Battle of the Third Reich Chapter 6: Attitude towards Germany (Part 1)

Shanghai Jiangwan Airport covers an area of ​​more than 7,000 acres. It is the largest military airport built by Japan in the Far East. For this project, the Japanese army burned down Yinxing, a famous ancient town with a history of more than 400 years. In the 68 surrounding natural villages, more than 22,000 Chinese people suffered.

At noon on November 9, 1940, the heavily guarded airport gate drove into a group of limousines, which were extremely rare at the time. The six tricycles of the Shanghai Gendarmerie of Japan cleared the way. Under the guidance of the airport guard, the convoy parked neatly on the locomotive apron next to the main runway. Immediately, a group of military and political officials, either in straight military uniforms or in suits and leather shoes, got out of the car. The navy band and army infantry squads loaded on the trucks at the end of the team also started to get out of the car and assemble in line.

"Unexpectedly, Your Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs would come to Shanghai suddenly this time. I didn't make any preparations in a hurry. I really caught our generation by surprise." Shigeru Sawada pulled the hem of the somewhat wrinkled uniform and straightened it out. I took the saber knife belt around my waist and received a metal chain buckle.

"This proves that the cabinet attaches great importance to the visit of the independent country mission. Just looking at a series of orders from the base camp and the cabinet, it can be said to be a lot of advice. How to be cautious cannot be overstated. According to my years of work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs From experience, new changes must have taken place in the empire’s diplomatic strategy towards the independent country. Your Excellency Sawada, this time the independent country’s special envoy took Shanghai as the first stop of its visit to Asia. The responsibility on your shoulders is not light. If there is any problem within our scope of responsibility, the consequences will be unimaginable." Horiuchi Kanjo straightened the tie between the hard collars and said with a serious face.

"I have issued a strict order. During this period of time, any plot of disobedience will be dealt with severely and will not be tolerant." Sawada held the knife sheath of the 94-style general's saber, his eyes flashing infiltrating. Cold light.

This is not just a joke. Admiral Sawada is really ready to kill. Originally, Tojo had the intention of cultivating him. After being mixed with the commander of the army for a while, an army general could not run away. . So if anyone makes any mistakes at this time, it is tantamount to ruining the future of the lieutenant general, and at that time, it will be no wonder that the lieutenant admiral has made a black hand and chopped off the head of the red deer.

Just as two senior military and political officials sighed and greeted each other by the runway, the [Kasuga] passenger plane carried by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Japanese Empire, Matsuoka Yoro, had already flown over the Yangtze River.

"This is the third time I have come to Shanghai this year. I have an indissoluble bond with this city. It is really interesting to say that every time I come to this city, the world situation has undergone tremendous changes. No, I might put the cart before the horse. It should be that every time the world situation changes, I will come to this city." Matsuoka leaned against the cabin porthole and looked down at the once busy Yangtze River under the wing. The route, at this time, on the shimmering river surface under the autumn sun, only a few Chinese-style wooden boats with hard sails were traveling.

"Your Excellency Matsuoka, this time all the activities of the independent country mission plan have been passed to Shanghai. We still have two days to prepare. I am afraid that time is a little tight." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sitting next to Matsuoka Said the affairs officer Niuchang Nobuhiko.

"If we don’t have time, we will find a way to squeeze time out. This time we have to have the consciousness of fighting a tough battle. Didn’t we make it very clear in the meeting before departure? It’s now this time, why are we still To say this.” Takahashi Tomatsu, who is also an administrative officer, severely criticized his colleagues. He and Niuchang are both graduates of Dongda Law School. It is said that the latter is two circles earlier than him, and he is still his predecessor.

"Takahashi-san, don’t be so nervous, the cattle farm doesn’t mean that. This time Dokoku suddenly proposed to change the schedule, and all of us were unprepared. Since the outbreak in Europe, the Dokoku people’s diplomacy is like they use soldiers. There are so many changes that make it difficult to make accurate judgments." Matsuoka turned his face and made a round for his subordinates.

"The independent country is fundamentally different from other European countries. The head of the independent country is free to adjust his national strategy and foreign policy based on his own judgment, and once a decision is made, no one can change it. Especially now that after this Stade came to power, whether it is the government or the army, everything is in his hands. There is no force in the independent country that can contain him. It is not so much that he is the head of the independent country. It’s more like an independent monarch.” Matsuoka Yoyou said.

"The empire had not discovered this fact before and thought that the new head of state was just a simple successor, so it made a wrong judgment on the political situation of the independent country. Originally thought that the independent country would continue the foreign policy of the previous head of state and maintain Friendly attitude with the emperor.

Shortly after taking office, Stade overturned a series of policies and decisions made by his predecessor. At that time, we should have thought that he might change his diplomatic attitude towards Japan. At that time, the [Defu Tower Incident] happened again, which made the empire become passive in diplomacy. The foreign policy of the independent government should have changed since that incident. Although the person responsible for this incident was ordered to cut his belly, the loss caused to the empire by that incident was not enough to repay it even if it died a hundred times. "Matsuoka can't help gritting his teeth when he speaks.

"I totally agree with you, your Excellency. The [Defulou Incident] caused great damage to the relations between Japan and Independence. Later in Chongqing, the [Independence Pilot Missing Incident] and the [Morimoto Brigade Incident] The root cause was the [Defulou Incident]. The head of the independent state changed his friendly view of the empire, started secret diplomacy with the government of Chiang Kai-shek in Chongqing, and deployed troops in French Indochina. Two conflicts that shouldn't have occurred broke out." Niuchang said calmly.

"No, I don’t agree with you. The [Defulou incident] was just an accident. What really caused the head of the independent country to change his attitude was the brilliant victory of the independent country on the European battlefield. Speaking, it's no longer as important as it was half a year ago." Takahashi looked a little young and vigorous, and he unceremoniously refuted Niuchang's remarks.

"Niuchang-kun is not wrong, of course, Takahashi has your reason." Matsuoka turned his head and gave Takahashi a approving look.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister said the same at the imperial meeting yesterday." Matsuoka recalled the imperial meeting two days ago.

"The independent country has completely controlled Europe, and the framework of the so-called new European order led by the independent country has gradually formed. Under this situation, what role will the empire play in it, and the relationship with the independent country How to develop is a problem that we must carefully consider now." Kenwei Fumio said his views loudly.

"Independence is indeed powerful. They have already held the entire Europa in their hands, but we are still struggling with the Chiang Kai-shek government on the mainland." When the Minister of the Navy and Kawako Chiro spoke, the corners of their eyes were staring at the opposite side. Tojo behind the table.

"Over the past year, the achievements of the army soldiers in fighting bravely are obvious to all. The decline of the Chiang Kai-shek government has become apparent. It is only a matter of time before the end of the China War." Tojo received the words coldly, because it was the Imperial Conference. Any rude words and deeds, otherwise he would have pointed at Yoshida's nose and cursed the octopus.

"It is not the issue of China that is going to be discussed now. Please do not divert the topic from the two ministers." Minister of the Interior Eiji Yasui reminded.

"After the secret diplomacy between Dokoku and Chiang Kai-shek was discovered by the emperor, they are now openly embarking on diplomatic exchanges. At present, countless materials are imported into China from French Indochina and British Burma every day. According to reliable information, According to the information, Dokoku has signed a huge arms purchase plan with Chongqing, but we are completely helpless about it." Yoshida Yoshida said with a sneer.

"We can make a serious protest to the independent country, asking them to immediately stop this kind of unfriendly behavior to the imperial country." said Yasui.

"We did not formally declare war with China. The independent country is engaged in legitimate trade practices. Moreover, even if it is a protest, I don't see any other role besides worsening the diplomatic relations between Japan and Japan. "Takuma Minister Akita Kiyoshi spoke.

"So just watch the independence people send weapons, ammunition, and various military resources to Chongqing so that they can fight against the imperial army with the independence weapons?" Yasui asked loudly.

"Do you have any good way to declare war on the independent country? Or send a navy to block the entire South China Sea?" Akita Kiyoshi's tone was full of mockery.

"Our Navy is not used to do such stupid things."

"What do you think of the army, the single country has the greatest impact but you."

"The Army has a full understanding of this matter and has already launched a corresponding investigation. At present, it seems that the independent country has imported only some outdated arms, and the Army's superiority in equipment over Chongqing has not changed. "Tojo replied seriously.

"Do you really think so? Your Excellency the Secretary of the Army."

"This has nothing to do with your Ministry of Health and Welfare."

"What do you mean~IndoMTL.com~ It doesn't matter at all."

"Everyone, I don't think this has anything to do with the issue we are discussing just now."

"Yes, what we are going to talk about now is how to receive German envoys."

"Oh? Didn't we discuss the issue of foreign policy toward independence?"

"What the Prime Minister said just now does not seem to be this."

"Enough, don't be rude in front of your majesty." In the end, Fumio Kanae stood up unbearably, drinking to stop the arguing between cabinet members.

"Your Majesty, the current situation is very unfavorable for the empire. Since Iraq's unconditional surrender to the independent country, Japan has lost its largest ally in Europe. At this time, we must never have any conflicts with the independent country. Now the urgent task is to immediately make up for the previous misunderstandings and rifts in the diplomatic relations with the independent country and restore the friendly and harmonious relationship between the two countries in the past. At all costs, the independent country must be brought back to the side of the empire." Konwei Fumio facing Hirohito Weiwei Bend, then turned his face to look around at his colleagues.

"Half a year ago, who would have thought that the Republic of China suddenly attacked Iraq, and that the powerful Iraqi army would be collapsed and there would be no way to fight back against the front of the country’s soldiers. This made me a strong national power. With a new understanding. Now that the new order established by the independent country in Europe has taken shape, no force can stop the independent country from rising to the world’s first-class power.

Under this situation, the empire must adjust its diplomatic strategy towards the independent country, deepen the relationship between the two countries, and at the same time find ways to join the new European economic system established by Germany. The most important point is that without the support of the independent country, our southward plan will be nothing but empty talk. "Prime Minister Konoe spoke with a serious expression.

ps: The first chapter is delivered, and I will continue to write another chapter after dinner, about ten o'clock in the evening.

Thank you for your support and encouragement. (To be continued.)