Chapter 778
Okamura Yasuji's Special Envoy Visits, List of Traitors from the Katsura Clique!
Pengcheng.
The North China Joint Command, now the forward command post, is located on the site of the former Fifth War Zone Command Headquarters.
The buildings with their blue bricks and gray tiles appeared particularly somber after being washed by the continuous autumn rain.
The old locust trees in the courtyard have lost all their leaves, leaving only bare branches.
Autumn has arrived in the blink of an eye.
Chu Yunfei stood in front of the huge defense map, with his back to the door.
His military uniform was crisp and straight, but the collar was slightly open, revealing a rare sign of fatigue.
The continuous official business and travel over the past few days have left even the energetic him feeling a bit tired.
"Any news from Yu'an?"
Chu Yunfei's voice was somewhat low, and he did not turn around.
Fang Ligong was sitting at his desk by the window, holding a cup of hot tea, a thin layer of condensation on his glasses. He put down the teacup, took off his glasses, and wiped them: "We are currently conducting corresponding combat training. Commander Qiu even test-drove a Sherman tank himself."
Chu Yunfei smiled faintly: "Time flies, another month has passed in the blink of an eye."
Fang Ligong pushed up his glasses: "Sir, telegrams requesting help from Li Pinxian are flying in like snowflakes, but I always feel that something is not right."
The 60th Division
Chu Yunfei narrowed his eyes and drew a line in the air with his finger. "Okamura Neiji is an old fox. When did he become so impatient? He actually sent a Class B division deep into enemy territory to attack the Guangxi Clique's defenses?"
"It's like sending someone to their death."
Fang Ligong picked up the conversation, his eyes gleaming: "But they actually broke through the Guangxi clique's defenses. If it weren't for the Eighth Route Army's assistance, Commander Li would probably be in serious trouble."
Just then, a report came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Li Jingzhong pushed open the door and entered, his expression somewhat strange.
He strode up to Chu Yunfei and said in a low voice, "Your Excellency, someone has arrived outside."
"He had no formal invitation or military identification, but he was holding something in his hand and said he had to give it to you personally."
"what?"
Chu Yunfei frowned slightly.
Li Jingzhong opened his palm, revealing a delicate cherry blossom badge made of pure gold, with a tiny serial number engraved on the back.
Chu Yunfei picked up the badge, his fingertips tracing the cold metallic patterns, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
"This is an accessory for honorary students at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy; this is the serial number."
Chu Yunfei raised his head and looked at Fang Ligong: "If I'm not mistaken, this should be an old item from before the Showa era."
He said his name was Chen Zhigan and he came from Nanjing.
Li Jingzhong added, "He also said that he was delivering a gift on behalf of an 'old friend'."
"Jinling?"
Fang Ligong stood up, his expression changing drastically: "Japanese?"
Chu Yunfei flipped the badge between his fingers, making a crisp metallic clanging sound.
He casually tossed the badge onto the table, a playful smirk playing on his lips: "Interesting. In war, envoys are not to be killed."
"Since this old fox has extended his reach right under my nose, I'd like to see what he's up to."
"Let him in."
A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed in a black long gown and wearing a top hat was brought into the operations room.
The man looked to be around forty years old, thin, and with a gaunt face.
Unlike typical traitors, he didn't have a shifty, cunning look; instead, he exuded a scholarly air.
After entering, he did not rush to speak. Instead, he took off his top hat and even meticulously dusted off the rainwater before raising his head and looking at Chu Yunfei with a respectful yet humble gaze.
"Chen Zhigan, a Japanese citizen, greets Commander Chu and General Fang."
His Mandarin had a very subtle stiffness to it.
It's like someone who has lived abroad for a long time and returned home, who has deliberately corrected their accent but can't shake off certain ingrained mannerisms.
"Chen Zhigan?"
Chu Yunfei sized him up, showing no intention of inviting him to sit down. He simply stood with his hands behind his back, coldly scrutinizing him. "Are you Chinese?"
"Yes and no."
Chen Zhigan bowed slightly, his posture respectful but not humble: "My father was a student who studied in Japan during the late Qing Dynasty, and my mother was Japanese."
“I was born and raised in Kyoto, and only returned to my homeland three years ago.”
"A Chinese person who grew up among Japanese people."
Fang Ligong sneered, his tone filled with undisguised sarcasm: "No wonder you smell like a 'resource magnet'."
Chen Zhigan was not angry, but just smiled faintly: "It was due to the circumstances, I hope you can forgive me, General Manager Fang."
"However, what's in one's blood can't be changed. As Mr. Okamura said, some things can only be discussed among 'our own people'."
"Lord Okamura?"
Chu Yunfei keenly seized upon this title, his eyes suddenly sharpening: "So, you admit you're here representing Commander-in-Chief Okamura Yasuji of the Expeditionary Army?"
"No, Commander Chu."
Chen Zhigan raised his head, looking directly into Chu Yunfei's piercing gaze, and said in a steady voice: "I represent General Okamura Yasuji personally, not the General Headquarters of the Japanese Empire, much less that war cabinet that has gone mad."
These words were spoken.
The air inside the room seemed to freeze for a moment.
Chu Yunfei and Fang Ligong exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
"personal?"
Chu Yunfei walked behind his desk, slowly sat down, and pointed to the chair opposite him: "Sit down and talk."
“I’d like to hear what other ‘personal’ business this butcher Okamura Neiji has to talk to me about.”
Chen Zhigan thanked him, but only sat on half of the chair, his back straight and his hands neatly placed on his knees.
This behavior is typical of Japanese military personnel.
"Commander Chu, let's not beat around the bush."
Chen Zhigan got straight to the point: "The fire in Tokyo woke up many people. General Okamura was a wise man; he knew that Japan had already lost this war."
"Lost?"
Fang Ligong pushed up his glasses, a cold glint flashing behind the lenses. "Since you know you've lost, why not surrender unconditionally?"
"Were you sent here to waste time with your talkativeness?"
"Surrender?" Chen Zhigan shook his head, a bitter smile on his face: "Chief of Staff Fang, you should know how many people in the current dispatched army are die-hard loyalists of Hideki Tojo, and how many are madmen brainwashed by the Bushido spirit."
"If General Okamura were to order a surrender now, he would probably be the first to die. This pointless war should not continue to kill more people."
Chu Yunfei interlaced his fingers and rested them on his chin: "So? What does he want to do?"
Chen Zhigan uttered these four words: "Clean house."
Chu Yunfei raised an eyebrow: "Clean house, what do you mean?"
“Exactly.” Chen Zhigan took a sealed brown paper bag from his briefcase and gently pushed it in front of Chu Yunfei. “Those fanatics at headquarters are clamoring for ‘one hundred million to die for the emperor.’”
"General Okamura believed that this would not only destroy Japan, but also completely destroy the Yamato people."
He hoped to preserve a 'seed of rationality' for Japan.
"Therefore, he decided to send those 'uncivilized' commanders and troops who couldn't see the situation and only knew how to kill in a frenzy to your guns."
Chu Yunfei didn't rush to open the paper bag. Instead, he looked at Chen Zhigan with the eyes of someone looking at a madman: "Is this what you call cleaning house? Isn't this just using someone else to do your dirty work?"
"Okamura Yasuji has a very clever plan."
"He wants to use me to get rid of his political enemies."
"No, it's about each taking what they need."
Chen Zhigan said calmly, "For example, the 60th Division that launched a surprise attack on the Guangxi Clique's defense line this time."
When the 60th Division was mentioned, Fang Ligong's eyes sharpened instantly.
The 60th Division
Chen Zhigan’s voice was low and deep. “Their division commander, Kobayashi Nobuo, is a fanatical follower of Tojo Hideki. He openly defied General Okamura at the previous meeting and clamored for a bloodbath in the Central Jiangsu region. General Okamura cannot keep such a person, nor does he want to keep him.”
"So, he was sent out."
Chu Yunfei sneered, "Sent out to die?"
"But what I see is that this 'suicide' force is now beating Li Pinxian's 21st Army to a pulp."
That's because...
Chen Zhigan leaned forward slightly, his voice extremely low, as if afraid of disturbing the ghosts in the corner of the room, "Among your allies, there are also ghosts."
Chu Yunfei's fingers suddenly stopped.
Fang Ligong's face also darkened: "What did you say?"
Chen Zhigan pointed to the brown paper bag: "Commander Chu, why don't you open it and take a look?"
"What's inside is more convincing than any amount of my words."
Chu Yunfei gave Fang Ligong a wink. Fang Ligong stepped forward, picked up the paper bag, tore open the seal, and pulled out a thick stack of documents inside.
Photos, letters, telegram copies, and even several draft "non-aggression pacts" stamped with red seals.
The more Fang Ligong read, the uglier his expression became. By the time he reached the last page, his hand was even trembling slightly.
"Your Excellency."
Fang Ligong handed a list to Chu Yunfei, his voice hoarse: "The people on this list are all mid-level backbone members of the 21st Group Army, including regimental commanders, brigade commanders, and even two division chiefs of staff and division commanders."
Chu Yunfei took the list, his gaze sweeping over the familiar and unfamiliar names, his face so gloomy it could drip water.
Why did Li Pinxian's defenses crumble so easily?
Chen Zhigan's voice rang out at the right moment, carrying a calm cruelty, "It's not that the 60th Division is so valiant, but that this door was opened from the inside."
“Our people contacted these officers, gave them money and gold bars, and even promised to retain their positions and territories after the war.”
"They even threatened them, saying that if they didn't cooperate, they would publicly release evidence of their opium smuggling and arms trafficking." Chen Zhigan paused, observing Chu Yunfei's expression, and continued, "For these 'warlords,' preserving their strength and territory is more important than any 'righteous cause of resistance against Japan.'"
"They are afraid of being reorganized by you, and afraid of losing their military power."
"So, a few years ago, when the locust army promised to 'only pass through and not annihilate them,' they wavered."
"brute!"
Chu Yunfei slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup lid bounce around. "With the country in peril, these bastards actually dare to collude with the enemy!"
Looking at the evidence, Fang Ligong felt a chill run down his spine: "The fact that the Japanese vanguard was able to infiltrate Xuyi City undetected shows that they had guides. This is basically consistent with your previous analysis of the Lihuang Campaign."
"Commander Chu."
Chen Zhigan looked at the furious Chu Yunfei, but his tone remained calm: "General Okamura handing this list to you is a sign of his sincerity."
"What kind of sincerity is this?" Fang Ligong retorted coldly. "I think this is a show of force against us, a way to prove that you can infiltrate our defenses."
"Protest?"
Chen Zhigan shook his head. "No, this is the basis for cooperation."
"cooperate?"
Chu Yunfei suppressed his anger, sat back down in his chair, and asked with a sharp gaze, "How do you plan to cooperate?"
"This is not only cleaning up our own front door, but also helping you clean up yours."
Chen Zhigan smiled slightly, a smile that carried a chilling undertone. "Your reorganization faces numerous obstacles. The Guangxi clique outwardly obeys, but in reality, they are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. If at this time, the 60th Division cripples and destroys Li Pinxian's main force..."
"Please step in again to turn the tide and save them from this dire situation."
"At that time, you will have evidence against those officers who colluded with the enemy, and you can rightfully bring them to court."
"Those scattered troops, in order to survive, will naturally accept your reorganization wholeheartedly."
"The Guangxi clique's influence in Anhui, Jiangsu, and other places will be completely eradicated, and we..."
Chen Zhigan spread his hands: "General Okamura also used your help to get rid of the disobedient Kobayashi Nobuo and the 60th Division."
"A lone army, deep behind enemy lines, ran out of ammunition and was ultimately 'annihilated' by your army."
"What a 'tragic' ending."
"Isn't this a win-win situation?"
A deathly silence fell over the operations room.
Only the flames in the coal stove were still flickering, reflecting Chu Yunfei's ever-changing face.
This is a deal.
A deal that used the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers as bargaining chips.
It is filthy and bloody, yet it is filled with an irresistible allure.
Chu Yunfei had to admit that Chen Zhigan had hit the nail on the head.
Li Pinxian's 21st Army Group was indeed a mess.
If the reorganization is forced, internal mutiny is inevitable.
Even Commander Li, who outwardly cooperates with him, has now planted many landmines for him.
But if we use the Japanese to smash this mess and then rebuild it...
"Okamura Neiji, what else does he want?"
Chu Yunfei's voice became extremely calm, so calm that it sounded more like a businessman discussing business than a general talking about war.
"A new order in East Asia." Chen Zhigan straightened his back, a glint of fanaticism in his eyes: "General Okamura believes that Japan is no longer qualified to lead Asia, and that the future of East Asia should be dominated by China."
"He hoped that after the war, Japan could retain its national system and become China's most loyal partner in this new order."
"Partners?" Fang Ligong scoffed. "What qualifications do you have to be our partners?"
"Interpret it however you like: partner, ally, or even vassal."
Chen Zhigan did not argue, "But at least, compared to being completely emasculated by the Americans or being communized by the Soviets, General Okamura would rather bow down to China, with whom he shares the same language and culture."
"He was even willing to cooperate with your army at critical moments to give 'misleading' command to the troops directly under your command."
Chu Yunfei tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.
He was weighing his options.
The risks involved are too great.
If Chang Ruiyuan or Stilwell were to find out that he had secretly made peace with the Japanese commander-in-chief, he would be branded as a "traitor" and his reputation would be ruined.
But that list.
The list of traitors within the Guangxi clique is right in front of us.
This is an opportunity to completely resolve the Guangxi Army issue and thoroughly integrate the Guangxi clique at minimal cost.
Chu Yunfei suddenly spoke up: "Brother Ligong."
"Your Excellency."
Do you think this list is real?
Fang Ligong pushed up his glasses, his gaze lingering on Chen Zhigan's face for a moment before finally nodding: "From the current battle situation, it makes perfect sense logically."
"Moreover, there are several photos here that are indeed group photos of Li Pinxian's subordinates and the head of the Japanese military intelligence."
“Mr. Chen.” Chu Yunfei raised his head, his gaze becoming incredibly profound. “Go back and tell Okamura Neiji.”
There is an old Chinese saying, "It's like asking a tiger for its skin."
“I know that this tiger is old now, his teeth are loose, and he wants to find a good end.”
“I, Chu, will accept this ‘generous gift’.”
A hint of joy flashed in Chen Zhigan's eyes. He was about to speak when Chu Yunfei raised his hand to interrupt him.
"but!"
Chu Yunfei's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable air of dominance: "Don't talk to me about 'cooperation,' let alone 'a new order in East Asia.' That's something for post-war negotiations, not for now."
"Right now, I only care about the results."
"Now that the 60th Division is here, they're not leaving."
"I will eat them clean, leaving not even a bone fragment."
"As for these traitors..."
Chu Yunfei sneered, "I'll have the Inspectorate prepare coffins for them to collect their bodies..."
Chen Zhigan was slightly taken aback, then stood up and bowed deeply.
"Commander Chu is indeed a hero of our time, quick-witted and outspoken."
"General Okamura said that as long as the 60th Division is destroyed, he will send you a second 'gift'."
"I'll take my leave now."
Chen Zhigan put his hat back on and turned to walk towards the door.
As he reached the door, he stopped and glanced back at the map on the wall.
"Commander Chu, the commander of the 60th Division, Nobuo Kobayashi, is a madman. He carries with him a 'Gyokusai-e-O-Ki' issued by General Headquarters. If we are defeated, he will order all the wounded to commit suicide and destroy all supplies. I hope you will act quickly."
Done.
He opened the door, and accompanied by Li Jingzhong and others, his figure disappeared into the autumn rain that filled Xuzhou.
inside the house.
Only Chu Yunfei and Fang Ligong remained, along with that shocking pile of documents.
"Your Excellency."
Fang Ligong looked at the tightly closed door with some worry, "Could this be one of that old Japanese devil's elaborate schemes?"
"What if we believe the list and harm Li Pinxian's people, leading to a mutiny at the front, allowing the Japanese to take advantage of the situation?"
"will not."
"The Japanese army is no longer capable of continuing this war."
“Okamura Yasuji is more anxious than we are right now.”
"He's like a gambler with a bad hand, seeing that the dealer (the house) has gone crazy, and he wants to move to another table before he loses everything."
Chu Yunfei stood up, walked to the map, and fixed his gaze on the line between Xuyi and Huaiyin.
The 60th Division
"Since someone is feeding us, even if there's sand in the food, we have to grit our teeth and eat it."
"Brother Ligong."
"exist!"
"Pass on my orders."
Chu Yunfei turned around and pointed to the list on the table: "Have Luo Weiguo from the Inspectorate take the military police and secretly head to Xuyi."
"As soon as the battle is over, arrest the people according to the list."
"If anyone dares to resist, they will be executed on the spot!"
"Your Excellency, do you think we should consult with the Chairman about this matter first?"
"Okay, I'll go explain the situation and report my plans."
"Yes!"
Fang Ligong stood at attention, saluted, and turned to walk quickly toward the telecommunications room.
Chu Yunfei stood alone in the operations room, watching the rain outside the window fall harder and harder, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.
The war has escalated to this point.
It is no longer a simple military contest.
Human nature, desires, and fears.
All of this is interwoven into a huge net in this rainy night, and he, Chu Yunfei, must be the one who tears this net apart, even if his hands are stained with blood.
"Okamura Yasuji."
Chu Yunfei muttered to himself, his gaze piercing through the rain, as if he could see that hunched figure in Jinling City.
"Are you trying to leave yourself a way out? Or are you trying to leave a way out for the Japanese?" (End of Chapter)