In a small Japanese-style conference room, six people, including the new Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki, Foreign Minister Shigetoku Togo, War Minister Yuki Anami, Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonechi, Army Chief of Staff Mijiro Umezu, and Navy Commander Toyoda Vice Takeshi sat together.

After the Sino-US coalition troops landed on the Japanese mainland, the cabinet of Koiso Kuniaki was forced to "resign." He was succeeded by the Navy veteran Kantaro Suzuki.

Suzuki's wife, Takako Adachi, was Emperor Hirohito's wet nurse, so she was trusted by the imperial family and entrusted with important tasks.

Originally, Suzuki didn't want to be the prime minister, he was 79 years old and his ears were deaf, but the Empress Dowager Setsuko said, you and your wife grew up watching the emperor, who do you don't do? Asking Suzuki to find a way to find a "decent peace" for Japan, in fact, the main purpose is to protect the Japanese imperial family.

Seeing that he couldn't push it off, Suzuki discussed with the army and named Anan as the minister of war. Although Anan is a well-known fool, he took 4 exams before he was admitted to Lu University. But because Suzuki and Anan have a personal relationship. When Anan was a military attaché, Suzuki was the chief attendant, and Anan, who was not very good, relied on Suzuki to point on the side, so Suzuki thought that he could reason with Anan.

In this way, the navy and army have their own people, and Suzuki thinks he can control the situation. As a result, a military government was convened to discuss whether to accept the "Shenyang Declaration" issued by China and the United States.

"Ladies and gentlemen, China and Milithuania issued an ultimatum yesterday!" Kantaro Suzuki glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice: "Now that the Shina Army has landed on our homeland, I will not surrender again." I'm afraid that the jade will be burned! ”

"In order to surrender, in addition to the preservation of the country, three conditions must be attached: first, Japan will deal with war criminals on its own; second, autonomous disarmament; Third, the Allies must not occupy the Japanese mainland......"

The guy who sputtered the splatter was Vice Takeshi Toyoda, the head of the Japanese Navy's Command. This guy was a well-known second seller even in Japan, and Yamamoto Isoroku hated this person very much during his lifetime, believing that "two Toyotas (the other was Sajiro Toyoda, a former vice admiral of the navy) could never be used."

But this guy has a lot of luck, not only served as the commander of the Combined Fleet, but now he has climbed to the position of the Minister of Military Orders. Worst of all, he was also "acquitted" by the Far Eastern Tribunal in history because he was staunchly opposed to war at the beginning of the Pacific War.

But his opposition to war was not for peace, much less for reason. Instead, he thought: "It's the idea of the animals in the Army to go to war." What are we going to do with the Navy? ”

The mind of the second goods is always difficult to guess, and the original anti-war Toyota has now become a diehard. At first, he refused to accept the "Shenyang Announcement". Now it's finally relieved, and it's a whole bunch of conditions. If Zheng Huzi heard that he had to be smacked, so much bullshit. Who surrendered to whom?

Kantaro Suzuki didn't expect that there would be problems within the navy. Secretly annoyed. Busy with Anan Wei a few glances.

Without waiting for Deputy Takeshi Toyoda to finish speaking, Lu Xiang Anan slammed the table a few times, stood up and shouted loudly: "Surrender unconditionally." It's better to carry out a local decisive battle! We fought a decisive battle on our home soil, and although we could not guarantee victory, we could still fight a battle, and if we fought well, we could repel the landing enemy. So, I am categorically against unconditional surrender! ”

……

When Prime Minister Suzuki heard this, he was another second-class goods, and he was so angry that he rolled his eyes.

Foreign Minister Shigetoku Togo tried to convince the two men about the current situation facing Japan, including international isolation and the withering of people's livelihoods at home.

Anan shouted angrily: "Enough, enough, everyone knows these situations." I myself and my loyal and brave subordinates have a belief that no matter how dangerous the situation is, we must fight to the end, and we would rather break the jade than surrender! ”

In addition to the two of them, the Chief of Army Staff, General Umezu Yoshijiro, also supported their views, and tried to force the Allies to further revise the contents of the Shenyang Proclamation with huge casualties, and demanded that Japan disarm itself and punish itself for war crimes, and that the Allied forces must promise not to occupy the Japanese mainland.

Foreign Minister Shigetoku Togo accepted the Shenyang Proclamation in principle, but at the same time put forward an additional condition, that is, to ensure that the status of the emperor and the Japanese political system would remain unchanged.

"Then vote by a show of hands!"

Whew, raise your hand, three against three! Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki, Foreign Minister Shigetoku Togo, and Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yoneuchi agreed with Togo's view, while War Minister Yuki Anami, Army Chief of Staff Umezu Mijiro, and Navy Commander Toyoda Vice Takeshi demanded that the fight continue until the Allies retreated.

Suzuki said helplessly, "Since you can't decide, you have to play the emperor......"

At that time, in order to avoid bombing by US planes, Japan built the "Matsushiro Daimoto Official Site" in Nagano Prefecture, which was specially used for air defense by the imperial family and government decision-making departments.

The ensuing Imperial Council was still held in the palace bomb shelter, and Emperor Hirohito came to the conference room.

According to the rules of the game in Japan at the time, the emperor did not participate in the discussion during the Imperial Council. It is only at the end that the minister is hinted at in ventriloquism (note: not ventriloquism, but a way of speaking in a twist and feel). Originally, it was used to show the mystery of the emperor, but after the war, it became an excuse for Hirohito to escape punishment.

In addition to the six cabinet giants, the Privy Council Speaker Hiranuma and a registrar were added to the meeting of the Imperial Council. With the exception of the clerk, everyone made a statement.

Suzuki first asked the clerk to read the Shenyang Proclamation, and then read out his proposed proposal:

"The Government of Japan is prepared to accept the terms enumerated in the Joint Proclamation issued by the United States and the Government of China in Shenyang on 9 June 1943, on the understanding that the said Proclamation does not contain any claim that would prejudice the prerogatives of His Majesty as the Sovereign Ruler."

Next, Shigetoku Togo personally explained the reason for the proposal: "Although it is undignified for Japan to accept the "Shenyang Announcement", it has to accept it under the current circumstances. Otherwise, as the large force of the Chinese army enters our homeland to fight, the situation changes rapidly, and the other side will definitely be tougher! ”

He paused and added, "At this moment, there is only one thing that can be proposed, and that is to maintain the emperor system. As long as the emperor preserves, the Yamato nation will have a day of revival. ”

He also emphasized: "If the enemy can guarantee that the national system will not be touched (i.e., the emperor and the monarchy will be guaranteed)." Surrender is urgent. ”

The Minister of the Navy, Mitsumasa Yonechi, immediately stated: "I agree with the Foreign Minister's opinion. ”

War Minister Anan was furious: "Japan must continue to fight, and peace can only be sued until the Allies pay a heavy price." In the event of surrender, in addition to the retained powers, the other three conditions must be upheld, namely, that the occupation of Japan by Allied forces should be avoided as much as possible; Japan is responsible for the disarmament of the Imperial Army and the handling of so-called war criminals. ”

As he spoke, Anan Weiji's emotions began to get excited: "Whoever agrees with the "Shenyang Announcement" is a national thief!" Our allies, Germany and Italy, have just conquered North Africa and will soon be able to conquer India, as long as we hold out for another year......"

Mine rolled his eyelids and said nonchalantly, "Can Japan continue to be in this state for a year?" ”

As soon as the words fell. Umezu and Toyota, among others, immediately objected.

Seeing the controversy rise again. The Speaker of the Privy Council, Ping Zhao and the Mud, said: "In addition to the necessity of preserving the state body, it may also be desirable to ask for negotiations on three conditions." ”

Toyoda, the chief of naval orders, said strongly: "I advocate fighting to the end, if it is not for my own officers to disband the army." The behavior of subordinates cannot be guaranteed. ”

Army Chief of Staff Umezu Mijiro said that Japan is still a formidable opponent of the enemy. Surrender unconditionally now. Worthy of the fallen soldiers. And he believes that China can hold out for six years, and there is no reason why Japan is worse than China.

For this reason, he also gave an example. It proves that Japan is not incapable of holding out. According to Umezu, Japanese arsenals are already massively making weapons from detonation of bombs dropped by the enemy. From this, it follows that the enemy's bombardment is not terrible!

Mitsumasa Mitsumasa was furious and rebuked, "But what are they making? It's a shovel! Do you want the soldiers of the Empire to fight the enemy with shovels? ”

Seeing that the more everyone talked, the more angry they became, Prime Minister Suzuki waved his hand, signaled everyone to be quiet, and then turned his gaze to the emperor.

It's about his own life and the survival of Japan, and Hirohito doesn't dare to play any ventriloquist anymore. He muttered, "It was just said that the iron we use to make our shovels is made from fragments from bombs dropped by the enemy. This reaffirms my understanding that we are no longer capable of continuing this war. ”

When everyone heard this, they were all stunned.

Hirohito continued, "I've been listening to confident words of victory for the past few days, but the plan and practice are not consistent. As it stands, there seems to be no hope of victory against the Allied armies......" he waved his hand, "and this is the only way to make a decision at this time......

After the emperor finished speaking, he wiped his tears with his white gloves and left the basement with heavy steps, and the ministers fell to the ground and wept.

According to Japan's constitution at the time, only the cabinet had the power to approve surrender. Prime Minister Suzuki, fearing that he would have too many dreams at night, announced the emperor's "holy ruling" to the cabinet members overnight, and all the cabinet members unanimously expressed their obedience.

On June 12, 1943, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a peace message to Minister Kanon to Switzerland and Minister Okamoto to Sweden (both of which were permanently neutral), informing them of the attitude of the Japanese Emperor and the decision of the Government. The two men were asked to convey the peace message to the United States and China.

At this time, President Roosevelt, Secretary of State Cordell. Hull, Chairman Lin Sen, Dean Song Ziwen, Vice Chairman Zhou Elai, and Zheng Huzi are still discussing the post-war pattern and other issues.

After reading the Japanese Foreign Ministry's telegram, President Roosevelt asked the crowd what their opinions were. Everyone has different opinions and opinions. Zheng Weiguo believes that the "Shenyang Announcement" involves the face of China and the United States, and it is not appropriate to back down. At this time, Zhou Gong began to show his diplomatic ability, suggesting that "the final form of the Japanese government should be decided by the Japanese people", and this diplomatic rhetoric was unanimously approved by everyone, so he replied accordingly.

However, the Japanese side was not satisfied with this reply, so on the 13th, Zheng Weiguo and Arnold ordered an all-round attack on Japan. The US military once again dispatched a huge fleet of planes to bomb all kinds of military, civilian, valuable and worthless targets.

At the same time, the main forces of the Second Theater of Operations, including the Far Eastern Front, which was attached to the US operation, also launched an offensive from the ground. It is worth mentioning that the Tang Enbo Division of the Central Army, which came all the way from Henan, participated in the war for the first time. Although the first batch of troops had only one battalion, it left a deep impression on the Japanese people and called it "the No. 1 enemy of Tianzi".

Early in the morning of the 14th, all the Japanese ministers went to the prime minister's residence to attend a cabinet meeting, and a message suddenly came from the palace: Please enter the palace, and you don't have to dress formally.

Emperor Hirohito, dressed as a generalissimo, listened to the opinions of all parties, hid his face again and wept, and finally said: "The Shenyang Proclamation should be accepted." The so-called "Edict of the End of the War" had already been drafted by the Cabinet Clerk.

After the meeting, two more sinologists were invited to consider the words. However, when copying, he lost nine characters in a line, and because of the urgency of time, he had to add between the lines, send it to the emperor, stamp it with a jade seal, and then sign it by all the cabinet officials. At 11 o'clock in the evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the allies through the embassies in Switzerland and Sweden that Japan had accepted the Shenyang Proclamation.

That night, Hirohito also made a recording of the "Edict of the End of the War", and because of his nervousness, he recorded it twice.

At noon on the 15th, the "Yuyin" broadcast began, which lasted 4 minutes and 37 seconds. This is the first time that the Japanese have heard the true voice of the emperor. However, because it was written in Japanese, many people could not understand it, so there were various conjectures and explanations: the emperor wanted the people to die with him; The royal family wants to give everyone reserve rice; Imperial Japanese Navy Attacks U.S. Mainland...... It wasn't until after the broadcast that the announcer gave the commentary that people understood that Japan had lost the war.

At this point, Japan officially surrendered. (To be continued......)

PS: Alas, meteorite crater filling is also a technical job