Rebirth of the Republic of China: The Rise of China

the price of greed

The commander-in-chief of the Kwantung Army, General Fanjo Honjo, received a telegram from the Ninth Army. His first feeling was that his military career was over, and soon a new commander would be dispatched from China to take over as the commander-in-chief of the Kwantung Army. Location.As for himself, he will be sent back to the country under the escort of the military police, and even sent to a military court.

General Honjo Fan has been in a state of confusion since receiving the power-on.After handing over the military affairs to Lieutenant General Koiso Kunizaki, the chief of staff, he locked himself in the office, quietly waiting for the domestic reprimand telegram and the final decision on himself.

A day is gone in a blink of an eye, and in the office, General Honjo Shigeru, after a day of ignorance, has two big dark circles on his eyes invisible.

But at this moment, a slightly hasty knock on the door suddenly reached General Honzhuang Fan's ears.The decadent face of General Ben Zhuang Fan finally flashed a little throbbing. [

After heaving a long sigh, he said to himself, "The thing that should come has finally come. Not surprisingly, my military career is completely over..."

After finishing speaking, he ordered to the door: "Come in...>

The door of the office was pushed open, Lieutenant General Koiso Kunizaki, the chief of staff with a calm face and no mood swings at all, hurried in with a telegram.

Seeing General Honjo Shigeru's pale face, Koiso Kuniaki just wanted to say something.Sitting in the seat, from the moment he entered the door, he looked directly at his general Honjo Shigeru.He waved his hand and asked bluntly: "Chief of Staff, is the latest domestic order arrived...>

"Hayi..." Lieutenant General Kunizaki Koiso nodded affirmatively.

Under the gaze of General Honjo Shigeru, he replied: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief. This is a telegram sent to us by His Majesty the Emperor himself...>

"Nani, end the battle..." General Honzhuang asked with puzzled eyes.

After being affirmed by the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Koiso Kuniaki.General Benzhuang Fan's face was instantly enveloped in anger.He roared loudly: "Bageya Road, why do we have to retreat? Could it be that the hundreds of thousands of troops of the Empire of Japan were lost in the hands of the Chinese army in vain? Could it be that this military operation that our Kwantung Army has planned for a long time is due to such a huge loss? Break. No, I am not reconciled, I want to send a telegram to His Majesty the Emperor immediately. I beg His Majesty to take back this order..."

It wasn't until Honjo Shige's anger gradually calmed down that Xiaoji Kunizhao said again: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, the reason why His Majesty gave us this order is because of a last resort...>

Seeing the puzzled expression that quickly flashed across Shigeru Honjo's face, Koiso Kunizaki sighed and explained: "Commander-in-Chief, just today, the failure of our Kwantung Army in Northeast China was made public by the Chinese "government". The empire has fallen into a state of "turmoil". All the citizens of the empire unanimously demand that the imperial "government" end the fighting in the three northeastern provinces of China..."

"Under the oppression of all the citizens of the empire, His Majesty was forced to make this decision. At the same time, the current Inuyang Cabinet was dissolved and a new Saito Cabinet was formed. Not only that, but in order to calm the anger of the people in the country, he even proposed this battle The planned Prime Minister Inuyang also had to "suicide" by caesarean section in front of the parade crowd..."

"Boom...>

A full 5 minutes passed.Honjo Shigeru reacted from the shock.He muttered to himself: "Prime Minister Inuyang actually became the victim of the defeat of my Kwantung Army... No, it should be me, I, Honjo Shige... The responsibility for the failure of the Kwantung Army should be borne by me. Inuyang Prime Minister alone to bear... >

At this moment, Chief of Staff Xiaoji Guozhao said: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, I feel that now is not the time to pursue responsibility. Instead, we should follow His Majesty's decree and order all frontline combat troops to quickly withdraw from the three northeastern provinces of China. Cooperate with the Empire "Government", to quell domestic turmoil as soon as possible..."

Under the repeated persuasion of Lieutenant General Koiso Kunizaki, the chief of staff, the angry General Honjo Shigeru slowly regained his composure.

However, in this battle, he paid such a huge price, and he did not intend to just follow the order of Emperor Hirohito to withdraw his troops, so as to benefit the Chinese army in vain.

After a short period of contemplation, a complex look full of weirdness and fierceness quickly flashed past Zhuang Fan's eyes.Facing Chief of Staff Xiaoji Guozhao in front of him, he said, "Chief of Staff, Your Majesty's decree, I will definitely implement it. However, before executing this decree, our Kwantung Army must withdraw the dispatch of troops from the Empire of Japan from the three northeastern provinces." Loss. Hundreds of thousands of troops cannot be lost in the Chinese battlefield for nothing...>

After finishing speaking, Shigeru Honjo took Xiaoiso Guozhao to the huge battle map and analyzed: "According to the attack speed of China's Ninth Army, it will take at least two days to enter Jilin Province. Therefore, the activities of our Kwantung Army and Jilin Province With the elites of the empire in Heilongjiang provinces, there are at least two more days of activity...>

"Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, what do you mean..." Kunizaki Koiso frowned and asked rhetorically. [

"In order to seize the three provinces in Northeast China, both the Kwantung Army and the entire imperial "government" paid a huge price. As the former enemy commander-in-chief of this operation, we must do everything possible to make up for our big Japanese The empire lost in this military operation, and even gained some practical benefits from it...>

Speaking of this, Ben Zhuangfan no longer concealed it, and directly expressed his thoughts: "Chief of Staff, my idea is to order all combat troops in the two provinces to transfer all the gold and silver in the occupied area within two days. The currency was looted at all costs. Together with the retreating troops, they were brought back to North Korea as a loss for the empire’s military dispatch, and at the same time, to support domestic construction..."

The eyes of Chief of Staff Koiso Kuniaki also flashed a bright light in an instant.

Obviously, Lieutenant General Koiso Kunizaki was also moved by this bold idea.

Since victory cannot be achieved in territory, then economic plunder must be used.Reduce the loss of this military operation, and even help the imperial "government" obtain a large amount of economic benefits.

To know.Although Jilin and Heilongjiang are only two provinces of China.However, in terms of area.It is more than half of the mainland of the empire.With such a huge land area, plus tens of millions of Chinese people, the various wealth it possesses is absolutely immeasurable.

It can be said with certainty that as long as the front-line combat troops can plunder one-third of the wealth of the two provinces, it will not only make up for the various losses of the empire's army, but also bring back a large amount of funds to the country to help counter the rebellion and develop the country. economy……

certainly.In addition to this, there is a very huge benefit... >

Although the failure of sending troops to the three northeastern provinces of China this time, Prime Minister Inuyang has become the scapegoat for the ultimate responsibility.However, as the former chief of staff of the enemy's general headquarters, he will definitely bear a lot of command responsibility in the battle.However, if he can exchange enough benefits for the empire through this economic plunder.It is conceivable that not only will he not take responsibility, but he will also receive domestic awards and promotions for his meritorious service.

Facing Ben Zhuang Fan's fiery eyes looking at him.After a short period of thought, Kunizhao Koiso made a final decision immediately, and said to General Honjo Shigeru with a firm expression: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, is wise. I fully agree with this proposal. For the two provinces of China, Jilin and Heilongjiang, implement Two days of unrestricted economic plunder. Make up for the loss of our Great Japanese Empire this time..."

"Yoxi...>

In the eyes of Shigeru Honjo and Kunizaki Koiso.The decision to launch economic plunder in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces is undoubtedly very wise and sensible.but.What the two of them didn't expect was that the two consecutive days of economic plunder by the Japanese troops scattered in the two provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang caused them to lose two days of precious retreat time invisibly.

In two days, for several divisions of the Kwantung Army, innumerable wealth could be plundered from Chinese land.Similarly, for the Ninth Army, two days are also very precious.

General Honjo Shigeru's order was quickly spread to various combat troops in the two provinces through radio waves.The two main divisions of the Ninth Army, 74th and 76th, which had been marching day and night for several consecutive days, were only the last [-] kilometers away from Tonghua County, the only way for the Japanese army to retreat from North Korea...

At the General Headquarters of the Ninth Army in Shenyang, Li Guosheng was reading a telegram just sent by Chief of Staff Jiang Baili with a smile on his face.

After reading the telegram, a mocking smile quickly flashed from the corner of Li Guosheng's mouth.

Facing Xiong Shaowen in front of him, he said: "These warlords are really a bunch of bullying masters...>

As soon as Li Guosheng's voice fell, Xiong Shaowen, the deputy chief of staff standing in front of him, took out a telegram again, and said anxiously: "Chief, an urgent telegram just sent by the Special Warfare Division is scattered among the The Japanese troops in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces have changed..."

"What's the change..." Li Guosheng frowned and asked Xiong Shaowen.

Xiong Shaowen didn't hesitate, and bluntly reported: "President, the special warfare division reported that the Japanese troops who entered the two provinces have stopped all military operations since this morning, and will no longer conduct military expansion abroad."

Li Guosheng's frown deepened, and he continued to ask: "What do the Japanese want to do? Did the special warfare division send a more detailed message?"

Xiong Shaowen nodded and replied: "Since this morning, the Japanese Kwantung Army scattered in the two provinces has begun to economically plunder the occupied areas, whether it is ordinary people or wealthy businessmen and landlords, they are the targets of this operation. In addition, during the entire plundering process, the Japanese only wanted gold, silver and foreign currency...”[

"What are you talking about, the little devil is carrying out unlimited economic plundering of the occupied area?" Li Guosheng's face was immediately shrouded in anger.

As a person from later generations, Li Guosheng is not only an excellent soldier, but also dabbles in various economic discoveries, which he knows very well.This kind of economic plunder by the Japanese will deal a devastating blow to the economically underdeveloped Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

He knew that as long as the Japanese's economic plunder lasted for two days, the economies of the two provinces, which had just been improving for decades, would collapse instantly.back to decades ago.

After slowly calming down the anger in his heart, he faced Xiong Shaowen in front of him.Still with a deeply shocked expression, he asked back: "Deputy chief of staff. Don't the Japanese know that their behavior is completely a manifestation of Heze fishing. Once they do this, they will become all the people in the two provinces The enemy of the two provinces will never be the master of the two provinces..."

Deputy Chief of Staff Xiong Shaowen shook his head, and replied: "Boss, I don't know what the Japanese think exactly. Maybe because of two consecutive defeats, the highest commander of the Japanese army lost his mind..."

After a brief analysis, Li Guosheng quickly rejected Xiong Shaowen's idea.General Shigeru Honjo, the commander in chief of the Japanese army.Although it cannot be called an excellent general in the Japanese military circle, his two partners, Showa Koiso and Neiji Okamura, are both excellent generals in the Japanese army who have left a strong mark in history.

Even if Honjo Shigeta didn't see the ills, the two partners would definitely see these ills and prevent it from happening.Therefore, the reason for the high-level command error of the Japanese Kwantung Army, no matter from which aspect it is said.Neither is established.

Seeing the commander-in-chief Li Guosheng vetoing the idea he blurted out, Xiong Shaowen couldn't help showing an embarrassed smile on his face.Then, he fell into deep contemplation again.

at this time.A bold idea quickly rushed into Xiong Shaowen's mind.Facing Li Guosheng, he blurted out a rhetorical question: "Boss, is it possible that the Japanese Kwantung Army knew that they couldn't take down the three northeastern provinces. If they wanted to be bandits in the three northeastern provinces, they would just make a fortune and leave. In this case, all difficulties will be eliminated." The Japanese threw us..."

One word awakens the dreamer.Xiong Shaowen's suggestion made Li Guosheng's mind flash a thought that he had never thought of before.With the opening of this line of thinking, the series of changes in the Japanese army that started this morning can be explained.

The thoughts in his mind were opened, and a trace of excited surprise flashed across Li Guosheng's face.Facing Deputy Chief of Staff Xiong Shaowen, he said with admiration: "Deputy Chief of Staff Xiong, your idea has a great possibility..."

"Through an economic plunder, to make up for the loss of this time I sent troops... If I were the supreme commander of the Japanese Kwantung Army, I would regret ordering the troops to do this... >

"Yes, it must be like this... The Japanese must be carrying out unlimited economic plundering of the two provinces with the idea of ​​​​retreating after making a fortune. However, what the Japanese did not expect is that if they retreat now, there may still be The opportunity to successfully withdraw to North Korea. However, if it is delayed for another two days, this result may not be possible.”

Speaking of this, a very hot expression quickly flashed across Li Guosheng's face.Facing Xiong Shaowen in front of him, he said: "Since the Japanese are so greedy, then we will make them pay for their greed. Not only will the two divisions be completely kept in the three northeastern provinces, but all the wealth they plundered in the three northeastern provinces will also be taken away. All stay in the three northeastern provinces, and our Ninth Army will be cheaper."

After finishing speaking, he ordered Xiong Shaowen with a serious face: "Deputy chief of staff, immediately send a report to Zhang Yusheng, telling him to seize Tonghua before the Japanese, and leave these two divisions in the three northeastern provinces completely. In addition In order to cooperate with the army's operations, after the occupation of Tonghua, a front-line combat airfield was immediately built so that the air force could support them nearby."

"Yes, Chief..."

The sky was just getting bright, in order to prevent the march of as many as [-] people from exposing the target.The mighty marching army quickly disappeared on the road and was hidden in a dense forest less than two kilometers away from the road, so as to continue the night march tonight.

The commander-in-chief, Zhang Yusheng, just walked into the tent set up by the guards, and a communication staff officer followed closely behind him, panting.After raising the telegram to Commander Zhang Yusheng, he reported anxiously: "Master, the urgent telegram from Commander is an urgent order for us..."

"The chief gave us an order at this time, and it was an urgent order. Could it be that the situation in the Northeast War has changed..." Zhang Yusheng frowned, and asked subconsciously.

"Master is wise..." The communications staff nodded in agreement and replied.

"A telegram from the Headquarters: Requesting our Ministry to quickly seize Tonghua County and block the road for the Japanese army to withdraw eastward... At the same time, after occupying Tonghua County, quickly find favorable terrain, build a field airport, and cooperate with the Second Air Force Division to establish a frontier airport, and cooperate with our Ministry nearby Stick to Tonghua and wipe out all Japanese troops who want to withdraw from Tonghua to North Korea..."

Seeing the solemn expression on Zhang Yusheng's face instantly, the communications staff continued to respond: "According to the information reported by the headquarters, the two divisions of the Japanese army that entered Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces showed signs of retreating. At present , these two divisions are carrying out unprecedented large-scale economic plunder in their own occupied areas. The commander-in-chief requires us to annihilate the two Japanese divisions outside Tonghua City at all costs and regain all the gold and silver looted by the Japanese .”

After receiving the telegram and confirming that the content of the telegram is true.Zhang Yusheng ordered to a staff officer in the headquarters: "Staff Wang, immediately notify all officers above the regimental level, especially Commander Luo Zhang, to come to the headquarters for a meeting immediately. I have an urgent task."

After the order was issued, he continued to order to the communication staff officer: "You call the chief immediately, and our department promises to complete the mission: seize Tonghua, wipe out the two divisions of the Japanese army, and take back all the gold and silver property looted by the Japanese army." (Unfinished to be continued……)