Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 508 Tanaka Memorial
At the opening ceremony of the Eastern Conference, Yoshiichi Tanaka delivered an opening speech as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and said: "China's political situation is extremely chaotic at present. I must carefully consider the implementation of China's policy. Taking advantage of the chaotic situation in China , specially invited representatives from all aspects of China stationed in China to gather together to be open and honest on China's political situation, and to share their views for reference. The purpose of convening this meeting. In the discussion of policy planning, there are some detailed issues. As the meeting progresses, a special subcommittee may be formed to conduct special research. I also hope that everyone will understand. one's original words)
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mori Ke, was 40 years old at the time, and had relied on the power of Duke Konoe for 10 years. The so-called Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs was actually the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs. Said: "If the great empire wants to develop, it must destroy China!"

Tian Zhongyi took a look at the reckless Sen Ke, and was very dissatisfied with his blatant expression. He suppressed the anger in his chest and said to the participants: "The current situation is extremely serious. The momentum along the way was overwhelming, which gave the empire a rare opportunity to adjust its China policy and rectify the domestic development situation. Therefore, the prime minister convened the leaders of the army and navy, the embassies and consulates in China, and the commanders of the Kwantung Army to participate in the meeting to exchange information and formulate effective policies. The positive China policy that is different from the original diplomacy, I hope you can contribute to the overall development of the empire."

Eiichi Kimura, director of the Asia Bureau of the Super High School, stroked his mustache and said unhurriedly: "Since we have determined that North Korea and Manchuria are the lifelines of the empire's development, I think the most urgent task is to win over a person who plays an important role in China. , to contribute to the great empire."

Sen Ke reprimanded impatiently: "Don't go around in circles, what's your opinion on breaking the deadlock in China policy?"

Kimura Ruiichi couldn't understand Senke's domineering style, but he couldn't afford to offend him, so he raised his voice and emphasized: "I first propose to support Zhang Zuolin, the governor of East Siberia. Zhang Zuolin is not taken seriously in Chinese political circles, but he The power in the north, especially the northeast region, is deeply rooted, so I propose to always take Zhang Zuolin as the only goal, and the rise and fall of Zhang Zuolin alone must be firmly tied to the maintenance of the empire's special position in the northeast."

Sen Ke asked aggressively: "Zhang Zuolin? Although he came from a reckless background, as far as I know, this person is so loyal to the emperor of China and cannot be shaken at all. Mr. Kimura, I advise you to choose someone else."

Kimura Ruiichi was so angry that he turned red, but he didn't dare to attack, so he bowed his head and remained speechless.

Lianji Yoshizawa, the Minister to China, sighed and said: "I am sure that Yuan Shikai will definitely lose. If he did not launch an armed rebellion rashly, I think Yuan Shikai is the best candidate for the support of the empire. Going back to a year ago, he fought with the emperor in front of the Chinese emperor. No one can replace the status of the political world!"

"If this is the case, we can only pray that Yuan Shikai wins, or that even if he fails, he will not be killed by the Chinese emperor, and he can still become the most popular person in power in China. Apart from this, there is no other way!" Sen Ke Angrily, he spit out insulting words: "It's all nonsense! He glanced at Major General Saito Tsune, who was dressed in military uniform and was full of murderous looks, and said, "You are the chief of staff of the Kwantung Army, and you even made an "Opinions on China Policy". What should I do? "

Saito Heng made a big speech with the arrogance of a bushido officer: "At this moment, it is necessary to get close to the powerful figures in the three northeastern provinces and the Rehe Special Region as the basis of our China policy, and turn it into an administrative, financial and military adviser. If Zhang Zuolin does not accept this idea, let the empire deem it appropriate to implement it, even if it resorts to force."

Morike stood up and pointed to Saito Heng's nose and asked, "Who do you think is the right character?"

Saito Tsune immediately looked like a defeated rooster, lowered his head with his military cap in his hand, and the minister's room was suddenly silent.

Sen Ke was so angry that he yelled loudly: "Who do you think is the right person?"

The military and political officials present looked at each other in blank dismay, all helpless.

Suddenly, a loud voice sounded in the minister's room: "Judging from the current Chinese emperor's strong rule over China, such a candidate does not exist at all!"

This remark immediately caught everyone's attention, and they all turned their eyes away: "Ah, it's Suzuki-kun!"

Tanaka Yoshiichi laughed loudly, and said rudely: "He, why did he forget you for a while. Tell me, what can you do?"

Suzuki Sadaichi gave a speech as gentle as a university professor: "The purpose of the Eastern Conference should be to unify the thinking on the principles to be followed, and the Northeast should be separated from China and placed under political rule. This requires all policies. , including domestic policy, foreign policy, and military policy, and promote the realization of all of them through moderate elements!"

"Who are the moderate elements?" Everyone asked in unison.

"I can't find such a person now, but it doesn't mean that there will be no such person in three or five years." Suzuki Teichi replied unequivocally, "Whether it is Yuan Shikai or Zhang Zuolin, as long as we can make the empire rule the roost, we will spare no effort. Firm support!"

At the end of the meeting, Yoshiichi Tanaka made a concluding speech, "Integrating the constructive opinions put forward by you, this meeting will reach the following consensus: First, treat Northeast China separately from China, where the great empire is located. The lifeline of Asia. Second, when the rights and interests of the great empire in China and the lives and properties of Japanese overseas Chinese are in danger of being illegally violated, they will resolutely take self-defense measures to protect them. Third, with regard to China, especially the three eastern provinces, due to There is a great stake in national defense and the survival of the people. Our country should not only give it special consideration, but also make the area maintain peace and develop the economy and become a place where Japanese overseas Chinese live in peace. Fourth, if the turmoil spreads to the Northeast and the public security is in chaos When our country's special status and rights and interests in this area are in danger of being infringed, no matter where it comes from, we will provide diplomatic coordination; and in order to protect this place where people from home and abroad live and develop in peace, we should take appropriate measures without losing the opportunity Mental preparation. Of course, the above four items should be implemented under certain conditions. Judging from the current strength gap between China and Japan, premature intervention in Northeast China will only cause our country to suffer a heavy blow.”

After the meeting, Tanaka Yoshiichi played a document entitled "Empire's Positive Fundamental Policy on Manchuria and Mongolia" to the emperor on July 7, that is, the policy program on China "Tanaka Memorial", which proposed the general policy of imperialist foreign aggression and expansion. strategy.

The main content of this memorial can be divided into the following points: First, establish a strategy of using Manchuria and Mongolia as the base for aggression and expansion.But if you want to conquer China, you must first conquer Manchuria and Mongolia.If you want to conquer the world, you must first conquer China.If China can be completely conquered by our country, then other nations such as Minor Central Asia and India and the South Seas will fear and respect me and surrender to me. The world knows East Asia as our country's East Asia and will never dare to invade me.

Second, determine that China and the United States are imaginary enemy countries.However, if we want to occupy the three eastern provinces of China with iron and blood doctrine, the third country, America, must be instigated by China to control the barbarians and control us. At this time, our competition with the United States is inevitable.In the future, if we want to control China, we must attack the US power as the first issue.

Third, distorting history and denying China's sovereignty over Manchuria and Mongolia.The so-called Manchuria, according to history, is not the territory of China, nor is it a special area of ​​China. If our country has the opportunity in the future, we must clarify the truth about its territorial rights of Manchuria and the world knows it; Inner and outer Mongolia, to wait for an opportunity to enter.

Fourth, it is proposed to try our best to establish the rights and interests in Manchuria and Mongolia, and implement the policy of economic and cultural penetration.Including railway construction rights, land lease rights and transportation, foreign trade, financial rights, and the establishment of consultants or instructors in various departments in Manchuria and Mongolia.

Fifth, change the Beijing-University (Tokyo-Osaka Railway, jointly operated by China and Japan) railway management system to deceive world public opinion.Every move of the Beijing University Railway often involves the cabinet, because although the organization of the Beijing University Railway is half-official and half-civilian, the power is actually in the hands of the cabinet. Whenever it wants to develop in Beijing University, the international community is always dissatisfied with Beijing University. The railway company is an economic company, but it is regarded as a mere political institution.Therefore, a fundamental change is planned for the Jingda Railway Company, and all the subsidiary businesses of the Jingda Railway Company are proposed as independent companies, and the power of the Jingda Railway Company is secretly attached to the imperial mission!
Emperor Meiji secretly signed this memorial, and formulated a new development path for Japan at the request of Tanaka Yoshiichi's cabinet.First, the theory and policy of aggression are secretly fabricated.The military department sent a large number of spies and special agents to China to collect and espionage intelligence, and on this basis, the report "Military Preparations of Neighboring Countries" was completed.The report analyzed China's national conditions and armament status, pointed out that "in order to counter the Chinese Army, the expansion of armaments is the top priority", and put forward the principles and strategies for combating China. ****Sadaichi Suzuki, the leader of the young faction, put forward the so-called "sovereignty line" and "interest line" as the second line theory, which included North Korea and China in the scope of the interest line, and declared that it is necessary to "defend the interest line", that is, China and North Korea Start a war.

Second, step up preparations for the war regime.The General Staff Headquarters was reformed, and the separation of military orders and government affairs was implemented, making it an independent military order agency directly under the emperor.This strengthened the special status of the Military Department in the ruling structure of the Mikado system, and laid the foundation for military command to launch wars.Afterwards, after several adjustments, the "Wartime Base Camp Regulations" was promulgated through the Navy Command, completing the preparations for the war system.In addition, the army organization was changed from the defensive station system to the field division system, so that the army was in a state of war readiness.

Again, expand armaments and strengthen military power.The army stepped up the formulation of the "armament expansion plan", and completed the reconstruction of 7 divisions (6 field divisions and 1 guard division), with a total active service force of 123 million and a reserve force of 230 million.The Navy has formulated an "eight-year expansion plan", focusing on the construction of the so-called Tsurumai-class and Yamato-class battleships for the main battleships of China's most powerful Beiyang Navy.The strength of the navy soon reached 31 warships and 24 torpedo boats, with a total tonnage of more than 10 tons.

In addition, the armaments in terms of military expenditure, weapons and equipment, and intelligence and reconnaissance have all been greatly strengthened.

Finally, in order to win the support of the Western powers for launching the war, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Military Ministry sent multiple lobbying groups to the world's major powers to lobby, especially the beneficiary countries that vigorously instigated the Eastern aid plan, hoping that they would get rid of China together. China's economic control, to boycott China in the form of war, and to make a guarantee that once the war is successful, it will not infringe the interests of all countries in China.

(End of this chapter)