My Italy

"Your country's attitude of violating the principle of neutrality is a shameless betrayal of the civilized world and will be strongly condemned by all countries."

In the palace, Carlo sat on a chair and listened to the British Ambassador Mandyson, uttering deafening words of justice.

Carlo knew that the British were anxious. They had just decided to support Japan in encircling Russia and wanted to find some supplements for Japan. However, he encountered Italy personally going to attack Japan. As the boss behind the scenes, how could the British Empire sit still?

No, Ambassador Mandison's protest was sent directly to Carlo.

How could Carlo not understand the anger of the British?

But Italy is not a follower of the United Kingdom, so why should it listen to the British? Italy also has its own interests. It is not in Italy's interest to allow the Japanese to grow in the Far East. Although from a historical point of view, the rise of the Japanese is unstoppable, for Carlo, it can be blocked for a few years. Anyway, Japan cannot get too much of the Qing Dynasty's cake.

"Your Excellency Ambassador, do you need a glass of water first?"

After Mandison finished speaking, Carlo asked with concern. This made Ambassador Mandyson very angry. For a long time, the monarch did not take what he said to heart.

Don't blame Carlo for speaking too bluntly, the British protests really don't matter. As long as the British do not personally help Japan, Italy will not be moved at all.

There is no way, money is very attractive, let alone Italy, which is currently crazy about poverty. According to estimates from the Ministry of Finance, supporting the Qing government would bring in direct benefits of at least 200 million lire, and indirect benefits could reach more than 300 million lire. This is a huge sum of money, so don’t even think about asking Italy to give up with empty words.

In fact, Ambassador Mandison also knows that he is doing useless work. In fact, London also knows this. But there are some things that you must do even though you know they are useless, otherwise everyone will look bad.

Otherwise, if the newly recruited younger brother was beaten, how could he be convincing if he didn't show his anger.

Of course, it is impossible to end the game in person, so it is good to be able to scold him in person. The British know very well who is more important, Japan or Italy, which is also a great power.

Carlo also knew this, so he intervened in the war in the Far East.

In fact, Carlo had already analyzed the pros and cons before helping the Qing Dynasty. As long as the British don't make hostile moves towards Italy, then there won't be much of a problem. The chance that the British will die for Japan personally is zero. This is the result of Carlo's calm analysis based on the current British diplomacy and the previous situation of sending troops.

In addition to the British, the United States, another country that supports Japan, is even more impossible.

In addition to these two countries, Russia, which has the greatest geographical advantage in the Far East, was willing to see the war between China and Japan at the beginning. However, as Japan crossed the Yalu River and entered the customs, its attitude changed. Russia, which has regarded foreign countries as its meat, has become hostile to Japan. France was influenced by Russia and had a bad impression of Japan.

Germany's entry into Italy was a mixed bag. The good news is that Italy is its ally no matter what, and Italy's growth can be said to be an increase in its own strength. What is worrying is that Italy's impulsive and desperate approach makes it slightly worried about such an impulsive ally. As for Austria-Hungary, the Far East is too far away from Austria-Hungary, and its influence in the Far East is limited.

So looking at it, there is nothing that prevents Italy from causing trouble in the Far East. Of course, if Italy divides its sphere of influence in the Qing Dynasty, this is a different matter.

Since other countries will not or cannot intervene in Italy's actions, this is definitely the worst news for Japan.

In fact, after the Qing Dynasty was announced to the world, Japan was worried about the malicious intentions from Italy.

"The war with the Qing Dynasty has now entered a troubled period. Do you have any good suggestions?"

At the imperial meeting, Ito Hirobumi, as Prime Minister, did not hesitate to express his inner thoughts in front of all the ministers of the court.

There was no way. Seeing that this war was going smoothly, when Ito Hirobumi and others were ready to reap a wave of benefits, they were suddenly told that what you just fought were just miscellaneous soldiers, and now the boss is coming. Being able to avoid shouting insults and being shameless is considered very well-educated.

But swearing doesn't solve the problem. Now, the most urgent request for Japan is that the Italians are coming, how should Japan deal with this new opponent.

"Saigo-kun, does your Navy Department have any plans?"

Ito Hirobumi directly named them and asked the Navy Ministry to come up with a solution. As for why the Navy is named first, the reason is simple. Whether it is protecting maritime transportation lines or fighting for sea control, the navy is needed. It can be said that without a navy, the Japanese troops in Liaodong and Korea were all useless.

In view of the importance of the navy, that's why I asked the navy first.

Facing the Prime Minister's inquiry, Saigo Yumichi, as the Minister of the Navy, discussed in a low voice with the Commander of the Combined Fleet, Ito Yuhiro, before speaking. "Our navy does have a plan."

Upon hearing that the navy really had a solution, everyone present became interested.

"Please Xixiang-kun, please tell me the truth."

At this time, Ito Yuhiro, who was on one side, said, "Before we say anything, we must first explain that this plan is a bit bold."

"It doesn't matter. The empire is currently in trouble, so please speak out."

After getting approval from Prime Minister Ito, Saigo opened his mouth. "Our navy's plan is to immediately land on the Weihaiwei side and seize Weihaiwei, the most important military port in the North Sea, to prevent the military port from being used by Italy."

"Nani?"

The words of the Lord of the Admiralty shocked the others because it was too dangerous.

"This is just nonsense."

As a replacement for the new Army Minister Takashima Tomonosuke, who had gone to command the First Army Oyamaiwa, he immediately refuted. Because of this plan, it will be very dangerous for the Japanese troops to land. They must capture Weihaiwei before the Italian troops arrive, otherwise they will be in despair.

Facing Takashima Tomonosuke's rebuttal, Ito Yuhiro immediately said loudly. "This is also the best way."

Then he explained. "The most dangerous thing for the Italian army is its fleet. In the North China Sea, there are currently only three ports that can be used as ports of call, namely Lushun, Weihaiwei, and Tianjin. Currently, Lushun is under the control of our army, and Tianjin is deep into the Bohai Sea. Bay, surrounded by Lushun and Weihaiwei on the left and right, as long as Weihaiwei can be occupied, the Italian army will have no ports available in the North China Sea, so they can only stay in Shanghai.

By attacking from Shanghai, we will have enough time to respond, and this will also drag down its combat effectiveness. Therefore, we can only have a chance of winning if we take down Weihaiwei. Once the Italian army arrives at Weihaiwei, all previous efforts will be in vain. "

In fact, Ito Yuhiro's words have a premise, that is, the Japanese combined fleet cannot defeat the Italian fleet. In fact, several deductions have been conducted within the Japanese Combined Fleet. No matter how the deduction is performed, the result is the same. When the Combined Fleet meets the Italian Navy, there will only be a defeat.

Among other things, the three 15,000-ton Turin-class battleships are a problem that it cannot solve.

Of course, if the Japanese army shamelessly sets up the Turin class to break away from the formation and enter the narrow sea area, and the Japanese torpedo boats all come out, then they can win. But this condition, except for lust, is simply impossible. This requires the Italian commander to be mentally retarded to make such an idiotic move. It would be impossible for anyone in the combined fleet to do this, because it would be sent to a military court.

Therefore, the only way at present is to seize Weihaiwei first and leave no usable ports for Italy.

Of course, in order to provide enough convincing for his plan, Ito Yuheng picked up a telegram.

"According to the investigation of our intelligence personnel in Pontianak, Italians are currently purchasing winter clothing in Pontianak. According to the reserve warehouse personnel we bribed, the Italian army currently only has more than 3,000 pieces of winter clothing, and the Italian army, which lacks winter clothing, at least needs It will take half a month to set sail. Including the time to go north, we have at least twenty days. This is also our last chance. "