"When is General MacArthur returning to Washington?" John was a little curious, the news that MacArthur would return to the mountains had spread throughout the army at the beginning of the month, and why he had not seen the former army chief of staff return from Manila to accept his appointment.

He said he would have to wait a few more days. I reckon, with his character, it is not surprising that it dragged on until the end of the month. When it comes to MacArthur, Middleton, who has always been known for his gentle personality and good communication and cooperation, is also a bit big-headed.

He knows too well the temperament of his old friend and boss. Born into a family of generals (his father Arthur?) MacArthur II was a three-star lieutenant general in the Army, participated in the Civil War, served as military governor in the Philippines, and commander of the U.S. Pacific Command and Eastern Military District.

The youngest brigadier general in U.S. history, the youngest president of the West Point Military Academy, and the youngest chief of staff of the Army, these three hats gave MacArthur the ability to see everything in the military circles. Even the titular commander-in-chief in the White House is often ignored by him.

As for the events of 1935 (which Roosevelt used to kick away again), MacArthur was clearly not going to give up easily. If you don't take the opportunity to put on a show, take some hands on the White House, and force Roosevelt to give in, then it won't be MacArthur.

John nodded in understanding and said nothing more. Both he and Middleton knew in their hearts that at this juncture, MacArthur's return to the Army and the administration of the Far Eastern Military District could not be delayed at all. MacArthur must have known this and dared to be so fearless.

In July 1941, the might of the German Panzer Army, although it terrified the Americans, did not pose a direct threat to the United States. On the contrary, in the western Pacific, the Japanese bayonets had reached under the nose of the United States.

Since Japan became a one-party state last October (the far-right political group Taisei Tsukasan replaced two mainstream parliamentary parties, the Constitutional Political Friends Association and the Constitutional Democratic Party), its territorial expansion ambitions for China, Southeast Asia, and even Oceania have become increasingly apparent.

On February 24, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoyoshi Matsuoka even publicly declared that "Caucasians must cede Oceania to Asians," and that Japan has "natural rights" to Oceania and the Western Pacific (including Australia). This statement alarmed the Australian government, as a significant part of their small military force had already been sent to fight in the Middle East and North Africa.

Moreover, the ambition of the Japanese is not just talk. On 28 February, with the help of Nazi Germany, they forced the Vichy French government to agree to cede to Thailand all of the Lao territory west of the Mekong River in French Indochina, as well as a strategic part of northwestern Cambodia, to Thailand (Thailand had a military cooperation agreement with Japan).

Not long ago, they forced Petain to transfer French military bases in Indochina, including a large naval port and a series of airfields. Through these airports and ports, Japan could not only launch a routine bombing campaign against Burma's roads, but could also threaten the Philippines 800 miles (1,280 kilometers) away, Singapore 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) away, and the oil-rich Dutch East Indies.

According to intelligence from the Far East, a sizable Japanese fleet has been stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, about two air regiment-sized aviation units have been stationed in Saigon, and about 8,000 Japanese troops have landed in Cambodia.

To the greater horror of the Americans, in order to realize its ambitions in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific (Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere), Japan had just passed at the Imperial Council the decision to recruit another million troops and recall all its merchant ships from the Atlantic. This means that Japan and Britain and the United States are on the verge of war.

As a warning and retaliation against Japan, Roosevelt issued an executive-order on Monday that placed all financial transactions involving Japanese interests under the control of the U.S. government and imposed an embargo on oil, steel and other strategic goods on Japan.

The UK Treasury has announced similar restrictions on Japanese assets and trade involving Britain and the Dominions. At the request of the Chinese government, Britain and the United States also froze Chinese assets to prevent Japan from abusing Chinese financial institutions in the occupied areas.

The blow cost Japan 80 percent of its oil imports and most of its supplies of wheat, cotton, zinc, iron ore, bauxite and manganese. Without these vital strategic goods, they would have to use the few strategic reserves they had. At the same time, Japan will also lose its two largest export markets. Prior to that, Japan had to export $110 million of silk to the United States and £40 million of cotton clothing to Britain every year.

Although Japan soon retaliated by freezing British and American assets in Japan, the impact on Britain and the United States was simply insignificant. Both Washington and London are well aware that this economic sanction command has two consequences: Japan either submits to the West or goes to war. And if Japan chooses the latter, it will have to act within a few months.

At such a critical juncture, if Roosevelt wanted to protect the interests of the Philippines and the United States in the Pacific region, there was no other way but to make MacArthur, the "great god," clear of the mountain. Because, at least for the time being, MacArthur was the only suitable person to be ordered to assume the heavy responsibility of commander of the Far Eastern Military District.

John had no doubts about what Roosevelt would ultimately do. If he couldn't save face, Roosevelt wouldn't be worthy of being a qualified politician.

On the contrary, it was Marshall's attitude on this matter that made John a little curious. He was not worried that Marshall would thwart the appointment. Rather, I wonder how Marshall will deal with this arrogant and unruly classmate, predecessor and subordinate.

In my previous life, there were all kinds of rumors and theories on the Internet about the "grievances and hatreds" between the three five-star generals, Marshall, MacArthur, and Eisenhower, many of which were very clear-eyed.

Over the years, especially after a series of encounters with these three "historical figures", John is certainly not stupid enough to completely believe the gossip on the Internet. But I also know that the relationship between these three people is not ordinary, and the competition and wrestling with each other in the future will be indispensable.

"Troy, I've heard that there's something between General MacArthur and Chief of Staff Marshall, is that true?" John couldn't resist slapping Middleton. Although Middleton is a few years younger than MacArthur and Marshall (both born in 1880), he is basically a contemporary, and he has worked with both of them for a long time, so he should know a lot of "secrets".

With Middleton's deep relationship with the old Fan family, he naturally wouldn't hide anything from John, "What's more, the two of them didn't deal with each other when they were in the Leavenworth refresher class in 1906." Look at it, the Far East doesn't know what chaos will happen in the future. ”

"It's not that serious." John was somewhat skeptical. No matter how you say it, these two are both high-powered "big shots", so they won't affect the overall situation for a little personal grudge. At this moment, he was even more curious about what had happened between Marshall and MacArthur.