The Russo-Japanese War is still going on, and the officers and soldiers of the two sides are still fighting, especially in Lushun.

Because of the strong demand of the navy, the Japanese 3rd Army launched a strong attack on the Russian army positions. The fierce fighting lasted until September 24. The Japanese army only wedged into the defense line of the fortress guards in some places at the cost of losing 22,000 people, while the Russian army lost more than 4,000 people for this. The power of the Maxim machine gun in positional defense was displayed to the extreme in this tough battle. Groups of Japanese officers and soldiers were shot down by this deadly weapon on the way to the charge.

For this reason, when the third army's battle report was sent back to Tokyo, the base camp thought it was a typo.

Due to heavy losses, the Japanese army had to suspend their attempts to further attack the fortress, waiting for replenishment of troops and supplies, and preparing for a new offensive. From October 19th to 22nd, the Japanese army launched a second strong attack. During the four-day offensive, the Japanese army only occupied three fortifications at the cost of 13,000 people, but the important strategic commanding heights surrounding the city were still in the hands of the defenders. The Russian army lost more than 3,000 people.

When the offensive and defensive battle in Lushun was in full swing, a battle between Japan and Russia was also unfolding in Liaoyang. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th armies of the Japanese army, led by General Dashanyan, fought a battle with Russia led by General Kuropatkin.

135,000 Japanese troops launched an offensive against the 160,000 Russian troops stationed here. After eight days of fighting, the Japanese army defeated Russia at the cost of losing 14,000 people, causing Russia to retreat to Fengtian, and this time the Russian army lost 27,000 people.

When the Battle of Liaoyang was in full swing, the second detachment of the United Fleet led by Uemura Hikonojo made great achievements. They captured the Russian Vladivostok Squadron led by Major General Essen in Ulsan.

If you want to say which Russian fleet makes the Japanese gnash their teeth the most, it must be the Vladivostok Squadron. This fleet led by Major General Essen harassed the coast of Japan several times, sank and captured a large number of Japanese civilian ships, causing a huge sensation. So much so that for a while, the Japanese civilian ships were like frightened birds, and when they saw the warships, they shouted that the Lucia fleet was coming.

In this Ulsan naval battle, the second detachment led by two Garibaldi-class patrols slammed the Vladivostok squadron. The fire protection and speed of the Vladivostok Squadron are far inferior to those of the Japanese ships. Except for the Grombowie, which was seriously injured and escaped, the Russian and Rurik were sunk on the spot. After this naval battle, the Vladivostok Squadron existed in name only, and the threat to the coast of Japan was lifted.

At this time, anyone with a discerning eye can see that Russia is already at a comprehensive disadvantage in this war in the Far East.

Faced with this situation, the Russians are certainly not reconciled. In addition to using the unbroken Siberia Railway to continuously transport troops and supplies to the Far East, the batch of warships for sale in Italy is also determined to win.

"Prime Minister Antonio, our country has raised the price by 380 million lire, which is enough to prove the sincerity of our country. Your country is not letting go of the price of 400 million lire, is it a bit too persistent. You must know that our country is currently selling The price is already the highest, 40 million lire higher than the price of the Japanese, I don’t think there will be a higher price than this.”

The speaker was the Russian ambassador to Italy, Tokayev, who had recently been the most active ambassador to Italy. Because he is also the negotiator for the purchase of Italian warships, he has a lot of contact with the Italian side these days. At present, the bidding between the two countries has come to an end. The shy Japanese can only offer 340 million lire, while the great Russian Empire has already offered a price of 380 million lire, which far suppresses the Japanese in terms of price.

But some things are so helpless, and the price of 380 million lire has been talked about. The Italians in front of them didn't move at all, and they didn't let go of the price of 400 million lire, which made their teeth itch. Aren't these Italians afraid that these warships will not be sold?

None of the senior Italian officials present knew what the Russian ambassador was thinking, but Prime Minister Antonio smiled slightly. "Your Excellency, the purchase of warships is your wish. Since your country needs these warships, it needs to give them a matching price. Our country believes that these warships are worth 400 million lire. I think this is a difference in values. reasons, and nothing else."

Regardless of other questions, Tokayev cursed in his heart. You must know that Russia had already purchased two Genoa-class battleships in Italy three years ago, and he participated in the whole process at that time. Why didn't he say that at that time, but now he talks about the difference in values.

In fact, he also knows that the Italians are dead and they can only buy ships here, and for the victory of the war, St. Petersburg will definitely succumb to this high price. Because he could tell from the contents of the telegrams sent to him from St. Petersburg.

However, although there are grievances, the tasks entrusted to him by St. Petersburg must be done. Ambassador Tokayev can only continue to fight hard with the Italians, but the effect is the same as before. Opportunity. In the end, he could only return without success and returned to the embassy.

Once back at the embassy, ​​he immediately called for his secretary. "Send a telegram to St. Petersburg. According to my observation, the Italians are very firm in their insistence on the purchase price of 400 million lire."

"Yes, Your Excellency the Ambassador."

After seeing off the secretary, Ambassador Tokayev slumped on a chair in frustration. The day's negotiations were very tiring. The more important thing is that the Italians don't get in, so there is no room for him to use his abilities.

Originally, he thought it was a good job, and he wanted to make a contribution to show the people above, and move up two steps if he had the opportunity. But now he has given up on this idea long ago, and St. Petersburg doesn't think it is good for him to do things badly.

Early the next morning, before Ambassador Tokayev asked, the secretary rushed over with a telegram.

"Call back from St. Petersburg."

This sentence made Ambassador Tokayev cheer up and check carefully. In fact, this telegram can be read at a glance, because it says to complete the transaction as soon as possible.

"Something must have happened, and I didn't know about it."

This was the thought that came to Tokayev's mind.

Tokayev was right, because General Kutparokin, the commander of the Far East, sent a telegram to the tsar. In addition to stating the current difficulties of Russia in the area, he also gave the tsar advice. Dao~lightnovelpub.net~ is limited by the failure of the Siberian Railway, it is too difficult to achieve the goal of defeating the Japanese army on land, and it is entirely possible to find a way from the sea.

It was this sentence that became the last straw that crushed the Tsar's heart. He finally decided to purchase Italian warships and complete the formation of the fleet to reinforce the Far East as soon as possible.

Although Tokayev didn't know the inside story, since St. Petersburg was willing to suffer this decision, he had nothing to say.

Then he said to the secretary. "Prepare the carriage, I need to go to the Prime Minister's Office now."

In a hurry, Tokayev headed for the Italian Prime Minister's Palace with the news of Russia's agreement.

The signing of the ship purchase contract was also very fast, and the two parties reached a ship purchase agreement the next day.

Subsequently, the news that Russia spent a huge sum of 400 million lire to purchase the Italian fleet also spread to all parts of the world along with the radio waves. And the news also shocked the whole world. Some people said that Italy was greedy, and some people said that the Russians had been taken advantage of. However, in any case, the most shocking news about Russia's 120,000-ton fleet must be the Japanese.

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