Chapter 743: The Ambition of Cannon Fodder (42nd Update)
On the morning of July 21, 4618 (20), the ambassadors of Great Britain, the United States and France jointly went to the Japanese Prime Minister's Office to conduct negotiations between Britain, France and the United States and the Japanese government. Because they had been notified in advance, Japanese Prime Minister Masatake Terauchi, Foreign Minister Yasuya Uchida, Tibetan Prime Minister Tatsuo Yamamoto, Land Prime Minister Shimoto Shinroku, and Sea Prime Minister Yashiro Rokuro were already waiting there.
"Hello ambassadors, please come in." Terauchi bowed down and invited the three ambassadors into the conference room. Now he is groveling, and he does not look like the prime minister of a big country at all. Of course, in fact, Japan is no longer a big country.
The three ambassadors were very satisfied with the performance of these Japanese, which gave them a hint of a sense of being too emperor.
After arriving at the conference room, the two sides sat down. The ambassadors of Britain, France and the United States sat on one side of the long table. The five ministers of the Japanese cabinet sit on the other side.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Your Excellencies. We have very important matters to negotiate with you today. The future fate of the Japanese Empire is at stake, and I ask you to pay attention to it. British Ambassador Clark said.
"Your Excellency, please rest assured." Masaki Terauchi nodded.
"In view of the rapid rise of the Chinese Empire, it has already had a tremendous impact on the peace of the entire Far East and the world. Britain, France, and the United States, as the world's leading powers, have decided to join forces to contain the Chinese Empire. However, we are too far from the Far East. In addition, our colony is on the border of China. Therefore, we hope to contain the Chinese Empire by supporting Japan. Of course, you can choose to say no. Ambassador Clark said directly.
The meaning of Britain, France and the United States is undoubtedly very clear, that is, Britain, France and the United States will contribute money, and Japan will contribute. to deal with the Chinese Empire. Japan bled and died in front, while Britain, France, and the United States hid behind to provide Japan with weapons and ammunition.
Although, nominally, the choice was left in the hands of Japan. But is there any other way for Japan than to agree? Although, they are well aware that Britain, France and the United States are treating them as cannon fodder. But. If it does not accept the support of Britain, France, and the United States, and does not use their cannon fodder, Japan will perish even faster. The Chinese Empire, which has become strong, will definitely not let Japan go.
"Your Excellency the three ambassadors, Japan has long been the old enemy of the Chinese Empire, and it is absolutely impossible for us to achieve peace with the Chinese Empire. Between the two countries, there will inevitably be a winner or loser. Therefore, we are willing to help the Three Kingdoms contain the Chinese Empire. Masaki Terauchi replied on behalf of the Japanese Cabinet. Of course. When he answered, his heart was undoubtedly full of humiliation.
"Very well, Your Excellency Prime Minister, your choice is definitely wise. When we defeat the Chinese Empire in the future, Japan will reap huge benefits. You will rise again as a world-class power. Clark said. This is undoubtedly a big pie for the Japanese.
Masaki Terauchi and the others all nodded again and again. As if grateful to Britain, France, and the United States. But in fact, can they wait until the day when the Chinese Empire is destroyed? No one can say. Perhaps, before the Chinese Empire fell, Japan had already perished. Japan chose to gamble only when it was desperate. From this aspect, it also reflects how heavy the Japanese gambler mentality is!
"From now on, the United Kingdom, the United States and France. We will give our full support to Japan. We hope that Japan will be able to vigorously develop its navy. In the next few years, it will be able to have a powerful navy that can compete with the Chinese Navy. Clark continued.
The Japanese side has no objection to this. After all, they are separated from China by the ocean. The navy is the only force protecting them. In addition, if the navy is strong, it can also pose a threat to the Chinese empire, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone. This made the Japanese Minister of the Navy, Rokuro Yashiro, very excited, as if he had seen the Japanese Navy rise again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the British Empire will provide Japan with the technology of 457 mm naval guns so that the Japanese Navy can build more powerful battleships." Minister Clark said first.
"457 mm naval guns?" Yashiro Rokuro's eyes suddenly lit up. The Japanese Navy's Kii-class battleships were nothing more than 410 mm guns. And it's 45 times the caliber. Its comprehensive combat power is estimated to be no match for the Chinese Navy's 'Three Emperor-class' battleships. If a 457 mm gun could be obtained and a more powerful battleship could be built on top of it, then the Japanese Navy would be able to shorten the gap between the Japanese Navy and the Chinese Navy, or even turn defeat into victory.
Of course, the construction of such a battleship is undoubtedly extremely expensive. Even if you have technology, you need enough money!
"The United States of America could provide Japan with a loan of $200 million. Of course, the loan must be used to purchase goods from the United States. U.S. Ambassador Howard said. In this case, it is equivalent to giving the money to the Japanese with the left hand and taking it back with the right hand. Not only did it make everyone owe them a lot of money again, but it also stimulated the development of the American economy, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone. If you add to this the technology of 457-mm naval guns obtained from the British, then it kills three birds with one stone.
"A $200 million loan?" The eyes of Masashi and the others in the temple were green. That's 800 million yen! If this money is used to build battleships, it can build several powerful battleships.
"The French government agreed to provide Japan with a loan of 200 million francs. Of course, this loan is best used for the purchase of French goods. French Ambassador Pierre also said.
200 million francs is equivalent to 8 million pounds sterling, which is 160 million yen when converted into yen. Although, the French are not as rich as the Americans, this is already a big loan. Besides, now the Japanese are already poor jingle bells. Where else can I take care of? They were satisfied with a loan of 160 million yen.
The total amount of loans received from Americans and French is 960 million yen. This is already a lot of money for Japan now. Of course, it would be great if Britain, France, and the United States did not impose restrictions and could not only use them for naval construction. And this, it is almost impossible. Britain, France, and the United States provided technology and funds to Japan in order to enable Japan to develop its military strength and let Japan fight hard with the Chinese Empire. Instead of letting Japan use the money elsewhere.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Your Excellencies. This is just the first loan we have made to Japan. If Japan does well, we will provide more loans to Japan in the future. Of course, if we find that the Japanese government has misappropriated this fund, then we should not blame us for breaking Japan's absolute support. Ambassador Clark warned.
Naturally, Masashi and others in the temple didn't even dare to say it. Britain, France, and the United States were able to provide so much support to Japan, which was already very satisfying to them, where would they dare to have other thoughts? The development of the navy was originally Japan's goal. Only in this way can Japan's security be guaranteed. Of course, if the Chinese navy can be defeated, then Japan may have a chance to rise again.
The ambassadors of Britain, France, and the United States took their leave of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office after explaining some other matters. They were very satisfied with the performance of the Japanese. At least, from the point of view now, Japan is still very competent as cannon fodder.
After the ambassadors of Britain, France, and the United States left, the humility on the faces of Terauchi Masashi and others suddenly disappeared cleanly, and was replaced by resentment.
"These European and American ghost animals, so vicious, they are clearly asking us to fight to the death with the people of China, they can sit in the back and reap the profits! These guys simply didn't care about the life or death of the Great Japanese Empire, and just treated us as cannon fodder. Terauchi Zhengyi said viciously.
"Your Excellency, who told us that we have no other way but to accept their support? European and American ghosts don't treat us as human beings, and the people of China want to destroy us. The situation of the Great Japanese Empire is really worrying! Foreign Minister Yasuya Uchida sighed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's not like we're running out of opportunities. The Admiralty had already designed the battleships of the next class. It's just that there has been no breakthrough because of key technologies. At the same time, there was a lack of funds, so the construction was delayed. Now, we not only have the technology, but we also have the money. Then, our next-class battleships will soon be able to start construction, and when this class of battleships is successfully built, even if the number of our capital ships is not as good as that of the China Navy, in terms of combat power, we may not be much worse than them. As long as we can defeat the Chinese navy in future naval battles, then we will be able to turn the tables. When the time comes, the Great Japanese Empire will be freed from the fate of sinking, and we will rise again. Hachiyorokuro said. The technology and funding provided by Britain, France and the United States gave him hope.
"Yes, we still have a chance, as long as we can defeat the Shina Navy, we will win. At that time, we can obtain a large amount of money from Shina through war reparations, and Japan's predicament will be resolved. If the next world war breaks out again, Japan will enter the war as a world power. When the time comes, we will be able to gain a great deal from the war and re-establish the foundation for our rise. Masaki Terauchi also said.
Japan, although it is cannon fodder for Britain, France and the United States. However, the ambition in their hearts has never cooled. (To be continued.) )
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