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Text Chapter 124 Going to Crazy Japan

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    (Thanks to book friend Kaka Xingren for the reward, thanks to book friend Kaitou Tianlong for his update ticket, and thanks to book friend Wang Ri for his monthly ticket! Thank you all, Xiaoyu!)

    The Meiji Restoration refers to the top-down, capitalist-like comprehensive Westernization and modernization reform movement that Japan carried out in the 1860s against the backdrop of the impact of Western capitalist industrial civilization.  This reform began in 1868 when Emperor Meiji established a new government. The Japanese government carried out modern political reforms and established a constitutional monarchy. Economically, it promoted "colonial industry", learned European and American technology, and carried out a wave of industrialization. It also promoted "civilization and enlightenment" and social development.  Measures such as Europeanizing life and vigorously developing education.  This reform made Japan one of the world's powerful countries and marked the beginning of Japan's modernization. However, it also led Japan to embark on the path of militarism of foreign aggression and expansion, causing heavy disasters to its Asian neighbors.

    By 1891.  At this time, Japan has experienced rapid development for more than 20 years, and has gradually got rid of the backwardness it had when the United States opened its door. It has gradually moved ahead of other Asian countries, and has a hint of the development of an emerging power.  It's trending.  Today, Japan has established a new army modeled on Europe and the United States.  The navy is also being established, but it is still far behind the Beiyang Fleet, which ranks first in Asia and sixth in the world.  However, thanks to concerted efforts across Japan, this gap is rapidly narrowing.

    In addition, due to its small land area and lack of resources, Japan's economic and national strength development has been severely restricted.  For example, Japan's main export product is raw silk.  However, after the rise of Western Sichuan, the raw silk exported from Western Sichuan became more high-quality and cheaper, seriously squeezing the export space of Japanese products.  Gradually, the Japanese government has discovered that the economic development rate in recent years has gradually slowed down.

    It¡¯s unbearably hot in Tokyo in August, even on the beach.  Countless Japanese people are busy making a living even in such a hot summer.  The growing strength of the country has not brought any benefits to these ordinary people.  The only thing that satisfies them is probably their growing abnormal self-esteem and self-confidence.

    In the cabinet meeting room of the Prime Minister's Office in Nagata-cho, Tokyo, four old Japanese men were kneeling on the tatami.  However, their expressions were somewhat serious.  These four old men are the four most important people in the Japanese cabinet.  They were conducting a five-phase meeting, and what the meeting was discussing was the just-ended war between Western Sichuan and the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and what impact this war would have on the Far East and even Japan.  At the same time, the telegram sent back by Taro Kawaguchi, the Japanese Minister to China, was also circulated in the hands of several old men.

    The current Prime Minister of Japan is Masayoshi Matsukata, 56, who is now 56 years old. This is also the first time he has taken office to form a cabinet. While serving as Prime Minister, he also serves as Tibetan Prime Minister, which is also the Minister of Finance.  Also attending this meeting were Foreign Minister Takehiro Enomoto, Land Minister Takashima Tomonosuke and Marine Minister Shiki Kawasaki.

    "Everyone, you have all read the telegram sent back by Taro Kawaguchi! The Qing Dynasty suffered a disastrous defeat in this war, and their national power has dropped to a freezing point. However, Western Sichuan has gained more than two million square kilometers of land and  A compensation of almost 400 million yen. Western Sichuan's economic strength has already surpassed that of the empire, and now it is tantamount to adding more power to a tiger. It can be seen that they will leave the empire far behind. So, the future of the empire lies in  Where?" Prime Minister Masayoshi Matsukata said.

    "Your Majesty Prime Minister, the Qing army is now almost completely destroyed, leaving only less than 200,000 defeated soldiers. I think we can launch an attack on the Qing immediately. With the current strength of our army, we can definitely defeat the Qing again. To  By that time, we will get a large territory and a large amount of war reparations. The empire's development speed will also take off again!" Prime Minister Takashima Tomonosuke said immediately.  Since the Meiji Restoration, Japan's new army has had six field divisions and one Guards division, with a total strength of more than 130,000.

    "No, it's not the time yet. Although the Qing's army has been completely lost, their navy is still the most powerful in Asia. In addition, in this war between Western Sichuan and the Qing, the Western powers are obviously supporting the Qing.  . If we use force against the Qing Dynasty, I am afraid it will cause the Western powers to be hostile to us!" said Foreign Minister Takehiro Enomoto.

    "Isn't our navy capable of defeating the Qing navy? Although our strength is weaker than theirs, we have the spirit of Bushido. We can definitely defeat the strong with the weak!" said Prime Minister Takashima Tomonosuke.  After the Meiji Restoration, Japan began to concentrate national efforts on developing its navy, which enabled the Japanese navy to develop rapidly from scratch.  However, it also caused a dispute between the military on land and sea.

    Immediately, after hearing these words, Haixiang Huashan Ziji's face became a little ugly.  Beginning in 1883, Japan began an eight-year shipbuilding plan.  Decided to invest 3.3 million yen per year, planning to build five large ships, eight medium ships, seven small ships plus torpedo gunboats, a total of 30Two ships.  In response, Japan increased its naval military expenditures several times. In 1887, the Japanese Navy already had 22 ships of various types.  However, after the two ships "Dingyuan" and "Zhenyuan" of the Beiyang Fleet were put into service, Japan once again increased its investment in the navy and built three large ships, Matsushima, Itsukushima and Hashidate.  "Three Scenery Ships" to ensure that the navy can defeat the Beiyang Fleet.

    "Your Excellency Prime Minister, our shipbuilding plan has not been completed. The current navy is not yet a match for the Beiyang Fleet. If we start a war rashly, we are likely to fail. Once we fail, we will never have a chance again!" Huashan  Zi Ji said.

    Masayoshi Matsukata nodded. Even though Japan has worked hard to develop its navy over the years, its foundation is still too weak after all!  As Shiki Kayama said, Japan only has one chance.  If it fails, Japan will have no second chance.  Therefore, they must ensure that they can win the first time.  The navy is the top priority.  If the navy fails, no matter how strong the Japanese army is, will they still be able to swim across the Tsushima Strait?

    "Let's do this. We will once again increase our investment in the navy and strive to shorten the gap with the Qing Navy as soon as possible. We will ensure victory in one battle. Gentlemen, the future of the empire is in our hands. You must work hard.  !" Masayoshi Matsukata said seriously.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Prime Minister, we will be loyal to Japan and His Majesty the Emperor!¡± The rest of the people also replied one after another.

    After finishing his response, Matsukata Masayoshi immediately rushed to the palace and reported the contents of this meeting to Emperor Meiji.

    "So, do we have to give up this opportunity?" Emperor Meiji had some regret in his eyes.  This time the Qing army was almost completely wiped out. For Japan, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

    "Your Majesty! The Navy cannot guarantee victory. If the Navy cannot win, we will not be able to win this war!" Masayoshi Matsukata said.

    "Oh! I know. I just feel a little pity. For the sake of the Imperial Navy and the future of the Empire. I decided to start by saving palace expenses and allocate 300,000 yen from the palace funds every year to support shipbuilding for the navy. Only  I hope the Imperial Navy can surpass the Qing Navy as soon as possible!" Emperor Meiji said.

    "Thank you for your majesty's support to the navy. With your majesty as your example, I will also donate two layers of my salary for the navy's shipbuilding!" Masayoshi Matsukata also said immediately.  Since the emperor has taken the lead, of course they, the ministers, have to express their feelings.

    Subsequently, officials across Japan, including local officials, donated one-tenth of their salaries for naval shipbuilding.  At the same time, major financial groups and ordinary people in Japan also donated money and materials to support the navy's shipbuilding plan.  In 1892 alone, the Japanese people donated 2.2 million yen and donated goods and materials equivalent to 700,000 yen, totaling 2.9 million yen.  Equivalent to 1/5 of Japan¡¯s fiscal investment.  At that time, Japan's total population was more than 41.8 million, accounting for more than 6 million households, and more than 3 million households donated money. Even some poor people and even children donated their only savings.

    With the support of Japan¡¯s nationwide efforts, the Japanese Navy has achieved rapid development.  It can also be seen that in order to obtain enough living space for the God of War Manchu Qing, the entire Japan, from the emperor to the common people, has gone crazy.

    At the same time, the Manchu Qing Dynasty was still developing slowly. After Prince Gong Yixin became the foreman of military aircraft, he also began to develop Westernization nationwide.  However, the Manchu Qing Dynasty was like a terminally ill patient, how could it develop so easily.

    ?Gangwa City is located on the south side of Xisi South Street in Beijing. It was named after the city of cylinder tiles, pottery and porcelain in history.  Prince Ding's Mansion is located here.  But, the current King of Dingjun, Aixinjueluo?  Pu Xu was a marginalized figure in the Manchu and Qing royal families. He had been out of service for many years. He only relied on a little salary and the property left by his ancestors to survive, and his life was not very good. Among the Manchu and Qing royal families, he was considered a mess.  A relatively poor person.

    But now, waves of people visiting have almost trampled down the threshold of Prince Ding¡¯s Mansion!  Although these people are all relatives, they rarely interact with each other.  In particular, Prince Li Shiduo came to visit in person, which made Prince Ding Puxu very uneasy!

    "Subsequently, the palace issued an order to choose an auspicious day for Aisin Gioro?"  Yu Ying married Wang Yuze, Marshal of Western Sichuan.  Only then did Pu Xu understand why so many royal princes showed favor to him. It turned out to be for his future son-in-law!

    For Western Sichuan, Pu Xu¡¯s impression has always been that of a bandit.  However, this time, the Western Sichuan Army fought all the way to the capital city, which made him very scared. He was afraid that after the capital was breached, the clan members like them would have a bad end.  During any dynasty change, all the descendants of the previous clan were slaughtered!  Fortunately, the Western Sichuan Army did not invade, which gave him a lot of peace of mind.  Didn't think so??, this battle has just ended, and he has become in-laws with the bandits in western Sichuan.

    PS: The third update is here!  (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to subscribe and reward (this site). Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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