Chapter 129： Difficult negotiation (1/2)
”Compensation of 300 million taels of silver, ceding the land of Liaodong, Penghu Islands, and Taiwan Island south of Shengjing. Are you kidding? Ito Hirobumi!” Russian plenipotentiary Lobanov glanced at the negotiation documents submitted by the Japanese. Then he threw it aside. The German representative Herbert next to him also said that this condition was impossible to accept.
This is probably the most peculiar negotiation in the world. The truce negotiations between the Qing and Japan do not have the power to decide between the two countries. At least Li Hongzhang, the representative of the Qing Dynasty, has very limited opinions. The three countries of Russia, Germany and France are sitting behind the negotiators. It is the backstage boss. Although the British are sitting on the side of Japan, they have not spoken until now. The Americans seem to be neutral, but they have their own ideas in private.
”This is a matter between the Qing Dynasty and Japan. Please don't interfere with irrelevant countries. This is inconsistent with international practice!” Ito Hirofumi said with a pale face. He thought that the Russians would refuse. It was originally a ridiculous asking price and then paying back the land. The attitude of the Russians is too defiant!
”The Japanese fleet’s attack on the German fleet also does not conform to international practice. And now your country’s asking price has completely deviated from the set advertised at the beginning of the war! North Korea did not gain independence, but fell into the hands of your country. Your country is now An out-and-out robber, and as a friend of the Qing country, we need to uphold justice for the Qing country. This condition is impossible to accept.” Herbert said, there was a wound on his forehead, which was caused by a Japanese shrapnel. If the angle is better, Herbert will be opened!
”Our country will not cede an inch of land!” With strong foreign aid, Li Hongzhang finally got tough! As soon as Li Hongzhang's suggestion was exported, it was appreciated by the representatives of Russia and Germany, and the French also said that it should be so, and believed that a war of predation should not be condoned!
The first round of contact between the two parties started but lasted for an hour and was forced to interrupt. There was no negotiation. The difference in asking prices between the two parties was too big! With the support of the Three Kingdoms Alliance, the Qing country seems to have knocked on the medicine and refused to give in. For Japan, if the Qing country does not give in, there is really nothing that Japan can do.
”The Russians are our mortal enemies in the future, and we won't let them in a single step. The French and the Russians are allies, and it's more difficult to have a loose attitude. And the Germans? I am a little confused. We have already given Germany a lot of benefits. , Why can't they reach an understanding with the empire? Isn't our contribution enough to smooth out the mistakes in the Toshima naval battle?” At the hotel where he stayed, Ito Hirofumi said painfully.
”This matter alone of course will not lead to Germany's resolute attitude. The Qing country sold our interests to Germany! Germany can establish concessions in Shandong, Fujian and Taiwan are also open to Germany, and can even enter Sichuan! Russia I am also willing to share the interests in the Northeast with Germany. Moreover, if the Beiyang Fleet is rebuilt in the future, all equipment will come from Germany. The benefits we gave are really too little.” Mutsuzongguang smiled bitterly.
”Then what do they want to do?” Ito Hirobumi roared like an angry beast.
”Except for North Korea, the empire will not get even an inch of land, and the compensation amount will be only 50 million taels of silver. Trade conditions...” Mutsuzong began to state the information they had obtained from the British.
”Hehe, Russia and Germany are really self-confident! They didn't hide their thoughts at all, and they spoke upright, but we can't do anything!” Ito Bowen suddenly turned around, ”What attitude is the British?”