Chapter 819, Cabinet Meeting

Hirosuke Reijiro asked loudly: "You said that the cabinet cuts its military budget and led to the defeat in this battle. Let me ask how many times has the cabinet successfully passed the reduction bill? In addition to reducing the army's military spending for 60 million in savings two years ago, the recent reduction of the army's 90 million in military spending has not been negotiated yet! You people are proud of their achievements when they win the battle, and shirking responsibility when they lose. Is this the honor of your emperors?"

Uehara Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, Uehara, said angrily: "In order to save these 60 million military expenses, the other 16 divisions of our army have not changed their equipment since the Russo-Japanese War, except for the first five divisions. Look, look at the telegram sent from Lushun. In just five years, the Chinese not only trained a high-standard heavy artillery unit, but also equipped them with automatic rifles, aircraft, airships and mortars. But what about us? There is nothing except rifles and ordinary cannons!"

The Army Minister Dashan Iwa, who was over 60 years old, echoed: "That's it. The Secret Service Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had already reported the Chinese weapons and equipment. I have proposed to the cabinet many times, but all of you have never taken it seriously. In this Qingdao War, the Chinese only sent three divisions of troops, and their strength was not as strong as the 18th Division, but they mastered the entire situation with their superior equipment. Ahem... This time, you will reduce the staffing of two divisions this time. Okay, reduce it. I want to see who else can defend the interests of our Great *** Empire!"

Due to his emotional excitement, his body, who had stomach problems, suddenly became uncomfortable. He covered his abdomen with one hand and sweated coldly on his forehead. Uehara Yuzusa and the servants on the side came to express their condolences, poured a cup of hot water, took out the stomach medicine and took two pills.

Oyama Iwa and Uehara Yosaku were both from Satsuma warlords and shared the same hatred for the enemy in political opinions. Although they had conflicts with Yama Prefecture, and Masatoshi Teraunuchi and others in some aspects, the failure of the Qingdao war is when the soldiers are responsible. Both sides have reached an agreement. They must take this opportunity to overthrow the politicians of the civilian faction and restore the military power.

Yutoto of Shanxian had resigned from all his official positions a year ago, and now he is only white, but he secretly controls the overall situation of the entire military faction as the first veteran. Today he was present as the general counsel of the Army Provincial Army. When he saw Dashanyan's excited stomach disease, he finally picked up his cane and knocked on the ground, making a dull "dongdongdongdongdong" sound, which made the whole audience quiet.

"What are you still arguing now? Do you even know the key to the problem?" His voice was not very loud, and his speech was not very fast, but there was a natural majesty contained in it.

The ministers of all departments of the cabinet calmed down, but everyone's face still maintained their previous attitude, and now they were silent, they seemed even more depressed.

"The most critical issue now is not who's responsibility, but how to restore the prestige of our Great *** Empire in Asia and even the international community. The defeat in Qingdao was beyond expectations. The 18th Division and the Second Fleet explained where they were, even the naval base, headquarters, and fortress in Lushun were seriously damaged. I believe that His Majesty the Emperor will hold a meeting in front of the emperor tomorrow. We must not only explain to His Majesty the Emperor, but also to the people of the whole country." Yutoto of Yama County was like a mountain of rocks. His body was motionless and his tone was loud and loud.

"That's right," Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma, who had been gloomy, finally spoke. He has a special identity. Even if he is a supporter of the military faction, he has to consider the influence of the civilized faction. Therefore, the previous fierce discussions can only keep silent. "Everyone is quarreling, it is better to unite and come up with a way to explain to the people of the whole country. Because the failure of this war not only caused heavy losses to our country, but the people are also frightened. The society of the Great Empire will soon form distrust of the government. And what we have to do is to regain the authority of the country."

"That's it," said Yupeng Shanxian nodded, "I believe that what the powers in all walks of life and countries are most concerned about is whether our great empire still has the ability to regain its strength and how to regain it! This time, the navy and the army have suffered serious losses. The lack of national defense power is the foundation of losing confidence. Therefore, we must immediately pass the proposal for military rectification and announce to the outside world our plan to strengthen the country's strength next, stabilize the people's hearts and the views of the powers of various countries."

"After all, you still want to use this excuse to expand the military!" Ruoka Reijiro said gloomyly. Before this cabinet meeting, Nishizoji Kouzuki specifically told him to be careful of the military faction using this to build momentum. Obviously, Nishizokoji Kouzuki had expected it well, and Yutoto Yama Prefecture had already been ready to go.

"Yama Prefecture, it's not that we don't agree with increasing arms. This time, we have paid a huge fiscal budget to cope with the Qingdao war. Major banks have been under pressure on many countries' debts. Unfortunately, this war failed, and this direct impact is the ability to repay national debts. Major banks and stock markets in China will definitely experience an extremely serious trust crisis. You should know that the economic environment of *** has been not very good in the past two years. The people have long been poor. The treasury is powerless to deal with the imminent economic landslide. Where can I put the extra budget on the military?" said the president of *** Bank, financial adviser and former Tibetan minister Kiyoshi Kato.

He is a representative of the Wenzhi School, but he is a person with means. He will not directly collide with Akito Yama Prefecture like Wakatsuki Reijiro, but instead raises a realistic problem to act as a shield.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kikujiro Ishii nodded and said, "President Kato's words are not wrong. At present, we have already owed more than one billion yen foreign debts. I am afraid that due to the failure of this Qingdao war, both the United Kingdom and the United States will terminate their previous contracts and even urge them to repay foreign debts. In addition, the cooperation signed with the French government four years ago has been difficult to take effect since November last year, and the French government will not be able to protect itself. Alas!"

Youpeng of Shanxian had long expected this to be said. He took the speech in an orderly manner and said, "Although I am not in a public office, I still care about the most state affairs, and I still know a little about the current situation of the country. Naturally, we should not waste finances drastic at the moment, but no matter what, we should announce the plan first, with the primary goal of winning domestic and foreign confidence. As for the future implementation, we can slowly start, which can also count the concerns of democratic people."

Uehara Yusaki immediately agreed and said: "Yes, what Your Excellency Yama Prefecture said is very much. I believe this is the best compromise now. If we cannot appease the people and give the international a cheerful look, our Great *** Empire will soon be in trouble. Prime Minister, what do you think?"

Shigeon Okuma nodded slowly and said, "It's true, I think this is feasible."

Wakatsuki Reijiro and other civilized bureaucrats did not think that Yama Prefecture's idea was just that simple, but he could not find any reason to refute it. After all, military failures have to be restored by military forces.

At this time, Okuma Shigeshinobu continued: "If everyone has no objection, I will submit the next meeting of the emperor to the emperor in this way."

Ruoki Reijiro said coldly: "What else can I have to object? Even if there is, Yama Prefecture will make another statement."

Uehara Yuzusa was a little younger, so he asked impulsively and angrily: "What does your words mean by Zangxiong? Why do you have to target your Yama Prefecture?"

Ruoka Rijiro hummed, said nothing, stood up and left the stage directly.

When others saw this, they also knew that the cabinet meeting ended here and they all ended one after another.

As Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Shigeon Okuma looked bad. He always felt that if the *** government continues like this, it will sooner or later delay national affairs. However, his identity cannot tolerate impulsiveness and partiality, and he can only maintain rationality and caution in dealing with the relationship between the two parties. He really hopes that this Qingdao War can make the civil and military factions unite together, but unfortunately, from the scene just now, it is obviously not as smooth as imagined.

In the corridor, Kikujiro Ishii quickly caught up with Ryukirijiro who was walking in the front and asked in a low voice: "Sir, have you agreed to their request?"

Ruoki Rijiro looked at Ishii sideways and asked in a cold tone: "Otherwise, what else can it be? Our country will soon be in turmoil. It is necessary to give the people of the whole country a confidence right now."

Ishii said: "But confidence can be recovered from many aspects. I believe that instead of starting an arms plan, it is better to give the people more food. Furthermore, the intentions of the Cheung Chau faction and the Satsuma faction are obvious. Although they are just selling a short plan now, they can make a big fuss about this short plan in the future, and in the end they will benefit. Warlords are not credible."

Wakatsuki Reijiro sighed and said in a heavy tone: "I don't know this. Unfortunately, to be honest, even the Lord Nishienji is confused about the current situation. If we continue to suppress the military, we are afraid that the interests of North Korea and China's three northeastern provinces will definitely be affected. But once the military power is expanded, another kind of shogunate will inevitably appear, and the achievements of the Meiji Restoration will be in vain."

Ishii said worriedly: "Yes, this is really a dilemma."

Wakatsuki Reijiro suddenly became serious and said solemnly: "At present, we can only take one step at a time. If these warlords really want to do whatever they want, they must stop them even if they fight for their lives."
Chapter completed!