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Text Volume 4 Britain Section 2 National Policy (Part 2)

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    "Eat something first." Seeing that the Duke of Saionji Temple was silent, Ito Hirobumi put down his wine glass, picked up the chopsticks and put the kelp shreds in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

    "Ito-kun, does Japan have no other choice but to exhaust its people's resources and risk a war with the Qing Dynasty?" Saionji Temple's public gaze flickered faintly under the moon, and his tone was unusually low.

    Hirobumi Ito¡¯s expression froze when he heard this, and then he put down the pair of bamboo chopsticks with an octopus ball in his hand.

    "Tao An" He narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance with slightly confused eyes. After a long time, he said: "With the current situation, a war with the Qing Dynasty within a few years is inevitable!"

    "There are three reasons." Hirobumi Ito's big and small thumbs on his right hand were slightly bent, and he stretched out the remaining three fingers towards Saionji Temple. "First, the alliance between France and Russia means that the poor but huge Russia will receive a steady flow of resources from Paris.  Continuous financial support, if the British sit idly by, the Russian navy armed with French loans will directly threaten the British Far East route, but the British do not have a strong enough military presence in East Asia Therefore, in order to suppress  Russia, Britain must support a reliable ally in the Far East."

    "And only through this war with the Qing Dynasty can our country become the only possibility for the British to choose allies to check and balance Russia in the Far East!" Ito Hirobumi said solemnly.

    Probably because of too deep thinking, his eyes turned dark green under the moonlight, and wrinkles appeared on his forehead, "Tao An, you have been on a mission to Europe, you should know the British rhetoric, right? -  The so-called powerful countries in the Far East are only Britain, Russia, and the Qing Dynasty. As for the Japanese Empire, although it also strives for reform, in the eyes of the British, compared with the Qing Dynasty that has been pursuing Westernization for nearly 30 years, Japan is just a small country.  Small countries too! And the best way to get the British to give up such misunderstandings is to directly defeat the Qing on the battlefield."

    The Duke of Xiyuan Temple on the side looked solemn and his eyes were bright. He asked: "What about the second one?"

    "The second is to use this war to create a good internal and external environment for Japan's rise." Ito Hirobumi seemed exhausted, but still thinking.  The words were spoken in a low voice.  It still seems a little dull, but it is very clear: "Inside, as you just said, Tao An, our country's annual income in these years has only been around 90 million yuan at most. And judging from the current situation, within a few years, Japan's  There will no longer be too high fiscal growth.¡±

    "Compared with the great powers, Japan's foundation is too weak!" Ito Hirobumi sighed.  Said: "Although our country has started to develop industry since the beginning of the Restoration and vigorously promoted industry and commerce, from the first year of Meiji to today. For more than 20 years, except for raw silk, there is almost no commodity available for export.  " Ito Hirobumi's expression darkened.  The words were full of sighs, "Moreover, within ten years, the European powers will not have time to look eastward. If Japan wants to stand in the world, these ten years will be Japan's last chance. But our country's financial resources have been exhausted.  Even if these ten years have passed, it will only be a slight addition to the current situation. When they free up their hands, which of the five continents such as Britain, France, Germany and Russia can Japan be able to fight independently?"

    "If Japan wants to compete for world supremacy, Japan must spend ten years pursuing a major change after the Reform! And if it wants to achieve this great cause, it cannot be achieved without conquering the Qing Dynasty." Here, Ito Hirobumi is already telling.  The strong verses sound like gold and stone, "The Qing Dynasty has a vast territory, rich resources, and a large population, but the education is low and the people are not enlightened, and the so-called Westernization is nothing more than the personal struggle of a few officials such as Li Hongzhang! And those Manchu and Mongolian nobles and the so-called Han scholars who live in the temples  , they are either cowards who only know their personal wealth and do not know the general situation of the world, or they are people who only talk empty talk every day Tao An, as long as our navy and army can give Li Hongzhang's Beiyang Navy a powerful blow on the battlefield.  With a devastating blow to the Huai army, the Qing court will lose all will to resist. Whether it is ceding territory or paying compensation, as long as they can stay in that position, they will accept all the empire's demands.  "

    "And as long as it gets money and land from the Qing Dynasty, the empire will have a second chance to revitalize!"  Ito Hirobumi was so excited that his nostrils were flaring and his breathing was rapid.  "Having such a large but weak neighbor like the Qing Dynasty is an opportunity given to Japan by God. What the Qing Dynasty will do to Japan in the future will be like what the Inca did to Spain in the past and what India does to England today. And if the empire cannot seize this rare land  The great powers had no time to look east and took advantage of the opportunity to attack and found out. That would be an act of fate. They would be blamed instead."

    Gongwang of Xiyuan Temple had already heard it.  He held the wine glass in his right hand.  A sip of sake was held in his mouth.  I forgot to swallow it¡ª¡ªIto Hirobumi just talked about it.  It is true that the earth has a direct insight into the current problems.  He stared at the faint light coming from the crack in the door of the Japanese room not far away that Yingzi had just walked into.  Savor Ito Hirobumi's words carefully.  It feels like chewing a thousand-year-old olive.  The more you taste it, the more meaningful it becomes.

    A long time passed.  Just listen?There was a "rumbling" sound in his throat - the sip of sake was finally swallowed.  Only then did his lips and tongue become free.  He said slowly: "If this is really the case, it will indeed be of great benefit to Japan's revitalization. Then Sir, what do you mean by creating an external environment for Japan's internal and external environment?"

    Ito Hirobumi was not in a hurry to answer.  Instead, he casually picked up a roasted sea clam from the plate on the table.  "This is the Qing Dynasty."  He tapped the clam with his fingers.  He continued: "And this clam shell is Li Hongzhang's Beiyang Navy and Huaihe Navy."

    He put down the clam shell.  Then he picked up the small silver hammer that was used for eating sea clams.  He looked towards Xiyuan Temple for a moment.  "This is Japan.".  He then grasped the silver hammer and struck the clam hard.  Only a crisp cracking sound was heard.  The seemingly solid clam shell has fallen apart.  The tender meat inside the sea mussel was exposed.

    "Do you understand?"  Ito Hirobumi smiled and looked at Saionji Kom¨­, whose eyes had been staring at his movements for a moment.  asked.  The latter's eyes were shining at this time.  But I heard Ito Hirobumi¡¯s question.  But he just nodded slightly.

    "The day when our country returns from the Qing Dynasty with full load is the time when the great powers carve up the Qing Dynasty." Ito Hirobumi said with great certainty - this is not a prediction, but an assertion!

    "When cranes and clams fight, the fisherman will benefit."  The small eyes of Saionji Temple were shining with a burning light. He had completely understood Ito Hirobumi's intention - since the Qing Dynasty began to pursue Westernization, Li Hongzhang and other Westernization generals had taken charge of building railways, mining mines and building a navy in the Qing Dynasty.  In the eyes of the Western powers, it is already a renaissance

    But what if this false image of "revitalization" is shattered by the Japanese Navy's artillery shells?

    "If you want to be a good fisherman, after you take office as Prime Minister next year, you need to choose a better foreign minister for yourself."  The Duke of Xiyuan Temple stared at the piece of clam meat in the smashed clam shell that glowed movingly under the moonlight.  The tone is leisurely.

    ¡ª¡ªIf you want to be able to deal with the great powers carving up China, and think that Japan is still unscathed while taking chestnuts from the fire, then this person must be a long-sleeved character

    "It's a pity that Aoki has gone to the UK now, otherwise he would be a rare good candidate." A few months ago, the Russian Crown Prince Nicholas visited Japan when he went to Vladivostok to preside over the opening ceremony of the Trans-Siberian Railway. During this period, he was assassinated in Otsu  Injuried.  As the foreign minister, Aoki Shuzo had to resign sadly and became the minister to the UK.

    And in the heart of Xiyuan Temple Gongwang.  To run such a complicated diplomatic chess game, this man is fluent in English and German and has studied abroad.  The former Foreign Minister, who is very capable in diplomacy, is undoubtedly the best candidate.

    "It is my suggestion that Aoki go to England." Ito Hirobumi interjected nonchalantly.

    The official of Saionji Temple suddenly raised his head, only to see Ito Hirobumi's face was calm.

    "We are going to go to war with the Qing Dynasty. Britain's attitude is very important. There is no one who can be entrusted as minister to Britain. It is really not reassuring.", he took a deep breath.  He glanced at Saionji, who was a little confused, and smiled suddenly: "As for the foreign minister of the second Ito cabinet, I already have a better candidate here."

    "Who?" Xiyuan Temple Gongwang asked almost subconsciously.

    "He always strives for wings, and flies through the clouds for nine days," Ito Hirobumi replied.

    "Mutsu-kun?", the Duke of Saionji Temple looked up and thought about it, and sighed, "Your Excellency, when Okubo-kun was assassinated, some people in the country said that from then on it was the era of Ito." When I heard about it today, it was indeed well-deserved.  "

    "Tao An, please stop flattering me." Ito Hirobumi smiled slightly, then his face turned cold, and the smile disappeared. He then said: "If I form a cabinet again, I will rely more on you," he blurted out almost subconsciously.  , "Rely on me?"  "

    Ito Hirobumi stood up from the stone pier, still barefoot, and walked slowly on the white sand.

    "Tao An, I just told you that the war with the Qing Dynasty within a few years was caused by three major things. You already know the first and second, but the third" He turned around suddenly  , looked at Mutsu Saionji Gongwang with stern eyes, and his tone was as cold as ice: "Actually, the earth is the people of the empire!"

    "Popular sentiment?", the public of Xiyuan Temple was slightly startled, with a thoughtful look on his face.

    "It's what the people want!" A strange smile suddenly appeared on the corner of Ito Hirobumi's mouth, "Tao An, you came to Yokohama from Tokyo this time, did you take the train?"

    ¡°Of course I¡¯ll take the railway, or why not take a carriage?¡± Gongwang of Xiyuan Temple joked.

    "Hmm." Ito Hirobumi nodded slightly and continued to ask: "This railway was still the one I negotiated with Okuma Shigenobu-kun when I was serving as Shaofu in the Ministry of Finance, relying on the BritishBuilt with a loan.  "

    "Of course I remember." The corner of Saionji Temple's public face also raised a smile - when Okuma Shigenobu and Ito Hirobumi conspired to borrow money to build the Tokyo-Yokohama railway, the whole country was in turmoil, and people from all walks of life were trying to borrow money to build the road.  He and Ito denounced him as a "national traitor" who betrayed his country and sought glory, and there were even rumors that Ito built the road to make it easier to travel from Tokyo to Yokohama with his mistress

    "Compared to the early Meiji years, people are no longer surprised by Western affairs such as railways." Ito Hirobumi smiled slightly complacently, but the smile only fleetingly, "But if we want to truly establish a world of competition for hegemony  The people of the empire are still far behind.¡±

    He continued to pace on the white sand with his hands behind his hands, his voice slowly lowered, and his eyes became a little angry: "You have also seen what Huashan looks like today - it's just that the Beiyang Navy of the Qing Dynasty has ordered a few more orders in Europe.  A warship. The Imperial Navy Minister has already become a frightened bird!"

    "Japan has been following China for too long", the Duke of Saionji sighed and said nothing.

    "Yes." Ito Hirobumi nodded lightly, "However, when our country confronts the Qing Dynasty, although it is a small battle against a big one, it is not necessarily a weak battle against a strong one. And once it confronts Russia, it is really a wolf against a bear, and  There is no way out. Only for this reason, it is even more necessary for all citizens to have confidence in victory and go all out, so that it is possible for the weak to defeat the strong. And to do this, the people must be given the confidence to win.  The best way to build this confidence is to let the people see a glorious victory first. That is why I first agreed to Shan County and went out to convince Congress for him, and today I promised Shan County. Starting next year  Allocate a special fund of 20 million yuan to the Navy within three years to purchase two new ironclad ships."

    "Twenty million yuan" Ito Hirobumi's eyes wandered for a while. After sighing, he murmured in a low voice, "Even if it is divided into three years."  It is also a too big number, but it is for the future of Japan.  I can only suffer the country one more time

    After a very short period of wandering in the world, Ito Hirobumi quickly gathered his mind.  Putting his thoughts back on track: "This is all for Japan and the people!"

    He continued: "The way to make a country prosperous and strong requires two ends: first, to develop the intellectual, moral and good abilities of the majority of the people, so that they can enter the realm of civilization and enlightenment. Second, to make the people destroy the bad habits of the past, not willing to be in a passive position, and then work together as one  Contribute to national public affairs and build a prosperous and strong country.¡±

    "If we want to develop the people's intelligence and become civilized, we must develop education. If we want to make the people seriously devote themselves to the construction of the country and become citizens in the true sense, the only way is constitutional government. I am the one who advocates the promulgation of the constitution and the founding of the National Assembly, and even the budget review.  The power of the government was transferred from the cabinet to the National Assembly to formalize this purpose. But before that, we need to stimulate the people's desire for self-improvement. China has been a behemoth to us, Japan, for thousands of years. If we can really win with one blow, we, Japan, will  The people¡¯s hearts will definitely be lifted.¡±

    This is the end of Ito Hirobumi's long article - the whole article is full of solid evidence, and now it has stopped, it is really loud and clear. I heard that the official of Saionji Temple was shaken, and no one answered for a long time.

    "Inspire the people's hearts, and the people's hearts can be used." Saionji Temple murmured a few words. He suddenly looked up at Ito Hirobumi, "But the people's hearts can be used in four words, but it is a double-edged sword. If you don't pay attention, I'm afraid that  Then Tai Ah will bring disaster to himself"

    "Huh? How?" It was a question, but there was no trace of surprise on Ito Hirobumi's face.

    "Your Excellency is very right. The source of a country's strength lies in whether it has its citizens in the true sense." Xiyuanji Gongwangzhengse said, "In this case, the national character must be lively, cheerful, upright and promising. And everything must be done.  The people must not be allowed to fall into the trap of generosity, tragedy, and bias. In today's society, people who are in times of decline and adversity are often used as role models for young people to follow. This approach will definitely leave harmful consequences"

    "It is a general trend in the world to devote ourselves to the development of education. Education should be strengthened to think about the rise and fall of civilizations. The significance of national education is to let the people know how to think for themselves and know how to choose the good and be stubborn." Mr. Xiyuan Temple spoke eloquently and spoke with sincerity.  , "And our country's current national education allows the people to only know the country but not selfishness, and only know to obey but not think If national education is only for the so-called unity of the country, then what is the use of education?"

    "Are you talking about the "Edict on Education" promulgated by Shan County last year?" Hirobumi Ito interjected and asked, his tone as calm as a glass of water.

    The Duke of Xiyuan Temple nodded lightly and continued: "The duty of a soldier is to obey, but the meaning of national education lies in thinking and perseverance. If you continue to follow this "Educational Rescript" which only emphasizes unconditional obedience but ignores the analysis of right and wrong.  In other words I am worried that the army of the future will no longer be Japan¡¯s army, but Japan will become the army of Japan!¡±

    The Japanese army is still part of the army?Ben?

    Ito Hirobumi suddenly felt a tremor in his heart. He was panicked and couldn't control himself, and his face became extremely pale - he was a hero among local people who fell behind the Meiji Restoration. He was extremely talented and extremely sophisticated, but at this time he had a taste  Hearing this cold warning, as strong-minded as he was, a chill ran through his heart.

    "Yama County is a rare talent." Ito Hirobumi responded casually, but then he felt that there was no way to continue, and he felt even more funny in his heart - a friend from Shan County, who was born in a poor area, wanted to unite the whole country and almost destroy the people.  However, as a descendant of the Chinese ethnic group of the "Nine Tsing Hua", Gongwang of Xiyuan Temple advocates living in harmony with the people

    "But talented people sometimes make oversights" He considered his words and said: "Some mistakes are not a problem and can be corrected. Mr. Saionji, with your talents, it is wrong to be the president of the Medal Reward Bureau.  " He looked at Saionji with a burning gaze, and continued seemingly casually: "How about serving as the second Minister of Literature of the Ito Cabinet?"

    Wen Xiang, who is in charge of national education

    The Duke of Xiyuan Temple was first frightened into silence by his gaze, and then he was so excited by the promise of repaying his ambition that his blood boiled all over his body!

    "If you can really serve as Minister of Literature", he said word by word, "I will definitely live up to my mission!"

    "Thank you very much." Ito Hirobumi said softly, and then he bowed deeply to Saionji Kom¨­. The latter was so frightened that he stood up from his seat and hurriedly bowed in return.

    "Conquer the Qing Dynasty and overwhelm Russia" Hirobumi Ito stood up and looked into the distance with deep eyes - the fishing stars on the sea were dotted with various lights in the port area, and the sea breeze blew against him with water vapor, blowing  He felt comfortable all over, and his tired body suddenly felt much more relaxed. "At the same time, we will promote constitutional government, reorganize education, and control the military Mr. Saionji, as long as these things can be carried out one by one, then maybe you and I will truly be able to do it before we close our eyes."  We can see a Japan that has become one of the great powers of the five continents!"

    Saionji Temple took a few steps and looked into the distance side by side with Ito Hirobumi - the light was already shining in the east, and the bamboo trees and flowers in the garden were gradually showing their green color. They stood on the gradually clearing grass and breathed in the morning contentment.  The crisp air at dawn makes people feel extra energetic.

    ¡ª¡ªThe country is well-equipped, with pearls of wisdom in hand, and the power of our country is rising like the rising sun!

    ps: This is the most tiring section I have written so far. It describes Ito Hirobumi and Saionji Konobo from the front. To be honest, I am very trembling - not because I am afraid of being called a traitor, but because I am afraid that my writing skills are too clumsy to write this.  An outstanding person and a brave person are all in danger.

    ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????OUTOUT ITO Hirobumi is an outstanding person, but in a sense, I respect Saionji Konobo who insists on his personal philosophy in the haze of militarism.  Also, by the way, respecting every opponent who deserves respect, or even better, respecting every redeeming feature of every opponent, should be considered a good quality, right?  (To be continued. If you want to know what happened, please log in. There are more chapters. Support the author and support the official.
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