Chapter 190 Finalization of the Contract

"What is the public opinion in the Qing Dynasty?" Ito Hirobumi asked again. Mutsu Munemitsu looked a little ugly, and said hatefully: "The people of the Qing Dynasty thought that Song Qing could defeat our Great Japanese Empire with a small victory. It's really ridiculous. Some officials even wrote to Guangxu, requesting a war, and the people of the Qing Dynasty also wanted to fight." Ito Hirobumi rubbed his temples with a headache, and then said: "Send a telegram to the headquarters, let the naval fleet cruise in Bohai Sea, bombard Dagukou, and warn the Chinese not to let them get too complacent." "Should the peace treaty be revised this time?" Mutsu Munemitsu asked uncertainly. "Let's see Li Hongzhang's reaction first. We must not give up the territories of Liaodong and Taiwan. This has been the long-cherished wish of the empire for many years. Even if we agree, the generals in the headquarters will surely be dissatisfied. As for the compensation, it can be reduced appropriately." Ito Hirobumi half-closed his eyes and paused. He continued: "China is like a virgin waiting to be developed. Acquiring Taiwan and Liaodong Peninsula is like tying a woman's hands, and then you can invade at any time." Ito Hirobumi is fond of women and once wrote a poem: "When awake, I hold the power of the world, and when drunk, I lie on the knees of a beauty." Mutsu Munemitsu thought his metaphor was very good and said with a smile: "Others need money to prostitute women, but we can get money by prostitute women. Ito is really a step ahead." Jieying Temple is where Li Hongzhang stayed. Li Jingfang, Luo Fenglu, Wu Tingfang, Ma Jianzhong, Luo Gengling and other Chinese representatives were sitting in Li Hongzhang's room to plot. Li Hongzhang's expression was obviously a little excited, with a hint of happiness in the haze. He said: "This victory came in time, and it will definitely add a lot of weight to tomorrow's negotiations. In addition, the Military Affairs Office called and said that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were a little moved. If the negotiations fail, they will prepare to fight again. Therefore, when we negotiate tomorrow, we should not be too weak. Even if the talks fail, I believe that the court will not blame us." Counselor Luo Fenglu said with some worry: "That being said, the Japanese army is still much stronger than ours. What if the Japanese refuse to make concessions tomorrow and China and Japan start a war again?" Wu Tingfang interrupted and said: "This subordinate has inquired from many sources in the past few days and learned that although the Japanese army is tough, its country can no longer support long-term warfare. If the Japanese continue the war and cannot win in a short time, it will be extremely disadvantageous. So this subordinate thinks that some requests can be made appropriately." Li Hongzhang nodded slightly. The next day, China and Japan held the last peace talks at Chunfan Tower. After the representatives of China and Japan sat down, they exchanged greetings and then officially began to fight. Ito Hirobumi first asked: "Why did your army tear up the armistice agreement between the two sides and attack our army? Do you want the two countries to continue the war?" Li Hongzhang said calmly: "Why do you say this, Minister? This matter was caused by your army's attack on Gaiping. Our army was just forced to fight back. It was not our army that tore up the armistice agreement, but your army." Ito Hirobumi said unhappily: "This matter was caused by your Wei Jichen assassinating our officer Nishi Kuanjiro. I hope your country can severely punish the provocateur and apologize to our victims." Li Hongzhang was shocked. It was the first time he heard that Nishi Kuanjiro's death was related to Wei Jichen. But when he looked carefully, he found that although Ito Hirobumi shouted fiercely, unfortunately there was a trace of uncertainty in his eyes. "How can your minister slander our generals at will? If there is evidence, just take it out. If not, it will be a joke." Li Hongzhang refused to admit it. "The truth will come out one day." Ito Hirobumi picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and changed the subject: "What has your country considered about the contract?" Ito Hirobumi knew that this matter could not be explained for the time being, so he went straight to the point. Li Hongzhang sighed and said, "Such a fierce clause, I am afraid that the superiors will not agree. We must make some changes to the original agreement. Please think carefully for me, where can I make concessions?" Ito Hirobumi knew that Li Hongzhang's mind had changed a little, but he could not make concessions casually, so he said firmly: "It was explained at the beginning that it was impossible to make concessions. Negotiations are not a market transaction. Bargaining with each other will not work." Li Hongzhang thought to himself: What is the difference between this and doing business? Both sides are bargaining. "Now there are calls for war in my country. Even if I agree to sign, it will not pass when I return to my country. Why not make a small concession and the two countries can continue to be friendly." Li Hongzhang said meaningfully. Ito Hirobumi drank a sip of tea leisurely and said calmly: "My naval fleet has heard that your country has torn up the armistice agreement and has set out from Weihaiwei to Dagukou. I believe it has already bombarded Dagukou now." Li Hongzhang said angrily: "Why is your country so aggressive? If the negotiations fail, we can only move the capital to Shaanxi and fight with you for a long time. You will not be able to conquer China. China can resist indefinitely. Your country will eventually lose and ask for peace." As soon as Li Hongzhang finished speaking, the atmosphere at the negotiation table immediately became a little stiff. Ito Hirobumi said in a confrontational manner: "From your minister's point of view, do you want to continue the war?" "I came to negotiate peace with great sincerity, but your conditions are too harsh. No one can accept it. A lot of land will be ceded and the compensation is huge." Li Hongzhang said lightly. Ito Hirobumi pointed to the documents brought by Li Hongzhang and said, "Why don't you take out the draft of the treaty you want to amend? We can talk about it after we have a look." Li Hongzhang asked Li Jingfang to give it to Ito Hirobumi and others. After the Japanese took a look, their faces were not very good. They saw that there were two major changes in the Chinese treaty: one was that the indemnity was reduced to 100 million taels, and the other was that Taiwan was ceded. These were the requirements Li Hongzhang had raised last time. Ito did not expect that after the Chinese side went back to discuss, they would not give in at all.

Ito put down the document and said unhappily: "I hope that the Prime Minister can deeply consider the current situation between the two countries, that is, the fact that Japan is the victor and China is the loser. Because China asked for peace and Japan agreed, there is today's peace talk. If unfortunately the negotiations fail, then at my command, sixty or seventy transport ships will carry the additional troops to the battlefield, and the safety of Beijing will be hard to say. I am afraid that it is not guaranteed that the Chinese plenipotentiary minister can return to Beijing safely." Li Hongzhang and others could not help but change their color. Ito changed his tone again and said softly: "Taiwan must be ceded to our country, and the indemnity can be reduced to 120 million taels. This is already the biggest concession of the empire." Li Hongzhang knew that the Japanese were going to take Taiwan, so he had to start with the indemnity: "You want to pay money and cede land at the same time. This is too harsh. I hope the indemnity can be reduced by another 50 million taels." The Japanese representative was silent. After a long time, Ito Hirobumi sighed and said: "The indemnity is 80 million taels, it can't be less." Li Hongzhang was delighted, thinking that he had won a victory, but fortunately he did not win in vain. After living for so many years, his face remained unchanged. He said dissatisfiedly: "You are so tight-lipped. I will remember it in the future. Since the indemnity cannot be reduced, the interest can be waived." Ito Hirobumi knew that Li Hongzhang had already agreed, but was just looking for problems in this detail, so he replied: "If it is paid off within three years, the interest can be waived." After the biggest items were discussed, the subsequent negotiations became much easier. The Japanese wanted to station troops in Weihaiwei until China paid the treaty indemnity before withdrawing them, so they asked for the cost of keeping troops. In short, the Japanese were unwilling to pull as much hair from the Qing Dynasty as possible. When the contract was almost negotiated, it was already time for the lights to dim, and the two sides agreed to sign the contract the next day. "I hope your country can cooperate with our country to investigate the assassination of Nishi Hirojiro. If China provokes trouble again, the consequences will be at its own risk." When the representatives of China and Japan stood up and prepared to leave, Ito Hirobumi reminded Li Hongzhang. Li Hongzhang was also afraid that pro-war figures such as Wei Jichen would disrupt his peace talks, so he replied: "Please rest assured, your Excellency. Before the treaty is exchanged, I will suggest to our emperor to recall Wei Jichen." After the plenipotentiary minister signed the contract, the contract had to be submitted to the emperors of the two countries for their approval, and finally a place had to be found to exchange the contract. It would take at least a month to go back and forth, and during this period of time, new changes could occur at any time. Therefore, Li Hongzhang felt that it would be better to let Wei Jichen go back and rest during this period of time, and then let him return to Liaodong after everything was settled.