Chapter 770
The End of the Empire, the Expeditionary Army Heading Towards Division!
Jinling.
The autumn rain outside the window pattered softly, pattering on the sycamore leaves with a desolate rustling sound.
This ancient capital, which has witnessed countless killings and humiliations, is now filled with an extremely oppressive atmosphere.
On the street, a few pedestrians hurried along.
Many businesses closed their doors and windows, as if they didn't want to cause trouble.
Headquarters of the Chinese Expeditionary Army.
The long conference table was filled with division and regimental commanders who had retreated from various fronts in North and Central China or had been ordered to attend the meeting.
Although the gold stars on their epaulets still shone brightly, their dark circles under their eyes, slightly disheveled military bearing, and the undisguised anxiety between their brows all indicated that this army was at its last gasp.
"Baka! Peace talks?"
"This is surrender!"
"This is a great disgrace to our great nation of Japan!"
A roar shattered the silence. Commander Yoshiharu Takeshita, commander of the 27th Division, slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, spittle flying under the lamplight: "Where has our Bushido spirit gone?"
"Although we lost Haizhou and North China, we still have the natural barrier of the Yangtze River!"
"We still have Manchuria, and we still have plans for a decisive battle on our home soil!"
"As long as there is one last Locust Army soldier left, we should fight to the very end!"
"For the sake of Her Majesty the Heavenly Locust, even if we all perish, it would be the greatest honor, and Amaterasu Omikami will naturally protect us."
The one opposite him.
It was Hayashi Yoshitaro, the commander of the 110th Division.
This commander, who usually prided himself on being a scholar-general, now had a pale, cold smile on his face. He disdainfully took out a handkerchief and wiped the spittle off his face.
"Takeshita-kun, please wake up and stop living in a dream."
Yoshitaro Hayashi adjusted his slipped glasses, his voice not loud, but carrying a desperate rationality: "Can the Yangtze River Delta really be defended?"
“Our supply lines have been cut off by the Chinese air force, our soldiers are eating moldy coarse rice, our tanks are broken down, and air superiority has been taken over by the enemy.”
"Under these circumstances, are we supposed to rely on light weapons and artillery to fight against the Chinese army, which has superior firepower?"
"Moreover, according to reliable intelligence, the Americans are providing substantial assistance to the mountain city government in building an armored force!"
"You should all be aware of the power of the Sherman tanks; they breached the defenses that North China had built up over a long period of time!"
"Blindly persisting now will only turn more young people of our country into meaningless corpses; it has no value whatsoever!"
"We need peace talks, and we have no other option but peace talks!"
"Using the remaining bargaining chips we have, and before we completely collapse, we should strive for a dignified ceasefire through diplomatic means. This is the only way to preserve the last vestige of life for our brother nation!"
"asshole!"
"You coward!"
Takeshita Yoshiharu trembled with rage, his hand gripping the sword at his waist, his knuckles white from the force, as if he were about to draw his blade at any moment: "You traitor to the nation, how can you face the war dead in the Yasukuni Shrine?!"
Peace talks?
Okamura Neiji was filled with disdain.
If peace talks could have been held, the war wouldn't have escalated to this point.
Even though Tokyo has shown sufficient sincerity, it still has not received a response from either the US or China.
Whether this damned war can end or not is no longer up to Japan.
Even if they are willing to pay a heavy price.
For Japan at that time, this was a desperate and arduous resistance.
Whether Japan will continue to exist after the war remains unclear.
Not far away, the argument between the two factions of officers escalated.
Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Okamura Neiji, who was sitting at the head of the table, finally spoke up: "That's enough."
His voice was hoarse and low, revealing no trace of joy or anger, yet carrying a chilling, lifeless quality.
As soon as Okamura Neiji spoke, the entire conference room fell silent instantly, as if the air itself had frozen.
Under everyone's gaze, he slowly took off his round-framed glasses and rubbed his tired brow.
He didn't look at the two sides arguing, but stared intently at the battle map in front of him, which was full of blue arrows (representing the Nationalist army's offensive).
"I understand how you all feel."
Okamura Neiji put his glasses back on, his eyes behind the lenses a deep, lifeless stillness, as if he had already seen through the outcome of the war: "Arguing won't solve anything. I think everyone knows that the current situation is more difficult than ever before."
"Whether it's war or peace, the decision needs to be made by headquarters."
"Our task is to carry out orders."
"Even if the order is to sacrifice ourselves for our brother's country, we will do it without hesitation."
After saying this ambiguous statement, which was merely a statement of opinion...
Okamura Neiji then fell silent, once again plunging into that unsettling silence.
He sat there like a weathered sculpture, as if the fierce argument and even the impending destruction had nothing to do with him.
Sitting to the side and behind, Chief of the General Staff Kawabe Masazo was rapidly jotting down "the capitulationist remarks of Hayashi Yoshitaro and others" in his notebook while glancing at Okamura Yasuji out of the corner of his eye.
General Okamura, who was once full of vigor, formulated the "Three Alls Policy," and was known as a "China expert," now seems to have had his spine removed.
His silence, in Kawabe Masashi's eyes, was not profound, but a terrible betrayal.
Okamura Neiji betrayed the "Great Brotherhood's Proclamation" of Yakou Ichiu.
……
late at night.
Nanjing, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Expeditionary Army.
The rain outside the window was pouring down harder, pounding against the glass and drowning out any sounds coming from inside.
He locked the doors and windows by the river and drew the heavy curtains tightly.
Only then did they carefully open the safe and take out the top-secret codebook, which was held by only a very few high-ranking officials.
Under the dim light of the desk lamp, his shadow was cast on the wall, resembling a hunched ghost.
The pen tip scratched across the paper.
Top Secret Telegram
To: Chief of Staff Sugiyama Gen, Army General Staff Headquarters, Tokyo
Report on the situation and special petition regarding the Nanjing Operation Summary Meeting
I. Meeting Overview:
The atmosphere at this meeting was extremely unpleasant.
The division and regimental commanders had serious disagreements about the course of the war, and morale among the troops was severely shaken.
Although the pro-war faction (such as Lieutenant General Yoshiharu Takeshita) still had fighting spirit, they were emotional and even showed signs of losing control.
The pessimistic sentiment among the peace faction (such as Lieutenant General Yoshitaro Hayashi) spread, and they openly declared that the war had been lost and that resources were scarce. They attempted to seek a ceasefire through diplomatic channels, and their words revealed their doubts about the General Headquarters' decision to "fight a decisive battle on the homeland." If this trend spread, the consequences would be unimaginable.
II. Regarding the performance of Commander-in-Chief Okamura Yasuji:
Although I am a subordinate, this matter concerns the fate of my brother's country, so I have no choice but to speak out at the risk of my life.
General Okamura's unusually negative behavior at this meeting was disheartening.
Faced with heated arguments and surrender rhetoric that undermined morale among his subordinates, he neither sternly stopped them nor provided clear tactical guidance or morale-boosting encouragement.
He remained silent and taciturn throughout, with a blank stare, seemingly having completely lost confidence and control over the battle situation, and even appearing to be letting things drift, which was particularly suspicious.
When discussing the armored army group that the Chinese army was about to form and Chu Yunfei's strategic intentions.
General Okamura offered no countermeasure whatsoever, instead privately lamenting "the hardships of the times" after the meeting. Such words, which boost the morale of the enemy, coming from the mouth of the supreme commander of the expeditionary army, are utterly disrespectful!
This is in light of his recent mistakes in the Haizhou retreat operation and his "exceptionally accurate yet ineffective" predictions of the Chinese army's movements.
The department not only doubted whether its command ability had collapsed due to the series of defeats, but also had to come up with a chilling conjecture.
Has General Okamura been mentally defeated by the enemy?
Could there even be some unknown tacit understanding between them and high-ranking enemy officials (such as Chu Yunfei)?
Nanjing is now in grave danger. If the commander has ulterior motives, the "million-strong dispatched army" will be wiped out!
We earnestly request that the General Headquarters investigate this matter thoroughly and promptly dispatch capable officers to rectify military discipline in order to salvage the critical situation!
Major General Masazo Kawabe, Chief of Staff of the Expeditionary Army
Autumn of the 18th year of Showa
After writing the last character, He Bianzheng let out a long breath of stale air, a ferocious look of pleasure on his face.
"Drip, drip, drip."
With the crisp, urgent sound of the telegraph machine, the telegram flew to the Tokyo headquarters, which was also in turmoil, filled with fear and madness.
The next day.
Tokyo, Miyakezaka, Army General Staff Headquarters.
The morning mist had not yet dissipated, enveloping the building that represented the highest military command of the Japanese Empire like a white shroud.
At this time, Tokyo had not yet been subjected to large-scale strategic bombing, but an atmosphere of "defeat" was already permeating the air.
The shortage of supplies left pedestrians on the street looking pale and emaciated.
Newspapers are increasingly featuring the terms "retreat" and "suicide."
The nation was shrouded in the despair of war.
"Your Excellency Chief of Staff!"
An intelligence officer, pale-faced and clutching the newly translated "top secret" telegram tightly in his hand, stumbled into the office of Chief of the General Staff, Sugiyama Gen.
"Urgent telegram from Nanjing!"
"An urgent telegram from Chief of Staff Masazo Kawabe!"
Sugiyama Motomasa was looking at the mess of the Pacific theater on the map when he heard this, so he frowned and took the telegram.
His eyes swept quickly across the paper.
At first, his expression was merely solemn.
But when he read about the “pro-peace rhetoric” and the accusations that Okamura Yasuji was “suspected of colluding with the enemy and suffering a mental breakdown,” the army general’s hands began to tremble violently.
"Bakana?"
Sugiyama Gen slumped into a chair, his face completely pale.
Who is Okamura Neiji?
He was one of the "Three Crows" of the army, the most senior and highly regarded general in the current army of the country, and the "stabilizing force" on which the country was expected to hold the mainland battlefield.
If even he despairs, and is even suspected by the chief of staff of "colluding with the enemy."
How can we fight this battle then?
"Get the car ready! Get the car ready immediately!"
Sugiyama Gen suddenly stood up, grabbed his military cap from the table, and said, "I'm going to see the Prime Minister, to see Lord Tojo!"
"Hai!"
……
Prime Minister's official residence.
Hideki Tojo looked at the telegram in his hand, his thin face and signature round-framed glasses gleaming coldly.
His lips twitched: "Bastards! They're all bastards!"
Hideki Tojo ripped the telegram to shreds and slammed it to the ground, roaring hysterically, "When has the war ever deteriorated to such a hopeless state that we still have a chance of winning? We will never surrender!"
Hideki Tojo paced back and forth in the hall, his leather boots slamming against the floor like a mad beast trapped in a cage.
"Sugiyama-kun, what do you think?" Tojo suddenly turned around and stared intently at Sugiyama Gen.
Sugiyama Gen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said cautiously, "Kawabe-kun's accusations are shocking, but General Okamura is, after all, a high-ranking official of the Empire. To say that he is a traitor is probably an exaggeration."
"In my opinion, he is more tired or desperate about the current situation."
"despair?"
Hideki Tojo sneered, a cruel glint in his eyes: "As a general of the Locust Army, as long as I'm still alive, I'm not allowed to despair!"
"As for that Yoshitaro Hayashi, and those cowards who dared to try and negotiate peace."
Hideki Tojo made a throat-slitting gesture, his tone chilling: "Since they don't want to fight, then we won't let them continue in such crucial positions as division commanders!"
"Relay my orders!"
Hideki Tojo sat back in his chair and quickly issued a top-secret warrant:
"First, immediately remove the 110th Division Commander Yoshitaro Hayashi and all the 'pro-peace' generals mentioned in the telegram from their posts, and have them secretly escorted back to Japan by the military police for trial by a military court!"
"Second, immediately reorganize the Japanese combat order of battle in the Far East, draft relevant unit numbers, and adjust a series of unit number naming rules."
"Third, send a secret telegram severely reprimanding General Okamura Yasuji, commander of the expeditionary force, informing him that the Imperial General Headquarters is now very disappointed in him, and that if he cannot prove his loyalty, wisdom, and courage in the upcoming battles..."
Hideki Tojo paused, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
Changing commanders now, right before the battle, will not only leave us with no one to rely on, but will also cause panic throughout the army.
"Then please ask him to resign voluntarily, return to his country, and join the reserves."
"fourth!"
A glint of madness flashed in Hideki Tojo's eyes, the madness of a gambler betting their last chip:
"In order to prevent the North China and Central China Area Armies from continuing to waver, the most 'loyal' young officers and staff officers should be immediately drawn from the Kwantung Army to form a 'General Headquarters Supervision Group' to go to Nanjing to supervise the battle."
"I will request His Majesty to grant the supervisory team the authority to make 'decisive decisions on the spot'!"
"Anyone who speaks of resignation or advocating peace, regardless of rank, may have their command taken over by the supervisory corps, and the person who speaks of resignation or advocating peace shall be escorted back to Tokyo."
Sugiyama Gen was terrified.
Clearly, Hideki Tojo has gone completely insane.
He intends to carry out a major purge in Nanjing to ensure that the entire expeditionary force is composed of fanatical, pro-war generals.
This is going to drive the entire dispatched army to a dead end, forcing them to fight like cornered beasts!
Sugiyama Gen raised an eyebrow and advised, "Prime Minister, doing this could very likely affect the morale of the combat troops and cause other even more serious consequences."
"Sugiyama-kun, we have no choice. The plan for a decisive battle on the homeland requires a large number of combat troops and defensive fortifications. We need more time to accumulate troops and weapons."
"The triangle area of Nanjing, Hangzhou and Shanghai must become a true war fortress."
"Only in this way can they buy us more time, and only in this way can our plan for a decisive battle on home soil have any chance of success."
"We also need to urge the arsenals in Manchuria to produce all the anti-tank guns and suicide 'explosive mines' that are still on the drawing board!"
"We must strengthen our anti-armor warfare capabilities, while simultaneously bolstering public confidence and doing everything possible to keep this war going."
Sugiyama Gen was somewhat bewildered by Tojo Hideki's madness, when the outcome of the war was already clearly visible: "Lord Tojo, no matter how hard you try, our chances of winning this war are slim. Perhaps we can advise His Majesty to relinquish some of the interests we were previously unwilling to give up." (End of Chapter)