On August 2, the "National Restoration Conference" concluded successfully. At the meeting, the main founding strategies of North Korea and Ryukyu were finalized, and it was clarified that "the future paths of North Korea and Ryukyu should be decided by the people of the two countries. The Ming Dynasty will not engage in any
planning and intervention”.
The most critical thing is not "it should be decided by the people of the two countries", but the last half sentence: "Ming Dynasty will not make any plans or interference."
If the Ming Dynasty did not interfere, it would mean the implementation of a centralized monarchy. Because in this era, especially in these two lands that have been enslaved for many years, it requires dedicated efforts to establish democracy. In Shang Gui's words
It is "not in line with the national conditions". Precisely because it is not in line with the national conditions, it is necessary to make great efforts to enlighten and carry out civilization bit by bit. But if it is to establish autocracy, it would be too easy, because it is "in line with the national conditions". It is precisely because it is in line with the national conditions
National conditions, so there is no need for any effort at all, just go with the flow and let nature take its course, which is autocracy.
Even if it is "up to the people of the two countries to decide for themselves," as long as Ming Dynasty does not plan, interfere, or deliberately push that path, then the "democracy" will basically be a cloud.
Shang Gui was overjoyed when his wish came true. He was very grateful to Xiang Xiaoqiang and the Ming Dynasty's royal family and the cabinet. The North Korean Lee family, who was brought to Nanjing from Japan, was also grateful to the Ming Dynasty. They were even more grateful than the Ryukyu Shang family because several
For generations, the Li family has been under house arrest in Japan, and their situation is much more miserable than that of the Shang family in the Ming Dynasty. Now they are not only free, but they also have to take over the newly independent country, become the king again, and control the entire North Korea... This series of situations,
It almost knocked the Lee royal family of North Korea unconscious, and they were even happier than an ordinary citizen who won millions in the lottery.
At the same time, these two royal families also knew what was going on - this was tantamount to a deal with the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty allowed them to enjoy unfettered power in the country, but they had to reciprocate the favor.
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In terms of diplomacy, it goes without saying that only the Ming Dynasty obeyed and was willing to be its younger brother. Legally, citizens of the Ming Dynasty enjoyed extraterritoriality in the two countries' territories. If they broke the law, they would be handled by the Ming Dynasty embassy or consulate. This was the same as in Siam.
Economically, the market was completely open to the Ming Dynasty, with zero tariffs or symbolic tariffs, plus most-favored nation status. Companies in the Ming Dynasty were given priority to develop resources and build railways and highways. This point of Ryukyu is of little significance, because it is just a string of small islands with no
There are not many markets and there are not many railways and roads that can be built. This one is mainly for North Korea. Although North Korea is also small, in terms of area and population, after all, it is as big as a medium-sized European country, equivalent to two provinces of the Ming Dynasty.
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Militarily, the national security of North Korea and Ryukyu is guaranteed by the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty army can station troops on the territory of the two countries. As for the location and quantity of the troops stationed, it is decided by the two governments through consultation. - "It is decided by the two governments through consultation.
", which is equivalent to saying that the Ming Dynasty will be stationed wherever it says, and as many as it says. Needless to say, Ryukyu, a series of military bases, military ports, and airports used by the Japanese army in "Okinawa" have all been left intact by the Ming army.
It will be taken over by force, and the Ming army will definitely expand to make this place an outpost to prevent Japan from rising again and "going south" in the future.
North Korea is even more important. North Korea is located in the most critical position in Northeast Asia, with control of the Yellow Sea on the left, the Sea of Japan on the right, and the East China Sea on the right. And even more valuable, the coasts of the Korean Peninsula, especially the west and south coasts, are all winding.
A winding deep-water harbor. You can build a good naval base anywhere you choose.
To be honest, these military aspects are the key. Because after all, these two countries are very small, and their political and economic roles are very limited. But these two countries are in the most critical areas of East Asia.
It is a strategic strategic location with extremely important strategic significance. Next, Ming Dynasty will sign a series of treaties with these two countries, including diplomatic, economic, legal, and military treaties.
Moreover, since there is no annoying parliament, everything is decided by the king, and the king wants to please Ming Dynasty and secure his position, so Ming Dynasty can basically get as much as he wants. Shang Gui even proposed to bring Japan
The two military ports left by the people were leased to the Ming Dynasty. The lease period was easy to negotiate, but it was impossible to sign a 100-year agreement first.
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Just when the leaders of Ming Dynasty, North Korea, and Ryukyu gathered together to get what they needed, after three and a half days of turbulence at sea, the battleship Changhei also sailed into Tokyo Bay. People all over the world
All eyes turned to Japan again. On the deck of the battleship, representatives of the Japanese government signed the surrender document.
After this grand occasion, the Ming delegation landed again, entered downtown Tokyo, and went to a hotel to stay. What was signed on the battleship was Japan's surrender document. In the next few days, the two countries will sign a series of treaties and agreements. However,
, there are not many things that need to be discussed, because Japan is not "unconditional surrender", but "conditional surrender".
The difference is that "unconditional surrender" means that you surrender first and then talk about it. If you don't surrender, there is no need to negotiate any conditions. After you surrender, it depends on what I want to do with you. This type is the most miserable, and you are basically at the mercy of others. This type
Very uncommon, with few historical precedents.
"Conditional surrender" involves fighting and negotiating peace at the same time. Both sides put forward conditions and see if the other party can accept them. If not, they continue to fight until the weaker party accepts the conditions. This type is very common and is normal internationally.
armistice and peacemaking methods.
The conditions proposed by the Ming Dynasty are mainly to pay 4.5 billion Mingyang indemnity, make Korea independent, Ryukyu independent, cede Tsushima and Iwo Jima, and restrict Japan's development of armaments in the future, mainly restricting the navy and aviation, and limiting the Japanese naval and air power to the mainland.
The percentage of Ming's sea and air power cannot be exceeded.
These conditions were accepted by Japan before surrendering. Therefore, there is no need to discuss major aspects. There is no problem in implementing aspects such as independence, ceding territory, and limiting armaments. The key is compensation. Japan has been crying about poverty, saying 45
Yi Mingyang's huge sum of money is simply too much. Now after the war and the long-term blockade, Japan's domestic economy has collapsed, and it is impossible to spend so much money. In fact, Ming Dynasty also knew that even if Japan did not fight this war, it would
You can't spend so much money at once. Although the Japanese team is a powerful country, it is a poor country.
Therefore, the focus of the negotiation between the two parties this time is how to compensate for the money. It is definitely impossible to reduce or reduce the money, and Ming Dynasty also needs money urgently. The most is to discuss and see what other things besides cash can be used to pay off the debt. If it cannot be paid, it depends on
How to "pay in installments".
Ming Dynasty has long been eyeing those Japanese warships. This time, taking advantage of the opportunity to pay off debts, it can at least take away all the battleships, aircraft carriers, and heavy cruisers, leaving only destroyers and some light cruisers for the Japanese Navy. Anyway, according to the arms limitation treaty,
Japan was no longer allowed to own these heavy warships. Japan simply gave them to Ming Dynasty.
Next, something happened that stunned the Japanese representatives. The Ming side representatives asked to go to Wugang in person to accept the large warships there. The Japanese Navy representatives present immediately said, you don’t need to go in person, our warships are all on the books, and there are still
You know which one is left, just click on it and we will drive it over for you. But the representative of Mingfang said directly: We want the Yamato and Musashi, which are under construction.
At this time, the representative of the Japanese Navy even wanted to hit the wall. He could not understand how the people of Ming Dynasty knew about such absolutely confidential matters as the construction of Yamato and Musashi, which even lower-ranking Japanese generals did not know.
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The Japanese were still lucky and planned to build it secretly. The Ming Dynasty didn't know about it, so they kept it secret. Unexpectedly, they even ordered the name of the ship just like ordering food in a restaurant...