Chapter 1100: Big Trouble

  Chapter 1079 – Big Trouble

Paper can’t hold fire, what should be worn out should always be worn out. The delay in meeting the Russian diplomats soon aroused the suspicion of the legation.

Even the Japanese government is thinking of “out of Asia into Europe”, how serious the idea of pandering to foreigners is self-evident.

In such a social background, if you still can not buy a few spies, then it is not a great power.

……

Late at night, the Shinra Embassy in Tokyo was brightly lit.

The faces of the ministers of the various countries attending the meeting were horribly gloomy, being pulled up from their sleep in the middle of the night would make any normal person feel dissatisfied.

Jose, who was good at reading people’s faces, found this out himself, but at the moment he didn’t have the effort to appease everyone’s broken hearts.

“Gentlemen, the main reason for inviting you all here in the middle of the night is that we have just received the terrible news that all 47 staff members of the Russian Embassy in Tokyo have been killed.”

Upon hearing this appalling news, British Minister Enriquez immediately dismissed it, “That’s impossible!
The Japanese government has assured us that the Russian diplomats were only slightly injured, and that no one died.”

Casualties among diplomats were common, but the mass extermination of a country’s embassy staff was hard to find in the entire history of mankind.

Especially since the Japanese government had assured Enriquez that all of the Russian diplomats were alive and well during a private contact not too long ago.

Jose shook his head, “Sir Enriquez, I couldn’t believe it either when I first received the news, but it’s the truth and we have to face it.

As a matter of fact, before the destruction of the Russian Embassy, a telegram was sent to us by radio, probably because the mob came too fast the content was only half sent, so you can read it first.”

As he spoke, he handed the telegram to Minister Enriquez, who was in front of him.

The content of the telegram was only a simple word, but in Enriquez’s trembling hands, it was as if it weighed a thousand pounds.

There was no way around it, the content was simply too shocking. Enriquez did not think that Jose would fake on this issue, the content of the telegram was clearly “murder”.

An incomplete telegram alone could not explain the problem, but combined with the Japanese government’s reaction, it was very telling.

Whether it was the blockade of the site, the prohibition of diplomats from all countries from viewing the site, or the blocking of meetings with Russian diplomats, it was all full of suspicion.

After a pause, Jose continued to add, “We have an agreement with the Russians to exchange communication once a week, which has never been interrupted in forty years.

Even if they were really mentally stimulated like the Japanese said, they should have given notice, it’s not possible to just forget about it so quietly.

Perhaps you have also noticed that there was no ambulance among the vehicles that accompanied the Japanese government troops when they arrived.

Is it possible that the Russian diplomats were injured and were not even treated as if they were in an ambulance and had to go to the hospital on foot for medical treatment?

I sent a transfer to the Western Hospital near the Embassy District to check, and there were no Russian diplomats among the patients they received.

All indications are that the Japanese government is lying, and I’m afraid that something bad has happened to the Russian Embassy staff.”

Details make all the difference, and even though the Japanese government had tried very hard to keep it a secret, by the time they received the news, the dust had all settled.

The gendarmes in charge of handling the scene were not professional forgers. Not to mention that people didn’t know at first that the scene would get out of hand, merely assuming it was an ordinary mission to evict troublemakers.

Everything else could be explained, but the biggest loophole was the hospital. The best western hospitals in Tokyo were all run by international capital, and most of the main doctors were foreigners.

The Japanese government could keep its own people in the dark, but it couldn’t restrain these foreigners.

No matter how much secrecy is maintained, it is impossible to blockade the hospitals and prevent diplomats from entering them.

As a diplomat, you don’t have to be strong in other areas, but you have to have a good mindset. Apart from the initial shock, everyone quickly adjusted and turned their attention to Jose and Enriquez.

Since things had already happened, all that could be done now was to respond positively. At a time like this, it was the turn of the Hegemony to take the lead, and it was enough for the others to follow and yell for momentum.

With the evidence in front of him, Enriquez did not dare to continue to defend the Japanese government. Forgive me for being prepared, he did not expect the Japanese to dare to play so big.

Deep down, he had already made up his mind that such an ally must be thrown away after use.

After scanning the crowd, Enriquez said with an apologetic face, “I’m very sorry to have received this news so suddenly, I need to slow down for a while.

This problem was first discovered by His Excellency Jose, so I’m sure he already has a plan to deal with it.”

Ceding the initiative, Enriquez had to do the same. The British-Japanese alliance was a matter of common knowledge, and any decision Britain made at this time would be picked on.

In the past, Britain was naturally fearless. But not anymore, the Shinra behind them was pressing on. Any mistake at this time would be magnified.

Without any modesty, Jose directly opened his mouth and said: ”The aftermath issue is not urgent, right now the most important thing is still to protect our own safety first.

Having stayed in Japan for so long, I’m sure you already understand how barbaric this country is. Since they were able to lay hands on the Russian Embassy, no one can guarantee that they won’t do it to us.

When it comes to a bunch of guys with abnormal brain circuits, no one knows what they’ll do next, and there’s no better way to deter them than by force.

I propose that the countries form a joint intervention mission to gather everyone’s forces in Asia before we talk to the Japanese government about the aftermath.”

The cultural differences between the East and the West were directly defined by Jose as “not normal in the head”, the crowd did not feel the least bit out of place, but instead showed a face of agreement.

Including the British Minister Enriquez, who also thought that the Japanese were out of their minds. However, this did not mean that he was willing to form an interventionist coalition army.

If you really let the countries gather their military forces in the Asian region, then it can not be solved by negotiation, or maybe Japan will be played out.

France is a lesson from the past, originally also by Britain’s high hopes. Who did not expect, a partition occupation will play the French limbs paralyzed.

Japan is an important part of Britain’s strategic plan, and before the Russians are hit hard, Japan’s power must not be compromised.

“Your Excellency José, you think too highly of the Japanese. If I lend the Japanese a dare, they wouldn’t dare to turn against us.

To form an international intervention mission, the Japanese are not yet worthy. It would be enough just to transfer the fleets of our two countries in the Far East, so why bother with the labor?
As for the Russian Embassy case, we are perfectly capable of making the Japanese government give a satisfactory explanation. If they refuse, it is not too late to take extreme measures.”

It wasn’t that Enriquez deliberately disparaged the Japanese; these days Japan really didn’t deserve the International Coalition. There was no other reason, it was just too poor. Even if they won the fight, they couldn’t make enough money for military expenses, so sending troops was a losing proposition.

Of course, worthy or not is not important, the crux of the matter is still Britain wants to preserve the strength of Japan.

The Allied Forces sounded good, but in reality they were gang robbers. If the Allied Forces were allowed to go through Japan, the gains made since the Meiji Restoration would be null and void.

In contrast, mobilizing only the British and Austrian navies would be much less destructive.

Without the Royal Navy’s action, the fleet of Shinra in the Southern Ocean area alone would at most bombard the harbor with a few shots. As long as the Japanese Navy could hold back from coming out of the harbor, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

However, all of this presupposed that the Japanese government was smart enough to bow down when it was time to do so. If it really pissed off the countries, Britain wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“It would naturally be best if the dispute could be resolved peacefully. However, the atrocities that occurred at the Russian Embassy must be investigated to the end, and all those involved must be severely punished, absolutely not a few scapegoats will be able to solve the problem.

The Japanese government must show enough sincerity to ensure that similar things will not be repeated in the future.”

Jose said indifferently.

That’s the end of it?

Raise it high and drop it gently?
Obviously, things can’t be that simple. Jose appeared to have accepted the British offer, but in fact he was making conditions.

In short, it was necessary for the Japanese government to hemorrhage money, or else it would not be able to appease everyone’s wounded hearts.

International politics boils down to interests, and as long as the interests are in place, anything can be negotiated.

The main reason for intervening in the Russian Embassy case is that the Japanese broke the rules and jeopardized the interests of all diplomats, so everyone must come out with a firm stance on the matter.

If the deaths had not been of diplomats but of Russian civilians, everyone would have condemned a few words at most and would not have been moved at all.

As a member of the diplomatic corps, Enriquez was equally annoyed at the Japanese for breaking the rules.

If it wasn’t a strategic necessity, he would never have stood up for the Japanese government. Now that Shinra had agreed to make concessions, he naturally would not continue to fight for the Japanese government.

After all, there was a price to pay for doing something wrong. Whether it was tracking down the murderer or punishing the Japanese government, it was all reasonable.

If there was really no lesson at all, that would be a problem. Besides, Japan has a history in this matter.

It’s not the first time that diplomats have been killed in Japan, only this time it was the most overplayed.

We are all diplomats, whether for the sake of national interests, or for their own personal safety, must give the Japanese government a deep lesson.

Completing the task explained by the country, Enriquez once again resumed his imperialist face: ”Of course, the righteous people all over the world can’t tolerate the murderer getting away with it.

The investigation of the Russian Embassy case must be led by us, and the Japanese government will just do a good job of cooperating.”

……

The mission reached a unity of opinion, and a sternly worded joint diplomatic note came out.

The imperial council, which used to be a rare occurrence, had recently become routine, and even Emperor Meiji, regardless of his status, personally participated in the discussions from time to time.

Foreign Minister Inoue Xin held a document with a grim face and said solemnly, “The news of the Russian Embassy case has still been leaked, and the opinions of the legation have already reached a unity, and this is the joint note from all the countries that has just been received.

The legation asked us to hand over the Russian diplomats in Tokyo within twenty-four hours; it also asked us to send people to protect the scene and wait for the joint investigation team formed by the legation to take over the case.

In the meantime, the Ministerial Corps will consider any act that may hinder the case, such as destroying the scene, covering up the case, or allowing the murderer to escape, to be an official act of the Reich.

This warning is not a joke, from the British side of the news received, countries already have plans to form a joint intervention mission.

If what we do next doesn’t satisfy them. They are going to form an allied army and intervene by force.

The Shinra Navy is already on its way here at this moment, and the Royal Navy will be deploying soon, leaving us little time left.”

The worst situation had still arisen. Even though everyone had prepared for it, they still hadn’t expected the international intervention to come so quickly.

Especially the military representatives, they were all like frosted eggplants, no longer flying with passion.

We are all adults, when it is time to follow the heart, follow the heart, hard to resist that is based on the verbal threats of the countries.

Shen Luo Navy and Royal Navy are out, then it is no longer a matter of verbal threats. One bad maneuver and these two lords were a real possibility to fight over.

Facing the top powers, everyone still knew the strength gap. Without mentioning anything else, just looking at the strength gap of the navy, one would know.

Whether it’s the British’s Far East fleet, or Shinra’s Nanyang fleet, it’s an existence that can hang the Japanese navy.

Especially Shen Luo’s South China Sea fleet, recently added a “super battleship” in service. A single ship can take on all the battleships of the Japanese Navy.

It is not that the enemy is too strong, but mainly because the Japanese government is too poor. Can only look at Britain and Shinra play naval technology revolution, even the courage to participate.

Not to mention the replacement of super battleships, even the old battleships, the Japanese government can not afford to change.

So far still using the Japanese and Western war period, from the British hands to buy the old ship; as well as after the continental war, from the French auction back to the warships.

Even the most advanced warships will fall behind one day. There is no doubt that these warships built more than ten or twenty years ago are now on the verge of obsolescence.

Facing the dreadnought level super battleships, it was a story of slaughter and being slaughtered, and there was simply no base to fight against them.

Of course, lagging behind was lagging behind, but it also depended on who it was compared to. Facing the two big rascals, Britain and Shinra, naturally there was no comparison.

But in Asia, Japan is still the number one naval power, even though there are only three or four independent countries in Asia now.

Ito Hirobumi: “The position of the British is now very clear, it seems that the Russian Embassy case has also touched their bottom line.

We must deal with it carefully next, or this hurdle right now will be able to kill the empire.

The Far Eastern Empire is a lesson from the past, and the Empire does not have a bottom as thick as theirs and cannot afford to be tossed around.

How is the murderer being tracked down? The time given by the legation is only 24 hours, we can’t afford to be indecisive.”

It could be seen that at this moment, Ito Hirobumi was very tired, obviously not less worried recently.

Kodama Gentaro replied bitterly, “The gendarmerie has already apprehended the relevant people involved in the case, only that the results of the trial are very unpromising.

As of now, more than two hundred people have balked at the idea that they planned it themselves and had nothing to do with anyone else.

But no one can say clearly how they planned it. I’m afraid that if we hand over the investigation to the Ministerial Corps, something big will happen.”

Other people investigating the case were afraid of not being able to find the murderer. When it came to him, it was fine, and one after another scrambled to come forward and admit it.

The problem was that he wanted to investigate the real culprit behind the scenes, not to find a few scapegoats to take the blame. If he could solve the problem by handing over a few people, the Japanese government wouldn’t have to worry.

Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu immediately exclaimed, “With such nationals, why worry about the imperial nation not prospering! If ……”

Not waiting for Okuma Shigenobu to finish his sentence, Emperor Meiji glared at him. The meaning is very obvious, don’t sigh, now need is to find a way to solve the problem.

The people’s patriotic fervor and willingness to give their lives for the country is naturally a good thing, but love that goes too far, that is also a trouble.

For example, right now, it is being taken advantage of, and can not know it.

One by one, they are still excited about getting the Russians killed, not realizing that they have already brought Japan to the edge of the cliff.

Driven by fanatical thinking, each and every one of them took the initiative to take the blame on themselves, and directly cut off all the clues.

Now it is the Japanese government investigating itself, and it doesn’t matter yet. Once the investigation mission formed by the legation takes over the investigation of the case, it will be very different.

Anyone who has admitted it, that is certainly one counts one, all will be sent to the guillotine.

It does not matter if you play yourself to death, the key is that this will be considered by the legation that the Japanese government to take the dead soldiers to the cylinder, continue to seize them not to let go.

After calming down, Okuma Shigenobu reorganized language: “Your Majesty, the most important thing now is to retain the right to investigate the case. As long as the investigation power is in our hands, the situation is under control.

The ministers of various countries are actively intervening mainly because the embassy case makes them feel threatened and they need a security guarantee.

On this issue, we are fully able to fulfill it. For example: increase the police presence in the embassy area and prohibit any procession near the embassy street.

Anything else they want, they are free to ask for. As long as it does not involve the core interests of the Empire, we can agree to it.

In addition to concessions of interest, and spiritual appeasement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will prepare a generous gift for each of the ministers and find an opportunity to send it to them.

As long as we stabilize the moods of the ministers, the rest will be easier.”

There’s no problem, these days the ministers in foreign countries, one by one, have so much power that they have no bounds.

The vast majority of international issues are handled solely by these ministers. There were only a few that really needed to be reported to the country before a decision could be made.

Appeasing these people is also equivalent to stabilizing the governments of various countries.

As long as the ministerial corps did not make trouble, the Japanese government would only have to face one Russian Empire. Although the strength of the two sides was still vastly different, Japan was still able to protect itself.

Ito Hirobumi shook his head, ”Okuma-kun, you’re overthinking the problem. European countries take diplomatic embassies very seriously, and the Russian Embassy case has touched the bottom line of each country.

This is not something that can be solved by bribing a few ministers, the empire is afraid of heavy losses this time.”

……

(End of chapter)