Chapter One Hundred: Allowed or Not Allowed

  "Your Excellency, Foreign Minister, you have only two options for this draft treaty: to allow or not to allow." Yang Feng said with an air of superiority, just like Ito Hirobumi in history facing Li Hongzhang.

  Yesterday's bloody battle completely awakened the Japanese, with the Allied forces' defensive capabilities, it is estimated that even if the remaining 60,000 Japanese troops were to fill up the trenches, they would not be enough. Moreover, at this time, the wolf pack is gathering in increasing numbers, and this morning, three warships from Italy, Austria, and Spain joined the Allied forces. Now, every additional country means they will have to pay more when it comes to reparations. Additionally, there's the British performance - they've already occupied nearly a third of Kyushu, and at this rate, they won't stop until they've taken over all of Kyushu. If they occupy Kyushu, Germany will definitely ask for other places when making demands, I reckon the four countries have no interest in that, but it's highly likely they'll take a slice from Honshu.

  The longer this war drags on, the more unfavorable the situation will be for Japan. Especially after Haishenwei thaws out in a few days, the Russian army will definitely come, and if we invite this hungry wolf again, it's likely that Japan won't just have to pay compensation.

  But damn it, how can I allow this? Lu Ao Zong Guang held the draft treaty with trembling hands, and a sorrowful roar erupted from his heart.

  Compensation to the family of Sun Ze for spiritual loss, military expenses for this righteous action, consolation fees for wounded soldiers... etc., totaling 50 million pounds or equivalent gold and silver.

  Of course, this sum is not to be paid in a lump sum; it can be paid in installments, with the customs duties as security. In other words, after signing this treaty, Germany will take over Japan's customs until all reparations are deducted from the customs duties.

  Secondly, the restoration of consular jurisdiction is necessary. Given Japan's uncivilized state, it would be irresponsible to place citizens of civilized countries under their judicial system. Although European nations have been generally satisfied with Japan's judicial system since the Great Kyoto earthquake, this war may increase anti-foreign sentiment in Japan, making this measure absolutely essential.

  Third, Germany leases Kyushu for 99 years. As for the rent, let's not mention it. We'll teach you how to be human and lead you into civilized society at a rapid pace. Do we still need to ask for money for such a small favor? If necessary, just one mark will do. Russia leases Hokkaido and cedes Karafuto to Germany. Cede Sapporo to Russia.

  As the fourth, as compensation for the Japanese government's imprisonment of the Ryukyu Kingdom king for over ten years and the great psychological trauma caused to the Ryukyu people, cede Kumejima Island and all islands south of it, including Yakushima, Iōjima, and Amami ōshima, to the Ryukyu.

  Dismantle all fortifications and military installations in the Japanese coastal areas. Japan is prohibited from having a navy for ten years, and any remaining warships that belonged to the combined fleet must be scrapped or sold.

  As for other things like apologies and withdrawal from North Korea, they are all necessary. No need to list them one by one.

  By signing this treaty, Japan can be said to have thoroughly fallen into the abyss of semi-colonialism. None of the first five clauses can be agreed upon, and each one is fatal, not only for Japan's life but also for its own life. This point was very clear to ōkuma Shigenobu, and it can be said that whoever signs such a treaty will immediately be killed by angry samurai after going out.

  "Mr. Yang, these terms are absolutely unacceptable to us. Although some government officials of our country committed crimes against the Korean people, they have already been severely punished by law. As for the Battle of Ganghwa Island, it is a long-standing historical event and has nothing to do with the current Japanese government. Moreover, Japan today also enjoys freedom of belief."

  "Firstly, regarding the main culprit of the Hanseong incident, since Kōki Hirota was the Minister of Japan to Korea, all his actions represented the Japanese government. His crime also represents the crime of the Japanese government, so it is necessary for the Japanese government to be punished as well."

  "Secondly, the case of the massacre at Island Original and the killing of Saint Taira Shirō, although it has been many years ago, whether it was Japan back then or Japan now, is a country under the rule of His Majesty the Emperor. Therefore, there is no issue of regime change, which means that the current Japanese government is still a continuation of the Japanese government at that time. What is meant by regime change? For example, if Japan were to become a republic and abolish the emperor, that would be a regime change. Similarly, if your country's royal family were to undergo changes, that too would be considered a regime change, just like the change of dynasties in our country. However, since your country's emperor is a single lineage for all eternity, there will never be an issue of regime change. Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor today must take responsibility for the sins committed by his ancestors." Yang Feng said with diplomatic politeness.

  "But at that time it was the Bakufu era, and the country was governed by the Shogun of the Bakufu, not by His Majesty the Emperor." said Mutsu Munemitsu in a low and humble tone.

  "That's your internal affair, isn't your general appointed by the Emperor? He is no different from your current Prime Minister. If you think that changing a prime minister means changing a regime, then that's quite ridiculous." Yang Feng said calmly.

  Rikuō Munetaka found that discussing this issue would not yield any results, as long as the phrase "the Emperor is an unbroken line" existed, he could not make a move in terms of regime change, and now he can only haggle over the terms.

  "Your Excellency, I have made myself clear on the terms. You only have the right to accept or reject, not to negotiate." Yang Feng disdainfully put an end to his efforts.

  "Mr. Yang, I hope you understand that Japan has a population of 40 million people and we are not afraid of war. If your side continues to treat us in such an impolite manner, the anger of the Japanese people will bury any invader." said Mutsu Munemitsu with a gloomy face.

  "We can only wait with bated breath then." Yang Feng said with a smile, now his greatest wish was for the Japanese to continue fighting, William had already begun organizing the second expeditionary army, and the weather had also started to warm up, the Russian army in Vladivostok would definitely land on Hokkaido. In addition, the French were also hesitating, they wanted to take action but couldn't bear to lose face, after all joining a coalition led by the Germans was a very embarrassing thing for them, but if they acted alone they feared offending others. They weren't like the British who thought they were superior, twenty years ago that war of attrition had greatly wounded their national spirit, and even until the Sino-French War they still hadn't recovered, being beaten back by the Chinese made them a laughing stock internationally for many years.

  The first negotiation between the two sides ended in a stalemate, and the result of not giving in to each other was that they could only continue fighting. However, the Japanese obviously did not rush to attack, and before finding a good solution, continuing to send troops to their deaths like yesterday would be too stupid.

  They are not in a hurry, and they have already gained something from the looting in Tokyo. They can afford to stay here for three to five years, and Yang Feng even welcomes this. The supplies of the Allied Forces are all transported from Taiwan, including food, fruits, meat, and even ammunition, which are all paid for. This money is deducted from the spoils of war, and now Taiwanese businessmen are frantically competing for this big business opportunity. In addition, Zhang Zhidong's side is also secretly sending goods to Taiwan while complaining about insufficient production at the Hanyang Arsenal and being reluctant to transport military supplies to the north.

  Moreover, due to the extremely strict quality requirements of German logistics officers, the product quality of Hanyang Arsenal and Steel Plant has also been rapidly improving, and now it can fully meet the standards of the German Army. It is said that war is the best stimulus for industry, but your battlefield must be abroad.

  With sufficient and perfect logistical supplies, the Allied Forces in Tokyo lived a very happy life. In addition to having 5,000 comfort women at their disposal, they were extremely satisfied spiritually. Many Huai Army soldiers were quite content and didn't want to leave.

  They are comfortable here, but the Qing army on the Liaodong battlefield is miserable. As the weather warms up, the cold problem that originally restricted the Japanese army has also been thoroughly solved. Under the leadership of Shan Qi and two and a half divisions, they fought bravely, and the vanguard had already reached Haicheng. Moreover, as more and more weapons were abandoned by the Qing army on the battlefield, the firepower of the Japanese army did not decrease but increased, and now even domestic supplies are not needed much.

  This bizarre war between China and Japan has made the mood of ordinary people at home like a roller coaster, with ups and downs. On the one hand, Chinese soldiers are defeating Japanese forces on their own soil, occupying their capital and still lingering there, playing with Japanese women and beating Japanese men. On the other hand, the Japanese army is defeating the imperial court's forces on Chinese territory, and will soon reach Shengjing, which makes people feel a bit bizarre.

  Especially those who are full and have nothing better to do, can't help but make some remarks. At that time, most Chinese newspapers were in the concession area, and they dared to speak freely, except for openly advocating rebellion, everything else was discussable. The discussion results were divided into two extreme factions, one of which was to lavish praise on Yang Feng, lightly advancing northward, directly attacking the imperial court, only slightly inferior to Yue Fei.

  Another faction of scholars who read the sacred books until they became foolish, accused him of being deceitful and plundering, completely lacking the spirit of the heavenly dynasty, bringing no benefit to the imperial court, ignoring the crisis facing the imperial court, delaying in Japan, sitting on a mountain watching and waiting, harboring evil intentions, with the heart of a treacherous minister and a rebellious son clearly exposed.

  Regardless of which faction, they cannot avoid a fact that the imperial court's army is really bad, especially those troops mainly composed of banner people, who are so bad that they are unbearable. Their greatest role on the battlefield is to deliver weapons to the Japanese army, from artillery to machine guns and hand grenades. It can be said that whatever the Japanese lack, they will provide it.