The sun never sets.

"Da da da da", machine gun bullets penetrated the gate and walls of the headquarters, and knocked down the Japanese officers and soldiers inside like mowing the grass. Ijichi Yukisuke was a new general who had received modern military education, but his combat skills had long been forgotten in the process of enjoying fine wine and beautiful women. After discovering that he was attacked, he did not have time to lie down, but stood there for a few seconds. It was these few seconds that cost him his life. Several machine gun bullets hit his body, and the powerful impact force knocked him out and hit the wall. Nogi Maresuke still had some courage, roaring and pulling out the samurai sword, and then he was also shot to death.

As the machine gun roared, some guards threw grenades into the headquarters. When half of the ammunition belt was used up, the guards rushed in like a whirlwind and captured the few junior officers who survived. To be fair, there were many low-ranking officers in the Japanese army with good qualities. After hearing the machine gun sound, many of them immediately made the action of lying down. However, most of the people in the headquarters were civilians, or those who had been on the night attack group: Lu Jiu ④ ⑨, ③ Lu Yi San and five years old, and their reactions were not fast enough. There were only three or four people who could survive the surprise attack of the guards.

The People's Army's "infantry-artillery coordination" tactics had not yet been fully applied, but it was enough to deal with the Japanese army with low morale and chaotic command system. Following the Guards, other troops also launched a swift attack on the Japanese army in the east. This counterattack was no longer a "short assault", but a resolute and thorough attack, from Laolongshan all the way to Kraskino

The two 280mm howitzers that the Japanese army had just transported here had not yet been deployed when the [Guards] and [Mongol cavalry] had already arrived. The Japanese artillery units put up some resistance in a panic, but they didn't even have a few rifles, so how could they be a match for the Guards who could carry heavy machine guns everywhere?

The Japanese Third Army was almost wiped out. Commander Nogi Maresuke, Chief of Staff Ijichi Yukisuke, and a large number of middle and senior generals were killed in the battle. If Akiyama Yoshifuru had not led the replenished cavalry brigade to launch a desperate counterattack, even Oyama Iwao would have died in the chaotic battlefield.

Akiyama Yoshifuru led his cavalry into battle before his wounds were healed, and the Mongolian cavalry and the Japanese cavalry began a second round of competition on the snow. Before the battle between the two sides was decided, the Japanese infantry was defeated again, and the Imperial Guards advanced lightly in the snow, intending to cut off the retreat of the Japanese cavalry.

"Brigade Commander, we must retreat!"

Colonel Hojo Hideki rode his horse to the side of Akiyama Yoshifuru and said anxiously: "If we don't leave now, we won't be able to get out!"

In fact, they could still leave. As long as they could cross the continuous snow-capped mountains or head for the frozen sea, they would theoretically have a chance to escape. But the probability was too small, and even a well-prepared infantry unit would find it difficult to do so, not to mention that they were cavalry. Even if some people could escape, their horses and other mounts would have been thrown away.

Akiyama Yoshifuru felt dizzy, but he was not injured again. The Japanese soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Brigade used their lives to stop the enemy. "Charge out?" Akiyama Yoshifuru gestured with his hand, "Hojo-kun, don't you understand? We have nowhere to go. The achievements of decades since the Meiji Restoration have vanished in this tragic war!"

Hojo Hideki's expression darkened. "We failed this time, but we can still accumulate strength for the future! Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, please remain useful and serve the country!"

"It's too late." Akiyama Yoshifuru pointed to the east and said, "Look, the Chinese... Chinese flag has been planted on our barracks!"

Hojo Hideki looked up and saw the red flag with a hammer and sickle embroidered on it was so dazzling on the snow, and the flag was shaking as if it was burning. He cried out in grief, his eyes were red, and he seemed to be about to cry. He wiped his eyes with his hand and shouted, "Since it has come to this, please give the order, Commander, and let the Chinese see the courage of the Yamato men!"

Akiyama Yoshifuru laughed out loud, "Well said! Even if I die, I will let the Chinese see the spirit of a Yamato man!" He raised the saber in his hand, waved it forward, and shouted an order: "First Cavalry Brigade, attack!"

Chapter 344: Chopping Melons and Vegetables

Forced into a desperate situation, Akiyama Yoshifuru launched a desperate counterattack. When the sound of metal clashing and shouting stopped, there were less than 30 riders left around Akiyama Yoshifuru. His body was covered in blood, both his own and others'.

"Hahaha! Hojo-kun, my martial arts skills haven't fallen behind, right? Hojo?"

"......Colonel Hojo has died in battle."

"Oh, he's gone first, it's our turn next!"

"That man seems to be a high-ranking official. Do you know who he is?" Ulemuji asked the translator beside him. The translator quickly told Akiyama Yoshifuru's name and position, and Ulemuji's eyes lit up immediately. "Is he the founder of the Japanese cavalry? No wonder his riding and martial arts are pretty good. The world is so big, it would be a pity if such a warrior died like this. Hey, tell him that as long as he stops resisting, I will recommend him to His Majesty the Emperor."

The translator shouted at Akiyama Yoshifuru and his group, who had no way to retreat, "Akiyama-kun, the victory has been decided, don't bleed and sacrifice any more. The king's master said that as long as you stop resisting, you will be treated well! This is not surrender!"

Akiyama Yoshifuru took off his hat, wiped the blood off his face, and laughed loudly, "Today's matter will only lead to death!"

The translator reluctantly told Ulemuji what Akiyama Yoshifuru said, and Ulemuji stopped trying to persuade him. "He is a warrior, so let him die on the battlefield!" He wiped the bloody long sword on his left sleeve and shouted, "Ready!"

A bright knife light flashed, "Attack!"

Fifty or sixty meters away, Akiyama Yoshifuru also roared, "First Cavalry Brigade, attack!"

The sound of horse hooves and shouts suddenly erupted, became intense, and then gradually subsided. Wulemuji shook off the blood on his weapon and looked at his left arm. There was a crack on the leather armor, but it was not cut, so it was not a big problem. Looking up at the opposite side, only Akiyama Yoshigu was left a few dozen meters away, with only one arm left.

"Hu...Hu...", Akiyama Yoshifuru breathed rapidly. Because the weather was too cold, the wound did not bleed any more, so he did not fall into a coma. The severe pain from the broken left arm made it almost impossible for him to maintain consciousness. He thought of many things, but it seemed that he thought of nothing. "Hu...Hu...", he breathed hard, letting the cold air flow through his lungs, and then roared again, "The First Cavalry Brigade, attack!"

The Mongolian cavalry surged in, drowning out his roar. A few minutes later, everything was over. With the death of Akiyama Yoshifuru, the resistance of the 1st Cavalry Brigade and other Japanese troops also came to an end.

The Japanese troops who had come all the way from Vladivostok fled in panic in the ice and snow, and their dead bodies could be seen everywhere along the way.

After defeating the Japanese army again, Lin Yongchang left other troops to clean up the battlefield, and he himself led the [Mongol Iron Cavalry] and [Guards] to continue the pursuit eastward. The soldiers and horses fought day and night, eight battles a day, beheading the commander of the Japanese 11st Division Prince Fushimi Sadae, the commander of the 9th Division Lieutenant General Tsuchiya Mitsuharu, the commander of the 7th Division Lieutenant General Oshima Hisanao, the commander of the 1th Division Lieutenant General Osako Naotoshi, the commander of the 4st Reserve Infantry Brigade Major General Tomoyasu Jinobu, the commander of the th Reserve Infantry Brigade Major General Takeuchi Masasaku, etc. Two days later, the [Guards], who had not rested or eaten, caught up with the fastest fleeing Japanese and launched another attack, beheading the Japanese Marshal Oyama Iwao, the commander of the th Army General Nozu Michikuni, and the commander of the Independent th Division Lieutenant General Kawamura Keiaki, etc.

Prince Mengen* Borjigin ordered his men to carry the heads of Oyama Iwao, Nozu Michitsugu and others on spears and rushed to the city of Vladivostok, ordering the Japanese troops in the city to surrender. Seeing the heads of the Japanese generals, lieutenant generals and major generals, especially the head of Oyama Iwao, the thousands of Vladivostok defenders were terrified and dared not resist. After a period of confusion, they opened the city gates and surrendered.

After capturing Vladivostok, Meng En* Borjigin wanted to continue to attack Shuangchengzi, but the Siberian Army had already recaptured it. The Siberian Army claimed to have 200,000 people, but because of hunger and the previous defeat by the Chinese, morale was low, combat effectiveness was not strong, defense was OK, but active attack was a bit lacking. After receiving the battle plan from the United Nations Command, many Russian generals believed that it was not the time to launch a counterattack. The Siberian Army had too many difficulties, the most important of which was insufficient food and severe cold weather. Don't look at them as bears, there are many old Russians who freeze to death every winter.

Only Major General Kontrachenko believed that an immediate attack was necessary. If the several important cities of the Grand Duchy of Siberia were all recaptured by the Chinese, how could the Grand Duchy of Siberia maintain its semi-independent status? I'm afraid the entire Primorsky Province will be swallowed up by China. Even if it will suffer the heaviest casualties, the Siberian Army must show the value of its existence. Although it is now part of the United Nations Army, Russians are Russians. They also have their own pride and honor and cannot accept the fact of being annexed by China.

Grand Duke Nicholas Romanov Nicholas agreed with this, so he streamlined the army to 50,000 and handed the main force to Major General Kontrachenko, asking him to launch a campaign to recover the lost territory. Because a large number of Japanese troops had been transferred away, Major General Kontrachenko's march was very smooth at the beginning, and he recovered many villages and towns. He only encountered a tough opponent in Shuangchengzi. The Japanese troops who stayed in Shuangchengzi fought very tenaciously, and they had to be tenacious. The Japanese army killed people and burned villages in the Outer Northeast, and had long forged a blood feud with the people here. After the capture of Shuangchengzi, Nogi Maresuke's Third Army carried out a massacre in the city. The Siberian Army has already announced that it will launch an equal revenge against the Japanese.

It took Major General Kontrachenko nearly a month to capture Shuangchengzi and completely wipe out more than 3,000 Japanese troops in the city. He then prepared to attack Vladivostok, and then he heard that Vladivostok had been liberated by the Chinese.

"How could it be so fast?"

Major General Kontrachenko had a deep understanding of the bravery of the Japanese army. Although the Japanese soldiers were short in stature, they were very brave. How could an army of hundreds of thousands be destroyed just like that? His first reaction was surprise, but then he thought of the Russian army being defeated by the Chinese. Nearly 400,000 Russian soldiers were destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers were easily eliminated by the Chinese. Isn't this a matter of course?

It was a good thing that the Chinese had dealt with the Japanese, but it was not a good thing that Vladivostok and Vladivostok were occupied by the Chinese. Major General Kontrachenko was in a dilemma. He could not attack the Allied forces, mainly because he could not defeat them, but he could not watch the largest city in the Far East fall into the hands of the Chinese.

The major general was in a dilemma and had no choice but to report the situation and let Regent Nicholas handle it.

Chapter 345 Bowing

"Tick!"

The water drops fell, creating ripples that quickly spread in all directions. The sound of hurried footsteps sounded outside the prison. Kotoku Shusui turned his gaze away from the ripples and looked towards the aisle. After a moment, the jailer hurried over, stood outside the prison, and said respectfully: "Mr. Kotoku, please take a bath and change your clothes. There is a distinguished person who wants to see you..."

Kotoku Shusui interrupted the other party and asked, "Did the Japanese army lose?"

The jailer was stunned and blurted out, "How did you know?" Then he said embarrassedly, "Sir, you are indeed a wise man. You can see things thousands of miles away!"

Kotoku Shusui shook his head and said, "I am not a wise man, I just read a lot of books. If the Japanese army had not been defeated, you would not be so polite to me."

The jailer quickly said, "I have never been disrespectful to you, sir!"

"Don't worry, I won't retaliate against you." Kotoku Shusui sighed, "I can go out today, but I don't know when I will lose my head."

"Sir, you are too modest. The one who wants to see you is a real nobleman!"

After the Sino-Japanese War broke out, "non-citizens" such as Kotoku Shusui and Kuroiwa Satō were immediately arrested and thrown into

They were already under surveillance. When the Sino-Japanese relationship eased half a year ago, the supervision of them was somewhat relaxed. After the war, the Meiji government's pretense of enlightenment and hypocrisy was naturally thrown aside immediately. If the Japanese army won a big victory, they might be dragged out to sacrifice. Only when the Japanese army suffered a defeat would they have some value. But it's hard to say, maybe the angry government authorities would just shoot them.

Kotoku Shusui had been in prison for a month and had figured out all these things. However, he did not expect the Japanese army to be defeated so quickly. He originally thought that he would be imprisoned until the summer or autumn of next year.

After taking a shower and changing into new clothes and shoes, Kotoku Shusui felt much warmer, no longer shivering from the cold as he had in prison. He tightened his clothes and said to Daikakuya Shishin who was standing at the door, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Daikakuya Shishin was wearing a neat military uniform and said with a smile, "Mr. Kotoku Shusui, you are too polite. Let me help you with these old clothes." He reached out and took the bag from Kotoku Shusui, "Just go and see Count Ito."

Kotoku Shusui asked, "Is the situation on the front line very bad?"

Dajuewu Shizhen thought for a moment and said, "The troops sent to Outer Manchuria were completely wiped out. Marshal Oyama Iwao and two generals, as well as 17 lieutenant generals and major generals, and troops were either killed in the battle or captured by the Chinese. No one escaped."

Kotoku Shusui paused and asked in surprise, "We lost so miserably?"

Daijukuya Shishin continued, "This is only the defeat on the Outer Northeast battlefield. The situation on the Korean battlefield is also extremely unfavorable. General Kuroki Tamejung is trapped in Seoul, and General Okubo is almost retreating to Busan."

Kotoku Shusui thought for a moment, "Doesn't that mean the army has no soldiers left?"

"Not really. The Army Department is urgently mobilizing in the country. They are saying that they will add ten divisions in the country to help lift the siege of Seoul. But it is said that the newly formed divisions don't even have rifles. Not only are they digging out old rifles and matchlocks from ten or twenty years ago, but many of them are also using bamboo spears."

"No wonder Ito Hirobumi came to me again. Japan can no longer fight."

Dajuewu Shizhen said, "Who said it wasn't true? Sir, please come this way."

Ito Hirobumi was not as hedonistic as Yamagata Aritomo, Oyama Iwao and Saigo Tsumichi, but as a veteran of the Meiji Restoration and a count of the country, his living conditions were definitely not bad. In this deep winter, the charcoal in Count Ito's house was burning red, and he didn't feel cold at all. He and Takahashi Korekiyo sat face to face, both with serious expressions.

Takahashi Korekiyo was from Sendai Domain. Sendai Domain stood on the wrong side in the Anti-Shogunate War, and the people of Sendai Domain suffered as a result. When he was young, Takahashi Korekiyo did not have a stable job for a long time. After many years, no one mentioned the events in the Anti-Shogunate War, and Takahashi Korekiyo's personal career began to improve. It was not until he was 39 years old that he entered the banking industry, which gave him a stable income. Then he rose all the way and became the leading financial expert of the Meiji government of Japan. After helping the Meiji government raise a large amount of war funds, he was also named a baron.

However, the army that had been built with so much money did not play its due role. Two hundred thousand soldiers were annihilated, and the remaining two hundred thousand were struggling to hold on in North Korea, and it was not known when they would be finished. Without machine guns and artillery, the infantry alone could not stop the wolf-like Chinese.

"When did things become like this?"

Takahashi Korekiyo shook his head repeatedly, "Didn't those people in the Army Department say they were very confident?"

"Victory and defeat are common in the military. There are victories in war, and of course there will be defeats."

"But this is such a tragic defeat. Two hundred thousand soldiers! What on earth are the army people doing?"

Ito Hirobumi said: "Now is not the time to pursue responsibility. The most important thing is to solve the problem at hand."

"I hope the Chinese won't ask for much..."

Before Takahashi Korekiyo finished speaking, the servant said outside the door: "Mr. Earl, Mr. Kotoku Shusui is here."

Ito Hirobumi stood up and walked to the door, put on his wooden clogs, and went to greet him at the door, followed by Takahashi Korekiyo. "It's been a long time since we last met. Mr. Kotoku has lost weight."

Kotoku Shusui said calmly: "Count Ito has also lost a lot of weight."

"Alas," Ito Hirobumi sighed and said, "National affairs are difficult, and the belt is getting loose... Mr. Kotoku, there are some misunderstandings between China and Japan, and we still need you to mediate."

"Your Excellency, your words are too polite. I am just a commoner and a prisoner this morning. How can I mediate between two countries?"

"Red bean paste, Smi Masai!" Ito Hirobumi bowed, "I apologize to you for the inappropriate behavior of some people in the government. The situation in Korea is critical now. Please, for the sake of being a Japanese, please say a few good words to Chairman Lin so that the misunderstanding between China and Japan can be resolved as soon as possible. It would be good if we can save one life because of this."

Kotoku Shusui thought for a moment and remembered a newspaper article he had read in China, which said that the Japanese were the best at bowing and apologizing. They seemed very polite, but that was just an appearance. Bowing and apologizing did not represent their true attitude. He was about to say something when Takahashi Korekiyo said, "It's windy and cold outside. Why don't you two go inside and talk?"

Ito

Bowen exclaimed, "Oh!" and said, "It's my fault, Mr. Kotoku. Please come in."

Chapter 346 Conditions

Ito Hirobumi is now the most powerful person in Japan, especially after the army was almost completely destroyed, no force can challenge Ito Hirobumi's authority. The attitude of the navy has always been very ambiguous. It also hopes to occupy the Northeast, but it is not as radical as the army. Takahashi Korekiyo is also a celebrity in Japan and is very famous among the geishas in Tokyo... Well, this is only one aspect. As the leading financial expert of the Meiji government, no matter which faction it is, it needs to rely on his ability.

Kotoku Shusui knew Ito Hirobumi, but had never seen Takahashi Korekiyo before, but had seen him in newspapers. The black-and-white newspapers were a little different from the real person, but the difference was not big.

The three of them sat down in the warm room, and Takahashi Korekiyo couldn't wait to say, "Mr. Kotoku, I heard that you have met Mr. Lin Yongchang of the People's Party?"

"Yes, I was once entrusted by Count Ito to go to China, so I had the opportunity to meet Chairman Lin."

"What kind of person is Chairman Lin?"

After hearing this question, Kotoku Shusui answered without hesitation: "That is a saint who appears only once every two thousand years!"

Ito Hirobumi organized a number of people to study the theories and various works of the People's Party next door. Takahashi Korekiyo was also a member of the research team. He was able to read many of Lin Yongchang's articles and had long believed that he was a hero of the time. But a saint? Isn't this a bit too exaggerated?

Takahashi Korekiyo was stunned when he heard this, and Ito Hirobumi had the same expression.

"Saint? Kotoku-kun, you......" Takahashi Korekiyo paused and changed the subject: "Can you elaborate?"

So Kotoku Shusui briefly talked about "surplus value" and "theory of contradiction", which were all known to Ito Hirobumi and Takahashi Korekiyo. They had even read the "Selected Works of Hayashi Yongchang, Volume 2", which had just been published and had not yet been translated into Japanese. In this era, the upper class in Japan could read and write Chinese characters, and they could understand them without translation.

Kotoku Shusui mentioned "Lin Yongchangism", and the two of them expressed their understanding of this theory. The three of them talked back and forth, and time passed quickly. Ito Hirobumi and Takahashi Korekiyo originally wanted to ask Kotoku Shusui to be a lobbyist, but they got off topic. Ito Hirobumi looked up and saw that the courtyard was already shrouded in darkness, and then he realized that an afternoon had passed.

"Takahashi-kun, Kotoku-san, let's talk while we eat."

He clapped his hands and called the servants to prepare some food and wine. Takahashi Korekiyo sighed, "Some people say that I am the best economic expert in the country. I think Mr. Kotoku's understanding of economics and finance is worse than mine. Count, why don't you invite Mr. Kotoku to our research group? I still have many questions to ask him."

Ito Hirobumi smiled and said, "I have no objection. After China and Japan have made peace, you can ask as long as you want."

Kotoku Shusui waited quietly for Ito Hirobumi to finish speaking, and then said: "If the Count wants to stop the war, he should send people to China immediately."

"...Minister Hioki Masu has already contacted the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conditions given by the Chinese are very harsh. We cannot agree to all of them."

Takahashi Korekiyo added: "One of the demands was to immediately release Kotoku and others. Many people in the government disagreed, but Count Ito withstood a lot of pressure..."

Ito Hirobumi waved his hand and said, "This is what I should do. I didn't agree with the arrest before, but you know that the army likes to act recklessly."

Kotoku Shusui asked, "What are the conditions for the Chinese?"

"Return Taiwan, Penghu Islands and their affiliated islands, independence for Korea and Ryukyu, compensation of 3 million taels of silver to China, Russia and Siberia, cession of Hokkaido (actually making Ainu independent), opening more commercial ports such as Osaka..." Ito Hirobumi shook his head and said to Kotoku Shusui, "Let's put it another way. Given Japan's current situation, where can we get 3 million taels of silver?"

Kotoku Shusui hesitated for a moment, "The Treaty of Shimonoseki?"

The conditions proposed by the Chinese were almost a replica of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, except that the positions of China and Japan were swapped. Ito Hirobumi sighed and said, "Yes, the conditions proposed by the Chinese are based on the Treaty of Shimonoseki."

During the negotiations, the People's Party's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also quoted Ito Hirobumi's famous saying, "Japan now has only two choices, to sign or not, it can be decided by one word!"

Kotoku Shusui frowned and thought for a while, "The Combined Fleet is still there, and the People's Army cannot land in Japan. Why would they put forward such a condition?"

After Ito Hirobumi and Takahashi Korekiyo exchanged glances, he coughed twice and said, "The Russian Baltic Fleet has arrived in Qingdao."

"The Baltic Fleet of Tsarist Russia?" Kotoku Shusui was stunned at first, then he understood, "So that's it!"

Japan is an island country, and although the Tsushima Strait is narrow, it is not easy to cross. After the destruction of the Beiyang Fleet, Japan's Combined Fleet remained the strongest navy in East Asia, and Russia's Pacific Fleet was almost completely wiped out. However, Asia is not the only country in the world that has fleets. When China and Russia were fighting in the Northeast, Tsar Nicholas II sent the Baltic Fleet to the Far East to participate in the exhibition. After eight months of waiting, they

By the time they arrived in East Asia after traveling more than 30,000 miles, the war between China and Russia had ended. In addition, Tsarist Russia had joined the United Nations forces and was at war with Japan. The Baltic Fleet's combat target changed from China to Japan.

Kotoku Shusui asked, "Is the Russian Baltic Fleet strong? Can't the Combined Fleet defeat them?"

Takahashi Korekiyo said: "The combined fleet is stronger than the Baltic Fleet of Tsarist Russia, but this is not a question of strength, but Japan no longer has the strength to continue fighting. The Chinese have obtained the command of the Baltic Fleet. They will not fight a decisive battle with the combined fleet, but will use sabotage to cut off Japan's shipping lanes. You know, Japan is an island country, and many materials must be imported from foreign countries. If the shipping lanes are cut off, the domestic economy will have big problems."

"Domestic prices are rising three times a day. If this continues, people will starve to death."

Ito Hirobumi said: "I know that Mr. Kotoku still has resentment towards the government, but what is the fault of the people? Please consider the people and let China and Japan reach a peace agreement as soon as possible."

Kotoku Shusui said calmly, "What conditions can the government offer?"

Ito Hirobumi asked someone to bring a manuscript, which stated the conditions that the Meiji government of Japan was willing to offer. Kotoku Shusui took it and looked at it. OK, no cession of territory, no compensation... Oh, but they are going to return Taiwan to China... to the Nanjing government? They will not recognize the People's Republic of Korea and the Ryukyu Kingdom... Just looking at these conditions, I thought the Japanese army had won.

"Count, Chairman Lin will never agree to these conditions."