At the same time, Jilins and his group were sitting in a rickshaw and returning to their apartment. The result of this secret meeting made Jilins very excited. Inoue Kin has agreed that if the British side makes certain concessions in the consular judgment power in the negotiations to support Inoue Kin to go further politically, while Inoue Kin to reduce conflicts with Russia politically and strengthen the construction of naval and army forces; Japan and Britain cooperate in the navy, Japan provides ports, repairs, and coal for the British Far East Fleet to jointly suppress Dashun; Japan and Britain recognize each other's special interests in East Asia. It can be said that his trip to Tokyo has already made a good start. As for why he did not choose Hiromoto Ito, who is the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, but chose Inoue Kin as the object of cooperation, it was because Jilins believed that compared with Inoue Kin who was determined to Westernization and left Asia and Europe, he was the first government.

The veteran Hiromoto Ito is more inclined to innovate internal politics and accumulate strength, rather than immediately hostile to the mainland power, Dashun, which is far stronger than Japan. More importantly, although Inoue Kin is far inferior to Hiromoto Ito in the political world, compared with Hiromoto Ito who retains the legacy of a samurai and disdains to accumulate wealth, Inoue Kin has rich connections in the economic world. Mitsui, Japan Shipping and other important chaebols in the Japanese economic world regard it as their spokesperson. Although now,

In Japan's political arena, it is still the world of the elders of Ito Hirofumi, who were in the Meiji period. However, with the changes of the times, when these elders gradually withered, these chaebols who controlled the lifeblood of Japan's economy would go to the forefront and become the real masters of the country. These chaebols are eager to expand outward and obtain a larger product market and raw material production area. Therefore, to form an alliance with Inoue Kin, in the long run, it is easier to achieve the goal of jointly dealing with Dashun.

Two days later, Inoue Xin’s private residence.

Bamboo leaves fall on the stone slab floor, staggered in a staggered manner. A tree of red maple grows deep in the bamboo forest, and streams flow into the well from the bamboo trough. The stone railings along the well are full of moss, and several red leaves float in the water. Although the entire courtyard is not big, it presents the quiet and ethereal feeling unique to the Japanese courtyard, which is obviously designed by the master.

"Inoue-kun, you should know me! I know that Ito doesn't like anything. When I'm having a headache for state affairs all day long, instead of asking men to pour me a glass of wine and serve me to change clothes at dinner, it's probably better than the innocent and beautiful geisha's jade hand to relieve my heart."

A hearty laugh came from the secluded japanese courtyard. A middle-aged man with a pale face and a Western-style beard leaned in the arms of two geishas, ​​laughing loudly while drinking the sake presented by the geishas.

"Lying drunk on the knee of a beautiful woman, and holding the power of the world, this is your famous poem. I can't even do such a wish in Inoue, how dare I invite you to the humble house?" Inoue Xin smiled at the opposite side. At this time, he was no longer as majestic as usual. The front of the kimono on his chest was open, looking like a lie in the willow alley in Tokyo's flower streets and willows.

"This wine tastes so good!" Hirofumi Ito took a sip of sake and gently stroked the white little hand of the geisha on his right: "It's been a long time since I've drunk such a good wine. I don't know why, I thought it was very good if I had a very bad wine in the past."

"It should be the one who drinks with you, right?" Inoue Xin sighed: "Although the wine has been around for a long time, the mood is different, and naturally the taste of the wine is different!"

"Yes! When the five of us went to study in the UK together (i.e., the Five Heroes of Cheung Chau), did we ever think of today? Along the way, many companions fell down, some died at the hands of our enemies, and some died at the hands of our own people!" Ito Hirobuki's voice became smaller and smaller, and his confused eyes actually had a little childishness.

"But from now on, the path we are taking is right, and the sacrifices of our companions are worth it. Over the decades of reform and enlightenment, Japan has made great progress. As long as we continue like this, we will definitely become a powerful country that is no less than that of the European and American powers!"

"Okay, okay, Inoue Kwan, you are going to start showing off your theory of "leaving Asia and joining Europe" again!" Hirobu Ito suddenly burst into laughter and hugged the two geishas: "With such beauties by your side, on such a beautiful night, and having such good wine to drink, you have to talk about those boring things, Inoue Kwan, you are such a boring man!"

"I've always been so boring. Did you just find out today?" Inoue Xin smiled slightly, turned her head and winked at Hitomi Kuroshima who was kneeling beside her. Hitomi Kuroshima who knew her stood up. Soon the servant and the lower girl in the courtyard retreated to a place far enough away from the room.

"Ito-kun, the director of the Cotton Textile Association, hopes to introduce the most advanced British textile machines. Given the lack of funds, they hope to increase the amount of subsidies given by the government."

Hirobu Ito frowned. Obviously he didn't like to mention this topic at this time. However, given the other party's identity, he still replied patiently: "Kun Inoue, now is not the time to discuss such things, and you have earned enough money. You don't need to talk to those businessmen who are full of money when drinking!"

"Ito-kun, I don't just want to advise you for personal gain. You know that if Japan wants to be strong, it must have more factories. Our competitor Dashun's textile factories in the south are larger than ours, and their raw materials are cheaper. Only with more advanced equipment and the cheapest workers can Japan win in this competition!"

"We have given them enough subsidies!" Hirofumi Ito suddenly shouted: "In order to give them loans, technical subsidies, purchase new equipment, build roads, ports, ships, and the people have done their best. These merchants should find ways to solve the problem themselves, instead of constantly reaching out to the people!" Hirofumi Ito waved his arm and lifted the geisha's hands behind him.

Inoue Kin retorted calmly: "But some problems cannot be solved by these merchants. Chinese merchants have a large domestic market, as well as Mongolia, Anxi, North Korea, Annan, and Myanmar as product markets. Their factories are larger than ours, so the unit price of products is cheaper. If this continues, Japan's textile industry will be ruined. You don't want to see such a situation, right?"

Hirobuki Ito immediately felt a dangerous aura from the other party's words. He looked at Inoue Xin in confusion and asked, "Inoue Jun, what are you going to say today?"

"Play!"

Inoue Kin slashed his palm twice, and the two geishas quickly stood up, packed up their messy clothes, bowed to Ito and Inoue Kin, and retreated. At this time, only Hirobuki Ito, Inoue Kin, and Kuroshima Hitomi were left in the room.

"The only way out is to build a powerful army and find its own colony for the empire!"

"Inoue-kun!" Hirofumi Ito raised his tone: "We have already unified our views on this issue. Now, at least now, what the empire needs is savings and patience. The empire is still very weak, and war will destroy this country!"

"Without tariff autonomy, how can the empire save? How can it be patient?" Inoue Kin retorted loudly: "The goods of European and American powers only need to pay such low tariffs. Domestic companies cannot compete with them at all. We can't even compete with the Chinese. Do you think that if this continues, you can accumulate strength? You will only be thrown farther and farther away!"

Hirobu Ito has calmed down: "Kun Inoue, what do you want to say tonight? Don't go around the corner, just say it!"

"The British are willing to make concessions in the negotiations for amendment. As long as we are willing to form alliances with them and the Russians to fight against Dashun, if we defeat Dashun, the British are willing to recognize the special interests of the Great Japanese Empire in North Korea and Taiwan!"

The room was quiet, and after a while, Hirobuki Ito asked, "Inoue, have you agreed?"

"No, I am just a Foreign Minister and I cannot answer it alone! But from a personal perspective, I expressed my interest in this suggestion. The negotiations on the amendment of the amendment have reached a deadlock. Without the help of the British, we cannot force the European and American powers to make concessions on the amendment of the amendment!"

"Can they make concessions like this?" Hirobuki Ito sneered: "Although North Korea is not a Japanese colony now, at least we can share it with Dashun. If we agree with the British's suggestions and stand on the side of the British completely, it means war. A small country like Japan will definitely become a consumable in such a war. Even if the last side wins, can it save the spoils? You must know that the British are tens of thousands of kilometers away, and Dashun and the Russians are by our side. To protect North Korea and Taiwan means fighting with the Chinese and Russians for ten years, twenty or even one hundred years. Do you think Japan will become the final winner in this war?"

After hearing Hirobu Ito's rebuttal, Inoue's forehead was already covered with cold sweat, but he gritted his teeth and replied: "Your Excellency, we have no choice. The British are the strongest, and Japan is the weak. In this world, only by standing on the side of the strong can the weak have a chance to survive. If you are trapped on these small islands, there is only a dead end! This is Japan's destiny!"
Chapter completed!