Chapter 661: Tomorrow's Empire is just a foolish dream (Second update, please subscribe)
What is tragedy?
The biggest tragedy is that a group of patriots who were determined to make the country rich and strong, while trying to reform and strengthen themselves, ended up destroying the country.
It wasn't them who lost the country!
God doesn't bless Japan!
At this time in Japan, the emperor had just returned power to the country. To the vast majority of Japanese, the emperor... was just a decoration in Kyoto, not even a mascot.
Even when Emperor Meiji was alive, he was just a puppet in the hands of Iwakura Tomomi, Sanjo Sanemi and others. As for the so-called "supreme" power, forget it.
It took Meiji decades to transform himself from a puppet into a mascot! Even this progress was achieved step by step. Then he took advantage of the internal struggles of the government and relied on the support of the bureaucratic palace group, mainly "palace advisors", and the "emperor-loving faction" to gain power little by little. The emperor's power enhancement was essentially based on his own nominal power, combined with the secular power that the "non-mainstream" group of reformists already had, and then formed a powerful force that could compete with mainstream politicians. In the end, he became a "mascot with real power", but even so, he was still controlled by Ito and others.
Now...it should be said that before Meiji's death, the Meiji era in 1874 had not yet been able to escape from the status of a puppet, and even the so-called "nominal power" had not been generally recognized by the Japanese people. After all, the Japanese had long been accustomed to the rule of the shogun and the emperor as a decoration over the past few hundred years.
In other words, for Japan, the Shogun who possesses absolute military power is the "orthodox" one. As for the imperial court headed by the emperor, it is just a "pseudo-government" that has just "usurped the throne" for only six years.
Why did Iwakura Tomomi, Okubo Toshimichi, Ito Hirobumi and others continue to deify the emperor? Didn't they know that deifying the emperor would restrict their power? It's not because they want to, but because they have to do so, because they... are a group of traitors!
The overthrow of the shogunate was carried out in the name of the emperor, and the Meiji Restoration was also carried out in the name of the emperor. They could not have done it without the emperor's endorsement.
But now, the road to deifying the emperor had just begun, but the emperor died unexpectedly. Besides being depressed, they felt more melancholy and even desperate.
How have they dealt with the Wu family over the years?
Not only did he take away their privileges and seize their swords, he also directly laid off hundreds of thousands of samurai and family members. Before the emperor's death, Iwakura Tomomi had just been assassinated by the samurai. Without the emperor's endorsement, this group of "little rebels" would probably not be able to survive even this year.
But whether it was Iwakura Tomomi, Ito Hirobumi or Kido Takayoshi, what they were worried about was not their own lives, but Japan!
They were really scared by what Okubo Toshimichi said!
There are many feudal lords in the Warring States Period!
They are not the isolationists who close their eyes and only care about their own little piece of land. It is not centuries ago now. If the feudal lords were to re-establish their own rule, Japan would be doomed.
There is no other reason. A divided Japan cannot even stop the invasion of foreign powers, let alone become a rich and powerful country. Although the current Japan cannot stop the invasion, at least there is hope for a unified Japan.
But if it splits up and the feudal lords regain power, that may not be the case, just like the princely states in India.
There is no need to ask Buddha about this matter, they all know the result. In order to ensure their own power, those feudal lords will certainly be willing to act as running dogs of the great powers, and then Japan will of course be in constant civil war. At that time, what is the point of talking about enriching the country and strengthening the military? It is God's blessing that Japan can avoid the destruction of the country.
As for whether the feudal lords will do so?
Definitely. After all, it was not just hundreds of thousands of samurai who were hit by the Meiji Restoration. The feudal lords were also hit, but the pressure was not as severe.
The imperial court is in trouble now, and Saigo has rebelled.
For the old feudal lords and the old samurai who have the opportunity to regain power, aren't they just friends who hit it off?
For a moment, everyone was silent.
"If that happens, Japan... may really be doomed!"
Iwakura Tomomi seemed to collapse, his shoulders drooping limply. He opened his mouth and wanted to speak, but the words did not come out.
What are you talking about?
It is easy to imagine what the outcome of such a situation would be. A divided Japan would never be able to survive in this world of tigers and wolves.
"Not only will the country be destroyed, but by then, Kyushu will probably fall into the hands of Britain, Honshu may be divided up by France and Russia, and even if there are a few remaining feudal domains, they will be like the princely states of India, loyal to the Western powers. By then, the only country we can hope for is that the Ming Dynasty will be able to participate in the division. At least in the Ming Dynasty, Japan will be treated equally. And in India... what kind of status do Indians have? They are just British colonies."
Okubo Toshimichi sighed.
"So, instead of doing this, it would be better to take advantage of the fact that Japan is not torn apart and divided up by Western powers, and unify the country tomorrow, and merge the whole country of Japan into the Ming Dynasty. Besides..."
After a pause, Okubo Toshitsu spoke in a tentative tone.
"If Princess Kazunomiya can marry Emperor Shengde of the Ming Dynasty, it would be a good thing for Japan!"
"Marry His Majesty Emperor Shengde!"
Okubo Toshimichi's suggestion made everyone who had previously been immersed in the "national destruction theory" stunned. They looked at Okubo Toshimichi in astonishment and wonder.
"Marry, marry His Majesty Emperor Shengde! How is this possible?"
"That's right. He Gong is a widow. How could His Majesty the Emperor Shengde marry her? Besides, the Ming Dynasty already has an empress!"
"Yes, the Queen of Ming is a princess of the French royal family! Even if the Emperor of Ming is crazy, he can't marry Gong He!"
The reason why they reacted so strongly was not only because there was no tradition of the emperor marrying, but also because what Okubo Toshimichi said was simply wishful thinking.
If you use your brain, you will know how could the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty abandon the princess of the French Empire and marry the Emperor of Japan?
What kind of country is Japan?
It is just a small country that is not worth mentioning in the world. How could the Ming emperor abandon France for Japan?
Facing everyone's opposition, Okubo Toshimichi said.
"I admit that I was gambling, but what if I succeed? If His Majesty the Emperor Shengde is willing to accept Kazunomiya, of course, she will not be the Empress. After all, Kazunomiya is the Emperor, and she certainly does not need the position of Empress. Kazunomiya is still the Emperor of Japan, and the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is still the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, just like..."
"Like Austria-Hungary?"
Ito Hirobumi asked casually from the side.
"Yes, it's similar to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After Princess Kazumi married Emperor Shengde, it was only natural for Japan to unite with the Ming Dynasty. In the future, their children can inherit the throne. Of course, Emperor Shengde will definitely not allow Japan to close its borders. By then, not only will Japan not perish, but Japan will also carry out reforms with the support of the Ming Dynasty!"
Of course, as long as Japan continues its Meiji reforms, these heroes of the Meiji reform can continue to hold power.
"Hey, Tomorrow's Empire! It sounds pretty good!"
If this is the result, then it is not bad, Kido Yunxiao couldn't help but agree. But just as he smiled, Ito Hirobumi loudly refuted.
"This is simply wishful thinking. Not to mention that the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty would not marry a widow, even if he did, there would be no Empire of Tomorrow. Aren't you afraid that the Ming Dynasty would become the master instead of the cuckoo taking over the magpie's nest? Don't forget that China's integration power is very strong! By that time, there might be no Japan!"
(End of this chapter)
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