Rise of the Arms Dealer in the World War-Chapter 30 - The Diplomatic War

As the meeting resumed, outlining the finer details of the treaty, a sharp voice interrupted.

"Wait a moment!"

All eyes turned to Japan's representative, Nishi Tokujirō, who had risen from his seat for the first time in weeks.

"Why has the Japanese Empire been excluded from these discussions?" he demanded. "We, too, have suffered losses and demand equal rights as these other nations!"

The room fell silent, the tension palpable.

"Ah, Japan," Liu Feng said, his voice dripping with derision. "I had almost forgotten you were here."

Nishi Tokujirō swallowed hard, struggling to maintain composure.

"Yes, Japan has suffered greatly!" he pressed. "How many of our soldiers were killed by the Boxer rebels? Over 3,500 in a single day!"

It was true. While the allied forces had minimal casualties, Japan had paid a heavy price.

But Liu Feng's response was a dagger.

"Japan. The dog of the East," Liu Feng said with deliberate cruelty. "A nation that doesn't know when to bow and when to bare its teeth."

Nishi Tokujirō's face burned with anger and humiliation.

"You—!"

Liu Feng cut him off. "Let me make this clear. I'll decide Japan's fate here and now. As of today, Qing severs all diplomatic ties with Japan. Any Japanese citizens remaining in Qing territory beyond one month will be considered illegal immigrants and executed accordingly."

The room erupted into chaos, but Liu Feng remained steadfast. The message was clear: Japan had no place at this table.

Here's the adapted translation, transformed into a cinematic and epic fantasy style, with a descriptive third-person narrative while preserving the original meaning and tone:

The representatives gathered at the negotiation table exchanged skeptical glances.

"With what power?"

"Didn't they lose to Japan not long ago?"

This was an era where naval strength dictated the fate of nations. If the Japanese navy decided to wreak havoc along the Qing Empire's coastline, the consequences would be catastrophic. It would inevitably lead to surrender.

Liu Feng's voice broke through the air, calm yet laced with authority.

"Taiwan and the Penghu Islands must be returned. Furthermore, all privileges granted to Japan within Qing territory will be revoked. Every prior treaty will be declared null and void."

Bang!

A Japanese diplomat slammed his fist onto the table, his face red with anger.

"And what authority do you think you have to make such demands?"

Everyone in the room knew the Qing navy was no match for Japan's. Yet Liu Feng's tone held no hint of bluffing.

"I am the Emperor's envoy plenipotentiary," Liu Feng declared smoothly. "Herbert, Ambassador of Britain, may I have a moment?"

Herbert blinked, caught off guard as Liu Feng addressed him directly.

"Yes?"

"If Qing's coasts are as vulnerable as some of you claim," Liu Feng continued, "then the ports you've leased are equally at risk. Should Qing collapse, all your plans—including this treaty—will be rendered meaningless."

Herbert's thoughts spiraled. "Why am I being dragged into this?"

The message was clear: if Qing fell, so too would the ambitions of the powers present. Herbert, a seasoned diplomat, understood the stakes. Every pair of eyes in the room now rested on him.

As the only European power with overtly pro-Japanese leanings, Britain's stance could drastically alter the outcome of the negotiations.

"Think, Herbert, think! What's the right move here?"

He weighed his options swiftly. Avoiding an answer would undermine his credibility. Choosing a side was imperative.

"Which alliance benefits Britain more—Qing or Japan?"

The answer was obvious. Japan, now firmly in the ranks of major powers, had little need for British imports. In both the short and long term, Qing was the more profitable partner.

But then another concern arose. "What about Russia? Only Japan can counter Russia's ambitions in the Far East... or can it?"

Herbert's gaze swept across the room, taking in the faces of the other delegates—France, the United States, Italy, Germany, and Austria.

"Until now, we've played the Great Game alone. But that's no longer the case, is it?"

Should Russia expand its naval presence in the Far East, it would face backlash from every nation represented here. All of them had vested interests in Qing's ports.

"The Great Game is over. The Far East now belongs to the world. Besides, didn't Liu Feng say Qing would build its army? That alone could keep Russia in check."

A chill ran down Herbert's spine.

"Could he have foreseen even this?"

His eyes locked on Liu Feng, who sat with an expression of unshaken confidence, a faint smile curling his lips.

"Madman. Just how far ahead has he planned?"

Taking a deep breath, Herbert rose to his feet.

"While Japan is undoubtedly a nation that has advanced by emulating the West," Herbert began, his voice steady, "its current demands are unfounded."

He turned to the Japanese delegate, his tone sharp.

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"Yes, Japan has suffered losses, that much is true. But their actions cannot be excused under the guise of 'victimhood.' They assassinated a regent, the very guardian of Qing's sovereignty!"

"That accusation is baseless!" the Japanese delegate snapped.

"Enough," Herbert cut him off. "We all know it was your Lieutenant Itō who killed the Empress Dowager. Denying it is futile. If anything, Japan should be paying reparations!"

Herbert's decisive stance emboldened the other delegates.

"I agree wholeheartedly!" the French ambassador declared. "Would any of us tolerate such actions if they were directed at our nations?"

"Absolutely!" chimed the German ambassador. "This wasn't an accident; it was a deliberate act of murder!"

Even the Russian ambassador, who had been waiting for his moment, joined the fray. "Let us not forget—they attempted to assassinate our Tsarevich as well!"

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the Russian ambassador, who coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.

The collective sentiment was clear: the allied nations would not side with Japan. Dividing the spoils among seven powers was already a delicate balance; allowing Japan—a neighboring nation—to claim a share would only diminish their portions further.

Liu Feng turned to Nishi Tokujirō, Japan's representative, with a faint, mocking smile.

"Justice prevails in the court of international diplomacy, does it not, Ambassador Nishi?"

Nishi Tokujirō glared back but said nothing.

"As for the details," Liu Feng continued, "we'll notify your government through official channels. Since this agreement does not concern Japan, I must ask you to leave."

The words stung like a whip. Until now, Nishi Tokujirō had at least had the dignity of sitting quietly in the corner, sipping tea. Now, he was being expelled outright, with no room for protest.

The justification—Japan's assassination of the regent—was ironclad.

"Damn it," Nishi fumed. "Shouldn't they be thanking us for dealing with the Empress Dowager?"

He could do nothing but leave, humiliated and alone.

As Nishi Tokujirō exited, Liu Feng and the remaining delegates returned to their discussions.

What unfolded was no longer a simple matter of reparations or forced concessions. It had evolved into a reimagining of Qing's future.

On July 1897, the 23rd year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, the Treaty of Prosperity was signed—a stark departure from the punitive treaties of history.

It was a moment that would reshape the balance of power in the East, paving the way for a future far removed from the shadows of subjugation.