On October 30, the twenty-sixth year of the Republic of China, Liaoyuan, the transportation artery leading to Fengtiantian, was now occupied by densely packed Chinese and Japanese armies. Su Tong led three infantry divisions, one artillery division, and one armored division.
The division's more than 80,000 troops faced off against the Japanese army outside Liaoyuan City. Su Tong's troops were in the west and the Japanese army was in the east. The troops assembled by both sides exceeded 300,000.
But the strange thing is that the Japanese army clearly has superior strength, and Su Tong's strength is obviously weak, but the two sides are not invading each other. This has also made the Western media who have been paying attention to the war in China ridicule, calling it silent
war.
German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop was reporting to Hitler in the Berlin Chancellery, "My head of state, this is the battle report in Asia that we have just received. The Chahar regime's troops have approached the center of Japan in Manchuria.
Liaoyuan, an important town next to Fengtian, now the Japanese have accumulated more than 200,000 troops in Liaoyuan, but both sides have stayed there and engaged in sit-ins. This is really a strange thing."
"It's not surprising at all, my dear Ribbentrop, both of them are now throwing their weight behind the wheel. The Chahar government's current military strength is not enough to support them in launching a hearty offensive, but Japan does not
Make sure to destroy the enemy in front of them in one fell swoop." As he said this, Hitler showed a look of disdain on his face.
"Now both of them are waiting for the result, waiting for the outcome of the battle that took place in Vladivostok to determine the ownership of the Far East."
At this point, Hitler picked up the cup on his desk, took a sip of coffee, and continued: "If the Japanese are defeated in the war at Vladivostok, then the Japanese will have to consider withdrawing their troops from Manchuria.
The feeling of being flanked by east and west is not pleasant. But if Chahar loses, then the great situation they have worked hard to achieve in the Far East for a year will be handed over to the Japanese. The Japanese will also gain a natural disadvantage.
In Frozen Harbor, the scope of activities of their combined fleet will be expanded again."
Having said this, Hitler showed a trace of hesitation on his face. The reason why Hitler valued Japan was because he valued their combined fleet. Japan's powerful navy could make up for the lack of German naval strength to a large extent.
But later, the strength displayed by Chahar made Hitler change his attention and began to secretly support Chahar. However, the navy has always been the shortcoming of Chahar's military strength, which was also the thing that Hitler regretted most.
"If only Chahar's naval strength could be half that of its army, I would be happy to invite their leader to visit Germany." Hitler shook his head with regret.
"My Excellency the Head of State, aren't we training naval personnel for them now?" Ribbentrop said puzzledly. "It won't be long before they can have their own navy, and they can also contain the British and American forces for us in Asia."
Navy, isn’t this also very good?”
Hitler shook his head and said: "No, dear Ribbentrop, in my mind the most ideal situation should be that China and Japan can join hands so that their military strengths can be complementary. That is the most ideal situation."
state."
Ribbentrop shrugged and said, "Unfortunately, perfect things do not exist, and the world cannot always run according to our will."
"Yes, so our empire's strategy in Asia is still not clear yet." Hitler said regretfully, "Whether it is to form an alliance with Japan or to form an alliance with Chahar, I still can't make a final decision."
Hitler's voice became lower and lower, and his last regretful sigh floated out of the office.
The weather in Washington, D.C., has begun to get colder in November. Couples in twos and threes are whispering on the street outside the fence outside the White House.
Roosevelt gently lowered the curtains embroidered with purple tassels, turned his head and chuckled: "What a beautiful evening, and what a beautiful scenery."
At this time, he was sitting in a warm office, with a blanket on his knees as usual. In front of his desk was a report sent by the U.S. Ambassador to China. His senior staff, Hawkins
He was sitting aside and watching him quietly, waiting for his boss's inquiry.
Roosevelt thought silently for a long time and asked softly: "Hawkins, after reading the analysis of the situation in Asia sent by Ambassador Nelson Johnson, what do you think?"
"Mr. President, the current situation in Asia can be said to be very complicated, but it can also be said to be very simple." Hawkins used his surname to spread his hands. "Now there are two Asian powers competing for dominance in Asia. Although one of them is now very
Weak, but they are not willing to sink. After all, they have been the masters of Asia for thousands of years. And Japan"
Hawkins organized his words before saying slowly: "If this country wants to take over China's position and rise, they can only completely occupy and rule this country through war. This is what they think and what they do, but from now on
Judging from the current form, the effect is not very good.”
"Yes." Roosevelt nodded, "Hawkins, it seems that you have made a lot of efforts to understand the situation in Asia. But you don't know much about the characteristics of the Japanese. They are dull and mechanical, and the people only know how to obey.
Although their national consciousness is very strong, they never use their own brains to think. If one day, a madman leads them to jump into the sea, they will jump one by one without hesitation. Such a country is the most
It is dangerous. They will do unexpected and crazy things at any time and anywhere. The United States must not take Japan lightly.
As if he was tired, Roosevelt closed his eyes for a moment and then said: "As for how the United States pursues its own interests in Asia, I still tend to suppress one and support the other. Both countries must have policies that are indispensable.
.It is not advisable for us in the United States to let any of them dominate Asia."
Just as Roosevelt was laying out his views on the situation in Asia to his staff, the Japanese were also embroiled in a controversy.
Not long ago, the Japanese base camp had just decided to take a defensive position in Manchuria and mobilize forces to conquer Vladivostok. However, Su Tong led the army to the Liaoyuan City to show off his power and confront the Japanese army, which deeply irritated the Japanese.
Once upon a time, when the Japanese fought in China, even a brigade dared to attack a division of the Nanjing Political Axe. Now that the Shanghai War has ended, Matsui Iwane led the Shanghai Expeditionary Army to pursue the Kuomintang Expeditionary Army.
A hundred thousand troops were beaten to pieces and were now approaching the gates of Nanjing. However, the Kwantung Army, known as the most elite imperial army in Manchuria, was blocked at the door by a local warlord with a weak force. This is really unbearable.
Forbearance, those young officers who had drunk too much sake could no longer bear it. They jumped out one by one and clamored for a decisive battle with Chahar outside Liaoyuan City.
They even invited Prince Asaka Palace Kyuhiko to personally request Prince Kanwon Palace Zaihito to withdraw the last resolution at a meeting in the base camp, and immediately mobilize troops from Vladivostok to come back for a decisive battle with Chahar, in order to settle the matter in one battle and achieve a complete solution.
Chahar’s vitality.
Under this background, Prince Hanyuan Gong Zairen had to consider the requests of those young officers, for fear of irritating them and trying to defeat his superiors, which would be bad.
Today is the day when the base camp decides whether to withdraw troops from Vladivostok in order to turn around and fight Su Tong. In order to show the so-called fairness, the base camp also specially allowed dozens of representatives of the Young Force officers to hold meetings, even though most of them were at the rank of lieutenants.
officer.
"Gentlemen, please feel free to speak your mind today without any scruples. The purpose of our discussion today is already clear to everyone, so please feel free to speak your mind." As soon as the meeting began, Prince Xianyuan Palace Zairen put on a very serious attitude.
He looked reasonable, but from the corner of his eyes he glanced at the eyes of the junior officers below. Those eyes were so terrifying, as if they were going to burn people through.
"Gentlemen, the territory of our Japanese Empire is now being occupied by the Chinese. They are even approaching Fengtian. This is something we cannot tolerate. We must fight back. We must completely eliminate them." Chaoxiang Gongjiu
Prince Yan waved his fist and said loudly.
"Wow!"
The words of Prince Asaka Palace Kituhiko aroused unanimous applause and cheers from the young officers below. This applause was so loud that even Prince Kanin Palace Zaihi was secretly frightened.
"No, now Vladivostok is at a critical juncture, how can we spare our troops to support Liaoyuan? Wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?" A staff officer from the base camp stood up and shouted loudly.
"Hmph, I think you are putting the cart before the horse. Manchuria is the foundation of the empire and the lifeline of the empire. Now it is being attacked at the doorstep, but you are still putting Manchuria in danger for a small port. What are your intentions?
"
"Gentlemen, I would like to ask what we can gain by taking over Vladivostok. Taking over Vladivostok can only make the navy easier, but it is of no benefit to our army at all. Why should we bother to take chestnuts from the fire for the benefit of others?" Again
It was an officer who jumped out. This man was very smart and used the navy as an example.
At the end of the meeting, the party headed by Prince Asaka Palace Hatuhiko had the upper hand, but the base camp did not withdraw the troops participating in the war in Vladivostok. It just decided that the troops in Vladivostok would no longer continue to increase their strength, but that the Kwantung Army would be
Most of the strength of the Kwantung Army was devoted to the decisive battle outside Liaoyuan City. The Kwantung Army would continue to recruit troops in Manchuria and form ten divisions again in order to fight the decisive battle with Chahar.