On the train back to Tokyo, Yamamoto Isoroku looked at the scenery outside the window and seemed to turn a deaf ear to Itagaki Seishiro's complaints. Itagaki kept saying things like, 'How can the traditions of the empire be changed?' and even Ishihara smiled and didn't bother to respond.

Just when the atmosphere became more and more awkward with the silence, Yamamoto Isoroku said: "Do you two think America is civilized?"

Itagaki was stunned and found this question difficult to answer. In July 1853, Rear Admiral Matthew Perry of the U.S. Navy led a fleet to force Japan to switch off, which was known as the 'Black Ship Incident'.

From then on, Japan began a period of overall turmoil, and the shogunate was finally overthrown. Ito Hirobumi, a former patriot who burned the British embassy, ​​planned to erect a monument to commemorate the incident in 1900, and finally built the monument in 1901.

Isoroku Yamamoto did not show off. He had already told Ishihara Kanji about his next arrangements before. At this time, he said to Itagaki Seishiro: "Itagaki-kun, the Navy Ministry has arranged for me to study at Harvard University in the United States. This time I will take him with me

Regarding this question, go to the United States and see what kind of country the United States is. As an intelligence expert, Mr. Itagaki, do you have any suggestions?"

Itagaki didn't know how to answer. He was known as a master of China and relied on his family's Sinology. Seeing Yamamoto Isoroku's sincere attitude, Itagaki simply told the truth, "I really want to help, but I don't like European and American people."

arts

You can learn knowledge through reading books. If you have to make suggestions, you can probably only use Chinese poetry. What you learn on paper will eventually become shallow, but you will definitely know that you have to do it. Yamamoto-kun studied in the United States, and he traveled more and read more. Naturally,

I can experience it.”

Yamamoto Isoroku nodded, "I will definitely travel all over the United States."

After speaking, he turned to Ishihara Wanji, "Ishihara-kun, I admire He Jun's insight very much, but I have never been able to have a close relationship with He Jun. A few days ago, you told me about He Jun's preliminary understanding of geopolitics, which made me enlightened. Humanity

Development is determined by the natural geographical environment.

The mountains, rivers, climate and wind belts limit the freedom of human production and lifestyle. This time I went to the United States, from this perspective, I should be able to see it more deeply. And this time I came to Sendai and met Miss Mitsuko, I felt particularly profound. Japan

It’s definitely changing.”

Ishihara Kanji knew that the social changes that Yamamoto Isoroku could accept at the moment were probably at this level, so he didn’t say anything more. The reason why he invited Yamamoto Isoroku to come to Sendai to see the female college students at the Imperial University of Japan was

In order for Yamamoto Isoroku to see that various sprouts have actually begun to appear within Japan, Yamamoto will not feel that these changes only exist in foreign countries after arriving in the United States. It may be able to influence Yamamoto to become a comrade of the Mirai Society.

When the train arrived in Tokyo, Yamamoto Isoroku said goodbye first. Looking at Yamamoto's back, Itagaki Seishiro didn't want to discuss what he saw this time, so he ran out of words, "Yamamoto-kun is a famous person in Yoshiwara. I didn't expect that there is no one in Sendai."

Unbridled."

Ishihara smiled and said: "It turns out that Itagaki-kun doesn't know that Yamamoto-kun is already married."

"Ah?" Itagaki was overwhelmed by the news, but he also understood why Yamamoto Isoroku was so honest this time.

Since this topic has been talked about to death, Itagaki doesn't want to say more. But he knows that Ishihara Wan'er has a close relationship with He Rui, so he said: "I think Ishihara-kun is very concerned about He Jun. I have something to tell Ishihara-kun. He Jun has already

Send people to contact Britain, France and Germany to discuss grain export matters. Now that the war is over, Britain, France and Germany have a lot of things they can't use, and probably only arms are left."

After saying that, Itagaki Seishiro bowed slightly to Ishihara Wanji, "I take my leave."

Ishihara Wanji also bowed in return. Looking at Itagaki Seishiro's back, Ishihara Wanji didn't feel any surprise. Now that Japan has the ability to produce heavy artillery, it naturally has no interest in the second-hand artillery on the European battlefield. Moreover, the barrel of the artillery is

A consumable item can only be replaced after its service life. Although parts such as sights are durable goods, it is not cost-effective to buy them separately.

It is understandable that He Rui purchased some cheap artillery. However, in the hope of using these cheap artillery to form a powerful artillery force, Ishihara Wanji felt that He Rui would not do this.

Moreover, Itagaki provided this news to Ishihara Kanji, which in a sense can be regarded as an expression of goodwill. It can be seen that it was not only Yamamoto Isoroku who was affected, but Itagaki was also quite stimulated. The two of them just had different feelings.

When returning to his residence, Ishihara Wan'er was concerned about the fact that He Rui invited the Foreign Minister of the Republic of China to the Northeast. Ishihara believed that He Rui would never accept Japan's seizure of German interests in Shandong, and this matter must be considered in this operation. As for

Ishihara Wan'er couldn't figure out how He Rui planned it.

At this time, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of China Lu Zhengxiang was introducing to He Rui the young talent Gu Weijun who was on the trip. Gu Weijun was somewhat concerned about He Rui, but he was obviously more concerned about his senior, Zhao Tianlin, a doctor of law graduated from Harvard University.

After Lu Zhengxiang introduced Gu Weijun, a doctor of law from Columbia University, he asked: "Chairman He invited Dr. Zhao to come here. I think he has some advice."

He Rui smiled and said: "As a soldier, I know very little about the law. But when you are a soldier fighting, you naturally have to do combat deductions. This time I invited Minister Lu to come here because I want Director Zhao to do some deductions with everyone from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

.”

After saying that, He Rui invited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others to the war room. Several large blackboards had been hung up here, and a world map was placed on the sand table in the middle, with some chess pieces also placed on the map.

Gu Weijun saw various names written on the chess pieces, including Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Japan and other major participating countries in the Paris Peace Conference. He felt that the world in the eyes of soldiers was different from that of legal scholars.

He Rui had already taken the lead and said: "I wonder what you think are the important issues to be resolved at the peace conference."

Several people have already spoken: "Shandong problem."

This is also the biggest diplomatic challenge China faces at the moment. Germany originally had special privileges in Shandong, China. As a victorious Allied member, China could naturally take back Shandong if Germany lost the war.

He Rui continued to ask: "Who is China's opponent on the Shandong issue?"

"Japan." Gu Weijun replied.

"In this case, how do you rely on to fight against Japan?"

Gu Weijun looked a little sad, "We can only rely on international law."

Lu Zhengxiang looked at He Rui's expression carefully, with various thoughts in his mind. He Rui now occupies the largest territory in Beiyang and even the entire China, and his strength is extraordinary. He took back the Middle East Road from Russia and firmly held it.

He Rui's determination and execution ability are recognized as the best in Beiyang. When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came this time, although Duan Qirui was polite on the surface, he was actually very wary.

But Lu Zhengxiang also has his own position. If a diplomatic victory can be obtained, any price is valuable. Can He Rui provide such a victory?

While I was thinking, I heard He Rui say: "The only way to take back the rights and interests in Shandong is through struggle. Why can Japan gain a foothold in Shandong? It is entirely because of the benefits it has gained in Shandong. As for my personal suggestion, everyone who wants to pass international law at the Paris Peace Conference

It is completely impossible for Japan to abandon Shandong by telling the story. As long as there is no military intervention, Japan will not leave on its own."

As soon as these words came out, Lu Zhengxiang was shocked. Before Lu Zhengxiang could speak, other staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs exclaimed: "Is the commander-in-chief going to send troops to Shandong?"

He Rui grimaced and asked unhappily: "Why are you so frivolous when discussing national affairs!"

Zhao Tianlin, who was sitting next to him, felt the same displeasure. Frivolous, if used as a term used by the Northeastern Party, Government and Military, would be 'not serious'. If a comrade gets the comment of 'not taking work seriously', it would be 'unreliable'

.

An unreliable person will be quickly marginalized in any system and will most likely be kicked out of the system.

Just like saying that He Rui wants to send troops to Shandong, Zhao Tianlin doesn't know what his logic is. There is absolutely no reason for He Rui to send troops to Shandong now. Once he takes action, it means that He Rui will use force to seize the Beiyang power. If He Rui really does

If you decide to unify China by force, there is no need to call people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Seeing the doubts on the faces of the guys at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhao Tianlin said loudly: "The early diplomacy in Europe was indeed the responsibility of the nobles in the palace. The nobles in charge of diplomacy in various countries were often related to each other, forming a small circle. But

That era is over, and the current standard for national diplomacy is to put national interests first. Only

There are eternal interests and no eternal enemies. If you think about domestic affairs when you think about diplomacy and ignore the interest relations between countries, you are a layman. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs really wants to be worthy of

Praise for your posthumous reputation, you should take diplomatic issues seriously! Treat diplomacy as a science!"

After being scolded by Zhao Tianlin, only Lu Zhengxiang and Gu Weijun among the people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could still look calm, while the expressions of other staff changed and they were quite frightened.

Zhao Tianlin was not surprised either. He followed He Rui in several important diplomatic negotiations before he understood how the great powers interacted with each other. Zhao Tianlin originally thought that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China was not completely unreliable, but now he has completely lost confidence.

Fortunately, Zhao Tianlin knew about He Rui's plan to attack Japan, so he was disappointed, but not desperate.

From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, Gu Weijun was the first to speak, "I wonder what Brother Zhao thinks our country should do at the Paris Peace Conference?"

Seeing Gu Weijun's sincere attitude, Zhao Tianlin stood up and said, "At this peace conference, we must not think that Europe and the United States can uphold justice. However, our position must be adhered to. If there must be a choice, we must avoid falsehood and be realistic. For example, Japan can

We must try our best to make money in Shandong. Although it is impossible, doing so itself proves that our Chinese diplomats are not incompetent."

The term 'incompetent' sounded very harsh, but Gu Weijun didn't care. He didn't expect Zhao Tianlin's idea to follow this train of thought. After thinking for a moment, Gu Weijun asked, "Brother Zhao, please tell me in detail."
Chapter completed!