Chapter 731: Dividing Japan (3rd update, please subscribe)

In the diplomatic world there are always too many proposals.

The so-called proposal is actually the beginning of a conspiracy. You are diplomats from two powerful countries. When you sit together and one party makes a "proposal", the topic that follows is well known.

It's a conspiracy.

It is a conspiracy against a weak person, but who is it targeting now?

Of course it’s Japan!

"Proposal? What proposal?"

Parkes pretended not to understand, as if he had not heard clearly what the other party was saying.

"About the Japanese proposal, of course."

Delong did not expose Basharli who was pretending to be confused, but continued speaking.

"The United States believes that the current Japanese government is no longer capable of maintaining the local situation. For our common interests, perhaps we should help them replace the government. Replace it with someone who can safeguard our interests!"

As the U.S. Minister to Japan, DeLong wrote to the President of the United States long after the "Los Angeles Incident":

"Once we have a conflict with the Ming Empire, or the disputes in British Columbia increase and expand, leading to a war between us and the Ming Empire, controlling Japan and supporting a regime influenced by us, or directly occupying this place, is a very necessary option. Under the control of the United States, Japan can attack the immigrants of the Ming Empire and prevent it from obtaining sufficient immigrants. This strategy will definitely be feared by the Ming Empire. In order to maintain the continued implementation of maritime immigration, they will inevitably need to send more warships to Ryukyu..."

It has to be said that this suggestion made by him as the Minister to Japan successfully convinced the White House and politicians in Washington. Of course, the United States did not have the ability to fight alone, and the British Navy's attack on the Japanese Army and Navy fleet gave DeLong an opportunity. He saw an opportunity to join forces with the British to achieve this goal. Of course, if there was an opportunity, it would not be impossible to divide Japan.

For the United States today, facing the threat from the Ming Empire, the United States does not rule out expansion in certain areas to reduce the threat from the Ming Empire. In the past few years, the United States' foreign policy has also undergone fundamental changes because of this.

"Oh, is this what Washington meant as well?"

Parkes did not agree to Delong's suggestion immediately. He was more concerned about whether this was his personal idea or Washington's idea.

"That's my personal opinion, and it's also Washington's opinion."

DeLong answered directly.

"Of course, we all note that the situation here is changing very quickly, and if we act quickly enough, perhaps we can help Mr. Tokugawa regain control of his government."

After thinking for a while, Parkes said.

"Have you ever dealt with that Tokugawa Shigemasa? He seems to be a man who is unwilling to be controlled by a foreign country?"

In fact, for Parkes, the kind of people he preferred to support should be similar to the princely princes of India, that is, those who were willing to be puppets of Britain for the sake of power.

In order to enjoy greater wealth and glory, they would actively hand over the country's diplomatic and military powers to Britain, and only retain a small number of rights.

Of course, such people are very rare in Japan. Even in India, it took the British hundreds of years to realize the reality through constant suppression and training.

However, since Indians are aware of the reality, the Japanese will also succumb to it in the future.

In response to Parkes' question, Delang laughed.

"He is unwilling, but does he have a choice? Both Saigo Takamori and Eto Shinpei are anti-shogunate factions. Now they have a common interest in overthrowing the Meiji government. However, once Tokugawa Shigemasa becomes the shogun, he will have to face them and the local lords. Only with our support can his government continue to exist."

Then, he paused again and added.

"Besides that fellow Tokugawa, we have other options in Japan. After all, there are many feudal lords in Japan!"

For the United States, it did not put all its hopes on Tokugawa. After all, there were many other options in Japan.

Tokugawa is just one of them, and now the British seem to have chosen Tokugawa. In this case, the United States certainly has other backup options.

"A divided Japan is in our interest, and Tokugawa Shigemasa is indeed not our only choice."

Only after Parkes said the word "we" did Delang breathe a sigh of relief. They had the same idea, and with this basic consensus, the remaining problems became simple.

Although the wind was biting outside, the room was warm, the chairs were comfortable, and the whiskey was strong. Parkes said with a smile.

"But your fleet is in Yokohama, and ours is in Osaka."

Japan is now a gathering place, with the British fleet in Osaka, the Ming fleet in Hiroshima, and the American fleet in Yokohama in Tokyo Bay. Now the only thing missing is the French fleet, which is in Saigon and Haeju. The French have no idea about Japan... It should be said that France and Russia have already reached an agreement with Ming.

"That's why we have to act together and transfer your fleet from Osaka to Yokohama. After all, our interests in Japan force us to consider some things."

DeLong said,

"You know, the threat that the Ming Empire poses to the white world is the most direct. If we can't stop them, Japan is likely to become their loyal lackey in the future. They will arm Japan and use Japan's manpower to attack us. Now, we must stop them."

When saying the word "stop", Delang emphasized the tone.

"And now is the right time. After all, Tokyo's defense is very weak. A week ago, they moved the Tokyo Garrison stationed in Tokyo to between Tokyo and Nagoya to guard against Tokugawa Shigemasa. Now we only need a thousand armed sailors to easily dismantle the Tokyo government."

“This is indeed a good opportunity!”

After thinking for a while, Parkes continued,

"If our two countries act together, I think we must face the reality that the Ming Empire will not withdraw from Japan because of our intervention."

"With our support, the new government will let them leave, even if they don't want to. At that time, they will have no other choice."

DeLong said with a smile.

"And for the shogunate, the Ming Empire that supports the Meiji government is itself a threat!"

Parkes tilted his head back into the shadows, where he was thinking, and then his eyes looked off into the distance, as if he was having his final thoughts.

"We must do everything possible to stop the expansion of the Ming Empire."

The instructions from London once again emerged in his mind. After thinking for a while, Parkes said.

"I think our support for Tokugawa should be based on the independence of each domain. After all, a unified Japan is not in our interest. Due to ethnic and cultural reasons, Japan is more likely to cooperate with the Ming Empire. Therefore, what we need is a fragmented Japan, where local domains will cooperate with foreigners for their power, rather than all turning to the Ming Empire."

"We thought of it together."

DeLong said with a smile.

“We think so too.”

When Parkes heard this, he smiled, stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the crowded street below.

“So who should be the leader in this matter?”

He said calmly, and after thinking for a while, he turned around and looked at Delang.

"The Combined Fleet should be under the leadership of the United Kingdom, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)