Volume 1: The Battleship Yitian Changes into the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 Chapter 50 The old man shows off his power
Under the "joint urging" of the diplomatic envoys from various countries, on a sunny day, the arrogant Lord Zhongtang finally agreed to start negotiations.
Since the Opium War in 1840, the Qing government had suffered losses in all the treaties it signed with foreign countries. Today, Lord Zhongtang finally felt like he was at home.
The Japanese delegation was a large group of people headed by Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu and Japanese Minister to China Komura Jutaro. There were also many people on the Chinese side. In addition to Li Hongzhang, there were his son Li Jingfang, former Japanese Minister to Japan Wang Fengzao, and Minister of the Zongli Yamen Zhang Yinhuan. I don't know if Lord Zhongtang did it on purpose, but it took a long time for both sides to introduce the entourage to their seats. Sun Gang was annoyed by it, and he didn't remember any of the other people.
In order to put pressure on the Japanese, Lord Zhongtang displayed the golden chrysanthemum-patterned gold emblems on the bows of "Takasago" and "Akitsuzumi" as decorations next to the screen walls on both sides of the hall. Everyone who came in could see them at first glance. Lord Zhongtang looked at the gloomy eyes of the Japanese representatives. How could he not feel happy?
The behavior of the two Japanese caught his attention. When they saw the golden emblem with chrysanthemum pattern, they walked over there at the same time and bowed solemnly three times to the golden emblem.
Sun Gang looked at their actions with some surprise. Their expressions were very solemn and serious. After the salute, they returned to their seats without saying a word.
Sun Gang was of low official rank and sat far away from the Lord Zhongtang, but he happened to be sitting opposite the two Japanese. When the two Japanese saw him, their eyes flashed involuntarily, causing Sun Gang's right eyelid to twitch wildly.
What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a handsome guy before? Sun Gang made the two of them feel creepy. They couldn't help but want to yell at them, but after thinking for a while, they decided not to.
Let’s put national interests first.
Just based on the looks in your eyes, you are not convinced, right? I will tell the Lord Zhongtang in a moment and increase the amount of silver! Sun Gang thought wickedly.
Japanese Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu stood up first to give a speech. He was a sturdy old man with bright eyes. It seemed as if he could stare into your heart when he looked at you. As he was talking, the translator beside him kept translating into Chinese. What he meant was that China and Japan were friendly neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water, but the war arose over North Korea's internal affairs. Japan has always been concerned about the prosperity of Asian countries, so it attaches great importance to North Korea's internal unrest and reform issues. The two countries went to war because of misunderstandings, and now the war has spread to the two countries' homeland, causing great disasters to the people of the three countries. It is hoped that this war can be ended in a peaceful way.
It sounds better than singing. Since then, Japan has wanted to destroy China for a long time. I can't remember who said that Japan gained the most from Chinese culture, but in return, it also caused the most serious harm to China. If Japan had not interrupted China's peaceful development process twice, China would have risen without waiting until the 21st century!
Thinking of this, Sun Gang glared at him from afar, his middle finger stretched out involuntarily, and he looked down on him fiercely on the table.
Several Japanese on the opposite side became interested in his little action, but Sun Gang put his hands into the sleeves of his naval uniform as if nothing had happened.
"The Empress Dowager of your country is about to celebrate her 100th birthday. To show our sincerity for peace, the Japanese troops have all withdrawn to Korea and have taken the initiative to cease fire with your army," said Mutsu Munemitsu.
Li Hongzhang sneered and said, "Is it that our country can no longer hold on?" He already knew the battle reports of the past two days.
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Mutsu Munemitsu's face, but he immediately regained his composure and said, "Here is our proposal, please take a look, Lord Zhongtang." As he spoke, he took a document and gently handed it to Li Hongzhang.
Li Hongzhang took it and looked at it, and couldn't help laughing. "Recognize North Korea's independence? Compensate for military expenses? Both countries jointly help North Korea reform its internal affairs? Open Taiwan to trade?" He slammed the document on the table, picked up another document from his side, and threw it in front of Mutsu Munemitsu. "I am not interested in your proposal. This is our proposal. It's just a matter of one sentence to agree or not. If your country finds it unacceptable, there is no need for us to talk anymore. Let's go back and fight!" Li Hongzhang stared at him and clapped his hands. He almost jumped up and down, saying, "Japan provoked the war last time and made all kinds of difficulties. It was really too much! This time, I didn't want to negotiate peace. My emperor is kind and filial. He doesn't want to disturb his mother with war. In addition, other countries mediated and agreed to the peace. But you dare to push it even further! What sincerity for peace! Japan is just a small country. You think you can show off your power with a few warships! Once my great ships arrive, you will be crushed into powder! If you don't obey, we will fight to the end! Let's see how long you can hold out!"
Sun Gang had never seen Lord Zhongtang get angry before, and this old fox's sudden display of power really scared Sun Gang.
The old man must have been suppressed for too long by people stabbing him in the back, and this time all his emotions burst out. Sun Gang saw that the document on the table almost flew onto Mutsu Munemitsu's face. A Japanese man next to him quickly reached out and suppressed the document that made Lord Zhongtang roar, and took it over very swiftly. Sun Gang noticed that he glanced up and his face changed immediately.
After Li Hongzhang finished speaking, he began to cough continuously. Li Jingfang hurried to his father's side and patted him gently on the back to make him feel better.
Perhaps the saliva of Lord Zhongtang flew onto Mutsu Munemitsu's face. The Japanese Foreign Minister frowned and made a slight evasive motion, but did not wipe his face. Instead, Sun Gang admired the Foreign Minister's skill in cultivating his energy.
Mutsu Munemitsu took the document from the Japanese man next to him, looked at Li Hongzhang who was still panting, and said calmly: "Master Zhongtang, don't be angry. The past is the past. Our country does have great sincerity for peace this time. Please don't misunderstand." He quickly glanced at the Chinese proposal, his face changed slightly, and then he calmed down immediately. "Since Master Zhongtang does not agree with our proposal, we are willing to discuss it based on your proposal. Of course, we have to ask His Majesty the Emperor for permission."
Li Hongzhang, Zhang Yinhuan, Wang Fengzao and others looked at each other. Sun Gang understood what he meant. The old man wanted to ask if the conditions were a bit low.
Zhang Yinhuan and others seemed to feel a little confused. Sun Gang had never participated in any negotiations before and had no experience in this area. Lord Zhongtang thought about it and nodded slowly.
"Since Zhongtang has agreed, we suggest that during the peace talks, both sides cease fire and formally reach a ceasefire. No new military actions should be taken against the other side. What do you think?" Mutsu Munemitsu said again.
"Okay." Li Hongzhang thought about it, nodded and said.
"How can we know whether you are playing a delaying tactic and sending reinforcements to Korea under the pretext of peace talks?" Sun Gang reacted and suddenly said that once a ceasefire is reached, the Beiyang Fleet will no longer be able to appear in Japanese waters. If the Japanese increase their troops at this time, China will not be able to defend itself at all.
Perhaps he was sitting too far away, and no one expected that he would suddenly fire such a shot during the conversation between the leaders of both sides. Mutsu Munemitsu looked strangely at this young man who should not be a very high-ranking official. He did not answer, but cast an inquiring look at Li Hongzhang.
"Mr. Sun, the senator of the Beiyang Fleet." A Japanese sitting opposite him said calmly, "We have already considered this issue. To be fair, we have obtained the assurance from our British friends that the British Far East Fleet will witness our actions as a bystander in your country, our country and the Korean waters. If your country is not at ease, our country and your country can each send a warship to participate in this operation together with General Fremantle, commander of the British Far East Fleet." He actually remembered Sun Gang!
Sun Gang was shocked. What were the Japanese trying to do? The British had gotten involved. This was a bit strange!
