I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 254 Emperor Tongzhi died and went to the Qing Dynasty in person

A few years ago, Yagyu Heeyan would have been criticized by many people if he had made such a decision, but now, the opponents will only watch silently.

In the past few years, Japan has proved its international status through several wars and conflicts. As long as those European and American powers do not use all their strength to attack Japan, the result will inevitably be Japan's victory.

However, because of the weakness of the bourgeoisie and their profit-seeking attitude, the attitude of several major European and American countries towards Japan is that as long as it is not a matter of principle and bottom line, they will generally choose negotiation.

Regardless of whether it is countries such as Britain, France or the United States, sending troops to attack Japan is a laborious expedition.

Whether it is the United Kingdom or the presidents of France and the United States, they all have to consider what benefits they can bring by attacking Japan.

Now economic crises have begun to break out in various countries, people's living standards have declined, and domestic conflicts have become increasingly acute. The purpose of transferring conflicts externally is to solve problems.

If the war with Japan does not yield corresponding benefits, it will not be as simple as stepping down. There may be prison or bloody disasters.

Of course, their opposition parties will definitely advocate the opposite policy. If you don't fight, I will ask people to march together and start a war.

In this case, whether it is the prime minister or the president, they will choose a compromise method, that is, to pick a soft persimmon.

Soon, it was midnight, and the New Year was coming. Yagyu Heiyan took everyone to the yard to burn firecrackers, and also set off firecrackers and fireworks.

There are still many buildings in Kyoto that are made of wood, so at this time, the entire fire brigade is dispatched. Once a fire occurs, they will immediately go to put out the fire under the guidance of signal flares.

Okita Souji said quickly: "It's better not to say this kind of thing!"

Ichimura Tetsunosuke came forward to receive Mutsu Munemitsu and asked, "What's wrong?"

Last year, Emperor Tongzhi came into power and received ambassadors from various countries at Ziguang Pavilion. The person involved in this matter was Tokugawa Qingxi.

Moreover, Prince Gong secretly visited Tokugawa Qingxi. He told Qingxi that the ambassadors of Britain and France were secretly putting pressure on the Qing Dynasty to cut off trade with Japan.

What he has to do is to continue to test and find America's red line before pulling back from America.

"Huh? This is a big deal."

This time, Tokugawa Kexi was squeezed out by Britain, France and other countries in the Qing Dynasty.

Ajin quickly interjected: "Husband, Jubei graduated from the first grade this year and will soon enter the second grade. This time he got the first place in the final exam."

There is a fire brigade on duty outside Yagyu's mansion to prevent fireworks from causing fires.

Early the next morning, while Yagyu Heiyan was still sleeping, Mutsu Munemitsu hurried to Yagyu's mansion.

Ichimura Tetsunosuke immediately went to notify Yagyu Heiyan.

On New Year's Eve, Yagyu Heiyan was sitting at the table, playing with his daughter, Akin was sitting on the side, and Jubei was sitting on the side, sitting upright, not daring to slack off.

However, Yagyu Heiyan did not disappoint Jubei. He stopped what he was doing, looked up at Jubei, and encouraged: "Oh, I got first place, very good, Jubei, keep working hard!"

Liu Shengxiyan couldn't help but smile and make fun of himself.

Yagyu Shengxiyan, who was still a little sleepy, immediately woke up when he learned that Emperor Tongzhi was dead.

Although Yagyu had a tough attitude and smuggled arms to the Kingdom of Hawaii, these actions did not touch the red line of the United States.

Okita Souji teased: "Hahaha, Jubei looks like this because he wants to imitate his brother-in-law?"

Tokugawa Kei was shocked and immediately contacted Yagyu Heigan who was in Nankaido via telegram.

The British and French ambassadors could not openly put pressure on Japan, so the matter ended up being nothing.

Axiu is Souji's wife. She is also interested in the interesting stories of Souji's childhood and quickly asks about it.

Jubei quickly puffed up his chest, waiting for Yagyu Heiyan's praise.

It was a new year in the blink of an eye. This time, Yagyu Sheeyan did not have to work outside during the New Year, so he gave himself a holiday and returned home to celebrate the New Year.

Okita Souji's family also spent New Year's Eve with Yagyu Heigen. Okita Souji looked at Jubei trying to make a serious expression, like a young adult, but Jubei's mouth was slightly raised, which betrayed his heart.

"Father, don't worry, I will keep this in my heart," Jubei said in a serious manner.

Mutsu Munemitsu said immediately: "Early this morning, the acting ambassador of the Qing Dynasty, Duolong, sent someone to inform him that the emperor of the Qing Dynasty was dead."

"Soji, you guessed it wrong. I was very naughty and mischievous when I was a child."

On the contrary, Japan is not in this category. After all, Japan and Britain and France are in head-to-head confrontation and have not fallen into a disadvantage. If they cause trouble with Japan, they may steal the chicken but lose the rice.

This time Yagyu Higen personally went to Beijing to discuss with the Qing court and invite the Qing to join the East Asia Alliance.

Just like the United States defeated the North Korean army on Ganghwa Island, but the North Korean court's attitude was resolute and tough, and the United States finally let it go.

Hearing this, Yagyu Shengxi Yan remembered his childhood. It had been ten years since he traveled through time. Most of his childhood memories were blurred, but he still remembered that he and his friends used firecrackers to blast cow shit together.

"Bounce, jump, bang, bang, bang, bang..."

This time the Qing Dynasty had an excuse to push the pressure from Britain, France and other countries onto Japan.

Akin found it interesting, so he told interesting stories about Okita Souji. When everyone heard this, they all laughed, but Okita Souji was the only one who died.

This can not only restore a wave of blood, but also ensure one's ruling status and prestige.

Yagyu Hee stopped speaking sternly and did not say anything specific. Instead, he began to ask Akin about Okita Souji's childhood.

After hearing the news, Yagyu Kiyan immediately responded. He sent a fleet to the coast of Guangzhou to frighten British and French merchants, and then signed a "Japan-Qing Friendship and Trade Treaty" with the Qing Dynasty.

Okita Souji was full of curiosity and immediately asked: "Brother-in-law, please tell me quickly."

He felt that he needed to visit the Qing Dynasty.

……

Compared with the last time, this year's international environment is conducive to Yagyu Hiyan's persuasion of Qing to join the alliance.

Because the Magali incident would occur in a few days, England signed the "Yantai Treaty" with the Qing Dynasty through this incident, allowing the Qing Dynasty to reopen several port cities.

The cause of the Magali incident was Britain's plan to build a railway from Yangon, Myanmar to Simao, Yunnan.

In the thirteenth year of Tongzhi, that is, in 1874, the British sent Colonel Brown to lead an exploration expedition in India consisting of British officials, businessmen, officers, and soldiers on the grounds of inspecting the commercial situation in Yunnan. The team passed through Myanmar and entered Qing Dynasty Yunnan by land to make preliminary preparations for trade.

In order to solve the language communication problem of the exploration team, Weituma, with the permission of the Prime Minister's Office, sent translator Ma Jiali to the Qingming-Myanmar border to greet them.

Ma Jiali started from Shanghai in June of the 13th year of Tongzhi, passing through Hankou, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, and arrived at Burma New Street on the tenth day of December to meet up with Bo Lang.

When issuing a "travel" passport to Bo Lang, the Prime Minister's Office politely advised Bo Lang: the border areas are unsafe, so try not to go there. But Bai Lang and his party didn't listen.

The Prime Minister's Yamen also asked the governors of the provinces along the way and Yunnan to take proper care of them.

Therefore, after entering Yunnan, Ma Jiali received thoughtful hospitality and care from local officials and left the country smoothly.

However, Ma Jiali did not inform Qing officials in advance of his return time and route.

On January 1875, 1, Ma Jiali reunited with the Bailang exploration team that had arrived in Bhamo earlier.

Set off on February 2, he hung up the "travel" sign, crossed the Qing border without authorization, and invaded Manyun in the Tengyue area of ​​Yunnan.

The "Pathfinding Team" led by Ma Jiali not only refused to be dissuaded by the local people, but threatened to attack Tengyue City and shot and killed several people.

At the request of the gentry and the people, Li Zhenguo, the general of Yunnan Tengyue, deployed brave troops to intercept foreigners at various key passes.

On February 2, Ma Jiali and four Qing attachés arrived at Husong River and were attacked by local people. All five of them were killed, and their heads were hung on the wall of Manyun City.

After this blow, the exploration team did not dare to move forward and retreated to Burma New Street.

But Britain immediately seized on this incident to expand its aggression against the Qing Dynasty.

The British ambassador took the opportunity to put forward six demands, and also asked the Qing court to implement the treaty signed a few years ago due to the Tianjin religious incident as soon as possible.

With the signing of the Yantai Treaty, Britain can send a pathfinding team from Beijing to Tibet via Gansu, Qinghai or Sichuan, or from India to Tibet.

The Treaty of Yantai not only ended the Yunnan case in accordance with the British government's intention, but also realized its desire to expand trade privileges in the Qing Dynasty for more than ten years and obtained the so-called "treaty right" to invade the southwest border of the Qing Dynasty.

The various rights and interests that Britain gained in China from the "Sino-British Yantai Treaty" were soon "shared" by other powers.

In such an environment, if he came forward on behalf of Japan to help the Qing Dynasty negotiate with Britain, he might be able to win over the Qing Dynasty through this opportunity.

Yagyu Heiyan immediately left the mansion and went to the cabinet to deal with the matter.

He prepared two gifts, one was a memorial gift for Emperor Tongzhi and the other was a congratulatory gift for Emperor Guangxu.

On the 15th day of the first lunar month, Yagyu Higen arrived in Tianjin by ship, entered Beijing the next day, and then entered the Japanese Embassy in the Qing Dynasty to rest.

There are still five days left before the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Guangxu.

Yanagi Yagyu brought Tokugawa Yingxi to meet with Prime Minister Prince Kyou. Yagyu Hige took the lead in delivering a memorial ceremony, and Prince Kyou stood up to thank him.

Prince Gong quickly thanked me and said: "Thanks to your country for your help in the thirteenth year of the lunar calendar. Your Excellency, Prime Minister, has been very kind to me."

Yagyu Heiyan spoke Japanese and was translated by an interpreter: "Your Highness, you are too polite. Helping your country is also helping ourselves.

The most important thing is that Britain and France suffered losses at the hands of our country, so they looked for trouble elsewhere, but our country is not afraid of these tricks. "

Prince Gong said with envy on his face: "The Prime Minister is really a handsome man. Even powerful countries like England and France can't do anything to your country. I really envy you."

Yagyu Heeyan took the opportunity to reply: "Actually, your country also has such an opportunity."

Prince Gong was surprised and said: "Is this true, Prime Minister?"

"of course."

Yagyu Heiyan immediately said: "As long as your country joins the East Asia Economic Mutual Assistance Alliance, if any problems arise in your country, you can seek help from the allies."

Prince Gong seems to have forgotten that Tokugawa Qingxi mentioned it to the Qing Dynasty, but was rejected.

Now he doesn't remember this, it's like he heard it for the first time, but he is hesitant in his heart.

He asked: "Does this alliance want our Qing Dynasty to be inferior to others?"

Yagyu Shengxiyan had long expected that Prince Gong would ask such a question. After all, the Qing Dynasty valued the court's face, and of course it was just a matter of suffering the consequences.

He replied: "There is no distinction between the status of the countries in the alliance. It is just us, the East Asian countries, who are united to keep warm and cope with the bullying of the European and American powers."

When Prince Gong heard this, he was a little moved, but this matter was not a deliberate decision by him. This matter had to be discussed with the Queen Mothers of the two palaces.

Yagyu Shengxiyan was not in a hurry to ask Prince Gong to reply. The two exchanged greetings for a few words and then separated.

After Prince Gong finished discussing with Yagyu Sheeyan, he immediately went into the palace to meet the two empress dowagers. However, Emperor Tongzhi had previously been in charge and the two empress dowagers had returned to power, so several military ministers were needed to discuss the matter together.

The head of the military minister is Li Hongzhang.

The queen mothers of the two countries and Li Hongzhang began to consider the matter after listening to Prince Gong's account.

However, the Empress Dowager Cixi did not pay much attention to this matter and said directly: "This matter is not a big deal. Besides, our Qing Dynasty is now embarking on foreign affairs and its national power is booming. There is no need for a small country to help."

Li Hongzhang was considering the pros and cons.

Historically, because Japan bullied the Qing Dynasty on the issues of Taiwan and Ryukyu, Li Hongzhang believed that Japan was ambitious and needed to be on guard.

Nowadays, many things between Japan and the Qing Dynasty are fair transactions. In addition, Japan has left Britain and France helpless. If they cooperate with Japan, they can indeed reduce the pressure.

Li Hongzhang immediately said: "I have reported to the Queen Mother that this matter may be beneficial to the Qing Dynasty!"

Cixi frowned and said, "Why did Li Aiqing say this?"

Li Hongzhang immediately analyzed: "I reported to the Holy Queen Mother that I thought that although Japan was sparsely populated, it had risen strongly in recent years. It first asked France to pay compensation, and then signed a new treaty with England.

Judging from these circumstances, Japan can indeed help the Qing Dynasty solve many problems. At least we can rely on this alliance and no longer worry about the strength of Britain and France. "

Empress Dowager Cixi still looked calm and said: "It's a bit embarrassing to let outsiders help."

Empress Dowager Ci'an said: "Sister, there is no need to think like this. For the sake of the country of the Qing Dynasty, it is acceptable for us to bear the humiliation for a period of time. The most important thing is that we cannot let the country of our ancestors be lost in our hands."

Although Empress Dowager Cixi was not happy, Empress Dowager Ci'an had already spoken, so she relented and said: "We can discuss this matter again and try to get conditions that are beneficial to our Qing Dynasty, and we must not insult our Qing Dynasty."

Li Hongzhang immediately accepted the order and said: "I accept the decree of the Queen Mother!"

After receiving the order, Li Hongzhang immediately left the palace with Prince Gong.

Li Hongzhang felt a little heavy after taking over the errand, but Prince Gong was relaxed and in a very happy mood.

Prince Gong would naturally avoid doing such a thankless thing.

(End of this chapter)