"The history of human development is a history of war. As long as humans are social animals, the word war will never disappear. It takes away good people and leaves behind bad people." Chapter 4 of Su Tong's Memoirs, Tokyo, Japan
Prince Kanin Miyazaishihito, a senior minister of Japan, arrived at the home of Yamamoto Gosei, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet. Behind him were Seishiro Itadane, Neji Okamura, Gen Sugiyama and other senior army generals. Yamamoto
Fifty-six has already led a group of naval generals to greet him at the door. No matter how overt and covert the army and navy are, everyone still has to abide by the minimum etiquette.
"Your Excellency, welcome to my humble residence." Yamamoto Isoroku bowed deeply to the manned prince, a veteran of Japan's two dynasties.
"Haha, Yamamoto-kun, you don't have to be polite. It's because we came unexpectedly." Prince Zairen returned the greeting and walked up to Nagumo Chuichi who was standing behind Yamamoto Isoroku. He reached out and patted Nagumo Chuichi on the shoulder and encouraged him:
"Nagumo-kun, congratulations on your unparalleled service to the empire. You fought very well in the Battle of Pearl Harbor."
Nagumo Tadaichi bowed and replied: "Hai, thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty the Prince. Nagumo does not dare to take credit. This is all due to the trust of His Majesty the Emperor and the strategic planning of Commander Yamamoto. I do not dare to take credit for my humble position."
"Yoshi, you are not arrogant in victory or discouraged in defeat. You are worthy of being the pillar of the empire." After hearing what Nan Yun said, the smile on Prince Zai Ren's face that bloomed like a chrysanthemum became even brighter.
"Sir, the weather is very cold, please come into the humble house and have a cup of hot tea." Yamamoto Isoroku made a gesture of invitation at the side.
"Okay, I won't bother you today." After saying that, Prince Zai Ren took the lead and walked in. The navy and army generals behind him automatically divided into two rows and filed in.
After the two parties sat down, Yamamoto Isoroku, as the host, personally served tea to Prince Zain and the generals. Although there were maids at home, the content of today's gathering was obviously not suitable for the servants to hear, so these things had to be left to the public.
The owner, Yamamoto, did it himself.
After taking a sip of tea, Prince Zain put down the tea cup, closed his eyes and savored the aroma of tea in his mouth, and praised: "Yamamoto-kun's tea ceremony has improved again. I remember when I first drank Yamamoto-kun's tea twenty years ago.
That bitter taste almost knocked me off my feet, but now I have made great progress."
"Hahaha" everyone laughed after hearing the joke made by the manned prince.
Prince Zai Ren is obviously very good at mediating the atmosphere. A few words made the atmosphere in the room more harmonious.
"Thanks to His Excellency the Prince's misplaced love, Yamamoto is where he is today thanks to Your Excellency's cultivation."
Twenty years ago, Isoroku Yamamoto was a major in the Navy. When he was serving in the Combined Fleet, he was appreciated and promoted by the then Army Undersecretary. Yamamoto Isoroku is still very grateful for Prince Zain's kindness.
of.
After talking and laughing, Prince Zairen stroked the tea cup in his hand and said: "Yamamoto-kun, your navy fought very well last month. This can be seen from the commendation awarded to you by His Majesty the Emperor. Your navy eliminated the United States."
The maritime power in the Pacific makes it unable to compete with our country for control of the Pacific for at least two years. Based on this alone, the contribution of your navy is huge."
Prince Zain's praise made the naval generals opposite him raise their heads a little higher. Especially in front of the army generals, they felt very comfortable. Sitting on the other side were Okamura Neiji and Itaheng Seishiro.
Although some of the other army generals couldn't bear to see these navy men being so proud in front of them, today they came here to ask for help and to pretend to be grandsons, so they had to echo a few words against their will, which was embarrassing.
Those who agree should also nod slightly to express agreement.
Although the naval admiral behind Isoroku Yamamoto was very proud, Yamamoto, as the commander of the combined fleet, did not think that the manned prince brought people specifically to flatter him today. As expected, after drinking two cups of tea, the manned prince put down his teacup.
, picked up the white napkin on the table, wiped the corners of his mouth, then smiled and said: "Yamamoto-kun, these Japanese Chinese people have made big moves on the southeast coast, you have all heard about it, right?"
Yamamoto showed a hint of certainty in his eyes and said seriously, "Yes, we have all heard about it. It seems that the Chinese want to get involved in Taiwan."
"It seems that Yamamoto-kun has noticed it a long time ago." Prince Cheng's face showed a look of relief, and he continued: "Currently, the empire's troops in Taiwan only have two divisions, the 20th and 21st, plus the local garrison.
The final strength is only 70,000, but according to intelligence, the Chinese troops gathered in Fujian alone exceed 200,000. It seems that they are determined to win. Does Yamamoto-kun have any countermeasures?"
When the generals behind the two heard this, they all knew that they were about to get to the main topic of the day. They all straightened up and heard Yamamoto Isoroku say, "Your Excellency, I think it is very difficult to defend Taiwan. The Army's task is very difficult."
It’s difficult.”
Hearing this, there was a look of shame on the faces of the army generals present. In recent years, the performance of the Japanese army has been really terrible. First, it was driven out of the mainland by the Chinese army, and then North Korea and the defeat of Sakhalin.
, which made these originally arrogant army generals unable to even raise their heads. Now that the Chinese are about to attack Taiwan, even the Manned Prince, an old man who is nearly seventy years old, has to put down his old face and seek help from the navy to let the people sitting there
Behind them, Okamura Neji, Itatasei Seishiro and others wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl in.
"Yes." Prince Zai Ren said with a wry smile: "The Army has been very disappointing in recent years."
"Your Excellency is serious." At this time, there was no trace of ridicule on Yamamoto Isoroku's face. He said seriously: "They are all working for the Emperor. Your Excellency, the Prince, can come in person today, which shows that Your Excellency has great respect for the Emperor and the Empire of Japan."
He has a heart for boxing, which I admire very much. Although Yamamoto is not talented, he is still willing to do his best."
What Isoroku Yamamoto said made Seishiro Itashiro and others stunned. Yamamoto Isoroku was a representative figure of the Japanese navy. What he said almost meant that the navy was willing to help the army defend the stage. Originally, Isoroku Yamamoto said this.
For today's purpose, they were prepared to be ridiculed, but now instead of declining, Yamamoto agreed so readily, which was unexpected by the manned prince and his party.
The manned prince was startled, then stood up and bowed deeply at 90 degrees to Yamamoto and the navy group. Seeing this, Seishiro Itama and others also quickly stood up and saluted the navy generals. Yamamoto looked at
He also quickly led the naval general to stand up and return the greeting.
After the two sides sat down, Yamamoto said solemnly: "Your Excellency, there is no need to be like this. We are all serving the empire, why should we be so divided."
"Hey, Mr. Yamamoto is worthy of being a great man of the generation. He understands the righteousness deeply and is really a role model for our generation of soldiers." Seeing Yamamoto Isoroku agreeing so happily, the manned prince was very happy.
Yamamoto sat down and said: "Your Excellency, although our Navy is happy to help the Army jointly defend Taiwan, the current problem is that the main force of the Combined Fleet also needs to help the Army occupy the Southeast Asian islands and suppress the US Pacific Fleet. There is no way to spare too many ships.
I ask for your understanding to help the army defend Taiwan."
When the army generals heard this, they also understood that what Yamamoto said was not entirely evasive. The combined fleet only had so much strength. It also had to guard against the U.S. Navy's counterattack, and it also had to deliver the army to various battlefields in Southeast Asia. If possible, it could be used to help the army.
There will certainly not be too many troops to defend Taiwan. This involves a question of priority. Is it more important to defend Taiwan or to occupy various islands in Southeast Asia? This is a major matter that affects the fate of Japan.
"Then how many warships can the navy spare to help the defenders of Taiwan?" The manned prince stared at Yamamoto without blinking.
"It is estimated that it will not exceed one squadron." Yamamoto said with a wry smile: "I made a calculation, and currently we can only deploy one heavy cruiser, two light cruisers and six destroyers. This is already the largest force we can mobilize.
Already."
The manned prince pondered for a moment and asked: "Can one or two aircraft carriers be deployed to help? Without the cooperation of carrier-based aircraft at sea, I am afraid it will be difficult for the army to stop the Chinese attack on the beach."
"I'm afraid this won't work." Yamamoto Isoroku shook his head, "Now our six main aircraft carriers are in the Pacific to guard against the U.S. military's counterattack. Now the deployment of aircraft carriers to return reinforcements will inevitably weaken the force in the Pacific."
At this time, Seishiro Itahashi, who was sitting in the back, stood up and said loudly: "Yamamoto-kun, now we only have two divisions of troops in Taiwan. If the navy can no longer spare its troops to help us, it will only be a matter of time before Taiwan's fall.
How can the Navy stand by and watch?”
Faced with Banheng Seishiro's questioning, all the navy generals showed a trace of anger. Banheng's words were clearly accusing the navy of not saving lives, but he never thought that the navy's mission was so heavy, how could it mobilize a large number of troops to come to the rescue?
What about Taiwan?
However, Yamamoto Isoroku did not get angry. He just said calmly: "Ban Heng-kun, please calm down. Let me ask you a question first."
Okamura Neiji, who was sitting next to Itahashi Seishiro, gently tugged on Itahashi's sleeves to signal him to sit down. After Itahashi Seishiro sat down, Yamamoto asked seriously: "Itahashi-kun, let me ask you, if
I will transfer all the aircraft carriers back to Taiwan to assist the army. How sure are you of holding Taiwan?"
"At least 50%" Itahashi Seishiro said without thinking.
"Fifty percent" Yamamoto Isoroku shook his head, "Now the Chinese navy is no longer the two or three small sampans it was seven years ago. They already have three fleets, nine aircraft carriers, and two super ships.
Battleships, a huge fleet of hundreds of destroyers, although their combat effectiveness and quality have not yet reached the standards of a world-class navy, they have reached or exceeded the Imperial Combined Fleet in some areas. What if we put all our efforts into fighting the Chinese
, it’s easy to say if we win, but if we defeat, the end of our empire will really come.”
"You Yamamoto-kun, how can you say such demoralizing words? Think about how our empire has not won its current position by gambling on the fate of the country. How come the navy now doesn't even have the courage to fight a decisive battle with the Chinese? Sino-Japanese War
Naval battle, courage in the decisive battle with the Russian Baltic Fleet"
Itataheng Seishiro's words were so rude that the navy generals sitting in front suddenly changed their expressions.
"Itaheng-kun, be careful what you say." The manned prince turned back and glared at Itaheng Seishiro and reprimanded: "Yamamoto-kun and the other gentlemen here are elites of the Imperial Navy. How can you insult them like this and why don't you apologize to Yamamoto-kun."
"Hai" Itahashi Seishiro listened to the words of the manned prince, lowered his head and said: "Yamamoto-kun, Itahashi made a mistake, please forgive me."
"It doesn't matter." Yamamoto Isoroku waved his hand and said earnestly: "Ban Heng-kun, I admit that I have different views on the issues of Taiwan and Nanyang than you, but Ban Heng-kun, you have to understand that if the empire
The losses of the aircraft carrier and main fleet in Taiwan are too heavy, and we will have no way to suppress the Americans in the Pacific. Without the suppression of the combined fleet, the Americans will take advantage of the opportunity to bring back their Atlantic fleet. Then it will not just be a question of whether they can hold Taiwan.
, the Americans will definitely take the opportunity to regain control of the Pacific Ocean, and then we will be the sinners of His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire of Japan. As a senior general of the Empire, don’t you understand this?"
"You" Seishiro Itahashi pointed at Yamamoto Isoroku and was so angry that he couldn't speak. A trace of blush appeared on his fat round face because of anger. Although it stands to reason that Yamamoto Isoroku is a general and should reprimand him.
This lieutenant general is nothing, but some things are not calculated that way. When you, a navy general, reprimanded an army lieutenant general, did you stretch your hand too far? And you still use the emperor to suppress people at every turn. This is too much.
Bar.
Seeing Ban Heng deflated, Okamura Neiji and others could not sit still. Marshal Shanshan stood up with a cold face and was about to speak, but was stopped by the manned prince: "Sit down, you still have
He doesn’t look like an emperor.”
Seeing that the white-haired manned prince finally got angry, everyone sat down again.
The manned prince took a long breath before saying: "Yamamoto-kun, can you really not send an aircraft carrier to support Taiwan? You know that the lives of the empire's 70,000 soldiers are at stake."
Yamamoto Isoroku gritted his teeth and said hard-heartedly: "Your Excellency, it's not that Yamamoto doesn't know the general situation, but the military strength in the Pacific battlefield is really too tight, and I can't help you even if I'm in a humble position."
As soon as the manned prince heard that Yamamoto Isoroku claimed his humble position, he understood that Yamamoto was planning to take matters into his own hands. The old man finally couldn't help but burst out and shouted sternly: "Yamamoto-kun, you really want to disregard the lives of 70,000 imperial soldiers."
Don’t you care?”
Yamamoto Isoroku also took the risk today and said in a deep voice: "Your Excellency, if you can get His Majesty the Emperor's edict or the Navy Ministry's order, I will naturally dispatch the aircraft carrier immediately without any hesitation. If not, please forgive me for being unable to do anything."
"
"Okay, okay," the manned prince laughed angrily, "Yamamoto-kun, I still value you so much. I didn't expect you to be just a mediocre person who only cares about your own interests. I really misjudged you."
After saying that, the manned prince threw away his hand and rushed out of the door angrily, followed closely by a group of army generals.
Seeing the figure of the Manned Prince walking away, several naval admirals behind Yamamoto Isoroku looked at each other. Tadashi Nagumo looked at Yamamoto Isoroku's livid face and said cautiously: "Your Excellency, Commander, today the Manned Prince
They are all trying to make trouble for us. We should give them some face and send one or two aircraft carriers to support them. But how do you know that he is the uncle of His Majesty the Emperor?"
"Do you also think that I, Yamamoto, am a person who only cares about my own interests?" Yamamoto Isoroku said coldly: "Do you also think that I am evading it because I don't want to help the army defend Taiwan?"
"I don't dare to humble myself." After hearing Yamamoto Isoroku's question, everyone quickly answered in unison, but the look in their eyes betrayed them.
Yamamoto Isoroku glanced around at the generals and sighed: "Even if you don't say it, I know what you are thinking. You all think that I am standing by because of the land and sea war. In fact, how do you know my painstaking efforts? Is it in my heart now?
Aren't you in a hurry? The U.S. Pacific Fleet may counterattack at any time. Our only six aircraft carriers must remain vigilant at all times. Once we find signs of a counterattack by the U.S. Pacific Fleet, we should immediately mobilize our forces to eliminate them. Only in this way can we ensure
There is enough time to occupy Nanyang, Luzon and other islands to seize more resources for our country. But those people in the Army Department are thinking about defending Taiwan all day long. They also don’t think about Taiwan being so easy to defend. Even if we send two aircraft carriers
To assist the army in guarding the platform, don't the Chinese have aircraft carriers? According to reports from the naval intelligence department, their heavy aircraft carriers can be more advanced than ours. One of their aircraft carriers can carry more than 120 carrier-based aircraft.
And ours is only 60 to 80. Looking at the quantity, the Chinese already have nine heavy aircraft carriers. We are at a disadvantage in terms of quantity and quality. How can we compete with others."
Nagumo Chuichi who was on the side argued unconvincedly: "But the quality of the Empire's navy is much better than that of the Chinese. We still have the spirit of Bushido, so the Imperial Navy may not have no chance of victory."
"Well, you're right. You can't just rely on data and superficial appearance to fight a war." Yamamoto Isoroku also nodded, "But if you want to have a decisive battle with the China Navy, you must mobilize all the power of the Imperial Combined Fleet, and not only
Who will win in this battle? Even if we win, what good will it do to us? In the end, we will only benefit the Americans in vain."
Yamamoto Isoroku's words made everyone break out in cold sweat.
After a long time, Nan Yunchuichi whispered, "Your Excellency, Commander, why don't you explain these words to Your Excellency, the Prince?"
"Explain it." Yamamoto Isoroku smiled bitterly, stood up slowly and said sadly: "Even if I explain it, will the people in the army listen to it? I, Yamamoto, have always done things worthy of the emperor and the empire.
Let them think what they want."
After saying that, Yamamoto Isoroku walked slowly into the inner hall, his thin figure looked so desolate.