Bang Dang! An iron door was pushed open, and two burly soldiers walked in with a diminutive young man, and then pressed him to a chair like an eagle catching a chicken. The short young man looked up in a panic and saw only a desk in front of him. Behind the table sat two middle-aged men, staring at him with blazing eyes. After less than a second of staring at each other, the young man hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to look again.

"Name?"

"I, we Japanese royalty don't have a surname."

"No surname? Who are you getting, tell me honestly! ”

"This is really no ......"

"None? Then there must be a name! ”

"Mikasa Mikasa Takahito."

"Hmph, that's pretty much it. Do you know the writing on this wall? ”

"Recognize, recognize. Be lenient in confession, strict in resisting! ”

"It's good to know! To be honest, cooperating with the interrogation is your only way out. ”

"Hello!"

"Position?"

"Staff Officer of the Observer Mission's Captain."

"Well, tell me about your crimes against humanity, I warn you, don't try to hide them, every detail of the crime must be truthful."

"Nani? Anti-human! Prince Chongren said nervously: "No, no, I just arrived in China, and I have not hurt the Chinese." ”

Bang! The interrogator slapped the table, stood up suddenly, and shouted angrily: "Good you diehard, so you are going to fight the Chinese people to the end!" ”

Another interrogator also jumped up and shouted: "You have to recognize the reality, don't force us to resort!" ”

……

Zheng Weiguo and Political Commissar Cheng stood outside the window of the interrogation room and watched. They smiled at each other and left. Zheng Weiguo asked with some curiosity: "Lao Cheng, which department did those two interrogators transfer from, why haven't I seen them before?" ”

Political Commissar Cheng smiled and said embarrassedly: "In fact, they have been transferred to work in Jizhong a long time ago, but they have been undergoing labor reform because they made mistakes in the movement to purge Trotskyists. ”

"Oh, it's them!" Zheng Weiguo laughed. It turned out that these people were all veteran commissioners of the Red Army period, who specialized in the work of suppressing the rebellion, and they had a special set of people as a whole. Because of Zheng Huzi's relationship, such a person is particularly unpopular in Jizhong. Labor has been decentralized. Recently, however, more and more Japanese prisoners have been captured. I really can't judge it. Political Commissar Cheng had no choice but to transfer a group of cadres with better performance from below to take over the interrogation work.

"Yes, that's them!" Political Commissar Cheng smiled: "These people are still very good at interrogation, so I plan to let them try cases about the atrocities of the Japanese army." Don't let a wicked person slip through the net! ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Yes." Good! This is called fighting poison with poison. But that Mikasa Palace Takahito don't die. It's useful to keep him. ”

Political Commissar Cheng hurriedly promised: "Please rest assured, commander!" He asked curiously, "What does the commander plan to do with this Japanese prince?" ”

Zheng Weiguo thought for a moment and said: "Recently, more and more Japanese soldiers have been captured and surrendered, and I plan to form an anti-war National Salvation Army composed of Japanese. If that Chongren knows each other. I want him to be the commander of this force. ”

Political Commissar Cheng smiled: "This dare is good!" The fact that the emperor's own brothers were all against the war must have had a great impact on the psychology of the Japanese soldiers. However, this matter is extraordinary, and it is best to ask Yan'an first. ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Well, of course. I plan to sort out a complete idea first, and then report back to Yan'an. ”

Political Commissar Cheng approvingly: "It's still the commander who thinks thoughtfully. ”

The two walked out while talking, and soon arrived in the courtyard of the headquarters, and happened to bump into Chief of Staff Zhou, Director Cai Wenzhi, and Director Xiong Taiyu were discussing something. Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhang Wenbai is now concurrently serving as the principal of the Jizhong Military Academy, and Zheng Weiguo transferred Xiong Taiyu out of the military academy and arranged for him to serve as the director of the Secretariat to assist him in handling official duties in the World War II Zone.

Chief of Staff Zhou looked up and said happily: "Hey, General Seat, Lao Cheng, you came just in time!" I was going to look for you! ”

Political Commissar Cheng quipped: "What's the good thing?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "In this case, we plan to send a few small units to the enemy-occupied areas to carry out activities, set up a few guerrilla base areas, or secret contact points, and prepare for a future counteroffensive." ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Of course this is okay, but don't overstimulate the Japanese army for the time being." For example, in the areas of eastern Hebei, Chahar, and Rehe, secret contact points should be the mainstay, supplemented by the armed engineering team, and should not be in a hurry. Although we have carried this catastrophe through it, the main task is to recover and develop. ”

Several people nodded when they heard this.

Zheng Weiguo asked again: "What is the hostile situation inside and outside Jizhong?" ”

Director Cai Wenzhi hurriedly replied: "Report to the general seat, at present, all military divisions are actively counterattacking and recovering lost territory, but the Japanese army is still stubbornly defending the six communication arteries of Pinghan, Pingda, Jinpu, Pingjin, Baocang, and Deshi. ”

Political Commissar Cheng sighed and said, "This is to put six chains on us!" ”

Zheng Weiguo sneered: "Hmph, I don't see it that way!" These six communication arteries were not so much trapping us, but rather trapping the Japanese army itself. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou agreed: "What the general seat said is right, at present, there is a railway between Pingjin and Tianjin on these six lines, and the other lines are all supported by automobiles, and the daily supplies and losses are amazing." I'd like to see how long the little devil can last. ”

Director Xiong Taiyu hurriedly interjected: "If you say that, those lines can't be moved for the time being?" ”

"Hey, that's not it!" Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and explained: "It is still necessary to bleed the devils, and the seizure is nothing, the key is to train the team." Compared with the Japanese army, the main gap between us and the Japanese army is the military quality of our soldiers and officers. ”

Director Xiong smiled: "In the final analysis, it's all about people!" However, there were a lot of captures, and during this time, the 129th Division and the Eighth Route Army of Jinchaji continued to attack, and they really fished out a lot of Japanese-style equipment. Because there are too many six- and five-caliber weapons, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army is already considering replacing the standard rifles with three-eight large covers. ”

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but laugh. Historically, the Eighth Route Army was changed to 65 caliber four or five years later. Now it seems that this time is much earlier.

Political Commissar Cheng said with a smile: "No wonder the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army proposed to work together to open up the communication line of western Hebei-southern Hebei-central Hebei-eastern Hebei, but it turned out that it had picked up so many cheap in secret. ”

Director Xiong nodded and said: "Recently, the situation in the base areas of the Eighth Route Army has been gradually improving, but all communication lines are still under the control of the Japanese army, which has caused a lot of trouble to the material exchanges between our base areas. If we can reopen it, it will also be of great benefit to us, at least the economy can recover as soon as possible. ”

In this time and space, Zheng Weiguo can feed hundreds of thousands of troops in a corner of Jizhong, in addition to Jizhong itself is indeed rich, business and finance are also the key. Business. The most important thing is circulation. The financial requirements are higher, so this campaign also caused great economic damage to Jizhong.

In the past, it was possible to make money by making fake "Union bills" and holiday dollars, but the Japanese were not fools, and after discovering that there were a lot of counterfeit banknotes circulating in the market. Start printing the new currency immediately. In order to prevent the recurrence of counterfeit banknotes. They added a native Japanese plant called the bark to the paper on which they printed money. This plant is also known as incense. When mixed with this material, the paper is yellowish in color, thick and crisp, with a clear watermark and a special smell.

Zheng Weiguo has been connected with the Northeast People's Salvation Association and the underground party. Searched around for the plant, but the information so far was disappointing – at least not in northern China.

Seeing that Zheng Weiguo didn't speak, Chief of Staff Zhou asked, "What does the general seat think?" ”

Zheng Weiguo thought for a while and said: "You can open up a few temporary passages first, don't do a big counteroffensive for the time being, you have to wait!" ”

Political Commissar Cheng was puzzled: "Or wait for the Japanese to do it in the Pacific Ocean?" ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Well, it's time to count the days." ”

Chief of Staff Zhou agreed: "Then wait a little longer." ”

……

Yan'an, Taizu took the telegram and said with a smile: "Okay, this battle in Jizhong can be regarded as being carried down." ”

Mr. Zhu also smiled: "Yes, I really didn't expect it!" The Japanese army mobilized so many troops that it was impossible to defeat a small Ping'an County. However, compared with the Mountain Independent Division, our Eighth Route Army still has a lot to learn. In this counter-sweep, the losses of several major base areas are not small! ”

Taizu took a deep puff of cigarette and said with emotion: "There are indeed many things in this that are worth learning from the Eighth Route Army. Wait for the next call back to tell Lao Peng and them, the troops should not develop blindly, and they must come up with a few fist troops. It is necessary to be like the main force in Jizhong, which can fight when it comes, and will win the battle. ”

Vice Chairman Liu said with a smile: "Chairman, in this way, do you agree with Zheng Huzi's suggestion to streamline the administration?" ”

Taizu nodded and muttered, "Well, it should have been done a long time ago!" Facts have proved that the Jizhong model is the guarantee of our victory. ”

Director Ren, who was sitting on the side, also nodded, and asked again, "What about the food problem?" Zheng Huzi was resolutely opposed to donations to the Soviet Union, and suggested that the government of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningbo Border Region should come forward to purchase the surplus grain in the hands of the peasants in a unified manner, and then establish an emergency grain depot. ”

Taizu was also a little uncertain, and asked rhetorically, "What about your opinion?" ”

Vice Chairman Liu thought for a moment and said, "I am also not in favor of donating to the Soviet Union. We are also seriously short of food in our country, and we have to use it to repay the money for the purchase of weapons from the Soviet Union. If we make any donations to the Soviet Union at this time, the Nationalist Government and the people will certainly have opinions and even question our position. The Nationalist Government may even stop our funding under the pretext that we have abundant food. ”

Mr. Zhu said with a smile: "It's still good as the ancients said, wealth is not exposed, that's the truth." ”

Vice Chairman Liu said with a smile: "In this case, let's hurry up and build an emergency grain depot!" ”

Director Ren asked with some concern: "What if there is opposition in the party?" ”

Taizu waved his hand and said, "Don't care about him!" Whoever wants to donate food, let them carry it to Suiyuan by themselves. When everyone heard this, they all laughed.

Mr. Zhu pointed to the telegram and said, "Then what about this Prince Takahito of Mikasa Palace?" ”

Taizu joked, "Well, this is a baby! Not only do we and the Japanese want it, but the chairman wants it too. What do you think of Zheng Huzi's idea of establishing a Japanese people's anti-war National Salvation Army? Is it feasible? ”

Mr. Zhu thought for a moment and said: "The Japanese soldiers have accepted the militaristic idea of loyalty to the emperor for generations, and it may not be easy to reform. But it's a big deal. No matter how difficult it is, you have to do it. Even if there is only one person in this National Salvation Army, it will be a heavy blow to the psychology of the Japanese army. ”

Taizu said approvingly: "What the boss said is right! In this matter, our central authorities should vigorously support it. When the meeting is over, you can personally go to the Anti-War League to arrange it and help them put up this shelf first! ”

Vice Chairman Liu hurriedly said: "But the Japanese are looking for someone to negotiate with us in the Manchurian realm, saying that as long as they can release this prince, they can negotiate any conditions." ”

Director Ren said with a smile: "Let's talk about it, let's see if the benefits of forming the National Salvation Army are greater, or the ransom paid by the Japanese is more beneficial." The one with the highest price wins, let's just not suffer! ”

Vice Chairman Liu thought for a moment and said, "Then you can't just send it back." The necessary ideological transformation is still needed, right? ”

The crowd laughed tacitly again.

……

The telegram was soon sent back to Jizhong. Zheng Weiguo took a look. I was overjoyed to find that most of my suggestions had been followed. If we continue to develop in this way, the situation in which one enemy is strong and we are weak will inevitably undergo fundamental changes.

Commissar Cheng pointed to the back of the telegram. "Commander," he asked. Since Yan'an agreed with us to form an anti-war National Salvation Army. Why do you want us to negotiate with the Japanese army? ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "I want to sell it for a good price!" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled and said, "I estimate that the Japanese will come to rescue this Prince Chongren at any cost this time." In that case, we really have to talk to the Japanese! ”

Political Commissar Cheng was puzzled: "What is there to talk about?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "There are so many places to talk! The first was the release of captured officers and soldiers of the Chinese army. In the past few months, many officers and men of various units of the Nationalist Army have been captured, some have been killed, and some have been captured by the Japanese to work as coolies. It would be great if you could replace some of it back. ”

When everyone heard this, they all nodded their heads again and again.

Chief of Staff Zhou said: "In this second aspect, aren't we in short supply now?" I think I can fight for it too! ”

Political Commissar Cheng asked a little excitedly: "Then can you replace it with a batch of weapons?" ”

When everyone heard this, they all shook their heads, feeling unlikely.

Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and said: "No matter what you can get, it's always okay to talk about it." The first is the prisoners, and it is better to investigate first to see how many people were captured by the Japanese army. When exchanging, female warriors are preferred. As for the materials, I am afraid that the possibility of arms is not very large, but we should try to get as many other civilian materials, especially batteries and chemical raw materials that are in short supply in our base areas. ”

Political Commissar Cheng nodded and said, "Okay, I'll arrange it according to the commander's instructions." ”

……

Soon, the two sides met in a ruined temple in Jinnan. It may be that the Japanese side was in too much of a hurry, and the negotiations went surprisingly smoothly. After some negotiations, the Japanese side agreed to release about 1,000 prisoners of the Nationalist army (including the Eighth Route Army), including more than 50 female students from the International Medical School of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region (historically Bethune School). Most of these people were captured during these months of counter-sweeping operations.

In addition, the Japanese army also "gifted" a large number of arms and other supplies. It was really a large number, among which were more than 3,000 rifles captured by the Japanese army. There was also a collection of Japanese-style weapons, but there were no artillery.

Because Japan gave a lot of things, Zheng Weiguo had no reason to refuse, so he had to give up his plan to make Prince Chongren the commander of the National Salvation Army and let him go. However, the National Salvation Army was established as scheduled, and the commander was Suoku Gaosuke. After learning of the death of his sister Sakurako, he finally chose to break with Japan, and led two fellow villagers to kill the leading officer Toucheng.

However, what makes the Japanese laugh and cry is that Prince Takahito Mikasa Palace was really "brainwashed". After returning home, he gave a lecture on "Inner Reflection on the Chinese Incident as a Japanese" to the senior officers of the Chinese Dispatch Army (note: he has done this in history). In this speech, he enumerated the facts of Japan's aggression against China since the First Sino-Japanese War, exposed the brutal acts of the Japanese soldiers, and said that Japan had "taken everything and plundered everything" against China.

The article also specifically pointed out that the Nationalist army in North China (referring to Zheng Huzi's troops and the Eighth Route Army) "has an extremely serious relationship between men and women, and rape is equivalent to unique; Military discipline for the people is also particularly strict, and it is by no means beyond the reach of the Japanese army." Under these circumstances, if the resistance in North China is not "rampant," it will become the first of the seven wonders of the world!

He summed up at the very end: "In my opinion, such a Japanese army cannot compete with the Chinese army!" ”

As soon as these words came out, they immediately caused an uproar within the Japanese army, and almost bleed the anger of some stubborn invading factions, such as Okamura Ninji. However, as the younger brother of Emperor Hirohito, those generals did not dare to touch him, so they had to send him back to China.

After returning to Japan, Takahito was still restless (don't forget, his teacher was Masanobu Tsuji), and secretly colluded with the "peace faction", preparing to kill Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, and then form a cabinet himself. Although it didn't work out in the end, it also scared Tojo and Hirohito into white sweat.

This is a later story, so I won't mention it for the time being. Let's continue with the war in North China. As the "Pearl Harbor" incident approached, Japan gradually reduced its supply to the North China Front. In the words of Hideki Tojo, he no longer wants to fill the bottomless pit of North China with limited resources. This is simply a draw from the bottom of the kettle for Okamura Ninji. The Japanese army, which was struggling with supplies, had to abandon some of the newly occupied territory and retreat from the hinterland of the base areas.

However, Zheng Weiguo and the Eighth Route Army did not take advantage of the situation to counterattack, the Eighth Route Army was seriously injured and had to take a breath first, and Zheng Huzi wanted to wait and see. Wait for the "Pearl Harbor" attack to break out before proceeding. If this matter comes out, there will be no room for a turnaround between Japan and the United States.

It is worth mentioning that Zheng Huzi's "old friend", Carlson, who helped him sell penicillin in the United States, came to China again. With his help, the U.S. troops stationed in Beiping and Tianjin (each with a U.S. Army regiment and a Marine Corps battalion) quietly "lost" their weapons in China before they were evacuated. Although the equipment is not much, it is of great political significance - this is the first American aid Zheng Huzi received.

Zheng Huzi also reciprocated by telling Carlson the information that the Japanese army was about to launch the "Pearl Harbor Incident", and through his identity, he promptly fed back to the US President Roosevelt case.

There are many sources that swear that Roosevelt had long known that Japan was going to bomb Pearl Harbor, and that he deliberately pretended not to know the way in order to suppress domestic "isolationism." In fact, this speculation is completely unreliable. If that were the case, Roosevelt could have set up an ambush at Pearl Harbor and crush the Japanese Combined Fleet in one fell swoop, and then he could still enter the war in the name of a nominee. Because what matters is not how big the losses are, but that Japan has done something to the United States. Since the founding of the country, there has been no precedent for Americans to be beaten and not fought back, and this alone is enough to suppress "isolationism".

There is also information that Roosevelt transferred the aircraft carrier ahead of schedule to reduce losses. This is also nonsense, at that time the countries still used battleships as their main ships, and the status of aircraft carriers had not yet been determined. Moreover, battleships are much more difficult to build than aircraft carriers, and they are much more expensive, and they can be converted into aircraft carriers if necessary.

In addition, it is important to note that Pearl Harbor contains 4.5 million tons of heavy oil. Historically, the Japanese bombing had leaked, and if it hadn't, there would have been no Pearl Harbor. The U.S. military could only retreat to San Diego, California, 3,500 kilometers away, to defend itself, and the entire Pacific Ocean would be controlled by the Japanese army. How dare Roosevelt take such a big risk?

Zheng Huzi believes that Roosevelt probably received this kind of information, even more than once, but the source of the information was unreliable and was not accepted. Therefore, he decided to reveal the news to the Yankees, so that the little devil could make a big mistake. In order to convince Roosevelt of this, he even pressed up the patent for penicillin and a year's earnings, which would have been used to subsidize the military expenses of the Yankees for mobilizing troops if the devil had not gone.

The time soon came on December 7, 1941, Zheng Weiguo looked at his watch, what should come will always come! (To be continued......)

PS: Thank you very much JimH for the magic cake and the monthly pass cast by Wild Fairy!