Although the cabinet members unanimously opposed respecting China's territory and sovereignty as the basis for negotiations with the East China government, Katsura, who served as Prime Minister, knew very well that if this premise was excluded, there would be no way to negotiate with overseas Chinese, and could only rely on Japan to fight against Russia alone.

So after the cabinet meeting, Kashitaro summoned Masato Seihito Seihi alone, and Oyama Iwai asked if he did not form an alliance with overseas Chinese and rely on Japan's own strength alone, would he be sure to defeat Russia? Kashitaro and Oyama Iwai were confident that he would definitely defeat Russia; but when Kashitaro asked why he could defeat Russia, neither of them could answer, or Oyama Iwai said that it was Japanese soldiers fighting to the death and that they would definitely defeat Russia after seven lives.

But after hearing this, Katsura sighed, and Masato Tsai and Oyama Iwai had nothing to say. In fact, the three of them knew in their hearts that "fight to the death, serve the country for seven lives" was still possible as a mobilization for soldiers, but if you want to defeat Russia, you don't even believe it. After all, they were all people who came from the Meiji Restoration and experienced the War of the Confucian War, the Southwest War, and the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. They knew what the war was, and they didn't rely solely on spiritual strength. This was essentially different from the Showa group in the old time and space.

Originally, Katsura wanted to discuss and discuss it again, but on the next day, he received a document from the British government, suggesting that Japan immediately negotiate with the East China government based on the negotiation basis of the East China government.

It turned out that in accordance with Article 4 of the British-Japanese Alliance, the two contracting parties agreed not to make agreements with the other party and to conclude other treaties with other countries. Therefore, the consultation content between the Japanese government and the East China government must be informed of the British government.

Of course, the UK hopes to promote the Japanese government and the East China government to fight against Russia together. After all, the UK does not have much confidence in Japan's strength, and the negotiation basis proposed by the East China government is completely acceptable in the UK. In fact, with the wisdom of British politicians, it is clear that these conditions are unwilling to accept by the Japanese government, but it still requires the Japanese government to negotiate according to the requirements of the East China government. In fact, it is not that Japan will become a big deal by the Russo-Japanese War. The UK is known as the "European shit" and is a master of offshore balance. The principle is that there cannot be a single strong country in any region. It is best to be a joint force of the strong. At least it should be a two-strong man, so that it is easier for Britain to get along with each other and fight the other.

In the old time and space, only Japan in Asia could be of great use, so Britain had to fully support Japan to fight against Russia's expansion. After Japan defeated Russia, it really took the opportunity to expand its power in Asia and eventually turned against Britain. In this era, the arrival of time travelers gave Britain an additional choice. Of course, the UK's preferred target for support was Japan. Of course, they did not want Japan to be defeated by Russia. Not only did their investment be wasted, but it was also difficult to curb Russia's expansion in Asia. But Britain did not want Japan to take advantage of the opportunity to defeat Russia, which was also not in line with the interests of Britain.

The negotiation basis proposed by the East China government is exactly what Britain wants, because it is the first to basically restrict Japan from obtaining land in Northeast China. In this way, Japan cannot take advantage of the opportunity to defeat Russia to become bigger. At the same time, it can also sell the favor of the East China government and use the East China government to restrain Japan, so that Japan has to continue to obey the UK after defeating Russia. This is the result that is most in line with the interests of the UK.

Although the terms of the British-Japanese alliance are basically equal, the status of the two is different. Britain is a veteran imperialist, with a colony of more than 3,000 square kilometers and a colonial population of more than 500 million. Japan is also a novice who has just added the imperialist player circle, so the masters and slaves in this alliance are very clear, and the Japanese government dare not underestimate the opinions of the United Kingdom.

So Prime Minister Kaetaro was immediately in great distress. In desperation, Kaetaro could only ask his teacher Yuto Yama Prefecture for advice. In fact, everyone in Japan knew that although Kaetaro could not be said to be a puppet, the matter of being able to take control was limited, and the one who really controlled the Japanese regime was Yuto Yama Prefecture.

In the era of time travelers, the Japanese Prime Minister was one of the most unstable national leaders. Except for a few, the rest were basically like a revolving lantern. In the 11 years between 2002 and 2012, 10 prime ministers appeared, so they would call the wrong name of the Japanese Prime Minister in some diplomatic occasions. This is also a historical tradition in reality.

The Japanese Prime Minister was established in 1885, and it has been 18 years since then. As Katsurataro is the 11th Prime Minister, and there are three acting Prime Ministers. In 1898, four prime ministers appeared one after another, including Matsukata Matsukaya Matsuki, Hirofumi Ito, Shigenobu Okuma, and Akito Yama Prefecture. It is estimated that only countries like Japan will have such strange things.

Yama Prefecture Aritoto served as the Prime Minister of Japan twice, but he did not last for two years. Of course, if he was in Japan, it would be considered a long term. It is precisely because of these two Prime Minister experience that Yama Prefecture Aritoto understood that the position of Prime Minister is actually not easy to sit, so he pushed his disciple Kaitaro to the front desk, while he hid behind the scenes to manipulate it. This is actually much better than being the false name of Prime Minister.

However, now Katsurao has encountered something that cannot be solved, so he came to ask Yuto Yama Prefecture for advice. To be honest, Yuto Yama Prefecture could not find a good solution. Although Yuto Yama Prefecture was one of the Japanese bosses who mainly started a war against Russia, it was just a performance of seizing the supreme point of morality and gaining political interests. As one of the new elders of Meiji Wei, Yuto Yama Prefecture would not really think that Russia was as incompetent as the Qing court.

It is not clear to rely on Japan's own strength to deal with Russia, and Yama Prefecture Yuto is also unwilling to accept the negotiation conditions for overseas Chinese, and the UK's attitude cannot be taken seriously. Yama Prefecture Yuto cannot come up with a best of both worlds. However, Yama Prefecture Yuto is clear that if there is another person in Japan who can solve this problem, then this person must be Hirofumi Ito.

Although Yama Prefecture Akitomi has always been political enemies with Ito Hiromomi, he is very clear about Ito Hiromomi. In dealing with major decisions and international relations, Ito Hiromomi is indeed much better than himself. Although Ito Hiromomi is his political enemy, he faced a bet on a national destiny battle in Japan, and this time he bet was even bigger than the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. In this situation, Yama Prefecture Akitomi and Ito Hiromomi could still let go of their grudges and work together. During the Sino-Japanese War of 1895, the two cooperated once. It should show that the overall quality of the Japanese elites during the governance period was still quite high. Although they fought for power and profits and undermined each other, they could still take the overall situation into consideration when it was critical.

So Yuto Yama Prefecture immediately asked someone to invite Hiromitsu Ito to come to his home for detailed discussion. Sure enough, Hiromitsu Ito immediately came, so the three of them set up tea and had a long talk at Yuto Yama Prefecture's house.

After hearing Kashitaro talk about the current problem, Hirofumi Ito said: "Yama Prefecture, Kashiko, I think the first item proposed by overseas Chinese is not important, and I can completely agree to overseas Chinese."

After hearing this, Yutoshi Yama Prefecture calmed down and said, but Katsurao was a little anxious and said, "Ito-kun, how can this work?"

Hirobuki Ito waved his hand, interrupting Katsutaro's words, and said: "In today's world, the essence of international relations is actually the law of the jungle, and the strong prey on the weak. You have no objection to this statement."

Yama Prefecture Aritomo said: "No." Kanetaro nodded.

Hirobu Ito smiled and said, "That's it. The so-called international treaties can guarantee their effectiveness based on strength. Can countries without strength guarantee their safety by just one treaty? Therefore, after defeating Russia, whether we can obtain territory in the northeastern region of the Qing Dynasty does not depend on what treaty we signed with overseas Chinese, but on the strength of our time. Just like Russia signed the [Terms of Delivery of the Three East Provinces] with the Qing Dynasty, now Russia refuses to implement the withdrawal treaty. Whether it is the Qing Dynasty or overseas Chinese, there is no way for them. This is because of strength. If the signing of the contract was Britain, would Russia still dare to breach the contract? Therefore, this is not important at all."

Yama County Akitomi said, "I understand all the truths you said, but in this way, overseas Chinese will not only not become our alliance, but also our enemies. We are likely to face both Russian and overseas Chinese in this battle."

Kanetaro said: "So, is there any need for us to negotiate alliances with overseas Chinese?"

Hirofumi Ito said: "Of course it is necessary. Alliances, like international treaties, are not permanent. They are all affiliated with alliances. One is based on strength and the other is based on interests. Once these two conditions are lost, allies will become enemies. Now we have a common interest with overseas Chinese, which is to fight against Russia. Therefore, we have the basis for alliances. Moreover, Russia's strength is too strong, we must increase our strength as much as possible. Once we defeat Russia, we lose common interests with overseas Chinese, and it is not impossible to become enemies. Including the same is true for us to form an alliance with Britain now."

Yuto Yama Prefecture breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly: "Ito-kun means that you might as well agree to the conditions of overseas Chinese, and join forces to defeat Russia first, and then compete with overseas Chinese for Northeast China?"

Hirobuki Ito nodded and said, "That's it, but we cannot wait until we defeat Russia before considering competing for Northeast China with overseas Chinese. Instead, in the process of defeating Russia, we must consider that we should make more preparations for long-term garrison in the areas we occupy to prevent the changes in overseas Chinese."

Kanetaro said: "But in this way, overseas Chinese have always regarded themselves as descendants of China. Now the Qing Dynasty has basically agreed with them. Once we turn against overseas Chinese, we will indeed lose in terms of law. Moreover, overseas Chinese can also get a lot of support in Northeast China, and they can even join forces with Russia to deal with us."
Chapter completed!