Chapter 181 Truce (Seeking Red Vote)

The fact that the Chinese army briefly occupied Jinzhou did not cause much of a stir in China and Japan. Except for high-level officials, the information was concealed from ordinary people.

The reason why the Chinese side concealed the news was because they were afraid that if the public knew about it, it would spark a new round of anti-Japanese fervor, which would affect the court's peace talks.

It is easier to understand why Japan concealed this matter. The Japanese base camp even asked the First Division to conceal the news of Yamachi Genji's suicide.

While Ito Hirobumi was negotiating with Li Hongzhang, the Japanese base camp dispatched troops to the Penghu Islands in accordance with the original plan.

On March 24, Wei Jichen led the Provisional Allied Forces to secretly disappear from Jinzhou and withdraw to Gaiping.

On the same day, the Japanese Penghu detachment, with the cooperation of the Japanese combined fleet, landed at Liangwen Port. By the next day, it had completely occupied the Penghu Islands. The Penghu Office was renamed the Penghu Civil Affairs Office, with Rear Admiral Tanaka Tsunasa as the office. long.

At Chunfan Tower, China did not receive any telegrams about Wei Jichen's occupation of Jinzhou. These telegrams were secretly intercepted by the Japanese.

This time, after learning that Wei Jichen had led his troops to escape, Mutsu Munemitsu handed the telegram from the Prime Minister's Office to Li Hongzhang.

"Wei Zijie actually led the army to regain Jinzhou." Li Hongzhang was overjoyed and his expression improved a lot. However, when he saw the Japanese negotiators opposite him sitting firmly on Mount Tai, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart. How could the Japanese have such good intentions? Send this telegram to me? It seems that things have changed again later.

When Li Hongzhang looked at the date of the telegram, it turned out to be the telegram from the previous three days. He couldn't help but put the telegram on the table angrily.

Ito Hirobumi did not take it for granted and said with a smile: "Your country's Wei Jichen has brought us a lot of trouble. He even took advantage of the empire's lack of troops in Jinzhou to win the city with a hard fight. It's a pity that the empire has to wait until it concentrates its troops to think about it." When they wanted to surround him, Wei Jichen ran away in panic like a mouse. "

Li Hongzhang confronted him and said: "Since Wei Jichen was able to recover Jinzhou City for the first time, he can also recover it for the second time."

Mutsu Munemitsu sneered: "I don't know if Wei Jichen has the guts to attack Jinzhou again, but the imperial troops have already occupied Penghu."

When Mutsu Munemitsu brought up the matter in Taiwan, Li Hongzhang was startled, and then he realized that it turned out that the other party had been unwilling to cease the war because it was because of Taiwan's intentions. No, we can't let them have a peep at Taiwan.

Li Hongzhang took a sip of tea, rolled his eyes, and said softly: "When your minister mentioned Penghu, he must have the intention to occupy our country, Taiwan. This may be the reason for his unwillingness to cease war. However, Taiwan and Hong Kong are neighbors. It is said that the British do not May others take over Taiwan.”

Li Hongzhang did not explain China's determination to not allow others to separate Taiwan, but he pulled the UK into the trap.

Ito Hirobumi said unhurriedly: "The UK has nothing to do with this matter. If your country gives Taiwan to other countries, other countries will definitely accept it."

Ito's wolfish ambitions were fully revealed, and Wu Tingfang interrupted: "Taiwan has been established as a province and cannot be given to other countries."

Li Hongzhang nodded and said: "Twenty years ago, your minister Okubo once told me that China and Japan are neighbors, and war is like two children fighting. They can make peace in an instant, and their relationship is even better than before."

"Thirty years ago Hedong, thirty years Hexi. The situation is different now. Zhongtang needs to figure it out. Now I can take any place in your country's territory. Which country can refuse?"

Li Hongzhang was so angry that he was speechless by Ito's arrogant words.

Ito Hirobumi then changed the subject and said unhurriedly: "Actually, if your country wants to have a ceasefire, it's okay to negotiate again."

When Li Hongzhang heard his words, he immediately forgot about the atmosphere and quickly asked: "What are the conditions?"

Li Hongzhang was afraid that Japan would ask the Chinese army to give him Haicheng, Dagu, and Tianjin for free before agreeing to a ceasefire.

In fact, Ito Hirobumi had already communicated with the base camp via telegram, and Kawakami Soroku had convinced the generals of the base camp to agree to a truce on the front line. At that time, Kawakami Soroku showed Wei Jichen's record: the three brigade commanders Nogi Nogi Nogi, Tachimi Naofumi, and Oshima Hisanao died in Wei Jichen's battle. At the hands of Wei Jichen, the two division commanders Katsura Taro and Yamachi Motoharu were defeated successively, and countless regiment captains died at the hands of Wei Zijun.

The Japanese had already found out that Katsura Taro was captured, but Wei Jichen played a trick and spread false news that Katsura Taro was captured because he attempted suicide and was rescued by himself in time. This way, if Katsura Taro returns to Japan in the future, he will be less punished. A lot of criticism is conducive to his continued development in Japan.

Kawakami Soroku analyzed the situation in Liaodong and found that his side did not have the upper hand. If the fight continued, Wei Jichen might take the opportunity to regain some areas. Therefore, he believed that the Liaodong and Shandong theaters could cease the war, but the war in Taiwan could still continue. .

Seeing Li Hongzhang's anxious look, Ito Hirobumi first took a sip of tea, and then calmly said in the face of the other party's eager eyes: "Shandong Peninsula and Liaodong Peninsula can be divided into armistice lines according to the actual occupied areas of both sides, but Taiwan That's a different matter. In addition, after the armistice, our army's military expenses should be paid by your country."

Ito Hirobumi enjoys this feeling of controlling the overall situation. Li Hongzhang is like a puppet in his hands. He can control his emotions and emotions by pulling and moving them.

"Taiwan." Li Hongzhang pondered for a moment. Now the Japanese have only occupied the Penghu Islands and have not invaded Taiwan itself. Li Hongzhang still wants to fight for it.

However, Ito Hirobumi pressed forward and said, "If your minister does not agree to the above conditions, we will discuss it another day."

After saying that, Ito Hirobumi made a move to leave.

Li Hongzhang panicked and said repeatedly: "Why are you so anxious, Minister? Let's discuss it again."

Ito Hirobumi shook his head and said seriously: "This is the biggest concession of the empire. You don't need to hand over Dagu and other three places to our country as hostages. Do you want to continue the war?"

Li Hongzhang was speechless by Ito and sighed in his heart. This should be the best ceasefire clause that can be obtained. Compared with the last time, it is already a world of difference. I believe that even the Prime Minister's Office will agree.

"Okay, our two countries will use the actual battle line as the ceasefire line. As for the end of the war?" Li Hongzhang asked while the iron was hot.

Mutsu Munemitsu took out the armistice clauses from the folder and said with a smile: "From the date of signing the armistice agreement, the armistice will last for three weeks. After the expiration of the period, there is no need to notify each other. If the peace talks fail during the armistice period, this armistice agreement will also be terminated."

The Japanese side forced the Chinese side to come up with the terms of the negotiation within three weeks, otherwise the two sides could start fighting again after the expiration of the period.

Seeing that these were acceptable, Li Hongzhang did not say much. After the Chinese representatives read them, he would sign the armistice agreement with the Japanese side.

Ito Hirobumi was also well prepared, and the representatives of both sides signed and signed it soon.

Li Hongzhang couldn't wait to say: "Since the armistice agreement has been signed, this minister is willing to start discussing the terms of the peace negotiation tomorrow."

The Japanese side agreed, and the two sides agreed to continue the peace negotiation here tomorrow.

After Li Hongzhang returned to his place, he telegraphed this "good news" to the Zongli Yamen through the hands of the Japanese side.

Seeing that the Japanese were finally willing to cease fire and negotiate, Guizi Liu and others from the Zongli Yamen were relieved. They reported to Cixi and Guangxu, and informed the front-line armies, asking Liu Kunyi, Song Qing and others to restrain the soldiers and not to provoke without reason.

The main hall of the Gaipingcheng government office.

The generals of the three armies have all arrived, Song Qing sits in the front, and the other generals are on both sides.

Song Qing first read the telegram sent by the Military Affairs Office, and then said with a smile: "Since China and Japan have ceased fire and started peace talks, we must not cause trouble during this ceasefire period, and on the other hand, we must be vigilant and be prepared to fight again. Once the peace talks break down, we can go to the battlefield at any time."

Everyone nodded in agreement, only Wei Jichen was silent.

Because he knew that after this ceasefire, if there was no accident, there would be no possibility of fighting again, but when he thought of the content of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Wei Jichen felt like a thorn in his throat.

Let alone other things, the cession of Liaodong Peninsula, Taiwan and Penghu Islands and the indemnity of 300 million taels alone are heartbreaking.

This time, I shouldn't sign such a harsh treaty. After all, I did a few things in Liaodong and won a few battles. If Li Hongzhang still signs a treaty that is exactly the same as the original history, then I won't change anything.

Isn't it all in vain that I've been busy for half a day? Wei Jichen thought uncertainly in his heart.

Then he thought again: Don't worry, the treaty will be known sooner or later anyway. It's just that in the original history, the Japanese side agreed to sign the armistice agreement because Li Hongzhang was assassinated by a Japanese assassin. The Japanese side was afraid of interference from the powers, so they agreed to sign it.

This time, before hearing that Li Hongzhang was assassinated, the two sides had already signed the armistice agreement. It seems that I have changed some history.

Thinking of this, Wei Jichen couldn't help but have more confidence in the next peace treaty. He hoped that Li Hongzhang could get better conditions. Although the current government is the Qing government, the wool comes from the sheep, and the compensation will eventually fall on the people. Not to mention the cession of land, the impact is even more far-reaching.

Seeing Wei Jichen was unhappy, Song Qing thought he was unhappy, and couldn't help but persuade him: "Zijie, I know you are unwilling, it's all my carelessness. If my army hadn't been attacked by the Japanese in Fuzhou City, I wouldn't have asked you to withdraw from Jinzhou. Maybe once the armistice agreement is signed, Jinzhou will be in our hands."

Song Qing was too wishful. Wei Jichen's acquisition of Jinzhou was like a nail in the heart of the Japanese. If they didn't pull it out, would they agree to a ceasefire?

"What Marshal Song said was that it was because I had withdrawn the elite troops from the army that the army's strength was slightly weak, allowing the Japanese to take advantage of the situation. The reason why I kept silent was that the situation in Liaodong was not too bad now, but the court was anxious to seek peace, fearing that the Japanese would ask for too much." Wei Jichen did not have any scruples and spoke his mind directly.

Song Qing sighed, stroked his beard and said: "Although the situation in Liaodong is okay, the battlefield in Shandong is not so good. Moreover, there are only a few ships left in the Beiyang Navy. The Japanese fleet can transport troops to Dagukou at any time, and then point the spearhead directly to Tianjin, Zhili area, and even the capital. The court is understandable to be anxious."

At this time, let alone Song Qing, even Li Hongzhang probably did not expect that the conditions for peace talks would be so harsh and the Japanese would be so greedy.

Because the previous treaties signed with other countries, such as the Treaty of Nanjing, only opened a few trading ports. The powers hoped to get rich through trade and did not cede any land. As for indemnities, each country only had a slightly higher cost of sending troops. However, the Treaty of Shimonoseki was different. The Japanese were a hungry wolf and wanted to get rich through war. This was essentially different, and the final terms were naturally ten thousand times more brutal.

Forget it, why think so much now, let's wait and see the Treaty of Shimonoseki before making plans. Wei Jichen shook his head to clear the distracting thoughts.