After the Meiji Restoration, the Empire of the Rising Sun began to learn from the West in all aspects, shedding its Asian identity and embracing Europe.
This propelled the Empire of the Rising Sun onto a fast track of development.
However, due to its weak foundation and lack of resources, coupled with frequent geological disasters, the Empire of the Rising Sun faced significant challenges in becoming a world power and joining the ranks of the great nations.
Fortunately, the Japanese were lucky.
As the Bear of the North relentlessly pursued expansion in the Far East, it inevitably threatened the interests of the Sun Never Sets Empire in the region.
Simultaneously, the Sun Never Sets Empire was committed to its long-standing policy of containing and isolating the Bear of the North, which sought to seize access to the open sea.
This necessitated the Sun Never Sets Empire to seek partners, or rather, allies, to support throughout the world.
Compared to the corrupt and outdated Qing Dynasty, the newly-emerging Empire of the Rising Sun emerged as the Sun Never Sets Empire's best choice.
The Sun Never Sets Empire began supporting the Empire of the Rising Sun in terms of economy and military.
They also provided substantial loans to the Empire of the Rising Sun, enabling it to develop its industries and build its military.
Over the years, the Empire of the Rising Sun's strength had significantly increased.
However, due to its weak foundation, the Empire of the Rising Sun was still unable to directly challenge the Qing Dynasty.
For instance, the Empire of the Rising Sun's navy, despite its ten-year expansion plan, still had many purchased and domestically built warships yet to be commissioned, and they were currently not a match for the Beiyang Fleet.
This did not prevent the Sun Never Sets Empire from using the Japanese as cannon fodder.
Without a doubt, the Empire of the Rising Sun's army was the perfect choice for cannon fodder.
Currently, the Empire of the Rising Sun's army consisted of six infantry divisions and one imperial guard division, with a standing force of over 60,000. Additionally, there were over 200,000 reservists who could be mobilized to form a formidable army.
After the Sun Never Sets Empire's Prime Minister Robert Cecil made his decision, various departments immediately followed his orders.
The Sun Never Sets Empire's ambassador to the Empire of the Rising Sun, Sir Ernest Satow, promptly met with the Empire of the Rising Sun's Prime Minister Kuroda Kiyotaka and Foreign Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu to inform them of the Sun Never Sets Empire's intentions.
“Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Your Excellency, Foreign Minister. The Qing Empire has invited our Empire to dispatch troops to help them quell the rebellion. However, our Empire is far too distant from the Far East. It would be incredibly difficult for us to deploy a large-scale army across such vast distances to engage in warfare.
Therefore, we hope the Empire of the Rising Sun can send its army to fight in the Qing Empire.
After all, the Empire of the Rising Sun is geographically closer to the Qing Empire.
If the Empire of the Rising Sun is willing, we can persuade the Qing Empire to offer you favorable benefits.
Simultaneously, the Sun Never Sets Empire will continue to support you!”
Ambassador Satow stated.
Prime Minister Kuroda Kiyotaka and Foreign Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu both flashed a glimmer of eagerness in their eyes.
As high-ranking officials of the Empire of the Rising Sun, they understood its shortcomings.
They also knew that for the Empire of the Rising Sun to truly become powerful, it needed to expand outwards.
The Korean Peninsula, just across the sea, and the far larger but decaying Qing Empire, were undeniably their targets.
However, the Empire of the Rising Sun's foundation was too weak. Even after twenty years of preparation, they still lacked confidence in winning a war.
Now, the Qing Empire was embroiled in internal strife, which undeniably served the interests of the Empire of the Rising Sun.
They secretly wished that the Qing Empire's civil war would continue for a longer time.
In that way, when they launched their invasion of the Qing Empire in the future, they would face significantly less pressure.
“Your Excellency, Ambassador, we have no intention of getting involved in the Qing Empire's civil war,” Prime Minister Kuroda Kiyotaka said, without immediately agreeing to the Sun Never Sets Empire’s request.
They were well aware of the Sun Never Sets Empire’s intention to use them as cannon fodder.
However, even if they agreed, the Sun Never Sets Empire needed to offer more benefits in return.
“Your Excellency, Prime Minister, this will bring you numerous advantages. We can persuade the Qing Empire to pay you a military fee. Additionally, you can utilize this war to test your army in real combat.
I believe that your army wouldn’t want to miss such a rare opportunity!
Of course, that’s secondary.
The most crucial matter is, if the Empire of the Rising Sun serves our Empire, you will gain our friendship. I believe the Empire of the Rising Sun wouldn’t want to reject our friendship!”
Ambassador Satow continued.
But his words clearly carried a hint of threat.
If the Japanese were foolish enough to reject this offer, they should prepare to face the wrath of the world’s hegemon.
“Your Excellency, Ambassador, this is a major matter. We need to discuss it with other high-ranking officials of our Empire, and we also need to report it to His Majesty Emperor Meiji,” Foreign Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu quickly replied.
Ambassador Satow nodded, “Very well, Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Your Excellency, Foreign Minister. I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer by this time tomorrow!”
Prime Minister Kuroda Kiyotaka and Foreign Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu both nodded repeatedly.