Then with the permission of Emperor Guangxu, Li Ningyu began to speak loudly: "If we talk about Westernization, let me first talk about the island country Japan around the Qing Dynasty. On October 23, 1868, Japan overthrew the shogunate that had been in power for more than a hundred years.
Ruled and established the new government of Japan's Emperor Meiji. From then on, Japan began the Meiji Restoration era. At the same time, it established a general policy of expanding its territory in foreign policy, and Ryukyu and Taiwan became their main targets!".
Li Ningyu's words completely aroused discussion among the ministers, but Li Ningyu continued regardless of others at this time: "Although the countries in the world at that time did not clearly see Japan's ambitions, the surrounding countries were still aware of the navy and coastal defense.
Importance! So that’s very gratifying, but is that really what it’s all about?”.
"I remember that in 1887, the thirteenth year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, the total tonnage of Japan's navy was less than 40,000 tons. But why did Japan's tonnage reach 65,000 tons in just eight years! And the Beiyang Fleet was the largest in total.
It will still be the same as before it was destroyed. If the navy doesn't change its guns, will it still be a navy if we buy ships?".
All eyes were focused for a moment, and at this time Cixi behind the curtain was also furious, because what Li Ningyu said next may have something to do with her, but no one could stop Li Ningyu at this time, because he simply finished speaking
Pull down: "Who does the development of Japan's navy owe its growth to? Naturally, it was Japan's Emperor Akechi. Akechi ascended the throne at the age of 16. However, at that time, Japan was just a small island country that relied on agriculture. Its annual tax revenue was not even as high as that of Taiwan. However,
At that time, the Meiji Restoration had only achieved initial results, and domestic funds were not sufficient at all, but he issued an order to build warships continuously for eight years!"
"But everyone knows that building warships for the navy requires money. At that time, the price of the Dingyuan ship was as high as 1.5 million taels of silver, but Japan was wise but had no money. But in the end, the Japanese navy built a fleet, so where did their money come from?
What about?"
"Because Emperor Meiji, who was 35 years old at the time, issued an edict. Because there was no more money in the treasury to build warships, he decided to take out 300,000 taels of silver from his own treasury. But could the money buy warships? The answer
It was not enough! But then in Japan, we saw that Emperor Akechi spent his own money to build a navy. Then ministers and wealthy businessmen from all over the country donated money. In the end, a total of 1.3 million taels of silver were raised! The first year of the Japanese Navy passed like this.
!”
"But the next year, Japan is still short of money, so what should we do?"
"After receiving many reminders from the navy, Emperor Meiji discovered during one of his inspection tours that the powerful ministers and nobles all had their own luxurious mansions, all-night banquets, and costumes inlaid with emeralds and gems. Emperor Meiji became angry.
Then he raised his invisible whip and issued an edict, that is, from now on, the palace will save money and only eat two dishes and one soup for each meal. The original four plates and eight bowls will be removed. What brocade clothes and jade belts, what?
The bells are ringing and the cauldrons are eating, everything stops!”
"Once such an order is issued, everyone in Japan will know that the emperor wants nothing, he wants warships and a powerful navy!"
"But many people who heard such words laughed, thinking that Japan, a small country, is so poor that it makes its own emperor starve! And it has to eat meat from its teeth to support the navy! You can do this without fear of being laughed at.
!But the Japanese don’t think so, because they have already begun preparing expansion plans in Asia!”
"But the Beiyang Fleet at that time was complaining about having no money every day!"
Li Ningyu spoke very fast, because these words had been in his mind for more than a day, and he finally had the opportunity to say them today. All the important officials of the Qing Dynasty present were already lying on the ground.
Because Li Ningyu talked about a sensitive issue, that is why Japan has been building warships for eight consecutive years, but the Beiyang Fleet has not bought a single warship in eight years?
But just when everyone thought that Li Ningyu's cannons were finished, he continued: "The Beiyang Fleet needs fixed expenses every year, but I have heard some people say abroad that they have exchanged Kunming for the Bohai Sea! But I think this sentence
What you said is wrong, because the problem does not lie with any one person, but with everyone!".
Li Ningyu's words went up and down, and everyone present was stunned. However, when they heard that they had exchanged Kunming for Bohai, the cup in Cixi's hand behind the bead curtain had already been broken. But when they heard Li Ningyu
After the next words, Cixi sighed softly, but Li Ningyu's words finally stopped completely, and the ground was full of kneeling ministers. Even Emperor Guangxu stood up in fear at Li Ningyu's words.
Just when Li Ningyu was about to leave, Cixi said: "Aijia, actually I didn't want to talk about the Beiyang Navy for a long time, but since you Li Ningyu mentioned this matter, and you will marry Duan in the future,
Tong Gege, half of us can be considered full, so today while everyone is here, you can explain the matter clearly!".
In Cixi words, Li Ningyu was actually asked to continue speaking, but he said first: "Then please forgive me, Queen Mother, otherwise I will not dare to say nonsense! And there are some things I have to ask some important ministers present.
, and these also require your permission!".
Li Ningyu made a request, which made Cixi not very comfortable, but she had always been a power player, and that was all there was, so she then said: "What we are discussing today are old things, just like historians,
How can you be guilty?".
This is an ambiguous statement, because as long as Li Ningyu's words are slightly wrong, Cixi can still blame him, but if she wants to blame Li Ningyu, I'm afraid Cixi doesn't have the courage yet. Could it be that she wanted to escape before the arrival of the Eight-Power Allied Forces?
Rehe?
But since Cixi had given power, Li Ningyu naturally would not miss such an opportunity. Then he first called Li Hongzhang and said: "Li Zhongtang, you are the one who founded the Beiyang Navy!".
"That's right, it's the old man!"
After saying this, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but feel sad, but Li Ningyu was not ready to let it go, so he continued to ask: "You should know who pays for the military expenses of the Beiyang Fleet and where it comes from!"
.
Li Hongzhang immediately nodded and said: "Yes! It will be allocated by the Household Department of the Qing Dynasty!".
"Since there is a source, why don't you have money to buy and repair warships?"
Li Ningyu's words kept coming, and countless important ministers in the room were already sweating, because today was the coldest day in the 19th century.
Vote to support the author and receive points and k-beans