My Italy

While Carlo was patrolling the navy and army, Japan in the Far East was also holding a secret meeting.

"At present, the Ministry of Finance has allocated 710,000 yen to France for the third phase of the purchase of the Sankei ship, 1.87 million yen for the second phase of the purchase of the Yoshino and Satami ships to the United Kingdom, and has also allocated 1.87 million yen for the artillery unit of the newly established Sixth Division of the Army. The artillery payment is 680,000 yen, and the current balance of the special account is 470,000 yen. In addition, the Ministry of Finance needs to allocate the first batch of 2.01 million yen for the Fuji and Yashima ships next month."

As the chief steward of Japan's finances, Minister of Finance Watanabe Kunitake was reporting on expenditures to a group of senior Japanese officials at the imperial meeting. The meaning of having no money is very clear in his words.

When he told the balance of the special account, everyone at the scene immediately frowned, and the thought of having no money flashed across his mind. Especially when it comes to the remaining expenses, many people can't help but pat themselves on the head.

Yes, although Japan has undergone modernization reforms and its income has increased significantly, its expenses are also not cheap.

Of course, with the help of some caring people, Japan's current spending is much higher than in history.

Of course, the inertia of history is very strong, and the famous Sanjing Ship still exists. (This ship is aimed at the calming second ship)

However, the Sanjing Ship is still a wonder in the history of shipbuilding. The more than 4,000-ton warship carries a 320mm cannon, which is simply a model of a small boat carrying a cannon. And if you look carefully, you will find that the Sankei ship is divided into two types, the main gun is front-mounted and the main gun is rear-mounted. Itsukushima and Tatehashi have front-mounted main guns, while Matsushima has the rear-mounted main gun.

If Itsukushima and Matsushima were grouped together, would there be a battleship with two 320mm guns? The Japanese Navy really came up with a brilliant idea due to lack of funds.

Originally there was supposed to be a three-view ship forming two formations. But unfortunately, the Japanese later ran out of money and the fourth ship was cancelled.

Of course, this is why, after the Japanese came to their senses, they ordered two more first-class battleships, Fuji and Yashima. Of course, the construction of these two warships has just begun. It will take only three or four years to complete them, which is simply impossible.

In addition, history is also different. As for Japan's current purchase of two British Yoshino Hayami cruise ships, the cost is much higher than in history.

Compared with the 3,000-4,000-ton cruisers in history, the two cruisers currently purchased by Japan from the British have nothing in common except that their names are the same as in history.

Its tonnage reaches more than 8,000 tons, has up to 16,000 horsepower, and has a maximum speed of 19 knots. It is equipped with 4 twin 256mm main guns, 6 152-barreled guns + 8 120mm barreled guns, and 20 The 47mm small-caliber cannon can completely suppress the Beiyang Zhijing II ship in terms of speed and firepower, and can even compete with the Venetian class currently equipped by the Italian Navy. Of course, the cost is also very high. The cost of two ships is 1.31 million pounds, without discount.

This price is very difficult for Japan at the moment. Haven’t you seen that even the emperor only eats one meal a day?

After listening to the words of the Tibetan Prime Minister, Dashanyan, as the Minister of War, immediately spoke. "I ran out of money so quickly. I didn't just borrow 10 million yen."

There is a reason why Dashanyan asked this. The army's original plan was to prepare eight divisions before the war to fight against the Qing troops. But the Army has just completed the formation of the Sixth Division. There is no money. How should the next two divisions be formed?

Although the government has been borrowing money, it is best to let the government implement the borrowing now just in case.

The words of the Minister of War immediately attracted the echo of the Minister of Navy Saigo Yumichi. "Yes, the coming period will be critical for the army and navy, so there cannot be a shortage of money."

Although everyone knows the relationship between Japan's army and navy, it is still rare to cooperate when it comes to money.

Besides, funding is even more important to the navy. How many warships, how many cannons, and what calibers there are, all require money. When a big ship fights a small ship, the threat of large caliber is greater than that of small caliber, and it will not change with the change of personnel.

Faced with the statements of the army and navy, Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi said. "Otani-kun and Saigo-kun, please be patient. The government is already negotiating with the British for new loans. When the money comes in, the funding problem will be solved for you."

As if to strengthen the confidence of the two army and navy ministers, Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu then took up the topic and continued. "Currently, our country is negotiating with the British for a large loan of 50 million yen. We are almost at the end of the negotiation, and it should be finalized next month."

Yes, the Japanese government is indeed negotiating with the Bank of England for a loan of 5,000 yen, but it is not as easy as he said. For this money, the British asked for a relatively high price and asked the Japanese government to use mineral taxes as collateral. As we all know, Japan is a country with a lot of gold and silver mines. In addition to exclusive mining of these gold and silver mines, the Japanese government also sets a very high mineral tax, which can reach more than 7 million yen in tax revenue every year. The premise that the British Bank is willing to lend this money is to focus on this money.

Of course, for Japan, almost all of the tax revenue it can mortgage has been mortgaged. Tariffs, field taxes, etc. have long been mortgaged. The most valuable thing in my hand right now is the mineral tax.

Now, in order to expand the military and prepare for war, this most valuable tax also needs to be put on the counter for mortgage.

Now that he is going to be rich again, the two ministers of land and sea naturally have nothing to say.

But at this time, the Grand Priest, Watanabe Kunitake, stood up again. "Everyone, let me say one more thing. According to the Ministry of Finance's estimates, if the current expenditure continues, Japan's finances can support it for up to two years. So I hope the navy and army will be ready as soon as possible, please."

The words of the Tibetan Prime Minister immediately lowered the atmosphere that had just been restored.

However, there is no other way. Japan is too small and has only so much fiscal revenue. It has done its best to prepare for war. If it is delayed for a long time, Japan is destined to go bankrupt.

When facing Watanabe Kunitake, the two navy and army ministers immediately replied. "Please rest assured, Mr. Watanabe, we will complete preparations for war as soon as possible."

As Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi certainly knew that the government was about to be unable to survive. For this reason, he had already ordered the ambassador to North Korea not to worry about the attitudes of North Korea and the Qing people.

Yes, Japan now needs to find ways to stir up trouble.

While Japan was trying every means to expand its armaments, Li Zhongtang, the first governor of the Qing Dynasty, was also looking at a submission in the Zhili Governor's Mansion in Tianjin.

This submission was jointly submitted by Beiyang Navy Admiral Ding Ruchang and Beiyang General Counsel Rear Admiral Antonio, requesting that the Beiyang Fleet warships be replaced with rapid-fire guns. Since it was to replace the cannon, it would cost money. Although the report about the rapid-fire cannon was very glamorous, the cost of replacing the cannon still made Li Zhongtang hesitant.

The reason is simple, because it costs 730,000 taels of silver to replace the cannon. It is normal for Li Zhongtang to be hesitant about this expense.

Although in the report, the general counsel from Italy said that the Japanese navy next door was becoming Beiyang's inner enemy, Li Zhongtang was well-informed, how could he not know that this was a way to get money, and it was all leftover by him.

Japan is a small country with few people, and it is our opponent to the great Qing Dynasty. If it were not to avoid extraneous problems, we would not let it have an easy time in Taiwan.

Of course, if it were just these, Li Zhongtang wouldn't be able to give it to him because of his hard work and merit. But Master Zhongtang is also in a dilemma. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for Zhongtang and Zhongtang to get money from the court. Although there are still 2.6 million taels of silver in the bank, this money is not that easy to use.

In addition, Li Zhongtang also needs to repay the Queen Mother's garden repairs. There are more than 100,000 soldiers in Beiyang, and they are all related to him. With his family's fortune growing, it will be difficult for him.

However, after thinking about it again and again, Li Zhongtang sighed and wrote the word "ok" on the submission.

Finally, the Beiyang Fleet also began to replace its rapid-fire guns. Although I don't know how much this can improve, it has finally changed.

Of course, Major General Antonio, as the general adviser, played a role to some extent.