There is a warm current from the Pacific Ocean in Tokyo in January, so it is relatively warm. But for Japanese senior officials, today's temperature in Tokyo is extremely cold, colder than Hokkaido and colder than Siberia.
The goal I had worked hard for for the past twenty years was about to be a great success, but it was slapped away. It would be difficult for anyone else to accept it, so who can understand the cold feeling in my heart.
At the newly convened imperial meeting due to the defeat in the naval battle, in front of Emperor Meiji, Japanese senior officials even blamed each other, pointing fingers at each other and blaming each other.
"Although our navy is responsible for the failure of this naval battle, it was also caused by various reasons."
As the direct leader of the defeat in this naval battle, Navy Minister Saigo Yumichi took the lead in blaming the blame. He did not give others a chance to speak and continued directly.
"First of all, this naval battle took place in a hurry and could not meet the maritime combat requirements we had previously formulated. The failure of the army to seize Weihaiwei was the biggest reason for the failure of the naval battle."
"Pa, Baga!"
Saigo's obvious attempt to pass the blame to the army immediately drew rebuke from Army Minister Takashima Tomonosuke. "Your navy is so shameless and shirks its own responsibilities to others. The defeat on the battlefield,
You should realize your mistakes and correct them instead of running around to hug them.
Complaining about this and that is just like complaining about a woman. Moreover, our army has worked very hard in the battle in Weihaiwei. The lack of sufficient heavy firepower is the reason why we failed to capture the entire Weihaiwei. If your navy had accepted our army's request at that time,
, Weihaiwei has long been captured."
It is obvious that Takashima Tomonosuke also had foresight and took off the responsibility of the Army first. This was all because the Navy was unwilling to cooperate, otherwise Weihaiwei would have been defeated long ago.
"According to what you said, is it our navy's fault that we failed to capture Weihaiwei?"
"That's how it is. Of course, as long as you can suppress the coastal defense batteries, our navy will be able to conquer Weihaiwei."
Xixiang Congdao, who was disgusted by Prime Minister Lu's shamelessness, was furious. "Asshole, do you know that the main battery of Weihaiwei is equipped with two 260mm Krupp coastal defense guns? You let us use precious warships to attack the opponent
Shore artillery?”
"But even though you have saved all your warships, you haven't been able to defeat the Italian fleet. If you had known this would happen, you might as well have damaged one or two warships and attack Weihaiwei first. At least this would save your navy from being so embarrassed."
"Chaos, I want to duel with you!"
The scarred Saigo became angry and wanted to have a sword showdown with Prime Minister Takashima Tomonosuke.
"Come on, let me see how good your swordsmanship is."
Before anyone else could react, Takashima Tomonosuke was not willing to be outdone and fought back.
"Crack!"
Seeing that the imperial meeting was about to turn into a kendo duel, Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi, with a gloomy look on his face, slammed the table in front of him.
"Both of you are experts in swordsmanship. Since you two want to compete so much, let's set up a special arena for them in Tokyo. Just so the people of Tokyo can have a good look at the style of our land and sea ministers."
After all, Ito Hirobumi still had prestige, which was even more different from the puppet prime minister who was later controlled by the Japanese Navy and Army, so the two of them stopped talking.
After controlling the situation, Ito Hirobumi looked around at everyone.
"Today is not the time to call everyone together to hold people accountable. This war has not yet reached the point of admitting defeat. You are so shirking responsibility and asking those outside who are fighting for the empire to think about us."
Ito Hirobumi's words moved the senior officials at the meeting to some extent. Of course, whether they were moved by their patriotic enthusiasm or because they were not held accountable now, they somewhat enabled the Imperial Center to continue to operate.
Seeing that the atmosphere was gradually improving, Ito Hirobumi continued. "The defeat in this naval battle is not the end of the world. We still need to continue working hard for the empire. Sir Saigo, tell us how much time it will take for the navy to recover."
Yes, Ito Hirobumi also knew the importance of the navy in this war.
"At present, the combined fleet has suffered heavy losses, and every warship has been damaged. In addition, there are currently insufficient domestic repair shipyards. It will take at least three months to completely repair it."
Saigo's words made others present frown slightly. The United Fleet was absent from the battlefield for three months, which had a great impact on the war situation. There is a huge difference between having ships and not having ships. Even if Japan is protected by coastal defenses, Japan
How can it be so big and comprehensive?
Not to mention that the Italian fleet is so powerful that the only coastal defense fortifications in Japan that can be defended without the help of warships is Tokyo Bay.
Therefore, the cabinet members all have opinions on the Navy's absence for three months.
"The navy has been unable to move for three months. What should we do if enemy warships attack?"
The speaker was Minister of the Interior Ichikawa Kiichi. As the department in charge of Japan’s economic development, Ichikawa Kiichi would certainly not forget the distribution map of Japan’s economic development. It can be said responsibly that most of Japan’s economic development is located in coastal areas, so he
Will be extremely nervous.
In fact, what he said also expressed the sentiments of others. Without the protection of the navy, what should we do if an enemy ship attacks?
It is close to the coastal defense forts, but except for Tokyo Bay, which currently scares the enemy, the coastal defenses in other places cannot prevent the incoming enemy ships.
Facing the questioning gazes of the Minister of the Interior or the crowd, Saigo Mongichi could not bear it, so he hurriedly said, "Although our navy has suffered a lot of losses, the enemy ships will not be too uncomfortable. In addition, considering the enemy ships
There are also tasks that need to be completed, so according to our estimation, the enemy ships also need at least
It will take one month to restore normal maritime combat capabilities. And we can use this time to urgently purchase a group of warships, preferably large battleships or torpedo boats and coastal defense ships for offshore defense. Or we can ask the British
Check to see if any large warships are on the verge of being scrapped."
"In addition, our navy is fighting with the Italian fleet,"
Although Saigo's words are not meant to help Japan, they are currently the best solution for Japan. Warships are not a big deal. You can buy them if you want, and even if you sell them, it is still a thousand dollars to buy a finished warship that can be used immediately.
It is extremely difficult. Not to mention that selling warships to Japan requires risking offending Italy, but anyone who can ignore Italian pressure and is willing to sell warships will not give a second thought except the British Empire.
Therefore, only by seeking help from the British Empire can the Japanese Empire tide over the difficulties.
"Foreign Minister Mutsu, please inquire about Britain's attitude, inform us of our difficulties, and ask the British Empire to lend a helping hand. We will be grateful."
As Prime Minister, Hirobumi Ito still strongly agreed with the Admiralty of the Navy's approach. After all, the naval battle had been lost and the result could not be changed. The only thing a qualified politician should do was to find ways to remedy the situation first.
Of course, when it comes to the defeat in the naval battle, Ito Hirobumi asked again, "What does your Navy Ministry think of this defeat in the naval battle?"
It was obvious that Prime Minister Ito had a lot of resentment towards this naval battle, and he naturally complained about the losing navy.
"Prime Minister, our Navy Department has conducted a very in-depth study of the failure of this naval battle. We believe that strategically we were not prepared for the intervention of the great powers and failed to take precautions against Italy's participation in this war. And tactically,
The defeat in the naval battle was more due to strength. The officers and soldiers of the combined fleet had worked very hard, and tactically we relied on the ability to predict the enemy ahead.
The advantage is slightly better. But in the face of the enemy's absolute strength, these small advantages of ours cannot be converted into victory at all. The enemy easily broke our plan with its powerful battleship formation, so our navy believes that the lack of battleships in the combined fleet is the most important factor.
The main factor in the defeat of this naval battle is that the empire needs battleships, and battleships that can compete with the Turin class."
Saigo took a detour for a long time and turned the navy's review of the failure into an act of asking for a battleship. He also saw others dumbfounded. This must be too shameless.
However, Ito Hirobumi did not stop him from speaking. Instead, he put more burdens on Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu. "Mutsu-kun, when you met with the British, you informed us of our request. If the British are not willing to sell now, we are willing to order at least after the war."
A battleship capable of competing with the Turin class is needed."
After listening to Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi's request, Mutsu Munemitsu wiped the sweat from his forehead, hesitated and said, "I'll give it a try."
Ito Hirobumi saw clearly that if Japan wants to find a way out, it must find a way from its neighbor, the Qing Dynasty. Although the unexpected factor of Italy appears this time, Japan will always have a way as long as it strengthens its military equipment. After all, the Qing Dynasty
They had already clearly seen the quality of the army during the war.
And as long as Britain chooses Japan as an ally to resist Russia's infiltration into the Far East, everything will be fine. Isn't it just borrowing money? As long as the more it borrows, the British will help themselves more.
Next, the imperial meeting discussed further about how to respond to the Italian attack, such as taking advantage of the current naval maintenance period of both sides to quickly transport a batch of supplies to the front line. After all, North Korea's official road, which has been in disrepair for a long time, is not suitable for transporting supplies.
It is too laborious to say that it is better than nothing. In addition, various places are required to strengthen their vigilance and strive to detect incoming Italian warships as soon as possible, etc.
However, these methods are actually avoiding one problem, that is, why not use the advantage we still have to negotiate with the Qing Dynasty?
I believe that all of these important ministers here cannot fail to see that after the defeat in the naval battle, the situation of the war has reversed, and Japan has been rapidly sliding towards defeat.
Why does no one ask this question? Because they dare not mention it. The Japanese government has used nationalism to incite the people. Under the news of previous victories, the people have reached the peak of fanaticism. Some people have already shouted that they will occupy the Northeast of Korea and the Qing Dynasty.
and North China, turning the Yellow Sea into Japan's inland sea. This shows how crazy and irrational it is.
At this time, any behavior or news that throws cold water on the country will not be accepted by the people. If you tell him now that Japan lost a key naval battle, it must accept a defeat. If he doesn't come to your house to punish the national traitors, he will be counted as one.
Eat fast and recite Buddha's name.
Yes, the Japanese government has been kidnapped by the enthusiastic people. Anyone who proposes negotiations will not have a good result. Who is willing to stand up, and even standing up is useless. Personal power cannot stop the fanatical public sentiment, even if this
Public sentiment is extremely dangerous.
Therefore, politicians like them can only try to save it, and they are not without opportunities. The opportunity lies in the regulations of the Qing Dynasty on hiring Italians.
An Italian soldier killed in battle needs to be paid at least 800 taels of silver, and each disabled soldier needs to be paid 600 taels of silver. In addition, the arms and warships used need to be paid. The Qing Dynasty's finances are not much better than Japan's, so how can they give so much money? Wait until the Qing Dynasty itself suffers
If not, then I will naturally be willing to sit down and talk.
That's right, taking the lives of Japanese soldiers and draining the Qing government's finances was their only way.
Compared with Japan's two cents for recruiting a soldier, the Italian soldiers hired by the Qing Dynasty were too expensive. The war was also a war of attrition, and it depended on who couldn't bear it first.
