After Emperor Hirohito had vented enough, Kanin Gongzai Rencai whispered: "Your Majesty, it is said that a country cannot be without a king for a day, and the three armies cannot be without a commander for a day. The top priority is to quickly select the Central China faction from among the suitable candidates in the country.
Condemnation Army, as well as the selection of the commander of the Eleventh Army, and then rush to the Chinese battlefield as soon as possible to stabilize the war situation."
Hirohito heard the implication, frowned and said: "Has the war situation in Wuhan changed?"
"Hai." Xianyuan Gong Zairen said with a heavy nod, "According to information provided by insiders lurking at the top of the National Government, Xue Yue, commander of the First Corps of the National Army, has mobilized troops from four armies and ten divisions.
The forces from the north and south rushed behind the Eleventh Army in an attempt to cut off the Hunan-Jiangxi Highway."
Emperor Hirohito said solemnly: "Hunan-Jiangxi Highway?"
"Hai." Xianyuan Gongzai Ren paused and said, "Once the Hunan-Jiangxi Highway is cut off by the National Army, the Third and 101st Division will immediately be surrounded by the Nationalist Army. During the Xuzhou Battle, the 9th and 13th Divisions
The scene where our regiment was surrounded by the National Army on the front line of Huainan is very likely to happen again, and this time the situation is even more dangerous."
The current situation is completely different from that of the Battle of Xuzhou.
During the Battle of Xuzhou, the scale of the war was still within the range of the Japanese army. Even if the 9th and 13th Divisions were encircled, the Japanese army could mobilize sufficient troops for rescue and response in a short period of time. However, now, the Japanese army's strength has long been reduced.
Use enough force. Once the 3rd and 101st Divisions really fall into a tight siege, it will be in danger.
Emperor Hirohito took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice: "Is the information reliable?"
"Hai, it's absolutely reliable." Xianyuan Gong Zairen immediately responded, "Because the intelligence provided by insiders has been verified from the frontal battlefield, the National Army on the Hunan-Kiangxi battlefield has already launched an offensive."
"Baga, this is really fatal." Hirohito's face changed with anxiety, "Xue Yue is really good at picking the time, but he chose to counterattack at such a juncture. But what confuses me is that if he wants to mobilize four armies,
It is absolutely impossible to launch an attack with a large number of troops without more than five days of preparation time. Could it be that Xue Yuehui had no foresight? Five days ago, we knew that Okamura-san would be assassinated and that Hata Shunroku would vomit blood and die?"
Xianyuan Gong Zairen sighed and said: "Based on the judgment of the Special High School, Xu Rui probably had an affair with Xue Yue before going to Jiujiang to assassinate Oka Cun. As soon as Oka Cun was assassinated, Xue Yue immediately counterattacked."
"Hai." Xianyuan Gong Zairen paused and said, "This Xu Rui has indeed become the sworn enemy of the empire."
After a pause, Xianyuan Gong Zairen continued: "However, according to the information provided by the Central China Condemnation Army, although Xu Rui assassinated Okamura this time, he himself seemed to have been injured and is currently trapped near Jiujiang.
, Jiujiang is far away from central Anhui, and Xu Rui’s Dameishan Independent Regiment cannot save the fire from far away, but this gives the imperial army a god-given opportunity to hunt Xu Rui!”
"Yoshi, this is indeed a good opportunity!" Hirohito suddenly became energetic after hearing this.
Hanyuan Gong Zairen continued: "Therefore, the top priority is to select candidates for the commanders of the Central China Dispatch Army and the Eleventh Army, not only to defuse the offensive of the National Army and to turn the Third Division and the 101st Division out of danger, but also to
What’s more, we must continue Okamura’s plan and strive to end the Wuhan War in September, and one more thing, we must take this opportunity to hunt down Xu Rui!”
"Yo Xi." Hirohito said, "So, does the emperor have a suitable candidate in mind?"
At this time, Ishihara Wanji, who was standing aside, could no longer hold back. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think I am qualified to be the commander of the Eleventh Army!"
That's Ishihara, others really don't dare to recommend themselves like this.
"Just you?" Hanyuan Gong Zairen looked at Ishihara Wanji and said, "Your qualifications are too junior!"
Ishihara Wanji retreated somewhat awkwardly, because in terms of qualifications, Ishihara Wanji did belong to the junior generation. Even Okamura Neji, a twenty-fourth-generation student in mainland China, was rejected by Kanin Miya Zaihito because his qualifications were too junior. Ishihara Wanji belonged to the junior generation.
It goes without saying that he was in the 30th period of the mainland, and Ishihara Wanji was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general not long ago.
Hirohito's eyes narrowed into a thin line, staring at Ishihara without saying a word.
Although Hirohito hates Ishihara, he recognizes Ishihara's abilities.
In particular, the September 18th Incident planned by Ishihara expanded the empire's borders thousands of miles.
Therefore, in terms of ability alone, Ishihara Wanji has absolutely no problem.
Noticing the difference in Hirohito's expression, Kanin Gong Zaihi's eyes fell on Ishihara Wanji again. Ishihara Wanji quickly puffed up his chest and nodded heavily to Kanin Gong Zaihi: "Your Highness, I am humble enough to ask you
I guarantee that when I take office as the commander of the Eleventh Army, I will definitely achieve the points you mentioned."
Hanyuan Gong Zairen frowned and said: "Ishihara-san, can you please step aside?"
"Hai." Ishihara smiled and paused again, then turned and walked out of the imperial study.
After Ishihara Kanji's figure disappeared, Hanin Miyazai Rencai said: "Your Majesty, there is no doubt about Ishihara Kanji's military ability, but his qualifications are indeed a little lower. If he is promoted to the commander of the 11th Army, he will be promoted to commander of the 11th Army.
, what will those veteran division commanders think? Once a disagreement among the generals occurs, the situation will be uncontrollable."
Hirohito nodded slightly when he heard this. Kanin Miya Zaihito's worries were not unreasonable. Ishihara Wanji was in the 30th phase of the mainland, while the commander of the 13th Division, the commander of the 13th Division, was in the 28th and 27th phase.
The division commander, Honma Masaharu, is in the 27th period. They are all seniors of Ishihara Wanji. Now that Ishihara has climbed on top of them, they will definitely be extremely unhappy. On the battlefield, they refuse to carry out orders or make arbitrary decisions.
It is very likely that things will happen again and again.
But soon, Hirohito made up his mind again, raised his head and said: "Uncle Emperor, what you said makes sense. When we selected candidates for front army and group army commanders before, it was because of this factor that we focused on qualifications. However,
The previous defeats of the Central China Condemnation Army have fully proved that seniority-based ranking is really outdated."
Kanin Gong Zaijin could only keep his mouth shut, because what Hirohito said was also true.
The previous three commanders of the Central China Sentinel Army, from Matsui Iwane to Sugiyama Moto, and then to Hata Shunroku, were all selected based on seniority rather than military ability, and the final results were also quite dismal. Matsui Iwane was selected because of Emperor Toshihiko.
Uncle Sugiyama resigned sadly due to the total destruction of his uncle's army and the annihilation of the Shigeto detachment. Sugiyama Motosara committed suicide by caesarean section due to the collective destruction of the Kawaguchi detachment and the disastrous defeat of the Sixth Division. The chief saber, Shunroku Hata, is now vomiting blood and dying!
Facts have proved that the performance of the three commanders who came up in terms of seniority was unsatisfactory.
Now that Emperor Hirohito insists on making appointments based on ability, Kanin Gongzaihito has nothing to say.
However, Hanyin Gong Zairen was still not willing to accept it. After a moment of silence, he continued: "Your Majesty, Ishihara Kanji has just been promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in less than two months, and now he will serve as the commander of the group army. It is too hasty. The veteran has a
A more suitable candidate can be qualified for the position of commander of the Eleventh Army."
Hirohito asked: "Uncle Emperor, who is this?"
Kanin Palace Zai Hitoshi said: "Minister of Army, Sakagaki Seishiro."
"Sakagaki Seishiro?" Hirohito pondered, "Well, this man is a good fighter, and I remember that he is a student of the 28th batch of the Mainland University, right? His qualifications are barely enough. He is the candidate for the commander of the Eleventh Army.
He got it."
After a short pause, Hirohito continued: "So, who is the candidate for the commander of the Condemnation Army in Central China?"
Hanyin Gong Zairen said: "As for the candidate to be the commander of the Central China Condemnation Army, it can only be Nishio Hisako."
"Nishio Hisao?" Hirohito Hiroben forced his mind to remember, and his resume immediately came to mind. This person and the former commander of the Central China Condemn Force, Hata Shunroku, were classmates at the University of China at the same time. During the graduation season, Hata Shunroku was the president.
The result was first place, and thus earned the reputation of Chief Saber. Hiszo Nishio came in second place, beaten by Shunroku Hata.
After a while, Hirohito finally nodded and said: "Yoshi, it's settled. Immediately promote Nishio Hiszog to the rank of Army General, and ask him to take over the affairs of dispatching the Condemnation Army in Central China as soon as possible, and ask Seishiro Sakagaki to immediately handle the affairs of the General Department.
Handed over to Hideki Tojo, he will fly to China within two days and assume the post of commander of the Eleventh Army."
"Hai." Hanyin Gongzai Ren nodded heavily, turned around and was about to leave, but Hirohito called him back.
"Wait a minute." Hirohito called back to Kanin Gong Zaijin, and continued, "And Ishihara, after all, he is a capable person. It would be a pity to be idle in the country like this. He should be sent to the Kwantung Army as chief of staff.
.”
Before Ishihara Kanji was transferred to the commander of Hemai Fortress, he was the director of the Kwantung Army Staff Department.
At that moment, Xianyuan Gong Zairen paused and said: "Hai, then transfer Ishihara to serve in the Kwantung Army."
"And." Kanin Gongzai Ren just turned around to leave, but was stopped by Hirohito for the second time, and said, "Uncle Imperial, before I ask Sakagaki to take office, you should at any rate take the time to visit the Imperial Palace. I have something to say.
You must tell him with your own mouth."
"Hai." Xianyuan Gong Zairen nodded again, turned around and left. This time he was finally not stopped again.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Kanin Gong Zaijin immediately saw Ishihara smiling at the gate of the Imperial Palace, refusing to leave.
Seeing Hanyuan Gong Zairen, Ishihara smiled quickly and took two steps forward, bowing his head and saying, "Your Highness the Prince!"
"Ishihara-san." Hanyuan Gong Zairen waved his hand and said with a smile, "I would like to congratulate you. His Majesty has appointed you as the Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army, and you will take office within half a month."
"Hai!" Ishihara smiled and nodded heavily, feeling ecstatic in his heart.
Ishihara Kanji was a little disappointed when he failed to become the commander of the Eleventh Army and cross the threshold of division commander. However, it was a good result to be able to return to the Kwantung Army as chief of staff, because in Ishihara Kanji's heart
There is another plan, a plan even bigger than the September 18th Incident!