Chapter 23: New Year (Part 2)

There was a clatter, and the sound of soldiers changing their guards sounded in front of the door. The iron palm of the military boots almost knocked out the bluestone slabs. The short and energetic soldiers saluted each other, seized their guns, took their seats, and then left.

Hirobuki Ito raised his head from the official document and rubbed his eyes. The sound of changing the whistle reminded him that it had been four more hours.

This year, he is fifty-three years old, a man as a politician. When he combines experience, experience, energy, connections and wisdom, he is actually a little young when talking about the traditional old-fashioned politics of East Asia. But isn’t it an era of change?

He stood up from the study of the Prime Minister's residence, which was exquisitely built in Xiaguan. The study was connected to a small corridor outside. Hearing the Prime Minister's footsteps, the lower woman who had been kneeling at the door of the corridor, opened the Japanese-style sliding door first. The Prime Minister did not rest, and they could only keep guarding. Ito didn't even look at him. Facing the cold weather in Tokyo, he did several chest expansion exercises.

In the night, Tokyo lights flashed, and it was far from the city that never sleeped in later generations. It was just that in the red light district on the old Edo Street, there was a bit of a lively scene.

This is his Japan, his Tokyo. The result of his hard work in more than twenty years... In Japan, as he personally, he has reached the peak and cannot make it, but what about this empire? It is too small to bear his ambitions.

He was born in the poorest family and was recognized as his adopted son by a lower-class warrior. Who would have thought that he would have come this far with such a background?

When I was young, I went to the UK to study with Kin Inoue. I went to the UK to study in the backstop, do diplomacy, and draft the Meiji Constitution...... There were so many heroes in the Meiji era, but in the end he finally stood at the peak! Even the guy who was scheming and had military power bowed to him. The whole of Japan was basically moving according to his will.

Unfortunately, Japan is too small and too weak, and without the nourishment of other flesh and blood, it will never grow stronger until it can match Hirobuki Ito's talent and ambition!

The footsteps sounded softly outside the door. Ito looked at Tokyo under the night lightly, turned back to the study. Then he saw the secretary pushing the door carefully and whispering something. Ito returned to the desk and sat down, signaling him to bring the guests in.

The guest arrived at the door and saw that it was a Japanese-style room. He just put a Western desk, took off his shoes carefully, came in properly, stood in the middle, and saluted Ito respectfully.

Ito flipped through a report without returning the gift, waved his hand to signal him to sit down on a Western-style chair: "Toushanjun, the report on the situation in North Korea has really taken hard work this time... Will it submit it to me? Are there two copies with different contents submitted to Yamaxianjun?"

The one who arrived at the Prime Minister's residence late at night was Too Shanman, the spy leader of Xuanyang Society. At this time, there was no such thing as Xu Yifan's calm and generous look when he saw him. He jumped up again and sweated: "Your Excellency, this will never happen! I promise you!"

"Guarantee? After the guarantee, is it the kind of brainless thing that Kawakami and you, with the acquiescence of Yama Prefecture, carried out in Seoul?"

Ito's voice was not high, and Toyama Man just lowered his head and did not dare to defend himself. Ito stood up and walked a few steps, turning back and explained coldly: "Recently, whether it is the Army or your Xuanyang Society, the National Service Group...... you must not have any trouble in North Korea! All negotiations with the Qing Dynasty are presided over by me. I will say this to you and to Yama County. You must not forget it!"

Could it be that they should use such an atmosphere to paralyze them before fighting against the Qing Dynasty? Toushanman secretly speculated in his heart.

In Japan, senior officials already knew that the battle against the Qing Dynasty could no longer be dragged down.

Since Meiji, what Japan has been striving to enrich the country and strengthen the army. It is also the greatest wish of the Japanese after opening their eyes to see the world.

In order to enrich the country, Japan carried out a plan to breed and start businesses at all costs. It used the method of selling shares by the government and then sporting the Japanese to cultivate a group of initially formed chaebols to promote the industrialization of the entire country. The Japanese endured four times the Qing taxes and endured a huge gap in industrial and agricultural scissors. The lives of farmers were comparable to hell. It was the current coal production of Japan that reached 3 million tons, the railway mileage reached about 3,000 kilometers, the steel production reached hundreds of thousands of tons, and the spindles of 395,000 pieces. These important data indicators of modern industrialization far exceeded that of China, which was still sleeping at that time.

However, the domestic market has been developed to be unexplored, and domestic farmers have also been exploited. Since 1890, Japan's industrial exports have been affected by the international economic crisis, and the first economic crisis since the Meiji Restoration broke out. What is entangled is that the production of insufficient investment in agriculture has been reduced year by year, and a large amount of foreign exchange has had to be invested in purchasing grain, reducing subsidies to exports. These Japanese chaebols who have risen but are equally greedy need markets, raw materials, and another batch of people who can be used for exploitation!

The achievements of Japan's industrial construction were also reflected in the first place. Just count a few numbers and you will know that in 1890, the military expenditure was 20.45 million yen, accounting for 28% of the annual fiscal expenditure. In 1892, the military expenditure was 34.55 million yen, accounting for 41% of the annual fiscal expenditure! At the same time, Japan also needs to implement compulsory education, carry out industrial construction, subsidize exports, and use foreign exchange to purchase food! Every national strength that can be squeezed out is used to prepare for war!

Japan is overdrawing its national strength and expanding its army frantically, buying warships and arming soldiers. At the same time, it is an economic crisis! Japan can no longer and cannot bear such a burden. The only thing it can do is to export crisis and launch a war!

The rise of Western powers is ahead, how could Japan, a rising nation that is good at imitation, not learn? Looking around, there is only the so-called Qing Dynasty country that is huge, rich and weak. This is the only object to bite!

If the previous Taiwan incident, the North Korean Ionchen incident a few years ago, and the Seoul Palace change today, they are all tests. Then next year, Japan will never be able to drag it over again. This is a battle that a country must seek after it embarks on the road of strong military expansion! If it wins, the country will be at its peak, and if it loses, it will be back to its original form. There is no middle way to go. This is also the sadness of a small country that has no accumulation. They do not have such a deep foundation and have no room for maneuver!

Toutan Man stood there, and his cold sweat was no longer flowing. I remembered the painstaking efforts of the Xuanyang Society ronin in East Asia, the movement of the National Service to squeeze out the last piece of copper in the pocket of the Japanese people to buy national debts, the more than 100,000 regular army training throughout the year, and the revision of warships and ships by several major military ports day and night...

There are no tricks to play in the Qing war, and everything you can do has been done. The essence of the Huai Army is gathered in the Seoul area of ​​South Korea. The Beiyang navy is running on the sea and cannot be repaired. The entire Qing Dynasty and Peking Department has opened its doors, so it is impossible for Ito to find a better opportunity. Why warn them?

The war will inevitably break out in the year of Sino-Japanese War!

Ito seemed to read his thoughts, looked at him coldly, and smiled mockingly: "Toushanjun, you may not understand the things about the upper level. A few days ago, I have indulged you too much. Now I just want you to understand that only I can do the decision of Japan's destiny! It is precisely because things are ahead of time that I will make such demands on you! You can also tell Yama Prefecture that you can quietly watch the waves in North Korea, and I can do the other things."

Tooshanman dared not say anything again, and bowed and wanted to leave. Ito looked at the calendar on the table and smiled and said, "Isn't it the New Year for the Qing people soon? I guess there is a peaceful atmosphere there......Toushanjun, don't make trouble anymore, wouldn't it be good for the Qing people to have another prosperous Spring Festival?"

"High, high! Damn, little bastard, it's crooked!"

Li Lianying stood on the steps with her hands in her sleeves, watching several leaders and eunuchs directing the young eunuchs and the servant Sula to hang lanterns, set up barriers, and wrap colorful strips of trees. In the bleak winter Summer Palace, it was a delicacy of wealth and prosperity.

Originally, Mr. Li wanted to watch these jobs? If it weren't for the fact that Xu Yifan hadn't eaten, he would have almost made a fuss about him. The Empress Dowager, Lord Lady, was not very angry. He had been in the house long ago, and he would not move anywhere except serving Lord Lady. Being a father-in-law, he lacked yang energy and had to take good care of it.

No matter what, the emperor has been honest recently and will not make trouble. Next year will be the longevity of the Lady Buddha. Whoever wants to make the Lady Buddha unhappy this time will be waiting for the rest of her life! Let them make a strong military force go, don’t delay the big business of the Empress Dowager Youyou. Besides, what is the Western Affairs and what is the strong military force, isn’t it a joke? Li Hongzhang has been practicing military force for so many years, but he can’t even get to North Korea, so he comes back in shame. The Qing Dynasty was not like this, and he didn’t see the country destruction. It seems that the boy named Xu is really good and good at training troops!

Thinking of Xu Yifan, he was just a match. His face was now vague. Recently, this kid made the queen mother a little annoyed. If it weren't for being busy with Wanshou, he wouldn't have done anything to lose face, so he wouldn't have dealt with him! Let's see, this kid is a pity...

Li Lianying silently followed the ceremony of the New Year in his heart. The emperor greeted him and wished him a happy life. All officials greeted him and wished him a happy life. The ambassador to Beijing greeted him and wished him a happy life... The capital set off fireworks, the old man over 80 years of enjoying meat and wine, and the whole world is amnesty for the whole year. The Qing Dynasty is prosperous and the people are safe!

It’s just that the cost is a biting. Can you move a little from Li Hongzhang? In addition to the Empress Dowager, the old lady, she also has her own share...

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw his niece, Sister Li and Princess Xiuning, come back with a walk between the Old Buddha. Cixi had thick palace powder on her face, and she was still joking with Sister Li: "How many dragons will get water next year?"

Cixi was making fun of Sister Li's illiteracy. She only asked for a calendar every year, counting the dragons on the painting to see if next year is a good year. Then she heard Sister Li laughing like something: "Reply to Lord Lafayette's words, the Nine Dragons will be auspicious to get water next year! It's all for Lord Lafayette's blessing. If you have such a great blessing, you will have all the people of the Qing Dynasty!"

Cixi laughed loudly and looked at Xiuning on the other side: "This child doesn't know a word, why is he so good at speaking?" Xiuning smiled reluctantly. Recently, her expression became a little haggard, and her eyebrows were even more green and her lips were weak. She didn't know what she was unable to get along with: "The Li girl is naturally exquisite and translucent, and she is often by the side of Lord Laifu, so that's wrong?"

Cixi was so kind-hearted that she looked at Xiuning more and more liked: "That's not as good as you, you are a villain. When did you, the aunt of our banner family, come up with a talented woman? You advised me to take a step back against that boy Xu Yifan and not hurt my longevity, so I could listen to it......The other ministers didn't know what they were talking about! They would only meet and would be annoyed when they looked at it!"

Then she acted like an elder and grandma: "...Showwa, after the New Year, you are one year older. Are you looking for a good family? Let's have a straightforward look at which boy, I'll make the decision for you!"

Xiuning bit her lip and was still smiling: "I will serve the Lord Lady Buddha for the rest of my life! Lord Lady Buddha is the Buddha in the world, I am the little girl who holds a bottle for Lord Lady... Lord Lady Buddha is growing up in spring and autumn, and he will also keep my Qing Dynasty safe and prosperous for the rest of my life!"

Cixi was not satisfied with her words: "Nonsense! You are just a very arrogant person. If there are so many children in the Qing Dynasty, you are not worthy of you?"

Xiuning's eyes were flowing, and she was very angry? She was very angry. One was that she wanted to be a man. She supported the world of storms and storms...... The other was that this turbid world was surging. Who could be worthy of her?

After the Empress Dowager's birthday, she will deal with that bold guy...

The same festival, two different thoughts.

In North Korea, it was also December 30th. Xu Yifan's house was full of lively people. There were many rules for the New Year, so he could only do as he did it. After the sacrifice to the gods, the flower hall had burned the earth dragon, which was warm. Several large tables were placed, and the four seasons and eight treasures were arranged. The northern chefs brought by Han Zhongping and the southern masters brought by Li Daxiong were all cheered up and showed off eighteen martial arts. The table was full of flowers.

In the military camp and in schools, today the wine and meat are also available. The soldiers still controlled the amount of wine. Everyone was waiting for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

The group of people came straight to the flower hall with humility, Xu Yifan, Li Daxiong, Han Zhongping, Tan Sitong, Du Qilin, Li Xuan, Li Xing, Du Juan Luoshi... Even Nan Ying loves Nan's beloved sisters, and Chen De has a place.

After the firecrackers at the table exploded, all places entered the table at the same time. In one place in Xu Yifan's house, Chu Wanli accompanied the German consultants and his staff elites, Tang Shaoyi followed the civil service system, Zhan Tianyou followed his students and technicians, and Li Yunzong was definitely in the barracks, and Li Yunzong must have sat in the barracks with the soldiers and officers. Yuan Shikai didn't know where to go, and no one cared about it anyway.

After the banquet, everyone looked at each other and felt that the year was thrilling and they didn't know where to start. They had to pay turbulent respect to the elders first, and then pour Xu Yifan. The ping-pong sounded like a few rounds of wine. Xu Yifan didn't drink too much on weekdays, and was not a Puritan. He was really drunk, and he was afraid that he would go crazy if he drank too much. After a few rounds, his face turned red and his tongue became a little big. Li Daxiong first started to cheer: "This year is a good time! Things are being done, and the wind and waves are also in danger, so we are all here! How will it be next year? Please tell us!"

Tan Sitong first agreed. He went to the wine table, which seemed to be quite sensible. He dragged Xu Yifan and got up. Xu Yifan held the wine glass and looked at everyone, and then at the girls with bright eyes. Where did he start this?

Should we look back at the sound of cannons in Nanyang, or trace back to those days in Seoul, or have some thoughtful situations with the court and Beiyang?

Or he claimed that his power had covered North Korea, and he would be in chaos, and he would be in chaos when he wanted to be in chaos. His imperial guards were already the best in the Asian army and were training unparalleled in the Qing Dynasty. Xu Yifan, who had gone through a down-and-out white body to now serve as the title of the four imperial envoys? Cixi and Li Hongzhang jointly dealt with him, but there was not even a single Mao?

Or maybe you are worried that once the court frees his hand, Xu Yifan will never be doomed. If the court does not free his hand, hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops will come from the sea, and the water and land will defeat the Qing Dynasty. However, Xu Yifan only has a force of ten thousand people, so he will have to stop the chariot and be infatuated to become the mainstay of this land. The chances of success or failure can actually depend on the fate?

He really couldn't say a word.

He did not praise his achievements, and showed everyone how beautiful the future was. But someone did it for him.

A faint cry suddenly sounded outside the door, and it was neatly blown by the wind. In the flower hall, I couldn't hear it clearly. The shouts were louder and more exciting. The people in the cubicle were shocked. Looking at each other, Li Xing took the lead and ran out of the flower hall first and headed straight to the outer courtyard. The others also hurried out, and Han Zhongping, the old guy, ran very fast.

When they arrived at the eaves of the outer courtyard, Pu Yang and Goshha had been standing there silently. Seeing Xu Yifan and the others coming out, they just pointed silently into the distance.

In the distance, the mountains and fields were filled with torches, like fire dragons, flowing slowly. Below the fire dragons, there were all neatly dressed soldiers! These fire lights were reflected on the Datong River, as if the world was filled with the fire lights!

Spending this traditional festival in a foreign country, these soldiers who were thousands of miles away from home felt more and more belonging to the group. This group has always been free of them, leading them over so many obstacles, leading them higher and higher as they go higher and stronger! The hard training has honed their pride, and the achievements of pacifying North Korea have brought them honor and self-esteem. Xu Yifan couldn't speak because he knew there were too many difficulties and obstacles waiting for them. But these young and simple officers and soldiers talked more and more at the New Year's Eve dinner, and became more and more excited. When they reached the heart of the heart, some officers and soldiers took the soldiers away from the dinner table, lit torches, and didn't know what kind of mood they wanted to vent. Someone led them, and more and more people joined. The officers and soldiers automatically raised the torches, left the camp neatly, and swam in circles.

The roar was also undepressed: "Long live the Imperial Guard! Lord Xu will win! Long live the Imperial Guard! Lord Xu will win!" These officers and soldiers were a little rational at least and did not call out the slogan of Xu Yifan!

The shouts urged the waves of the Datong River, slamming the shore. Above our heads, the Milky Way was deserted.

Not far away, Chu Wanli and the German advisers were also watching all this. I don’t know how long it took, Kontz murmured: “Before the Battle of Austerlitz, the soldiers of the French emperor cheered to him like this. They pulled off the straw from the hut and lit it all night long… and the soldiers of Austrian and Russian were staring at him in panic…… General Wanli, do you know where your Lord Xu will go?”

Chu Wanli didn't answer a word, and he knew that his best friend was in the parade.

Under the firelight, everyone was silently staring at Xu Yifan, staring at his young face. As proud as Li Xuan, he also looked intoxicated.

After a long time, Xu Yifan smiled faintly: "Nothing!"

No matter how lively the banquet was, there were times when the soldiers returned to the camp and the people stayed up. Li Daxiong, Han Zhongping, Tan Sitong was drunk and helped his servants to rest. Xu Yifan was not much, but he finally managed to hold on. Just now, Du Juan and Chen Luoshi were desperately winking at Xu Yifan, with watery eyes. They left the table early.

After the dispersion, Xu Yifan stumbled towards his bedroom. Don’t follow any maid or servant. Turning around the corridor, he saw a graceful figure hiding in the dark. Looking at the long hair like a waterfall, the light emitted under the moonlight was Li Xuan. Xu Yifan himself almost forgot when did this girl leave the seat?

Seeing Xu Yifan coming, Li Xuan turned out from the shadows, and the light of her pretty face made Xu Yifan hold her breath. Tonight, this girl was so beautiful that she was distracted. She also looked at Xu Yifan and suddenly rushed over and came to Xu Yifan's arms. Before Xu Yifan could recover, her warm and wet lips were shocked to his lips.

Li Xuan actually kissed her?

Although the girl was proactive, she was still young and could only rub her lips against him. At this time, a man was a real man and wanted to teach her. Xu Yifan was honest and unceremonious, hugged her tightly, and gave her an authentic French wet kiss. Under the crazy invasion of his tongue, Li Xuan lost all the cities and retreated step by step, and her little tongue dodged. At the end, she finally let out a moan, hugged Xu Yifan's neck and kissed her for a dimness, and she was almost fainted.

This is not enough... Xu Yifan's hand has begun to wander, and in a blink of an eye it has reached Li Xuan's chest. He stretched into the collar of her dress, and it felt firm and soft when he got in his hand. He felt like he was holding the whole world. Such a proud and beautiful girl let him do it without saying a word. It was not until Li Xuan felt that she had kissed enough that she pinched Xu Yifan's hand and bit his tongue. Xu Yifan felt pain and screamed with a hint.

Li Xuan's face was flushed and her hair was messy. A few strands of black hair stuck to her pretty face that was sweating because of emotion. She closed the collar and stepped back, looking at Xu Yifan who had turned into a wild wolf with a smile: "Enough touching? Your heroic demeanor is enough for me to kiss. I want to trick me into the bed. Your gentleness needs to be strengthened!"

Xu Yifan only felt that his tent was high and his blood pressure was almost soaring to the sky: "Let me be left behind?"

Li Xuan made a face: "There are two more inside!" As she said that, she was like a light and agile deer, jumping and disappearing in the night. It seemed that Xu Yifan's voice was heard in the bedroom over there, and the oil lamp was lit up, and the silhouettes of two girls' beautiful figures appeared on the window.

Then two heads poked out from the door, and looked at them, and said in uncertainty: "Master?"

Xu Yifan walked in with a wry smile. Li Xuan was really unable to deal with her. When he walked into the house, he almost burst into blood again with nosebleeds!

Chen Luoshi, Du Juan and shy, wearing two small suspenders... Xu Yifan drew patterns based on his memory, asking Mr. Han to find a master tailor and sew the clothes with the best materials. He repeatedly reminded him to keep it confidential and confidential.

Chen Luoshi had a suspender on top and pantyhose below. She was white and her long legs were deliberately allowed to see Xu Yifan clearly. Du Juan was shy than her. Her suspender shirt might be smaller. She wrapped her body tightly and could see deep cleavage and round shapes. The two small dots raised were also particularly attractive. Seeing Xu Yifan's eyes coming, she hurriedly hugged her arm in shame.

Seeing that Chen Luoshi was about to turn off the lights, Xu Yifan smiled and grabbed her hand, and pushed her on the bed. Luoshi's hair had already been put down and spread it behind her back. The long legs, which could be called the best, hooked towards Xu Yifan, mischievously.

What else is there to say at this time? Pick up the Dujuan and go up together.

Hold the beautiful knees drunk and wake up the power of the world.

In the Chinese New Year of the Sino-Japanese War, if you want to come, come quickly…………I can’t wait.
Chapter completed!