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When it comes to Taiwan in the mid-19th century, one person cannot be bypassed. He is the Shipping Minister Shen Baozhen who just fainted from a fright. 【Literature Building】
In real history, after the Meiji Restoration, Japan began to implement its overseas expansion plan. At that time, their first step was to eat Ryukyu, abolish the Ryukyu Kingdom, and make Ryukyu completely a prefecture of Japan.
Immediately afterwards, their eyes went to Nantou, focusing on the fat piece of Taiwan, which later led to the Peony Society incident. The Japanese government used the excuse that the fishermen on two Ryukyu fishing boats were killed by the Taiwanese Gaoshan tribe, and began to plan to send troops. The general who led the troops was Saigo Takamori's younger brother, Saigo Yumichi.
Speaking of the Peony Society incident in 1871, there are indeed many historical secrets in it. At that time, Japanese militarists had two different strategic plans for the direction of the war.
One is the famous theory of conquering South Korea, which everyone knows very well, which is to use South Korea as a springboard to attack the opposite mainland. There are slightly fewer supporters of another strategic plan, which is the Taiwan conquest theory supported by the Xixiang brothers, including Kyushu forces.
These two strategic directions are actually a split within Japanese militarism. These two arguments even triggered a century-old conflict between the Japanese army and navy. Even the later February 26th Mutiny had some form of this ideological conflict. continue.
Should we pursue the national policy of invading the mainland, or should we imitate the British national policy of overseas colonization? This is a very serious issue, which involves the future direction of the entire Japanese nation and the investment of countless resources.
Facts have proved that in this world, no country has ever been able to be completely independent from the world, and it is impossible for any country's national policy to be immune to interference from external forces.
In the collision of these two trends of thought, the European powers represented by the United Kingdom firmly supported Japan's theory of conquering Korea, because the United Kingdom has been a country with supreme maritime interests since ancient times. They naturally have to restrict the mainland powers. The more The mainland's powerful countries are increasingly trying to make each other more chaotic.
It provoked a war between France and Prussia in Europe, supported the civil war in the South in North America, and even encouraged Mexico and the United States to become enemies. Not to mention containing Tsarist Russia. In order to teach Tsarist Russia a lesson, Britain would join forces with France to dispatch the army for a decisive battle. This shows how vigilant the British are against the mainland powers.
The same applies to dealing with Asia. The Qing Dynasty cannot be too strong. It is in the interest of the British to have wars, including civil wars, from time to time.
In fact, the same is true in the 21st century that Xiao Letian traveled through. European civilization is eager for a civil war in China. The more violent the fight, the better. The more chaotic other regions are, the better it will be for the country's economy.
In fact, they don’t necessarily want to invade Chinese land. Sometimes they want to mess with you. They just want to force Chinese capital out, force it into a safe haven, and force it under their wings.
At that time, Britain supported the theory of conquest of Korea, and even supported Japan in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894. This was all based on deep strategic considerations of a great power, and it really had nothing to do with morality.
However, the two brothers from Xixiang Congdao actually opposed the British and proposed a theory of going south to conquer Taiwan! He also planned the Peony Society incident and was about to take action, which made the British very unhappy.
At that time, the British influence in East Asia was getting deeper and deeper. It was impossible for them to allow Japan to fully develop national policies oriented towards the sea. The golden waterways on the high seas should be the reserved territory of the British as a matter of course, and no one could get a share of the pie.
The frustrated British ordered all companies and individuals not to provide ship services to Japanese soldiers going south. No matter how high the price was, a ship was not allowed to be leased to Saigo.
At the same time, Britain also mobilized many politicians in Japan to start doing Saigo's work, hoping that he would give up that unrealistic plan.
At that time, Xixiang Congdao only recruited 3,600 soldiers, and except for two armed merchant ships purchased by the shogunate at a high price, he did not have a single ship.
Saigo's army was stationed in Nagasaki and was preparing to set off. It turned out that no one in the West rented a ship to him. Even the Japanese minister Okuma Shigenobu chased after him every day to persuade him to give up.
If the Westerners did not lend him ships, Japanese civilian ships would not be able to sail across the oceans. In addition, the Meiji government did not agree with his plan. Now it would be difficult for Saigo to follow the road.
Just when everyone thought Saigo would retreat in the face of difficulties, the unique madness of the Japanese samurai once again showed its power. Saigo suddenly announced, "Stop sending troops will affect morale. If the government forcibly stops sending troops, I am willing to return the emperor's money." With the power of entrustment, I will act like a thief and go straight to the nest of Shengbo, and I will definitely not harm the country!"
These words are strong enough. If your country does not agree with me to fight the war, I will immediately leave the army, take these more than 3,000 soldiers as pirates, and occupy Taiwan as a pirate.
There is no record in history, so Xiao Letian still hasn't figured out how on earth more than 3,600 soldiers were crammed into two armed merchant ships. But it's not enough if you don't believe it. In history, Xixiang really brought 3,000 soldiers. That’s how I came to Taiwan.
This incident is known as the "Xixiang Rampage" in history!
The Peony Society incident occurred in 1871, and Saigo's dispatch of troops occurred in May after Japan established the Taiwan Governor's Office in April 1874. What is even more incredible is that from the time Japan established the Taiwan Governor's Office and the Taiwan Conquest Army until the sound of artillery fired in Taiwan, no one in the Qing court knew that this happened.
In the end, the British Minister Wade took the initiative to contact the Qing government and told them not to be in a daze. Taiwan was bombed by the Japanese. The Japanese had already landed and built a castle on Guishan. Why are you still indifferent?
Wade really looked up to these people. The Qing government was not pretending to be calm and indifferent, but they simply didn't know what was happening in Taiwan.
"Master! Master, what are you thinking about?" Xiao Letian, who was immersed in memories, was awakened by Zai Chun.
"Oh? Ah! It's nothing... I was thinking, if someone is secretly claiming to be king on the island of Taiwan, or if other countries are secretly invading here, do you think the Forbidden City would know about it?"
"Ah?" Zai Chun was stunned. "How is this possible?"
Xiang Ying sneered at the side and said with a smile, "How is it impossible? Private communication between Taiwan and Fujian is prohibited. People who want to cross the sea must obtain the approval of the government. There are no telegraph lines in the strait, and there is no fixed message delivery mechanism... …”
"What's even worse is that those corrupt officials are not in the mood to do practical work at all. All they want to do is hang out for a day or two. As long as they make money, they don't care what happens behind the scenes..."
Note: The third update is here today, and there will be two more updates tonight. Remember to refresh and read! For the sake of Xinjing working so hard, O all-powerful book lovers! Come and order a few to stimulate me!
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