"Headquarters, in view of the current domestic turmoil, I advocate that the Chinese army and Southeast Asian army temporarily adopt a conservative defensive policy, until the domestic turmoil stabilizes, and then formulate new attack plans." The Minister of War said.
The Chief of the General Staff is the head of the Army General Staff, whose main responsibility is to assist the Emperor in commanding the army and to issue combat orders on behalf of the Emperor. Now that Emperor Hirohito has been assassinated, the General Staff is not suitable for independent command during this period, so the term "Minister of War" is also feasible. Moreover, another purpose of doing so is to use it as a threat to the Cabinet, if the Cabinet dares to take action against the General Staff, the General Staff will directly drop its duties and refuse to serve.
This approach is not new in the Japanese military, it's a consistent style. The most powerful figures in the military are the three leaders known as the "Three Chiefs" of the Japanese Army: the Minister of War, the Chief of Staff and the Inspector General of Training.
The tendency of the "Three Councillors" in the Japanese Army often determines the direction of decision-making in the Japanese military. If the Japanese military is dissatisfied with a particular cabinet policy, it can refuse to dispatch active-duty lieutenant generals or full generals to serve as War Ministers, making it impossible for the cabinet to function or causing it to collapse. Through this method, the Japanese militarists can manipulate the direction of national policy.
The General Staff is responsible for fighting wars. If they temporarily stop all hostilities, it will directly affect the operation of the entire national policy, which is unacceptable in Japan.
Japan has staked its national future and destiny on this war. If you say don't fight, then isn't that a complete mess?
"Alright, after the meeting, you will directly order all combat troops to stand by for repair and suspend all attack command notifications. All troops are not allowed to move."
"Ah, yes." The Minister of War nodded in agreement.
"Head of the General Staff, I think we should now strengthen the defensive power of the General Staff Headquarters. We can dispatch the Guard Corps to defend the safety of the General Staff Headquarters around the clock and not give anyone a chance to make a move." said the Chief of the Quartermaster's Department.
"You take charge of this, implement all-day defense, and without the order of a ministerial-level official or above, no outsider is allowed to enter and exit the headquarters at will." Mei Zhenwu also considered his own safety, he was really afraid that some people would directly lay black hands on him, take him away for investigation, and then he would be unable to call heaven or earth. It's still safer in this three-point land of his own.
"Under Secretary General, we should join the investigation team," said the Minister of Intelligence.
"I've already mentioned this, but it was vetoed by the Prime Minister," said Mei Tetsuro with a scowl.
"Now we can only wait for news, hoping that Koji Asano doesn't make any reckless moves." The Minister of Intelligence sighed.
"Even if the cabinet wants to move us, they will have to think twice without solid evidence." said Mei Shinjiro with a stern tone.
Prime Minister's Official Residence of Japan
Kokoro Katsuragi sat on the wide sofa, sinking his body deep into it, holding a cigar in his hand, but not lighting it, the cigar kept sliding between his fingertips.
Kuniaki Koiso was also a military man, a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, but he had already transferred to the reserve list in 1938 and later served as Minister of Colonial Affairs, apparently too far removed from the military. Neither the army nor the General Staff could exert any influence over him now.
Kuniaki Koiso, although a reserve general, did not represent the army like Hideki Tojo did, and Chief of Staff Yoshijiro Umezu clearly would not let him interfere. Vice-Chief of Staff Torashirō Kawabe once publicly told Koiso: "It's better for the Prime Minister who doesn't understand modern warfare to keep his mouth shut."
Now is perhaps an opportunity.
If the Emperor were to pass away, in theory, the current Prime Minister would be Japan's number one politician. Kojima Kunisada saw this opportunity and naturally had some ideas. Establish a new emperor, who should it be?
Is he Prince Akihito, son of Emperor Hirohito?
Or Emperor Hirohito's brothers, Prince Yasuhito Chichibu, Prince Takamatsu Nobuhito, and Prince Mikasa Takahito?
What role will the old forces of the Japanese imperial family play here again?
And what can you plan for yourself?
"Help, help, help." Suddenly, the door was knocked open and Kojima Kōsuke's secretary walked in. "Prime Minister, Shigeno Kaichi has come to, but he won't say anything now."
Xiao Jia Guo's eyebrows furrowed and he asked, "Have you used torture?"
"It's already been used, but Kashino Kaichi's mind seems a bit unclear now. What do you think we should do?"
"Not awake? Then let the doctor treat him, and then continue to ask." Kojima Kunihiko pointed at the data on the table about Asano Kaichi: "Asano Kaichi is a playboy, his ability to find women is greater than his ability to do things. I absolutely don't believe there isn't any hidden situation in this matter. Behind Asano Kaichi, there must be a powerful force at work, and it's a very large one. We can't take it lightly."
"Yes, Prime Minister. I will have them continue the interrogation. Also, there is one more thing to report to you. A staff sergeant named Kōtōda from the General Staff Office has come to see you and would like to report on the situation with Yoshikazu Asano. This Kōtōda is a subordinate of Asano's and the two have always gotten along well." The secretary said.
"Kawatō Island? General Headquarters?"
"Yes, Kōtōdō is also a member of the Intelligence Department of the General Staff Headquarters, and he is the class leader of Class 3 of the China Section."
Mu Yang stood in the reception room of the Prime Minister's residence, glanced at the two guards standing at the door, felt a bit awkward and rubbed his hands together, then pulled out a cigarette wanting to light one up, but seeing the guards' gaze, he put it back.
Of course, all of this is just an act by Mu Yang.
Kojima Kuniaki's secretary walked into the reception room and saw Katō Toshi standing there, saying: "Lieutenant Commander Katō, the Prime Minister has allowed you to come and report on things, but I remind you that you only have ten minutes, and also, hand over all the weapons on your body."
After Mu Yang handed over his gun, the two guards searched him carefully again. Only then did they follow the secretary to the office of Xiao Jia Guo Zhao.
"You said you have something important to report to me, now tell me, what is it." Kojō Kōshō's face was full of horizontal wrinkles, no wonder he was called the "Tiger of Korea", probably because he looked like a tiger, and also because of his bloody suppression methods during his time as Governor-General of Korea.
"Prime Minister, I know some things about Kajinosuke Asano. However, I hope you won't report my visit to the General Staff Office." Moyou said with a bit of nervousness.
Kojima Kiyoshi looked at Muyang and nodded in agreement to this request. In Kojima Kiyoshi's heart, Muyang had already become a traitor who betrayed for the sake of survival.
"Mr. Prime Minister, what I'm about to say may involve some high-ranking officials of the Empire, so I hope you..." Mu Yang said, glancing at his secretary standing beside him.
"You go down first." Kojima Kunio waved his hand and let his secretary leave.
Upper three rivers are finished, please help friends vote for Sanjiang Pavilion, I'm deeply grateful.
