Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 487 Benefits last forever!

Li Yi was a little surprised when he heard this, but he finally nodded and said.

"Well, that's a good idea."

“You can push it!”

"But what will be the British reaction?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jinglin began to report.

"Your Majesty, according to the news sent back from Japan, the British are very concerned about the bloodshed at Edo Port."

"It seems that they are trying to use this opportunity to blackmail Japan and force it to continue opening its market to them."

Li Yi laughed when he heard that.

"I originally thought that after the Battle of the Bay of Bengal, the British side should have completely given up the idea of ​​reaching out to the East."

"Haha, I didn't expect these British barbarians to be so stubborn."

"You won't give up!"

Again, it doesn't matter who should be blamed for the conflict in Edo Port.

None of this mattered after Britain showed its desire to expand its interests in Japan and continue to reach out to the Far East.

The Far East is the Far East of the Tang Dynasty!
No matter who the other party is, Li Yi will not allow them to interfere.

Whoever reaches out will be chopped off!

After saying this, Li Yi's expression turned cold.

"Send a message to the ambassador to Japan and tell him that I have given him full authority with only one request: the British conspiracy must not be allowed to succeed no matter what!"

Although the Tang Dynasty is currently colluding with Britain and preparing to bully the United States, a good woman.

However, this did not prevent the Tang Dynasty from giving Britain a beating in Japan first.

The world is never black and white, and the boundaries between good and evil, right and wrong are not clear.

Everything is false, only the word "interest" lasts forever!
For the sake of their own interests, the Tang Dynasty and Britain could collude with each other and get involved in the North American situation together.

They may also turn against each other for the sake of their own interests, or even have direct conflicts break out again.

Zhang Jinglin nodded first, then continued.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing I need to report."

"The Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan sent people to sound out the Tang Dynasty, hoping that the Tang Dynasty would make peace with them and that the current Shogun would have the honor of marrying a Tang princess..."

Before Zhang Jinglin could even finish his words, he noticed that the emperor's face suddenly turned gloomy.

"Shut up!"

"This is absolutely impossible. Tell the Japanese side not to mention it again, otherwise..."

Li Yi said with a cold face.

Although he didn't say anything explicitly, just by looking at his gloomy expression, you could tell that this matter was absolutely non-negotiable.

The reason for this is that Li Yi now has only one daughter.

The little girl grew up by his side, and Li Yi was reluctant to sacrifice her happiness by letting her get married in order to gain political bargaining chips for the Tang Dynasty.

It is true that Li Yi is a cold political machine.

When it comes to making a choice, he won't even hesitate.

But that was when it came to outsiders!
When facing his family, Li Yi still has some warmth.

He was not as cruel as Wu Zetian and Li Longji, who killed their own sons like killing chickens.

Secondly, in Li Yi's opinion, there is no suitable marriage partner in the world that matches the Tang Dynasty.

Those countries are either too weak and not worthy of marriage alliance.

For example, Li Yi would only marry a princess to the vassal states of the Tang Dynasty in Southeast Asia because he had nothing better to do.

They don’t have this value!
Either that, although the country’s national strength is not weak, there is a problem with the royal bloodline.

For example, Britain!
Logically speaking, as the most powerful country in Europe, Britain is the only powerful country in the world that is qualified to compete with the Tang Dynasty.

If the two sides can form an alliance through marriage, it will definitely be a good choice.

This is a very beneficial thing for both parties.

However, Li Yi would never consider this matter no matter what.

Because the British royal family, no, it should be the royal families of the entire Europe, all like to marry close relatives and also like to intermarry with each other.

To the extent that, most of the European royal families are relatives, and they basically all carry the recessive gene for hemophilia.

You never know when it will explode on someone!
Li Yi doesn't want to harm his descendants for so-called political purposes.

The same is true for Japan.

The Japanese emperors are the product of inbreeding.

Although the shogunate did not allow marriage between close relatives, the Tokugawa shogunate liked to marry into the imperial family.

There are intermarriages in almost every generation!
This also led to the Tokugawa family producing many strange and bizarre people.

Under such circumstances, no matter how generous Li Yi was, he would not allow his daughter to marry into their alliance.

Suddenly, Li Yi thought of something.

He really couldn't bear to let his own daughter marry into a foreign marriage.

But what if I just find a palace maid, give her the title of princess, and then send her to marry?
It seems that it is not impossible to negotiate!
Well, the so-called marriage alliances with foreign races during China’s Han and Tang dynasties were basically the same.

Basically, there were no emperor’s own daughters among those who went there!
Either they would pick a palace maid at random, give her a title and marry her off, or they would pick a girl from the royal family and marry her off.

Then, she could interfere in other countries' internal affairs openly under the pretext of marrying a princess to a foreign country.

A famous example of the former is Concubine Zhaojun’s journey to the frontier, and the latter is Princess Wencheng.

Although he had this idea in his mind, Li Yi did not make a decision directly, but prepared to think about it first.

The idea of ​​marriage as a foreign alliance has been humiliating since its inception, and Li Yi does not want to be involved in it.

Rather than marrying a princess to the other party, Li Yi preferred to have the other party send a princess to the Tang Dynasty.

……

Japan, Tokugawa Shogunate!
There was pleasant-smelling incense burning in the conference room, but the atmosphere was quite solemn.

"My fellow elders, this is the current situation."

"The British are being aggressive and want to use this as an excuse to force our shogunate to reopen Kobe, Osaka, Kanagawa and other trading ports. They also want to set up a concession and station troops at the port of Edo."

Matsuda Tadatsugu said with a serious and solemn expression.

The British side is really ruthless and will take advantage of the moment when Japan is in the wrong to make it bleed heavily.

And they seem to have an attitude that if Japan does not bleed, they will use force.

Horita Masamune asked with a serious expression.

"What is the attitude of the Tang Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Matsuda Tadamori responded.

"I have already met with Ambassador Chai. The Tang Dynasty is willing to help us withstand the pressure from Britain, but the Tang Dynasty wants us to allocate a concession to the Tang Dynasty in Edo Port."

Compared with the exorbitant demands of the British, what the Tang Dynasty asked for was indeed not excessive.

However, there is inevitably some sense of taking advantage of someone's misfortune.

It makes Japan feel uncomfortable!
However, at this moment, An Tengxin walked in hurriedly from outside.

"Everyone, something big has happened."

"Several British warships suddenly arrived outside Edo Port!"

"British Bezos issued us an ultimatum, demanding that we hand over the murderer and compensate Britain..."

Although the Tang Dynasty currently controls the Strait of Malacca and has blocked the strait, prohibiting Western warships from passing through.

However, Britain is Britain after all. As a global hegemon, it has military ports all over the world.

Although the Tang Dynasty blockaded Malacca, British warships were still able to set out from America and cross the Pacific Ocean to the East.

However, since supply across the Pacific was more difficult than from the Indian Ocean coast, the British were unable to maintain a large fleet in the Far East.

But it is certainly possible to send a few warships to support the situation.

In addition, Britain is currently working on developing New Zealand, preparing to build a military port with New Zealand as the core to station its fleet and engage in geopolitical confrontation with the Tang Dynasty.

As soon as An Teng Xinzheng said this, everyone's faces changed drastically.

Masamune Horita was the first to jump up from his seat and speak.

"Quick! Go and ask Ambassador Chai to help us contact the British."

At this moment, Abe Masahiro, who had been silent for a long time, spoke.

"No!"

"Don't ask Master Chai!"

"This may be a great opportunity for our shogunate to defeat the British fairly and establish our national prestige!"

As Abe Masahiro finished speaking, many eyes turned towards him.

It seemed like she was waiting for his explanation.

Seeing this, Abe Masahiro spoke up.

"My shogunate has been following the lead of the Tang Dynasty for so many years, and it is not without gain."

"The new shogunate army stationed in Edo Castle is a division trained in Tang-style military tactics and armed with Tang-style weapons."

"Even if the combat effectiveness of the Tang Armored Division is not as good as that of the regular Tang Army, it can still be called elite."

"They are not just for show. The shogunate has spent so much money to support them. Now, it is time for them to prove their worth and fight for the shogunate."

"With the Tang weapon master in hand, why should we be afraid of the British barbarians?"

"Since the British barbarian is so aggressive, let's fight him."

"If we are defeated, we can seek help from the Tang Dynasty. It won't be too late to ask the Tang Dynasty to mediate!"

"My shogunate is not a vassal of the Tang Dynasty. We cannot place all our hopes on the Tang Dynasty!"

Unlike North Korea, Siam is an obedient, sensible and non-ambitious younger brother.

Japan is in the same group as Vietnam. It is a more ambitious and rather dishonest younger brother.

Therefore, they did not want to go directly to the Tang Dynasty for help when they encountered problems.

Instead, I want to try to see if I can solve it myself.

If the problem cannot be solved, it is not too late to ask for help from our Chinese father!
Upon hearing this, Masamune Horita, Nobumasa Ando and others could not help but look at each other, but finally nodded in agreement.

"Very good, if that's the case, then let's do as you wish, Abe-kun!"

"Be prepared to meet the enemy at Edo Port!"

Masamune Horita finally made the decision.

……

In Edo Castle, the new army camp.

Zhou Yang stood on a wooden platform, holding a copper trumpet, directing the soldiers on the training ground. "Everyone, stand at attention!"

"Stand at attention for thirty minutes, if anyone moves, add one minute!"

"clear?!"

Although most of the soldiers in the shogunate's new army receiving training were Japanese, the Tang army officers still insisted on using Chinese to give commands.

The reason for this is that the shogunate wanted to ask the Tang Dynasty to send officers to help train the new army.

Under such circumstances, it would naturally be impossible for the shogunate to put forward any additional conditions.

Well, if anything should be mentioned, it should be from the Tang Dynasty!
Also, Chinese is now the official common language in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

The nobles and ruling classes of various countries basically use it.

Japan is no exception!

Most of the soldiers in the shogunate's new army were of samurai origin. These samurai, who could barely be considered a privileged class, mostly knew Chinese.

Therefore, it was a very normal thing for officers in the shogunate's new army to use Chinese for training.

As Zhou Yang finished speaking, the soldiers in front of him responded in unison.

"promise!"

Although there is a distinct accent in the word "no".

But it can be considered as standard pronunciation, well, at least it is understandable.

Seeing his soldiers standing in formation, Zhou Yang raised his arm and checked the watch on his wrist.

Then he stood at attention in front of everyone, looking at the soldiers in front of him with a sharp gaze.

However, although his eyes were sharp and very captivating, those who were familiar with Zhou Yang knew that he was actually in a daze at this moment.

Standing there, Zhou Yang couldn't help but think.

The day after tomorrow will be my turn to take a rest. Then I can go home, have a rest, and then take my wife to soak in the hot springs.

I heard that there is a very good hot spring outside Edo Castle. You can go and experience it yourself.

Of course, the home mentioned here does not mean returning to the Tang Dynasty.

After being sent to Japan, Zhou Yang married the daughter of a wealthy local businessman and settled down in Japan.

Even though Zhou Yang is just a grassroots military officer with only 20 to 30 soldiers under his command, his identity as a Tang person, especially as an officer, is still very popular in the Japanese marriage market.

At the very least, it is very popular in the eyes of those businessmen who have a family business but no background.

Ever since Zhou Yang married his Japanese wife, his identity as a Tang Dynasty military officer has helped his cheap father-in-law solve many problems.

To put it bluntly, thanks to the deeds of the Tang Dynasty's forerunners, the Tartars, who later defeated the foreign barbarians and re-established the majesty of the Celestial Empire, the Tang people enjoyed privileges in many overseas countries.

In many cases, the vassal states of the Tang Dynasty would give special care to the Tang people.

Japan is of course no exception!

Even given the Japanese's love of admiring the strong, the privileges that the Tang people enjoyed in Japan were greater than those in any other country.

However, just as Zhou Yang was daydreaming about spending some time alone with his wife, suddenly, a shrill alarm sounded on the training ground.

Zhou Yang subconsciously looked in the direction where the sound came from, and saw several soldiers riding their horses into the camp, shouting as they ran.

"Emergency gathering!"

"All departments assemble immediately!"

"Ready to fight!"

"..."

Hearing the messenger's shout, Zhou Yang's expression changed slightly, and then he turned around and gave orders to the soldiers in front of him.

"quick!"

"Everyone, get in line and get ready for battle. Quick! Quick! Quick!"

Amidst the chaos, the new shogunate army in the barracks quickly assembled and then marched towards the Edo Fort in a mighty force.

After the shogunate opened Edo as a port, it sought advice from the Tang Dynasty, purchased artillery, and built a fort in the Edo port to deal with possible threats on the sea.

Now, it comes in handy!
……

On the other side, the Tang Dynasty Embassy!

Chai Zhixin was having lunch being served by several waitresses.

His lunch was simple: a plate of Wagyu Sukiyaki, a bowl of lobster seafood chowder, a plate of stir-fried lettuce, a plate of cold pork head, and a bottle of French Bordeaux red wine.

It is obvious that Chai Zhixin’s lunch is not a simple Chinese dish.

Instead, it is a mixture of Japanese and Western characteristics.

With the exchange of Eastern and Western cultures, the Tang Dynasty was not only exporting culture, but also accepting some influence from Western culture.

In this stage of cultural exchange and integration, anything can happen.

Chai Zhixin took a bite of the food and a sip of the wine. He really enjoyed the feeling of having his taste buds satisfied.

Of course, the gentle service of the ladies also adds a lot of flavor to the dishes.

Chai Zhixin touched the girl's soft little hands, his face full of enjoyment.

Just at this moment, a chaotic sound of footsteps was heard outside.

After a while, a servant came in from outside.

"Sir, something big happened!"

The attendant ran up to Chai Zhixin and began to report.

Chai Zhixin heard the news, put down the chopsticks in his hand, frowned and asked.

"Well, what happened?"

The servant first glanced at the Japanese women next to him, and then showed an expression as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

When Chai Zhixin saw this, he immediately understood what he meant.

He just waved his hand to let the men and women leave, and then continued to ask.

"Well, can you tell me now?"

The attendant nodded, then spoke seriously.

"The British sent several warships to the coast of Edo, hoping to force the Tokugawa shogunate to submit to them."

"But the Tokugawa shogunate was not a pushover. They immediately summoned the shogunate's new army in Edo Castle to guard the Edo Fort and confront the British army."

"The war between the two sides is imminent!"

When Chai heard the news, his expression changed slightly.

Things were indeed beyond his imagination!
"What is going on? How come the British still have military power in the Far East?"

Chai Zhixin couldn't help but ask.

This is what he really cares about.

You know, after the Second Opium War, the Tang Dynasty had already eliminated the British Far East colonies in Malacca and Myanmar.

Logically speaking, the British should no longer be able to maintain a military force in the Far East.

Upon hearing this, the servant took a deep breath and said with a serious expression.

"Sir, I really don't know."

Chai Zhixin heard the news and said calmly.

"Quick, report this matter to the capital immediately and ask His Majesty to make a decision!"

……

Beijing, Old Summer Palace!

Kyushu Qingyan!

Just the next day, Li Yi received another urgent report from Japan.

The reason why the news spread so quickly was mainly because Japan was also currently covered by the Tang Dynasty's telegraph network.

The message was sent from Japan, then passed through Korea, Liaodong, and finally to the capital. Even if it needed to be forwarded several times along the way, it could be delivered to Li Yi's desk in a very short time.

This British fleet that suddenly appeared off the coast of Edo not only caused great panic in Japan.

Even the Tang Dynasty was a little surprised!
"Where did the British fleet come from? Where are their supply ports?"

"I need an answer!"

Li Yi's face looked very unhappy, and there was obvious anger flashing in his eyes.

Today, a British fleet can suddenly appear off the coast of Japan.

In the future, we will be able to launch a surprise attack on the Tang Dynasty as well!
Even though this British fleet was small, the threat it posed to the Tang Dynasty was limited.

But this is still something Li Yi cannot tolerate!
In front of Li Yi, Li Liang, director of the Military Intelligence Department, was sweating profusely, but he still replied with gritted teeth.

"Your Majesty, if the information obtained by the Military Intelligence Department is correct, the British fleet should have been transferred from North America across the Pacific Ocean."

"As for their supply port, it should be New Zealand!"

In those days, there were no radars or satellites, and it was undoubtedly a pipe dream to want to grasp the detailed movements of a fleet in the vast ocean.

In addition, the British fleet did not dare to approach the vicinity of the Tang Dynasty, but just wandered towards Japan.

Therefore, the Tang Dynasty was caught off guard by the British.

However, now that the British fleet's movements have been exposed, and New Zealand is the closest colony to the Far East, and Tang is monitoring New Zealand...

Once the intelligence from several aspects was summarized, it became very clear where the British fleet came from and where it was replenished.

When Li Yi heard this, the expression on his face changed.

New Zealand……

As far as he knew, the British colonized New Zealand even earlier than Australia.

As early as 1642 AD, Dutch navigators landed in New Zealand.

From 1769 to 1777, British Captain Cook visited New Zealand five times.

After that, Britain sent a large number of immigrants to New Zealand and announced occupation. By 1840, when the Qing Dynasty was crushed by Britain, Britain forced the Maori on the island of New Zealand to sign a peace treaty with them, completely turning New Zealand into a British colony.

After losing Australia, the British chose to focus on developing New Zealand to fight against the Tang Dynasty, which was actually a pretty good choice.

After thinking for a while, Li Yi spoke.

"Send a message to the Admiralty to expedite the process of building an Australian fleet."

"Since the British have chosen to increase their stakes in New Zealand, then our Tang Dynasty cannot fall behind. We must immediately prepare to increase our stakes in Australia and build a Melbourne military port fortress to hold New Zealand hostage to the British..."

After learning that the British were increasing their investment in New Zealand, Li Yi realized that a new round of geopolitical competition was about to begin.

Geopolitical disputes have always been something that requires huge investment and may not necessarily yield returns.

But this thing is just like Pandora's box, once it starts, it can't be stopped.

Since the British have chosen to increase their investment in New Zealand, all the Tang Dynasty can do is to increase its investment in Australia and confront the British.

Although the cost was high, the Tang Dynasty could not sit idly by and watch the British expand their military power in New Zealand.

New Zealand is so close to Australia!
The Tang Dynasty doesn't want Australia, which it has finally acquired, to be taken back by the British!
(End of this chapter)