1890 King of Southeast Asia

Time goes back to May 1896.

At the Japanese cabinet meeting, the topic was still war.

"Haitian is back again. Jeju Island reported that it saw Haitian heading towards Japan, and Fukuoka also reported seeing an unidentified warship." Yamamoto Gonbei stood up, lowered his head, and looked ashamed.

"Dingyuan is also cruising by the Yalu River. The supply line of the First Army has been cut off. Now it is completely dependent on eating the enemy and captured weapons." The Minister of the Army was full of reproach.

"Leave the battlefield to the army. Can't the navy even protect the supply line? The empire has so much military expenditure every year, what does the navy do with it?"

Only a small number of people in Japan know the result of the naval battle. Most people got the news that the navy had defeated the Beiyang Fleet and victory was just around the corner.

"Okay, now is not the time to talk about this. Can the navy send a fleet to ensure the safety of the route?" Saigo waved his hand. He was very tired.

He was the big boss of the navy. All the navy had great expectations for him, and then great disappointment.

Because after the war, the army received a lot of resources, and its size expanded more than three times in a short period of time.

However, the size of the navy did not increase, and the funds were reduced!

This is normal. After the war, the army was in urgent need of manpower. The Second Army was originally planned to continue the offensive, but because of the resistance of the Koreans, the Second Army was dragged to the peninsula.

Navy? How to strengthen it in a short time? Wartime neutrality is just a joke?

"Sorry! The navy can organize escorts, but we only have four warships to use! We can't fight against the armored ships of the Beiyang Fleet!" Yamamoto looked like he was playing bad.

"Humph! You are worthy of being an elite of Satsuma, and you speak so elegantly. I heard that the Beiyang launched a desperate charge in the naval battle. I wonder what about our navy?" The Minister of the Army narrowed his eyes, wanting to see the joke of the navy.

"Enough, now the empire has reached a critical moment of life and death, how long are you going to fight!" Ito knew that it was not easy for Saigo, and stood up with his body.

He was different from these idiots who only had guns in their minds. He knew that if the naval battle failed, Japan would be in danger.

"Has the ship purchase information been sent out? Is there anyone willing to sell?" Ito looked at Yamamoto Gonbei.

"Europe has expressed strict neutrality. The United States is unwilling to sell to us. The three South American countries are willing to sell some, but we need to send people to drive them back." Yamamoto Gonbei stood up and handed the warship information and quotation to Ito.

"Is it so expensive?" Ito was silent.

The Bailangu Encalada protected cruiser: 450,000 pounds.

The Blade ironclad ship: 500,000 pounds.

The Esmeralda protected cruiser: 300,000 pounds.

Pingdu-class protected cruisers, two ships: 500,000 pounds.

Linze-class torpedo cruisers, two ships: 200,000 pounds.

"After many rounds of negotiations, this is the final offer! And they asked for a package sale." Yamamoto Gonbei bowed and almost didn't send Ito away.

(The silver price has started to fall, and it is probably the same price as the US dollar. So the current ratio of silver to the British pound is 1:5)

"Saigo, what do you think..." Ito just thinks it is expensive, but it is better to let professionals do professional things, and it happens that the prime minister is from the navy.

"This offer is very high, but we have no choice..." Saigo was also shocked, especially the last two ships, with a displacement of 800 tons, how dare it!

Then he immediately realized that they dared to buy them. Only by buying the first three ships, Japan would have a chance to turn the tables. But he still couldn't make up his mind.

"If you can, buy it. There is still a lot of that loan left. It was originally used for war. As long as we can win and take Beijing, no matter how much, we can make it back!" Ito encouraged Saigo.

In fact, Ito didn't think this would work. Even if he could take Beijing, it would be good to get half of the compensation. Foreigners would not sit idly by, and Japan would eventually return to the peninsula.

"Then buy it!" Saigo gritted his teeth. The Minister of the Army wanted to say something, but Ito's eyes stopped him.

On May 30, a sum of 2.05 million pounds was injected into the Chilean treasury, and 100,000 was the price of the mercenaries, who were responsible for driving the warships back to Japan.

But things did not go so smoothly...

………

Back in time, after Liu Yiming got the news, he, Sam and Cyril, boarded the Vega, and under the escort of the cruiser Luojing, headed north overnight.

On June 25, Ryukyu, the mediating country meeting.

"This is a contempt for the mediating country and a destruction of the international order! This situation must be sanctioned, otherwise, the international order will be gone!" Sam shouted loudly at the meeting.

"Indeed, according to international practice, these warships should be detained in Hawaii." Liu Yiming touched his nose and said indifferently.

When he learned about this, he was still shocked. Finally, he learned that it was a mistake, and Liu Yiming was relieved and bold to prepare for revenge.

This transaction did not spread widely. Under the silver bullet offensive, Chile agreed to delay the announcement of the warship sale.

For the sake of safety and confidentiality, the fleet headed north, intending to return via the North Pacific route, but encountered continuous storms as soon as it entered the North Pacific.

The remaining coal was not enough to support the fleet to reach its destination directly,

and more importantly, many people on the ship were sick. Finally, the mercenaries held down the Japanese who were monitoring them and sailed the ship to Hawaii.

This is the closest civilized island that can provide medical services.

"It should be given a good beating. We can't let him think that the international order is irrelevant." Britain stood up again to take sides, and the British Minister to Japan stood up.

"But this is the property of the Japanese government after all. As a neutral country, Nanhua should not seize its property."

"I don't agree with this view. This is war materials. According to the international order, any materials of the warring countries should not pass through neutral countries. Neutral countries have the obligation and right to seize all materials that may flow to the warring countries." The German representative, a clerk, stood up.

"I stand with Germany this time, you are taking sides." The French representative, the Minister to China, agreed.

"This batch of warships did not fly the naval flag or other flags that can prove their identity. I can treat them as pirates." Liu Yiming nodded.

It's not that there are no flags. When the destroyer of the Nanhua Navy approached, the fleet raised the white flag.

"I think, should we listen to what the parties involved have to say? Chile did not participate in neutrality. I don't want this to happen again in the future. It violates fairness and justice!" Seeing this situation, Cyril hurriedly said.

Good guy, there are five warring countries in total, and four are anti-Japanese?

"I think we should reach an agreement first, otherwise if this mediation continues, we will become the laughing stock of our colleagues!" Sam's voice was thorny.

Indeed, the mediation during this period was basically a war between Britain, France and Germany, greeting each other.

The South of the United States wants to do something, and Britain, France and Germany have opinions before others object. If you agree, I will definitely oppose it, and if you oppose it, I will agree.

"Agree!"

"Agree!"

The representatives of Germany and France looked at each other. Considering the changes in the relationship between Germany and Britain, France also wanted to contact Germany.

Germany is simpler. Emperor William's intention is to expand Germany's influence.

"Agree!" Seeing that everyone has reached a consensus, this is what Britain least wants to see. Britain has made a lot of money during this period. Is it going to end?

"First, maintain the current war situation and prevent it from being unbalanced!" Sam has a bit of a histrionic personality, and likes to show off when there are many people.

"Agree!"*3

"What kind of imbalance?" Liu Yiming smiled slightly.

"For example, this fleet of seven ships, before the end of the war, their best place is to stay in the port and be guarded by neutral countries. Of course, this will be charged." Sam glanced at Cyril.

"Agree, but I suggest that the mediating country form a custody committee to monitor these ships so that they are not used in places where they should not be used." Cyril said.

"Agree"*2

Liu Yiming and the French said together.

Liu Yiming smiled at the French, and it was unknown what he was thinking.

"Secondly, for the benefits obtained by the Japanese after the war..." Sam looked at the participants one by one.

"Let's not talk about other things first. The compensation of 1 billion silver proposed by the Japanese is impossible. Everyone needs a vibrant market, not a market that has no money." Liu Yiming expressed his attitude.

"After the war, its power should be kept under control to a certain extent to ensure long-term security." France considered differently.

"Germany hopes to curb Japan's expansion and give it one or two cities as compensation. How about that?" Germany was really a clerk, analyzing it according to the cases of Alsace and Lorraine.

"Too little, the Japanese will not accept it." The British Minister to Japan shook his head.

"So withdraw from the Qing Dynasty completely? At the same time, use this as an excuse to ask the Qing Dynasty to further open up its market?" Sam exposed his little thoughts.

"Agree, Korea will be given to Japan, but its market must be opened, and the mediating country should be treated fairly." Cyril nodded. In the end, the British could not accept it either.

"I suggest that there is no need to mention compensation. The Qing Dynasty has already suffered from famine. If compensation is paid, he may choose to continue fighting." Liu Yiming didn't care, but he couldn't give money.

"Agree." *3

Cyril glanced at Liu Yiming and nodded. It made sense.

"Then notify both sides and give them half a month to let them think about it." Liu Yiming did not give the Japanese a chance. Half a month can do too much!

…………

"Too much!"

"No compensation? How can that be? Who will pay back the 2.6 billion yen debt?"

"Fight! There is still half a month. If we can reach the capital within half a month, then it will not be a peace agreement, but a surrender treaty!"

"The ammunition on the front line can only support one battle!"

"The supply line has not been opened yet?"

"Can the navy be dispatched?"

"The warship has been seized, private Marseille! However, the navy is willing to launch a desperate charge to escort the transport ship to the front line."

"What do you think?" Saigo did not participate, but looked at Ito, who looked decadent.

"At this point, there is only a glimmer of hope if we take down the capital." Ito muttered to himself.

"Waka Lima Xida." Saigo took a deep breath.

"Starting tomorrow, supply ships will be dispatched continuously. Don't worry about losses. All navy members will be mobilized to deliver as much supplies as possible. Order the army to launch a desperate attack!" Saigo's face was flushed and his eyes were bloodshot.