King of Beiyang

"My friend, good news. Our men have found traces of Fukushima Yasumasa in East Prussia."

Afterwards, several gunmen boarded the train.

After the train crossed the border into the German Empire, they immediately opened fire, riddling Fukushima Yasumasa with bullets. Then, the gunmen jumped off the train and fled.

Carl told Li Jingyuan the news with a smile.

With the help of the Japanese, Saionji Kinmochi hid in the legation of the Eastern Empire in the British Empire.

Eliminating Saionji Kinmochi within the territory of the British Empire would undoubtedly be extremely difficult.

This made Carl very embarrassed.

He had previously boasted to Li Jingyuan that he could definitely kill Saionji Kinmochi and Fukushima Yasumasa.

As it turned out, these Japanese were so cunning that they even went so far as to use the cover of the British Empire to help them escape.

Carl originally thought he was going to lose face this time.

But unexpectedly, things took a dramatic turn at the last minute.

"Haha, great, that's wonderful! He almost got away!" Li Jingyuan was overjoyed.

He had initially thought that the Trans-Siberian Railway in the Russian Empire hadn't even started construction yet. Furthermore, given that Saionji Kinmochi and Fukushima Yasumasa had been expelled from Germany, the situation was sudden. He assumed Fukushima Yasumasa wouldn't, as in another timeline, travel alone through the Russian Empire.

But unexpectedly, the old Japanese devil Yasumasa Fukushima still chose this route.

Now that's good. After taking down that old devil Fukushima Yasumasa, the Japanese intelligence capabilities will be severely damaged.

After returning to China, there might be an opportunity to uproot the intelligence network that the Japanese had established throughout the Qing Empire, rendering all of the Japanese's decades of efforts futile.

This will undoubtedly play a very advantageous role in the war against the Japanese.

The Far East, the Qing Empire.

Li Hongzhang, the Governor-General of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, received an urgent telegram from Xu Jingcheng, the Qing Empire's Minister to the German Empire, at his Governor-General's Mansion in Baoding.

"Damn it! How could those Japanese be so despicable? They even resorted to such low-down tactics as assassination! This is simply outrageous!" Li Hongzhang was furious when he learned of Li Jingyuan's assassination attempt via telegram.

"Master, thankfully, Heaven has blessed us, and the Third Young Master is unharmed," said the steward, Zhang Qilin.

Li Hongzhang nodded, and the anger on his face subsided considerably.

"The third brother is the same; he only reports good news and not bad news. He didn't mention this matter at all."

"Master, isn't the Third Young Master just worried about making you anxious?"

"Tell the boss to be careful too. Those Japanese are treacherous and cunning; they've even resorted to such tricks. One day, I'll make them pay!" Li Hongzhang now felt a deep disgust for the Japanese.

Under Li Hongzhang's influence, Li Jingfang had already been appointed as the Qing Empire's Minister to the Eastern Empire six months prior, which is more colloquially known as the Minister to the Eastern Empire.

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Qilin nodded.

Originally, Li Jingyuan often mentioned that the Japanese devils were the greatest enemy of the entire country and nation.

Li Hongzhang had previously underestimated this tiny country.

In his view, no matter how impoverished or miserable the Qing Empire was, it was still far superior to the Japanese devils.

  

But now, having witnessed the treacherous and ruthless nature of the Japanese devils, his vigilance towards them has increased several levels.

They gradually realized that Li Jingyuan's plans to establish steel mills, arsenals, and shipyards in China, and even his secret purchase of warships from the German Empire, were all undoubtedly aimed at the Japanese devils.

This solidified Li Hongzhang's resolve to fully cooperate with Li Jingyuan's plans in preparation for the upcoming war against the Japanese.

Unless the Japanese don't come, if they dare to start a war, we must make them taste the power of the Beiyang Army and make them pay a heavy price!

Tokyo, the capital of the Eastern Empire, the Prime Minister's official residence.

Prime Minister Yamagata Aritomo and his cabinet ministers are discussing the conflict with the German Empire.

Foreign Minister Shuzo Aoki, Finance Minister Masayoshi Matsukata, Army Minister General Iwao Oyama, and Navy Minister General Sukenori Kabayama, among others, attended the meeting.

Or rather, this is the Five-Phase Conference.

Generally speaking, all matters of the Eastern Empire are decided after consultation among the five ministers of the cabinet.

In addition, Home Minister Saigo Tsugumichi, representing the Meiji Emperor, also attended the meeting.

"Lord Saigo, what instructions does His Majesty the Emperor have?" General Yamagata Aritomo asked.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, His Majesty the Emperor is furious about this matter. The Empire's envoys and military attachés abroad have actually been expelled from the country by the Germans! This is an utter disgrace to the Empire!"

This is a trampling on the dignity of the empire, and even more so, a contempt for the empire.

His Majesty hopes that you gentlemen can quickly come up with a practical and feasible solution to uphold the dignity of the Empire.

Saigo Tsurudo said to everyone.

The cabinet ministers' expressions immediately turned bitter.

"Lord Saigo, His Majesty's request is far too demanding. We are facing one of the most powerful nations on the European continent! Whether in terms of military or economic strength, they are far superior to the Empire."

Even if the empire protests, it will have no effect.

As for taking more drastic measures, that would only bring shame upon oneself.

Aoki Shuzo said with a wry smile.

Generals Oyama Iwao and Kabayama Sukenori looked grim. When the nation was humiliated, as soldiers, they had a duty to stand up and fight for the country's dignity, even at the cost of their lives.

But neither of them were fools; they both knew very well that there was absolutely no comparison between the two sides in terms of military strength.

In terms of the army, the German Empire was known as the best in the world.

Not only are their combat forces formidable, but their equipment is also extremely sophisticated. Furthermore, they possess a well-developed mobilization system, capable of mobilizing millions of troops in a short period.

In contrast, the current Eastern Empire, despite its large population, can only mobilize a maximum of a few hundred thousand troops, even with its utmost effort.

Limited resources, weaponry, and other aspects greatly restricted the strength of the Imperial Japanese Army.

Needless to say, the navy is another story altogether. Even though the entire Eastern Empire has been tightening its belt to buy warships and strive to improve its naval strength in recent years.

Even against the Beiyang Fleet, they were not confident of victory, let alone against the even more powerful German Imperial Navy.

How can we talk about upholding national dignity when the strength is completely unequal?

"Lord Saigo, please inform His Majesty the Emperor that we will formally lodge a protest with the German Empire and demand an explanation from them," Yamagata Aritomo said.

Saigo Tsurudo nodded. He understood Yamagata Aritomo's meaning: to issue a lukewarm protest that posed no threat whatsoever to the German Empire, so as to avoid a greater conflict between the two countries.

When you are outmatched, minimizing the conflict and avoiding it altogether is perhaps the best course of action.