The Rise of the Empire

"The Americans want to increase their troops, and the Spaniards also want to increase their troops? This is really a difficult thing." Sitting on the main seat, Hirobumi Ito said, looking at the information in his hand.

"The Americans may have realized that we have ideas about the Philippines. The Americans are not satisfied with occupying Cuba, but also want to extend their hands to the East. This is absolutely not allowed by the empire. The Spaniards should be in defense of the United States." Yamamoto Gonbei Wei analyzed.

"I have a question now. Has the empire's attitude towards the United States and the Philippines changed? Will we back down under the intervention of the United States, will we turn the sole occupation of the Philippines into sharing the Philippines, or simply give up?" said Yamamoto Gonbei While talking, he stared at Ito Hirobumi, with a hint of ruthlessness and determination in his sharp eyes.

"Spain is a sheep, and the United States is a tiger. If you retreat, it will make him gain an inch. For this kind of enemy, we can only exclude it from the sphere of influence of the empire! Now the American industry has no Converted into military power, their base system is not enough to support a huge fleet in the Far East. If we don’t act at this time, we will miss the last chance to dominate the Far East! The Russians are paper tigers, and the British are our friends The United States is a terrible enemy. In the face of such an enemy, we will not retreat!" Ito Hirobumi's words have made it very clear that no matter what difficulties Japan faces, Japan will bring the Philippines into its control middle!

Japan really has no way out this time! In order to win the Philippines, the Japanese government invested a lot of money and manpower in 3 years! Among other things, the Japanese government spent nearly 5 million pounds on just 4 super armored cruisers! If it is converted into silver, it will be more than 30 million taels! In order to occupy and control the Philippines, the Japanese Army also drew 3 divisions from the whole country! A total of about 70,000 troops! This is another huge military expenditure. The replacement of army equipment and personnel salaries and others add up to no less than 3 million pounds! In order to ensure that such a force can be transported there, the Japanese government has to mobilize tens of thousands of tons of merchant ships.

These expenses are already huge enough, but this is only to give Japan the ability to war. In order to meet the war support, the Japanese government has raised another 6 million pounds in war expenses! More than 90% of this came from bonds sold in the UK and US! You read that right, many Americans also bought Japanese bonds!

Although the Japanese government is vigorously developing industry, commerce and national industries, if there is no other income, the immediate debt is enough to overwhelm Japan. Japan needs colonial markets and raw materials. In vain! For Japan now, there is still a way out, which can rely on selling colonial properties and privileges in exchange for funds. And if you don't fight, it will be a dead end. In this case, the Japanese government can naturally make a decision.

"Hehe, it's not just the U.S. Navy. I'm used to being king and hegemony in the Americas, so I feel invincible. Do they think that Japan today is the Japan of the Shogunate? The hatred of the Black Ship incident back then should also be liquidated today. If we Occupying the Philippines, it’s fine if the Americans don’t take action, if they want to do it, then I don’t mind teaching them a lesson.” Yamamoto Gonbei said with a smile.

"Because of the intervention of the Spaniards, we plan to modify the plan. The original plan to defeat the Spanish fleet first and then create an established fact is somewhat difficult. The Americans strengthened their fleet in the Far East. Before Asami and Yakumo came back, we The strength of the fleet cannot deal with the Spaniards and Americans at the same time, so for the sake of safety,

We will wait for the return of the two battleships before acting! "Suki Kawayama on the side took out the revised battle plan and handed it to Hirobumi Ito and others for review.

"If the United States and Spain act first, will we be more passive in diplomacy?" Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said with some concern.

"Before Asami and Yakumo come back, any mistakes will lead to irreparable losses. The British have made it clear that they will strictly observe neutrality during the war, and they will not provide us with new warships. It’s better than military passiveness. And I don’t think the American army will land so quickly. What can really swear sovereignty is the actual occupation.” Xixiang Congdao said.

"In the military's plan, the navy intends to defeat the opponent after the U.S. fleet enters the waters surrounding Luzon. Have you ever thought about what happens if the U.S. fleet is stationed in Samoa and then waits for domestic reinforcements? If the Americans realize that they are not strong enough , If their four battleships are transferred to the Far East, how will the navy deal with the entire US naval power? And this time the Germans seem to intend to help the United States?" Ito Hirobumi asked.

"This.... The American fleet will stay in the mainland to deal with the Spanish fleet stationed in the West Indies, right? They can't transfer all the warships, right?" Yamamoto Gonbei never thought about the United States. What if people don't come! The navy's plan is to fight against the Americans, and then how can we fight against each other in the Philippines, and the final battle will determine the winner. And if the Americans don't come, wouldn't everything change?

"I've already figured it out for you. If the Americans don't act after all our armored cruisers are in place, then we will take the initiative! With 4 Asami-class armored cruisers in hand, we can easily defeat the Spanish fleet, and then send The Army's occupation of the Philippines is a fait accompli."

"In this case, the United States is very likely to take military action to seize the southern islands of the Philippines. In this case, we must wipe out the American fleet in the Far East in one go! Not just drive them away! We even have to fight To American Samoa! Japan will be safe only if this fleet is completely defeated!" Ito Hirobumi said this in an extremely flat tone, which made everyone in the room feel cold sweat!

"You really want to fight against the Americans! Use force to force the other party to submit." Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said with a sigh. If Japan preemptively occupied the Philippines and the United States did not act, then it would be passive diplomatically. And when the main islands of the Philippines are occupied, the cost for Americans to obtain the Philippines will rise sharply.

Therefore, if the Americans really intend to take the Philippines, then 80% will immediately seize the southern islands. In this case, a conflict between the two sides is certain! This is Japan forcing the Americans to make a decision, and if the Americans decide to fight, then the Japanese fleet must completely defeat the opponent!

First of all, the author wants to apologize. The chapter number of the previous chapter is wrong, but the content is correct. You can read it with confidence~~~

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