I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 210 Divide the interests, naval plan

On the transport ship, Motoda Eifu, who was accompanying Emperor Meiji, was questioning Yagyu's handling of the assassination.

Emperor Meiji is still trembling because of yesterday's assassination.

"Prime Minister Yagyu, look how frightened His Majesty the Emperor is. You must give an explanation, otherwise I suspect you have ulterior motives!"

Yagyu glanced at the angry Motoda Eifu, and then explained to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I originally planned to impose severe punishment, but the problem is that the assassination incident was indeed just a few police officers who caused the murderer to enter the venue due to corruption.

The murderer has also been investigated clearly. His family has a good relationship with the Spanish and was eliminated by us. He carried out the assassination just for revenge.

There was no force involved in this matter.

This time, our handling of the assassination was carried out in accordance with national laws, and His Majesty did not involve himself in any big way. This not only reflects the importance of the law, but also because His Majesty did not implicate others, and the people think that Your Majesty is benevolent.

This morning, the people spontaneously bid farewell to His Majesty, which means that His Majesty has won the hearts and minds of the people, and the people of Nankai Province will definitely obey our country's management more.

Even if some local people want to rebel, the vast majority will definitely not dare to follow them in rebellion, especially the Chinese, and even those Chinese will be angry with those who initiated the war. The Chinese will definitely not join forces with the local natives, but will tend to lean towards us. This move can be said to have more advantages than disadvantages for Japan. "

Genda Yongfu was secretly shocked. Yagyu Heiyan was too cunning. He had arranged several back-up men to deal with an assassination. He was so smart that they had to be more cautious.

……

The fleet sailed all the way, and after arriving in Singapore, it conducted a supply operation. Then the fleet entered the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca, which was still British territory.

It wasn't until it got close to the Arabian Sea that it was considered out of the British range.

However, there are French people in the Suez Canal. Especially after entering the Mediterranean, you will encounter the French fleet in the Mediterranean.

Fortunately, the French government is negotiating with Germany, and the French forces have received the news and have not made any threatening moves against the Japanese fleet.

The Japanese fleet passed the Suez Canal smoothly, entered the Mediterranean Sea, then sailed westward, passed the Strait of Gibraltar, and entered the Atlantic Ocean.

The fleet sailed along the waters of Western Europe and anchored at the port of Dunkirk, where Emperor Meiji and Yagyu and his party met the German welcoming team.

However, Yagyu and others had to rest for a day in Dunkirk. Early the next morning, the group got on the carriage and headed towards Paris.

On May 19, Emperor Meiji, Yagyu and others arrived near Paris. Instead of entering Paris, they diverted to the Palace of Versailles.

During the German occupation of Paris, Versailles was the residence of the Kaiser.

The Palace of Versailles is far more luxurious than the palace where Emperor Meiji lived. Queen Mary praised it highly: "It is indeed the Palace of Versailles. The artistic attainments here are so high. The large fountain is really beautiful."

Emperor Meiji remembered the luxury of Versailles, and he thought about building a large fountain when he returned. Not only that, the palace should be repaired!

The current palace is no longer worthy of his status.

The motorcade slowly entered the Palace of Versailles and stopped beside the square. On the steps not far away, Bismarck, Moltke Sr. and others came forward to greet the Kaiser.

Yagyu was the first to step out of the carriage and go forward to meet with Bismarck on behalf of Emperor Meiji.

Bismarck saw a tall, handsome, slightly younger young man wearing a black tuxedo and slicked back hair walking towards him.

He understood it and extended his hand to welcome him: "You must be the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yagyu Higan. It's such a pleasure to meet you!"

The translator following Yagyu immediately interpreted at the same time.

Yagyu stepped forward to shake hands and said: "Mr. Bismarck, I am honored to meet you. Being able to meet you means a lot to me!"

Bismarck listened to the translation and said happily: "Mr. Yagyu is so polite. I have always paid attention to your deeds. You can develop Japan from a weak country that is about to become a colony to a country in just a few years. Having defeated France, you are far more capable than me."

Although Bismarck's praise greatly benefited Yagyu, he did not become arrogant because of the praise. His success lay in the fact that he knew history and could make arrangements in advance, but Bismarck relied purely on his own talent.

He just relied on cheating to catch up with Bismarck.

"Mr. Bismarck, you're welcome. I just stood on the shoulders of giants and got some achievements by luck. The next development of the country is the most important."

Yagyu's words resonated with Bismarck. He nodded and said, "Mr. Yagyu, you are right. The next development is the most important."

After defeating France, Bismarck was thinking about Germany's next path.

Although France was defeated, Germany did not destroy France. France suffered heavy losses, but with the help of Britain, and France's heritage, France will rise again in less than twenty years, and Germany will still face challenges.

Moreover, Germany has the disadvantage of a congenital navy. France's army and navy are very sound. Once France rises, Germany will not be able to defeat France as easily as this time.

Britain is the well-deserved overlord of the world. Although Germany defeated France, it still could not shake Britain's position. Bismarck even asked the Kaiser to give in.

In the original history, after defeating France, Germany began to hide its capabilities and bide its time. In order not to arouse the fear of Britain, it invested very little in the navy.

Yagyu was interested in this. He felt that as long as he proposed a solution to the German navy's problem, Japan's status as a German ally would increase its weight in the hearts of the Kaiser and Bismarck, so that Japan could catch the German express train and accelerate its development.

The two exchanged brief greetings, and Bismarck followed Yagyu to Emperor Meiji's carriage. Emperor Meiji got out of the carriage first, then turned around and took Queen Mary out of the carriage. The two of them greeted Bismarck together.

Bismarck and Moltke Lao led the way, taking Yagyu and three others into the hall.

Kaiser Wilhelm I was standing above. When he saw Emperor Meiji and Queen Mary coming in, he came down the stairs and said hello: "Welcome to the Palace of Versailles."

Emperor Meiji stepped forward to greet him and said: "I am honored to be invited by Mr. William. The Palace of Versailles is very beautiful."

William I laughed and said: "Hahaha, the Palace of Versailles is indeed beautiful. Louis XIV, the Sun King of France, built this place magnificently. I am afraid he never imagined that one day this place would become the residence of the Germans."

This is indeed something worth bragging about. The German emperor ascended the throne as emperor in the Palace of Versailles as a victor. This is undoubtedly a humiliation for France.

It was precisely because of this humiliation that the French fought against Germany in World War I, but World War II once again caused a big scandal.

Emperor Meiji immediately praised: "Mr. William's achievements have attracted the attention of the world. Who would have thought that the powerful France would lose to you so quickly? Germany is indeed the well-deserved overlord of the European continent, and we in Japan are honored to be Germany's ally."      Hahaha..." William I was very happy and took Emperor Meiji and Queen Mary to chat together. Speaking of which, Queen Mary and William I were related.

On the other side, Yagyu was discussing peace negotiations with Bismarck. This time Germany had determined that France would compensate France for five billion francs and Alsace and Lorraine, which are rich in iron ore.

As for France's compensation to Japan, Bismarck's suggestion was that France should compensate Japan 500 million francs and its colonies in the Pacific.

Five hundred million francs, this is already a large amount of compensation.

According to the current exchange rate, one pound is exchanged for twenty-six francs. During the same period, one pound is exchanged for eighteen yen. Converted to 500 million francs, it is approximately 350 million yen, which is equivalent to Japan's fiscal revenue for one and a half years.

Coupled with the colonies in the Pacific, this is also a piece of fat for Japan.

Yagyu put forward additional conditions. He said: "Our country has occupied Spain's colonies in Southeast Asia. It is impossible for our country to give up this land. I ask for Mr. Bismarck's understanding."

Spain has always followed France in doing things, so it should pay a price.

Bismarck nodded and said: "Okay, this is the price for Spain's wrong doings."

This time, the conversation about dividing the interests was settled without too much exchange. This was also a way for Japan to give Germany face.

But what Yagyu wants to say next is the most important.

"Mr. Bismarck, although Germany has defeated France, Britain is still a stumbling block in front of Germany. It is like a big mountain, pressing not only on the head of Germany, but also on the head of Japan.

The reason why Great Britain can put so much pressure on us is mainly because of its navy. Great Britain's navy is the world's largest navy. It is much stronger than ours in terms of the number and quality of warships, as well as the number and quality of its troops.

I think our two countries should strengthen cooperation to cultivate an excellent navy to fight against Britain. "

When talking about the British problem, Bismarck's expression was a little solemn. He said softly: "I know, but Germany currently does not have the capital to confront the British."

Yagyu followed Bismarck's tone and said: "Yes, Mr. Bismarck, you are really wise. In fact, I think so too. If Germany engages in large-scale naval construction in its homeland, it will definitely be hostile to Britain, but what about other places?"

"other places?"

This left Bismarck a little confused.

Yagyu said with some excitement: "Mr. Bismarck, I have a bold idea, that is, Germany will send talents to Japan for naval training under the pretext of exchanging knowledge."

"hiss…"

Bismarck gasped, this plan was indeed a bit bold.

However, this matter is not without room for maneuver.

But, can Japan support this important task?

Seeing that Bismarck was hesitating, Yagyu immediately took advantage of the victory and pursued him: "Mr. Bismarck, although our Japanese navy developed relatively late, our navy has fought fierce battles with the French navy, and even captured and sunk a French navy battleship. A battleship was built, a remarkable achievement!

Moreover, this time our main battleship has arrived in Dunkirk, France. Mr. Bismarck can go and visit it. You will definitely not be disappointed. "

The actual performance of the Japanese fleet made Bismarck put aside a lot of doubts. He decided to see the strength of the Japanese fleet in person before making a decision.

If Japan can take on this important task, he will definitely implement this plan and send people to Japan.

Yagyu's plan is not only to exchange students. He also hopes that German engineers will go to Japan to repair and build shipyards. He wants to encourage Germany to build warships in Japan. In the process, Japanese engineers can communicate with German engineers and strengthen shipbuilding technology.

Moreover, Yagyu can also exchange new technologies with Germany for the technologies he needs.

This is the core of the Yagyu Plan, to accelerate Japan's basic scientific and technological progress through exchanges.

And this idea has been planning this plan since he hooked up with Prussia.

He was sure that Bismarck would agree to this plan after seeing the battleship Fuso.

Of course, Yagyu has not forgotten that during this trip to Europe, there is another thing to do, which is to obtain basic European technology to make up for Japan's congenital deficiencies.

However, he was not in a hurry to talk about it. It would not be too late to wait until the navy plan was approved.

That night, the Kaiser held a grand banquet at the Palace of Versailles. Not only were Emperor Meiji and Yagyu and other Japanese people, but also the French government, British envoys, Russians, etc., everyone gathered together, laughing and having fun.

But not far away in Paris, the people of Paris launched an uprising and established the Paris Commune. They are still fighting against the Versailles Army of the Thiers government in Paris.

On the German side, after they reached a preliminary agreement with the Thiers government, they released the previously captured French troops. With the addition of this part of the French army, the strength of the Versailles army was greatly increased.

Thiers also attended the dance tonight. He approached Bismarck and made his request, that is, he hoped that Germany would allow the French army to enter Paris from the north of Paris and encircle the Paris Commune.

Bismarck took the opportunity to propose Japan's conditions for peace talks, and the conditions proposed by Japan seemed easier to accept than those of Germany.

Thiers agreed to all the conditions without hesitation. What he was most anxious about now was the issue of the Paris Commune. He must take back Paris.

Seeing that their goals were achieved, Bismarck and Yagyu smiled at each other, then raised their glasses and said: "Then let's celebrate Mr. Thiers's reconquest of Paris first."

Thiers raised his glass and responded: "With the help of your country, the turmoil in Paris will soon end."

Yagyu felt some sympathy for the Paris Commune in his heart, but he could not take action and could only stand by and watch.

Japan is just protecting itself now, and Yagyu is not the hero of the world. All he can do is not to interfere in this matter and not to help France.

As for the fate of the Paris Commune, it had already been decided.

(End of this chapter)