History will always undergo drastic changes when people least expect it.
For the reform government in Tokyo, they have just begun to open their eyes to see the world. They simply do not understand what international politics is, let alone understand that in international politics, many countries cannot stay outside the world.
based on the will of the country.
In many cases, the fate of small countries is determined by big countries, and unknowingly, the fate of small countries will be tied to big countries. But now Japan has inevitably been involved in the world craze, and it only wants to be in the world.
Pursuing the so-called dream of prosperity and power, they don't even understand where Japan is in this frenzy.
But I just took it for granted and made some choices, which on the surface seemed to be extremely beneficial to Japan.
But they don't know that this choice can sometimes be fatal.
Just like now, when they self-righteously look for Ming Dynasty as their protector, they don't know that this is what European and American countries are afraid of.
It is precisely in this unknowing way that they put Japan on the meat board and became the meat on the board. As for the clouds on Sakagami, they just lay on the meat and look at it...
In fact, this is the fate of small and weak countries in this world where the jungle is strong and the strong eat the weak. What is important for people to be self-aware and want to use the great powers for their own benefit?
When strength is insufficient, all strategies are just a joke. In the face of absolute strength, strategies are not worth mentioning at all.
Just when the wheel of history is turning in another direction with irresistible force.
Osaka.
After the British Chinese fleet fired up the boiler and lifted anchor, it slowly sailed in the other direction. According to the secret message received, they would meet up with the American Far East Fleet in Yokohama, and then jointly put pressure on the reform government.
What pressure?
Of course, it requires the Japanese government to effectively protect the safety of expatriates from Britain, the United States and other European countries.
War always needs an excuse, and the same goes for armed intervention.
When the Chinese fleet of the Royal Navy slowly sailed out of Osaka, a Japanese sailing ship sailed out of the port of Osaka and headed straight to the west.
"Oh, it's not easy to finally escape!"
It wasn't until Osaka disappeared from sight that Gentaro Kodama, who was sitting on the boat, breathed a sigh of relief.
As an army officer, he is really depressed!
During the rebellion of Tokugawa Shigemai last year, he went out to quell the rebellion as the adjutant of the captain of the Osaka town. He was wounded on the battlefield. When he returned to Osaka to recuperate, nearly 8,000 officers and soldiers from the Osaka town surrendered without hesitation!
Kumamoto held the position for more than a year, and is still stubbornly resisting Saigo Takamori's attack. It was they who held Saigo Takamori's steps in check, but Osaka held the position and surrendered directly!
Faced with the reality of the army's surrender, even if Kodama had the intention to resist at the time, he was unable to make a comeback! In the past few months, Captain Kodama Gentaro, who was unwilling to become a thief and unable to escape, transformed into a bathhouse thief.
The bather took baths for several months before he could save enough for the shipping fee.
The reason why he was reduced to this situation is because when he escaped from the military hospital, he escaped in such a hurry that he didn't even have a penny with him, otherwise he would have escaped long ago.
It took me several months of hard work to earn enough money to leave Osaka.
"What a group of Osaka profiteers who cannot be relied upon!"
In the past few months, he has been thinking about why those people surrendered so neatly. Could it be that they colluded with the Tokugawa family?
Of course not.
In the final analysis, it is because of one reason: those people in Osaka are just a group of profit-seeking businessmen.
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It is absolutely impossible for them to sacrifice their lives for the country. When facing life danger, the first thing they think of is to surrender and save their own lives first.
"What a bunch of guys who can't get anything done!"
While sighing in his heart, Kodama Gentaro turned his eyes to the west.
"Hiroshima, since the Ming army has intervened, the government will definitely rebuild Hiroshima there. It's just the right time for me to go there!"
Kodama Gentaro's face was full of expectation. When he looked in the direction of Hiroshima, his eyes were full of expectation. In his opinion, this was the critical moment for him to exert his personal abilities...
In this way, the wheel of history is driving in an unknown direction without knowing it. No one knows where its wheel will go. The only thing that is certain is that now, in this world, in February 1875
The world has been changed beyond recognition by the emergence of the Ming Dynasty. Not only the fate of countries has been changed, but the fate of many people has also been deeply changed.
The Pacific Ocean is the vastest ocean in the world.
The sea water here is as blue as sapphire, and the slowly undulating waves, under the sunlight, are all flashing with light. Looking around, it seems that the sight can be exhausted to the infinite distance.
There is no land or island within sight, and the vastness of the sea is clearly displayed on the Pacific Ocean. At this time, a fleet composed of seven warships, troop ships, and coal ships is sailing at full speed, with the bright sun and moon flag on the masthead.
Sounding with the sea breeze.
This was an expeditionary force led by Emperor Zhu Da himself. The leader was the armored cruiser "Taiyuan". The bow of the collision cut through the blue sea, leaving a scissor-shaped whitecaps behind. The "Linhai" followed closely behind.
"Once again, it cuts the sea like scissors.
This fleet has been setting off for ten days. In the past ten days, the fleet has been heading west. According to the plan, the fleet will sail directly to Japan, and the fuel replenishment on the way will be carried out by coal ships.
After all, rescuing troops is like putting out fire, so naturally it is impossible to walk slowly on the road.
On the fast-moving armored cruiser "Linhai", naval officer trainee Cheng Daqi once again stared at the sea. His seemingly calm eyes were still somewhat excited. This was his first ocean voyage. According to the Royal Navy of the Ming Dynasty,
According to the tradition, all naval cadets need to sail around the world, but because of the fleet expedition, he and his classmates got the opportunity to accompany the fleet.
Such opportunities are rare. After all, for naval service members, war is the best classroom.
"After this battle, we will almost graduate!"
Already 19 years old, he is eager to show off his skills on the battlefield. Of course, like all soldiers, he is also eager to get medals, even the most common medal of loyalty and bravery.
Medals are what every soldier of the Ming Dynasty longs for. The Medal of Loyalty and Courage is the most common and most common, but it is also a symbol of honor.
honor!
Only when you are in the army of the Ming Dynasty can you know what honor is! If you were in the Qing Dynasty, I guess all you are thinking about now is glory and wealth, that is, high officials and generous salaries.
But here he learned what honor is and what the responsibility of a soldier is!
Honor and responsibility are what soldiers pursue!
At this moment, he heard footsteps coming from behind him. Before he could turn around, he heard someone say.
"Cheng Daqi, please take care of yourself."
Looking back to see the first mate, Cheng Daqi, who was about to salute, felt his heart in his throat when he heard his next words.
"Your Majesty wants to see you!"
What?
Your Majesty, Your Majesty wants to see me...
Why? Although Cheng Daqi had many questions in his mind, in fact Emperor Zhu Da wanted to see him, but it was just a temporary idea.
He was chatting with Li Fengzhi on the bridge. When he heard that among the students standing on the side were international students sent by Governor Li, he immediately became interested. When he learned that his name was Cheng Daqi, Emperor Zhu Da moved.
See what he thinks.
Cheng Daqi is not famous in history. He was one of the first batch of young children to study in the United States. He participated in the Sino-French War and later in the Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War. In the end, the same ship was sunk and the entire army was wiped out.
But now his fate has changed. He did not go to the United States to study like in another world, but came to Daming. He studied the navy in Daming, and there will be no more Sino-French naval battles and Sino-French naval battles in the future.
Already.
Soon, Cheng Daqi, who was extremely excited, arrived on the bridge. When he saw His Majesty wearing a navy uniform, he quickly stood at attention and saluted.
"Student Cheng Daqi met the principal!"
Emperor Zhu Da was not only the principal of the Army School, but also the principal of the Naval Academy. There was nothing wrong with it. Army and naval officers were all disciples of the Emperor!
This level is high enough!
Of course, this is also the tradition of various countries in this era. At least the emperors and kings of various countries are the supreme commanders of the army, and Emperor Zhu Da is not only the commander-in-chief, but also the principal. After all, there is a tradition in China that "a teacher for a day, a father for a lifetime".
After briefly asking about Cheng Daqi's schoolwork and learning that he had been among the top three in his grade for several consecutive years, Emperor Zhu Da thought for a while, then looked at the young man in front of him and asked.
"If you have the chance, would you like to stay in the Royal Navy?"
What?
Facing the emperor's sudden question, Cheng Daqi was a little confused. Ding Yunheng, the school instructor standing aside, laughed.
"Da Qi, His Majesty is asking you if you would like to be naturalized in the Ming Dynasty and become a member of the Royal Navy!"
This is an invitation from the emperor!
Anyone else would be flattered and happy to accept it. After all, having the emperor's invitation means that for them, their future military career will be easier than others. It is not an exaggeration to describe it as a smooth career.
But faced with such an opportunity, Cheng Daqi was hesitant. He pursed his lips and replied respectfully.
"Principal, the students were appointed by the Governor to study the navy in the Ming Dynasty. This is because the powerful Western ships and cannons are rampant in our waters, seizing our rights and insulting our national character. The sea is thousands of miles away, and there is no defense against the sea. Therefore, students and others need to study in the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty has a powerful and modern navy, but China has neither giant iron-clad ships nor a modern navy! As Chinese navy soldiers, how can students abandon their military responsibilities? Therefore, students hope to return to China and defend China's maritime borders.
This is also the responsibility of students as soldiers."
When he said these words, Cheng Daqi felt a little nervous. After all, what he was rejecting now was from the emperor... This was an imperial edict!
According to the tradition of the Qing Dynasty, can the emperor's decree be violated? If you disobey the decree, you will lose your head.
Although he understood this truth, he could not give up the responsibility in his heart. Well, everything has been said. So be it.
Facing his answer, he carefully looked at the young man in front of him. At this moment, he seemed to understand why in another world, in an era full of humiliation and constant war, the reason why those international students were willing to return to their motherland
The reason why they went back was actually very simple - responsibility.
After looking at the young man in front of him seriously, Emperor Zhu Da laughed loudly.
"Well, you are indeed my student! The duty of a soldier is to protect your home and country! Come, Attendant Li."
Emperor Zhu Da said to the attendant on the side.
"Give us a photo together! Since we can't stay in Ming Dynasty, let's take a photo together as a way of thinking about you, Daqi. I believe that you will become a big tool one day!"