My Italy

The outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War filled the Far East with smoke. The first to bear the brunt were Nie Shicheng and Ye Zhichao's troops in Asan near Seoul.

This Qing army in southern Korea was attacked by the Japanese 9th Mixed Brigade Major General Oshima Yishō with more than 4,000 troops from Seoul on July 25. At that time, the Qing army stationed in Yashan had increased to more than 3,800 people. Among them, Taiyuan Town Commander-in-Chief Nie Shicheng and registered Admiral Jiang Zikang led 2,800 troops to be stationed in Chenghuanyi. Admiral Ye Zhichao of Zhili led 500 people from the 1st Battalion to Gongzhou, and another 1st Battalion was stationed in Yashan. Mountain.

The two armies fought for one day. In view of the Japanese army's strength in South Korea and our reinforcements still in the Pyongyang area of ​​North Korea, they lost more than 500 people. The two Qing troops had to relocate, and the Japanese army lost 88 people.

After expelling two Qing troops, the Japanese army stepped up its efforts to transport troops from within the country. The Fifth Division, the Tenth Mixed Brigade and other units also landed in North Korea during this period.

In Japan, various divisions are mobilizing to prepare for the next reinforcement of North Korea.

Faced with Japan's impressive moves, the Qing Dynasty was also making preparations. Li Zhongtang was also making preparations and continued to mobilize Sheng Jun, Feng Jun and others from China to train troops and enter the DPRK to fight.

Of course, Li Zhongtang did more than just this. At Li Zhongtang's warm invitation, the Italian Minister to the Qing Dynasty, Jia Liwen, walked into the busy Tianjin Governor's Palace.

"Minister Jia, I invite you to come this time mainly because our country needs your help."

Li Zhongtang briefly and clearly explained his intention to invite Jia Liwen this time at the beginning.

"Due to Japan's despicable and shameless sneak attack, our country is not fully prepared now, so we want to purchase a batch of weapons and ammunition from your country to equip our soldiers."

As a confidant and right-hand man, Zhou Fu told Minister Jia Liwen the reason for the invitation.

That's right, although Italy reminded him many times, Li Zhongtang didn't take it too seriously, so he didn't realize until the war started that his military preparations were still not sufficient.

At this time, Li Zhongtang thought of Italy. Not only could he ask Minister Jia to come to Tianjin to discuss the matter, but Zhou Fu's explanation would be much better than what he himself could do. At least it would save his own face.

Minister Jia had made some assumptions before coming, so he was not surprised by Zhou Fu's words.

But it was not easy for him to agree to Li Zhongtang's request on behalf of Italy. Jia Liwen said. "Master Zhou's words are very difficult for me to handle. Your country believes and knows the principle of diplomatic neutrality and allows our country to break neutrality and participate in it. This is not easy for Rome to agree to."

Yes, after the war broke out between China and Japan, although Italy has not declared neutrality, it is impossible for Italy to take the lead in violating the principle of neutrality without paying some costs.

Because he knew that since Qianli Zhaozhao invited him here this time, he would definitely not be so solemn with a small amount of weapons and ammunition. Of course it's not easy, which means the price is too small. As a man of the Qing Dynasty, would Li Zhongtang still not understand what Jia Liwen meant?

Sure enough, as Jia Liwen finished speaking, Zhou Fu spoke directly. "Our country will remember Italy's kindness. Of course, our country will not suffer any loss from its friends. This is our country's need."

As he spoke, a weapons purchase list was handed to Jia Liwen.

Minister Jia took the list and looked at it carefully.

Fifteen thousand M88 Carcano rifles, 30,000 Vitry M1870 rifles, 48 ​​Maxim heavy machine guns, 68 57mm mountain guns, 32 75mm field guns, 16 85mm field guns, 150mm shore guns 6 anti-guns and 2 240mm shore defense guns. As well as 15 million rounds of various bullets and 80,000 rounds of various artillery shells, with a total value of more than 15 million lire.

These weapons lists are quite normal, and Jia Liwen thinks that he can nod and agree to them. After all, Rome had given instructions before to ensure Italy's interests in the Far East. Italy's interests in the Far East were basically concentrated in the Qing Dynasty, so the meaning of this statement is self-evident.

As for why you don't agree easily, it's not simple. If it's easy to get, then you won't know how to be grateful.

But Jia Liwen couldn't care less about the supplies at the front of the list now, because there were still some items at the end of the list.

"Your country not only wants to purchase Chinese warships, but also wants to hire retired Chinese officers and soldiers to operate the warships. This matter is too sensitive, and I am afraid it will be difficult for our country to agree to it."

Yes, compared with selling weapons that violates the principle of neutrality, Jia Liwen feels that Li Zhongtang feels too good about himself and actually wants the Italian army to fight for him. That's right, hiring retired officers and soldiers is just a cover-up.

It may be that the actions of Italy during the Sino-French War ten years ago gave this old man an illusion. Jia Liwen felt that it was necessary to dispel Li Zhongtang's illusion.

In the face of Jia Liwen's rebuttal, Li Zhongtang was not angry. After all, he had tasted the benefits before, so he tried to test one or two with the mentality of having a date but not a date.

"Minister Jia, don't be angry. As far as I know, this kind of thing is not uncommon in Europe, so our country's request is nothing."

It is obvious that Li Zhongtang has done his homework and knows some situations in Europe.

After hearing Li Zhongtang's words, Minister Jia felt that it was necessary to educate him on this matter.

"What Zhongtang said was a situation that lasted hundreds of years. This situation is basically not seen in Europe now. In addition, when your country was at war with France, our country would send retired officers and soldiers. That is a very bad relationship between our country and France."

Obviously Jia Liwen wanted to tell Li Zhongtang that the situation is different now, and it is impossible to end Italy without a sufficient price. With this purchase order of millions of taels, it is impossible to satisfy Italy.

Li Zhongtang also understood what Minister Jia Liwen meant. At this time, Li Zhongtang still had power and was not very eager to invite Italy to help, so he immediately changed the subject.

"It's me, Meng Lang. Let's talk about weapons procurement."

After pressing the intention of inviting Italy to help, the two parties were finally able to discuss weapons procurement.

And Li Zhongtang also knew that with the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, weapons were currently difficult to buy, so he didn't insist much on the price this time.

For the sake of the interests of the Far East, Italy did not ask for too high a price, so this batch of arms was finally sold at a price of 22 million.

Don't think that Italy is taking advantage of the situation. Li Zhongtang is actually taking advantage.

You must know that due to the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the price of arms has risen by half like a rocket.

And it's not something you can buy if you have money, let alone such a large batch of arms.

Moreover, Li Zhongtang's requirements are still high. This batch of arms must be transported to Tianjin within two months. Considering the shipping time, this means that this batch of arms must be drawn from the army warehouse.

It can be said that Italy has already put half of its butt on China's side.

Next, it depends on how Li Zhongtang plays. Italy has already given a lot of support.