I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 183 William I was confused

In Berlin, in the Prussian Palace, William I looked at the Ambassador to Japan, Barland, with a puzzled look on his face. He wondered: "What is the Japanese Prime Minister thinking? That is France, and our country is not ready yet.

Besides, Emperor Napoleon III's talents are somewhat inferior to those of his uncle, but they should not be underestimated. Bismarck, what do you think? "

Bismarck also read the letter, and he felt that Yagyu's request was dispensable. After all, war broke out between Prussia and France, and it would be difficult for troops from other colonies to return in time.

Although Old Moltke had calculated that Prussia could defeat France on land, France still had a navy and Prussia could not completely destroy France. Britain would never allow this to happen.

From this perspective, Japan seized France's colonies in Southeast Asia, greatly weakening France's strength in the Far East. This also weakened France's domestic strength, which was a good thing for Prussia.

"Your Majesty, I think Yagyu's proposal is very good. Marshal Moltke has already calculated that our country's chance of defeating the French army is as high as 80.00%."

William I frowned and shook his head: "My prime minister, although we easily defeated Denmark and Austria, our opponent this time is France. We must be cautious. Napoleon III is old, and we can wait. "

Bismarck continued: "Your Majesty, time waits for no one. To complete the unification of Germany, we must defeat France!
After all, Napoleon III is not Napoleon, and Prussia today is no longer the Prussia it was 60 years ago. We can definitely defeat France! "

William I raised his hand and said: "I understand, let me think about it again. As for the answer to Yagyu, just do it according to your wishes."

In the view of William I, Yagyu's request was to act together with Prussia anyway. As long as he did not give the order, Japan would not act, so there was no problem.

Barland and Bismarck retreated, but on the way out of the palace, Bismarck asked: "Count Barland, you have been in Japan these past few years. You know it better than I do. You have also met Yagyu. Can you talk to me about Japan?" ?"

Baland immediately introduced: "Of course I am willing, Mr. Prime Minister, this is my honor.

Prime Minister Yagyu is still young, only 29 years old this year. He just got married before I left Japan, and his eldest son is less than half a year old.

However, his wife is a widow and the sister of his confidant. I saw that she is a gentle-looking woman. "

Bismarck smiled and said: "I didn't expect Yagyu's choice to be so novel. This is really a good choice."

Barland wondered: "But there are many nobles who want to marry their young and beautiful daughters to Prime Minister Yagyu."

Bismarck shook his head and said: "Count Barand, for someone like Yagyu, beauty is not very attractive to him.

I talked to Ambassador Tokugawa about Yagyu. He didn't come from a very good background. He relied solely on his own ability to pull together a group of people and take advantage of the situation.

Yagyu is now at the height of his power in Japan, but his foundation is not solid. Now that he has married his sister, this group of people is completely tied to him. "

Baland suddenly realized: "That's right, I thought Prime Minister Yagyu had some special hobbies.

However, Mr. Prime Minister is right. Prime Minister Yagyu's foundation is indeed somewhat poor. Most of the officials in Japan are from the old shogunate period.

Before I left Japan, there was news that some people seemed to be colluding with Britain and France, but because they were afraid of Prime Minister Yagyu, no big action was taken for the time being. "

Bismarck asked: "How is education in Japan?" "The progress is pretty good. There are seven primary schools, five middle schools, and three colleges and universities in Kyoto. As for the effect, the effect cannot be seen yet, because the time is too short.

However, there are still many people among the citizens of Kyoto who have received education. According to our statistics and calculations, the literacy rate is 5.00% to [-]%. "

Bismarck nodded repeatedly and said: "In total, Japan's reform only lasted two years. To achieve this in a short period of time is enough to show that Yagyu attaches great importance to education. In this way, Japan's future is not too bad."

Barland echoed: "If Prime Minister Yagyu cleans out the old forces in the government and replaces them with new talents, Japan's efficiency will be improved."

Bismarck smiled and said: "A person like him must have such an idea. It depends on when he implements it. It is also good luck for Prussia to have such an ally."

Baland couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Prime Minister, I have a question. How did Prime Minister Yagyu know that you wanted to go to war with France?"

Bismarck then shook his head and said: "I don't know either. The Japanese mission is still studying in Europe. They will report the situation back to Europe. We can deduce this just from this information. I can only say that this person is talented. .

This is not a bad thing for us, and Japan is inherently deficient. Even with a genius like Yagyu Hiyan, it is difficult for Japan to pose a threat to us. "

The two chatted about the situation in Japan and slowly walked out of the Prussian Palace.

……

Kyoto, Yagyu Residence.

In the small courtyard covered with silver, Yagyu was watching Akin holding Jubei. There were three children on both sides of her, two of whom were Akin's children, and the other one-year-old child was the eldest son of the Souji. .

Under Akin's arrangement, Souji Okita and Hide Yagi got married and gave birth to a son last year.

Although Souji is now a father, his innocent heart is still there. Sometimes he is still like a child, but he is more reliable than before.

Sitting in the study, Yagyu could see the warm scene opposite. As the prime minister of a country, especially in the early stages of development, he did not spend much time with his family. He could only move some things to his home to be with Akin. Check in with the kids.

For him, the next few years will be even busier. Since he is going to participate in the Franco-Prussian War, he must be fully prepared.

Originally, the Army only had more than 5 people. Now the Army has expanded to 8 people again. Next year, it will expand by 30 to [-] people, pushing the total number of the Army to [-].

Although the number of troops has increased, military expenditures have not. The additional troops will use modified Enfield rifles, thus saving military expenditures.

In addition, the arsenal has produced a new type of field artillery, which uses maroon gunpowder and is more powerful than the current Krupp artillery.

However, in order to adapt to the terrain of the Nanyang region, the shape of these artillery pieces is biased toward the Type [-] infantry gun, which is mainly lightweight.

Yagyu lowered his head to look at the document in his hand, and signed his name on the document submitted by the War Department.

(End of this chapter)