I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 196 East Asia Economic Alliance

Now that France's power in Indochina has been driven away, and France itself cannot protect itself, its reputation has plummeted. On the contrary, Japan, which has just emerged, has faint signs of replacing France's position.

Although the Governor-General of India, Earl Mayo, abandoned France for profit, it did not mean that he was willing to see Japan replace France's position in Indochina.

He wants to take over Indochina for himself!

In fact, Yagyu had already made preparations, but the request of Cambodian King Norodom provided him with a better plan.

Yagyu immediately asked Nobuyuki Nakajima to invite Siam, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to send envoys to Nagasaki for discussion. At the same time, he also notified the Qing ambassador Xu Yongyi in Kyoto to come to Nagasaki to participate in the alliance.

King Rama V of Siam was shocked by the fighting power of the Japanese army and decided to send an envoy to explore Japan's attitude. King Norodom of Cambodia personally went to Nagasaki to visit Yagyu. As for the Vietnamese Nguyen Dynasty, they already knew that Japan wanted to protect Cambodia. The Nguyen Dynasty Envoys were also sent to prepare to discuss the matter.

As for Laos, from 1707 to 1713, the Lancang Kingdom was divided into three kingdoms: Luang Prabang in the north, Vientiane in the center, and Champasak in the south.

From 1778 to 1893, the Three Kingdoms became a vassal state of Siam. Among them, the northern Kingdom of Luang Prabang was still called the "Southern Palm" by the Qing Dynasty. Luang Prabang paid tribute to the Qing court and became a vassal state.

The three countries knew what happened to the Kingdom of Cambodia. They also hoped to be independent and not be squeezed by Siam, so they rushed to send envoys to Nagasaki.

In just twenty days, envoys from seven large and small countries gathered in Nagasaki.

At the headquarters of the Nagasaki Expeditionary Force, Yagyu personally received the envoys from the seven countries. The leader was Xu Yongyi, the envoy from the Qing Dynasty. His face was a little ugly.

After all, Vietnam and Luang Prabang were vassals of the Qing Dynasty, and Cambodia and Siam were small and inconspicuous countries. How could He De be on an equal footing with the Qing Dynasty?

However, the imperial court took into account Japan's strong rise and did not want to offend Japan, so it agreed to this alliance.

Liu Sheng didn't care about Xu Yongyi's attitude. He took the lead and said: "Everyone, I invite you to come to Nagasaki today to discuss a major matter related to national security!"

Norodom immediately cheered and said, "I wonder what Prime Minister Yagyu is referring to?"

Yagyu smiled at Norodom and said, "Everyone, the world has changed drastically. The Westerners rely on their strong ships and artillery to attack other countries wantonly, bully the weak, and plunder. Everyone present should be fully aware of this."

Although Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champasak were indifferent to European colonial behavior, they were deeply aware of Siamese oppression.

Siam has felt the oppression of Europeans, and neighboring Burma has been invaded by the British and lost a lot of territory.

As for Vietnam, with the help of Japan, they had just driven out the French.

Needless to say, the Qing Dynasty failed in two Opium Wars, ceded territory and paid compensation, and lost all face.

Everyone's expressions were heavy except for Norodom's, who continued to cheer up and said: "What Prime Minister Yagyu said is absolutely true. Those Westerners are barbaric, rude, greedy, and really hateful.

If our country had not received your help this time, I would have been unable to escape the fate of being squeezed by the French. Prime Minister Yagyu, your country is the first country to defeat the Westerners. Please ask Prime Minister Yagyu to point out a clear path for us. "

The other envoys looked at Norodom with contempt in their eyes. This Norodom was so shameless. As a monarch of a country, he was so flattering to a minister. Where was his face?

But it is a fact that Japan drove away the French. They have already experienced how powerful France is, so they dare not say anything more.

Yagyu ignored the attitudes of other countries, and followed Norodom's words and said: "Everyone, I invite you to come over today and formally talk about this matter.

Although our country has risen, it is still unable to cope with Western countries. Our countries are separated by a narrow strip of water and have been in love for thousands of years.

In this critical moment, Japan cannot be alone, so I think we should unite and build an alliance to jointly resist Western aggression. "

Xu Yongyi's expression became even uglier. You Japan advocates an alliance, so isn't it Japan that leads this alliance? If you become the leader of the alliance, where can I put my face?

Just as he was about to object, Yagyu said: "This alliance is mainly about economic cooperation. You don't have to cede national interests to buy weapons from Westerners. Our Japanese weapons are no worse than those of Westerners, and our country advocates fair trade."

In this alliance, everyone helps each other, unites and loves each other, and fights against the Westerners together. Our country does not want to see countries attacking each other in the future.

After all, fighting in the same room will only make relatives and enemies happy. Instead of spending energy to bully neighbors, it is better to unite and fight against foreign invaders. What do you think? "

Norodom immediately clapped his hands and said: "Prime Minister Yagyu is so right. We should not fight against each other anymore. Those Westerners are greedy and ignorant of etiquette. If we let them bully us, I am afraid the country will not survive in the future!"

Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champasak also thought it was a good thing. They were small countries and were most worried about invasion from other countries, especially Siam. It was a good thing to join the alliance to avoid invasion. The envoys from the three countries also praised it.

The envoys from Siam and Vietnam were a bit torn. They opposed it because they were worried about angering Japan. They agreed, but they felt uncomfortable at the same time. They didn't know what to say for a while.

But Xu Yongyi couldn't bear it anymore and immediately accused: "We, the Qing Dynasty, will never join such an alliance. Vietnam is a vassal state of our country and no other country is allowed to get involved!" Liu Sheng smiled and said: "Then what do the French say? They established the Nanqi Governor's Palace in southern Vietnam. If it weren't for our army's intervention, Vietnam would still be oppressed by the French army. Where would the Qing Dynasty be at this time? I almost forgot that you were defeated by Britain and France again."

"you!"

Xu Yongyi's face turned red, and Liu Sheng's words were enough to stab his lungs.

Liu Sheng looked at Xu Yongyi and said, "At this time, haven't you, the Qing Dynasty, clearly seen the general trend? Do you think our country established this alliance for personal gain?

Let me tell you, by interfering in your affairs, our country will offend the most powerful country, the British Empire. Is it just for ourselves to do such a thankless thing?

Everyone, what our country has done is for the whole of East Asia. If we don't unite, we will be bullied by the Europeans. Are you willing to stay like this? "

"I don't want to!"

Norodom answered again, shouting indignantly.

In the end, the Vietnamese envoys and the Siamese envoys also recognized the alliance and would return home with the alliance to show it to the king.

Liu Sheng looked at Xu Yongyi who had nothing to say, and said again: "Mr. Xu, as long as we work together, become a rope, develop the economy together, make the country rich and strong, Japan and the Netherlands will not be afraid of being bullied by Westerners.

Today's alliance is not for some vain name, but for the benefit of the country. Please consider it carefully, Mr. Xu. "

Xu Yongyi's expression softened and he said relentingly: "I will report this matter to the Prime Minister's Yamen. As for the outcome, it depends on the decision of the Dukes of the Imperial Court and the Queen Mother."

Having said that, Yagyu said nothing more. Even if the Qing Dynasty does not join, this alliance can improve Japan's prestige in Asia, which can at least be said to be the first in East Asia.

As for why it is not a military alliance, the main concern is the power gap between Japan and Great Britain. The economic alliance reduces Great Britain's hostility and leaves room for Japan to deal with matters in the Indochina Peninsula.

Moreover, this economic alliance will not give Britain any excuse. At the same time, Japan can also become the leader in the alliance with its economic strength. This is a clever plan that kills three birds with one stone.

The kings of Vietnam and Siam have agreed to this alliance and signed the covenant. Together with Japan, Cambodia, Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champasak, a total of seven countries have joined the East Asian Economic Alliance.

Japan will sell modified Enfield rifles and second-hand Krupp field artillery to the remaining six countries.

In addition, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Siam have ordered from Japan more than 3,000 tons of cruisers, about 1,000 tons of steam battleships, and small-tonnage gunboats.

Moreover, these six countries also invited military advisers to Japan to train the new army.

Yagyu Heeyan agreed to their conditions and gave some discounts on the price.

According to the economic treaty of the Alliance, the tariffs of the seven countries were unified at 10%.

This tariff is actually not too much. Now the world economy is in recession. Before the American Civil War, an economic crisis broke out in the United States.

Since the first general economic crisis broke out in Britain in 1825, the capitalist economy has never been immune to the impact of economic crises.

1857. The U.S. economic crisis broke out. Within a year, more than companies went bankrupt. Domestic grain production was overproduced, grain prices and grain exports dropped, and fierce competition from British industrial products contributed to the deepening of the U.S. economic crisis.

However, many banks in the United States have accepted loans from the United Kingdom, and the economic crisis in the United States has directly affected the British economic situation.

In the autumn of 1857, a currency crisis broke out in the United States, paralyzing the entire banking system. The currency crisis in the United States reached its peak in mid-October, when 10 of the 63 banks in New York stopped paying, and the discount rate exceeded 62%. The stock market fell by 60-20%, and the stocks of many railway companies fell by more than 50%.

The economic crisis in the United States quickly spread to the United Kingdom and the European continent, directly triggering a worldwide economic crisis.

Then the Civil War broke out in the United States. After the Civil War, the United States got rid of the impact of the economic crisis.

However, by 1873, the world economy entered an era of economic crisis called the "Long Depression."

Yagyu established an economic alliance at this time to reduce the impact of this economic crisis on Japan.

Perhaps this time the economic crisis will cause Japan to fall into the quagmire of war.

All he can do is make enough preparations to deal with this crisis.

Yagyu made a decision. He would personally lead the navy and an infantry division to fight in Europe.

(End of this chapter)