Although Zuo Zhidan had not had time to introduce the contents of the meeting to Vézé, Vézé could probably guess what had happened, because Vézé had experienced similar anger and sighs when he was young. Of course, Vézé had also experienced the anger of "I'm more shameless than them," but now Vézé's attitude had changed again. Materialists only believed in facts, chose specific situations to analyze, and responded according to the situation at the time. This was not only the core concept of Marxism, but also the common denominator of all outstanding ruling classes.
Vézé was able to ascend to the throne of Emperor now, and even despise the title of Emperor, not because Vézé had the ability to suppress everything, but because Vézé himself represented the interests of the Liberation Party and the majority of the people of China. Just like the angry Zuo Zhidan in front of him, he realized how shameless the British were, and felt the damage that the British's shamelessness had done to China's interests. The reason why China's interests were not directly damaged was not because of anger, nor was it because of morality. The Liberation Army could protect China's interests, so China's interests were protected. The person who created the Liberation Army and gave the Liberation Army such ability was Vézé. As long as Zuo Zhidan did not change his philosophy, he had to stand with Vézé to achieve his expectations.
It was easy to get rid of Vézé. There were so many members of the Politburo, and even the national representatives of the Liberation Party.
As long as one person was willing to be cut to pieces, they could pull down the Emperor Vézé. But up to now, so many people had been defending Vézé. The reason was simple: Vézé represented everyone's interests, and what he fought for was the foundation of everyone's interests. As long as it did not reach the point of personal interests, everyone could still understand that Vézé's success represented everyone's most basic interests.
"Old Zuo, tell us what the Englishman wants," Vézé said with a smile.
Zuo Zhidan explained the Englishman's request in detail. After that, he said angrily, "Commander in Chief, I'm so angry after hearing this! As long as I have the chance, I will kill all the British, cut them into pieces, and mince them into mincemeat! "
Vézé had felt the same way back then. He could not help but laugh out loud. "I say, Old Zuo, there are tens of millions of Englishmen. Even if they stretched their necks out for you to chop them one by one, you wouldn't be able to chop them all even if you died of exhaustion!"
Zuo Zhidan was, after all, a diplomat. Even though he was furious, after hearing Vézé's words, he asked in surprise, "Commander-in-chief, do you want to kill all the British too?"
Vézé poured a glass of water for Zuo Zhidan. "Of course I've thought about it, but I can't do it. I'm afraid I won't be able to see such an outcome in my lifetime. After all, we are too far away from the British territory. It took the British hundreds of years to get here. I think it will be very difficult for me to get to Europe in a few decades. "
Hearing such honest words, Zuo Zhidan's anger subsided a little. He let out a long sigh and said seriously, "Your Majesty, what do you think of the British's opinion?"
Vézé stopped smiling and frowned slightly. "I personally think highly of your work. It's a good start for the British to be so honest. We don't have any special needs for Japan in the near future. If the British want to do this, let them do it. We won't stop them, but we won't help them either. "
This time, it was Zuo Zhidan's turn to frown. "Your Majesty, the British are so arrogant in Japan. Are we just going to sit back and do nothing?"
Vézé nodded. "The British can be arrogant in Japan, but we won't allow them to be so arrogant in Korea. You talk to the British. We agree with the British on the matter of Japan, but we won't allow the British to touch Korea. If the British don't agree to the matter of Korea, we won't agree to the matter of Japan. "
Having seen the British's attitude in Japan, Zuo Zhidan disagreed with Vézé's view. "Will the British agree?"
"Whether they agree or not is the British's problem. Whether they make it clear or not is our problem. You can't confuse the two things, "Vézé said. After that, Vézé remembered something. "Recently, we have to carry out a comprehensive ideological education. Materialism is the most important content. First, we have to cultivate the three outlooks of the world. When that time comes, I hope you can give a good explanation! "
"I can't take this lying down!" Zuo Zhidan directly expressed his attitude.
"Then do you think Manchu Qing will be able to take this lying down after being beaten to the border? But what can he do if he can't take this lying down? Materialists talk about the primary nature of matter and the secondary nature of consciousness. Imagination is a matter of consciousness. Imagination alone is useless. Material is the deciding factor. "Vézé laughed.
Under Vézé's direct instructions, Zuo Zhidan began to discuss the matter of Korea with the British sullenly. To Zuo Zhidan's surprise, the British's attitude towards Korea was not as insistent as it was on the matter of Japan. Zuo Zhidan emphasized that if the matter of Korea could not be settled, then the matter of Japan could not be discussed. The British ambassador actually softened his attitude. They asked what kind of system China wanted to establish in Korea.
China did not have any special interference in Korea in history. The biggest interference was that the King of Korea had to be conferred a title by the emperor of China. Other than that, who Korea wanted to do business with, how the business was conducted, as long as it did not blatantly go against the interests of China, everyone did not care at all.
However, with the British's attitude in Japan, Zuo Zhidan simply added the British in Japan to the matter of conferring a title to the King of Korea. Korea's customs were completely controlled by China. China did not accept foreign military invasion of Korea. In short, everything was under the control of China.
To Zuo Zhidan's surprise, the British finally proposed that the two sides sign an agreement to determine the fate of Japan and Korea.
This really scared Zuo Zhidan. He quickly went to report this matter to Vézé. The British, such a shameless country, actually had a rule. It did not seem real.
Vézé snorted coldly. "Sign this treaty with them! We will first withdraw the troops from Japan, and at the same time, let the troops fight in the north. First seize Lüda and completely seal the Bohai Sea. At the same time, enter Korea and ask them to hand over Cheju Island. Also, take down Tsushima. We can't let the Japanese skip duty. "
After all, Zuo Zhidan was the foreign minister, not a member of the military commission. He naturally could not intervene in these military matters. He could only carry out Vézé's arrangements. In addition to signing the secret treaty, they also had to negotiate with the British about China's leased land in the Dutch East Indies for production.
On February 1, 1868, after the Sino-British secret treaty on Japan was signed, the "China Embassy Guards" immediately withdrew from Kyoto and took a ship back home.
Sheng Haizhou came to "see them off." The joint army that he had worked hard to promote was now fully deserving of the shogunate's elite force. With the withdrawal of the Chinese army, he could presumably control this experienced army. Surprisingly, the Shinsengumi also sent people to see them off. Hijikata Suizan came on behalf of the Shinsengumi to say goodbye.
The mixed army was the main force that annihilated Toba Fushimi. In the battle of Toba Fushimi, 39 people died and 129 were injured. Although the Shinsengumi had many injuries, only a few died. Hijikata Suizan did not mention this at all. He also did not mention that the Shinsengumi's marching force could not compare to the Japanese soldiers in the coalition army. He only bowed and said, "Thank you for giving us the famous katana!"
Zhou Xinhua knew that the katana was mass-produced goods. He could only laugh. "As long as you like it!"
Sheng Haizhou looked very reluctant, but the Japanese naturally could not force the Chinese army to stay. "Zhou-kun, I hope to have the opportunity to fight side by side with you again!"
Zhou Xinhua just smiled. The incompetence of the shogunate army had been fully displayed. If the Liberation Army had 15,000 troops, they would have gone up and destroyed the Choshu Domain a long time ago. According to the intelligence, the Choshu Domain had less than 4,000 troops left. Even though they were well-equipped and had many cannons, the Chinese army, who had personally fought with the Choshu Domain, knew very well how terrible this group of people who had just learned how to line up and shoot people were.
The Liberation Army used breech-loading guns and began to use the three-three system of mobile warfare. The most obvious thing in this battle was the movement in front of the enemy. The Liberation Army used the new basic combat skills to be able to get within a distance of less than 100 meters of the enemy's position and quickly attack after the artillery opened fire. The Choshu Domain had no ability to resist this kind of attack. But such a group of weak chickens could make the shogunate army fear them like tigers and think that the Choshu Domain had a strong fighting force.
Not only did the shogunate have such a view, but the Shinsengumi also did not have a strong intention to attack. The meeting group, which claimed to be a hardcore army composed of shogunate officials, was also like a ball. Looking at this group of guys, Zhou Xinhua felt that it was pure insult to stand in the same camp as these people. Finally, they could return to their country and did not have to lose their lives for this group of incompetent people. This undoubtedly solved the huge psychological torture of the Chinese army.
However, Zhou Xinhua still quite recognized Sheng Haizhou as a person. This guy was not radical or corrupt, and he gave off a relatively fresh feeling. Therefore, Zhou Xinhua asked, "Mr. Haizhou, how are you going to use those Japanese brothers?"
Sheng Haizhou did not expect Zhou Xinhua to say that, and he could not help but show a look of embarrassment on his face. This time, Zhou Xinhua had completely given up on the shogunate. It was fine if he did not accept the new fighting method. In Zhou Xinhua's opinion, if there was an elite force that had experienced cruel battles, then it was necessary to make full use of this force's ability. The Liberation Army had a political commissar system, and the party led the army. The shogunate did not have such a system, but at least they sent an army supervisor, led by Sheng Haizhou, a loyal minister of the shogunate. Coupled with the Shinsengumi and the meeting group, who were experts in hand-to-hand combat, it was entirely possible to continue to win the battle.
Sheng Haizhou's expression was enough to prove that he had not been entrusted with such a heavy responsibility. That would mean that this elite troop would be left here, unable to go anywhere.
Zhou Xinhua could no longer be bothered to think about these unpleasant problems. He said to Sheng Haizhou, "I wish Mr. Haizhou a long and prosperous martial arts career!"
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