The rapid collapse of the Russian army's front line made the generals of the Japanese General Staff Headquarters look very expressive. Most of the younger Japanese generals looked relaxed, while the expressions of the generals over fifty years old were as mature as they should be. Among them was the previous one.

Lieutenant General Tachibana, commander of the Kwantung Army, and Lieutenant General Kawai Nao, who is currently in office but has not yet taken up his post.

The two lieutenant generals watched the battle demonstration with their hands behind their backs. Lieutenant General Kawai Cao did not agree with the reliability of the intelligence, but the lieutenant general said nothing. According to the 'Anglo-Japanese Alliance', in response to Russia's expansion, both sides recognized China and

North Korea's "independence", if the interests of both parties in China and North Korea are invaded by other countries or caused losses due to internal unrest, either party can take necessary measures.

When dealing with Russia, intelligence sharing is one of them. Since the British side is already in a quasi-war situation with Soviet Russia, intelligence exchanges with Japan are particularly smooth.

According to the intelligence provided by the British, in the latest army progress on the map in the past few days, the Polish army commanded by Piłsudski rushed straight to the rear of the Soviet Red Army like a flood from the breach, intercepting the Soviet Red Army and surrounding it.

stand up.

The changes in the war situation made Lieutenant General Kawai Cao feel speechless. The Soviet Red Army forced the White Russians who were huddled in Vladivostok to flee from the Ural Mountains to the Far East. If the Red Army generals who directed the war were only of this level, I really can’t imagine how they could do it.

Defeated a million white troops.

The school officers were obviously much more excited than the general officers. They stood at the demonstration board and continued to watch for a while, then their eyes turned to General Yusaku Uehara, the Chief of Staff Headquarters.

General Yusaku Uehara, the Chief of Staff Headquarters, did not speak at first. He looked at these and did not speak. However, General Yusaku Uehara, who looked eager to try, said coldly: "Even He Rui is not in a hurry, why are you so impatient?

"

From the corner of his eye, Lieutenant General Kawai Soko saw Lieutenant General Tachibana next to him who seemed to be looking at him. He turned his head and saw that Lieutenant General Tachibana had also turned back and did not meet his eyes. Lieutenant General Kawai Soko also lowered his gaze.

It is somewhat inappropriate to use He Rui, a Chinese, to reprimand Japanese officers, and the status of He Rui himself is even more inappropriate to Lieutenant General Kawai Cao. However, this also proves the attitude of General Uehara Yusaku.

The Chief of Staff of the Imperial Japanese Army did not want to send troops at this time.

The officers obviously wanted to join the war. After hearing what General Yusaku Uehara said, Lieutenant Colonel Ushijima stepped forward and said loudly: "Your Excellency, I have returned from Siberia. The Russian army's combat effectiveness is indeed not strong. Their advantage is only against

Familiarity with the terrain. No one in the current Soviet Red Army has participated in the Russo-Japanese War. In terms of familiarity with the geography, the Imperial Japanese Army is actually better than the Soviet Red Army."

When the young officers heard what Lieutenant Colonel Ushijima Mitsuru told them, they couldn't help but feel a little more excited. From any point of view, this was the best time for Japan to seize Vladivostok. The Soviet Red Army lacked combat effectiveness, and there were White Russians in the Far East.

Government-in-exile. This situation simply has a better chance than annexing North Korea.

If it succeeds, Japan's territorial area can be doubled, and it is not impossible to increase it by two or three times.

Just when the officers were excited, General Yusaku Uehara, who looked cold, asked coldly: "What if He Rui sends troops to attack our army?"

Ushijima Mitsuru was stunned for a moment, then stood up and replied: "Then annihilate He Rui together. Manchuria and Mongolia are the lifeline of the empire. If we can capture the Far East and Manchuria and Mongolia at the same time, the empire can have a prosperous future."

Lieutenant General Kawai Soo looked at his student Ushijima Mitsuru, and his heart was a little churning. He Rui graduated in 1915, and Ushijima Mitsuru graduated in 1916. Between He Rui and Ushijima Mitsuru, Lieutenant General Kawai Soo naturally supported Ushijima.

However, Ushijima Mitsuru’s idea really cannot be compared with that of He Rui. Even if Ushijima Mitsuru has experience in serving in the Far East and even fighting, He Rui has only participated in it a few times since graduating in 1915. I don’t know if He Rui can be called

Because of the skirmishes in the battle, Lieutenant General Kawai Cao still believed that Ushijima was not too sharp.

But the school officers obviously didn't think so. Their eyes shone with anticipation for military exploits and the expansion of territory, and they looked at General Yusaku Uehara with burning eyes.

General Yusaku Uehara looked gloomy and ordered: "General and Nagata-kun stay, and the others go out."

The school officials were stunned, but they could only salute and leave. After the school officials left, General Yusaku Uehara sat back in his seat and said unhappily: "The cabinet rejected the proposal to send troops."

"Why?" Lieutenant General Tachibana asked in confusion.

General Yusaku Uehara said with displeasure in his tone and expression, "Prime Minister Keihara Hara said that the national budget has been exhausted and there is no money to expand the war."

Seeing the resentful look on the general's face, Lieutenant General Kawai Soo once again confirmed that General Yusaku Uehara, who had always been the main combatant, had not changed his position. Lieutenant General Tachibana, who had just resigned as commander of the Kwantung Army, asked: "Your Excellency, I can no longer find him.

Is there any other way?"

No one spoke, and the generals felt quite frustrated. Without military spending, the army would not be able to fight. Everyone either lowered their heads in thought or looked at each other. At this moment, General Yusaku Uehara shouted: "Nagata!"

Lieutenant Colonel Nagata Tetsuyama, who was sitting at the bottom, stood up and replied loudly: "Yes!"

Everyone's eyes fell on Nagata Tetsuzan. Lieutenant General Kawai Soko was He Rui's principal when he was in the military academy, and Nagata Tetsuzan was a student who graduated from the Army University before Lieutenant General Kawai Soko became the principal of the military academy. But Lieutenant General Kawai Soko knew

, Nagata Tetsuyama's reputation in the Japanese military is by no means worse than He Rui's.

Just this year, Nagata Tetsuzan submitted a comprehensive "National Mobilization Opinion" to the Japanese Army authorities, which was unanimously praised. Even General Ugaki Kazunari praised Nagata Tetsuzan, which was better than the general war effort of German General Ludendorff.

The discussion is even more exciting.

General Yusaku Uehara did not speak, but raised his head slightly to signal. Nagata Tetsuzan stood at attention and said loudly: "Your Excellency, I believe that if our army wants to obtain land in the Far East, it will definitely be suppressed by the British and French forces. It is a situation where the gains outweigh the losses. And

Our army also faces a serious threat. By 1926 at the latest, He Rui will launch an operation to unify China. At that time, the empire will inevitably conflict with He Rui. Therefore, I think that even if it just wants to attack Russia,

They all need to put pressure on He Rui so that He Rui has to bow to the empire."

After listening to Nagata Tetsuyama's story, Lieutenant General Tachibana, the commander of the Kwantung Army who had just resigned, looked serious, "Nagata-kun, why do you see this?"

Nagata Tieshan replied decisively: "Xiaoguan conducted deductions based on the data obtained. By the beginning of 1925 at the latest, He Jun will be able to maintain 500,000 combat troops. All warlords in China will not be able to resist He Jun's military power."

Lieutenant General Tachibana showed a look of satisfaction on his face, and then asked seriously: "Nagata-kun, do you mean to expand the scale of the war?"

This issue is also a common thought among the generals. Facing the Far East is already troublesome enough, and if we provoke He Rui from the Northeast, the Japanese army will also face a very difficult situation. Not to mention, the cabinet will never agree to expand the war.

Nagata Tieshan was not afraid, and his tone was firm, "He Jun is an excellent soldier. I can conclude that He Jun has now begun to formulate a comprehensive plan to fight our army, and it is a preemptive combat plan."

At this time, even Lieutenant General Kawai Sogo felt that Nagata Tetsuzan's idea was too radical. How could He Rui unify China and fight the Japanese army at the same time? He Rui's 500,000 troops were completely insufficient to complete a two-front battle.

Without waiting for anyone to ask, General Uehara Yusaku stood up and ordered: "Nagata-kun, sit down." Immediately, the general looked down at the generals, "I am going to talk to the Ministry of War and Prime Minister Kei Hara again, and I need you to formulate a plan.

Military plan for fighting the Red Army.”

Lieutenant General Kawai Sou just nodded, but his eyes fell on Lieutenant Colonel Nagata Tetsuyama. Although they both mentioned fighting He Rui, Lieutenant Colonel Nagata Tetsuyama and Lieutenant Colonel Ushijima Mitsuru had completely different opinions. Lieutenant General Kawai Sou only

I agree with Ushijima Mitsuru's loyalty to the Japanese Empire, but Nagata Tetsuzan makes Lieutenant General Kawai Soo feel trustworthy. Moreover, Lieutenant General Kawai Soda is already the commander of the Kwantung Army. If He Rui can really maintain 500,000 combat troops in 1924

Army, Lieutenant General Kawai Cao may have been serving in Kanto Prefecture at that time.

After the meeting, General Yusaku Uehara strode out first. Lieutenant General Sogo Kawai walked up to Tetsuzan Nagata and ordered: "Nagata-kun, wait here for me for a while." After saying that, Lieutenant General Sogo Kawai went out.

When Lieutenant General Kawai Sou returned to the conference room, he saw only Nagata Tetsuzan standing by the window in the empty conference room. He opened the window and was smoking. When he walked to Nagata Tetsuzan, Lieutenant General Kawai Sou also lit one for himself.

Then he asked: "Nagata-kun, do you think He Rui wants to change the situation in the Far East?"

"Your Excellency, since Mr. He returned to Manchuria and Mongolia, the situation in the Far East has changed. Although the Empire of Japan is still the strongest country in the Far East, Mr. He is not afraid of the Empire of Japan. He is a man who will not hesitate to fight for his motherland.

Everyone. Moreover, the Empire of Japan will never sit back and watch Mr. He unify China. Even if Mr. He is on the defensive, the Empire of Japan will send troops. I believe Mr. He can think of this."

Even though he was slightly 'refuted' by Nagata Tetsuzan, Lieutenant General Kawai Sou did not feel abrupt. Nagata Tetsuzan's demeanor was too relaxed and he was still elegant when asking tough questions.

Lieutenant General Kawai thought for a moment before continuing to ask: "Nagata-kun, is He-jun our enemy at this stage?"

Nagata Tieshan replied decisively: "He Jun is an excellent soldier and a patriot. He has been the enemy of the empire from the beginning. The war between the Japanese Empire and He Jun is inevitable."

Kawai Sou nodded slightly. But Kawai Sou didn't know whether he was praising Nagata Tetsuzan or recognizing He Rui's strength.

At this time, the Chief of Staff, General Uehara Yusaku, and the Minister of War, General Yoshiichi Tanaka, got into the car together. The two were also chatting about Nagata Tetsuzan at this time. Although Uehara Yusaku was rude to Nagata Tetsuzan in the meeting,

At this time, he began to praise Nagata Tieshan.

Tanaka Yi nodded and sighed: "Nagata-kun is the rising star of the empire. Although some among the school officials agree that Manchuria and Mongolia are the lifeline of the empire. But most of those people want to use this point of view to truly understand this.

There are only a handful of school officials."

General Yusaku Uehara became interested, "Tanaka-kun, who else do you think can understand?"

Tanaka Giichi replied: "I think Okamura Neji and Ishihara Kanji are probably the only ones who can understand it among the school officials."

"I heard that Tojo seems to have been promoting the view that Manchuria and Mongolia are the lifeline of the empire."

Hearing General Uehara Yusaku mention Tojo Hideki, disdain appeared on Tanaka Yoshiichi's face, "Tojo is the kind of guy who picks up people's teeth and doesn't know why. This kind of person can be used, but not very useful. If you let him

His becoming Minister of War will be a disaster for the Imperial Army."

After hearing this, General Uehara Yusaku said with a straight face: "Then I hope Tojo-kun becomes Prime Minister. At least those civil servants will face disaster."

Although General Yusaku Uehara had a bad look on his face when he said it, the words still made him laugh out loud. He even laughed so hard. After finally putting away his smile, Tanaka Giichi touched the corners of his eyes and said, "I don't think Tojo-kun is capable.

Manage the Cabinet.”

General Uehara Yusaku did not answer. If he wanted to get rid of the cabinet, General Uehara Yusaku thought it would be better to lead a team to deal with those extremely arrogant civil servants. In that case, General Uehara Yusaku could personally execute those damn civil servants.

No matter what he thought in his heart, General Uehara Yusaku was still very polite when he met Prime Minister Hara Kei. Hara Kei was not surprised when he heard He Rui's judgment that he was posing a threat to the Japanese Empire.

Looking at Hara Kei's calm expression, General Tanaka Yoshida asked: "Your Excellency, do you believe this judgment?"

Prime Minister Kei Hara wanted to nod, but held back. As Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan, Kei Hara naturally had to consider Japan's current strategic situation. With the help of his secretary, Kei Hara used economic deductions and agreed with China.

The idea that there will be a war between Japan and He Rui will definitely become a serious problem for the Japanese Empire.

But this is impossible. He told the soldiers that Hara Jing had no interest in making up some excuses for He Rui. Hara Jing smiled and said: "Your Excellency, almost half of the imported coal in the Empire of Japan now comes from the Northeast. Not only coal

, and 20% of the iron ore also comes from the Northeast. What do you think is the reason for the war?"

If it was Lieutenant Colonel Ushijima Mitsuru who heard this, he would have said excitedly at this time, 'If we occupy Manchuria and Mongolia and import coal and iron ore, we will not be subject to any sharp exploitation.'

However, Ushijima Mitsuru was not qualified to meet Prime Minister Kei Hara at this time. Neither of the two generals who were qualified to meet Kei Hara thought so. If they saw mineral deposits wherever they were, they would just grab them. Then the United States and the United Kingdom would undoubtedly

First on Japan's offensive list.

General Yusaku Uehara said: "Your Excellency, Mr. He will definitely become the enemy of the empire. One of the reasons why Britain adopts the continental balancing policy is to prevent the emergence of a powerful country on the European continent. One of the reasons why the Empire of Japan defeated the Manchus was that the Manchus

It has been weakened by the European powers. If China falls into the hands of He Jun, the balance of power between China and Japan will definitely return to before the Meiji Restoration, or even return to the Ming Dynasty era."

When Prime Minister Hara Kei heard that General Uehara Yusaku had proposed attacking the Northeast, he felt that General Uehara Yusaku was simply crazy. However, facing these Army Malu who only knew about war, Hara Kei could only try to be reasonable, "

Northeast China is already the place where the Empire of Japan sells goods. If we attack Manchuria and Mongolia, who will our goods be sold to?"

After saying that, Yuan Jing felt that these words were not powerful enough, so he simply told a relatively secret news, "I talked with the consortium that invested in Northeast Mining. They said that when the mine was being built, He Jun sent
To be continued...