"Your Excellency Xiyuan Temple, we have always been very sincere. The conditions that have been put forward before have been put forward after full consideration. It's always been that you don't want to accept those conditions. Otherwise, the war would have ended long ago. The smile on Yang Du's face put the responsibility for the delay in the end of the war on the heads of the Japanese.

"Your Excellency Yang Du, the conditions you put forward are really too harsh!" Saionji Gongwang emphasized.

"Harsh? Compared with the Treaty of Shimonoseki, it is not harsh at all. Now, we still insist on those conditions. This is the basis for peace negotiations between our two sides. Yang Du has a tough attitude.

Xiyuan Temple Gongwang's face was ugly, and after discussing a few words with Lin Dong, he whispered a few words and said: "Your Excellency Yang Du, we agree in principle to Articles 1, 2, 3 and 6 of the conditions put forward by the Chinese Empire. As for Articles 4 and 5, further discussion was needed. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said. Articles 4 and 5, which were unacceptable to the Japanese, were war reparations of up to £300 million, respectively, and Japan's renunciation of developing a strong navy. These two points are absolutely unacceptable to the Japanese. This is particularly true of Article 5. Although the Japanese lost this war, they never gave up revenge. The navy is the main force for Japan's revenge, and if the navy is restricted, it will undoubtedly be hopeless for revenge.

Yang Du pondered for a few seconds before he said, "So, what about your conditions?" ”

"Fifty million pounds. We can accept war reparations of fifty million pounds. As for the restrictions on the development of the Navy, this article is directly nullified. Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said. Although 50 million pounds is a lot, it is about the same as the war reparations obtained in the First Sino-Japanese War. But if we can meet the demands of the Chinese in this way, it is very cost-effective.

"Fifty million pounds is already an astronomical amount. Even the mighty British Empire had only three times that annual revenue. Sir Jurdian said from the side.

Fifty million pounds is a lot. But the Chinese Empire was obviously not very satisfied with this figure. That's a huge gap from what they're asking for £300 million.

"Fifty million pounds, that's an unacceptable figure. Over the years, the Japanese Empire has continuously invaded us, causing China to lose its wealth. Much higher than that. Three hundred million pounds, not a penny less. Yang Du shook his head.

Xiyuan Temple Gongwang was anxious: "The Chinese navy wantonly attacked the coastal cities of Japan, and now it has also caused huge losses to Japan. ”

"Didn't you also inflict huge losses on China during the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War?" Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi said.

The atmosphere of the negotiations became tense again. If one is not good, it may make this negotiation end in failure again.

"Calm down, everyone, it's a negotiation now, and there's no need to be so tense." Sir Zhu Erdian hurriedly said. Because the war went on, it caused great damage to Japan. Britain, an ally, did not want the war to continue. Otherwise, Japan's foundations will be destroyed. In this case, Japan will not be able to handle the heavy role of a chess piece.

"Your Excellency Yang Du, the Japanese side has already shown its sincerity, should you also show a little sincerity?" Sir Zhu Erdian looked at Yang Du. Negotiations were originally a process of bargaining, and it could not have been just a concession from Japan, but the Chinese Empire did not say anything about it. In that case, it would be too bullying.

Yang Du nodded. whispered a few words with Tang Shaoyi, and then said, "Okay." In terms of war reparations, we can make a slight concession. A decrease of 20 million pounds, or 280 million pounds. ”

Although the Chinese side only made a small concession, it gave hope to the Japanese side. After all. The Chinese side is starting to make concessions, which is undoubtedly a good start.

Subsequently, the two sides acted like vendors in the wet market, bargaining further, hoping that the amount of war reparations would be further reduced.

It's just that. After all, the wishes of the Japanese were disappointed. The bottom line of the Chinese Empire was 250 million pounds, and after reaching this amount, it resolutely refused to back down. No matter how the Japanese and the British objected, it was useless.

"Two hundred and fifty million pounds, this is the bottom line of the empire. If the Japanese government is not able to accept it, then there is no need for the negotiations to continue. Yang Du said coldly. He didn't want to waste any more time like this.

Xiyuan Temple Gongwang and Lin Dong's faces were pale, and the threat in Yang Du's words was very clear to them. But I have to admit that Yang Du's threat is very effective, and it just pinched their life. Japan is no longer able to fight, and Tokyo has already suffered a catastrophe. If the Chinese Navy continues to bombard Tokyo, the whole of Tokyo will probably cease to exist.

The Duke of Xiyuan Temple had to look at Sir Zhu Erdian, hoping that Britain could lend a helping hand at this time.

"Ahem! Your Excellency Yang Du, Your Excellency Xiyuan Temple, as the mediator of this negotiation, the British Empire hopes that both sides will be able to make a little more concession so that an agreement can be reached. As for the war reparations this time, I think it would be better to set it at 150 million pounds if both sides do not give a single step. Sir Jurden said.

With a sudden loss of 100 million pounds, of course, the Chinese Empire will not do it.

"Sir, two hundred and fifty million pounds, we can no longer back down. However, we can compromise on other conditions. Yang Du said. The implication was to make certain concessions on the condition of restricting the Japanese Navy.

"Your Excellency Yang Du, tell your thoughts!" Sir Jurdian was very interested.

"After Japan handed over two 'Satsuma-class' battleships and two 'Hanoi-class' battleships to us, the Chinese Empire no longer cared about whether Japan purchased or built warships." Yang Du said.

The Chinese Empire knew very well that it was almost impossible to limit Japan's development of a navy. Rather than this, it is better to use this condition as a bargaining chip with the Japanese to obtain as many benefits as possible for the empire.

Sir Jurdian's eyes lit up, and if the Chinese Empire made concessions in this regard, then Britain would be able to rearm Japan justifiably. Although, Japan's fiasco this time can be said to be a complete loss. But with the strength of Britain, it would have been easy to rearm Japan. When the time comes, Japan can become a powerful pawn for Britain to contain China.

"Your Excellency Xiyuan Temple, what is your opinion?" Sir Jurdian asked.

"The development of the navy of the Great Japanese Empire is determined by our own will, not by other countries, and it cannot be used as a bargaining chip for other countries to threaten us." The public hope of Xiyuan Temple objected.

Yang Du shrugged his shoulders and said helplessly: "Since this is the case, then I have no choice." However, I would like to remind Your Excellency that our military operation will continue in the event that this negotiation fails. ”

Yang Du's words were full of threats. The implication is obvious: if the Japanese do not accept the conditions, China will continue to use force against Japan. Japan should be prepared to pay a huge price.

The public hope of Xiyuan Temple was suddenly stagnant.

"The two 'Satsuma-class' battleships have been damaged by the attack of the Chinese Navy. The two 'Hanoi-class' battleships had just started construction before they were attacked, and it was still far from being completed. Lin Dong said.

Yang Du and Tang Shaoyi talked for a few words, and then said: "In this way, we only need two 'Satsuma-class' battleships." 'Hanoi-class' battleships, which could be left to the Japanese Navy. ”

The public hope of Xiyuan Temple reluctantly accepted this condition. Now, the focus of the disagreement between the two sides is on the issue of war reparations. The Chinese Empire insisted on demanding 250 million pounds in war reparations, but the Japanese were only willing to pay 100 million pounds. If it's 150 million pounds, it's barely acceptable.

The morning negotiations are temporarily over. During the lunch break, the Japanese and the British had another secret conversation. When the negotiations resumed in the afternoon, the Xiyuan Temple Gongwang had a dark face and nodded reluctantly.

"Your Excellency Xiyuan Temple, your choice is absolutely wise. Otherwise, Japan will pay a much greater price. Yang Du smiled.

Looking at Yang Du's appearance, Xiyuan Temple Gongwang couldn't wait to slap him in the face.

On the afternoon of April 25, 4608 (10), representatives of China and Japan signed the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty at Jinmen of the Chinese Empire.

The treaty stipulated, first, that Japan would admit its mistake in starting the war and apologize to the Empire. and compensate the innocent Chinese workers who were killed in the Daye Iron Mine incident. Second, Japan wants to return the treasure island to China. Give up their rule over the Ryukyus and Korea and restore them to independence as a state. Third, Japan should give up all its special rights and interests in China. Fourth, Japan wanted the Chinese Empire to pay war reparations totalling £250 million. Fifth, for the sake of peace in the Far East, Japan must hand over the Satsuma class battleships under construction to China. Sixth, Japan must guarantee that it will not start a war against China in the future.

The treaty officially entered into force when Imperial Prime Minister Yang Du and Japanese Prime Minister Saionji Konobu signed their respective daimyō and stamped the seals of the two countries. This treaty also marked a fundamental reversal of the status of China and Japan in the Far East. The Chinese Empire defeated Japan and once again became the leader of the Far East. (To be continued.) )

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