Facing the blazing atmosphere of the scene, Kido Koichi stood up and declared: "Your Majesty has an order, there are no prerequisites or restrictions for the study of national policies, only for the sake of the overall situation, please speak freely, but there is one point, please exercise a little restraint, allow arguments but not quarrels, and do not insult colleagues without words." ”

"The ministers obey."

One after another, some people stood up to explain their positions, but the main core points did not deviate from the tone of Ishihara Wanji and Inoue Narumi, and there was no idea of abandoning Nanyang to focus on Chinese mainland - after all, the arrogant Tojo faction had been swept away.

After arguing for most of the day, almost everyone expressed their opinions, and when Ugaki Kazunari saw Hirohito's gaze projected on him, he understood that the time had come for him to come forward and summarize, and said: "After extensive and in-depth discussions, two plans have been basically formed, one is the proposal of Navy Vice Admiral Inoue Narumi, that is, to make greater concessions in the Chinese battlefield and the Nanyang battlefield in exchange for US understanding, which is tentatively designated as Case A; The other is the proposal of Ishihara Wanji, deputy chief of the General Staff Headquarters, that is, to appropriately shrink the Chinese battlefield and the Nanyang battlefield and then cooperate with the Triple Alliance to launch the Indian Ocean Attack, which is tentatively designated as the second bill, and the rest of the amendments will be interspersed according to the needs of the negotiations, and if there is no objection, it is proposed that the above two bills be used as the basis for voting......"

"Wait......" King Minoru Higashikunomiya, who had not spoken much, suddenly stood up and interjected, "I have an amendment, suggesting that understanding of the United States should be sought on the basis of the points proposed by Vice Minister Ishihara that exclude the Indian Ocean strategy. ”

Ugaki Issei was a little displeased, and he concluded his speech You are still here. Why didn't you just say that? But for the sake of the identity of the royal family, he had to sell a face to the other party, "That is characterized as Case C?" ”

"Forget it, let's change Case A."

The crowd nodded. It is also reasonable to change the case to the United States: Case A is obviously a compromise with the United States, Case B is obviously a tough and sustained war case against the United States, and Case A is to seek a compromise with the United States in a relatively tough tone -- to paraphrase military terminology as offensive defense.

"Vote now, please raise your hand if you agree with Bill A." Not surprisingly, Isoroku Yamamoto and Narumi Inoue quickly raised their hands, as did a handful of civilian officials in the cabinet, including the Minister of International Trade and Industry. But there were only 5 votes in favor.

"If you agree with Case B, please raise your hand."

Ishihara and Tada raised their hands, as did some of the other cabinet ministers who were hard-lined, although the number of people in favor was a little higher than that of the first case. But the number of votes was only 8.

"Finally, if you agree with the change of Case A, please raise your hand."

Hula suddenly, except for a few people who were still hesitating and waiting, everyone else raised their hands in agreement, and Ugaki Kazunari counted it. Secretly frightened: "The audience agreed with 27 votes for Case A." Add 1 vote to the person, for a total of 28 votes. ”

Koichi Kido stood up and spoke: "Your Majesty has an order, and the opinions of the monarchs are known, and the opinions of the important ministers will be consulted before making major decisions, and once it is clear, the new cabinet will have full authority to handle it, and now I ask the next prime minister, Kazunari Ugaki, to announce the list of cabinet members." ”

Kazunari Ugaki told him the list that he had prepared a long time ago, but in fact, he didn't say that everyone knew everything, and everyone knew that none of the personnel appointments and dismissals were the prime minister's own will. But everyone thinks it's okay. Hirohito's appointment will strengthen the authority of the cabinet, and once the new cabinet is sworn in, its functions will be put into operation as soon as it is sworn in -- their main task is to implement the policy of the national policy seminar.

Although today's meeting was not entirely enjoyable. But the attendees, looking back, felt that they had almost come to this point: after nearly a year of fighting, the crowd had calmed down from the initial frenzy and was ready to find a way out.

The only thing that makes everyone wonder is who will be the commander of the Combined Fleet that vacated after Admiral Yamamoto's appointment as Minister of the Navy. I thought that the navy would take the opportunity of the meeting to announce the candidates, but I didn't expect to see no one at all, and I smiled and said nothing when I asked the two chief officers of the navy. What the hell is going on? Could it be that the sea minister and the chief of the military command department are still in the middle of a fight?

On the way back, Ishihara Waner and King Minoru Higashikurenomiya left in a car, and he asked Ishihara Waner in confusion: "Ishihara-kun, why did you finally suggest that I propose to change the first case?" If it was just Case A, it wouldn't have been recognized by everyone at all, so our Case B would have been successfully passed, and now that Case A has been reformed, everyone's attention has been attracted......"

"Your Highness, if I say that I also agree with the reform of Case A, what do you think?"

"You ......," said King Minoru of Higashikure Palace, a little helplessly, "Well, I can't understand, you can tell me." ”

"In fact, the reform of Case A is the best plan for Japan, which means that more than 80% of the achievements we have achieved since the start of the war can be recognized by the United States. Since the future prospects are uncertain and the actual interests are almost the same, why not go with the flow? ”

"I just feel a little unwilling, and I can continue to hold on to it - I think the Indian Ocean strategy is very good."

"Didn't you notice that many people don't really want to fight......"

"Yes, I'm not surprised that Inoue Narumi has this idea, and even General Yamamoto has this attitude, which is intriguing - he is a first-line general."

"This is not surprising at all, because His Majesty's heart is also shaken, and if you want to continue fighting, you don't need to have this meeting at all--can't you just follow the old policy?"

King Minoru of the East Kure Palace nodded helplessly: "Yes, I can also see that His Majesty was quite moved when I said that Case A was changed." ”

"If I say that these illusions are to be shattered, not only will Case A be changed, but even the Americans will not agree to Case A, what do you think?"

"What?" King Minoru Higashikure Palace was taken aback, "Case A refuses to accept it?" This is so low that it couldn't be lower, and I thought that if this news leaked out, the young and strong soldiers of the army would shout 'Heaven and the country' to deal with the Navy Ministry. ”

"If you were in the position of an American, would you say yes?"

King Minoru Higashikunomiya thought about it carefully, and a cold sweat came out: "I don't dare to say about Case A, and I will never agree with the change of Case A-Originally, I didn't want to say such a discouraged thing, but when I think of the huge and terrifying potential of the Americans, I feel that they will not agree. ”

"It seems that we are not optimistic about what the Americans think, but unfortunately most people are still self-righteous."

"And where do you think the Americans are?"

After thinking for a while, Ishihara said: "The Chinese side has returned to the state it was in the time of the 'China Incident,' and at most it will give us Qiongzhou Island and special economic benefits, while the Nanyang side will return to the pre-war situation and at most give us some cheap in French Indochina and the Dutch East Indies, and will not even cede to us the oil fields in Borneo." ”

The other party exclaimed: "This is too harsh, isn't it?" ”

"If we control the oil fields, how will the Americans control us in the future?"

"Then you still propose to change Case A?" King Minoru Higashikuremiya said unhappily, "If you know that it won't work, you shouldn't say these unrealistic claims. ”

"Illusions are going to be shattered after all, it's better to come a little earlier than later, and I help those who still have illusions to wake up as soon as possible." Ishihara blinked slyly, "Besides, it's good to have a case A or case A changed to fight with the Americans, so that we can cover the opening of case B -- isn't that what we did before Pearl Harbor?" ”

"In this way, Your Majesty's attitude is crucial."

"Your Majesty is obsessed with the reform of Case A, and if you can't change Case A and can't realize it, Your Majesty will prefer to accept the middle position of Case A and Case A reform, but Case A is very difficult for Your Majesty to accept, he has to consider the overall stability of the country, if even Case A can't be realized, Your Majesty is forced to have no choice but to use Case B -- didn't we quarrel about being tough on the United States or compromising at this time last year? The conditions of the United States were unacceptable before the fight last year, and these conditions can be accepted after the fight? That's a joke! Ishihara added, "However, Admiral Yamamoto and Inoue Narumi have a clear idea of seeking a truce with the United States at all costs, but their ideas will not be understood, let alone approved." ”

"These two have always been anti-war, and it's normal to be a little non-national." King Minoru Higashikuremiya said with a smile, "It's a shame that the non-nationals have taken the Americans by surprise, otherwise the army will immediately pounce and kill them." ”

"Hahahaha." The two looked at each other and smiled.

"How can the German side be appeased? The envoy will have to wait for us to reply in two days, and we can't tell them anything other than Case B, otherwise we will be too passive. King Minoru Higashikurenomiya said worriedly, "The foreign minister must come every day to urge him to reply to his opinions." ”

"This is not a problem, we can conceal the content of Case A and Case A, and only inform him of Case B, so that he can return to China first to inform our side of the major policies, and at the same time let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepare to negotiate with Germany for benefits." Ishihara said confidently, "There will be two lines in diplomacy, one bright and one dark, communication with Germany is the bright line, and the one with the United States can only be a dark line." In addition, it takes time for the exchange of opinions, and it takes time for the army and navy to retreat from the front line on Kuah Island, and it will take time to reorganize and even implement the second proposal, so there is still a little time for diplomacy. We should also ask Germany to draw up a detailed battle plan for the Middle East, which is the basis of the Indian Ocean strategy, and then the two countries can cooperate with each other. ”

"I'm relieved to say that, that Envoy Colle is good, he has more ideas than the young people here, and if he doesn't get married, I want to marry my daughter to him."

"It's a pity he's married! He was a descendant of the Elector of Brandenburg, and a generation of nobles, and his wife was the Countess of Herringen. Besides, Yuan was the first lieutenant with a prominent position, how many such figures are there in Germany? Besides, wouldn't it be embarrassing if you married your daughter to him and the Americans agreed to change Case A? ”

"yes, yes, that's a pity." King Minoru Higashikure said with a pun, and the two laughed heartily. (To be continued.) )