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Text Chapter 222: Wandering Japan

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    Sasebo Port is located on the northwest coast of Kyushu Island, Japan, and belongs to Nagasaki Prefecture.  Sasebo was originally a deserted village.  It was established as a military base in the early Meiji period.  A naval garrison was established in 1886 and later developed into a military port.  Surrounded by mountains, and with the Five Islands as a barrier to the west of the entrance channel, it is a natural harbor.  It is adjacent to Sasebo City in the north and is surrounded by the Nishihisha Peninsula and Aibi Island of Kyushu Island, forming an irregular "Y" shape.  The only entrance channel in the port area (water depth 23-54 meters) is located in the southwest. On the south side of the channel is the quarantine anchorage (water depth 15-35 meters). The entrance port boundary is the line connecting Takagosaki and Yifunazaki, and the inner harbor is at the northwest end.  .

    Usebo Naval Base is not only one of Japan¡¯s traditional shipbuilding bases, but also one of the military ports of the Japanese Navy. The Combined Fleet was born here in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894.  This is because the base is located on the east side of the southern end of the Korean Strait (Tsushima Strait), and its geographical location is very important. The reason why Japan was able to achieve a brilliant victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea was because of the good geographical conditions of the Sasebo base and the resulting  The role is a determining factor that cannot be ignored.  The base has a water area of ??more than 40 million square meters and can accommodate more than 90 ships. It has a shipyard and dock and can repair and build large ships.

    Under the guidance of the lighthouse, the "Chiyoda" and "Yoshino" successfully entered the military port.  On the pier, many naval soldiers have discovered that the warship has returned, and they have flocked to the pier, hoping to get news of victory.  However, when the battleship entered the harbor, the smiles on everyone's faces disappeared.  Because when we came back, there were only the "Chiyoda" and the "Yoshino".  As for the "Yoshino", it was obvious that it had gone through a tough battle and only escaped after being severely damaged.

    "Could it be that the United Fleet was really defeated?" Almost everyone thought this way.  However, they still have a trace of unwillingness in their hearts, hoping that a miracle will happen.  It is hoped that the "Chiyoda" and "Yoshino" are just the vanguard of the return, followed by the main force of the combined fleet.

    "Chief of Staff, where is the main force of the combined fleet?" a soldier asked.

    "The fleet encountered the main force of the Western Sichuan Navy! It is estimated that the situation is already in danger!" Togo Heihachiro said with a sad face.

    "Ah! How is this possible? How could the invincible Combined Fleet fail? Are the news about the Chinese taking a walk true? Has the Combined Fleet really been destroyed?" The Japanese navy soldiers were immediately in an uproar.  Some people even burst into tears. They had great hopes for this joint fleet expedition, hoping that the combined fleet could easily defeat the Western Sichuan Navy just like it defeated the Beiyang Navy, laying the foundation for Japan's rise.  But I didn't expect that what was waiting was bad news.  This was unacceptable to many Japanese naval soldiers, and some radical ones even committed seppuku on the spot.  If the navy failed, how could they go to see the emperor?

    "Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, the United Fleet was destroyed, so why are you back? Could it be that you were deserters?" Some navy soldiers asked angrily.  Now that the combined fleet has been shattered, why can the "Chiyoda" come back unscathed?  This made these naval soldiers very dissatisfied.  If you lose the battle, you should die as an apology.  Living an ignoble existence is simply a shame in their eyes.

    "How outrageous! Your Excellency, the Chief of Staff, was ordered by Your Excellency the Commander to come back and state the reasons why the combined fleet failed! We failed once, do you still want us to lose again in the future?" Faced with the crisis, "Chiyoda"  The captain of the ship, Masatoshi Uchida, scolded.  Then, he showed the order from Combined Fleet Commander Ito Yuhiro, and the angry navy soldiers stopped being hostile to them.  Although the Japanese army has a strict hierarchy, mutinies often occur, and it is even more common for the subordinates to defeat the superiors.  Now that the combined fleet has been annihilated, the navy soldiers are excited. If they are not careful, a mutiny will occur.

    ¡°Everyone spread out, we are going to send a report to Tokyo!¡± Uchida Masatoshi, the captain of the Chiyoda, yelled.  The naval soldiers who gathered around finally gave way to the passage.  Togo Heihachiro and others immediately went to the telegraph room of the naval port and reported the first half of the naval battle and the possible situation to the Navy Ministry.  Then they would have to wait for orders from the Admiralty.

    Although it was already night, half an hour later, Togo Heihachiro received an order from Navy Minister Saigo Yumichi, asking him to rush to Tokyo immediately to prepare to report the situation of the naval battle to the cabinet and even the emperor.  Togo Heihachiro did not dare to neglect and immediately rushed to Tokyo.

    At 9 o'clock in the evening, the lively streets of Tokyo have slowly quieted down.  Because of last year's victory in the war, people all over Japan are still immersed in joy. Even though they are still facing war now, in their view, the final victory still belongs to the Empire of Japan.  Therefore, the people are still very happy.  Even though news came from China that the Japanese combined fleet was defeated and annihilated, it was still scorned by them.  They simply don¡¯t believe in invincibility.??The combined fleet will be defeated.

    "Ta-ta, tap-ta!" The clear sound of horse hooves sounded on the street, and the carriage coming out of the Admiralty, escorted by a group of guards, quickly rushed to the Prime Minister's Office.  In the carriage, Japanese Navy Minister Saigo Yumichi's face was so gloomy that he almost shed tears.  When the Minister to China, Taro Kawaguchi, sent back the news that the Japanese combined fleet was annihilated by the Western Sichuan Navy today, he had an ominous premonition in his heart.  Unexpectedly, it really turned out like this in the end.  Togo Heihachiro returned. Although he did not experience the final stage of the naval battle, Saigo Mongichi believed that if the commander of the combined fleet, Ito Yuhiro, was not sure of victory and was determined to die, Togo Heihachiro would not have been allowed to return.  He could almost conclude that the Japanese combined fleet really failed this time, and it was a disastrous defeat.  It is likely that as Kawanishi propagated, all the battleships, except the "Chiyoda" which withdrew from the battle early and the heavily damaged "Yoshino", were sunk.

    "Your Excellency, the Prime Minister's Office has arrived!" outside the carriage, the captain of the guard reported.

    Xixiang Congdao finally came back to his senses. After sorting out his clothes a little, he quickly walked into the Prime Minister's Palace.  Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi already knew about Saigo's visit and was waiting for him in the living room.

    "Your Excellency, Saigo Congmichi, is there anything important? Is there any news from the United Fleet?" Seeing Saigo Congmichi approaching, Ito Hirobumi quickly asked.  The news of the defeat of the United Fleet from China had already frightened him.  You know, Japan has gambled its entire national destiny.  If the navy cannot win, then Japan will definitely lose this battle.  Once Japan loses the war, it may no longer have any hope of rising.

    "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Rear Admiral Togo Heihachiro, the Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet, returned to the Sasebo Naval Base. However, he brought back bad news. After encountering the main fleet of the Western Sichuan Navy, the First Guerrilla Force of the Combined Fleet fought several battles in the Western Sichuan Navy.  The cruiser was hit hard and suffered heavy losses. The strength of the Western Sichuan Navy far exceeded our previous expectations. Therefore, the commander of the Combined Fleet, Ito Yuhiro, ordered Togo Heihachiro to return and report the situation to us. Another purpose is also to  We must preserve the seeds of revival for the navy!" Xixiang Congdao said with a heavy face.

    Ito Hirobumi¡¯s face suddenly turned pale.  Although Saigo said so much, he only listened to one sentence, preserving the seeds of revival for the Japanese Navy. Doesn't that mean that the Combined Fleet has really suffered a tragedy this time?  Could it be that what the Western Sichuan Navy said was true, and was the combined fleet really annihilated?

    Even Ito Hirobumi, who was used to seeing strong winds and waves, could hardly bear the blow. He finally recovered and asked: "Your Excellency Saigo Congdao, in your opinion, are the reports in western Sichuan true?"

    "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, it seems that the reports in western Sichuan should be true." Saixiang Congdao replied.  Although he didn't want to admit it, he had to admit that this was the truth.

    "It's over, the navy is over. We won't be able to resist the Western Sichuan people next. Next, they will launch an attack on our homeland, right? Is it true that Amaterasu no longer protects his people? Great Japan  Where should the empire go?" Ito Hirobumi murmured to himself.  As one of the elders of Japan and the first Japanese Prime Minister, his efforts over the years are all aimed at revitalizing Japan.  But now, Japan's national destiny seems to have been cut off.  Could it be that the 40 million Japanese citizens can really only be trapped on these barren islands?

    "Your Excellency Prime Minister, now we should consider how to face this difficult situation. The navy is defeated, and this war will inevitably fail. We must do our best to reduce losses for the Japanese Empire!" Saigo said.  Said sadly.  If the navy is defeated, someone will inevitably take responsibility, and this person is none other than him.  Even though he is a nobleman of the House of Lords and the chairman of the National Association, he is still doomed this time.  Even if he could avoid committing seppuku, he might have to take off his military uniform.

    Ito Hirobumi nodded and shouted to the door: "Come here, invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance and Minister of War!"

    "Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister!" The guards outside immediately went to deliver the order.

    Now that we have encountered an emergency, Ito Hirobumi is preparing to convene a five-phase meeting.  There are too many cabinet members, and it would be troublesome to notify them one by one. A five-phase meeting composed of the five most important ministers in the cabinet can also formulate a decision.  However, even Ito Hirobumi himself has no idea about Japan's future and doesn't know what to do next.

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