I am Jiang Weiguo in World War II

Page 535

If Jiang Weiguo was present, he would say: "Tsk tsk! This Hirohito is clearly a living person, but he wants to pretend to be a Buddha statue in a temple, and those high-ranking Japanese are like monks chanting scriptures in front of the Buddha statue.

If I can secretly take a photo of Hirohito shitting and post it on the streets of Tokyo, I don’t know what will happen!”

Jiang Weiguo's metaphor is very appropriate and vivid, and it can be called vivid. The Japanese high-level officials in front of the emperor are as respectful and respectful as monks in front of Buddha statues.

Buddha statues can't speak, but the emperor can speak, but the emperor's "golden mouth" can't be opened easily, and the emperor's "jade voice" can't be heard easily. After the meeting officially started, Hirohito stood like a statue. Without saying a word, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Koichi Kido, who was sitting on the seat beside him, spoke in place of Hirohito with a full voice and an upbeat tone:

"Mentors, His Majesty the Emperor summoned you to gather here today, and his holy intentions are beyond the limits of your thoughts.

Since the 3000-year-old blessing of the empire, since the establishment of the immortal foundation by the Meiji Emperor, it has been enacted to seek the well-being of the subjects of the empire and share the joy of the common prosperity of all nations. .

At present, the overall situation of the world has undergone drastic changes, and the future of the empire has been chaotic several times. His Majesty the Emperor is very worried.

All the ministers are the backbone of the empire's important ministers, the humerus of His Majesty the Emperor, at this time of confusion, it is related to the long-term prosperity of the empire, and I hope that all the ministers will work together to share the worries of His Majesty the Emperor!"

After Koichi Kido finished his opening remarks, the scene fell into a silent silence.

In addition to Hirohito himself and Koichi Kido, who spoke for him, there were 14 other participants at the meeting, namely: Chief of Staff Umezu Yoshijiro, Deputy Chief of Staff Kanji Ishihara, Minister of Army Tada Hayao, Deputy Army Deputy Hideki Tojo, Minister of the Military Command Nagano Shoshin, Military Vice-Minister Shigetaro Shimada, Minister of the Navy Mitsumasa Yonechi, Vice-Minister of the Navy Koga Mineichi, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet Yamamoto 56, Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro, Foreign Minister Shigemitsu Aoi, Speaker of the Privy Council and Chief of the Emperor's Bodyguard Kantaro Suzuki , and former Chief of Staff Prince Hanin Gong Zairen, former Minister of Military Command Prince Fushimi Gong Hiroshi.

Everyone has different expressions, some are concentrating on thinking, some are nervous, some are eager to try, or are as expressionless as Hirohito.

Prince Zairen and Prince Bogong just watched with a blank expression.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister?" Kido Yuki named Konoe Fumimaro.

Konoe Fumimaro is a star figure in Japan's political circle at this time, and he is also a popular person in front of Hirohito. Logically, he should scold Fang Qiu and talk loudly at this time, but his face is pale and sweating, and he seems a little at a loss. After being named by Kido Yuki, he had to stand up bravely and express his opinion with difficulty: "The imperial government, like the imperial army, is resolutely obeying the leadership of His Majesty the Emperor. Whenever the imperial government is Unswervingly implement His Majesty's holy will, if the imperial army once again marches in all directions, the imperial government will do its best to assist the imperial army in order to achieve the great cause of the empire!"

As soon as this remark came out, Kido Koichi suddenly showed dissatisfaction and a bit of contempt. Almost all the participants at the scene looked unhappy, and everyone could hear that what Konoe Fumimaro said was completely nonsense.

Hirohito convened this imperial meeting to decide whether Japan would go to war against the United States. What Hirohito wanted was a clear reply of "war" or "no war" and sufficient reasons to convince him, not Konoe Fumimaro's useless Nutritious, stand-on-the-wall statement.

In fact, after Konoe Fumimaro finished his official nonsense, his mouth was full of bitterness.

The fundamental reason why there is no position like this is determined by Konoe Fumimaro's own mentality.

Konoe Fumimaro is an out-and-out civil servant. If it is in peacetime, he is likely to become an accomplished "capable minister of the world". However, in this kind of wartime, his weakness of lack of courage and courage is It's exposed.

When the Sino-Japanese War broke out, Fumimaro Konoe did not support the war, because he felt that "it cannot be won". When Germany, China and Japan joined forces to fight the Soviet Union, he supported it with both hands and feet, because he was convinced that it would be a war that would be won without losing. Right now, he is "terrified and cowering" about going to war with the United States. Therefore, he has fallen into a strong hesitation when it comes to going to war with the United States. After all, he is not very courageous.

Koichi Kido supported Japan's war against the United States. He hoped that Konoe Fumimaro would express his support in front of Hirohito, but the latter disappointed him, so he had to call his name again: "If the Empire goes to war with the United States, the Imperial Navy will be the mainstay and even the main force. The decisive force of the war, this is a fact that even Germany and China have publicly recognized, Minister Nagano, what do you think?"

Minister of Military Command and Chief Executive of the Japanese Navy Nagano Shoshin bowed slightly to Hirohito who he could not see, and then said in a calm tone and clear attitude: "First of all, the Navy has a high degree of confidence!" He looked quite proud and authentic , "The British Navy and the US Navy claim to be number one in the world, but so what? In the Malay naval battle, the Far East Fleet of the mighty British Navy was easily wiped out by the Imperial Navy, and the disparity in damage between the two sides was just like that of the previous opponents. Horse sea battle.

It can be seen from this that the actual combat power of the imperial navy, which has followed the correct line of army building and military expansion, has greatly surpassed that of the US and British navies, and it is completely fearless.

Secondly..." He paused, "If the current relationship between the empire and the United States is like a patient, then this patient is already terminally ill, and he must either wait for death, or break the boat and carry out a major operation like gut washing. Thereby seeking survival from the dead and bringing the dead back to life.

Apart from this, there is no third way for the empire!"

As soon as these words came out, half of the people present nodded slightly or showed signs of approval.

Suzuki Kantaro sighed softly: "Is the matter really so bad? Can't it be resolved through negotiation? Are Japan and the United States really incompatible?"

Nagano Slim looked at Suzuki Kantaro with a helpless look: "Chairman Suzuki, the Imperial Navy is not warlike, but if negotiations can really solve the problem, how can we consider war as the ultimate countermeasure? Imperial Foreign Ministry The (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) diplomatic activities with the United States have lasted for so long, and as a result, you are clear that the US government has a very stubborn and tough attitude, basically rejecting all our negotiating demands!"

Hideki Tojo nodded with a gloomy expression: "Yes, although the Empire and the United States are still countries with normal diplomatic relations, in fact, the United States has already regarded the Empire as an enemy.

Since the empire and China negotiated a truce and concluded an alliance, the United States immediately cut off the export of materials to the empire, trying to use economic sanctions and resource blockade to force the empire to surrender.

The intention of the United States is obvious. The United States does not want to see the empire dominating East Asia, nor does it want to see the alliance between Japan and China, so as to pose a threat to it.

Since the United States has already regarded the empire as an enemy, why should the empire endure humiliation and compromise under the threat of the United States?The matter has come to this point, the only way to decide the world is to fight with him! "

Konoe Fumimaro looked at Shigemitsu Aoi anxiously: "The United States really rejected all our conditions?"

Aoi Shigemitsu nodded worriedly: "Yes, although the United States has made concessions in some minor areas, it doesn't matter, the four core conditions are not to give an inch.

First, we asked the United States to resume Japan-U.S. trade, but the U.S. government rejected it, claiming that Japan must withdraw from the alliance before Japan-U.S. trade could resume; second, we asked the U.S. government to lift its freeze on Japanese assets in the U.S., but The attitude of the U.S. government is still the same as the first point; third, we asked the U.S. military to reduce the armed forces stationed in the Philippines, which was sternly rejected; fourth, we asked the U.S. to abolish the military alliance treaty between the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, and were also met with To sternly refuse.

On these four core conditions, the U.S. government has not shown the slightest hope of making concessions!"

Koichi Kido sullenly said, "The U.S. government is indeed arrogant and condescending. It regards our great Japanese empire as a tiny country, a tiny country. Is our great Japanese empire a fish on its anvil and let it be slaughtered? Is it tolerable? Intolerable! The diplomatic activities of the Empire towards the United States have proved that the U.S. government does not put the Empire on an equal footing at all, and they blatantly despise the Empire!"

Shigetaro Shimada, Deputy Commander of the Military Command, took a neutral attitude towards whether Japan would go to war with the United States. He said: "Leaving aside the arrogance of the United States, the most fundamental thing is the objective status quo of the empire. You all know it, His Majesty the Emperor. There is also a clear lesson. Although the United States has not yet joined the war, it has already adopted all non-war means to interfere in the world situation. In Europe, the United States has lavishly aided Britain to continue to resist Germany. Its actions have already violated its self-proclaimed neutral policy. The United States is really a neutral country, so it should really stay out of it like the South American countries, but what the United States has done has proved that it is by no means a true neutral country. It has always been ambitious to participate in the world situation, just like the last world war. In the East, the United States has restricted and attacked us in all aspects. The purpose of abolishing Japan-US trade is to trap us economically and in terms of resources; to continuously strengthen the armed forces in the Philippines is to In order to gain the upper hand and initiative for us in future wars, or to form a strategic advantage in suppressing us in peacetime in the future; the conclusion of military alliances with Australia and New Zealand is blatantly compressing our living space.

What Japan needs most now, no, what Japan has always needed most, is resources, which is our Achilles heel, and it has never been resolved!"

"This problem has been solved!" Said Konoe Fumimaro, "The empire now has two large resource-rich new territories, the Northern State (Eastern North Asia and Central North Asia) and the Southern State (Indonesia), and China can also Give us enough resources!"

Shimada shook his head: "Your Excellency, the problem is not that simple.

The northern state is in a state of bitter cold and wildness at this time, and its development will not happen overnight. Only ten years for the elders and five years for the elderly can we obtain resources and economic returns from the northern state. However, it requires a huge cost and takes time , the most serious thing is that there may be no oil in the northern state. The Soviets have been developing for a long time and have not discovered large oil fields. As for the southern state, although there are oil fields, they have been severely damaged by the Dutch and the local Indonesians. It will also take time to repair and return to production.

As for China, yes, China is very friendly to us now, and can provide us with various mineral resources and industrial raw materials including oil, but isn't this putting our industrial lifeblood in the hands of other countries?If Japan wants to be truly self-sustaining, self-reliant, and self-improving, it must have its own resource areas and cannot rely on other countries everywhere!"

Tada Hayao said: "Actually, it's not just resources, Japan also needs a continent.

Continental policy is the national policy of the empire for thousands of years and remains unchanged.

If Japan wants to become truly strong and enduring forever, it must transform from an island country into a land power and expand to the land, either North Asia or Australia. After all, North Asia is not a livable place and can only be used as a raw material production area for the empire. , Australia is the real 'new Japan' in the future.

If the Empire wants to obtain Australia, it must remove the Philippines, the biggest obstacle to the south, and at the same time attack Australia. However, the Philippines is a colony of the United States, and Australia has been drawn by the United States. Therefore, the war between the Empire and the United States is indeed inevitable! "

Suzuki Kantaro said: "I always believe that the conflict between the empire and the United States has not yet reached the point where war is necessary. There may indeed be many problems, but they can be resolved slowly.

Resources, we can slowly develop, the mainland, North Asia is enough.

The United States is strong, but Japan is not weak. I believe that the Americans do not want to fight with us, because even if they win against us, they will have to pay a heavy price that they cannot bear.

In fact, maintaining the status quo in Japan is also very good for us.

Maintain the status quo, as long as we are willing to accept it, the United States will definitely not deliberately destroy it, because the United States is afraid of us!"

"Your Excellency, Speaker!" Yong Ye Xiu raised his voice slightly, "There must be near-term worries without long-term worries! Although our current situation is acceptable, we must be prepared for danger in times of peace, and then plan for a rainy day.

We can't passively wait for the disaster to come, we must have a long-term perspective.

The Americans are vigorously strengthening their armed forces in the Philippines. They are deploying more and more planes, artillery, and warships at the gate of Japan. How can we sit still and wait for death?Once it is done, the sea channel between the mainland of the empire and the southern state (Indonesia) will be cut off by the United States immediately. What will be done then? "

Suzuki sighed softly, then slightly raised his head to look at Hirohito, who was still expressionless like a puppet.

Koichi Kido looked at Yamamoto 56, "General Yamamoto, you are the commander-in-chief of the United Fleet. You have been devoting yourself to the study of the empire's strategy for war against the United States. I believe your opinion is the most correct. We are all ears!"

Yamamoto 56 stood up with a serious expression: "First of all, I always believe that war is the worst way to solve problems, and it must be used only when it is really a last resort.

The combined fleet of the Imperial Navy is for the defense of the Empire and the Emperor, not for the purpose of provoking war and putting the Empire in danger. This is my unchanging belief. The only way to go to war with the United States is a helpless fact, and it is a severe reality that cannot be ignored.

As for the reason, His Excellency Shimada and Minister Tada have just explained it!"

Suzuki sighed again: "The status quo of the empire is unprecedented in 3000 years. Is it really impossible to maintain the status quo?"

"As Chairman Suzuki said just now, the status quo in Japan... is indeed not bad!" Ishihara said with a smile, "There are northern states in the north and southern states in the south. The territory is so vast that it has never been seen in 3000 years. If the status quo is maintained, no matter whether it is Neither the United States nor China dare to take the initiative to provoke a war with us, because we are very powerful, even if we are not as strong as them, we will make them pay a heavy price that is too heavy for them to bear in order to defeat us.

Perhaps, we can accept the good as soon as it is good, grasp the fruits of victory that we have already obtained, withdraw from the war, and then develop quietly and manage our current vast territory well.

This prospect is very good, but it is very regrettable!" Ishihara Waner changed the subject, "Even if we are satisfied with Japan's status quo and want to maintain it, it will not last long because...Germany will go to war with the United States sooner or later.

If Germany wants to dominate Europe, it must defeat Britain, but the United States has been blatantly aiding Britain, and Hitler and other high-level German leaders are about to be fed up with this.

When the time comes, Germany and the United States will go to war, how can the empire stay out of it?Instead of passively accepting war, it is better to preemptive strikes. This is also Chief Yamamoto's strategic thinking, right? "He looked at Yamamoto 56 with a meaningful look.

Yamamoto 56 nodded slightly.

"What is the attitude of Germany and China?" Mitsumasa Minai asked.

Chapter 620 The Wind Blows (3)

Nagano said confidently: "Both Germany and China strongly support the Empire's war against the United States.

Hitler has already stated clearly that Germany can't bear the United States. If Japan assists Germany in defeating the United States at a critical moment, it is Germany's dream. Germany will definitely go all out to assist Japan. It will also go to war against the United States!"

"What about China?" Ishihara Waner said in a flat and authentic tone, "After all, Germany is too far away from the East and the Pacific Ocean. For us, China's attitude is actually more important!"

"China is also supportive," Tojo said.

Regarding the third expansion of the Imperial Army, Chiang Kai-shek and Jiang Weiguo have expressed their approval and support, and they do not object to the expansion of the Imperial Army to 20 divisions (Guardian Division and the 1st to 20th Divisions, there is no 16th Division, A full 20 divisions), and..." He smiled slightly, "The Chinese army is fighting the British army on the Central South battlefield. The British army is vulnerable, and the Chinese army has broken into India. May the Imperial Army take over and hand over India to the Empire!"

"Oh?" Among the participants who didn't know about this, their hearts moved and their eyes lit up.

India (including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kashmir, etc.) is undoubtedly a big piece of fat, with vast land, a large population, and resources. Right now, the British are the masters of India. If the British are driven away and replaced The prospect of ruling India is exciting even to contemplate.

First of all, India is also a continent, which is enough to make the Japanese feel excited. Secondly, India is actually "better" than China (local land), because although China is larger than India, only 12% of China is plain, and other places are Mountains, plateaus, hills, and basins. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alone covers an area of ​​250 million square kilometers. India is very different. Nearly half of India is plain, and most of the mountains and plateaus are not more than 3000 meters above sea level. They are low and flat. The topography accounts for seven-tenths of India's territory, which makes India not only convenient for transportation (they are all flat land, and road construction is naturally convenient), but also most of the land in its territory can be used for agriculture. Because it is in South Asia, the climate is warm and With abundant rainfall, crops can grow all year round, which has unique advantages.

Objectively speaking, China is not a poor country, but India is "more suitable for living" than China.

"After having the northern states, the southern states, and Australia, if the empire owns India... then the empire will be..." Nagano Slim muttered to himself, his voice trembling, and his eyes were shining like light bulbs.

Suzuki Kantaro sneaked a peek at Hirohito, and found that Hirohito's calm and calm gaze also had a flame-like glow. Although it was fleeting, there is no doubt that Hirohito was also touched by this wonderful beauty The prospect is firmly attracted.

Yes, Japan, if it expands to not only the Japanese mainland (the Japanese archipelago, the Korean Peninsula, the Ryukyu Islands, etc.), but also the eastern part of North Asia, the central part of North Asia, the Indonesian archipelago, the entire Oceania, and the entire India, Japan at that time, It is simply... a great empire that the Japanese have never dreamed of for thousands of years!As for Emperor Hirohito, who led the Japanese military and civilians to complete such a great cause for all eternity, he can naturally become "the first emperor in Japanese history" who surpassed Emperor Meiji and even respected with Emperor Jimmu.

As a monarch, he has reached the point where he is "destined by heaven, and I am the only one". Naturally, there is nothing more exciting than opening up territories and leaving a name in history. Hitler is the same, Chiang Kai-shek is the same, and Hirohito is the same .

"The Chinese would be so kind?" Ishihara smiled and said indifferently, "Don't you think it's strange that we agreed to expand our army again and transfer India to us? The Chinese are clearly trying to seduce, coax, Encourage us to go to war with the United States! If we lose both sides in a fight with the Americans, will the Chinese come to us by then? This prospect is dangerous! The intentions of the Chinese are sinister!"

"How to prevent the Chinese from biting us back at critical moments is our most serious problem!" Umezu Yoshijiro said coldly.

"Yes, this is an adventure!" Suzuki became emotional, "This is a gamble on Japan's national fortune!"

Nagano Slim was also excited: "Isn't the Great Japanese Empire able to have the prosperity it has today because it took risks again and again? In the Sino-Japanese War, if Japan lost, Japan's national strength would immediately collapse, but Japan won in the end." In the Russo-Japanese War, if Japan lost, Japan’s national power would have plummeted, but Japan won in the end! The same opportunity is now! Since this golden opportunity is in front of us, why don’t we have the courage of our ancestors to fight ?If we win this battle, Japan will completely become a great empire whose sun never sets. Forget it, as long as we preserve the Yamato soul that protects the country, our descendants can still make a comeback! There is nothing Japan can’t afford to lose! What’s more, in this war, Japan has many advantages, and the odds of winning are very high! Don't be pessimistic! Be confident!"

"The United States is very powerful!" Konoe Fumimaro mustered up his courage, "We cannot take it lightly!"

"During the Sino-Japanese War, Qing was strong and Japan was weak; during the Russo-Japanese War, Russia was strong and Japan was still weak!" Hideki Tojo said impassionedly, "Since we can defeat Qing, which is stronger than Japan, Why can't Russia defeat the United States, which is stronger than Japan? And, as Minister Nagano said just now, in this war, Japan has many advantages, and the odds of winning are very high!"

Umezu Yoshijiro said calmly: "If Germany and China really support Japan wholeheartedly, Japan will indeed have a good chance of winning against the United States. Even if it fails to win, it will not lose the war. Although Germany and China have a close relationship, if China backtracks and Germany breaks its promise, wouldn’t Japan be extremely dangerous? Only by solving this problem can we really decide whether to go to war with the United States!” He said in an intriguing tone, "The United States is Japan's frontal enemy, but behind Japan is China.

The enemy behind is more dangerous than the enemy in front! "

Yamamoto 56 stood up with a solemn expression: "Masters, first of all, I have to admit that I have a very personal relationship with Jiang Weiguo, and I very much hope that the alliance and friendship between Japan and China can last from beginning to end, but as a Japanese, it is impossible for me to put The fate of Japan is wishfully placed on the Chinese.

In the strategy of fighting against the United States, I always insist on preemptive strikes!In fact, there are two main reasons why Japan must preemptively attack the United States. First, if Japan and the United States fight a protracted war, a war of attrition, and a tug-of-war, Japan’s national strength is far inferior to that of the United States. Even with the assistance of Germany and China, it is difficult to persist for a long time. Obtain an absolute strategic advantage at the beginning of the war, so as to make up for our serious lack of strength; in addition, there is a second important reason, which is to guard against China.

Gentlemen, please think about it, if we are in a protracted war with the United States, if time drags on, there will be endless dreams and extra problems. At that time, if China does something behind our backs, we will be completely passive. The only way to solve it is to fight quickly quick decision!My philosophy is to preemptively strike the United States, and then strike while the iron is hot and pursue victories to win several consecutive victories, so that the U.S. government cannot see the hope of winning the war. At that time, we will take the initiative to negotiate with the United States and be willing to make a certain amount. Sacrifice, I believe that the U.S. government can’t wait for it. Then, the Japan-U.S. war will end soon. The elders will be a year and a half, and the short ones will be a year or even half a year. At that time, we will win a big victory and the war will end. Even if they want to do something behind our backs, there is no time and opportunity!"

"What Yamamoto-kun said is true!" Hideki Tojo agreed again and again, "A quick battle will be settled in a blink of an eye. Even if the Chinese want to betray us, there is no time and opportunity!"

"In my opinion, what is more important is that the Chinese people must also be stained with American blood!" Ishihara smiled solemnly, "If Japan and the United States go to war, and China stays out of it, the United States will not regard China as an enemy. Therefore, the Chinese army We must also fight against the United States!"

"Philippines?" Minai Mitsumasa looked at Ishihara Wanji, "Let the Chinese fight the Philippines!"

Ishihara nodded with a smile: "Use Taiwan as a bait to let the Chinese go to fight the Philippines. In this way, the Chinese will also have American blood on their hands!"

Suzuki said bitterly: "After all, Japan's greatest hope is the navy's 'preemptive strike' (attack on Pearl Harbor). Then, can the navy's preemptive strike succeed? Once the preemptive strike fails, everything will be over!"

Yamamoto 56 looked sincere: "Yes, everything is pinned on the first match at the beginning.

Such an important decision can only be granted by His Majesty the Emperor himself!"

Everyone stopped talking and lowered their heads, because it was the time for the final decision, which was the responsibility of the Emperor, and everyone was waiting for the "sacred will" of the Emperor.

There was no sound in the conference hall again, shrouded in a suffocating calm.

No one knew what Hirohito's expression was at this time, because no one dared to look up and "peep at the holy face".

I don't know how long after, a leisurely voice came slowly from the main seat. This is the "Jade Voice" of the emperor, calm, peaceful, and serene, with the majesty of a king and a bit of dignity Ethereal and ethereal like a sound, it seems to come from nothingness: