The outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War filled the Far East with smoke. The first to bear the brunt were Nie Shicheng and Ye Zhichao's troops in Asan near Seoul.
On July 25, this Qing army in southern Korea was attacked by Major General Oshima Yishō of the Japanese 9th Mixed Brigade, leading his main force of more than 4,000 people from Seoul to invade Asan. At that time, the number of Qing troops stationed in Asan had increased to 3
More than 800 people, including Nie Shicheng, the commander-in-chief of Taiyuan Town, Jiang Zikang, the registered admiral, led 2,800 troops to be stationed in Chenghuanyi, Ye Zhichao, the admiral of Zhili, led 500 people from the 1st battalion to Gongzhou, and left 1 battalion stationed in Yashan.
The two armies fought for one day. Since the Japanese army was strong in South Korea and our reinforcements were still in the Pyongyang area of North Korea, they lost more than 500 people. The two Qing troops had to relocate, and the Japanese army lost 88 people.
After expelling two Qing troops, the Japanese army stepped up its troop transport from home. The Fifth Division, the Tenth Mixed Brigade and other troops also landed in North Korea during this period.
In Japan, various divisions are mobilizing to prepare for the next reinforcement of North Korea.
Faced with Japan's illustrious move, the Qing Dynasty was also making preparations. Li Zhongtang was also making preparations and continued to mobilize Sheng troops, Feng troops and others from China to train troops to fight in the DPRK.
Of course, Li Zhongtang did not only do this. At Li Zhongtang's warm invitation, the Italian Minister to the Qing Dynasty, Jia Liwen, walked into the busy Tianjin Governor's Palace.
"Minister Jia, the main reason why I invite you to come this time is that our country needs your help."
At the beginning, Li Zhongtang simply explained his intention to invite Jia Liwen this time.
"Due to Japan's despicable and shameless sneak attack, our country is not fully prepared now, so we want to purchase a batch of weapons and ammunition from your country to equip our soldiers."
As a confidant and right-hand man, Zhou Fu told Minister Jia Liwen the reason for the invitation.
That's right, although Italy reminded him many times, Li Zhongtang didn't take it too seriously, so he didn't realize until the war started that his military preparations were still not adequate.
At this time, Li Zhongtang thought of Italy. Not only could he ask Minister Jia to come to Tianjin to discuss the matter, but Zhou Fu's explanation would be much better than what he himself could do. At least it would save his own face.
Minister Jia had made some assumptions before coming, so he was not surprised by Zhou Fu's words.
But it was not easy for him to agree to Li Zhongtang's request on behalf of Italy. Jia Liwen said, "It's very difficult for me to deal with what Mr. Zhou said. Your country believes and knows the principle of diplomatic neutrality and allows our country to break neutrality and participate in it.
This will not be easy for Rome to agree to."
Yes, after the war broke out between China and Japan, although Italy has not declared neutrality, it is impossible for Italy to take the lead in violating the principle of neutrality without paying some costs.
Because he knew that since Qianli Zhaozhao invited him here this time, the small amount of weapons and ammunition would definitely not be so serious. Of course, it is not easy. This means that the price is too small, and Li Zhongtang, as a man of the Qing Dynasty, will still
Don’t you understand what Jia Liwen means?
Sure enough, as Jia Liwen's words fell, Zhou Fu said directly. "Our country will remember Italy's kindness. Of course, our country will not suffer losses from its friends. This is our country's need."
As he spoke, a weapons purchase list was handed to Jia Liwen.
Minister Jia took the list and looked at it carefully.
Fifteen thousand M88 Carcano rifles, 30,000 Vitry M1870 rifles, 48 Maxim heavy machine guns, 68 57mm mountain guns, 32 75mm field guns, 16 85mm field guns, 150mm shore guns
There are 6 anti-guns and 2 240mm coastal defense guns. There are also 15 million rounds of various bullets and 80,000 rounds of various artillery shells, with a total value of more than 15 million lire.
These weapons lists are quite normal, and Jia Liwen thinks that he can nod and agree to them. After all, Rome has given instructions before to ensure Italy's interests in the Far East. And Italy's interests in the Far East are basically concentrated in the Qing Dynasty, so this statement
The meaning is also self-evident.
As for why you don't agree easily, it's not simple. If it's easy to get, then you won't know how to be grateful.
But Jia Liwen can't care about the supplies at the front of the list now, because there are still some items at the end of the list.
"Your country not only wants to purchase Chinese warships, but also wants to hire retired Chinese officers and soldiers to operate the warships. This matter is too sensitive, and I am afraid it will be difficult for our country to agree to it."
Yes, compared with the violation of the principle of neutrality by selling weapons, Jia Liwen felt that Li Zhongtang felt too good about himself and actually wanted the Italian army to fight for him. Yes, hiring retired officers and soldiers was just a cover-up.
Maybe it was the Sino-French war ten years ago and Italy's actions that gave this old man the illusion. Jia Liwen felt it was necessary to dispel Li Zhongtang's illusion.
In the face of Jia Liwen's rebuttal, Li Zhongtang was not angry. After all, he had tasted the benefits before, so he tried to test one or two with the mentality of having a date but not a date.
"Minister Jia, don't be angry. As far as I know, this kind of thing is not uncommon in Europe, so our country's request is nothing."
It is obvious that Li Zhongtang has done his homework and knows some situations in Europe.
After hearing Li Zhongtang's words, Minister Jia felt that it was necessary to educate him on this matter.
"What Zhongtang said was a situation that lasted hundreds of years. This situation is basically not seen in Europe now. In addition, when your country was at war with France, our country would send retired officers and soldiers. That is a very bad relationship between our country and France."
It was obvious that Jia Liwen wanted to tell Li Zhongtang that the situation is different now. It is impossible to bring Italy to an end without a sufficient price. With a purchase order of millions of taels, it is impossible to satisfy Italy.
Li Zhongtang also understood what Minister Jia Liwen meant. At this time, Li Zhongtang still had power and was not very eager to invite Italy to help, so he immediately changed the subject.
"It's me, Meng Lang. Let's talk about weapons procurement."
After pressing the intention of inviting Italy to help, the two parties were finally able to negotiate on weapons procurement.
Li Zhongtang also knew that with the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, weapons were currently difficult to buy, so he did not insist much on the price this time.
Considering the interests of the Far East, Italy did not charge too high a price, so this batch of arms was finally sold at a price of 22 million.
Don't think that Italy is taking advantage of the situation, Li Zhongtang is actually taking advantage.
You must know that due to the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the price of arms has risen by half like a rocket.
And it’s not something you can buy if you have money, let alone such a large batch of arms.
Moreover, Li Zhongtang's requirements were even higher. This batch of arms must be transported to Tianjin within two months. Considering the shipping time, this means that this batch of arms must be transferred from the army warehouse.
It can be said that Italy has already put half of its butt on China's side.
Next, we will see how Li Zhongtang plays. Italy has already given a lot of support.
