Matsui Ishine said that he might die in a foreign country, but he was not lying. The Seventh Army of the Air Force was transferred to Luoyang, and during this period it was constantly reconnoitring and monitoring the positions of the Central China Front.

The 17th Group Army was eyeing the positions of the Central China Front, and it seemed that they were already gearing up for a big fight. According to intelligence, the Second Army has been drawn and is marching towards the Zaozhuang area.

Now the main forces of the Central China Front are all in the Zhengzhou area, which means that if the wolf-like Second Army directly chooses to attack the Jiangsu front, then the result can be imagined.

Jiangsu, with its empty defenses, would definitely not be able to withstand the strong attack of the National Defense Army, and the 17th Group Army would wrap up the Central China Front with the First Army Corps, plus Fu Zuoyi's entire group army reserves that had never been used.

Matsui really couldn't figure out what the chances of his Central China Front army would be able to survive.

The 17th Army did not have armored units, while the 1st Army Corps did. At the same time, the attacking forces were also increased by air force units. And the army aviation of the Central China Front was simply powerless to resist them.

Under such circumstances, the outcome of the Central China Front, which had just experienced a major war, can be imagined.

"Call Base Camp...... Our unit is now surrounded by the Wehrmacht's 17th Army and the 1st Army Corps, and the Wehrmacht's air force units are also present on the battlefield. Matsui Ishone whispered to the chief of staff next to him, Tsukada Tsukasa.

"In the previous Battle of Zhengzhou, our division has lost nearly three divisions. And the fighters of the air force are unable to provide support, and at this critical moment, Matsui asks the base camp of our empire to give tactical guidance......"

After saying this. Matsui sat down in his chair without saying a word. Tsukada Tsuka, chief of staff of the Central China Front, sighed lightly, gave a military salute to Matsui Ishone, and slowly withdrew from the headquarters.

Leaving aside the current situation of the Central China Front and the depression of Matsui Ishone, the Naval Command Department in Tokyo is now in a state of controversy. Yamamoto was arguing with the officers of the Army General Staff Headquarters with red faces.

"'Plan Z' must be revised! The occupation of this area is of the utmost importance, otherwise we will only kill and wound a part of the US army, and we will not be able to challenge the strategic position of the United States. Yamamoto fifty-six slapped the table directly and roared in a low voice.

"Have you horse manure calculated the enormous industrial production capacity of the United States?! Have you calculated the resources of the United States ?! A bunch of idiots! If we are only attacking the region, then at most a year they will be able to restore the number of the fleet! What will we do to defend against their attacks when the time comes?! ”

"One year is enough time, right?! We can find enough resources from Southeast Asia to develop the navy. An officer from the General Staff Headquarters whispered to Yamamoto in annoyance.

"Three months! In three months at most, we will be able to occupy Southeast Asia! Then the Navy has nine months to produce enough warships to fight the United States! ”

Hearing this officer's words, Yamamoto Fifty-six was even more annoyed, and almost pointed a finger at the officer's nose.

"Are you an idiot?! All that steel is just for our navy?! So how to resist the attack of the Wehrmacht in China?! The Wehrmacht in China has weapons and equipment, including new tanks and fighter jets, and if the equipment of the Imperial ** team does not keep up with those units that are still fighting in China, then all the troops will fall into a dead end! ”

"Besides, how can you determine that our attack will be fatal to the American fleet?! If no fatal injuries are done. And if they are relieved, then the empire will face a situation where two fronts and even Southeast Asia are at war! ”

"Can you guarantee that the battlefield in China will not consume the steel and oil that have been transported back?!" Yamamoto fifty-six roared at the officer, "Do you dare to make this guarantee?!" ”

Of course not, who would dare to make such a guarantee now?! In fact, this officer did not know the situation, but now the army's demand for steel and oil has reached the point of madness.

They only want the Navy to quickly dismantle the U.S. interference capabilities so that they can bring oil and steel from Southeast Asia back to support their Chinese front.

Now the reserve units of the Japanese Army have been mobilized. But the most difficult thing is that there are not many weapons that can arm them. And the new fighters and tanks that the Wehrmacht has already appeared on the battlefield have put a lot of pressure on them.

The Army now desperately needs to build new tanks and fighters for itself, otherwise the troops lost in China and the troops that are now fighting in China will be in vain.

"Stop arguing!!" Ishihara, who had not spoken, finally spoke for the first time as a representative of the General Staff Headquarters. Yamamoto Fifty-six also stopped cursing at this time.

He looked at Ishihara Waner, who was known as the "wisest man of the three tails", with a little interest, and he had heard of this guy's name. It is also known that he had a heroic performance in the 226 incident.

Inside, Ishihara was one of the few army officers that Yamamoto looked down on.

"If we want to occupy that area, it means that our army has to send troops directly." Ishihara said in a deep voice to Yamamoto Fifty-six: "The defensive firepower in that area is extremely strong, how can you guarantee the success of the login?!" With such a long voyage, how do you ensure that the army remains latent and combat-ready when it arrives in the designated area?! ”

Ishihara did not argue directly with Yamamoto Fifty-six, but said about the problems that would arise on Yamamoto's fifty-six expedition. Ishihara didn't stop asking questions. He said directly to Yamamoto Fifty-six.

"Even if you capture that area. How does the supply aspect work?! How can the defense be guaranteed?! The most important question is, if our main forces are sent to capture that area, what will happen to the next battle plan in Southeast Asia?! ”

Ishihara's words directly hit the loophole in Yamamoto's 56 plan, and now the Japanese army has not many resources. If the landing operation is carried out, the army will naturally be needed.

And if the Japanese Army soldiers who were originally going to attack Southeast Asia were transferred, the result would probably be that they would be able to defeat the predetermined area but not be able to carry out the battle plan in Southeast Asia.

And the Southeast Asian battle plan has a bearing on Japan's resources. If resources remain unresolved, the tide of battle will undoubtedly fester.

Those who do not receive support are likely to face the annihilation of the Wehrmacht. The losses will only be greater.

"I have to admit that what you said makes a lot of sense." Yamamoto smiled and said to Ishihara, "He is worthy of being the 'wisest of the three tail feathers'!" Hahaha......"

Laughed for a while. Yamamoto Isoroku explained to Ishihara, "According to my original plan, the army needs to retreat part of it from China. It is only necessary to hold the front line of Guangdong and Fujian, and the extra troops will directly carry out the Southeast Asian battle plan. After we have occupied the designated area and completed the operation in Southeast Asia, we will send troops from the mainland to continue the war in China. ”

"Nope! It's impossible! An officer from the General Staff Headquarters stood up directly and said in a deep voice: "Your Excellency, it is absolutely impossible for us to easily give up the land occupied by the blood of the Imperial warriors!" This is betrayal. It's a crime......"

"You have lost it~" Yamamoto Fifty-six said unceremoniously to the officer: "How did the North China Front Army fall?!" Why did Shouichi Terauchi apologize to His Majesty?! All this has proved that if there are no resources, the war in China can only continue to consume the strength of the empire and harm the warriors of the empire. This is the most unforgivable crime! ”

"But we are still fighting, and we have more than half a million Imperial warriors who are now fighting in China. The land that was taken with blood and life. How can you give up so easily?! Ishihara shook his head and said in a deep voice, "General, you also know that this is definitely impossible. ”

Yamamoto Fifty-six sighed helplessly, he also knew that it was unlikely. Therefore, this request was not made in the formal plan, but tentatively put forward at the meeting.

As expected, it was rejected by the Army. Even Ishihara, the wisest of the three tails, did not approve of this plan. The army has spent so much in China that it is impossible to say that it will be discarded.

Moreover, at least the army still occupies Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi...... and so on. It would take a great deal of courage to make the decision to give up this vast area of land, which is countless times larger than Japan and has a lot of resources.

"At a minimum, we must also occupy Wake Island." Yamamoto Fifty-six was silent for a long time. Cai sighed: "This place is called the 'stepping stone of the Pacific Ocean'." It is 3,200 kilometers from Hawaii to the east and 2,060 kilometers from Guam to the west. Its strategic position is extremely important, and if we are going to do something in the future, then it is necessary to occupy this place! ”

"I believe that the Marines can solve this point on their own, and what our army needs to do is to implement the Southeast Asian operation plan while the 'Z operation plan' is successfully implemented." Ishihara said in a deep voice to Yamamoto, "If the general thinks this is feasible, then let's start the preparations......

That's it. Yamamoto could only nod in agreement. Now Japan does not have much time to hesitate, and the appearance of Mrs. Song in Washington already shows the attitude of the United States.

If no action is taken, it is clear to everyone here what will be the fate of Japan, which has almost no resources when the United States strikes first. From Yamamoto Fifty-six to Ishihara Wan'er, they all knew that they had no way out......

December 10, 1938. Isoroku Yamamoto, former vice minister of the navy, was transferred to the post of commander of the Combined Fleet. At the same time, the 1st Air Fleet was newly formed, and its commander was Vice Admiral Nagumo Tadaichi.

The commander of the 11th Air Fleet was formed, and the commander was Vice Admiral Tsukahara 243. At the same time, the 11th Air Fleet was sent to Taiwan immediately after its formation.

While the Navy is making low-key adjustments, the Army is also making comprehensive adjustments.

First of all, the Army formed a new unit, the Southern Army. It was subordinate to the 28th Army, the 33rd Army, the 7th Front, the 14th and 18th Front.

As a plan to discuss with the navy this time, Ishihara Waner was promoted by the Xianyuan Palace and directly served as the commander-in-chief of the seventh aspect. Shigetoku Kuroda, who graduated from the 21st class of Lu Shi, was appointed chief of the general staff of the Southern Army. It has jurisdiction over the 25th, 16th and 14th armies.

Among them, at the strong suggestion of the former Minister of War, General Yoshiyuki Kawashima, the commander of the 4th Division in Osaka, Yamashita Fumi, was appointed commander of the 25th Army of the Imperial Japanese Army.

The commander of the 16th Army was Lieutenant General Jun Imamura, and the commander of the 14th Army was Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma, who was known as the "Poet General".

Some of the preparations of the Japanese army were slowly taking shape. The 11th Air Fleet began a non-stop transfer of military aircraft. Most of the fighters and bombers were transferred to the island of Taiwan.

"Ishihara, do you also think Yamamoto's words make sense?!" In the office of the Kanin Palace, Ishihara Wan'er did not lie in the face of the Kanin Palace.

"Yes! Your Royal Highness, it is unreasonable for us to insist that the Central China Front alone resist the attack of the Wehrmacht. Ishihara wiped the sweat from his head, saying these words required a great deal of determination on his part.

"The Central China Front, which suffered considerable losses in the previous battle, has now lost the support of its air fleet. We cannot predict how long they will be able to withstand the Wehrmacht. Ishihara raised his head and said in a deep voice to Xianyuan Palace: "Only by concentrating the South China Front and then narrowing the scope of defense can we reduce our combat losses. ”

"Do you know that if this order is issued, we will be called traitors!" Xianyuan Palace glared, looked at Ishihara Wan'er and shouted, "Those occupied territories. It's all the blood and lives of the warriors of the empire! ”

"But Your Highness! If we don't give up for the time being, then there will only be more emperors who die because of this! Those lands, we can't keep them! Ishihara said loudly: "In this way, our losses will be heavier!" ”

"Give up...... We're just giving up for now. As long as we get Southeast Asia, we get those resources. Then these lands are still imperial after all! ”

Xianyuan Palace's face was cloudy and silent for a while, and then he said to Ishihara: "I can only agree to withdraw the troops to the area of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and I will have no way to call the shots if I withdraw again......"

"The area around Jiangsu and Zhejiang can now be said to be an important source of grain for the empire, and these two places have provided a large amount of grain to the empire. Therefore, these two places cannot be lost. The palace chief of the Xianyuan Palace sighed, he didn't know that the current battle situation was not good.

Matsui Ishone's telegram made him vaguely smell the smell of Shouichi Terauchi, and he didn't want to see a good commander fall on the battlefield because of the lag in weapons and equipment.

If you can keep one, it's one.

"Tell Matsui that I will allow him to withdraw to the area of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. But only where he was allowed to retreat. Xianyuan Palace paused, and said in a deep voice to Ishihara Wan'er: "Order the South China Front Army to step up its march." At the same time, let Matsui be sure to defend the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions! At least. He's going to make sure he'll be able to hold on for three months! ”

Xianyuan Palace turned around, looked at the cold wind floating outside the office window, and said in a deep voice: "As long as our Southeast Asia strategy is completed, then the empire will have enough resources to manufacture our new fighters and chariots, and when the time comes, the land eaten by the Wehrmacht will have to spit out to me every inch!" ”

"Hail!!"

More than an hour later, Matsui also received a telegram from the Tokyo base camp. The base camp gave instructions on the current state of war. They agreed that Matsui would temporarily withdraw his troops from Henan to avoid being surrounded by the Wehrmacht.

At the same time, however, the base camp urgently ordered the South China Front to speed up its march and join forces with the Central China Front as soon as possible to jointly carry out the combat mission of garrisoning the Jiangsu area.

Matsui Ishone couldn't help but sigh when he received the telegram, and the base camp was extremely determined to carry out this abandoned plan. But in Matsui's opinion. This is not enough.

He is now facing a large encirclement of the enemy, and these ring-shaped encirclements make it impossible for him to easily mobilize the strength of more than 500,000 troops even if he adds the South China Front.

However, the Wehrmacht is surrounded by more than 2 million troops from Guangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, Shanxi, Shandong, and other places, and the Guangxi side has reported according to information that they are undergoing retraining by the Wehrmacht in order not to launch an offensive against the occupied areas for the time being.

The Sichuan Army has completed its training, and it is rumored that Zhang Xueliang's Sixth Army Corps of the National Defense Army has also completed its training. After changing into Wehrmacht equipment, he is gearing up to go to war.

Matsui Shigen didn't know if just more than 500,000 people could hold the few provinces in his hands.

Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Fujian...... and other areas, all of which are now important strongholds in the hands of the Japanese army. Losing any of them will make the base camp thunderous.

If it weren't for the erosion of the Shandong battlefield, if it weren't for Terauchi Shouichi's disembowelment and apology, perhaps he would have faced a more tragic ending.

"Call the commander of the South China Front, Ando Toshikishi, and ask him to rush to the front line of Jiangsu and Zhejiang as soon as possible and start building fortifications......" Matsui Shigen rubbed his eyebrows and said to Chief of Staff Tsukada: "We will gradually withdraw to the area of Jiangsu and Zhejiang according to the tactical guidance of the base camp." ”

"The offensive pressure of the Wehrmacht will continue to increase, so that he can build up air defense and positional fortifications as much as possible. ...... to prepare for the Wehrmacht's attack" After saying this, Matsui Ishine smiled bitterly at Tsukada tiredly: "Tsukada, if I die in battle or apologize in the future, remember to break my sword and bury it......"

"I don't want my sword to be a trophy in that tiger's toilet......"

Ever since Snow's newspaper appeared, the world has known that the Wehrmacht's Tiger-in-chief has a bad taste: he takes a Japanese officer's saber and decorates it in the toilet.

This was undoubtedly a great insult to the Japanese officers. But the Japanese had to face the fact that the commander-in-chief had the ability to keep adding to the collection in his toilet.

The latest to be placed in it is the command knife of General Uchitoshi of the North China Front......

PS: Dear friends! Chapter 1!