I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 156 The Battle of Dignity
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Yagyu is crazy. He actually wants to go against France, as well as the Netherlands, Spain and other Western countries. Such crazy actions will destroy the great cause of the Restoration!"

Ohara Shigenori ran directly to Emperor Meiji and cried, trying to discredit Yagyu.

Shimazu Hisamitsu followed closely and said immediately: "Your Majesty, Mr. Parkes of England is also very dissatisfied with Prime Minister Yagyu. If this continues, England will also intervene.

England and France teamed up to defeat the powerful Qing Dynasty. Our country has just been calmed down. If there is a war, I am afraid that the people will not be able to survive, and the country's demise is right in front of us! "

Emperor Meiji was visibly frightened.

"What should we do? Send someone to ask for your father-in-law!"

Soon, Yagyu arrived at the Imperial Palace to meet Emperor Meiji.

Because Shimazu Hisamitsu had the support of the British, he directly questioned Yagyu: "Prime Minister Yagyu, do you know that you will destroy Japan!"

Yagyu glanced at it and asked, "What are you talking about, Master Shimazu?"

Maori Jingqin immediately shouted: "Prime Minister Yagyu, do you still want to show off to your majesty? Why do you want to offend the two powerful countries of Britain and France?"

Emperor Meiji looked at Yagyu with a worried expression.

Yagyu snorted and said: "What do you know? Lifting the tariff privileges with the Netherlands is what the Restoration should do, no need to say more.

Next year, Prussia will come forward to let Tsarist Russia terminate the previously signed treaty with us. The small country of the Netherlands has nothing to be afraid of. "

Ohara Shigenori said anxiously: "But there is England behind the Netherlands!"

Yagyu was too lazy to explain to these people. He said with a stern voice: "You are afraid because of some threats. Don't you feel embarrassed? The abolition of unequal treaties is to safeguard the dignity of our country. No need to say more!"

Yagyu looked at Emperor Meiji and said: "Your Majesty, the Netherlands is not stronger than our country. It has the support of Britain and France, as well as ours. There is no need to worry about this matter. I will resolve it as soon as possible."

Although Emperor Meiji was afraid, he still trusted Yagyu.

"Okay, since your father-in-law is confident, then go ahead and do it. We are waiting for the good news from your father-in-law."

Ohara Shigetori sighed repeatedly, Shimazu Hisamitsu just lowered his head and sneered.

Yagyu ignored several people and left the palace directly.

Yagyu returned to the cabinet and immediately called Matsudaira Yoshiho and said: "The Dutch are not determined to give up. They have joined forces with France and Spain to deal with us. We cannot retreat. Do you understand?"

Matsudaira Yongho was shocked: "Do we have a chance of winning?"

"Let's go fifty-fifty." Yagyu whispered, "I have already planned it, now I just need to act according to the plan.

I will go to Nagasaki to supervise the navy. Lord Matsudaira will stay in Kyoto to preside over the cabinet affairs. In addition, I will send people to negotiate with Van Pols. The attitude must be strong and no step can be taken back. The Dutch tariff privileges must be abolished.

In addition, the newspapers should publicize the matter and let the whole country know about it. "

Matsudaira Yongho was a little excited. After all, unequal treaties are a shame. Eliminating this shame is an exciting good thing for a person with a bottom line.

He promised with a serious face: "I will definitely act according to the plan of the Prime Minister, and there will be no mistakes!" Yagyu nodded and whispered: "If the Dutch have a tougher attitude than us, you should retreat and do it for us. To stall for time, it will take three months for the Navy’s new warships to be ready for combat.”

The construction of new warships in Hokkaido is nearing completion. After completion, it will take at least three months to get familiar with it before it can sail. This is already a state of emergency. It will take a year to form combat effectiveness, and this is still with experienced hands.

Matsudaira Yoshiho took note of Yagyu's instructions and took over the affairs of the cabinet, while Yagyu left Kyoto with the escort and took a boat from Osaka to Nagasaki.

In the port of Nagasaki, more than fifty warships of the Japanese Navy gathered here. Everyone knew what happened in the past month, and everyone was panicked.

When Yagyu's ship arrived in Nagasaki, some radicals tried to assassinate Yagyu. As soon as the man took out the gun, he was shot in the head by Yagyu. Yagyu shouted at the port: "Such traitors are afraid of the Dutch. It's really hateful." , take the body to show to the public, to warn those lawbreakers that traitors will die!"

Those who supported Yagyu's abolition of the privilege treaty immediately raised their hands and cheered, praising Yagyu's courage.

However, Western businessmen in the distance felt that Japan was trying to shake the tree. According to the information they received from their contacts, it was not only the Netherlands, but also Spain and France that were dealing with Japan. Japan had no chance of winning.

Yagyu got off the ship and went to the Okei to meet all the naval admirals, including Sakamoto Ryoma, Enomoto Takehi and others.

He stood on the main seat, looked around at everyone, and said: "Everyone, back then our country was poor and weak, so we had no choice but to sign treaties with Western countries, which was a loss of power and humiliation for the country!

But now, our country's reform has a new look. For the sake of national dignity, it is imperative to abolish the unequal treaties. However, the Dutch are unwilling to accept it and try to gather multiple forces to defeat us and enslave us again. Can you bear it? "

"cannot!"

Enomoto Takeo was the first to shout angrily, and then other generals raised their hands and roared.

"cannot!"

"Absolutely not!"

"Send troops, Prime Minister!"

Sakamoto Ryoma looked at the excitement of the crowd and shouted loudly: "Do we have any chance of winning? Once the navy is defeated, the consequences will be disastrous."

Enomoto Takehi glared at Sakamoto Ryoma and said, "Coward!"

Yagyu immediately raised his hand to stop the quarrel and shouted: "Now, we must unite. This battle is very risky, but we cannot retreat. Once we retreat, the backbone of the country will be interrupted. This battle will be fought with the life and death of the navy." Maintain the dignity of the country, no matter the cost!”

Sakamoto Ryoma nodded and said, "Yoshi, I understand, let's fight!"

Yagyu took out the map and said: "Tomorrow, I will go to sea with you for the first review. During this period, I will fall into the water. After you rescue me, you will strictly block my news and leave Nagasaki immediately the next day. It seemed like we were returning to Kyoto, but in fact, when we arrived in the southern waters of Sashu, we immediately headed to Ryukyu. After replenishing supplies here, we headed to Haikou, Hainan, where we lay dormant.

At that time, when the transport fleet in Vietnam's coastal defense returns, the enemy fleet will sail from southern Vietnam to block our transport fleet, and we will take the opportunity to make a surprise attack from the rear. "

Sakamoto Ryoma frowned slightly and said, "How can Prime Minister ensure that the enemy's fleet must follow your route?"

Yagyu smiled and said: "It's too easy, just let the spies of Ruan Chaoli in Vietnam leak the secrets. They know that the transport fleet is in Haiphong, and they will definitely gather at the southern port first, and then go north. They despise our country, and they will definitely choose the fastest one." route."

(End of this chapter)