Unlike those young students who were angry and clamoring for war, the Japanese top leaders at this time did not agree on how to deal with Wang Mo's paralysis of the Dazhi Iron Mine, and it can even be said that there were great differences.

The current Japanese cabinet is the Yamamoto Gonbei cabinet, and Yamamoto Gonbei used the "Constitutional Protection Movement" aimed at breaking the factional politics to force the third Katsura Taro cabinet to collapse, and then came to power to form a cabinet.

On the one hand, Yamamoto Gonbei actively cooperated with the political friends association headed by Saionji Gongwang, and on the other hand, he confronted and suppressed the Yama Prefecture faction led by Yama Prefecture Aritomo.

Against this backdrop, an extremely fierce quarrel broke out between the moderate cabinet government and the always radical military department over how to deal with the Han Zhiping incident.

"Since the people of China want war without their own strength, then give them war! Only one army division needs to be dispatched, which is enough to sweep away all the China Sichuan Army and the Hubei Army, and the sun flag of our Great Japanese Empire can also take the opportunity to insert it into the upper reaches of the Yangtze River! "Army General Terauchi Masaki waved his fist passionately, he was a fanatical* faction, believing that only by completely suppressing, dividing and even annexing China could Japan really have a chance to rise and seize hegemony in Asia.

"Send an army division? That's impossible! The public hope of Xiyuan Temple immediately objected, saying, "After the Russo-Japanese War, our national strength was greatly damaged, and for at least ten years, we could not afford to start or withstand a war. Even if we have a huge sea advantage over China, you must understand that there is no way for a battleship to sail ashore. Moreover, it is impossible for our allies to agree to us sending army divisions to Hubei. Even if the English support us this time and teach that warlord a hard lesson! ”

Yes, everyone present understood that the English were happy to see the Japanese Empire teach the arrogant Shina warlord a lesson. But the Empire would never be allowed to send army divisions into the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, because the Yangtze River basin has always been considered forbidden by the English.

However, the War Department and the Admiralty, which have always looked down on each other, unexpectedly took the same position this time, and although Admiral Sansu Sotaro was not as radical as Masatoshi Terauchi, he also expressed his stance very strongly: "The Imperial Navy is building two new battleships this year, and the shortage of steel is very huge. So, anyway. We can't lose Han Zhiping, we can't lose Dazhi Iron Mine's iron ore of at least 100,000 tons per year! ”

No doubt. The Admiralty's opinion, like that of the War Department, was that it was necessary to forcefully respond to Wang Mo's provocations and ensure the interests of the empire.

At this time, Yama Prefecture Aritomo Chao Sansu Sotaro asked, "Sansu Sota-kun." If the navy only uses the five river gunboats of the Third Fleet, will it be able to break through the blockade of the river defense batteries of the Chinese people? ”

Hearing this question from Yama Prefecture Youpeng, Sansu Sotaro had a difficult face and replied: "I'm afraid this is difficult, I think you all know that the warlord of Shina didn't know where to get 10 cannons. This was simply too much of a threat to the weak armor of the river gunboats. As long as the quality of the Chinese artillery is not too bad, it is completely possible to sink one or two of our gunboats. ”

Damn it!

Almost everyone present was scolding in their hearts for selling those 10 cannons to the arms dealers of the Chinese people, if there were no such cannons. The warlord of China would not be so arrogant and arrogant.

"The Empire must not easily use force to settle disputes, not to mention that there is no way to break through the blockade of the Yangtze River channel by the Chinese now, and the Empire's finances cannot now support a war. matter. I think that we should contact our allies and the central government of China to put pressure on the warlords of China, which may not be impossible to calm the situation and protect the interests of the empire! Gonbei Yamamoto once again reiterated the cabinet's steady assertions.

No one knows better than Gonbei Yamamoto, as Prime Minister, the current situation of the seemingly powerful but extremely difficult Empire of Japan at this time. The Great Japanese Empire did win the Nichiro War, but it also buried 100,000 imperial youths, saddled 2 billion loans, and did not receive the expected rich war dividends. The empire's economy was on the verge of collapse.

Youpeng of Shan County smiled coldly and said, "Your Excellency Prime Minister." That warlord of China is so arrogant that even our allies dare to provoke and attack, do you think that just letting the central government of China and our allies, who are not in the slightest regard for him, put pressure on him? It is impossible to deal with such a powerful warlord, only by showing him the great strength of the Great Japanese Empire will he be able to succumb! ”

Although people in the cabinet are reluctant to admit it, judging from Wang Mo's consistently tough rhetoric and behavior, it is impossible for him to succumb to diplomatic pressure alone.

"The army can't go to the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the navy gunboats can't break through the blockade of the river defense batteries of the Chinese people, even if the empire wants to use force to attack that Chinese warlord, there is no way at all." Xiyuan Temple Gongwang said with a frown, he still did not agree to risk using force to calm the situation.

"Isn't that the warlord of China relying on those 10 cannons? In order to solve these cannons, it is not necessary for the gunboats to fight head-on. Send a squad to infiltrate the battery and have a chance to blow up those cannons! As long as these cannons are gone, I'd like to see how arrogant that warlord can still be! Terauchi Zhengyi sneered disdainfully, he didn't take Wang Mo's local warlord in his eyes at all.

Sansu Sotaro's eyes lit up, and he said: "That's right, there is no need to attack head-on, it is completely possible to destroy the cannon of the Shina people by sneaking into the sneak attack." Even if the infiltration team on the ground fails, as long as the river gunboat detachment quickly raids the river defense battery of the Chinese people, there is every chance that the Chinese will destroy the cannon before the Chinese people react! ”

This method of risky raid may not be effective against the Western powers, but it is entirely possible for China, which does not have the ability to produce and replenish cannons in a short period of time, to succeed.

"Okay, as long as you break through the blockade of the river defense batteries of the Chinese people, the imperial gunboats will go straight to Wuhan, and use the naval guns to tell the arrogant and arrogant Chinese warlord that power only exists within the range of naval guns!" Shan County Youpeng shouted excitedly.

Since the Meiji Restoration. The Japanese are extremely keen on "national fortune gambling", like a red-eyed gambler, who has pressed all his old capital down again and again.

Jiawu year. Japan tightened its belt, smashed pots and sold iron, and even took huge war loans, betting on the future and fate of the entire country and the Beiyang Naval Division, the first navy in Asia at that time.

After winning the first year of gambling and receiving huge dividends as a result, the Japanese were even more happy. So, in 1904. Once again, the Japanese did not hesitate to gamble on the future of their country and nation.

In another time and space, whether it was the declaration of war on Germany in World War I. Whether it was the "918 Incident" or the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, it is clear that the Japanese are outright red-eyed gamblers.

Compared with the "gambling of national fortune", the river defense forts that risked raiding Jiujiang and Hanyang were in the eyes of these Japanese high-level. It's nothing at all.

As a result, the ensuing meeting was almost one-sided, with the vast majority, including many in the cabinet, agreeing to use force to defend the interests of the empire.

It didn't cost much to mobilize just a few dispatch detachments and a squadron of gunboats, but it didn't cost much, and the conservative cabinet forces of Gonbei Yamamoto had to compromise with the radical faction of the military department and agree to the plan of Aritomo Yamaguchi and others to send troops.

With the issuance of the order of the Japanese high-level, the inland river detachment of the Japanese Third Fleet quickly entered a state of war and secretly entered the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in batches.

Meanwhile. The marines stationed in Shanghai, with the cooperation of the Japanese Black Dragon Society's spy personnel, infiltrated Jiujiang and Hanyang respectively, and targeted the 10 cannons on the two Jiangfang batteries.

Hanyang. Turtle Hill Fort.

When night fell, a faint starlight splashed on the Guishan Fort, and outside the fort was the darkness that could not be seen, forming a different picture.

If you look at the city of Hanyang from Gusan Fort, you can see the lights that are brighter than the stars in the night sky.

The soldiers of the Sichuan Army on the Guishan Fort were fascinated by the beautiful scenery in front of them. Coming out of the countryside of Sichuan, they have never seen such a prosperous big city.

I heard that Shanghai is known as the city that never sleeps, but it is probably nothing more than that, right?

"Be careful. Be vigilant! Li Xudong's stern reprimand once again sounded in the ears of the Sichuan artillerymen.

This is the third time that Li Xudong has come out this evening to inspect the defense of the Guishan Fort, and many Sichuan artillerymen feel that their regiment commander is too nervous. Isn't it just the little oriental radish head, the last time the English foreigners were beaten away under the leadership of the young marshal.

Li Xudong can't be blamed for being too careful, first, the young marshal strictly ordered the general to pay attention to the vigilance of the anti-fort to prevent the Japanese gunboats from sneaking attack; Second, he also had a faint feeling that the Orientals would definitely take action against the Jiangfang Fort.

Syllable!

Suddenly, a subtle sound of rubble rolling!

"Who?" The Sichuan soldiers on duty at the outlying posts asked loudly.

At this time, a cold light came to his face, and the Sichuan soldiers felt that their abdomen was cut into by a cold blade, and their mouths were also covered by a hand, making him completely unable to make a sound.

Feeling that their consciousness was gradually blurred, the Sichuan soldiers gathered their last strength and hooked the detonation line that had been set up near the sentry post with their left foot.

An explosion rang out, completely breaking the silence of the night.

"Yaga!" A furious expellant voice rang out, and although the explosion did not cause any damage, it completely exposed them.

The leader of the action team, Ryozo Nomura, understood that a sneak attack was no longer possible, and immediately ordered: "Attack, attack with all your strength immediately, rush in and blow up the cannon!" ”

The Kameyama Fort was already heavily guarded, and the Japanese action team was too small in size, and once it was exposed, it was basically an egg hitting a stone.

"Not good, their goal is the cannon, quick, block them!" Li Xudong saw that the incoming enemy was desperate to rush to the location of the cannon, and shouted anxiously.

A few Japanese people faintly saw explosive packets on them, and they obviously tried to rush over and blow up the cannons.

The Sichuan soldiers were not slow to react, and quickly concentrated on the side of the cannon, forming a dense fire, and using platoon guns to beat the Japanese into a sieve.

The Japanese still pulled off the explosive pack at the last moment, but fortunately it was far from the gun position where the cannon was located and did not cause much damage to the cannon.

Because of Li Xudong's caution, the Guishan Fort avoided the cannon from being blown up by the Japanese sneak attack. But the fort on the other side of Jiujiang was not so lucky, and all 5 cannons were blown up by the Japanese infiltrated action team.

Without the threat of cannons, five river gunboats of the inland river detachment of the Japanese Navy's Third Fleet quickly broke through the blockade of the Jiujiang River defense battery and quickly approached Wuhan.

The muzzles of the Japanese gunboats were already pointed at Wuhan! (To be continued)