I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 195 Tripartite Talks between Britain, France and Japan

Yagyu agreed to Cambodia's request without hesitation, and the Kingdom of Cambodia offered [-] million taels of gold in exchange for national independence.

Of course, Norodom couldn't afford that much money, so he mortgaged his domestic resources and minerals to Japan.

Cambodia’s main mineral deposits include oil, natural gas, phosphate, gemstones, gold, iron, bauxite, etc. In addition, the forest coverage rate reaches [-]% of the country, mainly distributed in the eastern, northern and western mountainous areas, and is rich in teak, ironwood, rosewood, and ebony. and other high-grade woods, and there are many types of bamboo.

In this way, Japan can also import cheap wood from Cambodia to make high-end lacquerware.

Cambodia's oil is mainly found in the Tonle Sap River and the Mekong River area. The Mekong River area happens to be adjacent to the economic zone in Vietnam.

Vietnam has driven away the French, and Yagyu Heiyan has sent people to form a company to establish a special economic zone in the Mekong River delta area, which can just link the two places and facilitate resource allocation.

Yagyu occupied this area to develop the economy. He only asked for the land and did not use the oil and minerals as a mortgage. It can be said that he took a big advantage.

However, in the area of ​​iron ore, Yagyu Heiyan is not too embarrassed by Norodom.

Cambodia's coal resources are relatively scarce, and that little output won't last long. Fortunately, Cambodia can still use gold and gem mines as collateral.

After the treaty between the two parties was signed, Oda Takatada's infantry division sent troops from Vietnam directly into the Udong area. The Japanese fleet in Da Nang also left the port to cover the army's entry into the Cambodian palace.

On the road from Vietnam to the Udong area of ​​the Royal Palace of Cambodia, Oda Takatada rode a war horse and wiped the sweat from his face. He watched the soldiers transporting the cannon with difficulty.

This avenue has not been repaired for several years, and the ground has long been full of potholes. Fortunately, it didn't rain, otherwise the artillery car would easily sink into the ground.

It's almost November at the end of the year, but the weather outside hasn't cooled down yet. The temperature is over [-] degrees, which is a bit hot and can make people feel dizzy.

"Hurry up, speed up!"

The officers urged the soldiers to transport the artillery.

Oda Takatada shouted: "Everyone, Anzai Division defeated the French army in Manila and enhanced our country's prestige. If we can defeat the French Far East Army this time, we will definitely not be worse than Anzai Division!"

The Oda Division took the highway directly into the Kingdom of Cambodia, while the navy led by Ryoma Sakamoto entered the waters of the Kingdom of Cambodia along the coastline.

Alphonse did not expect that the Japanese army would follow him into the Kingdom of Cambodia.

"Damn it, we must have been deceived by the Japanese monkeys. Look, their army is coming towards Wudong!"

He threw the information to Du Bai Lei. Du Bai Lei looked at it carefully and was very angry. However, the current French army was no match for the Japanese army. They needed domestic support, but France had to find a way to fight against the Prussian attack and had no time to take care of the wilderness. of the colony.

Although Du Bailei was very angry, as a soldier, he knew very well that the current French Far East Fleet was not necessarily an opponent of the Japanese army. Once a war started, the Far East Fleet had a probability of being surrounded and annihilated by the Japanese army in Wudong.

"Mr. Governor, I am afraid that our previous concessions allowed the Japanese to see the weakness of our army, so they will become enemies of our army again."

Alphonse asked anxiously: "What's the use of talking about this? Do you have a way to solve our predicament?"

Du Belle pondered for a while and nodded: "There is no way out. We can only ask the UK to step in and suppress Japan temporarily. When the war in Europe stops, reinforcements will come."

Alphonse had no choice but to immediately send someone to find the British Governor of India, Earl Mayo.

Britain and France carried out colonial campaigns in Indochina at the same time. Britain's main forces were in Myanmar and Malaysia, and France was in Cambodia and Vietnam. In the late 19th century, the two sides clashed in Siam due to expansion, and finally agreed that Siam would be a buffer zone for their forces. .

Alphonse was forced to have no choice but to ask the British for help.

It was Roaches who came for help. After he was driven out of the country by Japan, he went to Nanqi. However, bad news came one after another. In the end, the French army withdrew from Vietnam in embarrassment. Roaches' hatred of the Yagyu cabinet increased day by day. .

Now that the Japanese army has entered Cambodia again, Roches volunteered to go to India as an envoy, and Du Belle also agreed to the matter. After all, Roches is the diplomatic ambassador and knows how to handle these relationships better than them.

Roches rushed to India and visited the Governor-General of India, Earl Mayo. Earl Mayo also knew about Roches' situation and received Roches in compliance with diplomatic etiquette.

The Earl of Mayo kept chatting with Roches and was not in a hurry to get down to business. Instead, he talked about the news in France.

Roches was also very concerned about the news in France and listened attentively.

"After the news of Emperor Napoleon III's defeat and surrender reached Paris, a coup took place in Paris. On September [-], Louis Jules Trochu, mayor of Paris and commander of the Paris fortress, declared a republic, formed a national defense government, and appointed himself President and Commander-in-Chief of the Paris Armed Forces.

On the [-]th, the Prussian army surrounded Paris. On the [-]rd, the Prussian army occupied Thule. On the [-]th, the Strasbourg garrison surrendered.

The most regrettable thing is that the [-] French troops surrounded by Metz Fortress have surrendered to Prussia under the leadership of Bazin. Paris is now isolated and helpless and will be captured by Prussia at any time. "

The Earl of Mayo said the news expressionlessly. Roches was really shocked. He couldn't believe that the powerful French army was defeated so quickly. You must know that the emperor was the nephew of Emperor Napoleon, and his ability was not bad. , but why did you lose so quickly?

Earl Mayo knew that Roches was not feeling well, and he continued: "Actually, we don't want to see this result. No one thought that this war would end so quickly. We were unprepared. Now we can only exert pressure as much as possible. "

Roches quickly said: "Your Majesty, if you can, please help the French army in Wudong, Cambodia. Now the Japanese army has entered Cambodia and will attack Wudong soon."

Earl Mayo said in surprise: "What's going on? Mr. Roches, can't you even defeat Japan?"

Roches was a little ashamed, but he still bit the bullet and said: "Our Far East Fleet was captured by them with a battleship. In addition, their battleships have a longer range and greater power than ours. This is puzzling.

In addition, the Japanese artillery was also more powerful than ours. Our field artillery could not hit the opponent's position at all, so we encountered the opponent's bombing. After several rounds of bombing, the army was quickly defeated. "

Earl Mayo was surprised by the fighting power of the Japanese army. You must know that Japan was vulnerable a few years ago. Some people in Britain were already thinking of taking advantage of Japan's civil strife to directly send troops to destroy the occupied colonies.

He could see that Roches was not telling lies. He thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Roches, I also want to help with your request, but the time is too unexpected and we are not prepared. It will take time to assemble the army." .

But I can send the Far East Fleet to help, and then force Japan to negotiate with us, how about that? "

Roches was a little frustrated. Although the British fleet could push back the Japanese fleet, what should we do on land? The French army was now unable to resist the Japanese artillery. Even in negotiations, they will not be able to take advantage.

But Earl Mayo said so, and he couldn't force it, so he could only agree to this plan.

Roches returned to the Kingdom of Cambodia aboard the British Far East Fleet. The British army sent an envoy to Sakamoto Ryoma and invited him to negotiate with Udong.

Sakamoto Ryoma had already anticipated this matter. Without too much hesitation, he immediately led his people into Wudong to negotiate with the British and French parties.

Those attending the talks were Ryoma Sakamoto from the Japanese side, Roches and Dubre from the French side, and Fleet Commander Johnson from the British side. This person only came to support France.

Facing the two major powers, Sakamoto Ryoma still had a smile on his face. He took the lead and said: "Mr. Roches, I don't know what you are going to talk about, but before that, I want to say one thing, we have accepted the invitation of the King of Cambodia. , help him restore the country’s independence, in this matter, I must do it.”

Roches immediately accused: "Mr. Sakamoto, are you too crazy to sound like this? You really don't know how high the sky is!"

Johnson also said: "Japanese, don't be too arrogant, otherwise you will fall."

Sakamoto Ryoma said with a strong attitude: "I know that our fleet is not the opponent of your combined fleet, but your fleet cannot support Wudong. Our army does not need to dispatch a fleet, only the army can capture Wudong."

Roches said angrily: "Mr. Sakamoto, you have to think clearly that you are talking to France and England. Once our two countries take action, your Japan will be defeated, and the Qing Dynasty will be the end!"

Sakamoto Ryoma directly ignored Roches' warning. He looked at Johnson and said in English: "Your Excellency, Commander, we in Japan only accepted the commission from the King of Cambodia to drive away the French army, but we did not invade and occupy Cambodia like the French army." Colony, so we have no conflict of interest with your country.

Wouldn't it be a good thing for your country that France no longer has a colony in this area? "

As soon as these words came out, Roches's face changed drastically and he said hurriedly: "Mr. Johnson, don't listen to the Japanese nonsense."

Sakamoto Ryoma immediately accused Roches and shouted: "Mr. Roches, you frequently insult Japan, do you look down on us? Our country has signed alliances with Vietnam and Cambodia. Your Excellency, Commander, can send people to investigate."

Johnson did not expect such a thing. He immediately said: "I will tell the Governor about this matter. Since this negotiation cannot continue, let's talk about it next time."

Johnson immediately reported the contents of this negotiation to Earl Mayo, who was moved. The absence of France, a powerful opponent on this peninsula, indeed had more advantages than disadvantages for Great Britain.

Earl Mayo immediately sent a telegram suggesting that Johnson had private contacts with the Japanese.

On a dark and stormy night, Johnson met with Sakamoto Ryoma on the flagship. Sakamoto Ryoma once again made the Japanese request, which was to allow the French troops to withdraw.

Johnson nodded and said: "This condition is not very harsh. I will persuade the French."

Alphonse, Roches and other French people did not expect that Britain would abandon them.

The tripartite talks were held again. Sakamoto Ryoma still insisted on the withdrawal of French troops from Cambodia, but Roches naturally refused.

Johnson said: "There is no point in continuing to fight like this. Let's just start a war."

Sakamoto Ryoma immediately answered: "Then let's fight. Anyway, your French army is no match."

Roches was anxious, but he still said firmly: "Mr. Sakamoto, don't think that Britain will send troops if we are the only ones."

Sakamoto Ryoma raised his head and laughed: "Hahaha, Mr. Roches, don't kid yourself. I don't think the UK is ready at all."

Johnson pretended to be embarrassed and accused: "Japanese, don't underestimate Great Britain!"

He tilted his head and whispered to Roches: "Our army can't catch up with the support."

Du Belle, who was on the side, had already seen the attitude of the British. He pulled Roches, shook his head slightly, and said, "Wait a minute, let's go to the governor to discuss it first, and we will come back later."

The two found Alphonse, and Roches, with an angry look on his face, described the meeting just now.

Du Belle said directly: "There is no hope. The British have already negotiated with the Japanese. On this land, we are out."

Alphonse said anxiously: "These British people should really be hanged!"

Du Belle admonished: "Mr. Governor, there is nothing we can do about this. Our motherland is being invaded by Prussia, and being isolated and helpless, we can only recognize the reality.

Although the Japanese drove us out of this land, they had to face the greedy British, and they would not end well in the future. "

Alphonse can only comfort himself in this way. After the tripartite talks end, Alphonse and others will leave Cambodia in a fleet and return to France to participate in the Patriotic War.

The British fleet also left Cambodia.

Norodom was overjoyed when he heard the news. Cambodia would finally not be squeezed by the French.

He enthusiastically received Ryoma Sakamoto, Takatada Oda and Nobuyuki Nakajima, and held a large banquet, at which Norodom frequently toasted to the three of them.

Norodom said with a happy face: "I am very grateful to your country for helping us drive away the French. Next, we still need you to deal with Siam and Vietnam. Are you sure?"

Sakamoto Ryoma waved his hand and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the Vietnamese army was trained by us, and their army cannot be our opponent. As for Siam, there is no need to worry.

But the Prime Minister has said that he will take note of the kings of the two countries and resolve your matters peacefully, but if they don't agree, we will send troops to fight until they agree! "

Norodom was overjoyed and said quickly: "That's great. I have another request. I hope your country can sell us advanced weapons and help us train the new army. How about it?"

Nobuyuki Nakajima responded: "As long as His Majesty pays the starting price, these are not problems."

(End of this chapter)