Song Fang Zhengyi sighed in his heart.

Yixin knew clearly that what Japan wanted was not a merchant ship, but a warship that could send soldiers to Hokkaido. Without the escort of warships, what did a bunch of merchant ships pull soldiers to do? Will they die?

"Well, my government is willing to pay a million pounds to hire your fleet to escort our soldiers."

"Two million. Look, we have to take risks." The Qing Dynasty has not declared war on Russia now, and this risk is indeed not small.

"Baga" Song Fang cursed in his heart, "You can buy a fleet of two million."

"All right……"

"Please wait!" Song Fang was about to agree, but Inoue Kin said something: "The weapons and equipment of our soldiers..."

"Huh? Ask me? Is this the responsibility our government should bear?" Yi Xin pretended to be stupid.

Inoue Kin slapped her forehead and sure enough. "Okay, let's add another £500,000."

"Oh, that's it. So, should the soldiers of your country be equipped with some bullets, shells, etc., we are just a little extra, with the same caliber as yours. How about it?"

"How much……"

"Five hundred thousand."

After a while, it has increased to 43 million.

"Now there is only the territorial issue left. When will the Qing army withdraw from Kyushu?" Inoue Xin wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and said.

"Exit? Why do we need to evacuate? The Qing Empire paid such a great price for this land. If you say you evacuate, you will evacuate?" Yi Xin said in surprise.

"But……"

"Okay..., don't be excited? I told His Majesty the Emperor, when will Japan pay the compensation and when will it be discussed? I said, "Old guy, don't be afraid to tell you the truth. Kyushu was originally the target of the Russians. If we don't take it, we will be occupied by the Russians. Now in our hands, you will be spared your worries. Once we withdraw, look at Russia, France, and Germany, and will not pounce on it!"

"It seems that you are not planning to let Japan go?" Masayoshi Matsukata said a little decadently.

"Whether Japan goes, it depends on your subsequent attitude. I think after the negotiations are over, our negotiations with Japan may end. However, if the next Japanese government has enough sincerity, I think we will still help Japan resist the Russian invasion." In the Qing Dynasty's plan, we will get enough benefits from Japan, but at the same time, we must also give Japan the capital to resist Russia, which can at least ensure that Russia's occupation of Japan will not be expanded in a short period of time. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the British to explain anywhere.

Royal Villa in Kyoto, Japan.

"This is tantamount to giving up the wealth that Japan has accumulated for decades, and it is tantamount to turning Japan into a colony. Just like India and Vietnam!" Emperor Meiji said excitedly.

"At this point, what else can I say? This is an era when the winner is king." The calmness of the two princes around me is almost incredible. It is in sharp contrast to Emperor Meiji's excitement. "At least, other parts of Japan are still unified, at least your Majesty, you are still there. You can accumulate wealth and land that is occupied. You can hide back, but if everyone dies, everything will be gone!" Fushimimiya said.

"What after the contract is signed? Where will the empire go?" Emperor Meiji asked.

"There are all things to be done in China, and we must fight against Russia to recover our hometown from the outside world. As for diplomacy..." Saigo Congdao looked at the emperor's face, thought about it and continued: "For the time being, we may need to rely on the Qing Dynasty."

As he said this, Saigo Congdao felt helpless, and the ministers around him all lowered their heads.

"Can we still defect to Britain?" asked Emperor Meiji.

"I'm afraid it won't work. The British will only make friends with the strong. Now, in order to fight against Russia's expansion, the British will be the best and only choice to support the Chinese. Didn't their reply tell everything well? At this time, Japan may just be a target for gaining benefits in the eyes of the British. They will lend us money, but that is to control our economy. They will provide us with arms and supplies, but that is to let us hold the Russians." Sheng Haizhou never had any good feelings for the West.

This man once took charge of the Shogunate Navy and Army and served as a senator and Navy Minister in the early days of the Meiji Restoration. He was also the teacher of Yuki Ito Ito and Muro Somitsu. However, this veteran of Japanese politics is different from those students who advocate leaving Asia and entering Europe - he himself is a pro-China faction.

"In the fight between China and the Russians, if the Chinese win, Japan may still be a follower. But if the Russians win, massacre and assimilation will probably be inevitable. At that time, it is very likely that Japan will become a Russian overseas province in many years."

"I understand. Then let's make an agreement with the Qing Dynasty as soon as possible. Which elite veterans are the pillars, at least it's enough to defend against the current Russians." Meiji knew that he had too many things to do, but the most important thing was that people were gone, especially the essence accumulated by the Japanese Empire over the past 20 years, and they could never be done like this.

In addition to these, Japan also needs to obtain food and funds for survival from the Qing Dynasty and foreign countries through compromise. The former must be guaranteed as the basis for survival of a nation, while the latter must deal with astronomical compensation. After solving the livelihood problem, as the emperor, he also needs to regroup the people under a new battle flag. The battle flag refers to the Russians who have now launched an invasion of Japan!

Russia's betrayal of Japan not only hits the material level, but also has a far-reaching impact on public opinion and people's hearts. When the Russians raised their butcher knife to Japan, the Japanese generally developed a strong hostility and fear towards the Western powers. During the war with the Qing Dynasty, Japan once again turned from contempt to awe of the old empire next to it. The charming and strong mentality among the Japanese nation gained the upper hand.

As an island country, they have a deep affection for the sea, so Japan has always wanted to build a powerful fleet. After more than 20 years of preparation for wise reform, Japan finally had a fleet that can be counted in the world. But what about the result? In just two battles, the powerful Japanese fleet was destroyed. And what about the army? Although they went further than their predecessors, they faced individual soldiers' qualities, weapons and equipment, strategies and tactics far better than the Chinese army of the Japanese army. The Japanese army made the Japanese fully realize the strength of the other party at the cost of the blood of the soldiers.

The Russian fleet was once Japan's only hope. But reality once told the Japanese that your thoughts were so naive! Japan would never have imagined that at the most difficult and critical moment of Japan, their ally Russia gave Japan the deadliest knife!

The subsequent negotiations did not take much time, and Japan, which was forced to go to the forefront, finally accepted almost all the conditions of the Qing court. The compensation of 43 million pounds would be paid for forty percent of the total amount in the first three years, and the remaining 60 percent would need to be paid year by year in the following seven years.

That is, £4.3 million will be delivered in the first year, and £6.45 million will be delivered in the second and third years respectively; in the next seven years, £4 million will be delivered in the annual interest consideration.

On the one hand, such payment method is to control Japan's economy and politics for a longer time, and on the other hand, it also leaves Japan with some room for breathing. Otherwise, would it really mean that Japan would not eat or drink?

On December 3, the Japanese government sent a note to the Russian Minister to China Kashini, who was then Russian Minister to Japan Hitrowo, who had also fled to Tianjin, demanding that the Russian troops that illegally occupied the port of Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan evacuate within seven days. If those who did not evacuate within the deadline, Japan will expel them from Japan through various means, including military operations.

At this time, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Far East Fleet, Alexeyev, was still stranded in Saigon, while Makanov led the fleet to recruit mercenaries in Vladivostok and the coastal areas. There were only one division of the army and a small number of sailors stationed in the port of Muroran, and confronted the Japanese 7th Division. After receiving a warning from Japan, the Russian side immediately issued an announcement saying that Russia had a basis for the occupation of Muroran, and that Japan should abide by the agreement and had no right to expel Russian soldiers. At the same time, Russia was not afraid of Japanese warnings.

On the other hand, Russia also demanded that Japan fulfill the second secret agreement between Japan and Russia and give up three ports to Russia. Otherwise, Russia will use all means, including military operations, to seize it on its own.

Subsequently, the Japanese side immediately refuted that the secret contract signed by Japan and Russia was based on Russia's loans to Japan. Although there was the word "Mueran Port mortgaged", it was valid on the premise that Japan could not repay the loans to Russia. At present, Japan has not refused to return the loans to Russia, and there is no evidence to prove that Japan cannot return within the specified time. Therefore, Russia seized the Mooran in advance in violation of the Convention of All Nations. As for the second secret contract between Japan and Russia, because Russia first broke the contract, Japan did not receive the corresponding loan (actually a weapon), so it was invalid.

Of course, Russia does not recognize Japan's rhetoric, but at the same time, the UK issued an announcement saying that the contract between Japan and Russia is valid based on the International Convention, but as the evidence presented by Japan shows that the contract is still within the performance period. Therefore, it is irrational for Russia to unilaterally seize Muroran and hopes that the Russian side will remain restrained.

The British announcement showed the British support for Japan's demands. The Russians immediately felt something was wrong, so Kashini urgently requested to meet with Yi Xin, but it was too late. After the British announcement was issued, the Qing Zongli Yamen immediately responded: Although Japan unilaterally launched a war against China, the Qing Empire firmly resisted and retained all means of revenge. However, as a major country in charge of Asia, China believes that the war between China and Japan should not be expanded to avoid affecting the peace and stability in East Asia.
Chapter completed!