Yoshiichi Tanaka, the Minister of War of the Imperial Empire, sat there and watched the report in front of him, his eyes were about to burst into flames. How can they say that they are also army generals, and they are also well aware of the situation in China, how can they not see the role played by Chang Ruiqing behind the current changes in the war situation?

Mongolia is the battlefield that the squadron is responsible for, and the Third Army of China's Northwest Army, which is on the front line, is actually a descendant of Chang Ruiqing...... The commander of the Mongol Front, Xu Chongzhi, was completely reduced to a vase after Chang Ruiqing arrived in Běijīng. Moreover, the great living Buddha of the Mongols, Jebtsundamba IX, is now firmly controlled by Chang Ruiqing's people, and at least half of the tribes in the Mongolian steppe are still loyal to Nanjing. Even if Chang Ruiqing's strength in Mongolia can't stop the eastward advance of the Soviet-Mongolian army, it is impossible for them to go east for 1,300 kilometers under their noses and still know nothing, right?

Yoshiichi Tanaka slammed the table: "Trap!" We have fallen into Chang Ruiqing's trap! ”

He snapped to his feet, touched the table and bench with a chaotic sound, and shouted at Yuan Jing: "Your Excellency Prime Minister! Dare to ask zhèngfǔ to refuse the rude demands of the Chinese side, and send the 101st Division to the Kwantung Prefecture and the South Manchurian Railway. If the Zhina zhōngyāng army dares to make a move against the Kwantung Prefecture and the South Manchurian Railway, then let them taste the power of the Great Rì Emperor's army! ”

There was a silence in the room, and then all the cabinet members looked at Tanaka in surprise. And Prime Minister Hara Kei glanced at Tanaka coldly, and said lightly: "Tanaka-kun, do you mean that the empire is going to go to war against China for the Kwantung Prefecture and the South Manchurian Railway?" Will the war between the empire and Soviet Russia still be fought? Do you want the 15 divisions trapped in Chita? Don't you want more than 300,000 square kilometers of land in the Far Eastern Regions too? Is this the wisdom of your army in times of setbacks...... The war has not yet been defeated, and it is not time to break the can. ”

Yoshiichi Tanaka's face flushed suddenly. His chest rose and fell violently: "Your Excellency! Could it be that the Kwantung Prefecture and the Manchurian Railway, which were won by the imperial army's bloody battles, were handed over to China? What will we do to meet the kings and the first emperor of the Meiji era who became gods in the Russo-Russian War! ”

Yuan Jing said coldly: "How can there be no face? The Kanto Prefecture is only 5,000 square kilometers, and the Far Eastern Prefecture has more than 300,000 square kilometers! Isn't it enough to exchange the Kanto state for the Far Eastern state? This war was caused by the fact that your army does not know contentment! However, it has not yet reached the point of being out of control, as long as we pull together Zhuchina and rescue the trapped main force...... The tide of battle is still salvageable. At least the Far Eastern State can be saved, and the Far Eastern State will be enough to ensure the resource needs of the empire for decades. Wait until this war is over. The empire should still put its main jīng power on the construction of the mainland and the Far Eastern states, in order to raise the national power of the empire to the level of a world-class power as soon as possible! ”

"But China has also been unified because of this war, and if they take back the Kwantung Prefecture and the Manchurian Railway, then the empire will no longer have the bargaining chips to contain the rise of China! China's national strength will increase at the same time as the empire, and it will be difficult to say who will be the hegemon on the East Asian continent in ten years! ”

> the mission left to the army was probably to defend the Far East and Korea...... Will the Army be able to maintain their former power and honor?

I don't know if it was deliberately stimulating Tanaka Yoshiichi, Navy Minister Yuzaburo Kato suddenly laughed: "Ah, yes, why is the army always so obsessed with the East Asian continent?" Now the reunification of China has been completed. The Russians also showed their great fighting power in the Cimberian War, and if the empire was to become the hegemon of the continent, it would have to defeat both traditional continental powers at the same time. Their combined territory is more than 30 million square kilometers, and their total population is more than 600 million! How much effort will the Empire have to take to defeat them? Why can't the empire keep their two countries at bay and then turn the direction of development to the south? ”

Yoshiichi Tanaka glared fiercely at the Minister of the Navy. To the south is the western colony of the Guide-Ocean region, and it will not take much land to develop there, but a powerful fleet strong enough to defeat the British and American navies! If the direction of the expansion of the rì Ben shifted from the mainland to the South Seas. That means that in the future, Rìben's military spending will be mainly invested in the navy! And the army can only rely on the leftovers of the navy!

However, the Minister of the Navy, Yuzaburo Kato, did not look at Tanaka Yoshiichi, but said eloquently: "The Navy believes that since there is no way to prevent the reunification of China, there is no need to rely on the Kwantung Prefecture anymore, and the mainland policy of the empire should be positioned to jointly resist Russia and ensure the Far Eastern State." With the resources of the Far Eastern states, it was enough for the empire to maintain a strong navy. ”

"A strong China is also a great threat to the Empire!" Yoshiichi Tanaka was almost in a hurry.

"It's not that strict." Yuzaburo Kato said with a smile: "Only a Shina with a strong navy and a strong army at the same time will pose a threat to the empire. Otherwise, the long coastline of China will be completely exposed to the guns of the Imperial Navy! Even if their land forces were stronger than the empire, they did not dare to strike at the Far Eastern states and Korea. Besides, the land power of China will also be contained by Soviet Russia. Until they had run the Mongols, Manchuria, and xīnjiāng, they did not dare to invest money in the navy or expand southward.

So the Navy thinks. Such a situation in which Russia and China contain each other is the most beneficial to the empire! should be at the heart of the Empire's continental policy. ”

To tell the truth, the mainland policy proposed by Yuzaburo Kato, the Minister of the Navy, is really the most in line with the interests of the country. It's just that it's not quite in line with the army's wishes, and Tanaka Yoshiichi certainly understands this, but he, the land minister, still has to fight for the interests of their army. He shook his head. He said loudly: "The Nanyang region is a colony of the Western powers, and if the empire wants to develop its navy with all its might, it will definitely be feared by the Western powers, and if it wants to advance south, it will have a war with the Western powers." This would bring unimaginable disaster to the Empire! Therefore, the continental policy of the empire should be the annexation of Russia! ”

"Nonsense!" Prime Minister Yuan Jing's slap slammed on the conference table: "Why did the empire unite with Soviet Russia?" Is it necessary to abandon the Far Eastern states? The war has reached such a point that Soviet Russia must have demanded more than Simberia! If it makes peace with Soviet Russia now, the empire will really have to withdraw from the East Asian continent in disgrace! If the Cabinet really makes such a decision, will the people agree to it? Will the young Zhuang officers in your army agree? ”

Yoshiichi Tanaka was speechless for a moment and stood there with a red face. Bow your head hard. Yuan Jing looked at him coldly for a while, and finally shook his head: "The question of the direction of the empire's expansion will be discussed later." For now, let's think about rescuing the main force of the Imperial Army in Chita! My opinion is that the empire returned the Kwantung and South Manchurian railways to China in exchange for their help. As for Tanaka-kun, the main force of Chita, do you think they should hold on and wait for reinforcements, or retreat to Manchuria? ”

Tanaka Yoshiichi sighed softly: "This issue still needs to be discussed with the Chinese." His title for China is the same as that of Yuan Jing, from China to China. He pondered and said: "I am afraid that the supplies on the front line in Manchuria will not be able to sustain the Chinese zhōngyāng army to open and repair the Eastern Railway, so it is not feasible to stay in Chita and hold on." However, it is not so easy for the main force of the imperial army to retreat, and it is necessary to leave enough strength in Chita to contain the Russian Red Army, and this part of the army will inevitably end up with the end of the whole army! So, the military department thought"

"I want the Chinese to stay there. Let the Great Rì Ben Royal Army escape. Is it? Yuzaburo Kato took Yoshiichi Tanaka's words and continued, but no matter how he sounded, it was full of mockery.

Yoshiichi Tanaka nodded with a wry smile. Yuan Jing frowned and said, "Since the military department wants the Chinese to sacrifice, then we should give them a little sweetness." The Kwantung Prefecture and the South Manchurian Railway should be handed over to the empire, and the imperial army of 15 divisions is much more important than there! ”

Tanaka also had nothing to say, so he nodded slowly. At present, there are a total of 20 standing divisions and regiments in this army. 15 are trapped in Chita, if Soviet Russia is completely annihilated, the army will be greatly damaged! Although they were able to quickly recruit reservists and rebuild those divisions through a relatively well-developed national mobilization system. However, without the original veterans and outstanding officers, it would be nice to have one-third of the original combat effectiveness of the division and regiment formed by relying on a vote of recruits and reservists!

What's more, the infantry can be rapidly expanded, but artillery and cavalry cannot be trained and equipped in a short period of time. At the moment there are 15 artillery wings directly under the division and regiment on the Chita front, as well as 10 dúlì heavy artillery wings. In total, there are more than 1200 cannons! If it were all lost in Chita, it would take at least a year and a half for the rì to be reproduced! Until then, the rebuilt 15 divisions had to rely on small arms to fight. It's hard to say whether there is one-tenth of the original combat power!

When Yoshimura Kenkichi and Okamura Ninji, the representatives of Rì in Běijīng, were once again taken to Chang Ruiqing's office in zhōngnánhǎi by Chang Ruiqing's chief of guard, Xu Haoyu, they saw him standing in front of a huge military map of Trans-Baikal Province with his arms crossed, his eyebrows furrowed tightly, and his mind seemed to be focused on the battle situation in front of him.

The two rì representatives were not embarrassed to disturb him for a while. At the same time, I was a little curious, I wonder what tricks this Chinese military council chairman has to rescue the main force of the 400,000 coalition forces in Chita? After coming for a long time, I heard Chang Ruiqing sigh and shake his head, and the faces of the two representatives of the rì also sank with yīn. Chang Ruiqing also noticed them coming over at this time, and said with a forced smile: "Two, please take a seat." Yizhi, let the kitchen prepare the dinner, and I'm going to invite two rì friends to dinner. ”

Where do Okamura Ninji and Yoshimura Kenkichi have the heart to eat now? The two of them glanced at each other, and Fang Cun spoke first: "The Imperial Cabinet meeting has already met to discuss your request, and the Empire can conditionally return the South Manchurian Railway and the Kwantung Prefecture under two conditions: First, you must mobilize the troops of one army to the west of the Great Khing'an Mountains within three days, and within a week you must expel the Soviet-Mongolian coalition forces near the Middle East Road. Second, your four armies on the Chita front must take on the task of covering the retreat of the main forces of the imperial army. ”

Chang Ruiqing sighed and said coldly: "My people will help you fight for three days at most!" In three days, they will surrender to the Russian Red Army, and I can only do this, and it is unrealistic to ask the 100,000 officers and soldiers of the four armies to be crushed, I think you can understand that at the same time, my army will also take over the South Manchurian Railway and Kwantung Prefecture within three days. ”

Yoshimura Kenkichi frowned. What else do you want to say. Okamura Ninji opened his mouth first: "Three days is enough." The Standing Committee Chairman wants to take over the South Manchurian Railway and the Kwantung Prefecture within three days, and we can also agree to it. However, we only transferred the management of the Manchurian Railway and the Kanto Prefecture. Military facilities and office buildings. Other zhèngfǔ and expatriate property are not subject to transfer. ”

Chang Ruiqing nodded heavily: "That's natural, your two countries are allies, and your country's investment in our country is protected, so please rest assured that your businessmen and people can continue to do business and live on our territory." ”

The meeting was extremely short, and the two sides finished talking about the matter in a few words, and Okamura and Yoshimura had no intention of eating, and after bowing to Chang Ruiqing, they returned to report to Tokyo. Chang Ruiqing personally sent them out of the door, and said to Xu Haoyu: "Yizhi, go and invite Chen Jingcun and Xu Ruwei to come over, and invite Bai Jiansheng and Lu Zixiu as well." ”

Chen Jiongming, Xu Chongzhi, Bai Chongxi and Lu Yixuan did not dare to slack off after receiving Xu Haoyu's call. After a while, he arrived at the zhōngnánhǎi Juren Hall, where Chang Ruiqing now lives.

Chang Ruiqing saw the four of them walk into his office. didn't say any greetings, but said straight to the point: "Rì himself has promised to return the Kanto Prefecture and South Manchurian Railway!" But now the shape of Manchuria is not optimistic, and it is even very dangerous! zhōngyāng must take action! ”

Chen Jiongming and Xu Chongzhi's hearts sank, of course they knew what Chang Ruiqing meant by "measures". And Bai Chongxi and Lu Yixuan's faces were also quite solemn, and the two glanced at each other. Bai Chongxi said slowly: "Exactly, now the main force of the 400,000 coalition forces in Chita will at least end up with heavy losses, and if you don't do it, the whole army will be wiped out." If that is the case, it is difficult to guarantee that Soviet Russia will not take the opportunity to invade Manchuria! ”

Chang Ruiqing nodded: "With the greed of Soviet Russia, they will definitely invade Manchuria!" So we must be ready for a decisive battle with the invading army of Soviet Russia in Manchuria! I intend to set up the Northeast Front Army to command military operations in the Northeast in a unified manner. The commander of the front army is Brother Jiansheng, and the deputy commander is Brother Zixiu. ”

Before Bai Chongxi and Lu Yixuan could answer, Xu Chongzhi said loudly: "How is Jiang Jishi's position arranged?" Now he is the supreme commander of the Northeast! ”

Chang Ruiqing smiled faintly: "Brother J Shi is still the vice chairman of the Military Commission, it is better to go back to Nanjing to work, if he is not interested in the work of the Military Commission." He can also be transferred to the chairmanship of the Senate or the vice chairman of the National Council. ”

Hearing this arrangement, Xu Chongzhi's voice was already softened, and he said coldly: "There are still more than 200,000 Northeast Army Jīng Rui in the hands of J Shi, I think Brother Yaoru still has to think about it carefully." ”

Chang Ruiqing shrugged his shoulders and sighed, "I'm afraid there aren't so many." Rì Ben had just made a request, and they wanted to make the infantry corps of the four Northeast Army on the Chita side serve as the rear of the palace. The 15 divisions covering the Rì Army withdrew first, and I asked you to come here for this matter. I want Brother Ru Wei to go to Shenyang and discuss with Brother Kai-shek to see how to arrange the affairs of the palace. ”

"What! You've already promised Rì personally? This is to bury the lives of hundreds of thousands of Chinese! Xu Chongzhi didn't have anything to do here, but Chen Jiongming jumped up first and objected loudly: "I don't agree, why should we block the bullet for Rì himself?" If you want to die, you should die together! ”

Chang Ruiqing smiled bitterly and sighed: "Gong Jing, if you really want those hundreds of thousands of ** people to die, then you can let them be with Rì himself." If you want to save some lives, I think it's better to let them help His Royal Highness himself. ”

"What is that?" Chen Jiongming's beard trembled slightly, and it seemed that he was about to go berserk.

"Isn't that obvious? The command of the Chita front was in the hands of the Rì Ben Xianbeilian Dispatch Corps Command, and the management and distribution of logistics materials was also in the hands of Rì himself. If our people and Rì himself defend the Chita together, who will get the priority distribution of materials? Who will be consumed as cannon fodder? ”

Chen Jiongming was stunned and muttered, "Then they will have a way to survive if they stay in Chita?" Will Soviet Russia let them go? ”

Chang Ruiqing smiled bitterly and stretched out three fingers: "Three days, just three days, and then I will order them to surrender to the Soviet Russian Red Army, I think the Red Army will not kill prisoners, right?" ”

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