My Italy

The Russo-Japanese War was still going on, and officers and soldiers from both sides continued to fight, especially in Lushun.

Because of the strong request of the navy, the Japanese 3rd Army launched a strong attack on the Russian positions. The fierce fighting lasted until September 24. The Japanese army lost 22,000 people before they were able to wedge themselves into the defense lines of the fortress guards in certain places, while the Russian army lost more than 4,000 people. The power of the Maxim machine gun in position defense was demonstrated to its fullest in this critical battle. Groups of Japanese officers and soldiers were shot down by this deadly weapon on the way to the charge.

For this reason, when the battle report of the Third Army was sent back to Tokyo, the base camp thought it was a mistake.

Due to heavy losses, the Japanese army had to postpone further attempts to attack the fortress, waiting to replenish troops and supplies to prepare for a new offensive. From October 19th to 22nd, the Japanese army launched a second strong offensive. During the four-day offensive, the Japanese army only occupied three fortifications at the cost of 13,000 people. However, the important strategic commanding heights surrounding the city were still in the hands of the defenders. This time The Russian army lost more than 3,000 people.

While the offensive and defensive battle in Lushun was in full swing, a battle between Japan and Russia was also unfolding in Liaoyang. The Japanese 1st, 2nd, and 4th armies, led by General Oyamayan, fought a battle with the Russian army led by General Kuropatkin.

The 135,000 Japanese troops launched an offensive against the 160,000 Russian troops stationed here. After eight days of fighting, the Japanese army defeated Russia at the cost of losing 14,000 people, causing Russia to retreat to Fengtian. This time the Russian army lost 27,000 people.

When the Battle of Liaoyang was fiercely underway, the Second Detachment of the Combined Fleet led by Uemura Hikonoshima made a meritorious service. They captured the Russian Vladivostok Squadron led by Major General Essen in Ulsan.

To say which Russian fleet makes the Japanese gnash their teeth the most, it has to be the Vladivostok Squadron. This fleet, led by Major General Essen, harassed the coast of Japan several times and sank and captured a large number of Japanese civilian ships, causing a huge sensation. So for a while, Japanese civilian ships were like frightened birds. When they saw the warships, they shouted that the Lucia fleet was coming.

In this Ulsan naval battle, the second detachment, led by two Garibaldi-class patrol ships, gave the Vladivostok squadron a hard beating. The Vladivostok squadron, whose fire protection and speed were far inferior to those of the Japanese ships, except for the Gromboy, which was seriously injured and escaped, the Russia and Rurik were both sunk on the spot. After this naval battle, the Vladivostok squadron existed in name only, and the threat to Japan's coast was relieved.

At this time, anyone with a discerning eye can see that Russia is at a comprehensive disadvantage in this war in the Far East.

Faced with this situation, the Russians are certainly not reconciled. In addition to using the Siberian Railway that has not yet been completed to continuously transport troops and supplies to the Far East, Italy is also determined to win the batch of warships for sale.

"Prime Minister Antonio, our country has increased the price by 380 million lire, which is enough to prove our country's sincerity. Your country is insisting on the price of 400 million lire. Isn't it a little too persistent? You must know that our country currently sells 400 million lire. The price is already the highest, a full 40 million lire higher than the Japanese price. I don’t think there is anything higher than this price.”

The person who spoke was Russia's Ambassador to Italy Tokayev, who has recently been the most active ambassador to Italy. Because he is also the negotiator for the purchase of Italian warships, he has a lot of contact with Italy these days. At present, the bidding between the two countries has come to an end. Japan is cash-strapped and can only offer 340 million lire, while the great Russian Empire has already offered 380 million lire, which far suppresses the Japanese in terms of price.

But some things are just so helpless, and a price of 380 million lire has been discussed. The Italians in front of them were all motionless, refusing to let go even after the price of 400 million lire, which made them angry. Aren't these Italians afraid that these battleships would not be sold?

None of the senior Italian officials present knew what the Russian ambassador was thinking, except Prime Minister Antonio, who said with a slight smile. "Your Excellency Ambassador, this purchase of warships is a mutual wish. Since your country needs these warships, it needs to give them a matching price. However, our country believes that these warships are worth 400 million lire. I think this is due to different values. The reason is nothing to do with other issues.”

Regardless of other issues, Tokayev cursed in his heart. You must know that Russia had purchased two Genoa-class battleships in Italy three years ago, and he participated in the whole process at that time. Why didn't he say that at that time, but now he talks about the difference in values.

In fact, he also knew that the Italians were desperate and could only buy ships here, and in order to win the war, St. Petersburg would definitely give in to this high price. Because he can tell from the contents of the telegrams sent to him from St. Petersburg.

However, despite his grievances, the tasks assigned to him by St. Petersburg must be fulfilled. Ambassador Tokayev could only continue to rub elbows with the Italians, but the effect was the same as before. These Italians refused to let go and did not let him use it at all. Opportunity. In the end, he had no choice but to return to the embassy.

As soon as he returned to the embassy, ​​he immediately called his secretary. "Send a telegram to St. Petersburg. According to my observation, the Italians insist on demanding 400 million liras for the purchase of the ship and are very determined."

"Okay, Your Excellency Ambassador."

After seeing off his secretary, Ambassador Tokayev slumped in his chair in frustration. This day's negotiations were very tiring. What's more important is that the Italian is inexperienced, leaving him no room to display his abilities.

Originally he thought it was a good job, and wanted to make a contribution to show it to the people above him. If he had the opportunity, he would take a few steps up. But now that he has given up this idea, St. Petersburg does not think that it is good for him to do things badly.

Early the next morning, before Ambassador Tokayev asked, I saw the secretary rushing over with a telegram.

"St. Petersburg calls back."

This sentence made Ambassador Tokayev cheer up and check carefully. In fact, this telegram can be read at a glance, because it says "complete the transaction as soon as possible".

"There must be something going on, and it's something I don't know about."

This was the thought that came to Tokayev's mind.

Tokayev was right, because Admiral Kutparokin, the commander-in-chief of the Far East, had previously sent a telegram to the Tsar. In addition to stating Russia's current difficulties there, this telegram also gave the Tsar advice. Road, due to the failure of the Siberian Railway to penetrate, it is too difficult to achieve the goal of defeating the Japanese army on land. You can find a way from the sea.

It was this sentence that became the last straw that broke the Tsar's heart, and he finally decided to purchase Italian warships and complete the formation of a fleet to reinforce the Far East as soon as possible.

Although Tokayev did not know the inside story, since St. Petersburg was willing to accept this decision, he had nothing to say.

Then he said to his secretary. "Prepare the carriage, I need to go to the Prime Minister's Office now."

In a hurry, Tokayev went to the Italian Prime Minister's Office with the news of Russia's agreement.

The ship purchase contract was signed quickly, and the two parties reached a ship purchase agreement the next day.

Subsequently, the news that Russia spent a huge sum of 400 million lire to purchase the Italian fleet also spread to all parts of the world along with the radio waves. The news also shocked the whole world. Some said that Italy was greedy, and some said that the Russians were taken advantage of. But no matter what, the news that Russia obtained a 120,000-ton fleet must be the most shocking to the Japanese.

Sorry, I'm a little busy today, so there's only one chapter