"Your country's attitude of violating the principle of neutrality is a shameless betrayal of the civilized world and will be strongly condemned by all countries."
In the palace, Carlo sat on a chair and listened to the British Ambassador Mandyson's deafening words of justice.
Carlo knew that the British were in a hurry. He had just decided to support Japan in encircling Russia and wanted to find some supplements for Japan. However, he encountered Italy personally going to attack Japan. As the boss behind the scenes, how could the British Empire sit still?
No, Ambassador Mandison's protest was sent directly to Carlo.
How could Carlo not understand the anger of the British?
But Italy is not a follower of the United Kingdom, so why should it listen to the British? Italy also has its own interests. It is not in Italy's interest to let the Japanese grow bigger in the Far East. Although historically speaking, the rise of the Japanese is unstoppable, but for
As far as Carlo is concerned, it can be held back for a few years. Anyway, Japan cannot get too much of the Qing Dynasty's cake.
"Your Excellency Ambassador, do you need a glass of water first?"
After Mandison finished speaking, Carlo asked with concern. This made Ambassador Mandison very angry. For a long time, the monarch did not take what he said to heart.
Don't blame Carlo for speaking too bluntly. The British protest really doesn't mean anything. As long as the British don't personally go out to help Japan, Italy will not be moved at all.
There is no way, money is so attractive, let alone Italy, which is currently crazy poor. According to estimates from the Ministry of Finance, supporting the Qing government will have direct benefits of at least 200 million lire, and indirect benefits can reach more than 300 million lire. This is
With a huge sum of money, don't even think about asking Italy to give up with empty words.
In fact, Ambassador Mandison also knows that he is doing useless work. In fact, London also knows this. But some things must be done even though they know it is useless, otherwise everyone will lose face.
Otherwise, if the newly recruited younger brother was beaten, how could he be convincing if he didn't show his anger?
Of course, it is impossible to end in person, and it is good to be able to scold him in person. The British know very well who is more important, Japan or Italy, which is also a great power.
Carlo also knew this, so he intervened in the war in the Far East.
In fact, before helping the Qing Dynasty, Carlo had already analyzed the pros and cons. As long as the British did not make hostile moves towards Italy, then there would be no big problem. And the chance of the British dying for Japan personally was zero. This was Carlo's response to the current British diplomacy.
As well as the results of calm analysis of the previous troop dispatch environments.
In addition to the British, the United States, another country that supports Japan, is even more impossible.
In addition to these two countries, Russia, which has the most geographical advantages in the Far East, was initially willing to see the war between China and Japan. However, as Japan crossed the Yalu River and entered the outside world, its attitude changed. For those who had already regarded the outside world as
Russia, which is the meat on its plate, has become hostile to Japan. And France, influenced by Russia, also has a bad feeling towards Japan.
Germany's entry into Italy is a mixture of good and bad news. The good news is that Italy is its ally anyway, and Italy's growth can be said to be an increase in its own strength. What is worrying is that Italy's impulsive and desperate approach makes it more vulnerable to Italy.
Such an impulsive ally is a little worried. As for Austria-Hungary, the Far East is too far away from Austria-Hungary, and its influence in the Far East is limited.
So looking at it, there is nothing that prevents Italy from causing trouble in the Far East. Of course, if Italy divides its sphere of influence in the Qing Dynasty, this is a different matter.
Since other countries will not or cannot intervene in Italy's actions, this is definitely the worst news for Japan.
In fact, after the Qing Dynasty was announced to the world, Japan was deeply worried about the malicious intentions from Italy.
"The war with the Qing Dynasty has now entered a troubled period. Do you have any good suggestions?"
At the imperial meeting, Ito Hirobumi, as Prime Minister, did not hesitate to express his inner thoughts in front of all the ministers of the court.
There was no way. Seeing that this war was going smoothly, when Ito Hirobumi and others were ready to reap a wave of benefits, they were suddenly told that the soldiers you just fought were just soldiers, and now the boss is about to come on the scene. How can you not yell at someone who is shameless?
, already considered very educated.
But swearing doesn't solve the problem. The most urgent requirement for Japan now is that the Italians are coming. How should Japan deal with this new opponent?
"Saigo-kun, does your Navy Department have any plans?"
Ito Hirobumi directly named the Navy and asked the Navy to come up with a solution. As for why the Navy was named first, the reason is very simple. Whether it is protecting maritime transportation lines or fighting for sea control, a navy is needed. It can be said that without a navy, the Japanese army in Liaodong Korea
They are all floating roots.
In view of the importance of the navy, that's why I asked the navy first.
Faced with the Prime Minister's inquiry, Saigo Yumichi, as the Minister of the Navy, discussed in a low voice with the Commander of the Combined Fleet, Ito Yuhiro, and then said, "Our navy does have a plan."
Upon hearing that the Navy really had a solution, everyone present became interested.
"Please Xixiang-kun, please tell me the truth."
At this time, Ito Yuhiro, who was on the side, said, "Before we say anything, we must first explain that this plan is a bit bold."
"It doesn't matter. The empire is currently in trouble, so please speak out."
After getting approval from Prime Minister Ito, Saigo opened his mouth and said, "Our navy's plan is to immediately land on the Weihaiwei side and seize Weihaiwei, the most important military port in the Beiyang, to prevent the military port from being used by Italy."
"Nani?"
The Admiralty's words shocked the others because it was too dangerous.
"This is simply nonsense."
As a replacement for the new Army Minister Takashima Tomonosuke, who had gone to command the First Army Oyama Iwa, he immediately refuted. Because of this plan, it would be very dangerous for the Japanese troops to land. They must capture Weihaiwei before the Italian troops arrive, otherwise
You will be in despair.
Faced with Takashima Tomonosuke's rebuttal, Ito Yuhiro immediately said loudly, "This is also the best way."
Then he explained. "The most dangerous thing for the Italian army is its fleet. In the North China Sea, there are currently only three ports that can be used as ports of call, namely Lushun, Weihaiwei, and Tianjin. Currently, Lushun is under the control of our army.
, Tianjin is deep into the Bohai Bay and is surrounded by Lushun and Weihaiwei. As long as Weihaiwei can be occupied, the Italian army will have no ports available in the North China Sea, so they can only stay in Shanghai.
By attacking from Shanghai, we will have enough time to respond, and this will also drag down its combat effectiveness. Therefore, we can only have a chance of winning by taking Weihaiwei. Once the Italian army reaches Weihaiwei, all previous efforts will be in vain.
"
In fact, Ito Yuhiro's words have a premise, that is, the Japanese combined fleet cannot defeat the Italian fleet. In fact, several deductions have been conducted within the Japanese combined fleet. No matter how the deduction is performed, the result is the same. The combined fleet and the Italian fleet are
When navies meet, they can only end in defeat.
Apart from anything else, the three 15,000-ton Turin-class battleships are a problem it cannot solve.
Of course, if the Japanese army shamelessly set up the Turin class to break away from the formation and enter the narrow sea area, and the Japanese torpedo boats all come out, then they can win. But this condition, except for obscenity, is simply impossible. This requires an Italian commander
How stupid would you be to make such an idiotic move? No one in the Combined Fleet would be able to do this, because this would lead to a military court.
Therefore, the only way at present is to seize Weihaiwei first and leave no usable ports for Italy.
Of course, in order to provide enough convincing for his plan, Ito Yuheng picked up a telegram.
"According to the investigation of our intelligence personnel in Pontianak, Italians are currently purchasing winter clothing in Pontianak. According to the reserve warehouse personnel we bribed, the Italian army currently only has more than 3,000 pieces of winter clothing, and the Italian army, which lacks winter clothing, at least needs
It will take half a month to set sail, and including the time to go north, we have at least twenty days, and this is also our last chance."
