I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 236 The game behind the diplomatic incident

Historically, the Maria Louis incident was rescued because Mikiyo ran to a British warship in Yokohama Port. Soshima Tanedomi was responsible for this matter, and some foreigners recorded that Emperor Meiji personally came forward to handle the matter.

But this matter was not simply about rescuing deceived Qing workers.

The Prime Minister, then Emperor Meiji, had moved the country's capital to Edo and changed it to Tokyo.

Secondly, British warships were anchored in Tokyo Bay.

Finally, this matter was that Britain supported Japan in punishing the Maria Louis in Peru, while Germany and Russia opposed it.

During the same period, France was busy restoring its national strength and did not participate in this matter, and the United States did not express its opinion on this matter. Only the rising Germany, Tsarist Russia and Great Britain expressed their opinions.

Judging from the British warships anchored in Tokyo Bay, Japan's Meiji Restoration received support from the British and tended to follow the British's footsteps in national policy.

What now? There are no British warships in Tokyo Bay, and Yagyu Heigan still wants to abrogate the unequal treaties signed before and restore national sovereignty.

Yagyu Hee strictly wants to punish the Maria Louis, but Daeyoung, who is already conflicted, will never support it, and will even take the opportunity to intimidate Japan.

But Yagyu Heiyan is not fighting alone. Germany and Japan are now in the honeymoon period. If Japan is threatened, Germany will definitely stand up to help Japan.

There is also Tsarist Russia. Tsarist Russia now has a good relationship with Germany. In addition, Tsarist Russia has always been on guard against Great Britain and has conflicts in Central Asia and East Asia. Naturally, it will not side with Great Britain.

The German Tsarist Russia, who was originally Japan's enemy, will side with Yagyu Heiyan, while Great Britain, who was originally an ally, has become an opponent.

Yagyu Heeyan didn't want to do this, but if he wanted to restore sovereignty, he could only play with Great Britain in this way.

If you are not careful, war is just around the corner.

When a foreign ship is seized, that's a big deal.

Telegraphs from Edo to Kyoto had already been connected. In just two hours, the embassies in Kyoto all knew that Yagyu Kigeon had seized Peruvian ships in Yokohama Port.

Peru was now the younger brother of Great Britain. Parkes was already angry because his previous negotiations with Yagyu Heiyan broke up. He immediately seized this opportunity and told Tokugawa Qingxi to let Japan release the Peruvian ships immediately.

However, this matter was handled by Yagyu himself, and Tokugawa Yoshiki also understood Yagyu's attitude, so he could only reply forcefully: "The Maria Louis has violated the laws of our country, and they must accept punishment. ."

Parkes was furious when he thought of Yagyu Heeyan's attitude. He said angrily: "You think that just because you have defeated a French squadron, you think no one is your opponent? Wait, what will Daying let you know?" It’s a naval battle.”

Tokugawa Kexi was very helpless. Although he wanted to settle the matter or slowly influence Daying, it was Yagyu Heiyan who could decide the matter in the cabinet.

Parkes was not joking this time. He had applied to Great Britain to teach Japan a lesson. The news had been sent back to London and Congress was discussing the matter.

Great Britain dumped a lot of goods in Japan and made a lot of money, but the market was too small and saturated, and those with vested interests were still arguing with others.

France naturally supports Great Britain, but the Franco-Prussian War left France with no energy to intervene in overseas affairs in a short period of time. France still had to restore its national strength and stabilize other colonies.

As for the United States, they suffered a setback on the Ogasawara Islands before. Now Daiying took the lead in criticizing Japan. The American ambassador did not hesitate and immediately followed suit and accused Yagyu Heiyan.

As for the ambassadors of Tsarist Russia and Germany, they naturally support Japan.

The news from Kyoto made Yagyu Heeyan relieved. Everything was almost as he expected.

The scene has begun. The protagonists in the scene are Japan and Great Britain. Peru, Germany, etc. are all supporting characters, and the others are just backgrounds.

Yagyu Heeyan handled this matter with great fanfare, just to confront Daying once and then regain the country's sovereignty.

Peru and the Qing Dynasty still had to be notified of this matter, but Peru did not have an embassy in Japan, so the United States or the United Kingdom had to wait to notify Peru.

In fact, Parkes had already sent someone to send the news to Peru.

In addition, the Qing embassy in Kyoto was a bit busy. The presence of the Qing embassy has always been very low. Most of the officials inside spent their days drinking and drinking and never asked about other matters. Many people directly used the embassy as a smokehouse and drank clouds in it. Breathing mist.

This is the most obvious place for smoking cigarettes in Kyoto. If someone is found smoking cigarettes in other places, they will be taken to the target by the police.

Quit smoking? I won't even give you a chance.

The previous ambassador, Xu Yongyi, had been promoted and returned to China. The post of ambassador was vacant. The deputy ambassador at the embassy was handling matters, Duolong. He was not just a son of someone else. He insisted on coming out to see the world, and ended up taking the lead in smoking cigarettes.

This made He Ruzhang and other embassy officials feel ashamed.

Fortunately, no one paid attention to their embassy.

But today, things came to the door.

On the order of Tokugawa Kei, Mutsu Munemitsu came to inform the Qing ambassador about the laborers on the Maria Louis.

As soon as Mutsu Munemitsu arrived at the entrance of the embassy, ​​he saw the yawning Qing New Army guard, which made him frown, and the smell wafting out of the embassy also made him frown.

The accompanying translator said: "This is the smell of opium. The Qing people here like to smoke big cigarettes."

Mutsu Munemitsu said with some contempt: "I heard that the Qing Dynasty has begun to learn Western culture and technology. Unfortunately, they do not have the determination like us. If we look at this embassy, ​​they will definitely fail."

He Ruzhang happened to be at the door and heard Mutsu Munemitsu's words. He understood some Japanese, plus he was interested in Western learning, and saw that Japan had worked hard to achieve results, so he suggested to Li Hongzhang that he come to Japan to conduct research. Therefore, Became an official at the Embassy in Japan.

He looked at Mutsu Munemitsu and immediately asked, "Who are you?"

The interpreter replied: "This is the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mutsu Munemitsu-sama. On the order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tokugawa-sama, Mutsu-sama has come to meet with the acting ambassador of your country, Mr. Doron."

"Please come with me."

He Ruzhang knew Japanese cabinet officials and knew that Mutsu Munemitsu studied in Europe and came back as a foreign ministry official. He advocated establishing good relations with Western countries and using gentle policies to resolve unequal treaties.

Unfortunately, Mutsu Munemitsu's ideas were not adopted by Prime Minister Yagyu Nozomi.

He Ruzhang took Lu Aozongguang to the acting minister's office. Duolong had not come yet for the first time. He Ruzhang immediately asked his assistant to find Duolong.

After Duolong was woken up, he learned that Japanese diplomats were coming, so he had to get up and come to the office.

"Ah...what do you want from this ambassador?"

Doron leaned back on the chair and yawned, still sleepy.

Mutsu Munemitsu looked at Doron with a bit of contempt. He looked directly at Doron and said: "A few days ago, our Prime Minister Yagyu Yoshigan seized a ship in Yokohama Port. There were more than 200 people on board from your country.

These people were deceived into boarding the ship and suffered unfair treatment. Lord Yagyu rescued these people in accordance with the laws of his country and seized the ship.

Now, our country hopes that your country will arrange ships to send these victims back. "

When Duolong heard that it was just a matter of a group of untouchables, he said impatiently: "Huh? It's just a group of untouchables who can't live well in the Qing Dynasty and have to run out. It's really troublesome. Spend money for these untouchables who run away. , we are so sorry to the Lord!"

Duolong clasped his hands together and saluted upward toward the north.

"What? These are your people." Mutsu Munemitsu was a little surprised after hearing the translation.

After hearing this, Duolong burst into laughter, and then said: "They are just a bunch of untouchables. What's the fuss? I have a vast land in Qing Dynasty, and I have the largest number of people, more than 200 people. Ha, it's not worth mentioning."

Mutsu Munemitsu's face turned livid when he saw Doron treating the lives of over two hundred people with such contempt. He said coldly: "The words have been brought. As for how to deal with it, that is your own business."

Mutsu Munemitsu didn't want to stay here for long, so he turned and left.

As soon as He Ruzhang waited for Mutsu Munemitsu to leave, he immediately said in an angry tone: "Master Duolong, how can you abandon more than two hundred people?"

Duolong said angrily: "Are you confused? If you leave the Qing Dynasty, you are no longer a citizen of the Qing Dynasty! Besides, they are just a bunch of mud-legged people. How much will it cost to send them back? With this money, I might as well take a few more puffs ."

He Ruzhang was furious and didn't know what to say, so he could only walk away.

On the contrary, another person came up to Duolong and said: "Master Duolong, I feel that this matter is not that simple. How could the Japanese be so kind as to save those mud-legged people? There is no benefit. I heard that there are many people I want the Japanese cabinet to send troops to the Kingdom of Korea and then attack our Qing Dynasty."

Duolong couldn't sit still when he heard this.

Just kidding, he is a member of the Eight Banners and has a yellow belt.

To attack the Qing Dynasty is to murder the emperor. As the emperor's loyal slave, how can he let it go?

"What? The small country of Zu'er also has such courage? Go and find out what happened this time!"

Duolong is no longer confused now and must get to the bottom of the matter.

However, as soon as he took the order, his assistant came over and said, "Sir Duolong, someone from the British Embassy is here!"

"What? The British are coming!"

Doron panicked and quickly stood up from the chair.

He has seen the brutality of the British. He remembers that when Beijing was attacked by the British, he was scared to death. He still remembers it vividly.

Duolong trembled all over and said with a pale face: "No, what does this Englishman want to do with me!"

The official next to him said: "Master Duolong, no matter what the other party is here for, we have to meet him, otherwise it will be rude."

Duolong seemed to be waking up from a dream, and nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, you are right to remind me, don't be stunned, please invite him over quickly!"

He was really afraid that the British would be angry and find an excuse to send troops. If this was the case, then he would be a sinner of the Qing Dynasty!

A British official came in, and Duolong immediately licked his face and said, "Welcome, welcome!"

The British official ignored Doron's smiling face and said directly: "Mr. Doron, I am here on behalf of Ambassador Parkes. On behalf of the more than 200 workers, you should immediately withdraw the complaint against the Maria Louis!"

"what?"

Duolong was stunned for a moment, and then realized that he knew that these Japanese people had no good intentions. The more than 200 people actually involved the British!

He immediately cursed: "The Japanese are indeed harboring evil intentions. These rotten assholes will not die well!"

The official quickly pulled Doron away.

Duolong then smiled at the British official and said: "This matter has nothing to do with our Qing Dynasty. It is all Japan's own initiative. We will notify the Japanese immediately.

Please also ask this lord to go back and tell Lord Parkes that our Qing Dynasty has absolutely no intention of becoming an enemy of Great Britain. "

The British official chuckled and said, "I don't think you would have the courage."

He turned around and left, leaving behind a very arrogant figure.

"Pooh!"

Doron waited until the British officials and his party left before spitting hard on the ground.

"Damn you, fuck your shit in front of me. If this were in the Qing Dynasty, I would beat you so hard that your parents wouldn't even recognize you."

The flatterer on the side immediately comforted him: "Sir, please calm down and don't be like this foreigner. You don't care about the villain's faults and treat him like a fart."

After hearing this, Duolong felt a little happy, lying on the chair and said: "Well, you are right, I am not as knowledgeable as these foreign devils.

By the way, you should do what he just said right away. These Japanese are really nosy, they are just a few untouchables. If they die, they will die. What's the trouble? "

The flatterer immediately boasted: "Master Duolong is absolutely right."

"Oh, for the sake of the emperor and for the sake of the Qing Dynasty, I have been thinking very hard... No, I have to take a few sips to refresh myself."

The Qing embassy immediately sent someone to inform the Japanese government. Tokugawa Yingxi was stunned when he learned the news.

"Is the Qing Dynasty so afraid of the British? So it has surrendered to the British."

Tokugawa Yingxi was very contemptuous.

"I think Kido and the others are right. What's there to be afraid of in a country like this? I really don't know what Yagyu Heiyan is thinking."

Mutsu Munemitsu asked: "Mr. Tokugawa, do you want to tell the Prime Minister about this?"

Tokugawa nodded happily and said: "He is the one who took the lead in this matter. We can just watch the show."

"I understand."

Mutsu Munemitsu immediately informed Okubo Toshimichi, and then a telegram was delivered to Yagyu Kigan.

After reading the telegram from Kyoto, he breathed a sigh of relief.

His face was ashen and he said: "Even if the Qing Dynasty is not involved, we will continue to do this.

This time it is not for the people of the Qing Dynasty. I have to use the Maria Louis incident to tell everyone that in Japan, all foreigners have no extraterritorial rights! "

"I understand!"

An official immediately sent a telegram to the cabinet in Kyoto with Yagyu's intention.

Okubo Toshimichi took the telegram and read it, and then said to Tokugawa Yingxi: "Sir Tokugawa, go and inform the British Ambassador that Japan will take care of this matter to the end."

Tokugawa Qingxi asked: "Then the Qing envoy has already withdrawn the lawsuit, so there is no reason for us to do so?"

Okubo Toshimichi did not disclose what Yagyu meant, but said: "Notify the Qing court directly and see what they say."

(End of this chapter)