japan, it is indeed an event that can guide the public opinion of the government and the opposition, and it also needs to give the officers and soldiers a reasonable reason... However, there is no need to worry, the Japanese will give us an excuse to attack us."

"The students are even more confused by the big shopkeeper's statement." Zhao Liewen looked puzzled.

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "Even if the Japanese do not destroy the enthronement, there will be other excuses. Huifu may wish to wait and see."

As soon as the words finished, Lin Meilian reported at the door: "The shopkeeper, Jie Xiuyuan is looking for a meeting outside."

"Let him come in." Yi Zhizu ordered casually.

After coming in to see the ceremony, Jie Xiuyuan said, "The shopkeeper, London Telegram, the British Parliament passed the British North American Act. It is estimated that they sent the wrong ones and sent them to the Ministry of Commerce." As he said that, he stepped forward and handed over a telegram.

The British North American Act determined that the four provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick implemented a joint effort to form a unified federal state and named the Dominion of Canada. This means that Canada is officially established.

After reading the telegram, Yi Zhizu casually signed the word "网". He did not have much ambitions for North America, nor did he think about using Alaska to expand. For him, he only needed to keep Alaska at the moment. It is obvious that the Americans have a strong desire for expansion for Canada, and he did not need to intervene in the fight against the United States, England and Canada.

After receiving the telegram, Jie Xiuyuan continued: "There is another thing. Paris sent a telegram saying that the Suez Canal is expected to be completed and opened to navigation within three years."

"So fast?" Yi Zhizu frowned. The Suez Canal greatly shortened the voyage between European countries and the East. It can be said to be the most important canal in the world. It has unparalleled economic and strategic value, but for Yuanqi, this is not good news.

Although the opening of the Suez Canal is conducive to trade between the East and the West, it is not conducive to Yuanqi's expansion in the northwest and is not conducive to Yuanqi's involvement in the Persian Gulf. It would be great if it could be delayed for another three to five years. However, he knew very well that this was a delusion. The Suez Canal project was huge and expensive. Both the French and Egyptians were eager to complete the construction and open navigation as soon as possible...

Thinking of this, he vaguely grasped something, pondered for a while before saying: "Egypt still belongs to the Ottoman Empire now. What is his attitude towards the Suez Canal, English and Ottoman?"

Hearing his question, Jie Xiuyuan shook his head and said, "I don't know the situation of the Suez Canal..."

Yi Zhizu ordered: "Let them find out as soon as possible."

The two of Jie Xiuyuan and Zhao Liewen were waiting to leave, and Yi Zhizu lit a cigarette. The navigation of the Suez Canal was definitely not good news for Yuan Qi to participate in the Persian Gulf and the expansion of the northwest. It will be opened within three years, which means it will be opened in 1869 or 1870, just like the French-Prajli War that was a year and a half ahead of the French-Prussian War, as if it was against Yuan Qi.

To expand northwest in advance? As soon as this idea came up, he immediately denied it. At present, he was conquering Japan, and Yuanqi's industrial production capacity could not support the war between the east and west sides at the same time. Moreover, even if it could support it, expanding in the northwest would require great risks of war. Neither Britain nor France would tolerate the large-scale expansion of the Qing Dynasty in the northwest, threatening the Persian Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

As she was thinking, Lin Meilian came in with more than a dozen prayer letters and said, "These are all waiting outside..." She said while cleaning up the tea sets quickly. She usually rarely deals with others in the study. Not to mention the maids and servants below, even those in the secretariat rarely have the chance to come in.

Yi Zhizu's most annoying thing is that he talks about people endlessly every day. He saw a lot of visits. He couldn't help but frown and glanced at the top of the website Hong Zhigao, the director of the Internal Combustion Engine Research Institute. He said, "Let Hong Zhigao come in."

Hong Zhigao was born in Yuanqi Yixue and was a returning student. He was in his thirties. He stood at the door and greeted him quickly. He smiled and stretched out his hand, "Why is Director Hong free to come today?"

Hong Zhigao shook hands with him with some restraint before saying: "The institute has successfully developed a practical piston four-stroke gasoline internal combustion engine, and students come to report the good news."

"Oh! This is a great joy!" Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "There is no four-stroke internal combustion engine developed in the world yet, right?"

"No one has applied for a patent yet," Hong Zhigao said quickly: "The working principle of the four-stroke internal combustion engine was proposed by French scientist De Rochelle in 1862 based on the thermodynamic research of Kano, and other countries should also be studying it."

After enthusiastically invited him to sit in the house, Yi Zhizu said: "Apply for a patent immediately and reward all the scientific researchers who deserve to be successful."

"President Xie." Hong Zhigao said: "Is the patent affiliation institute... or?"

"It is decided by the institute." Yi Zhizu said: "We must try our best to respect the labor results of scientific researchers..."

"But..." Hong Zhigao hesitated: "Research funds have always been provided by the institute."

"Look at the long-term vision." Yi Zhizu smiled and said: "Yuanqi does not lack money, what he lacks is talent. Don't let foreign researchers feel wronged. Technical patents, Yuanqi only needs to give priority to the right of refusal."

After hearing this, Hong Zhigao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The principal is far-sighted. Once this news spreads, it will inevitably attract more foreign scientists."

Yi Zhizu nodded and said, "The purpose of establishing a research institute is not only to absorb outstanding foreign talents, but also to produce research results, but more importantly to cultivate our own scientific research talents."

"Students understand." Hong Zhigao said hurriedly.

"The successful development of four-stroke internal combustion engines indicates the arrival of the era of internal combustion engines. It can be said that you have kicked off the prelude to an era." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "The application of internal combustion engines must be more extensive than that of steam engines. Don't be self-supported. We must constantly conduct research and improvements, continuously improve the performance of internal combustion engines, and strive to replace the steam engine in an all-round way!"

In the era of internal combustion engines? Hong Zhigao did not expect that his evaluation of internal combustion engines was so high, and he hurriedly said: "Students must live up to the principal's high expectations, continue to work hard, and strive to achieve more research results."

Yi Zhizu nodded and said, "Have you heard about European countries developing steam cars?"

"I've heard of it." Hong Zhigao said excitedly: "France, Britain, and the United States have tried steam engine cars. In 1863, French newspapers once reported that Renault invented the car, with a speed of eight kilometers per hour, and ran back and forth from Paris to Joviriboda for 18 kilometers." After a pause, he said with anticipation: "Does the principal want to develop internal combustion engine cars?"

"Not bad." Yi Zhizuji said: "The successive invention of lead-acid batteries, internal combustion engine ignition devices, rubber pneumatic tires, spring suspensions, etc. has laid the foundation for internal combustion engine cars. I think we can try to build a specialized research institute for automobiles."

Speaking of this, he smiled and said, "It seems that you are also very interested in cars, so this Automobile Research Institute will be left to you to build."

"Thank you." Hong Zhi said excitedly.

"Once internal combustion engine vehicles are successfully developed, they will definitely be land transportation vehicles comparable to railways." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "It has unparalleled value for both military and civilians. Yuanqi is not short of funds. It can explore talents and collect technology for you around the world. There is only one condition to develop a car with practical value as soon as possible. Shanghai's asphalt roads are not built for bicycles and four-wheeled carriages, but for cars!"

Hong Zhigao quickly stood up and bowed, "Don't worry, principal, the students will not let down your high expectations!"

Yi Zhizu stood up with a smile and said, "Let's go to your research institute to see your research results."

Japan, Changshu Fan, Yamaguchi Castle.

Yamaguchi Castle is the location of the Changshu Fan Hall, which is the main city of the Changshu Fan. Yamaguchi Castle, as the main city of the southwest vassal state, was originally quite prosperous and of a large scale, but now it has become an empty city. Perhaps it is more appropriate to say it is a dead city. The air is filled with a strong smell of blood, and the streets are filled with corpses.

Yang Xiuqing stood on the city wall with a calm expression, looking at the devastated city coldly. After experiencing countless bloody scenes, he had already become numb. "Fire the city!" Leaving this sentence, he turned around and got off the city wall.

In Bota Bay, a huge fleet was slowly docking. As soon as the general Yihuan, Qin ordered the Japanese general to land, the Chief of Staff Guo Zhongmu quickly came up, saluted a military salute, and said with a smile: "Welcome General Yi, here is the Chief of Staff Guo Zhongmu, the East China Sea Fleet."

Yihuan knew that Yuan Qi's position as chief of staff was equivalent to a deputy position, only half a level lower than the supervisor, so he dared not be too arrogant. Speaking of which, he was the general of the Japanese conquest by the imperial court, but in the sequence of Yuan Qi's army, he was at most equal to the other party's identity. He immediately bowed and said, "It turned out to be General Guo. I heard General Yan mention it many times in Shanghai, and I have long admired him."

"General Yi, you need not be polite." Guo Zhongmou said as he showed his hands, "Please—."

After entering the camp and entering the central army tent, Guo Zhongmu said: "Commander Xiao has led the fleet to attack Hagi Castle, and General Yi will be camped in Fukuoka for the time being."

"Entering camp?" Yihuan said suspiciously: "Are you not conquering Changzhou?"

"The war in the Changzhou vassal state has basically ended." Guo Zhongmu smiled and said: "The Yamaguchi Castle, the lord of Changzhou vassal state, has been conquered, the main force of the Changzhou army has been basically annihilated, and the lord Maori Kei has also been executed, and the rest is just a sweep..."

So fast? Yihuan was shocked. The Changzhou vassal was one of the most powerful vassals in Japan. It was destroyed in just half a month?

Seeing his expression, Guo Zhongmu smiled and said, "The number of Japanese soldiers is limited, the equipment is backward, and it is vulnerable."

After hearing this, Yihuan pondered and said, "Then our army will be renovated for a few days, and the troops will be sent to the Tosa vassal."

The Eight Banners New Army and the Beiyang Navy were mainly attacking Tosa. This was planned for a long time. Seeing that he was so anxious, Guo Zhongmu smiled and said, "General Yi, don't be anxious. The Beiyang Navy is not familiar with the seas of Japan. The news of the demise of the Changzhou vassal state has spread. We must be cautious when we move forward all the way. Commander Xiao will lead the fleet back from Hagi Castle and head together."

After hearing this, Yihuan naturally would not have any objections. In this attack on the Japanese, the court was just a concerted effort. He did not want the troops to suffer major casualties. He pondered for a moment and said, "Can the camp open a cable telegram?"

"It has been activated." Guo Zhongmu said: "Tosa's cable telegram will be activated later, so General Yi doesn't need to worry."

After hearing this, Yihuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It was very important for him to be able to maintain contact with the court at any time. To be honest, he was not worried about the progress of the war this time. With Yuan Qi's assistance, he didn't need to worry too much about this. What he was worried about was the safety of his memorial of the 20,000 army. He was not afraid of Yuan Qi, but his sixth brothers Yi Xin and Sushun.

However, in the third day, Xiao Mingliang led the fleet back to the Bodo Bay Camp. Guo Zhongmu went to the beach to greet him. As soon as he met, he smiled and said, "How easy is it to fight?"

"Vulnerable." Xiao Mingliang said relaxedly.

Guo Zhongmu said: "Hi city is the old main city of Changzhou vassal state, so its defense is so poor?"

"In front of the rear-mounted rifled cannon, Hagi Castle's so-called defense is no different from that of a paper, and it was captured in a short time." Xiao Mingliang asked, "How many days has Prince Chun arrived?"

"Three days." Guo Zhongmu said: "I saw Changzhou so quickly, and I was anxious to fight Tosa."

Xiao Mingliang smiled, "Has Yamaguchi Castle been taken down?"

"One day." Guo Zhongmu raised a finger, "I was conquered after only one day. I heard that the city was slaughtered."

It was not the first time that Yang Xiuqing had massacred the city. Xiao Mingliang didn't ask much, but instead said, "Sama, is there any news from Feiqian?"

"Fataki was Yi Zeng leading the army to fight. He called from Nagasaki yesterday and Faataki had surrendered." Guo Zhongmu said: "There is no news for Satsuma yet."

The one who fought against Satsuma was the successor of the New Sixth Army led by Luo Dagang. Xiao Mingliang was not very worried. He pondered for a moment before saying, "Send a report to Nagasaki and send a ship to find out the situation. In addition, let Yi Zeng lead the fleet to Hakata Bay to meet, and leave it to the New Sixth Army to slowly clean up." After a pause, he asked again, "Where is the imperial envoy who was enthroned to Kyoto?"

"In the camp." Guo Zhongmou said: "I tried the next moment and wanted us to send warships to escort them."

"Let the Beiyang Navy send warships to escort it." Xiao Mingliang said: "We won't trek into this muddy water."
Chapter completed!