Chapter 62: The Bait

  "Russian Minister Koshkin visited the day before yesterday, hoping that Russia would intervene to mediate the Sino-Japanese dispute, forcing Japan to abandon its ambitions towards Korea. He also verbally expressed three conditions, the most crucial of which was that if Japan invades Korea, China and Russia will jointly protect Korea... But who knows whether the Russians will keep their promise?" Zhou Fu said in a somewhat hoarse voice.

  "Russia is also a powerful country, and from the perspective of its national interests, it's natural that we can't completely trust its words about jointly protecting Korea and so on. However, it won't hurt to keep this as a reserve plan. Please take a look, Your Excellency..."

  Tan Yanqian stood up and walked to the globe in the living room, pointing at the Korean Peninsula: "The competition between Britain and Russia in the Far East has already begun. The British are trying to prevent Russian influence from spreading into the Yangtze River Valley, where they have interests, and at least in their own minds do not want to see the Russians getting too involved in Korean affairs... which is exactly what the Russians do not want to see either, as they need a good port in the Far East..."

  "So the Russians made a so-called commitment with conditions - when they think they can get enough benefits in Korea, they will naturally participate in the situation in Korea, just like gamblers at the gambling table, the more chips they put down, the more desperately they will fight."

  "Is it true that we must give the Russians sufficient benefits so they will really and seriously mediate this war?" Li Hongzhang said.

  "Chūdō no otoko ga gaikō o shusei shite kita nen, aratamete Roshiajin no honshō o yoku wakatte iru hazu desu. Soredewa, watashitachi wa Igirisu o chūkai ni tsukau no nara, motto takai daikin o harau bekida to omou..."

  "More than thirty years ago, the Russians established Vladivostok, also known as Haishenwei. However, Russia's development here was extremely slow. The Qing Empire is now just a piece of fat meat in the eyes of the powers, and everyone wants to take a bite. But Britain has a strong monopoly, making it difficult for other powers to get involved. The Russians realized that they wanted to gain more advantages here. The only way to do this was to build a railway across Russia, connecting Europe and Asia, in order to compete with Britain's control of sea transportation..." Li Jingfang said.

  "Are we not inviting wolves into our home?" Zhang Peilun asked.

  "Hmph!" Li Jingfang snorted disdainfully and said: "Yu Zhi, don't you know that distant friendship is better than nearby invasion?! Whether it's the Russians or the British, they are all thousands of miles away from our Great Qing, but Japan has a burning ambition. I spent a few years in Japan, where people's hearts are not enough to swallow an elephant, and now with the leadership of young politicians like Lü Haoran, Yamagata Aritomo, Itō Hirobumi and others, the whole country is almost one mind. With such a neighbor, the future of our Great Qing is precarious!"

  Tan Yanxun smiled and said, "Young brother's idea is also very reasonable. Vladivostok in Russia means 'conquering the East'. From this name, we can see the ambition of the Russian people... However, after discussing with Bohang for a long time, I think there is an essential difference between Western powers and Japan - if Western powers lose a war, they will only pay compensation, and territorial cession is rare. Zhongtang has dealt with Western powers for many years and should be able to see that their interests lie in commercial benefits... But Japan is different, it's an island nation, and by nature, it has an inexplicable longing for the mainland. Korea will be their first step onto the continent. Everyone here is well-read in history books, and Japan's intentions are not new - during the Ming dynasty, Japan invaded Korea, and the Ming helped Korea drive out the Japanese... Japan's ambition is great, they want both compensation and territorial cession. If we let them occupy Korea, their next step will be Shengjing, and by that time, our Qing dynasty may not have space to retreat even if we want to. Therefore, Korea must be preserved!"

  Li Hongzhang sat in a leather armchair and leaned forward, saying: "Does Gong think that inviting the Russians to mediate is the best option?"

  Tan Tingxiang said: "After researching with Bohai brother for a long time, I think that the Qing Dynasty and Russia have very important interests in Korea, while Britain's interests in Korea are not many. It can be said that Britain has a large proportion of onlookers in this mediation, and even after we and Japan fight to the death, Britain may even kick us when we are down!" After finishing speaking, Tan Tingxiang gave Li Jingfang a wink with his eyes.

  Li Jingfang smiled slightly and said: "Although the Russians are not good things, but compared to China and Japan, even if we can keep Korea, the Beiyang will be greatly injured. Moreover, it is uncertain whether Korea can be kept... Now that there are Japanese in Korea, why not let the Russians in too? Let the Russians enter Korea to replace the Japanese and drive the Japanese out of the sea!"

  "What price must we pay?" Zhang Peilun said calmly.

  "Debts are always to be repaid, and wanting the Russians to help with things without paying a price is not possible. Unlike Britain and France, Russia approved a railway line across Siberia all the way to Vladivostok in 1891, but this plan had a very serious problem - Vladivostok has a long"

  “Port Arthur is not a good exit to the sea, so the Russians put their final exit in Korea. Our price was to give Russia an exit to the sea and also pay for the right of way for the railway line that passes through Korean territory.” Tan Yankai replied.

  "If it comes to this, will the Emperor let us off? Will public opinion and the views of the whole country let us Northeners off?"

  "This will be a secret agreement, and the actual payment can be made one year after the end of the war. By that time, the Old Buddha's birthday will have passed, and the outcome between China and Japan will have been decided due to Russia's intervention. As a token of gratitude for Russia's help, the imperial court can use this clause to free itself from the Northeast at that time, and the power being sold is only Korea's, with no loss to our Great Qing!" Tan Yankai said.

  "The most important thing is that the Russians have built a railway to Korea in order to gain access to the sea, so the Japanese advantage in Korea will be completely lost, and Japan's plan to use Korea as a stepping stone to the mainland will be thoroughly bankrupt. Compared to our great Qing dynasty, Russia is a truly powerful country, and Japan does not yet have the strength or courage to oppose them. Of course, they can get help from the British. But the Russians' railway will offset the British advantage at sea..." Li Jingfang has always looked down on Zhang Peilun.

  "How long will it take the Russians to repair such a long railway?" Yu Shiming, who had not participated in the discussion, stood up and walked to the globe, fiddling with it.

  Tan Yanqun walked over with a smile, pointing to the globe and said: "This is St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia, and this long railway will start from the Russian railway network in Europe and extend westward. After crossing the Caucasus Mountains into Siberia, it will finally reach here - Vladivostok. This is absolutely a massive project, because Russia is the country with the largest land area in the world, and building a cross-country railway on such a vast territory is unimaginable. Even if the project is completed, it would take at least ten days to travel from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg by train!"

  "Brother Yu Shan, come and take a look. Compared to Russia being able to complete this railway, when can we also build one that traverses the Great Qing?" The 40-year-old Yu Shi Mei slightly furrowed his brow as he spoke to Zhou Fu beside him.

  "I'm worried about how long it will take the Russians to build this railway and how determined they are to complete it!" Zhou Fu walked forward, earlier when Tan Yankei was pointing out the route of the railway to Yu Shimeng, he was extremely shocked in his heart. The length of this single railway already exceeds several times or even dozens of times the total length of all railways in China now!

  —

  Li Jingfang stood up and said: "In fact, I heard about this railway in Europe, but the domestic statement in Russia has always been very vague. Thirty years ago, Siberia already had some sporadic railways, but at that time, Russia's focus was on Europe. The attention to this railway is not enough, so the construction speed is also extremely slow. It was even shelved for a long time. However, during the Guangxu Five Years, the secret alliance between Germany and Austria was exposed in Guangxu Fifteen Years, and the same year, Lord Salisbury of Britain took a tough stance against Russia on issues such as Constantinople and the Mediterranean, making it extremely unfavorable for Russia in Europe. The Russians then shifted their attention to the Far East..."

  "Our Qing dynasty is also simultaneously moving immigrants to Ussuri and the Northeast, as well as beginning trade with Korea and Japan's rapidly growing influence in Korea. All of this makes Russians pay more attention to the security of the Far East - their rule in the Far East has become extremely fragile due to transportation issues, and in order to maintain such a vast territory, a railway must be built!"

  "In the 17th year of Guangxu, Russia formally passed a resolution to rebuild this railway. The following year, the newly appointed Russian Finance Minister, Count Sergei, took control of the construction of this railway. This Russian count attached great importance to this major railway and gave it a large tilt in Russian finances. He also communicated with France and decided to join forces with France to obtain capital from France to build this railway - almost all sea transportation was controlled by Britain, which was also exclusive to France. Land transportation is safer than sea transportation, and Russia and France can easily reach an agreement on this issue. It's very beneficial for us to bring the Russians in to isolate Britain!" Li Jingfang said confidently."

  It is clear that among the core figures within the Beiyang government, there was a clear understanding of this Sino-Japanese War. After the main tone of peace talks was determined, the core of the Beiyang government also changed - Zhang Peilun leaned towards British mediation, while Li Jingfang inclined towards Russia under the persuasion of Tang Shaoyi. Tang Shaoyi also had his own motives - Russia and Britain were very different, and the exclusivity of the British had already irritated other major powers. Moreover, he knew that the British would sign some kind of Anglo-Japanese agreement with Japan in the future, making Japan the agent of the British in the Far East.

  In comparison, the Russians' influence in the Far East is much weaker. Bringing them in would also be a troublesome matter. The greed of the polar bear is also very clear in textbooks. However, the Russians will face even greater troubles later on.

  This powerful nation suffered enormous damage, and the change in national system even led to a long period of decline. As long as China can suppress Japan, there will be too many variables afterwards, although it will also move forward on a more terrible road, but it is much better than the "certain" history!

  Although not in close contact with Zhang Peilun, from Li Jingfang's sharp and pressing attitude, it can be seen that Zhang Peilun is also a person who has experienced ups and downs and will not sit idly by. He will also counterattack. Unfortunately, Zhang Peilun and Li Jingfang have too many differences. Both came out of the imperial examination system, but Li Jingfang had three years of experience in British diplomacy and three years as an envoy to Japan, his diplomatic affairs are not something that ten Zhang Peiluns can handle —— in Tan Yankai's view, if it were up to Zhang Peilun's seniority, he might be able to manipulate some court intrigue, but diplomatic affairs absolutely cannot be dominated by him, that would be an amateur leading a professional.

  The Beiyang Fleet already had a Ding Ruchang, who was patriotic and seemed to have taken his own life after the defeat of the First Sino-Japanese War, but this cannot make up for the mistakes he made during the war. Fortunately, that was only at the tactical level. Even if they lost, it's not like they would lose their underwear too; the core of Beiyang is at the strategic level, and if they were to return to the old ways of the Beiyang Fleet, with Zhang Peilun, a man who doesn't understand diplomacy, in charge, that would be disastrous!

  Tan Yanqing didn't stay in Beiyang for long, but within these few days, he discovered a very interesting phenomenon - Li Hongzhang, such a shrewd person, actually intentionally let his son develop towards diplomacy. It's understandable that Li Mochou had little contact with outsiders, but the two brothers' foreign language skills were not to be underestimated. Although Li Mochou only appeared two or three times and didn't try it out, Li Jingfang was a genuine polyglot. Since the older brother turned out this way, the younger brother wouldn't be much worse, so it's likely that Li Mochou would also follow in Li Jingfang's diplomatic footsteps.

  In this era, clever officials in the government regarded foreign affairs as a lucrative position because it had a lot of silver to be gained. However, they viewed diplomacy as a "path to fear". A typical example is Guo Songtao, the first Chinese ambassador to the UK during the Qing dynasty, who advocated for learning advanced Western technology to establish a strong foundation. As a result, he was severely attacked by conservative factions, and even after returning home, he was scolded by his hometown people as a "foreign slave", "traitor", and "foreign devil". At this time, diplomats not only suffered from homesickness while being away from home for thousands of miles but also had to endure the country's weak national strength and the humiliation of being bullied by foreigners. Upon returning home, they were also ridiculed by "righteous people" as "traitors", which was simply a case of being attacked from both sides. The most fatal thing was that the Qing court was indecisive, and these diplomats were left to die from exhaustion at this time - just like a mouse caught in a bellows, suffering from attacks on both sides, which is a fitting description of diplomats during this era.

  "With Li Hongzhang's vision, he shouldn't have made such a common sense mistake! He himself is in charge of the Qing dynasty's diplomacy and selling out the country isn't enough, but he also wants his own son to bear this infamy?! The world scolds old Li for selling out the country, but is it necessary to push his own son into this fire pit as well?! Is this old Li being muddle-headed or does he have a broad mind?!" Tan Yankai looked at Li Hongzhang sitting in the armchair, secretly pondering in his heart.

  "Is Bo Xing's intention to give Russia an outlet to the sea in Korea as a price?!" Zhang Peilun said with an expressionless face.

  Looking at Zhang Peilun's elegant demeanor, Tan Yankai couldn't help but admire this old brother's ability to maintain his composure. No matter when, Zhang Peilun always had this calm expression, making it impossible for others to gauge his thoughts. "I wonder if he was like this back then when he fled first during the war with France in Southeast Asia?" Tan Yankai thought maliciously to himself.

  "For Russia, this railway is a must-repair! " Li Hongzhang finally interrupted everyone's conversation and walked to the front of the globe, saying.

  "It can be said with certainty that whether China or Japan takes control of Korea, they will inevitably have to deal with Russia due to this railway. Judging from the Russian style, it's not surprising if a war breaks out over this railway. However, one thing to note is that the Russians' railway terminal has been temporarily placed in Vladivostok, and getting access to Korea's port would be ideal for them. What you said about 'inviting wolves into the house' is not unreasonable, but even if you don't invite them, these Russian wolves will still come in. In the current situation, it seems that trading a small price for peace in Korea might be more cost-effective!"

  "What about Britain? Previously, Zongtang had already entrusted Eugene Chen to negotiate with the British ambassador, and Britain also expressed its intention to stand on our Qing dynasty's side..." Zhang Peilun said.

  Li Jingfang listened and saw Li Hongzhang's eyebrows furrowed, knowing that his adoptive father was too superstitious about the British, always thinking that Britain was the leader of the powers, and that Russians would retreat when encountering the British. He had previously discussed this issue with Tang Shaoyi, and in fact, he had also been skeptical about inviting the British to mediate, but the British appetite was simply too big, and their demands might be even higher than those of the Germans. Moreover, over the past few years, Britain had consistently refused to budge on tariff issues in various treaties, while the Qing court suppressed the North's hopes of raising tariffs, and the North itself also had such intentions due to its consideration of foreign affairs, but several rounds of coordination with Britain were unsuccessful. With such huge contradictions existing, would the British really think for the benefit of the North?