Rebirth of the Northern Giants

The Liberal Party used the invasion of Tibet as the greatest authority to criticize the policies of the Conservative Party. The British Colonial Secretary eventually became a scapegoat and stepped down.

In terms of public opinion, a negative attitude towards the invasion is also the mainstream.

Sir Henry Cotton went straight to the taboo of the British government and asked what the meaning of the invasion of Tibet was.

He said that the mentality of those so-called "unable to resist the glory exuded by Tibet's forbidden land" under the banner of "promoting it to enter the civilized age" and "wanting to step into the lama's palace to find out" is nothing more than "wanting to put He was ripped off from his throne and humiliated", and the reason was nothing more than a small act of retaliation for the Chinese for interfering in China's internal affairs.

Sir Henry Cotton believed that even if they wanted to retaliate, they had chosen the wrong target. Tibet was originally indifferent to the world, and its natural geographical advantages made it impossible for the government to occupy this place. It was far less cost-effective to target Yunnan and other places in China.

In any case, it was a failed, stupid military operation, and we got nothing but the unjust death of soldiers in Tibet.

Regardless of the quarrels, accusations, and buck-passing among British government officials, after the Wu Dashan Department annihilated the British troops entering Tibet, they did not stop pursuing them. Wipe out all the British troops who have stepped into Tibet.

And the Supreme Command also dispatched troops to Tibet continuously because the British might launch a counterattack at any time.

Of course, in this war, the kingdom of Nepal may be the happiest one. The defeat of the United Kingdom and the weakening of its strength in Asia have temporarily given Nepal time to recuperate. This time they harassed and attacked the British army’s logistics troops. They also learned from the British. The Nepalese who seized a large amount of arms and got weapons and equipment are like little tigers with teeth.

Self-confidence skyrocketed, waiting for the old suzerain country to fulfill its promise at any time, ready to attack again and take back the land occupied by the British.

The failure of the British in Tibet also became the last straw that crushed the Ito Hirobumi government.

The British mother has no time for herself and cannot maintain her hegemony in the Far East. She can only say sorry to the Japanese.

Ito Hirobumi issued an official statement, lowered his proud head, surrendered to the squadron, and demanded peace.

As soon as the statement came out, the whole of Japan suddenly lost its voice. On that day, more than 1 Japanese who advocated Bushido committed suicide by caesarean section on the streets of Tokyo. However, most Japanese remained silent. Perhaps surrender is the only choice they can make now.

Ye Zhikui, who heard the news, signaled Ito Hirobumi to come to Beijing to discuss peace talks.

In early June, Hirobumi Ito and his party embarked on a long road to peace on a Chinese express ship, escorted by two warships.

In the hall of Qianqing Palace, American Minister Tian Xiali was not interested in taking a look at the oriental-style decorations around him. The current situation in the Far East is giving him a headache.

It was expected that the Japanese would be defeated and surrendered, but what was unexpected was that he did not expect the Japanese to raise their hands and surrender so soon. You have to resist for at least a while to consume a little of the strength of the Chinese.

The Chinese not only sold a few warships to the Spaniards, but also sold a powerful airship. Could it be that the Chinese saw something and wanted to intervene in the affairs between the United States and Spain.

The president sent a questioning telegram from the country, one question after another, so that he could no longer calm down, so he had to come here to test Ye Zhikui's tone.

"Dear Mr. Tian Xiali, we met again, and we went to the Three Treasures Hall for everything. I don't know what alarmed you, Mr. Minister."

Ye Zhikui narrowed his eyes and walked in without haste.

Both of them are old friends, and they have some understanding of their tempers.

Tian Xiali stood up, bowed and joked, "Ye, it's really not easy to see you."

"You know, the president doesn't have a holiday," Ye Zhikui replied helplessly, and then Shi Shiran sat down.

"Ye, I heard that the Japanese government has surrendered to your country?" Tian Xiali cut to the chase and started the conversation.

"That's right, Ito Hirobumi is already on his way to China." Ye Zhikui knew that this news could not be concealed, so he couldn't help but say it generously.

"You know, Ye, our country has a lot of interests in Japan. I wonder if your country can continue to guarantee our country's interests in Japan after the Japanese government surrenders?" Tian Xiali stared into Ye Zhikui's eyes and asked with a smile.

Ye Zhikui raised his eyebrows, and asked knowingly, "Benefits? What benefits?"

Tian Xiali curled his lips and sighed: "Ye, you Chinese have a saying that you don't tell lies in front of real people. The Japanese government not only owes us a large debt, but also our products have a huge market in Japan. Once Japan It is a big blow for us to change the new government and change the policy."

It turned out to be to collect the bill.

Ye Zhikui said indifferently: "Your Excellency, after the Japanese government surrenders, we will not prevent them from repaying your country's debts. Please rest assured that your country has this. In addition, this time Ito Hirobumi will come to China for negotiations, and we will also invite your country's representatives Witness from the sidelines.”

Tian Xiali was overjoyed. He was afraid that the Chinese government would bypass the United States and negotiate with Japan alone. Now that he had received Ye Zhikui's definite answer and invited the Americans to participate, he couldn't help looking forward to the next Sino-Japanese negotiations.

"Ye, the Chinese government hopes that your fleet will open the blockade immediately, and promise to hand over Kobe Port to the US government." Seeing that Ye Zhikui was easy to speak, Tian Xiali was not polite, and directly stated the US government's bottom line.

"Kobe Port?" Ye Zhikui had a strange look on his face, because the Germans also said so. Kobe is known as the main gate of Japan's West Sea and the gateway of Japan's sea transportation.

Although the ports along the coast of Japan are not directly occupied by the squadron, the Chinese fleet has blocked them, and the essence is in the hands of China.

"The Germans told me that too." Ye Zhikui glanced at him lightly, showing a meaningful smile.

Now it depends on who's offer from both sides can make Ye Zhikui more excited.

Tian Xiali frowned when he heard this, and said unwillingly: "Ye, we are friends."

"The Germans and I are also friends." Ye Zhikui interrupted his words, and then stopped talking with a low eyebrow.

"Okay, I'll ask the president's opinion." Tian Xiali sighed for a long time, and said helplessly, he knew that Ye Zhikui was a hairless rooster, and if he wanted to get something from him, he had to give something first.

Tian Xiali rambled a few more words, then hurriedly left, obviously wanting to take Kobe Port before the Germans.

The sad Ito Hirobumi has not yet entered Beijing, and Japan will be divided up by China, the United States, Germany and other countries.

A week later, the aging Ito Hirobumi finally led the Japanese delegation into this ancient city that made him heartbroken.

As soon as Ito Hirobumi entered the city, the representatives of various countries, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately urged the Chinese government to start negotiations.

Ye Zhikui also wanted to resolve the matter as soon as possible, so a peace talk aimed at carve-up Japan was held at the Baguo Hotel in the capital.

As the representative of the Chinese side, Li Hongzhang watched all kinds of representatives enter the arena with a smile on his face. He couldn't help taking a deep breath. Once upon a time, he was the defeated party waiting for the humiliation of other countries, but now, for the first time, the Chinese will fight against the white people Together, divide the cake.

The British and Russians have been excluded from the negotiating seats, and Germany, the United States, even France, Italy and other countries are present as accompanying seats.

At the beginning of the negotiations, Ito Hirobumi, with his stooped body and gray hair, first apologized to the Chinese government for instigating the war.

Li Hongzhang accepted the apology very gracefully, as long as he can correct it in time, he is still a good comrade.

"Everyone, we gathered together today to jointly resolve the Japanese issue. I hope that you can put aside common ground and seek differences, and end this negotiation as soon as possible." Li Hongzhang said with a smile, eyes shining.

The ministers of other countries echoed their voices, but Ito Hirobumi seemed to be dead, motionless, and his eyes were dull.

He knows that he is not the protagonist at the negotiating table.

"First of all, we must punish those war criminals who provoked the war." Li Hongzhang glanced at Hirobumi Ito lightly, and continued: "Although the Japanese puppet emperor Muren has died of illness, the Japanese puppet royal family still exists. Ladies and gentlemen, it is Because of the warlike Japanese royal family, the peaceful Far East was ignited with war, so I propose to abolish the Japanese pseudo-royal family and reduce the king to the people, so that there will be no royal family in Japan from now on.”

German Minister Hai Jing asked aloud: "If the Japanese royal family is abolished, then who will manage the Japanese government?"

"Japan will be jointly managed by us. Of course, countries do not need to send troops to manage, but entrust the management power to the Japanese government. I think His Excellency Ito Hirobumi is well-known in Japan and is a very good presidential candidate." Li Hongzhang calmly Said.

Ito Hirobumi did not speak out against it. He sat by the side and spent his days like years. In fact, as early as last night, Li Hongzhang had agreed with him and obtained his consent.

Tian Xiali said indifferently: "Mr. Li, do you include Kyushu and Hokkaido in Japan?".

He began to bargain, for the benefit of his country.

Li Hongzhang frowned, and replied: "Of course not. As the defeated party, Japan must cede Kyushu to our country. As for the Hokkaido you mentioned, it is actually Ezo, which has been part of China's territory since ancient times. I have a shrimp here." The documents of the barbarian people requesting to return to China."