Battle of the Third Reich Chapter 48: Special diplomatic envoy (middle)

　　 There was a conflict, and the two leaders of the government-supplied observation mission could be detained together. How fierce the conflict was. Seeing the attitude of the Germans, one with a little diplomatic knowledge can feel the seriousness of the problem.

　　 And the poor Foreign Minister Matsuoka Yoro has no idea what happened. He can only jump his feet to let the Italian ambassador Toshio Shiratori, that is, the W who signed the telegram, in the shortest possible time, do everything possible to understand the facts from the Germans. Yes, no matter how expensive the price is, he will not hesitate to pay. Only by grasping the exact information can he make correct judgments and then come up with corresponding solutions.

　　 is really unbelievable. Just how big the idiots of the army have stabbed, Matsuoka felt that his stomach problem was about to be committed again.

　　 The seizure of a group of foreign government missions is not a trivial matter. If it is placed on two hostile countries, it is almost equivalent to a declaration of war in disguise. The Germans have always attached great importance to diplomatic etiquette. They will never commit such a flagrant violation of diplomatic norms for a small conflict. This is a forbidden zone recognized by the diplomatic community, and no civilized country dares to easily overstep the thunder. .

　　What exactly did those guys do in France? Matsuoka couldn't think of it. But as the foreign minister of a country, he is very clear about his responsibilities. Encountered such a serious diplomatic incident, if it is not handled properly, the consequences will be unimaginable. It's fine to lose office and dismiss by himself, but if he destroys His Majesty's goal of Yabara Yiwu, then he will become a sinner of the Great Japan Empire.

　　 Thinking of this, Matsuoka did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly rushed to the Prime Minister's office with this telegram. Ten minutes later, the sweaty Konwei Fumino took Matsuoka Yoyoshi straight to the Emperor's Palace. Forty minutes later, the first imperial emergency meeting in the 15th year of Showa in the palace conference room began lively.

　　"I personally think that this is a serious diplomatic incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must take up their responsibilities and deal with it with all their strength. In accordance with international diplomatic practices, we must protest to the German government as soon as possible and demand They immediately released the imperial officers detained. At the same time, the Great German Empire must publicly apologize to the Great Japanese Empire for this matter and make corresponding compensation."

　　 is the Imperial Secretary of the Interior, Yasui Eiji. As the heaviest among the cabinet ministers with the farthest connection to this incident, he put forward his opinions in his usual slow and systematic tone.

　　"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should indeed assume responsibility for negotiations, but I think it is too early to protest to Germany. We must treat this matter carefully."

　　 Lieutenant General Hideki Tojo, Minister of Army, now has a layer of sweat on the bald head, shining under the orange lights of the conference room.

　　 "Tojo Luxiang's words are right. Until we understand the truth of the whole matter, we cannot act rashly. This is related to the overall strategy of the imperial nation and cannot be rash."

After 　　, Konwei Fumio glanced at Naixiang Yasui.

　　"Everyone, the question now is, who knows what happened there? It is your army's personnel who have been detained. Does the army know nothing about it? Isn't their journey in Europe Army provincial report?"

　　 Admiral Yoshida Yoshida frowned, but everyone could see the sneer at the corner of his mouth.

　　"Your Excellency Yoshida, although this German delegation is organized by the Army Ministry, all itineraries after going abroad are coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel. I just learned that this happened."

　　 Tojo glared at the opposite Yoshida and said coldly.

　　"Then, how much does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs know about this matter, and have you asked the German side for further understanding."

　　 Yoshida tilted his head and looked at Matsuoka.

　　"I have already called the German Embassy to inquire, and it made me very confused. The German ambassador, General Otto, did not know the exact reason why the Germans detained our mission personnel. In fact, when I asked him, he I don’t even know that this happened. It seems that the German side has not notified their embassy in Japan. From this point of view, the problem is definitely more serious than we thought."

　　 Foreign Minister Matsuoka looked sad.

　　Damn army idiots, Matsuoka almost wants to kill the detained Japanese officers now. What earth-shattering thing did they do that caused the Germans to block the news of their own embassy.

　　Originally, the army mission to Germany was scheduled to leave after the three-nation alliance was reached, but the group of impatient guys in the army province couldn’t wait. They had to go to the German-French front line to do fieldwork and observe the German army before France surrendered. The new weapons and equipment used in actual combat and their use effects, as well as the role of new tactics used by the German army in actual combat.

　　 They did so in violation of the usual prudent principle of Japanese diplomacy. Such a stately inspection of the German army at such a delicate moment may stimulate the nerves of Britain and the United States and other countries, and deepen their guard and attention to Japan. So at the beginning, Matsuoka raised his concerns with the director of the Army Ministry in charge of this matter, and hoped that the Army's German Observer Group could set off after the signing of the Tri-Nation Alliance Treaty as planned.

　　 But as the news of Germany's victory continued to come, Matsuoka was immediately overwhelmed by the general optimism in Japan at the time. After the army lobbied repeatedly, he even agreed like a ghost. Looking back now, Matsuoka regretted his decision at that time.

　　 Now, no matter how the incident is finally resolved, it will have an impact on the southward strategy just formulated by the Japanese Empire. We must know that all of Japan’s subsequent strategies are based on the three-nation alliance of Germany, Italy and Japan. At the critical moment before Germany and Japan are preparing to start substantive negotiations, this inexplicable thing has happened. It is really impressive. unimaginable.

　　Matsuoka’s only hope now is that things won’t be so bad that it can’t be saved, and if that’s the case, his own appearance will be over.

　　 protested to Germany and demanded an apology and compensation?

　　 Matsuoka cast an angry glance at Yasui Uchichi. This idiot, he dared to protest to Germany when he knew something. If possible, Matsuoka is willing to apologize to Germany and compensate for the losses, as long as the relationship between Germany and Japan can be restored to the original state and Germany can agree to an alliance with Japan.

　　"Before this, the Army had been proposing Japan to form an alliance with Germany. I have always said that we need to consider carefully. Judging from the current events, my worry is justified. There is no sincerity to form an alliance with Japan. They ignore international diplomatic standards and wantonly detain members of the Japanese military delegation. This is a challenge to the dignity of the Empire of Japan.

　　 I think we must respond to this matter as soon as possible. This is related to the face of the Japanese Empire in the world. If we all hesitate to encounter such a thing, how the world's powers will view Japan, and how the citizens will view the government. Moreover, if this matter is not handled properly, not only will it damage the prestige of the Japanese Empire, but also the mighty prestige of His Majesty the Emperor. At that time, how will we face His Majesty the Emperor and how will we face the trillions of citizens of the Emperor.

　　How to maintain the dignity of the Japanese Empire, how to maintain the majesty of the Emperor, and how to maintain the confidence of the people in the government, I think this is the first issue we need to consider at present. "

　　 The Minister of the Navy glared at Tojo's bald head and said impassionedly.

　　"Your Excellency Yoshida meant that we must immediately protest and start negotiations with Germany. Then, what about the southward policy that we have formulated before, should we give up?"

　　 Tojo glared at Yoshida and asked loudly.

　　"Southern advancement is a national policy that we have already determined for a long time. Now, all aspects of Japan’s domestic preparations for “southern advancement” have begun. Only by southward advancement and access to Southeast Asian resource production bases can Japan master Asia Only by obtaining these resources can we have the strength to fight the enemy across the ocean.

　　 This is something we all agreed to before. Now you are raising an objection, what do you want to do? I have already said that the southward policy cannot be changed in any way. "

　　 Ken Fumumi frowned and said lightly.

　　"I’m not against southward advancement, Your Excellency. I just don’t think we should ally with Germany. They will push us into direct confrontation with the United States. I understand the importance of southward advancement to Japan is like As you just said, southward advancement is the only way out for Japan now. However, the alliance with Germany will cause us to attract the attention of the United States before we complete preparations for southward advancement, which is very unwise."

　　"Aren’t we taking the attention of the United States right now? We are being suppressed by the United States, isn’t it? They have abolished the trade agreement, and the United States is preparing to stop exporting machine tools and scrap steel to us. Members of Congress also proposed to their Congress to stop exporting rare metals and chemical raw materials to us. What will happen next? Let me tell you, it is oil! They control most of our oil sources. They have pinched Japan’s Neck, if the United States suddenly stops exporting oil to Japan, how long can we hold on? You said in the last meeting that for one and a half years, our current storage of oil is only enough for the imperial army to use for one and a half years. If you continue to drive With your **** Ford, it may not last for a year and a half. In this way, how will we continue to fight, without the necessary resources, how can we accomplish the goal of His Majesty."

　　 Tojo loudly questioned the minister of the Navy who was disdainful.

　　"Because of this, I think there should be no relationship with Germany. Moreover, we also take this opportunity to express our attitude to the United States. This will be an excellent opportunity for us to improve relations with the United States. If As the United States cancels or relaxes its trade ban on Japan due to Japan’s change in attitude towards Germany, we will be able to obtain more supplies and be more fully prepared for our southward strategy. At that time, even if we have to cooperate with the United States When the war starts, with more supplies to prepare, we can have an extra chance of winning. In addition, my car is assigned to me by the military command. If necessary, I can go to work on foot!"

　　 Yoshida said loudly.

　　" What you said has no basis at all. The United States will never relax its suppression of Japan because of our opposition to Germany. This is absolutely impossible. The contradiction between us and the United States lies in China, not Europe. We and You have not seen the benefits of the German alliance. Germany’s victory in Europe will draw the attention of the United States to Europe. The Americans will never let Germany rule in Europe. Germany will contain Americans in Europe. Attention, so that we can prepare for the southward movement under the eyes of Americans. Moreover, Germany’s influence in Europe and the world is what Japan needs most. As long as Germany exerts pressure on those European countries, we will It will be easy to take over the colonies from those countries without even using the force of the empire.

　　If we cannot form an alliance with Germany, it will be more difficult for us to seize those colonies. At that time, I don’t know how many soldiers of His Majesty the Emperor’s army will bleed and wound or even sacrifice their lives in order to seize those precious resources. Can your navy understand things? "

　　 The blue veins on Tojo’s forehead became violent, and Yoshida’s sudden act of using the subject to make trouble made him feel very angry. If it weren’t for the imperial conference, the Emperor’s Majesty was sitting at one end of the conference room, so he almost used his fingers Pointing to the nose of this navy **** and cursing mother.

　　"Didn’t our navy shed blood and sacrifice for the empire? You armies..."

　　 Yoshida also glared at Tojo.

　　 "Everyone, have you forgotten where you are!"

　　 Konwei Fumiao finally couldn't help it, and he yelled at him.

　　"This is in front of His Majesty the Emperor. You are all important ministers of the empire. How can you quarrel loudly like commoners in the street? Please respect yourself!"

　　 Tojo and Yoshida fell silent, and then hurriedly bowed their heads to the Emperor who was sitting behind a separate desk at the end of the conference room. Matsuoka, who was left alone and depressed, rubbed his eyebrows secretly. As long as the cabinet meeting had not been prepared in advance, it would definitely become like this. They shirked each other's responsibilities and quarreled, and each time they ran away two miles away. Unexpectedly, they dared to maintain this style before the Emperor.

　　"We held this imperial meeting mainly to discuss how to resolve the detention of the Army Observer Group. We can discuss issues such as the southward advance at the Cabinet meeting."

　　 Prime Minister Kanoe glanced at these serious colleagues.

　　"We currently have two solutions. One is to protest to Germany immediately, as proposed by the Inner Phase and the Marine Phase, and to make follow-up requests as the situation develops. The other is me and the External Secretary And what Lu Xiang suggested, treat this matter with caution, and maintain the relationship between the two countries as the purpose, and do not make any reaction that will stimulate Germany until the truth is learned.

　　 Because this is related to the relations between Germany and Japan, and directly affects the future strategy of the Great Japanese Empire. That's why I asked for the convening of this imperial meeting. Which method should we choose? Please ask His Majesty to make a ruling. "

　　 Having said this, the guards and his cabinet members bowed their heads respectfully to the Emperor.

　　 Japan’s Emperor Hirohito had kept his almost rigid, serious expression before sitting silently behind the desk covered with snow white tablecloths. The cabinet members were arguing like that below, and he didn't even shake his eyebrows. It is finally time for him to give his final opinion. As long as he speaks, no matter who he supports, it will affect the future direction of Japan.

　　 At that time, the emperor’s imperial mouth could not be arbitrarily opened, and a word of it was imperial ~ IndoMTL.com~ Even the toughest military system had to obey orders obediently and could be distorted, but absolutely not Violated. Emperor Hirohito is different from his grandfather Meiji. He is mild by nature, and can even be said to be a little cowardly. When there are some differences in cabinet discussions, as long as it is not related to national strategic issues or needs to issue clear written orders, he will In order not to offend any party, he did not hesitate to use the emperor's unique skills, that is, to use his obscure royal grammar to express some confusing and vague opinions. The meaning of the words is so ambiguous that he can't even figure out the best. Anyway, let the people below figure it out, and whoever reacts quickly will benefit.

　　 This is why the emperor’s will can be distorted by the people below. The next job is done, even if you completely defy his will, you can forgive it, and you can still get his award. I am very relieved. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, misinterpreting the holy intent, making my own claim, or wanting to do anything, any one of them is enough to break the body. Many people didn't react until the end. It turned out that the servant was prepared to fall back on the bill afterwards from the beginning.

　　 Now Hirohito is preparing to publish his summary report. Suddenly, the door of the conference room was pushed open, and a guard hurried up close.

　　"Your Majesty, sir. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs sent this document. I heard that the German Embassy just sent it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

　　 "Bring it here quickly."

　　 Konwei Fumiu hurriedly reached out to the guard officer.

　　 "What! Japanese soldiers organized and participated in the assassination of the German head of state!"

　　 Including the Emperor, everyone present was stunned by the news.