The 16th Division and the 108th Division were severely damaged, and three regiment flags were captured. If we add the 4th regiment flag that was captured at Cangyunling at the beginning of the year, it can be said that the Japanese Army has set a record in this year.
A record of shame in Japanese military history.
Such a humiliation was obviously not something that the North China Front Army or even the Chinese Expeditionary Force could bear. Soon the Japanese home base and Emperor Hirohito were shocked by the news.
In a dimly lit quiet room, Emperor Hirohito was wearing a pair of baggy trousers that were worn a little thin, and a baggy kimono. His eyes hidden under thick lenses looked a little dull.
At this time, Japanese Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro and Sugiyama Gen, who had just succeeded Prince Kanin Miyazahito as Army Chief of Staff, were sitting and kneeling in front of Hirohito with their heads lowered. These two men who could be said to have the most power in the government and the public were not even grand at this time.
Not daring to breathe, waiting with fear to bear the wrath of the Emperor.
It took a long time before Hirohito said lightly: "Konoe-kun, Sugiyama-kun, I heard that just a few days ago, the 16th Division and the 108th Division of the Imperial Army suffered a major defeat in China.
The 16th Division, in particular, lost more than 20,000 people, and three of its regiment flags were taken away. Tell me, is this happening?"
Hearing this, Konoe Fumimaro and Sugiyama Gen's expressions became frightened, especially Sugiyama Gen, who was secretly complaining. You must know that this incident happened in the army, and he, as the chief of army staff, has an unshirkable responsibility.
"His Majesty!"
Sugiyama Yuan said hurriedly: "Because the incident happened suddenly, I and others have just received the news not long ago. However, according to the information sent by the China dispatched army, the person who caused all this is named Gao Hongming, who is from Liantai County in Shanxi Province of China."
The leader of the vigilante group.
A few days ago, he participated in the Hundred Regiment Battle launched by the Eighth Route Army in China. For some reason, he suddenly rushed to Hebei and collided head-on with the 16th Division and the 108th Division, who were about to rush to Shanxi to aid.
The 8th Division used chemical weapons unprepared, causing heavy casualties to the 16th Division and the 108th Division. I am responsible for this oversight, and I ask Your Majesty to punish him."
Konoe Fumimaro on the side curled his lips. This Sugiyama Moto is really cunning. More than 20,000 people died, and three regiment flags were seized by the Chinese, but when it came to his mouth, it was easily blamed for negligence. This is so good.
Are you shirking responsibility?
However, he also knew that what Sugiyama Gen was best at was pouring ecstasy soup on His Majesty the Emperor, otherwise this idiot would not be able to hold the post of Chief of Army Staff.
But this time Emperor Hirohito didn't seem to buy it very much, and said in a deep voice: "Sugiyama-kun, if I remember correctly, half a year ago, the 41st Division under the First Army stationed in Shanxi also suffered heavy losses. It seems that it was also
Did Gao Hongming do this?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
A layer of white sweat broke out on Sugiyama Gen's forehead. He did not expect that His Majesty the Emperor would still remember what happened half a year ago, and also clearly remember the number of the division, but at this time he did not dare to do any deception.
"Your Majesty, this is Gao Hongming. He was originally just a local dandy. At the beginning of this year, after his father was accidentally killed by the imperial army, he formed a team to fight against the empire.
It stands to reason that there are countless such people in China, but what is surprising is that Gao Hongming actually got a large number of German weapons from nowhere, including the latest German rifles, submachine guns, machine guns and even heavy-duty combat weapons.
The car caused heavy casualties to the empire.
According to the telegram sent by Jun Tada and an investigation by the water supply unit, Gao Hongming used the latest mustard gas. This mustard gas is different from the poisonous gas that can only cause casualties to the human body through breathing. This poisonous gas can even be directly passed through
It only takes 2 to 5 minutes for human skin to cause damage to a person and kill him or her.
The 16th Division and the 108th Division suffered heavy losses for this reason."
"Then does the empire have any means to counter it?"
"No?" Gen. Sugiyama answered honestly: "According to the analysis and research of our scientists, this mustard gas is at least five to ten years more advanced than the Empire's. There is currently no poisonous gas in the Empire that can compete with it.
And there is still a problem. Even if the empire has researched it, it currently does not have the means to produce it on a large scale, so..."
"So that means there's nothing we can do about Gao Hongming?" At this point, Hirohito's voice was filled with obvious anger.
Sugiyama Gen quickly stood up and knelt down to Hirohito, "This humble minister is incompetent, please punish me."
Hirohito's voice was several degrees colder than before, "Sugiyama-kun, you are the Chief of Army Staff appointed by me. You must be fully responsible for this matter to the end. That Gao Hongming has caused such great losses to the empire, you must come up with it."
A reliable way to eliminate it, understand?"
"Hi!"
Sugiyama Gen quickly replied loudly: "I have sent a special envoy headed by Doihara Kenji to Chongqing to put pressure on the Chongqing government and ask them to arrest Gao Hongming and hand him over to the imperial court for trial. Otherwise, the empire will
A tit-for-tat action will be launched."
Hirohito did not comment on Sugiyama Gen's words, but said lightly, "I will leave this matter to you. You have to remember that I don't look at the process, only the results. Do you understand?"
"Hi!"
Just when China and even the whole of Japan were boiling over the gas war, which was the largest and most casualty since the Anti-Japanese War, as the protagonist of the incident, Gao Hongming had led the Liantai militia into Shanxi and returned to Liantai County.
As soon as he returned to Liantai County, before he entered his house, he saw several people waiting for him at the city gate. The person leading the charge was Sun Chu, deputy commander of the Sixth Group Army of the Jinsui Army.
"Sir Sun, why are you here?"
Sun Chu looked at Gao Hongming with a somewhat uncertain expression. After a long while, he sighed: "You have made such a big fuss this time. If I don't come back, I don't know how much trouble you will make."
"Making trouble?"
Hearing this, Gao Hongming became a little unhappy, "Sir Sun, this time I was ordered by the War Zone Chief to assist the Eighth Route Army in the Hundred Regiment Campaign, and I fought such a big victory. You actually took it away?"
Isn't it too much to call it causing trouble?"
"You also know that you are going to assist the Eighth Route Army."
After dealing with Gao Hongming many times, Sun Chu was able to figure out some of Gao Hongming's temperament. He knew that this kid was just a docile donkey. If he really wanted to make him angry, he would not buy anyone's face.