C722 semi-colonization (2/2)
This also meant that, compared to Xiao Letian, the only other merchants in the world who had a trade agreement with Japan, such as English and French, Meihe, and so on, there was an additional Ryukyu.
Not only that, Japan had also recognized all the trade letters that Xiao Letian had given them. In other words, even the country's merchants who had not signed any agreements with Japan, as long as they could get their hands on Xiao Letian's trade letters, could come to Japan to do business. It doesn't matter if you are a country from the Middle East or a small country from South America of Africa.
The opening of the economy was only the first step, and the next step was to open up the port. Under Xiao Letian's promise to withdraw from the Osaka City, all the ports in Japan would be open to the Ryukyu Navy, who could freely enter the port to replenish or avoid wind.
This point caused a lot of controversy in the military tent. Everyone was furious; how could a warrior's pride allow an alien army to freely move about?
However, Itou Hirobumi's next sentence shattered all their arrogance. ”We can be unconvinced, we can be angry, but don't forget, together with our entire Japanese navy, can we defeat the Ryukyu's warships in Osaka Bay?”
Thinking about the previous brutal bombardment from the blood battle, the powerful firepower of the Ryukyu Navy made these warriors who thought of the ancient times speechless.
”Ladies and gentlemen, let's throw away our unrealistic face. We have to admit that Xiao Letian's Navy is already free to enter and exit our Japanese ports, even if we don't sign it, how can we stop him? ”I might as well give him a favor and calm down their anger …”
After liberalizing the right of free trade and the right of passage to the military port, the general and the four great names refused to give in. This was Japan's bottom line.
According to the western definition of colonization, a country would lose all political, economic, military, and diplomatic control and be handed over to its patriarch. This was a complete colony.
But this time, Japan had only granted Xiao Letian around seventy percent of its economic and forty percent of its military privileges. In reality, it was not even considered a semi-colonial power, and neither could politics and diplomacy. The upper echelons of Japan were quite emboldened.
Itou Hirobumi did not dare guarantee that Xiao Letian would agree to such conditions, and spoke in a serious tone: ”Masters, Xiao Letian is not an idiot, what we concede is what he already possesses, in the end we have not brought out any benefits, this will make the other party feel that we are not sincere …”
”Other than that, we cannot pacify Xiao Letian's anger just by thinking about it. Who will pacify Qing Dynasty's anger?”
”I propose to give His Majesty the Tongzhi a large amount of compensation, as compensation for the assassination attempt of His Majesty the emperor …”
The four famous generals had forgotten about their enmity with the general as they went over to the general's side and whispered. After a while, Guo Daozhida turned to Itou Hirobumi and asked, ”Can you promise that Xiao Letian will not rent the Osaka City?”
Ito nodded. ”As long as we show our sincerity, I am willing to negotiate with the prime minister!” Guo Daozhida glanced at him, then turned around and began to mutter.
After a while, Dao Jinzhongyi also spoke out, ”It's not impossible for us to provide compensation, but we have to add a new condition, economic opening must be mutual, Ryukyu cannot stop us Japanese merchants from trading with each other …”
Ito nodded emphatically. ”Ha!” Your suggestion is also what I was thinking. I vow to fight for the interests of Japan! ” Dao Jinzhongyi turned back and continued his discussion.
Then he said to Ito, ”In your analysis, how much money should we compensate? Japan is now very poor and doesn't have much of a family. ”
Itou Hirobumi bowed deeply and replied, ”Master, this compensation is mainly for His Majesty the Tongzhi, in order to pacify the anger of the Qing Dynasty, I am not too sure how much is appropriate for it either …”
”But I have a piece of information that I hope everyone would consider. Right now, Emperor Tongzhi has gathered a group of Baji from the Beijing and he is currently conducting a new type of military training … This means that the Tongzhi Emperor is already preparing to set up his own personal army. I think he must be really desperate for military expenditures … ”
Even the emperor has to lower his head to powerful officials sometimes. If we can help the emperor settle the initial few military expenditures, I think the effect would be much better than directly giving the Qing Dynasty government the money. ”
Rongtang's eyes lit up. He stared at Ito for a minute before turning back to continue the conversation with the general.
Time passed minute after minute, the normally long night had become abnormally short, when the white of the fish belly appeared from the east, the general suddenly smacked the tatami with his fan, causing the hearts of everyone present to become nervous.
”Alright, it's time for us to make a decision. We need a short retreat in exchange for more time for our development. We can't drag it on any longer. Who knows how many more variables we'll need to drag on!”