Chapter 464: People are fighting for their own good
St. Petersburg was under pressure and had no choice but to make peace with Britain.
George was uncompromising, and the Vladivostok media analyzed the background of Japan's rise in detail just after the Russo-Japanese War broke out. As a result, Britain's malice towards the Russian Empire was clearly displayed in front of all Amur people.
Although Britain did not directly participate in the Russo-Japanese War, it caused greater damage to the Russian Empire than Japan.
So Kassaf did not directly bombard the British Concession, which was already a gentleman.
Blake still attached great importance to the intelligence provided by Kassaf. That night, the British Asiatic Fleet sent sailors ashore to assist the British Concession Police in maintaining public order.
It was a calm night with no accidents.
Blake's heart did not let go.
What to do tomorrow night?
What about the day after tomorrow?
Instead of looking for Kassaf, Black blocked all roads entering the British Concession and sent police to guard them.
In order to prevent bandits from attacking the British Concession, Blake used heavy machine guns and barbed wire to defend it.
With the heavy machine gun, safety does seem to be guaranteed to a certain extent.
The wealthy people in the British Concession fled in large numbers, and many went to the nearby French Concession. Compared with the British Concession, the safety of the French Concession was more guaranteed.
While Blake was on the defensive, the French Embassy was holding a reception, and ministers from various countries gathered together to watch the excitement of the British Empire.
As the head of the port management department, Kassaf was naturally invited.
The post-war disposition of Japan has become a hotly debated topic among ministers from various countries.
The British are indeed crazy. In order to recover their investment, they not only sent people to take over Japanese customs and fully control Japanese taxation, but also set up an investigation team to examine the relevant responsible persons. Even the King of Japan was asked to hand over Loan from UK.
Takahashi Korekiyo received a loan from the UK, including a sum of 10 million yen, which was used to pay for the daily expenses of the Japanese royal family.
Related to the compensation paid by the Qing Empire after the Sino-Japanese War of 1884-1894, 20 million yen went directly into the royal family’s account, so the Japanese royal family was the first beneficiary of foreign wars.
"What about Grand Duke Yuriev's compensation?"
Adrian Pettit didn't mind watching the excitement.
In addition to the national debt, Japan owes the bulk of the money to George.
Everyone pushed for the wall to fall, and now even the Qing Empire began to demand that Japan compensate the Qing Empire for the losses caused by the Russo-Japanese War.
The main battlefield of the Russo-Japanese War was the Kanto region of the Qing Empire. Although the Qing Empire "abide by its neutrality", it still caused serious damage to the Kanto region. As many as 20,000 Qing people died in the war alone. , property losses amounted to 69 million taels of silver.
After the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth, the Qing Empire made a request for compensation to the Russian Empire, but the Russian Empire ignored it.
After Japan's defeat, the Qing Empire once again demanded compensation from Japan.
Goryeo also made demands for compensation at the same time as the Qing Empire.
Goryeo suffered greater losses in the war than the Qing Empire. More than 700,000 Goryeo people were killed in the war alone, and property losses cannot be counted.
Gaozong was very angry and demanded compensation of up to 7 billion rubles from Japan.
After Katsura Taro was assassinated, Saionji Konobo came out again and served as the interim prime minister of Japan.
In the face of the demands of Britain and the Russian Empire, Gong Wang of Xiyuan Temple completely lied down and fully cooperated.
Facing the Qing Empire and Goryeo, Xiyuan Temple Gongwang was still very tough.
It doesn’t cost you money, it costs your life!
The Qing Empire didn't care. It didn't have much hope for reparations. It would be nice to get compensation, but if it didn't, the Japanese would be disgusted.
Emperor Gaozong had the support of George and had a tough attitude towards Japan, claiming that if Japan did not pay compensation, Goryeo would launch a war against Japan.
The Japanese government did not respond to Goryeo's threat of war.
If Goryeo were to attack Japan, the most nervous person would not be the Japanese government, but the British.
The British only wanted to recover their interests from Japan.
If the Goryeo army lands in Japan, the nation and species that awaits Japan will be destroyed.
"You'd better worry about yourselves first!"
Kassaf also watched the excitement and didn't take it too seriously.
Japan not only owes money to Britain, but also owes money to the French.
The sixth public bond issued by Korekiyo Takahashi in Europe has received unprecedented popularity. The subscription amount applied for by France is more than 20 times the amount issued.
The sixth public bond issued a total of 500 million yen in Britain, France and the United States. The biggest feature of this public bond is that there is no guarantee.
"It was a spontaneous act by the people and had nothing to do with the French government."
Pettit never expected that he would end up on his own head.
“We should implement joint military control over Japan and urge Japan to pay off its foreign debts as soon as possible.”
Thomas Raglan, the U.S. Minister to Japan, was in a bad mood. Japan was defeated and the United States was severely damaged. Second only to the UK.
Treasury bonds issued by Japan are mainly bought by the British and Americans.
Among them, the U.S. Treasury bonds are mainly issued through Schiff.
The biggest problem now is that Schiff is dead!
Although the debt after death has not been eliminated, it is still very difficult for the United States to recover the loan.
At least until Japan pays back the British money, it will not be the Americans' turn.
Just as Kassaf was about to speak, a violent explosion suddenly came from the British Concession.
A group of ministers immediately crowded to the window to watch the fun, just like the eight wives.
In order to improve public security, the British Concession implemented a curfew early, and no one was allowed to leave home after 6 p.m.
Since the British Concession has been attacked many times, the police and sailors on night patrol are very nervous.
The London Avenue from the British Concession to the former Russian Concession has been blocked by barbed wire. The British sailors have also deployed barricades and heavy machine guns behind the barbed wire. Anyone who breaks into the British Concession will be shot mercilessly by the sailors. kill.
Second Lieutenant William from Portsmouth led 12 sailors and was responsible for the security of this intersection.
Inside the barricade, two heavy machine gun shooters were smoking and chatting, feeling very relaxed.
Thugs with only incendiary bombs and bombs are powerless against heavy machine guns. Sailors who go ashore for duty can receive a daily allowance equal to twice their salary, which is completely a good job.
The British Concession was also generous to the sailors. In addition to allowances, coffee and late-night snacks were essential and were delivered to the sentry posts by dedicated personnel.
At this time in 1906, the salary of British sailors was very low, no more than 50 pounds per year. Keynes entered the Indian Affairs Bureau in the summer of 1906, and his annual salary was only 200 pounds.
Although income is low, consumption in the UK is not low. One dinner for a rich person is equivalent to a month's living expenses for a poor family.
So 2 shillings for a cup of coffee is definitely a high consumption for British soldiers.
In Japan, coffee is even more of a luxury product.
“I heard that Russians can drink coffee every day——”
McLean from Dublin is full of yearning for Russia.
"Nonsense, only people in Vladivostok can drink coffee every day-"
Kevin obviously knows more about Russia.
“Isn’t Vladivostok part of Russia?”
McLean doesn’t quite understand the system of the Russian Empire.
“Vladivostok is part of the Grand Duchy of Amur and is under the direct jurisdiction of Grand Duke Yuriev.”
When Kevin mentioned "Grand Duke Yuriev", his tone was slightly serious.
"Royal Famous General——"
McLean is curious about Grand Duke Yuriev, who has only recently become famous.
Members of the British royal family also have a tradition of serving in the military, not only princes, but also princesses.
The UK also has so-called royal generals.
But everyone knows what this "royal general" thing is about, it's just gold-plated.
Grand Duke Yuriev defeated the Japanese army. This is a real achievement.
Now George is recognized by various countries as a famous royal general——
A famous marshal!
“It’s just a gimmick. If it were you, you could do it!”
Kevin's attitude towards George was ambivalent and now dismissive.
The two were chatting when a carriage delivering late night snacks came from the other end of London Avenue.
“Old Jeff, what’s the supper for today?”
Kevin is looking forward to the supper.
"Jeff is sick, I will deliver the supper today——"
Although the groom had changed, Kevin didn't take it to heart.
The late night snack is still very rich, steak, custard and salad, all delicious and delicious. It would be better if you can have a glass of rum.
The British love alcohol as much as the Russians.
Due to the need to take turns on duty, Ensign William and other sailors who were not on duty rested in a nearby house.
At this moment, the supper was delivered, the sailors got up one after another, and even the soldiers on duty on the roof next to them came down to get the supper.
"Don't worry, we have them all, we have them all -"
While handing out the supper, the groom handed a small bottle of champagne to Lieutenant William.
Ensign William was very happy. Such a small bottle of champagne was worth at least 5 shillings in London.
There was only one bottle of champagne, and the other soldiers looked at William with envy.
William put the champagne directly into his pocket and returned to the room with the supper, ready to enjoy it himself.
"Sorry, I have to go to the toilet-"
The groom rushed to the far corner, clutching his stomach.
The sailors didn't take it seriously and picked around the carriage. There were other late-night snacks in the carriage that they had not had time to send out.
Kevin sniffed hard twice, a little confused: "What does it smell like?"
Boom——
The carriage and the sailors surrounding the carriage were suddenly engulfed by the explosion.
William, who had just opened the champagne in the room, was stunned by the explosion. He took out his pistol and hid under the window sill, trembling, not daring to show his head.
"God, save me——"
The sailor who was seriously injured but not dead was wailing in pain.
William didn't dare to look up, he only heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
"God bless you -"
William heard a low and cold voice, and then the sound of a sharp blade entering his body.
"Hehehehe——"
The wounded soldier seemed to have his neck stuck, unable to make a sound, and could only gasp violently. Only then did William smell the smell of gunpowder and blood.
The attack on the British Concession that night shocked Nagasaki. A total of 9 sailors died in the attack.
What is even more shocking is that the attack did not come from outside the British Concession, but from within the British Concession. This also disproved the rumors that the Russian Empire attacked the British Concession.
Second Lieutenant William did not die in the attack, but his spirit was extremely frightened. He was incoherent and in a trance, unable to provide any useful information.
Black finally came to Kassaf again, hoping that Kassaf would send someone to assist the British Concession Police in maintaining law and order.
(End of this chapter)